Moser athletes honored by USTA

Several Moser School of Dance and Gymnastic students were recently recognized by the Iowa State USTA Power Tumbling organization and the National USTA organization for the 2015 competition season.

Josephine Briggs, 17, of Independence and Davien Schweitzer, 18, of Aurora, Jessie Glanz, 19 of Manchester and Cierra Weipert, 18, of Farmersburg were nominated for the Iowa State USTA scholarships and also the National USTA scholarships. Biggs and Schweitzer were voted winners.

Sarah VanDeWalle, 16, of Brandon, was awarded the 2015 Iowa USTA Sportsmanship Award. Katelyn Mangold, 16, of Manchester was nominated for the 2015 Iowa Achievement title for the state of Iowa for her dedication, loyalty, and work ethics, and for being at the top of their level throughout her tumbling career. Breanna Vaske, 17, of Manchester was nominated for the 2015 USTA Vickie Wilson Spirit award and Katie Boeding, 21, of Hopkinton was nominated at the national level for the George Nissen Memorial award for her years of dedication to the sport.

Bernita Moser of Strawberry Point, coach for the Moser School of Dance and Gymnastics, was nominated USTA national coach of the year.

SPRINGVILLE GIRLS WIN HONOR

DES MOINES - The Springville High School girls' basketball team recently was recognized at the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University's 2015 Pursuing Victory with Honor Award.

The Ray Center, formerly known as Character Counts in Iowa, issues the Pursuing Victory with Honor Award annually to an athletic team or organization that demonstrates and models commitment to the Six Pillars of Character - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. The team received the honor during the 2015 Iowa Character Awards Dinner on July 31.

A volunteer selection committee of nearly 50 members selected the team in recognition of its exceptional contributions to the community and the world.

STONEBRIDGE GROUP DOMINATES TABLE TENNIS

The Stonebridge Church table tennis senior contingent of Valerie Buffard, Leah and Jarol Duerksen, Diana Drummer, Paul Moore and Bill Schwarz competed recently in the National Senior Games in Minneapolis.

Each qualified by winning state titles in the Iowa Senior games age-group competition.

Bufford was the most successful of the group, placing fourth in singles. Leah Duerksen and Bufford won the bronze in women's doubles and Schwarz teamed with Bufford for a seventh in mixed doubles.

Stonebridge table tennis players also had a terrific showing at the Iowa Summer Games in Ames. In the 19-39 age group Meng-Yu Wang was a gold medal winner, Brandon McCalley placed second and Alan Nguyen third. Meng-Yu Wang then teamed with Des Moines player Phuong Nguyen and placed third in doubles.

Seventy-plus year-old Leah Duerksen won the silver medal in women's championship singles.