Winter Sports Preview 2015 by Waseca County News

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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 W A T O N N A

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

2015-16

Owatonna.com COVERING ADA ADAPTED AD PTED FLOOR HOCKEY, BASKETBALL, GYMNASTICS, HOCKEY, SWIMMING, WRESTLING

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

Friday, November 27, 2015

Contents Owatonna Girls basketball Page 3 Boys hockey Page 4 Wrestling Page 5 Boys basketball Page 6 Gymnastics Page 7 Swimming Page 7 Girls hockey Page 8

Medford Wrestling Page 9

Boys basketball Page 12 Girls basketball Page 13

Blooming Prairie Boys basketball Page 14 Wrestling Page 15 Girls basketball Page 16

NRHEG Boys basketball Page 18 Wrestling Page 19 Girls basketball Page 20

2015 Winter Sports Preview A special project of the Owatonna People’s Press 135 W. Pearl St., Owatonna, MN 55060

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Good luck to all area sports teams in the upcoming winter season!

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Friday, November 27, 2015

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

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OWATONNA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL

Seniors lead way for Huskies

By JON WEISBROD

jweisbrod@owatonna.com

Owatonna girls basketball coach Tricia Hoffmann is entering her fourth season at the helm. Throughout her tenure, she has won more games than she has lost and directed the Huskies as far as the Section 1AAAA championship game just two short seasons ago. Hoffmann — who sports a 5031 overall record at OHS — has no doubt steered the program in the right direction and hopes to turn the corner this season. She has been with the current crop of seniors since they were freshman and would like nothing more than to make a leap forward with the first group she has seen all the way through the program. Two of her top senior leaders are Carli Langeland and Rachel Williamson. The pair has taken diverging paths to the present, but come together in their final seasons as co-captains. “The seniors are the leaders on the team,” Hoffmann said. “They are excellent role models for those younger players. I can’t do it alone, so I’ve asked these guys to step up and help the younger players make the adjustment and keep everyone accountable when I’m not around.” Langeland, who started playing varsity as a sophomore, has forged a steady path throughout

her career, serving as one of the Huskies’ main play-makers and defensive leaders last season. She is excellent in transition and solid rebounder. For Williamson, her career has been a little more up and down. After emerging as one of Huskies’ leading scorers a couple years ago on a team that won 25 games, Williamson suffered a serious knee injury and missed essentially all of her junior season in 2014-15. She returned for the final couple of games but was clearly not 100 percent. But she is now. Re-energizing herself in the offseason by playing AAU basketball, Williamson says she is fully healed, and aside from a full brace on her left knee, there are no remnants of the injury whatsoever. “It’s like it never happened,” Williamson said. “I’m pretty much back into the swing of things.” Both Langeland and Williamson can handle the ball and will likely feed Syd Schultz as much as they can. After averaging roughly 15 points and eight rebounds per game, the 5-foot-9 forward emerged as one of the top underclassmen in the Big Nine Conference last season and looks to take the next step as a sophomore. Hoffmann calls her a “dynamic player” and a “match-up problem” for opposing defenses. Another promising young player returning is Jenna Zeman. The sophomore has worked hard

in the offseason to increase her range and will serve as the team’s primary ball handler. In a lateseason game against Red Wing last year, she poured in a teamhigh 16 points. With four bona-fide offensive threats in the starting lineup, players like Kirstin Pumper, Caitlin Anderson and Millie Wanous can fulfill the much-needed roles as defensive specialists and physical rebounders. Each one played significant varsity minutes last season. Anderson and Wanous have the ability to guard the opponent’s top offensive threat while Pumper takes pride in executing many of the things that go unnoticed like keeping balls alive, double-teaming in the post and playing great help defense. Filling out the bulk of the rotation as valuable reserves will be Megan Peglow, Ari Buck and Maddie Seykora. Hoffmann expects Rochester John Marshall, Rochester Mayo and Winona to pose serious threats in the conference with both Lakeville schools serving as the preseason favorites on the section. “But nothing is guaranteed,” Hoffmann said “That’s why you play the game. We’ll look to surprise a few teams this season.”

Syd Schultz

SCHEDULE Nov. 30 vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Prior Lake, 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at Winona, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 vs. Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 vs. Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at Chaska, 7 p.m. Dec. 22 at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at St. Cloud Tech Tournament

Reach sports reporter Jon Weisbrod at 444-2375, or follow him on Twitter.com @OPPJonW

Dec. 29 at St. Cloud Tech Tournament Jan. 5 at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12 vs. Austin, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 vs. Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Rochester John Marshall, 3 p.m.

Feb. 2 vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 vs. Albert Lea, 3 p.m. Feb. 16 vs. Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Austin, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m.

ck Huskie u L d s! oo

LAST SEASON

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13-14 overall, 13-9 Big Nine

FROM THE COACH

“This is our second year running the read and react offense and the players are starting to see the scoring opportunities on their own and reading each other better. Playing with continuity and creativity will be one of our greatest strengths.”

Becky Hermanson-Hill (OHS Class of ‘87) 507-213-0331

1880 Austin Rd, Suite #1, OWATONNA 507-451-7355 www.owatonnarealestate.com

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

Friday, November 27, 2015

OWATONNA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS HOCKEY

Huskies poised to take next step By JON WEISBROD

When a team goes through a “re-building” season, it is typically transitioning to something close to what the Owatonna boys hockey team looks like. Though the Huskies never came close to hitting rock bottom or starting over the last couple of seasons, the fact remains that this year’s group enters the new campaign with as much talent as sixth-year coach Josh Storm has had in a number of years, if not ever. “It’s exciting,” Storm said. “The depth that we have at forward is probably more than we have ever had. We might not be as strong in the top end as two years ago with guys like Soren Colstrup, but it’s pretty close. When it comes to our second, third and fourth lines, we are really have a lot of guys that can play the game right now and that’s exciting for us.” Storm has always hung hit hat on calculated, yet relentless, offensive attack, and this season in no different. The Huskies will be anchored by a solid nucleus of seniors that spread throughout every position on the ice.

