Spring Sports Preview 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 16

Panthers boys’ golf look to repeat atop Gopher

Panthers girls’ golf primed for run at title

NRHEG has skill but needs to sharpen mental game

NRHEG returns 4 starters from last season

By Tim Engstrom

tim.engstrom@albertleatribune.com

NEW RICHLAND — The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers return many of their starters in boys’ golf this season, giving them a good chance to defend their Gopher Conference title.

While Seth Hansen, Dalen Ferber and Dillon Hanson will be missed, the team has several returning letterwinners, said head coach Brad Root. Those letterwinners are seniors Aaron Patraw, Matt Nafe, Jonathon Wolstrom and Cody Root and junior Sam Grothem “We will again have good numbers on the boys’ side,” said Root, who also coaches girls’ golf, “Someone may emerge as a surprise to help us recapture the conference title.”

He said the varsity golf team has solid golf skills but will need to work on the mental game, course management and consistency.

“We need to move from being practice players to tournament players,” Root said.

He said the team also needs to get more tournament experience

for junior varsity players so they are prepared when they reach the varsity level. The team also will focus on rules and etiquette.

“We want them to learn the game so they can enjoy it throughout their life,” Root said. “As always we want our student athletes to enjoy the sport and have fun while at the same time representing our school well.”

NRHEG is a favorite to win the Gopher Conference this year. It will vie with Waseca at the sub-section meet.

Tim Stoetz Jr. is the assistant coach.

The team’s home course is Riverview Golf Course. The conference tournament this year is at Oakview Golf Course near Freeborn, hosted by United South Central.

2011 schedule: April 7 vs. Bethlehem Academy April 12 at United South Central April 14 vs. Blooming Prairie April 19 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton April 25 at Glenville-Emmons April 28 vs. United South Central May 3 tournament at Triton May 5 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton May 10 at Blooming Prairie May 13 Gopher Conf. Tournament at Oakview Golf Course May 17 at Bethlehem Academy May 19 vs. Maple River May 24 vs. Glenville-Emmons

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NEW RICHLAND — After finishing second in the Gopher Conference last season, the New Richland-HartlandEllendale-Geneva girls’ golf team has a realistic shot at a league title this season.

The Panthers return four starters from last year’s team including Abbey Holland (Sr.), Hannah Moe (Sr.), Michaela Hansen (Jr.) and Lexi Wayne (Jr.).

The team has 12 girls out for golf and a nice talent pool, according to head coach Brad Root.

“The girls need to be mentally tough and focused this year,” Root said. “We are counting on continued improvement in all our girls.”

Root said his team takes aggressive shots and are risk takers, and that they need to be prepared for whatever weather conditions exist. He said the Panthers strengths will be team chemistry and work ethic.

“As always, we want our studentathletes to enjoy the sport and have fun while at the same time representing our school well,” Root said. “We

will be working on the rules and golf etiquette so our golfers will be knowledgeable and welcome wherever we travel to play.”

The Panthers home course is Riverview Golf Course. The conference tournament this year is at Oakview Golf Course near Freeborn, hosted by United South Central.

The Panthers assistant coaches are Justin Timm and Tim Stoesz.

After finishing 9-8 last year, Root said the Panthers are the Gopher Conference favorite. He said the Panthers and Waseca are the Section 2AA favorite.

Root expects a good showing at the conference tournament and subsection.

Friday, April 8, 2011

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW Tigers Baseball chases Big Nine title

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Megan Pulley leads Tigers girls’ golf Rebels excel on track, in field

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Wolverines eye Southeast Championship

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2011 schedule: April 7 vs. Bethlehem Academy April 12 at United South Central April 14 vs. Blooming Prairie April 19 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton April 25 at Glenville-Emmons April 28 vs. United South Central May 3 tournament at Triton May 5 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton May 10 at Blooming Prairie May 13 Gopher Conf. Tournament at Oakview Golf Course May 17 at Bethlehem Academy May 19 vs. Maple River May 24 vs. Glenville-Emmons

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Page 2 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011

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Albert Lea Tigers

Solid pitching staff set to lead Tigers baseball this season Klatt, Sorenson and Kortan will be key to success

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

With a solid 1-2 punch on the mound this season, the Albert Lea baseball team is primed to make another run at a Big Nine Conference championship.

The Tigers return starting pitcher and Tribune Player of the Year, Aaron Klatt, who was 6-3 last season with a 2.32 ERA. He struck out 65 batters in 54 innings and hit .387.

The Tigers’ second pitcher is righthander Cole Sorenson, who plays centerfield when he’s not on the mound.

Sorenson was 3-2 last season, with a 2.10 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 37 innings.

Tigers coach Joe Sczublewski said the team still needs to develop pitching depth beyond Klatt and Sorenson.

Aaron Klatt is the a captain for Albert Lea baseball this season and the team’s No. 1 pitcher.

The senior posted a 2.32 ERA last year and was atop the Big Nine Conference in strikeouts.

He also had a .387 batting average.

The 18-year-old is choosing between Winona State University, South Dakota State University and North Dakota State University for his undergrad and plans on pitching at whichever college he chooses. Klatt was a wide receiver on the Tigers’ football team this fall and a guard on the basketball team.

Albert Lea will contend for the conference title along with Rochester Mayo, John Marshall and Century, and Mankato East and West. Big Nine defending champions Owatonna lost a solid senior class but has their two top pitchers returning.

“It will probably be a wide open race again,” Sczublewski said. “The champion of our 18-game Big Nine Conference schedule has to be consistent.”

The Tigers baseball team did take a blow this winter when starting senior shortstop Carter Kortan torn his ACL during a wrestling match. Kortan was a defensive standout for the Tigers’ middle infield and will miss the entire season. Sczublewski said several younger players have shown progress this preseason as the team tries to 4Pitching, Page 5

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 15

Young: Pins focusing other college sports

Continued from Page 9 and the team’s hurdlers.

“Our hurdlers are some of the most committed girls on the team,” Wempen said. “They will show improvement through the season.”

Wempen said the team has a good mix of sprinters, mid-distance runners and distance runners, too.

Lindy Pins, the team’s lone senior, is looking to contribute in other athletic opportunities at the collegieate level, according to Wempen.

2011 schedule April 4 at CWL Relays at Britt April 8 at Hampton-Dumont April 12 at Algona April 15 at Northwood-Kensett April 18 at Belmond-Klemme April 19 at Garner-Hayfield April 25 at Lake Mills Invitational April 26 at Forest City May 2 at West-Hancock May 5 at Clear Lake May 9 at North Iowa Conference meet May 12 at Class 1A regional meet May 19 at state meet May 20 at state meet

Tigers: Team needs consistent pitching

Continued from Page 4 have played softball for several years at various levels. The team’s weakness, though, is that only three players have varsity experience.

“We need to have consistent pitching and catching,” Harms said, for his team to be successful. “We need to play hard for seven full innings every game and have good defense.”

Harms said that Mankato East are favorites to win the Big Nine Conference this season and that Hastings will likely win the section.

One of the Tigers’ goals is to win a section game this year.

2011 schedule: April 7 vs. Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.

April 12 at Mankato West, 5 p.m.

April 14 at Faribault, 4 p.m.

April 16 at New Richland-H-E-G Tournament, 9 a.m.

April 19 vs Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.

April 21 at Austin, 5 p.m.

April 26 vs. Rochester Century, 4 p.m.

April 28 vs. Winona, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.

May 5 vs. Mankato West, 4 p.m.

May 10 at Owatonna, 4 p.m.

May 12 at Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.

May 17 vs. Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.

May 25 at Section 1AAA Tournament, TBD

Fun: Panthers lost Lindell, Klocek

Continued from Page 12 The Panthers lost two notable athletes to graduation last season.

David Lindell, a two-time state qualifier in discus, and Kevin Klocek, who placed third in state in 100- and 200-meter races, are not returning to the team this season.

“We have a bunch of returning letterwinners and a handful of new guys,” Ferber said. “I’m anticipating a fun season.”

2011 schedule April 2 at Minnesota State-Mankato, 9 a.m.

April 5 vs. Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.

April 8 at Waseca, 4:30 p.m.

April 12 vs. NRHEG Invite, 4:30 p.m.

April 19 at United South Central, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 at Maple River, 4:30 p.m.

April 29 at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

May 10 at True Team Sections (Maple River), 4 p.m.

May 17 at Gopher Conference meet, 4:30 p.m.

May 26 at Section tournament, TBA

Settle: Team’s strengths are pitching, hitting

Continued from Page 13 batting .417 with a team-high 17 RBIs. Toulouse said his team’s strength this season will be pitching, experience, hitting and team speed. The team’s weaknesses: Lack of depth behind Woodside, team defense and striking out at the plate.

Toulouse said his pitching and defense will need to be stellar this season for the team to be successful. He said the Wolverines also need to develop more depth and limit injuries.

Toulouse said that Wabasha-Kellogg and Southland are the favorites to win the section tournament this season.

Rebound: Schlaak, Kraay will lead team

Continued from Page 12 year to know what it takes to compete at the varsity level.

The two starting seniors are Cody Kraay and Chad Schlaak.

Kraay was a pitcher and first baseman last season who played in 14 games and had a .353 batting average. He was 0-1 in four appearances on the mound and finished with a 7.00 earned run average.

Schlaak was a captain last year and played in all 22 games. He had a .317 batting average and led the team with 20 stolen bases.

Kraay and Schlaak will be asked to help lead the Panthers back toward the top of the Gopher Conference.

“Leadership is an important key to success,” Reese said.

“We do have enough leaders that can make this season very rewarding.”

Reese said that to be successful this season, everyone on his team needs to improve. He said that they need to get back to their philosophy of throwing quality pitches, making routine defensive plays and putting the ball in play offensively.

2011 schedule: April 5 vs. Blue Earth April 7 vs. Medford April 8 at Saint Clair April 11 vs. Randolph April 14 at Maple River April 16 vs. Bethlehem Academy/Glenville-Emmons/ Nicollet April 18 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton April 19 vs. Waseca April 25 vs. United South Central April 26 at Blooming Prairie April 28 at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown May 2 vs. Bethlehem Academy May 3 vs. Glenville-Emmons May 5 at Mankato Loyola May 10 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton May 13 vs. Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial May 16 at United South Central May 19 vs. Blooming Prairie May 20 at Albert Lea

Panthers: Team has summer experience

Continued from Page 12 (Sr.), catcher Shelby Mogenson (Sr.) and outfielder Tara Simon (Soph.).

Simon batted .343 last season and led the team in doubles, while Cole was named the most improved player.

Panthers coach Wendy Schultz said the team’s goals are to improve on last season’s record and play fundamentally sound softball.

“Small ball is a must,” She said. “We need to be able to incorporate bunting along with our hitting.”

Schultz also said she expects the Panthers to play aggressively both on offense and defense.

“We have some quick gals,” she said.

“I hope to be able to utilize that on the base paths.”

Though the Panthers enter the season young and inexperienced, nine of the team’s 11 players played softball this summer, three on two different teams.

“Hopefully the extra experience will payoff,” Schultz said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the 11 girls on our team. They are hard workers and have great attitudes.”

Schultz is in her second season as head coach after not having coached the Panthers for six years. She was the team’s coach from 1993-2004 and has a career coaching record of 149-100.

2011 schedule: April 5 at Blue Earth, 5 p.m.

April 7 vs. Medford, 5 p.m.

April 11 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.

April 12 at Waseca, 5 p.m.

April 14 vs. Maple River, 5 p.m.

April 16 vs. NRHEG Tournament, 9 a.m.

April 18 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.

April 25 vs. United South Central, 5 p.m.

April 26 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

April 28 at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.

May 2 vs. Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.

Mat 5 at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.

May 10 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.

May 13 vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.

May 16 at United South Central, 5 p.m.

May 17 vs. Byron, 5 p.m.

May 19 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

May 20 vs. Glenville-Emmons. 4:30 p.m.

2011 schedule: April 7 at Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.

April 8 at Houston, 4:30 p.m.

April 11 at Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m.

April 12 at Medford, 4:30 p.m.

April 14 vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 4:30 p.m.

April 18 vs. Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.

April 19 at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

April 21 vs. Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.

April 23 vs. Winona Cotter, TBD April 29 at GHEMCL, 4:30 p.m.

May 2 vs. Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

May 5 vs. Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m.

May 9 at Lyle/Pacelli, 4:30 p.m.

May 12 at Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.

May 16 vs. Houston, 4:30 p.m.

May 19 at Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.

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Page 14 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 3

Alden-Conger Knights

Knights baseball enters season inexperienced

Johnson takes over as Knights golf coach Alden-Conger has mix of youth, leadership

Alden-Conger returns just 4 letterwinners

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

ALDEN — In his first season as Alden-Conger’s head baseball coach, Sam Hintz has his work cut out for him.

The Knights return just four letterwinners from last season’s 4-13 team.

Of those four, only one is a senior.

“We are very inexperienced,” Hintz said. “Only a couple players on this team have participated in baseball from junior high to high school.”

The Knights’ top returner is Jordan Johnson, the only player on the team that batted over .300 the year before.

Johnson was named team MVP in 2010 and Valley All-Conference honorable mention.

Other returners include Tony Benhke, the team’s Most Improved Player a year ago, honorable mention Lucas Kleinschrodt and Tribune All-

Area Spencer Niebuhr.

Hintz said that the biggest key to the team’s success will be pitching.

What could get in the way of success in inexperience.

