Winter sports yearbook 2014

Tigers return 4 state wrestling qualifiers Page 2

Panthers defend back-to-back state titles

6’7’’ sophomore leads Albert Lea boys

Page 4

Page 13

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Starting 4 6

Q&A with Albert Lea girls’ basketball coach, Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa

8

Albert Lea boys’ hockey team returns Big Nine All-Conference goalie

16

NRHEG boys’ basketball team brings back All-Area Coach and Player of the Year

25

Lake Mills wrestling team returns three state qualifiers

Panthers defend back-to-back state titles

Mary Evans leads the Bulldogs on the block / PAGE 24

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WINTERSPORTSYEARBOOK Editor Micah Bader Contributing writers Tim Engstrom, Sarah Stultz, Colleen Harrison, Hannah Dillon and Micah Bader Cover design by Kathy Johnson Cover photo Albert Lea’s Dedoch Chan

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By Micah Bader

coach larry goodnature and garrett aldrich

albert lea returns 4 state qualifiers 2 | winter SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Albert lea

Wrestling C

Triston Westerlund

onfidence surrounds the Albert Lea wrestling team with the return of all four of its individual state qualifiers.

After the Tigers, ranked No. 4 in the Guillotine’s Class AA team rankings, knocked off No. 3 Class AAA Prior Lake in the season opener, that self-assuredness continued to skyrocket.

“It was a nice way to open the season,” said Albert Lea coach Larry Goodnature. “I thought we could beat them. I think every time we step on the mat we can beat them.”

The upset was expected by those in 113—Aldrich, 1st the Tigers program after the way the 126—Johnsrud, 9th team finished last season. Garrett 145—Nelson, 6th Aldrich was the state champion at 106 152—Samudio, 5th pounds. Triston Westerlund took third 182—Christianson, at 195 pounds. Dereck Samudio and 7th Devin Nelson didn’t place, but both 220—Westerlund, wrestlers beat their first-round oppo1st nents.

This year, each grappler added muscle by working in the offseason. Aldrich moved from 106 to 126; , Samudio from 152 to 160 and Westerlund from 195 to 220.

Aldrich said the change in weight class is a challenge.

“You have to be more of a technician,” said Aldrich.

“They’re not as easy as the kids at 106.”

Last year, Westerlund finished third at state after recovering from a knee injury that kept him sidelined the majority of the season. That followed a runner-up finish his sophomore year, the last time Albert Lea competed in Class AAA. If he can pull out a championship at 220, he’ll have a cycle of sorts.

“I really want a title this year, and I want to win it as a team, too,” he said.

Not only has Westerlund wrestled at 220, he is also willing to move up to 285, like he did against Prior Lake to help the team win.

“I’ll bump up to heavyweight if they need me there,” he said. “Against Prior Lake it was a situation deal because they wanted the pin at heavyweight.” / PAGE 11

Ranked Tigers

Devin Nelson

Dereck samudio

Wednesday, December 17, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 3

Albert lea boys’

Basketball

By Micah Bader

Y

outhful experience throughout the lineup and a new-look defense will anchor the Albert Lea boys’ basketball team.

Filling a larger role on the block will be the Tigers’ 6-foot-7-inch sophomore center, Dedoch Chan, who averaged 8.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game as a freshman.

“Dedoch had a really solid freshTowering above his man campaign and opponents, Albert maybe had his best Lea’s 6-7 center game in the section Dedoch Chan hopes tournament,” said to build on his freshman numbers: Albert Lea coach 8.6 points and 4.9 Lucas Kreuscher. rebounds per game.

“He’s pretty versatile for being 6-7. We feel we can play him inside and outside depending on who’s matched up against him.”

In the Section 1AAA quarterfinals last year at Red Wing, Chan had 18 points, nine rebounds, three steals and an assist.

Chan, along with Tyler Clark and Mal Pine, will look to fill the shoes of Big Nine All-Conference forward Cody Scherff, who graduated after averaging 8.5 points per game.

SEASON OVERALL CONF. “Experience isn’t 2013-14 6-21 4-14 2012-13 12-14 7-11 the most we’ve ever 2011-12 8-19 6-12 returned, but I like 2010-11 6-19 3-15 the mindset of this 2009-10 4-21 2-16 group,” Kreuscher Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net said. “We need to

PLAYER TO WATCH

5-year Glance

jack buendorf / Forward

continue to develop all of our roster, so we can get deeper in our rotations. This group has a tremendous ability to get up and down the court, but to do that consistently, we need depth.”

Jake Thompson, a junior, returns at the top of the key.

“This is the first time since I’ve been here (six years) that we return the same point guard from the previous year,” said Kreuscher. “Jake gained the opportunity to start the majority of the games in the last half of the season, and we’re seeing the benefits from that.”

After leading the Albert Lea football

4 | winter SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 17, 2014

team as its signal caller, Jake Kilby will return to the court as a shooting guard.

He was one of seven players on Albert Lea’s roster to pass 100 points last season. Kilby will look to boost his averages of 4.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

Thompson and Kilby led the Tigers’ backcourt last season when Tyler Vandenheuvel, an All-Conference honorable mention selection, was out with a knee injury sustained during soccer season.

To pressure their opponents, Kreuscher said the team will / PAGE 11

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Wednesday, December 17, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 5

Albert lea Girls’

Basketball

By Hannah Dillon

I

n Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa’s third season, the Albert Lea girl’s basketball team will look to replace a backcourt with two 1,000point scorers.

However, heading back to the court is senior forward Megan Kortan, the only player to finish in the area’s top four in four main statistical categories.

Kortan hopes to improve on her average of 14.5 points per game and 8.3 Last year, Albert rebounds per game.

Lea forward Megan The following is a Kortan boosted her Q&A with Hugstad-Vaa: scoring output from

PLAYER TO WATCH

8.1 points per game to 14.5. She will aim to continue the trend as a senior.

Q: What has Kortan, a First Team All-Area selection, been doing to lead the team during the

offseason and during the early practices?

A: Megan worked very hard this summer and fall with her teammates doing the lifting and conditioning program as well as pushing the girls in practices. Her experience and skills will be key this year in leading the team.

Q: Last year, the team made it past the Section 1AAA quar-

5-year Glance SEASON OVERALL CONF. 2013-14 11-17 7-11 2012-13 11-14 7-10 2011-12 4-23 2-16 2010-11 5-20 5-13 2009-10 11-14 9-9 Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net

terfinals. What is the

Megan Kortan / forward

goal this year?

A: Our goal this year is to come ready to play every game and compete at our

A: Our team this year is very positive and energetic. We have some younger girls stepping into large roles, and they have been doing a great job at working together.

highest level every night.

Q: What is the key to the team’s success?

Q: What are you doing to mitigate the loss of Bryn Woodside and Sydney Rehnelt, the two 1,000-point career scorers who graduated last year?

6 | winter SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 17, 2014

A: We know we have to move the ball and everyone is going to have to be a threat. There are big shoes to fill, but the girls have been doing a great job at stepping up and working together.

Q: What team will be your biggest challenge this season, and what are you doing to prepare? / PAGE 11

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Albert lea boys’

hockey

By Micah Bader

O

n the heels of a 15-win season, the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team will shoot for their first Big Nine Conference crown since 2010-11.

The Tigers will do so with experienced defenders and newcomers at forward.

Garrett Matz, a senior Big Nine AllConference selection who started in the goal since he was a sophomore, will lead the Along with Alldefense. As a sophConference goalie omore, Matz played Garrett Matz, the in 24 games and Tigers return their saved 488-of-545 Big Nine All-Conference honorable shots with a .895 mention forward save percentage. His Alex Claassen. numbers improved as a junior. He saved 708-of-768 shots with a .922 save percentage.

“Goaltending and defense are our strengths,” said Albert Lea coach Roy Nystrom.

Returning along with Matz will be three senior defensemen: Wyatt Paulson, Brady Loch and Dalton Flatness.

Offensively, the team has question marks with the graduation of forwards Van Zelenak, a Big Nine AllConference selection and AllSEASON OVERALL CONF. Conference honor2013-14 15-11-1 11-6 2012-13 10-15-2 9-6-2 able mention selec2011-12 14-14 9-8 tions Lucas Peterson 2010-11 19-7-1 11-2-1 and Andrew 2009-10 13-13 8-6 Thompson. The trio Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net accounted for 40 of

PLAYERs TO WATCH

5-year Glance

alex claassen / forward

the team’s 69 goals.

Filling their shoes will be senior Alex Claassen and juniors Jack Pulley, Tanner Bellrichard, Matt Carlson and Foster Otten.

Claassen, an All-Conference honorable mention selection, is Albert Lea’s top returning scorer. He had eight goals and seven assists as a junior. Pulley added four goals.

