Sports Yearbook Fall 2014

ALBERT LEA / GLENVILLE-EMMONS / ALDEN-CONGER / NRHEG / UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL / LAKE MILLS / NORTHWOOD-KENSETT

Meet Albert Lea’s new football coach

Page 2

Lake Mills volleyball reloads

Page 22

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2014

FALLSPORTSYEARBOOK

Lineup card

26

Starting five 4

Albert Lea volleyball team builds on winning season

10

Senior duo leads Albert Lea boys’ soccer team

18

NRHEG football team returns strong rushing attack

21

Glenville-Emmons volleyball team returns six letter winners

25

Rebels return state cross country qualifier

Vikings are hungry to get back to state

Madison Shifflett leads the Lake Mills volleyball team at the net / PAGE 22

8

2

Swimming for a trophy

Albert Lea welcomes coach

Albert Lea girls’ swimming team shoots for top three at state

Armbrust takes over Tigers football program

Follow local sports coverage on Twitter @altribunesports

FALLSPORTSYEARBOOK Editor Micah Bader Cover photo Kevin Armbrust

by Colleen Harrison Photos by Colleen Harrison Micah Bader, Eric Johnson and Drew Claussen Contributing writers Sarah Stultz, Hannah Dillon and Micah Bader Graphics by Kristin Overland To purchase advertising, call 507-379-3427 or fax 507-373-0333 To subscribe, call 507-373-1411

TIM CHRISTIANSON / ALBERT LEA

Albert Lea / FOOTBALL

Turning the tide New coach takes over program in search of identity, wins

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

A fresh face will look to turn the

tide of Albert Lea’s football program.

The Tigers haven’t won more than three games in a season since current athletic director Chris Chalmers was the head coach in 1995.

Following the resignation of Max Jeffrey, who coached the Tigers the last

three seasons after being an assistant for 16 years, the task was entrusted to Kevin Armbrust in his sixth season as a head coach.

“We have a lot of work to do, but I feel comfortable with this group of guys, especially these seniors,” Armbrust said.

“They’ve been positive, and they understand that we’re going to find some tough times ahead, but each time we do it’s going to be an opportunity to grow

2 | Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK • Friday, September 5, 2014

and not something to be afraid of.”

The last five years, Armbrust coached nine-man football at Onamia High School — a member of the Great Northern Conference — with considerable success. In his first season, the team went 4-5. The next year, the Panthers improved to 5-4. Armbrust’s team had a break-out season his third year by winning the conference crown and posting an 8-2 record in 2011. The team

followed with a conference runner-up finish and another 8-2 record in 2012. Last year, his team finished 5-4.

Before Armbrust was a head coach, he was an assistant at Hawley High School in 2006, an assistant at Nashwauk-Keewatin High School in 2007 and an assistant at Onamia in 2008, he said.

Of the 10 assistant coaches on the staff from last season, two will return this year: Josh Bain and Ryan Palmer. Palmer has been with the SEASON OVERALL CONF. 2013-14 0-9 0-8 program four 2012-13 3-7 2-5 years, and Bain is 2011-12 2-7 2-5 in his second sea- 2010-11 2-7 1-6 son, Armbrust 2009-10 2-7 2-5 said. New assisCourtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net tant coaches are Torian Wolf and Corey Black.

The Tigers will be strong at the point of attack with seven returning senior linemen: Matt Nemec, Dominick Fadden, Dustin Mattson, Dylan Johnson, Scott Gryzbowski, Kimball

COACH KEVIN ARMBRUST / ALBERT LEA

5-YEAR

GLANCE

SAM THOMPSON / ALBERT LEA

Blake and Hunter Gade.

The quarterback spot is undetermined.

“It’s a toss-up,” said junior quarterback Jake Kilby. “They might mix it up during the season. I’m more of the running quarterback, and he (Triston Westerlund) has the better arm.”

Drew Cole took the majority of snaps last season before graduating. Westerlund, who is listed as a running back, also took snaps with the first-team unit last season, and Kilby is in the running as well. Kilby was a Second Team All-Area selection by the Tribune after racking up 283 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns as a sophomore.

Kilby said Armbrust was energetic and intense through the first few practices at camp.

Leading the backfield will be senior Tim Christianson, junior Emmit Stevens and Westerlund — if he’s not playing quarterback.

“Without saying too much about the offense, we’re a downhill running team,”

Armbrust said. “We execute at a high level and hit the holes at 100 mph.”

The defensive secondary will have experience with seniors Sam Thompson and Dereck Samudio.

“So far there’s been a lot of conditioning and running through plays,” Samudio said. “We’re more of a high-tempo team this year with a lot of motion.”

The Tigers have a more manageable schedule this season after changes were implemented by Chalmers. Albert Lea will not play Owatonna, Rochester John Marshall or Rochester Mayo. Those teams held three of the top four spots in the final conference standings.

Armbrust said he’s enjoyed the time he’s been able to spend in Albert Lea with his wife, Dani, and his 1 1/2-year old daughter, Emerson.

“It’s been great. We love it here,” Armbrust said. “The community is outstanding as far as pride in its facilities and how walker and active-friendly it is.

There’s a lot of good people here.”

Friday, September 5, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 3

Albert Lea / VOLLEYBALL

Progressively better

Tigers aim to carry momentum from 15-10 record last season JULIA DEYAK / ALBERT LEA

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

The last three years the Albert Lea volleyball

team improved its record from the previous season, which was capped last year with the team’s first winning season since 2006.

The Tigers aim to keep that momentum going with five returning letter winners, who are all AllState Academic selections.

“We want to grow and improve as a program,” said Lisa Deyak in her eighth non-consecutive season as Albert Lea’s coach. “The goal is always to be a better team in October than we were in August and have fun along the way.”

The team will look to improve on its 15-10 record last season and a 6-3 mark in the Big Nine Conference.

SEASON OVERALL CONF. Returning letter win2013-14 15-10 6-3 ners are senior Kassi 2012-13 11-17 3-6 Hardies, Taylor Willis and 2011-12 8-19 1-8 Hope Landsman; and 2010-11 5-23 1-11 sophomores Julia Deyak 2009-10 8-20 2-7 and Camryn Keyeski.

Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net Deyak and Keyeski were Big Nine All-Conference honorable mention selections last season, and they continued that success this summer with their respective Amateur Athletic Union teams.

Deyak earned AAU All-American honors and was part of the Mizuno Northern Lights 15-2 national championship team of the Premier League in Orlando, Fla. Last fall as a right-side hitter, she had 179 kills and led the Tigers with 40 aces.

Keyeski also earned AAU All-American honors and her team, the Mizuno Northern Lights 15-Black, finished second at the national tournament. She led Albert Lea’s back row last fall with 378 digs and 459 serve receives to earn Second

5-YEAR

GLANCE

4 | Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK • Friday, September 5, 2014

Team All-Area honors as a freshman.

Keyeski was one of only two players in the Tribune’s seven-team coverage area to post over 300 digs.

Hardies and Willis will provide a 1-2 punch at the middle hitter position. Willis led the team with 61 blocks last season, and Hardies led the team in hitting efficiency (.327) on 102 kills. Hardies also had 57 blocks.

Landsman returns as an outside hitter.

She had a 15.6 percent serving ace percentage last season.

The Tigers will look to replace three key players: Annie Ladwig, Bryn Woodside and Sydney Rehnelt. Ladwig, the Tribune’s All-Area co-Player of the Year, led the area with 310 kills. Woodside, a First Team All-Area selection, was second in the area with 658 assists.

