JumpStart - 2018 Fall Sports Preview

Topping the best with better Packer boys soccer looking to improve on one of its best seasons ever ... Page 3

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

Table of Contents

Cover story

Topping the best with better Austin boys soccer look to continue upward push. .........................................Page 3

Season previews

Austin Packers........... Pages 4-9 Southland Rebels................. Pages 10-11 Lyle-Pacelli Athletics ............... Pages 12-13 Grand Meadow Superlarks ............ Pages 14-15 LeRoy-Ostrander Cardinals .............. Pages 16-17 Blooming Prairie.................... Pages 18-19 Hayfield Vikings .................. Pages 20-21

Features 5 Stories to Watch

A rundown of the top five story lines to watch in 2018. ............................................. Page 22

State Tournament Headquarters Get the lowdown on Minnesota State High School League state tournament locations. ........................................... Page 22

An Austin Daily Herald publication

Story previews compiled by Rocky Hulne and layout by Eric Johnson University of Minnesota

Football and volleyball schedules. ............................................. Page 22

Follow sports writer Rocky Hulne and photographer Eric Johnson on Twitter

@RockyHulneADH

@EricJohnsonADH

Get all the reports, scores and photos from your area sports teams

Riverland Community College

Volleyball and soccer schedules. .......................................... Page 23

Austin Bruins Schedule

Football and volleyball schedules. ............................................. Page 24

Blooming Prairie fans during the Section 1A championship last year between the blossoms and Goodhue, played at Rochester Community and Technical College in Rochester.

Herald file photo

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Topping the best with better How do you top your best season in school history? You try to forget about it.

While the Austin boys soccer team won its first Big Nine title in school history and took third place in the Minnesota Class A State Boys Soccer Tournament, the team is not resting on its laurels.

Austin head coach Jens Levisen would rather have the Packers looking forward to the future instead of relaxing on what they’ve done in the past.

“There’s optimism, knowing we have guys coming back. But at the same time as we get into practice the very first thing I did was refer them to the quote that says ‘we haven’t accomplished anything yet,’” Levisen said.

“For as incredible as last season was, and we wouldn’t take that way. It was fantastic. But we need to start this season knowing that was last season. We need to come out ready to work and we need to think about the things that helped us to become successful.”

After years of fighting to get over the hump in the conference and the section, the Packers will enter this season as one of the contenders. They’ll likely get everyone’s best effort, and they’re ready for what lies ahead.

Austin senior midfielder Kevin Ortiz is embracing the challenge that this season will bring.

“We’ll have a target on our back, so that will be exciting,” Ortiz said. “We’ll have more competition.”

See SOCCER, Page 4

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Austin’s Mooday Wah boots the ball past St. Thomas keeper Jack Killian in the first half last year in the Minnesota Class A Boys Soccer Tournament semifinals at US Bank Stadium. Herald file photo

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

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Soccer: Hard work comes first From Page 1

Caleb Simerson is a veteran that will be a big part of this year’s Packer drive.

Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Austin pushing big plans With a strong core of players returning from last year’s team that went 18-1-3 overall while finishing third in the Minnesota Class A State Boys Soccer Tournament, the Packers have some big plans for this fall.

With a deep roster, those plans involve a highly competitive fight for spots on varsity and a vow to take every game seriously as Austin pushes to take the program to the next level.

“We don't want to be comfortable,” Austin head coach Jens Levisen said. “Whether it's a team within the Big Nine, a team in the section or a team around the section. Other teams are going to bringing their best, regardless of what their record is. We're not going to look past anybody.”

Austin is coming off a season where it lost to Saint Thomas Academy 4-3 in overtime in the state semifinals and it tied Orono 0-0 to tie for third place.

The Packers graduated a key group of players, but it also returns plenty of contributors in Mooday Wah, Kevin Ortiz, Caleb Simerson, Danny Vargas, Elton Tolbert, Victor Velazquez and Henry Tolbert.

Juan Vera will also return to the lineup after he missed most of his junior season with an injury.

“Juan had to sit back and watch for most of last year and now he’s ready to get out there and play,” Levisen said.

The Packers also have a lot of team chemistry as the current group of players have spent a lot of years on the field together.

“We've been playing since we were very little,” Velezquaz said. “I feel like the chemistry is built up at each level. People being incorporated with the youth leagues carries over to the high school program.”

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Austin senior Victor Velazquez said the Packers won’t have any trouble concentrating on the task at hand this season. He acknowledges that the team has high hopes, but the squad knows it will take a lot of hard work to get to where it wants to be.

“When it comes to game time, we focus on that team and that team only. We don’t worry what other teams are doing. We just focus on that team and what we’re going to do to overcome that team,” Velazquez said.

“We’re focusing on what’s in front of us. What happened in the past is

something that the last team did and now we’re working on building up something bigger than what we did last year. That’s the ultimate goal.”

Finding success last season led to a strong output from Austin’s summer team. Austin sent five out of its seven teams to the state tournament and the U16 team won a state title.

Austin senior Caleb Simerson said the bar has certainly been raised for the entire program.

“It raises the expectation of what needs to be met,” Simerson said. “It makes us want to work even harder to reach that level and return to state.”

SCHEDULE/Home games in bold Aug. 25.........................................................Austin 3, Como Park 0 Aug. 28.............................................vs. La Crescent, 5 p.m.

Aug. 30.......................................................at Mankato East, 5 p.m.

Sept. 4...............................................vs. Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Sept. 6..................................................................at Winona, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8..........................................at Rochester Lourdes, 9:30 a.m.

Sept. 11.....................................vs. Rochester Mayo, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13....................................................at Mankato West, 7 p.m.

Sept. 18...................................at Rochester John Marshall, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20...............................................vs. Faribault, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22..........................................vs. Worthington, 2 p.m.

Sept. 25.............................................vs. Owatonna, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27.............................................................at Red Wing, 7 p.m.

Sept. 29....................................................vs. Byron, 3 p.m.

Oct. 2.................................................vs. Northfield, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4.................................................at Rochester Century, 7 p.m.

The Packers are loaded with depth and that means landing a spot in the lineup will require plenty of work.

“It's mostly about hard work here,” Simerson said. “If you work hard, you're most likely going to get the spot that you deserve with the team.”

Levisen said he wants his team to focus on working together as a group as the season rolls on.

“With guys coming into practice, you can see the touches on the ball are crisp and guys are hungry. They want to prove themselves. There's a lot of talent coming in and it's just a matter of what are those things that are the distinguishing line,” Levisen said. “We've got to figure out how we play as a group. They have to find a level of trust with each other and that's where team building comes in.”

Victor Velazquez, left, and Kevin Ortiz will look to lead the Packers to what they hope will be another trip to state at the end of this coming season.

Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Packers coming at teams in waves The Austin football team has plenty of speed to burn this season and it has it in waves.

The Packers have a lot of depth at the skill positions as the team looks to improve on last year’s record of 5-5 overall.

Austin has plenty of athletes in tow and it could be a challenge for Austin head coach Brett Vesel to decide which players to put on the field.

“Our slow guys are fast. That’s a good thing. We don’t really have any slow guys anymore,” Vesel said. “Right now I think our biggest thing is wide receiver and defensive back. We’ve got so many good kids out, it’s unbelievable. We’re looking for guys that can catch and run fast on offense and guys that can defend and shut people down on offense. It’s a competition.”

All of Austin’s losses in 2017 came against ranked teams. The Packers had their season come to an end in a 62-41 loss to Owatonna in the Section 1AAAAA semifinals. The team is hoping to make a stronger push this fall.

Austin senior lineman Thomas Kroymann said motivation is at an all-time high for the Packers.

“We want to improve daily and when we play Owatonna, we want to beat them both times. We know we’re going to have to face them in sections. We want to beat them in week three and we want to beat them in sections,” Kroymann said. “We’re going to be strong and fast [up front]. We might not have the weight that other teams have, but we have the strength to keep up with them and we have the speed to blow right past them on defense.”

While the Packers will turn to a new quarterback this season, it returns one of its biggest standouts in senior running back/linebacker Joe Seeman, who ran for 911 yards and seven TDs, while compiling 84 tackles in 2017.

