Table of Contents
Cover story
Coaches on the Field
Austin boys soccer captains are taking their jobs as leaders seriously, both on and off the pitch. Page 3
Season previews
Austin Packers.......Pages 4-9 Grand Meadow Superlarks........ Pages 10-11 Hayfield Vikings...............Pages 12-13 Southland Rebels................Pages 14-15 Lyle-Pacelli.........Pages 16-17 Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms.......... Pages 18-19
An Austin Daily Herald publication
Story previews compiled by Rocky Hulne, Photos and layout by Eric Johnson
Features
Riverland basketball schedules
A rundown of the top five stories lines to watch during the fall of 2015. Page 21
Minnesota Gophers football and volleyball schedules
5 Things to Watch
State Tournament Headquarters
A quick look at where you will be watching your state tournaments this year. Page 21
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Page 21
Follow sports writer Rocky Hulne and photographer Eric Johnson on Twitter
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Get all the reports, scores and photos from your area sports teams
Check out the Gophers schedules for 2015. Page 22-23
Austin Bruins
Check out some of the top pictures from this year’s Austin Bruins. Page 24
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
Pair of seniors will take the reins of leadership on the field Story by Rocky Hulne
or the Packer boys soccer team, the captains hold a big responsibility. There aren’t a lot of timeouts or dead balls during live play, so often the captains must act as coaches on the field during difficult times. This year, the Packers will turn to a pair of seniors — midfielder Sean Baker
F
when soccer starts,” Baker said. “I think we’ll be kind of under the radar, especially in the section. But I think we have a pretty solid team. We’ll have to keep our head as a team, especially in tough, close games.” The Packers don’t have a lot of returners
“I think we’ll be kind of under the radar, especially in the section. But I think we have a pretty solid team. We’ll have to keep our head as a team, especially in tough, close games.” — Sean Baker and defender Ryan Kempen — to take on the role of captain. Both players are excited about the upcoming season and they’re looking forward to their leadership role. “This is my favorite time of the year
back from last year’s team, which makes the captains’ jobs much more important this year. Kempen said he knows the importance of being a leader.
TEAM continues on 6
Ryan Kempen and Sean Baker will lead the Austin Packers soccer team this season as it hopes a solid team will give the squad an under-the-radar strength in the section. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
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New field, new season
The Austin football team is looking to a strong group of seniors to lead the way this season. Austin will have around 25 seniors and it brings back much of last year’s team that finished 3-6 overall. The Packers have the potential to make some noise in this season, but the team must be consistent and stay healthy. “There’s no easy games for us. We’re one of the smallest teams in the section and we don’t have a lot of recent history going for us,” Austin head coach Brett Vesel said. “We’re getting better and we’ve got a bunch of great guys. I think if we keep our heads on straight and we pay attention to detail, I think we’ve got a chance to compete with everybody.” Austin will look to junior Jakob Crouch to pick up where he left off at quarterback at the end of last season and senior Nate Conner will move from quarterback to multiple positions. The team will also rely on veteran linemen Jayden Cantu and Damien Ryks. “Our offensive line is pretty stacked,” Ryks
said. “Most of us started last year and will come back this year. On defense, we’ve been flying to the ball and getting everywhere.” Conner will likely play at wide receiver, running back and defensive back. He’s getting used to playing on both sides of the ball. “I’ve never had anything to do with defense before, but it seems like once we get it, it’s going to be really effective,” Conner said. Conner has been a varsity player since he was a freshman and he was Austin’s quarterback as a junior. Wherever the team puts him, it’ll look to get him involved. “Nate is such a great athlete,” Vesel said. “He’s going to play a couple of positions and he can fill in when someone needs a rest. He’s a really good defensive player too.” The Packers are finally hoping to get senior Jon Gallagher on the field this year. The running back/linebacker has been injured for the past two seasons, but Vesel is counting on him to contribute this year. “He’s feeling good and he’s looking good. He’s healthy,” Vesel said. “He’s one of the best physical specimens I’ve ever been
around. He’s got a ton of talent. We’ve just got to see it on the field for a year. He’s got potential to put the ball in the end zone on both sides of the ball.” At wide receiver, the Packers have all of their major contributors back as Jason Stoulil and Elijah Andersen return to the lineup. Vesel said they’ve embraced their roles as blockers, as well as receivers.
“The one thing about wide receivers is they tend to get a little bit lazy,” Vesel said. “This group is working really hard.” In year’s past, injuries always put a damper on Austin’s team, but Cantu said this year’s team has a lot of players who can step up. “We have a lot of depth,” he said. “We’ll have a lot of key back-ups, which we didn’t have last year.”
Schedule Aug. 22...............Rochester John Marshall 32, Austin 7 Aug. 28............................................vs. Winona, 7 p.m. Sept. 4..................................at Rochester Mayo, 7 p.m. Sept. 11................................vs. Mankato West, 7 p.m. Sept. 18.......................................vs. Owatonna, 7 p.m. Sept. 25....................................at Mankato East, 7 p.m. Oct. 2...........................................vs. Red Wing, 7 p.m. Oct. 9.................................................at Faribault, 7 p.m.
Home games in bold
Austin football holds practice on the new field turf at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Jon Gallagher looks to avoid a Rochester John Marshall tackler. Herald file photo
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AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
Optimism A sense of
Packers brings senior-heavy team to court
Marissa Hart receives a pass during Packer volleyball practice at Packer Gym. Herald file photo
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
The Austin volleyball team is hoping a strong group of seniors can help the team turn the tide this season. The Packers went 3-25 overall last year and haven’t won a Big Nine match since 2011, but they’re feeling a sense of optimism going into this season as the team proved it could battle and force some closer games last year. Austin will look to seniors Kelsey Sederquest, who had 288 digs last year, Ashley Hawkshead — a transfer student from Knoxville, Iowa — Abbi Collins, Marissa Hart and Shayley Vesel to lead the way, along with juniors Awenia Nywesh and Amber Hansen. “The senior class has been working hard. I’m looking forward to having those kids playing,” Austin head coach Cindy Owen said. “Hopefully we’re going to turn things around.” Hawkshead was an All-Conference player in Iowa last season and now she’s set to finish her high school volleyball career with the Packers. She moved to Austin just a week before the volleyball team began practicing, but she was able to get up to speed quickly. “I think we’re all ready kind of clicking. It didn’t take too long to adjust,” she said. “It’s a lot different. Everything is a lot different from how we did stuff [in Knoxville], but it’s exciting at the same time. It’ll be fun, I think.” Hawkshead should provide some solid hitting, along with Vesel and Collins up front and the Packers except her to give the team a more balanced attack. “We have been working hard in the offseason to push each other and become better as a team. Our new outside hitter, Ashley, is really going to help us this year,” Sederquest said. “We have to hustle after every ball and never let the ball drop. That’s what wins games. Defense turns into offense.”
Owen said her team is learning to play with a lot of hustle and she thinks the squad learned how to play with a competitive edge last season. The start of the season will be key for the Packers, as they look to find confidence. “Every game is going to be big for us because we want to be on the winning side of things,” Owen said. “The kids need to get that confidence early in the season and I think that could make a big difference for us.”
Schedule Aug. 27................vs. Rochester Lourdes, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 3.....................................vs. Hayfield, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 5.................................at Rochester Invite, 8 a.m. Sept. 8...........................at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 10.........................................at Albert Lea, 7 p.m. Sept. 15..............................vs. Mankato West, 7 p.m. Sept. 17.............................................at Winona, 7 p.m. Sept. 22.......................................vs. Faribault, 7 p.m. Sept. 24...............................at Rochester Mayo, 7 p.m. Sept. 29.....................................vs. Northfield, 7 p.m. Oct. 1....................at Rochester John Marshall, 7 p.m. Oct. 3........................at Rochester Tournament, 8 a.m. Oct. 6.........................................vs. Red Wing, 7 p.m. Oct. 8...............................at Rochester Century, 7 p.m. Oct. 13.................................vs. Mankato East, 7 p.m. Oct. 22......................................vs. Owatonna, 7 p.m.