“It’s very challenging when talking about basic baseball skills, or play, and only three to four people know what I’m talking about,” Hintz said.

Hintz said that Maple River is the conference and section favorite.

2011 schedule: April 12 vs. Nicollet, 5 p.m.

April 19 at Maple River, 5 p.m.

April 21 at Glenville-Emmons, 4:15 p.m.

April 25 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.

April 26 at LC-W-M, 5 p.m.

April 28 at LeCenter/Cleveland, 5 p.m.

April 30 at Lyle/Pacelli Tournament, TBD May 2 vs. Lyle/Pacelli, 5 p.m.

May 3 vs. Martin County West, 5 p.m.

May 5 at Saint Clair, 5 p.m.

May 10 vs. Martin Luther/G-H-EC, 5 p.m.

May 14 at Medford, 10 a.m.

May 17 at Truman, 5 p.m.

May 19 vs. Glenville-Emmons, 4:15 p.m.

May 24 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

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By Tim Engstrom

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ALDEN -- The golf teams at AldenConger have a new coach, Doug Johnson, who hopes to instill confidence in his golfers.

So while the coach is new, the teams bring experience to the table.

Some of the key golfers on the boys’ team are seniors Nathaniel Back and Zach Rinehart, sophomore Tommy Geesman and eighth-grader Eli Hallman. Geesman and Hallman are returning letterwiners.

The girls’ team features sophomores Chrissy Reindal, Kelsey Behnke and Lily Gjersvik. Also watch Brenna VanEngelenburg.

“We have a lot of young players this year and these eight are good leaders and good role models for our younger players,” Johnson said. “They all

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have experience on the varsity level and will be able to handle the pressures that go along with golfing on the varsity level.”

The boys lost section qualifiers Jordan Mulso and Brandon McTauge.

A weakness on the girls’ side is low numbers. Johnson said every girl is valuable to the team and there is no room for injury or sickness.

Johnson said his expectations for the team are that the Knights can have a shot to win every meet they compete in.

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2011 schedule: April 12 at Glenville-Emmons April 14 at Saint Clair April 16 at Blooming Prairie April 21 at United South Central April 25 at Bethlehem Academy April 26 vs. Grenada-Huntley-East Chain/Martin Luther April 28 at Madelia May 9 at Triton May 13 vs. Saint Clair May 13 at Albert Lea Invite

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Page 4 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 13

Glenville-Emmons Wolverines

Sekora leads inexperienced Tigers

Albert Lea’s goal is to win half of their games this year Troy Thompson LUTCF

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By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

In his second season as Albert Lea softball coach, Dan Harms wants to see his team win half their games.

They’ll have to do that without 2010 Tribune Player of the Year Lauren Klick and two other All-Conference honorable mention players.

The Tigers return three letterwiners off last year’s squad including first baseman Bethany Sekora (Sr.), outfielder Clair Buendorf (Jr.) and pitcher Krystle Nelson (Sr.).

Sekora is one of the Tigers’ top hitters with enough power to hit home runs, and Buendorf has a strong left-handed arm. Nelson is the only pitcher with varisty experience.

Harms said that Erin Everhard (Jr.) is another key athlete who throws hard as a pitcher and can play any defensive position.

Harms said that the Tigers strength this season will be that most players

Wolverines baseball won’t settle with SEC title

Bethany Sekora,18, is a captain for Albert Lea softball and the team’s most powerful hitter. She’s been playing softball since seventh grade and also played varsity volleyball this season. Sekora plans on attending the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in the fall.

She’s considering majoring in psychology and will play intramural sports.

Woodside will lead Glenville-Emmons on mound

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

GLENVILLE — The GlenvilleEmmons baseball team is expected to contend for a Southeast Conference title this season, but they don’t want to settle there.

Coach Louie Toulouse said the team wants to make it out of the first round of subsections, something they didn’t do last season.

The Wolverines return eight letterwinners from last year’s team including Tyler Woodside, one of the team’s top pitchers. Woodside had a .90 ERA last season in 39 innings and

4 Tigers, Page 15

Prudoehl takes over as Tigers’ tennis coach

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First-year head coach looks to get Albert Lea elusive win

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

After a winless 2010 season, the Albert Lea boys’ tennis team will look to move forward with first-year head coach Wayne Prudoehl.

Prudoehl, an assistant coach last season, returns seven letterwinners from last year’s squad, including three seniors.

Returning to the Tigers this season is Logan Tufte (Sr.), Steven Kruen (Sr.), Dyllan Engebretson (Sr.), Aaron Woitas (Jr.), Trevor Herfindahl (Soph.), Tate Tufte (Soph.) and Kyle Zogg (Soph.). According to Prudoehl, other key athletes include Darik Weigel (Soph.), Parker Thompson (Soph.) and Evan Templeman (Jr.).

Prudoehl said Weigel made some great improvements over the summer and is a great athlete. He said Thompson has loads of potential but needs some technical improvements to reach that fully and that Templeman 4 Tennis, Page 6

Steven Kruen, 18, is a senior co-captain on the Albert Lea boys’ tennis team.

He was also the cross county team’s top male runner this season. Kruen didn’t pick up a racket until ninth grade. He played No. 2 doubles last season.

batted .333 with 14 RBIs. Woodside will be key to the Wolverines success this season along with senior Spencel Kral (P/IF) and junior Zack Williamson (OF).

On the mound last season, Kral was 2-2 with a 6.11 ERA in 18 1/3 innings. He batted .438 with 12 RBIs. Williamson batted .367 with seven RBIs. The Wolverines will be without their No. 1 pitcher from last season, Jon Mittag, who was 5-2 with a 1.49 ERA and 76 strikeouts. Mittag was also the team’s top offensive threat, 4Settle, Page 15

Wolverines softball returns experienced squad

Glenville-Emmons has 5 seniors, 9 returning letterwinners

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

GLENVILLE — In her ninth season as head coach, Lisa Ziebell has an experienced Glenville-Emmons softball team with five seniors and nine returning letterwinners.

The Wolverines return Southeast All-Conference players Alayna Hall (Sr.) and Robyn Roe (Sr.), and AllConference honorale mention and team MVP Kailey Davis (Sr.).

After finishing 4-13 last season, Ziebell said the Wolverines must pitch well and play defense to be successful. She also said that she expects

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her experienced lineup to play like veterans.

Ziebell said Spring Grove and Houston are conference favorites.

2011 schedule April 7 at Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.

April 8 at Houston, 4:30 p.m.

April 11 at Spring Grove, 4:30 p.m.

April 16 at NRHEG Tournament, TBD April 18 vs. Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.

April 20 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

April 21 vs. Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.

April 29 at GHECML, 4:30 p.m.

May 2 vs. Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

May 5 vs. Spring Grove, 4:30 p.m.

May 12 at Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.

May 16 vs. Houston, 4:30 p.m.

May 19 at Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.

May 23 vs. Southland, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’, girls’ golf hoping to post winning records

Glenville-Emmons boys need to improve putting, chipping

By Tim Engstrom

tim.engstrom@albertleatribune.com

GLENVILLE — The Wolverines field two seniors on their boys’ golf team, and they are hoping to post a winning record — if they can do well at the short game.

Coach Craig Rayman said the team has a strong willingness to work.

Though it is a young team, he hopes golfing last summer will result in an improved squad.

“I hope they all played many rounds. We will see this spring,” he said.

Another key to improvement Rayman cited was practicing chipping and putting.

Andrew Lau and Collin Johnson are the team’s seniors.

Other returning letterwinners are junior Cody Gaines, sophomores Blake Lundmark, Shawn Johnson and Jared Larson, and freshmen Sam Johnson, Dalton Nessett, Kenny Koch and Spencer Wangen.

Five to watch are Lau, Gaines, Lundmark, Johnson and Wangen.

The team will miss the skills of Zach Wangen and Josh Minear.

Mike Hockert is the assistant coach.

Lanesboro is a conference favorite.

Blooming Prairie and Lanesboro are both section favorites.

The Wolverines golf at Northwood Golf Course across the border in Iowa.

Wolverines return two letterwinners, have low numbers

Emmons girls’ golf team. The Wolverines have the minimum number of players to field a team.

The team has lost Karrin Olson and Kendra Davis to softball, and Maddisson Minear moved.

However, it still has senior Jenna Klingson and eighth-grader Kristin Hahn, both returning letterwinners.

“Jenna is a good leader, and Kristin is in her second year,” said coach Craig Rayman.

The team could find some surprises with juniors Noelle Hagen and Morgan Schumaker.

Rayman, in his 23rd year as coach, said a key to success this season is getting solid practice without getting frustrated.

Glenville-Emmons finished 2-7 last year and 1-5 in the Southeast Conference. Lanesboro is the favorite in the conference this year.

The squad’s assistant coach is Mike Hockert. The Wolverines golf at Northwood Golf Course across the border in Iowa.

2011 schedule April 8 at Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander April 11 vs. Alden-Conger April 15 vs. Lyle-Pacelli April 16 at Blooming Prairie April 18 vs. Lanesboro April 24 at NRHEG April 25 vs. NRHEG April 29 at Houston May 2 vs. Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander May 9 at Lyle-Pacelli May 13 at Lanesboro May 16 vs. Houston

It’s a slim year for the Glenville-

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Page 12 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 5

NRHEG Panthers

Panthers baseball looks to rebound in 2011

Coach: ‘We need to vastly improve all areas of our game’

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NEW RICHLAND — New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva baseball coach Jeff Reese called last season “very disappointing.”

The Panthers opened their schedule by losing 15 of their first 17 games, including 12 in a row, before winning three of their final four.

The team was ousted in the opening round of the section tournament and finished second-to-last in the Gopher Conference.

To avoid dissapointment this year, Reese knows changes must be made.

“We need to vastly improve all areas of our game, including my coaching,” he said. “We need to work harder on the basic fundamentals.”

Reese said last year’s team had too many errors, poor pitching performances and terrible hitting, which included too many strikeouts.

The Panthers have youth on their side with 10 returning juniors with varsity experience. They only return two starting seniors, though.

“I believe we have the players to lead the way,” Reese said. “Our juniors saw enough playing time last 4 Rebound, Page 15

Expectations lower for NRHEG boys’ track and field

Still, coach anticipates ‘fun season’ because of personnel

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NEW RICHLAND — In his 20th season as head coach, Duey Ferber hopes the New Richland-HartlandEllendale-Gevena boys’ track and field team finishes in the top half of the Gopher Conference.

After finishing third in the conference last season, expectations are lower for the Panthers this year. Still, Ferber anticipates a fun season.

“Team wise, we know we cannot compete for the top of the conference of subsection,” he said. “However, we have some good guys and tremen-

dous enthusiasm this season.”

The Panthers have returned nine letterwinners including four throwers.

“Our strengths will be in the weights,” Ferber said. “Tony Wacholz is very solid in the throws.”

Wacholz, a senior, joins Tyler Crabtree (Sr.), Nate Lutgens (Sr.) and Travis Ripka (Sr.) as the team’s four throwers. Crabtree also runs middistance.

Ferber expects Evan Ferber (Sr.) to perform well this season in jumps and mid-distance and advance to the section meet.

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Panthers softball looks to finish in top half of conference NRHEG lost top 2 players from last season to graduation

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NEW RICHLAND — Without their biggest offensive threat from last season, the New Richland-HartlandEllendale-Geneva Panthers softball team looks to finish in the top half of the Gopher Conference with an inexperienced team.

The Panthers finished 7-13 last season and lost third baseman Alyssa Hagen to graduation. Hagen batted .421 last year and led the team in hits, home runs and RBIs. The Panthers also lost first baseman Kate Quam (.317), second baseman Jady Beenken

(.310) and outfielder Mariah Robran (.111). Hagen and Quam were voted co-team MVPs last season.

The Panthers will look to freshman Jade Schultz to led the team from the mound this season after a solid eighth-grade campaign, for which she was named All-Conference.

Schultz finished last season with a 7-13 record, 3.71 ERA, 171 strikeouts and 143 walks. She also batted .319 and led the Panthers in runs scored.

Schultz is one of five returning starters including outfielder Kristina Cole (Sr.), shortstop Kacie Phillips 4 Panthers, Page 15

Panthers girls’ track and field begins title defense

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NEW RICHLAND — Set to defend their Gopher Conference title, the New Richland-Hartland-EllendaleGeneva girls’ track and field team will need to shake off United South Central/Alden-Conger for a chance at another championship.

The Panthers lost just two athletes off their 2010 championship team, and aren’t the favorite to win the conference this season.

“One huge goal for us is to win the conference championship,” Panthers coach Duey Ferber said. “It will be tough to repeat.”

The Panthers return 14 letterwin-

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ners from last year’s squad and will be strong in sprints, distance and throws.

Jill Kalis (Sr.), Kaylee Maxon (Sr.), and Amber Schmit (Sr.) are the Panthers’ top throwers, while Danielle Krueger (Jr.) and Abby Crabtree (Soph.) are the team’s top distance runners. Ferber expects all five girls to advance far into sections along with Carlie Wagner (Fr.) in the sprints and jumps.

“Our goal, as always, is to advance as many athletes as possible to the section meet,” Ferber said.

Ferber said that hurdlers Anna Schlaak (Jr.) and Katie Cole (Soph.) have a shot at advancing to sections, too.

Your No. 1 source for Panthers sports

Pitching: Tigers Tri-captains set to lead Tigers boys’ track and field will contend for in both field and running events.”

Gentz said his team’s goals are to finish in the top four at true team section and send at least one athlete to the state meet at Hamline University in St. Paul.