Seeman didn’t go out for football in 2016 and this year he’s coming in much more prepared to be be a contributor.

“This year I’m gonna take off,” Seeman said. “We’re just looking to be strong allaround. With tackling, running and everything. We want it all tight and sound so we can get to that state championship.”

Austin senior Hunter Guyette said having a lot of team speed will be helpful on the field, but it’s made things difficult for players to lock up starting spots.

“It’s very competitive,” Guyette said.

“There’s great competition. We’ve got some AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

“We’ve got some players out here that are really surprising us and I wish they wouldn’t been out in years past, but it’s good to have them out this year. It going to boost the team.”

Hunter Guyette

Austin running back Joe Seeman breaks around a block during the second quarter against Rochester Mayo last season at Art Hass Stadium. Herald file photo

SCHEDULE/Home games in bold Aug. 31......................................at Rochester Mayo at 7 p.m.

Sept. 7.........................................vs. Red Wing, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14..................................................at Owatonna, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21.......................................vs. Faribault, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28..................................................at Northfield, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5...................................vs. Mankato West, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12..............................................at Mankato East, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17...........................................vs. Winona, 7 p.m.

players out here that are really surprising us and I wish they would’ve been out in years past, but it’s good to have them out this year.

It’s going to help boost the team.”

Vesel said the Packers started the first week of practice off on a strong note and he was pleased the way his team came out ready to work. Austin has a sizable senior class and those players will be key to how things go this fall.

“I think our senior group has been outstanding. In the summer very few of them missed and all the way across the board, our senior group is really good,” Vesel said. “It’s all about finishing the year strong. We have tough opponents in this section and we’ve just got to continue to try to get to that level.”

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Athletes give Packer VB opportunity to grow The Austin volleyball team is looking to push forward this season as former Lyle-Pacelli head coach Lauren Cost takes over as head coach.

The Packers are coming off a season that saw them go 4-22 overall and they’re hoping to improve on that mark this season. Cost, a former Kansas State University volleyball standout, has put the team to work early on and she’s hoping to put a competitive team on the floor.

“There are some very athletic kids and they’re obviously enthusiastic,” Cost said.

“We have a lot of opportunity for growth and we’re just kind of at the start and we’re just touching where we can go.”

Austin returns junior Jordyn McCormack, who had 105 kills and 75 blocks last season, and seniors Jenna Braaten and Lily Holtz.

Junior Erica Lundberg also “We really want the returns to the program to change team with varsity experi- postively this year.” ence and she’s Erica Lundberg hoping the Junior team can get things moving in a positive direction.

“We really want the program to change positively this year,” Lundberg said. “We’re definitely learning to play harder and faster than what we’re used to. At times it’s a little overwhelming, because I’m not used to being worked that hard.”

Cost said the Packers will have to make sure they are able to get into their offense and get their hitters going.

“We’ve got to take care of the ball and take care of the pass,” Cost said. “We have some people that will have a really nice shot at libero and take care of the ball really well. We just have to have consistency and we have to know exactly where the ball is going to go. We don’t want guessing games on a free ball.”

Austin sophomore Madisyn Retterath could fill in with some of the back row duties for the Packers this season.

“We’re working on a lot of ball control,” Retterath said. “We’re getting better.”

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Austin’s Avery Thompson winds up during game three against Mankato East last year in Packer Gym. Later in the match Thompson would get the winning kill that gave Austin its first Big Nine win since 2011. Herald file photo

SCHEDULE/Home matches in bold Aug. 24.....................................................................................Rochester Lourdes 3, Austin 0 Sept. 1.................................................................................at Rochester Tournament, 8 a.m.

Sept. 4.........................................................................vs. Blooming Prairie, 7 p.m.

Sept. 6...................................................................................................at Mankato East, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8.....................................................................................at Mankato Tournament, 9 a.m.

Sept. 11.................................................................................vs. Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Sept. 18..........................................................................................................at Winona, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20........................................................................vs. Rochester Mayo, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25...............................................................................................at Mankato West, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27..............................................................................at Rochester John Marshall, 7 p.m.

Sept. 29.................................................................................at Rochester Tournament, 8 a.m.

Oct. 2......................................................................................vs. Faribault, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4....................................................................................vs. Owatonna, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9............................................................................................................at Red Wing, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11..................................................................................vs. Northfield, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16..........................................................................................at Rochester Century, 7 p.m.

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Austin’s Morgan Raymond, center, celebrates her first-half goal against Winona last year at Art Hass Stadium. Herald file photo

The balance of improvement The Austin girls soccer team is hoping a balanced approach will ignite its offense as it looks to improve its game this season.

The Packers, who went 6-9-1 overall last season, are focusing on slowing things down and finding the open scorer instead of chasing after breakaway goals.

“The big goal is to understand combination-style play, rather than who can run the fastest,” Austin head coach Jake Levisen said.

“The team has been really working on the team chemistry and the skill of the game.

With that, the scoring aspect will come and it will tighten up the defense as well.”

The Packers didn’t waste any time going to work this season as the team put forth a strong workload in captain’s practice over

“The team has been really working on the team chemistry and the skill of the game. With that, the scoring aspect will come and it will tighten up the defense as well.”

Jens Levisen Coach

the summer. That allowed the team team to focus on technique, instead of condoning in the early practices.

Austin senior Hannah Quandt said the team came ready to play early on.

“We're getting along really well,” Quandt

said. “We had a lot of conditioning during captain’s practice to get ready for the season and hopefully it'll show up on the field.”

Austin has a strong core of leaders in store and the team is hoping it can make a push towards winning more close games. Austin

senior Erin Bickler said the squad is ready to go out and play as one unit.

“We're really excited for this season. We think we're going to do really well,” Bickler said. “There's a lot of chemistry. We just have to start playing a team game rather than an individual game, and this summer we've seen that starting to progress.”

Levisen is hoping the team can keep making strides to get better throughout the season.

“The biggest thing is to continue to build confidence in each player,” Levisen said. ”We have to attack our weaknesses and make them our strengths. The girls are ready for that challenge and they've been hitting it hard.”

SCHEDULE/Home games in bold Aug. 28............................................vs. Byron, 7 p.m.

Aug. 30.................................vs. Mankato East, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4...................................................at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Sept. 6..........................................vs. Winona, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11.......................................at Rochester Mayo, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13...............................vs. Mankato West, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15..................................vs. Stewartville, 2 p.m.

Sept. 18...............vs. Rochester John Marshall, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20...................................................at Faribault, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24..................................at Rochester Lourdes, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25................................................at Owatonna, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27......................................vs. Red Wing, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2....................................................at Northfield, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4............................vs. Rochester Century, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5..........................vs. Kasson-Mantorville, 3 p.m.

Follow the Austin Daily Herald on Twitter and get updates, photos and more! Go to: @RockyHulneADH and @EricJohnsonADH AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

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Packers stride forward with experienced runners The Austin cross country team has some long-time experienced runners on the boys and girls teams as it looks to stay competitive this fall.

The Packer girls will look to four-time state qualifier Abby Lewis and long-time varsity runner Morgan Hose to lead the way and the Packer boys will look to a strong group of runners in one-time state qualifier Henry Hinchcliffe, Brock Lawhead, Meti Omod and Raymond Lucero to step up this season.

The boys team has been young over the past few seasons, but this year the Packers have a veteran group to lead the way.

“The numbers are looking pretty good and the boys should be pretty solid this year,” Austin head coach Tony Einertson said.

“We’re going to be a little bit older than we have been in the past.

We’re finally going to get some of those veteran runners with Henry, Brock, Meti and Raymond. We’ve got a lot of seniors and juniors.”

Hinchcliffe is hoping the Packer boys can stay competitive and he’d like to see the team win a couple of meets this fall.

“We always wanted to get a little bit better meet by meet to become the team that we are today. We want to be competitive in the Big Nine and our sections this year,” Hinchcliffe said. “We want to try and be as good as we can be.”

Omot ran in just two meets for the Packers last season, but he nearly qualified for the state meet. Einertson is hoping he can take it to the next level this fall.

“Meti had a good track season and he’s been getting that speed developed,” Einertson said. “He’s becoming more of a runner. It’s just a matter of getting him in shape and getting him used to the CC style of running. He’s got a lot of talent.”

