Table of contents
The year in pictures so far.
Check out a photo spread featuring the Bruins half way through the season. Page 24
An Austin Daily Herald publication
Story previews compiled by Rocky Hulne, Photos and layout by Eric Johnson
Setting it off
Cover story
The Austin Dance Packer team is ready to ignite another season and run to state. Page 3
Season previews
Austin Packers....................Pages 4-8 Lyle-Pacelli Athletic......... Pages 9-10 Southland Rebels............Pages 11-13 Grand Meadow Superlarks.......................Pages 14-15 LeRoy-Ostrander Cardinals........................Pages 16-17 Hayfield Vikings..............Pages 18-19
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Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms........Pages 20-22
Features
To tape or not to tape
Certified athletic trainer Kris Dutton explains the difference between taping and bracing. Page 16
State Tournament Headquarters
A quick look at where you will be watching your state tournaments this year. Page 17
Riverland basketball schedules
Page 23
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW - AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
Austin Packer dance team captains Alexandra Smith, from left, Skylar Kroneman, Karla Kubesh and Meghan Condit are leading this year’s team.
Story by Rocky Hulne, Photos by Eric Johnson
With high expectations, the Austin Packers dance team is setting sights on a 13th-straight trip to the state meet To say the Austin Packer dance team enters every season with high expectations would be an understatement. For the last 12 seasons, Austin has competed in the state dance meet and the team has its sights set on making that No. 13 straight state appearances this season. To keep such a streak going has demanded the team show a lot of dedication over the years and this year’s team has put in the work to put itself in position to keep the state tradition alive. “I don’t think people understand quite how much work goes into it,” Austin senior Karla Kubesh said. “It’s so much work. It’s cardio, endurance, we work out all of the time and we have to do our dance so many times in a row.” Austin head coach Kayla Sellers said her team practices two and half hours per day during the week and then it will put in another three hours on Saturdays. Sellers, who is in her second year as AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
Cloey Thorpe and the Austin Packers dance team practice at I.J. Holton Intermediate School.
“I think the pressure is so great because we only have three minutes to prove ourselves and show off how hard we’ve worked.” — Meghan Condit Austin dance team co-captain
head coach, said the team relies a lot on its captains — Kubesh, Alex Smith, Meghan Condit and Skylar Kroneman, to lead the way during the season. “Our captains are very crucial. They do a lot for us as far as planning and they’re positive role models for our team,” Sellers said. “We have positive attitude and I don’t know if there’s any days were they have a negative attitude. They really lift each other up every day.” The Packer dance team has built quite the reputation in Austin. The squad works with younger girls during the season and it often leaves a memory that lasts in those girls. Smith recalls watching the Packers dance teams at state when she was in JV, but her first impressions of the team came well before that. “I remember watching the varsity dance team at the APDT show when I was in elementary school. I was amazed by what they could do,” she said. The most difficult challenge for the Packer dance team is to take what they’ve worked on for hours and hours and and only have three minutes to impress the judges during competitions. “I think the pressure is so great because we only have three minutes to prove ourselves and show off how hard we’ve worked,” Condit said.
> DANCE continues on 4 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014
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Madaline Rohr practices with the rest of the Austin Packer dance team at I.J. Holton Intermediate School. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Targeting a trip to the top stage The Austin Packer dance team is hoping for another solid season as it prepares for this season. The Packers have competed in the last 12 state meets and they’re hoping to keep that streak going this season. Austin senior Karla Kubesh said there’s plenty of talent on the squad to make a run to state. “We’re hoping to have a successful season
and we’re hoping to make it to state again,” Kubesh said. “Last year we were kind of warming up to the whole thing with a new coach. This year is a lot better because we’re used to it.” It is the second year for Austin head coach Kayla Sellers and she said she has a little better grasp on how to handle the position this season. “It’s not easier, but I guess I know what I’m
Schedule •Dec. 6.....................................atApple Valley Invite, TBA •Dec. 13...........................................at Fridley Invite, TBA •Dec. 20...................................at Holy Angels Invite, TBA •Jan. 10........................at Rochester Century Invite, TBA •Jan. 17...........................at Rochester Mayo Invite, TBA •Jan. 24...........................................at Simley Invite, TBA
doing more,” she said. “The little behind the scenes things come easier now.”
The Packers have 40 dancers on the varsity team this season after having 41 dancers on the team last season. Sellers said the hopes are high for the squad. “I’d say we’re just as strong as last year. I’m excited,” she said. “We want to get to state, do our best at the preliminaries and get to the finals and see what happens.”
Dance: A sense of pride throughout the program From Page 1 Kroneman said that pressure never goes away, no matter how long she’s been on the
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dance team. “I don’t think I’ve ever gotten used to the pressure,” she said. “I’m nervous from the first meet to the state floor.”
While it’s tough and it takes a lot of time, the Packer dance team also brings its dancers closer together. Kroneman said the squad has a positive attitude this year and she said
there is a lot of team chemistry. “I know we all take a lot of pride in our team and our teammates,” she said. “We all build off each other and we all really support each other.” WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW - AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
A refining process Packer boys will sport a new look as it begins the process of rebuilding The Austin boys basketball team will have an entirely different look from the team that won three straight Big Nine titles and made it to three straight Class AAA state tournaments. But don’t expect the Packers to be pushovers. The Packers, who lost the Class AAA state title game in the last two seasons, graduated their entire backcourt but the team has a new look with a group of young players who could make an immediate impact. Gach Gach and Noah Brehmer are the team’s lone returning starters, but Gach, who averaged 7.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season, said this team could be a force by the end of the season. “Don’t count us out early. We’ve got a good squad and we’re going to make some noise again,” Gach said. “Our younger guys got a lot of talent. We’re looking pretty good so far and I think we’re going to have a good year.” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said that the Packers will get leadership from seniors Gach, Brehmer, Nik Gasner and Levi Vierkandt, and juniors Zach Coffey and Dylan Gasner have looked strong early on. But the rest of the spots could be up for grabs. “The bottom line is we’re starting all over again,” Fadness said. “There’s a big learning curve coming up to the varsity level. The game’s a lot faster and a lot more physical. We’re not going to come out of the chute looking great right away. It’s going to be a process.” The Packers look to set the tone with a strong defense and Fadness feels that will keep them in games as the offense takes a time to mature. The Packers have plenty of size and athleticism, which should eventually help them out on both sides of the court. Overall, the Austin basketball program looks to be in great shape. “We’re really deep and strong at every level. I feel good about the shape of our program,” Fadness said. “From a varsity standpoint, when you’re asking some young kids to step in, you’re asking a lot. It’s not like Tom [Aase] and Joe [Aase] as AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
Schedule/Home games in bold Nov. 25.................................Austin 59, Winona 44 Dec. 2........................Faribault 38, Austin 35, OT Dec. 4...........................vs. New Prague, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5........................at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9...............................vs. Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12.....vs. Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16..............................at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19..............vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22..................at Kasson-Mantorville, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29...............at Winona State Tournament, TBA Dec. 30...............at Winona State Tournament, TBA Jan. 3...........................at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6............................at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9.................................at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13..............................at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16......................vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20...................................at Winona, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23.............................vs. Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27...................vs. Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30..................................at Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3..........at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6...............................vs. Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10...................at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13........................vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17............................vs. Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20.............................vs. Owatonna, 7:30 p.m.