Gentz said that the Tigers’ greatest strengths include their leadership, work ethic and positive attitudes.

“Our senior jumpers will be our strongest group of competitors,” Gentz said. “We have a lot of great athletes developing and showing great signs of improvement in shotput, disc, distance, pole vault and hurdles.”

Gentz said that Owatonna and Mankato East are the Big Nine Conference favorites.

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

In his first season as head coach, Kevin Gentz will look to captains Kyle Kriewall (Sr.), Alik Smed (Sr.) and Tommy Tiegs (Sr.) this season to lead the Albert Lea boys’ track and field team.

Those three must help make up for the loss of Matt Tiegs, Trevor Rassmussen and Jack Sturtz, who graduated after setting a school record in the 4x800-meter relay last season.

Kriewall is one the team’s top long jumpers and sprinter, Smed is an excellent high and long jumper and Tiegs is one of the Tigers’ top sprinters. Gentz will also look for impressive performances from hurdler Brody Sundblad (Jr.), 800-meter runner Sean Laurie (Jr.) and high-, long- and triple-jumper Tyler Wichmann (Sr.).

Gentz’s expectations this season are for his team to work hard and improve.

“As a team, we would like to become four deep at every event,” Gentz said.

“We are continuing to develop athletes

2011 schedule March 19 at St. Olaf College, Northfield, 9:30 a.m.

April 2 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, 9 a.m.

April 5 at New Richland-H-E-G, 4:30 p.m.

April 12 at Owatonna, 3:30 p.m.

April 19 at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 vs. Mankato West, Austin, 4:30 p.m.

April 29 at Rosemount, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.

May 10 at True Team Section meet (Mankato West), 3:30 p.m.

May 17 at Rochester John Marshall, 4:30 p.m.

May 27 at Big Nine Conference meet (Winona), 10 a.m.

June 2 at Section Meet (Lakeville South), TBD June 4 at Section Meet (Lakeville South), TBD June 10 at Class AA state meet, TBD

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Big Nine title

Continued from Page 2 replace Kortan.

Conner Kortan will return this season behind home plate after an AllConference junior year. Conner had a .379 batting average last season.

Sczublewski said whichever team emerges as the Big Nine champion will be the favorite to win Section 1AAA. Rochester Mayo is the defending section champ and Hastings, who upset Albert Lea in the first round last season, returns most of their team.

“We feel like we can be a serious contender,” Sczublewski said. “Like everyone else in the section, we hope to keep getting better throughout the season so that we will be playing our best baseball by the playoffs.”

The Tigers return seven letterwinners off last year’s squad including Klatt (SP/1B), Conner Kortan (C), Sorenson (SP/OF), J.T. Bellrichard (IF), Cory Hansen (OF), Josh Eisenbraun (OF/1B) and Chris Stahl (OF).

Non-letterwinners expected to contribute this season are Dalton Westerlund (IF), Cody Haaland (P/1B), Ethan Abben (P/IF), Dylan See Rockers (P/OF) and Mikael Lunning (OF).

2011 schedule April 5 vs. Winona, 5 p.m.

April 7 at Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.

April 12 vs. Mankato West, 5 p.m.

April 14, vs. Faribault, doubleheader, 4 p.m.

April 19 at Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.

April 21 vs. Austin, 5 p.m.

April 25 at Rochester Century, doubleheader, 4:30 p.m.

April 28 at Winona, 5 p.m.

May 3 vs. Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.

May 5 at Mankato West, 4 p.m.

May 7 at Waseca, 1 p.m.

May 10 vs. Owatonna, doubleheader, 5 p.m.

May 12 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.

May 17 at Mankato East, doubleheader, 4:30 p.m.

May 20 vs. New Richland-H-E-G, 5 p.m.

May 24 at Austin, 5 p.m.

May 28 at Section 1AAA tournament, TBD June 16 at Class AAA state tournament, TBD

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Page 6 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011

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Tennis: Coach expects team to compete

Continued from Page 4 showed improvements near the end of last season and nearly cracked the varsity lineup.

Prudoehl expects the Tigers to make progress this spring and be as competitive as possible against most schools on their schedule.

“We need continued steady performance from seniors along with improvements from underclassman,” Prudoehl said. “Especially the group of sophomores.”

Prudoehl said the Tigers’ biggest strength is their athleticism and ability to cover the court well.

He said their biggest weakness is that most players are better suited for singles rather than doubles.

The Tigers lost four seniors to graduation including last season’s No. 1 singles player Kyle SeeRockers. The team also lost Brian Reindl, Luke Thompson and Noah Christopherson.

Prudoehl said that Rochester Mayo is the early Big Nine Conference favorite, followed by Rochester Century.

2011 schedule

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April 7 vs. New Prague, 4:30 p.m.

April 12 at Waseca, 4:30 p.m.

April 14 vs. Rochester Century, 4:30 p.m.

April 18 at Northfield, 4:30 p.m.

April 19 at Winona, 4:30 p.m.

April 21 vs. Rochester Mayo, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 at Mankato West, 4:30 p.m.

April 28 vs. Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at Faribault, 4:30 p.m.

May 5 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 4:30 p.m.

May 10 at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.

May 12 at Austin, 4:30 p.m.

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 11

Falk, Stadheim anchor senior-less Tigers golf Albert Lea hosts Big Nine meet at Green Lea

By Tim Engstrom

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

The Albert Lea Tigers boys’ golf team enters this season without four key players from last year’s conference-title-winning team. It is a 16-member squad without seniors.

However, the team returns two standouts — junior Brady Falk and sophomore Nate Stadheim. And Green Lea Golf Course hosts the Big Nine Conference Tournament.

Head coach Riley Worth said a key to success this year is to “be able to play our home course well and be able to play consistently in all weather conditions.”

He said he hopes the team will get better as the season goes and peak at the conference tournament, then continue to perform into sectionals.

In 2010, the Tigers posted a 59-171 record, finishing sixth at sectionals.

They fended off Owatonna to place second at the conference tournament in at Northern Hills Golf Course in Brady Falk, 17, began playing golf when he was four years old at the Albert Lea Country Club.

He placed third last summer in a Junior PGA tournament at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course in Sartell. Falk greatest weakness is his putting. His greatest strength is his iron play with Titleist AP2 irons.

Rochester. Winona took first in that tournament, but with a 16-2 conference record, the Tigers tied the Winhawks for a share of the conference title.

It was the team’s first Big Nine championship in boys’ golf since 1994, when they tied Rochester Mayo.

This year, the strong teams in the Big Nine are likely to be Winona and Rochester Century. Worth said Owatonna could form a challenge, too.

Those teams look promising for the section meet, along with Lakeville North.

Falk is the Tiger to watch. Worth described him as the “hardest working golfer I’ve ever coached.” Falk drives long off the tee and has improved at chip shots. He was the team’s best performer last year at the sectional tournament.

Worth noted that Falk gets straight A’s, too.

Stadheim, Worth said, experienced 4Anchor, Page 8

United South Central Rebels

Rebels baseball is young, talented

USC has won Gopher South 3 of last 4 years

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

WELLS — The United South Central baseball team this season will be without six Gopher All-Conference players off last year’s team. Still, coach Pat Frank believes the team will be competitive and compete for a conference title.

“I think we’ll be a good ballclub by May,” Frank said.

“And have fun.”

The Rebels won the Gopher Conference championship last season behind the pitching of Tribune co-Player of the Year Nick Fure.

Returning letterwinners for the Rebels this season are shortstop Eric Lackey (Sr.), pitcher/outfielder Dustin Dylla (Sr.), pitcher/infielder Anthony Stenzel (Sr.), catcher/outfield-

er Tyson Morton (Sr.), infielder Trey Allis (Soph.), pitcher/ infielder Jason Huper (Jr.) and outfielder Colby Yost (Sr.).

Frank expects the Rebels to contend for another Gopher Conference championship this spring.

2011 schedule April 5 at Martin County West, 5 p.m.

April 7 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.

April 11 vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.

April 12 at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m.

April 14 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

April 16 vs. Maple River, New Ulm, 10 a.m.

April 18 vs. Saint Clair, 4:30 p.m.

April 19 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.

April 25 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.

April 28 at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.

April 29 vs. Maple River, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 vs. Mankato Loyola Catholic, 5 p.m.

May 5 at Medford, 5 p.m.

May 6 at LC-WM, 5 p.m.

May 7 at Fairmont, 1 p.m.

May 10 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

May 12 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.

May 16 vs. New Richland-H-E-G, 5 p.m.

May 20 at Waseca, 5 p.m.

May 23 at Section 2A Tournament, TBA

Rebels girls’ track and field enter season as conference favorites

Niebuhr, Willette set to lead boys’ field events

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

WELLS — After finishing second in the Gopher Conference last season, the United South Central girls’ track and field team is poised to take the title this year.

The Rebels return 15 letterwinners from last season’s squad including nine of their top 11 scorers.

Of the team’s 46 athletes, only two are seniors and four are juniors. The Rebels’ largest class is sophomores with 10.

“We will be young but fairly experienced,” coach Kent Viesselman said. “There are several positive surprises and no negatives.”

Viesselman said the Rebels graduated three good seniors last season and that this year’s

team will have a slightly different look than last year’s.

Still, he expects the Rebels to have speed and depth.

“We need to plug some of the holes we had in our lineup last year,” Viesselman said. “I think it’s do-able.”

Rebels boys will be best on track, lack in field events

Like the girls, the Rebels boys’ track and field team also has 46 athetes on its roster.

Coach Viesselman said last season the boys were four events away from being a very good team and that this year he believes those holes have been filled.

“From what I’ve seen, so far, I think we’ll be able to fix those events.” Viesselman said. “Of course with last year’s graduation some new holes were cre-

Ramsley, Sunde set to lead Rebels softball

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

WELLS — With two returning Gopher All-Conference players this season, the United South Central softball team expects to contend for a conference title.

The Rebels finished third in the Gopher Conference last season with a 6-4 record.

They finished 15-6 overall before losing to Lake CrystalWellcome Memorial in the second round of the Section 2A softball tournament.

Pitcher Ali Ramsley and catcher Tayla Sunde are the team’s All-Conference returners.

Rebels coach Brad Huse said that the team’s strength will be pitching and the team’s weakness will be inexperience. He believes

his team will be successful if they play well defensively and have timely hitting.

After they finished second in the conference last season, Huse said Blooming Prairie is the Gopher Conference favorite. He also said state defending consolation champs New Ulm Cathedral is the section favorite.

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2011 schedule March 26 at MSU-Mankato, 9 a.m.

April 2 at MSU-Mankato, 9 a.m.

April 7 at St. James, 4:30 p.m.

April 16 at Blue Earth, 10 a.m.

April 19 vs. J-W-P, Waseca, NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 at Maple River, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 vs. Maple River, 4:30 p.m.

May 6 at Fairmont, 4:15 p.m.

May 17 at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

May 21 at Stillwater, 10 a.m.

May 26 at Subsection Tournament (NR), 4 p.m.

June 10 at state tournament, TBD

ated — but I think we’ll be OK.” Viesselman said the Rebels will be strongest on the track, especially in sprints, hurdles and distance. He said he looks to Thane O’Rourke and Teddy Wiebold (sprints), Seth Treptow and Riley Niebuhr (hurdles) and Dylan Baumann, Jay Staloch and Daniel Elmer (distance) to lead in those events.

Viesselman said that the Rebels will lack in field events but have high point-scorers in Niebuhr (pole vault) and Tony Willette (throws.)

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2011 schedule April 5 at Martin County West, 5 p.m.

April 7 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.

April 11 vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.

April 12 at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m.

April 14 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

April 16 at LeCenter/Cleveland, 9 a.m.

April 18 vs. Lake Crystal-W-M, 5 p.m.

April 19 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.

April 25 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.

April 28 at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.

May 2 vs. Mankato Loyola Catholic, 5 p.m.

May 5 at Medford, 5 p.m.

May 10 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

May 12 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.

May 14 at Faribault Tournament, 9 a.m.

May 16 vs. New Richland-H-E-G, 5 p.m.

May 19 at Saint Clair, 5 p.m.

May 24 at Section 2A Tournament, TBA

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Page 10 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011

Northwood-Kensett Vikings

Vikings return half of state champ relay team

By Tim Engstrom

tim.engstrom@albertleatribune.com

NORTHWOOD, Iowa — Look for the Vikings boys’ track team to do well in sprints and distance races this season. It’s the middle distances and field events that need development.

Returning letterwinners this season are seniors Spencer Capitani and Anthony Hauge, juniors Nik Werner, Shayne Olson, Tanner Haberman, Caleb Reyerson, Tyler Thofson and Evan Fritz and sophomores Cameron Batton and Garret Olson.

Other key athletes this season are Daniel Pendleton, Dylan Nitcher and Torin Newell.

Werner and Capitani last season were on Northwood-Kensett’s 4x200-meter relay state championship team, and they were part of the school’s 4x100-meter state runner-up team.

They were also part of a state-qualifying shuttle hurdle team.

The school graduated the other half of those relay teams — Sam Arnold and Jayson Olson. They also lost Jacob Gordon, a state qualifier in the shot put.

David Capitani has coached Northwood-Kensett boys’ track for 16 years. He said he hopes to develop field events and find hurdlers that can score team points at track meets.

The Corn Bowl Conference favorite is St. Ansgar.

The assistant coach for the Vikings is Lee Okerlund.

