Spring Sports 2010

Lead Off B l o o m i n g P r a i r i e | m e d f o r d | n r H e g | o WaT o n n a | T r i T o n

SPring SPorTS PrevieW 2010

FIRSTSIDE N I E TIM ERS FOR T ROS L AREA AL AMS TE

B uilding Programs

Kristi Hiatt and Tate Cummins were hired on the same day in 2006 and both have turned around losing programs.

Covering Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, Golf, Boys Tennis & Lacrosse MAnSKe

PAulSon Senior eyes school record.

Junior returns to the mound.

owatonna.com

Page

Spring Sports Preview 2010S

A special project of the Owatonna People’s Press 135 W. Pearl St., Owatonna, MN Publisher: Ron Ensley Advertising Director: Debbie Ensley Managing Editor: Jeffrey Jackson Sports Editor: Derek Sullivan Sports Reporter: Ian Stauffer Account Representatives: Betty Frost, Diane Gengler, Laurie Jensen, Ruth Satterlund Ad design: Jenine Kubista, Kelly Kubista, Sue Monson, Kerri Pohlner, Sue Schuster Cover design: Kate Townsend-Noet Cover photo: Ian Stauffer On the cover: Owatonna softball coach Kristi Hiatt, left, and Owatonna baseball coach Tate Cummins

Owatonna senior Victoria Paulson

Paulson keeps her eye on the prize OWATONNA — Victoria Paulson has memorized a couple of times.

First she knows that 1983 OHS grad Sarah Parks owns the 800-meter run record at Owatonna with a time of 2 minutes, 16.7 seconds.

Paulson also knows that she ran 2:16.8 when she won the 800 at the Big Nine Conference track and field meet last spring in Austin.

“Breaking that record definitely means a lot to me,” Paulson said. “To beat a record by Sarah Parks, who’s in the [Owatonna Athletic] hall of fame would be awesome. The record has stood for almost 30 years.”

Paulson knows it won’t be easy to take down Parks, who graduated with eight school records in track and field. She worked out all winter, even running outside when the temperature hovered around 15 degrees. She also played soccer once a week.

“I ran too many miles to count,” she said. “I worked out hard this winter.”

While breaking the 800 school record remains goal No. 1, Paulson also has her eyes on

another prize. Last year, she finished third at the state meet in the 800, 1.67 seconds behind state champion Haylie Zenner of Fergus Falls. In the race that was run in a driving rain last June at Hamline University, Paulson also finished behind Erin Krause of Wayzata.

What’s the old saying? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Paulson and Krause met on a recruiting trip to Wisconsin during the offseason and both committed to the Badgers.

“We got along awesome,” Paulson said. “We stayed in touch, talked on Facebook and now we’re going to room together.”

While the two are good friends, Paulson has no plans of being friendly if the two meet up again in June. The Owatonna senior believes she can get down to 2:13 this spring, two seconds faster than last year’s winning time by Zenner.

If Paulson can win a state title, it will be the third straight year and fourth year in the last five that an Owatonna athlete won a gold medal at state. Saman-

tha Dehn (2005), Mike Shaver (2007), Amy Kubat (2008) and Casey Dehn (2008, 2009) have all worn an Owatonna uniform at the top of the podium.

Along with personal goals, Paulson, who might also run several relays and the 200, will do whatever she can to help the Huskies climb back up the Big Nine standings. The Huskies won conference titles from 2006-08 before finishing seventh last year. Paulson pointed to the graduation of Kubat, Beth Christensen, Aubrie Bowers and others from the highly successful Class of 2008 for the Huskies’ drop to seventh.

“We got hit so hard by graduation,” Paulson said. “It was tough last year. We can improve this year. We have over 100 girls out this year and we have so much young talent.”

Paulson admitted she’s even surprised to be chasing school records and state titles.

“When I look at my times, I’m amazed,” she said. “I worked so hard and to see my times go down is the greatest feeling ever.”

— Derek Sullivan

Lead Off 2010 is distributed to subscribers and readers of the Owatonna People’s Press at no additional charge.

All rights reserved. ©2010.

GrEat SMilES Start HErE

✔ Affordable fees, outstanding results

✔ No cumbersome headgear

✔ Children, teens & adults ✔ Clear, gold or colored braces

✔ No down payment is required

✔ No painful separators or metal bands around the teeth

✔ Results you’ll smile about!

✔ Flexible, interest free financing

KingBraces.com

507.332.0022

1575 20th St. NW Suite 202 Faribault, MN 55021

507.446.9000

125 28th St NE Owatonna, MN 55060

FREE, No Obligation Consultations & Second Opinions

0Spring Sports Preview 2010

2010 Owatonna Girls Golf

Huskies bring back 5 of 6 What happened last year?

The Huskies pulled out of a three-way tie for fifth and took fourth place at the Big Nine Conference meet last season. One week later, OHS jumped over several teams and took eighth at the Section 1AAA Meet.

Owatonna returns five of the six players from last year’s Big Nine and section lineups, including senior Taylor Numedahl and sophomores Claire Konold and Lauren Numedahl. Juniors Emma Konold and Libby Abbe area also back for another season.

Page

2010 Owatonna Girls Track & Field

OHS wants back on top What happened last year?

The Huskies were 7-2 in the Big Nine triangulars, but finished seventh at the Big Nine Meet in Austin. OHS also finished fifth at the section true team meet and 13th at the Section 1AA Meet. Senior Victoria Paulson took third at the Class 2A State Meet last year in the 800-meter run.

2010 Roster Seniors Rachel Arnott; Nicole Forster; Alyssa Kaplan; Katie Kempton; Megan Kidd; Laura Owatonna senior Lyons; Victoria Paulson; Karley Phelps; Christina Rozeske; Jamie Sease; Lyndsi Taylor Numedahl “It’s going to be a Schwichtenberg.

Juniors constant competition Becky Duron; Aubree Evans; Iina Lappa2010 Roster Maggie Noble, sr. for spots lainen; Lauren Malo; Rachel Meyer; Joyce Libby Abbe, jr.

Lauren Numedahl, so. this year.

Portillo; Katarina Sak; Shaylma Salinas; Brianna Brekke, jr.

Taylor Numedahl, sr.

Brooke Schmitz; Kenzie Schroeder CaroHopefully Claire Cink, jr.

Amanda Slovak, so. line Stiles; Carly Ulrich.

April Gwin, jr. that will Sophomores Sophie Hill, 7th 2010 Schedule help drive Anna Bastyr; Nikki Botten; Anna ChrisAlyssa Holcomb, so.

April 13 vs. Faribault, 2:30 p.m. tenson; Kayla Docken; Leah Filzen; Carly us lower Hailey Holland, jr.

April 17 at Faribault Invite, 9 a.m.

Guenther; Savanna Hosler; Brittany JohnAlexandra Johnson, fr.

April 19 at Winona tri, 2:30 p.m. and lower son; Haylee Kremmin; Kiana Leer; Safo MaSara Johnson, so.

April 30 at Mayo tri, 3:30 p.m. in the scores.”

Sara Jones, fr.

May 4 vs. Rochester JM, Austin 2:30 p.m. hamood; Jasmine Moore; Tracy Neubauer; Sami Olson; Elise O’Neill; Bailey Possehl; Hailie Kallembach, so.

May 8 Owatonna Invite, 9 a.m.

Shelby Randall; Lauren Schlobohm; Audrey Claire Konold, so.

May 11 at Albert Lea tri, 2:30 p.m.

— TIM HUNST, OHS girls golf Emma Konold, so.

May 21 at Big Nine Meet, 10 a.m. (Mankato) Sexter; Heather Smith; Taylar Wickman; Racoach Abby Krumrie, so.

June 1, 3 at Section Tournament (Cannon chel Wiebke; Eden Wilcox; Amanda Wilker; Emily Woothart; Savannah Wunderlich.

Whitney Kubat, so.

Falls) Freshmen Osbeida Aguilar; Shelby Bucher; Simone Breyer; Lara Butler; Saraha Carlson; Corey Dolan; Gabrilla Dosantos; Alexi Duruji; Neichelle Fuller; Monica Hanson; Leah Hawkins; Megan Herr; Kylin Lindholm; Katie Nosbush; Mati Oeltjenbruns; Kiara Parker; Shannon Randall; Kelsey Rohrig; Molly Russell; Santhya Salinas; Cassandra Schue; Feature Stories Erin Spatenka; Jillian Stout; Madelyn Thein; Page 2: Owatonna’s Victoria Paulson is chasing a school record Vanessa VanEngelenhoven; Megan Wencl; Mallory Wright; Amanda Zuniga.

Pages 10-11: OHS coaches Tate Cummins and Kristi Hiatt have 8th graders turned around losing programs in a matter of three years Hanna Busho; Holly Bloomenrader; Megan Damitz; Madison Eggermont; Page 20: Blooming Prairie junior pitcher Erica Manske is trying to Emily Emanuelson; Kelly Fait; Angie Farbe one of the best in the area rier; Amy Filzen; Sacdia Hassan; Amanda Liedke; Shelston Lindgren; Toni Nelson; Owatonna Huskies Mackenzie Peters; Haley Picha; Torii

Lead Off 2010 Table of Contents

Page 3: Girls track, girls golf Page 4: Baseball, softball Page 5: Boys and girls lacrosse Page 6: Boys track Page 7: Boys golf, boys tennis Medford Tigers Page 12: Softball, track Page 14: Baseball Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms Page 7: Golf Page 8: Baseball Page 9: Softball, track NRHEG Panthers Page 12: Track Page 13: Softball, baseball, golf Triton Cobras Page 15: Baseball, golf Page 16: Softball, track Schedules Page 17-18: Events calendar Page 19: State dates

Owatonna senior Christina Rozeske

Rethemeier; Abby Ryan; Madelyn Rysavy; Alix Schallau; Cassie Schnobrich; Kalley Schwab; Paige Stewart.

7th graders Karin Anderson; Maline Bungum; Klesa Christian; Kathryn Dufrene; Ciera Federly; Brekken Fukushima; Alicia Gonzalez; Amber Holte; Mariah Jorgensen; Alexis Kubista; Rhi Lustig; Anna Moe; Meagan Nowariak; Olivia Oland; Brianna Ong; Jasmine Piepho; Shi Spiekermann; Hayley VanEngelenhoven; Elizabeth Wiebke.

2010 Schedule April 13 vs. Albert Lea, Park Center, 3 p.m.

April 17 at Apple Valley Invite, 10 a.m.

April 20 vs. Century, Winona, JM, 4:30 p.m.

April 23-24 at Hamline Elite Meet April 27 at Albert Lea quad, 4:30 p.m.

May 4 at Winona tri, 4:30 p.m.

May 11 at Section True Team (Mayo), 2:30 p.m.

“Our numbers are high, so we anticipate being able to have a lot of depth at each event.”

— ANN CHRISTENSEN, OHS girls track and field coach

May 20 at Mankato East tri, 3:30 p.m.

May 28 at Big Nine Conference Meet (Rochester JM), 12:30 p.m.

June 3,5 at Section Meet (Lakeville South)

good luck We’ll help you get there.

Good Luck Spring athletes! unitedprairiebank.com MEMBER FDIC • Equal Housing Lender

507.451.6300

Page

Spring Sports Preview 2010S

2010 Owatonna Baseball • Section 1AAA Champions

2010 Owatonna Softball

OHS wants to be the real deal 2009 Record: 13-11

Owatonna senior Tyler Smith

Huskies play for another title

“I feel like once again I can make softball all it can be at Owatonna. I want that for the girls because they deserve it.”

What happened last year?

Owatonna had its first winning season since 1993 despite a terrible start of 1-5.

The Huskies made a run at the Section 1AAA Tournament semifinals, but lost to Hastings and Northfield to end the season.

Before the playoffs began, the Huskies won seven of their final nine regular-season games.

