Table of Contents
An Austin Daily Herald publication Compiled by Rocky Hulne, Photos and layout by Eric Johnson
Teams
Austin Packers ............................................ Pages 3-9 Southland Rebels ................................. Pages 10-11 Grand Meadow Superlarks .................. Pages 12-13 LeRoy-Ostrander Cardinals .....................Pages 14-15 Lyle-Pacelli Athletics ................................ Pages 16-17 Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms ..... Pages 18-19 Hayfield Vikings ....................................... Pages 20-22 Photo Rewind ............................................... Page 23 Austin Bruins Year in Pictures ....................... Page 24
Grand Meadow fan Isabelle Olson proclaims the Superlark dynasty with a sign during the Minnesota Class Nine Man Prep Bowl in November at U.S. Bank Stadium. Herald file photo
Austin’s Lauryn Bell focuses on the ball during game one of the Packers’ match against Blooming Prairie in Packer Gym. Herald file photo
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AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPORTS YEARBOOK
AUSTIN
Austin’s Both Gach splits St. Thomas Academy’s Jack Stolpman, left, and Sam Vascellaro, right, on a layup in the second half in the Minnesota Class AAA Boys State Basketball Tournament quarterfinals. Herald file photo
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Austin’s Tyler Tupy heads up-field after a reception in the second quarter against Faribault late last season. BELOW: Austin’s Tucker Nelson steals the ball from Northfield’s Finn Muir in the second half of the Section 1A championship in Rochester. Herald file photos
FOOTBALL
The Austin football team picked up a lot of momentum in the second half of the season, but it struggled in a 58-0 loss to Owatonna in the Section 1AAAAA semifinals. The Packers, who finished 4-6 overall, had won four consecutive games before the seasonending loss. Austin junior Tate Hebrink threw for 1,129 yards with 11 TDs and 9 interceptions and junior Tabarie Gunsallus ran or 1,120 yards and 10 TDs.
VOLLEYBALL
The Austin volleyball team went winless in the Big Nine as it went 4-22 overall. The Packers had their season come to an end when they lost to Farmington in three games in a Section 1AAA tournament opener. Austin was led by senior Amber Hansen, who had 110 kills and 133 blocks.
BOYS SOCCER
The Packers had one of their best seasons in school history as they finished 16-3-1 overall and took second in the Big Nine. But things came to atough ending when Austin was knocked off by Northfield 1-0 in the Section 1A finals. “We’ll never forget a season like this. It was awesome,” Austin senior Josh Snee said. “A season doesn’t come down to one game.” The Packers were led by the senior scoring duo of Abel Gebrekiros, who had 24 goals, and Matias Parada, who had 20 goals. Austin continues through Page 9
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GIRLS SOCCER
The Austin girls soccer team was competitive in every game in the regular season, but things didn’t go their way when they were knocked off by Mankato West by a score of 11-0 in the Section 1A quarterfinals. The Packers, who went 4-10-1 overall, never lost a game by more than four goals in the regular season and five of their losses were by just one goal. Austin was led by seniors Kallie Bumgarner and Paige Raymond.
GIRLS TENNIS
Austin finished 2-13 overall and its season came to end when it lost 7-0 to Rochester Century in the Section 1AA tournament opener. The Packers leaned on the play of Mariel Flaherty and Emily Sayles.
GIRLS SWIMMING AND DIVING
Austin’s Duoth Gach dunks over Marshall’s Reece Winkelman in the first half in the semifinals of the Minnesota Class AAA Boys State Basketball Tournament this past March. Herald file photo
Austin senior Maddie Mullenbach was the team’s lone representative at the state meet as she made her first ever appearance at the Minnesota Class A State Swimming and Diving Meet. Mullenbach finished in ninth place at the state diving meet with a total score of 331.75.
CROSS COUNTRY
Austin sophomore Abby Lewis competed in her third state cross country meet in 2016. Lewis finished 142nd at the state meet with a time of 21:08. “This gives me something to shoot for next season and train for in the offseason,” Lewis said after the meet.
BOYS BASKETBALL
The Austin boys basketball team made its third trip to the Minnesota Class AAA State Basketball Tournament title game in the past six years, but once again its quest for a title came to an end at the hands of DeLaSalle. The Islanders won their sixth straight state title when they beat Austin 72-44 in the title game.
