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2013
SPRINGSPORTSYEARBOOK
Lineup card
Starting five 4
Albert Lea softball to build on four-win season
8
United South Central/ Alden-Conger track and field looks to get back to state
13
Tigers’ track and field trains to go the distance.
21
New Richland-HartlandEllendale-Geneva’s Carlie Wagner returns to defend state title
22
Alden-Conger softball is primed for a postseason run
2 Albert Lea baseball
battles through injury
9
18
balancing act
Highly motivated
The A.L. girls’ track and field team balances veterans and youth
The USC boys’ golf team aims to get back to state
Follow local sports coverage on Twitter @altribunesports
Everyone is back for the Glenville-Emmons softball team Page 25
SPRINGSPORTSYEARBOOK Editor Micah Bader Cover photo of Adam Syverson by Brandi Hagen Photos by Brandi Hagen To purchase advertising, call (507) 379-3427 or fax (507) 373-0333 To subscribe, call (507) 373-1411
Albert LeA Baseball
Clawing back from adversity Tigers won’t let injuries Keep them down By Micah Bader
Albert Lea’s baseball team returns 10 letter winners and a trio of senior pitchers in a conference that is up for grabs. “The Big Nine should be a wide open race this year with no clear frontrunner,” Albert Lea head coach Joe Sczublewski said. “Most teams have some key players returning. If we play up to our ability, we hope to be in the thick of the race. “It always comes down to which team has the most effective pitching depth, defense and clutch hitting.” The Tigers return senior lefthanded pitcher, Dylan SeeRockers, along with senior right-handers Lucas Hansen and Derek Burkard. “We have several key returning letter winners, including some of our pitchers from last season,” Sczublewski said. See-Rockers went undefeated from the mound last season, accruing a 5-0 record and 1.63 earned-run average.
Four All-Conference players return for Albert Lea. Along with See-Rockers, senior outfielder Makael Lunning, senior shortstop Ethan Abben and junior shortstop and pitcher Johnathan Fleek will also be back on the diamond. Lunning returns with a .385 batting average, 23 RBIs and five home runs. See-Rockers brings a .283 batting average and 19 runs scored. Fleek earned a .255 batting average and scored 12 runs. Abben brings back an impressive .433 batting average, 19 runs scored, 13 RBIs and 12 stolen bases into the season. However, he will be stuck in the dugout while rehabbing from from surgery due to a superior labral tear from anterior to posterior. “It will hurt to lose a senior of Ethan’s caliber to injury for the season,” Sczublewski said. “But, we have a good core of players who know they all will need to step it up another notch to fill in
2 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 • April 17, 2013
for the loss of his production.” At the plate, the Tigers will need to replace some firepower with Abben’s rehab and the departure of 2012 seniors Cody Haaland and Houston Sharpe. Haaland was a two-year starter with a .311 batting average. Sharpe held a .293 batting average, along with 19 RBIs. Haaland and Sharpe were AllConference honorable mention in 2012. Last season, the Tigers were 12-10 overall and 9-9 (second) in the conference. Coach Sczublewski will be assisted by Derek Fleek and Jay Enderson. Junior varsity coaches are Paul Durbahn and T.J. Wentzel, and the ninthgrade team will be led by Chris Withers and Stan Thompson. Sczublewski is in his 35th year of coaching, his 24th at Albert Lea. His overall record is 378-353. “We hope to be competitive and compete throughout the year,” Sczublewski said.
Makael Lunning Derek Burkard April 17, 2013 • SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 | 3
Albert LeA Softball
Building a winner Tigers look to improve on 4-win season By Micah Bader
The Albert Lea girls’ softball team will attempt to build on last season’s Big Nine Conference win over Austin. The Tigers had a tough season in 2012 with a record of 4-17 overall, and 1-13 in the conference. However, in head coach Dan Harms’ fourth season at the helm, Albert Lea returns seven letter winners in a variety of positions. The Tigers’ infield should be strong. The first, second and third basemen return, along with the starting shortstop. Sophomore first baseman Kassi Hardies, junior second baseman Lindsay Reim and junior third baseman Caycee Gilbertson will find
their way back onto the diamond in addition to sophomore shortstop Megan Kortan. Albert Lea will also have experience on the mound and behind the plate. The Tigers’ only senior, Dominique Villarreal is back as catcher, and sophomore Haley Harms returns as a pitcher. Harms won the Team Tiger Award in 2012 for putting the team before herself. She’ll be the starting pitcher, and she has good control, Harms said. In the outfield, the Tigers return sophomore Taylor Thompson. Offensively, Harms likes what he sees in the lineup. “We have at least five varsity players who can hit for average and
power,” he said. Expectations are high, Harms said. “If all of our players stay healthy, we can win at least half of our regular season games and a couple in sections,” he said. To meet those goals, defense will be key. “We need to play better defense every game and put the ball in play by having good at-bats,” Harms said. In 11 games last season, the Tigers gave up runs in double digits. In two of the wins, Albert Lea outscored its opponents 28-16. Junior varsity coach Karol Hansen and ninth-grade coach Rick Harves will assist Harms.
Haley Harms
4 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 • April 17, 2013
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Albert LeA Girls’ golf
Swinging since 7th grade Albert lea drivers aim for state By Micah Bader
Cammy Tews 6 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 • April 17, 2013
All five returning letter winners from the Albert Lea girls’ golf team have been playing varsity golf since they were in seventh grade. In head coach Shawn Riebe’s 14th year as head golf coach, and his 11th at Albert Lea, the Tigers will use that experience to compete with the rest of the Big Nine for a conference title. “I expect our team to finish in the top three of the conference and improve our finish in the sectional tournament,” Riebe said. Of the five returning letter winners, two are seniors and three juniors. The seniors are Megan Pulley and Makenna Friehl. Pulley was voted as the Most Valuable Player in 2012, and she has earned AllConference accolades for the past three seasons. She plans to play golf at the Division I level next year. “We’re looking for a career season from Megan,” Riebe said. “Our strength will be our experience, and having Megan up front putting up good scores.” The Tigers’ other senior, Friehl, will be looked to for leadership, and Riebe is hoping for a breakout year from her as well. The junior trio of returning (Page 24)
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USC/Alden-conger track and field
distance sensation
Emily Mantor
veteran group leads rebels By Micah Bader
The United South Central /AldenConger girls’ track and field team returns 18 letter winners, including junior distance sensation Emily Mantor. Mantor finished last season by earning fifth place at the state meet as a sophomore. “Emily had a phenomenal season,” Rebels coach Kent Viesselman said after the state meet. “She really had a productive summer of training.” During the season, Mantor broke the school and section records in the 3,200meter run. Aside from Mantor, the Rebels return four senior letter winners: Amanda Allis, Hannah Goemann, Mikayla Gormley and Aubrey Olson. Other top scorers for the team included sophomore Linsey Thisius, junior Kendall Ward and sophomore Anissa Janzig. Of the top 10 scorers from last season, nine athletes are back. However, they’ll need to get healthy, Viesselman said. “Four of our top scorers from last season are dealing with injuries right now,” he said. “So, our first objective will be to get everyone to the starting line.” Viesselman is hoping the team progresses through the early season indoor 8 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 • April 17, 2013
meets, and that the void left by Allie Voigt and Andree Escherich will be filled. “Both were big contributors last season, especially at the end of the season” he said. “However, the cupboard is not bare.” Viesselman will be assisted by Brian Haroldson, Eric Allis, Mark Schmitz, Tony Schumann, Becca Bryson and Jeff Dick. boys to improve on conference finish
On the boys’ side of the United South Central/Alden-Conger track team, the unit wants to improve on its runner-up finish at the Gopher Conference meet.