Austin's Gach Gach floats a shot over DeLaSalle's Jarvis Johnson during the second half of the Minnesota State Boys Basketball Class AAA title game in Target Center last season. Herald file photo
sophomores or [Zach] Wessels as a ninthand 10th-grader. They’re not quite at that level. That’s a whole different world.” Having a lot of players competing for the same spots will create a competition among the team and that will drive everyone on the roster to work to harder. Coffey said the attitude has been outstanding early on in the season. “I don’t think we’re going to back down from any team,” Coffey said. “We just want to work hard and have a good attitude right now. A lot of guys want to push us and push everybody else to get in the lineup and play this year. Everybody has a good shot to play.” Gach said it’ll be on the seniors who have played in some big games to show the younger players on the roster what varsity basketball is all about. “We’ve got to motivate these younger guys and make sure they’re not nervous for big games,” Gach said. “That’s something that they’ve got to get used to. For some of them it’s their first year on varsity and for others its their first year in high school.” FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014
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Packers motivated to soar
Packers will continue to aim high as they welcome a new face as head coach
Austin’s Carolyn Hackel performs on the balance beam during the Minnesota State Class A Individual Gymnastics Meet last season at the University of Minnesota Sports Pavilion. Herald file photo The Austin gymnastics team graduated Sela Fadness, a two-time all-around state champion, and it is turning to a new head coach, but expectations are still high for the Packers this season. Alex Bade, who has experience coaching with Melrose High School and Brainerd High School, is taking over the Packer program as his first head coaching job and he thinks there is plenty of talent in place for Austin to have a shot at its fifth state meet appearance in six years. “The expectations are going to run high,” Bade said. “That’s the competitive nature of the kids and the competitive nature of myself. We’re always going to aim for the best.” Although it lost Fadness to graduation, the Packers bring back plenty of talent this season. Seniors Abby Bickler and Carolyn Hackel have been regular state meet competitors and they bring a lot of experience to the squad. Bickler took fourth in the all-around last season and sophomore Maddie Mullenbach took fifth in the all-around last season. “Being that it’s senior year, this is all we have left,” Bickler said. “That’s a huge motivator, both for me wanting the team to do well and for me individually. It’s kind of the last time for me to get what I’ve worked for for 15 years.” Hackel and Bickler are especially close since they both have been on the varsity team since they were seventh-graders. They hope to lead Austin to another solid run before they finish their high school gymnastics careers. “We’re excited,” Hackel said. “Abby and I were on the first
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A new face at the head of the Pack The Austin gymnastics team is turning to a young coach who has coaching experience with one of their rivals at the state meet to lead them this season. Alex Bade, who has coached with Melrose High School, a Class A state power, is taking over the Austin gymnastics program and he has come to Austin to keep up a winning tradition. “I moved all the way from St. Cloud to coach this team. If that doesn’t tell you I want to be here I don’t know what would,” Bade said. “There’s a lot of talent on this team that I’m excited to work with. The goal is definitely to go to state and hopefully win it. We’re going to aim high.”
Schedule/Home meets in bold Nov. 29....................................................Winter Warm-Up, first place, 139.8 Dec. 2.....................................................................vs. Faribault, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11......................................................................at Mankato, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13......................................................................at Prior Lake, noon Dec. 18...................................................................vs. Red Wing, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 3..............................................................................at Faribault, 11 a.m. Jan. 6.....................................................................vs. Rochester Century, Rochester John Marshall, Rochester Mayo, 6 p.m. Jan. 10.............................................................................at Eastview, noon Jan. 27...............................................................vs. Owatonna, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30..........................................................................at Northfield, 6 p.m. Jan. 31......................................................................at Pine Island, 11 a.m. Feb. 7................................................at Big Nine meet in Northfield, 3 p.m.
team to go to state in school history and we hope to keep that going. We want to get the younger girls some experience so they can step up next year when we leave. Every year somebody else has to step up and this is our year to step up.” Austin put up its best score it has ever put up at the state meet with a 148.3 last season, but the team had to settle for fourth place in Class A. The Packers are driven to get back to the state meet this year. “We still have a lot of high expectations. We want to go to state as a team and it should hopefully be another big year for us,” Bickler said. “We definitely have a lot of motivation on the team. We all are still hungry for that state title. We want to get back there and do as well as we can.” WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW - AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
Looking for consistency After playing well for stretches of last season that saw them go 8-16 overall, the Packer girls basketball team is hoping to find consistency this year. The Packers bring back plenty of variety experience, including junior forward Shayley Vesel, who averaged 11.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season and seniors Alex Hansen and Syndey Murphy. “Our goal is to work hard and play together every each day. We are have got to finish the games that are close,” Austin head coach Todd Johnson said. “I’m excited about the kids we have. We have some younger kids that I’m excited about their games getting better throughout the year.” The Packers will look to get a lift out of sophomore center Ruth Koang, who worked her way into the starting lineup last season. “I think Ruth will be a big factor for us,” Johnson said. “She’s 6-3 and she’s got some good moves inside. We can finish.” Murphy has high hopes for this season as she’d like to see the Packers get to the Section 1AAA title game. “We need to play the whole game and we’ve got to play with heart,” she said. “I think at this point everybody knows where everybody else is going to be on the court.” Hansen said the Packers will have to navigate a tough sched-
Austin’s Sydney Murphy takes a running shot against Winona this past January. Herald file photo ule this season and Austin will have to play its best on a regular basis. “The Big Nine has some pretty fierce competitors and we have to play a faster game, while staying under control,” she said.
Schedule/Home games in bold Dec. 2....................................................................Austin 65, Faribault 49 Dec. 5..........................................................vs. Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6............................................................................at Waseca, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9.......................................................................at Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12..............................................at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13................................................vs. Kasson-Mantorville, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16.................................................................vs. Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19.........................................................at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6................................................................vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9....................................................................vs. Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13...................................................................vs. Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16..................................................................at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20...........................................................................Winona, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22..............................................................................Byron, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23.......................................................................at Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27...........................................................at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30........................................................................Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3.............................................Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6......................................................................at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10.........................................................Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13...............................................................at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17.....................................................................at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20.....................................................................at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24................................................................Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27........................................................................at Winona, 7:30 p.m.
Swimmers look strong in relays The Packers are hoping for another solid year in the pool. The Austin boys swimming and diving team broke a school record and got got on the podium in four events at the Class A state meet last season, and they’re hoping to do some more damage at state this season. The Packers bring back much of the 200-yard freestyle relay team that took third at state last year and they return much of the 400-yard freestyle relay team that took fifth at state last season as they look for more suc-
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
Austin’s Isaac Christopherson. Herald file photo cess in those events. Austin junior Craig Heimark is back after he competed in four events at state last season and Austin’s other returnees with state expe-
rience include Sawyer Myers, Seth Clasen, Ben Walker and Isaac Christopherson. The Packers, who have 15 letter winners returning from last season, will have a strong senior class in Clasen, Myers, Andrew Allas, Matt Knoll, Noah Kinney and Giancarlo Marconi. “The team needs to improve in depth in all events,” Austin head coach Lynn Gulbrandson said. “As a team we have the goal of being among the Big Nine leaders and to finish as a top ten team in the state.”
