Athletes earn medals at Cornhusker State Games

Five Deshler athletes pocketed gold medals at the 28th annual Cornhusker State Games this month in the bowling and men’s track venues.

In men’s track, Jeff Kollath earned two gold medals in both the javelin and shot put in the 30-34 age division.

In bowling, Rick Fayle earned a gold medal in the men’s competition for bowlers carrying a 169 or under average, and Kim Fayle earned the first-coin in the women’s 149 average and under division.

For youth, Brody Fayle and Lexi Fayle earned the championship in the youth doubles division.

Zach Kassebaum, formerly of Hebron, was on the winning men’s open basketball team, the Underdogs, and went home with a gold medal.

No  scores for any of the contests were posted at the CSG website.

Lexi went on to win a silver medal in youth singles for bowlers with a 139 average and under and joined Brody, Rick and Robert Fayle to take second in the four-person team division.

Manny Motto of Deshler also earned a silver medal after finishing second in men’s bowling. He competed in the 170 and over average division.

Athletes collecting bronze medals included Robert Fayle of Deshler in men’s bowling, Mariah Motto of Deshler in girl’s youth bowling, Elizabeth Meier of Deshler in girl’s youth track for shot put, and Andrew Heinrichs of Chester in bantam boys track in the 200 meter dash.

Extreme heat plagued athletes this year as CSG officials at outdoor venues shortened games and added hydration breaks to keep athletes safe.

Overall participation eclipsed the 2011 mark by 78 with 11,589 athletes competing in chosen sports.

Thayer County had 16 athletes, down from the last few years, compete in the state event.