“Our goal is to be a very offensive team,” Storm said. “We want our defensemen in plays and we want our forwards making plays. Our whole identity wants to be based around offense. If we are playing well, you will see us pressuring the puck. We want to put pressure on the other team constantly. The third part is we to be team first. Our saying is pack before pride. It’s about the team, not the individual. We are really preaching that to start this year. Those are the big things that will make up our identity.” Leading the list of returning players is Noah Scheid. The senior paced the Huskies 32 points last season on 15 goals and 17 assists. He will be joined at forward on the first couple of lines by Trase Wencl. In 25 games last season, Wencl pounded in 14 goals and came up with seven assists. Last season’s third-leading scorer, Michael Brein, is not returning for 2014-15, but forwards Alec Holcomb (captain) and Kody Keil are back after contributing 16 total points last season. Junior John Swenson (2 assists and 2 goals in 2014-15), Adam Rehman (5 assists), Carter Broton, Tyler Wencl and Austin

Owatonna boys hockey Nov. 21 vs. St. Paul Academy, 1 p.m. Nov. 24 vs. Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28 vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Faribault, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 15 vs. South St. Paul, 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at Chanhassen, 3 p.m. Jan. 14 vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m.

jweisbrod@owatonna.com

Medvec will round out the forward rotation. On defense, Owatonna will be anchored by captain Sam Hylle, who has is entering his fourth season on the Huskies’ top line. Storm calls the three-sport star a “great leader.” He is equally enthusiastic about fellow captain defenseman Kade Friedrichs. The senior, who registered 16 points last year, played on the Advanced 17s for Section 1 and kept busy on the ice during the spring as well. “He has taken his game to the next level in my opinion,” Storm said. “He looks extremely strong.” Varsity newcomer Mitch Weisse, Cameron Trout, Mitchell Mayer and Nick Sande will complement Hylle and Friedrichs on the blue line. Nate Smith, Nick Brown and Nick Smith will share duties at center. The Huskies will have a new goalie this season as Brad Beistad and Jacob Dub will share duties.

LAST SEASON 11-13-2, 8-7-2

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FROM THE COACH

“Structure is important to me. We want to have structure; we understand that it’s early in the year but we want to have the guys understand what their jobs are when they are out there.”

Reach sports reporter Jon Weisbrod at 444-2375, or follow him on Twitter.com @OPPJonW

SCHEDULE Jan. 23 vs. Rochester John Marshall Jan. 26 at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Winona, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 vs. Dodge County, 7 p.m. Feb. 13 vs. Austin, 1 p.m.

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

OWATONNA HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING By JON WEISBROD

jweisbrod@owatonna.com

Since taking over the Owatonna wrestling program four years ago, Cliff Casteel has kept the program moving forward. During his tenure, he’s dominated the Big Nine Conference, won a Section 1AAA title and guided several individuals to the state tournament. Indeed, Casteel has maintained the Huskies’ position as one of truly dominant forces in southern Minnesota. And 2015-16 could be he best year yet. Bringing back high-level talent at essentially every weight class, Casteel boasts one of the most intimidating rosters south of Apple Valley. The Huskies’ embarrassment of riches is headlined by defending Class AAA lightweight state champion Peyton Robb. As one of the most decorated young grapplers in the entire state, Robb has been a fixture in the varsity rotation since his eighth grade year. After adding a few pounds in the offseason, the sophomore will bump up to 120 or 126 pounds. S ett ling into t he s ame weight-range as Robb is another elite young wrestler, Cade King. As an eighth-grader last season at Waseca, King placed fifth in Class AA at 120 pounds. He will be asked to bulk up a

tad this season and wrestle as high as 138. King will offer as a great compliment to veteran Tanner Cole, who has dominated Section 1AAA at a variety of weights since his eighth grade season. Last year at 126 pounds, Cole won his third section title and will be asked to wrestle somewhere between 126 and 152 pounds. Hungry for his first state championship, Brandon Moen has bulked up in the offseason and could wrestle as high as 195 pounds. Moen is probably naturally suited at 170, but defending USA Today National Wrestler of the Year and fivetime defending state champion Mark Hall is expected to slot in at that classification, so that may, or may not, factor in to Moen’s decision. The junior finished third at 152 pounds last season and is a four-time state qualifier with nearly 150 career wins. Moen’s summer was highlighted by a National Folkstyle Tournament championship in Cedar Falls, Iowa in which he defeated future Ne b r a s k a C or n husker Ta y l o r Ve n z o f Far m i ng ton in the

title bout. “To be honest I weight like 185 now but I’m going to start at 182,” Moen said. “I’ll just see how the competition is (and) drop to 160 if I need to. You don’t always have to go down, because I can bump up to 195 too. I’ll just go where the team needs me.” The final returning state qualifier from last season is Austin Abbas. The senior, who is entering just his second season, will anchor the heavy weights with returning letterwinner Goy Tut. Aside from the five section favorites, the Huskies return a few other letterwinners that could easily make the jump to state this season, including senior Blake Westphal (152, 160, 170), junior Griffin Thorn (170, 182, 195) and sophomore Parker Aase (138, 145, 152). Westphal and Thorn are tremendous overall athletes and won close to 35 combined matches last season. Juniors Cory Ulrich and Isaiah Damitz as well as sophomores Parker

Dec. 18-19 at MN Christmas Tournament Dec. 29-30 at Fargo, N.D. Invite Jan. 7 at Winona Triangular, 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at Rochester John Marshall, 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at ZumbrotaMazeppa Invite Jan. 21 at Lakeville

“Huskies could have best year yet FROM THE COACH

“We return a state champion, three state place winners and an additional state qualifier. All of these young men would like nothing more than to return to the podium….on the top of the podium. We have several others that would also like to get there and compete with the best in the state.”

Westphal and Journey Peterson appear in good position to start the season at the varsity level after earning letters last season. Kaden Nelson, Matt Seykora, Abe Stockwell, Jerez Autridge, Dillon Sheehy, Hunter Gathje, Manuel Hinojosa, Riley Becker, Trevor Schroeder, Kobie Kath, Dominic Garces, Jonathon Klecker, Logan Nelson, Nick Staska, Joe Wencl, Jacob Harlicker, Carlos Beaoscochea, Cameron Robert, Taylor Hall Derek Roehmhildt, Parker Holton, Alec Somers, Gerry Sanjuanero, Isaiah Gaalswyk, Bryce Goodwin and Josh Mueller are expected to fill out the remaining spots on the varsity and junior varsity rotations. The section field has been shuf-

fled once again this season with the biggest move being Hastings’ exit to Section 3AAA. Aside from the Huskies and defending champion Farmington, Section 1AAA is made up of Austin, Faribault, Lakeville South, Northfield and the three Rochester schools.

LAST SEASON 15-8 overall

Reach sports reporter Jon Weisbrod at 444-2375, or follow him on Twitter. com @OPPJonW

Brandon Moen

WINTER IS COMING.

SCHEDULE Owatonna wrestling Nov. 28 at Faribault Invite Dec. 3 vs. Rochester Mayo, 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at Farmington, 5 p.m. Dec. 5 vs. Apple Valley, 10 a.m. (OHS Invite) Dec. 12 at Chanhassen Invite

PAGE 5

South, 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at Rochester Century Triangular, 5 p.m. Jan. 28 vs. KassonMantorville, 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at Albert Lea, 7 p.m. Feb. 5 at Faribault, 7 p.m.

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

Friday, November 27, 2015

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OWATONNA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL

“Offensively we hope to transition better than the last couple years. We definitely have more shooter and scorers at various positions to make that a reality.”