Of the 13 returning letter winners, seven of the top scorers from 2012 are back. “Both the girls and boys will be veteran teams,” Viesselman said. Viesselman said he expects runners Tyler Lackey, John Schuster and thrower Dakota Kalis to lead the team. The top scorer from last year — Dylan Baumann — will be missed in distance runs, but Viesselman is optimistic about that area of the team this year. “Overall we are a little stronger in the distances than we were a year ago,” he said. Returning letter-winner seniors are Tyler Johannsen, Tyler Lackey, Eric Redman, Brett Stevermer and Collin Stevermer.
Albert LeA Girls’ track and field
Lamanda Johnson
Tigers to balance youth and experience Monson looks to reclaim title By Micah Bader
The Albert Lea girls’ track and field team will aim to balance youth and the experience of 18 returning letter winners to make the season a success. “We are expecting some very exciting performances from many of the new athletes to track this year, and some previous athletes who have worked very hard in the offseason,” Albert Lea head coach Margo Wayne said. Six seniors, nine juniors, two sophomores and a freshman comprise the Tigers’ returning letter winners. Senior Chrissy Monson is Albert Lea’s most decorated runner, having been the 2011 state champion in the 1,600-meter
run. She also was the conference and section champ in the 1,600- and 3,200meter runs. The Tigers’ other returners fill out the heat sheets for most other events. Juniors Emma Behling, Rachel Kenis, Carol Lein and freshman Hannah Savelkoul join Monson in the distance events. Athletes in sprints and relays include seniors Danielle Staat and Katie Williamson, along with juniors Sydney Rehnelt, Sarah Savelkoul and Bryn Woodside and sophomore Becca Dup. In field events, senior Kemma Bergland returns as a thrower, and senior Jensen Goodell is back as a jumper.
Wayne said the team’s strength is the strong work ethic and cohesiveness of the seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. The Tigers will look to replace Kelly Nelson in field events and Samantha Stanley, Galen Schulz, Ashley Tewes, Kelsey Thomas and Colleen Thompson in running events. “The girls were all leaders in their events and great role models for the team,” Wayne said. Wayne is in her 32nd season as head coach and her 36th year at Albert Lea High School. She will be assisted by Mary Beese, Jasmine Henrich and Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa. April 17, 2013 • SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 | 9
Albert LeA BOYS’ TENNIS
serving success Albert lea tennis will have 1st full year under new coach By Micah Bader
The success of the Albert Lea boys’ tennis team will hinge on the things in the players’ control. “Our team will focus on giving a great effort and having a positive attitude every time we take the courts,” Tigers’ head coach Tom Dyrdal said. Dyrdal took over the Albert Lea boys’ tennis program for the final portion of the 2012 season. The Tigers earned a 4-11 overall record, and they finished 2-7 in the Big Nine Conference last year. Key departures for Albert Lea include senior co-captains Evan Templeman and Aaron Woitas, along with No. 3 doubles player Cam Hove. Taking the reins as this years’ leaders will be seven letter winners consisting of three seniors: Trevor Herfindahl, Kyle Zogg and Josh Martin. Junior Collin Jahnke, sophomores Cole Keyeski and Carter Dahl and freshman Taylor Herfindahl,
Trevor’s brother, also return. The Herfindahl brothers hold the top two singles spots, just as they had in 2012. Trevor holds the No. 1 position in, while Taylor is No. 2. “Playing No. 1 and No. 2 is very tough in the Big Nine,” Dyrdal said. “But, these two held their own at those spots all year long.” Keyeski will start as the No. 3 singles player. After sitting out last year with an injury, senior Darik Weigel will return to the court for his final prep season. “He is one of the more experienced players on the team,” Dyrdal said. “He’ll give us added depth at the top of our lineup.” In doubles, Kyle Zogg and Carter Dahl will take the No. 2 position with Josh Martin at No. 3. “Kyle and Carter were one of the top No. 2 doubles teams in the conference last year,” Dyrdal said. “They’ll give us some (Page 24)
10 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 • April 17, 2013
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Albert LeA BOYs’ golf
SHOOTING FOR A BIG 9 TITLE TIGERS RETURN 5 LETTER WINNERS By Micah Bader
The Albert Lea boys’ golf team is beginning a new era under the direction of first-year head coach Casey McIntyre. McIntyre was previously an assistant coach for the Tigers, so he’s familiar with the program, and he won’t have to experience growing pains from a new system. “I expect to compete for a Big Nine and section championship,” McIntyre said. “Our athletes have good hand-eye coordination from playing hockey and other sports.” Albert Lea will look for success from its five returning letter winners: Nate Stadheim, Lucas Peterson, Brent Nafzger, Adam Syverson and Brady Loch. “They make a solid top five,” McIntyre said. “That means a lot of talented players will be fighting for that sixth and final spot.” Stadheim is the lone returning senior letter winner. He averages (Page 24)
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Albert LeA Boys’ Track aND Field
(L-R) Kasey Habana, Logan Callahan and Chrissy Monson
going the distance Experienced runners lead tigers By Micah Bader
Enthusiasm and a willingness to work by the Albert Lea boys’ track and field team has third-year head coach Kevin Gentz looking forward to the season. “This team has great leadership and is hard-working,” Gentz said. “They’ve got an excellent attitude. No complaining.” Of the 11 returning letter winners, five distance runners highlight the Albert Lea boys’ track and field roster this year. “Our distance crew is key because of their experience and work ethic,” Gentz said. The senior distance runners are Andy Christian and Lucas Malimanek, along with juniors Blair Bonnerup, Brandon Bonnerup and Logan Callahan. Returning letter winners who enter
middle-distance events, like the 800meter run and the 400-meter dash are seniors Dan Mondeel and Tate Tufte. Gentz isn’t only looking to the upperclassmen to show a good work ethic. He’s counting on it from everyone who has been in the program. “Our sophomores through seniors will provide leadership of transferring hard work and dedication to the younger athletes, providing a solid foundation,” he said. The Tigers also return four letter winners who participate in field events. Senior Jacob Kunkel will lead the team in throwing events, while senior Dylan Anderson, junior Preston Smith and sophomore Sam Thompson excel in jumping events. “We’ve got a lot of great athletes devel-
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oping and showing signs of improvement in the shot, disc, distance races, pole vault and hurdles,” Gentz said. Returning athletes will look to fill the shoes of Bryce DeBoer, who took third place at state in the shot put, jumper Tyler Wichmann and middle distance runners Sean Laurie and Isaac Staat. Thrower Tyler Blake and hurdler Brody Sundblad will also need to be replaced. The Tigers will look to improve on their eighth-place finish in the Big Nine Conference. The key for a successful season is to develop depth in every event, and to establish a culture of hard work and accountability, Gentz said. Gentz will be assisted by Lonnie Nelson and Don Kropp, along with volunteer assistant, Jerry Kaphers.
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April 18
Baseball: Rochester Century at Albert Lea, 5 p.m. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at NRHEG, 5 p.m. USC vs. Bethlehem Academy at Bell Field in Faribault, 5 p.m. Softball: Rochester John Marshall at Albert Lea, 4 p.m. Martin Luther-GHEC at Alden-Conger, 5 p.m. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at NRHEG, 5 p.m. USC at Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m. Boys’ track and field: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m. Northwood-Kensett at North Iowa, 5 p.m. Girls’ track and field: Albert Lea at Rochester Century, 4:30 p.m. Northwood-Kensett at Nashua-Plainfield, 4:45 p.m. Boys’ golf: Triangular at Albert Lea (Rochester Century, Austin), 2:30 p.m. Maple River at USC (Oakview Golf Course), 4:30 p.m. Northwood-Kensett at Nashua-Plainfield (Nashua Town and Country Club), 4 p.m. Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Red wing (Mississippi National Golf Links), 12:30 p.m. Northwood-Kensett at Nashua-Plainfield (Nashua Town and Country Club), 4 p.m. Boys’ tennis: Rochester Mayo at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.
