Fall sports preview

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Sept. 4, 2013

AREA FALL SPORTS SCHEDULES OSAGE GREEN DEVILS VARSITY FOOTBALL DATE 8-30 9-6 9-13 9-20 9-27 10-4 10-11 10-18 10-25 10-30 11-4 11-11 11-18 11-23

OPPONENT LOCATION TIME Cresco Away 7:30 Garner-Hayfield Home (Senior Night) 7:30 St. Ansgar Away 7:30 Union Home 7:30 Waukon Away 7:30 Hampton-Dumont Home (Homecoming) 7:30 New Hampton Away 7:30 Waterloo Columbus Home 7:30 Central Springs Away 7:30 1st Round Playoffs TBA 7:00 2nd Round Playoffs TBA 7:00 Quarter Finals playoffs TBA 7:00 Semi Finals Playoffs TBA TBA 2A State Championship TBA TBA

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL 9-3 North Iowa Away 7:30 9-5 Central Springs/Charles City Away 5:00 9-10 Lake Mills Home 7:30 9-12 Forest City Away 7:30 9-14 Osage Tournament Home 9:00 a.m.

9-17 Belmond-Klemme Home 7:30 9-21 Fort Dodge Away 9 a.m.

9-24 Newman Home (Senior Night) 7:30 9-26 West Hancock Away 7:30 9-28 Decorah Tournament Away 8:30 A.M. 10-1 Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Away 7:30 10-5 N.I.C Tournament Away (Lake Mills) 9:30 a.m.

10-7 N.I.C Tournament Away (Lake Mills) 6:00 10-12 Mason City Tournament Away 8:30 A.M. 10-17 A-P/North Butler Home 6:00 10-28 1st Round of Regional TBA TBA 10-31 2nd Round of Regional TBA TBA 11-5 Regional Semi-finals TBA TBA 11-14 State V.B Tournament Cedar Rapids TBA VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY 9-3 CO-ED Mason City West Campus M.C 4:30 9-5 Girls Charles City Charles City 4:30 9-10 CO-ED Bel.- Klemme Belmond 4:30

9-14 9-14 9-24 9-30 10-3 10-10 10-14 10-17 10-24 11-2

Boys North Fayette West Union CO-ED Osage Inv. M. C. Conservation CO-ED Nashua Inv. Nashua CO-ED Garner-Hayfield Garner CO-ED Hampton Hampton CO-ED New Hampton New Hampton CO-ED Forest City Forest City CO-ED N.I.C Meet Newman CO-ED Regional Meet TBA CO-ED State Meet Fort Dodge

9 A.M 4:30 5:00 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 TBA TBA

9-3 9-5 9-17 9-23 9-26 10-3 10-10 10-14 10-15 10-17 10-24 11-2

CO-ED Mason City West Campus M.C Co-ED Charles City Charles City CO-ED Osage Inv. M. C. Conservation CO-ED West Fork Rockwell CO-ED Central Springs Manly CO-ED Hampton Hampton CO-ED New Hampton New Hampton CO-ED Forest City Forest City CO-ED Austin, MN Austin, MN CO-ED Conference Newman CO-ED Regional Meet TBA CO-ED State Meet Fort Dodge

4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 TBA TBA

MITCHELL COUNTY

PRESS-NEWS

Vol. 148 • No. 36 • SEPTEMBER 4, 2013 • SECTION C

SAINT ANSGAR SAINTS VARSITY FOOTBALL DATE OPPONENT 8-30 Newman Catholic 9-6 West Hancock 9-13 Osage 9-20 North Fayette 9-27 South Winneshiek 10-4 MFL-Mar-Mac 10-11 Jesup 10-18 Sumner-Fredericksburg 10-25 Denver

LOCATION Home Britt Home Away Away Home Home Away Home

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL 9-3 Decorah 9-7 New Hampton Tourney 9-12 Central Springs 9-17 Northwood-Kensett 9-19 Rockford 9-21 Forest City 9-24 West Fork 10-1 North Butler 10-3 Garner-Hayfield 10-8 Nashua-Plainfield 10-10 Riceville 10-12 Mason City Tourney 10-14 Crestwood 10-17 Quad Tourney-Lake Mills 10-23 Regionals

Away Away Home Away Away Away Home Home Home Away Home Away Away Away TBA

RICEVILLE WILDCATS

VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY

TIME 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30

7:00 9:00 a.m.

7:00 7:00 7:00 9 a.m.

7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 8:30 a.m.

7:00 6:00 TBA

VARSITY FOOTBALL LOCATION TIME DATE OPPONENT 8-23 CWL Home 7:00 8-30 Dunkerton Home 7:o0 9-6 Tripoli Away 7:00 9-13 Kee High Away 7:00 9-20 RRMR Home (Homecoming) 7:00 9-27 Northwood-Kensett Away 7:00 10-11 Don Bosco Away 7:00 10-18 Clarksville Home (Senior Night) 7:00 10-25 Janesville Away 7:00 10-30 Playoffs - 1st Round TBA TBA 11-4 Playoffs - 2nd Round TBA TBA VARSITY VOLLEYBALL 9-3 Clarksville, Crestwood Away 5:00 9-9 Lyle, MN Away 7:00 9-12 Northwood-Kensett Away 7:00 9-14 Crestwood Away 9:00 9-17 Central Springs Away 7:00 9-19 West Fork Away 7:00 9-21 Nashua-Plainfield Away 9 a.m.

9-24 RRMR Home 7:00 9-28 LeRoy-Ostrander, MN Away 9 a.m.

10-1 Nashua-Plainfield Home (Senior Night) 7:00 10-8 North Butler Away 7:00 10-10 St. Ansgar Away 7:00 10-22 Regionals TBA TBA

2013 Fall Sports Featuring 2013 Previews for Football, Volleyball and Cross Country teams from

Osage • St. Ansgar • Riceville

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

Osage girls XC on the climb in NIC

2013 Osage Girls Cross Country Team. (Back row, from left) Jayme Blaser, Laura Klaes, Chandler Banta, Alex Byrnes, Rachel Grimm (Front row, from left) Emily Ross, Megan Mooberry, Ella Dralle, Julia Bobinet, Courtney Tusler. (Press-News photo by Kara Naig.)

By DEB NICKLAY For the Press-News The Osage High School girls’cross country program is on the climb,according to Coach Brent Jennings.

“They are looking for great things this season,” he said.

“After a promising year last year,they add a few newcomers to a veteran squad that will make them extremely tough to beat.

“We are excited about what we are seeing out of these girls; we have several who have been preparing all summer for the upcoming season.”

Senior Jayme Blaser is a key returner who has worked hard running and in the weight room to maximize her season, Jennings said. Other senior letter winners providing needed leadership are Chandler Banta and Laura Klaes.

Sophomores Alexis Byrnes and Courtney Tusler – who made strong contributions as freshmen – are back. Two freshmen standouts are Megan Mooberry and Emily Ross.

