Winter 2017-18 Sports Preview by Detroit Lakes Newspapers

WINTER 2017-18

SPORTS PREVIEW

FRAZEE · DETROIT LAKES · LAKE PARK-AUDUBON

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2017-2018

Caufield Studio

The Frazee boys basketball team

Frazee boys basketball aims to change current streak BY ROBERT WILLIAMS rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

The Frazee boys basketball team gets a change of venue in section play this year moving from 8AA to 6A. While dropping a class and getting out of Section 8 may seem like a relief to a team that has struggled the past two seasons, Section 6A is no pushover and will likely present an equal challenge. The Hornets are coming off a one-win season (1-24) last year and a two-win season (2-23) in 2015-16. The last team to put up double figures was 2015-15 in a 10win campaign. The Frazee program will operate for a second straight year with a new coach after Chad Wittner left after last season. Wittner had replaced Brain Tangen Former Hornet Hunter Graham takes over the helm. Graham graduated from Frazee in 2009. He is in his third year of coaching. He began with the seventh and eighthgraders and was an assistant last year. In his first year at the helm, Graham is more concerned with the basics of basketball and getting his young team up to speed. “We just have to learn how to win,” he said. Frazee was on the verge of a win in the season-opener against Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton leading by five points with

less than two minutes to play but the more experienced Rebels found a way to come back and get the victory. “Work hard and winning will take care of itself,” Graham said. “We’re building for the future. Our goals are to have fun and work hard and be fundamentally sound.” Graham’s strongest group is one he is familiar with in four freshmen Lewis Helmers, Broden Fleisher, Reid Eckert and Jack Courneya. Courneya is one of two players, including junior Eddie Croucher, who moved to Frazee from out of state. Croucher is six-four and gives the Hornets some height in the paint. Eckert is six-three in only his freshman season . Leaders from last year’s team are also underclassmen in juniors Vincent Helmers and Caleb Degroat. Frazee has two seniors on the squad in Nate Nolan and Chris Hughes. Those players saw one victory in 201617 over Park Rapids at home in early February. Frazee has lost a dozen straight games since including an 0-3 start this year heading into a difficult matchup at Perham. The Hornets have had a struggle winning only three of the past 50 games. The first step to turning that around is consistency with the coaching staff and the Hornets have that this year with Graham basically being a part of the program

since he was in the program as a player. Frazee’s head coach has been utilizing his bench and getting players experience by running five players on the floor other than the starters in a half-court defensive set. Plans are to press when available as the season progresses and the team begins to gel and strategies formulate on both halves of the court. The Hornets remain in the Heart O’ Lakes Conference despite the move to Section 6A which pits Frazee against Class AA teams in 12 games. They also face some of the top teams in 6A in Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal, Lake Park-Audubon and Battle Lake. Pelican Rapids also moved from 8AA to 6A and remained in the HOL.

BOYS BASKETBALL ROSTER NO.

NAME

POS.

GRADE

Chris Hughes

4 10 12 14 20 21 22 23 24 30 32 34

Caleb Degroat Cole Fleisher Lewis Helmers Broden Fleisher Nate Nolan Joby Geifer Christian Weldon Keenan Treiglaff Eddie Croucher Vincent Helmer Reid Eckert Jack Courneya

G G F F G F F G F F C G

10 10 9 9 12 11 11 10 11 11 9 9

BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

SITE

12/1

7:30 PM

12/7 12/8 12/14 12/16

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 4:00 PM

12/18 12/18 12/19 12/19 1/2

TBD 6:00 PM TBD 7:30 PM 7:30 PM

1/5 1/11 1/16 1/19 1/22 1/25

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:15 PM 7:30 PM

1/30

7:30 PM

2/2

7:30 PM

Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8AA) Pelican Rapids (6A) Sebeka (5A) Perham (8AA) Park Rapids Area (8AA) Henning (6A) Henning (6A) Henning (6A) Henning (6A) Wadena-Deer Creek (8AA) NCE/UH Titans (6A) Hawley (8AA) Barnesville (8AA) Breckenridge (8AA) Ashby H.S. (6A) Lake Park-Audubon (6A) Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8AA) Pelican Rapids (6A)

Frazee H.S.

2/9 2/10 2/13

7:30 PM 1:00 PM 7:30 PM

Perham (8AA) Warroad (8AA) Menahga (5A)

Frazee H.S. Sebeka H.S. Perham H.S. Park Rapids Area H.S. Henning H.S. Henning H.S. Henning H.S. Henning H.S. Wadena-Deer Creek H.S. Frazee H.S. Hawley H.S. Frazee H.S. Breckenridge H.S. Frazee H.S. Lake ParkAudubon Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton H.S. Pelican Rapids H.S. Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S.

2/16

7:30 PM

Hawley (8AA)

Frazee H.S.

2/17

7:30 PM

Barnesville (8AA)

Concordia Colege

2/20

7:15 PM

Battle Lake (6A)

Battle Lake H.S.

2/20

7:30 PM

Battle Lake (6A)

Battle Lake H.S.

2/23

7:30 PM

Breckenridge (8AA)

Frazee H.S.

2/27

7:30 PM

New York Mills (6A)

New York Mills H.S.

Please check www.frazee.k12.mn.us for schedule changes

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2017-2018

Caufield Studio

The Frazee girls basketball team

Hornets turn a new “Paige” this season BY ROBERT WILLIAMS rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Frazee has a lot of new talent and a new coach to intertwine on the Hornet bench and find success this season. Jason Reierson took over the head coaching job after the Frazee school board decided to not renew the contract of former head coach Dave Conzemius, not without some pressure from a group of parents. Reierson is working on where this team stands and trying player combinations to breed success. After winning the home opener, the Hornets dropped three straight games and the Heart O’ Lakes Conference and Section 8AA schedules do not provide a lot of easy games. Reierson was the head boys coach at Frazee a decade ago and coached the girls team at Climax-Fisher prior to that. He’s also the head girls golf coach in the spring. Reierson will now be under the gun to appease those complainers from last season and does so with one piece Conzemius did not have the luxury of and that is a healthy Paige Oswald. Oswald, a sophomore, missed all of last season due to injury making a brief appearance at the very end of the season. Her absence was one of the main reasons the Hornets won only five games in 201617. Oswald’s ball skills and calm control at point guard will definitely be a huge boost for this year’s team if she can stay healthy.

“She’s going to get more comfortable” said Reierson. “Some of those floaters in the lane will go. The things she does will develop as the season goes on.” Paige Ziegler is another sophomore that had a breakout year as a freshman and will certainly put up points. Ziegler is a three-sport star in volleyball and track and field and gives the Hornets creativity on the defensive end of the floor with her athleticism. “When Ziegler is in there we can get up and press you and when she isn’t we go half court and turn into a whole different team,” Reierson said. Senior Natalie Nudell is a consistent two-way player who can produce in the post and hit from long range. Both Ziegler and Nudell will be challenges for opposing defenses and proved it early in the season. Nudell hit five three-pointers and scored a game-high 26 points in the home opening victory over Lake Park-Audubon. Ziegler poured in 28 points against perennial section power Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton in game two. To no surprise, Oswald was in double figures both games as well. With that trio in place, the Hornets have four other seniors, three of whom have not seen a lot of time. “We’ve got to see who can play,” Reierson said. “I’ve got five seniors and three haven’t seen the floor. They’re fresh too. They need to learn and figure it out but at the same time I need to develop those younger girls as well.”

Aina Olson, Carly Mahoney, and Harley Stroburg have all contributed on the scoresheet in the early going and Bailey Aho is fighting for time on the floor. The Hornets have only two juniors in Taylor Wilkowski and Abby Hoehne. Talia Gabrielson joins Ziegler and Oswald in the sophomore class and has gotten her own share of minutes in the first few games. The latter five will be the nucleus of next year’s team along with freshman Ellie Reierson, who is the lone ninthgrader on the varsity roster. “We’re going to go game-by-game because I just don’t know,” Reierson said. “Oswald hasn’t played and three seniors haven’t played. I just don’t know where we stand.” Frazee will get a measuring stick when they look for a first HOL victory against Perham and start the long road through the conference schedule after the holiday break.

GIRLS BASKETBALL ROSTER NO.

NAME

POS.

GRADE

Taylor Wilkowski

10 14 20 24 30 32 34 50 52 54

Paige Oswald Paige Ziegler Talia Gabrielson Harley Stroburg Carly Mahoney Natalie Nudell Ellie Reierson Abby Hoehne Aina Olson Bailey Aho

G F F G F F F F F F

10 10 10 12 12 12 9 11 12 12

GIRLS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

11/28

7:30 PM

12/1

7:30 PM

12/7 12/12 12/12 12/14 12/15 12/19 12/21

6:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM

12/28

TBD

12/29

TBD

1/4

7:30 PM

1/9 1/12 1/16 1/18 1/22 1/22

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM

1/25

5:45 PM

1/26

7:30 PM

1/30

7:30 PM

2/1

7:30 PM

2/2

6:00 PM

2/13 2/15 2/17 2/20 2/22

7:15 PM 7:30 PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM

2/22

7:30 PM

OPPONENT

SITE

Lake Park-Audubon (6A) Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8AA) Pelican Rapids (6A) Perham (8AA) Perham (8AA) Crookston (8AA) Verndale (5A) Menahga (5A) East Grand Forks (8AA) Pelican Rapids (6A)

Frazee H.S.

Park Rapids Area (8AA) Pelican Rapids (6A)

Frazee H.S.

Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton H.S. Frazee H.S. Perham H.S. Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S. Verndale H.S. Menahga H.S. Frazee H.S.

Pelican Rapids H.S. Pelican Rapids (6A) Pelican Rapids H.S. NCE/UH Titans (6A) Norman County East H.S. Hawley (8AA) Frazee H.S. Breckenridge (8AA) Breckenridge H.S. Barnesville (8AA) Frazee H.S. Perham (8AA) Frazee H.S. Henning (6A) Henning H.S. Wadena-Deer Creek Wadena-Deer (8AA) Creek H.S. Staples Motley (8AA) Staples-Motley H.S. Dilworth-GlyndonFrazee H.S. Felton H.S. (8AA) Henning (6A) Henning H.S.

Battle Lake (6A) Hawley (8AA) Barnesville (8AA) Breckenridge (8AA) Ada-Borup/Norman County West (6A) Ada-Borup/Norman County West (6A)

Pelican Rapids H.S. Battle Lake H.S. Hawley H.S. Barnesville H.S. Frazee H.S. Ada-Borup H.S. Ada-Borup H.S.

