The Spahn Marine Lake Mac Report — your go-to source for the latest news, water conditions, and fishing action from Nebraska’s largest lake, Lake McConaughy.

First things first:&nbsp;If you’re having boat motor trouble, help is just down the road.&nbsp;Spahn Marine in Big Springs&nbsp;is a&nbsp;Mercury Marine Premier Dealer&nbsp;with&nbsp;Mercury-certified technicians&nbsp;who are ready to get you back on the water fast. Give them a call at&nbsp;308-889-3531.

Now for the fishing: Did you know that of the 125 Master Angler walleye caught across Nebraska last year, a whopping&nbsp;90 came from Lake McConaughy? And that’s not all — the lake claimed top honors with both the&nbsp;heaviest&nbsp;(15 lbs 2 oz) and&nbsp;longest&nbsp;(32") walleye. So far this year,&nbsp;three more 32-inchers&nbsp;have been caught, and just this week there were&nbsp;multiple reports of 10+ pound walleye&nbsp;being reeled in. The spring bite is on!

Boat &amp; Shore Fishing Update:Anglers trolling large crankbaits along the face of Kingsley Dam are finding success, while bank anglers are doing well with jigs and crankbaits.&nbsp;Thanks to Jake Fahrenbruch&nbsp;for the latest report from the water.

Docks are now in&nbsp;at Divers Bay, Martin Bay (low water), Lemoyne, Cedar View, and both the north and south ramps at Lake Ogallala.

Boater Reminder:From sunset to sunrise through&nbsp;April 30, boats within 30 yards of Kingsley Dam must travel&nbsp;counter-clockwise&nbsp;(south-to-north) due to spawning regulations.&nbsp;All boats must stay at least 200 feet away&nbsp;from the dam's outlet and morning glory structures.

Coming Up:Don’t miss the&nbsp;Catfish Classic Tournament&nbsp;next&nbsp;Saturday, May 3&nbsp;at Lake McConaughy. For more details, contact&nbsp;Chad Vogl at (308) 355-2321.

That wraps up this week’s&nbsp;Spahn Marine Lake Mac Report. Catch more updates at&nbsp;SandhillsPost.com. This report is brought to you by&nbsp;Spahn Marine in Big Springs&nbsp;and our friends at&nbsp;Buzz’s Marine in Kearney.

Lake Mac Report for Weekend of April 25th, 2025

OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) — April 24, 2025 — The Ogallala Goodall YMCA is preparing for a busy summer, with swim lessons, youth programs, a global peace event, and an urgent call for lifeguards to help staff its large community pool.

Melissa Ewert with the YMCA told the Post that swim lessons will begin in May and continue through June. Levels five and six will run May 19-30. Levels one through four are scheduled for June 16–27. Additionally, classes for toddlers and infants, including preschool-level instruction, are set for the week of June 16.

LISTEN TO MELISSA INTERVIEW WITH SANDHILLS POST

In addition to aquatic activities, the YMCA is also gearing up to host a special event on Friday centered around a newly installed Peace Pole — a monument inscribed with “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages. The pole, an international symbol of peace, was installed by the Ogallala Rotary Club and placed in a public space to promote unity and understanding.

“There’s people from all over the world that are going to be there, which is pretty cool,” said Ewert. A ceremony celebrating the installation is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday.

Ewert also emphasized the need for lifeguards this summer, citing the size and activity level of the YMCA pool. “It takes eight guards during the day and another seven at night on a busy day,” she said, noting the organization is flexible with students’ schedules and eager to provide young people with their first job experience.

In addition, the YMCA has brought back its “Rugrats” program, a weekly activity for children ages 2 to 5. Held on Wednesdays at 10 a.m., the program is designed to keep toddlers active for 30 to 40 minutes through fun, engaging activities — with the added hope that they’ll be ready for a nap afterward.

For more information on lifeguard applications, swim lessons, or youth programs, residents are encouraged to contact the Ogallala Goodall YMCA directly.

Ogallala YMCA Announces Swim Lessons, Peace Pole Ceremony and Lifeguard Openings (PODCAST)

OGALLALA, Neb. — April 24, 2025 — Soap box derby season is set to roll out this Saturday in Ogallala, where young racers from across the country will gather at the Wild West Soap Box Derby Track for a day of head-to-head competition.

Located at 1502 North Spruce Street, the event will begin early with pit crews arriving at 7:30 a.m. for registration, vehicle inspections, and weigh-ins. The first race is expected to start around 9:30 a.m., according to Rally Director Bob Collins, a longtime organizer who’s been with the Wild West Soap Box Derby for more than 25 years.

“We’ll try to get all the cars weighed in, get everybody registered, and get their wheels checked — they can’t run their own wheels, they run ours,” Collins said. “Then we’ll get the cars scaled and the first race hopefully around 9:30. It should be a pretty full day.”

