Sports Digest

RNC mountain bikers end season

The Rhinelander Northwoods Composite mountain bike team wrapped up the 2025 Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling Association season Oct. 19 in the Red Barn State Championships in Waterloo.

The Rhinelander High School partition of the team finished 61st on the day and placed 53rd overall out of 78 teams in Division 2. The RNC partition of the team — comprised of schools surrounding the School District of Rhinelander — was 46th on the day and 49th overall.

For the RHS team, senior Holden Schmitz was 35th in the varsity boys’ race and finished 33rd in the final overall standings. Junior Michael Tredupp was 17th in the boys’ JV-2 category on the day and 25th overall.

Senior Cody Price was 37th for RNC in the varsity boys’ division and finished 40th in the final standings. Senior William Gregersen was 26th on the day in boys’ JV-3 and 35th in the final standings. Sophomore Conley Meyer finished 12th in boys’ JV-2 to take 15th in the final standings. Junior Everett Smith was 75th in boys’ JV-2 and finished 51st overall.

In middle school action, eighth graders Hans Sommer (fifth), Jacob MacFarland (ninth), Emmett Tuckey (10th) and Liam McKissack (12th) all had strong showings in the upper-tier MS2 boys’ category. Evelyn MacFarland was the runner-up in the sixth-grade girls race while Cecily Sharpe was 34th in the same division. 

‘Memory Bowl: 9-Pins for a Purpose’ event Oct. 25 in Rhinelander

The Alzheimer’s Association, Wisconsin Chapter, in partnership with the Tess family — Donald, Joneil, Venette, Denise, and their loved ones — is honored to present the inaugural “Memory Bowl: 9-Pins for a Purpose,” a special bowling fundraiser supporting the fight against Alzheimer’s. This fun-filled community event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Nick’s Hodag Lanes, 1843 North Stevens Street, Rhinelander.

The event honors the memory of Sharon Tess, who lost her battle with Alzheimer’s on Aug. 2, 2021. Her courage and spirit continue to inspire her family and friends as they work tirelessly to support the Alzheimer’s Association and all those affected by this devastating disease.

Registration begins at 11 a.m., with bowling starting at noon. The registration fee is $25 per person. Bucket raffles and cash raffles with amazing prizes will be held throughout the day.

“Over 110,900 Wisconsinites live with Alzheimer’s disease, and more than 7 million people across the U.S. are impacted,” said the Tess family. “We know firsthand the struggles families face, and we are committed to doing our part to support the Alzheimer’s Association’s urgent mission and honoring our mom’s memory.”

For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to donate contact Don Tess at 715-891-2059.

Noontime Hockey returns Tuesdays at Rhinelander Ice Arena 

Skaters are needed for Noontime Hockey at the Rhinelander Ice Arena. They are hosting local skaters every Tuesday at noon. They are looking for adult skaters over 40 years old. Last year they had skaters in their 60s and 70s. If interested, show up at 11:30 to skate at noon. It’s not necessary to pre-register. The cost is $5 per session, one of the best bargains in the Northwoods. For information, call the arena (715-369-1416), Donnie Broadbridge (715-493-0031), Jeff Lynott (920-619-6030) or Michael Eder (715-477-2945).

Retzlaff collects Talladega top 10

Rhinelander native Parker Retzlaff finished seventh Oct. 18 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ 250-mile race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. in his No. 4 Chevrolet for Alpha Prime Racing.

Retzlaff stayed out of trouble on the fast 2.66-mile layout, avoiding three big wrecks throughout the day, including one that set up an overtime finish.

“Rode around all day. Had a feeling they were going to get aggressive early & that’s exactly what happened,” Retzlaff posted on social media. “Really wanted to put ourselves in contention at the end to finally finish one of these superspeedway races. Happy we were patient enough & it paid off! 2 more (races) to get after it!”

Last Saturday’s race marked Retzlaff’s 15th-career top-10 finish in NASCAR’s second-tier series, and first since a sixth-place run at World Wide Technology Speedway in Madison, Ill. Sept. 6.

Retzlaff has excelled at drafting-style tracks throughout his career — recording six top 10s and three top fives at Daytona (Fla.), Talladega and Atlanta — but last Saturday was his first top 10, and first finish better than 27th, at one of those tracks this season.

The result moved Retzlaff to 22nd in the current Xfinity Series point standings. The series heads to Martinsville, Va. this coming Saturday and will close out the season Nov. 1 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Ariz.