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SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 2
Basketball
Northfield’s Kayden Oakland is an important returnee for the squad in the 2023-24 season. (File photo/southernminn.com)
Northfield boys basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Matt Christensen, second year; Assistant coach: Grant Hemmingsen, first year; Assistant coach: Brad Prestemon, first year
ROSTER: Kayden Oakland (G) 10; Malcolm Poole (G) 12; JT
Graupmann (G) 10; Simon Lippert (G) 12; Blayne Neilly (G) 12; Tait Narveson (G) 11; Isaiah Mahal (G) 11; Austin Koep (P) 12; Isaac Kram (P) 12; Carter Dumonceaux (P) 12; Kyan Rauk (P) 12
KEY PLAYERS: Four returning varsity players from last year all have the ability to stand out in different
SoMINN
Winter Preview
ways this year: Isaiah Mahal, Kayden Oakland, Simon Lippert and Kyan Rauk.
earned a trip to State. Lost in the first round of sections to Farmington.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON:
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
While they are not completely new to varsity, they will take significant leaps in their role this year: Malcolm Poole, Isaac Kram and JT Graupmann.
The Northfield boys basketball program is excited to start the season! Our goal is to improve significantly as the season goes on. There are new roles and it can take some time to gel. We are learning to develop a “championship mentality” that focuses on energy, effort and playing together!
2022-23 RECAP: 13-9 in the Big 9 Conference, 15-12 overall. Highlighted by two wins in one week against Mankato East who were the Conference Champion and
SENIOR GENERAL MANAGER: ROSS ULRICH REGIONAL MANAGING EDITOR: PHILIP WEYHE SPORTS REPORTERS : STEPHEN MCDANIEL & BEN CAMP SALES DIRECTOR: TOM KELLING
Northfield’s Isaiah Mahal (23) will be an important contributor in 2023-24. (File photo/southernminn.com)
COMPETITION:
BY THE NUMBERS:
We expect to be competitive in the Big 9 Conference and make a run at our new Section this year by season’s end. Our Conference will likely be paced by Mankato East, who returns many of their returning team who earned a trip to state. In our new section, the early season favorite is Stewartville.
3(A) - We moved down a class from AAAA to AAA 3 - New coaches added to the high school staff this year 35 - The number of seconds on the newly implemented shot clock this year.
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SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 3
Mohamed Madey grabs a rebound before a putback two for the Falcons against Rochester Century during the 2022-23 season. (File photo/southernminn.com) Carson Kreager will be an important piece for the Falcons this year. (File photo/southernminn.com)
Faribault boys basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Hildebrandt, Eric (6th year); Assistant coach: Reiter, Dean (6th year); JV/ Varsity Assistant: Wolff, Chad
(2nd year); B-Squad/Varsity Assistant: Byrd-Mix, Jauhem (1st year); 9th Grade Head Coach: Combs, Brady (3rd year); 9th Grade Assistant Coach: Getchell, Michael (1st year)
and are expected to be bigtime impact players on the varsity this season.
ROSTER:
KEY PLAYERS:
Kreager, Carson (12) - G/F; Madey, Mohamed Madey (11) - G; Schulz, Braden(11) - G; Lenway, Micah (11) - G; Vogelsberg, Nolan (11) - G; Voit, Owen (11) - G/F; Ibrahim, Rashid (11) - G; Kreager, Ryan (10) - F/C; Gonzalez, Tristan (10) - G; Cox, Cullen (10) - G; Wolff, Breuer (10) - G/F; Petricka, Brandon (10) - G; Lockerby, Nate (10) - F/C; Redman, Liam (10) - G
We have 12 players returning who dressed with the varsity team last year. Carson Kreager, Nolan Vogelsberg, Mohamed Madey, Breuer Wolff, and Braden Schulz all played a lot of varsity minutes last year.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Ryan Kreager and Rashid Ibrahim played mostly JV last year
as students, as people of high character, and as a basketball team
2022-23 RECAP:
COMPETITION:
1-25 overall last season.
The Big 9 and Section 1AAA are incredibly strong, and we are fortunate and excited to have the opportunity to test ourselves against high level competition.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: We are looking forward to our young group taking the next steps as a team, and we are looking forward to competing together. We expect to give our best effort every day and grow
BY THE NUMBERS: 12 - returning varsity players
Bethlehem Academy boys basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Ed Friesen, 10th year; Assistant coach: name, 10th year; Assistant coach: name, 10th year
ROSTER:
Hudson Dillon prepares to defend. (File photo/southernminn.com)
(Name, Pos., Hgt., Yr.) Aaron Huerta, F, 6’4, 12; Andrew Caron, G, 5’10, 12; Hudson Dillon, G 6’4, 12;
Hayden Dillon, G, 6’0, 9; Willie Potter, F, 6’0, 12; Matt Friesen, F, 6’2, 12; Zander Smith, F, 6’2, 11; Layne Hammer, F, 5’10, 11; Zach Lanners, F, 6’2, 11; Luke McCrea, F, 6’0, 10; Brecken Kaderlik, F, 6’0, 10; Lucas Caron, G, 5’5, 10; Owen Dotterweich, G, 6’0, 9; Caden Dokkestul, G, 6’0, 9; Grady Pemrick, G, 5’5, 10
KEY PLAYERS: Hudson Dillon and Aaron Huerta are our two returning starters from last year. Hudson was our MVP last year and Aaron is one of our hardest working players. Willie Potter was a key sub for us last year.
BA BASKETBALL CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 4
Kenyon-Wanamingo guard Colton Steberg and the Knights posted a 7-1 record overall and 5-1 in official conference games against teams in the Gopher Conference’s West division in 2022-23. (Kenyon Leader file photo)
Kenyon boys basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Brent Lurken (sixth year as BBB head coach, 17th year as head coach); assistant coach: Brady Anfinson (sixth year); assistant coach: Brian Flom (14th year); assistant coach: Paul Vizina (third year)
ROSTER: (No., name, grade, pos.) 00- Smith, Jett (11) - F; 1Vukelich, Kyle (11) - G; 2- Vierling, Jack (11) - G; 4- Hodgman, RJ (12) - F; 5- Hedeen, Tanner (11) - G; 10- Carroll, Logan (12) - G; 12- Aldorfer, Ross (11) - G; 13- Short, Ben (12) - F; 14- Mason, Zach (12) -F; 15- Steberg, Colton (12) - G; 21- Hedeen, Eli (8) - G; 24Mills, Joe (11) - F; 25- Kreisler, Devon (11) - F; 35- Bauer, Oliver (9) - G/F; 44- Hedeen, Isaac (11) - G
KEY PLAYERS: Colton Steberg and Zach Mason, seniors, are both returning starters who led the
Owatonna’s Nolan Ginskey brings the ball up the court during a 2022-23 regular season game. (file photo/southernminn.com)
Knights in scoring last year on multiple occasions. Seniors RJ Hodgman and Logan Carroll joining them in the starting lineup. Juniors Tanner Hedeen and Joe Mills played important minutes in the playoffs last season. Senior Ben Short will be looked on to provide leadership. Freshmen Oliver Bauer will play important minutes off the bench.
Owatonna boys basketball
COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Juniors Ross Aldorfer, Isaac Hedeen, Jack Vierling, and Eli Hedeen could all play minutes for the Knights.
2022-23 RECAP:
Kenyon-Wanamingo senior basketball player Zach Mason, left, was named to the all-Gopher Conference third team for the 2022-23 season. (Mike Randleman/Kenyon Leader)
Gopher Conference East 2nd place. 13-4 record. 19-9 overall. and be a strong rebounding Lost in second round of the team. If we can do that I think playoffs to Hayfield. 4 vs 5 we can compete for our side of seed. the conference and for a home playoff game.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
COMPETITION:
Hopefully we can limit turnovers, play really good defense,
I think it should be very competitive. Spring Grove,
Southland, Schaeffer Academy and Blooming Prairie should all be strong.
BY THE NUMBERS: 50 - Boys playing basketball grades 7-12, the highest number it has been in many years 5 - Seniors this year.
BA BASKETBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Owen Dotterweich, Zach Lanners, Matt Friesen, Andrew Caron, Hayden Dillon are among the newcomers that we hope to get consistent contributions from this year. Willie Potter will be another player to keep an eye on this year.
2022-23 RECAP:
Aaron Huerta looks to make a pass. (File photo/southernminn.com)
We were 14-11 overall last year and 7-9 in conference play. We competed well in most of our games last year, lost a couple of close games early in the season we felt we could have won and
Head coach: Josh Williams, 21st year Assistant coaches: Brad “Doc” Schuster (head assistant); Greg Kruschke (JV); Van Gallatin (B-squad); PJ Appicelli (9th Grade); Daniel Dut (9th Grade & Program Assistant); Eddy MacDonald (10th Grade & Program Assistant)
Burmeister, 10; Yaasir Munye, 12; Zach Haarstad, 11; Baron Dushek, 10; Will Halverson, 10; Lajead Robinson, 11; Terrell Miller, 11
KEY PLAYERS:
Rielly Kleeberger...senior captain. Will play a combo guard for us this season at both the point and shooting guard spot. Great on ball defender and offensively can score it a number of ways. Averaged ROSTER: about 5.5ppg last season and Ben Buytaert, 12; Rielly Klee- will take an obvious jump this berger; Jacob Ginskey, 12; No- year. lan Ginskey, 11; Nathan Theis, Jacob Ginskey...senior cap12; Owen Smith, 12; Ashton tain. Was our back-up post Kraus,12; Leyton Williams, last year as an undersized 6’0 12; Darian Stransky, 11; Henry Fox, 12; Cole Kruschke, 11; Cole Dahl, 12; Jackson Mottl, OWATONNA BASKETBALL CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 11; Maurice Dut, 12; Gavin lost a couple games in February when we battled some health issues.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: It’s going to be a building year. We will have a number of new varsity players, some who are young and some that haven’t played basketball in a couple of years. We will have some growing pains throughout the season as we learn who we are and what it takes to compete.
COMPETITION: I think the east division in the conference is up for grabs as a number of schools will be rebuilding. Maple River will be
the favorite on the west side. The section will be pretty competitive this year. Spring Grove, Rushford-Peterson, Fillmore Central, Goodhue and Lyle-Pacelli may all be teams in the hunt.
BY THE NUMBERS: 15 - Players 5 - Returning letter winners 5 - Seniors 3 - Juniors 4 - Sophomores 3 - Freshman
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 5 Cole Dahl...senior. Will play a combination of positions for us...anywhere from 2 guard to 4 man. He is one of our taller players on the team as well as one of our top shooters. Ben Buytaert...senior. Athletic and fast guard and one of our top players off our JV a year ago. Will also play a number of positions for us from PG to 3 man. Excellent rebounder and defender for his size. Other seniors: Henry Fox, Maurice Dut. Yaasir Munye Other juniors: Darian Stransky, Cole Kruschke, & Zach Haarstad
2022-23 RECAP: Big 9 (2nd place) 16-6 Record 20-8 Overall Won the first round of sections at home in an exceptional game against Rochester Century. Lost to Lakeville North in Owatonna guard Rielly Kleeberger (1) attempts to bring the ball up the court during Owatonna’s Section 1AAAA semifinals semi-final round of sections. loss to Lakeville North. (file photo/southernminn.com)
OWATONNA BASKETBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 “5 man.” Plays tremendously bigger than his height. Athletic kid who excels at getting to the basket, rebounding, and finishing. Possibly out the first 6-8 weeks with a broken wrist he suffered in football. Nolan Ginskey...junior captain. Our 3rd kid who came off the
bench last year. Extremely fast and athletic player who can really defend. Will primarily play the PG for us but can move him around to other positions if needed as well. averaged 4.5ppg a year ago.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Leyton Williams...senior
captain. 2nd leading scorer on JV a year ago and played in several varsity games. Very good athlete at 6’1. Will be asked to be one of our most versatile defenders. Leyton will be counted on for some offensive production as well playing a number of different spots. Nathan Theis...senior. Was our leading scorer on JV and can really get going offensively at
times. A good shooter with a solid mid-range game. Will be asked to step in and produce for us. Ashton Kraus...senior. A standout soccer player who will also be one of our top back court players and point guards. Very fast...good defender and communicator and can also shoot it. Excited to see what he can do this year.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: New team...new year...same expectations. We expect to compete in the top half of the Big 9 and section and be a very tough and competitive team by season’s end. We are very “green” although a fairly senior dominated club. With just three guys back who got extensive minutes a year ago
we have a lot to figure out with rotations, roles, and where production will come from. I love our guys and believe we have the chance to surprise a lot of people and be a tough out on any given night because of the way we play and how hard we will compete!
COMPETITION: Mankato East will be the heavy favorite (as well as a top pick to win the 3A state title). East won the Big 9 a year ago and return every single player!!! Century, West, Northfield, and Mayo will all be some top tier teams. Faribault will be much improved. Winona and Austin will be solid as always. There will be a lot of parity with most of the schools so it should be a competitive and interesting year in the Big 9.
BY THE NUMBERS: We have really good numbers across the board at all levels. We should be able to field 5 solid teams (Varsity, JV, B-squad, 9A, & 9B). Tryouts should be very competitive and will need to make some tough decisions based on where kids fall with regards to the teams.
Medford boys basketball
COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
Head coach: Steven Boehning, 3rd year Assistant coaches: Alex Spinler, 3rd year; Emily Smith, 1st year
ROSTER:
The Medford boys basketball team is coming off a season with nine seniors graduating and looks to get experience for a young roster. (file photo/southernminn.com)
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Landon Seiler - 9th grade Guard Orion Heintz - 10th grade Guard Obed Ramirez - 10th grade Guard Bennett Stinocher - 10th grade - Guard Quintin Goblrisch - 10th grade - Guard
Jon Gonzalez - 10th grade Guard Logan Smith - 10th grade Guard John Hora - 10th Grade - Post Cain Johannes - 11th Grade Post Timmy Wilson - 11th Grade Guard Eliud Ramirez - 12th Grade Post
KEY PLAYERS: Landon Seiler. Starting point guard. played backup point guard last year as an 8th grader to Austin Erickson. Austin didn’t come out much so not a lot of varsity time. But he is ready to take a big step already as a Freshman to be the start-
ing point guard for this team for the next few years. Timmy Wilson. Was going to be the main wing/off ball player. Tore his ACL last week though so we will have to have some other players step up and play bigger varsity roles.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Besides Landon Seiler, keep an eye on our JV team. We have two Juniors who unfortunately because of transfer rules, can’t play varsity this year. One of these players, Jacob Neilsen, is a very good basketball player.
MEDFORD BASKETBALL CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
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SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 6 KEY PLAYERS: Gabe Hein, Zack Hein, Brady Kittelson, Cooper Cooke, Jacob Pauly, and Kolby Vigeland are all returning players who got big minutes from last years team. Zack Hein and Brady Kittelson will be in their 3rd year as starters this season. Last Season Gabe Hein averaged 17.3 ppg and 8.1 rpg, Zack Hein averaged 14.1 ppg and made the second most three pointers in a single season in school history, Brady Kittelson averaged 12.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, and 3.0 apg, and Cooper Cooke averaged 8.0 ppg and 9.6 rpg.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Freshman Gabe Staloch will move into the rotation and play big minutes for us this year.
2022-23 RECAP: Overall record: 9-16 We return our entire rotation from last season.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: For the first time in years, we will be an experienced team Blooming Prairie’s Gabe Hein (2) drives to the hoop for a bas- returning all five starters from ket during the 2022-23 season. (file photo/southernminn.com) last year’s team. This teams strengths will be our height and athleticism. Our keys to success will be taking care of the ball and playing solid defense. Our goals will be to compete for conference and section championships.
Blooming Prairie boys basketball
COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Cam Rutledge, 3rd year Assistant coach: Andrew Hardecopf Assistant coach: Kobe Foster Assistant coach: John Bruns
ROSTER: Gabe Hein, 12, F Zack Hein, 12, F
MEDFORD BASKETBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 He will look very good at the JV level this year. We also decided to cancel some varsity games and not compete in the gopher conference with the varsity team this year because of our lack of upperclassmen, injuries, and where we see our varsity team’s ability this year.
2022-23 RECAP: 2 - 16 in conference. 2 - 24 overall. Last in the conference. 8th in the sub section. Lost in the 1st round of playoffs to the 1 seed and eventual section winner, Maple River. A couple of conference wins was a step in the right direction to start out the year. Unfortunately one of our top wing players and on the ball defenders, Casey Chambers, tore his ACL early in the year and that loss even with some very good players
Kolby Vigeland, 12, G Ty Forystek, 12, G Dylan Anderson, 12, G Brady Kittelson, 11, G Cooper Cooke, 11, F Jacob Pauly, 11, F Carter Bishop, 11, F Jack Bruns, 11, G Cole Wangen, 11, G Bradley Boyd, 10, G Carsten Ingvalson, 10, G Brady Johnson, 10, F Gabe Staloch, 9, G
(Austin Erickson who was 2nd team all conference, Connor Jones, and Landon Driscoll). Turned out to be too much to overcome the rest of the year. We finished the year with some tough fought games though and had Austin pass 1,000 points and Austin broke the school record for most points in a season.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: Losing 9 seniors and bringing zero back from last year really will be a tough hill to climb. We had 1 senior transfer to play this year. We only have a few Juniors on the roster and a top one is out for the year, also will be tough to overcome. But we are excited for how this modified schedule allows our younger guys to get good varsity experience against competition that will be more suited for us this year. We will
COMPETITION: We should be near the top of the gopher conference along with JWP, Maple River, Kenyon, and Triton. Section 1A is always very competitive with many good programs. Spring Grove and Fillmore Central will be teams to beat in the section.
NRHEG guard Daxter Lee brings the ball up the court during a 2022-23 season game. (file photo/southernminn.com)
NRHEG Prairie boys basketball
COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head Coach: Dan Schmidt Asst Coach: Aaron Gilliland Asst Coach: Tyler Schlaak
ROSTER: Jackson Chrz - Sr., F/C Will Tuttle - Sr., C
Daxter Lee - Sr., G Sam Olson - Sr., G/F Levin Kitzer - Sr., F Jase Knudson - Jr., F Greyson Schaefer - Jr. G/F Aaden Hanna - Jr. G Ricky Zapata - Jr. G
KEY PLAYERS: Daxter Lee, Will Tuttle, Jack-
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Greyson Schaefer, Aaden Hanna, Levin Kitzer, Ricky Zapata
2022-23 RECAP: 3-24 overall. 3-13 conference and section record. Inexperienced team and staff lead to a lot of ups and downs.
BY THE NUMBERS: 14 - total players 10 - letter winners returning
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: While having 5 experienced players back, we’ve got an inexperienced bench that will take some time to really click. We hope to really hit our stride as the season progresses. Looking to finish in the top half of the Gopher Conference West division. Will rely on our senior leaders and overall length and athleticism.
also be able to play with the Juniors who transferred in but can’t play varsity with some scrimmages, JV only games, and JV only tournaments. This will help allow everyone to play together more like we would have been able to if everyone was eligible to play on Varsity this year.
COMPETITION:
COMPETITION:
I believe answered in different areas above with the decreasing the varsity games, playing some only JV games and tournaments, and having some scrimmages.