Owatonna graduated several starting players from last season, including allarea center fielder Rachel Olson and allarea infielder Chantel Skala.

The Huskies bring back several key players from last year’s team, including junior infielders Breezy Pitan and Cailyn McCauley, senior catcher Leah Bird, and eighth-grade pitcher Lianna Pilcher.

Bria Hilstad, 2B, jr.

Sam Kniefel, OF, sr.

Rachel Malo, 2B, fr.

Cailyn McCauley, SS, jr.

Lianna Pilcher, P, 8th Breezy Pitan, 3B, jr.

Keshia Reuvers, 1B, jr.

Katelyn Schwab, 1B, jr.

Shanna Thom, P, fr.

2010 Roster Leah Bird, C, sr.

Nicole Buck, C, fr.

Aimee Goodew, 1B, jr.

2010 Schedule April 6 at Faribault, 5 p.m.

April 8 vs. Rochester JM, 5 p.m.

April 13 at Mankato East, 5:30 p.m.

— KRISTI HIATT, OHS softball coach

April 15 at Century (DH), 4:30 p.m.

April 20 at Winona (DH), 4:30 p.m.

April 22 vs. Mankato West, 5:30 p.m.

April 27 vs. Austin (DH), 4:30 p.m.

April 29 vs. Faribault, 5 p.m.

May 4 at Rochester JM, 5 p.m.

May 6 vs. Mankato East, 5:30 p.m.

May 8 vs. Red Wing, 1 p.m.

May 11 at Albert Lea (DH), 4:30 p.m.

May 14 Owatonna Tournament (vs. Farmington, 4 p.m.; vs. Northfield, 5:45 p.m.)

May 18 vs. Mayo (DH), 4:30 p.m.

2009 Record: 18-12

What happened last year?

The Huskies won the Section 1AAA Tournament in a dramatic 12-inning game and made it to the Class 3A State Tournament for the first time since 1988 and finished sixth. Owatonna lost in the opening round at state, but bounced back to beat Hopkins in the consolation bracket.

OHS was led by seniors Kyle Melcher, Brian Sebring, Cody Johnson, Derek Ritter, Mitch Berg and area player of the year Neil Eddie.

2010 Roster Quinn Christenson, IF, sr.

Dylan Jacobs, IF, jr.

Jack Luening, P, sr.

Luke Majerus, P, sr.

Brett Meger, IF, jr.

Paul Satterlund, OF, sr.

Derek Schwab, OF, sr.

Michael Schwab, OF, jr.

“In our minds, we’re still the section champs and we know teams will be coming at us. We feel we are in great shape to compete this year.”

Owatonna junior Cailyn McCauley

— TATE CUMMINS, OHS baseball coach

Mike Sebring, P, jr.

Matt Simon, IF, so.

Sheridan Skala, OF, sr.

Tyler Smith, IF/P, sr.

Dustin Starks, C, sr.

Brian Wagner, P, sr.

Sam Zappa, IF/P, jr.

Josh Zeman, IF, jr.

Brad Zimmermann, IF, sr.

Nate Zimmerman, OF, jr.

Travis Hilstad, IF, sr.

2010 Schedule April 6 vs. Faribault, 5 p.m.

April 10 at Rochester JM, 10 a.m.

April 13 vs. Mankato East, 6 p.m.

April 15 vs. Century (DH), 4:30 p.m.

April 17 vs. New Prague, Lakeville North (OHS Tourney), 11 a.m.

April 22 at Mankato West, 7 p.m.

April 27 at Austin (DH), 5 p.m.

April 29 at Faribault, 5 p.m.

May 4 vs. Rochester JM, 5 p.m.

May 6 at Mankato East, 6 p.m.

May 8 vs. Mankato West, 3 p.m.

May 11 vs. Albert Lea (DH), 4:30 p.m.

May 14 vs. Winona (DH), 4:30 p.m.

May 18 at Mayo (DH), 4:30 p.m.

Good Luck To All Area Athletes! www.expresspros.com

812 S. Elm • Owatonna, MN 55060 507-455-3002 or 1-800-832-3002

Good Luck From The Winning Team At salon-e-clips!

108 W. Broadway St. • Owatonna • 507-455-9391

0Spring Sports Preview 2010

Page

2010 Owatonna Boys Lacrosse

2010 Owatonna Girls Lacrosse

OHS brings back everyone 2009 Record: 8-8

Owatonna senior Ben Hanson

“I expect us to take the next step.

What happened last year?

Owatonna finished the regular season With the level of experience we have with a 7-7 record before upsetting No. 8 back at key positions, we think we can Eagan/Rosemount in the first round of be a very competitive team.” sections. It was the second year in a row Owatonna beat Eagan in the first round of — BILL BERNARD, OHS girls lacrosse coach the playoffs. Owatonna’s season ended two days later with a 12-8 loss to top-seeded Bloomington Kennedy in the tournament 2010 Schedule Sophomores quarterfinals. The eight total wins qua- Liz Berg; Brianne Bernard; Liz Emanuel; April 12 at Rochester JM, 6:30 p.m. drupled OHS’s total of two from 2008.

Kaylynn Gunneson; Jordan Jandt; Liz Mar- April 15 at Bloom. Jefferson, 5:15 p.m.

April 17 at Visitation, 1 p.m. shall; Rachel Monson; Taylor Picha.

2010 Roster April 20 at Apple Valley, 5:30 p.m.

Freshmen Seniors Michaela Bernard; Cassie Brooks; Megan Ashley Anderson; Rebekah Brandt; Mal- April 22 vs. Mayo, 6:30 p.m. lory Davidson; Emily Fichten; Amber April 27 at Holy Family, 6 p.m.

Harty; Marley Hunt.

Grunwold; Lacey Hanson; Sami Hofer; April 29 vs. Rochester JM, 6:30 p.m.

Juniors Vanessa Brage; Genny Caswell; Alli Gil- Taylor Isakson; Jamie Kiefer; Ashley May 1 vs. Farmington, 2 p.m. genbach; Megan Huseby; Nichole Kenney; Kniefel; Preslie Kubat; Kassidy Schelling; May 4 vs. Prior Lake, 6:30 p.m.

May 6 vs. Shattuck-St. Mary’s, 6:30 p.m.

Silvana Koehler; Brenna Nelson; Estafania Megan Schmidt.

May 11 at Mayo, 6:30 p.m.

8th graders Ortiz; Santana Osterhus; Sophie Schultz; Sam Sorvaag; Marie Sprute; Dani Sum- Tess Heyer; Payton Noble; Paige Radue; May 14 vs. Century, 6:30 p.m.

May 18 at Lakeville North, 7:15 p.m.

Jordyn Williams. mer; Kelsey Weinzetl.

Owatonna junior Megan Huseby

Senior core leads Huskies 2009 Record: 9-7

What happened last year?

Owatonna hosted and won a playoff game for the first time in school history last season. The Huskies beat Lakeville North in the first round of the playoffs before losing to Burnsville in the section quarterfinals. OHS was leading the Blaze 2-0 early in the game, but Burnsville pulled away after that and cruised to a a 15-3 victory.

The Huskies lost 19 seniors from last year’s team, including goalie Kory Reuvers and captains Anthony Kozelka and Kyle Radtke. All three Rochester school had varsity teams for the first time last year, and Owatonna went 4-2 against those teams to win the unofficial Big Nine title.

2010 Roster Cam Anderson, M, so.

Levi BigEagle, A, fr.

Jesse Ebeling, M, jr.

Gunner Elstad, A, fr.

Brian Francis, A, sr.

Will Gunderson, A Mitchell Hannover, M, jr.

Ben Hanson, A, sr.

Garrett Harty, A, fr.

“Some younger players will have to step up and work together as a team.”

— SCOTT SEYKORA, OHS boys lacrosse coach

Derek Helgesen, D, sr.

Josh Jensen, A, jr.

Bryant Juarie, A, jr.

Zach Klein, M, jr.

Grant Kubat, A, jr.

Jordan Lamb, D, jr.

Derek Meyer, A, so.

Zach Miller, A, so.

Hunter Oeltjenbruns, A, so.

Mitchell Ost, A, so.

Mike Parsons, D, so.

Logan Pirkl, A, sr.

Chase Radue, A, sr.

Matthew Ritter, M, so.

Jacob Robertson, D, jr.

Jamie Rohrig, A, sr.

Luke Sammon, A, so.

Kyle Shaw, A, fr.

Janzen Staska, D, so.

Seth Stoykovich, A, so.

Jake Tveite, A, so.

Michael Urch, D, so.

Nathan Valen, A, so.

Dalton Wanous, A, so.

Mitchell Welch, A, jr.

Alex Whited, A, so.

Tyler Yentsch, A, so.

2010 Schedule April 12 vs. Century, 6:30 p.m.

April 19 vs. Farmington, 6:30 p.m.

April 20 at Apple Valley, 7:15 p.m.

April 22 at Mayo, 6:30 p.m.

April 27 vs. Holy Family, 6:30 p.m.

April 29 at Rochester JM, 6:30 p.m.

May 6 at Farmington, 6:30 p.m.

May 8 at Minneapolis Southwest, 6 p.m.

May 10 at Prior Lake, 7 p.m.

May 13 vs. Mayo, 6:30 p.m.

May 17 at Century, 5:30 p.m.

Wells Federal Bank is proud to support area athletes!

Member

FDIC

496 W North St, Owatonna • 444-0010 www.wellsfederal.com

Page

Spring Sports Preview 2010S

2010 Owatonna Boys Track & Field

Owatonna senior Matt Wagner

Good Luck From All Of Us At Century 21 Vision Real Estate Owatonna senior Jeremy Duruji

Vision Real Estate 1880 Austin Road 455-3656 or 1-800-737-0633

www.c21street.com

OwatOnna autO SaleS Good Luck To ALL AreA TeAms! Doing Business in Owatonna for 29 Years.

150 SW 18th Street, Owatonna, MN 55060

507-451-8015

Duruji, Vargason return to lead OHS What happened last year?

Led by a pair of state titles from Casey “We feel we’ve got a shot to win the Dehn in the shot put and discus, the Huskies finished fifth in the team standings at Big Nine, win the section and send a the Class 2A State Meet a year ago. Sean fair number of kids to state.”

Wallace took second in the shot put and finished eighth in the discus. Jeremy Duruji,who is a senior this year, took ninth — KEVIN STELTER, OHS boys track & field coach in the 110-meter hurdles at state.

Along with senior thrower Brian Vargason and junior thrower Jake Fenske, the Huskies are hoping to make another ud Egal; Jake Fenske; Nate Graff; Dylan Ryan Jensen; Dillion Jones; Jacob Kearn run at the Big Nine and state team titles.

Hondl; Bryton Jorgensen; Tom Kraus; so.; David Kraus; Cooper Krusel; Bryce Adam Kubat; Micky Kyei; Tommy Lund- Lippert; Mark Naber; Ricky Pratt; J.B. Rog2010 Roster berg; Ahmed Mohmmed; Leif Peterson; ers; Quinten Smith; Travis Thamert Seniors Freshmen Dustin Possehl; Raul Rodriguez; Ryan Will Ahlberg; Javier Baragas; Jacob Beyer; Saufferer; Isaac Schrantz; Sid Simon; TyAustin Cox; Michael Crabtree; Jeremy ler Supalla; Vaughn Thada; Will VanDuzer; Caleb Buck; Collin Buck; Trever Carlson; Duruji; Greg Gehring; Andrew Kern; Lukas Justin Velzke; Collin Wencl; Jon Zuniga Joey Emert; Michael Evans; Mark HolzKopper; Matt Partridge; J.C. Rogers; Brian erland; Brody Hudson; Will Kreuter; Cole Sophomores Vargason; Matt Wagner; Xavier Herrera Austin Bauer; Tyler Crawford; Eddie Dit- Martinez; Fernando Morallas; Jonah NoJuniors tmer; Jeff Dufrene; Ryan Emmanuelson; eldner; Cam Peterson; Jonah Remker; KelRojelio Brockberg; Justin Duruji; Moham- Jacob Forster; Max Frasier; Lucas Hughes; lin Starch; Nick Thamert; Tucker Thiede;

Spencer Versteeg; Jacob Warehime; Ethan Wickham 2010 Schedule March 27 at St. Olaf Indoor Meet, 1:30 p.m.

