PREVIEWS STORM
Gradual ascent continues
Storm football becoming annual force
BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER
An annual trend appears to be developing when the Sauk Rapids-Rice football team takes the practice field for preseason workouts. The days of wondering if they can compete against some of the top Class 5A teams appear to be over, replaced by an air of quiet confidence.
While that may not result in a state championship or even a winning record — because strange things can happen during a football season — the Storm have put themselves in a place where they are respected every time they hit the field.
That status, ninth-year head coach Phillip Klaphake said, is something that did not come easily and is one the coaching staff, players and he earned.
“We want to be in that place, right?” Klaphake asked, perhaps rhetorically. “We want people to know that when they play us, it’s going to be a good game. That’s it. We want to be a good 5A program and compete with everybody. We hope the best teams in our class see us and don’t think it’s going to be easy. We want to be in highly competitive games, and when it’s close, we find ways to win.”
SRR has put itself in that usually relevant conversation, posting a 19-5 record the past three regular seasons, including wins over other established 5A teams such as Elk River, Alexandria, Bemidji, Sartell and Moorhead. Their intended climb up the competitive big school ladder begins Thursday, Aug. 29, when the Storm face Irondale at Irondale High School in New Brighton.
The position of being a “team to beat” is something players who have been involved in the program for
BY
The 2024 Sauk Rapids-Rice football team seniors consist of Tyson Newville-Larson (front, from left), Kai Hall, Anthony Ballif-Sturkey, Anden Chapman, Cullen Thompson, Chris Pepin, Andrew Marten-Rosenow and Grayson Gazett; (middle, from left) Jonah Thell, Jake Thell, Ben Ellerbusch, Hayden Brown, Anthony Camara, Deagan Gondeck, Mason Sabraski and Jaylen Hanson-Ditthidet; (back, from left) Hudson Omoke, Brayden Kost, Xavier Thurston, Mason Anderson and Lincoln Rushmeyer. The Storm are coming off a 7-2 season in 2023.
years enjoy with immense pride.
“It feels good to be a part of this program considering where we are,” said senior Jake Thell, who is expected to anchor an experienced and big offensive line. “We’re looking to be one of the best teams in the area, and we can compete for that title. Lots of people like to call us the ‘secondround exit’ in town, but we’re so close to being where we want to be. We know if we keep taking the right steps and keep getting better every day, we’ll feel good.”
quarterback Spencer Ackerman.
Phillip Klaphake, head coach
Omoke already owns most SRR receiving records after catching 59 passes for 957 yards and nine touchdowns last season. His cohort, Mason Sabraski, hauled in four touchdowns and finished with 509 yards as the other half of a dangerous 1-2 punch. Slot receivers Mason Anderson and Jaylen Hanson-Ditthidet also return.
Football
Head coach: Phillip Klaphake, ninth year (37-33 record) 2023: 7-2 overall; lost to Elk River 38-35 in Section 7AAAAA semifinals.
Returning stat leaders: Passing: Spencer Ackerman 121-198 1,923 yards, 15 TD, 4 INT. Receiving: Hudson Omoke 59-957, 9 TD; Mason Sabraski 23-509, 4 TD; Mason Anderson 10-90 and Jaylen Hanson-Ditthidet 4-80 1 TD. Defense: Bradyn Kost 59 tackles, 4 TFL; Deagan Gondeck 43 tackles, 4 TFL; Ben Ellerbusch 35 tackles; Chris Pepin 31 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 2 fumble recoveries; Omoke 25 tackles, 2 INT; Carter Riedeman 23 tackles; Xavier Thurston 27 tackles, 1 TFL; Sabraski 13 tackles; Clayton Handeland 10 tackles; Anden Chapman 9 tackles, 1 TFL; Anthony Camara 6 tackles and Jonah Thell 5 tackles.
The 2024 lineup will be loaded with familiar faces. Ten offensive players who saw extensive playing time last season return, including wide receiver and college recruit Hudson Omoke and junior
Ackerman passed for 1,923 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first year as a starter. With so many receivers at his disposal, along with incoming running backs who boast impressive speed, Klaphake said the ingredients are there to help Ackerman thrive.