Home matches in bold
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Locked and reloaded
The Packers are looking to reload this fall. The Austin boys soccer team graduated a bulk of its roster from last year’s team that went 9-9-2 overall and lost 2-0 in the Section 1A title game to Rochester Lourdes, but the Packers aren’t panicking.
“I feel like we have a lot of depth in our program, where even with new faces we’re able to come out and consistently be competitive.” — Jens Levison Head coach Austin has a strong group of incoming players who will be seeing their first varsity action this season. “I feel like we have a lot of depth in our program, where even with new faces we’re able to come out and consistently be competitive,” Austin head coach Jens Levisen said. The Packers will look to returnees keeper Chris Kirchgatter, who had a pair of shutouts at the end of last season, defender Ryan Kempen, midfielders Sean Baker and Alex Evenson and forward Ochan Ochogi. Baker said the squad is clicking as it prepares for the season. “We’ve been working pretty hard and I think the new guys are really stepping up,” Baker said. The Packers struggled in close games last year and Levisen is hoping the team can learn to finish off contests that go down to the wire. Austin wants to increase its goal total, but Levisen said there are other factors as well that the team can work on.
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Team: A trust in the leaders From Page 3
Ochan Ochogi, right, and Josh Snee, left, compete for the ball in Austin boys soccer practice Wednesday. Herald file photo
A positive impact
The Austin boys soccer team has a couple of new changes that could have a positive impact on the program this year. Austin now has a middle school soccer program and the team will now play its games on artificial turf at Art Hass Stadium. The turf will provide a steady field that will never be in poor condition on game nights, and the middle school program could mean a lot for the future of the Packer boys soccer team. “This is a very exciting thing for the program,” Levisen said. “Having that middle school program will be fantastic.”
“If you want to win the game, you’ve got to put the ball in the net,” Levisen said. “That’s something that we’re focusing on, but it’s not the only thing that we’re focusing on. Team cohesiveness is just as big as putting the ball in the net.” Austin lost to Lourdes in the section title game last season and Levisen is expecting the road to state to go through Lourdes again this fall. Northfield also is moving back to Section 1A this fall. “We’ve shown we can be
In years past, all Austin middle school players had to play on the C squad for the high school team. That meant that middle schoolers had to play against freshmen and sometimes sophomores from other schools and it also meant that the team used up a couple of extra varsity coaches. Levisen is glad that he will now get a better chance to analyze the talent at the junior high level. In years past, he was never able to watch the squad because he was busy with the varsity players, but now he’s been able to help out with the middle school program in practice. The Packers have 45 players at the high school level and 42 at the middle school level — which should be enough players to have two teams.
Schedule Sept. 3........vs. Mankato West, 5 p.m. Sept. 10...............vs. Faribault, 7 p.m. Sept. 12......vs. Como Park, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 14..at Kasson-Mantorville, 7 p.m. Sept. 15.......at Rochester Mayo, 7 p.m. Sept. 17..................at Northfield, 5 p.m. Sept. 19.....................at Winona, 6 p.m. Sept. 22.at Roch. John Marshall, 7 p.m. Sept. 24..............vs. Red Wing, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26....vs. Roch. Lourdes, 10 a.m. Sept. 29...at Rochester Century, 7 p.m. Oct. 1...........vs. Mankato East, 7 p.m. Oct. 3............................at Byron, 2 p.m. Oct. 6.....................at Albert Lea, 7 p.m. Oct. 8.................vs. Owatonna, 7 p.m.
competitive and make it to the section final, but that’s not a given,” Levisen said. “The thing is, if you make it to that section final, you’re going to face Lourdes.
That’s the way it has been as long as I can remember. They’re one that we have our sights on, but you’ve got to take everybody one game at a time too.”
Home games in bold
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
“It’s definitely a privilege to be a captain and it’s a big responsibility this year with a lot of guys who haven’t been on varsity before,” Kempen said. “We have to take that role and teach them to stay calm.” Levisen said both of his captains are responsible for keeping the team focused, no matter what happens on the field. Levisen has trust in Baker and Kempen to make the right moves. “Those are guys that have years of varsity experience under their belt and they fully grasp what it means to be a captain,” Levisen said. “They’re setting the example in terms of how hard they’re practicing and how hard they’re working. Also, they’re that voice of support for their teammates. They realize that even if they’re having a bad day, they’re still the captain and they still need to be that voice because that’s what fuels the team and if someone on the team gets fired up about something, they’re the one to diffuse it.”
“Those are guys that have years of varsity experience under their belt and they fully grasp what it means to be a captain.” — Jens Levison Austin head coach
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Austin’s Chloe Summerfield returns to the net this year for the Packers girls soccer team. Herald file photo
Pulling the trigger, scoring more goals Packers working on creating more offensive punch
The Austin girls soccer team is hoping to produce a little more offense to stay competitive this season. Last year, the Packers struggled to score goals and the result was a season that saw them go 1-9-5 overall, despite the fact that they were within striking distance in the majority of their games. Austin head coach Enrique Camarena-Corzo said the team is clamping down on goal scoring this fall. “We’re working on a lot of shooting,” Camarena-Corzo said. “This team is getting really aggressive and they’re playing hard. They’re starting to show that they’re not afraid to shoot it.” The Packers have their biggest roster in
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
Schedule Aug. 27........................................vs. Fairmont, 7 p.m. Aug. 29...............................at Mankato Loyola, 11 a.m. Sept. 3....................................at Mankato West, 5 p.m. Sept. 5...................................vs. Worthington, 2 p.m. Sept. 8............................................vs. Winona, 7 p.m. Sept. 10...........................................at Faribault, 7 p.m. Sept. 15...........................vs. Rochester Mayo, 7 p.m. Sept. 17..........................................at Northfield, 7 p.m. Sept. 21...............................................at Jordan, 7 p.m.
school history with 54 players out for girls soccer. That amount of players gives the team versatility and it also creates competition in practice on a daily basis. “The freshmen push really hard to play on JV and the JV team pushes really hard to play on varsity,” Camarena-Corzo said. “On varsity, my philosophy is if you’re not playing hard, I will move you down and will move one up [from JV]. That’s what we’ve done in the past. It’s a healthy competition.” The Packers have a lot of young players
Sept. 22.............vs. Rochester John Marshall 7 p.m. Sept. 24.........................................at Red Wing, 7 p.m. Sept. 29......................vs. Rochester Century, 7 p.m. Oct. 1..................................at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 6.........................................vs. Albert Lea, 7 p.m. Oct. 10.............................................vs. Byron, 2 p.m.
Home games in bold
who are expected to step up, but they’ll also rely on two veterans — seniors Chloe Summerfield and Steph Chandler. Summerfield gives the Packers an anchor at keeper and she’s also capable of playing forward when the team needs a boost up front. “We want to make our last year the best and leave an impact on the girls,” Summerfield said. “We don’t only want to leave our mark on the field, but hopefully they’ll remember our personalities and how we were as people.” The Packers are motivated to improve on
last year’s one-win mark and she said the team is more aggressive this season. “We work hard every year and do our best,” Chandler said. “Having the nice turf this year and good equipment will definitely help us towards that. We’re hoping for the best.” The Packers were invited to scrimmage at the Rochester jamboree this year and although they weren’t able to make it, the team hopes to play in it next year. Camarena-Corzo said the fact that the Rochester teams want to scrimmage with Austin for the first time in his tenure, shows that the program is making strides. “The Rochester teams know we play hard and they’re starting to recognize us,” he said.