April 3 at U of M Indoor Meet, 9 a.m.

April 13 vs. Albert Lea, Park Center, 3 p.m.

April 17 at Stillwater Invite, 9 a.m.

April 20 at Century quad, 4:30 p.m.

April 23-24 at Hamline Elite Meet, 5 p.m.

April 27 at Winona quad, 4:30 p.m.

April 29 at Lakeville South Invite, 4:30 p.m.

May 4 at Mankato West tri, 4:30 p.m.

May 8 at Rochester Mayo Invite, 9 a.m.

May 11 at Section True Team (Rochester Mayo), 4 p.m.

May 20 vs. Winona, Mankato East, Austin, 3:30 p.m.

May 28 at Big Nine Meet (Rochester JM), 12:30 p.m.

June 3,5 at Section Meet (Lakeville South)

Wishing All Area Athletes An Outstanding Sports Season!

Experience fair prices and a friendly atmosphere.

Big enough to serve you, small enough to know your name 2299 Austin Rd. • Owatonna • 507.451.6922

www.settesportscenter.com

0Spring Sports Preview 2010

Page

2010 Owatonna Boys Tennis

2010 Owatonna Boys Golf

OHS brings back everyone

Owatonna junior Dan Borgertpoepping

What happened last year?

The Huskies finished seventh in the Big Nine Conference team standings, led by a pair of top five finishes by thensophomores Kaden Carpenter and A.J. Lindenbaum. Carpenter took fifth and Lindenbaum came in eighth. A week later, Owatonna finished 10th at the Section 1AAA Meet.

Huskies hoping for more wins What happened last year?

Owatonna lost a lot of close matches last season and finished 4-10 overall and 4-5 in the Big Nine Conference. The Huskies lost in the first round of the Section 1AA Tournament.

Eric Zishka, then a sophomore, made it to the Class 2A State Tournament and went 1-1 before ending his season with a 21-3 overall record.

The Huskies lost five seniors from last year’s squad, including both members of the No. 1 doubles team that went 6-3 in the conference.

2010 Roster Alex Appel, so.

Daniel Borgertpoepping, jr.

Joe Dingmann, jr.

Gavin Glynn, 8th Sean Grubish, fr.

Ty Haley, so.

“We played six 4-3 matches last year.

If we can win some of those...our record should be improved.”

2010 Roster Jack Bostrom, jr.

Noah Braget, fr.

Rylee Burns, fr.

Parker Butler, jr.

Andrew Buzzard, fr.

Bryce Cameron, so.

Kaden Carpenter, jr.

Kyle Dickerman, fr.

Isaiah Fails, fr.

Tyler Jenkins, so.

Jeffrey Johnson, 8th Peter Jones, 7th Jacob Kaplan, fr.

Joshua Kaupa, fr.

“Our goal is to improve our performance in the conference and the section tournaments this year through hard work.”

— KEITH BANGS, OHS boys golf coach

2010 Schedule April 13 at Faribault, 3:30 p.m.

April 27 vs. Waseca, 3 p.m.

April 30 at Mayo tri, 3:30 p.m.

May 1 at Ballard Invite, 11 a.m.

May 6 at JM tri, 3:30 p.m.

May 11 vs. West, Albert Lea, 2:30 p.m.

May 18 at Century tri, 3:30 p.m.

May 22 Owatonna Invite, 10 a.m.

May 24 at Big Nine Conference Meet, 10 a.m. (Rochester) June 1, 3 at Section 1AAA Tournament (Hastings)

Ben Konold, 8th AJ Lindenbaum, jr.

Lane Livengood, jr.

Ryan Malo, jr.

Adam Meisch, fr.

Mitchell Mulert, fr.

Colin Piper, fr.

Eric Pirkl, jr.

Carson Running, jr.

Adam Smith, sr.

Scott Summer, jr.

Eric Teaman, so.

Ted Urch, 8th Jake Zulk, fr.

— CURT MATEJCEK, OHS boys tennis coach Christian Schuster, so.

Matt VanOmmeren, 8th Ryan Wachowiak, sr.

Igor Wicherek, jr.

Eric Zishka, jr.

2010 Schedule April 6 vs. Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m.

April 10 at Cretin-Derham Hall, 2 p.m.

April 12 at Northfield, 4:30 p.m.

April 15 vs. Austin, 4:30 p.m.

April 17 vs. Mankato West, 11 a.m.

Owatonna junior Jack Bostrom

April 20 at Faribault, 4:30 p.m.

April 22 vs. Rochester JM, 4:30 p.m.

April 23 vs. Rochester Lourdes, 4:30 p.m.

April 27 at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.

April 29 vs. Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.

April 30 vs. Waseca, 4:30 p.m.

May 4 at Century, 4:30 p.m.

May 6 vs. Winona, 4:30 p.m.

May 8 at Chaska, 9 a.m.

May 11 at Mayo, 4:30 p.m.

May 15 at Big Nine Conference Tournament (Rochester), 9 a.m.

2010 Blooming Prairie Boys & Girls Golf

Blossoms have holes to fill What happened last year?

Graduated seniors Adam Wondra and Derek Resler both qualified for the Class A state tournament last year, so the Blossoms have some big openings in the lineup. On the girls side, the Blossoms lost one key senior and a key sophomore who did not come out.

2010 Roster Boys

Dylan Hatch Pat Jones Soren Peterson Victor Peterson Jordan Ressler

Girls

Erin Johnson Jeana Johnson Krystal Klemmensen

“We want to take a crack at winning the Sub-section meet and advancing individuals to state.”

COUPON

Good Luck Area Athletes

— ERIK VIGELAND, Blossoms golf coach Anna Noble Maggie Sorensen 2010 Schedule -Boys and girls at all events unless noted April 15 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

April 17 Blooming Prairie (b) Invite, 9 a.m.

April 20 at Faribault B.A., 4:15 p.m.

April 22 at Stewartville, 2 p.m.

April 23 at J-W-P Invite (g), 1:30 p.m.

April 27 at USC, 4:30 p.m.

April 29 at J-W-P, 4:30 p.m.

April 30 at J-W-P Invite, 1:30 p.m.

May 4 at Triton (g), 1:30 p.m.

May 7 vs. Faribault B.A., 4:15 p.m.

May 11 vs. USC, NRHEG 4:30 p.m.

May 14 Gopher Conference Meet (Blooming Prairie), 10 a.m.

May 24 at Sub-section Meet (Hayfield)

online ordering at: www.buckspizza.com

3

$

00 Off

(Regular Price)

Large Pizza

577 State Avenue • Owatonna

507-446-8050

Not valid with any other offers. Expires 6/30/2010

Page

Spring Sports Preview 2010S

2010 Blooming Prairie Baseball

Blossoms want to go a step farther this year 2009 Record: 19-6

Blossoms junior Cooper Nelson

“Every day we have practice, we talk about being better than the day before.”

What happened last year?

The Awesome Blossoms made it to the Section 1A Final Four, but finished their season with two disappointing losses at Mayo Field in Rochester. Blooming Prairie had just four hits in two games and lost 6-2 to Chatfield and 18-2 to Wabasha-Kellogg.

The Blossoms finished the season with a 19-6 record led by a large group of talented seniors. Matt Zellmer, Austin Moe, Josh Toquam and Israel Clark were all multi-year starters and won’t be back this season.

BPHS does return several key players, including senior catcher Justen Ingvalson and junior outfielder Cooper Nelson.

Aaron Krejci, IF, sr.

Ryan McCabe, C, so.

Cooper Nelson, OF, jr.

Isiah Toquam, IF, so.

Pat Trotman, IF, sr.

Brad Wocelka, OF, sr.

Luke Zellmer, P, so.

2010 Roster Jeffrey Doerhoefer, OF, sr.

Zach Herdina, IF, sr.

Luke Heuman, IF, so.

Justen Ingvalson, C, sr.

John Kraling, OF, so.

2010 Schedule April 6 at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 4:30 p.m.

April 8 at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

April 10 at Byron, 2:30 p.m.

April 12 at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.

April 13 vs. Lyle/Pacelli, 4:30 p.m.

— CHRIS STALOCH, Blossoms baseball coach

GOOD LUCK

April 15 vs. USC, 5 p.m.

April 17 at Blue Earth Area, 10 a.m.

April 20 at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.

April 22 vs. Hayfield, 4:30 p.m.

April 24 vs. Goodhue, noon April 26 at J-W-P, 5 p.m.

April 27 at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

April 29 vs. Medford, 5 p.m.

May 3 at Randolph, 5 p.m.

May 6 vs. W-E-M, 5 p.m.

May 7 vs. Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.

May 11 at USC, 5 p.m.

May 13 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.

May 18 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.

May 20 vs. Triton, 4:30 p.m.

Blooming Prairie Blossoms

Blooming Prairie

344 E. Main Street • Blooming Prairie 507-583-2271 • 1-866-5Dr-Chad www.drchad.org

328 Hwy Ave S (507) 583-7837

Your Service Minded Dealer

Krejci Ford Inc 218 Hwy N Blooming Prairie

507-583-2046

R&R

Insurance Agency LLC 236 E. Main Blooming Prairie 507-583-7971 Carl Peterson

THE BAKERY FRESH BAKED DAILY Donuts • Rolls • Bread • Muffins Custom Decorated Cakes • Deli Meats • Cheese • Lunch

345 Main St East • Blooming Prairie 507-583-4433 Tues.-Fri 6am-5pm; Sat., 6am-2pm

Hansen Real Estate Co.

Farmers & Merchants State Bank 245 East Main Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 (507) 583-6688 607 North Main Austin, MN 55912 (507) 437-3253

www.fmbankmn.com

Come in & enjoy a taste of

Harold “Bud” Hansen & Dale Hansen

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • FARMLAND • ACREAGES 507-583-6651 • Toll Free 866-583-6651 Appraisal Services Estate • Divorce • Residential • Farmland

Corner of Main & Hwy 218 in Blooming Prairie 507-583-4450

0Spring Sports Preview 2010

Page

2010 Blooming Prairie Track & Field

2010 Blooming Prairie Softball

Blooming Prairie girls bring back full roster What happened last year?

None of the Awesome Blossoms athletes were able to qualify for state. The Blooming Prairie girls finished sixth at the Gopher Conference meet. The BPHS girls didn’t have a senior on the roster last season and bring back everyone.

Blooming Prairie junior Tayla Jones (top), and graduated senior Katelin Strand

2010 Girls Roster Seniors Ashley Campbell; Darcy Skala; Jenna Paulson; Kelcie Driessen.

Juniors Allyson Grunklee; Kristin Hagen; Marissa Noble; Rachel Klemmensen.

Sophomores Cierra Coughlin; Cortney Easton; DaVyll Smith; Emmeline Soto; Katie Willaimson; Kayla Wobschall; Kierstin Wencl; Lyndsay Pryor; Melanie Grant; Rhianna Gwilt.

Freshmen Hannah Sunde; Hally Vogt; Janelle Morem; Jesaray Suazo; Katherine Bell; Kelli Williamson; Marissa Jensen.

8th Graders Gracie Grunklee; Kendra Boecker; Russia Smith.

“This team has a great work ethic and they work hard all of the time.

If they continue to work as hard as they already have, they will be able to accomplish their goals.”

— Kari Bottin, first-year Blossoms girls track coach

Freshmen 7th Graders Alanna Grant; Alyssa Gonzales; Cassy Zach Ahrens; Tyler Bissell; Tyler Cozine; Witt; Daysha Zilm; Kelli Wallace; Macaela Jacob Schroeder; Michael Thomas.