“This is the most prepared we have been at the beginning of a season since I have been here,” said Jennings. “Coach (Amy) Uhrmacher has done a great job helping the girls train over the summer and has added a new dimension to our program. We currently have close to 50 girls out in grades 7-12, the most in the history of the program. Our goals are pretty simple: We want to run as a team in the state meet.”

Good Luck Osage Green Devils, St. Ansgar Saints and Riceville Wildcats on a great fall sports season!

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

Riceville Volleyball: new season and new coaches

By DEB NICKLAY For the Press-News Riceville High School volleyball will begin its 2013-2014 season with new faces on its coaching staff.

Marcia Grimm and Lynn Howe will share coaching duties.

“We are looking forward to a fresh start this year, with making sure each of our 11 players on the team are capable of playing any position on the court,” said Howe.

Squad members include seniors Emily Rickerl and Abby Dunn; juniors Ashley Uthe, Taylor Uthe, Brandy Watenphul, Emma Ring, MaKayla Heczko, Dakota Dohlman and Courtney McKenna; and sophomores Madalyn Kuhn and Katie Keeling. They were scheduled to open their season in Cresco on Sept. 3.

“The girls on this team have a unique teamwork where they all get along, they all admire each other’s strengths and they all are positively encouraging their teammates.

“It’s a conduciveness that is not found on many teams. We are excited to start the year and show on the court the work we’ve been doing in practice.”

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

Osage boys XC have hopes for state berth

By DEB NICKLAY For The Press-News

Members of the 2013 Riceville Wildcats' volleyball team include, front row, left-right: Jenna Schneider, Bailey Dohlman, Savannah Asfahl, Brooke Hobson, Ashley Hobson, Sarah Klaes, Mady Kuhn and Sierra Ring. Middle row, l-r: Samantha Miller, McKayla Heczko, Amanda Hockens, Courtney McKenna, Brandy Watenphul, Dakota Dohlman, Diana Sunnes, Shayna Cody and Susie Irvin.Back row, l-r: Emily Rickerl, Ashley Uthe, Katie Keeling, Emma Ring, Abby Dunn and Taylor Uthe.The volleyball coaches are Marsha Grimm, Lynn Howe and Michele Ring. (Photo provided by Cassandra Leff, Riceville Recorder)

Osage High School cross country coach Bill Gruman won’t be filling any major holes this season on his boys’ team.

“For how hard they have worked this summer, I wish we could have more than seven guys running varsity,” said the veteran coach, who returns for his 10th season.

“We have a very strong group returning; it is a great group of guys dedicated to doing well this season.”

These are the guys who cleaned up last year: They were North Iowa Conference champions and went on to place eighth in the state’s cross country meet.

Returning to once again to make his mark is threetime individual state qualifier, senior Tyler Randall, who will be joined by senior teammates Douglas Perrin, Cole Riley and Chris Hanke; as well as juniors Lucas Maakestad and Sam Bellairs.

“We have several guys looking to step into leadership roles on the team,” Gruman added.

Gruman expects Garner-Hayfield/Ventura/ West Hancock to be tough again this season.

“We’ve been trading the top two spots in the conference meeting for several years. They have a great program going; we look forward to seeing all of the NIC teams this season.”

2013 Osage Boys Cross Country Team (Back row, from left) Lucas Maakestad, Tyler Randall, Sam Bellairs (Fromt row, from left) Douglas Perrin, Chris Hanke, Cole Riley.

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

Osage volleyball has strong core returning

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

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Riceville plans to go deep in post-season

By DEB NICKLAY For The Press-News Osage High School volleyball coach Andie Olson is opening the 2013-2014 net season with a strong core of returning starters, and lots of enthusiasm.

The squad that marched all the way to regional finals last season and ended with a 10-2 conference record (23-17 overall) is peppered with a slate of talented seniors and juniors.

“We are hoping to pick up where we left off last fall,” said Olson. “We lost three key seniors who will be tough to replace; however, the kids have been working hard playing in the off season, lifting, playing in leagues. We have seven seniors who bring a lot of strong leadership and experience.”

Helping lead the team are four senior outside hitters, Brenda Avila, Josie Malecek, Cassidy Mohl and Kelsey Ott; they are joined by defensive specialists, senior Hailey Popp and junior Sharline Berry, and junior middle hitter Morgan Grimm, junior setter Haley Wagner, with senior Liz Shaw at libero.

Olson predicts that Lake Mills, Forest City and GarnerHayfield/Ventura will be among the toughest of conference opponents this year.

“I am excited to get on the court with this group. They are a lot of fun both on and off the court,” Olson said.

Others expected to provide support for the squad are sen- 2013 Osage Volleyball Team (Back row, from left) Liz Shaw, Brenda Avila, Hailey Popp, Cassidy Mohl, Jadee Walsh, Josie Malecek and Kelsey Ott. ior Jadee Walsh, juniors Destiny Thompson and Jamie (Front row, from left) Jamie Jacobs, Destiny Thompson, Sharline Berry, Hailey Wagner, Morgan Grimm and Olivia Miller.(Press-News photo by Kara Jacobs; and sophomore Olivia Miller.

Naig.)

Members of the 2013 Riceville Wildcats' varsity football team include, front row, left-right: Kalvin Christensen, Jake Kraft, Stone Adams, Jacob Back, Brandon Klaes, Logan Shedenhelm, Logan Mayer and Jake Fox. Back row, l-r: Gatlin Hemann, Ryan Shedenhelm, Emilio Gomez, Luke Harken, Nate Miller, Josh Krukow and Colton Reddel. Coaches of the Wildcats this season are Warren Haacke, Tom Anderlik, Adam Haacke, Caleb Harken, Brandon Hummel and Scott Kraft. (Photo provided by Cassandra Leff, Riceville Recorder)

By JEREMY KOENIGS For The Press-News After three seasons of playing 8-man football and two consecutive berths in the postseason, the Riceville football team is looking to take the next step this season.

"I think this year we're a little under the radar," Riceville coach Warren Haacke said. "We lost a few quality kids but we're replacing them with more quality kids.

"Our kids have worked extremely hard in the weight room and on conditioning. That makes me feel good about this season. I think we'll be right up there."

The Wildcats were 3-6 in their inaugural 8-man campaign in 2010 and 5-5 the last two seasons, losing in the opening round of the playoffs to Preston both years after finishing fourth in district play. To date, all looks good for 2013: The Wildcats pounded CorwithWesley/LuVerne 56-18 in its opener on Aug. 23.

However, Haacke has optimism that his team can move up in the standings this season after finishing behind Don Bosco, Clarksville and Janesville a year ago.

"If you think you're going to challenge for the district title you have to catch a couple of breaks," he said. "You have to perform in the big games but another big thing is being able to stay healthy. Injuries are huge.

"We're blessed in some areas with depth and then in other areas we're really short-handed, especially on the

offensive line. We have good kids on our offensive line but not many of them. If a couple of key guys on our team go down, it will make things tough."