In his 49th season as a head coach and his 42nd leading the Tigers, Nystrom has a career record of 671456-23, and his staff from last year returns. Dave Nystrom has been an

8 | winter SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 17, 2014

assistant for over 20 years, Dan Colstrup for 10, Adam Royce for three and Dustin Trail for two.

Albert Lea finished fourth in the Big Nine standings with a record of 11-6 last year. Mankato West ran away with the conference title with a perfect record in league play at 18-0. However, Nystrom said the Big Nine is “balanced with no clear favorite as of now.”

New Prague is the Section 1A favorite. The Trojans posted a 23-5-3 record last season and finished third at the Class A state tournament after falling to the state runner-up in the semifinals.

Albert lea Girls’

hockey

By Micah Bader

A

trio of returning senior letter winners will lead the Albert Lea girls’ hockey team with a familiar face at the helm.

After starting the season as an assistant coach, Jason Fornwald took the head coaching position in the fifth game of the season.

He also coached the Tigers from 2003 to 2005.

“I’m excited to The Tigers’ Big Nine work with a great All-Conference group of girls who forward, Hannah have a lot of potenSavelkoul, is back tial, a team that’s to lead the team in the offensive zone willing to learn and with senior forward work hard every Anna Englin. day,” said Fornwald.

Fornwald is assisted by Bob Furland in his second season and Jacqui Jepson in her first.

The Tigers return seniors Anna Englin, Sage Kermes and AllConference honorable mention goalie Katie Schwarz.

Leading Albert Lea in the defensive zone will be Kermes and Schwarz.

Despite facing twice as many shots on goal than her opponents, 222-111, through the first six games, Schwarz has a save percentage at .891. Against New SEASON OVERALL CONF. Prague at the Trojan 2013-14 8-17 5-12 2012-13 10-16 7-11 Thanksgiving 2011-12 5-20-1 5-12-1 Tournament, Albert 2010-11 13-10-3 8-5-3 Lea was outshot 2009-10 10-14-1 4-6-1 62-7. However, Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net Schwarz showed

PLAYERS TO WATCH

5-year Glance

madi hererra and hannah savelkoul / forwards

consistency by saving 56 of those shots.

That gave her a .903 save percentage, which was better than New Prague goalie Sydney Culshaw’s mark of .857.

“She’s a goaltender who gives us a chance to win any game,” Fornwald said. “She’s a senior leader on the team who is improving.”

Offensively, the Tigers will look to build on their best scoring effort of the season, a 5-1 win at Mankato West in the season opener. Junior Big Nine AllConference forward Hannah Savelkoul

scored Albert Lea’s first two goals.

“She’s a leader for us on the rink and a very skilled player to have in the offensive zone,” Fornwald said.

The season started early for the Tigers. By the time the Albert Lea boys’ swimming team had its first practice, the girls’ hockey team already had seven games.

Fornwald filled in after Tigers’ coach John Ball resigned due to personal reasons after leading the team to a 1-3 record through the first four games.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 9

Albert lea boys’

swimming

By Micah Bader

C

oming off a season with its first individual state qualifiers since 2008, the Albert Lea boys’ swimming team aims to keep the momentum going.

“We have a high octane training facility to practice, and there is a rich history of accolades earned by the boys’ team,” said first-year coach Joey Clapp.

The latest accomplishments were by graduated seniors Captains Kendrick Preston Smith and Fjeldberg and Luke Derek Wagner.

Sunblad take over leadership roles Smith swam a perfrom graduated sonal best at the state qualifiers Class A state meet Preston Smith and with a time of 55.49 Derek Wagner. seconds to take 11th place in the 100-yard butterfly. Wagner took 17th place at state in the 100 backstroke with a time of 57.31.

Under the direction of a star-studded coaching staff, the Tigers return four seniors, a junior and five sophomores.

Captains Kendrick Fjeldberg and Luke Sunblad will lead the team along with fellow seniors Connor Larson and Caleb Troe.

This fall, Troe made an impact on the cross country team and was the second Albert Lea runner to finish at the Section 1AA meet with a time of 17:28.6 to take 47th place.

Philipp Wagner is the lone returning junior, and he will be joined by sophomores Andrew Field, Travis Nemec, Riley Olson, Ian Oolman and Aaron Zogg.

SwimmerS TO WATCH

Travis Nemec / backstroke

Clapp will be assisted by Jon Schmitz and volunteer assistant Erik Johnson.

The trio worked together this fall to coach the Albert Lea girls’ swimming team to a third-place team finish at the Class A state meet in an effort that produced state champions in four events

10 | winter SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 17, 2014

and set multiple records.

Schmitz was head coach of the girls’ team, and Clapp was an assistant. The duo traded roles this winter for the boys’ team.

Albert Lea finished 10th in the Big Nine Conference standings last season.

ALBERT LEA BOYS’ BASKETBALL / PAGE 4 go to a man-to-man defense.

The Tigers had been steadily gaining more and more wins under Kreuscher until last season.

His win total went up from four to six to eight and to 12 in 2012-13 before a 6-21 finish last year.

Returning seniors are Cal Adams, Kole Smith and Tyler Anderson. Adams will look to bounce back after an injury sidelined him last season.

Kreuscher said Smith’s game has matured, and Anderson is strong on the boards.

According to Kreuscher, the conference favorite is Rochester John Marshall after the Rockets finished last season 20-7 before being eliminated

by Lakeville North in the Section 1AAAA tournament.

Kreuscher is in his sixth year leading the Tigers. He will be assisted by Stan Thompson in his third year, and new assistants Gina Klennert, the B-Squad and JV coach, and Chris Withers, the C-Squad coach.

ALBERT LEA GIRLS’ BASKETBALL / PAGE 6 A: The Big Nine Conference is a strong conference, so we will have tough competition all year. We are going to have to come to play every night.

Q: Who are some promising players on the team this year?

A: I have been very pleased with Megan Kortan, Rachel Rehnelt, Francesca Eckstrom, Quinn Petersen and Katie Rasmussen so far on varsity. They have all been very committed and focused, and I think it will show in the games.

GARRETT ALDRICH

ALBERT LEA WRESTLING / PAGE 3 In the Guillotine’s first set of individual polls, the Tigers have six ranked competitors. Aside from Aldrich, Westerlund, Samudio and Nelson, Big Nine All-Conference selections Tim Christianson and Beau Johnsrud made the list.

Christianson is No. 7 at 182 pounds and Beau Johnsrud, a state qualifier from 2013, is No. 9 at 126 pounds.

However, Johnsrud wrestled at 138 at the first meet.

Other Albert Lea All-Conference selections were Gavin Ignaszewski and

Santana Acosta.

Goodnature will be assisted by Brian Goodnature, Nate Goodnature, Brandon Klukow, Josh Bain, Mike Hansen, Jon Hansen, Neal Skaar, Alex Skaar, Ryan Palmer, Bryan Johnson and Dan Glazier.

Along with Albert Lea, Section 1AA favorites are Kasson-Mantorville, Stewartville and Caledonia. Big Nine favorites are Albert Lea and Owatonna.

The Tigers were 9-1 in the conference last season and 19-8 overall.

Goodnature’s overall record is 352157.

Q: What is one thing the team has been working really hard on this year?

A: Sticking together and staying strong as a unit.

Q: Have there been any players who have drastically improved since last year, and what did they do to get there?

A: Alli Christenson is a freshman who has improved leaps and bounds over the summer. She did summer lifting and conditioning and came to all of the open gyms to improve her game. I am excited to see how she continues to improve this season.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 11

Albert lea Girls’

dance

By Sarah Stultz

C

oming off another third-place finish in the Big Nine Conference, the Albert Lea dance team is looking to have another high-energy season.

For the second year, there will be varsity high kick, varsity jazz and junior varsity high kick teams.

The team took fifth place in high kick at the Section 1AA tournament last season.

Look for senior Big Coach Kelsey Nine All-Conference Routh said with only selection Angie one senior on the Schmitt to lead the Tigers along with team last year, many fellow seniors athletes on the team Katelyn Hendrickson this year have and Taylor Martinez. danced together in previous seasons.

“The experience of these returning athletes has brought the technique and work ethic of our team to a new level, and it is very exciting to see them improve daily,” Routh said.

She said the team is the largest it ever has been with 46 athletes on all three teams.

Returning are All-Conference dancer

Dancer TO WATCH

Angie Schmitt, a senior, and AllConference honorable mention seniors Katelyn Hendrickson and Taylor Martinez.

Schmitt, Hendrickson and Martinez are three of 20 of the team’s returning letter winners. Others are the following: seniors Cali Cantu and Lauren Sorenson; juniors Samantha Nielsen, Mitzibelle Soto and Hannah Wangsness; sophomores Alli Sherman, Lexie Ringoen, Brianna Shea, Triniti Akemann, Madi Lindely, Morgan Phillips and Kelsey Enger; and freshmen Riley Jimenez, Sydney Doran, Rachel Wangen, Mackenzie Breamer and Natalie Nafzger.