“We’ll have lots of girls playing new roles and new positions,” coach Deyak said. “There will be many challenges but also growth and learning.”

The Tigers have a tough schedule this

CAMRYN KEYESKI / ALBERT LEA

year with the addition of Chaska, Apple Valley, Burnsville and the St. MichaelAlbertville Tournament.

Coach Deyak will be assisted by Gina Klennert, Jamie Cameron and Krysti Cameron.

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HOLLY WICHMANN / ALBERT LEA Albert Lea / GIRLS’ SOCCER

Maintaining momentum Tigers build on 5th trip to section finals in last 10 years

By Hannah Dillon hannah.dillon@albertleatribune.com

The Albert Lea girls’ soccer team

plans to keep the momentum going from its best finish in the last five years.

Last year, the Tigers qualified for the Section 2A finals, knocked off an undefeated team from Waseca in the section semifinals and posted a record of 13-5-1.

It was the Tigers’ fifth trip to the section finals in the last 10 years, according to coach Rick Barnhill.

Despite finishing one win from the state

tournament, Barnhill, who is in his 11th year coaching the team, said he has modest expectations for the team this year.

“It always seems like we will be suffering from a talent deficit in regard to the other great teams, but somehow we’re able to change water into wine and put ourselves into a position to play in high-value late-season games,” he said.

Barnhill has a record of 113-59-13 at Albert Lea with two section titles and five section final appearances. He has been coaching soccer for 23 years and has 307 career wins. Barnhill will be assisted by JV

6 | Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK • Friday, September 5, 2014

coach Bob Furland and C-Squad coach Darren Hanson. Furland is in his first year coaching girls’ JV soccer after six years of coaching boys’ JV soccer. Hanson is in his first year of coaching.

Some key losses for the team this year include All-State honorable mention selection Brooke Hanson — who signed with Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb., to play soccer — Sarah Savelkoul, Anna Anderson, Sydney Overgaard and goalkeeper Hanna DeVries.

The Tigers will look to fill the void with 11 returning letter winners. / PAGE 13

Albert Lea / cross country

Sights set on St. Olaf Albert Lea junior eyes return trip to state cross country meet

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

A

fter qualifying for the Class AA state cross country meet as a sophomore, Albert Lea’s Jackson Goodell and the rest of the Tigers have their sights set on Northfield.

St. Olaf College in Northfield hosts the state meet, and Goodell hopes to improve on his 92nd-place finish out of 174 runners last season.

Goodell will lead the boys’ team along with seniors Caleb Troe and Connor Larson. Troe and Goodell were both Big Nine All-Conference selections last season.

The Tigers return 17 letter winners on the boys’ team and 14 on the girls’ team.

Haley Harms will lead a group of nine seniors on the girls’ team. The other seniors are Riley Schulz, Brianna Himmerich, Emily Ortiz, Kaitlin Lundell, Hanna Kingstrom and Nidia Andrade.

Elisa Staat will anchor the sophomore group and Brianna Shea will do the same for the freshmen.

Albert Lea coach Jim Haney is in his 13th season, and he will be assisted by Margo Wayne and Bryce Gaudian.

Gaudian is in his seventh year with the program. Wayne is in her first.

Haney said he knows the team trained hard in the offseason.

“We had a great summer with 25-30 runners showing up for morning runs,” he

said. “The kids have a tremendous work ethic and understand the discipline it takes to be a great runner.”

Last season, the boys’ team finished fourth in the conference and sixth in Section 1AA. The girls’ team also finished sixth in the section and was the conference runner-up.

Haney said he expects the team to finish in the top half of the conference and section.

Conference favorites are Red Wing on the boys’ side and Austin on the girls’ side.

Section favorites are Lakeville North for the boys and Lakeville South for the girls.

The key to success this season, just like every season, is to stay healthy, Haney said.

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lindsey horejsi / ALBERT LEA Albert Lea / GIRLS’ SWIMMING

The super Juniors Albert Lea’s state qualifiers are a year older, stronger

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

The super sophomores will be juniors

this season, and head coach Joe Schmitz can hardly contain his excitement.

“This year, it’s going to be great,” said Schmitz in his 27th season. “We’re looking for big things.”

Last season, five sophomore swimmers qualified for the Class A state meet:

Lindsey Horejsi, Anna Andersen, Haley Simon, Ahnika Jensen and Bailey Sandon.

The Tigers racked up 130 points to take fifth place and finished one point shy of fourth-place Hutchinson.

“The kids who had that experience, they’re better and more mature,” Schmitz said. “They’re juniors now.”

Two years ago, Albert Lea finished seventh at the state meet, and Schmitz said he plans to keep improving.

8 | Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK • Friday, September 5, 2014

“We have so much talent in this pool,” he said. “The top three teams at state get a trophy, and we’re shooting to get a trophy.”

Horejsi headlined the state meet for the Tigers last season by winning the 100yard breaststroke and the 200-yard individual medley. She was also a member of the 200-yard medley relay team that took second place and the 200-yard freestyle relay team that took third.

JOEY CLAPP & JON SCHMITZ / ALBERT LEA

Schmitz said the Tigers have a distinct advantage in the 200-yard medley relay with Horejsi swimming the breaststroke leg.

“The breaststroke is the key because its the slowest stroke of the relay, and we have the fastest girl in the nation,” he said.

During the offseason, Horejsi broke the national record for the 100-yard breaststroke that stood 13 years with a time of 59.75 seconds, while she competed for the Atlantis Swimming Federation team at the Junior National Swimming Meet in Greensboro, N.C. The previous meet record was set by Olympic medalist Megan Quann in 2000.

Horejsi broke the record in a preliminary race. However, about six hours later in the finals, Lillia King of Indiana edged Horejsi’s time by 0.14 seconds.

Andersen returns after taking fifth place

at state in the 100-yard freestyle and ninth in the 50-yard freestyle. She was also part of the 200-yard medley relay and the 200yard freestyle relay.

Jensen is back after taking 16th place at state in the 100-yard breaststroke. She was also a member of the 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay.

Sandon and Simon qualified for state as well. Sandon was part of the 200-yard medley relay team, and Simon was on the 200-yard freestyle relay team.

The 200-yard medley relay team earned All-American recognition with the 82nd-best time in the nation, Schmitz said.

Schmitz had an eventful offseason as he was inducted into the Albert Lea Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a two-time state champion swimmer for the Tigers — once

as part of a relay, and once in the 100meter butterfly.

Along with volunteer assistant coach Erik Johnson, Schmitz will be assisted by first-year coach Joey Clapp. Johnson and Clapp were both All-American swimmers in the 50-yard freestyle at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, Clapp said.

This summer, Clapp coached some of the girls on Albert Lea’s team as part of the Atlantis Swimming Federation club team.

“It really set them up to have a great season,” said Clapp. “They’re coming in in great shape, and they’re ready to train hard. I can tell their morale is high, and we’re going to have a strong team.”

Aside from coaching swimming, Clapp will be the traveling physical education instructor at four elementary schools, he said.

Friday, September 5, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 9

Albert Lea / Boys’ soccer

Senior duo leads team Tigers have speed, youth and 6 returning letter winners

ALEJANDRO GARCIA / ALBERT LEA

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

Youth abounds on the Albert Lea

boys’ soccer team in Joe Squires’ third season at the helm.