April 19
Baseball: Martin County West at USC, 5 p.m. Softball: Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at Alden-Conger, 5 p.m. USC at Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s, 5 p.m. Boys’ and girls’ track and field: USC/A-C at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m. Girls’ track and field: Lake Mills at Belmond-Klemme, 5 p.m. Boys’ golf: Northwood-Kensett at Lake Mills (Rice Lake Golf and Country Club), 4 p.m. Meet at Lake Mills (Rice Lake Golf and Country Club), 4 p.m. Girls’ golf: Northwood-Kensett at Lake Mills (Rice Lake Golf and Country Club), 4 p.m. Meet at Lake Mills (Rice Lake Golf and Country Club), 4 p.m.
April 20
Baseball: Alden-Conger vs. Lyle/Pacelli at Riverland Community College baseball field, TBA Tournament at NRHEG, 9 a.m. Softball: Albert Lea at St. Clair tournament, 9 a.m. Alden-Conger at NRHEG, 9 a.m. Boys’ golf: Alden-Conger at Blooming Prairie, 9 a.m. USC at Blooming Prairie (Blooming Prairie Golf Course), 9 a.m.
all-area
Madelia-Truman at Alden-Conger, 5 p.m. Boys’ and girls track and field: USC/A-C at Maple River, 4:30 p.m. NRHEG at Maple RIver, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ track and field: Meet at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m. Lake Mills at Garner-Hayfield, 4:30 p.m. Girls’ track and field: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 4:30 p.m. Lake Mills at Forest City, 4:30 p.m. Girls’ golf: Triangular at Lake Mills (Rice Lake Golf and Country Club), 4 p.m. Boys’ golf: Albert Lea at Winona Triangular (Winona Bridges Golf Club), 2:30 p.m. Lyle/Pacelli at Glenville-Emmons (Northwood Golf Course), 4:30 p.m. Granada-Huntley-East Chain at Alden-Conger (Oakview Golf Course), 4:30 p.m. Northwood-Kensett at Riceville (Acorn Park), 4 p.m. Lake Mills home Triangular (Rice Lake Golf and Country Club), 4 p.m. Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Prior Lake (Wilds Golf Club), noon Lyle/Pacelli at Glenville-Emmons (Northwood Golf Course), 4:30 p.m. Granada-Huntley-East Chain at Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m. Northwood-Kensett at Riceville (Acorn Park), 4 p.m. Triangular at Lake Mills (Rice Lake Golf and Country Club), 4 p.m. Boys’ tennis: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.
April 25
Baseball: Rochester John Marshall at Albert Lea, 5 p.m. Alden-Conger at Maple River, 5 p.m. NRHEG at USC, 5 p.m. Softball: Albert Lea at Faribault, 4 p.m., doubleheader Alden-Conger at Nicollet, 5 p.m. Houston at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m. NRHEG at USC, 5 p.m. Boys’ and girls’ track and field: Northwood-Kensett at Armstrong-Ringsted, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ golf: Glenville-Emmons at GM/LO (Cedar River Country Club), 4:30 p.m. Madelia at Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m. Blooming Prairie at USC (Oakview), 4:30 p.m. Riceville at Northwood-Kensett (Northwood Country Club), 4 p.m. Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Rochester John Marshall Triangular (Rochester Northern Hills Golf Course), 3:30 p.m. Glenville-Emmons at GM/LO, 4:30 p.m. Madelia at Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.
April 27
Boys’ golf: Lake Mills at West Hancock, 8 a.m.
April 29
Baseball: Albert Lea at Northfield, 5 p.m. Bethlehem Academy at NRHEG, 5 p.m. USC at Randolph, 5 p.m. Softball: Southland at Alden-Conger, 5 p.m. Bethlehem Academy at NRHEG, 5 p.m. Glenville-Emmons at Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m., doubleheader USC at Randolph, 5 p.m. Boys’ and girls’ track and field: Northwood-Kensett at Garner-Hayfield, 5 p.m. Lake Mills at West Hancock, 5 p.m. Boys’ golf: Albert Lea at Byron (Somerby Golf Course), 11 a.m. Houston at Glenville-Emmons (Northwood Golf Course), 4:30 p.m. Northwood-Kensett at Riceville (Linn Grove Country Club), 4 p.m. Belmond-Klemme at Lake Mills (Rice Lake Golf and Country Club), 4:15 p.m. Girls’ golf: Houston at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m. Northwood-Kensett at Riceville (Linn Grove Country Club), 4 p.m. Belmond-Klemme at Lake Mills (Rice Lake Golf and Country Club), 4:15 p.m. Boys’ tennis: Albert Lea at Fairmont, 4:30 p.m. Baseball: Austin at Albert Lea, 4 p.m., doubleheader Alden-Conger at Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial, 5 p.m. NRHEG at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at USC, 5 p.m. Softball: Maple River at Alden-Conger, 5 p.m. NRHEG at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m. Southland at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at USC, 5 p.m. Boys’ and girls track and field: NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ track: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m. Girls’ track: Albert Lea at Winona, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ golf: NRHEG at tournament (Dodge County Golf Club, Dodge Center), 1:30 p.m. Northwood-Kensett at Riceville (Linn Grove Country Club), 4 p.m. Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Faribault Triangular (Faribault Golf and Country Club), 3:30 p.m. Boys’ tennis: Albert Lea at Faribault, 4:30 p.m.
Girls’ golf: Alden-Conger at Bethlehem Academy, 12:30 p.m. Lake Mills at Belmond-Klemme, 4:30 p.m.
April 23
14 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 • April 17, 2013
April 26
Baseball: Waseca at NRHEG, 5 p.m. Maple River at USC, 4:30 p.m. Softball: Glenville-Emmons at Martin Luther-GHEC, 4:30 p.m. USC at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ and girls track and field: NRHEG at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ track and field: Albert Lea at Rosemount, TBA Lake Mills at Hampton-Dumont, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ golf: Alden-Conger at Southland, 4:30 p.m. USC at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m. Lake Mils at North Iowa (Gruls Recreation Area), 4:15 p.m. Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Rochester Century triangular (Rochester Northern Hills Golf Course), 3:30 p.m. Alden-Conger at Southland, 4:30 p.m. Lake Mils at North Iowa (Gruls Recreation Area), 4:15 p.m. Boys’ tennis: Blue Earth at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.
April 30
April 22
Baseball: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 5 p.m. Blooming Prairie at NRHEG, 5 p.m. USC at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m. Softball: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 5 p.m. Alden-Conger at Hayfield, 5 p.m. Glenville-Emmons at Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m. Blooming Prairie at NRHEG, 5 p.m. USC at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m. Boys’ track and field: Meet at Northwood-Kensett, 5 p.m. Girls’ track and field: Meet at Lake Mills, 5 p.m. Boys’ golf: Albert Lea at Chanhassen (Deer Run Golf Club), 1 p.m. Alden-Conger at Bethlehem Academy, 12:30 p.m. USC at Bethlehem Academy (Faribault Golf and Country Club), 12:30 p.m.
Baseball: Albert Lea at Winona, 5 p.m. Nicollet at Alden-Conger, 5 p.m. Softball: Rochester Mayo at Albert Lea, 5 p.m.
Riceville at Northwood-Kensett (Northwood Country Club), 4 p.m. Boys’ tennis: Mankato West at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.
Kelly Kaasa
May 2
Baseball: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 5 p.m.