Stone Adams will be one of the anchors on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Wildcats.

"Stone was all-district last year and then we also have Josh Krukow and Emilio Gomez," Haacke said. "All three of those kids are big and athletic."

Sophomore Luke Harken and junior Gatlin Hemann will add depth.

Meanwhile, senior Ryan Shedenhelm will make the transition from quarterback to running back with junior Nate Miller taking over Shedenhelm's spot.

"We talked about egos and about how we can make the team better," Haacke said. "You hate to move a guy like Ryan but Nate's a lefty with a gun for an arm. He throws the ball very well, he's very smart and he's also a big kid that can run a little bit.

"We decided that if we were going to make a move with Ryan, Nate would be the reason we would make that move."

Shedenhelm threw for 621 yards and 11 touchdowns while running for 521 yards and eight more scores last season.

He will be counted on to help replace some of the production in the running game lost with the graduation of Sam Back, Justin Anderlik and Chris Gansen.

With Anderlik's departure, Logan Shedenhelm is the

top returning receiving threat while the Wildcats will look for ways to get Ryan Shedenhelm the ball in the passing game as Haacke said his team will run a more up-tempo attack this season.

"We're looking to run a little more spread, play more kids and be a little bit more up-tempo with our offense," Haacke said. "Ryan's the type of guy that we're looking to get into space. He's such a great athlete that if we can get him in space I feel really good about our offense."

Logan Shedenhelm returns as the leader of the defense after recording 139 tackles.

He'll be joined by fellow seniors Krukow, Colton Reddel and Brandon Klaes - who all recorded better than 60 tackles last season - in what Haacke hopes is an improved defense.

"We talked after last season about how we want to be stoppers on defense," the coach said. "If we want to be a good defense, a defense that can compete against the good teams, we have to be able to stop people."

If Riceville can get the stops when it needs them, the offensive changes work and the Wildcats can avoid injuries, a home game in the postseason can be a reality.

"With our schedule, we feel we can be very competitive in the first half," Haacke said. "On the bottom half it gets a lot tougher. We get the big boys all in a row."

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

St. Ansgar volleyball has some heavy hitters this year

By DEB NICKLAY For The Press-News

First year volleyball coach Tyler Johnson will take the reins of the St. Ansgar volleyball program with some heavy hitters to open the 2013-2014 season.

Senior Autumn Brigham, a first-team All Conference pick in 2012-2013, will be joined by fellow senior and an honorable All Conference pick, Olivia Bisbee. Other letter winners returning to the court 2013 St. Ansgar High School Volleyball, from left, front, Noelle Hulshizer, Olivia Bisbee, Paige Salz,Tess Mayer, Autumn Brigham and Tara Kramer; are Tess Mayer and back, Coach Tyler Johnson, MiKayla McCurdy, Amber Brigham, Ashley Frodl, Alexandra Patterson, Jessica Hansen, Amelia Koster and Holbrook Noelle Hulshizer. All Schutjer. (Press-News photo by Deb Nicklay)

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Osage football looking to 6th postseason

helped to lead the Saints squad to a 5-2 conference season last year. They were 10-16 overall.

Others expected to contribute Paige Salz, Ashley Frodl, Mikayla McCurdy and Amelia Koster.

Johnson says the team is adjusting to a new coach.

“They have been good listeners and working hard to improve,” he said.

“We look forward to building on the program and doing our best to be competitive with everyone we play.”

2013 Osage Football Team (in order according to jersey numbers) #1 Trevor Haaland,#3 Sam McCarthy,#4 Caleb Bushbaum,#8 Collin Havel,#11 Evan Lawler,#22 Brett Zimmerman,#26 Kole Broderick,#27 Tristan Johnson, #33 Tyler Mork, #36 Thatcher Goodale, #37 Ryan Woods, #38 Justin Zimmerman, #44 Casey Ringhofer, #50 Jackson Roll, #51 Tucker Sledd, #52 Lucas Klein, #53 Joe Malecek, #54 Scott Olson, #57 Dylan Filippo, #58 Marcus Paulus, #61 Trevor Olson, #62 Ryan Blake, #63 Nathen Spitz, #65 Thomas Randall, #68 Andrew Lang, #70 Orry Leggett, #72 Nathan Wagner, #77 Wyatt Spitz, #78 Dillon Johnson, #80 Shae Bartusek, #81 Tommy Low, #82 Ben Mallinger, #87 Justin Woods, #88 Nolan Lawer and #89 Wyatt Schwarz. (Photo provided by Katie Arickx/Arickx Photography)

By JEREMY KOENIGS For The Press-News Coming off five straight trips to the postseason, the Osage football team was dealt a few blows before the Green Devils even stepped foot on the practice field in preparation for the 2013 season.

Trevor Haaland, who threw for 2,246 yards as a junior, was lost for the season.

Meanwhile, leading rusher (446 yards) and tackler (75) Casey Ringhofer - another senior - will miss the start of the season due to injury.

Despite the losses, veteran coach Lon Lawler isn't dwelling on the players he won't have.

"We have to build with everyone that we do have," said Lawler, whose team finished 5-5 last season.

"Everyone has to learn their responsibilities and then execute their assignments. They're all going to need to do their jobs in order for us to be successful."

Sophomore Collin Havel will lead Lawler's spread offense after completing 13 passes for 143 yards as a freshman.

"Collin Havel is going to be our quarterback," Lawler said. "He's only a sophomore but has been in

our system since the third grade and knows what's going on."

Havel will have plenty of weapons to throw to, including senior Ryan Woods, who caught 36 passes for 344 yards and two touchdowns.

"Collin got some experience last year so he knows what it's like to play under the lights on Friday nights," Woods said.

Justin Zimmerman, Nolan Lawler, Sam McCarty, Kole Broderick and Thatcher Goodale will also factor into the passing game for the Green Devils.

"We have enough athletes, enough guys with speed," Zimmerman said. "Each and every player can catch the ball. That really helps in the spread."

Lawler agreed, adding that several players will see action.

"The thing about our spread offense is we're not looking for one guy to carry us," Lawler said. "We don't have a tailback that is going to get 35 carries a game, not looking at a single receiver trying to get 12, 14 receptions a game.

"Everybody has to get their touches in order to run our offense. We're going to spread the ball around and I feel we have enough athletes that we can move

the ball around. Your best receiver is your open receiver."

Just how well efficient the passing game will be will rely on the offensive line, which Lawler said is "a whole new set of five guys playing together up front with a few guys playing different positions."

"The offensive line, those are the guys that really have to come together and come together quickly," Lawler added. "I don't care whether it's the NFL, the college level or at the high school level, those offensive linemen working together is the meat and potatoes of your football team."

Defensively, Lawler is hoping his team can make up for its lack of size with speed and athleticism.

"Our defensive tackles need to do a good job of being physical in the middle," the coach said. "We'll have defensive ends running about 180 pounds, linebackers that are undersized but run well and a secondary that has a bunch of track kids.