Routh said a strength of the program

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is having a junior varsity high kick team for the second season. She said last season, the team placed second at both of its competitions.

“These dancers have improved in their high kick and jazz technique and will lead to the success and growth of our sport,” she said.

Routh said she is proud of the hard work and dedication that the choreography committee has devoted to creating dance routines at the start of the season. The leaders of that committee are seniors Schmitt, Hendrickson, Martinez, Cantu and Sorenson, juniors Nielsen and Wangsness and sophomores Shea and Ringoen.

The Big Nine Conference / PAGE 28

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nrheg Girls’

Basketball

By Micah Bader

T

he two-time defending state champs will have a new look on the sideline and on the court.

Leading scorer Carlie Wagner of the NRHEG girls’ basketball team is playing for the Minnesota Gophers, and head coach John Schultz retired.

However, the Panthers return some familiar faces.

Pacing the sideline as the NRHEG Carlie Wagner’s girls’ basketball sophomore twin team’s head coach sisters Maddie and Marnie played will be Onika significant roles Peterson. Peterson during the Panthers’ was an assistant title runs and will under Schultz. She lead the team. will be assisted by Drew Paukert and Sharon Ramaker.

Along with six returning letter winners, the Panthers will bring back two starters: sophomore guards Maddie and Marnie Wagner.

“We have girls who are dedicated to the program,” Peterson said. “They’ve been a part of or have seen the success in years past. They want to succeed. We have a very eager and competitive sophomore class that will push the girls above them.”

SEASON OVERALL CONF. Maddie and 2013-14 31-0 14-0 Marnie played sig2012-13 32-1 14-0 2011-12 32-1 16-0 nificant roles during 2010-11 23-4 15-1 both title runs. The 2009-10 21-7 15-1 twins posted nearly Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net identical numbers

PLAYERS TO WATCH

5-year Glance

Maddie Wagner / guard

as well. Maddie averaged 7.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, while Marnie averaged 7.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2 steals per game. Both sisters were Second Team All-Area selections, while Carlie was on the First Team with 37.1 points, 5.3 assists and 4.4 steals per game.

Other returning letter winners are seniors Anna Stork, Ryann Hagen, Kelli Harrington and Jade Peterson; and sophomores Gretchen Ramaker and Kayley Camerer. Stork and Harrington lead the team after both scored 55 points last season.

“These girls received an adequate amount of playing time, but last year’s team was dominated by the senior class,” Peterson said. “It will be interesting to see who takes the initiative and steps up and becomes a leader on the team.”

NRHEG’s defensive style last year used traps at halfcourt to cause turnovers and lead to high percentage transition baskets. Peterson said the same is true this year.

“We’re going to stick with what we know and adjust from last year,” she said. “We will play aggressively and try to cause as much havoc as possible.”

Wednesday, December 17, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 13

all-area winter 2014-2015

cALENDAR Dec. 18 (THU) Boys’ basketball: Glenville-Emmons at Le RoyOstrander, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Mankato Loyola at AldenConger, 7:30 p.m.

Wrestling: Byron at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Maple River at NRHEG, 7 p.m.

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

Lake Mills at Belmond-Klemme triangular, 6 p.m.

Girls’ hockey: Austin at Albert Lea, 7:45 p.m.

Boys’ swimming: Faribault at Albert Lea, 6 p.m.

Dec. 19 (FRI) Boys’ basketball: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m.

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

Lanesboro at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Medford at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

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

Belmond-Klemme at Lake Mills, 7:45 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Mankato West at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Le Roy-Ostrander at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m.

NRHEG at Medford, 7:15 p.m.

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

Belmond-Klemme at Lake Mills, 6:15 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea at Christmas tournament at Rochester, 2 p.m.

NRHEG at Redwood Valley tournament, TBA United South Central at Redwood Valley tournament, TBA Dec. 20 (SAT) Boys’ basketball: Lake Mills at Eagle Grove, 5:45 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: NRHEG at St. Peter, TBA Lake Mills at Eagle Grove, 4:15 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea at Christmas tournament at Rochester, 8:30 a.m.

NRHEG at Redwood Valley tournament, TBA United South Central at Redwood Valley tournament, TBA Lake Mills at Northwood-Kensett, 10 a.m.

Boys’ hockey: Austin at Albert Lea, 1 p.m.

Boys’ swimming: Albert Lea invite, 10 a.m.

Dec. 22 (MON) Boys’ basketball: Albert Lea at Waseca, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Houston, 7:15 p.m.

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

Girls’ basketball: Lanesboro at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 23 (TUE) Boys’ basketball: Albert Lea at Stewartville, 7:15 p.m.

Grand Meadow at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Waseca at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Boys’ hockey: Albert Lea at New Prague, 6 p.m.

Girls’ hockey: Albert Lea at Waseca, 7 p.m.

Dec. 26 (FRI) Boys’ basketball: NRHEG at tournament at Bethany Lutheran College, TBA Dec. 27 (SAT) Boys’ basketball: NRHEG at tournament at Bethany Lutheran College, TBA Girls’ basketball: United South Central at St. Clair tournament, TBA Dec. 29 (MON) Boys’ basketball: Alden-Conger at Grand Meadow tournament, 6 p.m.

NRHEG at tournament at Bethany Lutheran College, TBA United South Central at Blue Earth tournament, TBA Girls’ basketball: Alden-Conger at Winona tournament, TBA NRHEG at St. Olaf tournament, TBA United South Central at St. Clair tournament, TBA Boys’ hockey: Albert Lea at Simley tournament, TBA Girls’ hockey: Albert Lea at tournament at Crystal, TBA Dance: Albert Lea at Austin, 10 a.m.

Dec. 30 (TUE) Boys’ basketball: Alden-Conger at Grand Meadow tournament, TBA United South Central at Blue Earth tournament, TBA Girls’ basketball: Alden-Conger at Winona tournament, TBA

NRHEG at St. Olaf tournament, TBA United South Central at St. Clair tournament, TBA Boys’ hockey: Albert Lea at Simley tournament, TBA Girls’ hockey: Albert Lea at tournament at Crystal, TBA Dec. 31 (WED) Girls’ basketball: NRHEG at St. Olaf tournament, TBA Girls’ hockey: Albert Lea at tournament at Crystal, TBA Jan. 2 (FRI) Boys’ basketball: Mabel-Canton at GlenvilleEmmons, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Glenville-Emmons at Houston, 7:15 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea at Rumble on the Red tournament at West Fargo, N.D., 10 a.m.

Invite at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Jan. 3 (SAT) Boys’ basketball: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Hayfield, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Stewartville at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Hayfield, 6 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea at Rumble on the Red tournament at West Fargo, N.D., TBA Northwood-Kensett at Le Roy-Ostrander, 9:30 a.m.

Girls’ hockey: Albert Lea at Fairmont, 1 p.m.

Jan 5 (MON) Boys’ basketball: Cleveland at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

Schaeffer Academy at Glenville-Emmons, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Glenville-Emmons at Lyle/Pacelli, 7:15 p.m.

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

Jan. 6 (TUE) Boys’ basketball: Owatonna at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Lyle/Pacelli, 7:15 p.m.

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

North Union at Lake Mills, 7:30 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Nashua-Plainfield, 8 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

North Union at Lake Mills, 6:15 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Nashua-Plainfield, 6:30 p.m.

Wrestling: Lake Mills at Eagle Grove quad, 6 p.m.

Boys’ hockey: Mankato East at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

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

Jan. 8 (THU) Boys’ basketball: Le Roy-Ostrander at AldenConger, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Mabel-Canton at GlenvilleEmmons, 7:15 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea at Mankato West triangular, 5:30 p.m.

United South Central at NRHEG, 6 p.m.

Triangular at Lake Mills, 6 p.m.

Meet at Northwood-Kensett, 6 p.m.

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

Jan. 9 (FRI) Boys’ basketball: Austin at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Cleveland at Glenville-Emmons, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

Lake Mills at Garner-Hayfield/Ventura, 7:45 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Rockford, 8 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Albert Lea at Austin, 7:30 p.m.

Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman at AldenConger, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

Lake Mills at Garner-Hayfield/Ventura, 6:15 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Rockford, 6 p.m.

Boys’ hockey: Eveleth-Gilbert/Mesabi East at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 10 (SAT)

14 | winter SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Boys’ basketball: Northwood-Kensett at GlenvilleEmmons, 2:15 p.m.

Newman Catholic at Lake Mills, 5:30 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Northwood-Kensett at GlenvilleEmmons, 1 p.m.

Newman Catholic at Lake Mills, 4:15 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea at St. Cloud Tech tournament, 9 a.m.

NRHEG at Maple River, TBA United South Central at Maple River, TBA Lake Mills at Hampton-Dumont, 10 a.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Hampton-Dumont, 10 a.m.