A N U S A A 5 G N U B N L B A 2 M 4 R C G A 2 T ( R C B R
B U B L B G N C L G G C N C L
S A B A G A
B N U S G U B N m L B G A U N T L 9 G G A N D U D N ( L
B M M R S W C R M d B A p
a calendar Alden-Conger at Cleveland, 5 p.m. NRHEG at Medford, 5 p.m. USC at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m. Softball: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 4 p.m., doubleheader Alden-Conger at Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial, 5 p.m. Glenville-Emmons at Mabel-Canton 4:30 p.m. NRHEG at Medford, 5 p.m. USC at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ and girls’ track and field: Northwood-Kensett at Central Springs, 5 p.m. Lake Mills at Clear Lake, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ golf: Albert Lea at Mankato West (Northfield Golf Club), 2 p.m. Maple River at NRHEG (Riverview Golf Course), 4:30 p.m. Riceville at Northwood-Kensett (Northwood Country Club), 4 p.m. Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Northfield (Willingers’ Golf Course), 2 p.m. Triangular at NRHEG with USC and Maple River (Riverview Golf Course), 4:30 p.m. Riceville at Northwood-Kensett (Northwood Country Club), 4 p.m. Boys’ tennis: Rochester Century at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.
May 3
Boys’ and girls track and field: USC/A-C at Fairmont, 4:15 p.m. Boys’ track and field: Lake Mills at Osage, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ golf: Glenville-Emmons at Lanesboro, 4:30 p.m. Northwood-Kensett at Riceville (Riceville Country Club), 4 p.m. Lake Mills at Osage Triangular, 4:15 p.m. Girls’ golf: Glenville-Emmons at Lanesboro (Lanesboro Golf Course), 4:30 p.m. Northwood-Kensett at Riceville (Riceville Country Club), 4 p.m. Lake Mills at Osage Triangular, 4:15 p.m.
May 4
Softball: Albert Lea at Windom tournament, 10:30 a.m. Boys’ golf: Albert Lea at Fairmont, 9 a.m. Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Fairmont, 9 a.m.
May 6
Baseball: NRHEG at Alden-Conger, 5 p.m. USC at Medford, 5 p.m. Softball: Glenville-Emmons at Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m. USC at Medford, 5 p.m. Boys’ and girls’ track and field: Northwood-Kensett hosts Corn Bowl Conference meet, 5 p.m. Lake Mills at Belmond-Klemme, 4 p.m. Boys’ golf: Glenville-Emmons at Lyle/Pacelli, 4:30 p.m. Alden-Conger at Triton, 1:30 p.m. USC at Triton (Dodge Country Club), TBA Northwood-Kensett at Nashua-Plainfield (Nashua Town and Country Club), 10 a.m. Lake Mills at North Iowa (Gruls Recreation Area), 9 a.m. Girls’ golf: Glenville-Emmons at Lyle/Pacelli, 4:30 p.m. Alden-Conger at Triton, 1:30 p.m. NRHEG at tournament (Dodge County Golf Club, Dodge Center), 1:30 p.m. USC at tournament (Dodge County Golf Club, Dodge Center), 1:30 p.m. Northwood-Kensett at Corn Bowl Conference meet (Acorn Park), 10 a.m. Lake Mills at Belmond-Klemme, 9 a.m.
May 7
Baseball: Mankato East at Albert Lea, 5 p.m. Martin County West at Alden-Conger, 5 p.m. Randolph at NRHEG, 5 p.m. Softball: Winona at Albert Lea, 5 p.m. Cleveland at Alden-Conger, 5 p.m. Randolph at NRHEG, 5 p.m. Mabel-Canton at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m., doubleheader Boys’ and girls track and field: Albert Lea at Mankato East (Team section), 12:30 p.m.
USC/A-C at Maple River, TBA Boys’ golf: Albert Lea at Owatonna triangular (Owatonna Country Club), 2:30 p.m. NRHEG at Blooming Prairie triangular (Blooming Prairie Country Club), 4:30 p.m. USC at Blooming Prairie (Blooming Prairie Golf Course), 4:30 p.m. Girls’ golf: Triangular at Albert Lea, Mankato West, Owatonna at (Albert Lea Wedgewood Cove Golf Course), 2:30 p.m. NRHEG at Blooming Prairie triangular (Blooming Prairie Country Club), 4:30 p.m. USC at Blooming Prairie (Blooming Prairie Golf Course), 4:30 p.m.
May 9
Baseball: Mankato West at Albert Lea, 5 p.m. Alden-Conger at St. Clair, 4:30 p.m. NRHEG at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m. Bethlehem Academy at USC, 5 p.m. Softball: Alden-Conger at Martin County West, 5 p.m. NRHEG at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m. Glenville-Emmons home tournament, 9 a.m. Bethlehem Academy at USC, 5 p.m. Boys’ and girls’ track and field: Northwood-Kensett at District Meet, TBA Lake Mills at District Meet, TBA Boys’ tennis: Rochester John Marshall at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.
May 10
Baseball: Albert Lea at Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m. Softball: Alden-Conger at Madelia-Truman, 5 p.m. Boys’ golf: Quadrangular at Albert Lea, Alden-Conger, St. Clair USC at Alden-Conger (Green Lea Golf Course), 1 p.m. Lake Mills at Sectionals (Rice Lake Golf and Country Club), TBA Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Alden-Conger, 3:30 p.m. St. Clair at Alden-Conger (Oakview golf course), 4:30 p.m.
May 11
Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Owatonna (Owatonna Brooktree Golf Course), 9:30 a.m. Boys’ tennis: Albert Lea at Big Nine Conference tournament (Rochester Outdoor Tennis Center), 9 a.m.
May 13
Baseball: Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton at USC, 5 p.m. Softball: Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton at USC, 5 p.m. Boys’ golf: GM/LO at Glenville-Emmons (Northwood Golf Course), 4:30 p.m. NRHEG at Bethlehem Academy (Faribault Golf and Country Club), 4:30 p.m. USC at Belle Plaine, 2 p.m.
Dominique Villarreal
Girls’ golf: GM/LO at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m. NRHEG at Bethlehem Academy (Faribault Golf and Country Club), 4:30 p.m. USC at Bethlehem Academy (Faribault Golf and Country Club), 4:30 p.m. Lake Mills at Regionals, 10 a.m.
May 14
Baseball: Albert Lea at Faribault, 4 p.m. Martin Luther-GHEC-Truman at Alden-Conger, 5 p.m. NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m. St. Clair at USC, 4:30 p.m. Softball: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 5 p.m. St. Clair at Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m. NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ track: Albert Lea at Rochester John Marshall, 4:30 p.m. Girls’ track: Meet at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ and girls’ track and field: USC/A-C at Gopher Conference meet, 4:30 p.m. NRHEG at Gopher Conference meet, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ golf: Alden-Conger at Glenville-Emmons (Northwood Country Club), 4 p.m. USC at Bethlehem Academy (Faribault Golf and Country Club), 4:30 p.m. Girls’ golf: Alden-Conger at Glenville-Emmons (Northwood Country Club), 4 p.m.
May 16
Baseball: Albert Lea at Rochester Century, 5 p.m. USC at NRHEG, 5 p.m. Softball: Hope Lutheran at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m. USC at NRHEG 5 p.m. Boys’ golf: Rochester Mayo at Albert Lea (Green Lea Golf Course), 2:30 p.m. Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Rochester Mayo (Rochester Eastwood Golf Course), 3:30 p.m.
May 17
Baseball: Blue Earth at USC, 4:30 p.m. Softball: Albert Lea at Big Nine Conference Tournament at Mankato’s Caswell Park, 6 p.m. Alden-Conger at Cleveland, 5 p.m. USC at Martin County West, 5 p.m. Boys’ golf: Meet at Albert Lea (Green Lea Golf Course), 2 p.m. NRHEG at Gopher Conference meet (Waseca Lakeside Golf Course), 10 a.m. Lake Mills at Districts, TBA Girls’ golf: Quadrangular at Albert Lea, Faribault, Austin and Owatonna (Wedgewood Cove Golf Course), 11 a.m. NRHEG at Gopher Conference meet (Waseca Lakeside Golf Course), 10 a.m. USC at Gopher Conference meet (Waseca Lakeside Golf Course), 10 a.m.