Conference Favorites: Maple River, JWP, Triton, Blooming Prairie Section Favorites: Maple River, LCWM, Minnesota Valley Lutheran
BY THE NUMBERS: Seniors - 1 Juniors - 4 Sophomores - 10 Freshman - 10 3 - Letter winners returning
son Chrz, Sam Olson, Jase Knudson
BY THE NUMBERS: 5 returning letter winners. 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 8 sophomores, 9 freshmen. NRHEG forward Will Tuttle looks to pass the ball during the 2022-23 season. (file photo/southernminn.com)
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 7
Waseca guard Carson Ohnstad (5) knocks down a 3-pointer during Waseca’s Section 2AA quarterfinals loss to LCWM. (file photo/southernminn.com)
2022-23 RECAP: Damarius Russell lays the ball up and in to score after forcing a steal on the other end during the 2022-23 season. (file photo/ southernminn.com)
Waseca boys basketball
COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
Nagel (2) , Brian Rupe (3) , Richard Guse (8)
Head coach: Seth Anderson Assistant coaches: Austin
Laird Keeton 12 F
ROSTER:
Zach Hulscher 12 G Andrew Robran 12 F Noah Thompson 12 F Jacob Thompson 12 F Sabastian Teague 12 F Cody Vagts 12 G Damarius Russell 11 G Carson Ohnstad 11 G Tauston Rupe 11 G Brandyn Jashca 11 F Cameron Karsten 11 F Max Howard 11 F
Caden Danner 11 G Jameson Paulson 11 G Deron Russell 10 G
COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
eight seniors from last years team.
Ryan Graff - 3rd year Head Coach Eric Lewis - 2nd year Assistant Coach Nathan Wentzlaff - 2nd year Assistant Coach Tim Dittberner - 1st year Assistant Coach (Coaching years above are with the current boys program. This is a very experienced staff that has many more years of experience outside of the LSH boys program.)
Brody Berndt. (file photo)
Le SueurHenderson boys basketball
KEY PLAYERS: 2022-23 All-Conference Blue Division selections: Damarius Russell Carson Ohnstad Laird Keeton (Honorable Mention)
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
Last year’s overall record: 21-7 Last year’s Conference Record: Made the Conference Tournament Final 4 Lost in the 2nd Round of playoffs to LCWM
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: We expect to compete in our section and conference this year. We expect to be in every game and improve off of last season. We should be a fairly single day and push each other with competitive practices. Every game needs to have our singular focus as we approach it - we need to play to the best of our abilities no matter the competition. We need to win the rebounding margin every game and bring defensive intensity at all times. We have to be consistent in these two areas every game, there can be no off nights. If we do that, we will have a successful season.
Overall, I am pleased with how the team has looked in practice heading into our first games. We are mixing in some new concepts on both offense and defense this year, so we are trying to put a lot into our practices and be very efficient in them. I think we have some talented players at every level COMPETITION: this year. Our focus as coaches In the conference, I think the is to continue to push them every day and help them understand how hard they KEY PLAYERS: can work and what they are We are returning three startcapable of that will allow them ers from last years team. Grant to be more consistent which Adams and Brody Berndt will result in them having more at guards along with Nolan success as an individual and as Weber at a post. Logan Feeney a team. I think a strength that also played a lot of minutes last we will have this year is that year coming off of the bench. we will be pretty balanced. We Some new faces that I expect to have strong perimeter players get their first significant varsity as well as an inside game. If playing time this year are John we not only play well together, Karels at post and Kaden Graff but for each other, we can take at guard. Hunter Vinkemeir is advantage of our strengths in a freshman that can play both each game and increase our guard and post. After that, we chances of being successful. have several players who are Our goals for this year are to competing hard in practice to finish in the top half of the conhelp build our depth coming ference and compete for a conoff of the bench. ference title. We would like to host a play off game in the first 2022-23 RECAP: round of playoffs and make it Last year we finished 11-16 to MSU. At that point, we are overall and 5-7 in the conferonly two games away from ence which placed us 4th in the State and teams can play well conference. We lost in the first and get hot where anything can round of playoffs to Glencoe happen. To make this happen, Silver Lake. We graduated we need to get better every Grant Adams. (file photo)
deep team that can play a lot of guys. We are a deep team and have some good overall quickness and shooting. We have some injury issues to start the season.
COMPETITION: Conference favorites: New Ulm, Worthington, Marshall Section favorites: Lake Crystal Welcome Memorial, MVL, Maple River, Glencoe Silver Lake top 3 teams from last year will be tough again this year. Lester Prairie is returning most of their key players from last year’s team. Belle Plaine and Norwood Young America tied for first and each graduated some key players from those teams, but they both have good programs with younger players ready to step into key roles. In the sub section, Minnesota Valley Lutheran is returning most of their key players from last years team that finished 1 game away from the state tournament.
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 8
Ryan Kronbach. (file photo)
COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Nick James, eighth year Assistant coaches: Connor Morton (JV), eighth year; Ben Holden (C), second year
ROSTER: Memphis James. (File photo)
Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton boys basketball with a loss to Minnesota Valley Lutheran in the first round of section 2AA playoffs
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
Luke Holicky. (file photo)
Tri-City United boys basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: John Rumpza, second year Assistant coach: Rennardo Lampley, seventh year Assistant coach: Jared Van Dorpe, firstyear
ROSTER: Colbey Duchnowski - G, 10 Connor Flintrop - G, 12 Luke Holicky - G, 12
Matthew Squires - G, 12 Reggie Vosejpka - F/C, 12 Abdoulaye Tandia - G, 12 Preston Ernste - G/F, 11 Dylan Fink - F/C, 11 Eduardo Flores - G, 11 John Titus - F/C, 11 Rafael Balcazar - G, 11 Theodore Schatz - G/F, 11
KEY PLAYERS: Luke Holicky Reggie Vosejpka Abdoulaye Tandia Connor Flintrop
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Teddy Schatz and Dylan Fink, juniors that played for our JV team last season as a sophomore. There are a few juniors that are in the running for varsity minutes, including Eduardo Flores, Gavin Jensen, John Titus, Preston Ernste, and Caleb Schultze. They were all JV players from last year
2022-23 RECAP: 9-16 Overall Record 3-9 MRC Record 6-8 within section 2AA Our season ended in New Ulm
Being our last year in the Minnesota River Conference, we would like to finish on a good note. We are a team that has some players with a vast amount of varsity experience and some players who have little to no varsity experience, so I’m not sure we entirely know what to expect. Just like every year, we need to figure out what kind of team we are before we declare what type of team we are. Looking ahead to the season, just having started practice, we are just really focused on getting 1% better every day. We want our players to play the game the right way and to be proud of what we produce and put on the floor, whether the outcome is in our favor or not. That’s really what we are trying to teach early in our season. Some of our team’s long term goals are to get to 15 wins, to finish in the top half of the Minnesota River Conference, and to get past the first round of Section 2AA playoffs and see what happens from there.
Daulton Bauer, G 5’9” 10 Austin Carda, F 5’9” 12 Carter Miller, G 5’11” 12 Gavin Bauer, G 6’2” 8 Landon Johnson, G 6’0” 11 Caleb Quast, G 5’10” 10 Tyler Nelson, G 5’8” 11 Steven Dimmel, G 5’9” 12 Ryan Kronbach, F 6’2” 12 Memphis James, G 6’0” 12 Isaiah Berndt, F 6’2” 11 Jaxon Miller, F 5’9” 11 the MRC this season. Aside from these teams, the conference seems to be pretty open, and Tri City United hopes to compete near the top of the conference, and definitely aspires to be in the top half of the conference. Minnesota Valley Lutheran, Waseca, Lake Crystal Welcome Memorial, Maple River, among others are expected to headline Section 2AA. TCU is looking to improve as the season goes on so that we are able to compete within 2AA. Our goal ultimately will be to successfully get past our first playoff game and to play meaningful playoff games into March.
COMPETITION: With Norwood Young America and Belle Plaine tying for the Minnesota River Conference regular season championship last season, and NYA losing a significant amount of talent, expect Belle Plaine and Lester Prairie to be near the top of
Reggie Vosejpka. (File photo)
Michael Walker, F 6’0” 10 Ethan Born, F 5’11” 11 Eloi Flo Sola, G 5’7” 11 Austin Quast, F 6’2” 12 Cole Schlueter, F 6’3” 12
2022-23 RECAP: The Bulldogs finished the season with a record of 14-14 including a conference record of 6-4. The season ended with a 67-51 loss to Mountain Lake AreaComfrey in the Section 2A South Quarterfinal.
COMPETITION: Maple River, who won the section and reached the MSHSL State consolation finals, will once again be the conference and section favorite.
BY THE NUMBERS: 5 - Seniors on our roster this season, all letter winners from last season, all of whom will likely see significant varsity time. 1 - of these returners is a returning All Conference Player (Reggie Vosejpka), and another is a returning All Conference HM Player (Luke Holicky). Apart from these five returners, all of our varsity players will be brand new to the varsity level, and will need to learn on the fly as we lost eight seniors from last season, many of whom played a large role on last year’s squad.
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 9
Tate Olson. (file photo)
Josh Bosacker. (file photo)
St. Peter boys basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
JV coach: Ethan Sindelir, 3rd year 9th grade coach: Brock HanHead coach: Sean Keating, 11th son, 3rd year year Assistant coach: Tyler Maas, Assistant coach: Derek Hom2nd year righausen, 13th year Assistant coach: Jared Baron, ROSTER: 9th year Josh Bosacker, Senior, G B coach: Tanner Nadeau, 4th Tate Olson, Senior, G year Luke Gilbertson, Senior, F
Anthony Nicolai, Senior, G Sam Moelter, Senior, G Kaedan Guida, Senior, F Braxon Dale, Senior, G Jerry Soderlund, Junior, G Quinn Dixon, Junior, F Parker Maloney, Sophomore, F Owen Potts, Freshmen, F Alex Korir, Freshmen, G Finley Olson, Freshmen F Carter Dale, Sophomore, G
KEY PLAYERS: Tate Olson - Tate is one of our top returning scorers and we expect a breakout year. He can score on all three levels and is a leader the team respects for
his work ethic and attitude. Josh Bosacker - Josh is someone who does everything on the court. Can guard the other teams best player, pass the ball, rebound and score. He is a big time leader for us. Kaedan Guida - KG is a superb athlete who can rebound, score in transition and shoot it from three. His rebounding and presence inside will be key for us this year. Sam Moelter - Sam is a high IQ player who makes his teammates better on both ends of the floor. Luke Gilbertson - Luke is high energy player who can make plays on defense with his length and on offense with his ability to score inside.
son last year and Jorden and Blake battled through injuries too. We are excited to start this season off healthy and hope to finish the same way.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON:
Kale Kelley. (file photo)
Cleveland boys basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
ROSTER:
Jorden Rossow - Guard Nathan Strobel - Guard Head Coach: Mike Meyer - 3 Carter Barto - Center years Brady Bostic - Forward Assistant Coach : Carter Kopet Gabriel Sullivan - Forward - 3 years Bode Bartell - Guard Assistant Coach : Travis Mons Blake Lyons - Forward / Guard Carson Lyons - Guard - 2 Years Assistant Coach: Andy Schmidt Brennan Kortuem - Guard Kyle Connor - Forward - 2 years
We added a couple of new players to the varsity squad. Brennan Kortuem who is a transfer from Blackduck. He is the son of Bernie Kortuem who was once a great player for the Clippers. He fits our system very well and seems to be comfortable with team and they have accepted him and younger brother Alex into our family with open arms. I’m excited for what Brennan brings to the table. Sophomore Bode Bartell started to get some minutes at the end of the season last year and is a kid who put in a ton of work Alex Johnson - Center in the off-season and I think Kale Kelley - Guard will be a huge factor for our team. Kyle Connor was forced KEY PLAYERS: to play our center position last Having only lost two seniors year with Barto out and I think from last years varsity roster, him being able to settle in as a we are returning almost the Forward this year will create entire varsity team with the ad- more opportunities for him to dition of a couple players. We make plays on both ends of the bring back our three captains court. from last year ( Blake LyonsKale Kelley-Gabriel Sullivan) 2022-23 RECAP: who seem determined to lead Last year, we struggled record their team to a successful seawise going 1-24 and losing son. Blake was our top scorer opening round of playoffs. last year and gave us everyInjuries hurt us, but we mainly thing he had every day. Carson just needed time and experiLyons and Carter Barto were ence to develop. That is someboth injured over half the sea- thing the record didn’t reflect
KEEP YOUR EYE ON:
leadership with guys who are all in and genuinely want each other to succeed. All the guys seem energized and are ready to move forward and have a breakout season.
Parker Maloney - Parker is our most improved player. His size at 6’5” will give us a presence inside we sorely need. Jerry Soderlund - Jerry is a COMPETITION: sharp shooting guard who has The conference favorite would improved on the defensive end. be New Ulm. The section favorite is Mankato East. We 2022-23 RECAP: hope to compete for the conWe were 5-21. It was a tough ference championship and be season as we struggled to a top three to four seed in our find an identity and had team section. chemistry issues. We lost to Mankato East in the first round BY THE NUMBERS: of the playoffs. 15-16 - on December 15th
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: We are really excited about the prospects for the season. With seven seniors we have strong was our growth as a team both with our physical capabilities and becoming more comfortable with our system. More importantly the confidence of our players was night and day difference from beginning of season to end.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: We have high expectations for the 23-24 season and plan to compete and be in a position to win every game. The program has grown substantially in recent years, with only 14 guys out in grades 9-12 in the 21-22 season to nearly 30 guys this season. That offers us bench depth to keep fresh legs in the game, but also gives us the
and 16th we travel to Fergus Falls and to Moorhead, MN to play Detroit Lakes. It will be a great team bonding trip and a chance to play other AAA schools we normally wouldn’t get the chance to.
advantage of having great competition in our practice setting.
COMPETITION: There will be a lot of new faces in the conference with last years senior class having a lot of players who had been very successful for several years, but that creates a next man up mentality for a lot of guys and some of them have been waiting patiently to showcase their abilities. I also give credit to most of the coaches in our conference. They seem to be very involved with their program as a whole and I think that style of coaching creates the ability to have more consistent competitive conference play.
Blake Lyons. (Photo courtesy of Cleveland Public School)
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 10
Northfield guard Grace Mostad makes a pass. (File photo/southernminn.com)
Northfield’s Tatum Sawyer works the perimeter. (File photo/southernminn.com)
Northfield girls basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Paul Eddy (sixth year); assistant coach: John Sand (first year); assistant
coach: Leah Sand (second year); assistant coach: Darrell Sawyer (fifth year); assistant coach: Angie Schock (second year)
ROSTER: 2- Schulz, Kaitlin (10) - G - 5’6; 3- Sawyer, Tatum (10) - G - 5’8; 4- Mosley, Gracyn (9) - F - 5’7; 5- Wilhelm, Linnea (9) - F - 5’9; 10- Mostad, Grace (10) - G - 5’9; 12- Richardson, Maia (9) - G - 5’8; 13- Quinnell, McKenna (9) - G - 5’5; 14McBroom, Cora (12) - F - 5’9; 15- Prensa Aupetit, Judith (11) - F - 5’10; 21- Livingston, Sydney (9) - G - 5’8; 22-
Douah, Alaia (9) - F - 5’11; 23- Organ, Kat (12) - F - 5’10; 24- Rosenhamer, Lydia (11) - F - 5’10; 32- Mahal, Amber (10) F - 6’0”; 45- Sand, Kate (10) - P - 6’0”; Manager Schock, Rylie
Livingston; Lydia Rosenhamer
COMPETITION:
2022-23 RECAP:
Rochester Mayo is the defending conference champion with several key players returning, so they have to be considered favorites to win the Big 9. Stewartville is loaded with talent and is my pre-season pick for the section 1AAA champion.
KEY PLAYERS:
Finished 10th in Big 9 with a record of 4-18. Lost to Lakeville North in the quarterfinals of Section 1AAAA tournament.
Tatum Sawyer; Grace Mostad; Cora McBroom; Kat Organ; Amber Mahal; Kate Sand
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
KEEP YOUR EYE ON:
We hope to be more competitive in the Big 9 this season with a goal of finishing in the top half of the league standings.
Maia Richardson; Sydney
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: We are returning 4 of our top 7 players from last years team. We will be a small athletic team that will look to push the ball. Goal is to finish above .500 and in the top half of the section.
BY THE NUMBERS: 15 - Total players 9 - Returning letter winners 2 - Seniors
this year. We have had good games with them in the past. We hope to be in top half of conference and a team that can play with those top teams.
BY THE NUMBERS: 10 - Total players 8 - Letter winners 4 - Seniors
COMPETITION: Hayfield should be the favorite to win the conference again
Kenyon-Wanamingo’s Josie Flom throws a pass. (File photo/southernminn.com)
Kenyon girls basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Jake Wieme (five years); Tracy Erlandson (five years)
ROSTER: Flom, Josie (12) - F; Moore, MacKenzie (12) - F; Ryan, Rachel (12) - G; Mendoza, Ivette (12) - F; Nerison, Carmen (11) - G; Mendoza,
Allina (11) - G; Lerfald, Amber (11) - C; Haugen, Audrey (10) - F; Boyum, Sam (9 ) - F; Ostertag, Anna (9 ) - F
KEY PLAYERS: Josie Flom is a two-year starter; Rachel Ryan is also a two-year starter; Ivette Mendoza earned AllConference honorable mention last season; Carmen Nerison is a two-year letter winner
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Mendoza, Allina and Ostertag, Anna
2022-23 RECAP: Over all record was 11-13 conf. record was 7-8. Section we were the seven seed and lost to BA in the first round. Over all a very good season. Lots of close games that could have gone either way.
Kenyon-Wanamingo guard Rachel Ryan looks to pass. (File photo/southernminn.com)
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 11 Aaliyah Reyes takes on the role of our defensive specialist, known for her quickness and ability to guard the best players on opposing teams — a vital asset for our defensive strategy. Together, these key players form a solid foundation for a promising season.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON:
let these statistics solely define our team from the previous season. Despite the numbers, we engaged in numerous competitive matchups where the margins of loss ranged from 10 to 15 points. These close contests fuel our optimism for the upcoming 2024 season, as they indicate the potential for significant strides and successes on the horizon.
BY THE NUMBERS: 15 - Players on the team 4 - Seniors represent a strong senior presence 8 - Talented underclassmen players These numbers showcase the diverse and dynamic composition of our team, reflecting a blend of experience and youthful energy.
Watch out for the emerging talents of Sivana Schwartz and Olivia Streefland, both newcomers to the varsity team. Although they saw limited minutes last year on the varsity squad, their rapid development during the JV season speaks volumes. Their dedication to off-season training has been evident, and as 10th and 9th graders, they Eighth-grade forward Amira Williams (31) gets ready to use a screen from junior post Rylee are poised for success on the varsity court. Schwartz brings Sietsema (34). (File photo/southernminn.com) a valuable skill set with her varsity starter, promises to be adept ball handling, quickness, a crucial contributor with her and strategic shot selection. scoring prowess, adept ball At the same time, Streefland is handling, and overall court expected to make a significant composure. Rylee Sietsema, impact with her presence a seasoned post player, is in the post, contributing to anticipated to showcase both offensive and defensive dominance on the offensive Streefland, 9, F; Aubrey Filan, rebounds. These young COACHES, YEARS and defensive ends with her 12, G; Sivana Schwartz, 10, athletes are primed to bring a COACHING: size and skill. G; Grace Brazil, 11, F; Eve fresh and impactful dynamic to Head coach: Bill Bardal, 10th Drewitz, 9, G; Tina Le, 9, Halle Rice, another seasoned our varsity team. year; assistant coach: Jenna G; Fiona Voit, 8, F; Rayna veteran, adds value with Wetzel, fourth year; assistant Mougni, 8, G; Kyleigh Berken, her length and versatile 2022-23 RECAP: coach: Sam Jasinski, fourth 7, G scoring abilities, providing a Reflecting on our performance year; assistant coach: Ned dynamic presence on the floor. last year, we held an overall Louis, first year Jamie Adamek, a seasoned KEY PLAYERS: record of 4-23, with a conference record of 3-19 in Our key players this year form varsity player, demonstrated substantial growth in 2023, ROSTER: the Big 9. Securing the 8th a formidable starting five that and we eagerly anticipate her Aaliyah Reyes, 12, G; Halle seed in the section, we faced brings a diverse set of skills contributions to both scoring Rice, 12, F; Rylee Sietsema, our fair share of challenges. to the court. Amira Williams, and back-court support under 12, F; Jamie Adamek, 11, G; However, it’s essential not to entering her second year as a Senior forward Halle Rice (5) takes a jumpshot. (File photo/ pressure. Amira Williams, 9, G; Olivia
Faribault girls basketball
southernminn.com)
Bethlehem Academy girls basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Scott Trump, fifth year; assistant coach: Celeste Donlon, fifth year; assistant coach: Shelby Glenzinski, fourth year; assistant coach: Katy Ashley, second year Anna Tobin looks to make a pass. (File photo/southernminn.com)
ROSTER: 2 Brooklyn Becker 11th G; 3 Kendra Hanson 12th F; 4 Anna Cohen 11th G; 5 Anna Tobin 11th G; 10 Brylie Becker 10th G; 12 Genevieve Donahue 11th G/F; 13 Olivia Glumack 11th F; 15 Caitlin Bothun 10th G/F; 20 Morgan Wilson 11th F; 22 Anna Croke 10th G; 23 Jocelyn Simones 11th G; 24 Mariana
Hager 11th G; 32 Sarah Tobin 9th F Managers: Maressa Hanson, Taylor Moon, Aubrey Brown
KEY PLAYERS: Anna Cohen - 11th, third year
BA BASKETBALL CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
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SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 12 Jersey Coleman 9 F Danika Ringhofer 12 G Carsyn Brady 12 G Addi Langlois 10 G Morgan Fisher 12 F Sophie Schlauderaff 10 G Jessica Fisher 10 F/C Ava Olson 11 C
KEY PLAYERS: Ava Olson- Solid post player on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor. Morgan Fisher- Great shooter/ floor spacer. Abby Shornock- Guard who shoots it well and did a good job defensively. Maryn Pool- High basketball IQ. Does all the little things we need to be successful. Lexi Klecker- Another solid post on both ends of the floor.
team/individual goals will be attainable.
COMPETITION: Being new to the program, I am not sure. I thought we did some good things this summer and had a good scrimmage to start the year. I believe we can be competitive this year.
BY THE NUMBERS: 15 Varsity/JV players 2 Freshmen 3 Sophomores 6 Juniors 4 Seniors
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Sophie Schlauderaff- Great
Senior guard Carsyn Brady (24) drives to the hoop during Owatonna’s season opener against defender who really helps our press. Does a good job taking Farmington. (file photo/southernminn.com)
Owatonna girls basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
20 years experience, 8 years as a Head Coach at NRHEG. JV Head/Varsity Assistant Head coach: Pat Webb, 1st year coach: James Dahlgren, 8 (14 years as assistant) years as an assistant coach. Assistant coach: Pat Churchill,
Freshmen Head: Faith Nomeland: 1st year coaching. Freshmen assistant: Heather Elfering 2nd year coaching.
ROSTER: Abby Shornock 11 G Izzy Muir 11 G Maryn Pool 11 G Makenna Neumann 12 F D’naesha Stevens 9 G Preslee Hodgman 11 G Lexie Klecker 11 F/C
Tri-City United girls basketball Head coach: Don Marcussen (4th yr. at TCU and 35th yr. coaching BB) Assistant coach: Lora Angelino (B-Squad) Assistant coach: John Schmiesing (C-Squad)
2022-23 RECAP: 22/23 Season: 10-17 8th place in Big 9 Lost first round in section
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: Might be cliche, but get better Junior guard Maryn Pool (5) scores through contact during everyday. If we strive to Owatonna’s season opener against Farmington. (file photo/ improve everyday, I believe our southernminn.com)
Anna Cohen (3) brings the ball up the court. (File photo/southernminn.com)
Audrey Vosejpka. (file photo)
COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
care of the ball and can shoot it pretty well too.
ROSTER: Name Grade Position Height Alexis Marcussen 1 G 5’04 Yasmin Ruiz-Ruiz 11 G 5’00 Sophie Whipps 11 G/F 5’06 Emma Skluzacek 11 G 5’04 Bella Jones 10 G/F 5’05 Claire Hoefs 10 G/F 5’08 Grace Hennen 11 G 5’08 Valeria Ledesma 10 G 5’02
Audrey Vosejpka 11 G/F 5’06 Gabriella Dahlke 12 G/F 5’08 Anne Cooper 11 F 5’09 Ella Schmiesing 10 C 5’11 Ava Flintrop 11 C 5’10
TRI-CITY BASKETBALL CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
BA BASKETBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 on varsity; Anna Tobin - 11th, third year on varsity; Jocelyn Simones - 11th, second year on varsity; Brooklyn Becker 11th, second year on varsity; Morgan Wilson - 11th, second year on varsity
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Liv Glumack and Evie Donahue
2022-23 RECAP:
BY THE NUMBERS:
Team Record of 10-14; section quarterfinal loss
13 - Total players 1 - Senior 8 - Juniors 3 - Sophomores 1 - Freshman
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: Replacing all but one starter from last season (six seniors), the Cardinals are expecting a few bumps in the road on the way to finding a new identity. The talent and speed of this group will catch many by surprise and we look to improve quickly throughout the season.
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 13 on both ends of the court. They will take the majority of our shots and will still be responsible to anchor our defense.
teams competitive games every night. I think Hayfield may be a favorite in the conference but many teams will be trying to knock them off. Lake Crystal will be tough in the Section.
BY THE NUMBERS: Three Medford graduates playing college basketball this season.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Since we will be playing everyone on our roster, we will eagerly watch who will stand out from game to game. At practice, we see different players stand out and expect to see the same in games.
2022-23 RECAP: We graduated Grace Keller and Andrea Bock last year. They both provided quality leadership. Grace led our defense and Andrea led our offense. Andrea is playing for Luther this year. We won 2 games last year but Medford junior guard Amanda Bock (2) passes the ball up the court. (file photo/southernminn. we were competitive in many com) of our games.
Medford girls basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Mark Kubat Assistant coaches: Pat Heger, Madison Field, Laura Seid
ROSTER: 2 Amanda Bock Jr. Capt. 5 Jade Laue So. 10 Peyton Snow Sr. Capt. 13 Clara Thurnau Jr.
15 Mari Nelson So. 20 Mia Amberg Sr. 21 Aleah Vogt So. 22 Jillian Kellen Jr. 23 Lexi Laue Fr. 30 Olivia Ward So. 32 Raelyn Janke Fr.
KEY PLAYERS: Our leaders on the court are Peyton Snow, Olivia Ward, and Amanda Bock. We rely on these 3 players for leadership
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: We will be very young again this year and play in a very competitive conference. Our goals are continuous improvement as well as improving our defense to help create offensive opportunities.
COMPETITION: The Gopher Conference offers
Medford senior guard Peyton Snow (10) brings the ball up the court. (file photo/southernminn.com)
Blooming Prairie girls basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: John Worke 22 years at the varsity Assistant coaches: Cory Hendrickson (JV) 22 years – multiple levels; Ben Robins (Jr. Hi.) 3 years at jr-hi level
ROSTER: 20 Catelyn Bartlett 11 1 Addison Doocy 12 5 Sienna Fyksen 12 13 Madelyn Harvey 10 2 Macy Lembke 12 Blooming Prairie’s Shawntee Snyder (22) drives past Waseca’s Sam Azure (2) during the Blos- 25 Lila Quail 10 30 Ella Salinas 10 soms’ loss to the Bluejays in 2022-23. (file photo/southernminn.com)
TRI-CITY BASKETBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
KEY PLAYERS: 11th Audrey Vosejpka 8 ppg, 4.5 reb/game, 2 Ast/game, 1.5 Stls/game 11th Lexi Marcussen 7 ppg., 6 reb/game, 3 Ast/game, 2 Stls/ game 10th Ella Schmiesing 9 ppg., 8.5 reb/game, 1.5 Blks/game
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: 12th Gaby Dahlke 11th Sophie Whipps 11th Emma Skluzacek
2022-23 RECAP:
COMPETITION:
Finished tied for 3rd in MRC. Received the #5 seed in Sub Sections. We have been improving the Win Loss record each year that I have been coaching and will continue that into this year.
In the MRC it will still be Mayer Luth. as the favorite followed by us, NYA, and Belle Plaine. In the Sections it will be interesting to see how this year plays out...I think there could be any 4-5 teams that could come out of our Section this year.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: Goal is to finish top three in MRC as well as Sub Sections and advance deep into the playoffs. We have a good group of players that have played together now for a few years and should be able to handle the varsity level of play much better than the past two years..
BY THE NUMBERS: 9 - returning letter winners 8 - juniors on roster 1 - only seniorseason.
Lexi Marcussen. (File Photo)
21 Hailey Schumacher 12 3 Claire Schwarz 10 15 Ella Smith 11 22 Shawntee Snyder 12 4 Caitlyn Stangl 11
KEY PLAYERS: We have a number of players returning with varsity experience. We have 4 seniors and a sophomore that logged minutes at the varsity level. Shawntee Snyder, Macy Lembke, Addison Doocy, and Sienna Fyksen are the seniors and Claire Schwarz is the sophomore. Experience alone should be helpful.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Obviously, the players mentioned above as well as Catelyn Bartlet and Ella Smith – a couple of juniors.
2022-23 RECAP: Overall record last year – 1113, Conference record (East Division) 9-6 (2 nd Place), lost 1st round of sections to PEM 46-58.
BP BASKETBALL CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 14 Lost to Hayfield in Gopher Conference Championship Game 12-2 in Conference; 8-1 Conference Division (losses to Hayfield and WEM)
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: I’m excited for the group of girls that I have this year. We are bringing back a couple of kids who played big minutes for us last year, and two seniors who have been on Varsity since their 8th grade season. We are also going to be relying on some athletes who will be making the jump from JV to Varsity. We are hoping to continue to improve all season so that we are playing our best come playoff time. NRHEG sophomore guard Camryn VanMaldeghem (12) leads a fast break to open the 2023-24 season. (file photo/southernminn.com)
NRHEG girls basketball
COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
Head coach: Onika Peterson Assistant coaches: Kayley Camerer (JV), Betsy Schoenrock (Middle School/ High School Assistant)
ROSTER: 1 CHLOE RIEWER 10th 2 FAITH NIELSEN 12th 4 QUINN VANMALDEGHEM 10th 5 IZLEY BOERNER 9th 10 CLARA BUENDORF 9th 11 HALLIE SCHULTZ 12th 12 CAMRYN VANMALDEGHEM 10th 14 ADALYN STADHEIM 10th 15 CHLOE STORK 10th 20 EZRA BOERNER 8th 21 PRESLIE NIELSEN 12th 24 SAVANNAH FARR 9th 25 HOPE NIELSEN 12th 32 KYLIE OLSON 9th
2022-23 RECAP: Last year’s overall record: 21-6 Last year’s conference record:
COMPETITION: Conference favorites: Hayfield, WEM Section or Favorites: WEM
Waseca girls basketball
COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Anthony Jackson, 4th year coaching varsity GBB (first year at Waseca) Assistant coach: Ashlyn Rosenberg, first year as a varsity assistant coach
KEY PLAYERS:
Varsity returners: Faith Nielsen- 309 pts, 92 reb, 26 assists, 38 steals, 5 blocks (Gopher All Conference, Letter winner) Hallie Schultz– 135 pts, 164 reb, 47 assists, 41 steals, 11 blocks (Most Improved, Letter winner) Quinn VanMaldeghem- 177 pts, 149 reb, 38 assists, 66 steals, 3 blocks (MVP Defense, Letter winner) Camryn VanMaldeghem- 158 pts, 132 reb, 39 assists, 74 steals, 8 blocks Preslie Nielsen- 82 pts, 27 reb, 9 assists, 74 steals, 8 blocks Chloe Stork Adalyn Stadheim Izley Boerner
Mia Kanewischer looks to back down a Medford defender to open up the 2023-24 season. (file photo/southernminn. com)
ROSTER: Lexi Kanewischer, G Callie Dufault, G Ella Krautkremer, G Addie Wiesler, G Mia Kanewischer, W Alexis Brinkman, G Addie Kelm, F Gracie Morgan, F Lily Owens, F Avery Gaul, F Grace Guritz, P
KEY PLAYERS: Mia Kanewischer is the one returning starter. We are going to look to her to be a consistent contributor
offensively and defensively. The rest of our varsity roster will be comprised of players who have been rostered on varsity and are itching for their opportunity.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Callie Dufault. She is going to have her opportunity to run point guard. She an run all day, and we will look for her to be a consistent ball handler and decision-maker.
2022-23 RECAP: 16-10 overall record. 8-3 in section. 6-4 conference.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: Our goal is to establish our sense of belief over the course of time. The players on the
WASECA BASKETBALL CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
NRHEG senior guard Hallie Schultz (11) shoots a three pointer. (file photo/southernminn.com)
BP BASKETBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: Token answer but more realistic than ever – we want to improve everyday. Play our best basketball at the end of the year.
COMPETITION: Goodhue and Hayfield in our section. Hayfield in our conference.
BY THE NUMBERS: 5 – Seniors 3 – Juniors 4 – Sophomores 8 returning letterwinners
Blooming Prairie forward Addison Doocy (1) looks to pass the ball during the 2022-23 season. (file photo/southernminn.com)
Callie Dufault looks to the bench for the play call as she brings the ball up the court to open up the 2023-24 season. (file photo/southernminn.com)
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 15 2022-23 RECAP: I am not going to go into our record and section/state placements from last year. The last few years have been challenging for the LS-H girls basketball program. We always have players that work hard and give it their all every single game and I don’t expect any less this year.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
Lily Strauss. (file photo)
JanesvilleWaldorfPemberton girls basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
Hudson Miller, C 5’7” 9 Katelyn Olson, G 5’6” 10 Alexis Dahlberg, F 5’5” 12 Head coach: Brandon Goebel, Hope Dimmel, C 5’7” 11 first year as head coach, second Jaidann Mulder, C 5’8” 9 with team Autumn Thissen, C 5’ 8” 11 Assistant coaches: Liv Kvebak, 2022-23 RECAP: first year JWP finished the season ROSTER: with a record of 13-15 and a conference record of 2-6. Name, position, height, grade Chloe Kaiser, G 5’2” 9 The season ended with a Ellie Morsching, G 5’5” 10 64-27 loss to Sleepy Eye Raylen Blasing, G 5’2” 9 in the Section 2A South Nevaeh Weimert, G 5’5” 10 Quarterfinals. Kwynn Krause, G 5’ 7” 10 COMPETITION: Presley James, F 5’9” 11 Mikayla Wheelock, G 5’5” 10 Conference favorite will once Lilly Strauss, G 5’6” 11 again be NRHEG who returns Aubrey Adams, C/F 5’8” 10 many starters from a 21-6 Alison Olson, F 5’6” 12 team. Onikia Herme, G 5’5” 11
Brynn Biedscheid. (file photo)
Le Sueur-Henderson girls basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Sherri Fritz - 8 years as head coach
ROSTER: Brynn Biedscheid 12, post Morgan Gregersen 12, post Kelsey Wetzel 12, wing
Anyssa Christ 10, wing Tori Hutton 9, guard Hanie Sirovy 9, wing Kiandra Straub 8, guard Abby Lewis 8, guard Ruby Fritz 7, guard Alaina Hutton 7, post Bella Bemmels 7, guard
KEY PLAYERS: Returning players with Varsity experience are Brynn Biedscheid, Morgan Gregersen, Kelsey Wetzel.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Anyssa Christ & Tori Hutton will also make an impact on the team this year. We are also having a handful of young players join our team this year. We are hoping to help them grow as players and get them some exposure to games at a higher level.
My number one goal for the year is to make this the best experience I can for the girls on my team. High School sports are special - once you are done, you never get a chance to play them again and I want to make this a memorable year for the Seniors on my team. My challenge to them is to never give up and to help leave a legacy by being leaders on and off the court and mentors for the younger girls that are in our program.
COMPETITION: We had to pair down our schedule a bit this year. We will only be playing a couple of the MRC teams and have added games with Loyola, Cleveland, Madelia and a few other teams that we don’t typically play. I think all of our games will be challenging yet competitive. We will need to work hard to stay out of foul trouble and strategically use our timeouts to give the girls a break when they need it.
BY THE NUMBERS: 11 - total players 3 - with Varsity experience 2 - who are jumping from C team to Varsity starters 6 - who are currently playing Middle School, but will also dress Varsity
Kelsey Wetzel. (file photo)
St. Peter girls basketball
Presley James. (file photo)
WASECA BASKETBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 team have a great work ethic and communicate very well on the court, so we fully believe that we will find our footing and start to believe that we can compete against other teams, even if some teams might have more returning varsity starters than we do.
COMPETITION: We are probably less experienced than some other
COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Bob Southworth 14th Year Assistant coach: Bill Stuewe 14th year as assistant - 9 years as head coach prior Assistant coach: Corey Wiebusch 5th year as assistant Assistant coach: Mary Tobar 2nd year as assistant
ROSTER: Abby Maloney, Sr, post/wing Rhyan Holmgren, Sr, guard Maddie Kamm, Sr, guard Annika Southworth, Jr, guard Emmy Remmert, Jr, post Nora Whipps, Jr, guard Sarah Haggenmiller, Jr, post Olivia Seys, Jr, post Brealin Weber, So, Post Auden Anderson, So, Post Rowyn Mhyra, So, Guard Kylie Southworth, Fr, guard
teams that are picked to win the conference and/or section. Having said that, we won’t be an easy ‘out’ come sections. We will play great defense, and the girls on the team will play disciplined and tactically understand our respective opponents.
BY THE NUMBERS: We 11 rostered varsity players. Of those eleven players, three are seniors. The majority of our players are juniors. Rhyan Holmgren. (file photo)
ST PETER BASKETBALL CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 16
Alayna Atherton . (file photo/southernminn.com)
Greta Hahn. (Photos courtesy of Cleveland Public School)
Cleveland girls basketball COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
Key Players Greta Hahn Ava Hahn
Joe Remiger, 5th as a girls coach Chris Seely, 4th as a girls coach Kaylee Karels, 1st year
Delaney Thompson Taylor McCabe
ROSTER:
2022-23 RECAP:
Greta Hahn, 12 G Mariah McCabe, 12 G Ava Hahn, 11 F Lacey McCabe, 11 G Addi Holden, 11 F Mollie Bowman, 10 F Sam Baker, 10 G Olivia Reinhardt, 1O G Cecilia Gair, 10 F Delaney Thompson, 9 G Taylor McCabe, 9 G Kaitlyn Flowers, 9 G Kierra Schipper, 9 F Tayor Wolf, 9 G Kiya Sohn, 8 F Ava Kluntz, 8 F Jocelyn Kortuem, 8 F Valentina Rohlfing, 8 G
KEY PLAYERS: Rhyan Holmgren, Sr - Four year letterwinner who has a lot
COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Tyler Kaus Assistant coaches: Daniel
KEEP YOUR EYE ON:
lemcke, Tobin Pope and Lois Masberg
ROSTER: Name, position, height, grade
4th in conference
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
The Bucs finished the season with a record of 17-9 and a 7-2 conference record. The season ended with a 60-48 loss to LCWM in the Subsection 2AA South Semifinal.
COMPETITION: Favorites in conference LCWM and St. Clair
BY THE NUMBERS: 18 - total players 9 - letter winners 2 - seniors
of varsity experience. Averaged 24 points and 7 rebounds, 3 Assists per game as a Junior. Annika Southworth Jr – Two year letterwinner. Annika averaged 15 points, 3
Bryella Pope G 5’6” 9 McKenna Schuster G 5’4” 11 Claire Bohlen W 5’8” 12 Tianna Pope G 5’6” 11 Tatum Richards W 5’10” 11 Kaitlyn LaFrance G 5’4” 10 Addison Condon P 5’6” 10 Alix Velzke G 5’3” 9 Alenka Jans P 5’6” 10 Kylie LaFrance G 5’4” 12 Briley Velzke G 5’5” 11 Robynn Schwichtenberg P 5’6” 10 Ashlyn Pelant W 5’6” 11 Alayna Atherton P 5’10” 12
2022-23 RECAP:
Get better every practice every game and be stronger as a team.
COMPETITION: Mariah McCabe shoots from inside. (Photo courtesy of Cleveland public schools)
Annika Southwort. (file photo)
ST PETER BASKETBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown girls basketball
rebounds, and 2 assists last season. Abby Maloney, Sr – Four year letterwinner. Abby is a versatile player that can score form the inside and also has
Kylie LaFrance defending. (file photo)
the ability to shoot the tgree. She averaged 6 pts per game and 5 rebounds per game last year. Maddie Kamm, Sr – Four year letterwinner. Last Season Maddie averaged 7 pts, 3.5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists. Maddie is a player that has the ability to do a little bit of everything on the basketball court. She is a player that should fill the stat sheet for us this year. Emmy Remmert, Jr - One year letterwinner. Emmy really came on the second half of last season. She led our teams in rebounds and we expect she will again this season. Last year she averaged 7.5 rebounds, and 3 points. The last 10 games of last year, she averaged over double digit rebounds. Kylie Southworth, Fr – One year letterwinner. Kylie averaged 3.5 points and 2 rebounds per game last season. We expect these numbers to increase this year.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Nora Whipps, Jr Sarah Haggenmiller, JR Olivia Seys, Jr Braelin Weber, So
2022-23 RECAP: Overall record in 22-23 season was 21-7 Conference record in 22-23 season was 13-1 (Champions) (Beat Marshall in the conference Championship) Lost to Marshall in the Section Finals
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: The goal for this year’s team is to win the Conference Championship and the Section Championship. We are going to need to stay healthy this season to make this a reality. We are also going to need to become a little more balanced as a team and get better on the defensive end.
The defending conference champion NRHEG team will once again be the favorite.
COMPETITION: Our Conference and Section will be tough again this season. New Ulm will have a very strong team and they are in both our conference and Section. Marshall is always good and also in our Conference and Section. Last year we played Marshall four times and split the season series 2-2. Because both of these teams are in our conference and section, that could very well happen again this season.
BY THE NUMBERS: 179 – Points Annika Southworth needs to reach 1000 points 342 – Points Rhyan Holmgren needs to reach 2000 points 49 - This is the 49th season of Girls Basketball in ST. Peter 31 - Number of players in the program in grades 8-12
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 17
Hockey
Northfield’s Jake Geiger looks for a pass. (File photo/southernminn.com)
Senior Kam Kaiser will be an important piece for the 2023-24 Northfield boys hockey team. (Tom Nelson/southernminn.com)
Northfield boys hockey COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Luckraft, Mike - 10th year; Assistant coach: Cloud, Scott - 16th year; Assistant coach: Cloud, Charlie - 7th year
ROSTER: #1 Frank, Max - Jr - G; #2 Geiger, Ben - Fr - D; #3 Barrett, Bradley - Sr - F; #4 Bridger, Riley - So - D; #5 Pumper, Ashton - So - D; #7 Frank, Ty - Sr - D (captain);
#8 Carter, Simon - So - D; #9 Steward, Michael - So - F; #11 Geiger, Jake - Sr - F (captain); #12 Kaiser, Kam - Sr - F (captain); #13 Cashin, Will - Jr - F; #14 Becker, Charlie - So F; #16 Winte, Andrew - Sr - F; #17 Boardman, Sam - Sr - D;
Junior forward Logan Peroutka (9) attempts to control the puck. (File photo/southernminn. com)
Faribault boys hockey COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coaches: Alex Schmitz and Clay Curwin, both in second year
ROSTER: #1 Dustin Boyd - Goalie Junior; #2 Ajay Still - Defense - Junior; #3 Parker Morrow Defense - Senior; #4 Leighton
Anderson - Defense - Junior; Forward - Center - Senior; #17 #8 Tommy Kunze - Forward Nick Archambault - Forward - Center - Sophomore; #9 - Center - Junior; #19 RJ Logan Peroutka - Forward Wasilowski - Forward - Left Left Wing - Senior; #10 Jonny Wing - Junior; #20 Ben Simon - Defense - Junior; Stoessell - Defense - Senior; #11 Brody Redding - Forward #22 Logan Vargo - Forward - Right Wing - Senior; #14 - Right Wing - Sophomore; Caden Hart - Defense - Senior; #15 Ethan Amundson Forward - Right Wing - Senior; FARIBAULT HOCKEY CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 #16 Oliver Linnemann -
#19 Whiteman, Christian - So - F; #20 Monson, Cayden - Sr - F (captain); #21 Kennelly, Griffin - Jr - F; #22 Benjamin, Oliver - So - F; #24 Rand, Cooper - Sr - D; #31 Shimota, Trey - Sr - G
KEY PLAYERS: Kam Kaiser; Jake Geiger; Cayden Monson; Ty Frank; Andrew Winter; Will Cashin; Bridger Riley
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Ben Geiger; Michael Steward;
Oliver Benjamin; Christian Whiteman
2022-23 RECAP:
bantam should make for a nice mix. Will have a chance to contend in the Big 9 for conf. title and Section 1-A title.
Won the Big 9 Conference 14-3; won Section 1A; lost first round at state tournament in OT to Orono. Very solid season, and we’re hoping to take further steps in 2023-24.
Top teams in the Big 9 are Rochester Century/JM coop, Albert Lea, Northfield, Owatonna.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
COMPETITION:
BY THE NUMBERS:
20 - Players on the versity We bring back a lot of offensive 9 - Seniors 3 - Juniors punch. That group with the 6 - Sophomores addition of some upcoming 1 - Freshman players from the JV and
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 18 KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Ben Geiger; Michael Steward; Oliver Benjamin; Christian Whiteman
2022-23 RECAP: 11-13-2 overall record, 8-5-2 Big 9 record (4th), lost 3-0 to Lakeville North in Section 1AA quarterfinals
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: We are very fortunate to have 13 seniors on this team. I believe with all the senior leadership we will go as far as they take us. This is a very close knit group and as long as we stay healthy we are going to surprise some teams this season. We also have a strong group of underclassmen that mixed in among the seniors. Forward Andy Mitchell returns as the Huskies leader in goals, assists and points during the 2022-23 season. (file photo/southernminn.com)
Owatonna boys hockey COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Dennis Will, 11th year Assistant coaches: Justin Fletcher, 6th year; James Wagoner, 6th year; Paul Martinson, 6th year; Devin Laiho, 6th year; Brody Dalland, 6th year
Goodnature, Justin Beman, Joe Webster, Mark Spurgeon, Devin Born, Brandon Schultz,
Owen Beyer, Ethan Fitch, Lucas Mazariego, Evan Padgett, Brennan Sletten.
COMPETITION: We finished 4th in the conference last year but had several injuries. We hope to challenge for the conference and sectional play. Lakeville South, Lakeville North, Century will be top teams in our section.
ROSTER:
KEY PLAYERS:
Waseca boys hockey COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
KEEP YOUR EYE ON:
Head coach: Chris Storey Assistant coaches: Brad Dushaw, Daniel Pumper
Top returning point leaders: Brayden Hesch-Priem (11 goals, 8 assists, 19 points) Hunter Anderson (7 goals, 11 assists, 18 points) Lucas Groll (6 goals, 8 assists, 14 points) Keaton Roeker (4 goals, 5 assists, 9 points)
ROSTER:
Garrett Stelter G 11; Jack Strom D 12; Isaac Mobley F 10; Quinn Thompson F 12; Broderick Goodnature F 12; Zachary Klecker F 9; Andrew Mitchell F 11; Justin Beman F 12; Joseph Webster F 12; Mark Spurgeon D 12; Jackson Kath F 10; Devin Born F 12; Brandon Schulz F 12; Owen Beyer F 12; Ethan Fitch D 12; Lucas Mazariego D 12; Zachary Knott F 11; Blake Davison D 11; Evan Padgett G 12; Brennan Sletten G 12; Seth Johnson D 11
The Seniors: Jack Strom, Quinn Thompson, Brody
Junior captain Brayden Hesch-Priem splits the defense for the clean look for his third goal of the game. (file photo/ southernminn.com)
Defenseman Mark Spurgeon (10) is one of the returning senior leaders for the Huskies. (file photo/southernminn.com)
FARIBAULT HOCKEY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 #24 Cole Goodwin - Defense - Junior; #26 Beau Velishek Forward - Left Wing - Senior
KEY PLAYERS: Returning varsity players we are looking toward this year are Oliver Linnemann (leading point getter), Logan Peroutka, Brody Redding, Parker Morrow and Ben Stoessel. Oliver is close to breaking the all time assist record for the program. We expect that to be broken really soon.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Dusty Boyd our goalie. He was with us last year but was Oliver Linnemann is a key player for Faribault in the 2023-24 season. (File photo/southern- backup to Senior Jacob Sherf. minn.com) We are looking at him to have
Carter Martens G 11 Henry Huttemier F 9 Charlie Cariveau D 12 Keaton Roeker F 12 Otto Schoenrock F 9 Easton Danks D 11 Cash Lynch F 9 Jayden Gehring F 10 Solomon Wilson F 11 Cade Srp D 10 Hunter Anderson F 11 Max Bodenweiser F 10 Lucas Groll D 11 Beckett Srp D 9 Griffin Storey F 9 Brayden Hoof F 11 Armando Balderas F 12 Jackson Tesch D 11 Jackson Dahl D 10 Josiah Schmidtke G 9 Preston Miller D 12 Brayden Hesch-Priem F 11 Jude Gehring F 10
a big year and will play in all the games. Hoping he can step up for us in a big way. We are excited to see what he can do between the pipes.
2022-23 RECAP: We finished the year strong in 2022-23 with a playoff win to get us to a quarterfinal game against New Prague, keeping it a tight game, while not having two top players. We had some great wins early in the season that set us up for success later in the year.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: We are hoping to build on our season last year. With a lot of seniors on the team we expect to be very good offensively and to score quite a few goals. We are hoping with the depth in
2022-23 RECAP: 10-15 overall record Lost 5-4 to Rochester Lourdes in Section 1A playoffs Graduated top two scorers Kyle Ahlschlager (40 goals, 20 assists, 60 points) and Griffin Krautkremer (23 goals, 18 assists, 41 points)
COMPETITION: Luverne and New Ulm will be at the top of the conference.
experience we can turn to our seniors in pressure moments and step up for us in a big way. Our goal is to finish the season with at least a .500 record and make it out of the second round of playoffs. Competition - We believe we stack up well against most teams in our conference as we only lost 3 seniors last year and having quite a few this year we believe we have the experience to compete with anybody. Its really going to come down to consistent game play and being able to do the right things day in and day out. We think we can beat anybody if we play our best games.
BY THE NUMBERS: 17 - Total players 13 - Letter winners 8 - Seniors
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 19 23 Logan Fahey D 11 LSH 24 Tyler Gogerty F 11 TCU 31 Ayden Christ G 12 LSH
KEY PLAYERS: Players returning this year that we expect to be key contributors are Drew Simonette, Travis Kotek, Diego Hettig, Ethan Hathaway, Hayden Stensrud, Isaac Schaffer and Ayden Christ.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: The two guys who are new that we expect to be key contributors are Riley Kamm
and Levis Wachal. Both are sophomores and will play significant roles for our team this year.
2022-23 RECAP: Overall 12-14 Conference - 9-7 We were the sixth seed in the section playoffs last season and lost in the first round to Mankato East.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: Due to the amount of upperclassmen we have coming back we expect our
record to be better than last year. Our goal is to continue to improve and be playing our best come February and to compete for a section title.
COMPETITION: In our section it is going to be the usual suspects with New Ulm, Luverne, Mankato East and Mankato West. Luverne is the defending section champ and has to be the favorite coming into the year.
BY THE NUMBERS: 14 - Returning letterwinners 10 - Returning letterwinning Seniors
Ethan Hathaway. (File Photo)
Minnesota River boys hockey COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
ROSTER:
Number Player Name Position Grade School Head coach: Chris Miller, 3rd 1 Anders LeDell G 10 St Peter year 2 Derek Guth D 11 St Peter Assistant coach: Arlo Lehtenin, 3 Ethan Hathaway D 12 LSH 3rd year 4 Kaden Throldahl F 11 Assistant coach: Reegan Rehm, St Peter 2nd year 5 Drew Simonette F 12 St Peter 6 Riley Kamm F 10 St Peter Assistant coach: Charlie 7 Talen Schwandt F 12 LSH Haugen, 2nd year 8 Diego Hettig F 12 St Peter
9 Hayden Stensrud D 12 St Peter 10 Cole Goecke D 11 TCU 11 Josiah Juarez F 11 LSH 12 Jack Miller F 10 LSH 13 Braylon Hoffman F 12 LSH 14 Eian O’Keefe F 10 TCU 15 Kellen O’Keefe F 12 TCU 16 Travis Kotek F 12 TCU 17 Isaac Schaffer D 12 St Peter 18 Tyler LaGow F 10 LSH 19 Levi Wachal D 10 St Peter 22 Dylan Westerman F 12 TCU
Drew Simonette (5). (file photo)
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SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 20 JV F Freshman; Emma Peroutka V/JV F Freshman; Rita Langford V/JV F Senior; Emily Beaham V F Junior; Ashlyn Paukert V F Sophomore; Isabelle Paulson JV D Freshman; Mia Miller V D Sophomore; Abby Kasal V/ JV D Junior; Cora Schlak JV F Freshman; Payton Bice JV F Freshman; Josie Kuennen JV Sophomore; Lily Nagy JV D Junior; Macy Mueller V G Sophomore
KEY PLAYERS: Ayla Puppe, Grace McCoshen, Emerson Garlie, Mia Miller and Macy Mueller
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Emma Peroutka (second year, a freshman)
2022-23 RECAP: Runner up in the conference and section final runner up.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: Looking to win the conference and return to section finals again.
COMPETITION: Conference: we are the favorites along with Mankato East. Section: we are the favorite along with Lakeville South and Farmington.
BY THE NUMBERS: 26 - total players 20 - letter winners 7 - seniors
Senior defender Grace McCoshen (11) will lead the Raiders during the 2023-24 season. (File photo/southernminn.com)
Northfield girls hockey COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Paige Haley, fifth year as a head coach, seventh with the program; assistant coach: Jeff LaPanta, 12th year; assistant coach: Scott Haley, fourth year
ROSTER:
Abbi Sparks JV F Senior; Alyssa Schoenbauer JV F (name, V/JV, pos., year) Sophomore; Annaliese Walker Belle Torgeson JV G V/JV F Senior; Ayla Puppe V Sophomore; Lillian Jindra F Senior; Olivia Rasmussen V V/JV D Freshman; Isabelle F/D Junior; Grace McCoshen Stephes V F/D Senior; Lindsey V D Senior; Emerson Garlie V Erickson JV F Sophomore; F Senior; Evelyn Amundson Taylor Krohn JV F Sophomore; JV D Junior; Maddie Raabolle
University of Minnesota commit Ayla Puppe will lead Northfield girls hockey during the 202324 season. (File photo/southernminn.com)
#10 Alia Kubicek - JR - D #17 Genevieve Froman - SO - F #19 Kendra Bogen - SO - D #20 Morgan Macy - JR - D #25 Paige Thompson - SO - D
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: #3 Claire Dixon - JR - D #9 Norah Cederstrom - FR - D #13 Kaylee Butler - SO - F #28 Grace Mitchell - FR - F
2022-23 RECAP:
Senior forward Sam Bogen (6) skates in before scoring a goal during Owatonna’s overtime win against East Ridge. Bogen is one of three captains for the Huskies. (file photo/southernminn.com)
Owatonna girls hockey COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
#7 Anna Mollenhauer - JR - F #8 Molly Achterkirch - SR (Captain) - F Head coach: Tony Cloud, 5th #9 Norah Cederstrom - FR - D year #10 Alia Kubicek - JR - D #11 Lauren Busho - JR - F Assistant coach: Mike Vetsch, 2nd year; Wilson Anderle, 2nd #13 Kaylee Butler - SO - F #14 Zoie Roush - SR - F year #16 Emma Herzog - JR - F #17 Genevieve Froman - SO - F ROSTER: #18 Gabrielle Simon - SO - F #1 Leah Spencer - JR - G #19 Kendra Bogen - SO - D #2 Izzy Radel - SR (Captain) - F #20 Morgan Macy - JR - D #3 Claire Dixon - JR - D #21 Grace Mazariego - 8th - D #5 Averi Vetsch - JR - F #24 Ashley Tech - JR - D #6 Samantha Bogen - SR #25 Paige Thompson - SO - D (Captain) - F #28 Grace Mitchell - FR - F
#29 Riley Schmoll - JR - F #31 Allison Johnson - FR - G #33 Alexie Olson - SO - G #34 Brynn Andrix - SO - D #37 Indya Frank - JR - D
KEY PLAYERS: #1 Leah Spencer - JR - G #2 Izzy Radel - SR (Captain) -F #5 Averi Vetsch - JR - F #6 Samantha Bogen - SR (Captain) - F #7 Anna Mollenhauer - JR - F #8 Molly Achterkirch - SR (Captain) - F
prepare us for what is needed to compete against Lakeville South, Northfield, Farmington and Mankato East in order to reach the state tournament.
COMPETITION: We should be in the mix for another Big 9 Conference title. The favorites to win the Big 9 this season include Owatonna, Northfield, Albert Lea, and Mankato East.
We also look to be very competitive in the Section 1AA tournament and will be looking to reach the section final this season. Favorites to win the section include Owatonna, Northfield, Lakeville South, Farmington and Mankato East (New to section 1AA this year)
BY THE NUMBERS: 26 - total players 12 - returning letter winners 4 - seniors
19 wins - 7 losses - 0 ties Big 9 Conference Champions Section 1AA - Semifinals Last season we finished on an incredible 11-game winning streak to close out the regular season. While we won the Big 9 Conference for the second straight year, we ultimately fell short of our goal of reaching the section final and the chance at reaching the Class AA State Tournament. There is no denying what our class of 7 seniors meant to our program over the past five seasons, the helped lay a strong foundation for this years team to continue to build upon.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: With graduating many long tenured varsity players, we are excited about a new look to our team this season. We are looking to continue our run of success in the Big 9 Conference from the past 4 seasons and continue to strive for more success in the Section 1AA tournament. We have added new challenges to our nonconference schedule in order to
Senior forward Molly Achterkirch moves the puck up the ice during Owatonna’s season-opening win against Hastings. Achterkirch is one of three captains for the Huskies. (file photo/southernminn.com)
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 21 ROSTER: Zoey Gibson 6 F 7 Maddy Benson 5 F 10 Kaylee Lawson 7 D 10 Izzy Slechta 8 F 12 Emily Gordon 10 F 12 Ava Hopkins 15 F 7 Emma Huelsniz 12 F 9 Ryley Bartz 13 D 11 Maddie Halla 20 F 7 MacKenna Mortensen 15 D 9 Katlyn Schueler 16 D 11 Stevie Johnston 17 F 11 Makayla Forthun 18 F 9 Joelle Weasler 19 D 9 Emma Keith 21 F 12 Maziee Story 26 F 9 Ilamay Draheim 30 G 9
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: As always are goal is to win the Big South Conference. If the team continues to work hard we should be in the mix at the end of the year.
COMPETITION: The conference favorites this year are New Ulm and Luverne.
BY THE NUMBERS: 17 - total players 13 - letter winners 3 - seniors
KEY PLAYERS:
Defenseman Emma Keith (21) shoots and scores the go-ahead goal during Waseca’s 5-2 win over Fairmont in the 2022-23 season. (file photo/southernminn.com)
Waseca girls hockey COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Chas Benson, 2nd year
Assistant coach: Tony Schied, 2nd year Assistant coach: Abbe Hoehn, 2nd year
Assistant coach: Taylor Wolfe, 2nd year
This year we will be looking to our Captains Emma Keith, Izzy Slechta, and Katlyn Shueler to be stand outs this year. They all have a lot of varsity experience and are great leaders both on and off the ice.
2022-23 RECAP: Last year we finished with a record of 12-12, which was a big improvement from years past. We plan on continuing to build on the momentum of last season. With most of our girls skating in the summer I expect us to keep on improving. Senior Forwards Makenna Mueller, Callie Voeltz and Zetta Haugen Sophomore Forwards Macey Portner, Cristina Cruz and Sophomore D Claire Hathaway, Kaylee Gogerty (Shaylan Dunphy is out for the year with an injury) -Freshman Forwards McKenna Andresen & Noelle Simonette
KEEP YOUR EYE ON:
Annika Magelee gloves away a puck for a save. (file photo)
Minnesota River girls hockey COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head Coach: Dustin Swenson (1st year) Assistant Coach: Dave Swanberg Assistant Coach: Whitney Weick
ROSTER: First name, Last Name, Position, Grade, Number, School Annika Magelee, G, 10 - SP Brianna Jones, F 12 - LS-H Kaylee Gogerty, D, 10 - TCU Zetta Haugen, F, 12 - SP
Cristina Cruz, F, 10 - TCU Emma Volk-Kleschult, F, 10 - SP Makenna Mueller, F 12 Cleveland Noelle Simonette, F, 9 - SP Maren Swenson, D, 8 - SP Leah Boomgaarden, D, 9 - SP Macey Portner, F, 10 - SP Claire Hathaway, D, 10 - L-SH Rhyan Bishop, F, 9 - LS-H Callie Voeltz, F, 12 - SP Piper Winters, F, 9 - SP Kacey Hollerich, F, 8 - SP Shaylan Dunphy, D, 10 - TCU McKenna Andresen, F, 9 LS-H Jewell Factor, D, 12 - Cleveland Kelcie Weydert, D, 8 - TCU
Mara Von Bank, F, 8 - TCU Nina Messer, G, 9 Belle Plaine Alejandra Montes De Oca Correa, F, 11 - TCU Alayna Olson, F, 9 - TCU Isabell Johnson, F, 12 - SP Aubrey Heller, G, 8 - TCU Nagore Cabellero Mendizabal, F, 11 - SP
KEY PLAYERS: The Bulldogs will have a number of key returning players Sophomore Goaltender Annika Magelee (this will be her 2nd year as the varsity goalie)
The bulldogs will also welcome some young new players that will look to compete and contribute at the varsity level this year. 8th graders Maren Swenson, Mara Von Bank and Kelcie Weydert are all playing significant varsity roles this year 9th grader Piper Winters is new to the team this year and is playing a significant varsity role Emma Volk-Kleschult, Briann Jones and Rhyan Bishop are also seeing varsity minutes along with Defensive players Jewell Factor and Leah Boomgaarden
Izabela Slechta brings the puck into the offensive zone looking for a teammate. (file photo/southernminn.com)
-Makenna Mueller -Callie Voeltz
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: Captains: Makenna Mueller, Callie Voeltz, Zetta Haugen Top Returning Scorers: (We return 4 of the top 5 scorers from last year’s team) McKenna Andresen (23 goals / 9 assists) Macey Portner (13 goals / 6 assists) Makenna Mueller (5 goals / 11 assists) Callie Voeltz (6 goals / 6 assists) While the 2023-2024 Bulldogs will be a young group, this young group does have significant varsity experience with many of the Sophomore and Freshman already playing significant roles in the program. When you
combine the Senior leadership, returning goaltending, strong Sophomore and Freshman classes with the addition of some of some young new players, the 2023-2024 Minnesota River team is looking to take a strong step forward this year. Team Goals – continue to improve as the year goes on and be playing our best hockey in February so we can make a run at the state tournament. What do we need to do to get there – Focus on what we can control (effort, attitude, respect). Continue to grow as a group and peak at the right time of the season. We have gotten off to a solid start at 5-2 (3-0 in conference play). We have a lot of room for growth, but I like where this team is headed.
2022-23 RECAP: Finished the season with a record of 12-11-3 2022-2023 Regular Season Conference Record was 8-5-1 (Finished 4th in the Big South Conference) Leading 2022-2023 Scorers (We return 4 out of the top 5 scorers this year and they are listed below) -McKenna Andresen -Macey Portner (has been out with an injury but should be back soon!)
Makenna Mueller uncorks a shot for the Bulldogs.
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SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 22
Wrestling
33 matches on varsity last year. 2023-24 SEASON Colin Staab lost the true OUTLOOK: second match last year to go to Our goal is to go back to the state, and I expect big things state tournament as a team out of him this year. and get as many individuals for both girls and boys there KEEP YOUR as well. In order to do that we EYE ON: have to stay injury free and peak at the end of the year, We will have a couple new which we have done in years open spots this year from past. last year’s varsity starters. I think Drew Pribyl and Charlie Johnson will fill into some of COMPETITION: our lower weights. Both are I feel we are right in the eighth graders with a lot of mix with four other teams. wrestling years under their Rochester Mayo being the belt that should fill in well. We also have a junior wrestler, Jameson Baker, that is new to the district this year from Nebraska that looks like he could fill into our line up and do well for us.
State qualifier Owen Murphy in action at the Section 1AAA meet in Rochester during the 202223 season. (Photo courtesy of Dana Kuyper)
front runner as they are returning section champions. Albert Lea, Faribault, and Owatonna will also have very good teams this year as well. It should be a dog fight to get out of our section.
BY THE NUMBERS: 38 - Wrestlers in the high school wrestling room 22 - Returning letter winners including both boys and girls 1 - Senior
2022-23 RECAP:
Last year we unfortunately had 5 of our varsity wrestlers not wrestling at the end of the year so our team run and individual run was short of what our goals (9); Staab, Caden (9); Staab, were last year. We expect to Colin (11); Underdahl, Corbin turn that around this year. We (10); Vazquez, Julian (10); lost as a team in the section Villanueva Rodriguez, Hector semi finals and finished the (10); Wagner, Henry (9); season 13-7 in team duals. Wood, Braxton (11) We sent three boys to state who are all returning in Keith KEY PLAYERS: Harner, Owen Murphy, and Owen Murphy, Ryan Kuyper, Ryan Kuyper. We also finished and Keith Harner are two-time with two girls state champions state entrants that should have in Caley Graber and Ella Pagel. great years. Caley Graber will Caley is back, but Ella (two be our 107-pound wrestler, and state girls championships) had she was a state champion last season ending surgery which year in the girls division. will keep her out of competing Caden Staab and Zane Engels this winter. are two freshmen with a lot of experience. Caden Staab was Caley Graber is a state champion girls wrestler for Northfield. a state entrant as a seventh (Photo courtesy of the Minnesota State High School League) grader, and Zane Engels won
Northfield wrestling COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Geoff Staab, eighth year as head coach at Northfield High School; girls head coach/boys assistant coach: Jules Doliscar, second year; assistant coach: Beau Hayes, eighth year; assistant coach: Josten Coleman, second year; assistant coach: Jeremy Mork, fourth year; assistant coach: Jack Stanton, second year; assistant coach; Jacob Ventura, second year
ROSTER: Forest, Allen (10); Baker, Jamison (11); Schweich, Iah
(12); Ackerman, Noah (12); Maverick, Allen (9); Benjamin, Austin (10); Blankenberger, Talyn (9); Engels, Zane (9); Fields, Kennan (10); Graber, Caley (10); Haak, Mya (9); Harner, Keith (11); Harner, Samuel (8); Houts, Lainey (11); Johnson, Charlie (8); Johnson, Gunnar (9); Kuyper, Ryan (11); Larsen, Jacob (9); Matheson, Luke (9); Talan, Meredith (10), Murphy, Owen (11); Orozco, David (10), Palmer, Elijah (9); Peterson, Joran (11); Ponciano Bartolo, Elvin (10); Pribyl, Drew (8); Pribyl, Jack (11); Rivera, Tristan (11); Salinas Santos, Alexander (10), Seeley, Rowan (11), Sirek, Dylan
ROSTER:
appearances in their time. They will once again compete for Kuhlman, Lain (8); Adamek, Big 9 and section top honors. Wyatt, (9); Breitenfeldt, Caleb The keys to our success will (9); Conrad, Aiden (9); Gruber, be continued improvement, Aiden (9); Johnson, Allen (9); selflessness, hard work, and Mahagnoul, Treyten (9); Pino, staying healthy. Eddie (9); Renon, Thomas (9); A couple boys who will be Wendel, Ty (9); Westenberg, considered for the 2023-24 Jonathan (9); Ferris, Ethan state rankings include: JT (10); Schulz, Owen (10); Dell, Hausen-12, 133 is a three-time Xander (11); Flicek, Chase (11); Ford, Cameron (11); Hart, state entrant and two-time place winner. He currently Jayden (11); Pino, Giovanni (11); Sanoja, Justin (11); Vargo, Chase (11); Badilla, Xavier (11); Davis, D’Shaun (12); Flicek, Andrew (12); Hausen, Jaythen (12); Hoisington, Gabriel (12); Koivisto, Sam (12); Leichtnam, Cooper (12); Nelson, Lucas (12); Rezac, Alexis (12); Viland, Elliott (12); Yetzer, Isaac (12); Flicek, Andrew (12) Faribault’s JT Hausen looks to pin his opponent. (File/southernminn.com)
Faribault wrestling COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Co-head coach: Jesse Armbruster (30th year, 24th
as head); co-head coach: Jake Staloch (fifth year); assistant coach: Dave Wieber (31st year); assistant coach: Brad Babcock (24th year); assistant
coach: Mat Becker (third year); assistant coach: Kevin Palacios (12th year)
has 145 career wins; Isaac Yetzer-12, 145 is also a former state entrant. He has not placed at state, but is very skilled and also a 100 match winner sitting at 116; Elliott Viland-12, 160 is a returning state entrant and 100 match winner.
FARIBAULT WRESTLING CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
KEY PLAYERS: Faribault has sixteen wrestlers who return with varsity experience. Those individuals (most have been part of the varsity room for the past four years) are responsible for aiding the Falcons to 8832 record, a Big 9 title, and three section championships
Cale Faribault’s Isaac Yetzer maintains top control after a takedown. (File photo/southernminn.com)
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SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 23 2022-23 RECAP: Finished with a 17-15 dual record Hosted and won inaugural Davis Duals team title 4 Section champions, six section runner ups, 10 state qualifiers Cael Robb finished as Class AAA 152 runner up Aliah Fischer finished 5th at 138 in girls state tournament
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: With plenty of experience returning to Owatonna’s lineup, the Huskies will compete for a top placement in the conference and section, as well as look to send multiple wrestlers back to the state tournament. Owatonna’s Lane Karsten flexes after coming back to win in the 2022-23 Section 1AAA 120 pound finals match. (file photo/southernminn.com)
Owatonna wrestling COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Derek Johnson Assistant coaches: Josh Woodrich, Derek Skala, Michael Meger, Tyler Keller, Chet Macht, Doyle Johnson, Justin Sorensen, Griffin Thorn
ROSTER:
Others to watch for in the rankings: Lain Kuhlman-8, 107; Cooper Leichtnam-12, 170
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Lucas Nelson, Chase Vargo,
Owatonna will be in the mix with Faribault, Rochester Mayo, Albert Lea and Northfield for the Big 9 and section team title race.
COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head: Dennis Whitman, 27th year Assistant coach: Bo Noble, 3rd year
KEY PLAYERS:
KEY PLAYERS:
Owatonna’s Aliah Fischer fights off a shot during the girls state wrestling tournament. (file photo/southernminn.com)
D’Shaun Davis, Jayden Hart, Owen Schulz, Justin Sanoja, Giovanni and Eddie Pino.
9 race for the second straight year after winning the title the year prior.
2022-23 RECAP:
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
The Falcons finished 22-10 and once again wrestled in the Section Championship, coming up short to Rochester Mayo. We finished second in the Big
Medford’s Luis Lopez flexes after winning by fall against United North Central during the 2022-23 Class A team tournament at the Xcel Energy Center. (file photo/southernminn. com)
Medford wrestling
Parker Casas, 11; Justin Gronli, 12; Nathan Gronli, 10; Logan Risser, 10; Charlie Seykora, 11; Precious Carter, 10; Payton Gleesing, 11; Kaden Keller, 10; Logan Piotrowski, 10; Hunter Theobald, 10; Trevor Townley, 10; Wyatt Frantesl, 10
Lane Karsten (Section 120 champ, state qualifier) Blake Fitcher, 11; Lane Karsten, 11; Kaden Lindquist, Kaden Lindquist (Section 106 8; Grant Lower, 12; Max champ, state qualifier) Flemke, 10; Jack Sorenson, Trey Hiatt (Section 132 champ, 11; Jayden Jirele, 10; Donoven state qualifier) Sorenson, 11; RJ Reinardy, 11; Ryan Felts, 11; Aliah Fischer, 8; Donoven Sorenson (state qualifier) Trey Hiatt, 10; Riley Kreeger, 10; Isabelle Townley, 11; RJ Reinardy (state qualifier)
FARIBAULT WRESTLING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
Blake Fitcher (state qualifier) Isabelle Townley (state qualifier) Aliah Fischer (state qualifier, finished 5th in state at 138)
COMPETITION:
Faribault has sixteen wrestlers who return with varsity experience. Those individuals (most have been part of the
varsity room for the past four years) are responsible for aiding the Falcons to 88-32 record, a Big Nine Title, and three section championships appearances. They will once again compete for Big Nine and Section top honors. The keys to our success will be continued improvement,
Tommy Elwood - State Placer Luis Lopez - State Qualifier Evan Schweisthal - State Qualifier Mason Degrood - 3rd Section
selflessness, hard work, and staying healthy.
COMPETITION: The Big 9 and section team race will be up for grabs between five teams. Faribault, Rochester Mayo, Albert Lea, Owatonna, and Northfield.
2022-23 RECAP: 1st in Section, 5th at State Seniors lost: Jack Meyer, Charley Elwood, Garron Hoffman, Kael Neumann, Tate Hermes, Dylan Heiderscheidt
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: MR/USC and Kenyon will be
MEDFORD WRESTLING CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
BY THE NUMBERS: 32 - total wrestlers 14 - letter winners 11 - seniors
Good Luck, Winter Athletics! 507-931-1703 • St. Peter, MN • www.pellinc.com
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SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 24
Westfield 132-pounder Bo Zwiener looks to turn his opponent for a pin during the Class A individual state tournament at the Xcel Energy Center. Westfield is a wrestling co-op between Blooming Prairie and Hayfield. (file photo/southernminn.com)
Westfield wrestling COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head Coaches: David Lassahn and Shane Masching Assistant Coaches: Karl Steckelberg and Steven Salinas
ROSTER: Derek Miner (8) 107 Kaden Ziegler (11) 107 Kaden Chicos (12) 114 Kevin Hodge (12) 121 Jaxon Meier (8) 127 Gage Mullenbach (11) 133 Bo Zwiener (11) 139 David Clennon (9) 145 Chase Kiser (10) 152 Kael Steele (10) 160 Wyatt Magnuson (10) 172 Alex Lea (11) 189 Ty Bronson (12) 215 Wyatt Arndt (10) 285 Brody Johnson (12) 285
and looking to make an impact at 189. Gage Mullenbach – 4th at Sections, and looking to be a leader for us in the middle of the lineup.
2022-23 RECAP: 10-23 Overall We return 8 section place winners, and one state place winner.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: Our goal as a team is to be in the top 4 at sections, and have a chance to wrestle for a section title in February. Looks like LCWM is the front
runner in the section right now. Medford, WEM/JWP, and Us will all be in mix for top 4 spots. Dark Horses include: BEA and NRHEG
BY THE NUMBERS: 4 – Seniors 8 – Juniors 6 – Sophomores 3 – Freshman 15 – 7 th and 8 th Graders 36 Total. One of our largest numbers since joining programs.
KEY PLAYERS: Bo Zwiener – 35-9 last year, Section Champ, 6th @ State, Captain Kevin Hodge – 33-10, 3rd at Sections, Captain Ty Bronson – 3rd at Sections, Captain Alex Lea – Returning from Injury, Captain
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Alex Lea – back from injury,
Kenyon-Wanamingo’s Will VanEpps turns his opponent onto his back. (File photo/southernminn.com)
Kenyon wrestling COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Nathan Lexvold; B-squad coach: Chad Lexvold; assistant coaches: Josh Jacobson, Wayne Lexvold, Matt Lexvold, Michael Lexvold
ROSTER: Schefler, Ben (7th); Buchal, Henry (7th); Livingston, Colter (7th); Landmark, Roman (7th); Sommer, Liam (8th); Hanson, Eli (8th); Ramirez, Gabriel (8th); Johnson, Gideon (8th); Sheldon, Bennet (8th); Rechtzigel, Ryan (10th); Johnson, Luke (10th); Jacobson, Bryan (10th); LaCanne, Ryan (10th); Thompson, Myles (10th); Flotterud, Brennan (10th); Trump, Logan (10th); Sommer, Reed (11th); Hanson, Masyn (11th); Koncur, Charles (11th); Blakstad, Gunner (11th);
Craig, Owen (11th); Bartel, Dillion (12th); VanEpps, Will (12th); Johnson, Gavin (12th); Johnson, Reuben (12th); Foss, Trent (12th); Olson, Keifer (12th); Lindell, Aidan (12th)
KEY PLAYERS: We have a great group of wrestlers that all have good potential to make it far this coming season. We had Will VanEpps place fifth at state, Gavin Johnson place third, and Ryan LaCanne DNP; we are hoping to see these guys go even further this coming season. Some other wrestlers that have a great shot this year include; Charles Koncur, Keifer Olson, Dillion Bartel, Trent Foss, Masyn Hanson, Reed Sommer, Bryan Jacobson and Liam Sommer.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Brennan Flotterud, Ryan Rechtzigel, Luke Johnson,
Liam Sommer will be some great additions this year.
2022-23 RECAP: We went 6-0 Gopher Conference Champs. Overall season was 26-5
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: Our goal is to make it to section finals and if the boys work really hard and with a little bit of luck we can reach our ultimate goal.
COMPETITION: Some of the section favorites are Chatfield, Goodhue, and Dover Eyota. We should be very competitive within the conference and the section.
BY THE NUMBERS: 15 - Letter winners 7 - Seniors
Westfield’s Kevin Hodge takes down Faribault’s Lain Kuhlman. Westfield is a wrestling co-op between Blooming Prairie and Hayfield. (file photo/southernminn.com)
MEDFORD WRESTLING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 strong in our conference. Lake Crystal should be considered the favorite in our section.
BY THE NUMBERS: We lost a strong group of seniors so we will be rebuilding a bit. Our captains will be a rotation of all the seniors
Medford’s Mason Degrood raises his arm after winning by decision against United North Central during the 2022-23 Class A team tournament at the Xcel Energy Center. (file photo/southernminn.com)
Gavin Johnson was one of four Kenyon-Wanamingo wrestlers named to the All-Conference team at the end of the 2022-23 season. (File photo/southernminn.com)
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SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 25 3 seniors with 100+ varsity wins: Nakiye Mercado (112), Leighton Robb (106), Cole Filand (101) 1 Returning State Place Winner: Leighton Robb (3rd at 195lbs)
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Elijah Mercado: 28 varsity wins as an 8th grader last year Chuck Born and Evan Walter: Rising juniors with a lot of varsity experience Ryan Moelter: Middle School State Champion last season
2022-23 RECAP:
Leighton Robb. (file photo)
St. Peter wrestling COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Co-Head Coaches: Keith Hanson 21st year, Ryan Timmerman 5th year Assistant coach: Jeremy Burger 1st year Volunteer Coaches: Mike Hoenstein, Tim Wussow, Ashton Bartlett, Max Bullock
ROSTER: Haadi Ahmed 12th 285 Isaac Alger 12th 172 Chuck Born 11th 133 Joe Connor 10th 172
Kemper Ely 10th 215 Logan Ely 7th 107 Cole Filand 12th 189 Brock Guth 10th 127 Addison Hanson 12th 215 Isaih Hesse 9th 121 Tyler Krakow 10th 139 Oscar Martinez 12th 285 Elijah Mercado 9th 107 Nakiye Mercado 12th 160 Ryan Moelter 9th 145 Tucker Nimps 11th 121 Vincent Ortega-Nielsen 12th 215 Jonny Powers 9th 285 Leighton Robb 12th 215 Jose Romero 12th 285
Team record: 20-7 Big South Conference East Division Champions (first time in school history); Overall
conference record: 6-1 4th place in section 2AA, 9 section place winners (above), 1 state place winner (above)
COMPETITION:
Conference: Favorites include JCC (state champions last season), Marshall, St. Peter, and New Ulm. 2023-24 SEASON Section: Favorites include OUTLOOK: Scott West, Watertown Mayor, and St. Peter. State rankings We are returning a majority of the team (only graduating 2 have not come out yet but all three teams should be pushing seniors) with a pile of varsity to be in the top 10. experience. We are led by a large group of seniors, mixed Overall, we wrestle a very with some young talent looking competitive schedule, with the to make an impact. theory that “Iron Sharpens Iron” We look to improve on our 20-7 mark and make a push BY THE NUMBERS: for a state team tournament appearance. We also look at 10 seniors the possibility of winning the 10 returning section place Big South Conference for the winners first time in school history. We have lofty goals, but are a hard 6 returning All-Conference members working team! 5 wrestlers with 60+ varsity wins
Harlan Sinclair 7th 114 Lexi Timmerman 12th 114 Deontre Torres 10th 145 Dalton Voss 7th 121 Franklin Wachlarowicz 11th 285 Evan Walter 11th 152 Kylee Wendroth 10th 100
KEY PLAYERS: 10 returning section place winners: Brock Guth, Ryan Moelter, Chuck Born, Deontre Torres, Nakiye Mercado, Evan Walter, Cole Filand, Leighton Robb, Haadi Ahmed, Lexi Timmerman
Cole Filand. (File photo)
R E M A R K A B LY
fresh. I N C R E D I B LY
friendly.
495 West N St Owatonna (507) 451-7220
First National Bank Minnesota wishes all area athletes a safe and successful winter sports season!
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SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 26 We had two wrestlers graduate after last season. Aden Berg and Makota Misgen. Aden was a help for us last season at 195 and 220, and we will miss his experience in the upper weights. Makota Misgen was a three time state tournament entrant and was a two-time place winner (2nd at 285 in 2022, and 3rd at 285 in 2023). Makota had over 100 wins for our program. It will be very difficult for us this season not having Makota in that anchor spot in our line up.
up too many bonus points. If we can eliminate that we will be much more competitive. Also taking risks to score points in situations where we have been tentative in the recent past. If we focus on scoring instead of the winning and losing, the wins should come as a result.
COMPETITION: Conference favorites: KenyonWanamingo is the favorite in
our conference in my opinion. Section favorites: The Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial Knights are probably the favorites in the section. Kenyon-Wanamingo, Maple River-USC, and Westfield will all be in the mix. With the Westfield Razorbacks being a solid contender as well. members 5 wrestlers with 60+ varsity wins
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
NRHEG’s Annabelle Petsinger battles for positioning against Stillwater’s Audrey Rogotzke during the Girls 120 pound state title match. Petsinger returns to NRHEG as the defending girls 120 state champion. (file photo/southernminn.com)
NRHEG wrestling COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Shawn Larson Assistant coaches: Nate Jensen-Head Assistant, Erik Olson -Junior High
ROSTER: Returning letter winners: Parker Bunn - Senior 133 Annabelle Petsinger - Senior -130/136 - 120 Girls State Champion 2023, 3rd in 2022
George Roesler - Senior 172/189 Reese Routh - Senior 152/160, State tournament entrant Harbor Cromwell - Junior 160 Cole Hutchens - Junior 195/215 Jace Ihrke - Junior - 215/285 Aidan Schlaak - Junior 145/152 Deven Parpart - Sophomore 133/139 Jacob Karl - Sophomore -
127/133 Wyatt Larson - Sophomore 172/189 Ryan Schlaak - Freshman152/160
2022-23 RECAP: Overall: 5-19-0 Conference: 1-5 Annabelle Petsinger won the Girls 120 pound state championship after finishing 3rd in 2022. Reese Routh was a state qualifier.
We are expecting to make a strong attempt at regaining a top three in the conference. We are hoping to learn from our setbacks from last season, and have a winning season this year. Our team’s strength comes from having underclassmen who have had experience on the varsity, and therefore know what is expected of them. We had a decent season last year, and we are optimistic that we can be better this year because we brought almost everyone back. We are a bit older and more experienced from our last season, and ready for competition. Our main issue will be maintaining a full lineup as we have several wrestlers in the same weight range. Being able to get athletes to wrestle full matches. Last season our downfall was giving Captain Matthew Veroeven (10) Captain Ben Hagen (11)
KEY PLAYERS:
Waseca’s Matthew Veroeven turns over Aden Berg of NRHEG to earn the fall in the final seconds of their 2022-23 match. Veroeven is a returning state qualifier for the Bluejays. (file photo/ Southernminn.com)
Waseca wrestling COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Jake Janike, 12th year coaching, 7th season as Head coach Assistant coaches: Ben Janike, 6th year coaching Jr. High Coach: Curt Yess, 5th year coaching Volunteer coaches: Blaine Nelson, Charlie Root, Brandon Hannam
ROSTER: Kole Nelson (7) Zander Rahe (7) Jackson Janike (7) Archer O’Brien (8) Jacob Knutson (8) Michael Goodlander (7) Peyton Sommers (8) Jack Kuhns (9) Oden Board (7) Oliver Staloch (8) Kellen Klinger (8) Sam Selthun (8) Jacob Root (10)
Alex Bethke (7) Slade Barnett (10) Jaden Schaffer (10) Sawyer Ellis (8) Nick Waldron (11) Braxton Nelson (7) Kelton Peirce (7) Colton Madson (7) Lucas Selthun (10) Logan Brittion (10) Landon Madsen (8) Captain Carter Ellis (12) Ton Bethke (8) Aidan DeRaad (7)
These wrestlers had success from last season, their records show the dedication they have and how they are constantly trying to improve. The others are wrestlers that had a good season last year but just ran into quality competition last year in the section individual rounds. Jacob Root (10) 10-21 Slade Barnett (10) 11-23 Carter Ellis (12) 14-23 Matthew Veroeven (10) 30-10 State Entrant last season at 220 lbs. Ben Hagen (11) Was out injured last season
NRHEG’s Harbor Cromwell shakes hands with Westfield’s Grant Magnuson after recording a win during the 2022-23 season. (file photo/southernminn.com)
Rahe (7), Jackson Janike (7), Michael Goodlander (7), Oden Board (7), Alex Bethke (7), Sawyer Ellis (8), Nick Waldron (11), Braxton Nelson (7), Kelton Peirce (7), Colton Madson (7), Logan Brittion (10), Aidan DeRaad (7)
2022-23 RECAP: We finished the 2022-2023 season with a tough dual meet
record of 5-14. Most matches we wrestled with a number of open weights due to injuries. After the beginning of the new year we had most of the athletes back. However, getting them going again after a late start was a little
WASECA WRESTLING CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: All of the athletes that are returning have already had a little varsity experience. We do have some athletes that are new to us or returning after being gone for a period of time that will help our lineup. These are the returning wrestlers I believe will help our team. Jacob Knutson (8), Sam Selthun (8), Payton Sommers (8), Kellen Klinger (8), Lucas Selthun (10) These are our new wrestlers freshly starting or are new to us on our Junior High team: Kole Nelson (7), Zander
Waseca’s Carter Ellis gets ready for his match during the 2022-23 section tournament. Ellis is a team captain for the Bluejays this season. (file photo/southernminn.com)
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SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 27 Championships) Skyler Petry (2nd year as co-head coach, Career Record 14-13) Asst. Coaches: Mike Richards (12th year), Shaun Murphy (4th year), Rich Davis (3rd year), Brady Ayers (2nd Year), Colin Ayers (2nd Year)
ROSTER:
WEM/JWP’s Keegan Kuball. (file photo/southernminn.com)
WEM/JWP wrestling
COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
Co-head coaches: Adam Roesler (16th year as
WASECA WRESTLING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
we hoped for but, in the first round of team sections these wrestlers made a huge push difficult. These young men only falling short by one point had to continuously get moved to advance to the quarterfinals. around to different weights as The following week then for we battled injuries. This way individuals we had three we could try our best to make wrestlers qualify for state. Two a full line-up. No matter what were seniors and one was a every time they stepped on that freshman. This senior group mat they gave their team the was an outstanding class to best performance they could. coach! They never complained, Going into section individuals only pushed harder for the we did not get the seeds that team and themselves. It is
co-head coach, Career Record 150-200, 2 Gopher Conference
tough though to lose 7 seniors in your line up.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: Our motto this season is “BELIEVE”. We have a really young team this season since we had so many seniors last season. I believe that we will be close to filling a line-up but, may have some empty weights. These young athletes know they have some big shoes to fill
GOOD LUCK TITANS!
Varsity: Parker James, Freshman, Brady Murphy, So., Zach Quast, So., Charles Adams, So., Carson James, Junior,Keegan Kuball, Junior,Carson Petry, Junior, Lucas Morsching, Junior, Max Davis, Junior, Avery Fall, Junior, Gavin Krause, Senior, Issac Quast, Senior, Maddox Moreno, Senior, Patrick Adams, Senior, Aric Williams, Senior
KEY PLAYERS: A season ago was highlighted by State Champion Keegan Kuball and All-State (4th from the graduating seniors and they are willing to try and step up for us. Many did tremendous amounts of off season work so we will believe in their work and have a great season.
COMPETITION: The competition in our conference and section is both very good. We will be wrestling with teams like St.
place) Brady Murphy. It was also highlighted by a few injuries that overshadowed the ending of the season that could have been a record setting finish but wound up leaving us with feelings of what could have been. The guys made the section semifinals as a team with a nail-biter of a dual victory over Westfield before falling to the eventual state qualifying team in Medford. With that being said we look forward to the return of some of those who suffered injuries and no doubt will contribute to the success of this team this year. Carson Petry was another All-State (6th place) performer from the 2022 state tourney but had his season cut short last year in late January. Gavin Krause also was held up last season after really gaining traction and being a major contributor to the team before going down in mid-December. Both Gavin and Carson are back and ready to pick up Peter, New Ulm, Marshall, and Fairmont Martin County West in our conference. Those are all great teams that defeated us last season. Then in section one we will be wrestling against Kasson, Zumbrota, and Caledonia who are all either ranked in the state or are teams that are consistently great. Waseca’s wrestlers know they need to perform at their best any time they are stepping foot on the mat.
where they left off and achieve the lofty goals that were left on the table a year ago. These guys will lead a group that returns more than 400 wins!
2022-23 RECAP: Jack Cahill was a team leader in every way possible. He was in the wrestling room every morning and led those workouts while being a fantastic student in the classroom. He was one of the guys who showed many of the others that the only thing stopping success from following you is you. It is a conscious decision to become a good wrestler and there is no replacement for being a hard worker. He helped establish a winning culture and left just one match short of becoming All-State. Kelton Erler and Jaxson Hulsing were both gems in the rough within the
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BY THE NUMBERS: Right now, we have about 29 - Wrestlers total 8- Returning letter winners 8- Returning starters from last season 1- Returning state entrants last season 1- Seniors this season 4- New wrestlers that have not wrestled before
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SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 28
George Doherty. (file photo)
Le Sueur-Henderson wrestling COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Luke Wilson, third year Assistant coaches: Ben Wilson, second year under Luke, 21 years of coaching total Other coaches: Scott Wilson 31 years of coaching total
KEY PLAYERS: Wyatt Genelin (Junior). Wyatt
is the kind of competitor that will not stop working until the whistle blows. He went 35-15 last season so we look forward to seeing him continue his success on the mat. His body can bend and move in a crazy way which makes him such a tough wrestler to wrestle which in turn makes his style somewhat unorthodox than most people are used to. He would make a good contortionist in the weird ways
he can bend his body. He has also added muscle to his frame over the past two summers which has helped him a lot. Wyatt always wrestles hard and is going to be eager to take on opponents once our schedule gets underway. He is one of our very few upperclassmen and also brings leadership to the team which is great to see. George Doherty (Sophomore):
George is looking to have another stellar season once again. With him breaking LSH’s school record with 33 pins and from dominating his section bracket, qualifying for his first state appearance last year he wants to continue that success. George led our team in the most team points last year due to his ability to pin any foe that stands in his way. He is our ox at the top and is a big asset to our team because we can almost always count on George for securing six points on the scoreboard and he also had some of the most wins last year with 39. Dalton Wilson (Freshmen): Dalton had another impressive season last year and will be on everyone’s radar once again. Dalton made his second state appearance as an 8th grader last year and finished with a record of 40-10 (8 losses were to the same person). Dalton also placed 6th at freestyle and Greco state this past year with a bracket full of state champions and placers. He knows what it takes to wrestle with the elite and this coming season we hope to build on the success he had last year. With his increase in strength from the weight room and the commitment to being on the mat this last summer he looks forward to going back to state and being able to stand on the podium with a medal once again. Colton Wilson (Freshmen): Colton came back during the
second half of the year last year due to an injury in football and he lost close matches at sections by only a couple points to the wrestlers who got 2nd and 5th at state. He ended the year with a 31-5 record which is impressive in its own right since he was out of commission from October to January. He placed 6th at freestyle state this last year also. Colton has added a noticeable amount of strength and size over the summer from weightlifting and he hopes that this year he will make his mark by qualifying to state and hopefully getting on the podium and also helping score big points for our team again as well. We also have a few returning varsity up and comers such as Peyton Tellijohn (Sophomore)
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LE SUEUR-HENDERSON WRESTLING CONTINUED ON PAGE 29
Dalton Wilson (File photo)
GOOD LUCK TO ALL AREA
SEASON!
and Waylon Thieke (8th grader). Peyton had a breakout season with winning the 9th grade league state and also placing 3rd at sections and similar to Colton who lost their true second match to go to state. Waylon was a 7th grader last year and held his own against a lot of older wrestlers and never got pinned once for our team during duel events which helps the team a lot. They also have been a part of the program since they were young and both are outstanding competitors that are fun to watch.
WEM/JWP’s Brady Murphy. (file photo/southernminn.com)
WEM/JWP WRESTLING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
graduating class. They came out as juniors in high school which can be a humbling experience in this sport. It did have those growing pains but they were guys who were reliable in the morning and they both worried less about the final result and more about their personal growth. Characteristics we want in all athletes and future employees! They were huge contributors as they again helped establish the winning culture for the future of Grizzly wrestling. Greenwald was another one of the guys who had unfortunate health circumstances that prevented him from really even getting started with the season.
A season ago we did see a change in the way we competed. When we were outmatched the guys continued to fight for the other guys. A culture shift has taken place with the student athlete leaders we currently have in the program. They believe in themselves and are holding each other accountable. This is evident in the morning workouts. Everyone knows the way to get the team better is to improve each individual! We have the right people in place to help the group control more of the controllable aspects of athletics. Our focus on getting individual gains throughout the season. Personal growth is the focus from the coaching
staff. We expect to challenge and be a factor in both the Gopher Conference and Section final standings. Coach Comments We have been building the past couple of years as this is many of the current Juniors were thrown into the fires of varsity as young immature kids. Now most of the guys have been on varsity now for their 3rd season. The kids are excited for the challenges of the season and now have the veteran savvy to navigate whatever the season throws at us. They understand the relationship between quality workouts and success. This group will not shy away from the work that is in front of them. Of Note This year will also be our inaugural season having Girls Wrestling! We currently have four girls signed up for wrestling. We will be on a steep learning curve with the girls but we are confident that we can produce a great experience for the girls and help them to progress quickly!
BY THE NUMBERS: 15 - No. of returning varsity wrestlers 12 - No. of returning Regular varsity starters 1 - No. of new varsity players
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 29 and Ethan Woldsnes 8th: Owen Delander and Landon Helgeson 7th: Ethan Tupy, Tyler Tolzman, Cal Viskocil, and Billy Craig
KEEPS YOUR EYE ON: We have some wrestlers this season who will have their first year experience on varsity. Look to watch the impact they have on our team because they are fully capable of being some very solid wrestlers.
MOVED ON:
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
9 wrestlers on our roster this season who weren’t part of the team last year, showing that these kids want to be a part of our program.
This season, we are looking at a wide range schedule from Class A to Class AAA teams. We are excited to have some COMMENTS FROM individual tournaments back in our schedule, such as Redwood THE COACH: “Our team and individual Riot (Redwood, MN) and section tournaments are Rumble on the Red (Fargo, always one of the toughest in ND). Class AA. It always provides BY THE NUMBERS: great competition and a great atmosphere. Year in and year We lost a couple graduates out, it never disappoints. and a couple to moving, but We are really hoping we get we have a handful of incoming to experience that again in 7th graders to put our numbers February.” in the high 20’s. We also have
Chris Johnson, Brant Lemieux, Caden O’Malley, Marco Reyes, Cole Franek, & Riley Skluzacek Eli Viskocil. (file photo)
Tri-City United wrestling COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head Coach: Shaun Timmerman (5th year) Assistant coaches: Jade Caponi, Brennan Rutt, Trevor Houn & Nate Friederich
LE SUEUR-HENDERSON WRESTLING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Potentially we will have a number of them. This year the weight classes have decreased from 14 to 13. Some of the actual weights themselves have changed as well. 107, 114, 121, 127, 133, 139, 145, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215 and 285. It will be interesting to see how the wrestlers and other teams do with this change. I believe it will help the sport overall because of so many teams having open weights, especially smaller schools like us and struggling to get kids out for such a hard and tough sport has been hard to sell but I am hopeful that this will help that problem a little bit and hopefully see more weight classes filled.
KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Eli Viskocil, Kolton Duff, Parker Hanson, Kaden Malecha, and Alex Block Juniors: Blake Herman, Gavin Sherman, and Cameron Dobmeier
With a young team as a coach I want to provide every opportunity for our wrestlers to have quality matches. I hope to see William Osborne (8th) filling our spot at 107 this year. He finished with a 30-5 record on JV and he didn’t make the minimum weight to wrestle on varsity so this year we hope he will hold more weight and be the guy to start us off at the bottom. Nick Larson (9th), Ty Boisjolie (9th), Nate Lansing (8th), Owen Greenig (8th) will maybe also see a lot more varsity time. This will all be dependent on getting quality match-ups, where our weights fall and how the team molds together and how much weight certain individuals want to cut especially with the new set of weight classes this year. We have a few 7th graders coming up as well and a few new wrestlers so it’ll be great to have the various levels, personalities and wrestling styles in the room as we grow
Sophomores: Griffin LeMieux, Nate Blaschko, Karson Malecha, Maxxis Ross, Julian Hanson, and Triston Olson Freshmen: Tucker Skluzacek, Lucas Filter, Keegan O’Meara, Gage Factor, Trista Gessler, Toren Kelly, Cowen Bruzek, AS ONE.. All our wrestlers wear the same practice shirt to re-enforce the uniformity of believing that we are a unit and As One we can accomplish our goals.
2022-2023 SEASON RECAP: Last year we had three individuals make it to the state tournament, all of them graduated. Marco Reyes placed fourth and Caden O’Malley Placed third at the State tournament. We are returning one section place winner from last season, Tucker Skluzacek. Griffin LeMioux. (file photo)
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
Number one goal: As One, As a Team... Even though this is an individual sport my goal is to mold the team as one unit. Creating a culture of family, 2022-23 RECAP: brotherhood is something Our record was 15-16. We that strong teams have in advanced to the semi’s of team the wrestling world, it’s the sections dropping to HLWW background I bring from who went on to place 3rd at my experience at Augsburg. state, winning our first section Other goals include having a match in over 7 years. We 3.0 GPA as a team for state placed 3rd out of 87 teams at notoriety through the MN 9th grade state finishing with State Wrestling Coaches two champions and one fifth Association, placing 13 placer. Colton and George were wrestlers in the top 5 at the nominated all-conference. section tournament and take/ George broke the school record place as many wrestlers to the of pins in a single season with state tournament as possible. a total of (33). We placed 9 at We want to win the conference, individual sections, Colton and be able to advance far in our Peyton got 3rd losing their true section at the end of the year second matches and also sent and make it to state for the Dalton and George to State, first time in school history and the first time sending multiple place when we get there. The state entrants in over 7 years goal is to make the wrestlers which is a tradition we really believe that they can do it. want to bring back.
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Mentality can make or break a wrestler and their season, if you have the belief system of I can do it no matter what adversity comes our way, that mentality will take you far in wrestling and in life. That is what we preach in our room.
COMPETITION: We have a section realignment this year so we will potentially see different teams when it comes to team and individual sections. With teams like Kimball, NYA and Sibley East, there are always high quality wrestlers that come out of those schools. We will be competing in the big Redwood Riot tournament late December, this will be a good indication on where many of our wrestlers line-up in comparison to section opponents and Class A competition. Our conference has changed a bit and has merged with another to create
the Minnesota River/Valley Conference so we will see teams such as LCWM, St. Clair and FMCW when we compete at the conference tournament mid-year. The big three that are on our radar to make it to state from our section is Sibley East which returns with a full lineup and a few state-entrant/ place winners. NYA is building back strong over the last few years and they also bring good wrestlers to the mat. Kimball comes back with multiple state entrants and has been known to make it to state and place as a team in the past few years so it will be a dog fight to the very last weight class. We wrestle hard in the practice room so that we can rise to the occasion when we step on the mat and I am confident in our team that they can be the first team in LSH wrestling history to make it to state.
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SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 30
GYMNASTICS Bella Pressnall (vault) and Alison Malecha (bars). Both Bella and Ali are back this season, so I am excited to see how far they are able to go this season. Last year, we left the State meet with them saying, “I want to come back next year, Zoe”, so I am hopeful for that. I also think that we have some gymnasts who have been working hard on getting new skills and battling injuries in the past year that I am excited to see where they land this year. In particular, keep your eye on Larisa Dominguez, Emily Conklin, Ella Rinaldi, and Erika Nesseth.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON:
Northfield sophomores Alison Malecha (left) and Bella Pressnall (right) represent the Raiders during the Parade of Champions before the 2022-23 Class AA individual state gymnastics meet. Both return for the 2023-24 season. (File photo/southernminn.com)
Northfield gymnastics COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Zoe Ingersoll, 5th year coaching HS level Assistant coaches: LeAnne Fricke; Andrea Peterson; Jen Borchers
ROSTER: Captain: Johnson, Inga (12); Captain: Nesseth, Erika (12); Domingues, Larisa (12); Captain: Malecha, Alison (11); Captain: Pressnall, Bella (11); Conklin, Emily (11); Rinaldi, Ella (11); Alaniz, Tara (10);
Manager: Rimpila, Rayne (10); Sammon, Avery (9); Wiebe, Kate (9); Schuster, CoCo (9); Coronado, Nayomi (8)
KEY PLAYERS: We had two gymnasts make it to state individually last year,
We have gained two new athletes from Northfield’s club gymnastics team, Avery Sammon and Kate Wiebe. I have helped coach these two girls off and on over the last 3-4 years so it is exciting to get to see them on the high school team now and already have that foundation of a relationship built with them, it also means that I know where and how to push them to work their hardest which has helped us to get started getting new skills in just the first week. I think that they both could be valuable assets to our lineup and am excited to see what is
throw the reps needed to be successful in every routine she competes. Delia Neumann 8th grade. Delia jumped right into starting lineups last year and she’ll continue to impress on bars and beam this year as she looks to get back to state a SAN individual and take down a podium spot on beam.
in store for them over the next four years.
2022-23 RECAP: Last year was not our best season as a whole, and I know that the girls would agree with me on that. We had the potential to be better than we were but due to injuries and dynamic changes on the team we were not able to reach our full potential. We finished sections in 5th place with our season high score of 133.825 and our conference in 6th place.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: I think that based upon how last year went we realized how important it is to not only love the sport you are doing and love the team that you are doing it with. We are working really hard this year to do extra teambuilding and getting a really solid foundation of excitement to be in the gym and be around one another. The girls already want to get better, they want new skills in their first week of practice even when some haven’t stepped foot in the gym in 6+ months. Our theme for the year is “The Sky’s The Limit” and so far I am excited to see where that takes them. I would not be surprised if we top our season
high score from last year in our first meet, in fact, I would be surprised if we don’t get at least pretty close. That being said, I think they have the potential to do really well at sections but what I am really hoping to see is friendships to grow and for them to all push one another to be their best, I just want them to enjoy the season and have fun this year.
COMPETITION: We are a small team this year with only 12 gymnasts which means we don’t have as much depth as other teams in our section with 25 gymnasts or so. That being said, if we can stay healthy I think that these girls are coming in with an attack to all things they do that is a force to be reckoned with. They are not coming into the season to score a 133 as their top score this year, they are coming in to be in the 140’s neck and neck with their section schools by the end of the season. We always enjoy competing against Owatonna, Lakeville South, and Farmington as the girls have friends on those teams. We are small but mighty.
BY THE NUMBERS: 12 - total gymnasts 7 - letter winners 3 - seniors
COMPETITION:
BY THE NUMBERS:
Conference - West is always a tough team to beat and we generally have Meets that’ll come down to the last routine for who walks out the winner. Lakeville South and Farmington will be our biggest competition at the section level this year.
10 letter winners 4 returning individual state participants 8 all conference returning athletes
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Halle Theis - 11th grade. Not a new face to the program but is back out this year and ready to jump right into starting lineups and throw some big numbers on her vault and bar routines.
2022-23 RECAP: Owatonna’s Emma Johnson competes at the 2022-23 Class AA state gymnastics tournament. (file photo/southernminn.com)
Owatonna gymnastics COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Evan Moe, 5th year HC, 7th in program Assistant coach: Kiana Leer, 3rd year Assistant coach: Jason Smith, 4th year
ROSTER: Averie Roush, 11; Brynn
Routh, 10; Kaelyn Smith, 12; Alivia Sturges, 9; Halle Theis, 11; Mckenna Edel, 8; Sierra Gorden, 9; Emma Johnson, 12; Jozie Johnson, 11; Kendra Miller, 10; Chloe Myer, 10; Delia Neumann, 8; Dylann Norrid, 10; Shelby Robbins, 8
KEY PLAYERS: Emma Johnson - 12th grade
captain. Emma will be looking to make a push to the state meet as an AA athlete this year with big scores coming on floor and bars along with competitive beam and vault routines. Averie Roush - 11th grade captain. AJ is one of the hardest workers in the gym and while skills don’t always come easy to her, she’s able to
Undefeated in dual meet action MJCA invite champions Big nine conference champions Section 1AA Champions 3rd place state team competitors.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: We’ll look to defend or crowns as conference and section champions. We believe that if we can stay healthy and continue to improve every day that there’s nothing stopping us from finishing the season on top of the podium.
Owatonna’s Delia Neumann competes at the 2022-23 Class AA state gymnastics tournament. (file photo/southernminn. com)
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 31 2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: This year’s team has a lot of potential as long as we can keep everyone healthy! We hope to score in the 120’s and maybe even hit 130 if the girls continue to push themselves throughout the season. I would say participating in the state competition is a real possibility this year and we are excited to see what the season will hold.
COMPETITION:
Morgan Borchert extends her arms on the upper bar. (File photo/southernminn.com)
Faribault gymnastics COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Larissa Rasmussen, eighth year coaching Faribault High School, 12 years overall; assistant coach: Tom Smith
ROSTER: Borchert, Morgan (12) Varsity; Schneider, Kiya (12) - Varsity; Nymann-Eastman, Avery (12) - Varsity; LaLiberty, Abby (10) - Varsity; Kleensang, Jasmina (10) - Varsity
KEY PLAYERS: Morgan Borchert and Abby LaLiberty have worked hard during the offseason to up their skills for this season. It will be exciting to see how they do.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON:
gymnastics experience and is working her way back into the sport after a number of years off. All three are looking forward to competing for the Falcons for the first time this season.
2022-23 RECAP:
Abby LaLiberty had a short season last year due to an Kiya Schneider and Avery elbow injury but is back at Nymann-Eastman have quite full strength and is excited to a few years of club competition compete for varsity this year. experience. Jasmina Kleensang also has club
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Our conference has always been stacked with highquality gymnastics teams including Owatonna, Mankato, Northfield, Winona and Austin almost always have state competitors each year. For the past several years, Owatonna, Northfield, and Mankato have been team state competitors. This year, I see our girls placing well individually with other girls from those teams as well as Rochester and Red Wing. I also predict that we should do well against similar teams in our section such as Saint Peter, Waseca, New Ulm, and Glencoe.
BY THE NUMBERS: 5 - Total athletes 2 - Letter winners from last year (and I predict all 5 to letter this year)
Lindy Caldwell makes the transition to the upper bar during a 2022-23 meet. Caldwell is one of three captains for Waseca. (file photo/southernminn.com)
Waseca gymnastics COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Kim Wendland, 10th year as a head coach, 8th year @ Waseca Assistant coach: Kara Doyle, First year
ROSTER: Macy Anderson 12
Miley Anderson 8 Lindy Caldwell 12 Avery Carda 8 Nora Flatness 10 Elli Hoban 9 Layla Keith 10 Angelica Lopez 9 Haydn Lynch 12 Hannah Parks 9
WASECA GYMNASTICS CONTINUED ON PAGE 32
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 32 3rd place at sections with a 130.6000 Season Best: 136.000 We also won the GPA award at sections and had the highest level of GPA for state.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: Our team has great potential this season! We are already seeing dedication and strength in the gym. We are excited to put together a strong JV & Varsity team as a 7-12 program.
COMPETITION: We are excited for the Mankato East & WatertownMayer Invitationals to showcase our teams strengths again other strong teams. We are excited to make a run for the True Team Meet again this year as well as the conference meet.
BY THE NUMBERS:
Laura Klatt. (Ben Camp/Southernminn.com)
St. Peter gymnastics COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Camille Kurtenbach, 7 years Assistant coach: Eva Hendrickson, 8 years Assistant coach: Robbie Deering, first year
ROSTER: 7th Graders Skyla Dale Finnigan Hill Maya Knutson Alayna Lyons *Laynee 8th Graders Jayda Becker 9th Graders Mercedes Myers Isla Glassman Lily Prunty Vivian Hendrickson 10th Graders Danely Bocanegra Katherine Callahan Bianca Salivia Lydia Yost Kyla Yost 11th Grade Emily Heins
Sarah Heins Addison Landsom Trista Landsom 12th Grade Nora Fondie Maya VanGrootheest Laura Klatt
21 - total gymnasts 3 - seniors
2022-23 RECAP: Cadence Tish 9.1750 - on Beam at the state meet
Layla Keith sets her feet before her first run of the routine during her first ever state gymnastics appearance during the 2022-23 season. (file photo/Southernminn.com)
WASECA GYMNASTICS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 Norah Schimming 12 Katelyn Weber 9 Isabella Wikan 11
KEY PLAYERS: Look to our three captains to stand out this year and lead our varsity. Senior Haydn Lynch will be making a big impact this year after being out most of last year due to injury. Joining her will be senior Lindy Caldwell (WEM) and sophomore Layla Keith.
KEY PLAYERS: We are really excited for another gymnastics season! Our captains Laura Klatt, Trista Landsom, & Addison Landsom are strong returning athletes we also had additional seniors that will be great assets this year Maya VanGrootheest & Nora Fondie as well as many strong younger athletes making their debut onto the team
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: We have two newcomers to our team this year that I foresee making a big impact on varsity. Junior Bella Wikan who moved to Waseca this past year and Freshman Hannah Parks coming to us from New Richland, MN. They both came in with club experience and are ready to compete!
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: We are excited to have Nora Fondie returning to the team as a senior - We have 5 new middle school athletes that are going to be great additions to our team this year.
2022-23 RECAP: Addison Landsom. (file photo)
The 2022-2023 Waseca Gymnastics season has
been one of solid individual performances and successful meet outcomes. Our team is combined with gymnasts from NRHEG, WEM, JWP and Waseca and they come together to form one big team competing on Varsity and JV squads. Overall, we had a winning season for both squads! We tied for first place in the conference with a 4-1 record overall. Our JV scored a season high of 111.4 vs St. James. Our season high score for Varsity was 129.35 at the Section 2A meet, and we placed 4th! Layla Keith placed third on floor and earned her first State Gymnastics Meet appearance.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: We definitely have a small but mighty team this year! Lots of depth from Varsity to JV. We should have a great season if everyone stays healthy!
BY THE NUMBERS: 13 Gymnasts 8 - letter winners 4 - seniors
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SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 33
boys swim & dive KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Peter Larson, 12 (Swimmer) Sonny O’Donnell, 11 (Diver) Will Udelhofen, 10 (Swimmer) Rourke Bennett, 10 (Swimmer) Jimmy Graham, 9 (Swimmer) Grayson Gray, 9 (Diver & sometimes swimmer)
2022-23 RECAP: 10-0 Dual Meet Record 1st in Section 1A True Team 3rd Place Class A True Team State 3rd in the Big 9 Conference 1st in MSHSL Section 1A 6th Place MSHSL Class A State Meet
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
Evan Loe. (file photo)
Northfield boys swim and dive COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Doug Davis, 27th year. Assistant coaches: Matt Detjen, seventh year; Brian Porter, third year.
ROSTER: Espina Alonso, Bernat 12; Heinritz, Gabe 12; Kasten, Jens 12; Larson, Peter 12; Loe, Evan 12; Alfaro-Alvarez, Saul 11; Conde, Jael 11; Cook, Brady 11; Granquist, Erick 11; Kraby, Josh 11; Momberg, Oliver 11; O’Donnell, Sonny 11; Scheglowski, Nick 11; Torres Bravo, Omar 11; Truman, Peyton 11; Bennett, Rourke 10; Joyce, Logan 10; Udelhofen, Will 10; Bergs, Odin 9; Graham, Jimmy 9; Gray, Grayson 9; Heinritz, Ben 9; Tracy, John 9; Tracy, Noah 9; Vermilyea, Tristan 9; Waterland, Oliver 9; Dennison, Tazio 8; Hassanally, Micah 8;
Krupicka, Logan 8; Malecha, Parker 8; Morey, AJ 8; Reece, Owen 8; Kortuem, Henrick 7; Malecha, Archer 7; Tran, Kysan 7
championship meets, and hopefully State this year. Erick Granquist, 11 - Diver. Finished 7th in our Section last year after being out 4 weeks due to an injury. Very solid on KEY PLAYERS: the board. Hope to stay healthy and factor into the fight for 4 Jens Kasten, 12 - One of the State Qualifying spots at the top sprinters in the state. Qualified for 4 events last year. end of the year. Finished 4th in the 50 Free Nick Scheglowksi, 11 at the State Meet and was led Freestyle specialists. Qualified off our 2nd place 200 Free to swim in 4 events at State Relay at State. School Record last year. Member of the 2nd Holder in the 100 Breast. Team place 200 Free Relay. Looking Captain. Looking for another to improve on performances great year last year. Gabe Heinritz, 12 - Captain. Peyton Truman, 11 - Ind Emerging freestyle sprinter Medley and Breaststroke and outstanding breaststroker. Specialist. Qualified for State Member of the 2nd Place 200 in 3 events last year. Top 8 in Free Relay at State. the Med. Relay. Top 16 in the 100 Breast. Hoping to improve Evan Loe, 12 - Captain. Great all-around swimmer. Excels in on high finishes at State and push Jens Kasten to lower the Butterfly and Backstroke our school 100 Breaststroke events. Looking to be a major record. factor in our dual meet,
We return a large number of our athletes from last year’s team. We should be very competitive in our dual meet competitions again this year. We did graduate 2 seniors that were part of our Section 1A Championship and State finish so we will be looking for a couple boys to step up to fill those roles and take advantage
of the opportunities that are presented. We hope to be a factor in the Big 9 Conference again this year and should have continued success in our True Team Championships and our MSHSL Section 1 and State Meets.
COMPETITION: We finished third in the Big 9 last year and would hope to at least repeat that this year. Rochester Century is the defending Conference Champs and favorites coming into the season. Rochester Mayo has always been another team to look for. Mankato East could factor into the mix as well. Section 1A could be wide open. We return as the defending champions, but with graduation, will need some boys to step into key roles on the team. We should factor into the Section 1A meet at the end of the year as well as Mankato East, Simley, Austin, and possibly Winona.
BY THE NUMBERS: 35 - total Swimmers & Divers 18 - letter winners returning 5 - seniors
Josh Kraby, 11 - Freestyle and Backstroke. Qualified for 3 events at State last year. Top 8 finish in the 200 Med Relay and the 100 Back. Hoping to continue improvements and qualify for 4 events this year. Oliver Momberg, 11 - Freestyle & Butterfly. Member of the Top 8 Med Relay at State last year. Hoping to improve in both disciplines and qualify for State individually this year. Will Udelhofen, 10 - MidDistance Freestyle. Top finisher at Sections and could factor into our State plans this year. Rourke Bennett, 10 - Butterfly, IM, Breaststroke. In his second year, is hoping to finish top 8 in all events at the Section Meet and has an outside chance of possibly a State Qualifying spot. Jens Kasten. (file photo)
Faribault boys swim and dive COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
Head coach: Charlie Fuller (38th year coaching); assistant coach and diving coach: Isaiah Fuller (13th year coaching); assistant coach: Bethany Fuller (seventh year coaching)
ROSTER: Baum, Viggo (12) - Captain; Daschner, Elliot (12) Captain; Hosington, James Faribault’s Viggo Baum swims the 200-yard freestyle. (File photo/southernminn.com)
(12) - Captain; Thatcher, Simon (12) - Captain; Bongers, Lucan (11); Chappuis, Declan (11); Kramer, Carsen (11); Kirkpatrick, Drake (11); Larson, Finn (11); Zhang, Jeff (11); Haefs, Colin (10); Leopold, Miles (10); Ferris, Asher (9); Gibbs, Mitchell (9); Pounds, Cael (9); Teigen, Gavin (7); Silver, William (7)
Simon, Declan Chappuis, Finn Larson, Asher Ferris
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Carsen Kramer, Drake Kirkpatrick, Miles Leopold.
2022-23 RECAP:
KEY PLAYERS:
Big Nine - 10th, Section 1A - 9th, Overall 2-7 in the Big Nine.
Viggo Baum, Elliot Daschner, James Hoisington, Thatcher
FARIBAULT SWIM & DIVE CONTINUED ON PAGE 34
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 34 section. We had 1 state participant. This was our best year out of the 10 years I had previously coached. We are always looking to improve.
well as Century and Mayo. At the Section, the Lakevilles are usually at the top.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
29 - Unofficial total 13 - returning letter winners 9 - seniors 2 - juniors 11 - sophs 2 - fresh 4 - 8th 1 - 7th We are actually a little down in numbers this year. We will have a large senior class leaving us after this year. We need numbers. Swimming is unique because we have no bench. All athletes compete in every competition they are eligible for.
We have not set our season goals yet for this year, but we are always looking to do better than last year. I would like to improve our dual meet record and place higher at the conference meet. I would also like to get at least one or two individual athletes to state and possibly take a relay.
COMPETITION: It is tough to tell how the conference and section will stack up, but in the big 9 Northfield is always strong as
BY THE NUMBERS:
Owatonna’s David Rhodes competes during the 2022-23 season. Rhodes is one of Owatonna’s top returning swimmers. (file photo/southernminn.com)
Owatonna boys swim and dive COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Peter Rhodes, 11th year Assistant coach: Tara Lammers, 8th year Assistant coach: Chris Snow, Diving Coach, 3rd year
ROSTER: Durk, Trevor 12 Eichten, Ethan 12 Farah, Faisal 12 Hilgendorf, Henry 12 Kuhn, Otto 12
Larson, Matthew 12 Phelps, Carsen 12 Quam, Carter 12 Rhodes, David 12 Miller, Caiden 11 Pietikainen, Casper 11 Farris, Blake 10 Flynn, Logan 10 Halverson, Logan 10 Johnson, Henrik 10 Mazariego, Noah 10 McBroom, Connor 10 McNamee, Peyton 10 Smith, Isaiah 10 Storm, Phoenix 10 Thurber, Aiden 10 Young, Addison 10
Merxbauer, Fisher 9 Mukanov, Reese 9 Allen, Isaac 8 Bishman, Blake 8 Gleason, Jacob 8 Xie, Aaron 8 Jacott, Andrew 7
KEY PLAYERS: We lost some big point scorers last year but still have a pretty talented group. Matthew Larson Carter Quam Henry Hilgendorf David Rhodes Isaiah Smith
Logan Flynn Jacob Gleason
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Casper Pietikainen is a foreign exchange student from Finland, I have no idea what to expect. Addison Young could have a great year. I would like to see big things from Fischer Merxbauer.
2022-23 RECAP: We were 4-4 in dual meets, 6/12 at Big 9, 5/7 in the
and diving competitions. We look forward to getting faster and diving better through our hard work. One of our goals is to qualify some of our athletes for the State meet.
COMPETITION:
Owatonna’s Henry Hilgendorf attempts one of his dives during the Huskies’ 2022-23 meet against Faribault. (file photo/ southernminn.com)
favorites should be Rochester Century and Northfield.
BY THE NUMBERS: 17 - Total athletes 6 - New athletes 4 - Seniors
We don’t match up very well because of our lack of depth as compared to other teams. The
Good Luck Teams! James Hoisington swims the breaststroke. (file photo/southernminn.com)
FARIBAULT SWIM & DIVE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
We improved greatly throughout the season to swim and dive our best by the end of the season.
We have a small team this year just like last year. I expect the athletes to get better throughout the season
as they get into condition. We hope to by the end of the year challenge other teams in certain events. We have some new athletes that will need to gain experience in swimming
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SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 35
skiing
Many of our competitors also graduated many top skiers though, so there’s room for returning athletes to move up in the standings. Girls 5th in the Conference, 5th in the Section - Our girls team has been working for the last couple of years to regain some competitive spirit. After a great showing during cross country this fall however a few of the girls on the team are coming over with a great work ethic that should get them a long way this season.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK:
Charlotte Flory. (Photo courtesy of William Schroeer)
Northfield nordic ski COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Craig Cardinal, sixth year Assistant coaches: David Folland, fifth year; Eva Reinicke, sixth year; Pam Fickensher, fifth year
ROSTER:
Boys: Ailabouni, Liam (11); Altermatt, Alexander (10); Amundson, Andy (10); Argabright, Grant (12); Beckman, Max (9); Behrens, Liam (8); Broughton, Nathan (8); Christopherson, Odin
(7); Christopherson, Soren (7); Cruz, Eric (12); Fischer, Jameson (8); Gonzalez Reyes, Axel (12); Johnson, Aksel (8); Kline, Parker (12); Miller, Theodore (8); Walter, Carsten (12)
In our second year being able to earn conference honors I think many of our top skiers have those goals on the radar. Our boys should be able to fight for a top 3 at Conference Northfield’s Will Beaumaster tags Andy Amundson. (Photo and have 2-3 athletes making courtesy of William Schroeer) the all conference standard. The girls have a couple Girls: KEEP YOUR of strong returners and Ailabouni, Claire (8); EYE ON: depending on the contribution Berglund, Mae (9); Brice, from our new skiers the girls Boys - Parker Kline & Theo Caroline (11); Cruz, Mariana Miller - both returning for their team has a shot at 3rd in the (9); Demas, Anne (9); Demas, conference. 2nd year after finishing last Corrie (11); Doherty, Allia (7); year really strong. Theo was on Edwards, Quin (12); Ennis, COMPETITION: varsity for parts of last season Miriel (9); Flory, Charlotte and is coming off of a strong On the boys side Prior Lake (12); Gottfried, Ani (11); showing in football this fall. has been strong for many years Gottfried, Norah (9); Graham, Parker just earned a varsity and returns the top skier in the Lucille (11); Haidar, Aya (8); spot at the end of last season state to their team, so they will Holden, Hollis (9); Jothen, and is coming back looking be tough to compete with. ISD Thisbe (8); Malecha, Edythe stronger and faster than where 196 has a lot of depth and will (9); Miller, Harper (11); he finished last year. also be tough. OCooper, Eliza (8); Perkins, Girls - Allia Doherty - incoming On the girls side Eastview Mackenzie (11); Petricka, 7th grader who just finished returns most of their Makayah (8); Welbaum, an XC season with a trip to conference championship Louise (11) the state meet. Has skiing team so they will be setting experience. the standard for conference KEY PLAYERS: competition. Boys: Liam Ailabouni, Andy Amundson Girls: Charlotte Flory, Harper Miller
team made up of students from Goodhue, Red Wing, Cannon Falls, Randolph, and Northfield. Our student athletes are from seventh grade through 12th grade.
KEY PLAYERS: Clara Wilson, Camryn Zotalis, and Kingsley Alsop
2022-23 RECAP:
Boys 3rd in the Conference 4th in the Section, one individual went to state. We graduated several strong skiers on the bosy side that will be big shoes to fill for the returning athletes.
BY THE NUMBERS: 38 - total players, 16 boys, 22 girls 5 - Varsity boys returning 5 - Varsity girls returning
COMPETITION:
BY THE NUMBERS:
Our team is currently in a rebuilding phase. We graduated a couple of our key athletes last year. In spite of that I think we have a fair shot at the conference and section races this year.
26 - total players 12- letter winners 8 - seniors
2022-23 RECAP: Girls were first place in the Big 9 conference last year. We had 3 athletes qualify and attend the State Tournament last year. Northfield’s Camryn Zotalis finished fifth individually during Monday’s Big 9 Conference championships at Mount Kato Ski Area. (Michael Hughes/southernminn.com)
Northfield alpine ski COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Bill Wilson
second year; assistant coaches: Theresa Wilson, second year; seeking second assistant
ROSTER: Twenty-six athletes on the team this year. We are a co-op
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: Our goal is to have at least one team qualify for the state tournament this year. I do expect to have multiple athletes qualify for state in the upcoming year. Northfield’s Clara Wilson. (file photo)
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 36
dance
2022-23 RECAP: Big 9 2023, 5th place State/Section - N/A Northfield Dance Team moved down from AAA to AA this season, making us more competitive.
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: The goal is to crack the top three in sections and make it to the state floor, in both high kick and jazz now being in AA.
COMPETITION:
Northfield’s Leena Brown. (Photo by Rouse Productions)
Northfield dance
COACHES, YEARS COACHING:
Head coach: Jasmin Kotek, ninth year. Assistant coaches: Brooke Sexton, second year; Johanna Villa, fourth year; Tegan Underdahl, third year; Jordan Andreas, third year; Kelly Lynn Stanton Nutt, second year.
ROSTER:
Madison Vosjepka (9), Isabella Varsity Kick: McKenna Carlson Moreno (8), Sawyer Heath (8), Esme Garcia (8) (12), Molly Bauer (12), Sophie Junior Varsity Kick: Bella Meyer (11), Lottie Keller (11), Keller (12), Jenna Smith Leena Brown (11), Danica (11), Savannah Metcalf (10), Sorem (11), Megan Carlson Addison Marks (9), Carlie (10), Maraiden Scheurer (10), Oehler (8), Greta Marohl (8), Lily Holman (10), Ruby Heil Sarah Carlson (7), Taelyn (10), Ryland Updike (10), Heath (7) Kailey Bricko (9), Maren Simonson (9), Sophie Tietz (9),
Our varsity teams have Northfield’s McKenna Carlson in her team’s high kick routine. been making remarkable (file photo) achievements and are going in the right direction to achieve Varsity Jazz: McKenna Carlson (8), Sarah Carlson (7), Taelyn the season goals. Our top (12), Sophie Meyer (11), Leena Heath (7) competition are the teams Brown (11), Danica Sorem from Faribault, Austin, and (11), Megan Carlson (10), Lily KEY PLAYERS: South St.Paul. Holman (10), Ruby Heil (10), Senior, McKenna Carlson; This past weekend, Northfield Ryland Updike (10), Kailey Junior, Leena Brown; won against South St.Paul in Bricko (9), Maren Simonson Freshman, Maren Simonson; the high kick category at the (9), Madison Vosjepka (9) Sophomore Ryland Updike; Cannon Falls Invitational. JV Jazz: Bella Keller (12), Freshman, Kailey Bricko. Jenna Smith (11), Lottie Keller BY THE NUMBERS: (11), Maraiden Scheurer (10), KEEP YOUR 25 - Total players Sophie Tietz (9), Isabella EYE ON: Moreno (8), Sawyer Heath (8), 18 - Varsity High Kick Sophomore Megan Carlson, Esme Garcia (8) Members first-year Hiliner and double B-Jazz: Molly Bauer (12), 8 - JV High Kick Members Varsity member. Senior Molly Savannah Metcalf (10), Bauer, first year Hiliner on Addison Marks (9), Greta Varsity High Kick. Marohl (8), Carlie Oehler PEARLANN BOETEL RORIE WOODFILL SAMANTHA MILLER SOPHIA COOK SOPHIA MILLER SOPHIE WOODFILL TAYLOR SCHEWE VALENTINA FERRARO VICTORIA KOZIOLEK
KEY PLAYERS: Dance team is a different beast when it comes to team sports, there is no lead shooter or key defender that can carry the team to victory. The team of dancers who walk out on the competition floor have to dance as if they were one person. Judges are looking at every detail of your dance. The big details: difficulty of skills, like kick height, turn sets and power in jumps/leaps. Then the small details that set you apart from other teams, where your head is placed for kicks, if your fingertips are together or apart, and if you’re making Owatonna Dance Team (ODT) celebrates multiple first place finishes while competing at the Cannon Falls Invitational during your hard work look effortless. the 2022-23 season. (Photo courtesy of ODT) They have to be precise, powerful and connected. We could have the best turner in the state of Minnesota, but it wouldn’t matter, because if CLAIRE NOBLE KELBIE JOHNSON COACHES, YEARS ROSTER: the whole team can’t do those ELEANORE EFFERTZ KENNEDY KATZUNG COACHING: same turns we don’t get any ADALYN SCHANER EMILY MCMASTERS LAUREN KUBICEK points for it. Our score sheets ADELYNN JOHNSON Head coach: Nicole Gefre, HANNAH BLAHOSKY LYDIA JESSOP reflect our weakest link, so it ALYSSA BOCK 7th year JAEDYNN TJON MADILYN CUPKIE is key to have every dancer AMELIA GOETTL JAYLIN KILWINE MATILDE BRENTEGANI Assistant coaches: Tia Marks, dancing at the same level of ANISTON SORUM JOCELYN ANSELMO MAREN Smith 2nd; Emma Paquette, 3rd; difficulty as one! AUBREY GROBY KATE KARSTEN MEGAN WRIGHT Taylor Dalland, 1st; Jessica CARLY WIGHAM KAYLEIGH NORBECK MOLLY HOLMEN Bjore, 1st; Diane Skala, 6th CHLOE WALERIUS KEIRA SCHOENFELD NORAH KATH year CHRISTINA BELL
Owatonna dance
2022-23 RECAP: This is our 7th year of having our program in Owatonna. Our first year, we really focused on building team culture and having our team understand the competitive nature of the Dance Team. We have seen growth in skills and in overall team culture. Every year, our score sheets have gone up and our dances have become more difficult. Our goal is to keep raising our floor each season, so the Owatonna Dance Team then one day be Conference Champs! Last season was one for the record books, because it was the first year we ever placed at Big 9 and it was in both categories. We placed 3rd in Kick and 1st in jazz, putting us in 3rd overall at Big 9!
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: This year we are hoping to place 1st overall at Big 9 and move up in spots in placing at the sections tournament.
COMPETITION: It’s to early in the season to tell where everyone is falling in both Sections and Big 9, but our big competition will be Austin Dance Team at Big 9.
BY THE NUMBERS: 38 - total dancers 18 Varsity Kick 13 Varsity Jazz 5 - seniors
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 37 Hayley Urias - Senior; Kalie Wheelock - Senior; Izabella Bartness - 11th; Nadia Baum - 11th; Asia Fillipi - 11th; Ava Gersemehl - 11th; Kaylee Katra - 11th; Diana Gonzalez - 10th; Courtney Keilen - 10th; Leah Nowaczewski - 10th; Samantha Rezac - 10th; Cailee Sanchez 9th; Addie Foquette - 8th; Ella Simon - 8th
2022-23 RECAP: Big Nine Conference Champs! - 1st in kick, 2nd in jazz, 1st overall Sections - 1st place in kick and 2nd place in jazz
State - 4th place in kick and 10th place in jazz
2023-24 SEASON OUTLOOK: We are looking to have a great season. We lost quite a few seniors the last two years, so our numbers are a little smaller. Our goals are to take it one competition at a time and focus on our team’s strengths and improve on our weaknesses.
Owatonna. Austin has always been a big competitor for us, and Owatonna has been improving each year. They both have a very strong program. Sections - Again, Austin is a concern and Northfield has been making great strides the last couple of years and have been doing well so far this season.
COMPETITION: Conference - A couple of favorites are Austin and
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Faribault dance COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head Coaches: Lisa Dahl, fifth year; Samantha Pierce,
firs year as co-head coach, four years assistant. Assistant coaches: Sarah Howell, second year; Grace Balsley, second year.
ROSTER: Ava Hacker - Senior; Faith Leichtnam - Senior; Brooke Racine - Senior;
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SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 38
WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A
POWER OUTAGE
Lightning strikes, high winds, fallen tree branches – summer storms can be powerful, but leave us power-less! Rest assured, Owatonna Public Utilities will work non-stop until your power is restored. Here are some things to do in the event of a power outage: REPORT YOUR OUTAGE. For fastest outage reporting, log into your SmartHub account (there is a mobile app available). This feeds the information directly into our outage management system. If you don’t have a SmartHub account, set one up today by following the link on our homepage. (You will need your utility billing account number.) KEEP REFRIGERATORS & FREEZERS CLOSED. • A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. • A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours half full) if it remains closed.
View our interactive power outage map at: www.owatonnautilities.com/outages
PLAN AHEAD. • Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices. • If you need to use a generator, keep it outdoors and away from windows. • Use surge protectors, or disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges. • Have portable power banks charged and ready for cell phones. • Prepare an emergency kit with flashlights/candles and a weather radio. REMEMBER, IF YOU SMELL NATURAL GAS OR HAVE AN EMERGENCY, CALL 911.
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 39
e r ’ e W
L likeCAL you For the latest team scores and news turn to your favorite local news source.
Daily News FARIBAULT
localmatters
Northfield News localmatters
SoMINN
SPORTS WINTER PREVIEW | December 2023 | PAGE 40