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Keeping up the pace The Austin girls cross country team is hoping to continue making big strides and the Packer boys are looking to build towards the future this year. The Packers girls bring back every key runner from the 2014 team that won its second straight Big Nine title and ran as a team in the Class AA state meet for the first time in school history. The Packers took 11th at the state meet as Madison Overby took 51st in her fifth state meet appearance and Abby Lewis took 68th in her first state meet appearance. Austin’s other runners who competed at state were Paiton Schwab, Tasia Martinson, Morgan Hose and Nicole Justice. Schwab has been battling an injury that limited her in the summer and she may not compete until halfway through the season, but the rest of the squad is ready to go. “Ultimately that’s our goal is to win Big Nine and get to state,” Austin head coach Tony Einertson said. “Red Wing had a fantastic season on the track with their distance crew and they’re going to be tough. Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Red Wing and us will be the teams to beat at the section meet.” The Packer girls will have to make one change this season as all girls teams in Minnesota are running 5K at meets after running 4K in the past. Einertson said his squad runs a lot of miles over the summer, but he’s going to work them in slowly. Overby said the Packers should be able to handle the new distance and she thinks the Packers pumped up for this year after running at state. “I think we should be good. We have a
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Madison Overby runs at the 2014 Minnesota Class AA State Cross Country Meet for the Packers in Northfield. Herald file photo good distance running team,” Overby said. “I think the confidence is definitely there. [Running at state as a team] really added motivation. I think everyone had a blast at state and it’s making people work harder.” The Packer boys cross country team will look to senior Ben Walker to lead the way and junior Joe Kroymann and sophomore Mitch Mayer will also have an impact. “We’re going to be pretty young,” Einertson said of the boys team. “We’ve got a lot of middle school kids that are looking real
good. Are they going to jump themselves to varsity? Probably not, but the future looks good for the program.” Walker, who is a multiple state qualifier at the Class state swimming and diving meet in the 100-yard butterfly, said cross country keeps him in shape and gives him a different workout from swimming. He also said the young runners are making their mark early on. “The younger guys have some talent. It’s not just us that’s teaching them, they’re teaching us some things too,” Walker said.
Schedule Sept. 1.....................................Austin Invite, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 4....................................at Rosemount, 11:15 a.m. Sept. 17.....................................Rochester Invite, 4 p.m. Oct. 13.....................................Austin Invite, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 20...........at Big Nine meet in Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.
Home meets in bold
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
New faces all around
Austin swim team will have a young roster under a new head coach The Austin girls swimming and diving team will have a young roster and a new head coach this season. Alexa Dolan Peterson, who is a former Packer swimmer and has been an assistant coach for 17 years, takes over as the head coach for long-time Packer head coach Lynn Gulbrandson. Dolan Peterson takes over a team that has two seniors — Olivia Leuer and Katelyn Hillson. The Packers also return two state qualifiers from last year in juniors Emma Kleis and Abby Gogolewski. “We’re young, but we have some kids who just missed being on the state relay last year, so we’re really going to build on that,” Dolan Peterson said. “We’re going to try and push them beyond what they think they can do. They’re catching on and they’re pushing each other.” Hillson said the younger swimmers on the team are starting to catch up to the necessary pace. “They’ve been swimming for awhile now and I think they should do pretty well,” Hillson said. Dolan Peterson said the squad is focused
on dropping times as the season rolls along. She wants to get as many swimmers to state as possible, but she also wants every swimmer on the team to focus on improving. “I think leaders are going to emerge,” Dolan Peterson said. “We have a strong freshman class and we’ve got some juniors that are ready.” Leuer said she’s looking forward to a solid year in the pool. “It’s been a lot of fun,” she said. “This is a pretty young team and we’re all pretty close.”
Schedule Sept. 3.....................................at Mankato East, 6 p.m. Sept. 10..........................vs. Rochester Century, 6 p.m. Sept. 12...............................at Minneapolis South, TBA Sept. 17.........................................vs. Northfield, 6 p.m. Sept. 24..................at Rochester John Marshall, 6 p.m. Oct. 1.........................................vs. Owatonna, 6 p.m. Oct. 8..........................................vs. Red Wing, 6 p.m. Oct. 13...............................................at Winona, 6 p.m. Oct. 22.................................at Rochester Mayo, 6 p.m. Oct. 30..........at Big 9 Diving Meet at Northfield, 5 p.m. Oct. 31....................at Big 9 Meet at Rochester, 2 p.m.
Home meets in bold
Austin’s Hannah Thompson dives in practice at Bud Higgins Pool. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Packer girls tennis dealing with loss of seniors The Austin girls tennis team is looking to replace six seniors from last year’s squad that went 2-14 overall, and there are plenty of varsity spots up for grabs. The Packers will look for leadership from their four captains — Jennifer Bogle, Elizabeth Ettinger and Taylor Tauchnitz. “Each [of our captains] have been putting in time on the court this summer and have demonstrated they want to make improvements in their games, especially knowing that others on the team will be looking up to them,” said Austin head coach Levon Larson, who is in his fifth straight year and seventh total year as head coach. The Packers also bring back Mariel Flaherty and Emily Sayles, who picked up some varsity experience last year. Larson is hoping that Austin will stay competitive and improve throughout the season. “Our greatest strength is our unity. The girls really support one another and have shown a genuine desire to improve,” Larson said. “They have already spent many hours together off the court to form bonds with AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
varsity squad. When the varsity team take shape, Larson hopes the team can continue to get better throughout the Spring. “I am hoping they will begin to become comfortable with the needed level of play needed to win and will use their match play as fuel to continue their desire and will to become better, more competitive players on the court,” Larson said. “We may be young, but we have have the desire and drive to become a competitive team in our conference.”
Schedule
Austin No. 3 singles player Mariel Flaherty runs up on the ball against Rochester John Marshall last season. Herald file photo one another that will only aid in anchoring a community of driven tennis students.”
A lot of Packer tennis players stayed busy playing this summer in hopes of making the
Aug. 25...............................at Rochester Mayo, 9 a.m. Aug. 27....vs. Roch. Century, Mankato East, 9 a.m. Sept. 1........................................at Faribault, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 3..........................vs. Mankato West, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 8..................................vs. Northfield, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 10............at Rochester John Marshall, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 15................................vs. Red Wing, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 17........................................at Winona, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 29...............................vs. Owatonna, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 3......................at Big 9 meet in Rochester, 9 a.m.
Home games in bold FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015
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The Grand Meadow Superlarks hold up their Minnesota State Nine Man Prep Bowl championship after defeating Edgerton-Ellsworth 48-0 last year at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Herald file photo
With a target on their back, GM pushes forward The Grand Meadow football team is no stranger to success over the past few seasons and they’re hoping to keep it rolling in 2015. The Superlarks have won the past two Class Nine Man state titles and they’ve compiled an overall record of 39-3 in the last three seasons. The team lost five two-way starters from last year’s squad, but it brings back quarterback Michael Stejskal, who threw for 1,299 yards, 22 TDs and 3 interceptions last season, while rushing for 555 yards and 7 Touchdowns. The Larks also return defensive end
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Wes Ojulu hauls in a pass during practice. Rocky Hulne/sports@ austindailyherald.com
Blake Benson, who had 90 tackles last year. GM will have more size than last year’s team, but less overall team speed. GM head coach Gary Sloan said his team isn’t taking anything for granted as it looks to defend its state title. “We’re not entitled to anything. I think Grand Meadow always has a target on their back and now the target is going to get bigger,” Sloan said. “Everybody will give you their best effort and we have to be up for that challenge or somebody is going to get us.”