“Spencer is very tough,” Klaphake said. “For what he
weighs, he takes a lot of hits and pops back up. He really enjoys the mental side of the game, and he naturally picks the game up. He does things most high school quarterbacks probably aren’t doing. What’s cool is Spencer is on time. He’s not a recess quarterback.
There are throws he makes that are 18-, 19-, 20-year-old quarterback things. When he’s playing well, he can do everything we need him to.”
PHOTO
TOM FENTON
Plenty to build on
BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER
The search to find a competitive edge is a never-ending challenge for high school sports coaches. Finding something new that could give their team a little something extra is a game that does not have a final buzzer.
Gail Bialke is in her third season as head Sauk Rapids-Rice volleyball coach. She has been involved with the program for even longer and is familiar with her players’ strengths, along with areas they need to improve. That said, Bialke thought a few extra sets of eyes on her players during preseason workouts could not hurt.
Bialke brought in two independent evaluators on Day 2 of fall workouts for a second opinion on what her team looks like. The evaluators watched as Storm players went through various drills. They did not know names or status on the team, Bialke explained.
“They have never seen our girls before,” Bialke said. “They know volleyball but haven’t seen our girls, so I’m excited to get an unbiased opinion on our talent. I’m excited to see what other people think of our athletes. There are some kids on the border, and you’re not always sure where they fit in best. I’ve known a lot of these kids since they were freshman, so it’ll help us see where we’re at.”
The fresh eyes likely feasted on a group of returning players who are no stranger to the varsity game. While one of the school’s all-time attack leaders, Ava Athman, has moved on to Bemidji State University, nine players who saw significant playing time in last season are back and intent to improve on a 15-10 season — the program’s best record in eight years.
The return of senior Lauren Schloe into the lineup will give the offense a needed boost. Schloe, who has committed to Division I Montana State University, missed the majority of last season after breaking a finger in a fluke incident at an early season practice.
“We have to be really aggressive, but we can’t go into games with a ‘big dog’ mindset,” said Schloe, who played a big role on a Willmar-based AAU summer team that won a national title. “We have to stay humble because I feel like when we go into games overconfident, we kind of struggle. It’s good to be confident, but you have to play the games to get the wins.”
320.266.3949
Seniors on the Sauk Rapids-Rice volleyball team are
The Storm are coming off a 15-10 season.
Volleyball
Head coach: Gail Bialke, third year (28-23 record) 2023: 15-10 overall; lost in three sets to Sartell in Section 8AAAA quarterfinals. Returning stat leaders: Wendi Peterson 139 kills, 40 blocks, 18 digs; Josie Anderson 106 kills, 14 ace serves, 22 blocks, 136 digs; Stella Lambaere 98 kills, 45 ace serves, 12 blocks, 210 digs; Lauren Schloe 33 kills, 13 blocks; Ruby Gustofson 12 kills, 12 blocks, 13 digs; Marissa Bomstad 74 digs, 9 set assists; Aubrey Marketon 15 kills, 11 service aces, 89 digs, 344 set assists; and Clare Rogholt 13 kills, 9 blocks.
Attackers Wendi Peterson, Josie Anderson and all-around standout Stella Lambaere were forced to grow perhaps a bit faster than hoped and wasted no time making an impact. Peterson, a junior, had 139 kills and 40 blocks, while Anderson had 106 kills and 22 blocks in an impressive freshman season.
Junior Aubrey Marketon, already a varsity veteran, will be the battery that sparks the offense as set-
BY
ter. She is coming off a 344-assist season. Back-row specialist and senior Marissa Bomstad also returns and is primed to play a bigger leadership role. Junior Ruby Gustofson and senior Olivia Lee are also no strangers to the bright varsity lights.
“It’s fun getting back into the volleyball mindset and, being a senior, helping the younger players with what to expect,” Lee said. “Team bonding, getting together, getting along and playing as hard as we can are important so we can get off to a good start.”
Senior Vivian Kusilek is familiar with helping bring a team together with the Storm softball program, and she is eager to fill a similar role this fall.
“It’s important to get along well because our team is really close age-wise, so it’s easy for us to bond. That shows on the court,” Kusilek said. “It helps we can communicate and talk to each other because we’re comfortable with each other.”
Bialke said a successful summer campaign that featured games against metro schools should do wonders for the preparation process, which she hopes will ignite a quick start.