May 18
Boys’ golf: Meet at Albert Lea (Wedgewood Golf Club), 8:30 a.m.
May 20
Baseball: Winona at Albert Lea, 5 p.m. Loyola Catholic at USC, 5 p.m. Boys’ golf: United South Central at Albert Lea (Green Lea Golf Course), 3:30 p.m. Girls’ golf: Lake Mills at Regionals (final round), 10 a.m.
May 21
Boys’ golf: Alden-Conger at Valley Conference meet (Freeborn Oakview Golf Course), TBA Girls’ golf: Alden-Conger at Valley Conference meet (Freeborn Oakview Golf Course), TBA
May 22
Boys’ golf: Albert Lea at Big Nine Conference meet (Rochester Eastwood Golf Course), 10 a.m.
Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Big Nine Conference meet (Mankato Northlinks Golf Course), 10 a.m.
May 23 Baseball: Albert Lea at sectionals round one Boys’ and girls track and field: USC/A-C at NRHEG (sub-section meet), 4 p.m. NRHEG hosts sub-section meet, 4 p.m.
May 24
Boys’ and girls’ track and field: Albert Lea at Big Nine Conference Meet at Rochester Century, 12:30 p.m. Boys’ golf: Lake Mills at State (Lake Panorama National Golf Course), noon
May 25
Baseball: Albert Lea at sectionals round two
May 27
Baseball: Albert Lea at sectionals round three
May 28
Boys’ golf: USC at GHEC-Truman (sub-section meet at Rose Lake Golf Course), 10 a.m. Girls’ golf: Lake Mills at State, TBA
May 30
Boys’ and girls track and field: Albert Lea at Lakeville South (sectional meet), TBA Boys’ golf: Albert Lea at sectional meet (Bellwood Oaks Golf Course), TBA Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at sectional meet (Cannon Falls Golf Course), TBA
June 1
Boys’ and girls track and field: USC/A-C at Mankato West (sectional meet), TBA NRHEG at Mankato West (sectional meet), TBA
June 3
Boys’ golf: USC at sectional meet (Northlinks Golf Course), TBA
June 4
Boys’ tennis: State tournament, TBA
June 5
Boys’ tennis: State tournament, TBA
June 6
Softball: State tournament, TBA Boys’ tennis: State tournament, TBA
June 7
Softball: State tournament, TBA Boys’ tennis: State tournament, TBA Track and field: State meet, TBA Track and field: State meet, TBA
June 8 June 11
Boys’ and girls’ golf: State meet, TBA
June 12
Boys’ and girls’ golf: State meet, TBA
June 13
Baseball: State tournament, TBA
June 14
Baseball: State tournament, TBA
April 17, 2013 • SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 | 15
Lake Mills BOYs’ track and field
under the radar Bulldogs only lose 1 senior By Micah Bader
After developing underclassmen in 2012 and losing only one senior, the Lake Mills boys’ track and field team won’t be flying under the radar this year. “I think we surprised a lot of teams last year, since we were a very young team,” Bulldogs’ 11-year head coach Dan Rice said. “I can see us winning several meets and doing much better at the North Iowa Conference Meet this year.” In the eight-team NIC, Lake Mills is looking to improve on last season’s sixth-place finish. The Bulldogs won two meets (Page 28)
Andy Nicholson
Lake Mills girls’ track and field
En route to des moines
Bulldogs expect to get back to state By Micah Bader Carlie Christianson
16 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 • April 17, 2013
After a successful season in 2012, the Lake Mills girls’ track and field team expects to get back to the state meet in multiple events. Head coach Becky Dahn is in her second season, one year removed from a season with state qualifiers in eight events. Among the returning state (Page 28)
new management
Lake Mills girls’ golf
Lake Mills, IA
Former A.D.takes over By Micah Bader
The Lake Mills girls’ golf team has a new coach with a familiar face. Mike Hanson, a former athletic director, football coach and boys’ golf coach is back with the Bulldogs. Hansen takes over a squad with two returning letter winners: senior Heidi Brandt and junior Darian Swenson. Last season, Brandt and Swenson found success under former head coach
Anne Skellenger. Brandt qualified for regionals, and Swenson finished 10th in the conference. Skellenger worked in the Lake Mills school district for 20 years, and she guided the Bulldogs to a seventh-place North Iowa Conference finish last season. Hansen spent 25 years in the Lake Mills school district before retiring.
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Lake Mills Boys’ golf
aiming past .500 senior trio leads dogs By Micah Bader
The Lake Mills’ boys’ golf team will attempt to break the .500 mark, as the entire team is back. Last year, the Bulldogs earned a 20-20 record and a sixth-place finish in the North Iowa Conference. Key returners from that squad include seven letter winners: three seniors, two juniors and two sophomores. Senior Mitch Anderson, junior Kay Grothe and sophomore Cody Haugo are looking to build on their past success. In 2012, Anderson was a medalist at sectionals, Grothe earned AllConference accolades and Haugo
earned a scoring average in the top two on the team. Also returning are seniors Trygg Rogers and Tanner Fjelstad, junior Hunter Kingland and sophomore Andrew Olsen. The Bulldogs are coached by Lyle Thomsen in his 24th season with Lake Mills. Thomsen said he is confident in his team, as they have been showing improvement.
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April 17, 2013 • SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 | 17
USC Golf
highly motivated USC aims for state again Nick Neubauer
By Brandi Hagen
After a crushing finish to the season last year in the United South Central boys’ golf team’s first trip to state in more than 10 years, the team is preparing for another chance at a state title. The entire state team of Nate Pederson, Ryan Pederson, Seth Olson, Nick Neubauer, Colbi Bullerman and Brett Ulrich return. “Their team goal is to get back to state and finish higher than they did before,” USC head coach Brad Huse said. “And, as individuals they have some high goals, too. That’s great to see from a coach’s perspective.” After the first day of the Class A state golf tournament last season, the Rebels led by two strokes. The second day of the tournament was a game changer and is something the boys are looking to overcome this season. A scorecard discrepancy dropped the team from an overall second place finish to fifth. After it happened Huse said the team didn’t really talk about the issue. “The kids understood,” Huse said. “That’s why going into this year when we tell them you’ve got to check your cards and make sure after every hole 18 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 • April 17, 2013
that everyone has the right score, it shouldn’t be a problem.” Huse hopes being so close to the top at state last year adds pressure this year to the returning team. “I would hope these guys are more hungry now that they know what they need to do to get back up there and know what it takes to compete at that level,” Huse said. Despite a fifth-place finish at state, the Rebels had a lot of success last season that they hope to build on. The boys’ team was Gopher Conference champion, sub-section champion and section champion. “It was a successful year,” Huse said. Some of the things the team will be working on more this year is its chipping, putting and course management. “They need to know when to take their loss and the stroke and get back onto the fairway instead of trying to have a fantastic shot that gets them into more trouble,” Huse said. Huse is confident in the technique of his returning players. “Most of the kids we have have played numerous rounds of golf,” he said. “They just need to know which clubs to pull out of the bag and which ones to leave in it.”
Huse said this year’s team will include seventh- and eighth-graders, some of who are out for their first time, and he’s excited to see the difference between where the team is now and where they will be in mid-May.
USC
girls’ golf
By Micah Bader
The United South Central girls’ golf team is looking to build on an already impressive resume. The Rebels are the defending Gopher Conference champs, as well as section champs. All-State senior Ali Wood will lead the way along with state qualifiers Kylle Bullerman, a sophomore, and Veronica Schindler, a junior. Freshmen duo Isabel Schindler and Katelyn Loegering also return to the course. Huse also coaches the girls’ team, and since the team lost no one to graduation, he expects the Rebels to excel again this year. “I expect to win the conference and compete for a subsection and section championship,” he said. Huse said the key for both teams will be staying focused.