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NORTHWOOD, Iowa — In his 10th season as girls’ golf coach, Northwood-Kensett’s Steve Hartman hopes to finish in the top half of the Corn Bowl Conference.

The Vikings return five letterwinners (Mikki Butler, Tessa Bratrud, Beanne Lombard, Hayley Buechle

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By Andrew Dyrdal

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NORTHWOOD, Iowa — Coming off a winless 2010 season, coach Greg Parks and the Northwood-Kensett boys’ golf team are expecting to improve throughout the season this year.

Parks has coached the Vikings for

March 15 at Ames March 21 at Cedar Falls March 31 at West Fork April 7 at North Iowa April 8 at Clarion-Goldfield April 12 at Nashua-Plainfield April 14 at Lake Mills April 15 at Forest City April 18 at North Butler April 19 at Charles City April 25 at Northwood-Kensett May 2 at Garner-Hayfield May 5 at Central Spring May 9 Corn Bowl Conf. Meet at Nashua-Plainfield May 12 district tournament May 20, 21 state tournament

and Gabbi Fridley) off last season’s 19-11 team. The 2010 Vikings finished 7-7 in the conference.

Butler and Bratrud were named to the Cornbowl All-Conference Second Team last season. The team lost Kate Hartman, the 2010 conference champion, to graduation.

Hartman said the conference favorite this season is Central Springs.

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14 years and has a career coaching record of 95-110-2. Last season, the Vikings finished 0-15 in the Corn Bowl Conference and 0-16 overall.

The team’s best finish over the last five seasons was 7-6.

The Vikings return four letterwinners this season: Eric Otis (Sr.), Sam Krull (Jr.), Tim Davis (Sr.) and Micheal Gordon (Jr.).

Vikings’ track and field is young, determined

2011 schedule:

Vikings look to finish in top half of Corn Bowl Conference

By Andrew Dyrdal

Vikings boys’ golf looks to bounce back from 2010

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NORTHWOOD, Iowa — The Northwood-Kensett girls’ track and field team this season returns 16 letterwinners off last year’s squad — but only one senior.

“We are very young,” coach Ryan Severson said. “So we hope to improve with every meet.”

According to Severson, the Vikings’ strengths this season are distance runners and 800-meter runners. The team’s weakness is it’s youth.

Severson has coached the Vikings

for six years and been in the N-K school district for 18. His assistant coach is Mike Kessel.

The Vikings’ key losses from last season include Kathy Porter, who qualified for state last season in the shotput. Lauren Severson, who scored 128 points last season in discus and 800-meter runner Marlee Butler are two other key losses.

Severson said his team’s success will rely on the growth of freshman and sophomores, and development of the sprinters. He said West Fork is the favorite to win both the Corn Bowl Conference and district.

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Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 7

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Tigers girls’ track and field strongest in distance, relays

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

The Albert Lea girls’ track and field team has a strong nucleus of talent returning this season.

Leading the team this season will be distance runner Chrissy Monson (Soph.) and a strong group of jumpers, which coach Margo Wayne calls the strongest she’s had in years.

“We have good leadership this year,” Wayne said. “Our distance events should be exciting and we should see points coming in from our sprints and relays. We have many new and promising athletes in most of our events.”

The Tigers will be without Sarah Wenum, a Big Nine All-Conference performer, who graduated last year.

Wenum was a high jumper, ran the 800-meter and 4x800- and 4x400meter relays.

The Tigers do return 15 letterwinners, though, but only two seniors.

Monson placed third and sixth at

Alissa Allison, 17, is a senior captain this season on the Albert Lea girls’ track and field team. She is a twosport athlete who also played tennis in the fall. Allison runs the 200-meter and 4x200- and 4x400-meter relays for the Tigers and has been involved in track since seventh grade.

She is considering attending either the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities or Winona State University for undergrad. She plans on majoring in Spanish and possibly nursing.

state last season in the 3,200-meter and 1,600-meter races, respectively.

She is one of the top runners in the section again this season and likely looks to improve on those state places.

The Tigers placed eighth in the conference last season and Wayne expects Rochester Mayo and Mankato East to contend for a conference title this year.

In order to get to the state tournament as a team, the Tigers would have to beat both Lakeville North and South, the two top teams in the section.

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2011 schedule: March 19 at Northfield, 9:30 a.m.

March 29 at Gustavus College, St. Peter, 10 a.m.

April 2 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, 9 a.m.

April 5 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

April 12 at Owatonna, 3:30 p.m.

April 19 at Rochester Century, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 at Mankato West, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at Winona, 4:30 p.m.

May 10 at Mankato West, 3:30 p.m.

May 17 vs. Rochester John Marshall, Mayo, 4:30 p.m.

May 27 at Big Nine Conference meet (Winona), 10 a.m.

June 2 at Section 1AA meet (Lakeville South), TBD June 4 at Section 1AA meet (Lakeville South), TBD

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Page 8 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011

High-scoring Pulley to lead Tigers girls’ golf

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

Two years removed from a Big Nine Conference championship, the Albert Lea girls’ golf team is looking to climb back toward the top of the league.

The Tigers return their top golfer from last season as well as three other returning letterwinners.

“We need to finish in the top three of the Big Nine this season,” Tigers coach Shawn Riebe said. “I would like to see the girls finish strong at the section meet, too.”

Leading the Tigers this season will be sophomore Megan Pulley, a two time All-Conference performer who just missed leading the conference in scoring last season.

“Megan played around the state this summer in some very prestigious tournaments and placed very well in tough competition,” Riebe said. “She will make waves this year around the conference and section.”

Pulley will be joined atop the Tigers’ lineup by junior Morgan Field, Paige Brick (Jr.), Chelsea Battle (Fresh.) and

Makenna Friehl (Soph.).

Riebe said Field has varsity experience, is a natural leader and that other girls look up to her for advice. He also said Brick added more play this summer and that she, Battle and Friehl are looking to be factors on varsity this season.

The Tigers’ key losses from last year’s team are Taylor Nelson and Erin Brick. Both girls had six years of high school golf experience and were consistent scorers and leaders, according to Riebe.

Riebe said the Tigers’ strength will be having a strong No. 1 golfer and the team’s enthusiasm.

2011 schedule April 11 at Rochester Mayo, 3:30 p.m.

April 14 at Waseca, 3:30 p.m.

April 19 at Austin, 2:30 p.m.

April 21 at Red Wing Invite, 12:30 p.m.

April 26 at Prior Lake Invite, 11:30 a.m.

April 28 vs. Winona, Roch. J.M (Wedgewood Cove), 2:30 p.m.

May 2 at Eastview Invite, 1 p.m.

May 5 at Northfield Invite, 2 p.m.

May 10 at Mankato West, 2 p.m.

May 17 at Mankato East. 2 p.m.

May 23 at Big Nine Conference meet (Rochester), 10 a.m.

June 2 at Section 1AA meet (Cannon Falls), TBD June 6 at Section 1AA meet (Cannon Falls), TBD June 14 at Class AA state tournament, TBD

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 9

Sports coverage that goes beyond the scores.

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

LAKE MILLS, Iowa — Lake Mills girls’ track and field coach Kristin Wempen hopes her team competes for a North Iowa Conference championship this season. They’ll need to do so with just one senior and three juniors.

“We have a young squad,” Wempen said. “But everyone the team has talents that will contribute to our overall success.”

Last year’s Bulldogs team sent eight events to the state track and

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Lake Mills has just 1 senior, 3 juniors

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as head coach, establishing a career record of 189-134-7, and 52-38 in the Big Nine. He has taught journalism and English at Albert Lea High School for seven years.

Casey McIntyre is the assistant coach for the team. He has taught industrial technology in Albert Lea schools since 2002.

April 14 at Waseca April 18 at Onalaska, Wis. April 21 at Rochester Century April 25 at Chanhassen April 26 triangular at Rochester John Marshall, vs. Winona April 28 at Northfield May 3 triangular at Faribault, vs. Mankato East May 10 at Winona May 12 triangular vs Mankato East, Owatonna, at Wedgewood Cove May 13-14 Albert Lea Invitational at Green Lea and Wedgewood Cove May 17 vs. Rochester Mayo at Green Lea May 23 Big Nine Conf. Meet at Green Lea June 2 Section Meet at Hastings June 6 Section Meet at Hastings June 14 State Meet, at location TBD

Young Bulldogs girls’ track and field eyes NIC title

field meet. Haley Krull (Jr.) placed third in state in the 100- and 200-meter races and the 4x400 team played fourth. The Bulldogs also finished third in conference and fourth in districts.

“We should be competitive and strong in our running events,” Wempen said. “We have spots to fill due to graduation and injury in field events, though.”

The Bulldogs return 10 letterwinners from last season including six sophomores. Carlie Christianson (Soph.) and Haley Schutter (Jr.) and 4Young, Page 15

L.M. boys’ track and field looks to improve

Anchor: Team lost 4 top players

Continued from Page 6 Stadheim, Worth said, experienced success in 2010 and will have to be a young team leader this season.

Three key seniors lost last season were All-Conference golfers Sam Matheson, Tyler Haaland and Tyler Brackey.

Brackey, a five-year letterwinner and 2007 team MVP, now plays for Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls.

Matheson, the 2009 and 2010 team MVP and four-year letterwinner, now plays for Luther College.

Haaland, a four-year letterwinner, plays for Bemidji State.

The team also lost Casey Marka, a four-year letterwinner, who competed in five Big Nine tourneys and five section meets.

The 2011 season is Worth’s sixth

Lake Mills Bulldogs

Megan Pulley,16, is one of the Big Nine Conference and Section 1AAA’s top golfers. She began playing when she was 5 years old at Albert Lea Country Club.

Pulley is a three-sport athlete at Albert Lea High School.

In addition to golf, she also participates in soccer and hockey.

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By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

LAKE MILLS, Iowa — After being plagued by injuries last season, the Lake Mills boys’ track and field team looks to make improvements this year.

The Bulldogs finished in eighth place last season in the nine-team North Iowa Conference. Bulldogs coach Dan Rice said the team is trying to eliminate injury problems during early season training.

“We have a very promising group of young runners,” Rice said. “We hope to be able to compete with the top programs in the area in the next year or two.”

The Bulldogs will be led by Zach Marpe, Calvin Beal, Brian Hengesteg and Alex Grunhovd.

Marpe is a strong distance runner who was a state qualifier in cross country and won the two-mile at the Warburg College co-ed indoor meet in mid-March. Beal is another top distance runner, and Hengesteg and Grunhovd are excellent long jumpers.

Rice said that the favorite to win the NIC is Osage and the district favorites are Belmond-Klemme and St. Ansgar.

Rice is in his ninth season as coach and 11th year in the Lake Mills school district. He said his team will need to continue to improve this season in order to be successful.

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LAKE MILLS, Iowa — The Bulldogs boys’ golf team looks to have a shot to beat the 15-14 performance they posted last year thanks to returning several key golfers.

That includes four letterwinners — seniors Tim Brandt and Nick Barrett and sophomores Mitch Anderson and Trygg Roggers.

Coach Lyle Thompson said the team hopes that senior leadership helps the team do well at the conference meet and excel at the sectionals.

“The seniors will have to golf up to their capabilities,” he said.

He said Brandt and Barrett are coming off an All-Conference seasons, and Drew Appel returns after a year off. The coach said to watch

freshman Kray Grothe.

A key loss was Casey Tiedman, who medaled at sectional last season.

Favorites in the North Iowa Conference are Newman and Lake Mills.

Lake Mills and Algona Garrigan as favorites for sectional.

The Lake Mills boys’ golf team plays at Rice Lake Golf & Country Club.

2011 schedule: April 5 triangular at Sheffield April 12 vs. Forest City April 15 at Osage April 19 at West Hancock April 25 vs. Northwood-Kensett April 26 triangular at Garner April 29 triangular at Lake Mills April 30 at West Hancock Invite May 2 vs. Belmond-Klemme May 3 at North Iowa May 6 triangular at Lake Mills May 9 North Iowa Conf. Tournament at Belmond May 13 sectional meet May 20 district meet May 27, 28 state meet

Bulldogs girls’ golf will play to best of ability

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

LAKE MILLS, Iowa — Lake Mills girls’ golf coach Anne Skellenger said expectations for her team this season would normally be high.

But with only three returning letterwinner, one out due to injury, she said all she asks is for her team to play to the best of their ability.

After finishing 21-10 last season and winning districts, the Bulldogs return Joran Durby (Sr.), Abbey Honsey (Sr.) and Heidi Brandt (Soph.). Honsey,

though, is out with an injury.

Other key athletes are Kari Anderson (Jr.) and Darian Swenson (Fresh.).

Skellenger said the Bulldogs’ strength is their dedication to the sport while their weakness is lack of true experience. She said hard work will be the key to success this season.

Skellenger is in her 19th year at Lake Mills and fourth as the girls’ golf coach. Her career record is 57-54.

Skellenger said the North Iowa Conference favorite is Newman Catholic of Mason City, Iowa.

Through our collective efforts, we are committed to teaching and learning for all.

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Seniors Brandt, Barrett to lead Bulldogs boys’ golf

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Page 8 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011

High-scoring Pulley to lead Tigers girls’ golf

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

Two years removed from a Big Nine Conference championship, the Albert Lea girls’ golf team is looking to climb back toward the top of the league.

The Tigers return their top golfer from last season as well as three other returning letterwinners.

“We need to finish in the top three of the Big Nine this season,” Tigers coach Shawn Riebe said. “I would like to see the girls finish strong at the section meet, too.”