Schedule/Home games in bold Dec. 11........................................at Albert Lea, 6 p.m. Dec. 18................................Rochester Century, 6 p.m. Jan. 3...........................................Mankato East, 1 p.m. Jan. 6.........................................Mankato West, 6 p.m. Jan. 8......................at Rochester John Marshall, 6 p.m. Jan. 13................................................Faribault, 6 p.m. Jan. 22...............................................Red Wing, 6 p.m. Jan. 27..............................................at Winona, 6 p.m. Jan. 29.........................................Mankato East, 6 p.m. Feb. 5..............................at Rochester Mayo, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20...............at Big Nine meet in Northfield, 5 p.m. Feb. 21................................at Rochester Century, noon
Austin graduated 10 seniors from last year’s squad, including state qualifiers Ian Christopherson and Alec Anderson.
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Trying for a reversal in fortune The Austin girls hockey team wasn’t exactly satisfied with a season that saw the team go 6-16-3 overall last year, so the squad put in some work in the offseason and that seems to have paid off for the Packers. Austin has a few strong scorers in juniors Chloe Summerfield and Madison Overby and freshman Myia Hoium and it has two solid goalies in juniors Allison Hoban and Mara Overby. Mara Overby said the squad is optimistic for this season. “We’re looking to have a pretty good team,” she said. “We return a lot of players and we’re off to a good start.” Summefield said the squad put in the offseason time getting better thanks to a push from head coach Brett Vesel. “He’s really worked hard to make our program better and it’s nice to know that we have a coach that wants to see us get better,” Summerfield said.
Schedule/Home games in bold
Chloe Summerfield in early-season action this year against Albert Lea. Herald file photo Vesel said he likes how is squad opened the season and he’s hoping for more improvements as the year goes on. “We just want to continue to get better at some of the things we’re not doing good right now,” he said. “Our defensive zone is starting to come. We’ve just got to work more at it.”
Austin packed with veteran experience The Austin boys hockey team is hoping to turn the tide in their favor after going 3-21-1 overall last season. The Packers bring back their top two lines and four of their top five defenseman as they look for a strong senior class to lead the way. “I think we’re going to lay the hammer down and get into games,” said Austin senior defenseman Adam Maxfield. “It’s our senior year and it means a lot. We’ve got to come together as a team with a good attitude.” Besides Maxfield, Austin’s seniors include Blake Halsey, Brandon Miller, Dan Larson, Sam Bennett, Trevor Stevens and goalie Jacob Johnson. A lot of those players have played on varsity for two straight seasons. “Our senior class is pretty strong,” Halsey said. “We’ll have to put the puck away and score some goals this year.” The Packers will need Johnson to fill in at goalie this season as last year’s primary goalie Connor Poczos is playing junior hockey in Kansas City this winter. Austin head coach Erik LaRock thinks Johnson can step in and play well.
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Austin’s Dan Larson is one of several seniors returning for the 2014-15 season. Herald file photo “[Jake] had a really good year on JV and he played a few varsity games last year,” LaRock
Nov. 8..................................Austin 4, Mankato East 4 Nov. 11.........................................Austin 4, Waseca 0 Nov. 13......................................Austin 9, Albert Lea 0 Nov. 18......................................Austin 10, Fairmont 2 Nov. 22........................................Austin 3 Winona, 1 Nov. 25..................................Faribault 4, Austin 2 Nov. 28....................................Willmar 6, Austin 5 Nov. 29.......................Austin 9, Morris/Benson Area 1 Dec. 2........................at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6....................at Rochester John Marshall, 1 p.m. Dec. 11.........................................Red Wing, 7 p.m. Dec. 16...................................at Mankato East, 7 p.m. Dec. 18.........................Austin at Albert Lea, 7:45 p.m. Dec. 23.......................vs. Rochester Century, 7 p.m. Dec. 29...............................Austin Tournament, TBA Dec. 30................................Austin Tournament, TBA Dec. 31................................Austin Tournament, TBA Jan. 6.................................at Mankato West, 7 p.m. Jan. 8...................................vs. Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15......................................vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17......................................at Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22......................vs. Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24.............................................Northfield, 2 p.m. Jan. 29.........vs. Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m.
Schedule/Home games in bold Nov. 20.......................LeSeuer-Henderson 4, Austin 1 Nov. 22......................................Winona 3, Austin, 2 Nov. 25....................................Faribault 7, Austin 0 Dec. 6.....................................vs. La Crescent, 1 p.m. Dec. 9...........................vs. Rochester Century, 7 p.m. Dec. 11..................................at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16.........................vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20..........................................at Albert Lea, 1 p.m. Dec. 29..........................at Waseca Tournament, TBA Dec. 30..........................at Waseca Tournament, TBA Dec. 31..........................at Waseca Tournament, TBA Jan. 6............................vs. Dodge County, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10................................vs. Mankato West, 1 p.m. Jan. 15.........................................at Winona, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17.........................................vs. Faribault, 1 p.m. Jan. 22...........................at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24...........................vs. Northfield, 12:30 p.m. Jan. 27............................at Kasson-Mantorville, 7 p.m. Jan. 29................at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31...............................vs. Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5.......................at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7....................................at Mankato East, 1 p.m. Feb. 12................................vs. Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14......................................vs. Owatonna, 1 p.m.
said. “I’m happy that he’s going to get a chance at it. He deserves it and he’s worked very hard for us.” Last season, the Packers struggled in close games and LaRock is hoping that trend will change this year. He said the biggest thing Austin has to do is generate offense. “We’ve got to finish games and learn how to score more goals,” LaRock said. “We’ve got to score more goals this year. That’s the bottom line.”
Austin’s Brandon Cotter in action last season. Herald file photo
Numbers bolster wrestling team
The Austin wrestling team is high on numbers this season as the team will be led by head coach Jer Osgood, who was the team’s interim coach last season. The Packers didn’t have any state meet qualifiers last season, but they’re hoping to get someone to state this season. “I’m just hopeful that we’re able to compete and improve upon last year,” Osgood said. “The guys who are working in here day in and day out want to make it to state. That’s something that they’re all pushing each other for.” Austin wrestler Nathan Brinkman said the team has adjusted to Osgood’s coaching style and he thinks the Packers have what it takes to make some progress this year. “He’s really good about being straight forward and we know what we’re going to be doing every day,” Brinkman said. “The numbers are way up from years past and that’s a good thing. I think there’s a lot of competition in at every weight class and everybody’s working each other very hard.” Eli Kaercher said the Packers have their eyes on getting some wrestlers to state this season. Last year, Brandon Cotter, Kaercher and Kole Igou took fourth in the Section 1AAA meet. “State is always a goal,” Kaercher said. “I feel like we have quite a few guys this year who are more than capable of going and not only going, but making an impact at the state tournament.” Cotter said he’s looking forward to his senior season of wrestling. “We have high intensity and the kids are excited to get the season going,” he said.
Schedule/Home meets in bold
Nov. 29............Fourth at Dick Shiels Invite, Faribault Dec. 12.......................................at Faribault, 7 p.m. Dec. 13..........................at Columbia Heights, 8 a.m. Dec. 18.........vs. Rochester John Marshall, 7 p.m. Jan. 3................................at Cannon Falls, 10 a.m. Jan. 8.............vs. Winona and Owatonna, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 15.......................at Rochester Century, 7 p.m. Jan. 23...................................at Northfield, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 24.......................at South Saint Paul, 10 a.m. Jan. 27..............................at Mankato East, 5 p.m. Jan. 29..................................vs. Albert Lea, 7 p.m. Jan. 31...............................at Mankato East, 10 a.m. Feb. 5................................ at Mankato West, 7 p.m.