Jay Sullivan

Huskies prepare to bring mix of talent By JON WEISBROD

jweisbrod@owatonna.com

An interesting — and perhaps special — mix of talent appears to be swirling together for the Owatonna boys basketball team. The Huskies’ 2015-16 roster contains a blend of emerging sophomores poised to make an impact at the varsity level for the first time and a solid core of seniors with diverse skills sets. And then there is Jay Sullivan. Perhaps the team’s most promising playmaker, the junior is stuck between the two cornerstone classes and could emerge as the team’s most vital player by the end of the season. But as is the case in any sport, timing is everything. If Owatonna wants to make a huge leap forward from an up-and-down 2014-15 campaign, it’s going to have to contend with some of the state’s truly elite teams in order to do so. Rochester John Marshall, which is already ranked No. 7 in Class AAAA, is loaded with Minnesota Gopher signee Michael Hurt and future top 25 national recruit Matthew Hurt as well as Albert Lea transfer, and Division I recruit, Dedoch Chan. Mankato East also added a scholarship-level transfer from Chicago and Faribault and Northfield both have players that could play at the Division I level in Luke Harris and Kade Hart, respectively. As for the Section 1AAAA, Lakeville North is a state powerhouse with several high-end college recruits and New Prague is the defending Section 1AAA champ. Basically, this could be Josh Williams’ most talented group of players since the Huskies last made it to state in 2010-11, but winning 20 games for the first

time in four years could be a stretch. But that’s doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen. Owatonna enters the new season with 13 total letterwinners coming back from a team that finished 13-14. Williams utilized several different starting line-ups and rotations last year and the only regular starter lost to graduation is Dexter Leer. Digesting the Huskies’ roster, it’s clear their backcourt is going to be one of the team’s biggest strengths. Sullivan has gotten significantly stronger since last year and has added a couple of inches as well. He’s single-sport athlete and spends much of his offseason refining his game and playing AAU basketball in the summer. “(He) could have a breakout year,” Williams said. “Jay put in a tremendous amount of time in the offseason; Has really improved all aspects of his offensive game.” Joining Sullivan in the projected starting line-up is Alex Emanuelson. The senior was the team’s leading scorer last season and honorable mention all-conference performer after averaging 10.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Williams will no doubt utilize a three-guard line-up for long stretches with Jake Borchert serving as the team’s swingman. The two-time all-conference defensive back in football has perhaps the team’s highest vertical leap and is most comfortable taking the ball to the rim. “He’s a very athletic kid who gave us some great energy and scoring during the middle of the season last year,” Williams said of Borchert. We will need the same this year.” Senior Nick Raichle and his

younger brother, Alex, will share backup point guard duties behind Sullivan. As for the frontcourt, Eli Havelka anchors that group. The 6-foot-4 senior has excellent shooting touch and range for a center and is a great passer. He’s also the team’s emotional leader and co-captain with Emanuelson. Mason Thein will challenge for more minutes after starting about half of Owatonna’s games last season. He’s the tallest player on the team and displayed solid fundamentals on the as a junior. He could potentially lead the team in blocks and rebounds. The wildcard in the frontline rotation could be sophomore Dalton Kubista. A gifted athlete who was the Huskies’ leading receiver this past season on the gridiron, Kubista could someday lead Owatonna in scoring. Though he’s unlikely to take a top offensive role quite yet, the swingman displayed superior potential last season, and at 6-foot-3½, possesses the ideal size and frame for an offguard spot at the high school level. In in a late-season game against Austin, Kubista dropped 14 points on the Packers in the first half. “Dalton is a very gifted underclassmen who will be expected to step in and contribute right away,” Williams said. Filling out the role positions off the bench will be a combination of guards Jacob Neuharth, Eden Mrozek, Nolan Malo, Hunter Atkinson and forwards Ethan DeKam and Andrew Jackson. Each one is either a junior or sophomore. Reach sports reporter Jon Weisbrod at 444-2375, or follow him on Twitter.com @OPPJonW

FROM THE COACH

LAST SEASON 13-14 overall, 11-11 Big Nine

SCHEDULE Nov. 24 at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 vs Rochester Mayo, 6 p.m. Dec. 3 at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Farmington, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 29 vs. TBD, Owatonna Tournament Dec. 30 vs. TBD, Owatonna Tournament Jan. 5 vs. Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 vs. Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at Austin, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 vs. East Ridge, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26 vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 3 p.m. Feb. 2 at Winona, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 vs. Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 vs. Austin, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, November 27, 2015

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

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SCHEDULE

OWATONNA HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASTICS

Huskies ready to prove strength By JON WEISBROD

jweisbrod@owatonna.com

The Owatonna gymnastics team typically finds itself perched near the top of the Big Nine Conference at the end of the season. The Huskies didn’t finish where they would have liked last year (fourth in the conference), but that doesn’t mean the program has taken a step back. Far from it actually. The Huskies are as strong as ever. Head coach Tom Smith credits a stable club program for his team’s consistent success. “Strengthening our program is due to the continued success of the Owatonna Gymnastics Club,” Smith said. “All our gymnasts are brought up through the club

with consistent coaching. That is what makes any team strong. Problems arise when there is no consistency. The gymnastic club is one of the best in the state. In the off season most of our gymnasts train at the club. It is where all our meets are and it is where we practice. The club is dedicated to help improve our high school team.” Indeed, the OGC has churned out high-level gymnasts for a number of years, including last season’s most consistent performer Tatelyn Blazek. She graduated last May and will be the most significant piece missing from last year’s team that finished 6-5 in the Big Nine. But the cupboard isn’t bare. Owatonna enters the new season with most of its team returning from a season ago.

OWATONNA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING

Owatonna gymnastics Dec. 10 vs. Winona, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Mankato triangular, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at Northfield, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 5 vs. Red Wing, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at Faribault Invite, 11 a.m. Jan. 15 at Faribault, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Jackson County Invite, 9 a.m. Jan. 22 at Rochester quad, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26 vs. Austin, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Big Nine Conference Invite (Owatonna), 3 p.m.

LAST SEASON 6-5 Big Nine

Steph Kretlow

It also welcomes back one of top performers over the last four years in Steph Kretlow. The senior was hampered by injury last season and fill in nicely in Blazek’s vacated spot in the line-up. Also returning this season is Emily An, Grace Pick, Tatelyn Jensen, Macy Hanson, Morgan Welker, Becca Olson, Sydney Kretlow and Allison An. “We should have a good season with experience coming back,” Smith said. “But downfall is that we are still really young. Goals win conference and sections.” Reach sports reporter Jon Weisbrod at 4442375, or follow him on Twitter.com @OPPJonW

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FROM THE COACH

“We have to wait to see who will perform for us; it could be a real battle.”

SCHEDULE Dec. 10 vs. Rochester Mayo, 6 p.m. 6 p.m. Jan. 7 at Mankato West, Dec. 17 vs. Rochester John 6 p.m. Marshall, 6 p.m. Jan. 14 at Austin, 6 p.m. Dec. 19 at Albert Lea Invite, Jan. 21 vs. Northfield, 6 p.m. 10 a.m. Jan. 28 at Faribault, 6 p.m. Dec. 22 at Mankato East, Feb. 4 vs. Albert Lea, 6 p.m.

