Coach Petersen hits 400-win mark

 ELK HORN (Feb. 4) -- The Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton girls wrapped up regular season play with a victory and a milestone for their coach Monday night, beating Woodbine 71-33.
 Sophomore guard Tatum Grubbs scored 17 of her game-high 26 points in the first half as the Spartans raced out to a 40-18 lead at the break and cruised to the finish line, improving to 16-5 overall and 13-3 (second place) in the Rolling Valley Conference.
 The team’s 11th win in the last 12 games also resulted in a career milestone for head coach Tom Petersen, who achieved career win number 400. Petersen is now 400-96 in 21 seasons coaching Diagonal, Exira and Exira-EHK, including a state title with Exira in 2010. He has guided seven teams to the state tournament since 2008, including four straight Spartan squads.
 “I would like to thank all my current and former players and assistant coaches,” Petersen stated. “I am very fortunate to have been blessed with such great kids over the years at Diagonal, Exira and now Exira-EHK.
 “None of this would be possible without my family.  I am lucky to have the best wife [Jennifer] in the world that allows me to spend time away from home with my second family. She is amazing.”
 Petersen added that many people have influenced him over the years, including his five brothers - Tony, Terry, Troy, Trent and Trace - his sister Jana, his high school coach, Mitch Osborn, “but especially my dad and mom,” he said of the late Lloyd and Murriel Petersen. “I miss them very much and think about them daily.”
 Monday was also Senior Night for the Spartan duo of Leslie Caniglia and Damian Peterson, who were honored before tip-off. Caniglia hit double figures with 10 points, followed by Jacey Anthofer with nine, Kamryn Waymire eight, Macy Emgarten and Ellie Schultes five each, Mollie Rasmussen four, Jayda Bowlin two and Alisa Partridge one.