"Speed is what we have on defense. We have to be able to run to the football and make plays."

Woods added, "We have the speed but we also have to be able to wrap up and tackle correctly. Otherwise our speed does us no good."

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

St. Ansgar Cross Country: Despite few numbers, looking for good performances

By DEB NICKLAY For The Press-News Their numbers aren’t big, but the St. Ansgar boys’ and girls’ cross country runners still have their sights set on a good season.

“Smaller numbers this year leaves the Saints without a full varsity

team, but individual runners Kaid (Bruce), Garet (Phelps), Quinton (Halliday) and Liz (Esdohr) will compete individually at varsity and at the junior varsity level,” said third-year coach Laura Schmidt.

Bruce and Halliday provide senior leadership, while Garet Phelps,

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Saints’ offensive line - a wall of power

a sophomore, and Esdohr, a freshman, round out the core of experienced runners.

Junior high runners expected to contribute include eighth graders Alex Baldwin, Joel Carlson and Bryan Schmidt, and seventh graders Addy Carlson and Sarah Phelps.

2013 St.Ansgar Football Team (Front row, from left) Tristin Kennedy, Jeremy Hackenmiller, Connor Gordon, Jacob Schaefer, Eric Rysavy, Jared Kramer, Scott Sievert, Blake Patterson, Kyle Hanson, Sawyer Dalluge, Dustin Heimer.

(Middle row, from left) Derrick Heimer, Hunter Thome, Devin Sliger, Austin Rysavy, Bryce Ubben, Landon Johnson, Bret Williams, Sterling Adams, Chase Brumm, Jordan Nielsen, Bowen Peterson. (Back row, from left) Chris Mattick, Chase McCurdy, Trevor Gregory, Jake Krahenbuhl, Sam Heimer, Clint Huemann, Adam Haynes, Michael Bless, Bobby Patterson. (Press-News photo by Jim Cross.)

2013 St. Ansgar Cross Country, from left, front, Liz Esdohr, Addy Carlson, Jessica Gonnerman and Sarah Phelps; back, Joel Carlson, Alex Baldwin, Quinton Halliday, Garet Phelps, Kaid Bruce, Bryan Schmidt and Coach Laura Schmidt. (Press-News photo by Deb Nicklay.)

By JARED PATTERSON For the Press-News

S a m H e i m e r c a n f i t r i g h t i n a t t h e b u f fe t ta b l e t h e s e d a ys .

B u t a ga i n , t h a t ' s w h a t o f fe n s i ve l i n e m e n f ro m S t . A n s ga r d o .

I t ' s n o s e c re t w h a t h a s m a d e t h e S a i n t s o n e o f t h e m o s t c o n s i s te n t p ro g ra m s i n t h e a re a ; i t s ta r t s w i t h t h e b i g g u ys u p f ro n t .

A n d a f te r s p e n d i n g l a s t yea r a s a n u n d e rs i z e d ta c k l e , H e i m e r a n d t h e re s t o f h i s l i n e m a te s s p e n t t h e o f f s e a s o n b u l k i n g up.

Fo r H e i m e r, i t m e a n t go i n g f ro m a ro u n d 1 7 5 p o u n d s to 2 2 5 p o u n d s fo r a S t . A n s ga r te a m t h a t f i n i s h e d 7 - 3 a n d t i e d fo r s e c o n d in Class 1A, District 4 with a 4-2 mark. " We h a ve t h re e l i n e m e n t h a t h a ve re a l l y p u t o n we i g h t , " H e i m e r s a i d . " I c a n l a y t h e wo o d a l i t t l e b i t m o re . " A n d t h a t ' s t h e re c i p e fo r s u c c e s s fo r a S a i n t s te a m t h a t re t u r n s i t s to p t wo r u s h -

e rs ( Ky l e H a n s o n a n d B re t W i l l i a m s ) to go a l o n g w i t h q u a r te r b a c k S a w ye r D a l l u ge .

T h e o f fe n s ive f ro n t w i l l h ave fo u r s ta r te rs t i p p i n g t h e s c a l e s a t 2 2 5 p o u n d s o r m o re .

T h a t l e a d s c o a c h D re w C l e ve n ge r, w h o s e te a m wo n t h e 1 A s ta te t i t l e i n 2 0 1 1 , to h a ve a n i n k l i n g h i s te a m w i l l b e a d i f f i c u l t o n e to b e a t . " I ' d ra t h e r h a ve a g r e a t o f f e n s i ve l i n e a n d a n a ve ra ge b a c k t h a n a n a ve ra ge l i n e a n d a g re a t b a c k , " t h e c o a c h s a i d .

C l eve n ge r i s n o t co m p l a i n i n g t h a t h e d o e s h a ve a g re a t b a c k a t h i s d i s p o s a l .

H a n s o n a ve ra ge d a s ta g ge r i n g 8 . 9 ya rd s p e r c a r r y o n h i s wa y to 1 , 4 8 4 ya rd s a n d 1 8 to u c h d ow n s i n 2 0 1 2 . H e a ve ra ge d 9 . 8 ya rd s p e r c a r r y a s a s o p h o m o re . H e h a s a c h a n c e to b rea k t h e sc h o o l ' s a l l - t i m e r u s h i n g mark this season. " I t k i n d o f r i d e s o n u s s e n i o rs to c a r r y t h e te a m , " H a n s o n s a i d . " I fe e l l i k e i t ' s o u r ye a r. "

S t . A n s ga r h a s q u a l i f i e d fo r t h e p l a yo f f s seve n yea rs r u n n i n g ba se d o n a p o te n t r u n n i n g o f fe n s e .

It doesn't appear that will change in 2013 with a running back group that re t u r n s 2 , 4 4 3 ya rd s f ro m a s e a s o n a go .

"It's the little things," Heimer said. " M e n ta l l y, we h a ve to b e t h e re . P h ys i c a l l y, I t h i n k we a re t h e re . " T h e go a l n ow i s to b e i n t h e h u n t fo r a d i s t r i c t t i t l e a n d to e a r n a h o m e p l a yo f f ga m e .

T h e S a i n t s h a d to t ra ve l to A p l i n g to n P a r k e rs b u rg i n t h e o p e n i n g ro u n d o f t h e 2 0 1 2 p l a yo f f s a n d d ro p p e d a 5 0 - 2 1 d e c i sion. " We ' re n o t go i n g to b e b i g a n d fa t u p f ro n t , " C l eve n ge r sa i d . " O u r g uys a re go i n g to b e a b l e to m ove a l i t t l e b i t . " I t h i n k a l l o f o u r k i d s wo u l d te l l yo u i t s ta r t s u p f ro n t o n b o t h s i d e s o f t h e b a l l .