Feb. 13 at Big Nine Conference Meet in Northfield (diving), noon Feb. 16 at Big Nine Conference Meet in Northfield (swimming), 5 p.m.

OHS looks to 8 returning letterwinners, several new athletes for success By JON WEISBROD

jweisbrod@owatonna.com

As the season approaches, second-year head coach Sam Hager will be tasked with replacing perhaps his three best swimmers from a season ago. Gone from the 2014-15 team are Brodie Thiede, Micah BigEagle and Aaron Evans. The trio accounted for four of the Huskies’ six top 10 finishes at the Section 1AA competition and were also the anchors of the 200 yard and 400 yard relay teams. Owatonna will be one of the most inexperienced squads in the Big Nine Conference in 2015-16 and will look to eight returning letterwinners and several new athletes to improve on last season’s seventh

place finish. With 17 of the 31 athletes on the team completely new to the sport — and 10 of those being in seventh graders — Hager remains realistic about his expectations. The Huskies probably won’t contend for conference or sectional titles, and will look to personal progression as the main barometer for success. “We want to improve on personal best (times) every meet,” Hager said. “We would like to advance someone to state.”

Owatonna’s leading contenders at the sectional level are sophomore Ben Stelter and senior captain Zach Jorgenson. Last season, Stelter ended ninth in the 200 yard freestyle at sections and Jorgenson came in eighth in the 200 yard IM. Jorgenson is also the only remaining swimmer on the roster that was part of the fourth-place 200 free relay squad. This season, he will take part in the butterfly and backstroke as well. He’s also expected to fill in at any freestyle event, not just the 200. Co-captain Windham Anez will swim the 200 IM, 100 breastroke FROM THE along with any freestyle event. COACH Ghoutham Monokar (multiple “Strong work ethic events), Billy Zheng (mainly backand positive attitudes stroke), Joshua Belting (multiple are our biggest strengths.” events), Payton Jorgenson (mul-

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tiple events) and Colton Kamholz (diving) will play a huge role in filling out the remainder of the events. Hager expects Rochester Cen-

tury to be the No. 1 contender for the conference title with the Panthers, Lakeville North, Lakeville South and Hastings serving as the top teams in the section.

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Friday, November 27, 2015

OWATONNA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS HOCKEY

OHS prepares for successful year By JON WEISBROD

jweisbrod@owatonna.com

This could finally be the year for the Owatonna girls hockey team. Though the first four games include a pair of losses in which the Huskies have surrendered six goals apiece, a thorough examination of those defeats exhibits a team that simply had a few early-season hiccups. Bottom line, the Huskies are going to good. Really, really good. The reason for all the optimism is based on sheer numbers and facts. The Huskies return 12 players from last year’s team that finished 1312-1 overall and already have eight players with at least one goal so far this season (through four games). Even in losses to Red Wing and Bloomington Jefferson, OHS has stayed relatively even in shots-on-goal and controlled the puck for large chunks in both games. The Huskies have als o proven they can lay the hammer down as demonstrated in a pair of wins against Mankato East and Albert Lea in which they finished with an 11-2 edge in goals scored. “We’ve had success scoring so far this year,” Owatonna

“

coach Tim Hunst said. “Our passing is greatly improved. We are young, but have some experience.” Owatonna has also been reclassified to Class A and will compete against schools in the postseason with much smaller enrollments. Senior wing Jessica VonRuden leads OHS in scoring through four games with five goals and four assists. This comes a season after tying for the team lead in goals with 13. VonRuden is the the Huskies’ top scoring threat, but Achterkirch might just be their best overall player. Just a sophomore, the center tallied 13 goals last season and has already found the back of the net once and assisted on two others. Jenna VonRuden also returns at center a year after scoring three goals and handing out four assists. She has scored twice this season and could easily be in double-figures by the middle of the year. Captain Meghan Rethemeier has gotten off to a strong start after missing 2014-15 due to injury. In four games thus far, she’s scored two goals and notched two assists. Joining Rethemeier and Jessica VonRuden on the wing is Jenna Bogen, Shannon Van-

Reeth, Megan Foss, Reagan Schallau and Maylynn Prokopec. Bogen leads the bunch with three goals so far this season. VanReeth tallied four points a season ago on three goals and one assist while Foss, Schallau and Prokopec combined for five points. The blue line will be commanded by sophomores Rilee Schmidt and Jamie Davison along with senior captain Peyton DeVinny. “DeVinny anchors our defense,” Hunst said. “Schmidt is smart and plays her position well (and) Davidson is a smooth, efficient skater.” A pair of youngsters in eighth-grader Asia Buryska and sophomore Laura Ebeling will be asked to replace Kacy Borwege in front of the net. Red Wing — which defeated the Huskies 6-2 despite being out-shot 17-15 on Nov. 12 — is expected to be the team to beat once again in the Big Nine Conference and Section 1A. Northfield, split its first four games, could also challenge for both titles.

Meghan Rethemeier

SCHEDULE Nov. 20 at EvelethGilbert, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at Orono, 2 p.m. Nov. 24 at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Winona, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 vs. Rochester Century, 5 p.m. Dec. 10 vs. Faribault,

7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 vs. Northfield, 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at South St. Paul, 1 p.m. Dec. 29-31 at Blaine Tournament, TBD Jan. 5 vs. Austin, 7 p.m. Jan. 7 at Farmington, 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at Rochester Century, 1 p.m.

Jan. 14 at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 vs. Rochester Mayo, 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at Rochester John Marshall Jan. 21 at Mankato West, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 28 vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Faribault, 7 p.m.

LAST SEASON 13-12-1 overall, 15-7 Big Nine

Reach sports reporter Jon Weisbrod at 444-2375, or follow him on Twitter.com @ OPPJonW

FROM THE COACH “We have set our sights on the Section 1A championship. We should be in the hunt.”

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Friday, November 27, 2015

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

MEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING SCHEDULE Dec. 1 at Redwood Jan. 7 vs. USC, 7 p.m. Valley Triangular, 5 p.m. Jan. 9 at Gopher Valley Dec. 5 at Winona Tournament in St. Clair Tournament Jan. 14 at Mankato West Dec. 10 vs. W-E-M, 7 p.m. Quad, 5 p.m. Dec. 19 at KenyonJan. 16 at Hayfield Invite Wanamingo Invite Jan. 19 vs. Hayfield, Jan. 2 at Pipestone 7 p.m. Invite Jan. 21 vs. Maple River,

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PAGE 9

Tigers seek to match last season’s record By JON WEISBROD jweisbrod@owatonna.com

Longtime Medford wrestling coach Dennis Whitman is accustomed to turnover in his program. He’s fully aware that athletes come and go due to graduation and the quest to find the next cornerstone wrestler is a never ending mission. It looks like his search will continue into the 2015 season. Gone from last year are three of the Tigers’ top performers, including one that placed fifth at the Class A state tournament in Nate Elzen. Also departed are Nick Von Ruden and Trevor Grems. Whitman does not list what

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FROM THE COACH

“We want to gain as much experience as we can. We don’t have any seniors, so we should be able to keep building the next couple years.”

each athlete brings to the table, or how they performed last season, but sites Cael Kavitz (106 pounds), Willie Von Ruden (120), Bo Noble (138), Nick Masso (145), Marcus DeLeon (152), Greg Larson (152), Nate Meixner (160) and Josh Schauer (170) as his returning letterwinners. Whitman also says he has several new athletes out for the sport and will spend the first couple of weeks training the rookies and refining

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each wrestler’s technique. In order for the Tigers to match last season’s 7-10 record, they will need to get extra production from their middle weights and stretch the limit of some of the heavier wrestlers as Whitman does not list an athlete heavier than 170 pounds.