Leading the Tigers this season will be sophomore Megan Pulley, a two time All-Conference performer who just missed leading the conference in scoring last season.

“Megan played around the state this summer in some very prestigious tournaments and placed very well in tough competition,” Riebe said. “She will make waves this year around the conference and section.”

Pulley will be joined atop the Tigers’ lineup by junior Morgan Field, Paige Brick (Jr.), Chelsea Battle (Fresh.) and

Makenna Friehl (Soph.).

Riebe said Field has varsity experience, is a natural leader and that other girls look up to her for advice. He also said Brick added more play this summer and that she, Battle and Friehl are looking to be factors on varsity this season.

The Tigers’ key losses from last year’s team are Taylor Nelson and Erin Brick. Both girls had six years of high school golf experience and were consistent scorers and leaders, according to Riebe.

Riebe said the Tigers’ strength will be having a strong No. 1 golfer and the team’s enthusiasm.

2011 schedule April 11 at Rochester Mayo, 3:30 p.m.

April 14 at Waseca, 3:30 p.m.

April 19 at Austin, 2:30 p.m.

April 21 at Red Wing Invite, 12:30 p.m.

April 26 at Prior Lake Invite, 11:30 a.m.

April 28 vs. Winona, Roch. J.M (Wedgewood Cove), 2:30 p.m.

May 2 at Eastview Invite, 1 p.m.

May 5 at Northfield Invite, 2 p.m.

May 10 at Mankato West, 2 p.m.

May 17 at Mankato East. 2 p.m.

May 23 at Big Nine Conference meet (Rochester), 10 a.m.

June 2 at Section 1AA meet (Cannon Falls), TBD June 6 at Section 1AA meet (Cannon Falls), TBD June 14 at Class AA state tournament, TBD

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 9

Sports coverage that goes beyond the scores.

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

LAKE MILLS, Iowa — Lake Mills girls’ track and field coach Kristin Wempen hopes her team competes for a North Iowa Conference championship this season. They’ll need to do so with just one senior and three juniors.

“We have a young squad,” Wempen said. “But everyone the team has talents that will contribute to our overall success.”

Last year’s Bulldogs team sent eight events to the state track and

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373-5160

Good luck area teams!

Good Luck Area Athletes!

Albert Lea Dental Clinic, P.A. Dr. Robert G. Herold, D.D.S. 1206 W. Front Street Albert Lea, MN 56007

Every day in the Tribune.

Lake Mills has just 1 senior, 3 juniors

GO TIGERS!

as head coach, establishing a career record of 189-134-7, and 52-38 in the Big Nine. He has taught journalism and English at Albert Lea High School for seven years.

Casey McIntyre is the assistant coach for the team. He has taught industrial technology in Albert Lea schools since 2002.

April 14 at Waseca April 18 at Onalaska, Wis. April 21 at Rochester Century April 25 at Chanhassen April 26 triangular at Rochester John Marshall, vs. Winona April 28 at Northfield May 3 triangular at Faribault, vs. Mankato East May 10 at Winona May 12 triangular vs Mankato East, Owatonna, at Wedgewood Cove May 13-14 Albert Lea Invitational at Green Lea and Wedgewood Cove May 17 vs. Rochester Mayo at Green Lea May 23 Big Nine Conf. Meet at Green Lea June 2 Section Meet at Hastings June 6 Section Meet at Hastings June 14 State Meet, at location TBD

Young Bulldogs girls’ track and field eyes NIC title

field meet. Haley Krull (Jr.) placed third in state in the 100- and 200-meter races and the 4x400 team played fourth. The Bulldogs also finished third in conference and fourth in districts.

“We should be competitive and strong in our running events,” Wempen said. “We have spots to fill due to graduation and injury in field events, though.”

The Bulldogs return 10 letterwinners from last season including six sophomores. Carlie Christianson (Soph.) and Haley Schutter (Jr.) and 4Young, Page 15

L.M. boys’ track and field looks to improve

Anchor: Team lost 4 top players

Continued from Page 6 Stadheim, Worth said, experienced success in 2010 and will have to be a young team leader this season.

Three key seniors lost last season were All-Conference golfers Sam Matheson, Tyler Haaland and Tyler Brackey.

Brackey, a five-year letterwinner and 2007 team MVP, now plays for Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls.

Matheson, the 2009 and 2010 team MVP and four-year letterwinner, now plays for Luther College.

Haaland, a four-year letterwinner, plays for Bemidji State.

The team also lost Casey Marka, a four-year letterwinner, who competed in five Big Nine tourneys and five section meets.

The 2011 season is Worth’s sixth

Lake Mills Bulldogs

Megan Pulley,16, is one of the Big Nine Conference and Section 1AAA’s top golfers. She began playing when she was 5 years old at Albert Lea Country Club.

Pulley is a three-sport athlete at Albert Lea High School.

In addition to golf, she also participates in soccer and hockey.

507-373-5968 We welcome new patients!

Open 6a.m.-midnight everyday 1619 West Main • Albert Lea, MN 507-373-7357 Higher standards, lower prices!

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

LAKE MILLS, Iowa — After being plagued by injuries last season, the Lake Mills boys’ track and field team looks to make improvements this year.

The Bulldogs finished in eighth place last season in the nine-team North Iowa Conference. Bulldogs coach Dan Rice said the team is trying to eliminate injury problems during early season training.

“We have a very promising group of young runners,” Rice said. “We hope to be able to compete with the top programs in the area in the next year or two.”

The Bulldogs will be led by Zach Marpe, Calvin Beal, Brian Hengesteg and Alex Grunhovd.

Marpe is a strong distance runner who was a state qualifier in cross country and won the two-mile at the Warburg College co-ed indoor meet in mid-March. Beal is another top distance runner, and Hengesteg and Grunhovd are excellent long jumpers.

Rice said that the favorite to win the NIC is Osage and the district favorites are Belmond-Klemme and St. Ansgar.

Rice is in his ninth season as coach and 11th year in the Lake Mills school district. He said his team will need to continue to improve this season in order to be successful.

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tim.engstrom@albertleatribune.com

LAKE MILLS, Iowa — The Bulldogs boys’ golf team looks to have a shot to beat the 15-14 performance they posted last year thanks to returning several key golfers.

That includes four letterwinners — seniors Tim Brandt and Nick Barrett and sophomores Mitch Anderson and Trygg Roggers.

Coach Lyle Thompson said the team hopes that senior leadership helps the team do well at the conference meet and excel at the sectionals.

“The seniors will have to golf up to their capabilities,” he said.

He said Brandt and Barrett are coming off an All-Conference seasons, and Drew Appel returns after a year off. The coach said to watch

freshman Kray Grothe.

A key loss was Casey Tiedman, who medaled at sectional last season.

Favorites in the North Iowa Conference are Newman and Lake Mills.

Lake Mills and Algona Garrigan as favorites for sectional.

The Lake Mills boys’ golf team plays at Rice Lake Golf & Country Club.

2011 schedule: April 5 triangular at Sheffield April 12 vs. Forest City April 15 at Osage April 19 at West Hancock April 25 vs. Northwood-Kensett April 26 triangular at Garner April 29 triangular at Lake Mills April 30 at West Hancock Invite May 2 vs. Belmond-Klemme May 3 at North Iowa May 6 triangular at Lake Mills May 9 North Iowa Conf. Tournament at Belmond May 13 sectional meet May 20 district meet May 27, 28 state meet

Bulldogs girls’ golf will play to best of ability

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

LAKE MILLS, Iowa — Lake Mills girls’ golf coach Anne Skellenger said expectations for her team this season would normally be high.

But with only three returning letterwinner, one out due to injury, she said all she asks is for her team to play to the best of their ability.

After finishing 21-10 last season and winning districts, the Bulldogs return Joran Durby (Sr.), Abbey Honsey (Sr.) and Heidi Brandt (Soph.). Honsey,

though, is out with an injury.

Other key athletes are Kari Anderson (Jr.) and Darian Swenson (Fresh.).

Skellenger said the Bulldogs’ strength is their dedication to the sport while their weakness is lack of true experience. She said hard work will be the key to success this season.

Skellenger is in her 19th year at Lake Mills and fourth as the girls’ golf coach. Her career record is 57-54.

Skellenger said the North Iowa Conference favorite is Newman Catholic of Mason City, Iowa.

Through our collective efforts, we are committed to teaching and learning for all.

103 N. Washington Lake Mills

By Tim Engstrom

Thanks, Mom & Dad for supporting my education at Lake Mills School!

Good Luck!

641-592-0051

Seniors Brandt, Barrett to lead Bulldogs boys’ golf

Lake Mills, Iowa

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Page 10 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011

Northwood-Kensett Vikings

Vikings return half of state champ relay team

By Tim Engstrom

tim.engstrom@albertleatribune.com

NORTHWOOD, Iowa — Look for the Vikings boys’ track team to do well in sprints and distance races this season. It’s the middle distances and field events that need development.

Returning letterwinners this season are seniors Spencer Capitani and Anthony Hauge, juniors Nik Werner, Shayne Olson, Tanner Haberman, Caleb Reyerson, Tyler Thofson and Evan Fritz and sophomores Cameron Batton and Garret Olson.

Other key athletes this season are Daniel Pendleton, Dylan Nitcher and Torin Newell.

Werner and Capitani last season were on Northwood-Kensett’s 4x200-meter relay state championship team, and they were part of the school’s 4x100-meter state runner-up team.

They were also part of a state-qualifying shuttle hurdle team.

The school graduated the other half of those relay teams — Sam Arnold and Jayson Olson. They also lost Jacob Gordon, a state qualifier in the shot put.

David Capitani has coached Northwood-Kensett boys’ track for 16 years. He said he hopes to develop field events and find hurdlers that can score team points at track meets.

The Corn Bowl Conference favorite is St. Ansgar.

The assistant coach for the Vikings is Lee Okerlund.

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NORTHWOOD, Iowa — In his 10th season as girls’ golf coach, Northwood-Kensett’s Steve Hartman hopes to finish in the top half of the Corn Bowl Conference.

The Vikings return five letterwinners (Mikki Butler, Tessa Bratrud, Beanne Lombard, Hayley Buechle

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By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NORTHWOOD, Iowa — Coming off a winless 2010 season, coach Greg Parks and the Northwood-Kensett boys’ golf team are expecting to improve throughout the season this year.

Parks has coached the Vikings for

March 15 at Ames March 21 at Cedar Falls March 31 at West Fork April 7 at North Iowa April 8 at Clarion-Goldfield April 12 at Nashua-Plainfield April 14 at Lake Mills April 15 at Forest City April 18 at North Butler April 19 at Charles City April 25 at Northwood-Kensett May 2 at Garner-Hayfield May 5 at Central Spring May 9 Corn Bowl Conf. Meet at Nashua-Plainfield May 12 district tournament May 20, 21 state tournament

and Gabbi Fridley) off last season’s 19-11 team. The 2010 Vikings finished 7-7 in the conference.

Butler and Bratrud were named to the Cornbowl All-Conference Second Team last season. The team lost Kate Hartman, the 2010 conference champion, to graduation.

Hartman said the conference favorite this season is Central Springs.

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14 years and has a career coaching record of 95-110-2. Last season, the Vikings finished 0-15 in the Corn Bowl Conference and 0-16 overall.

The team’s best finish over the last five seasons was 7-6.

The Vikings return four letterwinners this season: Eric Otis (Sr.), Sam Krull (Jr.), Tim Davis (Sr.) and Micheal Gordon (Jr.).

Vikings’ track and field is young, determined

2011 schedule:

Vikings look to finish in top half of Corn Bowl Conference

By Andrew Dyrdal

Vikings boys’ golf looks to bounce back from 2010

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NORTHWOOD, Iowa — The Northwood-Kensett girls’ track and field team this season returns 16 letterwinners off last year’s squad — but only one senior.

“We are very young,” coach Ryan Severson said. “So we hope to improve with every meet.”

According to Severson, the Vikings’ strengths this season are distance runners and 800-meter runners. The team’s weakness is it’s youth.

Severson has coached the Vikings

for six years and been in the N-K school district for 18. His assistant coach is Mike Kessel.

The Vikings’ key losses from last season include Kathy Porter, who qualified for state last season in the shotput. Lauren Severson, who scored 128 points last season in discus and 800-meter runner Marlee Butler are two other key losses.

Severson said his team’s success will rely on the growth of freshman and sophomores, and development of the sprinters. He said West Fork is the favorite to win both the Corn Bowl Conference and district.

Sports coverage that goes beyond the scores

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Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 7

Monson eyes return to St. Paul for state meet

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Tigers girls’ track and field strongest in distance, relays

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

The Albert Lea girls’ track and field team has a strong nucleus of talent returning this season.

Leading the team this season will be distance runner Chrissy Monson (Soph.) and a strong group of jumpers, which coach Margo Wayne calls the strongest she’s had in years.

“We have good leadership this year,” Wayne said. “Our distance events should be exciting and we should see points coming in from our sprints and relays. We have many new and promising athletes in most of our events.”

The Tigers will be without Sarah Wenum, a Big Nine All-Conference performer, who graduated last year.

Wenum was a high jumper, ran the 800-meter and 4x800- and 4x400meter relays.

The Tigers do return 15 letterwinners, though, but only two seniors.

Monson placed third and sixth at

Alissa Allison, 17, is a senior captain this season on the Albert Lea girls’ track and field team. She is a twosport athlete who also played tennis in the fall. Allison runs the 200-meter and 4x200- and 4x400-meter relays for the Tigers and has been involved in track since seventh grade.