Please check www.frazee.k12.mn.us for schedule changes

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2017-2018

Caufield Studio

The Frazee wrestling team

No. 2A Hornets off to hot season start BY ROBERT WILLIAMS rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Head coach Clay Nagel’s Frazee wrestling team is off and running on an undefeated start to the season. Frazee blew away the competition at the season-opening Dan Unruh tournament in Wahpeton with seven individuals winning titles. The Hornets scored 313 team points. Lisbon was a distant second with 174.5. Frazee followed that up with a blowout dual victory at home over West Fargo 4818 then went to Brainerd for the Paul Bunyan tournament and bested Bemidji by 20 points scoring 202 points behind individual titles from Michael Miller (120) and Tanner Eischens at 170. Three other Hornets made the finals: Gabe Drewes (195), Luke Tweeton (220), and Anthony Malikowski (285). The Hornets are loaded with stateranked wrestlers: 113 Landon Byer No. 3; Miller No. 8 at 120; Tanner Schermerhorn No. 2 at 126; Eischens is fifth at 160-pounds; Gabe Drewes No. 9 at 195; Luke Tweeton No. 7 at 220 and Malikowski is No. 6 at heavyweight. Malikowski has competition at 285 inside the locker room with Tanner Tappe, a section champion in 2016 wrestling in the upper weights. Frazee has made five state trips in Class A without a team championship with two losses in the finals. The Hornets placed third last year. They defeated Sibley East after trailing by two points with two matches to go. Rory Drewes got a major decision and Tony Malikowski got a pin to send the Hornets to the semifinals.

The Hornets appeared ready for another trip to the finals leading the eventual state champions Zumbrota-Mazeppa 19-3 early but lost 32-25. Frazee ended the season with a 40-18 victory over West Central Area in the third place match. The Hornets broken open what had been a tight dual with 20 unanswered points in the final four weights. Zumbrota-Mazeppa begins this season as the only team ranked above Frazee and one team out of the way is runnersup Pierz. The Pioneers moved to Class AA in Section 8. Schermerhorn (33-6) is the top returner from 2016-17. The Hornet senior made his first trip to the championship mat, losing 11-6 to undefeated Pipestone Area wrestler Hunter Burnett. Another Pipestone wrestler is in the mix this year. Michael Suda is ranked No. 1 with Schermerhorn right behind him at 126 pounds. Burnett is in his senior season also ranked No. 1 at 132. Schermerhorn has already committed to wrestle for head coach Phi Moenkedick at Concordia in 2018-19. Schermerhorn is projected to wrestle at 133 or 141 pounds for the Cobbers. Byer (35-9) placed sixth at 106 pounds after overcoming a first round state loss and charging through wrestlebacks. Miller 31-9, Eischens 34-11, Malikowski 31-10 and Logan Wacker 18-21 all return as state qualifiers. Frazee lost five seniors, including two state place winners to graduation in Tanner Reetz the 126 runner-up and Rory Drewes who placed fourth at 220.

The Hornets look like they are on the way to improving on their 18-6 dual record last season on the backs of seven wrestlers returning with at least 22 wins last year. Badger/Greenbush-Middle River is the likely candidate to challenge the Hornets in the section finals as Frazee aims for a 25th trip to the state team tournament.

Dec. 8 State Class A Rankings provided by The Guillotine Class A Teams 1. Zumbrota-Mazeppa (1) 2. Frazee (8) 3. West Central Area/Ashby/BrandonEvansville (6) 4. Kenyon-Wanamingo (2) 5. Goodhue (1)

WRESTLING ROSTER NO.

NAME

GRADE

145 106 106 106 113 120 126 126 132 138 145 152 160 160 160 170 182 220 220

Kropuenske, Byron Byer, Landon Carlson, Christian Nagel, Jake Miller, Michael Barlund, Brock Hiemenz, Kaden Schermerhorn, Tanner Newling, Mason Shipman, Carter Roforth, Ricky Heimenz, Hudson Eischens, Tanner Graham, Brett Wacker, Logan Drewes, Gabe Tweeton, Luke Malikowski, Anthony Tappe, Tanner

8 12 9 7 12 9 9 12 10 12 11 12 12 10 12 11 10 11 12

6. Sibley East (4) 7. Minneota (3) 8. Westfield (2) 9. Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg (5) 10. Blackduck/Cass Lake-Bena (7) 11. LPGE-Browerville (5) 12. Ottertail Central (6)

WRESTLING SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

SITE

12/1

6:00 AM

Wahpeton Invitational

Whapeton H.S.

12/2

10:00 AM Wahpeton Invitational

Wahpeton H.S.

12/5

7:00 PM

Frazee H.S.

West Fargo

12/8

10:30 AM Brainerd H.S. (8AAA)

Brainerd H.S.

12/9

10:00 AM Brainerd Invitational

Brainerd H.S.

12/9

10:00 AM Barnesville Booster

Barnesville Booster Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton H.S. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton H.S. Frazee H.S.

12/12 5:00 PM 12/12 7:00 PM

Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8AA) Pelican Rapids (6A)

12/16

TBD

Perham (8AA)

12/16

11:00 AM Minneota (3A)

12/16

11:00 AM Pierz (8AA)

Frazee H.S.

12/29 12/30 1/9 1/18 1/20

11:00 AM 11:00 AM 7:30 PM 7:00 AM 10:00 AM

1/23 1/27

7:00 AM Barnesville (6A) 10:00 PM HOL Conference

1/30

7:30 PM

RCTC RCTC Sebeka H.S. Bemidji H.S. Staples-Motley H.S. Frazee H.S. Lake Park Highschool Frazee H.S.

2/2 2/8 2/17

6:00 PM 7:30 PM TBD

2/23 2/24

7:30 PM TBD

Clash Clash UNC Bemidji (8AAA) Staples Motley (6A)

Frazee H.S.

West Central Area/ Ashby/Brandon-Evansville (6A) Perham (8AA) Frazee H.S. Detroit Lakes (8AA) Frazee H.S. Thief River Falls (8AA) Thief River Falls H.S. Crookston (8A) Crookston H.S. Crookston (8A) Crookston H.S

Please check www.frazee.k12.mn.us for schedule changes

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2017-2018

Fly Girls to compete for state berths again BY ROBERT WILLIAMS rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Head coach Ta Fett has a winter season juggernaut in Frazee Dance as the Fly Girls have become one of the annual favorites to reach the state tournament in both Jazz and High Kick. Frazee finished the 2017 season as the state Class A Jazz runners-up and the Kick team placed sixth overall. The Fly Girls return plenty of leadership in seniors Juliana Diemert, Cassidy Nelson, Kaitlynn Bruns and Bailey Tinjum. All four earned All-State honors last season. Much of that leadership stems from the top. Fett was awarded the Coach of the Year honor in 2016. That was also the last time the Fly Girls won a state title in Jazz. Last season’s state Jazz competition came down to Frazee and Aitkin with the All-Starz nabbing their second state Jazz championship six rank points to nine. Nelson and Diemert also garnered AllTournament team distinctions. Aitkin continued their dominance at state Kick winning a fourth consecutive title and ninth overall. The Fly Girls scored 24 rank points to place sixth. Brittany Lormis and junior Bailey Tinjum were named to the all-tournament team. Lormis graduated

leaving Tinjum as the returning kick team leader. Frazee also has seven dancers who competed on a national stage with Northern Lights Dance Academy in 2017: freshman Autumn Moe, sophomore Hannah Conway, Nelson, Diemert, sophomores Greta Nelson, Kaitlin Wake and freshman CallaBelle Nundahl. The Fly Girls have a roster of 30 performers with a nice spread in age groups: four seventh graders, three eighth graders, six freshmen, nine sophomores and four juniors to go with the quartet of senior dancers.

The start of the season has seen nothing but victories for both teams. Frazee swept the Detroit Lakes Invitational Class A portion of the competition with perfect rank scores from the judges and matched that effort placing first at the Heart O’ Lakes Conference Kick meet in Wadena. The dance teams are two years removed from their best finish when Frazee captured the Jazz state championship and were runners-up in Kick in 2016. The season schedule presents two chances to see the Fly Girls at home. Frazee hosts an invitational with Crookston, Crosby-Ironton, D-G-F, Mahnomen-Waubun,

Minnewaska, Pelican Rapids, United Clay Becker and Wadena-Deer Creek Friday, Dec. 15. The Heart O’ Lakes Jazz Conference tournament will be held in Frazee Thursday, Jan. 4 with Bagley, Crookston, DG-F, UCB, M-W, Pelican Rapids and Wadena-Deer Creek in attendance. The Section 4A championships will likely pit Frazee and Aitkin against each other for the top spot and trips to Target Center at Wadena-Deer Creek February 3. The All-Starz lost nine seniors from last year’s team.

FRAZEE DANCE SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

SITE

12/2

11:00 AM Detroit Lakes Invite

Detroit Lakes Invite

12/7

6:30 PM

Wadena-Deer Creek H.S.

12/9

11:00 AM Renville County West Renville County (3A) West H.S.

12/15

6:00 PM

Frazee Invitational

Frazee H.S.

12/15

6:30 PM

Crookston (4A)

Frazee H.S.

12/15

6:30 PM

United Clay-Becker Mystix (4A)

Frazee H.S.

1/4

6:00 PM

HOL Conference

Frazee H.S.

1/4

6:30 PM

Crookston (4A)

Frazee H.S.

1/6

11:00 AM Alexandria Invite

Alexandria H.S.

1/13

11:00 AM Rocori (4AA)

Rocori H.S.

1/19

7:00 PM

Frazee H.S.

1/20

11:00 AM Pelican Rapids Invite

Pelican Rapids H.S.

1/26

6:00 PM

Pelican Rapids H.S.