We w a n t t o b e s o u n d a n d h a v e k i d s b e p h ys i c a l a t t h e p o i n t o f a t ta c k . "

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

St. Ansgar Cross Country: Despite few numbers, looking for good performances

By DEB NICKLAY For The Press-News Their numbers aren’t big, but the St. Ansgar boys’ and girls’ cross country runners still have their sights set on a good season.

“Smaller numbers this year leaves the Saints without a full varsity

team, but individual runners Kaid (Bruce), Garet (Phelps), Quinton (Halliday) and Liz (Esdohr) will compete individually at varsity and at the junior varsity level,” said third-year coach Laura Schmidt.

Bruce and Halliday provide senior leadership, while Garet Phelps,

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Saints’ offensive line - a wall of power

a sophomore, and Esdohr, a freshman, round out the core of experienced runners.

Junior high runners expected to contribute include eighth graders Alex Baldwin, Joel Carlson and Bryan Schmidt, and seventh graders Addy Carlson and Sarah Phelps.

2013 St.Ansgar Football Team (Front row, from left) Tristin Kennedy, Jeremy Hackenmiller, Connor Gordon, Jacob Schaefer, Eric Rysavy, Jared Kramer, Scott Sievert, Blake Patterson, Kyle Hanson, Sawyer Dalluge, Dustin Heimer.

(Middle row, from left) Derrick Heimer, Hunter Thome, Devin Sliger, Austin Rysavy, Bryce Ubben, Landon Johnson, Bret Williams, Sterling Adams, Chase Brumm, Jordan Nielsen, Bowen Peterson. (Back row, from left) Chris Mattick, Chase McCurdy, Trevor Gregory, Jake Krahenbuhl, Sam Heimer, Clint Huemann, Adam Haynes, Michael Bless, Bobby Patterson. (Press-News photo by Jim Cross.)

2013 St. Ansgar Cross Country, from left, front, Liz Esdohr, Addy Carlson, Jessica Gonnerman and Sarah Phelps; back, Joel Carlson, Alex Baldwin, Quinton Halliday, Garet Phelps, Kaid Bruce, Bryan Schmidt and Coach Laura Schmidt. (Press-News photo by Deb Nicklay.)

By JARED PATTERSON For the Press-News

S a m H e i m e r c a n f i t r i g h t i n a t t h e b u f fe t ta b l e t h e s e d a ys .

B u t a ga i n , t h a t ' s w h a t o f fe n s i ve l i n e m e n f ro m S t . A n s ga r d o .

I t ' s n o s e c re t w h a t h a s m a d e t h e S a i n t s o n e o f t h e m o s t c o n s i s te n t p ro g ra m s i n t h e a re a ; i t s ta r t s w i t h t h e b i g g u ys u p f ro n t .

A n d a f te r s p e n d i n g l a s t yea r a s a n u n d e rs i z e d ta c k l e , H e i m e r a n d t h e re s t o f h i s l i n e m a te s s p e n t t h e o f f s e a s o n b u l k i n g up.

Fo r H e i m e r, i t m e a n t go i n g f ro m a ro u n d 1 7 5 p o u n d s to 2 2 5 p o u n d s fo r a S t . A n s ga r te a m t h a t f i n i s h e d 7 - 3 a n d t i e d fo r s e c o n d in Class 1A, District 4 with a 4-2 mark. " We h a ve t h re e l i n e m e n t h a t h a ve re a l l y p u t o n we i g h t , " H e i m e r s a i d . " I c a n l a y t h e wo o d a l i t t l e b i t m o re . " A n d t h a t ' s t h e re c i p e fo r s u c c e s s fo r a S a i n t s te a m t h a t re t u r n s i t s to p t wo r u s h -

e rs ( Ky l e H a n s o n a n d B re t W i l l i a m s ) to go a l o n g w i t h q u a r te r b a c k S a w ye r D a l l u ge .

T h e o f fe n s ive f ro n t w i l l h ave fo u r s ta r te rs t i p p i n g t h e s c a l e s a t 2 2 5 p o u n d s o r m o re .

T h a t l e a d s c o a c h D re w C l e ve n ge r, w h o s e te a m wo n t h e 1 A s ta te t i t l e i n 2 0 1 1 , to h a ve a n i n k l i n g h i s te a m w i l l b e a d i f f i c u l t o n e to b e a t . " I ' d ra t h e r h a ve a g r e a t o f f e n s i ve l i n e a n d a n a ve ra ge b a c k t h a n a n a ve ra ge l i n e a n d a g re a t b a c k , " t h e c o a c h s a i d .

C l eve n ge r i s n o t co m p l a i n i n g t h a t h e d o e s h a ve a g re a t b a c k a t h i s d i s p o s a l .

H a n s o n a ve ra ge d a s ta g ge r i n g 8 . 9 ya rd s p e r c a r r y o n h i s wa y to 1 , 4 8 4 ya rd s a n d 1 8 to u c h d ow n s i n 2 0 1 2 . H e a ve ra ge d 9 . 8 ya rd s p e r c a r r y a s a s o p h o m o re . H e h a s a c h a n c e to b rea k t h e sc h o o l ' s a l l - t i m e r u s h i n g mark this season. " I t k i n d o f r i d e s o n u s s e n i o rs to c a r r y t h e te a m , " H a n s o n s a i d . " I fe e l l i k e i t ' s o u r ye a r. "

S t . A n s ga r h a s q u a l i f i e d fo r t h e p l a yo f f s seve n yea rs r u n n i n g ba se d o n a p o te n t r u n n i n g o f fe n s e .

It doesn't appear that will change in 2013 with a running back group that re t u r n s 2 , 4 4 3 ya rd s f ro m a s e a s o n a go .

"It's the little things," Heimer said. " M e n ta l l y, we h a ve to b e t h e re . P h ys i c a l l y, I t h i n k we a re t h e re . " T h e go a l n ow i s to b e i n t h e h u n t fo r a d i s t r i c t t i t l e a n d to e a r n a h o m e p l a yo f f ga m e .

T h e S a i n t s h a d to t ra ve l to A p l i n g to n P a r k e rs b u rg i n t h e o p e n i n g ro u n d o f t h e 2 0 1 2 p l a yo f f s a n d d ro p p e d a 5 0 - 2 1 d e c i sion. " We ' re n o t go i n g to b e b i g a n d fa t u p f ro n t , " C l eve n ge r sa i d . " O u r g uys a re go i n g to b e a b l e to m ove a l i t t l e b i t . " I t h i n k a l l o f o u r k i d s wo u l d te l l yo u i t s ta r t s u p f ro n t o n b o t h s i d e s o f t h e b a l l .

We w a n t t o b e s o u n d a n d h a v e k i d s b e p h ys i c a l a t t h e p o i n t o f a t ta c k . "

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

St. Ansgar volleyball has some heavy hitters this year

By DEB NICKLAY For The Press-News

First year volleyball coach Tyler Johnson will take the reins of the St. Ansgar volleyball program with some heavy hitters to open the 2013-2014 season.