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW - AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
LP girls look to remain strong “Brooke has taken a huge step from last year to this year. She’s becoming a bigger offensive threat for us. Her development this year will be key for us.” — Justin Morris Head coach
The Lyle-Pacelli girls basketball team graduated one of its best scorers in program history, but the Athletics are hoping to take another step forward as it still brings back a strong core of players. LP, which went 23-1 overall last season, has two returning 1,000 point scorers in juniors Sarah Holtz and Courtney Walter and the team is looking for freshman point guard Brooke Walter to take a big step this season. “Our goal is to repeat as conference champs and put ourselves in a position to contend for a state berth,” LP head coach Justin Morris said. “Our subsection is probably the toughest subsection in Class A.” LP will miss the scoring of Ann Rysavy, who graduated, but the team will have the most difficult time replacing her leadership. Morris is hoping Brooke can step up her game and make a difference for LP this season. “Brooke has taken a huge step from last year to this year. She’s becoming a bigger offensive threat for us,” he said. “Her development this year will be key for us.”
Lyle-Pacelli’s Brooke Walter pressures Grand Meadow’s Allison Gehling during the first half of their Section 1A West Division Tournament in Lyle last season. Herald file photo
Schedule/Home games in bold Dec. 2............Lyle-Pacelli 86, Schaeffer Academy 23 Dec. 9.................................vs. Randolph (P), 7:15 p.m. Dec. 11...........................at LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 12.........................vs. Spring Grove (P), 7:15 p.m. Dec. 18..........................................at Randolph, 6 p.m. Dec. 19.......................................at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 23................................vs. Houston (P), 7:15 p.m. Jan. 2..................................at Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
Jan. 5...................vs. Glenville-Emmons (P), 7:15 p.m. Jan. 9......................vs. Hope Lutheran (L), 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13.........................at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 17........................................at Goodhue, 1:30 p.m. Jan. 19.............vs. Schaeffer Academy (P), 7:15 p.m. Jan. 22.................................at Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 24.........................................at Southland, 3 p.m. Jan. 27..................vs. LeRoy-Ostrander (P), 7:15 p.m.
Jan. 30............................vs. Lanesboro (P), 7:15 p.m. Feb. 3.....................vs. Fillmore Central (P), 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5.........................................at Houston, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 10..........................at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 13......................vs. Mabel-Canton (P), 7:15 p.m. Feb. 16........................vs. Grand Meadow (P), 7:15 p.m. Feb. 17.............................at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. *P-Pacelli, L-Lyle FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014
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LP boys hoping to be a force in the SEC West Team will fall back on size and ability to attack the basket The Lyle-Pacelli boys basketball team is hoping to compete in the SEC West as it brings back six players with varsity experience this season. The Athletics, who went 9-17 overall last season, will look to senior Jordan Hart, who averaged 14 points per game last season to lead the way, along with juniors Braden Kocer and Noah Jiskra, who each averaged 10 points per game. LP head coach Dean DeBoer said his team will have some good size and ability to attack the basket, but the squad will have to work on its team defense. LP’s starters may have to log in some long minutes as the team doesn’t have a lot of depth this season.
Lyle-Pacelli’s Jordan Hart pulls up off the dribble while being pressured by MabelCanton’s Hunter Johnson last season. LEFT: Braden Kocer puts up a shot. Herald file photos
Schedule/Home games in bold Nov. 25..................Lyle-Pacelli 83, Schaeffer Academy 53 Dec. 2...................Blooming Prairie 86, Lyle-Pacelli 75 Dec. 4...............................vs. Spring Grove (L), 7:15 p.m. Dec. 9...................................at LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 12............................................at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 18............................................at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 19.....................................vs. Houston (L), 7:15 p.m. Dec. 22.....................................at Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 3..........................................vs. Southland (L), 3 p.m. Jan. 6..........................vs. Glenville-Emmons (L), 7:15 p.m. Jan. 9..................................vs. Hope Lutheran (L), 6 p.m. Jan. 12....................................at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 15.........................................at Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 17...................................................at Goodhue, 3 p.m. Jan. 20..................vs. Schaeffer Academy (L), 7:15 p.m. Jan. 23...................................vs. Lanesboro (L), 7:15 p.m. Jan. 26........................vs. LeRoy-Ostrander(L), 7:15 p.m. Jan. 29..................................vs. Randolph (L), 7:15 p.m. Jan. 30................................................at Houston, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 2..............................................at Kinsgland, 7:45 p.m. Feb. 3..................................at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 6..............................vs. Mabel-Canton (L), 7:15 p.m. Feb. 9...........................vs. Grand Meadow (L), 7:15 p.m. Feb. 10..................................at Fillmore Central, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13......................................at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m. *L-Lyle
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A new coach takes over Southland helm The Southland girls basketball team will turn to a new head coach as it looks to build on last year’s 16-11 last season. Former LeRoy-Ostrander head girls basketball coach Russ Foster will take over at the helm for the Rebels this season. Foster coached in LO for nine years and he was an assistant for the Rochester Lourdes girls basketball team for the past five years. The Rebels will look to seniors McKenzie
Kirtz, who averaged 20.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game last season, Kaitlyn Kirtz, Kaitlyn Webber, Corbyn Bendtsen, Sydney Bendtsen and Haley Laack. Foster is hoping his team can limit turnovers this season as the team has eight players back with varsity experience. “We want to compete each night and get to be consistent,” Foster said. “I’m looking forward to coaching these great kids.”
Southland’s McKenzie Kirtz returns as a scoring threat for Southland. Herald file photo
Schedule/Home games in bold Dec. 2..........................Southland 67, Wabasha-Kellogg 38 Dec. 5....................................vs. Dover-Eyota, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9........................................at Dover-Eyota, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11..........................................at Triton, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12.........................................at St. Charles, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 16..............................vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19.............................................at Saint Ansgar, 6 p.m. Dec. 22.....................................at Winona Cotter, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6..........................................vs. Caledonia, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8.....................................at Lewiston-Altura, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10.........................................vs. Goodhue, 1:30 p.m. Jan. 13.........................vs. Rushford-Peterson, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16...............................at Fillmore Central, 7:30 p.m.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
Jan. 20....................................vs. La Crescent, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22.........................................vs. Chatfield, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24.........................................vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 3 p.m. Jan. 27............................................at Kingsland, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30............................vs. Wabasha-Kellogg, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3..........................................at Dover-Eyota, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5..................vs. Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 ...............at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 1:30 p.m. Feb. 12..............................................at Hayfield, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 17..............................................at Chatfield, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19.........................................at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 20.......................................vs. Kingsland, 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014
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Rebels will run young The Southland boys basketball team will have some maturing to do this season. The Rebels, who went 6-21 overall last season, bring back a young group of players who don’t have a lot of time with the varsity team. “We’re going off not much varsity experience. I’m going to have to learn to relax a little as we go,” Southland head coach Matt Webber said. “We’re going to have to grow as the season goes along this year. We’ll have to find ourselves in the first eight or ten games and see where we are.” The Rebels will look to Josh Anderson, Jackson Koenigs to lead the way up front and the team will get a boost when guard James Landherr comes back from injury in December.
