Blair grad's hoops team makes NCAA Tourney
Blair High School graduate Kip Tupa cut down the nets alongside his Central College (Iowa) teammates on March 1 after it won the American Rivers Conference Tournament title in Lincoln.
The 68-57 conference title win against Nebraska Wesleyan was the Dutch's first since 2016. It also earned Tupa and his team an NCAA Division III National Championship tournament berth.
Central College started tourney play Friday against Washington University in St. Louis, but lost 82-75.
The Dutch's former Blair Bear played in 12 games this season prior to Friday. He averaged 1.8 points per game with six 3-point makes, five rebounds, five assists and a steal.
Baughman's hoops team wins conference title
Blair graduate Makayla Baughman's Benedictine College (Kan.) basketball team won the Heart Women's Basketball Tournament title game 65-51 against MidAmerica Nazarene on March 3 in Olathe.
The former Bear, a reserve guard, played 4 minutes during the contest, notching an assist. She's averaging 1.1 points across 31 games played this season.
With the win, Benedictine will next compete during the 44th annual NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship tournament. It opens Friday against LSU-Alexandria at Bethel College in Tennessee.
Olberdings compete at wrestling nationals
Fort Calhoun High School graduates Lance and Ely Olberding recently competed during the NJCAA Wrestling Championships at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Representing Southeast Community College, the wrestlers earned their spots with second-place regional finishes. Lance Olberding was second at 133 pounds at the tournament in Otero, Colo., while Ely Olberding took second in 141. Lance was a semifinalist at nationals in Council Bluffs, too, while Ely reached the quarterfinals before a loss.
— Staff reports
