Sports Roundup

— Ryan Ulrich, Sports and News Editor

The Girls Swim and Dive season would already be an interesting one, as it is the first year for new Head Coach Claudia Schoellkopf. However, the mindset of this season for both the new coach, and team is clear. “As a new head coach, I am looking to grow the team and transition with some of the changes we are implementing in regards to practices,” Schoellkopf said. “We have a very young squad this year, which will mature and grow as we move through the season.” This young squad will surely show promise this year as they continue to grow. However, that has not stopped them from already making a good impression on their new head coach. “The team has really impressed me and the coaching staff in the pool, and in the weight room,” Schoellkopf said. “We had really good times and scores at the opening meet in Williston, so I hope we can build on those, and grow our state team from last year.”

Photo by Nathan Stramer Senior Treys Tietz running past the defense for a big gain.

Volleyball

Photo by Ryan Ulrich

Senior Keaton Pritchett hitting a solid forehand.

Boys’ Tennis

The girls have started off their season strong, which has With losing only two varsity players from last year, the brought plenty to look forward to. The promise that the team Braves have plenty to build off of. This experience will help shows, shines in more than just the stat sheet. the team with achieving their big goals for this season. “I really like how well we mesh together, and everyone is “I think we learned a lot about several players towards the very competitive and better yet selfless,” Head Coach Anna Folk end of the season that will help us target specific weaknesses said. “All our players excel at many different areas.” to improve on.” Head Coach Paul Christian said. “We want What is key for the Braves are their returning varsity players to continue to improve each day, and qualify for state as a from last year. This could help fuel an already promising start, team, for the first time in seven years.” to a bright finish for the team. With this experience, the Braves have set themselves up “We have quite a few varsity returners with lots of experience; with a promising start to the season. One that allows the

Taylor Leingang leading in kills, Sydney Gustavsson in assists, team to always be able to compete hard on game days. and Piper Harris in digs, but so far we have had three matches, “I’ve been pleased with the performance of the team this and there has been someone to step up each match,” Folk said. far, as we have had some doubles teams really click, which

“We have a really strong passing/defensive core, and we have has given us a chance to win every match so far,” Christian been serving very tough the last few matches, so if we control said. “We have several styles of players, which can be very those aspects of the game, our offense will really take off.” helpful when trying to match up with the other teams.” 22 October 2020 Sports

Girls’ Golf

Last year the Girls’ Golf team had a disappointing end to their season. However, this has provided the team with plenty of motivation for the season. “By not making it to the state tournament last year, we had a very disappointing end of the season,” Head Coach Dean Johs said. This motivation to improve has seemed to pay off for the Braves. However, this success has paid off for both the team, and some individual golfers. “So far we have been very successful finishing fourth, third, second, and second in our first four tournaments,” Johs said. “Our top three have a shot at being all conference (top 10 in conference), and so far Anna Huettl is seventh, Aysia Mettler is tenth, and Deona Roehrich is thirteenth.” Photo by Aspen Jewkes

Senior Olivia Leingang getting ready to serve.

Dance

Last season the Braves had a quite young team. However, this youth has provided the team with plenty to build off of for this season. “Near the end of last season, we placed in all four categories at Legacy’s invite,” Senior Allie Fleck said. “We didn’t lose any seniors, so we hope to build on that.” However with this year being impacted by COVID-19, it has brought many changes for the team’s season. These changes are something that the team will have to adapt. “With all the uncertainty, just being able to go to competitions will be a win,” Fleck said. “Corona has pushed us back, and not being able to have our first performance be Homecoming was hard.”

Girls’ Cross Country

Last year the Girls Cross Country team finished 10th in state. “Last season we had two seniors who were great leaders and role models for the rest of the team, and I can’t wait to see how our young team fills those roles this season,” Head Coach Hillary Feist said. “Thanks to the previous role models, they are all hard workers who support each other and motivate each other to always do their best.” With any young team comes the time to grow and develop. However, having that great leadership from last year’s seniors have put this team on the right track to improve. “Our team has started the season off great,” Feist said. “All members of the team have improved their season time at least once and most of them twice, which means they have improved every

Football

Coming into this season, the Braves have lost a few key members from last season’s team. However, the team still has plenty of good from last season to build off of. “Last year’s team helped to build the foundationally reality that if you play for each other as a team, success will follow,” Head Coach Todd Sheldon said. “The entire offensive line is all seniors, and have provided great leadership and drive.” Having this strong foundation has allowed this team to have some success early on in the season. However, the mindset and what the team looks to lean on for the rest of the season is clear. “The greatest strength of the team is the senior class, and we will go far as they will to us,” Sheldon said. “We have to prepare everyday with a level of energy that allows us to not only succeed, but also to thrive.”

meet so far.” Sports

Photo by Leah Emineth Freshman Anna Huettl getting ready to hit her drive.

Boys’ Soccer

Cross Country This season the Braves have a young team. This makes it clear for the This season the Braves are looking towards Braves on what they have to focus on. improving every day. This mindset helps the “One of the biggest takeaways team to look at how to finish the season. for our team would definitely be “I’d say the main goal right now is to get improving our young players,” Senior everyone prepared for state,” Junior Raine Skjod Austin Horn said. said. “The work we have put in so far really While this may be a young team, the shows how hard we have been working to get Braves still have had some struggles ready for state.” during this season. However, these In order to make state, it takes more than just struggles have not derailed the work. However, some other parts of the team mindset for the end of the season. will be crucial for postseason time. “We have had to face a lot of “Even though we are a small team, we are injuries and some people have been doing the best at giving it our all,” Skjod said. quarantined,” Horn said. “We are still “This team may be small, but I feel like we are looking everyday and get better as a all a family.” team in order to keep improving.” October 2020 23