Last season, the Tigers’ roster featured 14 seniors. This year, there’s two: forward Jerry Halstead and midfielder Francisco Victorino.

“We have a lot of skill and speed, but we are a very young team,” said Squires.

“The key will be utilizing that speed to find space and getting the ball to those players to score.”

Albert Lea will look to fill the gaps from

graduated forwards Tim Furland, Preston Smith, midfielders Elias Lazaro and SEASON OVERALL CONF. Carter Dahl, and 2013-14 7-10-1 2-6-1 defenders Hunter 2012-13 8-8-1 2-6-1 Tuveson and Riley 2011-12 5-10-1 2-7 2010-11 8-9-1 2-7-1 Ruble.

2009-10 7-11 2-7 The Tigers Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net return six letter winners: Halstead, Alejandro Garcia, Foster Otten, Schafer Overgaard, Fio Garcia and Lay Wah. Picking up the slack offensively will be

10 | Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK • Friday, September 5, 2014

5-YEAR

GLANCE

Halstead and Garcia, a junior forward.

Overgaard, Garcia and Wah will anchor the midfield.

Defensively, Albert Lea will receive a boost from Otten, who returns in the goal.

Squires said he expects to make a run in the Section 1A tournament and build a supportive team. His career record is 15-18-2. The Tigers will look to improve on last season’s 7-10-1 mark with a 5-0 win in the opening round of the section tournament over Stewartville. Of the 10 losses, six were by two goals or fewer.

Big Nine conference favorites are Owatonna and Rochester Mayo. The section favorite is Rochester Lourdes.

mercedes saltou / Albert lea

Albert Lea / GIRLS’ TENNIS

Serving up success

Albert Lea coach aims to make each player a better person

By Sarah Stultz sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com

T

he Albert Lea girls’ tennis team aims to rebuild after the graduation of five seniors last year.

Coach Matt Levorson said he expects to have a positive season with seven players returning.

“The girls have been practicing in the offseason and should be ready to go at the start of the season,” Levorson said.

The Tigers return half of their singles field. Junior Mercedes Saltou will move up from the No. 3 spot to No. 1 to replace graduated senior Lynzee Underdahl, and senior Kaitlyn Larson will remain at No. 2.

Sophomore Alexa Drescher will transition from No. 2 doubles to No. 3 singles, and junior Rachel Wallin will hold down the No. 4 singles spot.

In the doubles field, Albert Lea will

need to replace the No. 1 team of Claire Ellis and Lamanda Johnson. Returning doubles players who started last year are junior Carson McGivern and sophomore Anna Boettcher.

Levorson said the Big Nine Conference schedule will be challenging, and the team will measure success not on wins and losses, but on how the players progress.

With a number of players returning on the varsity level, Levorson said he thinks the team will have stability at the upper positions.

The key to success, he said, will be for the team to give 100 percent effort every time they take the court.

“Success comes in many forms,” he said.

“Our goal is to make each and every person on this team a better person by being part of our team.”

In addition to the conference tournament at the Rochester Outdoor Tennis

Court on Sept. 27, the Tigers have 11 regular matches and four triangulars during the regular season.

Conference favorites are Faribault, Austin and Owatonna.

Levorson will be joined by assistant coach Chris Withers for the third straight season. Levorson is a 2000 graduate of Albert Lea High School.

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The Albert Lea Tribune is committed to covering half the cost of this program.

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ALBERT LEA GIRLS’ SOCCER / PAGE 6 Senior forwards Becca Dup and Holly Wichmann will bolster the offense. Senior Megan Kortan will lead a group of returning midfielders including juniors Maryah Hernandez and Emma Tewes, sophomore Claire Sherman and freshman Rachel Rehnelt.

Defensively, sophomore Kathryn Flaherty will take over in the goal with a host of experienced defenders: seniors Sarah Niebuhr and Taylor Thompson and sophomore Callie Hanson.

Barnhill said defense and goalkeeping will be the team’s strengths.

He also said the team is strong mentally.

“Our ability to absorb and understand systems of play introduced over the years has been remarkable, and their ability to comprehend tactical concepts and be receptive to new-age ideas in regard to enhancing their confidence has been stellar,” he said.

Looking toward the season, Barnhill said his team must anticipate every game with a passion for success.

Barnhill chose Owatonna, Mankato West and Rochester Mayo as the Big Nine Conference favorites.

Section favorites are Mankato West, St. Peter and Austin.

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All-Area Calendar Sept. 5 (FRI)

Football: Austin at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Westbrook/Walnut Grove, 7 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Lyle/Pacelli, 7 p.m.

NRHEG at Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial, 7 p.m.

West Hancock at Lake Mills, 7 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at West Bend-Mallard, 7 p.m.

Cross country: Albert Lea at Faribault, 4 p.m.

Sept. 6 (SAT)

Football: United South Central at Bethlehem Academy, 6 p.m.

Volleyball: NRHEG at tournament at Minnesota State University, Mankato, 9 a.m.

United South Central at tournament at Minnesota State University, Mankato, TBA Lake Mills at Algona tournament, 9 a.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Algona, 9 a.m.

Girls’ tennis: Tournament at United South Central, 9 a.m.

Le Sueur-Henderson at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Lake Mills at Osage triangular, 5:30 p.m.

Cross country: Lake Mills at Belmond-Klemme, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ tennis: Rochester Century at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.

United South Central at Le Sueur-Henderson, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ soccer: Albert Lea at Rochester John Marshall, 7 p.m.

Girls’ soccer: Rochester John Marshall at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Girls’ swimming: Albert Lea at Rochester Mayo, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 (THU)

Volleyball: Rochester Mayo at Albert Lea, 7:15 p.m.

Martin County West at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Lanesboro, 7 p.m.

NRHEG at Maple River, 7:15 p.m.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Forest City at Lake Mills, 7:30 p.m.

Riceville at Northwood-Kensett, 7 p.m.

Cross country: Albert Lea at Rochester Century, 4 p.m.

NRHEG at Maple River, 4:30 p.m.

United South Central at Maple River, 4 p.m.

Girls’ tennis: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 4:30 p.m.

Maple River at United South Central, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ soccer: Red Wing at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Girls’ soccer: Albert Lea at Red Wing, 5 p.m.

Sept. 12 (FRI)

Sept. 8 (MON)

Volleyball: Alden-Conger at Glenville-Emmons, 7:30 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Glenville-Emmons, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 9 (TUE)

Volleyball: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 7:15 p.m.

St. Clair at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

Grand Meadow at Glenville-Emmons, 7 p.m.

Football: Northfield at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Round-Lake Brewster at Alden-Conger, 7 p.m.

Houston at Glenville-Emmons, 7 p.m.

NRHEG at Bethlehem Academy, 7 p.m.

United South Central at Blue Earth, 7 p.m.

Lake Mills at St. Ansgar, 7 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Clarksville, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13 (SAT)

Volleyball: Alden-Conger at Southland, 8 a.m.

Lake Mills at Central Springs tournament, 9 a.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Central Springs tournament, 9 a.m.

Girls’ tennis: Albert Lea at Marshall triangular, 10 a.m.

14 | Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK • Friday, September 5, 2014

United South Central at St. James tournament, 9 a.m.

Boys’ soccer: Tournament at Albert Lea, noon Girls’ soccer: Tournament at Albert Lea, 10 a.m.

Sept. 15 (MON)

Cross country: Albert Lea at Fairmont, 4:30 p.m.

United South Central at Fairmont, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 16 (TUE)

Volleyball: Albert Lea at Northfield, 7:15 p.m.