GM has eight seniors on the squad and they have a chance to be the winningest class in GM history if they can win more than eight games this season. Last year’s graduating class is currently the winningest class in GM history. “I think that we’ve got to work harder than last year and the year before,” Stejskal said. “Because everyone’s going to be out to get us. If we’re just going into every game thinking we’re going to beat us that’s not going to work out. Everyone’s going to give us their best game.” GM will no longer play in the SEC as Minnesota has moved to District football. The Larks will play in a 10-team Sub-District during the regular season, but the Section
Schedule Aug. 22....................Grand Meadow 49, Lanesboro 14 Aug. 28.......................................vs. Randolph, 7 p.m. Sept. 4.....................................at Alden-Conger, 7 p.m. Sept. 11...................................vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 7 p.m. Sept. 18..................................at West Lutheran, 7 p.m. Sept. 25............................at Glenville-Emmons, 7 p.m. Oct. 2...........................................vs. Houston, 7 p.m. Oct. 9.......................................at Spring Grove, 7 p.m.
Home games in bold
tournament they play in will include the same teams as years’ past. GM will not play Mabel-Canton this season and two new opponents on its schedule will be Alden-Conger and West Lutheran. AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
Superlark seniors lead the way on the court
Grand Meadow has more depth than previous seasons The Grand Meadow volleyball team will lean on its senior class as it looks to have a productive season. The Superlarks graduated three starters from last year’s team that went 12-19 overall, but it has six seniors on the team this year. Rio Landers, who is in her fourth year on the varsity team, will give GM a force in the middle. “I see the entire senior class playing a leadership role,” GM head coach Tori Lind, who is in her third year at the helm, said. “However, with Rio Landers entering her last season, I expect her to lead the team on and off the floor.” The Larks will look to Taylor Stier, Brittanie Winfield, Jordyn Glynn and Annika Arndorfer to step up this season. “We have more depth than we have had in past years,” Lind said. “I am hoping to be more aggressive all around, but especially of-
Schedule Sept. 1...........................vs. Hope Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 3..........................................at Houston, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 5.............at Mabel-Canton Tournament, 8:30 a.m. Sept. 8......................................at Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 10.................vs. Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15...................vs. Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 17...........................vs. Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 22......................................at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 24..........................at LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 26............at LeRoy-Ostrander Tournament, 8 am. Sept. 29...............................vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 1........................................at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 6...........................at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 12.......................vs. LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 13....................................vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 19..............................vs. Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m.
Home matches in bold
fensively. We want to compete at a higher level than we have in the past couple years. These girls have put in a lot of time.”
Grand Meadow’s Rio Landers spikes during game two of their match against Lyle-Pacelli last season. Herald file photo
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AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015
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Finding their stride Vikings will feature a fast offense The Hayfield volleyball team will be young but athletic and looks to make its mark this season. The Vikings graduated nine players from last year’s team that went 18-11 overall and lost to Faribault Bethlehem Academy in four games in the Section 1A West finals, but they’re not worried about having a down year. The Vikings return senior hitter Savanna Cordle, who had 170 kills last year, setter Maggie Streightiff, a sophomore who had 219 kills, 374 set assists and 172 digs last season, and Carrie Rutledge, a sophomore who had 144 kills and 274 digs last season. In all, six Vikings have varsity experience so it may take the team a little while to catch its stride. But once it does, Hayfield head coach Jeremy Struck has confidence in his team. “We will have a strong group of girls that are athletic, fast, and can provide a barrage of attacks from all parts of the court,” Struck said. “We have good height and strong blockers that will cause havoc at the net.” The Vikings are focused on the defensive side of the net and Struck wants them to get used to pursuing the ball. “This group of girls is so athletic and versatile that we feel comfortable moving players around to different positions to create advantageous match-ups,” Struck said.
Hayfield will face plenty of competition this Fall as Stewartville, Kasson-Mantorville and Kenyon-Wanamingo are all in the top 10 in Class AA preseason polls and perennial Section 1A favorite FBA is ranked No. 1 in Class A. The Vikings would like to get another shot at FBA this season. “They have knocked us out of the playoffs the last two years,” Struck said. “We look forward to seeing them once again.”
Schedule Aug. 27............................at Fillmore Central, 7:15 p.m. Aug. 31....................................vs. Medford, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 3............................................at Austin, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 8.......................at Kasson-Mantorville, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 10.............................vs. Stewartville, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 12...............................Hayfield Invite, 8:30 a.m. Sept. 15.................................vs. Goodhue, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 17.......................................vs. Triton, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 22................vs. Rochester Lourdes, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 24...............................at Cannon Falls, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 29................vs. Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 1.......................at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 3........................at Rochester Tournament, 8 a.m. Oct. 6.....................................vs. Lake City, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 13.............................................at Byron, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 16..................at Rochester Tournament, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 17......................at Rochester Tournament, 9 a.m. Oct. 22....................................at Pine Island, 7:15 p.m.
Home games in bold
The Hayfield volleyball team celebrates its three-game victory over Blooming Prairie in the Section 1A West semifinals last season. Herald file photo
Vikings hoping to turn around 1-win 2014 season The Hayfield football team is hoping to turn the page from last year’s 1-8 overall record last season as it make the move to Section 1A this fall. The Vikings, who had played in Class AA will now make the move to play against smaller schools in the tournament. Hayfield will not have to play perennial Class AA powers Chatfield and Caledonia this season. The move to Class ‘A’ brings optimism, but Hayfield head coach Andrew Weiers said this team didn’t need to be moved to a different Class to get pumped up for the season. “I think this is a group that would’ve been up and confident anyway,” Weiers said. “They work together and they’re confident in what they’re doing, which is nice to see.” Aaron Anderson, a senior tight end and safety, is the lone senior who has played under Weiers for all four of his seasons. Anderson said the Vikings are focused on working together and staying competitive this season. “We’re trying to change a lot of stuff and upgrade. Get rid of the old and in with the new,” Anderson said. “[Working together] is what we need to win games and that’s what we
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Schedule Aug. 22.............................................................Mankato Loyola, Hayfield 7 Aug. 28................................................................at Lewiston-Altura, 7 p.m. Sept. 4.....................................................................vs. Kingsland, 7 p.m. Sept. 1......................................................vs. Rushford-Peterson, 7 p.m. Sept. 18...........................................................at Wabasha-Kellogg, 7 p.m. Sept. 25.....................................................................vs. Goodhue, 7 p.m. Oct. 2..................................................................at Fillmore Central, 7 p.m. Oct. 8.......................................................................vs. Southland, 7 p.m.
Home games in bold
haven’t had in year’s past.” The Vikings have a lot of multi-sport athletes, including a few baseball players who played in the Section 1A title game last Spring. Weiers said the attitude has been positive.
See VIKINGS, Page 13 Brayden Hegna (58), Jesus Fernandez (51) and Noah Timmons (54) combine for the tackle last season. Herald file photo AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
Vikings cross country will boast numbers Hayfield will need to replace only state qualifier The Hayfield cross country team graduated its one state qualifier from last year, but brings back a lot of returners on the boys and girls teams. After losing Gabe Tempel, a three-time state participant, the Vikings boys will look to Donavan Phoenix to lead the team and Jackie Sanvick will lead the girls squad. “We are looking to improve each athlete’s overall time and splits from meet to meet by working hard and always putting in our best effort,” said Hayfield head coach Kellie Baker, who is in her third year at the helm. “We always want to have fun together and build a
Schedule Sept. 3........................................at Stewartville, 4 p.m. Sept. 10..............................Hayfield Invite, 4:15 p.m. Sept. 15..........................................at Byron, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 22.....................................at Lake City, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 29.........................at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 6.........................................at Chatfield, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 13......................at Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 20.................at HVL meet in Zumbrota, 4:30 p.m.
Home meets in bold
better, stronger team.” The Hayfield girls team has four runners with varsity experience and the Viking boys have one returner with varsity experience. This year in Minnesota, girls and boys cross country runners will each run five kilometers.