LISTEN TO RALLY DIRECTOR BOB COLLINS CHAT WITH DEREK BECK

Organizers anticipate between 30 and 40 cars will compete, with participants traveling from states including Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and occasionally from as far away as California, Nevada, and Florida.

Racing is free for spectators, and attendees are encouraged to support the on-site concession stand. This weekend's event is billed as a "Double/Double," meaning racers will compete in back-to-back heats across all three divisions: Stock, Super Stock, and Masters.

Collins expressed gratitude to sponsors who make the event possible, including the Ogallala Optimist Club, Pinnacle Bank, Adams Bank &amp; Trust, Kent’s Towing, NB Properties, and All Tech Electric. He added that the derby is actively seeking additional sponsors. Interested businesses can contact Collins at 308-289-6050 or Local Director Dave Barrett at 308-289-1464. <a href="https://ogallala.soapboxderby.org/">Get more info here</a>

Soap Box Derby Season Launches in Ogallala with Weekend Races (PODCAST)

North Platte, Neb. — Backyard poultry producers and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of flock health, nutrition, housing, and economics during a two-day seminar hosted by Nebraska Extension.

The seminar will be held May 2 in Kearney at the Buffalo County Extension Office, 1400 E. 34th Street, and May 3 in North Platte at the West Central Research, Extension, and Education Center, 402 West State Farm Road. Both events run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the North Platte seminar will also be available online via webinar.

PODCAST with Extension Educator Randy Saner (Sponsored by North Platte Kubota)

The seminar will feature presentations from poultry and agricultural experts:

The goal of the seminar is to equip attendees with knowledge and tools to improve disease management and sustainable practices for backyard poultry operations.

The $25 registration fee includes a meal for in-person attendees and access for webinar participants.

Backyard Poultry Seminar Set for May 3 in North Platte (PODCAST)

Ogallala, NE - This report is sponsored by Sphans Marine in Big Springs &amp; Buzz Marine in Kearney.

Inflows to Lake McConaughy are at 851 cubic meter feet per second, that’s down about 70 from last week and down almost 200 cubic meter feet per second from a year ago this week.&nbsp;DOCKS are in at Divers Bay, Martin Bay low water, and Lake Ogallala north and south ramps. Lemoyne is expected to go in soon. (Note: if the wind is forecasted to be greater than 20 mph, docks will be pulled half to all the way out, depending on wind direction.)&nbsp;

WATER LEVEL is at 1,062,600ac-ft (61% capacity)&nbsp;

Water temperatures earlier this week near Kingsley Damm in the morning were around 44 degrees...&nbsp;Daytime anglers continue to have some pre-spawn success at Lake McConaughy. The walleye spawn is just around the corner.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Upcoming events, Try your luck at the Catfish Classic fishing tournament Saturday, May 3 at Lake Mac. Call Chad Vogl at (308) 355-2321 for more information.&nbsp;

Lake Mac Report | April 11, 2025

North Platte, Neb. - The Prairie Arts Center in North Platte has announced that their will be some fun upcoming fundraisers the PAC will be hosting. Also raffle tickets will be sold for some painted chairs with cool designs. More and more classes are being added to the website and if you have a youth, you still have time to sign up for summer classes.

POST news director Canon Rath chatted with Holly Carlini from the PAC about all the news things going on. The Prairie Arts Center is open Tuesday - Saturday from 11am - 4pm. To view the PAC website,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prairieartscenter.org/">click here.</a>&nbsp;to learn more, check out the podcast below.

(Audio) Prairie Arts Center announces upcoming fundraisers, raffle ticket prizes, upcoming classes and more!

North Platte, Neb. - The Lincoln County CASA is hosting its yearly Kevin Kennedy 5K Run and Kids Fun Run this Saturday at Iron Park. The 5K race is set to kickoff at 5:00pm with the Kids Fun Race scheduled for 5:45pm. Following the race, hot dogs will be served. The theme is superhero's so runners are encouraged to wear their best superhero costume. &nbsp;

Also, if anyone is interested in wearing a villain costume, the Lincoln County CASA is looking for individuals to wear villain costumes. You can register for the run online by <a href="https://www.platteriverfitness.com/casa#register">clicking here</a> or sign up in person at the North Platte Rec Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;

POST news director Canon Rath chatted with Janet Vath about the upcoming race. To learn more, check out the podcast below.&nbsp;

(Audio) Sign up for the Kevin Kennedy 5K Hero Run and Kids Fun Run!