HOL Conference

Fly GIrl Dance Show

HOL Conference Tournament

Please check www.frazee.k12.mn.us for schedule changes

FRAZEE DANCE ROSTER

Caufield Studio

Above-right: The Frazee high kick dance team. Bottom: The Frazee jazz dance team

NAME

GRADE

Abbey Miller

Abbie Jepson Abby Voss Alexa Osterman Angela Kilde Ashley Johnson Autumn Moe Bailey Tinjum Braylee Riewer Brenna Mahoney CallaBelle Nundahl Cassidy Nelson Cassidy Shipman Cecilia George Delaney Matejka Grace Jaroszewski Greta Nelson Hannah Conway Isabella Matejka Juliana Diemert Kaitlin Wake Kaitlynn Bruns Lori Glander Madeline Matejka Marcella George Mattison Grant Mckenzie Wake Natalea Maijala Sabrina Ruiz Sophie Nelson

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2017-2018

Robert Williams / Tribune

The Detroit Lakes boys hockey team

Laker hockey team building on experience from last year Forum News Service

The Detroit Lakes boys hockey team got off to a slow start with a young team last season, but rebounded to win 13 games and finish above the .500 mark. “It’s been a good start,” Detroit Lakes head coach Todd Dwyer said. “The guys are working really hard and the biggest thing is great attitudes and a good work ethic. Guys can motivate themselves and that can go a long ways.” Last year’s team had only four seniors on the varsity roster: Jace Engelstad, Jeric Giwoyna, Jack DeConcini and Bailey Tulius. This year’s squad will have double that number of upperclassmen and a drive to get to the playoffs and past the first round. Detroit Lakes was knocked out of the opening round last season for the first time since 2011-12. The Lakers lost in overtime to Crookston 2-1 at home. The Pirates avenged a double-overtime first round loss in 2015 to the Lakers. Since rejoining 8A in 2011-12, the Lakers are 4-6 in 10 playoff games. Detroit Lakes placed second in the Mid-State Conference at 6-2, one game back of Northern Lakes. The Lakers last conference championship was the season prior when DL swept all eight games. Junior Trey Seebold and seniors Ryan Paskey, Collin Ginnaty and Ben Unruh return from the top of last year’s score sheet. Seebold was an all-conference player last season with DeConcini and Tulius. Paskey was injured in the offseason but has been cleared to skate and is awaiting full clearance to play with contact. Jace Kovash has logged a lot of minutes and is expected to play a big role along the

blue line for the Lakers. DL has a big hole in the departure of DeConcini, last year’s team MVP and leading scorer (11-14-25). Senior Ryan Wheeler and junior Blake Itzen are battling for the starting job in goal. Dwyer has yet to name a starter for the opener. Dwyer said one of the keys for the Lakers will be their depth. “We counted nine returning players that scored a varsity goal and that doesn’t happen too often,” Dwyer said. “Our junior class was a big part and is going to be a big part this year. Nick Lund scored a lot of goals for us last season and the same with Will Green. I think our depth will carry us this year.” Seebold finished with 11 goals and 12 assists averaging just under one point per game (0.96), while Ginnaty ended with 18 points (10g, 8a). Paskey had seven goals and 12 assists. Unruh had 16 points (7g, 9a). Lund had a dozen (9g ,3a) and three of his goals were game-winners; Green was in double figures with four goals and six assists. Special teams can play a big role and Dwyer is confident in his penalty kill. He said they strive on the kill. However, they didn’t find that same success on the power play. “We wanted to score more power play goals and that is something we hope we can increase this year,” Dwyer said. “Teams that can score on the power play tend to win more games. That’s a big thing we want to focus on this year and that’s to improve our power play and keep our penalty kill going.” Seebold led the Lakers on the man advantage with three goals and four assists. The Lakers will start the season at home for their first four games. They open with Fergus Falls, Saturday, Nov. 25 before hosting a trio of games against North

                          001518387r1

Dakota opponents Grafton/Park River, Bismarck Century and Bismarck High. Player better at home is an area the Lakers can improve upon; DL was 5-5-1 at the Kent Freeman Arena. DL was 6-4 in 10 section games last season and 13-10-2 overall. There are only eight section games on this year’s schedule. The Lakers will not see either of the top two returning teams in defending section champs East Grand Forks (18-10-2, 111-0) or Thief River Falls (10-16-0, 7-3-0). Dwyer said the section is always tough with Warroad, Northern Lakes and Park Rapids Area in the hunt with the two favorites. “They all were strong teams last year and a lot of them are returning a lot of the same players,” Dwyer said. “I think it’s going to come down to five teams that can win it. We will see who stays healthy and who keeps improving as the season goes on.” East Grand Forks has won four of the last five section titles and won state Class

BOYS HOCKEY ROSTER NO.

NAME

POS.

GRADE

4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 28 29 30 31

Alex Bren Reed Benson Maddux Kovash Jace Kovash Collin Ginnaty Carson Reep Ryan Paskey Will Stowman Ben Unruh Jackson Fields Drew Schwan Trey Seebold Will Green Cam Gilbertson Jackson Carlblom Brady Morris Dominic Denardo Logan Burhans Blake Itzen Ryan Wheeler

D D D D W W C C W D W W W D W W W W G G

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1123 HWY. 10 EAST SUITE 1

1123 HWY. 10DETROIT EAST SUITE 1 56501 LAKES, MN DETROIT LAKES, MN 56501 OFFICE: 218-847-5796 TOLL FREE: 800-750-9004 OFFICE: 218-847-5796 FAX: 218-846-1493 TOLL FREE: 800-750-9004

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A championships in 2014 and 2015. Thief River Falls interrupted the Green Wave section streak with a victory in 2015-16 and captured 8A championships in 2010 and 2011. Warroad was the last team other than the Wave or Prowlers to prevail in the section taking four straight from 2006-2009. DL’s season begins with a non-conference, non-section game against highway 59 rivals Fergus Falls at home, 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. DL was 0-1-1 against the Otters last season and is 1-2-1 in the last four meetings.

BOYS HOCKEY SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

11/25

TBD

Fergus Falls (6A)

12/5

7:00 PM

12/12 7:30 PM 12/27

TBD

12/28

TBD

12/28

2:30 PM

12/29

TBD

1/5

7:15 PM

1/6

1:00 PM

1/9

7:00 PM

1/16

7:30 PM

1/19

7:30 PM

1/27

3:00 PM

1/30

7:00 PM

2/1

7:00 PM

2/8

7:15 PM

2/13

7:30 PM

2/15

7:15 PM

SITE

Detroit Lakes H.S. Northern Lakes Lightning Breezy Point (5A) Hockey Arena Park Rapids-Menahga- Park Rapids Nevis-Walker-HackenArea H.S. sack-Akeley (8A) Fergus Falls (6A) Fergus Falls H.S. Fergus Falls (6A) Fergus Falls H.S. Park Rapids-Menahga- Fergus Falls Nevis-Walker-HackenInvitational sack-Akeley (8A) Fergus Falls (6A) Fergus Falls H.S. Warroad (8A) Detroit Lakes H.S. Crookston Pirates (8A) Detroit Lakes H.S. Wadena-Deer Creek Wadena-Deer (6A) Creek H.S. Crookston Pirates (8A) Crookston Sports Center Lake of the Woods H.S. Detroit Lakes (8A) H.S. Kittson County Central Kittson Central (8A) H.S. Red Lake Falls (8A) Red Lake Falls H.S. Wadena-Deer Creek Detroit Lakes (6A) H.S. Northern Lakes Lightning Detroit Lakes (5A) H.S. Park Rapids-Menahga- Detroit Lakes Nevis-Walker-HackenH.S. sack-Akeley (8A) Little Falls H.S. (6A) Little Falls H.S.

GOOD LUCK TEAMS!

Matt Hedstrom Cell: 218-841-9791 mhedstro@amfam.com

R001952272

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS AND JASON GROTH

Matt Hedstrom Cell: 218-841-9791 mhedstro@amfam.com

Jim Hedstrom Cell: 218-841-7405 Jim Hedstrom Cell: 218-841-7405 jhedstro@amfam.com jhedstro@amfam.com

GOOD LUCK LAKERS!

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2017-2018

7 GIRLS BASKETBALL ROSTER NO.

NAME

POS.

GRADE

Brianna Clem

Emily Larson

Lauryn Manning

Matteya Borah

Courtney Brodsho

Haidyn Gunderson

Lauren Tschider

Mercedez Bellanger

Ellie Lunde

Taylor Block

Breanna Price

McKinna Greggersen

GIRLS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE DATE

Robert Williams / Tribune

The Detroit Lakes girls basketball team

Laker girls start under new coach for third straight season rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

The Detroit Lakes girls basketball team has a new head coach for a third straight season. Tom Vagle takes over this season with the latest approach to the game for the Lakers. However, in the preseason, it’s back to the usual grind. “We’ve been spending a lot of time on defense and rebounding; very basic fundamentals,” said Vagle. Vagle has taught at DLHS since 1994 and has coached basketball, softball and golf. He was a head girls basketball coach from 1992-1994 at Hibbing high school before moving to Detroit Lakes. He served as the assistant coach under Mike Labine with the girls program in Detroit Lakes for the 1998-99 season. The opening was created when Vanessa Keeler-Johnson accepted the head women’s basketball coaching position at Valley City State University in August. Vagle inherits a team shorthanded due to injury and somewhat depleted by graduation. 001665715r1

“I’ve been really realistic with the girls and we’ve had parent meetings,” Vagle said. “Everyone knows the team was 13-15 last year and we lost five due to graduation. We lost two to knee injuries. I’ve been very realistic but I also told them we just need to win three games to go to state this year.” Those three games encompass the Section 8AAA tournament. DL won one last season on the road at Fergus Falls before falling to eventual section champions Alexandria in the semifinals a game short of .500. DL’s last winning season was an 18-9 year in 2015-16 under Head Coach Mike Hoganson and Assistant Coach Tim Swenson. The Laker backcourt is experienced with Lauren Tschider and Lauryn Manning working the points. Bre Price returns as the go-to in the paint with Ellie Lunde likely the fourth starter at forward. Cortney Brodsho is the likely fifth starter. The Lakers will be playing without starter Emily Larson who suffered a knee injury during the fall soccer season. Larson’s speed and ability to slash to the basket will certainly be missed.

There are three other seniors joining Tschider on the team. Brodsho, Taylor Block and new face Haidyn Gunderson will be getting most of their varsity experience in their final year. Gunderson was a recruit from the volleyball team. “We’d like to be more experienced but we do have some juniors who have some time,” said Vagle. The remainder of the lineup is eight juniors with no sophomores on the preseason varsity roster. Vagle is hesitant to move up any underclassmen wanting to get the most out of what he has. A couple younger players have a shot later in the year but will have to prove themselves at the junior varsity level first. Gunderson’s height could be a difference maker with Price in the paint as the season winds down and Gunderson gets more comfortable on the floor. The offensive scheme is still in flux as the season gets underway. “One of my philosophies is to not congest to post area and allow guards to move in and out of there,” said Vagle. “Obviously, Bre is going to spend some time there but if

OPPONENT

SITE

7:15 PM

Little Falls (8AAA)

Little Falls H.S.