Hose and Lewis have experience for the Packer girls, but the rest of the team features a lot of younger runners. Hose said the seniors will have to step up and show the way to their less experienced teammates.

“This being my last year, I’m really looking forward to have fun and create a team bond that’s going to last forever,” Hose said.

“I think now is the year for [Abby and I] to lead. We have a lot of younger girls on the team and we have the most experience under our belt. We’re just focusing on making sure there’s younger generations to fill our spots for when we leave and to create a stronger team that we can come back as alumni and look at.”

Lewis was slowed down a bit over the summer, but Einertson is hoping she can find her stride and finish her high school cross country career on a high note.

“We want Abby to finish it off with a fifth year at state,” Einertson said. “Her training has been a little bit off this summer and she’s going to come in fresh this year. She started to get tired over the last couple of years and we’ll get her back in shape for this year. Abby’s always been a leader for us.”

Austin’s Abby Lewis and Henry Hinchcliffe both competed in the Minnesota State Cross Country Meet at St. Olaf College in Northfield last season and will be leading the Packers again this year. Herald file photos

SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold Aug. 28.......................................................................Austin Invite, 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 31............................................................................................at Rosemount, 8 a.m.

Sept. 8........................................................................................at Deborah, Iowa, 9 a.m.

Sept. 13....................................................................................at Rochester Invite, 4 p.m.

Sept. 18................................................................................at Lake City Invite, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 25...........................................................................................at Mankato, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 4............................................................................................at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 6................................................................................................at Duluth Invite, TBA Oct. 9..........................................................................Austin Invite, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 16.............................................................at Big Nine meet in Owatonna, 3:30 p.m.

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AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Packers swimmers look to seniors The Austin girls swimming and diving team has a strong senior class that is ready to lead the way as the team looks to get back into contending for the state meet a year after it didn’t have any state qualifiers last year.

The Packer seniors have been swimming since they were sixth graders and they’re hoping to make their last year a good one in the pool.

“We’ve got a solid senior group,” Austin head coach Alexa Dolan Peterson said.

“They’re excited to lead, they’re solid and they bring an energy to the sport. They’ve got some goals. Some of them just missed the state cut time last year for our relay so they’re already doing the math and seeing how fast they have to go. They’re going to start working from day one until November to get to that state meet.”

Austin will look to seniors Shannan Kelly, a versatile swimmer who swims in middle distance and long distance races and Zoe Dolan Peterson, and sophomores Molly Garry, a sprinter, and Molly Sheehan, who is hoping to have a good year in the breaststroke, to step up in the pool this season. The divers will look to sophomore Hannah Thompson

Zoe Dolan Peterson opens up the 200 yard medley relay with the backstroke against Mankato East Thursday night at Bud Higgins Pool. Herald file photo to lead the way.

Austin senior Signe Fadness said she remembers when the Packers had more swimmers and more success and she’s hoping to instill that competitive edge in the swimmers that are coming up through the program now.

“When I was in sixth and seventh grade, we had girls going to state every year and we had a big team. Our team is significantly smaller now,” Fadness said. “But I think that makes us closer and we need that if we want to build our program. We’re going to try and get better. You’re not going to get better

SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold Aug. 28...................................................at Albert Lea, 6 p.m.

Aug. 30.............................................at Mankato West, 6 p.m.

Sept. 6...........................vs. Rochester Century, 6 p.m.

Sept. 13.....................................vs. Northfield, 6 p.m.

Sept. 18......................................................at Winona, 6 p.m.

Sept. 27....................................................at Faribault, 6 p.m.

Sept. 29.....................................Austin Invite, 10 a.m.

Oct. 4.................................vs. Rochester Mayo, 6 p.m.

Oct. 11.....................................................at Red Wing, 6 p.m.

Oct. 16..................vs. Rochester John Marshall, 6 p.m.

Oct. 26........................at Big Nine meet in Northfield, 5 p.m Oct. 27........................at Big Nine meet in Northfield, 1 p.m.

unless you keep doing it. We want our seventh- and eighth-graders to keep going out for swimming.”

Austin senior Taya Kuchera is hoping the program finds growth in the years to come and she’s hoping her last year with the Packers is a fun one.

“We’re really trying to include everyone this year and we’re making sure everyone feels welcome to work hard and have fun,” Kuchera said. “We want them to invite their friends or people they know to join swimming and trying. We’d like to get to IJ and bring kids over and have them swim for a day.”

Captains take the reins as Packers look forward to a fun season Majority of 2018 squad has varsity experience

Austin’s Rachel Christenson gets on top of a ball during a No. 2 doubles match early this season at Paulson Courts.

Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

The Austin girls tennis team is looking to its captains for leadership heading into the upcoming season.

Sarah Bachmeier, Adrianna Meiergerd, and Katie Willrodt all stepped up early on in a leadership role by organizing captains’ practices and team building events. Bachmeier said the team is looking towards a enjoyable season.

“We all are just kind of here to have fun.

That’s kind of the normal motive,” Bachmeier said. “We have a pretty competitive section and we’re hoping to have a good time.

We try to do a lot of bonding stuff and we tried to make captain’s practice fun as well.”

Willdrodt said the team is looking to find things to build on every day in practice and in competition.

“We want to keep the girls positive and

lead the Pack with what the coaches want us to do,” she said.

The Packers have nine players with varsity experience, which leaves the team prepared for competition. Austin head coach Levon Larson is hoping that experience pays off this fall.

“The majority of this year’s squad has varsity experience, which should prove to be beneficial once our season is rolling. In addition, we have a cohesive, intelligent group willing to put forth the time needed to become better players,” Larson said.

Meiergerd said she’s excited to see what the team can do when it begins its matches this season.

“We’re very pumped and excited to have all of the girls on the court this year,” she said.

Larson said that tennis is a sport that continues to grow in Austin.

“So far, practices have been great, and the girls have been extremely positive about

SCHEDULE/Home matches in bold Aug. 17........................................at Mankato East, cancelled Aug. 20.........Mankato West, 4, Austin 3; Winona 4, Austin 3 Aug. 23......Owatonna 7, Austin 0, Roch. Century 7, Austin 0 Aug. 24.................vs. Stewartville, 4 p.m. (postponed) Aug. 30................................................at Faribault, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 4....................................vs. Red Wing, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 8..................................at United South Central, 9 a.m.

Sept. 11.............................................at Northfield, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 13............................vs. Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 18....................................at Rochester Mayo, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 20...................................at Rochester Mayo, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 25.............................................at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 27............vs. Rochester John Marshall, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 29...............................at Big Nine at Rochester, 9 a.m.

upcoming matches,” Larson said. “We have a large number of girls participating, reflecting the popularity of this great sport in our city, and we have some young talent that will surely help make our program grow in the future.”

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

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Southland volleyball pushing forward New group of seniors take the place of seven graduated last year The Southland volleyball team will have to replace seven graduated seniors from a squad that was 6-16 overall last season and the Rebels are hoping those seniors will help provide the push they need.

Southland will look to seniors Laura Bottema, Brittney Ruechel, Callie Kiefer, Kendra Emanuel and Erin Hanson to step up and juniors Lexi Smith and Hannah Hovden should contribute as well.

“We’ve got great teamwork so I’m looking for that to be a huge strength for for us as we don’t have a lot of varsity experience,” Southland head coach Lisa Hovde, who is in her second year with the Rebels, said. “I’m looking for a lot of new ladies on our team to step it up and be very competitive.”

The Rebels are hoping to win more games than they did last season as they look to build on the program.

“We play against some very good teams in the Three Rivers Conference so we really need to step up our game,” Hovde said.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

“We’ve got great teamwork so I’m looking for that to be a huge strength for us ...”

Lisa Hovde Head coach

SCHEDULE/Home matches in bold

Austin’s Callie Kiefer receives a serve in game one against Fillmore Central last season in Adams. Herald file photo

Sept. 1................at Rochester Century Tournament, 8 a.m.