Volleyball page 3B
PHOTO
TOM FENTON
Marissa Bomstad (from left), Olivia Lee, Lauren Schloe and Vivian Kusilek.
Gail Bialke, head coach
on service form during Day 2 of fall practice Aug. 13 at
Rapids-Rice High School in
Rapids. The Storm opened the season Aug. 22 at Chanhassen with their home opener set for Thursday, Aug. 29,
Volleyball from page 2B
“We have some holes to fill, but we have the girls to do it,” Bialke said. “We should have a lot of confidence, but we can’t get down ourselves so quickly when we lose a few points. We need to come back quicker and keep teams from having a big rally. It’s an exciting time. I got goosebumps a few times watching our girls play this summer. It should be a good season.”
Storm offensive tackle Jake
holds onto a football after completing drills July 24 at the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School fields in Sauk Rapids. Thell is expected to anchor a big and experienced Storm offensive line.
Football from front
The back two levels of the defense are also loaded with returning players, including cornerbacks Chris Pepin and Omoke, and safeties Deagan Gondeck and Carter Riedeman. Bradyn Kost, Ben Ellerbusch and Xavier Thurston all saw action at linebacker, as did lineman Anden Chapman.
“We’re blessed to be where we’re at,” said Kost, who had a team-best 59 tackles in 2023. “We have a chance to do great stuff this year, but we have to take it each game and day at a time. Nothing comes easy. We’ve been playing together since youth football, and it’s our final year to shine. We’re ready.”
Klaphake admits the margin between a 7-1 and
VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
Becker
Tuesday, Aug. 27 A 7:00 PM
Sartell
Thursday, Aug. 29 H 7:00 PM
Tech
Tuesday, Sept. 3 H 7:00 PM
Detroit Lakes
Thursday, Sept. 5 A 7:00 PM
Sauk Rapids-Rice Invitational
Saturday, Sept. 7 H 9:00 AM
Rocori
Tuesday, Sept. 10 H 7:00 PM
Brainerd
Thursday, Sept. 12 A 7:00 PM
Alexandria Area
Tuesday, Sept. 17 A 7:00 PM
Fergus Falls
Thursday, Sept. 19 H 7:00 PM
Apollo
Tuesday, Sept. 24 H 7:00 PM
Moorhead
Thursday, Sept. 26 H 7:00 PM
Sartell
Tuesday, Oct. 1 A 7:00 PM
Willmar
Thursday, Oct. 3 A 7:00 PM
St. Michael-Albertville Invitational
Friday, Oct. 4 A 5:00 PM
St. Michael-Albertville Invitational
Saturday, Oct. 5 A 8:00 AM
Willmar
Thursday, Oct. 10 H 7:00 PM
Rocori
Tuesday, Oct. 15 A 7:00 PM
FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Orono Scrimmage
Saturday, Aug. 24 A 9:30 AM
Irondale
Thursday, Aug 29 A 7:00 PM
Sartell
Friday, Sept. 6 H 7:00 PM
Monticello
Friday, Sept. 13 A 7:00 PM
St. Francis
Friday, Sept. 20 H 7:00 PM
Elk River
Friday, Sept. 27 H 7:00 PM
Cambridge-Isanti
Friday, Oct. 4 A 7:00 PM
Andover
Friday, Oct. 11 H 7:00 PM
a 3-5 season can be razor thin. Injuries and getting a little luck play a huge role, though the number of victories or how far the Storm advance in the playoffs do not alone define a season.
“People ask if the goal is to win a state championship.” Klaphake said. “To me, that’s kind of too big. It’s not that we don’t want that, but we’re going to do the things we know to make us competitive. When that time comes, it’ll come because of the process. It’s hard to be competitive, and what’s spooky is when you start to think ‘We can just do that every year.’ It doesn’t work that way. We can’t be content. Being content is boring and we have no interest in doing that.”
PHOTO BY TOM FENTON
Thell
PHOTO BY TOM FENTON
Storm senior Olivia Lee works
Sauk
Sauk
against Sartell.
Run for fun
BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER
It is fair to label the 2024 season one of transition for the Sauk Rapids-Rice cross-country team.
Though there are a handful of returning runners, especially on the girls side, this season’s program features no seniors. That means much of the season, especially early, will include a steep learning curve.
For coach Sandie Cook, the youthful roster offers the chance to mold young runners into what she hopes are future differencemakers.