12/5

7:15 PM

Aitkin (7AA)

Detroit Lakes H.S.

12/9

3:00 PM

Fergus Falls (8AAA)

Fergus Falls H.S.

12/12

7:30 PM

Thief River Falls (8AA)

Thief River Falls H.S.

12/15

7:15 PM

Park Rapids Area (8AA)

Park Rapids Area H.S.

12/19

6:00 PM

Bemidji (8AAA)

Bemidji H.S.

12/27

TBD

Bemidji (8AAA)

Bemidji H.S.

12/27

6:00 PM

Park (3AAAA)

Bemidji H.S.

12/28

TBD

Bemidji (8AAA)

Bemidji H.S.

12/28

3:00 PM

North (4AAAA)

Bemidji H.S.

1/4

7:30 PM

Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8AA)

Detroit Lakes H.S.

1/9

7:15 PM

Park Rapids Area (8AA)

Detroit Lakes H.S.

1/12

7:15 PM

Crosby-Ironton (7AA) Crosby-Ironton H.S.

1/16

7:30 PM

Fergus Falls (8AAA)

Detroit Lakes H.S.

1/25

7:30 PM

Thief River Falls (8AA)

Detroit Lakes H.S.

1/27

7:30 PM

Perham (8AA)

Perham H.S.

1/30

7:15 PM

Pequot Lakes (7AA)

Detroit Lakes H.S.

2/2

7:30 PM

Sauk Rapids-Rice (8AAA)

Detroit Lakes H.S.

2/3

2:30 PM

Sartell-Saint Stephen Detroit Lakes (8AAA) H.S.

2/9

7:30 PM

Bemidji (8AAA)

Detroit Lakes H.S.

2/13

6:00 PM

Moorhead (8AAAA)

Detroit Lakes H.S.

2/15

7:15 PM

Pequot Lakes (7AA)

Pequot Lakes H.S.

2/20

7:00 PM

Aitkin (7AA)

Aitkin H.S.

2/23

7:15 PM

Crosby-Ironton (7AA) Detroit Lakes H.S.

we can clean that area up a bit with less traffic it gives more opportunity for driving.” Vagle is going to emply a motion offense to open up the floor for creativity. “I tell them to play basketball don’t play plays,” Vagle said. “It may take them a while to get that. We want to have good spacing on the floor to allow people to create and draw defenders and kick the ball to someone who is open.” The Lakers struggled out of the gate dropping the first two games of the season to Little Falls and Aitkin.

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001665814r1

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

TIME

12/1

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2017-2018

Caufield Studio

The Detroit Lakes high kick dance team.

Dance teams open at home invitational Saturday

605 Hwy 10 East • Detroit Lakes

Donations accepted Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm • Sun 12:00pm-4:00pm

Ramsey. “This is the highest level of raw potential we’ve had in a while. Getting it all put together is a process that extends beyond the first two weeks of practice and the first competition. “We put as many in formation as we think we can,” said Ramsey. As the season progresses and the

LAKER DANCE to page 10 »

Caufield Studio

The Detroit Lakes jazz dance team.

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL TEAMS AND ATHLETES!

choreography becomes tighter, spots on the team and in the formation begin to solidify. “We usually redo it all over Christmas break and then we’re making a more permanent decision and that’s usually what

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001350114r1

The Detroit Lakes dance teams open the season at home Saturday, Dec. 2 beginning at 10 a.m. The Lakers completed the 2016-17 season placing ninth in jazz and 11th in high kick in a loaded field at the Section 4AA championships. Rocori and Sartell each advanced both of their teams to the state meet. Sartell placed first in kick and second in jazz, while Rocori took first in jazz and second in kick. This year’s team got a boost with two new assistant coaches joining head coach Britton Ramsey and assistant Megan Vogt. Jessica Omdalen danced at MSUM and Nikki Kujawa is a Central Michigan University graduate with a dance minor and a studio dance background in ballet, tap, and jazz. “She’s phenomenal; we’re so blessed to have her,” said Ramsey. “We’re well-staffed this year, which is an awesome change.” The Lakers lost four seniors Abigayle Skinner, Cassandra Jenson, Maddie Ramsey and Maddy Lewis to graduation. Skinner is now dancing at MSUM. This year’s squad has six upperclassmen: Cherish Johnson, Leiana-Lavette Woodard, McKenna Ruchti-Westrum, Megan Gilsdorf, Chenoa Vizenor and Natalie Nelmark. Gilsdorf and junior Elle Seaberg will serve as captains.

DL placed fourth in Mid-State Conference jazz and fifth in kick last year. Pine River-Backus and Wadena-Deer Creek dropped out of the Mid-State Conference this season. Aitkin, Crosby-Ironton, Pequot Lakes, Pierz and the Lakers remain in a highly competitive field. “We have a lot of potential,” said

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rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

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BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

4/7/14 11:14 AM

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2017-2018

Robert Williams / Tribune

The Detroit Lakes girls hockey team

DL girls hockey starts with a boost of positive attitude BY ROBERT WILLIAMS rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

The Detroit Lakes girls hockey team does not want a repeat of last season and have put in the preseason work and insisted upon a change in attitude to get the program turned around from a four-win campaign in 2016. “We definitely have room for improvements, but we can only go up from here,” said tri-captain Anna Payne. Payne is the lone senior captain and will lead the team with juniors Payton Carlblom, DL’s top defenseman, and junior and returning leading scorer Abagail King. “I think the culture is very different this year,” said head coach Gretchen Norby. “Really knowing that last year was a disappointing season, in many ways, they are approaching things differently and understanding the hard work has to be put in. We’re going to reap the benefits. I’ve seen them putting in that work the last two weeks and trying to be competitive.” The Lakers were 4-21-1 last season sweeping Crookston in the season series and putting together back-to-back wins at Bemidji and home over Morris/Benson midseason. DL was winless in the MidState (0-5-1) and lost 11 of their final 12 games culminating in a 6-0 loss at Park Rapids in the opening round of the Section 8A playoffs. Team morale suffered, according to the players and head coach. Losing streaks are no fun. “It’s hard not to have that,” said Norby. “We’ve been through that now so we know what it’s going to take to climb out. We understand we’re going to have our lumps, but we’re going to have to work through them.”

While the top two lines have seen a number of changes through two weeks and two scrimmages this preseason, the team strength begins in the back end. “We have a lot of returning ‘D’ from last year. None of us are first year. I think, defensively, we’ll be pretty strong,” said Carlblom. Carlblom and sophomore Annie Campbell split up as top pairing to bring balance to the other sides of the point. Carlblom is paired with freshman McKenna Burhans, while Campbell and junior Sydney Brininger will be next shift. Goalie Kyndra McDougall played in 18 games last season and begins her third year of varsity play between the pipes. Freshman Lean Honer will be the backup replacing departed senior Shannara Wheeler. Up front, Karrigan Hallisey scored seven goals last year and centers the top line with Payne and Perham sophomore Madyson Melgard. Melgard was feisty around the net and showed she can score. Norby wants to see more aggressive play from Melgard and playing with Payne and Hallisey will allow for that should the line find early harmony down low. Eighth-grader Emma Coley is centering the second line with King and junior Lily Burnside. While this line is young, all three players are fast and aggressive skaters and both lines feature members from special teams. At first glance, it was easy to put King with Payne and Hallisey to have three scorers attacking the net first shift. “We started out with that, but we had to level things out a bit,” Norby said.

Kristine M. Riewer, DDS Donald L. Steinmetz, DDS Ryan R. Manke, DDS

701 Hwy 10 E Detroit Lakes, MN (218) 847-9214 "New Patients Welcome" 001360889r1

Norby, a three-time all-state player as a Laker and two-year player at St. Cloud State University, is in her seventh season as head coach. She is only the second coach in girls hockey history at DLHS. She took over for Dan Maloney, her coach as a player here. Of her 31 girls out in junior varsity plus, 11 bring back a healthy amount of game experience and the leaders are looking for offensive output from around the lineup, not just the top returners. “It’s anyone’s game, but hopefully we can all put some points up there,” said King. Emotion, character and the necessary mindset to be successful have also been key foci heading into Saturday’s opener. “Your attitude going into the games and especially practice, when it gets long - you just have to keep each other’s attitudes up,” King said. Detroit Lakes opens the season with a challenge, the Fergus Falls Otters and junior Sophie Rausch. Rausch scored 31 goals with 17 assists to lead the 2016

GIRLS HOCKEY ROSTER NO.

NAME

POS.

GRADE

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 15 16 17 20 22 33

Leah Honer Sydney Brininger Josey Allen Makehna Beck Emma Coley Willa Larsen Kiley Pederson Mary Nelmark Lily Burnside Madyson Melgard Abagail King Anna Payne Payton Carlblom Karrigan Hallisey McKenna Burhans Annie Campbell Kyndra McDougall

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Otters as a sophomore. The Otters return seven players who reached double figures in scoring. Junior Jayden McKeever is back in net. She started 17 games (11-6). DL opens the year with four consecutive home games facing Thief River Falls (Nov. 14), Woodbury (Nov. 17) and East Grand Forks on Saturday, Nov. 18. The Otters and Lakers drop the puck Saturday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. at Kent Freeman Arena.

GIRLS HOCKEY SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

11/11

TBD

Fergus Falls (6A)

11/14

7:30 PM

11/17

7:15 PM

11/18

1:00 PM

11/21

7:00 PM

11/24 11/28

5:00 PM 7:00 PM

11/30

7:15 PM

12/1

7:15 PM

12/7

5:15 PM

12/9

2:00 PM

12/12

7:00 PM

12/14

7:00 PM

1/2

7:15 PM

1/11

5:15 PM

1/13

2:00 PM

1/23 1/25 1/30

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM

1/30

7:00 PM

2/1

7:00 PM

SITE

Detroit Lakes H.S. Thief River Falls (8A) Detroit Lakes H.S. Woodbury Area Roy- Detroit Lakes als (4AA) H.S. East Grand Forks Detroit Lakes (8A) H.S. Northern Lakes Breezy Point Lightning (6A) Hockey Arena Moorhead (8AA) Fergus Falls Park Rapids High Park Rapids School (8A) Area H.S. Sartell/Sauk Rapids Detroit Lakes Stormin Sabres (8AA) H.S. Bemidji (8AA) Detroit Lakes H.S. Prairie Centre Blue Detroit Lakes Devils (6A) H.S. Thief River Falls (8A) Ralph Engelstad Arena - TRF Park Rapids High Detroit Lakes School (8A) H.S. Crookston High Crookston School Pirates (8A) Sports Center Northern Lakes Detroit Lakes Lightning (6A) H.S. Prairie Centre Blue Wadena-Deer Devils (6A) Creek H.S. Fergus Falls (6A) Fergus Falls H.S. Bemidji (8AA) Bemidji H.S. Moorhead (8AA) Moorhead H.S. Thief River Falls (8A) Red Lake Falls H.S. Crookston High Detroit Lakes School Pirates (8A) H.S. East Grand Forks East Grand (8A) Forks H.S.

