DECA students compete at state

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Centennial DECA meets weekly during Lunch, Energize, Achieve, Participate (LEAP) to prepare for competitive events, fundraising and social connections. Students compete at the district level against students from Chisago Lakes, Forest Lake, Irondale, Mounds View, North Branch, Spring Lake Park and Totino-Grace. The top six students from each competitive event qualify for the state competition, held in March.

The district competition starts with a 100-question test on general business knowledge. Madeline Perron and Lily Huynh received medals for the written test exam by finishing in the top 20 at the district level. Students then compete in role play/decision-making scenarios within the following categories that are selected by students: buying and merchandising, marketing management, sports and entertainment, travel and tourism, hotel and lodging management, and principles of hospitality and tourism. Three students also competed in the start-up business plan competition, where a business plan was created and presented to a judge. All of Centen-

City Briefs

Circle Pines will contribute to new playground

The city of Circle Pines, as it has done in the past, will contribute $10,000 to Golden Lake Elementary School for new playground equipment. The city’s contribution will come out of the city’s revolving playground equipment fund. The new challenge course will feature things like: Xscape Play Unit, 2-Way X-Pod Step, Bubble Climbing Wall, Sky Wheels and an Arched Chain Net Link. The new playground is expected to cost approximately $31,000. The Park Board has recommended the City Council approve the contribution. The City Council next meets Tuesday, April 11.

Upcoming Games

CONTRIBUTED nial’s students were asked to compete in the employment interview competition.

Nine of 16 students that make up the Centennial High School Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Club competed at the state level last month.

Lily Huynh and Madeline Perron took first place in the marketing management team decision-making event. Prahbleen Khosa and Tatum Knox took second place in the buying and merchandising team decision-making event. Gurleen Khosa took fourth place in the hotel and lodging management series individual role-play event.

Garrett Burns and Mario Rivera Quinones took fourth place in the sports and entertainment team decision-making event.

Due to some scheduling conflicts due to spring break, not all DECA students were able to participate in the state competition. Nine of the 16 students making up the 2022-23 team competed. None of the students qualified for the DECA International Career Development Conference being held in April in Orlando, Florida.

Now that the competitive season is over, students will continue meeting to plan for next school year’s competitions and generate fundraising ideas.

Contributed

Circle Pines spring cleanup scheduled

RENDERING CONTRIBUTED

The City Council will likely give its blessing to contribute $10,000 to Golden Lake Elementary School for additional playground equipment. The project, which includes a fitness challenge course, will break ground this summer.

The annual spring cleanup is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 29, at the public works facility, located at 760 Civic Heights Drive. As the weather continues to warm up, it’s time to clean out houses, garages and yards. Bring old appliances, tires, bikes etc. to cleanup day. Hazardous waste, recyclables and yard waste will not be accepted. Some items may have a fee. The cleanup is for Circle Pines residents only.

COUGARS // CENTENNIAL BASEBALL

Coach — Robert Lynch

Assistants — Matt Scardigli, Craig Lynch, Jon Lieser

Last year — 15-9 overall, 7-5 conference

Captains — none chosen

Returning starters — Seniors: Will Whelan (P/1B), Vinny Wry (CF)

In the mix — Seniors: Peyton Streit (SS), Sam Menne (C), Anders Wessman (OF); Juniors: Aiden Lieser (P), Josh Lee (P)

Fast facts — Will Whelan (P-1B) is the only one of six allconference and honorable mention players returning. He hit .400 with 3 homers and team-leading 25 RBI, and was 3-4 on the mound

New coach — Lynch, a Centennial 2007 graduate, is the new head coach. He was previously head coach at St. Thomas Academy (with a state tournament team) and Irondale, an assistant at Centennial and Mounds View, and Centennial VFW coach. He is a PE teacher at Mounds View.

Coach says — “Pitching (is team strength). Will and Aidan are Division I commits. Then we have a bunch of supplementary pitching from our junior class. With the pitching we have, I believe we are contenders.”

COUGARS // CENTENNIAL TRACK // BOYS

Coach John Kretschmer, Steve Thomson Assistants Abe Hartsell, Caleb Glass, Nate Balzer, Lydia DeBuhr, Ryan Evans, Jacob Namyst, Eric Hotakainen, Jake Storberg, Lance Liu, Cedric Okoi

Last year — 12th of 14 teams in NWSC, 7th of 8 teams in section Captains Jacob Podratz, Charlie Bolkcom, Timmy Ball, Isaiah Tandoh, Eli Berg Coaches’ notes — Eleven lettermen return. Timmy Ball (junior) placed 6th in discus and 7th in shot put at section last year. Some returning sprinters have a chance to make all-conference. Several cross country runners have joined the track team to bolster distance events. Turnout of 93 boys is the most in several years. It’s a young squad in rebuilding mode.

COUGARS // CENTENNIAL GOLF // GIRLS

Coach — Mary Erickson

Last year — 8th of 14 in conference

Returning starters — Junior: Marina Allen; 8thgraders: Taylor Thor, Ella Friedman; Gabby Steele

Fast facts — Allen and Thor were all-conference last year; It’s Allen’s fourth varsity season

In the mix — Juniors: Lily Rupert ; Freshmen: Kate Lee, Charly Weymann, Brooke Hayes, Charly Hayes, Olivia Tollefsen

Coach says — “Thor, Allen and Friedman are as good as any 1-2-3 players in the conference. The other budding golfers showed great progress last season, have worked hard in the offseason and have great potential. The players respect each other, work hard, and challenge each other.”