Ogallala, Ne - The next 100+ Women Who Care Keith County will meet this Monday, April 14 at Front Street Steakhouse. Every quarter women from Keith County meet and bring $100 with them that they will eventually donate that evening to a local organization. The meeting begins at 6pm sharp (Mountain Time). This quarter the women will be hearing from "Teammates", "Outy Obsession" and "The Ogallala Tree Board"

After each of these organizations presents, the women in the room will vote on who will recieve that quarters financial donation of $100 from each woman/business in attendance. Of course that's $10,000 or more. Since its inception in 2020, the group has donated $202,225 locally.

Kerry Anderson joined Derek Beck on Sandhills Spotlight on Z93.5 Country&nbsp; Thursday morning to talk about this Monday's meeting and the group.

100+ Women Who Care - Keith County is a group of women who gather four times a year for a one-hour meeting, learn about local charities, and each donate a $100 check to a charity that the group selects. This combined donation of $10,000 makes a real impact, without time-consuming fundraising events and planning. We hope you will join us at our next meeting to see how easy and fun it is!

(Podcast) 100+ Women Who Care Keith County preparing for next meeting on Monday

OGALLALA, Neb. &nbsp;— The Ogallala City Council held its regular bi-monthly meeting Tuesday evening, recognizing longtime city employees, proclaiming National Library Week, April 6–12. Mayor Steven Krajewski recognized&nbsp;Jason Curtis &amp; Tracy Hood&nbsp;for 25 years of service to the City of Ogallala in the Street Department.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The city is also preparing for the city’s first-ever drone show this Fourth of July weekend.&nbsp;

In light of anticipated fire restrictions this summer, the city has opted to replace its traditional Fourth of July fireworks display with a drone show. City Administrator Kevin Wilkins said there is an estimated 95% chance a fire ban will be in place by early July, based on consultations with local fire officials.&nbsp;

“We needed to make a decision,” Wilkins said. “We’re also about $7,000 short in fundraising for a fireworks show, and the council is prepared to underwrite that if needed.”&nbsp;

LISTEN TO FULL INTERVIEW WITH CITY ADMINISTRATOR&nbsp;

Instead, the city has contracted Fantasy Drone Shows of Norfolk for a performance on Saturday, July 5. The company is scheduled to perform a show in Colorado the night before and will return through Ogallala, reducing the cost of the typically $80,000 production to $25,000. The show will take place near the Soap Box Derby Track and the Western Diamond Baseball/Softball Complex.&nbsp;

In other business, the council reviewed a funding request from the Keith County Area Housing Development Corporation regarding the former Ogallala Middle School building, and Auditorium. Vacant for several years, the property is slated for redevelopment into a 44-unit apartment complex through an adaptive reuse project.&nbsp;

The corporation is seeking $460,000 in Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act (LB840) funds to address environmental issues, including asbestos, and to begin demolition work. Wilkins said once the building is abated and cleared, it will be transferred to a private developer for construction.&nbsp;

“We’re hoping to start demolition by late summer and move toward acquisition by midwinter,” Wilkins said, adding that the projected construction timeline is about 12 months.&nbsp;

The city and housing development corporation are also pursuing historic district designation for the site as part of the revitalization effort.&nbsp;

Ogallala City Council Recognizes Service, Plans First-Ever Drone Show for July 4th

North Platte, Neb. - The Hershey Volunteer Fire Department is back again for its annual Free Will donation Spaghetti Dinner at the Hershey School Cafeteria. The event takes place from 11 am to 2 pm with all-you-can-eat spaghetti with meat sauce, Homemade buns, and deserts with a free-will donation.

Sports Director Paxton Gordon sat down with Toby, Amanda and Jenifer of the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department the to discuss the up coming event.

(Audio) Hershey Volunteer Fire Department Annual Spaghetti Dinner

Kasey Kroeker from the Perkins County Fair Board announced on Friday, that the fair will host Rock group Eve 6 on Friday, July 18. Tickets onsale today at www.PerkinsCountyFair.com (LISTEN TO ANNOUNCEMENT HERE)

Perkins County hosting Rock Concert at 2025 Fair with Eve 6

Are you sending your child off to college this fall? Many colleges and universities across the nation require proof of meningococcal vaccination before students arrive on campus. Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) encourages families to check shot records and ensure their teens are protected against meningitis before the fall semester begins.

"Meningococcal disease progresses quickly and can have devastating consequences," said Melissa Propp, Clinic Manager at SWNPHD. "The good news is this disease can be prevented with vaccination."

In 2023, the United States had 438 confirmed and probable cases of meningococcal disease. This was the highest number since 2013. Most outbreaks in the US have happened in places where people live in close quarters, like college dorms.

Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacterium&nbsp;Neisseria meningitidis&nbsp;and can lead to meningitis or swelling around the brain and spine. Severe cases may also have bloodstream infections. This type of bacterial meningitis has a fatality rate of up to 15% and can cause long-term disabilities in 20% of survivors.