Jensen.

2010 Schedule April 8 at Hayfield Meet, 4:30 p.m.

2010 Boys Roster April 13 at NRHEG Meet, 4:30 p.m.

Seniors Tim Boeker; Josh Gwilt; Jeff Hagstrom; April 17 at Cannon Falls Meet, 10 a.m.

Pat Hjelmen; Robert Hofius; Dudley Smith; April 22 at Triton Meet, 4:30 p.m.

April 27 Blooming Prairie Meet, 4:30 p.m.

Rudy Vasquez.

April 29 Blossom Relays, 4:30 p.m.

Juniors Jake Elwood; Andrew Grant; Shawn Halla; May 4 Blooming Prairie Meet, 4:30 p.m.

Daniel Hansen; Anthony Kartes; Connor May 11 at Section True Team (Rushford), 4:30 p.m.

Robbins; Will Sherman.

May 18 at Gopher Meet (Medford), 4:30 p.m.

Sophomores Cody Doerhoefer; Adam Driessen; Alex May 27 at Sub-sections Meet, 4:30 p.m.

June 1, 3 at Section Meet (Triton), 4:30 p.m.

Fiebiger; Gabe Kartes; Dayton Peterson.

Awesome Blossoms play for another trip to section finals 2009 Record: 19-7

What happened last year?

The Awesome Blossoms went 8-3 in the Gopher Conference during the regular season. In the playoffs, Blooming Prairie was the Sub-section 1A runner-up, but lost in the Section tournament and did not go to the state tournament.

The Blossoms graduated three key starters from last year’s squad. Two-time area player of the year and starting shortstop Resha Koster, first baseman Katelin Strand and third baseman Mag Fogarty are all gone.

Blooming Prairie brings back several key players, including junior pitcher Erica Manske, who will be the starter in the circle for the fourth season. BPHS also brings infield starters Tayla Jones and Sam Johnson and outfielder Tricia DeBoer. Senior catcher Kelly Peterson will likely split time between second base and catcher, while sophomore Hunter Henderson will fill in behind the dish.

Blooming Prairie coach Ali Mach has 93 career victories, leaving her just seven away from 100.

“This team is very balanced with a combination of youth and experience and all the girls will be expected to step up and work together.”

— ALI MACH, Blossoms softball coach

2010 Roster Anna Peterson, OF, sr.

Kelly Peterson, IF/C, sr.

Sam Johnson, IF, sr.

Erica Manske, P, jr.

Tayla Jones, IF, jr.

Sidni Olson, IF, jr.

Mariah Allard, OF, jr.

Hunter Henderson, C, so.

Tricia DeBoer, OF, so.

Shelbi Swenson, IF, fr.

2010 Schedule April 8 at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

April 12 at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.

April 13 at Triton, 4:30 p.m.

April 15 vs. USC, 5 p.m.

April 17 at Rushford-Peterson Tournament April 22 at Southland, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 at J-W-P, 5 p.m.

April 27 at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

April 29 vs. Medford, 5 p.m.

May 3 at Randolph, 5 p.m.

May 4 vs. Hayfield, 4:30 p.m.

May 6 vs. W-E-M, 5 p.m.

May 11 at USC, 5 p.m.

May 13 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.

May 15 at Hayfield Tournament, 8:30 a.m.

May 18 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.

Good Luck to All Area Teams!

It’s Our Business to Protect Yours ® The FEDERATED Insurance Companies Home Office: 121 East Park Square • Owatonna, Minnesota 55060 Phone: (507) 455-5200 • www.federatedinsurance.com Ed. 12/09 Copyright 2009 • Federated Mutual Insurance Company

Page 0 10

Spring Sports Preview 2010S

Three-year Turnaround

Tate Cummins and Kristi Hiatt took over losing programs, but in three short years, both found winning ways

OWATONNA — Tate Cummins and Kristi Hiatt have a lot in common.

They both teach at Medford and got their coaching starts there, grew up in the Big Nine, were hired as Owatonna coaches at the same school board meeting and lost a lot of games their first springs with Owatonna coaching caps on.

Cummins and Hiatt were both hired on Oct. 23, 2006 as the newest baseball and softball head coaches at Owatonna High School. They took over full-time the following spring, and Cummins led the Huskies to a 9-13 record on the baseball diamond, while Hiatt’s first team finished 7-16.

Fast forwarding to 2009, Cummins led Owatonna to its first state tournament since 1988. Hiatt guided the Huskies to their first winning season since 1993.

Cummins graduated from Austin High School in 1995 and coached at Rochester John Marshall from 200103, so he knows the Big Nine. It took Cummins only two summers to produce a winning program. He went 198 in 2008. Owatonna started the season 9-1, matching the win total from Cummins’ first season. The Huskies got within two wins of the state tournament, but Owatonna just couldn’t beat

Rochester John Marshall in the postseason, losing twice to the Rockets.

One year later, the Huskies entered the postseason with an 11-9 record.

Owatonna got hot at the right time and reeled off five straight wins. The Huskies entered the final night of the Section 1AAA tournament needing only to win one of two games against JM to reach their first state tournament in 21 years. The Rockets won the first game 6-0, but Owatonna outlasted JM in the nightcap, winning 3-2 in 12 innings.

“A lot of things lined up,” Cummins said after Owatonna scrimmaged Hayfield on March 31. “Baseball at times is a lucky game. At the same time, the guys have earned everything they have achieved. We need to continue to build on that and get better.”

Cummins had the Huskies back on top last year. For the first time since the late 1980s, Owatonna will go into a season as defending section champions.

“In our minds, we’re still the section champs and we know teams will be coming at us,” Cummins said. “We feel we are in great shape to compete this year, and I think the guys feel that as well.”

Winning must feel pretty good to Cummins, who also went just 9-33

OPP file photo

Owatonna softball coach Kristi Hiatt, seen here during a game against Faribault in 2007, took over the Huskies program three years ago. Last year, she coached OHS to its first winning season since 1993.

at Medford before former OHS activities director Jeff Dahline offered him an opportunity to replace Doug Wanous. While Wanous was unable to win a Big Nine or section title in his decade as head coach, he did build a solid youth program that provided the players on the Huskies’ last two teams that won a combined 37 games.

“We knew Coach Wanous did an

GOOD LUCK TO ALL AREA!

sp

rts

TEAMS THIS SPRING SEASON!

OwatOnna Heating & COOling, inC.

408 N Cedar • Owatonna • (507) 451-2051

excellent job of building the program.

We just wanted to build off of that,” Cummins said. “Our motto is continuos improvement. We’re trying to get better every single year.

“Owatonna’s athletic programs compete for Big Nine championships in just about every sport. It’s just a great place to compete.”

Cummins still teaches at Med-

ford. In the spring, Owatonna offers five sports for boys. The other four coaches either teach in the Owatonna school district or have in the past. To keep baseball players from being recruited to other sports, Cummins runs baseball camps and academies in the summer.

“We hope to keep the guys that love baseball,” Cummins said. “That’s a

A Must See! The Place To Be! Owatonna’s Rock ‘n Roll McDonalds (507) 451-3075 1-35 & Hwy. 14W, next to the Wal-Mart Supercenter

0Spring Sports Preview 2010

Page 11

good way for us to build relationships with the younger generations, get in front of them in the summer. We are involved with the youth programs.

Plus we get a lot of help from people in the community, the Bullpen Club.

More people other than myself work hard and do everything they can to help Owatonna baseball.”

Hiatt also has to deal with being at Medford during the day. She relies on team veterans like senior Leah Bird and junior Breezy Pitan to stay in touch with the girls inside the halls of Owatonna High School.

“It’s tough for me to not communicate as well. That’s why I rely on upperclassmen. I rely on them to get the word out,” Hiatt said. “They do a good job of that. They hang posters, and do a lot of great stuff to promote the team.”

Hiatt, a 1996 Owatonna grad, added that being off campus during the day isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“There are pros and cons,” she said.

“I don’t have to deal with a lot of the drama that sometimes goes on during the day.”

Like Cummins, Hiatt was already coaching at Medford when Dahline began his search for a new softball coach. Haitt was the Tigers’ volleyball coach.

“I had a few people call me and ask if I was going to do it,” she said.

“I thought about it and I didn’t know if I could do it considering I was at Medford.”

One person who called to persuade Hiatt was Owatonna wrestling coach Scot Davis, whose daughter Ashley was on the high school team. Hiatt had coached Ashley at the youth level.

“He said, ‘You should do it. You love the game so much,’” Hiatt said.

“But I knew I had to talk to Medford and see if it was even doable.

“When Scot Davis called and said that I told myself I was doing it for sure.”

OPP file photo

Owatonna baseball coach Tate Cummins, seen here telling Mitch Berg to slide during a game against Albert Lea last season, led OHS to its first state tournament appearance since 1988 last season in his third year at the helm.

Hiatt tried to coach both volleyball at Medford and softball at Owatonna in 2007-08, but when she had a child, she was forced to give up volleyball.

“I love being busy. I love coaching girls and making them get better,” Hiatt said. “Doing both was fun until I had a child. I would coach all three seasons if I could, but I knew I had to not only coach, but be a mom as well. Softball was my love, so it was an easy choice.”

Turning the softball program into a winner was quite the challenge. The team hadn’t won more games than it had lost in more more than a decade.

Even when Hiatt played for Owatonna from 1994-96, OHS finished with a losing record.

“In ‘96, we had eight seniors. We were really good, but we didn’t do

VFW

135 Oakdale St., Owatonna

507-451-1001

Good Luck Area Teams!

anything with it,” Hiatt admitted.

“That hurt me as a player that we couldn’t put it together.

“Now, I feel like once again I can make softball all it can be at Owatonna. I want that for the girls because they deserve it.”

After two years on the job, Owatonna continued to lose double-digit games. Hiatt went 14-31 her first two years as coach of her alma mater. Year three looked like it might end worse.

The Huskies started the season with six straight home games, but won only once. With a third straight losing season staring her in the face, Hiatt turned to a seventh-grader. Right-hander Lianna Pilcher was called up from the junior varsity and finished with eight wins in the circle. Owatonna got hot and won 11 of its next 14 games.

“Last year, we started to jell as a team. We figured each other out, both players and coaches. They actually got along well as a team,” Hiatt said. “Then, when they got a confident pitcher up there, it made things a whole lot better. If your pitcher’s confident, suddenly the rest of the team’s confident.”

Now Hiatt and the Huskies need to prove that 2009 wasn’t a fluke. Owatonna brings back five regulars and welcomes three ninth-graders who have had a lot of success at the youth level. Lauren Malo will most likely play second, Nicole Buck should start at third and Shanna Thom’s bat has Hiatt looking for somewhere to put her. Thom’s normal position is in the circle, but with that spot locked up for the next five years, Hiatt needs to find

somewhere else for her to contribute.

Why is Hiatt considering starting three ninth-graders?

“They have so much talent, and they all hit the ball like crazy.”

The future looks bright for Owatonna softball.

“They know what’s it’s like to have a winning season. They know how good it feels to win,” Hiatt said.

“They know they’re good. They believe in each other. Now they have to work hard and stay up there.”

It’s not just softball that has impressive young players. Cummins said every class from eighth grade up has great athletes and strong baseball players.

“We are very happy with the guys coming into the program,” he said.

“The guys coming into the program know what we expect. The foundation is great right now.”

Cummins should know. He coaches the VFW team in the summer. The team normally gets filled by freshmen and sophomores. He uses the time in the summer to teach up-and-coming players the ins and outs of varsity baseball.

“It puts us ahead. We don’t take our first two weeks and re-teach everything,” he said. “We come in and get a little review. Our practices are shorter because we know what’s going on.”