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2017-2018

10 we roll with,” Ramsey said. “Otherwise, you don’t have time because you compete every week. Formations take forever - we spend the first two weeks learning choreography, but so much of it is group and partner work.” There are 21 varsity kick dancers and 18 varsity jazz dancers. The jazz team is

D.L. DANCE VARSITY SCHEDULE DATE 1/6

TIME

OPPONENT

10:00 AM Alexandria Invite Midstate Conference

SITE

the largest DL has had. The majority of the team of 24 varsity dancers compete on both teams, along with 16 on the junior varsity team. “The team got along really well last year and we’ve been able to start off where we left off this year with a good team chemistry,” said Ramsey. DL got a strong start at the home meet

GRADE

Alexis Jesness

Alexandria H.S.

Alexis VanMaldegham

Crosby-Ironton H.S.

Bella Steffl

Brittany Stearns

7:00 PM

1/20

12:00 PM Pelican Rapids (4A) Pelican Rapids H.S.

Chenoa Vizenor

1/27

12:00 PM New London-Spicer New London(3A) Spicer H.S.

Cherish Johnson

Elle Seaberg

2/3

12:00 PM Section Meet

Section Meet

Emma Ortloff

12/2

9:00 AM

Detroit Lakes H.S.

Gracee Trauig

Hannah Hagen

Hope Hansen

Jessica Jensen

Kaitlyn Cameron

Leiana Lavette-Woodard

Maci Bellefeuille

Marit Engum

8 12

12/2

11:00 AM Foley (4AA)

Detroit Lakes H.S.

12/8

7:00 PM

Aitkin H.S.

Midstate Conference

12/9

10:00 AM Albany (4AA)

1/18

TBD

Albany H.S.

Midstate ConferDetroit Lakes ence Championship H.S.

1/18

7:00 PM

Crosby-Ironton (4A) None Selected

1/18

7:00 PM

Aitkin (4A)

Detroit Lakes H.S.

McKenna Ruchti Megan Gilsdorf

1/18

7:00 PM

Crosby-Ironton (4A) Detroit Lakes H.S.

Natalie Nelmark

Pequot Lakes (4AA)

Sammy Maier

Tori LaFriniere

1/18

7:00 PM

Detroit Lakes H.S.

This is the first of only two home competitions. Detroit Lakes hosts the conference championship Thursday, Jan. 18. The conference meet is the final portion of three scoring meets, one separate for kick and jazz earlier in the season, that determines a champion.

D.L. DANCE ROSTER NAME

1/11

United Clay-Becker Mystix (4A)

last December placing third in the Class AA jazz division, while the kick team earned a runner-up finish. At Saturday’s opener, Class AA and AAA teams begin competition at 10 a.m. and finish around noon. Class A is to follow from 1 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Robert Williams / Tribune

The Detroit Lakes dance teams open the season at home Saturday, Dec. 2 beginning at 10 a.m. at Ralph Anderson Gymnasium.

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» LAKER DANCE from page 9

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2017-2018

State champs ready to compete and repeat BY ROBERT WILLIAMS rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

The Detroit Lakes gymnastics team begins the season in pursuit of a fifth consecutive section championship and a fourth straight Class A state team title. The Lakers have already garnered the top ranking in the state, in both classes, after the Minnesota Gymnastics Hub published preseason rankings of the top 50 teams in both Class A and AA. DL is one of four Class A teams in the top 10 with Melrose two back at No. 3. The Dutchmen have been the three-time runners-up to the Lakers at state; No. 7 Austin and No. 9 Willmar also cracked the top 10. For the Lakers, the preseason is about getting timing and rhythm down and not thinking too far ahead. “It’s high school sports; you never know what’s going to happen; every year is a new year,” said DL head coach Steve Zamzo. “We’re looking more for consistency and being clean, making sure our skills are there and building off of that.” The team lost four graduated seniors Molly Lyngaas, Leah Chavez, Mathia Olds and Johanna Jernberg. The 2016-17 squad left big numbers to match. Detroit Lakes set two Class A records at the state meet: the team score of 151.675 and their total on uneven bars of 38.150. The previous high team score was 150.400 by Perham in 2005 and the former record on the bars was 37.900 by Perham in 2006. The Lakers finished first on the state floor exercise with a score of 37.900. Melrose had the highest scores on vault (38.150) and balance beam (37.975), with Detroit Lakes second. After capturing the team title, the individual state marks were a bit lower than

GYMNASTICS SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

SITE

12/2

12:00PM

Morris Area

Away

12/2

10:00AM

Perham

Away

12/8

6:00PM

Little Falls

Home

12/15 6:00PM

Park Rapids Area

Home

12/16

Brainerd

Away

12/19 6:00PM

Perham

Away

1/6

11:00AM

Park Center

Away

1/6

12:15PM

Princeton

Away

1/13

9:00AM

Lakeville North

Away

1/18

6:00PM

Park Rapids Area

Away

1/19

6:00PM

Perham

Home

1/23

6:00PM

Bemidji

Home

1/27

12:00PM

TBD

Home

1/30

6:00PM

Park Rapids Area

Away

2/1

6:00PM

Moorhead

Away

2/3

2:00PM

Bemidji

Away

2/17

TBD

Away

11:00AM

Robert Williams / Tribune

The Detroit Lakes gymnastics team anticipated on day two of the event, but Laker gymnasts were still podium bound. Emma Disse captured silver on balance beam and bronze on floor exercise. Jackson Hegg placed fourth on bars. Lexi Yliniemi had a sixth place floor exercise finish. Cora Okeson just missed the podium in the all-around finishing seventh with a score of 37.325. Hegg placed 15th (36.6). DL also won a third straight Class A State True Team championship in Willmar in late January defeating Melrose there also. Justine Lawrence was the allaround champion. Multiple gymnasts competed in allaround last season and this year is no different. A handful of gymnasts will be competing on all four events as the season gets underway. The Lakers return three seniors: Disse, Katrina Okeson and Alexis Ostlie with Disse and Ostlie serving as team captains. Cora Okeson was the 2015-16 state allaround champion and repeated last year as section champ with Jackson Hegg the runner-up. Okeson is out with a concussion she suffered the first week of practice and should be back by mid-December. Yliniemi is the two-time section vault champion. Peyton Jernberg captured last season’s section beam title. Lawrence and

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routine and DL will again run two varsity teams with 36 girls on the opening day roster. The second varsity team is in action at Morris the same day as the top squad. The Lakers saved their best for last in 2016-17 setting a new school scoring record of 151.775 in winning the section LAKER GYMNASTICS to page 16 »

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Emily Smith had important contributions during the regular and postseason last year. Like all the championship teams, this year’s squad is deep. “We’ve got a lot of talent,” said Zamzo. “That’s what every program strives to have is that backup that’s just as talented as the kid that is injured or out.” Ellie Hultin is an eighth-grader who could make an early impact with her bar

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2017-2018

Robert Williams / Tribune

The Detroit Lakes Nordic Ski teams

New faces to lead Nordic Ski teams BY ROBERT WILLIAMS rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Head coach Dan Josephson’s Nordic Ski teams will have new faces leading both the boys and girls teams as the boys look to send a skier to the state meet for the fifth consecutive season. Gone to graduation was last year’s state entrant Aaron Johnson who is competing on the track and field and cross country teams at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Prior to Johnson, Austin Askelson made back-to-back state appearances 2015-16 and Zach Foltz qualified in 2014. Chasing a section individual championship will be very difficult this season as perennial champion Hunter Zupko of Little Falls returns for his senior season. Zupko had the section’s top finish at state placing 23rd overall. His Flyers were second and went to state as a team with section champs Brainerd. The DL boys finished in eighth place overall in a field of 13 teams at last year’s section meet. Behind Johnson, Jack Richards was the second Laker finisher in 42nd place overall (37:02.89), followed by AJ Lindquist in

54th (38:48.00) and Aaron Oakes in 57th (39:33.91). Richards is a senior this season and Oakes a junior as the two top returners. They will be joined by the freshman quartet of Jacob Trout, John Bergum, Noah Borah and Ryan Bergum on the varsity roster to start the season. The first meet of the year was canceled as snow fell too late for the trails at Maplelag for a meet scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 12. The next dates on the schedule before the holiday break are the Montebello Relays at Bemidji Middle School Saturday, Dec. 16 and the Grand Rapids Invitational Wednesday, Dec. 20. The girls team lost three seniors last year in Ellen Teiken, Anna Hokanson and Anna Schumacher. Teiken made the last state appearance for the Laker girls in 2016. The DL girls roster to start the year has one senior in Hope Weidemann. The rest of the roster consists of eighth-grader Luisa Walz and five freshmen: Kaitlin McConkey; Maddie Walz; Maren Hoban; Rena McLeod and Taylor Brend. McConkey took charge of the cross country running team this past fall and

has a lot of upside if she can translate that energy to the skis. DL will try to improve on a 10th place section finish. There will be a new 8A individual champion as Little Falls’ Kendal Hendrickson graduated. The Flyers had four of the top eight finishes last season to claim the team championship. The Bemidji Lumberjacks were the state qualifying runners-up. This year’s section meet is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 6 at Camp Ripley in Little Falls. That has been the case the past

TIME

OPPONENT

Jack Richards

Jacob Trout

SITE

John Bergum

12/12

10:00AM

TBD

Home

Noah Borah

12/16 12/20 12/30 1/2 1/6 1/9 1/15 1/20 1/23 1/30 2/3 2/6 2/15

10:00AM 10:00AM 10:00AM 12:00PM 9:00AM 10:00AM 10:00AM 10:00AM 1:00PM 10:00AM 10:00AM 10:00AM TBD

Bemidji Grand Rapids Brainerd Fergus Falls Mesabi East Schools TBD Little Falls Bemidji Moorhead Alexandria Area Brainerd Little Falls Brainerd

Away Away Away Away Away Home Away Away Away Away Away Away Away

Ryan Bergum

GIRLS NORDIC SKI ROSTER NAME

GRADE

Hope Weidemann

Kaitlin McConkey

Luisa Walz

Maddie Walz

Maren Hoban

Rena McLeod

Taylor Brend

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few seasons but conditions have almost routinely moved the meet back to Maplelag Resort. In that sense, DL could have the home trail advantage again this year if the weather plays out. With the initial cancellation of the season-opener, the lone home meet still on the schedule is Tuesday, Jan. 9 at Detroit Mountain.

