Sports digest

Noon time hockey continues at the RIA

The Noontime hockey program is calling on players who want to lace up their skates Tuesdays throughout the winter at the Rhinelander Ice Arena. The group will take the ice from noon to 1 p.m.

The league welcomes any adult-aged skaters. Games may either be half-ice 3-on-3 or full-ice 5-on-5 based on participation. 

A drop in fee of $5 per skater is required to participate. For more information, contact Michael Eder (715-477-2945, [email protected]).

RIA to hold Faceoff Banquet Dec. 2

The Rhinelander Ice Association is celebrating the hockey and figure skating season with its 13th annual Faceoff Banquet. 

The event will take place Saturday, Dec. 2 at Holiday Acres Resort in Rhinelander. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for the silent auction and cocktail hour. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. with a live auction and raffles to follow.

Tickets are $30 each, or two for $50, and can be purchased at the Rhinelander Ice Arena.

Since its inception in 2010, the event has raised more than $100,000 for the organization. All proceeds benefit the RIA. For more information, contact Brett Aylesworth at 715-550-0116.

Rhinelander native Retzlaff to return to NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024

Rhinelander native Parker Retzlaff, who last weekend wrapped up his first full-time season in NASCAR’s second-tier Xfinity Series, announced last week that he will be returning to the series again in 2024. Retzlaff will continue to pilot the No. 31 Chevrolet fielded by Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport (JAR).

Retzlaff finished 16th in the Xfinity Series standings in 2023, collecting seven top-10 finishes in 33 races. That included a season-best fourth-place finish in the circuit’s season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway last February. He closed out 2023 with four straight top-15 finishes, including a seventh-place run at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. 

“I’m grateful for the trust and opportunity Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport has given me,” Retzlaff stated in a press release. “This past season was a testament to our collective hard work, and with the No. 31 FunkAway Chevrolet, I’m ready to push even harder to put our team in the playoffs in 2024.”

JAR will field the same driver lineup for both of its cars in 2024 as Jeb Burton returns to drive the No. 27 Chevy after qualifying for the Xfinity Series playoffs and finishing 12th in the drivers’ standings this year. 

“Parker and Jeb embody the spirit and determination of our team,” team partner John Bommarito stated. “Their achievements last season, both on and off the track, exemplify the caliber of talent we’re proud to support. They work together like a team should, and represent each team partner with a level of integrity that we are beyond proud of. As we look to the future, we remain committed to fostering their skills and growing each of our partners footprint in the sport.”