Boys’ hockey: Hibbing at Albert Lea, 2 p.m.

Jan. 12 (MON) Boys’ basketball: Alden-Conger at Nicollet, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Randolph, 7:15 p.m.

Blue Earth at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Glenville-Emmons at Randolph, 6 p.m.

Jan. 13 (TUE) Boys’ basketball: Albert Lea at Winona, 7:30 p.m.

Grand Meadow at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

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

United South Central at Maple River, 7:15 p.m.

Lake Mills at North Iowa, 7:30 p.m.

West Fork at Northwood-Kensett, 8 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Winona at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

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

Maple River at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Lake Mills at North Iowa, 6:15 p.m.

West Fork at Northwood-Kensett, 6:30 p.m.

Wrestling: United South Central at Mankato East, TBA Quad at Lake Mills, 6 p.m.

Jan. 15 (THU) Boys’ basketball: Martin Luther/Granada-HuntleyEast Chain/Truman at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

Kenyon-Wanamingo at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Alden-Conger at GlenvilleEmmons, 7:30 p.m.

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

NRHEG at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 7:15 p.m.

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

Wrestling: Northfield and Plainview-Elgin-Millville at Albert Lea, 5 p.m.

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

Meet at Northwood-Kensett, 6 p.m.

Boys’ hockey: Albert Lea at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ hockey: Rochester Mayo at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

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

Jan. 16 (FRI) Boys’ basketball: Mankato East at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Immanuel Lutheran, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

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

Central Springs at Northwood-Kensett, 8 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m.

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

Immanuel Lutheran at Glenville-Emmons, 6 p.m.

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

Lake Mills at Forest City, 6:15 p.m.

Central Springs at Northwood-Kensett, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 17 (SAT) Boys’ basketball: NRHEG at Owatonna invite, TBA Wrestling: Albert Lea at Zumbrota-Mazeppa tournament, 9 a.m.

United South Central at Lake Mills tournament, 10 a.m.

Northwood-Kensett at AGWSR, 10:30 a.m.

Boys’ hockey: Northfield at Albert Lea, 1 p.m.

Girls’ hockey: Albert Lea at Northfield, 2 p.m.

Dance: Albert Lea at Big Nine Conference meet, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 19 (MON) Boys’ basketball: Martin Luther/Truman at United South Central, 7:30 p.m.

Central Springs at Lake Mills, 7:30 p.m.

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

Glenville-Emmons at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m.

Central Springs at Lake Mills, 6 p.m.

Postville at Northwood-Kensett, 4 p.m.

Jan. 20 (TUE) Boys’ basketball: Alden-Conger at St. Clair, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m.

NRHEG at Blue Earth, 7:30 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at St. Ansgar, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: United South Central at AldenConger, 7:30 p.m.

Blue Earth at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at St. Ansgar, 6 p.m.

Girls’ hockey: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 22 (THU) Boys’ basketball: Alden-Conger at Le RoyOstrander, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Hope Lutheran, 6 p.m.

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

Girls’ basketball: Albert Lea at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m.

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

Glenville-Emmons at Hope Lutheran, 7:30 p.m.

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

NRHEG at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.

Medford at United South Central, 7 p.m.

Lake Mills at St. Ansgar triangular, 6 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at West Hancock, 6 p.m.

Boys’ hockey: Rochester John Marshall at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ hockey: Albert Lea at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m.

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

Jan. 23 (FRI) Boys’ basketball: Rochester Mayo at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

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

Spring Grove at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

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

United South Central at Jackson County Central, 7:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at Bishop Garrigan, 7:30 p.m.

Riceville at Northwood-Kensett, 8 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: NRHEG at Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m.

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

Lake Mills at Bishop Garrigan, 6:15 p.m.

Riceville at Northwood-Kensett, 6:30 p.m.

United South Central at St. Peter, TBA Jan. 24 (SAT) Boys’ basketball: Albert Lea at Northfield, 7:30 p.m.

United South Central at Mankato Loyola, 1 p.m.

West Hancock at Lake Mills, 5:30 p.m.

West Central at Northwood-Kensett, 2 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Northfield at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

United South Central at Mankato Loyola 3 p.m.

West Hancock at Lake Mills, 4:15 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 7 p.m.

Lake Mills at North Butler tournament, 10:30 a.m.

Boys’ hockey: Albert Lea at Red Wing, 2 p.m.

Jan. 26 (MON) Boys’ basketball: Glenville-Emmons at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Schaeffer Academy at AldenConger, 7:30 p.m.

Dance: Meet at Albert Lea, TBA Jan. 27 (TUE) Boys’ basketball: Rochester John Marshall at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

Osage at Lake Mills, 7:30 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at North Butler, 8 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Albert Lea at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m.

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

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

Osage at Lake Mills, 6:15 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at North Butler, 6:30 p.m.

Wrestling: Lake Mills at Forest City dual, 6 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Garner-Hayfield/Ventura, 6 p.m.

Girls’ hockey: Windom at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 29 (THU)

Boys’ basketball: Mason City at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Le Roy-Ostrander at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Alden-Conger at Granada-HuntleyEast Chain, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

Boys’ hockey: Faribault at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ hockey: Albert Lea at Faribault, 7:30 p.m.

Boys’ swimming: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 6 p.m.

Jan. 30 (FRI) Boys’ basketball: Albert Lea at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m.

NRHEG at Medford, 7:15 p.m.

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

Eagle Grove at Lake Mills, 7:45 p.m.

Nashua-Plainfield at Northwood-Kensett, 8 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Red Wing at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

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

Spring Grove at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Medford at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

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

Eagle Grove at Lake Mills, 6:15 p.m.

Nashua-Plainfield at Northwood-Kensett, 6:30 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea at Lakeville North, 4 p.m.

NRHEG at Lakeville North, TBA Jan. 31 (SAT) Boys’ basketball: Hope Lutheran at Alden-Conger, 2:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at Northwood-Kensett, 6:15 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Hope Lutheran at Alden-Conger, 1 p.m.

Lake Mills at Northwood-Kensett, 5 p.m.

Wrestling: Adrian at Albert Lea, 2 p.m.

Lake Mills at North Iowa Conference tournament at Garner-Hayfield/Ventura, 10 a.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Corn Bowl Conference meet, 10 a.m.

Boys’ hockey: Rochester Century at Albert Lea, 1 p.m.

Girls’ hockey: Rochester Century at Albert Lea, 3 p.m.

Feb. 2 (MON) Boys’ basketball: Alden-Conger at Valley Conference tournament, 7:30 p.m.

Martin County West at United South Central, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Le Roy-Ostrander at GlenvilleEmmons, 7:15 p.m.

Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 3 (TUE) Boys’ basketball: Faribault at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Lyle/Pacelli at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

NRHEG at Waseca, 7:30 p.m.

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

Lake Mills at North Union, 7:30 p.m.

Rockford at Northwood-Kensett, 8 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Albert Lea at Faribault, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

Lake Mills at North Union, 6:15 p.m.

Rockford at Northwood-Kensett, 6:30 p.m.

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

Feb. 4 (WED) Girls’ hockey: Section 1A quarterfinals: Albert Lea at TBA, TBA Feb. 5 (THU) Boys’ basketball: Alden-Conger at Valley Conference tournament, TBA CAL Community at Northwood-Kensett, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Glenville-Emmons at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m.

CAL Community at Northwood-Kensett, 6 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea at Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.

NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 7 p.m.

United South Central at Waterville-ElysianMorristown, 5 p.m.

Boys’ hockey: Mankato West at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 6 (FRI) Boys’ basketball: Albert Lea at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m.

Houston at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

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

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

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

Northwood-Kensett at West Fork, 7:45 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Rochester Century at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

Lake Mills at Belmond-Klemme, 6:15 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at West Fork, 6:15 p.m.

Feb. 7 (SAT) Boys’ basketball: Alden-Conger at Valley Conference tournament, TBA Girls’ basketball: Byron at Albert Lea, 2 p.m.

Wrestling: Sectionals at Lake Mills, noon Northwood-Kensett at sectionals, TBA Boys’ hockey: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ hockey: Section 1A semifinals: Albert Lea at TBA, TBA Dance: Albert Lea at section tournament, TBA Feb. 9 (MON) Boys’ basketball: Randolph at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Alden-Conger at Valley Conference tournament, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 10 (TUE) Boys’ basketball: Mankato West at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

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

Maple River at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Garner-Hayfield/Ventura at Lake Mills, 7:45 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Central Springs, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m.

Lyle/Pacelli at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

NRHEG at Fairmont, 7:30 p.m.

United South Central at Maple River, 7:15 p.m.

Garner-Hayfield/Ventura at Lake Mills, 6:15 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Central Springs, 6:15 p.m.