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The Detroit Lakes wrestling team

Wrestlers looking to jump back in section mix rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

The Detroit Lakes wrestling team is ranked in the top 15 teams in Class AA to begin the season, led by No. 1 Braydon Ortloff at 145-pounds. However, in the first fortnight of practice, those poll numbers mean very little. “Not at all,” said Ortloff. “Being ranked in the past seasons and wrestling ranked kids, rankings don’t mean a thing to me. It’s all what you prove down at the X.” Ortloff is coming off a 32-3 season and a second state finish placing fourth at 145 pounds last March at Xcel Energy

WRESTLING ROSTER NO.

NAME

GRADE

106 106 126 138 182 195 106 106 106 106 106 106 120 120 120 126 126 126 132 138 138 138 145 145 145 145 152 160 170 182 220

Bellecourt, Marvin Coon, Tyler Ruhl, Zach Abraham, Cailen Coalwell, Dylan Killian, Colton Vogt, Henery Carrier, Ethan Jackson, Cade Okeson, Cade Ortloff, Colby Ullyott, Brody Ullyott, Tyson Ehnert, Jacob Henderson, Blaine Weber, Blake Burrow, Lonnie Eckman, Joseph Jackson, Payton Schlauderaff, Thad Greer, Fabyon Moen, Jeffery Nelson, Garett Lee, Henry Mann, Nolan Ortloff, Braydon Sather, Brennen Baker, Austin Thompson, Isaiah Skadem, Jordan Olds, Noah Barnett, Charles

8 9 7 7 11 8 11 7 7 7 7 9 7 8 9 10 7 11 12 9 11 7 9 7 9 12 11 12 10 10 11 11

Center in St. Paul. While preseason rankings have little meaning, the one that matters is at the end of the season for the Laker senior. “Being No. 1 at the end of the season, being undefeated and moving forward,” said Ortloff. Going forward will take Ortloff to Minnesota State University Moorhead. He signed a national letter of intent to wrestle for the Dragons in November. “We are happy to welcome Braydon to the Dragon wrestling program,” MSUM wrestling wrestling coach Kris Nelson said. “He is in the midst of a strong high school career and has potential to really make an impact at the collegiate level.” Braydon is projected to wrestle at 157 pounds for MSUM. At state, Ortloff had to get through one of the few wrestlers who defeated him in the regular season and face a three-time state champ. It’s never easy at the state level and going into his senior year, Ortloff improved his offseason training to be ready for a deep run in the postseason. “Last year, I thought I was just an average wrestler and I put in work over the summer and improved,” he said. ”I worked better on my diet and nutrition and it really showed.”

WRESTLING SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

12/12 5:00 PM

Bemidji (8AAA)

12/15 9:00 AM

Blackduck/Cass Lake Bena Bears (7A) United Clay Becker Badgers (8AA) Pierz (8AA) Mora (7AA) Perham (8AA) LPGE-Browerville Wolves (5A) Fergus Falls (8AA)

12/19 6:00 PM 12/21 12/21 1/18 1/23

5:00 PM 7:30 PM 6:00 PM 4:00 PM

1/23

4:30 PM

1/26

10:00 AM Pequot Lks/Pine River-B (8AA) 7:30 PM Frazee (8A)

2/8

SITE Detroit Lakes H.S. Cass LakeBena H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Pierz H.S. Pierz Perham H.S. Fergus Falls H.S. Fergus Falls H.S. Staples-Motley H.S. Frazee H.S.

His experience at Xcel last year was a boost to aiming for a state title in Last year, I thought I was just an 2018. “I’d definitely say it got average wrestler and I put in work easier for me because I know over the summer and improved. I can hang with those guys and I have what it takes to – BRAYDON ORTLOFF compete,” he said. Ortloff and the Lakers (17-6) got stron- Fabyon Greer 30-11, Noah Olds 27-14, coger as the season progressed in 2017 and captain Payton Jackson 24-14, Blake Wefinished as the Section 8AA runners-up to ber 22-11 and Isaiah Thompson 20-8. Perham. Greer is ranked in the top 10 at Perham is ranked No. 5 to begin the 138-pounds; he just missed a trip to state season and are the favorites in the Sec- finishing third in 8AA. Thompson starts tion 8AA having captured three straight the season at No. 10 at 170-pounds; he team titles. Perham was 30-2 last year also placed third at sections. and return nine section place winners, inThe Lakers lost two seniors to graduacluding six state qualifiers, two of which tion in Sean Lundeen (26-11) and Marcus earned state tourney medals. They have Jasken (10-11). nine wrestlers returning with over twenAfter suffering a lull in participation ty wins. numbers a few years back, head coach Rob The Lakers will definitely be in the Ullyott has revitalized the wrestling prohunt to push Perham and have a strong gram with over 30 wrestlers on the varsinucleus to compete with the Jackets come ty roster and more than 40 at practice evsection time. An 8AA championship for ery day. the first time since 2005 is not out of the Ullyott returns the entire coaching realm of possibility for DL. staff plus the welcome addition of former “We’re a lot better than last year,” said Laker state wrestler Nate Francis. Ortloff. DL wrestling fans will have plenty to DL was 17-6 in duals and also return cheer about this season as the season nine section place winners, including two gets underway Saturday, Dec. 2 at the state entrants in Ortloff and No. 5AA-160 Fosston/Bagley Olson Memorial with Austin Baker (32-8). Baker was a section one of the strongest Laker teams in the runner-up last season. past decade, if not the strongest. Detroit The Lakers return five other wres- Lakes enters the tournament as the detlers who had at least 20 wins: co-captain fending champions. License #BC002500

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The Detroit Lakes swimming and diving team

Laker swimmers start under new coach rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Justin Hingst begins his coaching career with a challenge as the Detroit Lakes swimming and diving team is low on participation numbers and missing a state diver to start the season. Hingst is only the third head coach in the past three decades following Mike Daly and Hingst replaces former Laker swimmer and head coach Rian Heimark. Heimark had been at the helm since 2006. “We’ve got a good group of guys looking to do some good things and it’s going to be new as we see how they react to my coaching style,” said Hingst. Hingst certainly has a luxury in not having to bear all the burden with head girls coaches Carol McCarthy and diving specialist Bobbi Jo Koons on staff. The girls team has become a powerhouse at the state level and Koons and McCarthy are a huge part of that success. “We have a small, tight-knit group,” said Hingst. “It will be interesting to see how that dynamic grows.” Hingst was a high school swimmer at South St. Paul high school and graduated from South Dakota State University. He

was involved with the Army at college via the ROTC program. He moved to Detroit Lakes after school because two job openings matched his search. “I wanted to coach and teach and this was one of the few places that had both available,” he said. Hingst teaches geography and brings a philosophy steeped in his own background to his work and the team. “Any little thing that can make you a little better or faster than you were before is big,” he said. “But, these boys being here isn’t about becoming All-Americans or Olympic swimmers. It’s about developing young men who can be productive members of our society.” Team goals are on the backburner as both the team and staff adjust to the new style. “It’s more about the day-to-day stuff,” said Hingst. “Team goals and the season goals will come a long as we progress.” The Lakers will miss having Section 5A diving champion Zane Freeman. He won the last three section titles and finished his career back on the state podium with a career-best third place finish. Freeman has been the lone Laker to advance to the state meet the past three years and currently dives at California Baptist

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University in Riverside, California. This year’s team has 17 swimmers and currently only two divers, but Koons is working on recruiting more for the onemeter board. Senior Edward Johnson brings back diving experience after working with Freeman. Senior Gabriel Kitzmann returns from the 200 Medley and Freestyle relay teams that made the section finals placing seventh and sixth, respectively. Fellow senior Tucker Strawsell was a finalist in the 500-freestyle. Both swimmers were 400free relay section finalists as well.

BOYS SWIM ROSTER NAME

GRADE

Cole Metelak Connor Bunn Edward Johnson Elijiah Kitzmann Gabriel Kitzmann Garret Bakken Jackson Zurn John Gulon Josten Bellefeuille Lance Parzyk Landon Lindsey Luther VanOffelen Sean Oakes Simon Steinke Tucker Strawsell Zane Weaver

11 12 12 10 12 10 8 8 11 12 12 8 9 12 12 7

Tanner Olson leads the junior class and is coming off a terrific cross country season where he made a state appearance and gained some big meet experience that will be beneficial to the formulation of this year’s swimming team.

BOYS SWIM SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

SITE

1/30

6:00 PM

Perham (5A)

Detroit Lakes Community & Cultural Center

12/9

11:00 AM Fergus Falls Invite

Fergus Falls H.S.

12/15 6:00 PM

Moorhead (8AA)

Moorhead H.S.

12/19 6:00 PM

Bemidji (5A)

Detroit Lakes Community & Cultural Center

1/9

6:00 PM

Morris Area/ Detroit Lakes Chokio-Alberta (5A) H.S.

1/12

5:00 PM

Bemidji Invite

1/16

6:00 PM

Park Rapids Area (5A)

Detroit Lakes H.S.

1/20

10:00 AM True Team

Alexandria H.S.

1/23

5:00 PM

Moorhead (8AA)

Moorhead H.S.

2/1

6:00 PM

Morris Area/ Morris Area Chokio-Alberta (5A) School

2/3

3:30 PM

Park Rapids Area (5A)

Park Rapids Area H.S.

2/9

9:00 AM

Park Rapids Area (5A)

Park Rapids Area H.S.

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BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2017-2018

Robert Williams / Tribune

The Detroit Lakes boys basketball team

Okeson takes over Laker boys basketball program BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

Rapids-Rice last season, by getting to the line and hardly ever missing. Both players moved on to compete collegiately. Cihak is at Bemidji state on the golf team. Daggett joined former teammate Jacob Pazdernik on the Concordia basketball team. While the Laker offense may take a few games to figure out. Defensively, the concept will be easy to get behind. “We’re just going to deny and make teams as uncomfortable as we can,” said Okeson. DL got off to an uncomfortable start losing at Park Rapids for the first time in 21 games against the Panthers. The Lakers started the season with center Logan Pratt not at 100 percent and without the services of Tanner Doppler. Doppler returned for the second game of the season and made an impact with his ability to drive the lane and hit from outside as the Lakers evened their record with a blowout victory over Aitkin. Team depth is one area of the game the Lakers have as a luxury as Okeson has run nearly his entire roster on the floor in the first two games. Tate Kerzman has made his presence known in the paint. Connor Froke has taken the lead at point. Jackson Haire and Jake Kerzman return with experience and a host of underclassmen have seen key minutes in sophomores Gabe Hanninen, Reed Mace, Max Gunderson and juniors Sam Spry, Jacob Bettcher and Ben Stearns, along with senior Ethan Schweigart. Bettcher made an impact last season down the stretch and in the postseason.

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Markus Okeson takes over the Laker boys basketball program with hopes of bringing some stability as the third different coach in the past three seasons. Robb Flint stepped down due to health reasons two seasons ago and nearly the entire staff left with him after a 20-win season. Last year, Aaron Swenson stepped in as the interim head coach on a one-year plan and finished two games above .500 at 15-13. Both of those seasons came to an end at the hands of the Fergus Falls Otters in the section semifinals. The Otters have captured the Section 8AA title the past two seasons and finished second in Class 4A in 2016. Okeson, a native of Detroit Lakes, moved back after teaching and coaching in the Hutchinson School District the past three seasons. The Tigers struggled the past three years going 23-57. Prior to that, Okeson had a career mark of 213-55 winning back-to-back state championships at Class A Ellsworth High School 2006-2008 after a state runner-up finish in 2005-06 along with state tournament appearances with Class AA Redwood Valley. This year’s Lakers will need to find some offensive firepower to replace the dual scoring threat from last year of Isaac Cihak and Adam Daggett. Cihak could score from anywhere on the court and Daggett won a few games himself, including the playoff opener at Sauk

In conference play, Detroit Lakes and Crosby-Ironton have been at the top of the Mid-State the past decade. The Rangers won last year by one game over DL. The two teams tied in 2016 and DL finished a game up in 2015. The last year a team other than C-I or DL finished on top was 2011 when the Lakers and Pequot Lakes tied at 9-1. Staples-Motley was the last team to win the Mid-State outright without a share with either DL or C-I in 2009. The eight-team Section AAA has one change this season. Thief River Falls departed to Section 8AA and was replaced by St. Cloud Apollo from Section 5AAA. Home fans will not see much of the Lakers until after Christmas. DL plays seven of its first eight games on the road. DL opens the New Year with a big rematch at Ralph Anderson Gymnasium against Fergus Falls Saturday, Jan. 6 in a 2 p.m. game.

BOYS BASKETBALL ROSTER NO.

NAME

POS.

GRADE

Sam Spry

Tanner Doppler

Ethan Schweigert

Jackson Haire

Jacob Bettcher

Connor Froke

Ben Stearns

Tate Kerzman

Reed Mace

Gabe Hanninen

Logan Pratt

Max Gunderson

Jake Kerzman

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12/8

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Park Rapids Area (8AA) Aitkin (7AA)

12/12 7:30 PM 12/15 7:15 PM 12/16

7:30 PM

12/19 7:30 PM 12/27 6:00 PM 12/28 4:00 PM 1/6

7:15 PM

1/11 1/12

7:30 PM 7:15 PM

1/16

7:15 PM

1/18 1/20

7:15 PM 7:30 PM

1/23 1/30

7:30 PM 7:30 PM

2/2

7:00 PM

2/3

1:30 PM

2/8 2/13

7:15 PM 7:45 PM

2/15

7:15 PM

2/20

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2/22

7:15 PM

2/24

2:30 PM

2/27

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SITE

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GYMNASTICS ROSTER

» LAKER GYMNASTICS from page 11 championship and were one-tenth of a point off that to win at state. Equally as astounding, DL has not lost a varsity meet in which the top gymnasts appeared since the team placed third at state in 2014. Those record numbers will be chased later in the year as the gymnasts prepare to defend their first title of the season Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Jackie Mann Invite in Perham. “We’ll compete, have fun and get back into that competition atmosphere where things will be loud and crazy going against Perham, Melrose and bigger city schools,” said Zamzo. “It’ll be exciting to see how we compete and stack up.” DL has won the past three Mann Invitationals. Perham was the last team to win in 2013. Competition begins at noon at Prairie Wind Middle School in Perham. The Lakers begin on vault.

MN Gymnastics Hub top 10 1 Detroit Lakes (A) 2 Lakeville North (AA) 3 Melrose (A) 4 Owatonna (AA) 5 St. Cloud Tech (AA) 6 Stillwater (AA) 7 Austin (A) 8 Roseville Area (AA) 9 Willmar (A) 10 Cambridge-Isanti (AA)

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2017-2018

17 BOYS BASKETBALL ROSTER NO.

NAME

POS.

GRADE

Garret Cossette

Garret Kleven

Garret Frank

Cody Wolfswinkel

Ryan Voge

Jacob Anderson

Grant Pederson

Carter Raaen

Tyler Bjerke

Tyler Svare

Caleb Noel

Oskar Anderson

Nick Donovan

Henry Jaster

BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Caufield Studio

The Lake Park-Audubon boys basketball team

Raider boys move on from Bergh era BY ROBERT WILLIAMS rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

The Lake Park-Audubon boys basketball team has a few shoes to fill, none bigger than center Jesse Bergh, who helped turn the program around under head coach Kyle Haberman and send the Raiders to back-to-back section championships and state appearances. Bergh moved on to Minnesota State University Moorhead and the Raiders also lost three of the top four scorers from last year’s section final to graduation in Mitch Hall and Mike Vohnoutka. LP-A returns four seniors in Garret Frank, Jacob Anderson, Grant Pederson and Carter Raaen. Of the four, Pederson returns as the leading scorer from last season. Raaen plays a pivotal role in the paint and on the boards and Frank also returns with postseason experience. Raaen’s job, along with the rest of the Raider rebounders is going to be far more difficult without the nightly double-double from Bergh and opponents will likely see a completely different scheme without a six-foot-10 presence in the paint. Some of those growing pains were evident in the season-opening road loss at Fertile-Beltrami. The Raiders mustered only 36 points, but rebounded with a pair of wins scoring 65 points and doubling the output of the opener with 73

points behind one of the new faces on the scoresheet, sophomore forward Tyler Bjerke’s 26 points. Both Bjerke and Pederson have put up 20 or more points in a game early in the season and their combined efforts from the outside will open up things down low where Raaen has also hit in double figures this year. It will obviously take some time this season for this new group to come together and the 2018 Raiders also have plenty of teams in the Pine to Prairie Conference and Section 6A gunning for them after taking it on the chin the past two seasons. The Pine to Prairie has been highly competitive and an elusive title for LP-A despite the postseason success. Ada-Borup captured the south title last year with a 15-1 mark. LP-A was third at 11-5 behind Norman County East/UlenHitterdal (13-3). In 2015-16, the Raiders were second in the south at 13-3 behind Waubun (15-2). However, Haberman has created an environment where his teams are sticking to the age-old axiom of playing their best at the end of the season. LP-A took out Rothsay, Waubun, NCE/ UH on the way to the 6A championship game where the Raiders defeated Ortonville by 11 points in Morris. Two seasons ago, LP-A got past Henning, Waubun, Hillcrest and Battle Laker to get the State Class A tournament.

The Goodhue Wildcats were waiting for LP-A both years and defeated the Raiders with a tenacious defense that even made Bergh play an uncomfortable style The Cats went on to place second and third, respectively, in those tournament. That experience, even in a loss, goes a long way and all the way down the bench. Haberman will be his usual force on the sidelines and he will get the most of this lineup that has more playoff experience than anyone in the section. Frazee and Pelican Rapids dropped down from Section 8AA to 6A this season. Both programs are likely going to have some pains of their own in the always competitive 6A. Ortonville and Hancock are likely leaders from the south, along with BrandonEvansville, a team that returns the entire starting lineup from a 15-win campaign. The Raiders will have plenty to contend with in their own neighborhood. Head coach Brett Maass will have his NCE/UH Titans in the mix. There were nine different teams with at least 15 wins in the section last year. Outside the section, 8A’s Ada-Borup Cougars will provide an intriguing conference matchup when six-foot-eight sophomore Mason Miller takes over the duties as the big man to watch in the area when the Raiders and Cougars meet once in January and in early February.

DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

SITE

12/1

7:30 PM

Fertile-Beltrami (8A)

Fertile-Beltrami H.S.

12/7

7:30 PM

Climax/Fisher (8A)

Lake ParkAudubon

12/8

7:30 PM

Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8AA)

Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton H.S.

12/12 7:30 PM

Mahnomen/ Waubun Thunderbirds (6A)

Waubun H.S.

12/14

NCE/UH Titans (6A) Norman County East H.S.

7:30 PM

12/19 7:30 PM

Park Christian (6A) Lake ParkAudubon

12/22 7:30 PM

Kindred

Kindred H.S.

1/2

7:30 PM

Henning (6A)

Lake ParkAudubon

1/5

7:30 PM

Ada-Borup (8A)

Ada-Borup H.S.

1/5

7:30 PM

Ada-Borup (8A)

Ada-Borup H.S.

1/8

7:30 PM

Norman County West (8A)

Norman County West H.S.

1/11

7:30 PM

MahnomenWaubun

Lake ParkAudubon

1/13

5:30 PM

Rothsay (6A)

Rothsay H.S.

1/16

7:30 PM

Hawley (8AA)

Hawley H.S.

1/19

7:45 PM

Win-E-Mac (8A)

Lake ParkAudubon

1/23

7:30 PM

Bagley (8AA)

Bagley H.S.

1/25

7:30 PM

Frazee (6A)

Lake ParkAudubon

1/30

7:30 PM

Fosston (8A)

Lake ParkAudubon

2/2

7:30 PM

NCE/UH Titans (6A) Lake ParkAudubon

2/5

7:30 PM

Park Christian (6A) Lake ParkAudubon

2/9

7:30 PM

Ada-Borup (8A)

Lake ParkAudubon

2/10

9:30 AM

Underwood (6A)

Fargo Civic Center

2/12

7:30 PM

Fertile-Beltrami (8A)

Lake ParkAudubon

2/13

7:30 PM

Norman County West (8A)

Lake ParkAudubon

2/20

7:30 PM

Rothsay (6A)

Lake ParkAudubon

3/2

7:30 PM

Pelican Rapids (6A)

Lake ParkAudubon

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Caufield Studio

The Lake Park-Audubon girls basketball team

Raider girls continuing to improve under rebuilding plan BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

teams. With that success under head boys rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com coach Kyle Haberman, Raider basketball has seen a big charge in participation The Lake Park-Audubon girls basket- numbers at the youth level and finding ball team is coming off a six-win season success on the girls side of the program as the rebuilding process continues to im- is key to keeping those kids energized for prove under head coach Jay Peterson. future teams. The Raiders had a winless-campaign The Raider girls have done that early in in 2015-16 prior to Peterson’s arrival and the season simply by scoring more. LP-A the team certainly had some growing averaged 42 points per game in 2016-17 pains last season but have a group that is and through the first three games this year ready to push for double digits in the win are scoring 64 per game including 82 in the column. first win of the year against Rothsay. This year’s squad does not have one seThat total was a high mark for the team nior on the roster but brings back plenty this century. Since 2002, the most points of familiar underclassmen. The team con- scored by a Raiders’ team was 79 against sists of five juniors, four sophomores and Park Christian in 2006. The most recent an eighth-grader. outburst in that range was 75 points in a “Our top three leading scorers and re- victory over Park Christian in 2011. bounders are back, leaders from every “I think these girls are really looking to statistical category are back,” said Peter- put some points on the board,” Peterson son. “We were super young last year and said. “It a really hard-working, blue collar now we’re just young. It’s a 24-month type of group. They have fun together and project with these juniors. It’s a process. they play well together. They’re not selfYou have to trust it and we’re going to ish with minutes. They know it’s going to get better.” be seven, eight girls every night and we’re building toward a 10-girl rotation.” Leading the way on the offensive end are MaOur top three leading scorers and ria Schauer, Kay Pederson rebounders are back, leaders from and Grace Bowers on the Kailee Lefebvre every statistical category are back. perimeter. returns at forward and Etta – JAY PETERSON, HEAD COACH Miosek will be counted on for points in the paint. JayPeterson started last year with a five- da Swegarden and Carlie Ecker are threats year plan to rebuild the program and has on the scoring end along with eighthgotten a big influx at the elementary level grader Lily Peterson and sophomores with the past two state tournament boys Emma Pederson and Jayda Swegarden.

Getting all 10 players involved is far more imperative on the defensive side of the ball where the Raiders plan to pressure opponents. “We are going to be a pressing team,” said Peterson. “We have the horses that can do that.” Lily Peterson has made two consecutive trips to the state cross country meet and is joined by other members of the XC team on the hardwood, which gives Raider players a level of stamina that can be a difference defensively in games. One big season goal for LP-A will be a postseason victory. The Raiders have not won a playoff game since 2014.

GIRLS BASKETBALL ROSTER

GIRLS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

SITE

1/28

7:30 PM

Frazee (8AA)

Frazee H.S.

11/30 7:30 PM

Rothsay (6A)

12/5

7:30 PM

12/8

7:30 PM

Fertile-Beltrami (8A) Climax-Fisher (8A)

Lake ParkAudubon Fertile-Beltrami H.S. Lake ParkAudubon Waubun H.S.

12/12 7:30 PM 12/15 7:30 PM 12/19 6:00 PM 12/21 7:30 PM

Mahnomen/ Waubun Thunderbirds (6A) NCE/UH Titans (6A) Ulen-Hitterdal H.S. Park Christian (6A) Lake ParkAudubon Henning (6A) Henning H.S.

1/5

6:00 PM

1/5

6:00 PM

1/8 1/11

7:30 PM 7:30 PM

1/13 1/18

4:00 PM 7:30 PM

Ada-Borup/Norman County West (6A) Ada-Borup/Norman County West (6A) Fosston (8A) Mahnomen/ Waubun Thunderbirds (6A) Rothsay (6A) Win-E-Mac (8A)

1/23 1/29

6:00 PM 7:30 PM

Bagley (8AA) Fosston (8A)

1/30

7:30 PM

Sebeka (5A)

2/1

7:30 PM

NCE/UH Titans (6A)

2/3

1:00 PM

2/5

6:00 PM

Hillcrest Lutheran Academy (6A) Park Christian (6A)

NO.

NAME

POS.

GRADE

Maria Schauer

Carlie Ecker

Grace Bowers

2/8

7:30 PM

Jayda Swegarden

Hailey Frohman

2/9

7:30 PM

Lily Peterson

2/12

7:30 PM

Kay Pederson

2/16

7:30 PM

Kailee Lefebvre

Emma Pederson

Etta Miosek

2/20 2/22

7:30 PM 7:30 PM

Ada-Borup/Norman County West (6A) Ashby H.S./Destiny Academy (6A) Pelican Rapids (6A) Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8AA) Menahga (5A) Pequot Lakes (7AA)

Ada-Borup H.S. Ada-Borup H.S. Fosston H.S. Lake ParkAudubon Rothsay H.S. Lake ParkAudubon Bagley H.S. Lake ParkAudubon Lake ParkAudubon Lake ParkAudubon Lake ParkAudubon Park Christian H.S. Lake ParkAudubon Ashby H.S. Pelican Rapids H.S. Lake ParkAudubon Menahga H.S. Pequot Lakes H.S.

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Melissa Stock / Special to the Tribune

The Lake Park-Audubon UCB wrestling team

Wamre looks for return state trip for Badger wrestling rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

The United Clay Becker Badger wrestling team has struggled in the section the past few years and looks to bounce back under new head coach Wayne Otto this season. Otto will be aided by three assistants Greg Olson and Troy Sperr, along with local Mixed Martial Arts light heavyweight fighter Gemini Strehlow. Senior Sam Wamre leads the Badgers and is the lone UCB grappler ranked in Class AA at No. 3 at 220 pounds. Wamre had two individual titles last year including the Terry Teiken 220-pound championship. He was the Section 8AA runner-up and Heart O’ Lakes/Mid-State Conference runner-up also. Wamre entered the state championships last year after defeating Thief River Falls’ Connor Swanson 3-2 in the 8AA True Second match. Wamre finished the year 32-8 with a trip to the state fifth place match where he met John Allen of Fridley (32-4). Wamre finished sixth after Allen scored a late third period pin at 5:52. Wamre was one of 14 area wrestlers in all classes to advance to the state semifinals last season. Freshman Sam Helgeson (120) and Junior Garrett Peterson (120) return after Up to 3400 Gallon Capacity

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20+ win seasons. Helgeson placed sixth in the section last year. Both wrestlers will look to fill the shoes of graduated senior and former captain Riley Byklum who placed third at sections last year just missing a trip to state. Also lost to graduation was Alex Korby. United Clay Becker, which is a co-op of Hawley and Lake Park-Audubon begins the year with good numbers for Coach Otto. There are just less than 40 wrestlers on the preseason roster with a solid base of seventh and eighth-graders totaling 18. Wamre and Elijah Noel are the lone seniors with nine freshmen, seven juniors and only two sophomores. Two of those juniors, Bailey Johnson (160) and TJ Hines (170) return after winning a dozen matches each last season. The junior duo of Sanden O’Connell and Hunter Magnuson look to improve on their marks and bump up to double figures in the win column. The Badgers were seeded 11th in the Section 8AA team tournament last season and lost to No. 6 Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale/Parkers Prairie 52-24 in the opening round. Getting a team victory at sections is a big target for UCB wrestling. Since the programs combined in 2010, the Badgers have yet to advance past the first round.

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WRESTLING SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

12/1

5:00 PM

12/1

5:00 PM

12/2 12/7

9:00 AM 5:00 PM

12/9

11:00 AM

New York Mills (6A) New York Mills H.S. Staples Motley New York Mills (6A) Quad Hillsboro Hillsboro HS Barnesville (6A) Barnesville H.S. Crookston (8A) Crookston H.S. Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes (8AA) H.S. Pelican Rapids Pelican Rapids (6A) H.S. Rumble on the Red Rumble on the Red Dilworth-Glyndon- Dilworth-GlynFelton H.S. (8AA) don-Felton H.S. Park Rapids Area Park Rapids (8AA) Area H.S. United North Cen- Menahga H.S. tral Warriors (8A) Parkers Prairie Perham H.S. Tourney Red Lake County Red Lake Central (8A) County Central Terry Teiken Invita- Lake Parktional Audubon Conference Lake ParkAudubon Walker-Hack-AkeHawley H.S. ley/Nevis (7A) Section Duals Thief River Falls H.S. Individual Section Hawley

12/19 6:00 PM 12/21 6:00 PM 12/28 10:00 AM 1/4

6:00 PM

1/9

6:00 PM

1/12

5:00 PM

1/13

9:00 AM

1/16

5:00 PM

1/19

1:00 PM

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10:00 AM

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2/17

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2/23

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WRESTLING ROSTER NAME

GRADE

Borah, Dyllan

Mattson, Luke

106

Francis, Alex

106

Hegna, Jacob

106

Johnson, Taylor

120

Kopplemen, Brett

126

Todd, Shane

132

Noel, Zeke

132

Sperr, Ryan

132

Tyler, Jacobson

152

Pare’, Dakota

170

Jacobson, John

285

Hanson, Christian

106

Cole, Zack

106

Smith, Kamron

106

Strehlow, Xavier

113

Francis, Zach

113

Sperr, Nathan

120

Helgeson, Sam

120

Peterson, Garrett

120

Steinbach, Bradley

120

Wetli, Andrew

126

Anderson, Ethan

126

Kroshus, Darin

126

O’Connell, Sanden

126

Weyer, Tanner

132

Beaudine-Schlick, Jacob

132

Magnusson, Ethan

138

Magnusson, Hunter

145

Bergren, Landon

160

Johnson, Bailey

170

Dunham, Wyatt

170

Hines, TJ

170

Stuhaug, Joey

182

Hamre, Carston

182

Mattson, Jack

182

Noel, Elijah

182

Wamre, Sam

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