SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
2019 A supplement to the Stevens County Times, April 6, 2019
Hancock brings back nucleus to diamond By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times he Hancock baseball team comes off an 8-12 season a year ago where the Owls went 6-6 in the Pheasant Conference for fifth place. The Owls will look to be more competitive after graduating just one senior from last season’s roster, Hancock head coach Chad Christianson said. “We graduated one player from last season’s squad, so all of our returning players will be key for us this year,” Christianson said. “Last year we were a very young team with a majority of our starting lineup being sophomores and freshmen.” The Owls return an all-conference player from a season ago in senior Peyton Rohloff and two all-conference honorable mention players in seniors Tanner Pahl and Montana Molden along with a handful of other experienced underclassmen. “Even though we are still a young team, all of the players returning have started last year. We look to use that experience to build from last season and make a push come playoffs,” Christianson said. Rohloff was a mainstay on the pitcher’s mound last season and tallied three wins.
Hancock baseball schedule
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HANCOCK BASEBALL: Page 8
Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times
The Hancock baseball team includes (front, left) Kody Berget, Zachary Koehl, Dallas Walton, Brayden DeSmith, (middle, left) Isaiah Flaten, Preston Rohloff, Wyatt Anderson, Adam Shaw, Devon Schroeder, Taylor Hanson, Korbin Hubbard, (back, left) Daniel Milander, Gideon Joos, Parker Schmidgall, Peyton Rohloff, Tanner Pahl, Montana Molden, Colton Crowell, and not pictured Cody Anderson, Zach Carter, and Sergi Artes Sebastia.
MACA baseball adds depth
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By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times
he Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta baseball team returns tons of talent in 2019, and adds some as well in players new to varsity that will step in and compete right away, MACA head coach Kirby Sayles said. “We have great experience coming back with a mix of talent coming up,” Sayles said. We are excited to see competition play out because there is so much talent across the board. It will be very interesting to see position battles play out. The best part, is this is the type of group that will push each other to be better, and yet they support each other more than any group I’ve ever seen.” Despite graduating six players off the roster last spring, the Tigers
Thursday, Apr 4 at Brandon-Evansville, 5 p.m. Friday, Apr 5 at Dawson-Boyd, 4:30 p.m. Monday, Apr 8 vs Border West, 5 p.m. Monday, Apr 15 at Hillcrest Lutheran, 5 p.m. Tuesday, Apr 16 at BBE, 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Apr 18 at Ashby, 5 p.m. Monday, Apr 22 vs WCA, 5 p.m. Thursday, Apr 25 at Ortonville, 5 p.m. Friday, Apr 26 at MACA tourney, 5 p.m. Saturday, Apr 27 at MACA tourney, 10 a.m. Monday, Apr 29 vs Brandon-Evansville, 5 p.m. Thursday, May 2 at Border West, 5 p.m. Friday, May 3 at Benson, 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 vs CMCS, 4 p.m. Thursday, May 9 vs Hillcrest, 5 p.m. Monday, May 13 vs Ashby, 5 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at WCA, 5 p.m. Monday, May 20 vs Ortonville, 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 vs KMS, 4:30 p.m.
Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times
The MACA baseball team includes (front, left) Ross Marty, Brenden Hardy, Maddix Erickson, Evan Wilts, Noah Amundson, Gavin Ehrp, Parker Bartels, Flynn McNally, Grady Erickson, Bradyn Daugherty, (middle, left) Zach Bruns, Michael Halvorson, Jack Riley, Chandler Wilts, Gage Tomoson, Tristan Raths, Brett Hansen, Sam Kleinwolterink, Dylan Rose, Cody Hockel, Calvin Marty, Durgin Decker, Brandon Jergenson, (back, left) Nick Johnson, Jordan Leuthardt, Colten Scheldorf, Bo Massner, Will Bruer, Derek Giese, Jacob Boots, Josh Rohloff, Jaret Johnson, Andrew Olson, Ethan Sperr, Brady Rohloff, Joe Kleinwolterink, Eli Grove, Cade Fehr, Kevin Asfeld, and not pictured Noah Sheldon, Austin Berlinger, Brady Backman, and Mason Dougherty. return a handful starting talent. Jaret Johnson returns as a senior this season. He had 18 hits, 10 RBI and 11 runs scored while batting .295 last season. He was also a part of the pitching rotation. “Jaret Johnson is a phenomenal worker in everything he does, and we love his energy,” Sayles said. Joseph Kleinwolterink returns as another senior on the team. He hit .200 last season with five hits and five RBI. “Joe Kleinwolterink came in, in a number of clutch situations for us
MACA baseball schedule Tuesday, Apr 9 vs Melrose, 5 p.m. Thursday, Apr 11 at Minnewaska, 5 p.m. Monday, Apr 15 at Redwood, 5 p.m. Tuesday, Apr 16 vs BOLD, DH 4 p.m. Tuesday, Apr 23 at Montevideo, 4 p.m. Friday, Apr 26 vs MACA tourney, 5 p.m. Saturday, Apr 27 vs MACA tourney, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Apr 30 vs Benson, 5 p.m.