Sept. 6....................................vs. Chatfield, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 11...................................at Fillmore Central, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 13.............................vs. Saint Charles, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 18.............................................at Caledonia, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 20.........................................at Dover-Eyota, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 27................................vs. LaCrescent, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 29........................................at Rochester Century, TBA Oct. 1...........................vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 2..........................at Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 4............................vs. Lewiston-Altura, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 6...............................................at Riceville, Iowa, 9 a.m.

Oct. 9..........................................at Winona Cotter, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 11........................vs. Wabasha-Kellogg, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 16..................................at Rushford-Pterson, 7:15 p.m.

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Rebels’ 2018 season resting on senior’s shoulders The Southland football team is hoping some team chemistry can carry it through a season of improvement after it went 2-7 overall last season.

The Rebels have a strong group of seniors who have stepped up and lead the way early on.

“The kids have worked super hard through this offseason and up into this point,” Southland head coach Shawn Kennedy said. “The seniors have done a really nice job of taking ownership of the team. It’s really nice to see, because we haven’t had that in awhile.

Everything starts and stops with the senior leadership.”

The Rebels are low on numbers, so health will be a key as the season plays out. The team will look for leadership from senior running back Lee Wilson, senior offensive lineman Clayton Luthe, senior running back and defensive back John Hegge, senior Caden Sorenson and senior lineman Tyler Jax. “I’m pumped and ready to go,” Luthe said. “We’ve got a lot of younger guys that want to play and there’s going to try their best to get out on the field and do whatever they can. We encourage everybody out on the field and we try to keep them accountable. We try to push them in a positive, constructive way.”

Junior Carter Schmitz, sophomores Noah Sayles and Nick Boe and freshman Brendan Kennedy could all step up for the Rebels as well.

Jax said the team has blended well and the younger players have fit in with the older ones.

“During school, we all know each other

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Southland’s Travis Russell wrestles down Kingsland’s Ethan Fenske during the second quarter last season in Adams. Herald file photo and we all say hi to each other in the hallways,” Jax said. “We have a lot of returning players. Everybody knows what’s going on, so there shouldn’t be anything new to anybody.”

This season will likely be Southland’s final season as an 11-man team in the somewhat foreseeable future as the Rebels are likely to make the move to nine-man in 2019.

Kennedy is hoping his team can make its

presence felt and go out strong.

“We’ve got some good veteran leadership coming back. We’ve got some strong kids, some fast kids and some athletic kids.

We’re optimistic and excited,” Kennedy said. “We want to be competitive and when that fourth quarter starts, we want to be in the game. We want to be class act, and if we take care of those little things and cut back on our turnovers, we can be healthy.”

SCHEDULE/Home games in bold Aug. 31........................................at Blooming Prairie, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7...........................vs. Rushford-Peterson, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14..................................................at Kingsland, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21..............vs. Minnesota Valley Lutheran, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28.............................vs. Fillmore Central, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5..........................................at Wabasha-Kellogg, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12..................................vs. Winona Cotter, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17......................................................at Goodhue, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

11

Pacelli’s Kayla Christopherson at the Class A girls race at the Minnesota State Cross Country Meet last year at St. Olaf College in Northfield. Herald file photo

Christopherson eyeing one more trip to state meet

Lyle-Pacelli quarterback Jed Nelson targets Bryce Strouf against Spring Grove during the first quarter Friday night at Art Hass Stadium.

LP football will need to work with low numbers The Lyle-Pacelli football team is hoping to keep it simple, as it looks to make the best of low numbers this season.

The Athletics are low on depth, but the team is heavy on upper classmen. Head coach Dan King said he’s focusing on doing the little things as LP is coming off a season where it went 0-9 overall.

“We’re going to really work on the fundamentals,” King said. “We’re going to work on blocking and we’re going to work on tackling. We want to put an emphasis on the defense and how key it is to be successful there. We want them to be aware of the angles and we want to keep people from making a big play for a touchdown.”

LP graduated a few big contributors from last season and it will look to senior running back Bryce Strouf, senior linebacker Kobie Schaffer and sophomore quarterback Jed Nelson will look to lead the way this year.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

SCHEDULE/Home games in bold Aug. 31.........St. Mary vs. Lyle-Pacelli in Austin, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7.............................................at Spring Grove, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14................................................at Randolph, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21.............................vs. Grand Meadow, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28.........................................at Mabel-Canton, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5.......................................vs. Lanesboro, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12......................................at LeRoy-Ostrander, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17........................................vs. Houston, 7 p.m.

Strouf said the Athletics have already started to show some signs of positivity.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys. Obviously we weren’t where we wanted to be last year, but I think we’re taking steps and we’re on the right track,” Strouf said.

“We’ve got to lay the foundations for our program. We’re obviously not going to be a state championship team this year, but as a senior I want to be able to leave

this place and say ‘I helped build a football program and helped get it to the right spot.’”

King said he’s hoping that Nelson can take a big step this season and he’s looking for Schaeffer to lead the way on defense.

“We’re hoping Jed can step up in his sophomore year. A lot of times in that sophomore year, players gain size and there’s an expectation that they’re no longer just playing, they get to excel,” King said. “We’re going to put [Schaeffer] in a situation where I think he can excel. Even in practice, he’s in the spot where he needs to be and he instinctively sees it.”

Nelson said he’s not as nervous playing varsity football as he was last season.

“I feel a lot more comfortable,” Nelson said. “I’ve just got to take what I did last year, work off that and get better.”

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

The Pacelli cross country team will have a young roster, but it will likely field full boys and girls teams this fall.

The Pacelli girls will be led by senior Kayla Christopherson, who has competed in five state meets, and junior Rory Bickler, who competed in the state meet in 2016.

The Pacelli boys will be led by William Kahle, a three-time letterman, sophomore Jayden Lewis, a three-time letterman and junior Carter King.

“We always look to improve one day at a time,” Pacelli head coach Jim Parlin said.

“We hope to develop some of our younger runners and fill out our boys and girls varsity teams by the end of the year. We don’t run in a conference so we are always pointing to the Section meet to finish strong.”

Parlin, who is in his 35th year at the helm, is hoping this will be a year to remember as Christopherson wraps up a very strong career.

“Kayla has an opportunity to accomplish what few have, by qualifying for state six times,” Parlin said. “We are hoping to get Rory back to state this year. Also feel that Jayden Lewis and William Kahle should have strong seasons this year.”

SCHEDULE Aug. 30.............................................................at Stewartville Sept. 6....................................................................at Hayfield Sept. 8...................................................Luther College Invite Sept. 11...................................................at Blooming Prairie Sept. 18...............................................at New Richland-HEG Sept. 22...................................................................at Winona Sept. 27......................................at Zumbrota Mazeppa/K-W Oct. 4.......................at Lewiston-Altura/Rushford-Peterson Oct. 9..............................................................at Austin Invite

LP embracing change in the 2018 season The Lyle-Pacelli volleyball team is looking for a trio of seniors to lead the way this season as the team hopes to make a push towards playing in Mayo Civic Center in postseason play.

LP will look to seniors Lucy Nelson, Abby Bollingberg and Faith King to help the team improve on last year’s overall mark of 10-16 overall.

“It’s going to be a fun year,” LP head coach Tammy Truckenmiller said. “We’ve moved a few things around and a few girls will be playing different positions, and these girls have embraced the change and are working hard to make it work.”

LP will look to junior Olivia Christianson, Vanessa Cotter and Abbey Neve to step up as well.

“All of these girls bring something different to the court,” Truckenmiller, who in her second year as head coach, said. “Our strength will be our hitters and our defensive play. We want to have better record than last year and we want to get to the Civic Center at tournament time.”

SCHEDULE/Home matches in bold Aug. 23..................................Houston 3, Lyle Pacelli 0 Aug. 27........................vs. Kingsland in Lyle, 7:15 p.m.

Aug. 28..............................................at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 4..............................................at Randolph, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 6...................vs. Grand Meadow in Lyle, 7:15 pm.

Sept 8.........................................at Hayfield Invite, 8:30 a.m.

Sept. 11..............................at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 13......................................at Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 18...............................at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 20..................................at LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 25.....................................at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 4.........vs. Schaeffer Academy in Pacelli, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 8......................................at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 9...........vs. Glenville-Emmons in Pacelli, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 11...........vs. LeRoy-Ostrander in Pacelli, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 13............................................at Byron Invite, 8:30 a.m.