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While they didn’t win it all, the Packers were happy to be back in the state tournament after a two-year drought. Austin finished the season 29-3 overall. “We showed the town what we had and then we came here and we showed the cities what we had. It’s pretty cool to have all the community support and all of the fans have been great,” Austin senior Kyle Oberbroeckling said after the game. “When I come back to high school 50 years from now and I see that plaque on the wall, I can smile and say I was part of that and my teammates were too.” Austin was led by juniors Tate Hebrink, Both Gach and Duoth Gach and the trio will return next season.
Austin’s Abby Lewis on the drive in the first half against Rochester Century. A big part of Austin’s success this year fell on younger shoulders. Herald file photo
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Packers relied on a mix of senior leadership and emerging young players as they finished the season with an 11-15 overall record under first-year head coach and former Packer Anna Meyer. Austin’s season came to an end when it lost 63-51 to Northfield in the Section 1AAA quarterfinals. Austin relied on leadership from seniors Awenia Nywesh, Rebecca Younis and Amber Hansen, and sophomore Abby Lewis and freshman Colie Justice also stepped up.
BOYS HOCKEY
The Packers finished with a record of 10-16 overall as they lost 4-2 to the LSHPTCUC Bulldogs in the Section 1A play-in game. Austin started the season strong, but it began to struggle down the stretch. The Packers were led by the senior leadership of Kory Potach.
GIRLS HOCKEY
The Packers finished the season 7-19 overall as their season came to an end in a 3-0 loss to Faribault in a Section 1A tournament opener. The Packers had a lot of youth on the squad as junior Myia Hoium and sophomore goalie Faith Sayles were key players.
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Austin’s Maddie Mullenbach competes on the floor during the Minnesota Class A State Gymnastics Individual Meet at the University of Minnesota’s Sports Pavillion. Herald file photo
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The Austin Packer Dance Team made it’s 15th straight appearance in the Minnesota State Dance Competition in February. Photo provided by Christopher Lee Iverson
GYMNASTICS
The Packer gymnasts took third as a team in their sixth straight Minnesota Class A State Gymnastics Meet team competition and senior Maddie Mullenbach put the finishing touches on a successful high school gymnastics career in the individual state meet. Austin finished with a team score of 147.175 to tie for its best-ever finish at state when it took third. “At the beginning of the season, I don’t think any of us thought this was possible,” Austin senior Paige Raymond said of the third place finish. “We just wanted to do as well as we could and we wanted to have fun.” In the individual meet, Mullenbach, who will compete at University of Wisconsin-Stout next year, took first in the floor, second in all-around, second in vault and seventh in bars. “It was a weekend with a lot of struggles, but I’m content,” Mullenbach said. “I love my teammates and I love competing with them. Seeing them do so well makes my high school career ending very bittersweet.” Jen Boyle, a junior, took fifth in bars for the Packers and 12th in the all-around and Raymond took 22nd in the all-around.
DANCE
The Austin Packer dance team advanced to the state meet for the 15th straight season, but it came up short of the finals. The Packers had to settle for seventh place in the high kick division at the Class AA state meet.
WRESTLING
Austin senior Jayden Erie wrestled in his first-ever Minnesota Class AAA state meet and it ended with a 17-1 technical fall loss to Lincoln Shinn of Willmar. Erie, who wrestled at 160 pounds, finished the season with a 26-15 overall record. AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPORTS YEARBOOK
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Austin’s Hunter Guyette throws down to first after getting the front end of a doubleplay at home against Winona in a Section 1A Tournament game at Dick Seltz Field. Herald file photo
BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING
The Packers had three top-10 finishes at the Class A State Swimming and Diving Meet. Freshman Riley Norton took ninth in diving for the Packers, Mitch Mayer took 10th in the 50-yard freestyle and the 400-yard freestyle relay team of Rafe Dolan Peterson, Mayer, Ethan Thompson and Isaac Christopherson took 10th. Christopherson took 14th in the 200-freestyle and Mayer was 10th in the 100-butterfly and 16th in the 50-yard freestyle. The Austin 200-yard freestyle relay team of Mayer, Aaron Knoll, Thompson and Christopherson took 18th.
BASEBALL
Austin’s Halie Retterath covers third as Red Wing’s Natalie Boxrud dives back in during the first inning in the Section 1AAA Tournament at Todd Park. Herald file photo
The Austin baseball team advanced to the Final Four of the Section 1AAA Tournament, but its run came to an end when it lost an elimination game 8-3 to Albert Lea.