The CDC recommends meningococcal vaccination starting at middle school and up to college:

These vaccines cover 5 different strains of the most common forms of meningococcal bacteria. MenACWY covers four strains, and MenB covers another strain that is most commonly seen in the US.

One of the key objectives for Healthy People 2030, a national initiative from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is to increase the proportion of adolescents who receive recommended doses of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) by age 17. The national target goal is to reach 80.9% coverage rates in communities. SWNPHD and healthcare providers are working to help meet this goal.

Despite the availability of these vaccines, immunization rates continue to remain below targets. Approximately 1 in 5 U.S. teens have not received their first dose of the MenACWY vaccine, and fewer than one-third have received the recommended booster.

SWNPHD encourages all parents and guardians to talk with their healthcare providers to make sure their children are up to date on meningococcal vaccinations. Vaccines are available through local healthcare providers and are also available through SWNPHD clinics. Nebraska residents can look up their shot records in the Nebraska State Immunization Information System (NESIIS) at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nesiis-dhhs-prod.ne.gov/">nesiis-dhhs-prod.ne.gov</a>.

Heading to College? Be Prepared and Protected

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — One of Nebraska’s most anticipated summer festivals, North Platte Rail Days, returns July 29 through August 3, 2025, promising a weeklong celebration of the city’s rich railroad legacy with tours, shows, food, music, and community gatherings.

Hosted around the historic Golden Spike Tower and the world-renowned Bailey Yard, the event kicks off Tuesday, July 29, with VIP Perks Pass pickup and continues with exclusive early access events for VIPs, including private yard tours and gift shop discounts on Thursday.

The public festivities ramp up Friday with Bailey Yard tours offered four times throughout the day, a Model Train Show at the D&amp;N Event Center, and a “Welcome to Nebraska” celebration on the Golden Spike Tower lawn. Twilight Tours at the Tower will give guests a rare nighttime view from one of railroading’s most iconic spots.

Saturday’s lineup expands to include the Breast Cancer Walk at Cody Park, Tractors, Trucks, Trains &amp; Planes family event, and a Pulled Pork &amp; Corn Feed hosted by the Lincoln County Historical Museum. The day ends with music and fun at “Trains &amp; Tunes” by the Challenger Display.

Rail Days closes on Sunday with a Kiwanis Pancake Feed, the final day of the Model Train Show, and a Closing Ice Cream Celebration at the D&amp;N Event Center.

Organizers say the event, supported by free-will donations, is a chance to honor the vital role of railroads in Nebraska’s history and economy. “North Platte is home to the world’s largest classification rail yard, and Rail Days is our way of sharing that pride with the community and visitors from across the country,” said an event spokesperson.

All events are open to the public, with most activities offered at no cost. VIP passes provide early and enhanced access throughout the week. For more information, visit the Golden Spike Tower’s official website or social media channels.

North Platte Rail Days 2025 Announces Schedule; Set to Celebrate Rail Heritage with Packed Week of Events

&nbsp;Written By: Jacob Klaudt, K-State Research and Extension news service

MANHATTAN, Kan. – A powerful geomagnetic weather event known as the Gannon Storm caused mass global navigation satellite system outages the weekend of May 10, 2024, leading to an assumed&nbsp;<a href="https://agmanager.info/management-finance/precision-agriculture/impact-gannon-storm-corn-production-across-midwestern-usa">$565 million</a>&nbsp;in losses for midwestern crop producers.

Kansas State University precision agricultural economist Terry Griffin said what seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime space weather storm may become more of an expectation for growers in the future.

“It seemed like an oddity because we haven’t had something like this happen during planting time, yet the actual anomaly is we’ve had mild solar cycles as of late, which are usually 11 years,” he said.

Humans have been measuring solar cycles since 1750. Griffin said the planet is entering its 25th right now, though only the third one since GPS has been commercialized, which is part of why these outages seemed out of the blue.

“It’s probably what we should expect moving forward, not just for the next solar cycle, but also for this spring because we haven’t passed the maximum amount of geomagnetic disturbances for the solar cycle yet,” Griffin said. “Spring 2025, fall 2025 and even spring 2026, we should still expect this type of activity.”

Looking back to the weekend of the Gannon storm, there was increased solar activity, which included sunspots seen by the naked eye and several coronal mass ejections that led to part of the atmosphere becoming more dense – the cause of the GPS and GNSS signal degradations.

“It was sort of a perfect storm of solar activity that even caused a radio blackout at one point,” Griffin said. “Space weather is different from terrestrial weather. Besides the northern lights, there’s nothing we can see, feel or hear from space.”

He added: “Still, it is definitely a real thing and expected to be an issue for the remainder of this solar cycle.”

