Bravo to Karissa Niehoff, executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations and Dave Anderson, executive director of the WIAA for their recent editorial titled “More Officials, Better Fan Behavior Needed in High School Sports.”

The shortage of officials in high school – and middle school – sports has been a growing concern for several years; however, the COVID19 pandemic has moved the issue to heightened levels. According to the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), registration of officials across the country is down about 30 percent this year.

According to the editorial, the number of available officials has declined due to health-related reasons – people opting out this year because of the pandemic. However, the column goes on to argue “the pandemic was a secondary concern compared to the verbal abuse they receive from fans – mostly parents. It is particularly hard for rookie officials to overcome the verbal shots they hear from parents.”

Jeff Cluff, assistant director in charge of officials for the UHSAA, had the following to say about unruly fans. “Parents are out of control . . . Because of the club and super-league culture, they think these games mean everything; we don’t look at it that way in high school.”

Anderson and Niehoff make two recommendations: 1) more individuals to consider officiating high school sports and 2) an improvement in fan behavior so that officials don’t have to deal with verbal abuse and can feel good about continuing to officiate. Despite the fun and rewards that come with officiating high school sports, no one wants to continue if they are continually berated by fans. If you believe the editorial referred to above is directed at you? You would be right.

Prescott Track and Field Coach Emily Calabrese and the Cardinals competed for the first time in almost two years against Ellsworth, Elmwood- Plum City, and Spring Valley on April 27. Although team scores were not officially taken, Calabrese reported the girls came out with 15 first-place finishes, and the boys with four firstplace finishes. Standout performances include the girls 4×100 meter relay team composed of Grace Carlson, Jessie Urman, Abby Syverson, and Tori Benck, as well as the boys 4×200 meter relay made up of Grant Stanton, Andrew Lee, Kyle Budworth, and Aiden Russell. Prescott travels to St. Croix Central on May 6.

The Prescott softball team wraps up a big week this Thursday when they host conference rival Baldwin-Woodville. Head Coach Nick Johnson’s charges are expected to challenge for the Middle Border Conference crown this season. A big crowd is expected at Biggs Frey Field on Thursday with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m.

Also from the WIAA website: States will have a choice of 12, 13 or 14 weight classes for both boys and girls competition in high school wrestling, effective with the 2023-24 season. This will be the first separate weight classes established for girls in high school wrestling, and it marks the first time that state associations will have a choice in the number of weight classes.

The landmark change in weight classes was one of several significant revisions recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee at its April 7-9 meeting held virtually this year. All recommendations were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. States must select one of the three sets (12, 13 or 14) of weight classes for girls and one of the three sets (12, 13 or 14) for boys. States cannot adopt all three sets and cannot switch back and forth during the season.

The North Dakota State Bison played a three-game series this past weekend against the Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence, Kan. The Bison won two of three against the Big 12 non-conference opponent. Peter Brookshaw continues to hover around .300 on the year for a North Dakota State team that enters this week with an overall record of 28-13.

St. Mary’s University (Winona) infielder Mackenzie Carey had a solid day at the plate as the Cardinals faced Concordia-Moorhead in a Saturday doubleheader. Carey went 2-5 and scored three runs in the twin bill for the Minnesota Interscholastic Athletic Conference School. Carey is a 2019 Prescott High School alumnus.

Altoona Head Baseball Coach Craig Walter is excited about joining the Middle Border next year.

“Apart from the increased travel for us, we are looking forward to playing in a new conference,” Walter said.

With only one senior this season, the Railroaders will be one of the Middle Border favorites next spring.

“Although the kids lost out on a season last year, most of our players found a place to play last summer and some kids played this past fall,” said Walter. “I was really proud of the kids who found a way to get on the diamond and I think it is paying off.”

Before coaching at Altoona, Walter served as the head baseball coach at three Wisconsin universities. Walter coached at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The Wadena, Minn. native was drafted in the seventh round in 1981 by the New York Mets and also played in the Kansas City Royals minor league system.

Headshaker of the week. Since when have public address announcers at all levels become so fixated on providing play-by-play commentary during games? Be it Vikings football, Badgers basketball, Brewers baseball, Wild Hockey, and some prep sports, the person behind the microphone at times seeks to become the center of attention, the focal point of the event. I do know this … more often than not, it’s a headshaker.