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Austin’s Sydney Marsh goes up and over in the Class AA pole vault finals at the Minnesota State Track and Field Meet at Hamline University in St. Paul. Herald file photos
The Packers finished the season with a record of 13-11 overall and they had won their last five games of the regular season against all Rochester schools. Austin was led by juniors Jack Dankert and Phillip Zynda and sophomore Hunter Guyette.
SOFTBALL
The Austin softball team went 7-15 overall as it was knocked out of the Section 1AAA Tournament in a 5-4 loss to Red Wing. The Packers were led by sophomore Hannah McMasters and junior Halie Retterath. Austin will bring back much of its squad in 2018 as it will look to show improvement.
BOYS GOLF
The Austin boys golf team didn’t send any golfers to the Minnesota Class AAA State Golf Meet in 2017. The Packers were led by senior Matias Parada and junior Noah Bawek, who each made it to the Section 1AAA finals.
GIRLS GOLF
The Austin girls golf team didn’t advance any golfers to the Class AAA state meet, but it did have a pair of golfers reach the Section 1AAA finals. Juniors Madison Hasley and Kristina Thorson each played on the second day of the section meet.
BOYS TENNIS
The Austin boys tennis team finished 5-9 overall as it was able to pick up a few Big Nine wins. The Packers were led by juniors Jens Ourada and Josh Brehmer.
TRACK AND FIELD
The Packers had two of their three state-qualifying athletes reach the podium as junior Sydney Marsh competed at the Minnesota Class AA state meet for the second time and Pat Hagan and Amber Hansen were first-time state qualifiers. Marsh finished fifth in the pole vault as she tied her best height of 11 feet and Hansen set a new AHS record with a fourth place discus throw of 128 feet, one inch and she took sixth in the shot put with a distance of 40 feet, 10.25 inches. Austin’s Amber Hansen lets “I’m really motivated now go with a throw in second and now I’ve only got to go flight action of the shot put six more inches to tie the in the Minnesota Class AAA school record,” Marsh said State Track and Field Meet. after the meet. “That’s my goal for next year.” Hansen also holds the AHS shot put record. Hagan finished 15th in the discus with a distance of 138 feet, two inches. Hagan was the first Austin boys thrower to make it to state since 1990 and Hansen was the first Austin girls thrower to make it to state since 1995. AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPORTS YEARBOOK
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FOOTBALL
The Rebels finished 3-6 overall and their season ended when they lost 43-6 to Blooming Prairie in a Section 1A quarterfinal game. Southland was led by the rushing of Lee Wilson and Colton Mandt.
VOLLEYBALL
Southland went 6-16 overall and its season came to an end when it lost to Randolph by scores of 25-20, 25-18, 19-25, 27-25 in a Section 1A west first round match. The Rebels were led by the hitting of junior McKendry Kennedy and the setting of senior Kaysie Allen.
SOUTHLAND Southland finished the season with a record of 14-9 overall. The Rebels were led by the play of seniors Chris Webber and Thomas Bottema and junior Jared Landherr also proved to be a top play-maker as well. Southland head coach Matt Webber was pleased with how his team developed throughout the season. “This team never quit fighting. Those kids grew big time this year,” he said. “We had a good season and some kids are going to have to work hard to get us back up there.”
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Rebels finished the season with a record of 7-15 overall as they lost to Lyle-Pacelli 66-35 in the Section 1A West quarterfinals. Southland was led by senior Kaysie Allen and junior McKendry Kennedy.
BASEBALL
The Rebels finished 11-10 overall as their season came to an end in a 3-1 loss to Hayfield in a Section 1A West elimination game. The Rebels were led by senior pitcher Chris Webber and junior Jared Landherr also gave the team a boost.
SOFTBALL
Peter Torkelson sprints down the home stretch against Kaiser Freetly of LQPVDB and Nick Meyer of Wabasha-Kellogg at the Minnesota Class A State Cross Country Meet in Northfield Saturday. Herald file photo
GMLOS CROSS COUNTRY
GMLOS senior Peter Torkelson finished his high school cross country with a solid finish as he finished with All-State honors. Torkelson finished 18th in state, which was his second appearance in the meet.
BOYS BASKETBALL
The Rebels were able to make it to the Civic Center, but they missed out on that elusive Section 1A West title game appearance after they were knocked off by Faribault Bethlehem Academy 67-60 in overtime in the semifinals.