LAST SEASON 7-10 overall, 1-3 Gopher Conference

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PAGE 10

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

Friday, November 27, 2015

OWATONNA WINTER SPORTS SCHEDULES Boys basketball

Carli Langeland

Nov. 24 at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 vs Rochester Mayo, 6 p.m. Dec. 3 at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Farmington, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 vs. TBD, Owatonna Tournament Dec. 30 vs. TBD, Owatonna Tournament Jan. 5 vs. Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 vs. Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at Austin, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 vs. East Ridge, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19 at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 3 p.m. Feb. 2 at Winona, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 vs. Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 vs. Austin, 7:30 p.m.

Girls basketball

Nov. 30 vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Prior Lake, 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at Winona, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 vs. Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 vs. Northfield, 7:30 p.m.

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PAGE 11

OWATONNA WINTER SPORTS SCHEDULES Dec. 21 at Chaska, 7 p.m. Dec. 22 at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at St. Cloud Tech Tournament Dec. 29 at St. Cloud Tech Tournament Jan. 5 at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12 vs. Austin, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 vs. Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Rochester John Marshall, 3 p.m. Feb. 2 vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 vs. Albert Lea, 3 p.m. Feb. 16 vs. Red Wing, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 19 at Austin, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m.

Boys hockey

Nov. 21 vs. St. Paul Academy, 1 p.m. Nov. 24 vs. Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28 vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 vs. South St. Paul, 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at Chanhassen, 3 p.m. Jan. 14 vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. M ank ato

Dec. 29-31 at Blaine Tournament, TBD Jan. 5 vs. Austin, 7 p.m. Jan. 7 at Farmington, 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at Rochester Century, 1 p.m. Jan. 14 at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 vs. Rochester Mayo, 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at Rochester John Marshall Jan. 21 at Mankato West, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 28 vs. Winona, Girls hockey 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at Eveleth-Gilbert, Jan. 30 at Faribault, 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at Orono, 2 p.m. Wrestling Nov. 24 at Rochester Nov. 28 at Faribault Invite Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 vs. Rochester Mayo, Dec. 3 vs. Rochester John 7 p.m. Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Farmington, Dec. 5 at Winona, 5 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 vs. Apple Valley, Dec. 8 vs. Rochester 10 a.m. (OHS Invite) Century, 5 p.m. Dec. 12 at Chanhassen Dec. 10 vs. Faribault, Invite 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18-19 at MN Dec. 12 vs. Northfield, Christmas Tournament 7 p.m. Dec. 29-30 at Fargo, Dec. 19 at South St. N.D. I nvite Paul, 1 p.m.

West, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 vs. Rochester John Marshall Jan. 26 at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Winona, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. Northfield, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 vs. Dodge County, 7 p.m. Feb. 13 vs. Austin, 1 p.m.

Jan. 7 at Winona Triangular, 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at Rochester John Marshall, 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at ZumbrotaMazeppa Invite Jan. 21 at Lakeville South, 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at Rochester Century Triangular, 5 p.m. Jan. 28 vs. KassonMantorville, 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at Albert Lea, 7 p.m. Feb. 5 at Faribault, 7 p.m.

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Dec. 10 vs. Winona, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Mankato triangular, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at Northfield, 6:30 p.m. Swimming and diving Jan. 5 vs. Red Wing, Dec. 10 vs. Rochester 6:30 p.m. Mayo, 6 p.m. Jan. 9 at Faribault Invite, Dec. 17 vs. Rochester 11 a.m. John Marshall, 6 p.m. Jan. 15 at Faribault, Dec. 19 at Albert Lea 6:30 p.m. Invite, 10 a.m. Jan. 16 at Jackson County Dec. 22 at Mankato East, Invite, 9 a.m. 6 p.m. Jan. 7 at Mankato West, Jan. 22 at Rochester quad, 6 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Austin, 6 p.m. Jan. 26 vs. Austin, Jan. 21 vs. Northfield, 6:30 p.m. 6 p.m. Feb. 6 at Big Nine Jan. 28 at Faribault, 6 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. Albert Lea, 6 p.m. Conference Invite Feb. 13 at Big Nine (Owatonna), 3 p.m.

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PAGE 12

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

MEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL

Friday, November 27, 2015

“

Wyatt Volkmann

“Defensively we have to get better this year. We did take some huge strides last year. We played USC, Waterville and Maple River tough and we fought hard. We had eight to 10 games that came down to the end and a couple that went into overtime.”

Youthful Medford looks to make some noise The Medford boys basketball team didn’t set the world on fire last season. The Tigers won just five games and were bounced in the opening round of the playoffs, but something felt different. Medford simply never quit, even though that would have been the easy thing to do. The Tigers scratched, clawed and hustled their way through 25 games and lost five contests by fewer than 12 points. Who knows what would have happened if the Tigers could have found a way to beat Blooming Prairie and St. Clair in overtime in back-to-back games after beginning the season 3-3. Bottom line, the results

weren’t there, but the excitement was. “Many fans approached me and said it was the best basketball they had seen in some time in Medford,” second year coach Rich Powers said. “We worked extremely hard and look to continue that pattern this year. Last year we increased our scoring from the year before and our free throw percentage went up 20 percent, which was a big reason we increased our scoring output.” If Powers hopes to continue to move the program forward and get Medford to double digit wins for just the second time in the last eight seasons, he’s going to have his work cut out for him.

Gone from last season’s team are three of its top offensive weapons in Lucas Peterson, Richie Powers and Lucas Cronin. The trio represented 60 percent of the team’s starting rotation. But with loss often come opportunity. The Tigers have four returning players that are poised to step into leadership positions. The most notable of them is point guard Wyatt Volkmann. The senior had the ball in his hands during critical situations last season and could be one of the breakout players in the Gopher Conference. Also coming back are Cody Rehman, Alex Goetze and Bryce McCarty.

LAST SEASON 5-20, 0-12 Gopher Conference

SCHEDULE Nov. 20 at St. Peter, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 24 vs. Mayer Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 1 vs. GlenvilleEmmons, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 3 at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 vs. Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 11 at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 15 at Jordan, 7:30 p.m.