Gabe Tempel of Hayfield runs in the Minnesota Class A State Cross Country Meet in Northfield last year. Tempel graduated last year, but the Vikings will have a lot of returners. Herald file photo
Vikings: Group buying into the program From Page 12 “They’re a group that’s really buying in and they’re doing stuff for each other,” he said. “We’ve had kids asking in depth questions and you can tell they really think about what they’re doing.”
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
Hayfield senior middle linebacker Brayden Hegna said the Vikings have what it takes to make some noise this fall. “We’ve got a great group of kids that have been with each other since day one,” he said. “We’ve got some athletes and we’re hoping we can win some games this year.”
“We’ve got some athletes and we’re hoping we can win some games this year.” — Brayden Hegna Hayfield linebacker
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Rebels battle adversity to carry into 2015 The Southland football team went through a rash of injuries last season and the Rebels are hoping that adversity helped prepare some of their younger players to contribute this season. Southland, which finished 5-4 overall last year, is looking to pick up where it left off last year when it finished the regular season by winning three of five games. “The last five years we’ve had some massive injuries that have really hurt our program,” Southland head coach Shawn Kennedy said. “Kids have had to step up and play, and because of that I think it’s made our team better. It forces them to build self-confidence early, and they also realize they’re not quite big enough yet and they’ve got to hit the weight room.” The Rebels have one of their smaller teams over the past five years, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be effective. The team has plenty of players with quickness and they’re hoping to use that to their advantage this fall. “We’re going to utilize some players that might be undersized, but they’ll be quicker than anyone else on the field,” Southland senior James Landherr said. Landherr was one of the Rebels who had to miss a lot of time due to injury last season. He said that time on the sideline helped him gain a greater appreciation for what it’s like to be on the field. “It sucks to be out. Don’t take it for granted,” Landherr said. “Now it’s the last year so we’ve got to take advantage of the opportunities. I think we have a good chance to make a run hopefully.” Kennedy said he thinks the Rebels will still be able to move the ball on the ground this season. Most of all, he hopes his team plays with a strong work ethic.
Southland’s Josh Anderson, right, and John Hanson run during a drill at practice in Adams. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
“They need to take ownership of this team. They have to take on their own identi-
ty,” Kennedy said. “They better want to play aggressive and work hard.”
Schedule Aug. 22...................................Southland 28, St. Clair 7 Aug. 28..........................................at Kingsland, 7 p.m. Sept. 4.............................vs. Lewiston-Altura, 7 p.m.
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Sept. 11.......................................vs. Goodhue, 7 p.m. Sept. 18................................at Fillmore Central, 7 p.m. Sept. 25......................vs. Rushford-Peterson, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2.................................at Wabasha-Kellogg, 7 p.m. Oct. 8 ...............................................at Hayfield, 7 p.m.
Home games in bold
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
Senior-laden Rebels storm into 2015 looking for more The Southland volleyball team is heavy on seniors as it looks to improve on last year’s record of 13-14 overall. The Rebels have 11 seniors and most of them saw time on the varsity squad last season. Senior hitter Olivia Gray had 220 kills and 212 digs last year. Southland also has eight juniors on the team, which gives it a lot of experience. “I really see our seniors stepping up as leaders not only on the practice court, but also in matches,” Southland head coach Eric Thorson, who is in his second year at the helm, said. “With having so many seniors, some being returning starters, they have really embraced their
Schedule Sept. 3.........................at Dover-Eyota, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 10................vs. Saint Charles, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15..................at Lewiston-Altura, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 1.vs. Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 22...........................at Caledonia, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 24.........................vs. Chatfield, 7:15 p.m.
“I really see our seniors stepping up as leaders not only on the practice court, but also in matches.” — Eric Horson Head coach
Sept. 29............at Rushford-Peterson, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 1....................vs. Winona Cotter, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 9...............................at Kingsland, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 13..............vs. Fillmore Central, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 20.................at Wabasha-Kellogg, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 22.....................vs. La Crescent, 7:15 p.m.
Home matches in bold
role as leaders.” The Rebels are looking to stay competitive throughout this season. “We are looking to be very competitive in the tough Three Rivers Conference,” Thorson said. “The team would like to see this competitiveness translate to a successful playoff run.”
Oliva Gray, center, is one of Southland’s returners from last season. Herald file photo
GMLOS has good numbers in the fourth year of the program High numbers of younger runners will boost teams The Grand Meadow-Leroy-Ostrander-Southland cross country team will bring back eight runners from last year’s team this season. The GMLOS boys will turn to Parker Hale
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
and Peter Torkelson to lead the way and the girls will look to Maggie Vlasaty and Moriah Weiss to step up. GMLOS has 21 runners out for cross country in the fourth year of the program. “We only have a handful of veteran varsity runners so the young ones are going to be a great asset to the team,” GMLOS head coach Chris Detert said. “I’m looking for each athlete to get better as the year progresses and have a really good race at Conference and Sections.”
“We only have a handful of veteran varsity runners so the young ones are going to be a great asset to the team.” — Chris Detert Head coach
Schedule Sept. 3.........................................at Stewartville, 4 p.m. Sept. 10....................................vs. GMLOS, 4:15 p.m. Sept. 15................................at Dover-Eyota, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 24..................................at Pine Island, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 8...........................................at Lewiston, 4:30 p.m Oct. 20.......................at TRC meet in St. Charles, TBA
Home meets in bold
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Depth a key element in LP’s 2015 season Team to look at younger players to step up The Lyle-Pacelli football team is hoping to make some positive strides as head coach Jeremy Wilson enters his second year at the helm for the Athletics. LP went 2-7 overall last season and it brings back Daniel Bollingberg, who ran for 658 yards and 8 TDs last season, along with veterans Brady Lester, Lee Bauer, Jordan Cotter and Braden Kocer. Wilson said last year he didn’t even know where to find the football equipment when practice started, but this year he’s had a full summer of passing camp under his belt and he feels much more comfortable with his team. “I want them to go out and compete every week,” Wilson said. “Last year we noticed when Grand Meadow or Spring Grove came in, half of them were defeated before the start of the game. We’ve got to have a better attitude and they seem more upbeat this year.” LP is hoping to have some depth this season so its starters don’t have to play every single play of the game. Bollingberg said he knows what it’s like to have to play for the whole game, but he’s hoping the younger players can add to the formula this Fall. “We’ve got a good group of older guys that are filling most of the spots and we have a good group of young guys with talent who just need to fill the last couple of spots for us,” Bollingberg said. No matter what happens this season, the Athletics are hoping to keep the right attitude. “As long as we keep positive and everyone works together, that’s a good thing,” Cotter said. “We want to compete with everyone.”
Lyle-Pacelli quarterback Brady Lester scrambles during the first quarter against Spring Grove to kick off the season in Lyle. Herald file photo
“We’ve got a good group of older guys that are filling most of the spots and we have a good group of young guys with talent who just need to fill the last couple spots for us.” — Daniel Bollingberg
Home games in bold
Pacelli cross country looking to gain experience 2-time state competitor Christopherson returns With a lot of younger runners, the Pacelli cross country team will look to gain experience this season. Pacelli’s boys team brings back its top
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Schedule Aug. 22........................Spring Grove 72, Lyle-Pacelli 8 Aug. 28............................................at Houston, 7 p.m. Sept. 4.................................vs. Mabel-Canton, 7 pm. Sept. 11................................at Grand Meadow, 7 p.m. Sept. 18......................vs. Glenville-Emmons, 7 p.m. Sept. 25........................................at Lanesboro, 7 p.m. Oct. 2.........................................vs. Randolph, 7 p.m. Oct. 9.......................................at Alden-Conger, 7 p.m.
five runners and it will look to Nathan Drees and Bennett Kraemer to lead the way. Pacelli girls will be led by freshman Kayla Christopherson, who is a two-time state participant that took 20th at the Class A girls meet last season. Pacelli has higher numbers than past years,
but the team also has a lot of middle schoolers. “Our focus this year will be to improve one day at a time, always looking for individual improvement with the goal of finding some younger runners who can eventually step up to fill out our varsity lineups,” said Pacelli head coach Jim Parlin, who is in his 32nd year on the job.