She is considering attending either the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities or Winona State University for undergrad. She plans on majoring in Spanish and possibly nursing.

state last season in the 3,200-meter and 1,600-meter races, respectively.

She is one of the top runners in the section again this season and likely looks to improve on those state places.

The Tigers placed eighth in the conference last season and Wayne expects Rochester Mayo and Mankato East to contend for a conference title this year.

In order to get to the state tournament as a team, the Tigers would have to beat both Lakeville North and South, the two top teams in the section.

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2011 schedule: March 19 at Northfield, 9:30 a.m.

March 29 at Gustavus College, St. Peter, 10 a.m.

April 2 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, 9 a.m.

April 5 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

April 12 at Owatonna, 3:30 p.m.

April 19 at Rochester Century, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 at Mankato West, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at Winona, 4:30 p.m.

May 10 at Mankato West, 3:30 p.m.

May 17 vs. Rochester John Marshall, Mayo, 4:30 p.m.

May 27 at Big Nine Conference meet (Winona), 10 a.m.

June 2 at Section 1AA meet (Lakeville South), TBD June 4 at Section 1AA meet (Lakeville South), TBD

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Page 6 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011

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Continued from Page 4 showed improvements near the end of last season and nearly cracked the varsity lineup.

Prudoehl expects the Tigers to make progress this spring and be as competitive as possible against most schools on their schedule.

“We need continued steady performance from seniors along with improvements from underclassman,” Prudoehl said. “Especially the group of sophomores.”

Prudoehl said the Tigers’ biggest strength is their athleticism and ability to cover the court well.

He said their biggest weakness is that most players are better suited for singles rather than doubles.

The Tigers lost four seniors to graduation including last season’s No. 1 singles player Kyle SeeRockers. The team also lost Brian Reindl, Luke Thompson and Noah Christopherson.

Prudoehl said that Rochester Mayo is the early Big Nine Conference favorite, followed by Rochester Century.

2011 schedule

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April 7 vs. New Prague, 4:30 p.m.

April 12 at Waseca, 4:30 p.m.

April 14 vs. Rochester Century, 4:30 p.m.

April 18 at Northfield, 4:30 p.m.

April 19 at Winona, 4:30 p.m.

April 21 vs. Rochester Mayo, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 at Mankato West, 4:30 p.m.

April 28 vs. Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at Faribault, 4:30 p.m.

May 5 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 4:30 p.m.

May 10 at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.

May 12 at Austin, 4:30 p.m.

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 11

Falk, Stadheim anchor senior-less Tigers golf Albert Lea hosts Big Nine meet at Green Lea

By Tim Engstrom

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

The Albert Lea Tigers boys’ golf team enters this season without four key players from last year’s conference-title-winning team. It is a 16-member squad without seniors.

However, the team returns two standouts — junior Brady Falk and sophomore Nate Stadheim. And Green Lea Golf Course hosts the Big Nine Conference Tournament.

Head coach Riley Worth said a key to success this year is to “be able to play our home course well and be able to play consistently in all weather conditions.”

He said he hopes the team will get better as the season goes and peak at the conference tournament, then continue to perform into sectionals.

In 2010, the Tigers posted a 59-171 record, finishing sixth at sectionals.

They fended off Owatonna to place second at the conference tournament in at Northern Hills Golf Course in Brady Falk, 17, began playing golf when he was four years old at the Albert Lea Country Club.

He placed third last summer in a Junior PGA tournament at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course in Sartell. Falk greatest weakness is his putting. His greatest strength is his iron play with Titleist AP2 irons.

Rochester. Winona took first in that tournament, but with a 16-2 conference record, the Tigers tied the Winhawks for a share of the conference title.

It was the team’s first Big Nine championship in boys’ golf since 1994, when they tied Rochester Mayo.

This year, the strong teams in the Big Nine are likely to be Winona and Rochester Century. Worth said Owatonna could form a challenge, too.

Those teams look promising for the section meet, along with Lakeville North.

Falk is the Tiger to watch. Worth described him as the “hardest working golfer I’ve ever coached.” Falk drives long off the tee and has improved at chip shots. He was the team’s best performer last year at the sectional tournament.

Worth noted that Falk gets straight A’s, too.

Stadheim, Worth said, experienced 4Anchor, Page 8

United South Central Rebels

Rebels baseball is young, talented

USC has won Gopher South 3 of last 4 years

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

WELLS — The United South Central baseball team this season will be without six Gopher All-Conference players off last year’s team. Still, coach Pat Frank believes the team will be competitive and compete for a conference title.

“I think we’ll be a good ballclub by May,” Frank said.

“And have fun.”

The Rebels won the Gopher Conference championship last season behind the pitching of Tribune co-Player of the Year Nick Fure.

Returning letterwinners for the Rebels this season are shortstop Eric Lackey (Sr.), pitcher/outfielder Dustin Dylla (Sr.), pitcher/infielder Anthony Stenzel (Sr.), catcher/outfield-

er Tyson Morton (Sr.), infielder Trey Allis (Soph.), pitcher/ infielder Jason Huper (Jr.) and outfielder Colby Yost (Sr.).

Frank expects the Rebels to contend for another Gopher Conference championship this spring.

2011 schedule April 5 at Martin County West, 5 p.m.

April 7 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.

April 11 vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.

April 12 at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m.

April 14 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

April 16 vs. Maple River, New Ulm, 10 a.m.

April 18 vs. Saint Clair, 4:30 p.m.

April 19 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.

April 25 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.

April 28 at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.

April 29 vs. Maple River, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 vs. Mankato Loyola Catholic, 5 p.m.

May 5 at Medford, 5 p.m.

May 6 at LC-WM, 5 p.m.

May 7 at Fairmont, 1 p.m.

May 10 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

May 12 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.

May 16 vs. New Richland-H-E-G, 5 p.m.

May 20 at Waseca, 5 p.m.

May 23 at Section 2A Tournament, TBA

Rebels girls’ track and field enter season as conference favorites

Niebuhr, Willette set to lead boys’ field events

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

WELLS — After finishing second in the Gopher Conference last season, the United South Central girls’ track and field team is poised to take the title this year.

The Rebels return 15 letterwinners from last season’s squad including nine of their top 11 scorers.

Of the team’s 46 athletes, only two are seniors and four are juniors. The Rebels’ largest class is sophomores with 10.

“We will be young but fairly experienced,” coach Kent Viesselman said. “There are several positive surprises and no negatives.”

Viesselman said the Rebels graduated three good seniors last season and that this year’s

team will have a slightly different look than last year’s.

Still, he expects the Rebels to have speed and depth.

“We need to plug some of the holes we had in our lineup last year,” Viesselman said. “I think it’s do-able.”

Rebels boys will be best on track, lack in field events

Like the girls, the Rebels boys’ track and field team also has 46 athetes on its roster.

Coach Viesselman said last season the boys were four events away from being a very good team and that this year he believes those holes have been filled.

“From what I’ve seen, so far, I think we’ll be able to fix those events.” Viesselman said. “Of course with last year’s graduation some new holes were cre-

Ramsley, Sunde set to lead Rebels softball

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

WELLS — With two returning Gopher All-Conference players this season, the United South Central softball team expects to contend for a conference title.

The Rebels finished third in the Gopher Conference last season with a 6-4 record.

They finished 15-6 overall before losing to Lake CrystalWellcome Memorial in the second round of the Section 2A softball tournament.

Pitcher Ali Ramsley and catcher Tayla Sunde are the team’s All-Conference returners.

Rebels coach Brad Huse said that the team’s strength will be pitching and the team’s weakness will be inexperience. He believes

his team will be successful if they play well defensively and have timely hitting.

After they finished second in the conference last season, Huse said Blooming Prairie is the Gopher Conference favorite. He also said state defending consolation champs New Ulm Cathedral is the section favorite.

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2011 schedule March 26 at MSU-Mankato, 9 a.m.

April 2 at MSU-Mankato, 9 a.m.

April 7 at St. James, 4:30 p.m.

April 16 at Blue Earth, 10 a.m.

April 19 vs. J-W-P, Waseca, NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 at Maple River, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 vs. Maple River, 4:30 p.m.

May 6 at Fairmont, 4:15 p.m.

May 17 at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

May 21 at Stillwater, 10 a.m.

May 26 at Subsection Tournament (NR), 4 p.m.

June 10 at state tournament, TBD

ated — but I think we’ll be OK.” Viesselman said the Rebels will be strongest on the track, especially in sprints, hurdles and distance. He said he looks to Thane O’Rourke and Teddy Wiebold (sprints), Seth Treptow and Riley Niebuhr (hurdles) and Dylan Baumann, Jay Staloch and Daniel Elmer (distance) to lead in those events.

Viesselman said that the Rebels will lack in field events but have high point-scorers in Niebuhr (pole vault) and Tony Willette (throws.)

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2011 schedule April 5 at Martin County West, 5 p.m.

April 7 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.

April 11 vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.

April 12 at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m.

April 14 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

April 16 at LeCenter/Cleveland, 9 a.m.

April 18 vs. Lake Crystal-W-M, 5 p.m.

April 19 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.

April 25 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.

April 28 at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.

May 2 vs. Mankato Loyola Catholic, 5 p.m.

May 5 at Medford, 5 p.m.

May 10 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

May 12 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.

May 14 at Faribault Tournament, 9 a.m.

May 16 vs. New Richland-H-E-G, 5 p.m.

May 19 at Saint Clair, 5 p.m.

May 24 at Section 2A Tournament, TBA

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Page 12 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 5

NRHEG Panthers

Panthers baseball looks to rebound in 2011

Coach: ‘We need to vastly improve all areas of our game’

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NEW RICHLAND — New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva baseball coach Jeff Reese called last season “very disappointing.”

The Panthers opened their schedule by losing 15 of their first 17 games, including 12 in a row, before winning three of their final four.

The team was ousted in the opening round of the section tournament and finished second-to-last in the Gopher Conference.

To avoid dissapointment this year, Reese knows changes must be made.

“We need to vastly improve all areas of our game, including my coaching,” he said. “We need to work harder on the basic fundamentals.”

Reese said last year’s team had too many errors, poor pitching performances and terrible hitting, which included too many strikeouts.

The Panthers have youth on their side with 10 returning juniors with varsity experience. They only return two starting seniors, though.

“I believe we have the players to lead the way,” Reese said. “Our juniors saw enough playing time last 4 Rebound, Page 15

Expectations lower for NRHEG boys’ track and field

Still, coach anticipates ‘fun season’ because of personnel

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NEW RICHLAND — In his 20th season as head coach, Duey Ferber hopes the New Richland-HartlandEllendale-Gevena boys’ track and field team finishes in the top half of the Gopher Conference.

After finishing third in the conference last season, expectations are lower for the Panthers this year. Still, Ferber anticipates a fun season.

“Team wise, we know we cannot compete for the top of the conference of subsection,” he said. “However, we have some good guys and tremen-

dous enthusiasm this season.”

The Panthers have returned nine letterwinners including four throwers.

“Our strengths will be in the weights,” Ferber said. “Tony Wacholz is very solid in the throws.”

Wacholz, a senior, joins Tyler Crabtree (Sr.), Nate Lutgens (Sr.) and Travis Ripka (Sr.) as the team’s four throwers. Crabtree also runs middistance.

Ferber expects Evan Ferber (Sr.) to perform well this season in jumps and mid-distance and advance to the section meet.

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Panthers softball looks to finish in top half of conference NRHEG lost top 2 players from last season to graduation

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NEW RICHLAND — Without their biggest offensive threat from last season, the New Richland-HartlandEllendale-Geneva Panthers softball team looks to finish in the top half of the Gopher Conference with an inexperienced team.

The Panthers finished 7-13 last season and lost third baseman Alyssa Hagen to graduation. Hagen batted .421 last year and led the team in hits, home runs and RBIs. The Panthers also lost first baseman Kate Quam (.317), second baseman Jady Beenken

(.310) and outfielder Mariah Robran (.111). Hagen and Quam were voted co-team MVPs last season.

The Panthers will look to freshman Jade Schultz to led the team from the mound this season after a solid eighth-grade campaign, for which she was named All-Conference.

Schultz finished last season with a 7-13 record, 3.71 ERA, 171 strikeouts and 143 walks. She also batted .319 and led the Panthers in runs scored.

Schultz is one of five returning starters including outfielder Kristina Cole (Sr.), shortstop Kacie Phillips 4 Panthers, Page 15

Panthers girls’ track and field begins title defense

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NEW RICHLAND — Set to defend their Gopher Conference title, the New Richland-Hartland-EllendaleGeneva girls’ track and field team will need to shake off United South Central/Alden-Conger for a chance at another championship.

The Panthers lost just two athletes off their 2010 championship team, and aren’t the favorite to win the conference this season.

“One huge goal for us is to win the conference championship,” Panthers coach Duey Ferber said. “It will be tough to repeat.”

The Panthers return 14 letterwin-

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ners from last year’s squad and will be strong in sprints, distance and throws.

Jill Kalis (Sr.), Kaylee Maxon (Sr.), and Amber Schmit (Sr.) are the Panthers’ top throwers, while Danielle Krueger (Jr.) and Abby Crabtree (Soph.) are the team’s top distance runners. Ferber expects all five girls to advance far into sections along with Carlie Wagner (Fr.) in the sprints and jumps.