While Owatonna broke a 21-year drought with a state tournament appearance last year, Cummins has another goal in mind this year. The Huskies have never won a Big Nine title. The last time an Owatonna team won the conference was 1988 when the Indians reigned. Cummins feels that drought will end soon.

“Right now, we are very, very enthusiastic about this year and the years to come. We feel like we are in a good position to compete every single year.”

— Derek Sullivan

GOOD LUCK! To All Area Sports Teams In The 2010 Spring Season 2525 Lemond St. SW Owatonna, MN

Page 12

Spring Sports Preview 2010S

2010 Medford Softball

2010 Medford Track & Field

Tigers bring back 5 starters

Flores twins return for final season

What happened last year?

The Tigers started the season with 15 straight losses before ending a five-year losing streak with a win. A few weeks later, Medford won a playoff game for the first time, beating Lyle/Pacelli in the Sub-section 1A West tournament. Medford only graduated one player from last season’s team.

2010 Roster Alicia Ahlf, IF, so.

Kasey Grunwald, P, jr.

Emma Hellevik, C, jr.

Jodi Holmquist, IF, sr.

Sierra Krause, IF, jr.

Krista Krogh, IF, so.

Medford junior Kasey Grunwald

Chelsea Morgan, OF, jr.

Nicole Morgan, IF, fr.

Marissa Morris, OF, sr.

Gillian Needham, OF, jr.

Alex Noble, IF, sr.

Amanda Prondzinski, IF, sr.

“We need to continue to build from last year and focus on not letting errors bring the team down.”

— JULIE LANGENFELD, Medford softball coach

2010 Schedule April 12 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.

April 15 vs. Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

April 19 at Randolph, 5 p.m.

April 22 vs. W-E-M, 5 p.m.

April 23 vs. Triton, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 vs. Loyola, 5 p.m.

April 29 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

April 30 vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo, 5 p.m.

May 4 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.

May 6 at USC, 5 p.m.

May 8 at Faribault B.A. Tournament, 10 a.m.

May 10 at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

May 11 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.

May 13 at W-E-M, 5 p.m.

May 17 at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.

2010 NRHEG Track & Field

State qualifiers lead Panthers Ashley Garretson; Emmy Hobbs; Hannah Lewison; Mikayla Lindell; Destinee Meyer; Railinn Schue; Lindsey Schulz; Jamie Ulrich.

8th graders Samantha Kohnert; Paige Overgaard; Laura Ranniger; Carlie Wagner.

7th graders Megan Conely; Melissa Malakowsky; Shantaya Olson; Jade Peterson; Sarah Rieke; Shanna Stencel.

What happened last year?

The NRHEG girls track and field team sent two athletes to the Class A State Meet.

Now-graduated senior Heather Schmit took 14th in the long jump, while current junior Alyssa Kerkhoff finished 18th in the 200-meter dash. Kerkhoff is back this season to lead a deep Panthers team.

On the boys side, current senior David Lindell finished 14th at state in the discus with a throw of 108-8. The Panthers lost several key athletes, including 100-meter dash school record-holder Keith Billing.

2010 Roster Boys Seniors Andy Kampen; Kevin Klocek; David Lindell; Josh Schroeder.

Juniors Kyle BayerKohler; Brian Billing; Tyler Crabtree; Evan Ferber; Nate Lutgens; Chandler Muff; Travis Ripka; Tony Wacholz; Matt Young.

Sophomores Tyler Holtz; Geoff Ramaker; Ryan Schlaak.

Freshmen Hans Frank; Nathan Wallin.

8th graders Ross Chester; Raece Johnson; Brandon Reese; TJ Schiltz.

7th graders Todd Erickson; Kyle Holz; Kevin Kalis; Keith Maxon.

NRHEG sophomore Danielle Krueger Girls Seniors Alex Hale; Jenny Seath.

Juniors Jill Kalis; Alyssa Kerkhoff; Kaylee Maxon; Alearah Neumann; Amber Schmit; Tatum Wacholz.

Sophomores Emily Habeck; Samanta Hogstad; Jennika Jongbloedt; Danielle Krueger.

Freshmen Paige Bolduan; Katie Cole; Abby Crabtree;

2010 Schedule April 3 at USC Invite, 9 a.m.

April 6 NRHEG Invite, 4:30 p.m.

April 13 NRHEG Invite, 4:30 p.m.

April 16 at Waseca Meet, 4:30 p.m.

April 20 at USC Meet, 4:30 p.m.

April 27 at Blooming Prairie Meet, 4:30 p.m.

April 29 at Awesome Blossom Relays, 4:30 p.m.

April 30 at Blue Earth Meet, 4:30 p.m.

May 4 at USC Meet, 4:30 p.m.

May 11 at Section True Team (Maple River), 4 p.m.

May 18 at Gopher Conference Meet (Medford), 4:30 p.m.

May 22 at Fairmont Meet, 4:30 p.m.

May 27 at Sub-section Meet (Maple River), 4:30 p.m.

June 5 at Section Meet (Mankato West), 10 a.m.

What happened last year?

Thomas Schroht took second in the shot put at the Class A State Tournament to highlight a successful season for the Tigers. Schroht broke his own school record several times throughout the season before the state tournament. Schroht graduated last year, and the Tigers have some holes to fill in their lineup.

On the girls side, no one graduated from last year’s team. Senior twin sisters Adriana and Alejandra Flores have been Medford’s best athletes in cross country and track for the last four years. Both will be competeing for their final trip to the state meet this spring.

2010 Roster Boys Seniors Reid Balzer; Justin Hellevik; Kyle Lafky.

Juniors Cody Arrizola; Grant Fitzgerald; Justin Turner.

Sophomores Elijah Chapple; Dan Larson; Zach Lawson; Brad Maas; Curt Maas; Austin Parrish; Josh Perrizo; Lee Obernolte; Chris Reiter.

Freshmen Hunter Beckstrom; Bryce Elmhorst; Geoffrey Fitzgerald; Joe Haak; Brandon Hanson; Torrey Hunt; Brady Rogotzke; Alex Spinler; Jon Wagaman.

“My goal, as always, is to send as many athletes as possible to the section and state meet.”

— KEVIN WERK, Medford track and field coach

8th graders Connor Chapple; Chase Hanson; Michael Homblad; Tyler Keller; Angel Lopez; Adam Manderfeld; Luke VanZuilen; Ryan Von Ende.

7th graders Jacob Hellevik.

Girls Seniors Adriana Flores; Alejandra Flores.

Sophomores Isabell Archibald; Ashley Janousek; Caitlin Wilson; Megan Klapperich; Lauren Larson; Samantha Lester.

Freshmen Andrea Gerlach; Megan Geyer; Alyssa Luebbe; Kori Noble; Katherine Oakland; Sara Thofson.

8th graders Allie Keilen; Sam Larson; Ellyn Luebbe; Samantha Plotz; Maricruz Soto; Kendra Yule.

Holly Vohs.

7th graders

2010 Schedule April 6 at NRHEG Meet, 4:30 p.m.

April 15 at Triton Meet, 4:30 p.m.

April 17 at Montgomery-Lonsdale Meet April 20 at P-E-M Invite (Plainview), 4:30 p.m.

April 22 at Triton Meet, 4:30 p.m.

April 27 Medford Invite, 4:30 p.m.

May 4 at Blooming Prairie Invite, 4:30 p.m.

May 6 at Byron Invite, 4:30 p.m.

May 11 at Section True Team (Rushford), 3 p.m.

May 13 Medford Invite, 4:30 p.m.

May 18 Gopher Conference Meet (Medford), 4:30 p.m.

May 25 Sub-section Meet (Medford), 4:30 p.m.

June 1, 3 at Section Meet (Triton), 4:30 p.m.

We wish all of the area athletes BEST OF LUCK in the spring sports season!

Dare to Dream The Car you’ve always dreamed about is now within your reach.

Come to Hursh Motors and see how!

Check out our great selection of NEW & USED vehicles!

Service • Selection • Price • Quality

Hursh Motors Cadillac • Buick • Pontiac • Chevy MONDAY-FRIDAY 8-6 • SATURDAY 8-4 195 SE 18th St., Owatonna, MN Phone: 451-6934 or 1-800-433-2618 • Fax: 507-451-8115

Web Site: www.hurshmotors.com

0Spring Sports Preview 2010

2010 NRHEG Softball

NRHEG senior Mariah Robran

Page 13

2010 NRHEG Baseball

Reese fields young team What happened last year?

The Panthers won 10 games and lost in “We lack some (pitching) depth, which the first round of the playoffs. Most of that team is gone now, and Jeff Reese could be will show if we get the usual rainouts looking at a tough season in his 33rd year and the games start to pile up.” at NRHEG. — JEFF REESE, NRHEG baseball coach The Panthers do bring back several key seniors, including pitcher/infield Brett Hagen. He had three of NRHEG’s wins on the mound and posted a 1.46 ERA. He also hit Cody Kraay, P, jr.

April 26 at USC, 5 p.m. .328 at the plate.

Chad Schlaak, OF, jr.

April 27 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

2010 Roster April 29 vs. W-E-M, 5 p.m.

2010 Schedule Trevor Arnold, OF, sr.

May 3 at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

April 5 vs. Eden Valley-Watkins (MetroBrett Hagen, P, sr.

May 4 at Medford, 5 p.m. dome), 8 a.m.

Mitch Akemann, P, so.

May 6 vs. Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.

April 6 at Blue Earth Area, 5 p.m.

Randy Raatz, IF, sr.

May 11 at J-W-P, 5 p.m.

April 12 at Randolph, 5 p.m.

Jared Reyant, IF, so.

May 13 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

April 17 NRHEG Tournament, 9 a.m.

Gene Lynne, OF, sr.

May 14 vs. Albert Lea, 6:30 p.m.

April 19 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.

Taran Waalkens, 2B, sr.

May 17 vs. USC, 5 p.m.

Matt Tomsche, IF, sr.

April 22 vs. Maple River, 5 p.m.

Tyrel Lson, OF, sr.

April 23 at Waseca, 5 p.m.

May 21 at Lake Crystal/WM, 5 p.m.

2010 NRHEG Boys & Girls Golf

Panther boys bring back 4 starters, girls must rebuild What happened last year?

The NRHEG boys team won the Gopher Conference and went 19-7 on the season.

They finished fifth at the Sub-section 2AA East Tournament. The Panthers bring back four starters from that team, including seniors Seth Hansen and Dalen Ferber.

The Panther girls went 9-8 a season ago and took third at the Gopher Conference Meet. NRHEG lost four of their top players to graduation, so they Panthers will have some rebuilding to do.

Panthers look to be aggressive What happened last year?

NRHEG won just three games and “Small ball is a must. We need to be bowed out of the playoffs in the first round.

Head coach Grant Berg is out and new able to incorporate bunting along with coach Wendy Schultz is back at the helm our hitting. We want to be aggressive after an earlier 11-year run as coach. both offensively and defensively.”

The Panthers bring back six starters from last year, including five seniors (Alyssa — WENDY SCHULTZ, NRHEG softball coach Hagen, Kate Quam, Jady Beenken, Lyndsay Carlson and Mariah Robran). Eighth-grader Jade Schultz is back to handle the pitching Kacie Phillips, IF/U, jr.

April 26 at USC, 5 p.m. duties.

Kate Quam, P, sr.

April 27 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Mariah Robran, IF, sr.

April 29 vs. W-E-M, 5 p.m.

2010 Roster Jade Schultz, P, 8th May 3 at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

Jady Beenken, IF, sr.

Tara Simon, OF, fr.

Lyndsay Carlson, IF, sr.

May 4 at Medford, 5 p.m.

Kristina Cole, IF/U, jr.

2010 Schedule May 6 vs. Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.

Betsy Donovan, OF, sr.

April 6 vs. Blue Earth, 5 p.m.

May 11 at J-W-P, 5 p.m.