Schedule/Home games in bold Nov. 21.................................Chatfield 79, Southland 60 Nov. 25................................Kingsland 71, Southland 56 Dec. 2....................Southland 85, Wabasha-Kellogg54 Dec. 5.......................................at Dover-Eyota, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9...............vs. Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11...........................................vs. Triton, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12..................................at Saint Charles, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16..............................at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 19...............................at St. Ansgar, Iowa, 7:45 p.m. Dec. 22....................................Winona Cotter, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29.........................at Hayfield Tournament, 6 p.m. Dec. 30.............................at Hayfield Tournament, TBA Jan. 3....................................Lyle-Pacelli in Lyle, 3 p.m. Jan. 6..........................................at Caledonia, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8............................vs. Lewiston-Altura, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10..........................................vs. Goodhue, 3 p.m. Jan. 13.........................at Rushford-Peterson, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20....................................at La Crescent, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23.........................................at Chatfield, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27...................................vs. Kingsland, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30.............................at Wabsha-Kellogg, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3...................................vs. Dover-Eyota, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5......................at Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10.............................vs. Saint Charles, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12.......................................vs. Hayfield, 7:30 p.m.
Southland’s Josh Anderson looks to the hoop while pressured by Chatfield’s Dan Narveson during the first half this season. Herald file photo
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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW - AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
Southland wrestling joins with GMLOK The Grand Meadow-LeRoy-Ostrander-Kingsland wrestling team has added a new team to the co-op mix and a new coach for this season. Southland will join the squad to create the GMLOKS co-op and the team will turn to head coach Jim Richardson, who has been coaching wrestling for 19 years. GMLOKS will look for leadership from Wyatt Richardson, who took third at state at 195 last season and is ranked No. 2 in Class AA, Jace Bunne, who went 26-12 at 138 last season, Brenn Olson, who went 20-9 at 106 last year, Parker Hale and Blake Olson. “Our team goal is to make it to the Section Team final 4 on that Saturday at the Mayo civic center,” Richardson said. “It will be a tall order but that is what I need the kids to believe we can do. It will not be about how we start the season, it will be how we end it. Getting a late start for some after a state football run will be our first hurdle. I will take that hurdle every year.” Richardson said Southland will provide the Bulldogs with depth that should give them a chance to have a full team after the
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
Schedule/Home games in bold Dec. 4..................................vs. FCLMC in LeRoy, TBA Dec. 6........................at Springfield Tournament, TBA Dec. 19....................Blooming Prairie, Saint Ansgar, Central Springs at GMLOKS in Southland, 5 p.m. Dec. 20.................at Fillmore Central Tournament, TBA Jan. 3.............GMLOKS Tournament in LeRoy, TBA Jan. 9...........................................at Saint Charles, TBA Jan. 10.........................at Stewartville Tournament, TBA Jan. 17..............................at Hayfield Tournament, TBA Jan. 23..............................................at Kingsland, TBA Jan. 24......................at Riceville, Iowa Tournament, TBA Jan. 29....at Plainview-Elgin-Millville Tournament, TBA Jan. 31..........................at Wisconsin Dells Tournament Feb. 6..........vs. Dover-Eyota in Grand Meadow, TBA
Wyatt Richardson, left, of Grand Meadow/Le Roy-Ostrander wrestles Tyler Parton of New York Mills in the match for third place at the Class A state wrestling tournament last season. Herald file photo
“I’m very happy that Southland paired up with us and look forward to working with these kids along with the rest of our team.” — Jim Richardson GMLOKS head coach
team had to give up forfeits over the past few years. “We do have a good number of kids from Southland that will season into positions and some underclassmen that will step up to the plate this year,” Richardson said. “I’m very happy Southland paired up with us and look forward to working with these kids along with the rest of our team. The future looks bright in the Bulldog wrestling room as the youth numbers look very nice.”
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014
13
Grand Meadow’s Terrell Rieken recovers a loose ball in front of Alden-Conger’s Eli Hallman during the first half last year in the Grand Meadow Invitational last season. Herald file photos
Superlarks will make consistency a key in 2014 The Grand Meadow boys basketball team is hoping to compete for an SEC championship as it brings back seven players from last year’s team that went 11-14 overall. The Superlarks will look to Landon Jacobson to lead them on and off the court, and there are a few other players who could step up as the season goes along. “We should be a fairly athletic team, and we should be deeper than we were last year,” said GM head coach Bob Burmester, who is in his third year at the — Bob Burmester helm. “A big key to Head coach our season is if we can consistently make shots.” GM will take some time to get going as the squad recovers from a long football season that caused them to miss the first two weeks of practice.
“We should be a fairly athletic team and we should be deeper than we were last year.”
Schedule/Home games in bold Dec. 9..............................................................at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 11.........................................................vs. Houston, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 12...................................................at Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 15........................................................at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 18..........................................vs. Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 22...................................................vs. Hope Lutheran, 6 p.m. Dec. 23.............................................at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 29.................................................Grand Meadow Invite, 6 p.m. Dec. 30..................................................Grand Meadow Invite, 6 p.m. Jan. 2.....................................................vs. Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 6..............................................vs. LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 9.........................................................vs. Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 12......................................................vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 13......................................................at Alden-Conger, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 15..............................................................at Houston, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 20..........................................vs. Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 23..................................................vs. Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 26.........................................................vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 29............................................at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 31........................................................vs. Kingsland, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 3..................................................at LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 5.....................................................at Fillmore Central, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 6...........................................................at Hope Lutheran, 6 p.m. Feb. 9...........................................................at Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 12.......................................................at Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 13.................................................at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m.
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Larks will have depth The Grand Meadow girls basketball team will bring back nine players with varsity experience as it looks to improve on last year’s record of 11-15 overall. The Superlarks bring back center Rio Landers, who averaged 15.0 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game last season and Rachel Oehlke, who led GM in steals and assists last season, and Jamie Stevens, who led GM in rebounds last season, will step up as leaders as well.
Grand Meadow’s Rio Landers in action last season. Herald file photo Ryan Queensland and Lisa
Schedule/Home games in bold Nov. 28...........Kasson-Mantorville 87, Grand Meadow 18 Nov. 29..........Zumbrota-Mazeppa 48, Grand Meadow 41 Dec. 2................Grand Meadow 71, Glenville-Emmons 34 Dec. 5.....................................at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 11....................................at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 12...................................vs. Houston, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 16...............vs. Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 19.............................at Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 22........................vs. Hope Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 2..........................at Fillmore Central, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 5 LeRoy-Ostrander at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 8..................................vs. Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m.
Glynn are co-head coaches.
Jan. 13....................................vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 15.........................................at Kingsland, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16...................................vs. Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 19.......................vs. Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 22..........................................at Houston, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 27.....................................vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 30..............................vs. Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 2 ..........................at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 6..................................at Hope Lutheran, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10.............................at LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 13........................vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 16.....................at Lyle-Pacelli in Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 17................................at Alden-Conger, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 20................................at Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m.