Martin Luther/Granada-Huntley-East Chain at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Lyle/Pacelli, 7 p.m.

Lake Mills at Bishop Garrigan triangular, 5:30 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at St. Ansgar, 7 p.m.

Cross country: Meet at NRHEG (Riverview Golf Course), 4:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at Osage, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ tennis: Owatonna at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.

United South Central at Sleepy Eye, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ soccer: Albert Lea at Faribault, 7 p.m.

Girls’ soccer: Faribault at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Girls’ swimming: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 6 p.m.

Sept. 18 (THU)

Volleyball: Albert Lea at Rochester John Marshall, 7:15 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Mankato Loyola, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Schaeffer Academy, 7 p.m.

NRHEG at Medford, 7:15 p.m.

United South Central at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m.

West Hancock at Lake Mills, 7:30 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at North Butler, 7 p.m.

Boys’ soccer: Rochester Century at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Girls’ soccer: Albert Lea at Rochester Century, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 (FRI)

Football: Albert Lea at Winona, 7 p.m.

Mountain Lake at Alden-Conger, 7 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Grand Meadow, 7 p.m.

Maple River at NRHEG, 7 p.m.

Mankato Loyola at United South Central, 7 p.m.

Central Springs at Lake Mills, 7 p.m.

North Iowa at Northwood-Kensett, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 (SAT)

Volleyball: United South Central at Truman tournament, TBA Lake Mills at Forest City tournament, 9 a.m.

Cross country: Albert Lea at Winona, 9:30 a.m.

United South Central at Milaca, TBA

Sept. 22 (MON)

Volleyball: Medford at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Northwood-Kensett, 5:30 p.m.

United South Central at Truman, 7:15 p.m.

Cross country: Lake Mills at West Fork, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ tennis: Albert Lea at Stewartville, 4 p.m.

United South Central at Tri-City United, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 23 (TUE)

Volleyball: Red Wing at Albert Lea, 7:15 p.m.

Madelia at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Le Roy-Ostrander, 7 p.m.

Tri-City United at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial at United South Central, 7:30 p.m.

Triangular at Lake Mills, 5:30 p.m.

Nashua-Plainfield at Northwood-Kensett, 7 p.m.

Cross country: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 4 p.m.

NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ tennis: Winona at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ soccer: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 5 p.m.

Girls’ soccer: Mankato West at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 (THU)

Volleyball: Albert Lea at Faribault, 7:15 p.m.

Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

Spring Grove at Glenville-Emmons, 7 p.m.

Medford at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Cross country: NRHEG at Janesville, 4:30 p.m.

United South Central at Zumbrota-Mazeppa, TBA Lake Mills at Central Springs, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ tennis: Fairmont at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ soccer: Owatonna at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Girls’ soccer: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 7 p.m.

Girls’ swimming: Rochester John Marshall at Albert Lea, 6 p.m.

Sept. 26 (FRI)

Football: Albert Lea at Rochester Century, 7 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Madelia, 7 p.m.

Le Roy-Ostrander at Glenville-Emmons, 7 p.m.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at NRHEG, 7 p.m.

United South Central at Lester Prairie, 7 p.m.

Eagle Grove at Lake Mills, 7 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Riceville, 7 p.m.

New Ulm at United South Central, 4:30 p.m.

All-Area Calendar Sept. 27 (SAT)

Volleyball: Albert Lea at Hopkins tournament, TBA Alden-Conger at Le Roy-Ostrander, TBA NRHEG at Blue Earth tournament, 9 a.m.

Lake Mills at Bishop Garrigan tournament, 9 a.m.

Girls’ tennis: Albert Lea at Big Nine Conference Tournament at Rochester Outdoor Tennis Center, 9 a.m.

Girls’ swimming: Albert Lea at TBA, TBA

Sept. 29 (MON)

Cross country: Lake Mills at Garner-Hayfield/ Ventura, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ tennis: United South Central at subsection meet, TBA

Sept. 30 (TUE)

Volleyball: Rochester Century at Albert Lea, 7:15 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Nicollet, 7:30 p.m.

Randolph at Glenville-Emmons, 7 p.m.

Lake Mills at Belmond-Klemme, 7:30 p.m.

Rockford at Northwood-Kensett, 7 p.m.

Girls’ tennis: Albert Lea at section tournament, TBA Belle Plaine at United South Central, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ soccer: Albert Lea at Austin, 7 p.m.

Girls’ soccer: Austin at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 (THU)

Volleyball: Glenville-Emmons at Grand Meadow, 7 p.m.

NRHEG at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 7:15 p.m.

Bethlehem Academy at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Cross country: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 5 p.m.

NRHEG at Waseca, 4:30 p.m.

United South Central at Waseca, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ tennis: United South Central at subsection meet, TBA Boys’ soccer: Winona at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Girls’ soccer: Albert Lea at Winona, 7 p.m.

Girls’ swimming: Mankato East at Albert Lea, 6 p.m.

Oct. 3 (FRI)

Football: Faribault at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Granada-Huntley-East Chain, 7 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Spring Grove, 7 p.m.

NRHEG at Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop

United South Central at Blooming Prairie, 7 p.m.

Lake Mills at Pocahontas Area, 7 p.m.

CAL Community at Northwood-Kensett, 7 p.m.

Volleyball: United South Central at Marshall tournament, TBA

Mabel-Canton at Glenville-Emmons, 7 p.m.

Medford at NRHEG, 7 p.m.

St. Clair at United South Central, 7 p.m.

Bishop Garrigan at Lake Mills, 7 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Janesville, 7 p.m.

Volleyball: Albert Lea at St. Michael-Albertville tournament, 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 (SAT)

Oct. 11 (SAT)

Volleyball: United South Central at Marshall tournament, TBA Lake Mills at North Iowa Conference Tournament, 9 a.m.

Girls’ swimming: Albert Lea at Austin, 10 a.m.

Oct. 6 (MON)

Volleyball: United South Central at St. Clair, 7:15 p.m.

Lake Mills at North Iowa Conference Tournament, 6 p.m.

Girls’ tennis: United South Central at section meet, TBA Girls’ soccer: Albert Lea at section tournament, TBA

Oct. 7 (TUE)

Volleyball: Owatonna at Albert Lea, 7:15 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Truman, 7:30 p.m.

Lyle/Pacelli at Glenville-Emmons, 7 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at West Fork, 7 p.m.

Cross country: Albert Lea at Austin, 4:30 p.m.

NRHEG at United South Central, 4:30 p.m.

Meet at United South Central (Oak View Golf Course), 4:30 p.m.

Meet at Lake Mills (Rice Lake Golf & Country Club), 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 9 (THU)

Volleyball: Albert Lea at Austin, 7:15 p.m.

Alden-Conger at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

NRHEG at Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m.

Central Springs at Northwood-Kensett, 7 p.m.

Boys’ soccer: Albert Lea at section tournament, TBA Girls’ swimming: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 6 p.m.

Oct. 10 (FRI)

Football: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 7 p.m.

Nicollet at Alden-Conger, 7 p.m.

Volleyball: Albert Lea at St. Michael-Albertville tournament, 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 13 (MON)

Volleyball: Schaeffer Academy at Glenville-Emmons, 7 p.m.

United South Central at Madelia, 7:30 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Newman Catholic, 7:30 p.m.

Cross country: Lake Mills at Forest City, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 14 (TUE)

Volleyball: Winona at Albert Lea, 7:15 p.m.