Boys’ hockey: Rochester Lourdes at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 11 (WED) Boys’ basketball: Section 2A tournament: AldenConger at TBA, TBA Feb. 12 (THU) Boys’ basketball: Glenville-Emmons at MabelCanton, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Alden-Conger at Valley Conference tournament, TBA Wrestling: NRHEG at section tournament, TBA United South Central at section tournament, TBA Boys’ hockey: Albert Lea at Austin, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ hockey: Section 1A finals: Albert Lea at TBA, TBA Feb. 13 (FRI) Boys’ basketball: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m.

Lyle/Pacelli at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

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

Lake Mills at Newman Catholic, 7:30 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Hampton-Dumont, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Owatonna at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Houston at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

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

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

Feb. 14 (SAT) Girls’ basketball: Alden-Conger at Valley Conference tournament, TBA Regional first round: Lake Mills vs. TBA, TBA Wrestling: NRHEG at section tournament, TBA United South Central at section tournament, TBA Lake Mills at districts at South Hamilton, noon Boys’ hockey: Albert Lea at Winona, 2 p.m.

Feb. 16 (MON) Boys’ basketball: District first round: Lake Mills vs.

TBA, TBA Girls’ basketball: Randolph at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 17 (TUE) Boys’ basketball: Albert Lea at Austin, 7:30 p.m.

Section 1A tournament: Glenville-Emmons at TBA, TBA Fairmont at United South Central, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Austin at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Grand Meadow at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

Martin Luther at United South Central, 7:30 p.m.

Regional quarterfinals: Lake Mills vs. TBA, TBA Boys’ hockey: Section 1A first round: Albert Lea at TBA, TBA Feb. 18 (WED) Boys’ basketball: Section 2AA tournament: NRHEG vs. TBA, TBA Girls’ basketball: Section 2A tournament: AldenConger at TBA, TBA Section 2A tournament: United South Central at

TBA, TBA Feb. 19 (THU) Boys’ basketball: Section 2A tournament: AldenConger at TBA, TBA Section 1A tournament: Glenville-Emmons at TBA, TBA NRHEG at St. Clair, 7:30 p.m.

Section 2A tournament: United South Central at TBA, TBA District quarterfinals: Lake Mills vs. TBA, TBA Girls’ basketball: Southland at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Boys’ hockey: Section 1A quarterfinals: Albert Lea at TBA, TBA Feb. 20 (FRI) Boys’ basketball: Winona at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ basketball: Albert Lea at Winona, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m.

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

Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman at United South Central, 7:30 p.m.

Regional semifinals: Lake Mills vs. TBA, TBA Wrestling: Albert Lea at section tournament, TBA Boys’ swimming: Albert Lea at Big Nine Conference meet, 5 p.m.

Feb. 21 (SAT) Wrestling: Albert Lea at section tournament, TBA Boys’ hockey: Section 1A semifinals: Albert Lea at TBA, TBA Boys’ swimming: Albert Lea at Big NIne Conference meet, noon Feb. 23 (MON) Boys’ basketball: Section 1A tournament: GlenvilleEmmons at TBA, TBA Girls’ basketball: Regional finals: Lake Mills vs. TBA, TBA Feb. 24 (TUE) Boys’ basketball: Section 2A tournament: AldenConger at TBA, TBA Section 1A tournament: Glenville-Emmons at TBA, TBA Section 2AA tournament: NRHEG vs. TBA, TBA Section 2A tournament: United South Central at TBA, TBA District semifinals: Lake Mills vs. TBA, TBA Girls’ basketball: Mankato East at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Section 1A tournament: Glenville-Emmons at TBA, TBA Feb. 25 (WED) Boys’ basketball: Section 1AAA quarterfinals: Albert Lea at TBA, TBA Girls’ basketball: Section 2AA tournament: NRHEG vs. TBA, TBA Boys’ hockey: Section 1A finals: Albert Lea at TBA, TBA Boys’ swimming: Albert Lea at section meet, TBA

Section 2AA tournament: NRHEG vs. TBA, TBA Section 2A tournament: United South Central at TBA, TBA March 3 (TUE) Boys’ basketball: Section 2A tournament: AldenConger at TBA, TBA Section 2AA tournament: NRHEG vs. TBA, TBA Section 2A tournament: United South Central at TBA, TBA Girls’ basketball: Section 1AAA quarterfinals: Albert Lea at TBA, TBA March 5 (THU) Boys’ basketball: Section 1A tournament: GlenvilleEmmons at TBA, TBA Girls’ basketball: Section 2A tournament: AldenConger at TBA, TBA Section 2AA tournament: NRHEG vs. TBA, TBA Section 2A tournament: United South Central at TBA, TBA Boys’ swimming: Albert Lea at state meet, TBA March 6 (FRI) Boys’ basketball: Section 1AAA finals: Albert Lea at TBA, TBA Section 2A tournament: Alden-Conger at TBA, TBA Section 2AA tournament: NRHEG vs. TBA, TBA Section 2A tournament: United South Central at TBA, TBA Boys’ swimming: Albert Lea at state meet, TBA March 7 (SAT) Girls’ basketball: Section 1AAA semifinals: Albert Lea at TBA, TBA Section 1A tournament: Glenville-Emmons at TBA, TBA March 9 (MON) Girls’ basketball: Section 2A tournament: AldenConger at TBA, TBA Section 2AA tournament: NRHEG vs. TBA, TBA Section 2A tournament: United South Central at TBA, TBA March 12 (THU) Girls’ basketball: Section 1AAA finals: Albert Lea at TBA, TBA March 13 (FRI) Girls’ basketball: Section 2A tournament: AldenConger at TBA, TBA Section 1A tournament: Glenville-Emmons at TBA, TBA Section 2AA tournament: NRHEG vs. TBA, TBA Section 2A tournament: United South Central at TBA, TBA

Feb. 26 (THU) Boys’ basketball: District finals: Lake Mills vs.

TBA, TBA Girls’ basketball: Section 2A tournament: Alden-Conger at TBA, TBA Section 1A tournament: GlenvilleEmmons at TBA, TBA Section 2A tournament: United South Central at TBA, TBA Feb. 27 (FRI) Boys’ basketball: Section 2A tournament: Alden-Conger at TBA, TBA Section 2AA tournament: NRHEG vs. TBA, TBA Section 2A tournament: United South Central at TBA, TBA Girls’ basketball: Rochester Mayo at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Boys’ swimming: Albert Lea at section meet, TBA Feb. 28 (SAT) Boys’ basketball: Section 1AAA semifinals: Albert Lea at TBA, TBA Section 1A tournament: Glenville-Emmons at TBA, TBA Substate finals: Lake Mills vs. TBA, TBA March 2 (MON) Girls’ basketball: Section 2A tournament: Alden-Conger at TBA, TBA Section 1A tournament: GlenvilleEmmons at TBA, TBA

Wednesday, December 17, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 15

nrheg boys’

Basketball

By Micah Bader

F

rom six wins to being the conference front-runner. That’s how far the NRHEG boys’ basketball team has risen during the last three seasons.

The Panthers more than tripled their win total last season, and four starters from that team will take the court this winter.

“We return a lot of experience — a lot of players who have two full years All-Area boys’ of varsity experibasketball Player of ence,” said NRHEG the Year and Gocoach Pat Churchill. pher All-Conference Leading the way selection Spencer for the Panthers will Tollefson will look to improve on an be senior Gopher area-best 16.4 ppg.

All-Conference selection and AllArea Player of the Year Spencer Tollefson.

“He’s a tough-nosed kid who works hard and does a lot for our basketball team,” Churchill said. “He’s a good inside and outside player.”

Tollefson led the Tribune’s seven-team coverage area with 16.4 points per game, was second in assists, tied for seventh in steals and 10th in rebounding.

However, he wasn’t the only NRHEG player to SEASON OVERALL CONF. find the bottom of 2013-14 19-7 11-3 2012-13 6-19 3-11 the net regularly. All 2011-12 9-18 6-10 four of the Panthers’ 2010-11 13-13 9-6 returning starters 2009-10 20-8 12-4 were in the area’s Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net top seven in scoring.

PLAYER TO WATCH

5-year Glance

Spencer tollefson / guard

Oakley Baker averaged 15.6 points per game; Trevor Tracy, 12.9; and Kevin Kalis, 12.

Baker was the only freshman First Team All-Area selection. He connected on 40 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.

“Oakley has tremendous offensive skill, and he’s a great shooter,” Churchill said.

Tracy thrived in the backcourt with Baker, excelled as an on-the-ball defender and was All-Conference. Kalis improved throughout the season last year and provided size on the block with his 6-foot-6-inch’’ frame, Churchill said.

With one open spot on the starting lineup, the Panthers have a variety of solid options.

16 | winter SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Senior point guard Macoy Schwierjohann started as a sophomore but was sidelined with an injury last season.