COUGARS // CENTENNIAL TENNIS

Coach — Dan Haertl

Assistants —Arnie Lamers, Mark Deretich

Last year — 16-3 overall, 9-1 conference

Captains —Joaquin Bliss, Sean Oslund, Zack Chaffey

Returning starters — Seniors: (1S), Chaffey (2S), Jesse Simso (4S), Joaquin Bliss (1D), Matthew Hanson (3D); Junior: JJ Bliss (1D)

In the mix — Seniors: Ian Gangl, Trevor Allen ; Junior: Brody Johnson … Sophomore: Drew Gangl; Freshman: Andrew Abraham

Fast facts — Oslund, Chaffey, and the Bliss brothers were allconference last year

Coach says — “Sean, Zack and Jesse are solid players with lots of experience. Joaquin and JJ are a great doubles team … We should be a very good tennis team. I am looking forward to the season and working with a great group of guys.”

COUGARS // CENTENNIAL SOFTBALL

Head coach — Rick Thomas

Assistants — Jeremy Chell, Jenelle Mackie

Last year — 20-6 overall, 5th place in state tournament, 12-1 conference

Captains — Brooke Helseth, Lily Cummans

Returning starters — Seniors: Brooke Helseth (3B), Lily Cummans (OF), Adrianna Thomas (2B), Chelsea Burn (OF), Jordan LeMire (C/1B); Junior: Lily Gilmore (CF) … Sophomores; Riley O'Connell (P/1B), Kendall Seidenkranz (OF)

Fast facts — Thomas and O’Connell (10-1 with 0.70 ERA) were all-conference last year. The turnout of 52 players in grades 9-12 and 11 in 8th grade is up from previous years

Coach says — “A hard working group. All players support those on the team. In order for us to reach our full potential, this is a must.”

COUGARS // CENTENNIAL GOLF // BOYS

Coach — Chris Kopp

Assistant — Gary Tolkinen

Last year — 3rd of 14 teams in conference, 3rd in the section

Captains — Hayden Frank, Peyton Blair, Hunter

Ubel

Returning starters — Seniors: Frank, Blair, Ubel; Junior: Harper

Searles

Other lettermen — Juniors: Tanner Youngbauer, Kaden Flint; Freshman: Cooper Dalkawa

Fast facts — Two state qualifiers graduate; the other four of the top six return

Coach says — “We will have 18 to 20 players on JV and varsity. There is a continued interest in golf, which is exciting. Our returning players have an excellent chance of all-conference honors.”

COUGARS // CENTENNIAL TRACK // GIRLS

Coaches — Same as boys team

Last year — 7th of 14 teams in NWSC, 5th of 8 teams in section

Captains — Anna Peterson, Julia Zalewski, Abby Wood, Adyson Janacek, Brenna Person, Alexis Larson, Alyssa Draheim

Coaches’ notes — Fifteen letter-winners return. Kylie Nelson was all-conference in the 800 and 4x800. Draheim (high jump), Abby Wood (3200) and Julia Zalewski (400) reached finals in the conference meet. Throws leaders are Person, Annie Trettel and Gabby Maynard, after three strong throwers graduated. Distance corps could be strong with girls from strong cross country team ….Young squad in rebuilding mode.

COUGARS // CENTENNIAL LACROSSE // GIRLS

Head coach — Hailey Berg

Assistants — Alana Bordeaux, Hannah Backman

Last year — 13-3 overall, 10-2 conference

Captains — Callie Cody, Anna Jarpy, Elizabeth Clough

Returning starters — Seniors: Ella O’Hearn (attack/midfield), Callie Cody (attack), Anna Jarpy (attack/defense), Elizabeth Clough (defense), Mallory Hafferman (midfield/defense); Juniors: Peyton Brezney (goalie), Noelle Hemr (midfield), Karly Lacis (midfield), Maria Waller (defense); Sophomores: Ella Weist (attack), Avery Sauber (defense); Freshman: Makenzi Munger (attack)

Fast facts — O’Hearn tallied 61 goals last year, tied for thirdmost in the state, and has 144 goals in her career. Cody had 46 goals last year, second on the team

New coach — Hailey Berg, a 2018 graduate of CHS who joined the staff the next year, takes over as head coach. She succeeds Gary Nelson, who started the program and was the only coach the Cougars ever had

Good Luck, Cougar’s!

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COUGARS // CENTENNIAL LACROSSE // BOYS

Coach — Seth King

Assistants— Calvin Waddle (defensive coordinator), Jack Steele, Nick Truen, Joe Tuzinski, Sam Orth, Zach Badeau

Last year — 15-4 overall, 4th place in state tournament, 10-1 conference champs, section 7 champs

Captains— Reese Littlefield, Cooper Larson, Brol Scherman Projected Impact Players— Seniors: Kai Hermodson (midfield), Reese Littlefield (defense), Cooper Larson (midfield); Juniors: Brol Scherman (attack), Logan Adams (attack)

CONTRIBUTED

Senior Anna Jarpy is a returning starter for Centennial lacrosse.

New coach — Seth King, after two years as assistant coach, takes over as head coach with Jon Beach stepping down after a long tenure. King was an all-conference defenseman for White Bear Lake. He was head coach one season at Roseville. Fast facts — Scherman was the points leader last year with 36 goals and 28 assists. Logan Adams had 19 goals. Littlefield was third in ground balls with 46. Two non-conference games this year are Mahtomedi (H) and Benilde-St. Margarets (A).