Schedule Sept. 3.........................................at Stewartville, 4 p.m. Sept. 10.......................................at Hayfield, 4:15 p.m. Sept. 15................................at Dover-Eyota, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 24..................................at Pine Island, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 8..........................................at Lewiston, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 20...........at SEC meet in Saint Charles, 4:30 p.m.
See RUNNERS, Page 17 AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
Former Kansas State standout is new LP coach Cost looking to improve skills of each player
Sarah Holtz returns as one of LP’s heavy hitters. Herald file photo
The Lyle-Pacelli volleyball team will bring back the majority of its roster from its team that went 14-12 overall last season as it looks to a new head coach to lead the way this fall. Lauren Cost, who is in the Kansas State University Hall of Fame as a volleyball player, is LP’s new head coach. Cost has coached at KSU, and Iowa State University camps and she’s coached traveling teams at the high school level. Cost is hoping she can help the Athletics take the next step as a program. “My goal is to make every player in the program better,” she said. “I will bring many techniques and theories in from my collegiate experience but at the end of the day I expect our team to out work our opponents.” LP returns senior hitter Sarah Holtz, who
Schedule Aug. 27......................................at Houston, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 1..........................vs. Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 3....................................at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 8........................vs. Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 10........................at LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15....................at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 17.........................vs. Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 22................vs. Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 24...............................vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 29..........................at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 6......................vs. LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 8...................vs. Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 12......................................at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 13 .......................at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 19........................vs. Hope Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. (All games in Lyle)
Home matches in bold
had 353 kills and 269 digs last season and senior setter Courtney Walter, who had 524 set assists last season, is back in the lineup as well. “The girls that I have worked with over the summer have been excited to learn and try new skills,” Cost said. “We want to surprise some people.”
Runners: Looking forward to a good 2015 season From Page 1 The Pacelli boys will also return to varsity returnees Cole Ethen, Isaac Kraushaar and William Kahle, and the Pacelli girls will look to get a boost from Ror Bickler, who ran for GMLOS last year and has transferred to Pacelli.
“I am really looking forward to another season of cross country,” Parlin said. “We will have some challenges with so many young runners but I know our upperclass runners will be a good influence on them. I’m anxious to see who will be ready to step up to the challenge to fill in our varsity lineup.”
Pacelli’s Kayla Christopherson runs down the stretch at the Minnesota Class A State Cross Country Meet in Northfield last year. Herald file photo
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015
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Turning the page BP saw some big time players graduate last year, but confidence remains high for 2015 Blooming Priarie’s Lucas Noble throws in practice in Blooming Prairie. Photos by Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com The Blooming Prairie football team graduated some big time players from last year’s squad that went 11-1 and advanced to the Class A state quarterfinals and the Awesome Blossoms are now going to turn the page. After turning to John Rumpza at quarterback for three straight seasons, the Blossoms are going with sophomore Lucas Noble at the quarterback position. Some coaches would be a little worried to put a sophomore at such an important position; BP’s last two starting quarterbacks — Rumpza and Luc Zellmer — each started as sophomores and they each went on to throw more than 100 career TD passes. “Lucas at quarterback each day is getting so much better,” Gimbel said. “We don’t worry about [our quarterbacks] being sophomores. They run our offense for a year as freshmen and we focus a ton on our starting quarterback at the beginning of the year. If we didn’t think [Lucas] could do it, we’d have somebody else doing it.” Noble will have two returning targets to throw to in wide receivers Mitchell Jones and Anthony Nelson, who also had 95 tackles and two interceptions at safety for the Blossoms last season. Nelson said the receivers are trying to help Noble along, but they’ve also got to work on their own jobs. “Some stuff we’ve got to tell him, but for the most part we’ve got to do our job and he’s got to do his job separately and we get results together,” Nelson said. BP has eight seniors on its roster and senior lineman Riley Olson said the class has had to step up and lead some of the younger Blossoms. “The young guys look to us to make plays when things are going bad and we’ve got to get the team ready for games,” Olson said. With just two weeks to prepare his team for the season, Gimbel said the BP coaches were scrambling to get players ready.
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“We have a good group of seniors who have been taught the Blooming Prairie way for four years and they know what’s expected of them.” — Chad Gimbel Head coach The team had to change the way it prepares. “It’s been really hectic. We decided that our kids didn’t know their assignments well enough and we spent a lot more time on assignments and alignment than technique,” Gimbel said. “It’s a lot to throw at these kids and each day is getting better.” BP has moved to Section 2A this season along with Faribault Bethlehem Academy and perennial power New Ulm Cathedral. Gimbel said the Blossoms still carry the same goals they have every year, and that’s to compete for a section title and a state title. “They’re capable,” he said. “We have a good group of seniors who have been taught the Blooming Prairie way for four years and they know what’s expected of them.”
Schedule
Blooming Prairie’s Marten Morem cuts upfield in practice in Blooming Prairie.
Aug. 22.......................................Blooming Prairie 8, Rushford-Peterson 7 Aug. 28.........................................at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 7 p.m. Sept. 4.....................................................................vs. Saint Clair, 7 p.m. Sept. 11.......................................at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 7 p.m. Sept. 18..........................................................vs. Mankato Loyola, 7 p.m. Sept. 25...........................................................................at Medford, 7 p.m. Oct. 2.....................................................vs. United South Central, 7 p.m. Oct. 8...........................................................at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 7 p.m.
Home games in bold
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
BP hoping to stay on track The Blooming Prairie volleyball team graduated some key players, but with a new head coach and seven returning letter winners, the squad hopes it can stay on track. BP graduated Taylor Hagen, the school’s alltime kills leader, Madison Worke, the school’s all-time set assist leader and Nicole Inwards, the school’s all-time digs leader from a squad that went 17-13 overall. The team will now turn to Ranell Kittelson to take over as head coach. Kittelson graduated from BP in 2000 and she played college volleyball at Minnesota State University in Mankato. She is new to coaching, but she’s excited to get her start with the Awesome Blossoms. “I feel that I have many years of playing experience and knowledge of the game to bring to this position and really look forward to it,” Kittelson said. “I also have great assistant coaches to help me continue to build a successful Awesome Blossom volleyball program.” BP will look to seniors Lauren Larkoski, Abby Wayne, Alyssa Krohnberg, Katelynn Grunklee and Hannah Ahrens along with juniors Courtney Wobscahll and Leah Inwards to lead the way on the court. “[Lauren] is a very athletic player and has played our offense as a setter. Abby will be key
Schedule Aug. 27...........................................at Byron, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 1.........................................at Medford, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 3......at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 5......................at Rochester Tournament, 8 a.m. Sept. 8.......................................vs. Austin, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 10..................................vs. Medford, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 12.............................at Hayfield Invite, 8:30 a.m. Sept. 14....................................at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 17..................at United South Central, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 21...................at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 22...................................vs. NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 24...........................vs. Faribault BA, 7:15 p.m. Oct.1.....................................at Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 5....................................vs. Goodhue, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 6...................................vs. Southland, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 9.vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 22.........................................at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.
Home matches in bold
to running our offense as a setter and Alyssa is a versatile player,” Kittelson said. BP is hoping to work hard every match this season and the team has players who put in time in the gym. “I believe our strengths will be our athleticism and versatility of players in various positions on the court,” Kittelson said.