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Dec. 17 at Triton, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 18 vs. NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 21 at JWP, 7:29 p.m. Jan. 5 vs. USC, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. St. Clair, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 12 at Faribault BA, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 15 vs. WEM, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 18 vs. TCU, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. Maple River, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 26 vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 29 at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 1 at USC, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 9 vs. Faribault BA, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 11 vs. Pine Island, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 12 at WEM, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 16 vs. KenyonWanamingo, 7:15 p.m.

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Friday, November 27, 2015

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

MEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL

Tigers hoping for breakout season Mark Kubat is the perfect person to coach the Medford girls basketball team. He’s not only extremely knowledgeable, but he’s also patient. He’s keenly aware of the struggles a young team can endure playing in the tough Gopher Conference and demands nothing more than progression from his players. In time, the wins will come. After back-to-back seasons in which they won just 12 total games, the Tigers appear primed for a breakout campaign. Medford brings back nine of its top 11 players from a season ago and could easily climb to .500 and beyond this season. “Our strength is that we have a team that wants to improve,” Kubat said. “We have a

solid core of returning players with a great attitude and an idea of what we need to do to be successful. Our goal is to finish in the upper half of the conference and go deep into the post season tournament.” Senior Sarah Manderfeld is perhaps the most dangerous overall player returning. The forward has the ability to play at a high level on both ends of the floor and is a tough matchup. At 5-foot-8, she is quicker than most posts and taller than most guards. Another versatile forward is Marnie Madsen. The senior forward is most comfortable around the basket but can extend the defense with her ability to knock down open 3-pointers. On the blocks and rounding out the top frontcourt ro-

tation is Mikayla Spinler. The 5-10 junior is a classic backto-the-basket center. She will be joined by valuable reserves Kristina Niner, Cassie Borwege and Ashley Gilbertson. Dani Morgan will be tasked with taking care of the bulk of the ball handling duties and will be joined in the backcourt by Becca Edel, who Kubat calls the “quickest player on the team.” Maddie Krenske and eighth-grader Emma Kniefel are expected to start the season on the second unit, but could challenge for starting positions by the end of the season. “Our keys (to success) will be to stay healthy, find 7-8 girls to score 6-8 points a game, tighten up defensively and force some turnovers that result in transition points,” Kubat said.

PAGE 13

SCHEDULE Dec. 4 at TCU, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Mayer Lutheran, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 15 vs. Jordan, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 18 at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 21 vs. J-W-P, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 4 at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 5 at USC, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 11 at St. Clair,

7:15 p.m. Jan. 12 vs. Faribault BA, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 15 at W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 21 at Dover-Eyota, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 22 vs. Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 26 at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 29 vs. NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 1 vs. USC, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. LeSeuer-

Henderson, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 5 vs. Lewiston-Altura, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 9 at Faribault BA, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 12 vs. W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 16 at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 vs. Schaeffer, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 19 at Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 22 vs. Cannon Falls, 7:15 p.m.

LAST SEASON 3-22, 1-11

“

FROM THE COACH:

“We will mix our defenses and plan to pressure when we cantry to capitalize on our quickness. Offensively, we will try to get everyone involved. We need to find a hot hand.”

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PAGE 14

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

Friday, November 27, 2015

BLOOMING PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL Awesome Blossoms ready for season of change It’s truly a season of change for the Blooming Prairie basketball team. The Awesome Blossoms are not only under new leadership with a first year coach, but the program will also be without its most productive player of alltime in John Rumpza. In his dazzling career with the Blossoms, Rumpza set school records for most career points (2,108), rebounds (1,310) and blocks (215). The ultra-talented 6-foot-6½ forward was as comfortable on the perimeter as he was on the blocks. He averaged 20.8 point, 13 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season and will no doubt be missed. Rumpza received interest from several Division II programs for basketball, but decided to accept an football scholarship from Winona State and play quarterback. Also gone from last season are former starters Scott Romeo and Jake Decker. Nate Piller has his work cut out for him in his first season at the helm, but he’s the right man for the job. After beginning his career in the BP program in 2000 as a junior high coach, Piller moved to the JV team in 2008 and served as John Bruns’ top assistant on the varsity squad until accepting the head position in the offseason. Piller is fully conscious of what is missing from last year’s

LAST SEASON 16-11 overall, 5-7 Gopher Conference

16-11 squad, but that doesn’t concern him. He’s rightfully focused on his current mix of players and concentrating on ways to utilize their set of skills to his advantage. He’s also not willing to hand over any starting spots until he fully evaluates each player. “Yes, there are new guys I think will contribute, but they haven’t done it,” Piller said. “In fact, none of these guys have done anything. All last year’s stats are wiped away. In high school, every year is brand new. The chemistry is different, the roles change, leadership changes and nothing should be taken for granted.” As Piller states, no spot is 100 percent secure, but there are a few players that no doubt have a beat on securing a position in the frontline rotation. Leading the list of returning players is reigning People’s Press all-area honorable mention guard Anthony Nelson. The senior started all 26 games for the Blossoms last season and was second on the team in scoring at 13.1 points per game while hauling in 4.9 rebounds and handing out 3.3 assists. He led the team in steals per game at 2.4. “He has a great attitude and great athletic ability to go along with a love for the game,” Piller said. “His leadership has already taken tremendous strides.” The second main piece

“

coming back from last season is Mitchell Jones. Though the senior will miss time recovering from an injury, he will likely slide into the starting rotation when he’s fully healthy. There is no firm timetable for his return, but he will be ready at some point this season. In 2014-15, Jones averaged almost 11 points per game in 24 starts and tied Nelson for fourth on the team in rebounds per game at 4.9 per night. He’s a plus defender who swatted 21 shots and collected 26 steals last season. Inside the arc, he shot 57.3 percent from the field. Ben Smith is the only other player on the roster with any varsity experience having started one game last season. The rest of Piller’s rotation will be filled by players from a large junior and sophomore class. The underclassmen possess excellent length and boast a couple players pushing 6-6. The juniors, which include Bryan Fristedt, Connor Getchell, Wyatt Grundmeier, Josh Hein, Zach Piller and Smith, will be asked to offer leadership with co-captains Nelson and senior Dawson Heuer. “We’re going to have young guys playing critical roles,” Piller said. “The boys have been working very hard and have tremendous enthusiasm for competing.”

Anthony Nelson

SCHEDULE Nov. 20 at Triton Tournament, 6 p.m. Nov. 21 at Triton Tournament, TBD Nov. 24 vs. St. Clair, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 1 vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 4 at WEM, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 10 at Grand Meadow, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 vs. Medford, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 12 at Alden-Conger,

6:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Southland, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 vs. USC, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 22 at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 5 at Faribault BA, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 8 vs. Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 9 at Mankato Loyola, 4:30 p.m. Jan. 12 vs. NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 14 at Kenyon-

Wanamingo, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 22 vs. WEM, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 23 vs. TCU, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Medford, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 29 at USC, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 2 vs. Faribault BA, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. Goodhue, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 5 at Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 9 vs. Hayfield, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 12 at J-W-P, 7:15 p.m.