Cleveland at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

United South Central at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Lake Mills at North Butler quad, 6 p.m.

CAL Community at Northwood-Kensett, 7 p.m.

Cross country: Albert Lea at Big Nine Conference Meet at Owatonna, 4 p.m.

NRHEG at Gopher Conference Meet at Riverview Golf Course, 4 p.m.

United South Central at Gopher Conference Meet at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ swimming: Northfield at Albert Lea, 6 p.m.

Oct. 15 (WED)

Football: Red Wing at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at NRHEG, 7 p.m.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at United South Central, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 (THU)

Oct. 18 (SAT)

Volleyball: Northwood-Kensett at Garner-Hayfield tournament, 9 a.m.

Oct. 21 (TUE)

Football: Albert Lea at section playoffs, TBA United South Central at section playoffs Girls’ tennis: United South Central at state meet, TBA

Oct. 22 (WED)

Volleyball: Albert Lea at section tournament, TBA

Oct. 23 (THU)

Cross country: Albert Lea at section meet, 4:30 p.m.

NRHEG at section meet, TBA United South Central at section meet, TBA Lake Mills at districts and regionals, TBA

Oct. 24 (FRI)

Football: Emmetsburg at Lake Mills, 7 p.m.

Rockford at Northwood-Kensett, 7 p.m.

Oct. 30 (THU)

Girls’ swimming: Albert Lea at Big Nine Conference Meet at Northfield, 5 p.m.

Nov. 1 (SAT)

Volleyball: Albert Lea at state tournament, TBA Cross country: United South Central at state meet, TBA Lake Mills at state meet, TBA Girls’ swimming: Albert Lea at Big Nine Conference Meet at Rochester, noon

Volleyball: Northwood-Kensett at North Iowa, 7:30 p.m.

Cross country: Lake Mills at North Iowa Conference Meet at Belmond-Klemme, 5 p.m.

Oct. 17 (FRI)

Football: Lake Mills at West Fork, 7 p.m.

Tripoli at Northwood-Kensett, 7 p.m.

Friday, September 5, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 15

alden-conger / Football

Quarterback is back Knights bring back key pieces to the passing game

BRADY NEEL / ALDEN-CONGER

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

The quarterback who passed for the

most yardage in the area last season will aim to snap two straight winless seasons for the Alden-Conger football team.

Brady Neel returns behind center after completing 88 passes for 1,362 yards and six touchdowns as a junior. Neel was a First-Team All-Area selection.

Knights head coach Bruce Smith did not fill out the information sheet or return multiple phone calls and emails.

However, according to the

5-YEAR

GLANCE

Langrud; tight end Eli Hallman; Neel; and wideouts Wyatt Ladwig and Colton Opsahl.

The Knights hope to snap a SEASON OVERALL CONF. team roster on the Minnesota 2013-14 0-9 0-8 23-game losing streak dating 2012-13 0-9 0-8 back to Sept. 16, 2011.

State High School League’s 2011-12 1-7 1-7 website, Alden-Conger Lenny Diekmann and Paul 2010-11 0-8 0-8 returns eight seniors: linemen 2009-10 5-5 4-4 Reyerson are listed as Smith’s Teagun Sunde, Drew Wilder, Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net assistant coaches on the Dakota Richter and Strauss MSHSL website.

16 | Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK • Friday, September 5, 2014

alden-conger / Volleyball

Keeping the camaraderie Knights return strong group of seniors, leading blocker

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

A close-knit group of seniors will

lead the Alden-Conger volleyball team.

“Our strength is definitely camaraderie on this team. This is a fun group of kids,” said coach Jolene Bute in her eighth year as a volleyball head coach and her fourth year with the Knights. “The other (strength) is our court time. We have several kids who have a lot of varsity time and SEASON OVERALL CONF. can see the court 2013-14 9-13-2 5-5 well.”

Alden-Conger’s 2012-13 15-15 7-3 2011-12 8-18-1 2-8 senior group con2010-11 4-20-1 2-8 sists of last sea2009-10 6-20-1 1-9 son’s leading Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net blocker, Liesel Theusch, libero Jessica Price and left-side hitters Kasey Knutson and Cassie Gilster.

Bute said consistency and solid passing are keys to improving on last season’s 9-13-2 overall record.

“Our seniors need to step up to the plate and lead,” Bute said. “Liesel will also be a key to our success. If she can

5-YEAR

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get her blocking and hitting game going, it is going to be fun to watch our Knights.”

Price will take over for Valley AllConference honorable mention selection Karina Skov as the team’s libero.

A void will need to be filled on the interior as well with the graduation of Valley All-Conference middle hitter Brittany Waters, who was 14 kills from 1,000 for her career, according to Bute.

Other returning letter winners are junior middle blocker Madison Erickson and eighth-grade setter Erika Bute, who contributed as a seventh-grader last year with a skillful jump serve.

Bute said many of the players from Alden-Conger’s varsity and youth programs honed their skills during the offseason.

“I was pretty happy with the participation we had from our team this past winter and spring,” she said.

Bute will be assisted by Sarah Attig, who is in her fifth year as the Knights’ assistant.

Martin County West is the Valley Conference and Section 2A-South favorite. Martin County West will defend its Valley Conference title and its section title. The Mavericks finished 27-8 last season and went 1-2 at the Class A state tournament.

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Friday, September 5, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 17

NRHEG / FOOTball

Panthers reload Team brings back potent rushing attack

NRHEG / VOLLEYball

Seniors to lead NRHEG

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

of a portion of the NRHEG football team’s running game steamroller, the team will need to reload.

Noah Krell and Nic Goette paved the way for Dillon Parpart — the Tribune’s All-Area football Player of the Year — to rush for 1,495 yards last season. He was the only player in the area to break 1,000 yards, and he led the team defensively with 99 tackles.

To continue winning the battle at the line of scrimmage, the Panthers will look to senior Keith Maxon, juniors Jon Weller, Zeke Erickson, Matt Jensen and Wyatt Fitterer and sophomore Jack Schultz.

“I think we have the potential to be solid up front, and we have some good kids who work very hard and play together as a unit,” said NRHEG coach Dan Stork, who has coached the team since 1994. “This team has some good leaders in the senior class.”

The Panthers will also need to replace First Team All-Area wideout Preston Peterson, who caught six touchdowns and racked up more than 500 receiving yards.

will look to fill positions on the back row and at the net with seven returning letter winners.

Second-year coach Onika Peterson said the key to success will be leadership from the upperclassmen.

“We have a large incoming senior class,” she said. “It will be up to them to dictate what they want to get out of the season.”

The Panthers return seven / PAGE 19

The NRHEG volleyball team

With the graduation

MARNIE WAGNER / NRHEG

NICK BARTNESS / NRHEG

Senior tight Year last winter end Spencer after he led the Tollefson will area with 16.4 look to fill the points per void. Stork said game. Senior SEASON OVERALL CONF. Tollefson Zach Stenzel 2013-14 5-4 4-1 started every started five 2012-13 1-8 0-6 game as a 2011-12 5-5 4-3 games last seasophomore at 2010-11 6-4 4-3 son and will tight end and 2009-10 5-4 4-3 lead the receivstrong safety, Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net ing corps. with and that he is Tollefson. an intelligent NRHEG player. Tollefson was also brings back eight returning the Tribune’s All-Area boys’ starters. basketball Player of the / PAGE 19

5-YEAR

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18 | Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK • Friday, September 5, 2014

NRHEG FOOTBALL / PAGE 18 Senior quarterback Trevor Tracy is back after starting every game last season behind center. He will be joined in the backfield by fellow senior Nick Bartness, who started every game the last two years. Bartness excelled as a blocking fullback and rushing the ball last season.