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Southland shortstop Lily Riddles puts the tag on Winona Cotter’s Mallory Cunningham. Herald file photo
The Rebels picked up their play in the postseason as they advanced to the Section 1A West title game, but that’s where they ran out of momentum. Southland lost 7-4 to Mabel-Canton and then it lost an elimination game 11-1 to Wabasha-Kellogg. The Rebels, who finished 5-17 overall, were led by pitcher Taylor Bhend. “I think the girls really improved from the first week of the season,” Southland head coach Greg Schultz said after the season. “We were really competitive and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
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Southland’s Chris Webber delivers in the first inning against Hayfield in a Section 1A West elimination game at Dick Setlz Field. Herald file photo
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GRAND MEADOW Grand Meadow’s Christophor Bain leaps over the line of scrimmage against Cleveland-Immanuel Lutheran in the third quarter of the Minnesota State Nine Man Prep Bowl last November at U.S. Bank Stadium. Herald file photo
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FOOTBALL
The Superlarks finished off a dominant run with another dominant performance as they beat Cleveland 41-21 to win their fourth straight Minnesota Class Nine Man State Football title and their 50th straight overall game. GM’s Christophor Bain piled up 277 yards rushing with four touchdowns, and the Larks allowed just seven points in the second half as they put the stamp on their fourth straight state title. “Our coaching staff is outstanding and I would put them up against anybody,” GM head coach Gary Sloan said after the season. “Every game that we go into I think our players expect to win. I don’t say that to be cocky, I think they just do what the coaches taught them.” Bain finished his career as GM’s all-time TD leader with 99 TDs. GM also leaned on the play of seniors Blake Benson, Brenn Olson and Connor King.
VOLLEYBALL
Grand Meadow made a big step as a program as it won an SEC title and it was the first team to ever play in Mayo Civic Center. The Superlarks finished 21-12 overall and their season came to an end when they lost 2515, 25-14, 25-16 to Faribault Bethlehem Academy. GM was led by the play of junior setter Allie Lubahn, who has over 1,000 career set assists, and sophomores Jordyn Glynn and Kaitlyn Hilton stepped up as hitters.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Grand Meadow went 12-13 overall on the season which came to an end in a 52-19 loss to Randolph in a Section 1A quarterfinal. The Superlarks were led by seniors Connor King and Wes Ojulu.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Superlarks finished 19-9 overall as their season came to an end in a 57-22 loss to Lyle-Pacelli in the Section 1A West semifinals. It was the second straight year that GM advanced and played a postseason game in the Civic Center. The Superlarks were led by sophomore Jordyn Glynn and freshman Riley Queensland.
The Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland/Southland 4 x 200 relay team of Lauren Buchholtz, from left, Katelyn Luthe, Emily Hovden and Riley Queensland pose for pictures on the stand after getting their third-place medals at the Minnesota Class A State Track and Field Meet Saturday at Hamline University in St. Paul. Herald file photo
WRESTLING
The GMLOS Bulldogs had four wrestlers qualify for state and three of them made some big noise. Christophor Bain, 195-pound senior, won the first individual state title in Grand Meadow High School history, when he won his weight class at the Minnesota Class A State Wrestling Meet for GMLOS. Bain, who finishes his career with 100 wins, capped off a 31-0 season when he beat Jacob Bennett of Zumrbota-Mazeppa in the title match. Brenn Olson, a senior, took second at 138 for the Bulldogs and Jackson Hale, a sophomore took third place at 106. Chris Romero also competed at state at 113 pounds for the Bulldogs, but he lost his first match.
GMLOKS TRACK AND FIELD
The GMLOKS track and field team was well represented at the state meet as it sent two relay teams and three individuals to the Minnesota Class A State Track and Field Meet. The GMLOKS 4 x 200-meter relay team of Katelyn Luthe, Emily Hovden, Riley Queensland and Lauren Buccholtz finished in third place with a time of 4:46.55. Drew Lewison took fifth in the 300-meter hurdles and also ran in the 110-meter hurdles, where he finished 12th. Peter Toreklson took 11th in the 3200-meter run. The 4 x 100-meter relay team of Luthe, Hovden, Kassidy Kirtz and Isabelle Olson finished 12th and Amelia State took 11th in the 800-meter run.