Grand Meadow’s Rachel Oehlke turns to look inside in front Courtney Walter last season. Herald file photo
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014
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L-O boys shooting for improvement The LeRoy-Ostrander boys basketball team is looking to make improvements on last year’s 2-22 overall record as it prepares for this season. The Cardinals will look to junior Josh Royston, who averaged 8.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, to take a big step, and the team is hoping seniors Taylor Meyer, Jacob Sohurada and Craig Wheeler will contribute as well. “These seniors need to step up their game on both ends in order for us to succeed,” LO head coach Jim
To tape or brace Winter sports are now in full swing, and for many athletes this is a transition from their fall sports or it is the beginning of their season. Whatever sport you are participating in, it always involves the potential for injury. For those who played sports during the fall season, they may still be recuperating from injuries sustained during the fall. Whether the injury is new or old, many athletes may benefit from the use of a brace or some form of taping to provide additional support to an injured extremity. Injuries of any level always need to be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional to assess the injury and decide whether or not the athlete is capable to participate competitively and safely without further injury. If the injury sustained is serious enough a healthcare professional can help to determine the length of time the athlete may need to rest the injury before returning to competition. Some cases may require the athlete to rest the injury for several weeks followed by some structured physical therapy to rehabilitate the injury before a return to play protocol
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014
Hubka said. LO will lack depth as its varsity has just 11 players, with four freshmen and one eighth-grader. Hubka said his team has a hard work ethic and it won’t give up. “We had numerous games in which we lost by 12 or less points [last year], which could have easily went in our favor, but the team is still learning how to win,” said Hubka, who enters his third year at the helm. “They should be fun watching as they progress through the season.”
can be established. Once the return to play protocol has been put into motion the athlete may need or benefit from some form of support for the injured extremity. Your healthcare provider will help with deciding the best option for your specific injury. For purposes of this article I will use the ankle as the extremity that has been injured. I work with all sports and a common problem I see, especially with ankles, is when an athlete rolls his or her ankle and comes to me to tape it or put a brace on it because it hurts. Now my first question to the athlete is what did they do? I perform a thorough evaluation of the ankle to determine if further diagnosis is needed. If the injury has been diagnosed and it has been OK’d by the physician for the athlete to return to activity with the use of a brace or taping I will then assist the athlete with taping for practice and games. I will fit them with the appropriate brace to support the ankle or the physician will fit them at their appointment. There are many different types of ankle braces readily available and can be purchased over the counter at many different vendors. I usually recommend a lace-up type brace which has some strapping for extra support. Bracing is a very good option because once the athlete has been properly fitted, they can apply the brace themselves, which is a very effective option because there may not be a qualified person to tape the effected ankle appropriately.
Schedule/Home games in bold Nov. 20............Mabel-Canton 65, LeRoy-Ostrander 50 Nov. 25..................Randolph 70 LeRoy-Ostrander 35 Dec. 9.................................vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 18....................vs. Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 22....................................at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 2.....................................vs. Houston, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 6............................at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 9............................vs. Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 12.................vs. Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m.
Jan. 20....................................at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 23..............................vs. Hope Lutheran, 6 p.m. Jan. 26..................................at Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 29.......................at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 30...............................at Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 3............................vs. Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 6.................................vs. Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 9.....................at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 12......................................at Houston, 7:15 p.m.
The Cardinals already lost one senior for the season when Ryan Kasel
suffered an ACL injury during football season.
One other benefit to bracing is the brace can be adjusted during competition. This allows the athlete to have control of the level of tightness they need with his or her brace. The benefit of taping is similar to bracing but the only difference is the taping support does not maintain its stability as long once the athlete begins to compete and sweat. The tape will tend to give and some support will be lost. Bracing or taping gives the athlete some tactile feedback when returning from an injury, but unless the injury has been properly evaluated and rehabilitated, simple bracing or taping will not make the injury go away. A proper routine of icing, strengthening and utilization of bracing when first returning is very effective and will allow you, as an athlete, to compete at the level you are accustomed to.
One also needs to understand if you have a brace on or you have your ankle taped it will not prevent you from injuring your ankle. The most important thing to remember about bracing or taping is that they are used to assist the ankle with extra stability in the area that has been injured. Always remember bracing or taping can assist with allowing an athlete to return to competitive levels but cannot replace proper diagnosis and treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. To schedule an appointment with a specialist, contact Mayo Clinic Health System Austin phone number is 507-434-1999. Remember to always seek the appropriate medical attention with any of your sport related injuries. Good luck and have a healthy fall season.
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW - AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
LeRoy-Ostrander girls looking for more The LeRoy-Ostrander girls basketball team brings back eight players from last year’s squad that finished 12-12 overall as it hopes to make some improvements this season. The Cardinals will look to seniors Abi Winkels and Shelbi Winkels to step up in the front court along with junior Sam Siskow and eighth-grader Haley Hungerholt will be filling in at the point guard position. “We are looking to win games. We
Schedule/Home games in bold
Jan. 27................at Lyle-Pacelli in Pacelli, 7:15 p.m.
Dec. 2.....................Randolph 67, LeRoy-Ostrander 35 Dec. 5...............................at Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 11..............................vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 16..................vs. Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 23..........................vs. Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 2..................................at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m.
Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan.
5.........................at Grand Meadow, 7:15 8...................................vs. Houston, 7:15 13..............vs. Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 16.........................vs. Mabel-Canton, 7:15 19.................................vs. Randolph, 7:15 23........................vs. Hope Lutheran, 7:15
p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.
need to improve on last year and start competing with the good teams in the conference,” said LO head coach Aaron
Hungerholt, who is in his sixth year at the helm. T h e C a rd i n a l s w i l l a l s o l o o k fo r
Feb. 2..........................at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.
Feb. 5..................................at Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 10........................vs. Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m.
Feb. 13...............................vs. Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Feb 16................at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m.
Feb. 20.....................................at Houston, 7:15 p.m.
A s h l e y N o r by, Je s s i c a L o h u i s a n d Camille Winfield to step up and contribute.
State Tournament Headquarters Girls Hockey February 18-21 — Xcel Energy Center and University of Minnesota’s Ridder Arena.
Boys Swimming March 5-7 — University of Minnesota Aquatic’s Center
Gymnastics Feb. 20 — University of Minnesota
Boys Hockey March 5-7 — Xcel Energy Center and University of Minnesota’s Mariucci Arena
Wrestling Feb. 26-28, March 1 — Xcel Energy Center.
Boys Basketball March 11-14 — Target Center, University of Min-
nesota’s Williams Arena, Concordia University. Girls Basketball March 17-21 — Target Center, University of Minnesota’s Williams Arena, Concordia University.
For more information head to the Minnesota State High School League’s website at www.mshsl.org
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014
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On a path for a run Hayfield girls hoping They will be a force by the end of the season
The Hayfield girls basketball team lost six quality players off last year’s team that went 21-6 overall and made it to the subsection title game, so it will have some rebuilding to do this year. The Vikings bring back two seniors with a lot of varsity experience in Jo Bungum and Bhrett Zahnle. Bungum averaged 11.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season. Hayfield head coach Fred Kindschy thinks his team can still compete, especially when its younger players gain some experience. “As a team, we are hoping to blend in the skills of our younger players with our junior and senior group,” Kindschy said. “Our hope is that by the end of the year we are fighting for a conference championship and a chance to make some noise in the tournament.” Hayfield will have a few players adjusting to the varsity game throughout the season, but the Vikings could be dangerous when those players adjust to the speed of the game. “We have some talented kids, and if we can learn to work together and play defense, I think we can become a tough team to beat by the end of the year,” Kindschy said.