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Friday, November 27, 2015

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

BLOOMING PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING Awesome Blossom star wrestler to shine For school’s the size of Blooming Prairie, sports like wrestling are often a numbers game. With basketball to compete with for athletes in the winter and an absolute minimum of 14 individuals required to fill a team, winning and losing is often relative. Sure, the Awesome Blossoms would love to come out ahead in every duel match this season, but that’s just not realistic. As is the case with several smaller programs in the conference, Blooming Prairie won’t have enough kids to fill all the weight classes this season, but they have at least one individual that could represent the school at the state tournament

in St. Paul. His name is Ethan Arett. As just a freshman last season, Arett won 31 of his 40 matches and finished second in the section. Though he did not place at the state tournament, the experience will no doubt serve him well moving forward. No other returning wrestler finished with a winning record last season, but three did collect at least 10 wins. Payton Simon is a logical candidate to take the next step this season after going 13-19 last year at 132 pounds. Seniors Jon Hansen and Riley Olson also come back. Hansen went 10-12 in 2014-15 at 132 pounds while Olson went 12-23

at 182. The remaining weights will be filled in by freshman or eighthgraders Seth Peterson (138), Colin Lerum (132), Colton Krell (152) and Dylan Nirk (170). “We have young quality wrestlers that work hard, focused and are very coachable,” Blooming Prairie coach Chad Gimbel said. “Team we will have a difficult time filling all the weights but we want to win the duals with the matches that are wrestled.” NRHEG and Maple River enter the season as the teams to beat in the conference. Both programs boast great depth and could send 10 wrestlers to the state tournament between them. Ethan Arett

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PAGE 15

SCHEDULE Dec. 1 at St. Clair Quad Dec. 3 at NRHEG, 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Springfield Invitational Dec. 10 vs. USC, 5 p.m. Dec. 17 at Hayfield Triangular Dec. 19 at Kenyon-

Wanamingo Invite Jan. 7 at Maple River, 5 p.m. Jan. 9 at Gopher Valley Tournament in St. Clair Jan. 16 at Crystal Lake-Wellcome Memorial Tournament Jan. 19 vs. Southland,

5 p.m. Jan. 21 at Triton, 5 p.m. Jan. 23 at Lake City Tournament Jan. 28 vs. Medford, 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at J-W-P Triangular

LAST SEASON 2-13 overall

“

FROM THE COACH

“Early part of the season there is lots of drilling and learning of new techniques, and condition. Middle and late part of the season is more full speed wrestling and putting those techniques and drills to live situations.”

PAGE 16

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

Friday, November 27, 2015

BLOOMING PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL Blossoms hope to pick up where they left off Similar to the boys program, the Blooming Prairie g irls b asketb a l l te am lost some record-setting talent to graduation. But unlike the boys team, the Awesome Blossoms didn’t lose just one all-time great player. They lost two. Gone from a season ago are perhaps the two best players to ever wear a Blooming Prairie jersey in Madison Worke and Taylor Hagen. Worke is currently red-shir ting for nationally-ranked Division II Winona State while Hagen is playing as a true freshman for Division I Northern Iowa. The Blossoms ran the table in the Gopher Conference last season and advanced to the sub-section championship before falling to state powerhouse Goodhue, 38-33. T h e pro g r am a l s o l o s t its head coach when John Worke decided to retire, but the team is in good hands as John Bruns will take over after spending the last 16 years as the boys coach. Despite two huge holes left in the rotation, all isn’t lost for Blooming Prairie. The Awesome Blossoms return two players that were honored by the Gopher Conference and have several young

LAST SEASON 22-4 overall, 12-0 Gopher Conference

and talented athletes poised to take their game to another level. For the first time in her career, reigning all-conference performer Kalyn Naatz will enter the season as the team’s top offensive threat. The post offered an excellent complement to Hagen the last couple of years and will be asked to carry a much larger load on the blocks. Joining Naatz in the projected starting lineup is Hannah Ahrens. The senior is still developing a reliable outside shot, but is an excellent rebounder for her position and can set the tone on both ends with great energy. She was given all-conference honorable mention consideration last season. Seniors Anika Nowlan and Lauren Larkoski also return to the backcourt and will provide undeniable leadership. Another big piece of last season’s team, Kaci Gwilt, will be eased back into the rotation in 2015-16 after suffering an ACL injury in the offseason. Bruns does not have a firm timetable for her return. Junior newcomer Marissa Larson can play both forward positions and even slide into the center spot. Bruns said she had an “outst anding” summer and has come a long

“

way since last season when she played JV. The remaining frontcourt depth will be filled by sophomores Ayren Ingvalson and Samantha Wurst. The remaining backcourt spots will be taken by Kylie Forystek, Taylor Christianson, Jasmine Anderson and McKenna Hein. “To begin the season we are going to focus on building the team and bringing the girls together,” Bruns said. “We have people coming from three different teams last year (C, JV, and V) plus we have a new head coach. All of this will mean that we have some work to do to get on the same page. Once we have everyone going in the same direction, then we can focus on our oncourt strengths and weaknesses.” It would be a stretch for the Blossoms to repeat last season’s 12-0 mark in the conference, but they will be in the mix with preseason favorites NRHEG and W-E-M. The section will once again be one of the most competition in Class A with defending champion Lyle-Pacelli ser ving as the prohibitive frontrunner. Goodhue and up-and-coming Grand Meadow will also challenge for the top three seeds.

FROM THE COACH

“We have nice size at all positions and a lot of depth at the post position. Defensively, we have good quickness and athleticism and we should be able to end up being a pretty good defensive team.”

Hannah Ahrens

SCHEDULE Dec. 1 at Triton, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 3 vs. Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 4 vs. J-W-P, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 8 at Goodhue, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 11 at Medford, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 12 at Alden-Conger, 5 p.m. Dec. 15 vs. Southland, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 18 at USC, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 22 vs. NRHEG,

7:15 p.m. Jan. 5 vs. Faribault BA, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 8 at Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 9 at Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 12 at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 14 vs. KenyonWanamingo, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 22 at WEM, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 23 vs. TCU, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 26 Blooming Prairie

at Medford, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 29 vs. USC, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 2 at Faribault BA, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 5 vs. Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 9 at Hayfield, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 11 at Lyle-Pacelli, 7:29 p.m. Feb. 16 vs. Byron, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 19 vs. W-E-M, 7:15 p.m.