Blooming Prairie’s Abby Wayne sets during game two against Austin last year. Herald file photo
Running for payoff The Blooming Prairie boys cross country team will bring back seven letter winners and the BP girls will have two returning letter winners this season. The BP boys will be led by All Gopher Conference returnees Isaac Baker, Elijah Baker and Alec Ille and the BP girls will be led by Allison Pryor, who was All Gopher Conference last season. The BP boys bring back six of their top seven runners. The BP girls have just two runners on the squad. “This summer we had several athletes doing a lot of running to get ready for the season,” said BP head coach John Bruns. “This summer work should translate to great things once the season gets in full swing.”
Schedule Sept. 3..........................................at Stewartville, 4 p.m. Sept. 10.........................................at Hayfield, 4:15 p.m. Sept. 18.................................at Mankato Loyola, 4 p.m. Sept. 22...............................at New Richland, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 26...............................................at Milaca, 10 a.m. Sept. 29.................Blooming Prairie Invite, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 6............................................at Chatfield, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 13......................at United South Central, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 22..at Gopher meet at U. South Central, 4:05 p.m.
Home meets in bold AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015
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Setting an example of success The LeRoy-Ostrander volleyball team is looking for three senors to help it improve on last year’s 9-15 overall record. The Cardinals will be led by seniors Sam Siskow, who had 260 kills and 177 digs last season, Ashley Norby and Rochelle Hovde. All three of those players have at least two years of varsity experience. “I’m expecting them to set a great example for our younger players as we work to continue to build our pro— Joe gram,” LO head coach Kuechenmeister Joe Kuechenhead coach meister said. “Individually, Sam Siskow is a returning All-Conference player, and she led us in almost every statistical category last year, so we’re looking to her to have another big season for us.” The Cardinals will have a quick and athletic team, but they will also have a group of players without a lot of varsity experience. “Our main goal is to be competitive night in and night out,” Kuechenmeister said. “We believe we have the athleticism and talent to push anyone we match up against if we control the ball on our side of the net. We’re
“Our main goal is to be competitive night in and night out.”
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015
LeRoy-Ostrander’s Sam Siskow makes a hit against Grand Meadow in LeRoy last week. Herald file photo
Schedule Aug. 27..........................at Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 1...........................vs. Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 3............................at Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 8..............vs. Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 10........................vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15................................at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 22.................at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 24..................vs. Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 29..................at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 1............................at Hope Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 6.................................at Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 12.........................at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 13.............vs. Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 19................................vs. Houston, 7:15 p.m.
Home matches in bold
looking to continue to take steps in the right direction program wise, meaning finishing in the top half of the conference and being in the mix when the postseason comes around in mid-October.”
Patience for the future
High number of younger players prompts LeRoy-Ostrander to take 2015 season off
program,” Hungerholt said. “We could’ve The LeRoy-Ostrander football program is had a varsity, but then you take the risk of kids hoping a little patience pays off in the long not going out the next year because they got run. hurt or didn’t have success.” Faced with the prospect of having just one The Cardinals are coming off a season that upper classman and a bevy of potentially saw them go 1-8 overall, and LO hasn’t had overwhelmed freshmen and sophomores on a winning season since 2006. LO does have next year’s squad, the Cardinals decided to around 15 players that will be ninth and 10th take a pass. graders this season and Hungerholt is hoping LO recently decided to not have a varsity those players will learn a lot more playing football team in 2015, but the Cardinals plan in competitive games instead of struggling to be back on the varsity field in 2016. against older players. “We’ve been tracking our “Nobody likes to lose a numbers for the last few years varsity program, but there’s and we knew we would be a light at the end of the tunlow next year,” LO head footnel,” Hungerholt said. “We’re ball coach and Principal Aaron trying to get a program Hungerholt said. “We thought turned around and this is it would be in the best interwhat’s best.” est of the football program if Hungerholt is in a unique these kids could play at their — Aaron position as he is a football same age level for a year.” and a football parent. Hungerholt and other Hungerholt coach He has two football playing members of LO’s football Head coach, principal sons — Trey and Trent — committee felt the squad who are freshmen. Trey might lose even more players played varsity basketball this if it fielded a team next seapast winter for the Cardinals, but Hungerholt son. The team would have likely struggled at said football is a much more physically dethe varsity level and injuries may have scared some kids away from the sport. So instead, manding sport. those players will play a JV schedule for LO this “I have the neat perspective as a parent season. and a coach,” Hungerholt said. “Football is The team will have the same coaching staff physical and I don’t know if ninth graders are as the varsity squad had. The only difference ready for this. This will be a great opportunity is it will play on Monday nights against other for them to play kids at their own age and underclassmen from other schools. hopefully have some success and get in the “We’re looking at this as a positive for the weight room.”
“We’re looking at this as a positive for the program.”
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
5 Stories to watch
Three in a row for Pack?
The Austin girls cross country team has won the last two Big Nine titles and it has its entire team back from last year. The squad is looking to go for three conference titles in a row and it will also be looking for its second straight trip the Class A state meet after the Packers earned their first trip to state as a team in school history last Fall. It will be the last high school cross country season for Austin senior Madison Overby, who is a five-time state qualifier.
Section 1A football with big changes
A familiar section for area teams will not be so familiar this season. Perennial powers Blooming Prairie, which has moved to Section 2A, and Faribault Bethlehem Academy have moved out and Hayfield, which is now a Class ‘A’ football team moves in to join Southland. Goodhue remains in the section as a perennial power, but the Rebels and Vikings may be eyeing up a chance to make some noise.
Staying Super?
The Grand Meadow football team lost plenty of quality players from its squads that won back-to-back Class Nine Man state titles, but the Superlarks have the players to reload and make another run this year.
Sophomore running back Zach Myhre and junior Christophor Bain are very capable of stepping up and quarterback Michael Stejskal returns to lead GM. If the Larks, can play solid on the offensive and defensive lines, they could be one of the favorites in Class Nine Man once again.
A Better Place to Play
Art Hass Stadium and Larry Gilbertson Track and Field each received a major upgrade over the summer as new artificial turf was installed on both fields. The turf will provide the Packer football team, and boys and girls soccer teams with a consistent surface that stays in good shape throughout the Fall. It will add to the quality of the games and the excitement around Fall sports.
Taking the Next Step?
Faribault Bethlehem Academy is used to winning Class A state volleyball titles and Section 1A titles, but last year they received a bit of a shock when Hayfield, which was starting two freshmen, took game one from them in the Section 1A West Finals. FBA bounced back to grind out the next three games and win in four, but the Vikings proved they could go toe-to-toe with the best program in Class A and they gives them some confidence headed into this season.
Volleyball Schedule Aug. 26....................................at Ridgewater, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 28.........................vs. Anoka-Ramsey, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 29.............................at Minnesota West, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 2.............................vs. Western Tech, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4...........................vs. St. Cloud Tech, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9...........................................vs. RCTC, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11..........................................................vs. RCTC Sept. 12............................at Anoka-Ramsey Invite, TBA Sept. 18.............................at Anoka-Ramsey, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24.................................at Fergus Falls, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25......at NDSCS Tourn. in Whapeton, N.D., TBA Sept. 26......at NDSCS Tourn. in Whapeton, N.D., TBA Sept. 30.............................at St. Cloud Tech., 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2...........................................at St. Cloud, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 3......................................................at NIACC, TBA Oct. 7...................................at Western Tech, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9.................................vs. Fergus Falls, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14........................vs. Minnesota West, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20..................................at Northwestern JV, 3 p.m. Oct. 21.............................................at RCTC, 6:30 p.m.
