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BY PETE MOHS Wadena Pioneer Journal
WADENA — The
Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines have a young varsity football squad this fall according to head coach Kyle Petermeier.
“We have five seniors, four juniors, 13 sophomores and 15 freshmen,” Petermeier said about his squad scheduled to open the season by hosting Kerkhoven-MurdockSunburg Friday, Aug. 30. “We had a fantastic offseason with football camp and workouts and we are looking forward to building each day with this group of kids. Our five seniors have shown great leadership and have been instrumental in bringing the young kids along.”
Returning letterwinners are Drew Lorentz, Mason Brauch, Jason Rudrud and Austin Wendt.
Others who could contribute include Jayden Polan, Blake Sundheim, Tyler Phipps, Ettore Pinnella, Dinico Polan, Cam Oie, Noah Drange, Leo Petrowski, Hudson Schultz, Deacon Priewe, Gage Mallak, Dayton Putnam, Arrow CollingHenderson, Deacon
Front row, from left: Deacon Priewe, Nathan Jacobsen, Alex Putnam, Deken
Schultz, Jayden Polan, Dinico Polan, Dayton Putnam, Wyatt Eggert and Brandt Welch.
Tanner Collins, Cam Snyder, Drew Lorentz, Mason Brauch, Jason Rudrud, Tyler Phipps, Wyatt
Dalton
and Arrow CollingHenderson. Third row: Leo Petrowski, Noah Drange, Jacob Hudson, Ettore Pinnella, Caden Nemeth,
Krohn, William Osberg, Jeremiah Peterson, Brady Worden and Mitchell Schmitz.
Priewe, William Osberg, Wyatt Kinglsey and Chaz Kruse. Last year, WDC finished 2-5 in the Mid Nor thwest Central and 3-7 overall. The Wolverines won their firstround playoff game before losing to the topseeded Osakis Silverstreaks in the semifinals. “We have a smaller section with just five
teams,” Petermeier said, who has an 18-28 career coaching record over the past five seasons. “We won the first playoff game last year between the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds before losing to Osakis.”
Assistant coaches for WDC include Keith Ferris, Norm Gallant, Aaron Rothermund, Paul Drange and Cory Oehlke.
August
30 - Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg at Wadena-Deer Creek 7 p.m.
September
6 - Wadena-Deer Creek at Pillager 4:45 p.m.
13 - Pine River-Backus at Wadena-Deer Creek 7 p.m.
20 - Wadena-Deer Creek at Parkers Prairie 7 p.m.
27 - New York Mills at Wadena-Deer Creek 5 p.m. October 4 - Wadena-Deer Creek at WalkerHackensack-Akeley at 3:15 p.m.
11 - Wadena-Deer Creek at Breckenridge 4 p.m.
16 - Staples-Motley at Wadena-Deer Creek 7 p.m.
BY PETE MOHS Wadena Pioneer Journal
WADENA — The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines graduated nine letterwinners from last year’s squad that finished 12-6 overall.
But the WDC squad does have six returners with varsity experienceincluding seniors Cadie Leeseberg and Chloe Leeseberg, juniors Anna Fiemeyer, Kaylee Endress and Charli Snyder and sophomore Emma Weninger.
Others who could contribute are juniors Isabelle Lehmkuhl and Lydia Helmbrecht, sophomore Chloe Phillipy and eighth grader Britta Ferris.
WDC has co-coaches
Jil Fiemeyer and Lindy Thompson while Elise Kallevig is the team’s assistant coach.
“With a mix of seasoned veterans and a group of talented young players, the team is poised to make significant strides,” Fiemeyer said. “While the team may be mostly young, they are driven by a strong work ethic and a determination to grow with every match.
“These hard-working girls bring energy and enthusiasm to practice and matches, creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to push their limits and improve.” Thompson added the Wolverines are a dedicated team.
“They are working to make themselves better every day,” Thompson said. “We have a core group of returning players and some awesome new upperclassmen and young players who joined the team this year. I believe with a little more time on the court, we have the potential to be a competitive team this year.”
The Wolverines opened the season Monday, Aug. 19 with three losses at the Osakis Quadrangular - falling to Osakis 6-1, losing to Mor ris 5-2 and Melrose 4-3. Snyder did compile a 2-1 record on opening day.
“Leadership is another key strength of this year’s squad,” Fiemeyer said. “The veterans not only bring valuable experience, but also provide guidance and mentorship to the newer players. Their positive influence helps foster a strong team spirit and camaraderie, making the Wolverines a close-knit group that’s fun to be around.”