GMLOK BASEBALL
The Bulldogs finished 8-16 overall and their season came to an end in a 17-10 loss to Pine Island in a Section 1AA East elimination game.
GMLOK SOFTBALL
The Bulldogs went 17-6 overall and their season came to an end when they lost 7-5 to eventual state champ Zumbrota-Mazeppa in a Section 1AA East elimination game. AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPORTS YEARBOOK
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LEROY-OSTRANDER
LeRoy-Ostrander running back Sean Lohuis battles for yardage against a trio of West Lutheran defenders in the first quarter of the Cardinals first home game of 2016. Herald file photo
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FOOTBALL
After a one-year hiatus, the Cardinals brought back varsity football in 2016 as it went 2-7 overall. LeRoy-Ostrander’s season came to an end when it lost 62-14 to Spring Grove. LO had put the varsity team on hold due to a lack of experienced delete players in 2015. The Cardinals were led by the play of sophomore quarterback Trey Hungerholt.
VOLLEYBALL
LeRoy-Ostrander went 5-22 overall as its season came to an end when it was swept by Blooming Prairie in a Section 1A tournament opener. LO was led by senior Kaylee Olson and sophomore Haley Hungerholt.
BOYS BASKETBALL
The Cardinals went 7-20 overall and their season came to an end on a 68-65 loss to Glenville-Emmons. LO was led by the play of sophomore Trey Hungerholt.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Cardinals went 3-23 overall as their season came to an end in a 73-34 loss to Goodhue in a Section 1A West quarterfinal. LO was led by sophomore Haley Hungerholt.
LeRoy-Ostrander’s Haley Hungerholt pulls up in traffic during the first half against Lyle-Pacelli in Pacelli. Herald file photo
LeRoy-Ostrander’s Zach Hanson tries to work out of a jam in the first half against Goodhue in Grand Meadow. Herald file photo AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPORTS YEARBOOK
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LYLE-PACELLI
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FOOTBALL
The Athletics struggled with youth and inexperience as they finished 0-9 overall. LP’s season came to an end when it lost 59-0 to Grand Meadow in the Section 1 nine man quarterfinals. LP was led by Kobie Schafer, Brady Lester and Patrick Murphy.
VOLLEYBALL
Lyle-Pacelli finished 11-15 overall and it had its season end when it was swept by Medford by scores of 25-23, 25-19, 25-17 in the Section 1A West quarterfinals. LP was led by the hitting of senior Bethany Strouf and junior setter Brooke Walter. Freshman Olivia Christianson stepped up as a hitter as well.
CROSS COUNTRY
The Pacelli cross country team had three runners reach the Minnesota Class A State Cross Country Meet and sophomore Kayla Christopherson made her fourth straight state appearance her best one. Christopherson finished sixth overall to earn All-State honors for Lyle-Pacelli’s Kayla Christopherson competes in the 2016 Minnesota State Class A Cross Country Meet in the third straight year. November. Herald file photo Pacelli freshman Rory Bickler took 113th in her first ever state meet appearance and Pacelli senior Nathan Drees took 125th place in his first appearance at the state meet.
sophomore Abby Bollingberg and senior Bethany Strouf all showed the ability to be effective scorers.
BASEBALL
The Athletics finished with a record of 11-7 overall as their season came to an end in a 4-0 loss to Hayfield in the first round of the Section 1A West tournament. LP eighth grader Zach Bollingberg gave LP a boost on the mound as the Athletics fielded a very young team in 2017. Taylor Arett was the lone junior who saw significant playing time for the squad and senior Brady Lester also chipped in.
SOFTBALL
The Athletics fielded a young roster that showed some signs of growth throughout the season as they finished 4-12 overall. LP was led by sophomore shortstop Abby Bollingberg.
TRACK AND FIELD
The Athletics failed to send any athletes to the Minnesota Class A state meet in 2017. LP’s Kayla Christopherson finished in third place in the 1600-meter run in the Section 1A meet.