USC Softball
Rebels rebuild USC returns 2 letter winners
The United South Central softball team is hoping to improve its 2012 record of 5-17 by winning a few more close games. Last year, the Rebels lost five games by five runs or fewer. However, USC will have to get contributions from underclassmen, as the squad only returns two senior letter winners: Bailey Klingbeil, an AllConference honorable mention selection, and Chantel Goebel. Rebels’ head coach Sue Summer, who is also the activities director, is in her second year at the helm and said she is impressed by Klingbeil’s play. “Bailey has a great arm in the outfield, and she’s a smart, positive leader,” Summer said. Klingbeil will have to fill the shoes of departed senior Cassidy Latusek, an All-Conference selection in 2012. The team’s positive attitude is its biggest strength, Summer said. She also mentioned that her squad has shown lots of energy in practice and is willing to succeed. USC will compete in the Gopher Conference, where the front-runner is Blooming Prairie. The Awesome
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Blossoms lost the Class A state championship to Cherry High School 2-1 last year. Summers will be assisted by Shannon Albers, who is also the junior varsity head coach.
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NRHEG
BASEBALL
Panther pitching rotation is key NRHEG returns 3 senior hurlers
By Micah Bader
The defending Gopher Conference champs have their work cut out for themselves. The shoes of nine graduated seniors will need to be filled. The group led the New Richland-Hartland-EllendaleGeneva baseball team to a 18-4 record (10-1 in conference play). “With our inexperience, I expect some growing pains,” said NRHEG head coach Jeff Reese in his 35th season. “Our seniors will have to display great leadership and work ethic so we can
improve every practice and every game throughout the season.” Stepping up to the plate will be six seniors and a group of five juniors. The Panthers have a rotation of three senior pitchers returning: Nic Mangskau, Casey Rosacker and Kevin Minter. Mangskau — a returning letter winner — played in all 22 games. He threw for
40 innings and accumulated an ERA of 3.50. Rosaker — also a returning letter winner — played in 15 games. He earned a .353 batting average and played in 15 games. Minter didn’t play last season, but Reese said he has “great potential.” At catcher, senior Sam Jewett will continue his career behind the plate. Jewett only played in six games (Page 28)
NRHEG softball
experienced and ready Panthers return MVP By Micah Bader
Coming off a 16-4 campaign, the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva softball team returns seven starters. The Panthers are experienced in two key areas: pitching and catching. However, junior All-Conference hurler Jade Schultz will not return to the pitching circle. Schultz was the 2012 team’s Most Valuable Player, and she was also presented with the Golden Bat Award. During the Panthers’ run at the state basketball tournament, Schultz injured her knee, requiring surgery. 20 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 • April 17, 2013
Behind the plate will be AllConference catcher Hannah Lundberg, who earned Most Improved Player accolades last season. NRHEG also returns senior duo Tara Simon and MaKenna Thiele. Junior utility Stormi Hagen is back with sophomores Anna Stork — an All-Conference honorable mention selection — as well as Kelli Harrington. Junior outfielders Kendra Grothem and Hayley Deml, and sophomores Alyssa Esplan and Ryann Hagen will also look for playing time.
Key losses from last year are Tori Raimann, Mandy Deml and Anna Schlaak. Wendy Schultz will lead the Panthers in her 16th season. She led NRHEG to the Gopher Conference championship five times before stepping down in 2004. After the Panthers had a 3-16 mark in 2008, coach Schultz took over again. The Panthers have earned a progressively better record each year she’s been back. In 2010, NRHEG earned a 7-13 record. In 2011, 10-9. Last year, the Panthers were 16-4.
NRHEG Golf
driving success By Micah Bader
After finishing third in the Gopher Conference with a record of 14-6, the New Richland-Hartland-EllendaleGeneva girls’ golf team is looking to continue its success on the driving range. Five seniors will lead the Panthers this year: Maddy Reed, Maddy Schwierjohann, Brenna Hagen, Brina Bergland and Liz Elder. Junior Lizzy Stohl and freshmen
Jessica Nafe and Riley Koziolek also return as starters. Head coach Brad Root doubles as the boys’ coach as well, and he is embarking on his 25th season. boys to work on mental game
Seven seniors and a pair of juniors will lead the NRHEG boys’ golf team this year. The Panthers earned a 15-10 record
last season, and they have a host of athletes out for the sport. “We will again have good numbers on the boys’ side, so someone may emerge to help us recapture the conference title,” Root said. Seniors are Kyle Schlaak, Chandler Wisler, Colton Ryg, Brandon Herramann, Brendon Arnold, Zach Edon and Gage Flatness. Assistant coaches are Pat Churchill and Andy Peterson.
NRHEG track and field
panthers reload
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The New Richland-HartlandEllendale-Geneva girls’ track and field team has a combination of decorated seniors and underclassmen. “We have a lot of experience as well as a lot of youth,” Duey Ferber said as he begins his 23rd year as head coach. “We hope to find some younger girls to fill the holes. They need to step up to give us needed strength in the team side of things.” Carlie Wagner, the reigning highjump state champion, will lead the team along with seven seniors. Katie Cole and Kayla Lindell are top returners in throwing events, as are Crystal Olson and Destinee Meyer in distance runs, Jennika Jongbloedt in jumping events and Emmy Hobbs in the pole vault. “Our strengths will be in the sprints, throws and relays,” Ferber said. “High jump is also an obvious strength.”
Ferber will by assisted by throwing coach Chuck Crabtree, distance and pole vault coach Jay Crabtree, hurdles coach Corrine Schuller and jumping coach Geoff Stieglbauer. boys to improve on 6th-place conference finish
The NRHEG boys’ track and field team is small in numbers and young, and the Panthers will be competing against the clock or tape measure to improve. “The boys want to set a new personal record every time they step on the track,” Ferber said. Key returners are runners Hans Frank and T.J. Schlitz, along with jumper Nathan Wallin and Ross Chester, and throwers Keith Maxon, Todd Erickson and Kevin Kalis. “T.J. should have another strong season in the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter run,” Ferber said. “Ross is on a mission to set a new school record on the long jump.”
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Alden-Conger SOFTBALL
Primed for the postseason By Micah Bader
After finishing last season with 12 wins, the Alden-Conger softball team is looking to make a dent in the postseason. Last season, the Knights ended the season on a six-game winning streak. However, Alden-Conger was upset by Hayfield in the first round of the 1A sectional tournament. Of the Knights’ four losses, three were by two runs or less. The 12-4 record is the team’s best in the last five years, so the team has a good base on which to build. In head coach Gary Nelson’s 34th year at Alden-Conger — his 26th season as head softball coach — his team returns 11 letter winners: four seniors, three juniors and four sophomores. Nelson said team strengths will be the lot — pitching, defense and hitting — and that his squad is excited to get the season going.
Cassie Gilster
Senior All-Conference pitcher Alli Songstad will lead the Knights from the pitching circle. In the infield, Alden-Conger has the bases covered with experience. Junior honorable mention AllConference first baseman Brooke Reyerson is back after missing last year to rehab from knee surgery. At second base, junior Rachel Kleinschrodt returns, at short stop is junior Karina Skov and at third base is sophomore honorable mention All-Conference
selection Cassie Gilster. Returning in the outfield are sophomore centerfielder Liesel Theusch, along with seniors Kasey Knutson and Megan Burris. Also returning as letterwinners are senior utility Ariel Keller and sophomore designated hitter Kayla Lee. The Knights will have to replace Nikki Schultz, who was the team’s Most Valuable Player for the last two seasons. Nelson said he will miss her batting and defense.