BY PETE MOHS Wadena Pioneer Journal
WADENA — The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines have eight letterwinners returning from a squad that reached the Class 2A state consolation match last season.
“I believe we can be competitive during the regular season,” WDC coach Sue Volkmann said, “Our goal is to make another strong run in the section playoffs.”
WDC is ranked No. 8 in the Class 2A Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll.
Last year, the Wolverines won the Section 8-2A title by defeating East Grand Forks 3-0 in the semifinals and Perham 3-1 in the final. WDC then lost to Southwest Christian 3-1 in the Class 2A state quarterfinals and Annandale 3-2 in the consolation semifinals. Returning letterwinners include seniors Addy Gravelle, Jenna Dykhoff, Montana Carsten, Addi Carr; juniors Jada Dykhoff, Kennedy Ness and Ashley Pavek and sophomore Payton Gravelle. Others who could
contribute are junior Tori Mallack, sophomores Alyssa Carr and Mari Koone, and freshmen Avery Lepinski and Celia Rinio
Last fall, the Wolverines finished 7-0 in the Park Region Conference and 22-11 overall.
Volkmann, who will start her 37th year as coach, has compiled a 635-334 career coaching record. Volkman’s assistants are Courtney Turnberg and Heidi VanDyke. WDC was scheduled to open the season by hosting East Grand Forks Tuesday, Aug. 27.
Schedule August
27 - East Grand Forks at Wadena-Deer Creek 7:15 p.m.
29 - Perham at Wadena-Deer Creek 7:15 p.m. September
3 - Wadena-Deer Creek at Dilworth-GlyndonFelton 3:30 p.m.
5 - Wadena-Deer Creek at Pillager 3:15 p.m.
7 - Wadena-Deer Creek at Sauk Rapids-Rice tournament 9 a.m.
12 - Sebeka at Wadena-Deer Creek 7:15 p.m.
17 - Staples-Motley at Wadena-Deer Creek 7:15 p.m.
19 - Menahga at Wadena-Deer Creek 7:15 p.m.
20 - Wadena-Deer Creek at SW Christian tournament TBD
- Wadena-Deer
- Hawley at Wadena-Deer
- Wadena-Deer Creek at
DISPATCH STAFF REPORT
PERHAM — Grant Nelson ran a fifth-place 17:29.1 and Amber Collins ran a 12th-place 21:44.6 to pace the Wadena-Deer Creek boys and girls to third-place finishes Saturday, Aug. 24, in the Brave Like Gabe Invite.
Karly Haverkamp added a 13th-place finish in 21:56 followed by Cambrie Geiger in 18th and Noelle Spicer in 19th to help the girls to 83 team points behind first-place St. Cloud Cathedral and
runner-up Riverside Christian.
Owen Anderson finished 22nd on the boys’ side followed by Brennan Simmons in 27th and Cooper Damlo in 29th for WDC’s 103 team points. They trailed first-place Hawley and runner-up Thief River Falls.
“The Brave Like Gabe (fifth annual) featured a split into two class divisions for varsity/junior varsity races,” WDC head coach Michael Brunsberg said. “WDC was in the smaller school division
(Black). This led to the Wolverines finishing nearer to the top of the leaderboard as compared to past meets at Perham. It was a fun day for WDC to celebrate the first two weeks of hard work at practice. One highlight was Ruby Wegscheid winning the JV Girls’ Black Division with a first-place medal in her very first 5K race in her third year competing for WDC. Lane Kaufman’s runner-up in the junior high boys’ race was special because his race included runners from all the schools both large and small divisions.” For the junior varsity girls’, Wegscheid won in 24:45 followed by McKenna Brauch in 8th place with a time of 26:40. Logan Seelhammer placed 10th in the jv boys’ race in 26:16. Rhyis Udy placed 17th in 28:37 and Joseph Ray was 18th in 28:53. Kaufman crossed in second place for the junior high boys in 11:38.
race on A9
BY PETE MOHS Wadena Pioneer Journal
WADENA — The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines cross-country coach Mike Brunsberg anticipates having 36 total boys and girls in grades 7-12 this season, which he said would be the largest in program history.
That number includes six girls who competed in last year’s Class 1A state meet where the Wolverines finished 14th. Those girls are seniors Amber Collins and Noelle Spicer, juniors Cambrie Geiger and Lydia Oldakowski and sophomores Brielle Kern and Karly Haverkamp.
“Our girls’ team was
Levi Nelson finished 72nd, Dominic Ray in 73rd, Matthew Collins in 116th and Alexander Weber in 127th.
solid last year,” Brunsberg said. “Lydia Oldakowski was the leader, with the rest of the ‘varsity pack’ running behind her. But our depth could be down. So health will be a critical factor in trying to replicate the same formula again this season. It’s a good group. Amber Collins has qualified for four state meets in her amazing career.”
