Fall Sports Preview

MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE • HANCOCK RECORD

Morris, Minnesota 56267

Saturday, August 25, 2018 - Page B1

2018 Fall Sports Preview football, volleyball, tennis, swimming and cross country FOOTBALL

MACA football wants more success in 2018

By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times The Morris Area / Chokio Alberta Tiger football team has one main goal each season: success in terms of hardware by the end of the season.

This year is no different.

The Tigers come off a 4-6 season where they placed fifth in the MidState Sub 2 District and return a core group that looks to improve that mark this fall.

Among the returners include district running back of the year Camden Arndt, who ran over over 1,400 yards in 2017.

He also had 140 yards of receiving and 45 tackles at linebacker.

MACA: Page B3

Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times

The MACA football team includes (front, left to right) Chandler Wilts (12), Robert Spivey (12), Brady Cardwell (12), Levi Schmidgall (12), Mace Yellow (12), Jaret Johnson (12), Kevin Asfeld (12), Camden Arndt (12), Nathan Grunklee (12), Joseph Kleinwolterink (12), Ben Travis (12), Matt McNeill (12), Russell Nielsen (12), (second row, left to right) Nick Johnson (11), Dillon Nelson (11), Austin Berlinger (11), Christopher Just (11), Dalton Koehler (11), Cameron Koebernick (11), Jake Riley (11), Cade Fehr (11), Colten Scheldorf (11), Bailey Danziesen (11), Braden Waldbeser (11), Abe Schmidgall (11), (third row, left to right) Gavin Ehrp (9), Mason Dougherty (10), Bradyn Daugherty (10), Gage Tomoson (10), Brady Backman (10), Zach Bruns (10), Jack Riley (11), Josh Rohloff (10), Tristan Raths (10), Riley Reimers (10), Kenny Soderberg (10), Will Breuer (10), Austin Clemenson (10), Jaden Braness (10), Eli Grove (11), (fourth row, left to right) Asher Malek (9), Payton Larson (9), Evan Oberg (9), Kaden Burns (9), Brandon Jergenson (9), Ben Giese (12), Durgin Decker (9), Dylan Rose (9), Austin Raths (9), Ethan Sperr (9), Reid Ketterling (9), Brady Rohloff (9), (fifth row, left to right) Noah Amundson (9), Sam Kleinwolterink (9), Zach Butterfield (9), Brett Hansen (9), Abelardo Arreguin (9), Monte Fehr (9), Ethan Lebrija (9), Ross Marty (9), Flynn McNally (9), Cole Wente (9), Yamil Merida (9), Brenden Hardy (9), (sixth row, left to right) Sawyer Knobloch (9), Angel Gallegos (10), Jacob Boots (10), and Maddix Erickson (9).

FOOTBALL

Owl football looks to keep rolling into 2018

By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times

Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times

Members of the Hancock Owl football team include (front, left to right) Adam Shaw, Preston Rohloff, Brandon Kellenberger, Isaac Nienhaus, Devon Schroeder, Luke Joos, David Milander, (second row, left to right) Daniel Milander, Gideon Joos, Wyatt Anderson, Matt Thompson, Isaiah Flatten, Toby Messner, Jed Fuechtenberger, Cody Anderson, (third row, left to right) Christian Dodds, Tory Schmidgall, Zach Razink, Parker Schmidgall, Tyler Timmerman, Dalton Rose, Colton Crowell, Bennett Nienhaus, (back, left to right) Connor Reese, Harrison Zeltwanger, Montana Molden, Peyton Rohloff, and Cole Reese.

The Hancock Owl football team went 6-4 in the 2017 season and was a host for its first home playoff game since 2005. The Owls graduated eight seniors off that roster this spring, but look to continue the success from last year into this season.

“We return a good core nucleus and have looked good during the offseason,” ninth-year head coach Chad Christianson said.

The Owls return all-district player Montana Molden along with honorable mention players Harrison Zeltwanger, Peyton Rohloff, Tyler Timmerman

and Gideon Joos. Molden, Zeltwanger, Rohloff, and Tory Schmidgall were named the official 2018 football captains.