“I love where the program is at because I love to run, and I want to instill that into my runners along with that competitive spirit,” Cook said. “I love having them set goals for themselves — making a plan, reaching those goals, then resetting and setting new ones. In that respect, it’s more than just a sport. It’s also about life skills.”
SRR starts the season with its usual opening race — the Apollo Invitational Saturday, Aug. 24, at Apollo High School in St. Cloud. The Storm will once again not have a home meet this year, as opposing teams frown on running on a course that has crushed rock in spots. The two previous SRR invitationals featured only a few teams.
The season-opening race serves as a preview to the Central Lakes Conference meet Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Apollo High School in St. Cloud. The Section 8AAA meet is Thursday, Oct. 24, at Forestview Middle School in Brainerd.
In her fifth year as head coach, Cook knows the importance of changing practice plans to keep her runners fresh, healthy and interested. Mondays are typically reserved for longer runs along with weight lifting, while Tuesdays involve interval-type training that also helps with speed and race strategy.
“During those runs, they run hard for 30 seconds (and) recover for 90 seconds, but they still run
The 2024 Sauk Rapids-Rice cross-country captains are juniors Elka Sowada (bottom to top), Grace
Saturday, Aug.
during recovery (and then) keep repeating that,” Cook said. “It’s a good strategy for races. They learn to excel for 30 seconds to overtake a runner and then settle back into race pace.”
Twenty-eight runners are running this season — 14 boys and 14 girls.
Returners on the girls team include varsity veterans junior Amelia Reker and sophomore Faith Bogle, who have been consistent performers the past two seasons. Also back are Kenzie WagmanKelley, Elka Sowada, Abby Johnson, Anika Martinson and Grace Smith. Bogle had the top Storm result in the Section 8AAA meet, placing 34th.
“It’s crazy different for me this year,” said Reker, who had the third-best time for SRR at sections. “The team has changed a lot, and I’m the oldest now. I’m trying to get the team to be closer and bond more. I try to say ‘hi’ to each person, talk to them and get to know them. As a team, I want to make sure we just try our best and enjoy running.”
The boys lost three seniors. Junior Avery Nathe is the top returning performer from a year
Head coach: Sandie Cook (fifth year) 2023: SRR’s boys and girls teams both finished ninth in the Central Lakes Conference.
Top returning CLC finishers: Boys: Avery Nathe (59th) and Evan Ostendorf (62nd). Girls: Faith Bogle (34th), Amelia Reker (44th), Abby Johnson (47th) and Kenzie Wagman-Kelley (49th).
CROSS-COUNTRY SCHEDULE
Early Bird Invitational - Apollo
Saturday, Aug. 24 A 9:00AM
Brainerd - Forestview Invitational
Friday, Aug. 30 A 10:00 AM
Bertram Regional Park-Monticello Invitational
Saturday, Sept. 7 A 9:30 AM
Little Falls Golf Course
Thursday, Sept. 12 A 4:00 PM
River Oaks Golf Course
Thursday, Sept. 19 A 4:15 PM
Purple Hawk Country Club Invitational
Tuesday, Sept. 24 A 4:00 PM
Litchfield Golf Course Invitational
Thursday, Oct. 3 A 4:00 PM
Princeton Golf Course Invitational
Tuesday, Oct 8 A 3:15 PM
Conference Championship (St. Cloud Apollo) Tuesday, Oct. 15 A 3:00 PM
ago along with freshman Evan Ostendorf. Nathe realizes training is far from easy, but the result is worthwhile — something he want to pass on to younger athletes.
“Sometimes our workouts and races are really hard, but we push each other to get through it, and I like that about this team,” Nathe said. “Running is not always the most fun in the moment, but once you finish, there is so much enjoyment.”
PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON
Smith, Amelia Reker and Avery Nathe. The Storm open the season
24, at the Apollo Invitational at Apollo High School in St. Cloud.
Storm cross-country runner Kenzie Wagman-Kelley makes her way down the course at the Lucky Lindy Invitational in fall 2023 at Little Falls Golf Course in Little Falls. There are no seniors on this year’s team.