Until researchers develop alternatives to GPS and GNSS less vulnerable to space&nbsp;<a href="https://www.morningagclips.com/tag/weather/">weather</a>, Griffin said producers can best prepare themselves for future events by simply being aware and quickly determining the source of system outages.

“It’s important to know whether it’s a local problem with your hardware or if it’s a global problem that is outside of your control,” he said. “You can learn that online through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s&nbsp;<a href="http://swpc.noaa.gov/">Space Weather Prediction Center</a>.”

Growers can find a bar chart on the Space Weather Prediction Center’s website that denotes high geomagnetic activity for the entire planet with orange or red bars.

“If you’re having problems with GPS and the bars are green, it’s probably a local issue,” Griffin said. “Call the dealer, but if the bars are dark red for nine hours or so, it’s probably the atmosphere being activated by solar activity, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Could Last Year’s Gannon Space Storm and GNSS Outage Impact Farmers Again?

The Hot Sheets: April 26, 2025

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen issued an emergency declaration and imposed a statewide burn ban Wednesday in response to escalating drought conditions and an out-of-control wildfire in north-central Nebraska.

The Plum Creek Fire, which began Monday as a permitted controlled burn by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, had scorched 6,631 acres, destroyed a cabin, killed 45 cattle, and leveled eight utility poles by Wednesday afternoon. The fire remained 0% contained, with officials citing “very challenging topography” as a significant barrier to firefighting efforts.

“It’s way too dry, and it doesn’t make any sense,” Pillen said during a press conference at the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) headquarters. “It only takes one burn, one mistake, and the one that took place yesterday really, really made no sense.”

More than 50 local volunteer fire departments, along with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Nebraska National Guard, State Fire Marshal’s Office, and other agencies, have been deployed to battle the blaze. The Nebraska National Guard has dropped approximately 50,000 gallons of water and 16,000 gallons of retardant on the fire using UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.

John Erixson, director of the Nebraska Forest Service, said the fire is part of a broader and unusual wildfire season, worsened by a dry winter and lack of soil moisture. “It just takes one little spark from any source to take off,” Erixson said.

Calling for caution and cooperation, Pillen urged Nebraskans to avoid any activity that could spark a fire. “We need Mother Nature to get on our side, and we need to get drenched,” he said. “If Nebraskans want to pray for a tsunami, I think we’d take that — or a drenching rain.”

Col. Shane Varejcka of the Nebraska National Guard said communities like Ainsworth and Valentine are helping support the 29 service members assigned to the operation.

Officials said updates will continue to be issued by NEMA and local emergency agencies as the situation develops. The burn ban will remain in effect through April.

Gov. Pillen Declares Emergency, Statewide Burn Ban as Wildfire Rages in Drought-Stricken Nebraska

Union Pacific is pleased to announce members of the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NCFO) ratified a five-year agreement with Union Pacific Railroad.

“I want to thank the NCFO’s leadership and members for all their hard work during negotiations and for approving this agreement,” said Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena. “We are a stronger railroad when we work together and focus on providing the safe, reliable service we sold to our customers.”

Union Pacific Railroad Announces Ratified Agreement with National Conference of Firemen & Oilers

The Hot Sheets: April 24, 2025

OMAHA, Neb. — April 24, 2025 — Union Pacific Corp. reported flat earnings for the first quarter of 2025, with net income holding steady at $1.6 billion, or $2.70 per diluted share — nearly identical to the $2.69 per share posted in the same period last year. The railroad said growth in freight volumes and pricing gains were offset by headwinds including fuel-related costs and the effects of the leap year.

Operating revenue for the quarter remained unchanged at $6.0 billion, despite a 7% increase in carload volume. Freight revenue rose 1%, and 4% when excluding fuel surcharge revenues. The company’s operating income also held steady at $2.4 billion, while the operating ratio — a key industry metric of efficiency — was flat at 60.7%.

“The team delivered a solid start to the year as we worked closely with our customers to meet their needs in an uncertain environment,” said CEO Jim Vena in a statement. “Looking to the rest of 2025, we will continue to execute our strategy that emphasizes safety, service, and operational excellence.”

Union Pacific highlighted several operational improvements, including record performance in personal injury rates, fuel consumption, and freight car velocity. Train length grew 2% to an average of 9,490 feet, while workforce productivity increased 9%.

Despite a mixed economic backdrop and fluctuating coal demand, the company affirmed its full-year guidance and reiterated plans for up to $4.5 billion in share repurchases and $3.4 billion in capital investments. Union Pacific also reaffirmed its goal of achieving high-single to low-double-digit compound annual growth in earnings per share over the current three-year period.

Shares of Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) were little changed in early trading following the report.