“Macoy distributes the ball and rebounds well for a guard,” Churchill said. “He’s athletic and has long arms.”

Gaining experience off the bench last season were 6-5 junior guard/forward John Cole, 5-11 sophomore guard Chad Agrimson and 6-2 senior forward Kelson Titus. Churchill said Titus is a good defender and an extremely hard worker.

After the turnaround last season, Churchill was named the Tribune’s AllArea Coach of the Year. He will be assisted by Chad Buendorf, Isaiah Lundberg and Sam Lundberg.

nrheg

wrestling

By Micah Bader

W

ith four returning wrestlers who have state tournament experience, the Panthers set their sights on a return trip to the Xcel Center.

“We have a big number of juniors, 10, and seniors, eight, who want to accomplish great things as a team, and we are at least two wrestlers deep in the upper weights,” said NRHEG second-year coach The Panthers bring Shawn Larson. back three state Three Panthers qualifiers from last qualified for state year’s team: last year, and junior Dillon Kubiatowicz (113), Todd Erickson Wyatt Fitterer aims (220) and Cordell to make it back to Peterson (120).

St. Paul after qualifying as a freshman.

At 113 pounds, Dillon Kubiatowicz led NRHEG at state last season. He beat Wyatt Stevens of Windom/Mountain Lake with a 3-2 decision to advance to the quarterfinals. Kubiatowicz is listed at 120 pounds on the current roster.

Todd Erickson, a 220-pound senior, and Cordell Peterson, a 120-pound junior, have a chance to make a dent at state after they both qualified but went 0-2.

In the first poll released by the Guillotine, the entity ranked the top 12 teams in Class A and listed 12 more as “Lean and Mean.” The Panthers were

PLAYERs TO WATCH

Nobody covers

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Dillon Kubiatowicz

listed under the latter, while Kubiatowicz was ranked No. 7 at 120 pounds and Erickson was No. 6 at 220.

NRHEG returns 20 letter winners: eight seniors, eight juniors and four freshmen. The team has no sophomores.

Larson said he wants to keep it simple on the mat.

“Our key to success will be sticking to basic attacks, being aggressive and doing our best to stay healthy.”

Larson will be assisted by Nathan Jensen and Tim Bartness. Larson said Jensen has been with the program for 19 of the last 20 seasons, and Bartness is a former athlete who is coaching for the first time.

In the Section 2A race, the Panthers hope to match or exceed their 2012 finish of second place. Jackson County Central is the section favorite.

“Our expectations are to be in strong contention for a conference title and a section title,” Larson said.

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Wednesday, December 17, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 17

glenville-emmons boys’

Basketball

By Sarah Stultz

T

he Glenville-Emmons boys’ basketball team is hoping to turn a corner this season.

With many of its players in the program for three years, coach Jared Matson said the team has key pieces in place that it lacked in years past.

“We play in a very tough conference and section with a lot of talented teams,” he said.

As a freshman, “Nonetheless, we’ve Derek Van Ryswyk set our expectations was a Southeast high for our team All-Conference this season.” selection and nearly averaged a The team will be double-double for led by sophomore the Wolverines. forward Derek Van Ryswyk, who averaged 11.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game as a freshman, with 74 3-pointers. He was the team MVP, Southeast All-Conference and Second Team All-Area.

Matson said the other teams will focus on Van Ryswyk, so the Wolverines will need to learn to work together to take some pressure off of him. The team’s success will hindge on finding other players to step up, Matson said.

“Many of our guys worked very SEASON OVERALL CONF. hard in the offsea2013-14 7-20 4-14 2012-13 6-22 4-14 son, and they’re 2011-12 17-10 10-8 excited to reap the 2010-11 23-5 16-2 benefits,” Matson 2009-10 18-7 11-5 said.

Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net He said the team’s

PLAYER TO WATCH

5-year Glance

derek van ryswyk / forward

strengths are its speed and quickness, while its weaknesses are a lack of size and depth.

The keys to success will be remaining healthy, improving defensively and finding other players who could be scoring threats.

Other returning letter winners are senior forward Marshal Hall, sophomore guard Seth Chapek, sophomore guard Carter Dahlum, junior forward Sean Capek and junior forward Danny Charron.

The team lost Gavin Allison, who

18 | winter SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 17, 2014

averaged 11.9 points per game, and Aaron Dempewolf, who averaged 8.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season.

This will be Matson’s third year as head coach. Last year the team went 7-20 overall. He will be assisted by Jeff Jimenez and Aaron Dempewolf, a program graduate.

Conference favorites are Spring Grove in the East Division and Schaeffer Academy in the West Division, he said.

Section 1A favorites are RushfordPeterson, Goodhue and Spring Grove.

glenville-emmons Girls’

Basketball

By Hannah Dillon

T

he Glenville-Emmons girls’ basketball team is coming off of a tough few years, but coach Lisa Ziebell said the team is working hard to improve.

Ziebell, who has been the Wolverines’ head coach for 14 years, is joined by assistant coach Lucas Knutson. Knutson is the junior high coach and will help with the varsity. It is his second year as an assistant.

The team’s best finish in the past five years was in SEASON OVERALL CONF. 2010-2011, when 2013-14 0-21 0-18 the Wolverines 2012-13 1-24 0-18 were the champs of 2011-12 1-24 0-18 2010-11 16-8 14-4 the Southeast 2009-10 13-13 11-10 Conference’s West Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net Division with an overall record of 16-8 and a conference mark of 14-4.

Last year’s record was 0-21 overall and 0-18 in the conference. Coach Ziebell’s career record is 85-239.

The team lost three key players in seniors Bre Lundmark, Jaclyn Weitzel and Paige Marlin. Lundmark, an AllConference honorable mention selection, led the team in scoring, and

5-year Glance

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Weitzel helped run the offense.

Returning letter winners are seniors Mady Wangen, Madi Ziebell, McKenna Cech, Rachel Hagen; sophomores Payton Cech and Kayla Gerber; and freshman Mckenzie Ziebell.

Madi lettered as a sophomore but didn’t play last year.

This year, coach Ziebell said the team’s expectations are to improve on last year’s record and work hard on fundamentals.

The team’s strength is that the team is small, which means more touches on the ball in practice, Ziebell said.

There are just eight girls on the varsity team.

Ziebell said the girls are also trying hard to get better. / PAGE 28

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Wednesday, December 17, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 19

alden-conger boys’

Basketball

By Tim Engstrom

T

he Alden-Conger boys are off to one of their best starts in basketball in Bob Hansen’s second season as the head coach. The Knights were 3-0 going into the Thanksgiving break after an 81-52 victory over Schaeffer Academy.

Fans of the program can look for returning letter winners Eli Hallman, Brady Neel, Colton Opsahl, Ty Lerum — all seniors — After four games and Jacob Wallin, a this season, senior junior. guard Eli Hallman Hallman last seaaveraged 22.8 points per game and son averaged 13.2 went for 30 against points and 4.6 the Minn. Academy rebounds per game. for the Deaf.

Look for the guard to be the team’s leading scorer, possibly approaching a career total of 1,000 points by the end of the season.

Be sure to watch his younger brother, Jordan Hallman, too. The junior guard added 15 points in the Schaeffer win.

They are the sons of assistant coach Matt and Stephanie Hallman. Matt manages Oak View Golf Club north of Alden. Their older children, Sam and Katie, also played varsity basketball.

Needless to say, the SEASON OVERALL CONF. family loves sports.

2013-14 7-18 1-11 Lerum had 5.9 2012-13 3-21 1-9 points per game last 2011-12 0-23 0-11 2010-11 4-19 1-10 year. Neel averaged 2009-10 8-18 3-8 5.2 points per game Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net last year. Opsahl

PLAYER TO WATCH

5-year Glance

Eli Hallman / guard

also contributed 5.2 points per game.

Wallin had 8.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.

Eli Hallman was Valley AllConference honorable mention.

The team lost starters Matt Erickson and Jordan Bute to graduation after finishing 7-18 overall last year and going 1-11 in conference play, but coach

20 | winter SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Hansen said this season’s squad has great chemistry. He said they are solid enough to finish in the top third of the conference.

Tough opponents in the Valley look to be Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, Mankato Loyola and Martin County West. United South Central is a Section 2A favorite.

alden-conger Girls’

Basketball

By Hannah Dillon

T

aking everything one day and one game at a time is how the AldenConger girls’ basketball team plans to find success.

Coach Jenny Hovendick, who has been leading the team for four years, said last year’s goals were too hard to reach.

“I felt like last year we came into the season with lofty goals, and the After leading the weight of those Knights with 13.8 expectations was points per game crushing,” she said. and 7.6 rebounds per game, Liesel “We want to enjoy Theusch returns to each day for what it lead a group of four is, and try to get a seniors. little bit better every day.”

The team’s overall record last year was 12-14 with a Valley Conference record of 6-7. The Knights’ best finish over the last five years was 19-7 in 2012-2013, and Hovendick’s career record is 41-36.