“Our goal, as always, is to advance as many athletes as possible to the section meet,” Ferber said.

Ferber said that hurdlers Anna Schlaak (Jr.) and Katie Cole (Soph.) have a shot at advancing to sections, too.

Your No. 1 source for Panthers sports

Pitching: Tigers Tri-captains set to lead Tigers boys’ track and field will contend for in both field and running events.”

Gentz said his team’s goals are to finish in the top four at true team section and send at least one athlete to the state meet at Hamline University in St. Paul.

Gentz said that the Tigers’ greatest strengths include their leadership, work ethic and positive attitudes.

“Our senior jumpers will be our strongest group of competitors,” Gentz said. “We have a lot of great athletes developing and showing great signs of improvement in shotput, disc, distance, pole vault and hurdles.”

Gentz said that Owatonna and Mankato East are the Big Nine Conference favorites.

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

In his first season as head coach, Kevin Gentz will look to captains Kyle Kriewall (Sr.), Alik Smed (Sr.) and Tommy Tiegs (Sr.) this season to lead the Albert Lea boys’ track and field team.

Those three must help make up for the loss of Matt Tiegs, Trevor Rassmussen and Jack Sturtz, who graduated after setting a school record in the 4x800-meter relay last season.

Kriewall is one the team’s top long jumpers and sprinter, Smed is an excellent high and long jumper and Tiegs is one of the Tigers’ top sprinters. Gentz will also look for impressive performances from hurdler Brody Sundblad (Jr.), 800-meter runner Sean Laurie (Jr.) and high-, long- and triple-jumper Tyler Wichmann (Sr.).

Gentz’s expectations this season are for his team to work hard and improve.

“As a team, we would like to become four deep at every event,” Gentz said.

“We are continuing to develop athletes

2011 schedule March 19 at St. Olaf College, Northfield, 9:30 a.m.

April 2 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, 9 a.m.

April 5 at New Richland-H-E-G, 4:30 p.m.

April 12 at Owatonna, 3:30 p.m.

April 19 at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 vs. Mankato West, Austin, 4:30 p.m.

April 29 at Rosemount, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.

May 10 at True Team Section meet (Mankato West), 3:30 p.m.

May 17 at Rochester John Marshall, 4:30 p.m.

May 27 at Big Nine Conference meet (Winona), 10 a.m.

June 2 at Section Meet (Lakeville South), TBD June 4 at Section Meet (Lakeville South), TBD June 10 at Class AA state meet, TBD

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Big Nine title

Continued from Page 2 replace Kortan.

Conner Kortan will return this season behind home plate after an AllConference junior year. Conner had a .379 batting average last season.

Sczublewski said whichever team emerges as the Big Nine champion will be the favorite to win Section 1AAA. Rochester Mayo is the defending section champ and Hastings, who upset Albert Lea in the first round last season, returns most of their team.

“We feel like we can be a serious contender,” Sczublewski said. “Like everyone else in the section, we hope to keep getting better throughout the season so that we will be playing our best baseball by the playoffs.”

The Tigers return seven letterwinners off last year’s squad including Klatt (SP/1B), Conner Kortan (C), Sorenson (SP/OF), J.T. Bellrichard (IF), Cory Hansen (OF), Josh Eisenbraun (OF/1B) and Chris Stahl (OF).

Non-letterwinners expected to contribute this season are Dalton Westerlund (IF), Cody Haaland (P/1B), Ethan Abben (P/IF), Dylan See Rockers (P/OF) and Mikael Lunning (OF).

2011 schedule April 5 vs. Winona, 5 p.m.

April 7 at Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.

April 12 vs. Mankato West, 5 p.m.

April 14, vs. Faribault, doubleheader, 4 p.m.

April 19 at Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.

April 21 vs. Austin, 5 p.m.

April 25 at Rochester Century, doubleheader, 4:30 p.m.

April 28 at Winona, 5 p.m.

May 3 vs. Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.

May 5 at Mankato West, 4 p.m.

May 7 at Waseca, 1 p.m.

May 10 vs. Owatonna, doubleheader, 5 p.m.

May 12 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.

May 17 at Mankato East, doubleheader, 4:30 p.m.

May 20 vs. New Richland-H-E-G, 5 p.m.

May 24 at Austin, 5 p.m.

May 28 at Section 1AAA tournament, TBD June 16 at Class AAA state tournament, TBD

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Page 4 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 13

Glenville-Emmons Wolverines

Sekora leads inexperienced Tigers

Albert Lea’s goal is to win half of their games this year Troy Thompson LUTCF

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By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

In his second season as Albert Lea softball coach, Dan Harms wants to see his team win half their games.

They’ll have to do that without 2010 Tribune Player of the Year Lauren Klick and two other All-Conference honorable mention players.

The Tigers return three letterwiners off last year’s squad including first baseman Bethany Sekora (Sr.), outfielder Clair Buendorf (Jr.) and pitcher Krystle Nelson (Sr.).

Sekora is one of the Tigers’ top hitters with enough power to hit home runs, and Buendorf has a strong left-handed arm. Nelson is the only pitcher with varisty experience.

Harms said that Erin Everhard (Jr.) is another key athlete who throws hard as a pitcher and can play any defensive position.

Harms said that the Tigers strength this season will be that most players

Wolverines baseball won’t settle with SEC title

Bethany Sekora,18, is a captain for Albert Lea softball and the team’s most powerful hitter. She’s been playing softball since seventh grade and also played varsity volleyball this season. Sekora plans on attending the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in the fall.

She’s considering majoring in psychology and will play intramural sports.

Woodside will lead Glenville-Emmons on mound

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

GLENVILLE — The GlenvilleEmmons baseball team is expected to contend for a Southeast Conference title this season, but they don’t want to settle there.

Coach Louie Toulouse said the team wants to make it out of the first round of subsections, something they didn’t do last season.

The Wolverines return eight letterwinners from last year’s team including Tyler Woodside, one of the team’s top pitchers. Woodside had a .90 ERA last season in 39 innings and

4 Tigers, Page 15

Prudoehl takes over as Tigers’ tennis coach

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First-year head coach looks to get Albert Lea elusive win

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

After a winless 2010 season, the Albert Lea boys’ tennis team will look to move forward with first-year head coach Wayne Prudoehl.

Prudoehl, an assistant coach last season, returns seven letterwinners from last year’s squad, including three seniors.

Returning to the Tigers this season is Logan Tufte (Sr.), Steven Kruen (Sr.), Dyllan Engebretson (Sr.), Aaron Woitas (Jr.), Trevor Herfindahl (Soph.), Tate Tufte (Soph.) and Kyle Zogg (Soph.). According to Prudoehl, other key athletes include Darik Weigel (Soph.), Parker Thompson (Soph.) and Evan Templeman (Jr.).

Prudoehl said Weigel made some great improvements over the summer and is a great athlete. He said Thompson has loads of potential but needs some technical improvements to reach that fully and that Templeman 4 Tennis, Page 6

Steven Kruen, 18, is a senior co-captain on the Albert Lea boys’ tennis team.

He was also the cross county team’s top male runner this season. Kruen didn’t pick up a racket until ninth grade. He played No. 2 doubles last season.

batted .333 with 14 RBIs. Woodside will be key to the Wolverines success this season along with senior Spencel Kral (P/IF) and junior Zack Williamson (OF).

On the mound last season, Kral was 2-2 with a 6.11 ERA in 18 1/3 innings. He batted .438 with 12 RBIs. Williamson batted .367 with seven RBIs. The Wolverines will be without their No. 1 pitcher from last season, Jon Mittag, who was 5-2 with a 1.49 ERA and 76 strikeouts. Mittag was also the team’s top offensive threat, 4Settle, Page 15

Wolverines softball returns experienced squad

Glenville-Emmons has 5 seniors, 9 returning letterwinners

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

GLENVILLE — In her ninth season as head coach, Lisa Ziebell has an experienced Glenville-Emmons softball team with five seniors and nine returning letterwinners.

The Wolverines return Southeast All-Conference players Alayna Hall (Sr.) and Robyn Roe (Sr.), and AllConference honorale mention and team MVP Kailey Davis (Sr.).

After finishing 4-13 last season, Ziebell said the Wolverines must pitch well and play defense to be successful. She also said that she expects

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her experienced lineup to play like veterans.

Ziebell said Spring Grove and Houston are conference favorites.

2011 schedule April 7 at Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.

April 8 at Houston, 4:30 p.m.

April 11 at Spring Grove, 4:30 p.m.

April 16 at NRHEG Tournament, TBD April 18 vs. Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.

April 20 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

April 21 vs. Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.

April 29 at GHECML, 4:30 p.m.

May 2 vs. Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

May 5 vs. Spring Grove, 4:30 p.m.

May 12 at Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.

May 16 vs. Houston, 4:30 p.m.

May 19 at Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.

May 23 vs. Southland, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’, girls’ golf hoping to post winning records

Glenville-Emmons boys need to improve putting, chipping

By Tim Engstrom

tim.engstrom@albertleatribune.com

GLENVILLE — The Wolverines field two seniors on their boys’ golf team, and they are hoping to post a winning record — if they can do well at the short game.

Coach Craig Rayman said the team has a strong willingness to work.

Though it is a young team, he hopes golfing last summer will result in an improved squad.

“I hope they all played many rounds. We will see this spring,” he said.

Another key to improvement Rayman cited was practicing chipping and putting.

Andrew Lau and Collin Johnson are the team’s seniors.

Other returning letterwinners are junior Cody Gaines, sophomores Blake Lundmark, Shawn Johnson and Jared Larson, and freshmen Sam Johnson, Dalton Nessett, Kenny Koch and Spencer Wangen.

Five to watch are Lau, Gaines, Lundmark, Johnson and Wangen.

The team will miss the skills of Zach Wangen and Josh Minear.

Mike Hockert is the assistant coach.

Lanesboro is a conference favorite.

Blooming Prairie and Lanesboro are both section favorites.

The Wolverines golf at Northwood Golf Course across the border in Iowa.

Wolverines return two letterwinners, have low numbers

Emmons girls’ golf team. The Wolverines have the minimum number of players to field a team.

The team has lost Karrin Olson and Kendra Davis to softball, and Maddisson Minear moved.

However, it still has senior Jenna Klingson and eighth-grader Kristin Hahn, both returning letterwinners.

“Jenna is a good leader, and Kristin is in her second year,” said coach Craig Rayman.

The team could find some surprises with juniors Noelle Hagen and Morgan Schumaker.

Rayman, in his 23rd year as coach, said a key to success this season is getting solid practice without getting frustrated.

Glenville-Emmons finished 2-7 last year and 1-5 in the Southeast Conference. Lanesboro is the favorite in the conference this year.

The squad’s assistant coach is Mike Hockert. The Wolverines golf at Northwood Golf Course across the border in Iowa.

2011 schedule April 8 at Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander April 11 vs. Alden-Conger April 15 vs. Lyle-Pacelli April 16 at Blooming Prairie April 18 vs. Lanesboro April 24 at NRHEG April 25 vs. NRHEG April 29 at Houston May 2 vs. Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander May 9 at Lyle-Pacelli May 13 at Lanesboro May 16 vs. Houston

It’s a slim year for the Glenville-

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Page 14 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 3

Alden-Conger Knights

Knights baseball enters season inexperienced

Johnson takes over as Knights golf coach Alden-Conger has mix of youth, leadership

Alden-Conger returns just 4 letterwinners

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

ALDEN — In his first season as Alden-Conger’s head baseball coach, Sam Hintz has his work cut out for him.

The Knights return just four letterwinners from last season’s 4-13 team.

Of those four, only one is a senior.

“We are very inexperienced,” Hintz said. “Only a couple players on this team have participated in baseball from junior high to high school.”

The Knights’ top returner is Jordan Johnson, the only player on the team that batted over .300 the year before.

Johnson was named team MVP in 2010 and Valley All-Conference honorable mention.

Other returners include Tony Benhke, the team’s Most Improved Player a year ago, honorable mention Lucas Kleinschrodt and Tribune All-

Area Spencer Niebuhr.

Hintz said that the biggest key to the team’s success will be pitching.

What could get in the way of success in inexperience.

“It’s very challenging when talking about basic baseball skills, or play, and only three to four people know what I’m talking about,” Hintz said.

Hintz said that Maple River is the conference and section favorite.

2011 schedule: April 12 vs. Nicollet, 5 p.m.

April 19 at Maple River, 5 p.m.

April 21 at Glenville-Emmons, 4:15 p.m.

April 25 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.

April 26 at LC-W-M, 5 p.m.

April 28 at LeCenter/Cleveland, 5 p.m.

April 30 at Lyle/Pacelli Tournament, TBD May 2 vs. Lyle/Pacelli, 5 p.m.

May 3 vs. Martin County West, 5 p.m.

May 5 at Saint Clair, 5 p.m.

May 10 vs. Martin Luther/G-H-EC, 5 p.m.

May 14 at Medford, 10 a.m.

May 17 at Truman, 5 p.m.

May 19 vs. Glenville-Emmons, 4:15 p.m.

May 24 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

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By Tim Engstrom

tim.engstrom@albertleatribune.com

ALDEN -- The golf teams at AldenConger have a new coach, Doug Johnson, who hopes to instill confidence in his golfers.

So while the coach is new, the teams bring experience to the table.

Some of the key golfers on the boys’ team are seniors Nathaniel Back and Zach Rinehart, sophomore Tommy Geesman and eighth-grader Eli Hallman. Geesman and Hallman are returning letterwiners.

The girls’ team features sophomores Chrissy Reindal, Kelsey Behnke and Lily Gjersvik. Also watch Brenna VanEngelenburg.

“We have a lot of young players this year and these eight are good leaders and good role models for our younger players,” Johnson said. “They all

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have experience on the varsity level and will be able to handle the pressures that go along with golfing on the varsity level.”

The boys lost section qualifiers Jordan Mulso and Brandon McTauge.

A weakness on the girls’ side is low numbers. Johnson said every girl is valuable to the team and there is no room for injury or sickness.

Johnson said his expectations for the team are that the Knights can have a shot to win every meet they compete in.

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2011 schedule: April 12 at Glenville-Emmons April 14 at Saint Clair April 16 at Blooming Prairie April 21 at United South Central April 25 at Bethlehem Academy April 26 vs. Grenada-Huntley-East Chain/Martin Luther April 28 at Madelia May 9 at Triton May 13 vs. Saint Clair May 13 at Albert Lea Invite

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Page 2 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011

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Albert Lea Tigers

Solid pitching staff set to lead Tigers baseball this season Klatt, Sorenson and Kortan will be key to success

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

With a solid 1-2 punch on the mound this season, the Albert Lea baseball team is primed to make another run at a Big Nine Conference championship.

The Tigers return starting pitcher and Tribune Player of the Year, Aaron Klatt, who was 6-3 last season with a 2.32 ERA. He struck out 65 batters in 54 innings and hit .387.

The Tigers’ second pitcher is righthander Cole Sorenson, who plays centerfield when he’s not on the mound.

Sorenson was 3-2 last season, with a 2.10 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 37 innings.

Tigers coach Joe Sczublewski said the team still needs to develop pitching depth beyond Klatt and Sorenson.

Aaron Klatt is the a captain for Albert Lea baseball this season and the team’s No. 1 pitcher.

The senior posted a 2.32 ERA last year and was atop the Big Nine Conference in strikeouts.

He also had a .387 batting average.

The 18-year-old is choosing between Winona State University, South Dakota State University and North Dakota State University for his undergrad and plans on pitching at whichever college he chooses. Klatt was a wide receiver on the Tigers’ football team this fall and a guard on the basketball team.

Albert Lea will contend for the conference title along with Rochester Mayo, John Marshall and Century, and Mankato East and West. Big Nine defending champions Owatonna lost a solid senior class but has their two top pitchers returning.

“It will probably be a wide open race again,” Sczublewski said. “The champion of our 18-game Big Nine Conference schedule has to be consistent.”

The Tigers baseball team did take a blow this winter when starting senior shortstop Carter Kortan torn his ACL during a wrestling match. Kortan was a defensive standout for the Tigers’ middle infield and will miss the entire season. Sczublewski said several younger players have shown progress this preseason as the team tries to 4Pitching, Page 5

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 15

Young: Pins focusing other college sports

Continued from Page 9 and the team’s hurdlers.

“Our hurdlers are some of the most committed girls on the team,” Wempen said. “They will show improvement through the season.”

Wempen said the team has a good mix of sprinters, mid-distance runners and distance runners, too.

Lindy Pins, the team’s lone senior, is looking to contribute in other athletic opportunities at the collegieate level, according to Wempen.

2011 schedule April 4 at CWL Relays at Britt April 8 at Hampton-Dumont April 12 at Algona April 15 at Northwood-Kensett April 18 at Belmond-Klemme April 19 at Garner-Hayfield April 25 at Lake Mills Invitational April 26 at Forest City May 2 at West-Hancock May 5 at Clear Lake May 9 at North Iowa Conference meet May 12 at Class 1A regional meet May 19 at state meet May 20 at state meet

Tigers: Team needs consistent pitching

Continued from Page 4 have played softball for several years at various levels. The team’s weakness, though, is that only three players have varsity experience.

“We need to have consistent pitching and catching,” Harms said, for his team to be successful. “We need to play hard for seven full innings every game and have good defense.”

Harms said that Mankato East are favorites to win the Big Nine Conference this season and that Hastings will likely win the section.

One of the Tigers’ goals is to win a section game this year.

2011 schedule: April 7 vs. Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.

April 12 at Mankato West, 5 p.m.

April 14 at Faribault, 4 p.m.

April 16 at New Richland-H-E-G Tournament, 9 a.m.

April 19 vs Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.

April 21 at Austin, 5 p.m.

April 26 vs. Rochester Century, 4 p.m.

April 28 vs. Winona, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.

May 5 vs. Mankato West, 4 p.m.

May 10 at Owatonna, 4 p.m.

May 12 at Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.

May 17 vs. Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.

May 25 at Section 1AAA Tournament, TBD

Fun: Panthers lost Lindell, Klocek

Continued from Page 12 The Panthers lost two notable athletes to graduation last season.

David Lindell, a two-time state qualifier in discus, and Kevin Klocek, who placed third in state in 100- and 200-meter races, are not returning to the team this season.

“We have a bunch of returning letterwinners and a handful of new guys,” Ferber said. “I’m anticipating a fun season.”

2011 schedule April 2 at Minnesota State-Mankato, 9 a.m.

April 5 vs. Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.

April 8 at Waseca, 4:30 p.m.

April 12 vs. NRHEG Invite, 4:30 p.m.

April 19 at United South Central, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 at Maple River, 4:30 p.m.

April 29 at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

May 10 at True Team Sections (Maple River), 4 p.m.

May 17 at Gopher Conference meet, 4:30 p.m.

May 26 at Section tournament, TBA

Settle: Team’s strengths are pitching, hitting

Continued from Page 13 batting .417 with a team-high 17 RBIs. Toulouse said his team’s strength this season will be pitching, experience, hitting and team speed. The team’s weaknesses: Lack of depth behind Woodside, team defense and striking out at the plate.

Toulouse said his pitching and defense will need to be stellar this season for the team to be successful. He said the Wolverines also need to develop more depth and limit injuries.

Toulouse said that Wabasha-Kellogg and Southland are the favorites to win the section tournament this season.

Rebound: Schlaak, Kraay will lead team

Continued from Page 12 year to know what it takes to compete at the varsity level.

The two starting seniors are Cody Kraay and Chad Schlaak.

Kraay was a pitcher and first baseman last season who played in 14 games and had a .353 batting average. He was 0-1 in four appearances on the mound and finished with a 7.00 earned run average.

Schlaak was a captain last year and played in all 22 games. He had a .317 batting average and led the team with 20 stolen bases.

Kraay and Schlaak will be asked to help lead the Panthers back toward the top of the Gopher Conference.

“Leadership is an important key to success,” Reese said.

“We do have enough leaders that can make this season very rewarding.”

Reese said that to be successful this season, everyone on his team needs to improve. He said that they need to get back to their philosophy of throwing quality pitches, making routine defensive plays and putting the ball in play offensively.

2011 schedule: April 5 vs. Blue Earth April 7 vs. Medford April 8 at Saint Clair April 11 vs. Randolph April 14 at Maple River April 16 vs. Bethlehem Academy/Glenville-Emmons/ Nicollet April 18 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton April 19 vs. Waseca April 25 vs. United South Central April 26 at Blooming Prairie April 28 at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown May 2 vs. Bethlehem Academy May 3 vs. Glenville-Emmons May 5 at Mankato Loyola May 10 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton May 13 vs. Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial May 16 at United South Central May 19 vs. Blooming Prairie May 20 at Albert Lea

Panthers: Team has summer experience

Continued from Page 12 (Sr.), catcher Shelby Mogenson (Sr.) and outfielder Tara Simon (Soph.).

Simon batted .343 last season and led the team in doubles, while Cole was named the most improved player.

Panthers coach Wendy Schultz said the team’s goals are to improve on last season’s record and play fundamentally sound softball.

“Small ball is a must,” She said. “We need to be able to incorporate bunting along with our hitting.”

Schultz also said she expects the Panthers to play aggressively both on offense and defense.

“We have some quick gals,” she said.

“I hope to be able to utilize that on the base paths.”

Though the Panthers enter the season young and inexperienced, nine of the team’s 11 players played softball this summer, three on two different teams.

“Hopefully the extra experience will payoff,” Schultz said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the 11 girls on our team. They are hard workers and have great attitudes.”

Schultz is in her second season as head coach after not having coached the Panthers for six years. She was the team’s coach from 1993-2004 and has a career coaching record of 149-100.

2011 schedule: April 5 at Blue Earth, 5 p.m.

April 7 vs. Medford, 5 p.m.

April 11 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.

April 12 at Waseca, 5 p.m.

April 14 vs. Maple River, 5 p.m.

April 16 vs. NRHEG Tournament, 9 a.m.

April 18 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.

April 25 vs. United South Central, 5 p.m.

April 26 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

April 28 at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.

May 2 vs. Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.

Mat 5 at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.

May 10 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.

May 13 vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.

May 16 at United South Central, 5 p.m.

May 17 vs. Byron, 5 p.m.

May 19 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

May 20 vs. Glenville-Emmons. 4:30 p.m.

2011 schedule: April 7 at Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.

April 8 at Houston, 4:30 p.m.

April 11 at Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m.

April 12 at Medford, 4:30 p.m.

April 14 vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 4:30 p.m.

April 18 vs. Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.

April 19 at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

April 21 vs. Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.

April 23 vs. Winona Cotter, TBD April 29 at GHEMCL, 4:30 p.m.

May 2 vs. Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

May 5 vs. Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m.

May 9 at Lyle/Pacelli, 4:30 p.m.

May 12 at Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.

May 16 vs. Houston, 4:30 p.m.

May 19 at Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.

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Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 16

Panthers boys’ golf look to repeat atop Gopher

Panthers girls’ golf primed for run at title

NRHEG has skill but needs to sharpen mental game

NRHEG returns 4 starters from last season

By Tim Engstrom

tim.engstrom@albertleatribune.com

NEW RICHLAND — The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers return many of their starters in boys’ golf this season, giving them a good chance to defend their Gopher Conference title.

While Seth Hansen, Dalen Ferber and Dillon Hanson will be missed, the team has several returning letterwinners, said head coach Brad Root. Those letterwinners are seniors Aaron Patraw, Matt Nafe, Jonathon Wolstrom and Cody Root and junior Sam Grothem “We will again have good numbers on the boys’ side,” said Root, who also coaches girls’ golf, “Someone may emerge as a surprise to help us recapture the conference title.”

He said the varsity golf team has solid golf skills but will need to work on the mental game, course management and consistency.

“We need to move from being practice players to tournament players,” Root said.

He said the team also needs to get more tournament experience

for junior varsity players so they are prepared when they reach the varsity level. The team also will focus on rules and etiquette.

“We want them to learn the game so they can enjoy it throughout their life,” Root said. “As always we want our student athletes to enjoy the sport and have fun while at the same time representing our school well.”

NRHEG is a favorite to win the Gopher Conference this year. It will vie with Waseca at the sub-section meet.

Tim Stoetz Jr. is the assistant coach.

The team’s home course is Riverview Golf Course. The conference tournament this year is at Oakview Golf Course near Freeborn, hosted by United South Central.

2011 schedule: April 7 vs. Bethlehem Academy April 12 at United South Central April 14 vs. Blooming Prairie April 19 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton April 25 at Glenville-Emmons April 28 vs. United South Central May 3 tournament at Triton May 5 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton May 10 at Blooming Prairie May 13 Gopher Conf. Tournament at Oakview Golf Course May 17 at Bethlehem Academy May 19 vs. Maple River May 24 vs. Glenville-Emmons

By Andrew Dyrdal

tribsports@albertleatribune.com

NEW RICHLAND — After finishing second in the Gopher Conference last season, the New Richland-HartlandEllendale-Geneva girls’ golf team has a realistic shot at a league title this season.

The Panthers return four starters from last year’s team including Abbey Holland (Sr.), Hannah Moe (Sr.), Michaela Hansen (Jr.) and Lexi Wayne (Jr.).

The team has 12 girls out for golf and a nice talent pool, according to head coach Brad Root.

“The girls need to be mentally tough and focused this year,” Root said. “We are counting on continued improvement in all our girls.”

Root said his team takes aggressive shots and are risk takers, and that they need to be prepared for whatever weather conditions exist. He said the Panthers strengths will be team chemistry and work ethic.

“As always, we want our studentathletes to enjoy the sport and have fun while at the same time representing our school well,” Root said. “We

will be working on the rules and golf etiquette so our golfers will be knowledgeable and welcome wherever we travel to play.”

The Panthers home course is Riverview Golf Course. The conference tournament this year is at Oakview Golf Course near Freeborn, hosted by United South Central.

The Panthers assistant coaches are Justin Timm and Tim Stoesz.

After finishing 9-8 last year, Root said the Panthers are the Gopher Conference favorite. He said the Panthers and Waseca are the Section 2AA favorite.

Root expects a good showing at the conference tournament and subsection.

Friday, April 8, 2011

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW Tigers Baseball chases Big Nine title

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Megan Pulley leads Tigers girls’ golf Rebels excel on track, in field

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Wolverines eye Southeast Championship

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2011 schedule: April 7 vs. Bethlehem Academy April 12 at United South Central April 14 vs. Blooming Prairie April 19 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton April 25 at Glenville-Emmons April 28 vs. United South Central May 3 tournament at Triton May 5 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton May 10 at Blooming Prairie May 13 Gopher Conf. Tournament at Oakview Golf Course May 17 at Bethlehem Academy May 19 vs. Maple River May 24 vs. Glenville-Emmons

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