Oct. 15..........................................at Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m.

Lyle-Pacelli’s Vanessa Cotter hits the ball over in against Houston in the first match of the season. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

13

A major shift as Superlarks look to future Grand Meadow will make use of its speed in new offense The Grand Meadow football team is making a major shift in its approach this season as the team adjusts to its new athletes.

After years of playing power football and running between the tackles, the Superlarks, who went 7-3 overall last season, are dropping the I-formation and going with the spread formation.

“I loved the I-formation, it’s something that worked for us for a long, long time,” GM head coach Gary Sloan said. “But now we’re going to make people defend us horizontally and vertically. We’re going to try to take advantage of our speed.”

The Larks will feature a young roster this season as the team has just two seniors and three returning letter winners, but it does have a deep roster with nearly 40 players on the squad. GM’s top returner is Nolan Skifter, who ran for 202 yards, while racking up 96 tackles last season.

Daniel Smith, who ran for Gary Sloan 151 yards and Head coach a score and had 50 tackles last season, is also back in the fold.

“We have smaller, more athletic kids so we’ve changed our philosophy a little bit. In a small school it makes sense for the coaches to adapt to the players, rather than having the players adapt to the scheme,” Sloan said. “I don’t think we have a superstar, but I think we have a lot of different guys that can hurt people. We’re going to try and stay balanced.”

GM junior Wyatt Weiss picked up some varsity experience last season as he finished with 50 tackles. He also saw time on the offensive line, where he learned some lessons.

“I was right in between to senior captains in Kyle [Oehlke] and Grant [Skifter]. They always let me know the little stuff about where to be on a certain play,” Weiss said. “This year is all about getting people reps. We’ve got a lot of depth this year. We don’t know

“But now we’re going to make people defend us horizontally and vertically.

We’re going to try to take advantage of our speed.”

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

Grand Meadow’s Nolan Skifter escapes the tackle of Lyle-Pacelli’s Leo Einck during a second-quarter keeper Friday night in Grand Meadow. Herald file photo who’s starting yet this year, it’ll just be whoever works the hardest.”

Weiss said the change in offense could be an effective one as GM is loaded with team speed.

“Right away I thought it was going to be really tough, because we’ve always been an I formation team and we’ve always pound-

ed it,” Weiss said. “But we’re going to be a young team this year and this year we’re going to use our speed to get to the outside.”

GM has seen some coaching changes this season as long-time assistant coaches Deke Stejskal and Aaron Myhre have retired.

Former LeRoy-Ostrander head coach Craig Knight has joined the GM staff this season.

SCHEDULE/Home games in bold Aug. 31..........................................vs. Nicollet, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7.......................................................at Houston, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14.....................................vs. Lanesboro, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21................................................at Lyle-Pacelli, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28.......................................at LeRoy-Ostrander, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5...................................vs. Mabel-Canton, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12...................................vs. Spring Grove, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17....................................................at Randolph, 7 p.m.

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Building success Coming off a 22-win season last year, Grand Meadow is looking to continue its roll behind a pair of new coaches The Grand Meadow volleyball team is looking to put together a landmark season as it aims to build off of back-to-back 20 win seasons.

The Superlarks bring back much of their roster from a team that went 22-11 overall last year and they have their sights set on big things as they look towards the 2018 campaign.

“Our main goal is not only to get to the Civic Center, but to win there,” said GM senior Jordyn Glynn, who had 236 kills and 322 digs last season.

GM will turn to co-head coaches this season as former assistants Alex Peterson and Susie Queensland will take over the program. Peterson said she’s expecting GM to make a strong push this season and the goal is to win at least 20 games again.

“It’s been really fun watching the girls gain experience and seeing them grow over the past couple of years,” Peterson said. “The numbers are high and we have a big fresh-

“As a team, we’re just clicking better and everyone knows each other. We’ve played basketball since we were fourth graders” Kaitlyn Hilton man group.”

Peterson has experience playing college volleyball for four years at the University of St. Mary’s and Queensland played high school volleyball in Stewartville.

GM will look to returnees Isabelle Olson, Kaitlyn Hilton, Riley Queensland and Glynn to lead the way on the court.

Hilton said the team has a lot of camaraderie headed into the season.

“As a team, we’re just clicking better and everyone knows each other,” Hilton said.

“We’ve played basketball since we were fourth graders.”

Grand Meadow’s Isabelle Olson receives a serve during game two against Glenville-Emmons last season in Grand Meadow. Herald file photo

SCHEDULE/Home matches in bold Aug. 23.........................Grand Meadow 3, Lanesboro 0 Aug. 28...............................................at Kingsland, 7:15 p.m.

Aug. 30.............................vs. Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 1.........................................at Mabel-Canton, 8:30 a.m.

Sept. 4.................................at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 6..............................................at Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 8..............at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 8:30 a.m.

Sept. 11..................................at LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 18....................vs. Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m.

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Sept. 20..............................................at Randolph, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 25................................vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 27.............................vs. Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 4...........................vs. LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 9..................................at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 11....................................vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 12.......................................at Apple Valley Invite, 5 p.m.

Oct. 13.......................................at Apple Valley Invite, 8 a.m.

Oct. 15..................................................at Houston, 7:15 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

15

LeRoy-Ostrander’s Riley Olson forces a fumble after a hit on Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons’ Isaac Burgett early in the first quarter of the Cardinals’ season-opener.

Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Cardinals intend to build on breakthrough season After a breakthrough year last season, the LeRoy-Ostrander football team is hoping to push the limit to an even higher level this season.

The Cardinals had their best record in a decade when they went 4-5 overall last season and they’re bringing back plenty of contributors, including senior quarterback and Trey Hungerholt, junior lineman Riley Olson. Running back Carter Johnson also returns to the lineup after he suffered a knee injury last year and Tanner Kasel will provide solid blocking form the center position.

“It's time to show people how good we really are,” Olson said. “We've been antici-

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

pating this since JV and we've been working hard to get this moment right now.”

LO head coach Aaron Hungerholt said this was the year he was looking towards when the Cardinals skipped a varsity season back in 2015 and played a JV schedule.

“We're done with the whole rebuilding phase stuff. We're going to try to compete every night and get some wins. Our focus is to compete with the elite teams and keep improving every game,” Aaron said. “We have pretty high expectations.”

The Cardinals are high on talent, but they don’t have a lot of depth. If the team can stay

healthy, it could be a contender in the Section 1 Nine Man Tournament.

“We've just got to work hard,” Olson said.

“You've always got to beat your man on the field. You have to believe in your team and you're got to trust yourself.”

The Cards are hoping to stay healthy and they’re hoping they can get Johnson going at full speed in the backfield.

“Carter’s hungry to get back,” Aaron said.

“We're trying to make sure his knee is OK with football. He made it through basketball, but football is different with the cutting and getting hit. We're going to be a little cau-

SCHEDULE/Home games in bold Aug. 24..................................................LeRoy-Ostrander 48, Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 18 Sept. 7.............................................at Mabel-Canton, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14........................................vs. Houston, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21.................................................at Lanesboro, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28...............................vs. Grand Meadow, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5.......................................................at Randolph, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12......................................vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17...............................................at Spring Grove, 7 p.m.

tious, but we're hoping once the season gets up and going we can let him go full speed.”

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Returning numbers to lead L-O volleyball The LeRoy-Ostrander volleyball team is turning to a new head coach this season as the team looks to build the program with an experienced group of players.

Amanda Siskow, who has 11 years of coaching experience at various levels, is the new head coach for the Cardinals. Siskow was an assistant coach at Riverland Community College last season.

“I am happy to be at the head of the Cardinal volleyball program this year and am hoping to lead them to many victories,” Siskow said.

LO went 11-19 overall last season and it brings back Haley Hungerholt, Kate Helgeson, who had 166 set assists last year, Lauren Helgeson and Abby Keifer from that squad.

“One of our biggest strengths is the number of returners we have this year. The seniors are bringing leadership,” Siskow said.

“We are working hard to develop a winning attitude. After we get a few games under our belt, I expect to see a very successful season.”