The biggest question mark heading into the preseason is the quarterback position.

Kaleb Koehl was a three-year starter and accounted for over 3,500 yards of offense in 2017. Bennett Nienhaus, Dalton Rose, and Preston Rohloff will likely all compete for the starting spot.

“All have different things that they bring to the position that can help the team. Some other things that we may look at is how much they could help us in other positions,” Christianson said.

OWL FB: Page B3

SWIMMING

Gators return core group in 2018

By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times Five-time state entrant Lacey Entzi along with Mara DeRung, Morgan Steinke, and Danielle Reuss are set to captain the 2018 Gator girls swimming and diving program, head coach Linda Hoffmann said.

The program is a four-school cooperative between Morris Area, Chokio-Alberta, Minnewaska Area, and Benson.

Hoffmann is dedicating this season to Jerry Lesmeister.

“Jerry Lesmeister was a big supporter and mentor to me as a coach when I began in 1988 and he

was a huge supporter and fan of our local swim club Tigersharks and high school swimming in Morris. I coached all of his four kids in swimming at some point in their lives, and his lovely wife Jane and him were always a phone call away if I needed anything. That shows how the sport of swimming is like a family,” Hoffmann said.

Along with the captains, other swimming returners include juniors Hannah Hoffmann, Liz Murken, and Michele Stai and sophomores Ali Femrite, Avery Jorgenson, Julia Kuehne, Bailey Schoen, Natalia Obregon-Ibanez,

Makenna Hufford, and Claire Reed.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the Morris swimmers stepping up and playing a larger role In the lineup this season,” Hoffmann said.

“They have the talent, they need to clear their mind of ‘can’t’ and continue to grow and improve as a swimmer. They put in extra swim time this summer by attending camps and swimming during the offseason and they improved their technique, strength and endurance which will serve them well.”

SWIMMING: Page B3

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Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times

The Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta/Hancock side of the Morris/Minnewaska Gator girls swimming and diving team includes (front, left to right) Natalia Obregon, Molly LeTendre, Grace Mortenson, Shannon Dougherty, Gabby Schneider, Abigail Malek, Chaeli Zahl, (back, left to right) Paesha Dekok, Audrey Dorweiler, Emma Dingman, Claire Reed, Madi Solvie, Alexis Benson, Mara DeRung, Kaia Anderson, and not pictured Makenna Hufford, Sara Hoffman, Maggie Beaver, and Makarian Schott.

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Sports

B2 Saturday, August 25, 2018

The Stevens County Times

2018 Fall Sports Preview football, volleyball, tennis, swimming and cross country

VOLLEYBALL

VOLLEYBALL

Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times

Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times

The Hancock volleyball program includes (front, left to right) Gabi Joos, Bryn Brown, Miranda Chamberlain, Jenna Kannegiesser, Lindsey Mattson, Val Messner, Morgan Kisgan, (back, left to right) Bailey DeSmith, Carlee Hanson, Tori Pahl, Jordan Hausmann, Cora Millette, Alexa Meierding, Alexis Staples, Erika Colon, and Kyerra Carter.

The Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta volleyball program includes (front, left to right) Mackenzie Stahman, Riley Decker, Bailey Marty, Alexis Pew, Corrie Erhdal, Taryn Picht, Cortney Hickman, (second row, left to right) Maddie Erdahl, Emma Bowman, Hallie Watzke, Ryanne Bisgard, LeAndra Hormann, Jaden Ross, Courtney Lehman, Brienna Dybdahl, Bailey Hottovy, Camryn Ostby, Olivia Lebrija, (third row, left to right) Mackenna Kehoe, Larae Kram, Abbie Bellmore, Abbey, Nicole Gillespie, Yasmine Westerman, (back, left to right) Macee Libbesmeier, Sydney Solvie, Kylie Swanson, Kendra Wevley, Liz Dietz, Jen Solvie, Sophia Carlson, Emma Berlinger, Lauren Harste, Mackenzie Hockel, and Sydney Dietz.

Owls looking for improvement Tiger volleyball looks to

By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times

official captains this year.