Union Pacific Posts Steady First Quarter Earnings, Citing Strong Freight Volumes and Operational Gains

KEARNEY – University of Nebraska at Kearney head softball coach Katie Ackermann had two rules for the 2025 season.

“The game itself is hard enough,” she explained. “If you can’t play it with people you truly enjoy being around, then it’s really not fun at all.”

In her sixth season leading the UNK program, Ackermann is focused on creating a positive team culture and supportive environment. Winning is still important, she said, but you have to take the right steps to achieve success.

Nobody has bought into this philosophy more than the “Colorado girls.”

“I think they’re a real reason why our culture is the way it is,” Ackermann said. “I’m very thankful for everything they’ve done for us.”

“It’s hard for me to even put into words what they’ve done for me personally and professionally. They’ve made me a better coach and a better person. And they’ve shown me what I really want the future of this program to be. They’ve been nothing short of amazing.”

Outfielders Addy Deal and Eden McNally and second baseman Rylyn Nelson are more than just teammates. The Colorado natives are roommates and best friends.

“I honestly don’t know what we’re going to do without each other,” McNally said with a smile. “We’ve grown such a dependency on each other, and we have such a good time together. It’s definitely going to suck when it comes to an end.”

The trio first met at Northeastern Junior College in Nelson’s hometown of Sterling, where they were part of the best softball team in school history. The Plainswomen won a total of 71 games during their two seasons together there and captured the program’s first-ever Region 9 championship.

“There was nothing that could stop that team,” said Deal, a Fort Collins native. “It was awesome.”

Deal hit .452 with 20 homers, 31 doubles, 93 runs scored and 148 RBIs over those two seasons, and McNally added 44 stolen bases, 59 RBIs and 109 runs scored while batting .379. Nelson played three seasons for Northeastern, earning NJCAA All-American honors twice. She finished her junior college career with a .446 batting average, 222 RBIs, 239 runs scored and a school-record 72 homers.

Of course, those kinds of numbers are going to catch the attention of coaches at four-year schools.

Former UNK assistant Jason Miller saw the eye-popping stats while scouting for players who could boost the Lopers’ offensive production, and Ackermann was already familiar with Northeastern from her time coaching at McCook Community College. She successfully recruited Northeastern transfer Stacy Bott, a UNK pitcher and utility player in 2022 and 2023, a couple years earlier.

“They were Region 9 champions. They were leading the nation in batting average and home runs. We knew these players would be a great fit for our program,” Ackermann said.

The UNK coaches traveled to Sterling to watch Northeastern play and meet the trio in person. At that time, Deal was seriously considering a commitment to UNK rival Fort Hays State, but the Lopers had a wild card up their sleeve.

What if the three of them came to Kearney together?

“It was like a sign from God,” Deal said. “I would get to continue playing with my two best friends for two more years. I knew this was the place where I needed to go.”

She committed first, then the others followed.

“If you’re going to go to a new place, you might as well go with your two best friends,” said McNally, a Castle Rock native.

Nelson agreed, putting off her plan to coach high school softball in Sterling so she could join her pals in Nebraska.

They came to Kearney in summer 2023 – sight unseen.

Transitioning to a new state, new city, new school and new program is never going to be easy, and there were certainly bumps in the road.

“That first fall, we were all kind of struggling with the new environment,” Deal said. “We didn’t really know a lot of people, so we really leaned on each other in the beginning. I don’t know if I would have made it without them here to support me.”

“That was my biggest selling point for coming to UNK,” Nelson added. “I didn’t want to keep playing softball because I didn’t want to start over in a new place. But coming here with two of my best friends was a total game changer. Now, I couldn’t imagine the last two years without my teammates and coaches.”

After a brief adjustment period, the Colorado girls found their stride both on and off the diamond.

“Once the spring season rolled around, I feel like we got a lot closer with our teammates. It was a lot easier to kind of let loose, have fun and play the game we know how to play,” Nelson said. “This season has been even better because I feel like we were able to connect as a team a lot quicker. The entire team just clicked immediately, and I think that shows up a lot more on the field, too.”

“We came in as three really big competitors, which I think helps the team, but we also like to have a lot of fun with each other,” Deal added. “We know that if you’re friends with your teammates, you’re going to play better. I think that was really important for us.”

Because of the close bonds they’ve created, Deal, McNally and Nelson all say this year’s team is the best of their careers.

Ackermann gives these three players a ton of credit for creating that feeling.

“I never see them apart. When they show up, they show up together. When they leave, they leave together,” she said with a laugh.

“They feed off each other in the most positive way. When one of them is having a hard day, the other one brings the energy. They’re really genuine people with great character.”

Beyond that, they have a deep passion and love for the game. Ackermann describes them as tough-minded and gritty – “the true definition of ballplayers.”