Other letterwinners include senior Megan Hamelau and sophomores McKenna Brauch and Annika Spicer
The girls were second in the Park Region Conference and second at the Section 6A meet to qualify for state. The WDC boys team
Danya Spicer led WDC’s junior high girls with a 27th-place time of 15:10. Madison Hunke placed 62nd, Kylie Damlo 65th, Katelyn Reinke 83rd and Amara Geiger 85th. Verndale’s Charlie Johnson paced the Pirates to 11th place in the varsity race. He finished in 21:40.0 followed by Jayden Herner in 78th. Angelica Arroyo finished 47th to lead the Verndale girls. Boys Black results Team scores: 1-Hawley 49, 2-Thief River Falls 82, 3-Wadena-Deer Creek 103, 4-Pelican Rapids 123, 6-St. Cloud Cathedral 147, 7-Lake Park-Audubon 149, 8-Ottertail Central 161, 9-Barnesville 242, 10-Bagley-Fosston 261, 11-Verndale 316 Individual winner: Charlie Larson (Pelican Rapids) 16:45.0 Verndale results: 45-Charlie Johnson 21:40.0, 78-Jayden Herner 25:47.0, 87-Logan Lamphere , 89-Kristian Larsen, 91-Jordan Bittner Wadena-Deer Creek results: 5-Grant Nelson 17:29.1, 22-Owen Anderson 19:47.0, 27-Brenan Simmons 19:55.5, 29-Cooper Damlo 19:57.0, 32-James Seelhammer 20:15.5, 43-Tayton Lehmann 21:14.1, 52-Evan Schmidt 22:04.0 Girls Black results Team scores: 1-St. Cloud Cathedral 31, 2-Riverside Christian 76, 3-WadenaDeer Creek 82, 4-Thief River Falls 96, 5-Hawley 102, 6-Pequot Lakes 160, 7-Northern Frazee 199, 8-Montevideo 202, 9-Pelican Rapids 222 Individual winner: 1-Katelyn Woldoch (St. Cloud Cathedral) 20:24.1 Verndale results: 47-Angelica Arroyo 26:28.1, 80-Amiyah Herner 36:32.8 Wadena-Deer Creek results: 12-Amber Collins 21:44.6, 13-Karly Haverkamp 21:56.5, 17-Cambrie Geiger 22:35.1, 19-Noelle Spicer 19, 23-Brielle Kern 22:46.1, 25-Lydia Oldakowski 23:13.1, 28-Annika Spicer 23:31.1 Next: Wadena-Deer Creek hosts Johanna Olson Invite at Whitetail Run Golf Course 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3.
your
battled injuries last fall, but finished third in the conference and fifth at the section meet.
“The boys overcame injuries at the tail end of last season to peak well for both the conference and section meets,” he said. “They’ve been in a gradual building cycle for the past two seasons and hope to keep the trend going. Junior Grant Nelson not only made it as a state individual (placing 95th) last year, he also qualified in two running events in track (800 meters and mile).”
Other letterwinners besides Nelson are senior Tayton Lehmann, juniors Owen Anderson, Trevin Kern, Charles
Peterson and Evan Schmidt, sophomore Cooper Damlo and freshman Brennan Simmons.
Other boys who could contribute are junior James Seelhammer, freshman Jack Halverson-Bucholz and eighthg rader Lane Kaufman. Brunsberg is starting his 12th year as head coach. He is assisted by Terry Olson, who is a member of the state Cross-Country Coaches Hall of Fame.
The Wolverines were scheduled to open the season at Perham Saturday, Aug. 24, and then host the W-DC Memorial Invitational at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Schedule August
WADENA
The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines kicked off their season with a packed schedule competing in a quad on Monday, Aug. 19, followed by the annual Highway10 tournament Tuesday, Aug. 20.
While the team faced tough competition on Monday. It fought in every match, showing determination and setting the stage for growth throughout the season.
Monday’s quad provided a valuable learning experience for several players who were stepping onto the varsity stage for the first time. Despite the tough competition, the team displayed resilience and determination, gaining crucial experience that will benefit them as the season progresses.
On Tuesday, the No. 1 doubles team of juniors Anna Fiemeyer and Kaylee Endres earned firstplace honors with their impressive teamwork and strategic play. The No. 3 doubles team, consisting of junior Isabelle Lehmkuhl and sophomore Chloe Phillipy, celebrated a significant milestone by securing their first varsity win and finished in fourth place.