“We’ll rotate every week,” head coach Steph Flaten said. “Focus on team.”

The Hancock Owl volleyball team won There are a number of returning playthree games last season. Head coach ers that could be potential court leaders Steph Flaten wants to improve on that for Hancock. this season.

Bailey DeSmith had a 90.4 percent “(We want to) play as a team and dou- hitting percentage in 2017, which was ble our wins from last year,” third-year highest on the team last year. She also head coach Steph Flaten said of the goals had eight solo blocks and five assisted coming into this season. blocks.

After graduating three seniors off the roster from 2017, the Owls aren’t naming OWLS VB: Page B3

repeat as WCC champs

By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times The Morris Area / Chokio-Alberta Tiger volleyball team won the West Central Conference title outright for the first

time in program history last season. The goal is to repeat that in 2018, head coach Caleb Greene said.

Greene was named the head coach of the program for the second time

CROSS COUNTRY

in his career after five years a junior varsity coach under Kristi Fehr.

Greene coached varsity for four seasons from

TIGER VB: Page B3

TENNIS

Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times

Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times

The Tiger girls cross country team includes (front, left to right) Anna Backman, Anna Jordan, (middle, left to right) Hailey Werk, Meredith Carrington, Madelyn Siegel, Caryn Marty, Malory Anderson, Maddie Carrington, Taylor Kill, (back, left to right) Betsie Altamirano, Victoria Vargas, Isabel Fynbohl, Bobbi Wohlers, Kaylie Raths, Crystal Nohl, Alexis Motz, and Kelly Berlinger.

Members of the MACA/WCA girls tennis team include (front, left to right) Lakia Manska, Katie Messner, Hailey Jackson, Destiny Pollard, (middle, left to right) Ireland Winter, Abbigail Athey, Kassidy Girard, Lily Swanson, Breanna Schmidgall, Kelsey Eystad, Tasha Keohl, (back, left to right) Lea Asmus, Hannah Wutzke, Ryanne Long, Katelyn Wehking, Greta Hentges, Brynna Olson, Lexi Gomer, Hope Sperr, Kylie Mau, Claire Stark, Lydia Fynboh, and Emily Sanchez Peralta.

Tiger tennis looks for growth in 2018

By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times

and the athletes to grow in all areas on and off the court,” House told the The Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta/ Stevens County Times when the coachWest Central Area girls tennis team is ing change was first announced. “I’m under new management in 2018 in for- excited to work with this motivated and mer head coach Britney House. She has hardworking group of young ladies.” returned to the program after a twoThe Tigers had no seniors and 19 year hiatus and is ready to get to work.

“I want the program to be successful TENNIS: Page B3

HAVE A GREAT

Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times

The Tiger boys cross country team includes (front, left to right) Gavin Stallman, Tyce Anderson, Ethan Koehler, Matthew Pecina, (middle, left to right) Hunter Pederson, Barron Schneider, Aarav Devkota, Bradley Rohloff, Pierce Richards, Noah Erickson, Drake Schmidt, (back, left to right) Kaeden Fischer, Sam Jordan, Thomas Tiernan, Jared Boots, Colton Wolhers, Noah Stewart, Micah Aanerud, Ben Hernandez, and Solomon Johnson.

Tiger cross country to continue WCC dominance

By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times

ite this year,” head coach Dale Henrich said of both The Morris Area/ the girls and boys teams.

Chokio-Alberta Tiger cross Henrich enters his 10th country teams both won year with the cross country a West Central Conference programs.

The 2017 conference title in 2017 and this year they hope to continue that championship was the dominance within the con- fourth straight title for the girls and first title for the ference this season.

“I hope we are the favor- boys since 2012.

The boys graduated three seniors off the roster, including 2017 state entrant Tate Nelson.

“The girls didn’t have any seniors last year,” Henrich said.

The boys return top runners Noah Stewart and

TIGER CC: Page B3

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Sports

The Stevens County Times

Saturday, August 25, 2018 B3

2018 Fall Sports Preview football, volleyball, tennis, swimming and cross country

MACA

Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times

Jaret Johnson drops back to throw during a preseason practice. Johnson was named one of the senior captains for the 2018 season.