last year, and was very successful, our staff absolutely loves his work ethic,” Sayles said. Zach Bruns, who missed all but
Monday, May 6 vs NL-Spicer, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 vs Sauk Centre, DH 4 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Melrose, 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 vs Minnewaska, 5 p.m. Thursday, May 16 vs Montevideo, 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 at Benson, 5 p.m. Thursday, May 23 at LQPV, 5 p.m.
one game of the hockey season and the second half of the football season
MACA BASEBALL: Page 7
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MACA track and field teams to contend for titles in 2019 By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times
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he Morris Area/ Chokio-Alberta boys and girls track and field teams will look to contend for several titles in 2019. The Tiger boys come off a runner-up finish in the West Central Conference, by a half a point to Montevideo, and a back-to-back Subsection 21 title in 2018. They also took third at State True Team last year. “Conference champs, subsection champs, place in the top three at true team state,” Morris/C-A head coach Dale Henrich said of the boys’ goals this season. The Tiger girls haven’t won the conference title since 2015. Minnewaska has won the title for the past three seasons and looks to be the favorite to win again this season, but MACA head coach Mark Ekren hopes this year’s MACA girls can change that. “Win the conference and subsection, section, win true team section,” Ekren said of the girls’ goals this season. The Morris/C-A girls finished third in the subsection last season behind Minnewaska and Osakis, and sixth overall in Section 6A. Minnewaska, Pequot Lakes and Osakis will be the favorites to win the section, Ekren said. Individually for the girls, Maddie Carrington is the lone state entrant from a season ago. She qualified for state in the 1600-meter and
MACA track and field schedule Tuesday, March 26 at Aberdeen Christian, indoor 12 p.m. Thursday, Apr 4 at LQPV, TBD Friday, Apr 5 at NDSU, indoor 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Apr 9 Marv Meyer Invite, Morris 4 p.m. Thursday, Apr 11 at Minnewaska, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Apr 16 Tiger Invite, Morris 4 p.m.
Photos by Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times
The MACA boys track and field team include (front, left) Abe Arreguin, Noah Erickson, Trey Hunt,Ethan Lebria, Tyce Anderson, Max Lietz, Noah Malek, Drake Schmidt, Jake Seales, Archie Nohl, Derek Waldbeser, (second row, left) Kaden Burns, Ben Hernandez, Jarod Boots, Levi Schmidgall, Cameron Koebernick, Kenny Soderberg, Bradley Rohloff, Gavin Stallman, Zach Butterfield, (third row, left) Boe Staples, Solomon Johnson, Nate Beyer, Braden Waldbeser, Noah Thielke, Noah Stewart, Angel Villagomez, Austin Clemenson, Pierce Richards, Lewis Nohl, Emmanuel Sanchez, (back, left) Yamil Menida, Micah Aanerud, Mace Yellow, Abe Schmidgall, Jaden Maanum, Cam Arndt, Monte Fehr, Ben Travis, Brady Cardwell, Dominick Johnson, and Jack Tollefson.
Tuesday, Apr 23 at Benson, 4 p.m. Friday, Apr 26 at Sisseton, 1 p.m. Thursday, May 2 at NL-Spicer, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 at Montevideo, True Team 4 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Ortonville, 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 at BOLD, WCC 4 p.m. Thursday, May 23 at Morris, Sub 21 3 p.m. Thursday, May 30 at Fergus Falls, 6A 11 a.m.