Sandie Cook, head coach
Bemidji
Saturday, Aug. 24 A 2:00 PM
Fergus Falls
Tuesday, Aug. 27 H 5:00 PM
Becker
Thursday, Aug. 29 H 6:00 PM
Apollo
Tuesday, Sept. 3 A 7:00 PM
Cambridge-Isanti
Saturday, Sept. 7 H 1:00 PM
Tech
Tuesday, Sept. 10 H 5:00 PM Willmar
Thursday, Sept. 12 A 7:00 PM Rocori
Tuesday, Sept. 17 H 7:00 PM
Brainerd
Thursday, Sept. 19 H 5:00 PM
Big Lake
Saturday, Sept. 21 H 1:00 PM
Alexandria Area
Tuesday, Sept. 24 A 7:00 PM Detroit Lakes
Saturday, Sept. 28 A 3:00 PM
Zimmerman
Tuesday, Oct. 1 A 5:30 PM Sartell
Thursday, Oct. 3 A 7:00 PM
Banking on hard work
BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER
Coach Chris Rothstein hopes an impressive summer workload for many members of the Sauk Rapids-Rice boys soccer team will give the Storm a bit of a head start to the 2024 season.
Considering the regular season lasts only six weeks, that leaves little margin for error. With full varsity and junior varsity rosters — and many athletes who were regular attendees to summer workouts — Rothstein was afforded the luxury of working on more detailed aspects of the game in early season practice.
“I like how many players are starting to play off-season travel soccer more,” said Rothstein, who is in his ninth season as head coach. “That just builds so much more experience and skill. We’re starting to get a bigger group of players who we don’t have to teach as much to because they already know what to do.”
Boys soccer
Head coach: Chris Rothstein, ninth year 2023: 5-10 overall; lost 1-0 to Sartell in Section 8AAA quarterfinals. Returning stat leaders: Austin Markfelder 4 goals, 2 assists; Danny Tong 2 goals, 3 assists; Garret Broman 1 goal, 1 assist; Evan Hoivik 1 goal, 1 assist; Mason Meyer-Thovson 2 assists; Chas Forsberg 1 assist; Kha Phan 1 assist. Goalkeeper: Liam Mick 5 saves, 2.67 goals against average.
diminished.
courage us, and they love everything we do. Toward the end of the season, there might be more emotion being my last year. But I’m excited to make an impact this season.”
Senior Luca Filagi also returns as defender, adding to the team’s depth at that position. He said the team will rely on defense to keep them in games and will need to take advantage of their scoring chances.
“We just are looking for hard work, making new friends and getting better at soccer,” Filagi said. “It’s way different being out here as a senior and a captain. I get to be a role model. I want to make sure this program is welcoming to everyone and (I want to) be respectful to everyone in general. The goal is to win games 4-0, but we’ll take any win we can get.”
Junior Liam Mick is expected to log many of the goalkeeping minutes. He played in three games last season, recording 2.67 goals against average.
Another leg on the senior leadership chair is Aaron Samuels. He said the team needs to work hard off the field, as well, to be successful.
SRR’s bid to finish .500 or better — a goal in a Central Lakes Conference that never seems to get easier — began with an Aug. 22 nonconference home game against St. Francis at the Sauk RapidsRice Middle School stadium in Sauk Rapids. The Storm are coming off a 5-10 season that included wins over East Grand Forks, Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes, Apollo and St. John’s Prep.
“That makes it easier to build them to higherlevel players,” Rothstein said. “We’re going to have a lot of success in not having to teach about positioning and strategy because they’re coming in with that knowledge. So, we can hone in more on individual skills and push them into higher levels of soccer.”
to bring a program that is special to him to another level.
“This program really means the world to me,” said Broman, a multiple state place-winner in swimming. “Soccer is my love. It’s my favorite sport. The coaches and team en-
“We need to keep working our bodies, conditioning, eating healthy and making sure everyone is bonding and staying collected as a team,” Samuels said. “Once we get ahead in games, we need to keep the momentum up and (keep the) pressure on the other team so it’s not an easy walk for them.”
A big key will be avoiding extended losing streaks, as a seven-game skid proved detrimental in 2023. The importance of extra off-season work, Rothstein said, cannot be
Though the leading scorer is gone, a good chunk of the scoring nucleus from last season returns, led by junior Austin Markfelder and sophomore Danny Tong. Senior Garret Broman, a threeyear starter and three-sport athlete, is back to anchor the back end of the field on defense and is eager
Junior Evan Hoivik dribbles up the field during practice Aug. 14 at the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School fields in Sauk Rapids. The Storm opened the season Aug. 22 against St. Francis.
PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON
The Sauk Rapids-Rice boys soccer team senior captains are Luca Filagi (from left), Garret Broman and Aaron Samuels. The Storm are coming off a 5-10 season.
Chris Rothstein, head coach
Keeping things fresh
SRR hopes to splash big in 2024
BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER
Finding ways to keep swimming and diving practice from getting monotonous is not an easy task, but it is one Julia Wallace embraces.
The Storm mix pool time with dryland training and weight lifting to improve strength and endurance while finding ways to throw in fun activities as well. It is all part of the process for Wallace, a Brainerd native and former Minnesota State University Moorhead swimmer who is in her third year as Sauk Rapids-Rice girls swimming and diving head coach.
SRR found a way to win several dual meets in the final event last season, something Wallace hopes carries over into 2024.
“Switching around our training sessions a little bit is helping the girls to be intentional with each and every practice,” Wallace said. “I am really excited to see what this team can accomplish this year. I believe we will capitalize on our close victories last year and want to get the close losses back. Last year, they got to see what it takes to compete at the AA level, and I can see them rising to that new level this year.”
Seniors on the Sauk Rapids-Rice girls swimming and diving team for the 2024 season are Sophia Nielsen (from left), Lily Gregerson, Avery Ziegler, Jamie Durheim and Adison Peterson. The Storm open the season with a triangular Tuesday, Aug. 27, at Foley High School in Foley.
since seventh grade. She brings versatility to the pool along with an attitude for others to follow.
“Swimming season is really important to me,” Nielsen said. “It definitely gives me more of a drive for life and school, and it shows me hard work and dedication do pay off. It’ll be sad looking back on it when it’s over, but I’m happy I’ve gone through six years on this team.”
This is Year 2 for SRR in Class AA — the state’s largest in swimming and diving. The lone 2023 state meet participant, diver Sophia
Markfelder, is now at the University of St. Thomas.
Top section finishes came from Ava Erdmann, third in the 200 individual medley, and Ally Lucas, fourth in the 200-yard freestyle.
Both will be among the top sprinters along with Madi Miller, Mya Miller, Rhema Knudson and Kate Walz, though that list could grow as the season progresses.
“Sprinting tends to be the type of event a lot of girls can do, but sometimes (they) don’t always specialize in the event,” Wallace said.
Adalyn Godfrey, Lucas and Erdmann are top returning performers in the backstroke, while Olivia Schapp, Mya Miller and Hayden Reinert re-
turn in the breaststroke. Distance specialist Grace Thompson is strong in the butterfly, while Walz, Erdmann and Godfrey give SRR a solid 1-2-3 punch in the 200 individual medley.
Esme Grabinski and Caroline Czeck are returning divers.
“The first week is really exciting,” senior Avery Ziegler said. “Just being back with the girls and getting back into the dryland (practice) and getting into the pool is great. We really focus on technique early on, and it’s just fun being back with everyone. We kind of prepare the new girls, too. There are some nerves there because we all work really hard once the season starts.”
Foley
Tuesday, Aug. 27 A 5:00 PM
Apollo
Thursday, Aug. 29 A 3:00 PM
Willmar
Thursday, Sept. 5 H 6:00 PM
Alexandria Area
Tuesday, Sept.
The Storm dive into the 2024 season with a triangular Tuesday, Aug. 27, in a Foley meet that also includes Monticello. The home opener is Thursday, Sept. 5, when SRR hosts Central Lakes Conference rival Willmar.
Senior Sophia Nielsen has been involved with the program
Storm freshman Ava Erdmann glides through the water while practicing the backstroke Aug. 14 at
High School pool in Sauk Rapids. Erdmann advanced to the finals last year in the Section 8AA meet.
Girls
swimming and diving
Head coach: Julia Wallace, third year 2023: The Storm finished fourth in the Central Lakes Conference and seventh in Section 8AA. Returning section place-winners (top 16): Ally Lucas (fourth) 200 freestyle; Ava Erdmann (third) 200 individual medley; Kate Walz (11th) 500 freestyle; Rhema Knudson, Madi Miller, Olivia Schaap (sixth) 200 freestyle relay; Erdmann (ninth) and Adalyn Godfrey (12th) 100 backstroke; Schaap (12th) 100 breaststroke; Knudson, Madi Miller, Erdmann and Lucas (seventh) 400 freestyle relay.
PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON
Sauk Rapids-Rice
Julia Wallace, head coach
Order on the court
TENNIS SCHEDULE
Melrose Area
Monday, Aug. 26 A 3:00 PM Willmar
Tuesday, Aug. 27 A 4:30 PM
Alexandria Area
Thursday, Aug. 29 A 4:30 PM
Big Lake
Friday, Aug. 30 H 9:00 AM
Apollo
Tuesday, Sept. 3 H 4:30 PM
Brainerd
Thursday, Sept. 5 H 4:30 PM
Detroit Lakes
Monday, Sept. 9 A 4:30 PM Rocori
Tuesday, Sept. 10 H 4:30 PM Fergus Falls
Thursday, Sept. 19 H 4:30 PM North Branch
Saturday, Sept. 21 H 10:30 AM Sartell
Tuesday, Sept. 24 A 4:30 PM Willmar
Thursday, Sept. 26 H 4:30 PM
Returning players no strangers to varsity level
BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER
The distinct sound of tennis balls being batted around the court was everywhere. Country music emitted from courtside speakers while coach Val Martin encouraged both veteran and incoming players in her usual positive manner.
The opening day of fall practice was light-hearted but full of purpose, which is to be expected with the Storm having only five days to prepare for their first competition. Taking that next step for what is still considered a new program in its fourth year on its own comes down to a combination of factors, something senior No. 1 singles player Sydney Entner acknowledges.
is back as an assistant coach.
“I definitely feel more comfortable in the things I needed to, so I could be organized earlier,” Martin said of the first week of practice. “I could be focused on the practices and all the background stuff was done.”
Sydney Entner 4, Ella Mrozek 3, Maya Strand 3, Kaitlyn Burski 2 and Miah Boos 1.
STEVEN V. BAKER, LTD.
“I tend to keep a good attitude, but now I’m going to stay more aware of that and how I react to things,” said Entner, who won four matches last season going against the area’s best players. “As a team, we need to push ourselves. Even if you think you can’t do it, you need to try; know your limit and work up from there — push past it.”
SRR won four matches last season and brings back seven players who had extensive playing time, led by Entner and junior Leah Roesch, the No. 2 singles player who had a team-best nine victories. Brielle Karasch, who won eight matches, also is back.
Val Martin, head coach
The Storm opened their season at a Foley triangular Aug. 17 with a pair of 7-0 losses to Foley and Rocori, two strong area teams. SRR opened the home portion of its schedule with a triangular against Anoka and Princeton Aug. 22 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School courts in Sauk Rapids.
Tennis-loving Martin, a former assistant, is in her second year as head coach. Former head coach Trish Bemboom
Also returning with varsity victories are Miah Boos, Ella Mrozek, Maya Strand and Kaitlyn Burski.
Boos enters her senior year ready to embrace a leadership role while applying life lessons and toughness learned during this summer’s Les Voyageurs expedition — a paddle, portage and wilderness trip.
“It was definitely one of the hardest physical challenges I’ve ever done,” Boos said. “It helped me push myself and learn my breaking
point. … That really helped me prepare for the season because it made me a lot stronger. As a team, a key for us is putting in that extra 1% effort.”
Mrozek spent her freshman and sophomore years on the junior var-
sity. She witnessed how captains led and is looking forward to stepping into a similar role.
“I’m still learning having fun is important — even though we’re all still very competitive and trying to win,” Mrozek said.
22
Head coach: Val Martin, second year 2023: 4-16 overall; lost to Annandale in Section 8AA tournament. Returning win leaders: Leah Roesch 9, Brielle Karasch 8,
PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON
The 2024 Sauk Rapids-Rice girls tennis team captains are Miah Boos (from left), Sydney Entner, Ella Mrozek and Kaitlyn Burski. The Storm are in their fourth season as an independent program.
Storm junior Brielle Karasch focuses on a backhand during the opening day of fall practice Aug. 12 at the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School courts in Sauk Rapids. The Storm had their home opener Aug.
against Anoka and Princeton.