“You don’t run into kids like this very often. When they show up to the yard, they are absolutely ready to work. They want to get better,” she said. “They also bring this sense of ‘we can beat anybody.’ It doesn’t matter who we’re going to face, we’re going to beat them.”

Earlier this season, the Lopers completed a rare doubleheader sweep against conference foe Washburn, then picked up the program’s first-ever win against 15th-ranked Rogers State. They’ll wrap up the regular season Saturday at Fort Hays with a chance to earn a trip to the MIAA Tournament for the first time since 2022.

“I wouldn’t want anything more than to make the conference tournament for these girls and give them absolutely what they’ve wanted since they got here,” Ackermann said.

Deal, McNally and Nelson have played a combined 240 games for the Lopers, recording 13 home runs, 21 steals, 92 runs, 120 RBIs and 165 hits.

All three of them will graduate in May. Deal and McNally are earning bachelor’s degrees in business administration with minors in marketing/management, and Nelson will receive a degree in general studies with emphases in physical education and family science.

After moving back to their home state, Deal plans to take a gap year while studying for the Law School Admission Test and McNally wants to work in residential real estate. Nelson still hopes to coach softball in Sterling while attending cosmetology school.

Although they’ll no longer be teammates, the Colorado girls will definitely remain close.

“We’ll always be hanging out,” Deal said with a smile.

“Yeah, we’ll be friends forever,” McNally added.

Best friends bring energy, grit to UNK softball team

Story by NU Athletic Communications

The No. 18 Nebraska softball team will travel to Seattle, Wash., to take on the Washington Huskies in a three-game Big Ten series this weekend. Friday’s game is set for 8 p.m. (CT), Saturday’s contest will start at 5 p.m. (CT) and Sunday’s matchup will begin at 3 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;

NU was tabbed No. 18 by the NFCA Coaches Poll this week, No. 21 by USA Softball, No. 22 by Softball America and No. 23 by D1 Softball.

Last weekend, the Huskers hosted the Indiana Hoosiers in a two-game conference series. The Big Red dropped the first game, 2-6, but bounced back to run-rule IU in game two by a score of 12-4. Eight Nebraska athletes recorded a hit and four -- Samantha Bland, Kacie Hoffmann, Ava Kuszak and Ava Bredwell -- had two or more. Kylee Magee grabbed the win in the circle after tossing 4.0 innings and allowing four earned runs. She recorded five strikeouts, a season-high mark.&nbsp;

The Huskers are 33-11 on the season with a 12-4 mark in conference play, while Washington is 31-13 (9-6 Big Ten).&nbsp;

Friday’s game will be on FS1, Saturday’s contest will be televised on the Big Ten Network and Sunday’s matchup will be on B1G+. This weekend’s games will&nbsp; have a free radio broadcast with Camden Cohn on the call. The radio broadcast is available at Huskers.com/listen and on the official Huskers app.&nbsp;

The Nebraska softball team has not only made its mark on the field, but with attendance records posted in 2025.

The Nebraska softball team has enjoyed a solid season at the plate, most notably with its home run numbers.&nbsp;

Nebraska softball pitcher and utility player Jordyn Bahl has not only had an impact in the circle, but her offense is a force to be reckoned with.

Nebraska utilized the transfer portal this offseason, bringing in six new players -- Hannah and Lauren Camenzind and Kacie Hoffmann from Arkansas, Olivia DiNardo from Arizona, Kylee Magee from Arizona State and Ava Kuszak from Wisconsin.

Nebraska’s 2025 roster consists of 25 total athletes. Fourteen of those are returners.

Nebraska faced significant adversity in 2024, as a total of six players suffered season-ending injuries, including four that are returning for the 2025 season. Additionally, Arizona State transfer Kylee Magee had to use the offseason for rehab.&nbsp;

Washington is 31-13 on the season with a 9-6 mark in conference competition. The Huskies bat .292 on the season and have an ERA of 2.62.&nbsp;

Huskers head West for series at Washington

Story by NU Athletic Communications&nbsp;

Lincoln –&nbsp;Nebraska Men’s Basketball Coach Fred Hoiberg announced Thursday that St. Thomas transfer Kendall Blue has signed with the Nebraska men’s basketball program.

Blue, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound guard from Woodbury, Minn., joins the Husker program after scoring over 1,000 career points in three seasons at St. Thomas. He started 89 of 100 career games at the school, helping the program to consecutive 20-win seasons.

“Kendall is someone we targeted because of his combination of length, versatility and experience,” Hoiberg said. “He’s a high IQ player who does a lot of things well, whether it is spacing the floor with his shooting or initiating offense. Defensively, he has good instincts and the size to guard multiple positions. Kendall started the past three seasons at St. Thomas and expanded his role each season.”