Junior Charli Snyder, who took on the challenge of No. 1 singles, delivered a standout performance by winning her match against Melrose. Junior Lydia Helmbrecht also had a strong showing by securing a couple of wins in the No. 2 position.
“I don’t know many other groups of girls that can do what we did with just one week of practice,” WDC senior captain Cadie Leeseberg said. ‘The score doesn’t always show how close the matches can get sometimes and these matches were really close. I’m impressed with the sportsmanship shown and excited to to see where this takes us.”
In a fun twist, the No. 1 doubles match between Anna Fiemeyer and Kaylee Endres against their opponents from Sartell had an interesting backstory. Fiemeyer’s and Endres’ parents, along with Sartell’s Greta Crandall’s father Aaron Crandall, graduated from Wadena-Deer Creek High School together in 1992.
“As we kick off our season, our young team is showing great promise and I’m thrilled with how everyone is stepping up and supporting one another demonstrating their growth and determination on the court,” WDC co-head coach Jil Fiemeyer said. “While we have some inexperience, our solid veterans provide essential leadership and guidance. The team’s hard work and dedication are evident in every rally and their progress is something to be proud of.
“We’re eager to face the upcoming season and bring our best selves to the court in the matches to come.”
Melrose 4, Wadena-Deer Creek 3 Singles: No. 1 - Charli Snyder (WDC) def. Gretta Hellermann 6-3, 1-6, 10-6 No. 2 - Anessa Redepenning (Mel) def. Lydia Helmbrecht 6-1, 3-6, 10-5 No. 3 - Rachel Welle (Mel) def. Emma Weniger 7-5, 1-6, 10-7 No. 4 - Jada Rausch (Mel) def. Isabelle Lehmkuhl 6-0, 6-2 Doubles: No. 1 - Anna Fiemeyer/Kaylee Endres (WDC) def. Jenna Butkowski/Ramona Lurken-Tvrdik 6-2, 6-0 No. 2 - Cadie Leeseberg/Chloe Leeseberg (WDC) def. Kendall Beuning/Hailey Hammond 6-2, 6-2
No. 3 - Annabelle Lester/Molly Rue (Mel) def. Britta Ferris/Chloe Philippy 6-3,1-6, 10-8 Exhibition Doubles: Ellie Golberg/Nhu Ho (WDC) def. Brinley Ritter/Aria Hammond 6-1, 6-1 Morris-MACA/WCA 5, Wadena-Deer Creek 2
Singles: No. 1 - Kaylee Endres (WDC) def. Lydia Sweep, 6-1, 6-2 No. 2 - Heidi Seales (Morris) def. Charli Snyder, 2-6, 6-4, 10-4 No. 3 - Ruby Lhotka (Morris) def. Emma Weniger 6-3, 6-4 No. 4 - Maggie Knobloch (Morris) def. Chloe Philippy, 6-3, 6-3 Doubles:
No. 1 - Anna Fiemeyer/Cadie Leeseberg (WDC) def. Ellen Reed/Nora Meek 6-0, 6-1 No. 2 - Izabell Hoffman/Grace Hauglie (Morris) def. Chloe Leeseberg/Lydia Helmbrecht 6-0, 6-2 No. 3 - Lilia Asmus/Allison Noh (Morris) def. Isabelle Lehmkuhl/ Nhu Ho 6-3, 6-3 Exhibition Doubles: Molly Wayne/Jade Marty (Morris) def. Ellie Golberg/Ariana Dutke6-1, 6-1 Osakis 6, Wadena-Deer Creek 1 Singles:
No. 1 - Leah Maddock (O) def. Anna Fiemeyer 6-1, 6-1
No. 2 - Bella Weisser (O) def. Kaylee Endres 6-3, 6-1
No. 3 - Charli Snyder (WDC) def. Ava Drevlow 6-0, 6-3 No. 4 - Faith Schmidtbauer (O) def. Emma Weniger 6-2, 6-1
Doubles: No. 1 - Jaclyn Dietrich/Maddi Bouldin (O) def. Cadie Leeseberg/Chloe Leeseberg 6-3, 6-3 No. 2 - Morgan Baker/Matayla Moore (O) def. Isabelle Lehmkuhl/Chloe Philippy 6-4, 5-7, 16-14 No. 3 - Payton Drum/Annie Anderson(O) def. Lydia Helmbrecht/Britta Ferris 7-5, 6-4