BOYS BASKETBALL
The Athletics had a relatively young roster that went through some growing pains throughout the year as they finished 10-16 overall. Southland ended LP’s season with an 82-64 win in the Section 1A West quarterfinals. LP was led by seniors Kamis Kuku and Brady Lester and eighth grader Jed Nelson also stepped up his game for the Athletics.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Lyle-Pacelli beefed up its schedule with ranked teams as it finished with a record of 22-7 overall. The Athletics had their season come to an end when they lost to eventual Class A state champion Goodhue 52-43 in the Section 1A West title game for the second straight year. LP shared the wealth throughout the season as juniors Brooke Walter and Kristi Fett and
Lyle-Pacelli’s Jed Nelson pitches against Blooming Prairie at Marcusen Park. Herald file photo
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AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPORTS YEARBOOK
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BLOOMING PRAIRIE
Blooming Prairie’s Sam Wurst competes in the high jump at the Minnesota Class A State Track and Field Meet at Hamline University. Herald file photo
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FOOTBALL
The Awesome Blossoms went 7-3 overall and its season ended when it lost 41-12 to eventual state runner up Rushford-Peterson in a Section 1A semifinal game. BP was led by sophomore quarterback Seth Peterson and junior linebacker Mitchell Oswald.
VOLLEYBALL
Blooming Prairie went 8-17 overall as its season came to an end in a 25-9, 25-16, 25-14 loss to Hayfield in the Section 1A West semifinals. BP was led by the hitting of senior Courtney Wobschall and junior Sam Wurst.
CROSS COUNTRY
Blooming Prairie senior Alec Ille finished in 72nd place at the Minnesota Class A State Cross Country Meet. It was the second year that Ille ran in the state meet.
BOYS BASKETBALL
The Blooming Prairie boys basketball team finished its season 10-15 overall after it was knocked off by Faribault Bethlehem Academy 56-45 in a Section 1A West quarterfinal. BP was led by freshman Gabe Hagen and juniors Max Romeo and Jake Ressler.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Blooming Prairie girls basketball team went 10-16 overall as it had its season end in a 52-49 loss to Goodhue in the Section 1A West quarterfinals. BP was led by seniors Kylie Forystek and Marissa Larson.
WRESTLING
Blooming Prairie and Hayfield combined their wrestling programs to form the Westfield Razorbacks and the results were a big success in the first year. The Razorbacks sent five wrestlers to the Minnesota Class A state meet and two of them ended up on the podium. Mitchell Oswald, a junior, took third at 220 pounds for Westfield and Colton Krell, a freshman, took fourth at 160. Ethan Arett, Morgen Moreno and Trey Chatman also advanced to state for Westfield, but they didn’t advance past the first round.
Blooming Prairie’s Tommy Braaten points to the crowd as he and the Awesome Blossoms boys golf team received a warm welcome into Blooming Prairie High School earlier this month. Braaten won the Minnesota Class A State Boys Individual Golf Meet. Herald file photo tastic fashion. Braaten set a BP school record with a score of 68 on his first day at the Minnesota Class A State Golf Meet and the followed that up with a 72 on the second day to finish with a two-day score of 140 to win the individual title by 10 strokes. “It’s been a good ride. This is awesome,” Braaten said. BP senior Taylor Christianson took 19th place in his fourth straight appearance at the state meet. The BP boys also went to the state golf meet for the second straight year as they finished in seventh place out of eight teams with a team score of 697. Jake Ressler took 57th with a 181 and Lucas Noble took 59th with a 183.
BASEBALL
The Awesome Blossoms finished 4-16 overall as their season came to an end in a 7-0 loss to Southland in a Section 1A West tournament opener. BP was led by the hitting of junior Brad Staska.
SOFTBALL
The Awesome Blossoms finished with a record of 15-9 overall as their season came to an end in a 7-6 loss to Faribault Bethlehem Academy. BP was led by senior Bria Baldwin, a fiveyear starter in the outfield, and Elly Struck, a four-year starter at pitcher.
TRACK AND FIELD
Blooming Prairie junior Sam Wurst made her first-ever appearance at the Minnesota Class A State Track and Field Meet in 2017. Wurst advanced to state in the high jump, where she finished in 16th place.
GOLF
Blooming Prairie senior Tommy Braaten wrapped up his high school golf career in fanAUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPORTS YEARBOOK
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HAYFIELD Hayfield’s Kyal Heydt nears home after the first of two home runs in the Section 1A championship against Wabasha-Kellogg at Todd Park. Herald file photo
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It was the second straight year that the Vikings lost in the Section 1AA semifinals. Hayfield will return a strong group of players, including juniors Carrie Rutledge and Maggie Streightiff. Hayfield co-head coach Kasey Krekling said the team will have to put in hard work to show improvements next season. “Defensively we’re still not there and we’ll have to work on that over the summer and hopefully into next season,” Krekling said. Hayfield will move to Class A in girls basketball next season.