Senior Autumn Brigham, a first-team All Conference pick in 2012-2013, will be joined by fellow senior and an honorable All Conference pick, Olivia Bisbee. Other letter winners returning to the court 2013 St. Ansgar High School Volleyball, from left, front, Noelle Hulshizer, Olivia Bisbee, Paige Salz,Tess Mayer, Autumn Brigham and Tara Kramer; are Tess Mayer and back, Coach Tyler Johnson, MiKayla McCurdy, Amber Brigham, Ashley Frodl, Alexandra Patterson, Jessica Hansen, Amelia Koster and Holbrook Noelle Hulshizer. All Schutjer. (Press-News photo by Deb Nicklay)

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Osage football looking to 6th postseason

helped to lead the Saints squad to a 5-2 conference season last year. They were 10-16 overall.

Others expected to contribute Paige Salz, Ashley Frodl, Mikayla McCurdy and Amelia Koster.

Johnson says the team is adjusting to a new coach.

“They have been good listeners and working hard to improve,” he said.

“We look forward to building on the program and doing our best to be competitive with everyone we play.”

2013 Osage Football Team (in order according to jersey numbers) #1 Trevor Haaland,#3 Sam McCarthy,#4 Caleb Bushbaum,#8 Collin Havel,#11 Evan Lawler,#22 Brett Zimmerman,#26 Kole Broderick,#27 Tristan Johnson, #33 Tyler Mork, #36 Thatcher Goodale, #37 Ryan Woods, #38 Justin Zimmerman, #44 Casey Ringhofer, #50 Jackson Roll, #51 Tucker Sledd, #52 Lucas Klein, #53 Joe Malecek, #54 Scott Olson, #57 Dylan Filippo, #58 Marcus Paulus, #61 Trevor Olson, #62 Ryan Blake, #63 Nathen Spitz, #65 Thomas Randall, #68 Andrew Lang, #70 Orry Leggett, #72 Nathan Wagner, #77 Wyatt Spitz, #78 Dillon Johnson, #80 Shae Bartusek, #81 Tommy Low, #82 Ben Mallinger, #87 Justin Woods, #88 Nolan Lawer and #89 Wyatt Schwarz. (Photo provided by Katie Arickx/Arickx Photography)

By JEREMY KOENIGS For The Press-News Coming off five straight trips to the postseason, the Osage football team was dealt a few blows before the Green Devils even stepped foot on the practice field in preparation for the 2013 season.

Trevor Haaland, who threw for 2,246 yards as a junior, was lost for the season.

Meanwhile, leading rusher (446 yards) and tackler (75) Casey Ringhofer - another senior - will miss the start of the season due to injury.

Despite the losses, veteran coach Lon Lawler isn't dwelling on the players he won't have.

"We have to build with everyone that we do have," said Lawler, whose team finished 5-5 last season.

"Everyone has to learn their responsibilities and then execute their assignments. They're all going to need to do their jobs in order for us to be successful."

Sophomore Collin Havel will lead Lawler's spread offense after completing 13 passes for 143 yards as a freshman.

"Collin Havel is going to be our quarterback," Lawler said. "He's only a sophomore but has been in

our system since the third grade and knows what's going on."

Havel will have plenty of weapons to throw to, including senior Ryan Woods, who caught 36 passes for 344 yards and two touchdowns.

"Collin got some experience last year so he knows what it's like to play under the lights on Friday nights," Woods said.

Justin Zimmerman, Nolan Lawler, Sam McCarty, Kole Broderick and Thatcher Goodale will also factor into the passing game for the Green Devils.

"We have enough athletes, enough guys with speed," Zimmerman said. "Each and every player can catch the ball. That really helps in the spread."

Lawler agreed, adding that several players will see action.

"The thing about our spread offense is we're not looking for one guy to carry us," Lawler said. "We don't have a tailback that is going to get 35 carries a game, not looking at a single receiver trying to get 12, 14 receptions a game.

"Everybody has to get their touches in order to run our offense. We're going to spread the ball around and I feel we have enough athletes that we can move

the ball around. Your best receiver is your open receiver."

Just how well efficient the passing game will be will rely on the offensive line, which Lawler said is "a whole new set of five guys playing together up front with a few guys playing different positions."

"The offensive line, those are the guys that really have to come together and come together quickly," Lawler added. "I don't care whether it's the NFL, the college level or at the high school level, those offensive linemen working together is the meat and potatoes of your football team."

Defensively, Lawler is hoping his team can make up for its lack of size with speed and athleticism.

"Our defensive tackles need to do a good job of being physical in the middle," the coach said. "We'll have defensive ends running about 180 pounds, linebackers that are undersized but run well and a secondary that has a bunch of track kids.

"Speed is what we have on defense. We have to be able to run to the football and make plays."

Woods added, "We have the speed but we also have to be able to wrap up and tackle correctly. Otherwise our speed does us no good."

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

Osage volleyball has strong core returning

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

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Riceville plans to go deep in post-season

By DEB NICKLAY For The Press-News Osage High School volleyball coach Andie Olson is opening the 2013-2014 net season with a strong core of returning starters, and lots of enthusiasm.

The squad that marched all the way to regional finals last season and ended with a 10-2 conference record (23-17 overall) is peppered with a slate of talented seniors and juniors.

“We are hoping to pick up where we left off last fall,” said Olson. “We lost three key seniors who will be tough to replace; however, the kids have been working hard playing in the off season, lifting, playing in leagues. We have seven seniors who bring a lot of strong leadership and experience.”

Helping lead the team are four senior outside hitters, Brenda Avila, Josie Malecek, Cassidy Mohl and Kelsey Ott; they are joined by defensive specialists, senior Hailey Popp and junior Sharline Berry, and junior middle hitter Morgan Grimm, junior setter Haley Wagner, with senior Liz Shaw at libero.

Olson predicts that Lake Mills, Forest City and GarnerHayfield/Ventura will be among the toughest of conference opponents this year.

“I am excited to get on the court with this group. They are a lot of fun both on and off the court,” Olson said.

Others expected to provide support for the squad are sen- 2013 Osage Volleyball Team (Back row, from left) Liz Shaw, Brenda Avila, Hailey Popp, Cassidy Mohl, Jadee Walsh, Josie Malecek and Kelsey Ott. ior Jadee Walsh, juniors Destiny Thompson and Jamie (Front row, from left) Jamie Jacobs, Destiny Thompson, Sharline Berry, Hailey Wagner, Morgan Grimm and Olivia Miller.(Press-News photo by Kara Jacobs; and sophomore Olivia Miller.

Naig.)

Members of the 2013 Riceville Wildcats' varsity football team include, front row, left-right: Kalvin Christensen, Jake Kraft, Stone Adams, Jacob Back, Brandon Klaes, Logan Shedenhelm, Logan Mayer and Jake Fox. Back row, l-r: Gatlin Hemann, Ryan Shedenhelm, Emilio Gomez, Luke Harken, Nate Miller, Josh Krukow and Colton Reddel. Coaches of the Wildcats this season are Warren Haacke, Tom Anderlik, Adam Haacke, Caleb Harken, Brandon Hummel and Scott Kraft. (Photo provided by Cassandra Leff, Riceville Recorder)

By JEREMY KOENIGS For The Press-News After three seasons of playing 8-man football and two consecutive berths in the postseason, the Riceville football team is looking to take the next step this season.