EXHIBITION DOUBLES Mackenzie Stelle/Bree Moen (O) def. Nhu Ho/Ariana Dutke 6-1, 6-1 Highway 10 Tournament: Singles: Round 1: No. 1 - Ronnie Noska, Staples-Motley def. Charli Snyder, WDC 6-2, 6-1 No. 2 - Lydia Helmbrecht, WDC def. Lily Grafstrom, Moorhead 7-5 , 4-6, 10-4 No. 3 - Jaida Holst, Staples-Motley def. Emma Weniger, WDC 6-0, 6-1 No. 4 - Addison Ranta, Little Falls def. Britta Ferris, WDC 6-0, 6-0 Round 2: No. 1 - Madi Anderson, Moorhead def. Charli Snyder, WDC 8-3 No. 2 - Emma Freidel, New London-Spicer def. Lydia Helmbrecht, WDC 6-0 , 6-1 No. 3 - Brooke Glauvitz, New LondonSpicer def. Emma Weniger WDC, 8-1 No. 4 - Emma Jenniges, Rocori def. Ellie Golberg, WDC 8-0 Round 3: No. 1 - Brooke Hennen, Sartell def. Charli Snyder, WDC 8-7 (4) No. 2 - Corinne Olson, Staples-Motley def. Lydia Helmbrecht, WDC 8-1 No. 3 - Emma Weniger, WDC def. Sienna Lee, Moorhead 8-0 No. 4 - Leia Farhat, New London-Spicer def. Britta Ferris, WDC 8-1 Doubles: Round 1: No. 1 - Anna Fiemeyer/Kaylee Endres WDC def. Allie Faber/Megan Reitmeier, Rocori, 6-2 , 7-5 No. 2 - Jaycie Sliper/Audrey Hochgraber, Detroit Lakes def. Chloe Leeseberg/Cadie Leeseberg WDC 6-4 , 6-3 No. 3 - Isabelle Lehmkuhl/Chloe Philippy, WDC def. Abby Cummings/Paige Lindberg, Detroit Lakes 6-2, 4-6, 10-3 Round 2: No. 1 - Anna Fiemeyer/Kaylee Endres, WDC def. Greta Crandall,/Caitlyn Burns, Sartell, 6-4, 6-3 No. 2 - Myla Ballou/Aylah Iverson, Little Falls def. Chloe Leeseberg,/Cadie Leeseberg, WDC, 8-2
No. 3 - Ellie Abbott/Danika Holmberg, Little Falls def. Isabelle Lehmkuhl/Chloe Philippy, WDC 7-5, 4-6, 10-2 Round 3: No. 1 - Anna Fiemeyer/Kaylee Endres, WDC def. Heidi Zimmerman/Madison Perius, Staples-Motley, 6-3, 6-1
No. 2 - Chloe Leeseberg/Cadie Leeseberg, WDC def. Wylie Nordin/Sammy Stage, Moorhead, 8-4 No. 3 - Adysen Buerman/Shelby Thelen, Rocori def. Isabelle Lehmkuhl/Chloe Philippy, WDC, 6-1,6-4 East Grand Forks 6, WDC 1
GRAND FORKS — The No. 1 doubles team of Anna FiemeyerKaylee Endres won their match 6-1, 6-1 for the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines in a 6-1 loss to the East Grand Forks Green Wave Friday, Aug. 23. East Grand Forks 6, Wadena-Deer Creek 1 Singles No. 1: Ruby Leach (EGF) def. Lydia Helmbrecht 6-0, 6-0 No. 2: Karlee Walsh (EGF) def. Emma Weniger 6-0, 6-1 No. 3: Aria Casavan (EGF) def. Chloe Leeseberg 6-0, 6-1 No. 4: Emmy Robles (EGF) def. Nhu No 6-2, 6-1 Doubles No. 1: Anna Fiemeyer-Kaylee Endres (WDC) def. Morgan McDonald-Maya Pulkrabeck 6-1, 6-1 No. 2: Madi Wallace-Chloe Svendsen (EGF) def. Cadie Leeseberg-Charli Snyder 6-4, 6-1 No. 3: Addisyn Spradlin-Adelie King (EGF) def. Isabelle Lehmkuhl-Chloe Phillipy 6-2, 6-1 Overall: WDC 0-1. Next: Wadena-Deer Creek at Crookston Tournament 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24. WDC ties for 4th in Crookston tourney CROOKSTON — Wade-
na-Deer Creek’s Anna Fiemeyer and Kaylee Endres didn’t drop a set on their way to winning the No. 1 doubles title Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Crookston Tournament. This is Fiemeyer’s third-straight No. 1 doubles title at Crookston, but first with Endres. The No. 2 doubles team of Cadie Leeseberg-Charli Snyder placed third to help WDC to a tie for fourth place with Detroit