Other returning letter winners are senior Jet Wayne, juniors Trey Hoppe and Karter Sletten and sophomore Jason Jongbloedt.

Sophomores Trai Wicks and Noah Sletten are also expected to contribute.

Stork will be assisted by John Schultz, a 2013 Butch Nash Award winner — the accolade goes to the top assistant coaches in the state — Grant Berg, Drew Paukert and Coy Hupfeld.

The Panthers will look to improve on NRHEG VOLLEYBALL / PAGE 18 letter winners, including a trio of seniors: Anna Stork, Ryann Hagen and Remi Wayne.

Stork and Wayne are right-side hitters who combined for 95 kills and 62 ace blocks last season. They’ll take over for fourSEASON OVERALL CONF. time Gopher All2013-14 9-15-3 3-6 Conference selec- 2012-13 10-16-3 3-5 tion Carlie 2011-12 23-7 8-1 Wagner, who had 2010-11 17-11-1 7-3 287 kills, 274 digs 2009-10 21-7-2 10-1

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and 65 ace blocks Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net last season and Paige Overgaard, who had 173 kills and 130 digs.

Wayne, a defensive specialist, will take over after tallying 130 digs last season.

At the setter position, NRHEG returns a

NRHEG / CROSS COUNTRY

Panthers

fill the shoes

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

T

TREVOR TRACY / NRHEG

last season’s 5-4 finish. All four losses came against teams with at least eight wins. pair of juniors: Anna Lundberg and Hailey Schuller. Lundberg had 318 assists and 107 digs, while Schuller posted 227 assists and 165 digs last season.

On the left side of the net, the Panthers return Maddie and Marnie Wagner. The twins are coming off a season where they combined for 128 kills and 316 digs.

Peterson will be assisted by Jackie Schultz in her 16th season, Corrine Schuller in her fifth season, Jen Hatton in her third year and Molly Eckhardt in her first year.

The Panthers will look to improve on last season’s 9-15-3 overall record.

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he NRHEG cross country team will look to fill the shoes of state qualifier T.J. Schiltz in coach Mike Weber’s sixth season.

“We had an experienced lineup last year that will be tough to replace,” said NRHEG coach Mike Weber in his sixth season. “We can not replace a runner like T.J. Schiltz, who has been a rock for us for the past several years.”

The Panthers return four letter winners: juniors C.J. Schiltz, Zach Mely and Aaron Seath; and sophomore Josh Fleming, who was last season’s Most Improved Runner.

“Any one of these experienced runners could have a breakthrough year,” Weber said.

NRHEG will look to improve on last season’s sixth-place finish at the Gopher Conference Meet and a 12th-place finish in Section 2A. On the girls’ team, NRHEG returns four letter winners: seniors Melissa Malkowsky and Sandra Quezada; and juniors Katharine Lewer and Marissa Mortenson. / PAGE 28

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GLENVILLE-EMMONS / FOOTBALL

Continuing the process Program plans for work off the field to pay off

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

I

n head coach Jared Matson’s second season, the Glenville-Emmons football team has confidence that work in practice to translate to points on the field.

“We’ve talked a lot about the process of building a program,” said Matson. “It doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from every rep, every drill and every practice. If we focus on the process, the success SEASON OVERALL CONF. on game nights 2013-14 0-9 0-7 will take care of 2012-13 2-7 2-5 itself.”

2011-12 2-7 2-5 Last season, the 2010-11 5-6 3-4 Wolverines fin2009-10 4-5 3-4 ished 0-9. Their Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net most competitive outings were a 56-34 loss at Lyle/Pacelli and a 33-14 home loss against Lanesboro.

“We are striving to compete in every game this year,” Matson said. “Last year at times we lost that competitive edge, and we don’t want that to happen this year.”

Offensively, Glenville-Emmons returns a pair of proven playmakers: senior Marshal Hall and sophomore Derek Van Ryswyk.

Hall earned Southeast All-Conference honorable mention accolades, was selected to the Tribune’s All-Area Second Team and was the Wolverines’ offensive MVP last season with 535 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 105 carries. The rushing yardage was sixth in the Southeast Conference and seventh in the area.

Van Ryswyk led the Wolverines’ receiving corps. as a freshman last sea-

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GLANCE

MARSHAL HALL / GLENVILLE-EMMONS

son with 14 catches for 174 yards and three touchdowns. The touchdown reception total was third in the SEC. Danny Charron, who posted 44 tackles as a sophomore last season, will anchor the defense along with three senior letter winners: Hall, Jalon Bangs and Brody Burgdorf. Other returning letter winners are juniors Zach Jacobson and Ethan Choronzy and sophomores Carter Dahlum and Seth Chapek.

“How quickly our younger guys grasp our systems will be key for us,” Matson said. “Once everyone gets on the same page, we can fire on all cylinders.”

20 | Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK • Friday, September 5, 2014

Glenville-Emmons will need to replace quarterback Christian Voss. Last season, Voss was a Southeast All-Conference selection and the team MVP. He led the team in tackles and had 1,286 yards of total offense and accounted for nine touchdowns.

Matson will be assisted by Tanner Kalvig, who was a volunteer coach last year and is in his second year with the program.

Team strengths will be team speed and cohesiveness, Matson said.

The Wolverines will compete in 9-Man Section 1. Conference favorites are Grand Meadow — the defending 9-Man state champion — and Spring Grove.

GLENVILLE-EMMONS / VOLLEYBALL

Aiming to break .500 Wolverines return MVP, 6 letter winners

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

With a pair of returning seniors, the

Glenville-Emmons volleyball team hopes to recapture the success it found four years ago.

The Wolverines were 13-10-1 during the 2010-11 season, and the team hasn’t matched that win total in the last three seasons combined.

Head coach Lisa Ziebell has a career record of 103-164 and is in her 12th season as head coach.

She said numbers are low again this year, but it can be an advantage.

SEASON OVERALL CONF. “Small numbers 2013-14 2-17-1 1-12 means more one- 2012-13 5-17-2 2-9 on-one and a lot 2011-12 3-21-1 1-10 of practice playing 2010-11 13-10-1 7-5 2009-10 7-13-1 3-8 time,” coach

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GLANCE

Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net Ziebell said.

Although Glenville-Emmons finished 2-17-1 overall and 1-12 in the Southeast Conference last year, the team showed some bright spots.

Madi Ziebell earned Southeast AllConference accolades, was selected to the

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Other returning letter winners are senior Anna Severtson, junior Katelyn Nelson, sophomores Kayla Gerber and Lani Poole and freshman Mckenzie Ziebell.

Coach Ziebell said she expects the team to work hard and improve.

“We want to out-hustle other teams and have fun doing it,” coach Ziebell said. “We need to remember it’s just a game, to stay relaxed and — most of all — work together.”

The Wolverines will need to replace three two-year starters.

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Friday, September 5, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 21

Lake Mills / VOLLEYBALL

Defending the streak

Bulldogs plan to continue dominance in North Iowa Conference

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

An 11th straight North Iowa

Conference regular season title is on the line for the Lake Mills volleyball team.

The Bulldogs return four starters to build on last season’s trip to the regional finals for the sixth straight season and a record of 35-6 .