He missed two weeks and was relegated to defense only From Page B1 upon his return to the field.

He finished 2017 with 75 tackles on defense, 95 yards “Camden can impact the rushing on 23 carries, and 1 game in a lot of ways,” said reception for 32 yards receivKevin Pope, who enters his ing. He will be playing fullsixth season as head coach. “(In 2017), he was a standout back and linebacker in 2018.

“Matt (McNeill) earned the when carrying and catching honor of being a junior capthe ball on offense, returntain based on his leadership ing the ball on special teams, and was a playmaker on the on and off the field as well defensive side of the ball as as his consistent strong work ethic during the offseason,” well.”

The Tigers also return Matt Pope said. “He returns this McNeill, who was a captain year a captain having again in 2017 and will return to shown uncommon leadership the field a captain in 2018. throughout the offseason.”

Other top returners include: McNeill hurt his knee in week three of the season last year. Brady Cardwell, Ben Giese,

Jaret Johnson, Joseph Kleinwolterink, Mace Yellow, Kevin Asfeld, and Nathan Beyer.

Several newcomers are expected to make an immediate impact with the Tigers, including Zach Bruns, who debuted on varsity in the postseason of 2017. He carried the ball three times for 20 yards and went 1-for2 passing with a 62-yard touchdown completion.

“He immediately made an impact,” Pope said. “He went on to impact the varsity rosters for hockey and baseball during the remainder of the his freshman year. He has been one of the most consis-

OWL FB

SWIMMING

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Timmerman returns as a skilled receiver and running back, Christianson said. He will also get looked at as a cornerback on defense. Last season, Timmerman had 30 catches for 513 yards and 15 carries for 125 yards.

Kellenberger averaged 9.8 yards per catch in 2017. “Brandon Kellenberger has looked good for us this summer and with good speed will hopefully be a deep threat for us this year,” Christiansen said.

Nienhaus also got in as receiver last year and had three catches for 44 yards. He also rushed for 84 yards on 13 carries. Gideon Joos had 69 yards on 28 carries and Isaac Nienhaus had 19 carries for 45 yards.

Joos and Dalton Rose both return at linebacker where they had success last season. Joos had 80

Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times

Jed Feuchtenberger makes a cut back during a tackling drill at practice. tackles in 2017, which was second best on the team to Koehl. He also had six tackles for loss and three sacks. Rose had 40 tackles and one interception last season.

Zeltwanger and Molden both return on the line. Zeltwanger had 52 tackles and two sacks on defense and had one touchdown catch as a

tight end. Molden had 42 tackles in 2017, two for losses.

Verndale and Brandon-Evansville are preseason favorites for both District 9 West South and Section 4-9 man.

The Owls open the 2018 regular season at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at Park Christian in Moorhead.

The divers also “gained valuable experience last year,” said Hoffmann.

Reed, Grace Mortenson, Jaida Hess, Madi Solvie, Abbie Barsness and Sara Hoffman all participated in diving last year under the direction of Sarah Scherbring. Emma Dingman and Lily Anderson will also be diving in 2018, Hoffmann said.

The Gators participate within the West Central Conference and Section 6A. Sauk Centre and Melrose are considered conference and section favorites this season, according to Hoffmann. Sartell-St. Stephen is also always a strong section team,

tent and hardest workers this offseason, and stands poised to increase his footprint on the football field.”

Other newcomers looking to make their marks include: Colten Scheldorf, Jake and Jack Riley, Nick Johnson, Cade Fehr, and Tristan Raths.

“All of these players had opportunities to cut their teeth during their sophomore and freshman seasons last year, and all have continued that momentum with hard work and great offseasons,” Pope said.

The Tigers open the 2018 season against Holdingford at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, in Morris.

Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times

Natalia Obregon-Ibanez and Claire Reed swim laps during practice.

Hoffmann said.

The Gators opened the regular season at Willmar Friday, Aug. 24. They now travel for a meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, in Montevideo.

This week’s sports results can be found on the Stevens County Times website.