LeRoy-Ostrander hitter Abby Kiefer hits against Alden-Conger Saturday during the Hayfield Invite last season in Hayfield.

Herald file photo

Still-growing GMLOS cross country team concentrating on making strides The GMLOS cross country team doesn’t have a lot of athletes in tow, but it’s hoping to make some strides with its experienced runners this season.

The GMLOS boys team will look to Jackson Hale, Matt Scaglione, Kolton Arndorfer, Ethan Gilbert and Trent Hungerholt to lead the way and the girls will be led by Syndie Bissen, Maddie Merten, Sydney Alstat and Hope Dion.

“We are still growing the program, so many of the younger athletes will be asked to run with the upperclassmen,” GMLOS co-head coach Eric Thorson said.

“Strengths for this year's squad are experience and leadership due to the younger athletes competing each year against the upperclassmen.”

Thorson said he’d like to see the GMLOS runners push themselves throughout the season.

“Our team is focusing on achieving personal bests throughout the season and peaking at the right time,” Thorson said.

“We would like to see a few of the athletes finish in the top half at both the conference and section meets.”

“We are still growing the program, so many of the younger athletes will be asked to run with the upperclassmen.”

Eric Thorson

Head coach

SCHEDULE Aug. 24..........................................................at Byron, 4 p.m.

Aug. 30................................................at Stewartville, 4 p.m.

Sept. 6.................................................at Hayfield, 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 11.........................................at Dover-Eyota, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 20...........................................at Pine Island, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 27.......................................at Saint Charles, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 4.....at Lewiston-Altura-Rushford-Peterson, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 9.......................................................at Austin, 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 16........at Lewiston-Altura-Rushford-Peterson, 4 p.m.

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“One of our biggest strengths is the number of returners we have this year.

The seniors are bringing leadership.”

Amanda Siskow Head coach

SCHEDULE/Home matches in bold Aug. 23.................Mabel-Canton 3, LeRoy-Ostrander 0 Aug. 30..............................vs. Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 4................................at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 6.......................vs. Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 8..................................................at Hayfield, 8:30 a.m.

Sept. 11..........................vs. Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 13................................................at Houston, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 15......................................at Wabasha-Kellogg, 8 a.m.

Sept. 20...............................vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 27................................vs. Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 2...................................at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 4.........................................at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 6.......................................at Riceville Tournament, TBA Oct. 9.....................................vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 11.............................................at Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 15...............................................at Kingsland, 7:15 p.m.

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

17

BP football puts bullseye on return to state After just missing a section title last year, Blossoms think they have what it takes to seal the deal The Blooming Prairie football team was close to getting back to the Minnesota Class A State Football Tournament last season, and it’s hoping to get over the hump this fall.

BP had its season end on a 19-14 loss to Goodhue in the Section 1A title game in 2017 and it brings back a strong core of skill players from that team. Seth Peterson, who threw for 2,278 yards and 25 TDs last year, returns to the lineup, along with receivers Gabe Hagen, Payton Simon and Tim Wolf.

BP head coach Chad Gimbel said BP is focused on this year and getting past last year.

“Last year we finished where we were hoping to. We were hoping to get to that section championship game and we were hoping to give ourselves a shot and we did,” Gimbel said. “We had a chance to go ahead at the end. Our big thing this year is just finishing.

We haven’t realChad Gimbel ly talked about Head coach last year. We’re starting a whole new year with a whole new group of kids.”

While BP is hoping to have an explosive offense, the team is putting a lot more focus on the defensive side of the ball this season.

A good defense could kick-start BP’s offense from good to great.

“We put a lot of focus on our defense this year and we’re doing a lot more on our defense at this point of the year than we had in the past,” Gimbel said. “Last year, we felt like our defense let us down at times. We feel like if we can play better defense, that’s just going to make our offense that much better. Offense sells tickets, but defense

“Last year we finished where we were hoping to.

We were hoping to get to that section championship game and we were hoping to give ourselves a shot and we did.”

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

Bloomin Prairie quarterback Seth Peterson carries against Goodhue in the Section 1A title game last year in Rochester. Herald file photo wins championships.”

Hagen, a junior, said the team is willing to do whatever it takes to improve its win total this season.

“We have to get more fired up on defense and our wide receivers need to block a little more,” Hagen said.

BP graduated a bulk of its line from last season, including second-team All-State selection Mitchell Oswald, but it does return

leaders up front in Trent Swenson and Dylan Nirk. Gimbel thinks BP has what it takes to hold the line up front.

“We’re probably going to be deeper this year,” Gimbel said. “Losing a couple of those guys is going to hurt, but this is a team game. We just need to be solid up front. We have to our jobs and do our assignments. We do a lot of double team blocking, so it’s not like we’re going to get overpowered.”

SCHEDULE/Home games in bold Aug. 31......................................vs. Southland, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7..........................................at Fillmore Central, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14...........................vs. Wabasha-Kellogg, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21...........................................at Winona Cotter, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28.......................................vs. Goodhue, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5.........................................................at Hayfield, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12..........................................at Mayer Lutheran, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17..........................vs. Rushford-Peterson, 7 p.m.

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

BP volleyball features mix of experience, new faces The Blooming Prairie volleyball team will have to do a little bit of reloading as it had five players graduate from last year’s team that finished with a record of 14-11 overall.

BP does return five players from last year’s team and it will look to senior Rachael Oswald to lead the way, along with a group of junior players. “[Rachael] is a great student-athlete and will be an excellent senior leader this season,” said BP head coach Ranell Kittelson, who is in her fourth year at the helm. “I have four juniors that will also be on the varsity team this year that have and will display excellent leadership.”

The Awesome Blossoms are hoping to push their record over the .500 mark this season and and they would like to finish towards the top of the Gopher Conference.

“I think our strengths this season will be our versatility and experience that a few of the varsity players will be bringing to the

team from being on varsity last year,” Kittelson said.

SCHEDULE/Home matches in bold Aug. 28............at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 7:15 p.m.

Aug. 30................................................at Goodhue, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 1................at Rochester Century Tournament, 8 a.m.

Sept. 4...........................................................at Austin, 7 p.m.

Sept. 6...................vs. United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 8..................................................at Hayfield, 8:30 a.m.

Sept. 10..................................vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 12...........at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 17............................vs. Alden-Conger, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 20...............................vs. Maple River, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 25.....................vs. New Richalnd-HEG, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 27...........at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 1................................................at Southland, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 4.......................................vs. Hayfield, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 8...................................vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 9....................................................at Medford, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 11................................at New Richland-HEG, 7:15 p.m.

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Blooming Prairie’s Micalyn Trihus reaches for the ball at the net against Austin last season in Blooming Prairie. Herald file photo

BP cross country turns to underclassmen The Blooming Prairie cross country team will look for a lot of underclassmen to step up this season as the BP boys have just two juniors and no seniors on the roster and the BP girls have one senior and no juniors.

The BP boys will be led by returnees Ethan Grant, Isaac Ille, Adam Larson and Alex Miller. The BP girls will look to Bobbie Bruns, Olivia Johnson, Rose Michaud and Asha Lighthizer to lead the way.

“With the boys, we have to stay healthy and work to improve every day,” BP head coach John Bruns said. “Losing our top two runners from last year is very tough to replace, but we should get stronger as the seaAUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

son goes on. The girls have the deepest team we’ve had in a long time. As the season goes on, we should get better and better.”

SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold Aug. 30.................................................at Stewartville, 4 p.m.

Sept. 6..................................................at Hayfield, 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 11...................Blooming Prairie Invite, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 18..............................at New Richland-HEG, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 22.........................................................at Milaca, 9 a.m.

Sept. 27..................................................at Janesville, 4 p.m.

Oct. 2........................................................at Chatfield, 4 p.m.

Oct. 9...............................at United South Central, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 16..................................................at Maple River, 4 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

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Members of the Hayfield football team run through drills during practice earlier this year. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Vikings enjoying surge in numbers in turnaround bid The Hayfield football team is hoping to turn things around as it looks to a new head coach this season.

John Howe, who is an assistant high school principal at Hayfield, has stepped up and taken the helm for the Vikings, who went 0-9 overall last season.

