Top 10 of the 2010s

T
he 2010’s have definitely had their ups and downs when it comes to Dogie sports, and as we bid adieu to the decade and look toward the 2020’s, it’s time to do a little visit to the past 10 years.
Well, not the whole decade because I don’t have a full written record to look back on, but here’s my take on the top 10 moments that stand out to me.
Number 10: 
In the 2015-2016 men’s hoops season, the Dogies had three big wins that remain a source of pride. In the first contest of the season, the team travelled to Custer to face off against the Wildcats and the South Dakota team was the definite favorite. However, Newcastle took the court on a mission, and dominated the Wildcats from start to finish. Later in the season, the Dogies swept the Wheatland Bulldogs who were a force in the Southeast quadrant.
Number 9:
In the fall of 2016, two very talented ladies pushed each other to finish first and second in the 100 yard Backstroke at the state meet. Rachel Henkle and Mikenna Waggener had competed with each other throughout their four years of competitive swimming, and that propelled both to become the best in the state. Henkle defeated Waggener at the Regional meet that year, but Waggener got the edge on her classmate to touch the wall first at the state meet with Henkle claiming the runner-up honors. 
Number 8:
In the fall of 2015, Calbi Ausmann ran her way into Dogie history by completing a nearly perfect season by winning the 3A State race in 18:39, finishing 28 seconds ahead of the second place runner from Jackson. Ausmann went on to become the state champ the next spring in the 800 meter race in 3A track, and she was also the first Newcastle athlete to be named the Gatorade Athlete of the Year.
Number 7:
A personal favorite of mine is one that also still haunts me. In 2014, the Lady Dogies were within three points of advancing to the state championship for the first time since 1979. My daughter played on that team, so the outcome of the contest held much more meaning to me than just being a Dogie fan. 
The Lady Dogies were up six points against the Worland Lady Warriors with short time to go when things started to unravel. Worland went on a 9-0 run to go up three. With about two seconds to play in the game, Newcastle inbounded the ball under their basket, but unfortunately, the last second shot was just off the mark so the Lady Dogies were thwarted from the opportunity to put a banner on the wall of the Dome.
Number 6:
2014 also marked the last time (I think) the Lady Dogies got the better of the Douglas Lady Bearcats. When the team that has dominated 3A East for a majority of my tenure at NHS came to town for their first matchup of the season, the Lady Dogies gave them more than a run for their money and came away with the win. Though the Douglas team certainly owns the bragging rights over Newcastle, that victory was oh so sweet!
Number 5:
The Longhorns made Newcastle baseball history in the summer of 2016 when the team became the first to bring home a state title, and advance to the Pacific All Northwest Regional Tournament in Canada. The team would go on to win two more state titles in subsequent years, and this last summer, traveled to Canada once again for the regional tournament and picked up their first win ever at that high-powered contest. 
Number 4:
Kale Corley becoming only the second freshman in Dogie history to take home a state title in 2018 is definitely one of the highlights for me. After finishing third at the Regional meet that year, he was hungry to make a run for all the glory at the culminating contest, and he did so at 120 pounds. 
That year was bittersweet, however as his older brother Wyatt, Trayton Dawson and Teigan Marchant all had a legitimate shot at earning titles as well. As seniors, it was their last shot at bringing home the gold and all advanced to the championship round, however, they each tasted the agony of defeat as they had to settle for runners-up. 
Number 3:
Cade Ostenson making Dogie history in both basketball and track in the spring of 2019 was awesome. He set a career scoring record for the Dogies and broke a longstanding school record in the long jump later in track. 
Number 2:
A shining moment for me is the most recent, and that is the show that Dylon Tidyman put on in the final game of the Stateline Shootout against Lead on Saturday, December 21st. It was obvious he was on a mission when his feet hit the floor. 
Tidyman had found himself in foul trouble in the first three games of the season, but his determination to avoid having to ride the pine against Lead was evident. He ended the game without a single infraction to his name. 
One may think that perhaps he had backed off his aggression but that was far from the case. He scored an incredible 38 points, which head coach Allen Von Eye noted was the most a player has scored in one game in his tenure, but he also had seven rebounds, seven steals, and a blocked shot.
Watching Tidyman play is a pleasure for even the most novice when it comes to basketball. His athleticism is off the charts, his body control, basketball savvy, and leadership capability makes watching the game a joy for anyone in the gym. 
Number 1:
The one that wins number one status is not a single memory, but a compilation of several moments. After I started photographing my children in their sports, I have been blessed to capture some very special memories through my lens.
A few times, I have been able to capture the overwhelming joy as teams celebrated winning hard-fought battles.
Some of those shots captured the emotional moments when athletes walk off the court for the final time as a Dogie. 
Those will always be my favorite. 
So there they are, my top 10 favorite moments of the 2010s for the Dogies. Though I listed them from 10 to one, I’m not sure I can truly rank them, so let’s just say they are all my top faves!