800-meter runs, and medaled with a ninth place finish in the 1600meter with a season best 5:16.43. She returns as a
The MACA girls track and field team includes (front, left) Berenice Arreguin, Johanna Baez, Mariel Altamirano, Hailey Werk, Ashley Koehl, Kelly Berlinger, Alexa Erhotlz, Sierra Zeltwanger, Anna B ackman, Chloe Zimmel, (middle, left) Bella Pelowski, Callie Snell, Caryn Marty, Maddie Siegel, Olivia Lebrija, Cortney Hickman, Abby Bellmore, Lydia Fynboh, Meghan Goulet, Maura Lamberty, Taya Viker, (back, left) Betsie Altamirano, Tasha Koehl, Bobbi Jo Wohlers, Destiny Pollard, Isabel Fynboh, Alexis Motts, Victoria Vargas, Lexi Carbert, Malory Anderson, Ally Garcia, Kaylie Raths, Emma Berlinger, Crystal Nohl, Claire Reed, Katie Messner, Cynthia Gutierrez, Luna McCannon, Carissa Mohrman, Abby Malek, and not pictured Lexi Pew, Audrey Dorweiler, Katya Lackey, Lauren Harste, Maddie and Meredith Carrington, Nicole Gillespie, and Tess Deane. junior this season. For the boys, the Tigers return 3-of4 members of their 4x800-meter relay team
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that took eighth place at state last season. Tate Nelson was the lone runner to graduate from the relay as Noah Stewart, Ben Hernandez and Jaden Maanum all return this year. The Tigers also return Camden Arndt, who qualified for state by time in both the 110meter and 300-meter hurdle events last season. The Tigers opened the season with an indoor meet Tuesday, March 26, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. They were scheduled to participate in the Lac qui Parle Invite and another indoor track meet at North Dakota State this week.
Morris/C-A’s Olivia Lebrija clears a hurdle during the 2018 track and field season. Lebrija returns to the Tiger track and field team as a freshman this year. Stevens County Times file photo
2019 Spring Sports Preview
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Saturday, April 6, 2019 3
Owl track and field teams continue to grow By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times
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fter a successful 2018 campaign, the Hancock Owl boys and girls track and field teams have grown in numbers heading into 2019, and Owl head coach Scott Thompson looks to continue that growth trend. “We went from eight athletes in 2017 to over 30 this season,” Thompson said of the Owls, who added an assistant coach in Kaylee Nuest to help with the growing program. “Nuest was a long jumper in college and teaches math at Hancock. She will be a great addition.” The Owls graduated five seniors off the boys roster last spring, including top athletes Noah Kannegiesser, who placed fourth in section 6A in the long jump, and Mason Schmidgall, who participates in track and field at Dakota State University. Among the top returners is junior John Kellenberger. Kellenberger was a double all-conference winner last year as he championed the 800meter run with a time of 2:12.06 and tied for second in the high jump with a best jump. Tyler Timmerman returns for his second year of track and field. “Tyler Timmerman ran some good times for his first year as a sprint last year,” Thompson said of Timmernan’s first year in track and field. Also for the boys, Montana Molden and Harrison Zeltwanger both return in the throwing events, and Issac Nienhaus returns as one of the team’s high jumpers from last year.
Hancock track and field schedule Thursday, Apr 4 at Minnewaska, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Apr 9 at MACA, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Apr 16 at MACA, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Apr 23 at Wheaton, 4 p.m. Thursday, Apr 25 at YME, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Apr 30 at Benson, 4 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Ortonville, 4 p.m. Thursday, May 23 at MACA, Sub 21 TBD Thursday, May 30 at Fergus Falls, 6A TBD
For the girls, Jordan Hausmann and Cora Milete both return to the team as freshmen. “Jordan and Cora are experienced middle distance runners for us,” Thompson said. The girls team gained newcomer Jenna Kannegiesser. Like her older brother Noah, the hope is that she would
Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times
The Hancock track and field team includes (front, left) Jordan Hausmann, Jenna Kannegiesser, Cora Millete, Rylie Morrow, Delaynie Naig, (second row, left) Tiffany Schmidgall, Annie Marzack, Zach Razink, Sebastian Felix, Luke Joos, Ike Nienhaus, Tyler Timmermann, Natasha LaBrayden Kibeau, Rylie Labeau, (third row, left) Rylan Meierding, Titus Bjerkevedt, Brayden Kisgen, Blake Lenz, Noah Luthi, Erika Colon, Cloe Crowell, Alexis Wilson, Audiriana Henderson, Morgon Emmert, (back, left) Preston Banister, Montana Molden, John Kellenberger, Sean Willson, Jared koehl, Harliegh Schlief, Savannah Schlief, Dawn Messner, Eva Schaefer, Sydney Zeltwanger, Natasha Schlief, and not pictured Harrison Zeltwanger, Tory Schmidgall, Avery Nelson, Brandi Messner, and Christian Dodds. make an immediate impact, Thompson said. “We’re hoping she can jump like big brother,” Thompson said. Another newcomer, on the boys side, to keep an
eye out for is Luke Joos. “Luke is a very athletic ninth grader,” Thompson said. Expectations for the season continue to
climb in relation to the program numbers. “Have fun, be competitive and continue to add athletes,” Thompson
said of the goals for this season. The Owls were scheduled to open the season Thursday, April 4, at Minnewaska.