The Vikings have seen a surge in participation as the team now has nearly 40 players on the roster after having just 22 last season.

“We've got way more numbers than last year. That makes us happy as leaders,” Hayfield senior linebacker/offensive lineman Tristan Rieken said. “We're starting over after last season didn't go how we wanted it. We're basically saying forget the past and start over.”

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

Rieken will be a vocal leader for the Vikings this season, along with junior quarterback Jake Risius and junior Brady Nelson, who will play multiple positions on both sides of the ball for the Vikings.

Howe pointed to all three of those players as key contributors on and off the field.

“We look forward to Jake returning as our quarterback. He has some field experience and that helps us. He studies the game throughout the year,” Howe said. “[Tristan] can play guard or tackle on the line and when he says it's time to go to the show, it's time to go and they're right behind him.

Brady’s going to be on the field at running back and receiver. He understands the game.

It's nice to have that kind of kid.”

Risius said the Vikings are hoping to take

it a day at a time as they’re looking to put in work throughout the season.

“We've got to keep a positive attitude and work as a team,” Risius said. “We're looking to where we've improved and what we need to improve on.”

Nelson said the Vikings will have to give it their all if they want to get the program where they want it to be.

“We've got to keep every rep serious at practice and work hard every time that we're out here,” Nelson said.

While Howe is new at the head coaching position, he does bring back much of the same assistant coaches. He’s not planning on making any big changes with the defense or the offense this season.

“Like any other coach, you have some

SCHEDULE/Home games in bold Aug. 31..............................vs. Fillmore Central, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7........................................at Wabasha-Kellogg, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14................................vs. Winona Cotter, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21....................................................at Goodhue, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28................at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5...............................vs. Blooming Prairie, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12.....................................at Rushford-Peterson, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17........................................vs. Kingsland, 7 p.m.

tweaks. That's just what football is,” Howe said. “The kids are familiar and the varsity coaching staff is the same. I'm just a different piece of it this year. That's nice to have continuity for kids and they don't have to guess on a new personality. They know us.”

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Hayfield VB seeing a changing of the guard The Hayfield volleyball team will have new look from a team that went 24-6 overall and advanced to the Section 1A West semifinals last season.

The Vikings return just one starter from that team and senior captain Brooke Bungum will miss the season with an ACL injury.

The Vikings will bring back junior Cela Carney in the back row and the team will look for sophomore Jenna Jacobsen, senior Elecia Brown and junior Taylor Burt to step up as hitters.

“We will look for a new core to develop.

Our outside hitters are pretty dynamic,” Hayfield head coach Jeremy Struck, who is in his sixth year on the job, said. “The core of this year’s squad have played together for one year, but it was at the junior varsity level.

This year’s group will need to work hard to not beat themselves.”

Struck is hoping the Vikings can come together and hit their stride early on this season.

“We are looking for this young core to gel very quickly,” Struck said. “We will need to limit mistakes and be active competitors on both offense and defense. Our quickness and our relentless pursuit of the ball will be key to our success.”

Bungum was set to play a big role for

SCHEDULE/Home matches in bold Aug 23.....................................Fillmore Central 3, Hayfield 1 Aug. 27.....................................at Lewiston-Altura, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 4..................................vs. Pine Island, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 8.......................Hayfield Tournament, 8:30 a.m.

Sept. 11.........................................at Cannon Falls, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 13..............................at New Richalnd-HEG, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 18....................................................at Triton, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 20................................................at Medford, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 25.......................................vs. Bryon, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 29.............................at Rochester Tournament, 8 a.m.

Oct. 9...................................at Rochester Lourdes, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 11.............at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 16.............at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 19.........................at Rochester Tournament, 5:15 p.m.

Oct. 20............................at Rochester Tournament, 10 a.m.

Hayfield, but the untimely injury has left her sidelined.

“We had plans to run a 5-1 with Brooke and her on the court leadership was going to be the glue that held this team together,” Struck said. “This is a huge loss for both the volleyball and basketball teams, but she still will be an incredible asset from the sidelines.”

The Vikings will compete in the Gopher Conference after being in the HVL last season.

Hayfield libero Cela Carney leans to play a serve against Dover-Eyota last season during the Hayfield Invite. Herald file photo

Hayfield cross country looking to fill gap in numbers from last year The Hayfield cross country team will look for some new athletes to blend in with a few veterans as it will make its debut in the Gopher Conference this season after moving over from the HVL. Hayfield had six runners graduate from last season and the boys will look to Jackson Struck, Nathan Grav and Ethan Slaathaug to step up. The girls will not have enough runners to field a full team.

“We do have a handful of junior high kids that are new to the team this year. It will be nice to have them out,” said Hayfield head coach Kellie Baker, who is in her 12th year.

“Now that we are switching to the Gopher Conference, we’ll see some new courses and faces.”

The Vikings are hoping to make the most out of the season.

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

“We want to get into shape, set goals, beat goals, be a good, supportive teammates, have fun and work together,” Baker said. “I’m looking forward to a great season and can’t believe that the season is already here. I’m excited to get to know all the new athletes and see what they are capable of.”

SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold Aug. 30.................................................at Stewartville, 4 p.m.

Sept. 6.....................................vs. Hayfield, 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 11....................................................at Byron, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 18...............................................at Lake City, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 27.............................................at Zumbrota, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 4...................................................at Lewiston, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 9......................................................at Kasson, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 16................................at HVL meet at Mapleton, 4 p.m.

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5 Stories to watch

Up-Starts to Contenders

The Austin boys soccer team is coming off its best season in school history and the bar has been raised even higher this season.

The Packers have a lot of key returnees and they have a lot of depth as they’re looking to get back to the state tournament and make some serious noise if they can make it there.

Speed Across the Board

The Austin football team is loaded with speed this season as the team has massive depth at the skill positions. If the Packers can step up their defense and find consistent play up front, they could be in for a breakthrough season this fall.

New coach on the court

The Austin volleyball team is hoping former Kansas State standout and former Lyle-Pacelli head coach Lauren Cost can help turn things around for the Packers. Austin was close in a lot of matches last season and it’s hoping to turn those close losses into decisive victories.

Tournament Headquarters

Austin’s Elton Tolbert reacts after his goal in the first half against St. Thomas in the Minnesota Class A Boys Soccer Tournament semifinals at US Bank Stadium last season. Herald file photo

Back with a purpose

The Blooming Prairie football team was close to a state tournament berth last season and it’s hoping it can make the push to get to state this season. BP will rely on the arm of Seth Peterson, a three-year starter at quarterback, while the Awesome Blossoms are also hoping to get a strong push from their defense.

Minnesota Gopher scedules Football Aug. 30.....vs. New Mexico State, 6 p.m.

Sept. 8..........vs. Fresno State, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 15........vs. Miami (Ohio), 2:30 p.m.

Building Momentum

The Grand Meadow volleyball team has shown strong improvement over the last two seasons as it is coming off back-to-back 20-win campaigns. The Superlarks are hoping to finish even stronger this year as they will rely on senior Jordyn Glynn to lead the way.

volleyball Big Ten/ACC Challenge in Madison, Wisconsin Aug. 24................................................Gophers 3, Florida State 0 Aug. 25................................................vs. North Carolina, 7 p.m.

Diet Coke Classic at Maturi Pavilion Aug. 31...........................................vs. North Dakota State, 7 p.m.

Sept. 1............................................vs. Georgia Southern, 10 a.m. vs. Arkansas, 7 p.m.

Big Ten/Pac 12 Challenge in Stanford, California Sept. 7..............................................................vs. Oregon, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9.............................................................vs Stanford, 2 p.m.

Sept. 22.......................at Maryland, TBA

Gopher Fall Classic Sept. 13.......................................................vs. Green Bay, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15..............................................vs Kansas State, 7:30 p.m.

Football (Nov. 8-10, 15-16, 23-24)

Oct. 13.......................at Ohio State, TBA

Volleyball (Nov. 8-10)

Oct. 26........................vs. Indiana, 7 p.m.

Boys and Girls Soccer (Oct. 23-25, 30-31, Nov. 1-2)

Nov. 10....................................vs. Purdue

Sept. 19.......................................................vs Penn State, 8 p.m.