The team has a new assistant coach this year, Brynn Harms, who is new to the area. Hovendick said Harms is also a pastor and former professional fighter.

The Knights’ starting lineup features four seniors SEASON OVERALL CONF. with varsity experi2013-14 12-14 6-7 ence, Hovendick 2012-13 19-7 9-2 said. However, the 2011-12 10-15 2-8 2010-11 7-17 2-9 rest of the team is 2009-10 11-14 3-8 pretty inexperiCourtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net enced.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Liesel Theusch / center

“Despite the mix of experience and inexperience, our team is very united,” Hovendick said. “These girls will do anything for each other, and we will lean on that camaraderie throughout the season.”

Returning letter winners from last

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Theusch was All-Conference honorable mention and Second Team / PAGE 28

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Contact Jenny at 507-874-3240 Wednesday, December 17, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 21

northwood-kensett Girls’

northwood-kensett

Basketball

wrestling

By Sarah Stultz

By Micah Bader

L

ed by junior guard Hattie Davidson, the Northwood-Kensett girls’ basketball team is shooting for the top of the conference.

“With a good core group returning, the girls expect to be in the mix for a Corn Bowl Conference title,” said Vikings coach Daryl Love.

In hopes of improving on SEASON OVERALL last sea2013-14 12-9 son’s 2012-13 17-8 12-9 2011-12 11-11 Courtesy of quikstatsiowa.com overall record and 6-8 conference mark, Northwood-Kensett returns three starters: Davidson, junior guard Shelby Low and and senior forward Shelby Hagen.

Davidson was the Vikings’ leading scorer and rebounder last season with 16.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Hagen added 5.7 points and 5.3 rebounds, and Low averaged 7.1 points, 2 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

3-year Glance

Kail Christianson

Hattie davidson / guard

In the first game of the season against Hampton-Dumont, Davidson improved her scoring average with 18 points and seven rebounds. The Vikings also received strong performances from sophomore guard Cali Christiansen, who had nine rebounds, and Hagen, who had nine points and 14 rebounds.

Depth will be a factor, Love said.

“A lot of young players will be expected to be contributing to the rotation,” he said.

In the paint along with Hagen, Northwood-

Kensett returns fellow senior Sammi Butler, who posted 2.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game last season.

Love begins his 13th season as head coach with a career record of 87-178. He will be assisted by Brendan Ehlke, who is in his third year with the program.

The Vikings’ best finish over the last five years was in 2012-13 when the team was 17-8.

Along with Northwood-Kensett, Love said other conference favorites are West Fork and Rockford.

22 | winter SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 17, 2014

W

ith a taste of the state tournament from last season, NorthwoodKensett senior Coleby Bratrud aims to advance even further.

After finishing eighth in the Class 1A state tournament at 138 pounds last season, Bratrud returns with nine other letter winners.

Vikings coach Jordan Reindl is in his second season. He said Bratrud has the ability to be a state champion.

Though a majority of the Vikings’ team is underclassmen, Reindl said the boys are putting in extra time on the mat to succeed.

“The whole team is stepping up and doing the little things that will make them better,” he said.

Other returning letter winners are senior Brandon Severson at 120 pounds and juniors Jalin Davis at 106, Kail Christianson at 126, Keano Batton at 132, Dawson Van Ryswyk at 152, Scott Hengesteg at 160 and Hunter Julson at heavyweight.

Returning sophomore letter / PAGE 28

northwood-kensett boys’

Basketball

By Micah Bader

T

he leading scorer and rebounder of the Northwood-Kensett boys’ basketball team returns to boost a group of four returning starters in coach Marty Cotter’s 10th season.

“We expect to finish in the top half of the conference,” said Cotter.

Second Team Corn Bowl AllConference junior guard Josh Einertson is back on Coming off a the court after quarsophomore season terbacking the footwhere he led the ball team to the secVikings with 12.4 ond round of the points per game, Josh Einertson leads 8-Man football state a group of four playoffs this fall. returning starters.

Einertson averaged 12.4 points per game last season, which led Northwood-Kensett and was seventh in the conference.

Junior point guard Mason Olson returns after posting 88 assists as a sophomore, which led the Vikings and was second in the conference.

After contributing 8.8 points per game as a freshman, Tom Fick will fill out the backcourt.

Junior forward Tom Yezek, who led the Vikings and was second in the conference with 7.5 rebounds per game, will look to compensate for the loss SEASON OVERALL of graduated senior 2013-14 7-15 Brandon Brockman, 2012-13 10-12 who averaged 9.9 2011-12 3-20 Courtesy of quikstatsiowa.com points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

PLAYER TO WATCH

3-year Glance

josh einertson / guard

With a 52-30 home win against Central Springs, Cotter earned his 100th win. His career record is 100109. Assistant coaches are Kate Hartman in her first year, and volunteer assistants Joe Fierova and Ryan Parker.

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The conference favorite is West Fork, a team that was 25-2 last season and qualified for the Class 2A state title but lost 48-38 against Western Christian.

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Wednesday, December 17, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 23

Lake Mills boys’

lake mills girls’

Basketball

basketball

By Colleen Harrison

By Micah Bader

L

ed by an experienced backcourt, the Lake Mills boys’ basketball team aims to improve on last season’s 16-7 record and trip to the District 3 finals.

“We have a nice group of returning players who are working hard to build on the success we had last season,” said coach Kyle Menke.

Josh Peters, a 6-foot senior guard, and Granger Kingland, a 6-3 junior guard, will lead five returnSEASON OVERALL ing let2013-14 16-7 ter win2012-13 11-11 2011-12 5-18 ners.

Courtesy of quikstatsiowa.com Both players averaged double-digit scoring last season.

Kingland posted 11.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. He was a sharpshooter from beyond the arc at 43 percent, and he was 84 percent from the charity stripe. Against Rockford in the Class 1A District 3 semifinals, Kingland buried two crucial 3-pointers with 17.6 seconds left in overtime

Jewell gasteiger / guard

C

3-year Glance

Granger kingland / guard

to send the game into double overtime in a game the Bulldogs won 76-68.

Peters averaged 11.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He was 81 percent at the free-throw line.

Other returning letter winners are senior guards Matt Throne and Scott Aamodt, and senior forward Cody Haugo.

“We have good team quickness and several players who can attack the basket and knock down perimeter shots,” Menke said. “This is a very unselfish group of players.”

The Bulldogs will need to replace graduated guard First Team AllConference and First Team All-Area guard Hunter Kingland, who averaged / PAGE 28

24 | winter SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 17, 2014

oming off of last year’s 4-17 record, Lake Mills is looking to reach the top half of its conference this season, according to second-year head coach Thad Evans.

Evans said the team lost three seniors to graduation, but four letter winners will return.

Senior Mary Evans and sophomore Lexi Groe will return as forwards.

Evans averaged 7.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, while Groe averaged 2.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last season. Coach Evans said Mary was the second-leading rebounder in the North Iowa Conference last season. He said Groe is easily one of the best athletes he’s coached and was in the top 10 rebounders of the conference last season as well.

Junior Emily Orban and sophomore Jewell Gasteiger will return as guards.

Orban averaged 8.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game last season, while Gasteiger averaged 8 points / PAGE 28

lake mills

wrestling

By Micah Bader

O

ptimism surrounds Lake Mills wrestling after the team produced four state qualifiers for the first time in over 10 years and had a state finalist.

Three state qualifiers return: seniors Brady Schmidt (36-15) and Andrew Olsen (30-12); and sophomore Michael Max bergo Olsen (33-18).

Schmidt and and determined to show they can hang Andrew were one win away from plac- with the top teams.”

Other returning starters are senior ing at state. Andrew Looking to imJon Anderson; juniors Krister Beal, Max and Michael were prove on last year’s Bergo and Grant Boehmer; and sophoNorth Iowa finish, which was Conference champs. mores Slade Sifuentes, Braedon one win away from “All three are Edwards and Cory Mathahs. placing at state, are Bulldogs seniors looking to take the With a new wrestling room, Brady Schmidt and next step and place Brandenburg said the underclassmen Andrew Olsen. in Des Moines this numbers are up. season,” said “We have a lot of kids who wrestled Bulldogs coach Alex Brandenburg. varsity last year, so that is great,” Last season, over half of the team was Brandenburg said. “I’m also excited to comprised of freshmen and sophowelcome in a freshman class with the mores, so some underclassmen made the varsity lineup.

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Brandenburg is in his 11th year as a head coach and his seventh at Lake Mills. His career record is 188-57. Last season, the Bulldogs were 19-12 with a 4-1 mark in the conference.

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Wednesday, December 17, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 25

uSC boys’

USC

Basketball

wrestling

By Micah Bader

By Tim Engstrom

O

U

nited South Central has a reputation to uphold.