"I think this year we're a little under the radar," Riceville coach Warren Haacke said. "We lost a few quality kids but we're replacing them with more quality kids.

"Our kids have worked extremely hard in the weight room and on conditioning. That makes me feel good about this season. I think we'll be right up there."

The Wildcats were 3-6 in their inaugural 8-man campaign in 2010 and 5-5 the last two seasons, losing in the opening round of the playoffs to Preston both years after finishing fourth in district play. To date, all looks good for 2013: The Wildcats pounded CorwithWesley/LuVerne 56-18 in its opener on Aug. 23.

However, Haacke has optimism that his team can move up in the standings this season after finishing behind Don Bosco, Clarksville and Janesville a year ago.

"If you think you're going to challenge for the district title you have to catch a couple of breaks," he said. "You have to perform in the big games but another big thing is being able to stay healthy. Injuries are huge.

"We're blessed in some areas with depth and then in other areas we're really short-handed, especially on the

offensive line. We have good kids on our offensive line but not many of them. If a couple of key guys on our team go down, it will make things tough."

Stone Adams will be one of the anchors on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Wildcats.

"Stone was all-district last year and then we also have Josh Krukow and Emilio Gomez," Haacke said. "All three of those kids are big and athletic."

Sophomore Luke Harken and junior Gatlin Hemann will add depth.

Meanwhile, senior Ryan Shedenhelm will make the transition from quarterback to running back with junior Nate Miller taking over Shedenhelm's spot.

"We talked about egos and about how we can make the team better," Haacke said. "You hate to move a guy like Ryan but Nate's a lefty with a gun for an arm. He throws the ball very well, he's very smart and he's also a big kid that can run a little bit.

"We decided that if we were going to make a move with Ryan, Nate would be the reason we would make that move."

Shedenhelm threw for 621 yards and 11 touchdowns while running for 521 yards and eight more scores last season.

He will be counted on to help replace some of the production in the running game lost with the graduation of Sam Back, Justin Anderlik and Chris Gansen.

With Anderlik's departure, Logan Shedenhelm is the

top returning receiving threat while the Wildcats will look for ways to get Ryan Shedenhelm the ball in the passing game as Haacke said his team will run a more up-tempo attack this season.

"We're looking to run a little more spread, play more kids and be a little bit more up-tempo with our offense," Haacke said. "Ryan's the type of guy that we're looking to get into space. He's such a great athlete that if we can get him in space I feel really good about our offense."

Logan Shedenhelm returns as the leader of the defense after recording 139 tackles.

He'll be joined by fellow seniors Krukow, Colton Reddel and Brandon Klaes - who all recorded better than 60 tackles last season - in what Haacke hopes is an improved defense.

"We talked after last season about how we want to be stoppers on defense," the coach said. "If we want to be a good defense, a defense that can compete against the good teams, we have to be able to stop people."

If Riceville can get the stops when it needs them, the offensive changes work and the Wildcats can avoid injuries, a home game in the postseason can be a reality.

"With our schedule, we feel we can be very competitive in the first half," Haacke said. "On the bottom half it gets a lot tougher. We get the big boys all in a row."

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

Riceville Volleyball: new season and new coaches

By DEB NICKLAY For the Press-News Riceville High School volleyball will begin its 2013-2014 season with new faces on its coaching staff.

Marcia Grimm and Lynn Howe will share coaching duties.

“We are looking forward to a fresh start this year, with making sure each of our 11 players on the team are capable of playing any position on the court,” said Howe.

Squad members include seniors Emily Rickerl and Abby Dunn; juniors Ashley Uthe, Taylor Uthe, Brandy Watenphul, Emma Ring, MaKayla Heczko, Dakota Dohlman and Courtney McKenna; and sophomores Madalyn Kuhn and Katie Keeling. They were scheduled to open their season in Cresco on Sept. 3.

“The girls on this team have a unique teamwork where they all get along, they all admire each other’s strengths and they all are positively encouraging their teammates.

“It’s a conduciveness that is not found on many teams. We are excited to start the year and show on the court the work we’ve been doing in practice.”

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

Osage boys XC have hopes for state berth

By DEB NICKLAY For The Press-News

Members of the 2013 Riceville Wildcats' volleyball team include, front row, left-right: Jenna Schneider, Bailey Dohlman, Savannah Asfahl, Brooke Hobson, Ashley Hobson, Sarah Klaes, Mady Kuhn and Sierra Ring. Middle row, l-r: Samantha Miller, McKayla Heczko, Amanda Hockens, Courtney McKenna, Brandy Watenphul, Dakota Dohlman, Diana Sunnes, Shayna Cody and Susie Irvin.Back row, l-r: Emily Rickerl, Ashley Uthe, Katie Keeling, Emma Ring, Abby Dunn and Taylor Uthe.The volleyball coaches are Marsha Grimm, Lynn Howe and Michele Ring. (Photo provided by Cassandra Leff, Riceville Recorder)

Osage High School cross country coach Bill Gruman won’t be filling any major holes this season on his boys’ team.

“For how hard they have worked this summer, I wish we could have more than seven guys running varsity,” said the veteran coach, who returns for his 10th season.

“We have a very strong group returning; it is a great group of guys dedicated to doing well this season.”

These are the guys who cleaned up last year: They were North Iowa Conference champions and went on to place eighth in the state’s cross country meet.

Returning to once again to make his mark is threetime individual state qualifier, senior Tyler Randall, who will be joined by senior teammates Douglas Perrin, Cole Riley and Chris Hanke; as well as juniors Lucas Maakestad and Sam Bellairs.

“We have several guys looking to step into leadership roles on the team,” Gruman added.

Gruman expects Garner-Hayfield/Ventura/ West Hancock to be tough again this season.

“We’ve been trading the top two spots in the conference meeting for several years. They have a great program going; we look forward to seeing all of the NIC teams this season.”

2013 Osage Boys Cross Country Team (Back row, from left) Lucas Maakestad, Tyler Randall, Sam Bellairs (Fromt row, from left) Douglas Perrin, Chris Hanke, Cole Riley.

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., September 4, 2013

Osage girls XC on the climb in NIC

2013 Osage Girls Cross Country Team. (Back row, from left) Jayme Blaser, Laura Klaes, Chandler Banta, Alex Byrnes, Rachel Grimm (Front row, from left) Emily Ross, Megan Mooberry, Ella Dralle, Julia Bobinet, Courtney Tusler. (Press-News photo by Kara Naig.)

By DEB NICKLAY For the Press-News The Osage High School girls’cross country program is on the climb,according to Coach Brent Jennings.