BASEBALL
The Vikings went 13-13 overall as they ended up two wins short of their first state tournament in school history. Hayfield won four straight elimination games, but it had its season end in a 3-2 loss to Wabasha-Kellogg in the Section 1A finals. The Vikings leaned on a big senior class that included Adam Fjerstad, Lane Canny and Dominic Dublin. “The strides they made in staying together and staying out and keeping 10 guys out in a small school, that’s unheard of,” Hayfield head coach Krekling said. “You can’t replace them, but we’re going to try our best next year to see what we have and hopefully do the best we can without them.
SOFTBALL The Hayfield Vikings celebrate after the final point in game four to claim the Section 1A West Division title over Faribault Bethlehem Academy at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. Herald file photo
FOOTBALL
Hayfield finished 3-7 overall as its season came to an end in a 55-7 loss to Fillmore Central in the Section 1A quarterfinals. Hayfield was led by seniors Lane Canny, Sutton Schultz, Trey Chatman and Dom Dublin.
The Vikings finished 19-8 overall as they advanced to their third straight Minnesota Class A State Softball Tournament. Hayfield finished in fourth place after it lost 15-2 to Sleepy Eye/Saint Mary’s. Hayfield lost a semifinal game 10-9 to Edgerton/Southwest Christian in the semifinals and it beat Kimball 13-12 in the state quarterfinals.
VOLLEYBALL
The Vikings made big strides in 2016, but they weren’t quite able to secure their first trip to the state tournament in school history. After having its season end at the hands of Faribault Bethlehem Academy in each of the previous four seasons, Hayfield knocked off top ranked FBA, but it lost 22-25, 25-23, 25-23, 2514 to Caledonia in the Section 1A title match. The Vikings, who finished 25-5 overall, were led by juniors Maggie Streightiff and Carrie Rutledge.
CROSS COUNTRY
The Vikings failed to have any runners qualify for state in 2016.
BOYS BASKETBALL
The Vikings went 11-15 overall as their season came to an end on a 51-40 loss to Lewiston-Altura. Hayfield was led by seniors Drew Olive and Trace Tebay. Hayfield will move to Class A in boys basketball next season.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Hayfield girls basketball team finished 23-6 overall and it had its season come to an end in a 65-49 loss to Rochester Lourdes in the Section 1AA semifinals in Mayo Civic Center. AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPORTS YEARBOOK
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2017
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Hayfield junior Kate Kruger had a big three-run homer in the state semi’s and she was glad the Vikings were able to finally get a win at state. “It shows that we can play with the big dogs,” Kruger said. Hayfield junior Carrie Rutledge was named to the All-State tournament team after she tied a state tournament record with three doubles against Edgerton-Southwest Christian. The Vikings also received leadership from junior outfielder Maggie Streightiff and eighth grade pitcher Caitlyn Hendrickson and eighth grade catcher Jenna Jacobsen.
TRACK AND FIELD
Hayfield junior Katrina Thoe made her first appearance at the Minnesota Class A State Track and Field Meet. Thoe competed in the discus, where she finished in 13th place with a distance of 105 feet, 11 inches.
ABOVE: Hayfield’s Katrina Thoe begins her spin in the discus during the Minnesota Class A State Track and Field Meet at Hamline University in St. Paul. RIGHT: Hayfield pitcher Adam Fjerstad pitches against Randolph in the Section 1A Tournament at Riverland Community College. Herald file photo
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FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2017
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPORTS YEARBOOK
Photo Rewind
ABOVE LEFT, CLOCKWISE: Hayfield’s Carrie Rutledge lets out a celebratory howl in the Section 1A championship. Elora Hughes kicks off the 200-yard medley relay. The clouds break briefly above LeRoy. Austin goalie Noah Bawek reaches out and forces a shot wide. Austin’s Trent Brown dives to pull in a touchdown reception. AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPORTS YEARBOOK
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2017
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Action from the Bear’s Den
ABOVE: Austin’s John Richards avoids a check as he chases the puck in the second period against Minot at Riverside Arena. RIGHT: Austin’s Will Reedy tangles with Bismarck’s Parker Mismash along the boards during the second period at Riverside Arena. LEFT: Austin goalie Jake Kucharski makes a stop in the first period against Coulee in Riverside Arena. Herald file photos
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FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2017
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPORTS YEARBOOK