Vicki Enzenauer, IF, sr.

April 12 at Randolph, 5 p.m.

May 13 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Alyssa Hagen, IF, sr.

April 13 vs. Waseca, 5 p.m.

May 17 vs. USC, 5 p.m.

Brandi Hagen, IF, sr.

April 17 NRHEG Tournament, 9 a.m.

May 18 vs. Kasson-Mantorville, 5 p.m.

Emily Light, OF/U, jr.

April 19 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.

Shelby Mogenson, C, jr.

May 20 vs. Glenville-Emmons, 5 p.m.

April 22 at Maple River, 5 p.m.

Sophomores Levi Arnold; Pete Blowers; Sam Grothem; Spenser Hanna; Kyle Wallerich.

Freshmen Brendon Arnold; Kirby Butler; Matt Davis; Zach Eden; Brandon Herman; Colton Ryg; Kyle Schlaak; Maverick Waltz.

2010 Schedule April 13 at USC, 4:30 p.m.

April 15 vs. Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

April 17 at Blooming Prairie Tournament (b), 9 a.m.

April 19 at Maple River, 4:30 p.m.

April 20 at Triton (b), 4:30 p.m.

April 22 at Fairbault B.A., 4:30 p.m.

April 26 at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.

Girls April 27 vs. J-W-P, 4:30 p.m.

April 29 vs. USC, 4:30 p.m.

Seniors May 3 at J-W-P, 3 p.m..

Emily Davis May 4 at Triton Invite, 1:30 p.m.

Juniors 2010 Roster May 6 vs. Faribault B.A., 4:30 p.m.

Abbey Holland; Hannah Moe. Boys May 11 at Blooming Prairie tri, 4:30 p.m.

Sophomores Seniors May 14 at Gopher Conference Meet Dalen Ferber; Seth Hansen; Dillon Hanson. Michaela Hansen; Betsy Johannsen; Hai- (Blooming Prairie), 4:30 p.m. ley Johnson; Jill Theuer; Lexi Wayne.

Juniors May 17 vs. Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.

Freshmen Bret Fisher; Matt Nafe; Aaron Patraw; May 20 vs. Maple River, 4:30 p.m.

Cody Root; Burch Smith; Anthony Svo- Brinna Bergland; Liz Eder; Brenna Hagen; May 25 at Sub-sections (Dodge Center) June 4 at Sections (Belle Plaine) boda; Jonathon Walstrom.

Maddy Reed; Maddy Schwierjohann.

We Can Keep You in the Game!

“In Touch Physical Therapy kept me in the game last year after a shoulder injury. With their help I was able to continue playing hockey and didn’t miss any games.” –Erik Johnson

123 West Broadway, Owatonna 507-451-7888 www.intouchpt.com

Page 14

Spring Sports Preview 2010S

2010 Medford Baseball

Several key Medford ballplayers return The Tigers hope experience will lead to more wins this spring

What happened last year?

Dennis Whitman took over the Medford baseball program last spring, a month after he led the Tigers wrestling to a third-place finish at the Class A State Meet.

Due to several rainouts, Medford played only 14 games. The Tigers won only three games, defeating Lyle-Pacelli (14-7), J-WP (13-3) and Faribault Academies (6-4).

Goodhue defeated the Tigers 13-2 in the Sub-section 1A West Tournament. In the loss, Medford had only three hits to go with seven errors. Jake Full, Nolan Green and Zach Keller got hits. Kyle Clevenger took the loss, allowing 11 hits. Clevenger, Green and Keller are all back this year.

In fact, Medford has starters returning at all four infield positions, including

“We should be pretty set in the infield.

We’ve got a good core of kids, four or five guys, coming back.”

Medford senior Cole Kavitz

— DENNIS WHITMAN, Medford baseball coach seniors Brad Keller (SS), Zach Keller (2B) and Nolan Green (1B). Clevenger, a junior third-baseman and pitcher is back for his third year on varsity.

Senior Bryant Gengler missed more than half of last season after breaking his collarbone, an injury that even kept him out for the beginning of the football season in the fall. He’s healthy and ready for his senior year.

2010 Roster Derek Butterfield, OF, fr.

Kyle Clevenger, P, jr.

Kade Cronin, IF, fr.

Bryant Gengler, C, sr.

Nolan Green, 1B, sr.

Jacob Holm, P, jr.

Cole Kavitz, OF, sr.

Andrew Keller, C, so.

Brad Keller, SS, sr.

Zach Keller, 2B, sr.

Adam Nelson, OF, jr.

2010 Schedule April 12 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.

April 13 at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.

April 15 vs. Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

April 19 at Randolph, 5 p.m.

April 22 vs. W-E-M, 5 p.m.

April 24 at Lyle/Pacelli Tournament April 26 vs. Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.

April 29 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

May 4 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.

May 6 at USC, 5 p.m.

May 10 at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

May 11 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.

May 13 at W-E-M, 5 p.m.

May 15 Medford Tournament, 10 a.m.

May 17 at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.

May 20 vs. LeCenter/Cleveland, 5 p.m.

May 25 at Lyle/Pacelli, 5 p.m.

GOOD LUCK Triton senior Alyson Eipers

WHERE DREAMS BECOME REALITY

115 First Street NE, Medford 451-2122 www.americanafinancial.com

Good Luck Tigers!

From The

Medford Board of Education & Administration

Medford GOOD LUCK TIGERS! Tigers The Medford Teachers

Good Luck Medford!

PRECISION AUTO BODY (507) 455-3991 108 5th Ave. SE • Medford “OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE”

0Spring Sports Preview 2010

Page 15

2010 Triton Boys & Girls Golf

2010 Triton Baseball

Triton senior right-hander Brett Henslin

Cobras want to peak late What happened last year?

The Cobras had three boys and four “We want to play our best at the end girls qualify for sections, but none advanced to the Class AA State Tournament. of the year and see how many we can Getting golfers to state this year could qualify for sections again and see if be even more difficult as Mankato East, we can get a couple to state.”

Fairmont and Waseca move into Triton’s — DON HENDERSON, Triton golf coach section, which already includes perennial power Rochester Lourdes.

The Cobras do have large and experiMiranda DeBus, fr. enced rosters on both the boys and girls Matt Kramer, 8th Paige Johnson, fr. teams. The only major graduation loss was Preston Pflaum, 7th Rachel Welsh, soph.

Ryan Peterson, fr.

Tito Thiemann off the boys team.

Shania Wojtowicz, 8th Tanner Murphy, fr.

Stephanie Schaub, fr.

Thor Wirth, 8th 2010 Boys Roster Adam Anderson, soph Tom Wojtowicz, sr.

2010 Boys Schedule Alex Finne, 7th Trent Maloney, 7th April 16 at Shattuck Invite, 9:30 a.m.

Andre Joyce, soph.

April 29 at Stewartville tri, 3 p.m.

Ayrton Henderson, fr.

2010 Girls Roster May 6 at Cannon Falls tri, 3 p.m.

Blake Randall, fr.

Abigail Lilledahl, fr.

May 14 Triton tri, 3 p.m.

Davis Cieslinski, 8th Amber Miosi, fr.

May 20 at HVL Meet Dylan Timmerman, soph.

Devin Paige-Thomas, fr.

(Cannon Falls), 9 a.m.

Evan Schaffer, fr.

Heather Timm, fr.

Garet Kubat, soph.

Jessica Paulson, fr.

2010 Girls Schedule Garrett Schaefer, sr.

Kayla Myers, soph.

April 29 at Stewartville tri, 3 p.m.

Jacob Sikel, 7th Kaylee Corey, sr.

May 6 at Cannon Falls tri, 3 p.m.

Jake Wobbrock, fr.

Lacy Koss, jr.

May 14 Triton tri, 3 p.m.

Jonathan Keller, fr.

Mercedeys Lamoree, jr.

May 20 HVL Meet (Cannon Falls), 9 a.m.

Luke Roussel, fr.

Triton looks for more arms What happened last year?

The Cobras finished last season with a 12-8 record. Triton defeated Byron (86) and Zumbrota-Mazeppa (3-1) in the postseason. Rochester Lourdes ended the Cobras’ season with 12-3 victory in the Sub-section 1AA West Tournament. The two wins were a lot better showing than 2008, when the Cobras went 0-2. In 2007, Triton won the section title.

Senior Damon Andrews and sophomore Logan Spitzack made the all-area team. Andrews graduated and now plays football at UND. Spitzack led the Cobras with five wins and 1.85 ERA. He struck out 59 batters in 49 innings. At the plate he hit .431 with six extra-base hits. He was voted team MVP. 2010 Roster Brandon Stebbins, IF, jr.

Blake Roussel, IF, jr.

Ethan Kruger, IF, sr.

Sam Wilmes, IF, sr.

“We have a lot of open spots. We’ll see what happens, who is ready to help us out.”

Good Luck Area Athletes!

From your friends at

Harland’s Tire & Auto Center Your Champion Team For Over 58 Years

— MIKE ELLINGSON, Triton baseball coach

Jordon Johnson, OF, jr.

Brett Henslin, IF, sr.

Eric Benson, OF, sr.

Kyle Thaden, C, jr.

Justin Gartner IF, jr.

Logan Spitzack, IF, jr.

Logan Erdmann, OF, sr.

Zach Fischenich, OF, jr.

Conner Breitbarth, IF, sr.

Jason Jensen, OF, sr.

2010 Schedule April 6 vs. Pine Island (DH), 4:15 p.m.

April 9 vs. Winona Cotter, 5 p.m.

April 13 vs. Cannon Falls (DH), 4:15 p.m.

April 16 at Kasson-Mantorville, 5 p.m.

April 20 at Goodhue (DH), 4:15 p.m.

April 27 vs. Lake City (DH), 4:15 p.m.

May 3 vs. Rochester Lourdes, 5 p.m.

May 4 at Hayfield, 5 p.m.

May 6 at Kenyon-Wanamingo (DH), 3:45 p.m.

May 10 at Zumbrota-Mazeppa (DH), 4:15 p.m.

May 18 at Stewartville, 5 p.m.

May 21 vs. Byron, 5 p.m.

211 W. Main, Owatonna

451-3084

Toll Free 1-800-446-3084 M-F 7:00 am-5:30 pm Sat. 7 am-noon

website: Harlandstire.com email: Harlandstire@qwestoffice.net

#1 IN TIRES

Page 16

Spring Sports Preview 2010S

April 8

Track and field NRHEG at Waseca Invite, 4:30 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at Southland, 4:30 p.m.

W-E-M at Medford, 5 p.m.

NRHEG at Maple River, 5 p.m.

April 17 Triton at Cannon Falls, 5 p.m.

Baseball Boys tennis Owatonna vs. New Prague Rochester JM at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

Owatonna vs. Lakeville North Track and field Blooming Prairie at Blue Earth Area, 10 Medford, Blooming Prairie at Triton a.m.

Meet, 4:30 p.m.

NRHEG Tournament, 9 a.m.

April 23 Golf April 9 Baseball Blooming Prairie (b) invite, 9 a.m.

Baseball Owatonna (g) at Faribault Invite, 9 a.m. NRHEG at Waseca, 5 p.m.

Winona Cotter at Triton, 5 p.m.

Golf Softball Blooming Prairie at Rushford Tourna- Blooming Prairie (g) at J-W-P Invite, 1:30 p.m.

April 10 Boys tennis ment Baseball Rochester Lourdes at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

NRHEG Tournament, 9 a.m.

Owatonna at Rochester JM, 10 a.m.

Track and Field Triton at J-W-P Tournament, 11 a.m.

Blooming Prairie at Byron, 2:30 p.m.

Hamline Elite Meet Girls lacrosse Boys tennis Softball Owatonna at Visitation, 1 p.m.

Owatonna at Cretin-Derham Hall, 2 p.m.

Triton at Medford, 5 p.m.