Alden-Conger baseball
building on positives By Micah Bader
The Alden-Conger baseball team will build on a pair of Valley Conference wins from 2012. All-Conference, All-Area senior Jordan Johnson will return to lead the Knights. Johnson earned a batting average of .442 last year and led the team in all batting categories, third-year head coach Sam Hintz said. Johnson is also listed as a catcher and 22 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 • April 17, 2013
pitcher for Alden-Conger. Other returning senior letter winners are pitcher Spencer Wallin, first baseman Eli Rinehart and center fielder Dom Ofsdahl. Hintz said senior leadership will be a team strength. In addition to Rinehart at first, experience rounds the bases defensively for the Knights. Sophomore second baseman Brady Neel and sophomore third baseman Wyatt Ladwig are also back. Ty
Lerum, who is listed as an outfielder, pitcher and catcher, rounds out the sophomore trio. “My three sophomores are back this year, and one year older,” Hintz said. “They all started last year and batted over .300 as freshmen.” Speaking of impressive batting averages, the Knights will have to replace Tony Behnke who batted .455 as a senior last year. He also (Page 23)
Alden-Conger Golf
knights progress By Micah Bader
The Alden-Conger boys’ golf team got extensive experience last year at the varsity level, which will help them compete in the Valley Conference race. Eli and Jordan Hallman have been on the varsity squad since they were in seventh grade, and they lead a group of six other letter winners. “They’ve shown progress every year, and having experience at the varsity level is a huge advantage,” AldenConger’s third-year head coach Doug Johnson said. Last season, Eli earned All-Conference honorable mention and was the team’s Most Valuable Player. Jordan was also All-Conference honorable mention, and he qualified for sectionals. Senior Tommy Geesman, junior Alex Cast — last year’s most improved player, freshman Zach Anderson and eighthgrader Bryce Banton round out the
returning letter winners. “The return of Tommy Geesman will help solidify our six varsity players,” Johnson said. “He adds experience and leadership.” Johnson will be assisted on the course by Robert Hanson.
Alden-Conger
girls return decorated seniors
The Alden-Conger girls’ golf team returns four decorated seniors, and the team lost no one to graduation. The Knights are primed for a postseason run. Alden-Conger seniors are Brenna VanEngelenburg, Jamie Dunham, Ariana Larson and Jamie Demo-Hanson. “All my senior girls are key athletes, and they have had success over the past three years,” Johnson said. VanEngelenburg led the team last year as a captain, in addition to earning All-
Conference honorable mention accolades and qualifying for sectionals. Dunham and Larson were both AllConference honorable mention selections, and Jamie Demo-Hanson found success by qualifying for sectionals. Other golfers who will battle for the top six spots are Lexi Jahnke, Kelsey Behnke and Elynn Johnson. As a seventh-grader last season, Elynn earned All-Conference honors, Johnson said.
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continued from Page 22 earned honorable mention AllConference. Last season, in Hintz’s third season as head baseball coach, Alden-Conger accumulated an overall record of 3-12 overall and 2-6 in the Valley Conference. The Knights earned conference wins at home against Cleveland and at Martin County West to go along with a 13-5 victory at Blooming Prairie. Alden-Conger suffered near misses at Cleveland (8-7 in 10 innings) in the season opener and a 6-5 loss to St. Clair in the sectional tournament.
For the upcoming season, Hintz said he feels good about his team’s athleticism. “We should be much more competitive than in the past two years,” he said. “We definitely have the best group of athletes I have had so far.” Underclassmen will get to see playing time, which is good for player and program development. “We will be very young, with most of the position players being sophomores or freshmen,” he said. “But, that will bode well for us in the future.” The Valley Conference favorites are Maple River and Mankato Loyola.
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Glenville-Emmons Golf
Small but experienced Wolverines prep to tee off By Micah Bader
The Glenville-Emmons boys’ golf team returns three letter winners to tee off the season. Sam Johnson, Shawn Johnson and Devin Nelson return as the Wolverines’ experienced golfers to replace Cody Gaines, an AllConference honorable mention golfer.
Last season, Glenville-Emmons accrued a 2-13 overall record excluding tournament play. The Wolverines will play at Northwood Golf Course and host four meets this season. In the regular-season finale, Glenville-Emmons will host Grand Meadow/Le Roy-Ostrander at 4:30 p.m. May 13.
On the girls’ side, Glenville-Emmons won’t have enough participants to field a team, but Kristin Hahn, Maddie Minear and Paige Marlin will hit the course to compete on an individual level. The boys’ and girls’ teams are coached by athletic director Craig Rayman, who is in his 27th season.
continued from Page 6 letter winners are Mady Dahl, Chelsey Battle and Cammy Tewes. That leaves one spot up for grabs. Since no sophomores are on the team, freshmen Grace Anderson, Bailey Sandon, Sara
Rasmussen and Sam Nielsen will be battling for the spot. “We’ll need their scores this year,” Riebe said. The young Tigers will look to fill the void left by graduating seniors Morgan
Field and Paige Brick. Stephanie Falk will also be gone due to relocation. Last season, the Tigers were 32-29 overall and 13-4 in the conference. In 2009, Albert Lea won the conference crown with a 9-0 regular season record.
continued from Page 10 experience in our doubles’ lineup.” The Tigers have 34 total players out for tennis with athletes ranging from seventh to 12th grade. “We have good numbers this year, and a lot of experience at the top of
continued from Page 12 a score of 82 and was an All-Conference selection in 2012. “Nate has been a varsity regular since ninth grade,” McIntyre said. “He played his best golf at the end of the season.” Peterson, a junior, averages a score of 80 and was also an All-Conference selection last year. “He had a great and busy competitive summer, and he’s raised his game significantly from last season,” McIntyre said. 24 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 • April 17, 2013
our lineup,” Dyrdal said. Snow has been lingering on the courts, so the team got a different kind of workout pushing snow. The late spring has set the Tigers back a little, making pre-season work hard to get in.
Nafzger was an All-Conference selection in 2011 and an AllConference honorable mention selection with an average 81.5 in 2012. He returns with Syverson, a junior, and Loch, a sophomore. Both golfers already have varsity experience, McIntyre said. The Tigers will look to fill the void left by graduated senior Brady Falk who earned nine rounds in the 70s. He was a three-year letter winner and a two-year
“We have a great group of guys this year, so I’m expecting this to be a very fun season of tennis,” Dyrdal said. “Fans who come to our matches this year will see competitive matches, and guys who play the right way with great effort and sportsmanship.”
captain, as well as a 2012 AllConference performer. He was also Academic All-State. Last season, the Tigers finished fifth out of 12 teams in Section 1AAA with a record of 60-28. In the Big Nine Conference, Albert Lea earned second place with a record of 15-3. “We need to believe in ourselves,” McIntyre said. “We’re as talented as any team in our conference or section without a doubt.”
Glenville-Emmons Softball
Locked and loaded entire roster returns By Micah Bader
The entire roster is back for Lisa Ziebell’s 11th season as head coach of the Glenville-Emmons softball team. The Wolverines earned a 2-15 overall record in 2012, but what they lacked in the win column, they made up for by getting young players time on the field. “I feel our strength is experience, and the girls love to play softball,” Ziebell said. After getting shut out in three of their first five games last year, GlenvilleEmmons strung together wins over GranadaHuntley-East Chain/Martin Luther and Mabel Canton. Near the end of the season, the Wolverines were within three points of Hope Lutheran and Mabel Canton
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in a rematch. Against area teams, Glenville-Emmons fell 2-0 at New Richland-HartlandEllendale-Geneva, and the Wolverines showed significant improvement against Alden-Conger. In late April, Glenville-Emmons was shut out 11-0 by the Knights on the road. In the regular season finale almost a month later, the Wolverines lost by only one run (2-1) in eight innings to Alden-Conger at home. Hoping to carry over momentum from the close games at the end of the season is a group of six returning senior letter winners. “I expect to improve on our record and for my seniors to step up and become leaders on and off the field,” Ziebell said. “We want to make sure the season is successful (Page 28)
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USC Baseball
throwing the heat
David Stenzel
pitching pair to lead rebels By Micah Bader
The defending Section 2A-South champs bring back seven letter winners to attempt a breakout season after going 14-13 overall and earning a Gopher Conference record of 4-7. Pat Frank is in his sixth season as head coach of the United South Central baseball team, and he has high hopes for his team this year. “Our expectation is to win the conference and compete for a section 26 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 • April 17, 2013
title,” he said. Frank has a reason to be excited, as USC returns seven letter winners including six seniors. David Stenzel and Cole Stencel will be back on the mound, while Trey Allis will resume his spot at catcher. Colin Beecher will continue play in left field. Walker Linde, a junior — the only non-senior returning letter winner — will resume his role in left field. Senior Lucas George also returns for the Rebels. The senior group has seen its share of
playing time, Frank said. “The five seniors who started as sophomores have helped us win 29 games over the past two years,” he said. The squad will attempt to replace Coleman Bushlock, who won seven games from the mound before graduating. The key for the Rebels, Frank said, is a solid pitching and consistent defense. Frank’s career record is 65-50, and he will be assisted by Todd Rassmusen and Eric Lackey.