Schedule/Home games in bold Nov. 28...................................Hayfield 64, Sioux Central, Iowa, 38 Nov. 29..........................................................Bryon 53, Hayfield 35 Dec. 2................................Plainview-Elgin-Millville 63, Hayfield 41 Dec. 9...................................................vs. Pine Island, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 12................................vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 16............................................................at Triton, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 18.....................................at Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 19.................................................at Comfrey Invite, 6 p.m. Dec. 20...................................................at Comfrey Invite, TBA Dec. 23....................................................at Goodhue, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 3....................................vs. New Richland-HEG, 6 p.m. Jan. 6.................................................at Goodhue, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 9...............................................at Stewartville, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 13...................................at Kasson-Mantorville, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 16..................................................at Lake City, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 22........................................vs. Cannon Falls, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 24........................................................at Chatfield, 6 p.m. Jan. 27...............................................at Pine Island, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 30...............................vs. Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 3.........................................................vs. Triton, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 6...................................at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 10.......................................at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 12...............................................vs. Southland, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 17..............................vs. Rochester Lourdes, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 20.........................................................at Byron, 7:15 p.m.
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Hayfield’s Bhrett Zahnle is fouleed by Dover-Eyota’s Megan Hintz in the Section 1AA West semfinals in Mayo Civic Auditorium last season. Herald file photo
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW - AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
Hayfield boys BB on the rebuilding path The Hayfield boys basketball team is looking to rebuild after it graduated all five starters and eight players from a team that went 21-6 overall last season. The Vikings will look to Cam Rutledge and Taylor Ausrud to provide some leadership for this year’s team. Rutledge added 8.7 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 39 percent on three-pointers last season. “Cam played a lot last year and will be looked at for leadership this year,” Hayfield head coach Chris Pack said. The HVL conference has seen a shakeup as the conference has been divided by enrollment, and the Vikings are in the Blue, which features the smaller schools of the HVL. “Goodhue and Pine Island are the favorites, but we believe we can compete with them,” Pack said. Hayfield will have some athleticism this season, but the team lacks a lot of experience. The Vikings lost a potential starter in Nick Matti, when he tore his ACL for the second straight year in football.
Schedule/Home games in bold
Hayfield’s Cam Rutledge goes up for a shot against Goodhue last season. Herald file photo
Nov. 21......................Maple River 67, Hayfield 60 Nov. 25..................................Byron 60, Hayfield 38 Nov. 29..........................St. Charles 78, Hayfield 66 Dec. 2............Hayfield 73, Cannon Falls 67 (2OT) Dec. 9................................at Pine Island, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 12................at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 13................................Winona Cotter, 6 p.m. Dec. 16........................................Triton, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 18................Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 29..................Hayfield Tournament, 6 p.m. Dec. 30.................Hayfield Tournament, 6 p.m. Jan. 3...............New Richland-HEG, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6.............................at Goodhue, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 8.........................at Stewartville, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 13...............vs. Kasson-Mantor., 7:15 p.m. Jan. 16...........................vs. Lake City, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 22..............at Rochester Lourdes, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 24...............................at Chatfield, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27.........................vs. Pine Island, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 3........................................at Triton, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 5..................at Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 6..........................vs. Dover-Eyota, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 10.................vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 12................................at Southland, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13..............................vs. Goodhue, 7:15 p.m.
Wrestlers hope offseason work pays off The Hayfield wrestling team will bring back eight letter winners as it hopes to have a solid season. The Vikings will look to Cam Stadler,
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
Schedule/Home meets in bold
Dec. 5..........vs. Pine Island, Dover-Eyota, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6.........................................at St. James, 9 a.m. Dec. 11................................vs. Lake City, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 18...............................at Stewartville, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 20......at Fillmore Central Tournament, 10 a.m. Jan. 3.............at Maple River Tournament, 8 a.m. Jan. 8......................at New Richland-HEG, 6 p.m.
Jan. 15.................at Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 17...............................Hayfield Invite, 10 a.m. Jan. 20...............................vs. Medford, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 22...................at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 5 p.m. Jan. 24..................................at Lake City, 10 a.m. Jan. 29............................vs. Byron and Triton, 5 p.m. Feb. 5........................at Kasson-Mantorville, 5 p.m.
Jesus Fernadnez and Dylan Arndt to lead the way. “We are looking to improve on last year’s team record and improve on tournament wrestling, which we did well in last year,”
said Hayfield head coach Brad Heydt, who is in his fourth year at the helm. Heydt said that he had many wrestlers put in time in the offseason, and the squad hopes that pays off.
Have a score or photo you would like to submit to the Austin Daily Herald sports section? Call 507-434-2234 or email sports@austindailyherald.com. If you submit a picture please include names.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014
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Finding room for more wins The Blooming Prairie girls basketball team is coming off one of it’s better postseason runs in recent years, and its hoping to have an even better run this year. The Awesome Blossoms, who went 19-8 last season and played in the subsection title game, bring back their top two scorers in Madison Worke and Taylor Hagen, and the team graduated just one senior. Hagen, who has committed to Division I University of Northern Iowa, is BP’s all-time leading scorer with 1,126
Schedule/Home games in bold Nov. 25................Saint Clair 74, Blooming Prairie 60 Nov. 28........................Blooming Prairie 74, Triton 28 Dec. 4.....vs. Water.-Elysian-Morristown, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 9....................................vs. NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 12....................................at Medford, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 13............................Alden-Conger, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16..................................Southland, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 19..............at United South Central, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 23...........vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 3...................vs. Mankato Loyola, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 6...Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m.
career points, and Worke, who has committed to Division II Winona State University, averaged 12.3 points per game last season. BP will also look to get a boost from Kayln Naatz, Nicole Inwards, Hannah Ahrens and Kaci Gwilt. “Hopefully, our length, athleticism, as well as some quickness, will be the combination needed to take our team to the next level,” BP head coach John Worke said. Jan. 9...............................at Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 13.....................................at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 17..........................................at TCU, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23....at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 27..................................vs. Medford, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 30.............vs. United South Central, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 3.....at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 6.......................at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 9.....................................at Goodhue, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 10......................................at Hayfield, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 12..vs. Janes.-Waldorf-Pemberton, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 13.......................vs. Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m.
Blooming Prairie's Madison Worke shoots over the Lyle-Pacelli's Madison Truckenmiller and Ann Rysavy in the Section 1A West semifinals in Mayo Civic Auditorium last year. Herald file photo
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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW - AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
BP boasts strong core of veterans Blossoms will look for ways to step up their defensive game
The Blooming Prairie boys basketball team has a strong core of experienced players as it aims for a solid season this year. The Awesome Blossoms return the top five scorers from a squad that went 15-10 overall last year. BP will look for leadership from its all-time leading scorer and rebounder in John Rumpza, who averaged 20.5 points and 12.6 rebounds last season. Jake Decker, Scott Romeo, Anthony Nelson and Mitchell Jones will also give BP a lift this season. “We have a lot of experience back from last year’s team. We will not be as deep as we have been in the past, so we will have to stay healthy,” BP head coach John Bruns said. — John Bruns BP will look to juniors Jon Head coach Hatch and Dawson Heuer to step up their games and contribute this season as the squad looks to lock down on defense. “One of our biggest weaknesses last year was the inability to get big defensive stops,” Bruns said. “We are going to need to find ways to take opponents out of offensive rhythm and force them to their second, third or even fourth options.”