Boys tennis Mankato West at Owatonna, 11 a.m.

April 12 April 24 Track and field Baseball Baseball Owatonna (b) at Stillwater Invite, 9 a.m.

Blooming Prairie at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m. Owatonna (g) at Apple Valley Goodhue at Blooming Prairie, noon J-W-P at Medford, 5 p.m.

Medford at Lyle/Pacelli Tournament Invite, 10 a.m.

NRHEG at Randolph, 5 p.m.

Track and Field Blooming Prairie at Cannon Softball Hamline Elite Meet Falls Meet, 10 a.m.

Blooming Prairie at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m. Medford at Montgomery-Lonsdale RedJ-W-P at Medford, 5 p.m. bird Invite April 26 NRHEG at Randolph, 5 p.m.

Baseball Boys lacrosse April 19 Blooming Prairie at J-W-P, 5 p.m.

Century at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

Baseball Mankato Loyola at Medford, 5 p.m.

Girls lacrosse Medford at Randolph, 5 p.m.

NRHEG at USC, 5 p.m.

Owatonna at Rochester JM, 6:30 p.m.

J-W-P at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Softball Boys tennis Golf Blooming Prairie at J-W-P, 5 p.m.

Owatonna at Northfield, 4:30 p.m.

Owatonna (g) at Winona tri, 2:30 p.m.

Mankato Loyola at Medford, 5 p.m.

Boys lacrosse NRHEG at USC, 5 p.m.

Farmington at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

April 13 Lake City at Triton, 5 p.m.

Softball Baseball Medford at Randolph, 5 p.m.

Mankato East at Owatonna, 6 p.m.

April 27 Lyle/Pacelli at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m. J-W-P at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Baseball Medford at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.

Owatonna at Austin (DH), 5 p.m.

April 20 Cannon Falls at Triton (DH), 4:15 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Baseball Golf Lake City at Triton (DH), 5 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.

Owatonna (b) at Faribault, 3:30 p.m.

Boys lacrosse Triton at Goodhue (DH), 4:15 p.m.

Faribault at Owatonna (g), 2:30 p.m.

Holy Family at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

Golf Softball Girls lacrosse Blooming Prairie (b/g) at Faribault B.A., 4:15 p.m. Owatonna at Holy Family, 6 p.m.

Owatonna at Mankato East, 5:30 p.m.

Boys lacrosse Blooming Prairie at Triton, 4:30 p.m.

Softball Owatonna at Apple Valley, 7:15 p.m.

Waseca at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Austin at Owatonna (DH), 4:30 p.m.

Girls lacrosse Track and field Blooming Prairie at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Albert Lea, Park Center at OHS (b/g), 3 p.m. Owatonna at Apple Valley, 5:30 p.m.

Triton at Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 5 p.m.

Softball Blooming Prairie at NRHEG Meet, 4:30 p.m.

Golf Owatonna at Winona (DH), 4:30 p.m.

Triton at Stewartville Invite, 4:30 p.m.

Waseca at Owatonna (b), 3 p.m.

Rochester Lourdes at Triton, 5 p.m.

Blooming Prairie (b) at USC, 4:30 p.m.

Boys tennis Boys tennis April 15 Owatonna at Faribault, 4:30 p.m.

Owatonna at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.

Baseball Track and field Track and field Century at Owatonna (DH), 4:30 p.m.

Owatonna (b) at Century quad, 4:30 p.m. Owatonna (b) at Winona quad, 4:30 p.m.

USC at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Owatonna (g) home quad, 4:30 p.m.

Owatonna (g) at Albert Lea quad, 4:30 p.m.

Faribault B.A. at Medford, 5 p.m.

Medford at P-E-M Invite, 4:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Blooming Prairie Invite, 4:30 p.m.

Girls lacrosse Triton at Stewartville Invite, 4:30 p.m.

Medford Invite, 4:30 p.m.

OHS at Bloomington Jefferson, 5:15 p.m. NRHEG at USC Invite, 4:30 p.m.

Softball April 29 Owatonna at Century (DH), 4:30 p.m.

April 22 Baseball USC at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Baseball Owatonna at Faribault, 5 p.m.

Faribault B.A. at Medford, 5 p.m.

Owatonna at Mankato West, 7 p.m.

Medford at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Pine Island at Triton, 5 p.m.

Hayfield at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m. W-E-M at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Boys tennis W-E-M at Medford, 5 p.m.

Golf Austin at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

Maple River at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Blooming Prairie (b/g) at J-W-P, 4:30 p.m.

Golf Golf Boys lacrosse Blooming Prairie (b/g) at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m. Blooming Prairie (b) at Stewartville, 2 p.m. Owatonna at Rochester JM, 6:30 p.m.

Track and field Girls lacrosse Boys lacrosse Medford at Triton invite, 4:30 p.m.

Rochester JM at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

Owatonna at Mayo, 6:30 p.m.

Softball Girls lacrosse Faribault at Owatonna, 5 p.m.

April 16 Mayo at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

Medford at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Baseball Softball W-E-M at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Triton at Kasson-Mantorville, 5 p.m.

Mankato West at Owatonna, 5:30 p.m.

Baseball Blooming Prairie at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

Softball Rochester JM at Owatonna, 5 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

Triton at Byron, 5 p.m.

Track and field Blooming Prairie at Hayfield Meet, 4:30 p.m.

EVENTS

Boys tennis Owatonna at Century, 4:30 p.m.

Albert Lea at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

Track and field Track and field Owatonna (b) at Mankato West tri, 4:30 p.m.

Owatonna (b) at Lakeville South Invite, Owatonna (g) at Winona tri, 4:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

Medford at BP HS Meet, 4:30 p.m.

NRHEG, Blooming Prairie at Awesome Triton at Rushford-Peterson Invite, 4 p.m.

Blossoms Relays, 4:30 p.m.

NRHEG at USC Invite, 4:30 p.m.

Triton at Lake City Invite,4:15 p.m.

Triton at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 5 p.m.

Boys tennis

April 30

Golf Owatonna (b/g) at Mayo tri, 3:30 p.m.

Blooming Prairie (b) at J-W-P Invite, 1:30 p.m.

Softball Kenyon-Wanamingo at Medford, 5 p.m.

Boys tennis Waseca at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

Track and field NRHEG at Blue Earth Invite, 4:30 p.m.

May 1

Golf Owatonna (b) at Ballard Invite, 11 a.m.

Girls lacrosse Farmington at Owatonna, 2 p.m.

May 3

Baseball Blooming Prairie at Randolph, 5 p.m.

NRHEG at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

Rochester Lourdes at Triton, 5 p.m.

Softball Blooming Prairie at Randolph, 5 p.m.

NRHEG at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

Winona Cotter at Triton, 5 p.m.

May 4

Baseball Rochester JM at Owatonna, 5 p.m.

NRHEG at Medford, 5 p.m.

Triton at Hayfield, 5 p.m.

Golf Rochester JM, Austin at OHS (g), 2:30 p.m.

Blooming Prairie (g) at Triton invite, 1:30 p.m.

Girls lacrosse Prior Lake at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

Softball Owatonna at Rochester JM, 5 p.m.

Hayfield at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Medford, 5 p.m.

Randolph at Triton, 5 p.m.

May 6

Baseball Owatonna at Mankato East, 6 p.m.

W-E-M at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Medford at USC, 5 p.m.

Mankato Loyola at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Triton at Kenyon-Wanamingo (DH), 5 p.m.

Golf Owatonna (b) at Rochester JM tri, 3:30 p.m.

Boys lacrosse Owatonna at Farmington, 6:30 p.m.

Girls lacrosse Shattuck-St. Mary’s at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

Softball Mankato East at Owatonna, 5:30 p.m.

W-E-M at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Medford at USC, 5 p.m.

Mankato Loyola at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Triton at Goodhue, 5 p.m.

Boys tennis Winona at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

Track and field Triton, Medford at Byron Invite, 4:30 p.m.

Track and field Owatonna (b) at Mayo Invite, 9 a.m.

May 10

Baseball Medford at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

Boys lacrosse Owatonna at Prior Lake, 7 p.m.

Softball Medford at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

May 11

Baseball Alden-Conger at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

Golf Faribault B.A. at Blooming Prairie (b), 4:15 p.m.

Faribault B.A., J-W-P at BPHS (g), 4:15 p.m.

Baseball Albert Lea at Owatonna (DH), 4:30 p.m.

Randolph at Medford, 5 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at USC, 5 p.m.

NRHEG at J-W-P, 5 p.m.

Triton at Zumbrota-Mazeppa (DH), 4:15 p.m.

Golf Mankato West, Albert Lea at Owatonna (b), 2:30 p.m.

USC, NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

Owatonna (g) at Albert Lea tri, 2:30 p.m.

Girls lacrosse Owatonna at Mayo, 6:30 p.m.

Softball Owatonna at Albert Lea (DH), 4:30 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at USC, 5 p.m.

Randolph at Medford, 5 p.m.

NRHEG at J-W-P, 5 p.m.

Triton at La Crescent, 5 p.m.

Boys tennis Owatonna at Mayo, 4:30 p.m.

Track and field Owatonna (b/g) at Section True Team (Mayo), 2:30 p.m.

Medford, Blooming Prairie, Triton at Section True Team (Rushford), 4:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Section True Team (Maple River), 4 p.m.

May 8

May 13

May 7

Baseball Mankato West at Owatonna, 3 p.m.

Golf Owatonna (g) Invite, 9 a.m.

Boys lacrosse Owatonna at Minneapolis Southwest, 6 p.m.

Softball Red Wing at Owatonna, 1 p.m.

Medford at Faribault B.A. Tournament, 10 a.m.

Boys tennis Owatonna at Chaska, 9 a.m.

Baseball NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Medford at W-E-M, 5 p.m.

Boys lacrosse Mayo at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

Softball NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Medford at W-E-M, 5 p.m.

May 14

Baseball Winona at Owatonna (DH), 4:30 p.m.

0Spring Sports Preview 2010

Page 17

CALENDAR

Albert Lea at NRHEG, 6:30 p.m.

Golf Gopher Conference (b/g) Meet (Blooming Prairie), 10 a.m.

Girls lacrosse Century at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

Softball Owatonna vs. Farmington, 4 p.m.

Owatonna vs. Northfield, 5:45 p.m.

Hayfield at Triton, 4:30 p.m.

May 18

Baseball Owatonna at Mayo (DH), 4:30 p.m.

J-W-P at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Triton at Stewartville, 5 p.m.

Golf Owatonna (b) at Century tri, 3:30 p.m.

Boys lacrosse Rochester JM at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

Girls lacrosse Owatonna at Lakeville North, 7:15 p.m.

May 15 Softball Baseball Mayo at Owatonna (DH), 4:30 p.m.

Medford Tournament, 10 a.m.

J-W-P at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Boys tennis Kasson-Mantorville at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Owatonna at Big Nine Tournament Faribault B.A. at Triton, 4:30 p.m.

(Rochester), 9 a.m.

Track and field Softball Gopher Conference (Medford), 4:30 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at Hayfield Tourney, 8:30 a.m.

May 20 Track and field Baseball Triton at HVL Meet (La Crescent), 10:30 a.m. Triton at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

LeCenter/Cleveland at Medford, 5 p.m.

May 17 Softball Baseball Glenville-Emmons at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Medford at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.

Track and field USC at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Owatonna (b) home quad, 3:30 p.m.

Boys lacrosse Owatonna (g) at Mankato East tri, 3:30 p.m.

Owatonna at Century, 5:30 p.m.

Softball May 21 Medford at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.

Baseball USC at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

NRHEG at Lake Crystal/WM, 5 p.m.

Kasson-Mantorville at Triton, 5 p.m.

Byron at Triton, 5 p.m.

Golf June 1 Owatonna (g) at Big Nine Meet (MankaGolf to), 10 a.m.