Blue started all 34 games last season, averaging 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steal per game, as St. Thomas posted a 24-10 mark in 2024-25. He ranked 17th&nbsp;in the Summit League in scoring while shooting 51 percent from the field and 42 percent from 3-point range. Blue finished in the top 15 of the Summit League in assists (13th), rebounding (13th) and steals (13th).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He earned a spot on the Summit League All-Tournament team in 2025, averaging 15.0 ppg, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game in helping the&nbsp;Tommies&nbsp;reach the title game. He had 21 points in the win over North Dakota in the semifinals and nearly had a double-double in the title game against Omaha with 10 rebounds, nine points and three assists. He had 23 double-figure outings on the year, including four 20-point games. His best game of the season came at Oklahoma State, when he finished with 18 points, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range, and a season-high 11 rebounds.

As a sophomore, Blue started all 33 games and averaged 10.6 ppg, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He tallied 18 double-figure efforts, including a career-high 22-point performance against Portland State where he went 7-of-9 from the field, including 6-of-7 from 3-point range, He also had 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting against Marquette and his first career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds against Omaha. He closed the year by averaging 13.5 ppg on 65 percent shooting and 6.5&nbsp;rpg&nbsp;over the final four games of the year.&nbsp;

He broke into the starting lineup as a freshman, playing in all 33 games, including 22 starts, as he averaged 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. He had 15 double-figure efforts, including a season-high 15 points against North Dakota State.

Kendall Blue to join Huskers 

Des Moines, Iowa - Till Steinforth scored the top world decathlon mark and Keyshawn Strachan threw a javelin school record as the Nebraska track and field team finished the second day of competition at the Drake Relays.&nbsp;

Steinforth set a new Drake Relays decathlon record with 8,265 points as he earned the 100m (10.65), long jump (7.90m, 25-11), shot put (15.28m, 50-1 ¾), 400m (47.96) and 100mH (14.09) event titles on the way to the decathlon win.&nbsp;

In the WACT men’s javelin, Strachan threw a school record as he claimed the event title, going 81.01m (265-9). Dash Sirmon also competed in the event, earning a fifth-place finish with a mark of 73.90m (242-5). On the women’s side, Husker alum Rhema Otabor claimed the win (58.20m, 190-11), and senior Maddie Harris finished fourth (56.50m, 185-4).&nbsp;

Nebraska had two runners finish in the top eight of the men’s 800m as Sam Easley placed fifth (1:50.58) and Gabe Nash was seventh (1:50.74). In the 3,000m steeplechase, Cami Merickel placed sixth, running 10:36.10, and Grant Wasserman ran a personal-best 8:57.84 for 14th.&nbsp;

Trevor Acton was sixth in the men’s 10,000m with a time of 30:33.11, and in the men’s 1500m, Kaleb Sharp ran 3:53.33 for 13th.

Up next, the Huskers continue competition at the Drake Relays tomorrow with running events at 12:15 p.m. (CT) and field events at 1:30 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;

1. Keyshawn Strachan - 81.01m (265-9)&nbsp;

Steinforth, Strachan set top marks at Drake Relays 

Area Sports Scores from 4-24

By: Paxton Ritchie&nbsp; CSC Sports Information Director

CHADRON, Neb. – Chadron State football's 2025 spring game will be open to the public on Friday at 5 p.m. at Elliott Field, featuring multiple free opportunities to win prizes and purchase game-worn CSC apparel. 

The start time of 5 p.m. is an hour earlier than previously announced, with the event taking place slightly earlier in the evening due to weather forecasts. 

All fans who attend the spring game will be entered, free of charge, into a raffle to win a grand prize of two season tickets to the Eagles for the 2025 season. 

School-age children and Chadron State College students in attendance will have the opportunity to be selected to come onto the field during Friday's activities and attempt to catch either a pass or a punt from a CSC football player to win a prize. 

Also, for Eagle super-fans, Chadron State's game-worn gray jerseys from the 2024 season will be available for purchase at the spring game. Jerseys can be bought for $150. Any CSC student-athletes or recent Eagle football alumni wishing to buy their own game-used jerseys will be charged a rate of $130 to purchase. 

Unlike in past years, the 2025 spring game will not feature another school as an opponent and will not be played like a timed, continuous game. The new format allows Eagle student-athletes to showcase and compete against one another with the goal of maintaining depth, avoiding injuries and involving other CSC students and community members in the day's festivities. 

The football portion of the spring game will feature different matchups (first/second team offense vs. first/second team defense, for example) playing out a series from a certain spot on the field. The "mini-games" featuring kids, students and community members will take place between some of the matchups, including an on-field "punt, pass and kick" competition among CSC football players.

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