“Our big key is how quickly we can come together,” said coach Jim Boehmer in his 23rd season as head coach at Lake Mills. “With 32 players, I am confident this will create some competition for spots. This will only make us better in the long run.

Returning starters are senior left-side hitter Rachel Segura, junior middle hitter Madison Shifflett, junior left-side Bulldogs return Segura and Byrnes, a hitter Cede Byrnes SEASON OVERALL Second Team All-Conference selection.

2013-14 35-6 and junior libero “Both can play exceptional defense and 2012-13 43-0 Emily Orban. are aggressive servers for us,” Boehmer 2011-12 45-1 Boehmer said said. “It’s not always the big hit that wins Courtesy of quikstatsiowa.com five players will matches. It’s the player who eliminates battle for time in errors over the course of a match that I the middle. Shifflett was a Second Team want to see.”

North Iowa All-Conference selection and a At the setter position, Lake Mills will Second Team All-Area selection with 88 need to replace the NIC Player of the Year blocks and 222 kills last season. Senior and the All-Area volleyball co-Player of Sydney Larson, junior Brianna Smith and the Year, Brooke Hagen. Boehmer mensophomores Lexi Groe and Hailey tioned junior Kelsea Heintzman and sophBorgmeyer will fight to fill the second spot omores Robyn Bowman and Sydney Dahl in the middle. as potential players to fill the void.

“All five have the ability and desire to Heintzman paid her dues on the freshman play at a high level,” Boehmer said. and JV teams the last two years to become “Consistency and speed may determine familiar with the offense, Boehmer said. Last who sees the floor.” season, the Bulldogs’ JV team was a perfect On the left side of the offense, the 30-0, and the freshmen team was 37-1.

3-YEAR

GLANCE

22 | Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK • Friday, September 5, 2014

To fill in the right side of the offense, Boehmer plans to move senior Hannah Holstad and Smith from their middle-hitter position.

Orban, a returning letter winner, will look to step in as the team’s libero.

“She has tremendous ability and an exceptional work ethic, so we know she will train hard for this role,” Boehmer said.

Despite having finished either first or second in the conference standings in 17 of the last 21 seasons, the Bulldogs are not the favorite to win the conference.

“Forest City is the easy favorite to win the NIC as they have a number of starters returning, including five All-Conference players,” Boehmer said.

With the addition of Bishop Garrigan and North Union, the conference will be deep.

Lake Mills / FOOTBALL

Strength on the line

Bulldogs pair 9 returning linemen with experienced backfield

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

A strong core of senior linemen will

pave the way for the Lake Mills football team’s experienced backfield.

The Bulldogs return 17 letter winners, including nine linemen: seniors Matt Scholbrock, Jon Anderson, Brian Quinby, Cody Haugo and Landon Abele; junior Spenser Jensen; and sophomores Ethan Evans, Zach Throne and Cory Mathas.

“We’re returning experience on the offensive and defensive lines,” said Bill Byrnes in his 18th season as head coach at Lake Mills.

The group will pass protect for junior

quarterback Granger Kingland, who is taking over for his older brother, Hunter Kingland, a two-time All-District selection and First Team All-Area selection last year who completed 88 passes — the most SEASON RECORD in the area — for 2013-14 3-6 1,252 yards.

2012-13 3-6 In the running 2011-12 1-8 game, Lake Mills Courtesy of quikstatsiowa.com returns two of its top three rushers from last season: Josh Peters and Andrew Olsen. Peters led the Bulldogs with 641 yards on 81 carries. Along with leading the team with eight rushing touchdowns,

3-YEAR

GLANCE

Thanks, Mom & Dad

Lake Mills / CROSS COUNTRY

High hopes

Lake Mills runners stride toward state

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

In his second season as head coach of

the Lake Mills cross country team, Parker Comentino has high expectations.

“We want to finish in the top three at the conference meet for both the boys’ and girls’ teams and send individuals from both teams to state,” he said.

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Peters — a Second Team All-Area selection — posted a team-high 7.9 yards per carry. Olsen returns at fullback after rushing for 142 yards on 35 carries last season.

The receiving corps. will need to reload due to the graduation of every wideout who caught 10 passes or more. Peters is the returner with the most receptions last season, and he had four total. Lake Mills will look to fill the void from Paul Pins, who led the area with 541 yards and eight touchdowns on 34 receptions. Tight ends returning include senior Brady Schmidt and sophomore Slade Sifuentes.

Byrnes has an overall record of 64-85.

Last season the Bulldogs finished 3-6 overall.

Last season, Scott Aamodt qualified for the state meet and took 13th place after taking fifth at the North Iowa Conference meet. / PAGE 28

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Friday, September 5, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 23

United south central / FOOTBALL

A chance to win

Rebels aim to stay competitive in each game

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

DALLAS OLSON / united south central

Coming off its best

season since 2009, the United South Central football team aims to keep winning the close games.

“We need to be competitive in each game and give ourselves a chance to win in the fourth quarter,” said Brad Huse in his sixth season as the Rebels head coach.

Last year, that’s exactly what USC did. Five of the Rebels’ nine games were decided by seven points or fewer, and USC was able to come away with threepoint overtime wins against Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity and Bethlehem Academy, as well as a 13-12 win against St. Clair in the regular-season finale.

With the graduation of starting quarterback Travis Brown, Huse said Luke Trio will pilot the offense.

Key returners include senior wideouts Nate Pederson and Colin Wegner along with junior running back Derek Herman. Pederson was a Second Team All-Area selection last season after hauling in 23 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns. Herman earned All-Area honorable men-

united south central / VOLLEYBALL

Out for kills

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

A

familiar face will lead the United South Central volleyball team.

Amy Anderson has been an assistant coach for the last three years, and she will take over as head coach.

Anderson will be assisted by Dawn Lutteke, who coached the Rebels’ C-Squad team last season.

USC returns four senior letter winners: middle hitters Anissa Janzig and Bailey Olson, outside hitter Taylor Steckelberg and defensive specialist Alyssa Drescher.

Last season, Janzig was third in the Tribune’s coverage area / PAGE 28 BAILEY OLSON / uSC

tion accolades last season Carlson and Steve Voigt. with 281 rushing yards and “We need to progresfour touchsively get better downs on 61 every game carries. with our inexOn the offenperience on the sive and defenline,” Huse SEASON OVERALL CONF. said. sive lines, the 2013-14 5-4 4-1 Rebels will look Huse will be 2012-13 2-7 1-5 to young play- 2011-12 1-8 1-6 assisted by ers to fill the 2010-11 3-6 3-4 Pierre Stencel, holes left from 2009-10 8-2 6-1 Pat Frank and Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net Todd graduated seniors Colten Rasmussen.

5-YEAR

GLANCE

24 | Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK • Friday, September 5, 2014

UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL / CROSS COUNTRY

UNnder new leadership R ew coach takes over ebels cross country program

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

For the first time in 45 years, Kent

Viesselman will not be coaching the United South Central cross country team.

Rita Augustine will take over as head coach along with first-year assistant coach Taylor Allis.

“This year, I give the students credit for taking a leap of faith with the new coaching staff,” said Augustine. “The students have a good work ethic and a positive attitude, and with those two components, they will be striding toward their goals in no time.”

Returning seniors include Brian Remington, Adam Stevermer and Amber Klein.

“We have a couple of the leaders from last year’s team, so we’re looking for them to showcase their leadership and take on the challenge of a rebuilding year,” Augustine said.