The team looks to have another dominating basketball season this year. The Rebels made it to the Section 2A finals last year, upsetting a ranked team to get there, and the squad hopes to reach the next level.

“We expect to compete every day we step on the court,” said coach Rob Stevermer. “We expect to play hard and play together.”

The Rebels were 23-5

5-year Glance SEASON OVERALL CONF. 2013-14 23-5 11-3 2012-13 18-10 12-2 2011-12 24-6 13-3 2010-11 16-10 12-4 2009-10 16-11 12-4 Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net

last season, with an 11-3 record in the Gopher Conference.

The team will need to overcome adjusting to its new roles. It lost AllConference forward Steve Voigt to graduation along with All-

Nate pederson / guard

Conference honorable mention guard Walker Linde. Cody Nelson, Nate Mattick and Ashton Cain also hit the bricks.

On the plus side, two All-Conference players return: senior guards Luke Trio and Nate Pederson.

Pederson led the Rebels in scoring and was fourth in the area with 13.9 points per game. He was a First Team All-Area selection, and Trio was Second Team All-Area with 12.5 points per game.

Stevermer said the team’s strengths are being versatile and having team-minded chem-

istry. The keys to success, he said, are a solid defense, good rebounding and execution.

The race to the top in the Gopher Conference should be especially exciting to watch this year. Besides USC, favorites are NRHEG, Blooming Prairie and Waterville-ElysianMorristown. Sectional favorites could be Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City and St. Clair.

Stevermer has been the Rebels’ coach for 11 years. He is backed up by assistants Pierre Stencel and Taylor Ovrebo. The Rebels finished 24-5 in 2012.

26 | winter SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 17, 2014

ne state qualifier and a pair of senior letter winners will lead the United South Central wrestling team.

At 152 pounds, Derek Herman looks to improve on his 1-2 record at the Class A state tournament last season.

His preseason ranking by the Guillotine is No. 4.

“Derek is coming off another good season,” said Marcus Eytcheson in his sixth season as head coach. “We expect to see more of the same from him.”

The Rebels will look to replace two state qualifiers: Herman’s brother, Dylan Herman, and Colten Carlson.

Carlson was the state runner-up at 182 pounds; Dylan finished fourth at 145.

USC returns seven letter winners: seniors Matt Harpestad and Issac Hernandez; juniors Herman, Adam Knutson and Brett Byrne; sophomore Keenan Biddle; and freshman Jesse Meyer.

Eytcheson said he likes Hernandez’s approach to the sport.

“He does his best to lead the others in the right direction, even if that may not be the popular decision,” Eytcheson said. “He is an athlete that we’re looking to lead our boys in more ways that just out on the mat.”

Harpestad is looking to build on 17 falls last season, and Eytcheson said he is the only member of the team remaining from his first season as head coach.

“We had one (other) wrestler in his grade out when I started, but he didn’t make it all the way through,” he said.

“Matt has always set a good example with his attendance at practice. He’s also done a great job of making weight when asked to.”

uSC Girls’

Basketball

By Micah Bader

F

ollowing its deepest postseason run in 17 years, the United South Central girls’ basketball team plans to build from the inside out.

“We return all of Not only did forward our post players Anissa Janzig lead from a year ago, so the Rebels with 14.5 points and 8.9 we should be strong rebounds per game, from the inside in her average on the scoring rebounding glass was the best and defense,” said in the area.

USC coach Stu Hendrickson.

Senior Anissa Janzig, junior Lauren Allis and sophomore Shianne Robertson each played significant roles last season.

Janzig led the Rebels in scoring and rebounding with SEASON OVERALL CONF. 14.5 points and 8.9 2013-14 19-8 9-5 2012-13 15-12 9-5 rebounds per game.

2011-12 19-8 12-4 She led the Tribune’s 2010-11 21-7 15-1 seven-team coverage 2009-10 16-9 14-2 area on the glass and Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net was fourth in scor-

PLAYER TO WATCH

5-year Glance

Anissa Janzig / Forward

ing. Janzig is a two-time Gopher AllConference selection and was First Team All-Area.

Allis averaged 5.7 points and 6.2 rebounds, but possibly her biggest impact was making opponents alter their shots in the lane. She averaged 2.5 blocks per game.

Robertson, an All-Conference and Third Team All-Area selection, averaged 12.7 points and 8.5 rebounds / PAGE 28

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Wells, MN • 553-6644 888-814-7801

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Come in and visit with Ron Erickson or Ann Jenson for all your insurance needs.

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Wednesday, December 17, 2014 • Fall SPORTS YEARBOOK | 27

ALBERT LEA DANCE / PAGE 12 dance team tournament will be at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Rochester Mayo High School.

The Section 1AA dance competition will be Feb. 7 in Austin. The state tournament will be Feb. 13 and 14 at Target Center in Minneapolis.

The team will host an Albert Lea Dance Team Showcase at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26 in the Albert Lea High School gym prior to the section tournament. The event will also feature youth dance groups and cheer teams.

The team will perform at eight home boys’ or girls’ basketball halftimes.

Those dates are slated for Dec. 2, 4 and 16 and Jan. 6, 13, 27, 29 and 30.

Assisting Routh are Megan Kromminga and Jennifer Anderson.

This is the first year for both assistant coaches.

ALDEN-CONGER GIRLS’ BASKETBALL / PAGE 21 All-Area with 13.8 points per game.

Knutson was the team’s Most Improved Player.

Key player losses include point guard Karina Skov, wing Brittany Waters and post Brooke Reyerson.

Hovendick said the seniors will be asked to carry the load this season.

However, a key factor will be finding new players who can produce consistently, she said.

Another key to success? Healthy players.

“We also don’t have a ton of depth, so we will need all of our players to stay on the court this season, with no injuries, illnesses, or ineligibilities,” she said.

Hovendick said Mankato Loyola is still the conference favorite this year.

“Their team will look very different this year, but it is theirs to lose until someone proves otherwise,” she said.

LAKE MILLS BOYS’ BASKETBALL / PAGE 24 15.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.7 steals, Paul Pins, Mateo Peña and Taylor Throne.

After finishing third in the conference standings, Menke hopes to stay in the top half of the NIC. Menke is in his 16th season leading the Bulldogs. He will be assisted by Brady Kurtz, who is in his ninth year with the program, and Chad Eekhoff in his eighth year. The win against Rockford in the district semis gave Menke his 200th win. His career record is 200-135.

Forest City and West Hancock are conference favorites along with Lake Mills.

GLENVILLE-EMMONS GIRLS’ BASKETBALL / PAGE 19 “The girls are hard workers, wanting to improve and get better,” Ziebell said.

As for the team’s weaknesses, Ziebell said the team’s bench is really young.

There are only three subs without using junior high players, she said.

The key to success will be minimizing turnovers.

“Taking care of the ball and stressing defense — playing as a team, pushing each other in practice,” she said.

“Staying strong together.”

Ziebell said the section favorites are Goodhue and Lyle/Pacelli. Conference favorites are Lyle/Pacelli, Spring Grove and Randolph.

USC GIRLS’ BASKETBALL / PAGE 27 per game.

Last season, USC finished 19-8 overall and was eliminated in the Subsection 2A South finals against Mankato Loyola, a team that went on to finish fourth at the state tournament.

The Rebels will need to replace perimeter players Tara Bauman, Eryn Eilertson and Lizzy Leland.

“We graduated three girls who all played major minutes in the backcourt,” Hendrickson said. “Players will need to step up and fill those roles.”

Leading USC at the top of the key will be Taylor Schultz, a senior All-Conference honorable mention selection who averaged 6.7 points per game.

The Rebels also return senior forward Taylor Steckelberg, who was a co-recipient of Hendrickson’s Miss Defense award with Janzig.

Hendrickson enters his seventh season with a 104-57 career record, having broken the 100-win barrier last season. He will be assisted by Dale Koestler, who was the head coach from 1991 to 2006 and has been an assistant for the last seven years.

NORTHWOOD-KENSETT WRESTLING / PAGE 22 winners are Caleb Kliment at 160 pounds and Zach Hengesteg at 196.

Reindl will be assisted by Kody Koster, who has been with the program for two years, and former head coach Eric Butler, who has been with the program for four.

28 | winter SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 17, 2014

LAKE MILLS GIRLS’ BASKETBALL / PAGE 24 and 3.2 rebounds per game. Evans said he considers Gasteiger a leader and that she always seems to get her teammates into the right positions on the court. He said Orban will be ready to break out from her sister’s shadow. Her sister, Sarah, graduated last year and averaged 11 points per game, was Second Team All-Conference, Third Team All-Area and holds the school record for 3-pointers after making 46 last season.

Evans said the biggest challenge the team will face this year is how young the team is overall with three freshmen.

He said while the team may be young, it’s full of quality players who have been putting the time and effort in and have been growing.

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