Home matches in bold
State Tournament Headquarters Football Oct. 29-31, Nov. 5-7 and 14-15 — Various sites and TCF Bank Stadium. Volleyball Nov. 1214 — Xcel Energy Center Boys Soccer Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 4-5 — Various sites, Huskie Stadium and Selke Field, St. Cloud. Girls Soccer Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 4-5 — Various sites, Huskie Stadium and Selke Field, St. Cloud. Girls Tennis Oct. 27-30 — Baseline Tennis Center, University of Minnesota (AA) and
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
Riverland Community College schedules
Reed-Sweatt Tennis Center, Minneapolis (A). Girls Swimming and Diving Nov. 18-20 — University of Minnesota Aquatics Center. Cross Country Nov. 7 — St. Olaf College, Northfield.
For more information, head to the Minnesota State High School League’s website at www.mshsl.org
Soccer Schedule Aug. 26.............................................vs. NIACC, 3 p.m. Aug. 30......................at Bismarck State College, 1 p.m. Sept. 2................................vs. Dakota County, 3 p.m. Sept. 4.............................vs. Century College, 3 p.m. Sept. 12...............vs. Bismarck State College, 9 a.m. Sept. 16 .................................at Anoka-Ramsey, 4 p.m. Sept. 20..............................................at St. Mary’s, TBA Sept. 23.....................................vs. Waldorf JV, 3 p.m. Oct. 2..................................................at Century, 4 p.m. Oct. 3.............................at Lake Superior College, noon Oct. 7..................................................at Waldorf, 7 p.m. Oct. 10.......................................vs. St. Mary’s, 10 a.m. Oct. 14................................vs. Anoka-Ramsey, 3 p.m. Oct. 17...................................vs. Lake Superior, noon
Home games in bold FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015
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Gopher Football Sept. 3................................................vs. TCU, 8 p.m. Sept. 12....at Colorado St. Univ., 2:30 p.m. Sept. 19.........................vs. Kent State,11 a.m. Sept. 26......vs. Ohio-Homecoming, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 3.........................at Northwestern, TBA Oct. 10...........................................at Purdue, TBA Oct. 17....................................vs. Nebraska, TBA Oct. 31....................................vs. Michigan, 7 p.m. Nov. 7....................................at Ohio State, TBA Nov. 14.............................................at Iowa, 7 p.m. Nov. 21.........................................vs. Illinois, TBA Nov. 28.....................................vs. Wisonsin, TBA
Minnesota Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner. Photo courtesy of the University of Minnesota
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
Gopher Volleyball
The Gophers at home in the University of Minnesota Sports Pavilion. Photo courtesy of the University of Minnesota
Stanford Invite Aug. 29..............vs. Texas A&M, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30......................vs. Stanford, 3 p.m. ACC/Big Ten Challenge (Matches played in Louisville) Sept. 4.......................at Lousiville, 6 p.m. Sept. 5.........vs. North Carolina, 3:30 p.m. Diet Coke Classic (Matches played in Sports Pavillion) Sept. 11..UCF vs. N. Dakota St., 4:30 p.m. Gophers vs. UC Irvine, 7 p.m. Sept. 12...vs. North Dakota State, 10 a.m. UCF vs. UC Irvine, Noon UC Irvine vs. N. Dakota St., 4:30 p.m. Gophers vs. UCF, 7 p.m. Charleston Invite (Matches played in Charleston, S.C.) Sept. 18..vs. Bryant University, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 19 ...vs. Sam Houston St., 9:30 a.m. Gophers vs. College of Charleston, 6 p.m. AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
Regular season schedule Sept. 23....................at Ohio State, 6 p.m. Sept. 26....................at Penn State, 6 p.m. Sept. 30..............vs. Northwestern, 7 p.m. Oct. 3.............................vs. Illinois, 7 p.m. Oct. 9..........................at Maryland, 6 p.m. Oct. 11..........................at Rutgers, 1 p.m. Oct. 14......................at Wisconsin, 7 p.m. Oct. 17.......................vs. Wisonsin, 7 p.m. Oct. 23........................at Nebraska, 7 p.m. Oct. 24...............................at Iowa, 7 p.m. Oct. 28.........................vs. Indiana, 7 p.m. Nov. 1............................vs. Purdue, 2 p.m. Nov. 6...............vs. Michigan State, 7 p.m. Nov. 7........................vs. Michigan, 7 p.m. Nov. 11................at Northwestern, 7 p.m. Nov. 14....................vs. Penn State, 7 p.m. Nov. 18.....................vs. Maryland, 7 p.m. Nov. 21..........................at Purdue, 6 p.m. Nov. 25....................vs. Ohio State, 7 p.m. Nov. 28..........................at Indiana, 6 p.m. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015
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Austin Bruins
Sept. 18....................at Bismarck, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 19....................at Bismarck, 7:15 p.m.
NAHL Blaine Showcase
Sept. 23..vs. Wilkes-Barree/Scranton, 6 p.m. Sept. 24........vs. Springfield in Blaine, 1 p.m. Sept. 25........................vs. Aston, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 26...vs. Kenai River in Blaine, 6:15 p.m. Oct. 2......................at Brookings, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3...................vs. Brookings, 7:05 p.m. Oct. 9.......vs. Minn. Wilderness, 7:05 p.m. Oct. 10.........at Minn. Wilderness, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16.......................vs. Minot, 7:05 p.m. Oct. 17.......................vs. Minot, 7:05 p.m. Oct. 23....................at Aberdeen, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 24....................at Aberdeen, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 30..........................at Minot, 8:05 p.m. Oct. 31..........................at Minot, 7:35 p.m. Nov. 5..........at Minnesota Magicians, 7 p.m. Nov. 6..........vs. Coulee Regionn, 7:05 p.m. Nov. 7 ...................at Coulee Region, 7 p.m. Nov. 13.....................at Bismarck, 7:15 p.m. Nov. 14.....................at Bismarck, 7:15 p.m. Nov. 20..................vs. Bismarck, 7:05 p.m. Nov. 21..................vs. Bismarck, 7:05 p.m. Nov. 25..................at Coulee Region, 7 p.m. Nov. 27.......................vs. Minot, 7:05 p.m. Nov. 28.......................vs. Minot, 7:05 p.m. Dec. 4...................vs. Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m. Dec. 5...................vs. Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m. Dec. 18.....vs. Minn. Wilderness, 7:05 p.m.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015
Dec. 19..................at Coulee Region, 7 p.m. Dec. 31..........vs. Coulee Region, 7:05 p.m. Jan. 7.....at Minnesota Wilderness, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8....................vs. Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m. Jan. 9....................vs. Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m. Jan. 15..................vs. Brookings, 7:05 p.m. Jan. 16.....................at Brookings, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22...........vs. Coulee Region, 7:05 p.m. Jan. 23.....................at Brookings, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29.......vs. Minn. Magicians, 7:05 p.m. Jan. 30........at Minnesota Magicians, 7 p.m. Feb. 5...................vs. Brookings, 7:05 p.m. Feb. 6............vs. Coulee Region, 7:05 p.m. Feb. 12.......vs. Minn. Magicians, 7:05 p.m. Feb. 13.............at Coulee Region, 7:05 p.m. Feb. 19....................at Aberdeen, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 20....................at Aberdeen, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 26.......vs. Minn. Magicians, 7:05 p.m. Feb. 27........at Minnesota Magicians, 7 p.m. March 2.....vs. Minn. Magicians, 7:05 p.m. March 4...................at Brookings, 7:30 p.m. March 11...............vs. Bismarck, 7:05 p.m. March 12................vs. Bismarck, 7:05 p.m. March 18..............vs. Brookings, 7:05 p.m. March 24.....at Minnesota Magicians, 7 p.m. March 25..................at Aberdeen, 7:15 p.m. March 26.................at Aberdeen, 7:15 p.m. April 1...........................at Minot, 7:35 p.m. April 2...........................at Minot, 7:35 p.m. April 8..................vs. Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m. April 9..................vs. Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m. Home games in bold
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW