Norwalk’s list of Top 10 sports stories from the past school year has reached the Top 5. Today, we pause to recognize some of the honorable mention moments from 2023-2024.

The Norwalk football team made it back to the postseason in 2023, finishing 5-5 and losing to Glenwood 21-0 in the first round of the 4A playoffs. The season was highlighted by a 3-0 start that included a 52-32 win at Carlisle and a 21-14 victory over Indianola. In the first two games alone, senior quarterback Aidan Harder passed for 804 yards and eight touchdowns.

In boys bowling, Warrior freshman Brytan Bassman set a single-game school record by rolling a 279 on January 11 at Alley Bowl in Osceola. Bassman started his game with an open frame, then finished with 11 consecutive strikes.

The Norwalk girls golfers put together a nice spring season that included an 18-hole school record of 350 at the Southeast Polk Invite at Copper Creek. The Warriors placed second in all three Little Hawkeye meets and had five golfers earn all-conference status for the first time ever in Lydia Krueger, Allie Soukup, Addie Smith, Evelyn Kinney and Ava Garvey. Norwalk placed third at their Regional, missing a state berth by seven strokes.

The Warrior girls tennis team placed second to Pella in the conference meet, scoring 36 points. Anya Kallenbach placed second in Flight 1 singles and the team of Grace Dehmer and Tessa Livingston took second in Flight 1 doubles.

In girls track, Norwalk qualified six events for the Class 4A state meet, including four relays. Lauren Black finished 17th in the state discus and Nyah Hulbert was 23rd in the 100 dash.

The Norwalk girls soccer team had an outstanding season, finishing 14-5 and earning a No. 2 ranking in Class 2A. The Warriors won nine straight games – eight by shutout – prior to a heartbreaking 2-1 PK shootout loss to Lewis Central in the regional finals. Junior Braelyn Clark led the team with 21 goals and 13 assists.

The countdown of Norwalk’s top 10 sports stories continues on Monday with number five.