“They are looking for great things this season,” he said.

“After a promising year last year,they add a few newcomers to a veteran squad that will make them extremely tough to beat.

“We are excited about what we are seeing out of these girls; we have several who have been preparing all summer for the upcoming season.”

Senior Jayme Blaser is a key returner who has worked hard running and in the weight room to maximize her season, Jennings said. Other senior letter winners providing needed leadership are Chandler Banta and Laura Klaes.

Sophomores Alexis Byrnes and Courtney Tusler – who made strong contributions as freshmen – are back. Two freshmen standouts are Megan Mooberry and Emily Ross.

“This is the most prepared we have been at the beginning of a season since I have been here,” said Jennings. “Coach (Amy) Uhrmacher has done a great job helping the girls train over the summer and has added a new dimension to our program. We currently have close to 50 girls out in grades 7-12, the most in the history of the program. Our goals are pretty simple: We want to run as a team in the state meet.”

Good Luck Osage Green Devils, St. Ansgar Saints and Riceville Wildcats on a great fall sports season!

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MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS-NEWS, Osage, IA, Wed., Sept. 4, 2013

AREA FALL SPORTS SCHEDULES OSAGE GREEN DEVILS VARSITY FOOTBALL DATE 8-30 9-6 9-13 9-20 9-27 10-4 10-11 10-18 10-25 10-30 11-4 11-11 11-18 11-23

OPPONENT LOCATION TIME Cresco Away 7:30 Garner-Hayfield Home (Senior Night) 7:30 St. Ansgar Away 7:30 Union Home 7:30 Waukon Away 7:30 Hampton-Dumont Home (Homecoming) 7:30 New Hampton Away 7:30 Waterloo Columbus Home 7:30 Central Springs Away 7:30 1st Round Playoffs TBA 7:00 2nd Round Playoffs TBA 7:00 Quarter Finals playoffs TBA 7:00 Semi Finals Playoffs TBA TBA 2A State Championship TBA TBA

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL 9-3 North Iowa Away 7:30 9-5 Central Springs/Charles City Away 5:00 9-10 Lake Mills Home 7:30 9-12 Forest City Away 7:30 9-14 Osage Tournament Home 9:00 a.m.

9-17 Belmond-Klemme Home 7:30 9-21 Fort Dodge Away 9 a.m.

9-24 Newman Home (Senior Night) 7:30 9-26 West Hancock Away 7:30 9-28 Decorah Tournament Away 8:30 A.M. 10-1 Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Away 7:30 10-5 N.I.C Tournament Away (Lake Mills) 9:30 a.m.

10-7 N.I.C Tournament Away (Lake Mills) 6:00 10-12 Mason City Tournament Away 8:30 A.M. 10-17 A-P/North Butler Home 6:00 10-28 1st Round of Regional TBA TBA 10-31 2nd Round of Regional TBA TBA 11-5 Regional Semi-finals TBA TBA 11-14 State V.B Tournament Cedar Rapids TBA VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY 9-3 CO-ED Mason City West Campus M.C 4:30 9-5 Girls Charles City Charles City 4:30 9-10 CO-ED Bel.- Klemme Belmond 4:30

9-14 9-14 9-24 9-30 10-3 10-10 10-14 10-17 10-24 11-2

Boys North Fayette West Union CO-ED Osage Inv. M. C. Conservation CO-ED Nashua Inv. Nashua CO-ED Garner-Hayfield Garner CO-ED Hampton Hampton CO-ED New Hampton New Hampton CO-ED Forest City Forest City CO-ED N.I.C Meet Newman CO-ED Regional Meet TBA CO-ED State Meet Fort Dodge

9 A.M 4:30 5:00 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 TBA TBA

9-3 9-5 9-17 9-23 9-26 10-3 10-10 10-14 10-15 10-17 10-24 11-2

CO-ED Mason City West Campus M.C Co-ED Charles City Charles City CO-ED Osage Inv. M. C. Conservation CO-ED West Fork Rockwell CO-ED Central Springs Manly CO-ED Hampton Hampton CO-ED New Hampton New Hampton CO-ED Forest City Forest City CO-ED Austin, MN Austin, MN CO-ED Conference Newman CO-ED Regional Meet TBA CO-ED State Meet Fort Dodge

4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 TBA TBA

MITCHELL COUNTY

PRESS-NEWS

Vol. 148 • No. 36 • SEPTEMBER 4, 2013 • SECTION C

SAINT ANSGAR SAINTS VARSITY FOOTBALL DATE OPPONENT 8-30 Newman Catholic 9-6 West Hancock 9-13 Osage 9-20 North Fayette 9-27 South Winneshiek 10-4 MFL-Mar-Mac 10-11 Jesup 10-18 Sumner-Fredericksburg 10-25 Denver

LOCATION Home Britt Home Away Away Home Home Away Home

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL 9-3 Decorah 9-7 New Hampton Tourney 9-12 Central Springs 9-17 Northwood-Kensett 9-19 Rockford 9-21 Forest City 9-24 West Fork 10-1 North Butler 10-3 Garner-Hayfield 10-8 Nashua-Plainfield 10-10 Riceville 10-12 Mason City Tourney 10-14 Crestwood 10-17 Quad Tourney-Lake Mills 10-23 Regionals

Away Away Home Away Away Away Home Home Home Away Home Away Away Away TBA

RICEVILLE WILDCATS

VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY

TIME 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30

7:00 9:00 a.m.

7:00 7:00 7:00 9 a.m.

7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 8:30 a.m.

7:00 6:00 TBA

VARSITY FOOTBALL LOCATION TIME DATE OPPONENT 8-23 CWL Home 7:00 8-30 Dunkerton Home 7:o0 9-6 Tripoli Away 7:00 9-13 Kee High Away 7:00 9-20 RRMR Home (Homecoming) 7:00 9-27 Northwood-Kensett Away 7:00 10-11 Don Bosco Away 7:00 10-18 Clarksville Home (Senior Night) 7:00 10-25 Janesville Away 7:00 10-30 Playoffs - 1st Round TBA TBA 11-4 Playoffs - 2nd Round TBA TBA VARSITY VOLLEYBALL 9-3 Clarksville, Crestwood Away 5:00 9-9 Lyle, MN Away 7:00 9-12 Northwood-Kensett Away 7:00 9-14 Crestwood Away 9:00 9-17 Central Springs Away 7:00 9-19 West Fork Away 7:00 9-21 Nashua-Plainfield Away 9 a.m.

9-24 RRMR Home 7:00 9-28 LeRoy-Ostrander, MN Away 9 a.m.

10-1 Nashua-Plainfield Home (Senior Night) 7:00 10-8 North Butler Away 7:00 10-10 St. Ansgar Away 7:00 10-22 Regionals TBA TBA

2013 Fall Sports Featuring 2013 Previews for Football, Volleyball and Cross Country teams from

Osage • St. Ansgar • Riceville