“We have a lot of experience back from last year’s team. We will not be as deep as we have been in the past, so we will have to stay healthy”
Blooming Prairie’s John Rumpza finishes a layup in Grand Meadow last year. Herald file photo
Schedule/Home games in bold Nov. 25..........St. Clair 74, Blooming Prairie 60 Nov. 28.............Blooming Prairie 83, Triton 71 Dec. 4......at Water.-Elysian-Morris., 7:15 p.m. Dec. 6....at Breakdown Invite in Hopkins, TBA Dec. 9...........................at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 12.......................vs. Medford, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 13...................vs. Alden-Conger, 5 p.m. Dec. 19....vs. United South Central, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 23.......at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 30 Blooming Prairie at Byron, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 3..............at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m. Jan. 6...............at Faribault B.A., 7:15 p.m.
Jan. 9.................vs. Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 13.......................vs. NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 17....................................at TCU, 5 p.m. Jan. 20.................vs. Goodhue, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 23....vs. Water.-Ely.-Morris., 7:15 p.m. Jan. 27.....................at Medford, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 30...at United South Central, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 3..............vs. Faribault B.A., 7:15 p.m. Feb. 6....................at Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 10.....................vs. Hayfield, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 13............at Grand Meadow, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17..............vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014
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BP low on numbers but high on talent The Blooming Prairie wrestling team isn’t high on numbers, but it does have some talent on the squad this season. The Awesome Blossoms bring back Zach
Nirk, who went 25-13 and took third in sections last season, and Zach Nirk, who went 2615 and also took third in sections last season. “With our lack of numbers, it is going to be
5 Stories to watch
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014
Schedule/Home meets in bold Dec. 2......................................at Mankato East, 5 p.m. Dec. 6..........................................at Springfield, 10 a.m. Dec. 11...............................vs. WEM and JWP, 7 p.m. Dec. 18........................at United South Central, 7 p.m. Dec. 20...at Kenyon-Wanamingo Tournament, 10 a.m. Jan. 3.......................at GMLOS Tournament, 9:30 a.m.
Jan. 8................................................at Medford, 7 p.m. Jan. 10..................at Maple River Tournament, 10 a.m. Jan. 15..................................................at Triton, 5 p.m. Jan. 17....at Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memoiral, 10 a.m. Jan. 22.............................at Blooming Prairie, 7 p.m. Jan. 24.............................................at Lake City, 7 p.m.
hard to compete as a team, individually we look for our guys to improve each day and compete to place in the section tournament at the end of the year,” said BP head coach Chad Gimbel,
who is in his second year as head coach. BP’s other returnees with varsity experience include Ethan Arett, Jon Hansen and Mitchell Oswald.
1. New Look Packers
The Austin boys basketball team has graduated much of its core from a group that went to three state tournaments and took second in state twice, but the Packers aren’t counting on fading away. They’re looking to reload and put together another big season. The Packers are hoping a group of veterans can mix with a few youngsters to bring a solid defense and a strong will to the court this season.
2. A heated playoff on the horizon
The Section 1A West girls basketball tournament is going to be a thriller this year with three area teams competing for the top spot against perennial favorite Goodhue. Lyle-Pacelli, which will rely on 1,000 point scorers Courtney Walter and Sarah Holtz and budding freshman Brooke Walter; Blooming Prairie, which has Northern Iowa commit Taylor Hagen and Winona State commit Madison Worke; and Southland, which has a new coach and a lot of experience on its side, all figure to be in the mix.
3. Dance fever
The Austin Packer dance team is turning to another
group of experienced dancers as it aims for its 13th straight appearance in the state dance meet. Although state meets are starting to seem routine for the Packers, they have put in the right amount of work to get to where they are.
4. A new leader
The Packer gymnastics team is turning to head coach Alex Bade, who used to help coach Austin’s rival Melrose. Bade will lead a group of gymnasts that has plenty of state experience, and the Packers should be one of the favorites to get back to the Class A state meet.
5. A youthful surge
The Hayfield Vikings have a strong freshman class to compliment a few returning veterans that played in the subsection finals last season. Hayfield will look to the steady guidance of long-time head coach Fred Kindschy as it continues its formula of strong defense and efficient offense.
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW - AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
Riverland Basketball Schedule Schedule/Home games in bold
Nov. 18...............................................................................RCC (M) 65, Luther JV 60 Nov. 20..............................................................................Luther JV 73, RCC (W) 47 Nov. 25......................................Presentation 70, 58 (W); RCC 95, Presentation 39 Dec. 2.....................................RCC 75, Luther JV 64 (W), RCC 77, Luther JV 68 (M) Dec. 5.......................................vs. Fon Du Lac, women at 6 p.m., men at 8 p.m. Dec. 6..................................vs. Central Lakes, women at 1 p.m., men at 3 p.m. Dec. 10..................................................NIACC, women at 6 p.m., men at 8 p.m. Dec. 12............................................at Mesabi, women at 1 p.m., men at 3 p.m. Dec. 13...........................................at Vermillion, women at 1 p.m., men at 3 p.m. Dec. 16......................................at Watburg JV, women at 6 p.m., men at 8 p.m. Jan. 2..................................................RCC at Central Lakes Tournament, TBA Jan. 3.............................................................at Central Lakes Tournament, TBA Jan. 7..........................vs. St. Cloud Tech., women at 6 p.m., men at 8 p.m. Jan. 10...........................................vs. RCTC, women at 1 p.m., men at 3 p.m. Jan. 14.....................................at Ridgewater, women at 6 p.m., men at 8 p.m. Jan. 17...................................at Fergus Falls, women at 1 p.m., men at 3 p.m. Jan. 21..............................at Western Tech., women at 6 p.m., men at 8 p.m. Jan. 24.............................vs. Minnesota West, women at 1 p.m., men at 3 p.m. Jan. 28.....................................vs. Anoka-Ramsey, women at 6 p.m., men at 8 p.m. Jan. 31.................................at St. Cloud Tech., women at 1 p.m., men at 3 p.m. Feb. 4......................................................at RCTC, women at 6 p.m., men at 8 p.m. Feb. 7.......................................vs. Ridgewater, women at 1 p.m., men at 3 p.m. Feb. 11.....................................vs. Fergus Falls, women at 6 p.m., men at 8 p.m. Feb. 14......................................Western Tech., women at 1 p.m., men at 3 p.m. Feb. 18..................at Minnesota West, women play at 6 p.m., men play at 8 p.m. Feb. 21...................................at Anoka-Ramsey, women at 1 p.m., men at 3 p.m.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
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The Austin Bruins are in full swing as they begin rounding the corner into the second half of the season. As of Thursday, Dec. 4, the Bruins were 12-7-7, second in the NAHL Central Division behind Minot, North Dakota Above right, going clockwise: Trevor Boyd, left, and Jade Miller celebrate Boyd’s goal against Bismarck, North Dakota. Ian Scheid is pressed up against the boards against Bismarck. Josh Wilkins carries the puck through the Janesville zone. Goalie Zach Driscoll deflects a shot against Janesville. Herald file photos
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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW - AUSTIN DAILY HERALD