Owatonna (b) at Section (Hastings) Track and field Owatonna (g) at Section (Cannon Falls) Triton Invite, 4:30 p.m.

Medford, Triton, Blooming Prairie at May 22 Section Meet (Triton), 4:30 p.m.

Golf Owatonna (b) Invite, 10 a.m.

June 3 Track and field Golf NRHEG at Fairmont Invite, 4:30 p.m.

Owatonna (b) at Section (Hastings) Owatonna (g) at Section (Cannon Falls) Track and field May 24 Owatonna (b/g) at Section Meet Golf Owatonna (b) at Big Nine Meet (Roch- (Lakeville South) Medford, Triton, Blooming Prairie at ester), 10 a.m.

Blooming Prairie (b/g) at Sub-section Section Meet (Triton), 4:30 p.m. meet (Hayfield)

June 5

May 25

Track and Field Sub-section meet (Medford), 4:30 p.m.

May 27

Triton, Blooming Prairie at Sub-section Meet (Stewartville), 4:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Sub-section Meet (Maple River), 4:30 p.m.

May 28

Track and field Owatonna (b/g) at Big Nine Meet (Rochester), 12:30 p.m.

Track and field Owatonna (b/g) at Section Meet (Lakeville South) NRHEG at Section Meet (Mankato Loyola), 10 a.m.

Individual team standings with previews throughout the section

Blooming Prairie soph. Adam Driessen

Page 18

Spring Sports Preview 2010S

2010 Triton Track and Field

2010 Triton Softball

Triton senior Alyson Eipers

Cobras eye more state qualifiers What happened last year?

The Cobras had another strong contingent last June at the Class A State Meet at Hamline University. Carmen Sutherland, 2009 grad, finished eighth in the 100-meter dash with a time of 13.27 seconds.

The Cobras’ girls team also sent two relay teams. The 400 relay team placed fourth with a time of 51.45. The 800 relay team was sixth (1:48.22).

On the boys’ side, Cody Christian advanced in the shot put, but did not place.

Christian is back this year. The boys’ team also had Dylan Bungum (110 hurdles), Adam Bungum (hurdles), Jason Jennings (200), Emerson Price (long jump) and Pat Haltvick (high school) at the Section 1A Meet, which will be in Dodge Center this spring.

Seniors lead Cobras What happened last year?

The Cobras won 10 games last year after only winning five games total the previous two springs. Triton lost all-conference and all-area pitcher Emily Fischenich, who won six games and struck out 76 batters. Both Fischenrich and current senior Rachel Tate made all-area teams.

The Cobras ended the regular season with three straight wins to improve their record to 9-10. In the postseason, Triton scored 34 runs in three games, but lost twice. Stewartville defeated the Cobras 5-3 in the section opener, and Pine Island ended Triton’s season with a 9-5 victory. The 9-5 loss was the fourth time last year that the Cobras lost despite scoring four or more runs. Triton did end a long postseason losing streak with a 20-3 win over Byron in the loser’s bracket.

2010 Roster Bethany Anding, OF, jr.

Jade Bryngelson, OF, jr.

Shelby Bucher, OF, jr.

Megan Coffman, IF, sr.

Brooke Coughlin, OF, jr.

“This is their senior year. This is the year they have to make things happen.”

Triton senior Dylan Bungum

2010 Boys Roster Seniors Dylan Bungum; Alex Chicos; Cody Christian.

Juniors Joe Blazek; Randall Breederland; Zach Haltvick; Tyler Head; Connor Henderson; Jason Jennings; Mason Larson; Trevor Ness; Emerson Price; Finn Reinbacher; Jacob Rislov; Chris Schley; Devan Wanek; Jordan Wente.

Sophomores Jacob Becerra, soph.; Jack Blaisdell, soph.; Adam Bungum, soph.; Jaren Holleback, soph.; Damian Johnson, soph.; Connor Kispert, soph.; Joan Mendoza, soph.; Andrew Sahr, soph.; Shane Stevens, soph.; Dylan Sutherland, soph.; Peter Tate, soph.

Freshmen Corey Gilchrest, fr.; Gavin Johnson, fr.; John Kidd, fr.; Grant Klancher, fr.; Joe Kuth, fr.; Blake Randall, fr.

8th graders Patrick Marquardt, 8th; 7th graders Casey Lang, 7th; Cameron Marquardt, 7th; Ben Scherger, 7th.

Juniors Caitlin Anderson; Kelsey Babcock; Allison Erler; Kayla Hendrickson.

Sophomores Abby Buehler; Jenna Tumlin; Kari VanZuilen.

Freshmen Caroline Adams; Abby Nerenhausen; Paige Wanek.

8th graders Janice Becerra; Alexis Johnson; Aimee Larson; Rachel Putnam; Mack Robinson; Ashley Swift.

7th graders 2010 Girls Roster Katy Erdmann; Arieanna Hendrickson; Seniors Rebecca Cummins; Brandi Mayer; Maddi Caitlyn Jones; Haley Redican; Brooke Nerenhausen.

Sexton; Piper Yankowiak.

2010 Schedule April 6 at Faribault, 4 p.m.

April 13 at Stewartville Invite, 4:30 p.m.

April 15 Triton Invite, 4:30 p.m.

April 20 at Stewartville Invite, 4:30 p.m.

April 22 Triton Invite, 4:30 p.m.

April 29 at Lake City Invite, 4:15 p.m.

May 4 at Rushford-Peterson Invite, 4 p.m.

May 6 at Byron Invite, 4:30 p.m.

May 11 at Section True Team (Rushford), 3 p.m.

May 15 at HVL Meet (La Crescent), 10:30 a.m.

May 21 Triton Invite, 4:30 p.m.

May 27 at Sub-section meet (Stewartville), 4:30 p.m.

June 1,3 Section Meet (Triton), 4:30 p.m.

— BRENT HAALA, Triton softball coach Alyson Eipers, P, sr.

Jen Ellingsen, IF, sr.

Sam Groll, C, sr.

Holli Gustafson, OF, jr.

Whitney Head, C, jr.

Amanda Jackson, IF, jr.

Nichole Kanable, IF, sr.

Kaitlyn Knutson, IF, sr.

Kamry Long, IF, sr.

Taylor Staffon, IF, sr.

Rachel Tate, OF-P, sr.

2010 Schedule April 6 vs. Stewartville, 5 p.m.

April 8 at Byron, 4 p.m.

April 13 vs. Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

April 15 vs. Pine Island, 5 p.m.

April 17 at J-W-P Tournament, 11 a.m.

April 20 vs. Rochester Lourdes, 5 p.m.

April 22 at Cannon Falls, 5 p.m.

April 23 at Medford, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 vs. Lake City, 5 p.m.

April 27 at Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 5 p.m.

April 29 at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 5 p.m.

May 3 vs. Winona Cotter, 5 p.m.

May 4 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.

May 6 at Goodhue, 5 p.m.

May 11 at La Crescent, 5 p.m.

May 14 vs. Hayfield, 4:30 p.m.

May 17 vs. Kasson-Mantorville, 5 p.m.

May 18 vs. Faribault B.A., 4:30 p.m.

Take Care of Your Young Athletes Don’t Let Them Play Hurt Call 507-451-8254 for the Best in Sports Medicine

Owatonna Physical Therapy Center Full Cybex Gym • Convenient Location & Scheduling Let us help you get back into the game to stay!

Greg Schroeder, MPT 1414 S. Oak Ave. • Owatonna Independently Owned by Mary & Rich Peterson

0Spring Sports Preview 2010

Page 19

State Tournament dates

Casey Dehn at 2009 Boys State Track Meet

Boys Tennis Boys/Girls Golf June 8-11 June 15-17 Baseline Tennis Center Class AAA Minneapolis Bunker Hills Golf Course Coon Rapids Boys/Girls Lacrosse Class A June 8-11 Pebble Creek Chanhassen & Mound Becker View High Schools

Softball June 10-11 Caswell Park North Mankato Boys and Girls Track and Field June 10-11 Hamline University St. Paul

Baseball June 17-19 Class AAA Midway Stadium St. Paul Class AA Dick Putz Field St. Cloud Class A Mini Met Jordan

Catch All the Latest

IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS Call or Stop in Today to Subscribe!!

135 West Pearl Street Owatonna 507-444-1561

owatonna.com

Page 20

Spring Sports Preview 2010

Blooming Prairie junior pitcher Erica Manske

Manske’s arm will be BP’s biggest weapon BLOOMING PRAIRIE — Despite more than 50 high school starts and a summer pitching for an all-star team in Wisconsin, Blooming Prairie junior Erica Manske still feels butterflies when she enters the circle.

“I’m confident, but I do still get nervous before each game,” Manske said. “I think that I need to get nervous before the game because that means I’m into the game.”

Manske made the all-area team last year after striking out 154 hitters in 127 2/3 innings and leading Blooming Prairie to the Section 1A Final Four.

As good as Manske was in 2009, she believes the best is yet to come this spring. For starters, she pitched last year with a bad back that flared up late in games. Secondly, she pitched during the offseason for the first time in her high school career.

In previous summers, Manske concentrated on basketball

after her softball season was over. After the 2009 season ended with a 2-0 loss to Hope Lutheran in the Section 1A Tournament, Manske tried out for the Danes all-star softball team in Wisconsin.

“I feel like I’ll be ready this year,” Manske said. “Last year, it kind of took me awhile to get going because I hadn’t pitched for a year. Now, I’ve been pitching all year long.”

Manske’s offseason workload put a smile on the face of Blossoms coach Ali Mach.

“She has been pitching longer,” Mach said. “She played through the summer, which she hasn’t always done. She played very competitively. She didn’t play a fall sport; she worked on softball. She has put in the extra time.”

Blooming Prairie will need Manske to be dominant early in the season as the Blossoms replace three starters on the infield. While Blooming Prairie will have a new first baseman,

shortstop and third baseman this year; Manske will throw to a pair of experienced catchers.

Both senior Kelly Peterson and sophomore Hunter Henderson are back this year.

“It’s really important because I’m really comfortable with both of them,” Manske said.

“I trust both of them. They’re both really good.”

Last season, Peterson got injured at the beginning of Blooming Prairie’s playoff run.

Henderson, younger sister of Owatonna’s Dalton Henderson, stepped in as a ninth-grader.

“Hunter was strong for us last spring,” Manske said.

“She’ll definitely take on a big role for us. It just depends on where.”

When the Blossoms are in the field, Manske might be their best weapon. Blooming Prairie’s defense has been a problem spot in recent years, and, on top of that, this year the Blossoms must replace three starters.

“One of biggest problems defensively is the girls don’t communicate well with each other,” Mach said. “We have always been battling that.

“We lost three infielders and that’s huge because they were very experienced in their positions. It’s just going to take a little while for everything to be meshed together.”

Mach has confidence that when the playoffs roll around, Blooming Prairie’s defense will be playing at a high level.

Until then, the Blossoms will look to Manske to slow down other teams.

“It’s nice having Erica,” said outfielder Tricia DeBoer. “I think she really improved over the summer.”

Manske also hopes to be a two-way player this year. She plans to get some hits as well as some strikeouts.

“I just learned how to slap,” she said. “That’s how I’m going to hit this year.”

— Derek Sullivan

All You Care To Eat

h G rand Buffe t h Only $9.99

ADDITIONAL

3¢ OFF PER GALLON OF GAS WHEN Coupon good at your Owatonna Hy-Vee Gas only.

Expires 12/31/2010.

Hy-Vee Gas Hours

1620 South Cedar • Owatonna • 451-0138

Open Daily 7 Days Per Week 5:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.

Kitchen: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

PRESENTING YOUR HUSKIES CARD

GAS 1620 S. Cedar • Owatonna 451-0138 • Open 24 Hours

Create your own buffet from our Hy-Vee Kitchen, Chinese Express, Soup & Salad Bar, Italian Cuisine and Pizza!