Sept. 22.............................................................vs Maryland, TBA Sept. 26.......................................................vs. Wisconsin, 8 p.m.

Sept. 29.................................................................at Indiana, TBA Oct. 3...........................................................at Northwestern, TBA Oct. 6.................................................................at Nebraska, TBA Oct. 12..................................................................vs. Illinois, TBA Oct. 13.......................................................vs. Northwestern, TBA Oct. 19.....................................................................vs. Iowa, TBA Oct. 21.....................................................vs Wisconsin, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 20...............................................................vs Nebraska, TBA Oct. 26...................................................at Michigan State, 5 p.m.

Oct. 27..............................................................at Michigan, TBA Oct. 31............................................................at Wisconsin, TBA Nov. 3.......................................................vs. Michigan State, TBA Nov. 9.....................................................................vs. Indiana, TBA Nov. 10..................................................................vs. Purdue, TBA Nov. 16...............................................................at Maryland, TBA Nov. 17.............................................................at Ohio State, TBA Nov. 23............................................................at Penn State, TBA Nov. 24..................................................................at Rutgers, TBA

Oct. 6........vs. Iowa (Homecoming), TBA Various sites first round, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis semifinals and championship.

Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul

Nov. 3................................at Illinois, TBA

Various sites, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis semifinals and championship

Boys and Girls Cross Country (Nov. 3) St. Olaf College, Northfield

Girls Swimming and Diving (Nov. 14-15) University of Minnesota Aquatic Center, Minneapolis

Girls Tennis (23-26)

Baseline Tennis Center (AA); Reed-Sweatt Tennis Center (A)

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Oct. 20.........................at Nebraska, TBA

AUSTIN DAILY

Nov. 17................vs. NorthWestern, TBA Nov. 24.......................at Wisconsin, TBA

HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Riverland Volleyball/ Soccer schedules VOLLEYBALL/Home matches in bold

Aug. 29.....................................vs. Anoka-Ramsey, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 5.....................................................................at WTC, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 7...........................................vs. Ridgewater, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 12...................................................vs. RCTC, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 14...........................................................at St. Cloud, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 15.....................................................................at MSCTC, noon Sept. 29...........................................vs. St. Cloud Tech., noon

Oct. 2.......................................................vs. WTC, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 3.....................................................................at RCTC, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 6..................................................................at Ridgewater, noon Oct. 13........................................................vs. MSCTC, noon Oct. 19..............................................at Dakota County Tri, 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 27.........................................................at Anoka Ramsey, noon

SOCCER/Home games in bold Aug. 25....................................................at Gustavus, 1 p.m.

Aug. 29......................at North Central University, 3:15 p.m.

Sept. 1....................................at St. Olaf College, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 5...........................vs. Anoka-Ramsey, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 8.............................vs. Lake Superior, 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 11.................at the University of Dubuque, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 14........................................................at NIACC, 4 p.m.

Sept. 19........................................at Minnesota West, 4 p.m.

Sept. 23............................vs. Minnesota St. U., 6 p.m.

Sept. 26.........................vs. St. Olaf College, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 3....................................at Gustavus College, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 7............................at Lake Superior College, 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 8.............................................at Anoka-Ramsey, 4 p.m.

Oct. 10..........................vs. Minnesota West, 6:30 p.m.

Riverland’s Elisabeth Buck spikes in game two against Anoka-Ramsey last season.

Herald file photo

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

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Austin The Austin Bruins had a tough end to their 20172018 season as their playoff run came to an end in a 2-1 double overtime loss to Minot in game four of the NAHL Central Division Finals.

Now the Bruins are ready to make another push for the Robertson Cup under second-year head coach Steve Howard.

The Bruins are likely to have a core of veterans back in the fold when the season opens against Bismarck in Riverside Arena on Sept. 28. The team has also been active in the offseason, adding some potential play-makers.

Austin selected Hugh Larson of Livonia, Michigan, Austin’s Dante Sheriff cuts behind Bismarck’s Vescio at Riverside Arena last in the first season. Herald file photo round of the NAHL draft and they took Noah Kim of Fullerton, California, in the second round.

The Bruins have brought former goalie Nick Lehr back into the fold as an assistant coach this season.

Lehr played for the Bruins from 2011 to 2013 and he played Division I college hockey with the University of Minnesota.

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SCHEDULE/Home games in bold

Bruins

Sept. 28..........................................vs. Bismarck Bobcats, 7:05 p.m.

Sept. 29..........................................vs. Bismarck Bobcats, 7:05 p.m.

Oct. 6............................................................vs. Blizzard, 7:05 p.m.

Oct. 12...........................................................................at Blizzard, 7:05 p.m.

Oct. 13......................................................................at Wilderness, 7:35 p.m.

Oct. 19.......................................................vs. Magicians, 7:05 p.m.

Oct. 20.............................................................................at Magicians, 7 p.m.

Oct. 24.........................................................vs. Wilderness, 11 a.m.

Oct. 26................................................................................at Steel, 7:10 p.m.

Oct. 27...............................................................vs. Steel, 7:05 p.m.

Nov. 2.......................................................................at Minotauros, 7:35 p.m.

Nov. 3.......................................................................at Minotauros, 7:35 p.m.

Nov. 9..................................................................vs. Minotauros, 7:05 p.m.

Nov. 10................................................................vs. Minotauros, 7:05 p.m.

Nov. 16..........................................................vs. Bobcats, 7:05 p.m.

Nov. 17..........................................................vs. Bobcats, 7:05 p.m.

Austin’s Levi Stauber with the puck during the second period against Bismarck last season. Herald file photo

Nov. 23..............................................................vs. Steel, 7:05 p.m.

Feb. 2.........................................................vs. Magicians, 7:05 p.m.

Nov. 24..................................................................at Steel, 7:10 p.m.

Feb. 8.............................................................................at Bobcats, 7:15 p.m.

Nov. 30.....................................................vs. Minotauros, 7:05 p.m.

Feb. 9.............................................................................at Bobcats, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 1.......................................................vs. Minotauros, 7:05 p.m.

Feb. 15.....................................................vs. Minotauros, 7:05 p.m.

Dec. 7.............................................................................at Blizzard, 7:05 p.m.

Feb. 16.....................................................vs. Minotauros, 7:05 p.m.

Dec. 8.............................................................................at Blizzard, 7:05 p.m.

Feb. 22.....................................................vs. Wilderness, 7:05 p.m.

Dec. 14..........................................................................at Bobcats, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 23......................................................................at Wilderness, 7:35 p.m.

Dec. 15..........................................................................at Bobcats, 7:15 p.m.

March 1............................................................vs. Wings, 7:05 p.m.

Dec. 28......................................................................at Wilderness, 7:05 p.m.

March 2.............................................................vs Wings, 7:05 p.m.

Dec. 29.....................................................vs. Wilderness, 7:05 p.m.

March 8.........................................................vs. Blizzard, 7:05 p.m.

Dec. 31...........................................................................at Wilderness, 5 p.m.

March 9..........................................................................at Blizzard, 7:05 p.m.

Jan. 4............................................................vs. Blizzard, 7:05 p.m.

March 13...................................................vs. Wilderness, 7:05 p.m.

Jan. 5.............................................................................at Blizzard, 7:05 p.m.

March 15........................................................................at Blizzard, 7:05 p.m.

Jan. 11.............................................................vs. Wings, 7:05 p.m.

March 16.......................................................vs. Blizzard, 7:05 p.m.

Jan. 12.............................................................vs. Wings, 7:05 p.m.

March 22.......................................................................at Bobcats, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 18.....................................................................at Minotauros, 8:05 p.m.

March 23.......................................................................at Bobcats, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 19.....................................................................at Minotauros, 7:35 p.m.

March 29...........................................................................at Wings, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 25..............................................................................at Wings, 7:15 p.m.

March 30...........................................................................at Wings, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 31..............................................................................at Wings, 7:15 p.m.

April 5...........................................................vs. Bobcats, 7:05 p.m.

Feb. 1.........................................................................at Magicians, 7:15 p.m.

April 6...........................................................vs. Bobcats, 7:05 p.m.

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - FALL SPORTS PREVIEW