Northwood-Kensett track and field
vikings’ mvp is back The team’s most valuable player and 10 letterwinners are back to help the Northwood-Kensett girls’ track and field team make a run at the Corn Bowl Conference title. Senior Mary Bjorklund — the Vikings’ 2012 Most Valuable Player — headlines the group of four returning senior letter winners. Fellow senior sprinter Maren Davidson and middle distance runners Taylor Christiansen and Jackie Einertson are also back. Davidson will make a comeback to the track after being injured last season, Vikings’ eighth-year head coach Ryan Severson said. Among the six junior letterwinners are sprinters Katelyn Jaspers and Taryn Van Ryswyk, Chandler Capitani and Madison Lloyd in the hurdles, Kayla Branstad in throwing events and Jordan
Wright in distance runs. The group will look to replace the leadership of middle-distance runner Britney Low and sprinter Sammy Duckert. Northwood-Kensett also has a large group of underclassmen. “We are a young team with 12 freshmen, but look to get better as the year goes on,” Severson said. “We’ve got lots of young talent this year.” Conference favorites are St. Ansgar, West Fork and Nashua-Plainfield.
Northwood-Kensett boys aim to get better
The Northwood-Kensett boys’ track and field team is hoping to improve on last season’s sixth-place conference finish. They’ll have a good chance to do just
that with 11 returning letterwinners, including six seniors. “We should be more competitive this year,” said David Capitani in his 18th season as head coach for the Vikings. Team strengths will be sprints, hurdles and distance races, he said. Leading the way for NorthwoodKensett will be senior hurdlers Joey Read and Logan Butler, sprinters Garrett Olson and Hunter Gerken, middle distance runner Mike Burrow and distance runner Cameron Batton. The Vikings will look to replace Shayne Olson, Nik Werner and Dylan Nitcher from last year’s squad. Capitani will be assisted by Lee Okerlund and Brendan Elkhe.
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The Northwood-Kensett boys’ golf team will try to move past last year’s 1-35 mark with its two returning letter winners. The Vikings will be young, as both key returners — Coleby Bratrud and Logan Benson — are sophomores. “With only two experienced golfers, we will be very young with hopes on improving throughout the year,” Northwood-Kensett head coach Greg Parks said. Parks is in his 17th season of coach-
ing, and he has a career record of 182315-4.
Girls
return trio
of letterwinners
The Northwood-Kensett girls’ golf team returns three letter winners: seniors Mikki Butler and Brianne Lumbard along with sophomore Sam Butler. The Vikings will compete on an individual level, as opposed to a team level, head coach Steve Hartman said.
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April 17, 2013 • SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 | 27
continued from Page 16 in 2012. The group returns 18 letter winners: six seniors, eight juniors and four sophomores. Seniors include, hurdlers Taylor Nelson, Jon Erickson and Jacob DeLawyer; thrower Ben Irons; and distrance runners, Paul Scholbrock and Zach Marpe. Rice said he has high hopes for senior continued from Page 16 qualifiers, Makenzie Thorson leads the way. “Makenzie did an outstanding job last year with four events at state including the open 100 and open 200,” Dahn said. Lake Mills also qualified for state in three relays. The entire 4x100-meter relay team returns seniors MacKenzie Baumann, Jurnee Peña, Hallie Erdahl and Thorson, a junior. Three of four runners are back from the 4x100-meter relay team: continued from Page 20 during 2012, but he earned a staggering .667 batting average. The Panthers also return a pair of senior outfielders: Brad Claycomb and Johnny White. Claycomb played in 16 games last season, stole seven bases, earned a batting average of .333 and did not commit any fielding errors. White was injured last season, but he earned experience in American Legion baseball last summer. “The cupboard isn’t bare, as we have some talent coming back and coming up the younger ranks,” Reese said. “We won’t have that experience and mental toughness that
distance runner Marpe who qualified for state in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs last year. “Zach has a very good chance to medal in both events,” Rice said. “He was a state place winner and NIC champion in cross country last fall.” Irons will anchor the Bulldogs in throwing events. He was a state qualifier as well as the NIC runner-up. junior Madison Nelson, seniors Hallie Erdahl and Sarah Orban; and the shuttle-hurdle relay team of senior Carlie Christianson, junior Kelcey Srp, and sophomores Sydney Larson and Rachel Segura also return. Christianson also competed at state in the high jump, and Megan Johnson threw the shot put in Des Moines, Iowa. Despite having a modest roster, the Bulldogs’ track and field team has been productive. “We are a small team, but each mem-
makes a good team great, but we will improve on that as the season progresses.” Junior prospects include Dillion Parapart, who saw varsity action as a sophomore, Zach Haberman, Alex Holland, Noah Krell and Tyler Logan. Reese said he’s not sure what to expect. “There will be a lot of question marks regarding all aspects of the game,” he said. “Pitching and defense will be the major emphasis in the early part of the season.” Reese has a career record of 452-248. He will be assisted by Al Schultz, Shawn Larson, Ryan Nissen and James Kelley.
28 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK 2013 • April 17, 2013
Relay teams will also be a strength for Lake Mills as the team returns its shuttlehurdle team consisting of Erickson, Nelson, DeLawyer and sophomore Alex Lau. “Several relays are on the verge of being very good,” Rice said. The key to success will be avoiding injuries. Rice will be assisted by Kyle Menke, Cody Malone and Eric Mittman.
ber is important and committed to excellence,” Dahn said. “The team is strong in sprints, but I feel every girl on the team will contribute to our goals.” In all, Lake Mills returns 14 letter winners: six seniors, four juniors and four sophomores. Key losses from last season include middle distance runner, Catherine Adams and sprinter Haley Krull. A key for success, Dahn said, is to work hard and stay focussed. Dahn will be assisted by hurdle and field-event specialist Cody Malone.
continued from Page 25 and have fun doing it.” Seniors anchoring the infield will be Jamie Williamson at catcher and short stop, Meagan Nelson — the Wolverines’ golden glove award winner — at first base, and Courtney Williams at second base. Seniors Tara Thorson, Heather Davies, Courtney Williamson and Kendra Davis will cover the outfield for the Wolverines. Jamie will lead the team again, as she was Glenville-Emmons’ 2012 Most Valuable Player. She was also an All-Conference selection in the Southeast Conference. Returning to the pitching rotation will be GlenvilleEmmons’ only returning junior letter winner, Bre Lundmark, along with sophomore Madi Ziebell. Madi earned All-Conference honorable mention last season. Rachel Hagen, Anna Severtson, Kayla Gerber and Jocelyn Kluender are also returning letter winners. Coach Ziebell has an overall record of 49-119, and she will be assisted by Molly Reiffenberger.
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