The Rebels will also return All-State phenom Beth Stevermer, who took 14th place out of 174 runners as an eighthgrader last season at the Class A state cross country meet at St. Olaf College in

BETH STEVERMER / USC

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NORTHWOOD-KENSETT / FOOTBALL

A taste of state Vikings are hungry for return trip to 8-Man playoffs

JOSH EINERTSON AND COLEBY BRATRUD / NORTHWOOD-KENSETT

By Micah Bader micah.bader@albertleatribune.com

While all three prep football teams

in Freeborn County went winless last season, success was found south of the state border.

Northwood-Kensett qualified for the second round of the state playoffs, and the Vikings are hoping to improve on last year’s 7-4 record in their third season of 8-Man football.

“We’re hoping to build off of that,” said Northwood-Kensett quarterback Josh

Einertson. “We lost a lot from last year, but we’re ready to come back better than ever.”

Einertson proved to be a dual-threat last season. He was fourth in the Tribune’s seven-team coverage area with 673 rushing yards, and he threw 14 touchdown passes, which was the most in the area, despite half as many pass attempts as other area quarterbacks.

In the backfield, two thirds of the Vikings’ rushing attack graduated: First Team All-State selection Brandon Brockman and Second Team All-Area

26 | Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK • Friday, September 5, 2014

selection Mitchell Athey.

However, the team returns leading rusher Coleby Bratrud, who had the second-most rushing yards in the area. He carried the ball for 816 yards on 115 carries last season as a junior, and his 15 rushing touchdowns matched the most in the area. Bratrud said his goal is to win the state title.

“Everyone’s been working hard so far in practice, and we want to go farther this year,” he said. “We want to make history.”

Coach Dave Capitani said he expects to compete for a district title and / PAGE 27

NORTHWOOD-KENSETT / VOLLEYBALL

Carrying expectations Vikings hope to improve on best record in last 5 years

By Hannah Dillon hannah.dillon@albertleatribune.com

The Northwood-Kensett volleyball

team is coming off its best finish over the last five years with a 16-9 record last season.

Coach Heather Rheingans expects the Vikings to finish in the top three of the Corn Bowl Conference standings and to qualify for the third round of the Class 1A regionals.

Rheingans, who is starting her second season as head coach, will be assisted by Brendon Ehlke. Ehlke has been with the Northwood-Kensett volleyball program for three years.

Returning letter winners for the Vikings are junior middle hitter Hattie Davidson, NORTHWOOD-KENSETT FOOTBALL / PAGE 26 qualify for the state playoffs again. He is in his 26th year as head coach of the Vikings. Capitani’s teams have qualified for the state playoffs 14 times and have won six district championships. His career record is 161-90.

Assistant coaches are Daryl Love, Marty Cotter, Steve Hartman, Ryan Parker and Jordan Reindl. Love and Cotter have been with the program more than 20 years, and Hartman has been an

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

junior outside hitter Shelby Low, junior setter Aliyah Creger and junior outside hitter Sam Butler.

Davidson earned First Team Cornbowl All-Conference accolades and was selected to the Tribune’s All-Area Second Team.

She was fourth in the Tribune’s seven-team coverage area with 259 kills, was tied for seventh in the area with 50 blocks and was 10th in the area with 216 digs.

Rheingans said that all of last year’s seniors were key departures. The Vikings will need to replace Katelyn Jaspers, a strong defensive player, middle hitter Kayla Branstad, outside hitter Chandler Capitani and setter Taryn VanRyswyk.

With the loss of seven seniors who had major roles, Rheingans said youth is the assistant for 15. Parker is in his fourth season, and Reindl is in his second.

The Vikings return 11 letter winners: four seniors and seven juniors.

Tom Yezek, a Second Team AllDistrict selection will anchor the line along with Casey Dahlby, an All-District honorable mention selection.

Last season, the Vikings beat Kee High 36-22 in the first round of the state playoffs and lost 48-20 in the second round at Don Bosco.

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team’s weakness, explaining that the younger players have never had the chance to experience the intensity of a varsity-level game. However, she said that her young players have incredible talent and worked hard in the offseason.

The team’s key to success is effective communication on the court, Rheingans said. She is working to make the offense less predictable by rotating hitters, as she said Davidson will probably attract a lot of attention with her success in the past.

Looking forward to the conference race, Rheingans said Nashua-Plainfield will be the conference favorite. North-Butler will also continue to be a tough team. DikeNew Hartford will be the team to beat in the regional.

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Friday, September 5, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 27

UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL / Girls’ tennis

Embracing tradition Rebels tennis team hopes to continue program’s success

By Sarah Stultz sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com

The new head coach of the United

South Central girls’ tennis team plans to continue the school’s tradition of success this season.

Gary Hagen is looking to lead the team to the state tournament after it finished last year with a 20-4 record and had three players advance to state as individuals.

Claire Christian advanced as an individual and played three rounds, and doubles duo Kia Legred and Linsey Thisius advanced, USC VOLLEYBALL / PAGE 24 with 285 kills. She also had 81 blocks and 99 digs and was a First Team All-Area selection.

“We have the height on our front line that will be a great advantage both offensively and defensively,” said Anderson.

The Rebels will need to replace a group of graduates whose names are etched in USC’s record books. Tara Bauman holds the school record for career digs; Eryn Eilertson had the sixth-most career digs, and Second Team All-Area selection Lizzy Leland was second in career digs and fifth in assists.

USC will look to improve on last season’s 14-13-1 overall record. The Rebels’ 3-4 Gopher Conference record had them at No. 5 in the eight-team standings.

“We would like to improve our standing in the conference, and we hope to be a strong competitor in the section playoffs,” Anderson said.

ending up in the top eight.

The Rebels will return eight letter winners: seniors Thisius and Joyce Rubio; juniors Angie Bixby, Kelly Neubauer and Legred; sophomore Leah Meyer; and freshmen Emma Barnd and Carly Weber.

The team will need to replace Christian at No. 1 singles along with No. 3 singles player Julia Stenzel because of graduation.

Despite the holes to fill, Hagen said a strength for the team will be returning eight of 10 starters. He described the girls as a “great group of ladies who respect the sport.”

A key to the team’s success will be having people step up to fill the two singles spots and subsequently two spots in doubles.

Hagen said he hopes each player will grow in her game while at the same time having fun.

USC is considered one of the top three teams in the Gopher/Valley Conference.

The team will be playing on brand-new courts at the high school by early September.

Hagen will be assisted in coaching by Amanda Henning, Kim Stevermer and Lynne Hansen.

LAKE MILLS CROSS COUNTRY / PAGE 23 Aamodt and fellow North Iowa AllConference selection Krister Beal will look to lead the boys’ team along with the Bulldogs’ other returning letter winners: Andrew Henschel and Lewis Rygh.

“The boys’ team is returning some key runners, and we expect great things from them,” Comentino said.

Leading the girls’ team will be two returning letter winners: sophomores Rori Bowman and Rachel Holst.

“The girls’ team is full of young blood,” Comentino said. “This year will be a learning curve for them, and it should be fun to watch.”

TAYLOR STECKELBERG / USC

28 | Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK • Friday, September 5, 2014

NRHEG CROSS COUNTRY / PAGE 19 Weber said Lewer was the MVP last season, and Quezada won the Hardest Worker Award and was the team captain.

The girls’ squad will look to improve on last seasons ninth-place finish in the Gopher Conference and 18th-place finish in Section 2A.

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