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

NRHEG HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL Panthers hope to maintain momentum after losing four starters to graduation The NRHEG boys basketball program has evolved to the point where it can sustain significant losses and still remain afloat. Such is the case for the upcoming season. The Panthers lose four three-year starters from last season to graduation, but return perhaps the best guard in the entire Gopher Conference and four other key reserves from a team that won 23 games. After patiently waiting his turn to take over the team since joining the regular varsity rotation two years ago, junior Oakley Baker emerges as the unquestioned centerpiece of the offense. Listed by coach Pat Churchill at

6-foot-5, he’s a matchup nightmare for most defenders in the Gopher Conference. The off-guard — who averaged 15 points and five rebounds per game last season — has a sweet stroke from the outside and will be asked to handle the ball more than ever before in 2015-16. If he can react to suddenly becoming the focal point of every team’s defensive game plan, Baker could easily average more than 20 points per game this season. Baker isn’t the only returning player with decent length as 6-6 swingman John Cole and 6-7 center Tyler Raimann also return. The pair averaged 5.1 and 3.2 points per game, respectively, and will

Oakley Baker

LAST SEASON 23-5, 9-3 Gopher Conference

“

Friday, November 27, 2015

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FROM THE COACH

“We expect to be competitive in a very tough conference. We realize that we have a lot of experience that has graduated, but we feel that we likely slide into the starting rota- a lot of potential and will be in tion. The final returning letterwin- the thick of things at the end of ner is Chad Agrimson (3.1 points the year.” per game in 2014-15). The Panthers don’t have much size coming off the bench with only one of the seven projected SCHEDULE newcomers standing taller than Nov. 21 at Redwood Valley, 6-0, so Baker could shift to the 6 p.m. frontcourt if Churchill decides to Dec. 1 at LeSueurgo with a smaller lineup. Henderson, 7:30 p.m. NRHEG’s emergence as a reDec. 4 vs. Faribault BA, cent Gopher Conference contend7:15 p.m. er is based largely on the fact that Dec. 7 at Kenyonmost of the players in the program don’t hang up their sneakers in the Wanamingo, 7:15 p.m. offseason. According to Churhill, Dec. 8 vs. St. Clair, nine individuals participated in 7:15 p.m. AAU in the summer. Dec. 11 at Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 15 vs. TCU, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 18 at Medford, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 22 vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 26 at Bethany Lutheran College Tournament, TBD Jan. 2 vs. Hayfield, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 12 at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 15 vs. USC, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 18 vs. J-W-P, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 19 vs. Blue Earth, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 22 at Faribault BA, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 26 vs. Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 28 at Triton, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 29 vs. Medford, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 9 vs. Waseca, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 12 at USC, 7:15 p.m.

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PAGE 19

NRHEG HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING Palmer Peterson

Panthers full of experience for upcoming season Flush with experience and accomplished wrestlers, NRHEG is no doubt going to be a huge factor in the race for the conference and section title. A privilege at a school its size, NRHEG enters the new season confident it can fill most of the 14 weight classes with experienced athletes. In all, coach Shawn Larson brings back 15 letterwinners from a team that swept through the Gopher Conference and finished 16-9 overall in 2014-15. Cordell Peterson will anchor the team once again at 126 pounds. The senior has been to the state tournament three times and finished as the section runner-up last season. After missing out on a state bid in 2014-15, Wyatt Fitterer looks to

return to the Xcel Energy Center in his final season with the Panthers after qualifying for state in 2013. He will she shifted to heavyweight with Zeke Erickson moving down from 285 to 220 pounds. The rest of the large senior class includes one-time section finalist Trey Hoppe (third in section at 160 in 2014-15), Lucas Herrmann (152, 160), captain Palmer Peterson (152, 160), Karter Sletten (160, 170), Jon Weller (182) and Trai Wicks (138, 145). With no juniors on the roster, the rest of the varsity rotation will be filled with a combination of underclassmen including Chad Erickson (145), Brett Kubiatowicz (113, 120), Bryce Okland (152, 160), Cole Staloch (145), Tyler Jacobson (138)

and Ross Lenort (126). The biggest voids to fill are at 120 pounds where three-time state entrant Dillon Kubiatowicz has graduated along with Todd Erickson at 220 (third in the state last season). The stability in Larsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s program comes from dedication displayed by several of his wrestlers in the offseason. Several of his athletes attend miscellaneous camps, but according to Larson, the most progress was made by Peterson and Fitterer. Both competed with Team Minnesota at the USA Greco-Roman Duals in Tulsa, Oklahoma and competed in the Junior National Greco-Roman Championship in Fargo, North Dakota in July.

SCHEDULE Nov. 28 at Rochester John Dec. 17 at USC, 7 p.m. Marshall Tournament Dec. 18-19 at Redwood Dec. 3 vs. Blooming Prairie, Valley Tournament 7 p.m. Jan. 7 vs. W-E-M, 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at St. James Jan. 9 at Gopher Valley Tournament Tournament in St. Clair Dec. 12 at Caledonia Jan. 14 at Blue Earth Quad Tournament Jan. 16 at Lake Mills

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Tournament Jan. 21 at Hayfield Triangular, 5 p.m. Jan. 23 at KassonMantorville Tournament Jan. 29 at Maple River, 7 p.m. Feb. 5 vs. Medford, 7 p.m.

LAST SEASON 16-9 overall, 5-0 Gopher Conference

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PAGE 20

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

Friday, November 27, 2015

NRHEG HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL Panthers to deploy fast-paced philosophy You have to run with what you’ve got. In Onika Peterson’s case, this can be taken literally. Coaching a team that lacks universal height up and down the roster, the second-year NRHEG girls basketball coach is going to deploy a fast-paced philosophy. The Panthers, who won back-toback state championships in 2013 and 2014, have always flourished in an up-tempo style, but this season Peterson is going to crank up the speed to another level. Peterson’s desire to run the floor is no doubt in part to compensate for her team’s lack of size, but she also has the personnel to make it happen.

Leading the way in 2015-16 will once again be a pair of dynamic twin sisters in Maddie and Marnie Wagner. The two not only look almost exactly alike, but their skill-sets are also eerily similar. Both can shoot from deep, drive to the basket and are equal-opportunity distributors, averaging 3.3 and 3.1 assists per game, respectively. Maddie paced the team in scoring at 17.8 points per night while Marnie led the squad in rebounding at 8.5 while maintaining a 12.3 scoring average. Together they accounted for almost five steals per contest. With a pair of undisputed go-to players in place, it will be up to a handful of returning letterwinners

and newcomers to help elevate the team past last year’s up-and-down 14-12 campaign. Guard Gretchen Ramaker is the team’s top complimentary player coming back after averaging 5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.1 assists last year. Also returning are a pair of regular contributors Rachel Collins and Kayley Camerer. Collins will join the front line guard rotation while Camerer will serve as a valuable frontcourt contributor. In 2014-15, she averaged 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Sophia Fischer, Hailey Schuller and Emily Eder saw limited action last season and will have expanded roles this year.

SCHEDULE

Maddie Wagner

Dec. 5 vs. Fairmont, 5 p.m. Dec. 8 at Waseca, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 vs. Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 18 vs. Medford, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 21 at St. Peter, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 28-30 at St. Olaf College Tournament Jan. 2 vs. Hayfield, 6 p.m. Jan. 5 vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 8 vs. W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 9 at Hayfield Invite Jan. 12 vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 15 at USC, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 19 at Blue Earth, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 22 vs. Faribault BA, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 25 at J-W-P, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Maple River, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 29 at Medford, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 at W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 5 at Mankato Loyola, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Triton, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 12 vs. USC, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 19 at Faribault BA, 7:15 p.m.

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