February 2015

Humboldt High senior Austen Gargano guaranteed himself a top eight medal finish by winning his wrestle back match at 126 pounds in the 2A state wrestling tournament Friday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Gargano scored in the final seconds to edge Tony Garcia of Mount Vernon, 6-5. He'll advance into Friday night's next consolation around where he'll face Nick Rounds of Missouri Valley in an 8 p.m. match.Senior 182 pounder Adam Mickelson saw his career come to an end as he lost a hard-fought, 8-6 decision to Bryce Lunsford of Fairfield. Mickelson bows out at 44-10.See complete story and photos in the Humboldt Independent Newspaper. Subscribe for full access to the digital and print editions by clicking the link above to begin today!

Positives were aplenty Monday night (Feb. 16) during a joint work session of the Humboldt and Twin Rivers School Districts. In a meeting held at the middle school media center in Humboldt, board members from both districts expressed satisfaction with the sharing that has taken place, now in its fourth year. School officials from both districts are looking at renewing their sharing plan for another four years. The current sharing agreement expires on June 30, 2015. This year there are 16 boys and 21 girls in grades 6-12 from TR who are attending class and participating in activities in Humboldt. Roughly 62 percent or 23 of 37 students have participated in at least one fall or winter activity. Several students are taking college credit or advanced placement classes, according to Humboldt High School Principal Lori Westhoff.

Humboldt High senior wrestlers Austen Gargano (126 pounds) and Adam Mickelson (182) rebounded from opening round losses by winning their consolation wrestleback matches on the opening day of the Class 2A State Wrestling Tournament in Des Moines on Thursday, Feb. 19 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.Gargano lost a 13-1 major decision to No. 2 ranked Brice Everson of Camancha (42-4 junior) in the first round but came back to beat Austiin Gutknecht of Clarinda, 7-2. Gargano, 35-16, will wrestle in the Friday morning consolation round session. Mickelson lost a 2-1 decision to Julio Sanchez of Grinnell in the first round at 182 pounds. Mickelson came back strong, however, and defeated LaPorte City Union senior Tanner Shirk, 6-4 to keep his career alive. Mickelson, 44-9, will also wrestle in the Friday morning consolation round.

Humboldt's varsity girls' basketball team will face Spencer in a Class 4A Regional Tournament game on Saturday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. in the Humboldt gym. The Wildcats, who drew a first round bye, will face Spencer after the Tigers defeated Fort Dodge, 67-44 on Feb. 18 in Spencer.Subscribe to the Independent for full story. Click the link above to begin your subscription today!