Photos by Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times (From left) Micah Aanerud, Ben Hernandez, and Jared Boots all (From left) Maddie Carrington, Meredith run ahead of the pack at the start Carrington, and Malory Anderson work on highknee exercise during warm ups at practice. of a timed run at practice.

TIGER CC

Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times

Ryanne Long connects on a forehand during practice. Long played both singles and doubles in 2017 and tallied seven wins on the season.

TENNIS

Abbigail Athey, Lakia Manska, Hannah Wutzke, Greta Hentges, Katie Messner, From Page B2 and Hailey Jackson.

“There are no seventh graders from Morris,” House said of the team prior match wins in 2017. Lea Asmus had five to the start of practices beginning. of those match wins at No. 1 singles.

Megan Lindahl is this year’s student She returns as the lone senior on the manager. team this season.

The Tigers opened the season on Ryanne Long had seven match wins Friday, Aug. 17 with a win over Parkers last season, including four singles Prairie. They next host Minnewaska at match wins. She returns as a junior.

4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, in Morris.

Other experienced returners include:

TIGER VB From Page B2

2009 to 2012 and racked up a 62-40 coaching record. Fehr will remain on staff as a volunteer assistant, Greene said.

The Tigers return 2017 all-conference players Riley Decker and Bailey Marty. Decker was named Most Valuable Defender by the West Central Conference after tallying Brooke Kern / over 520 digs in 2017. She Stevens County Times verbally announced her Liz Dietz sets the ball commitment to the Confor a teammate. Dietz cordia St. Paul volleyball is in competition for the program this summer. starting setter position Marty tallied 143 kills left by Karly Fehr, who in 2017, highest of all is playing volleyball for the returners. Lexi Pew Northwestern St. Paul (55 kills) and Mackenthis fall. zie Hockel (74 kills) also return with varsity expe- question marks in the rience. preseason is who will One of the biggest replace four-year starter

and two-time all-state setter Karly Fehr.

“There is a huge spot to fill,” Greene said of the setter position.

Liz Dietz, LaRae Kram, and Kenna Kehoe will likely compete for the starting spot.

As far as West Central Conference competition, Sauk Centre always has strong a program. The Mainstreeters won the conference title in 2014 and 2015 and shared the title with Morris/C-A in 2016. Melrose and BOLD are two other programs that will be strong in 2018, Greene said.

Marshall is still the team to beat in Section 3AA. Marshall took fourth in the Class AA State Tournament in 2017.

The Tigers open up the 2018 season against Montevideo Thursday, Aug. 30, in Morris.

Carrington, who reached the Class A State Meet as a From Page B2 seventh and eighth-grader. She took fourth in the Solomon Johnson, which Section 6A meet and first in the conference meet in both placed in the top 10 2017. in the conference meet last Meredith’s older sister year. Ben Hernandez took Maddie Carrington comes 11th place in the conference off a successful 2018 track meet in 2017 and top 25 and field season where she finisher Thomas Tiernan is placed ninth overall in the also back this season.

Class A 1600-meter run.

The Tiger girls return She is a three-time state ninth-grader Meredith cross country entrant but

missed qualifying in 2017.

She’ll look to return to state in 2018 as a junior.

The Section 6A favorites include Staples-Motley and Perham. “It all depends on how many people they’ve graduated,” Henrich said.

The Tigers open the 2018 cross country season with their hosted invitational at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27, at Pomme de Terre golf club in Morris.

OWLS VB From Page B2

Lexi Staples recorded 110 digs in 2017 and is the top returner defensively.

Morgan Kisgen was 80 percent on hitting attacks and had 14 set assists.

Seniors Haley Mattson and Taylor Wilson will be considered newcomers to the varsity team. Mattson did not play last year as she was recovering from a knee injury she sustained during the 2017 softball season.

Lindsey Mattson and Jenna Kannegiesser will also return this season.

Both served over 90 percent serve percentage in 2017.

The Owls open the 2018 volleyball season at 7 p.m. against Brandon-Evansville Monday, Aug. 27, in Hancock.

Bailey DeSmith goes to spike the ball during a practice.

Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times