Pirate Competitor of the Week (May 9, 2022):
Junior soccer player Maia Kropp is this week’s Pirate Competitor of the Week sponsored by Galena Culver’s and the Galena Gazette.  Kropp scored a hat trick with 3 goals in Thursday’s 7-0 victory over Pecatonica.  For the season she is the top scorer on the team with 13 goals.  According to coach Jorden Rijpma, “Maia has scored several important goals this season, such as the equalizer in Galena’s tie with Dodgeville. She also scored against the conference champions Platteville, giving Galena a 1-0 lead in the first half.  Maia worked hard in the off season to get herself in excellent shape for the season. She’s able to outsprint any defense and has the composure to finish in front of the goal. As the captain, she encourages all her teammates to work hard and have fun.”  Maia was honored with a gift basket from the Galena Culver’s, as well as a newspaper courtesy of the Galena Gazette.

Also Nominated:
Senior track athlete Hannah Lacey had a big day at the NUIC Conference Meet on Thursday. Her four event performance helped to propel the Tri-Op to the Conference Championship.  Hannah was co-champion in the High Jump.  She placed 2nd in the 100m and 300m Hurdles, and 4th in the Triple Jump.  She accounted for 29 of the team’s 146 points.  Coach David Eaton praised the effort, saying “Hannah has had a great season so far and has been an outstanding addition to our program.”

Junior track athlete Samantha Callahan completed a tough combination at the Conference Meet.  She placed second in the 800m Run and the 1600m Run, as well as running a leg on the Conference Champion 4x800m Relay.  Coach David Eaton said, “Samantha has been working hard in practice and is a key contributor to our distance group and our team success.”