Hancock’s Cora Millette sprints to the finish line during the 2018 track and field season. She is a freshman on the Owl varsity girls track and field team this year. Stevens County Times file photo
Hancock’s John Kellenberger clears the high jump during the 2018 track and field season. Kellenberger is a returning allconference champion from last season. Stevens County Times file photo
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Youth to fill roles for Owl softball By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times
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he Hancock softball program enters its third season and will need to rely on its youth to compete in 2019. The Owls started with 10 girls in grades nine through 12, but now have a dozen listed on the MSHSL roster now that practice has started. “We will look at bringing up junior high girls if we feel they are ready,” Hancock head coach Ryan Snyder said. The Owls have three seniors, four sophomores and four freshmen that make up that 12-person roster. Of the 12, only two are true newcomers to the varsity roster in Tori Pahl and Chloe Crowell. “Tori Pahl was out with an injury all last season. She will step in and provide us with a strong bat and good defense,” Snyder said. “Chloe is a newcomer to the varsity team, we’ll see what role she develops into. I am excited with what these girls bring to the table and can’t wait to see what they can do.” Hancock returns top hitter from a season ago in senior Nadine Miller. She hit .364 last season with 20 hits and 15 RBI. Other returning starters include: Haley Mattson, Lexi Staples, Morgan Kisgen, Carlee and Rylee Hanson, Alexa Meierding and Lindsey Mattson. The Owls come off a 2018 where they had their first victory since breaking away from Benson. “Picked up the first victory in the modern era of Hancock softball. Greatly improved as the season went on,” Snyder said of last year’s highlights. The goal heading into this season is to continue pushing the program in a positive direction, Snyder said. “Be competitive in each game. Improve as the season goes on,” Snyder said. The Owls were scheduled to open the season this week.
Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times
The Hancock softball team includes (from left) Nadine Miller, Lexi Staples, Alexa Meierding, Lindsey Mattson, Tori Pahl, Carlee Hanson, Morgan Kisgen, Haley Mattson, and not pictured Rylee Hanson and Chloe Crowell.
Hancock softball schedule Tuesday, Apr 2
Monday, Apr 29
at CGB, 5 p.m.
at Upsala, 5 p.m.
Friday, Apr 5 vs
Tuesday, Apr
Brandon-E 5 p.m.
30 at Brandon-E,
Tuesday, Apr 9
5 p.m.
at Ortonville, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 2 vs
Thursday, Apr 11 vs
Ortonville, 5 p.m.
WCA, 5 p.m.
Monday, May 6 at WCA,
Tuesday, Apr 16 at
5 p.m.
Hillcrest, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, May 7 vs YME,
Thursday, Apr 18 at
4 p.m.
Wheaton/H-N, 5 p.m. Monday, Apr 22 at BBE, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, May 13 vs
Tuesday, Apr 23 at
Wheaton/H-N, 5 p.m.
Ashby, 5 p.m. Friday, Apr 26 vs CGB, 5 p.m.
Friday, May 10 vs Hillcrest, 5 p.m.
Thursday, May 16 vs Ashby, 5 p.m.
Stevens County Times file photo
Hancock’s Carlee Hanson winds up in the pitcher’s circle during the 2018 softball season. She returns to the field as a freshman this season.
1344, 2 E 5th St, Morris (320) 589-4481
Go
Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times
Hancock softball coach Ryan Snyder works with catchers during practice this season. Snyder starts his third season as head coach of the program.
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2019 Spring Sports Preview
Saturday, April 6, 2019 5
MACA softball looks to continue domination in WCC By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times
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he Morris Area / Chokio-Alberta Tiger softball team will start the season in search of its sixth consecutive West Central Conference title. That is the expectation, head coach Mary Holmberg said, but the goal is to finally make it to the section finals after being knocked out early as the top-seed in the Section 3AA-North the past four seasons. “We need to compete deeper in the section tournament,” Holmberg said of this year’s goals. “We need to compete with the top teams in our section. We strengthened our nonconference schedule to potentially see different, stronger pitchers. Our defense and pitching are solid, we just need to keep improving our hitting. We need to face pitchers who change their speed, throw hard and who throw off speed pitches.” The Tigers will get that as they added 5AA Litchfield and 5AAA Willmar to the schedule this season. In 2018, Litchfield lost to Section 5AA champion Maple Lake and Willmar fell to Section 5AAA champion Rocori. MACA is a favorite to win the West Central Conference title again, but the Tigers aren’t shoe-ins. The Tigers will be tested by Sauk Centre, Melrose and Benson, Holmberg said. The Tigers graduated four seniors off their roster last spring, but return a core of starting talent, including reigning West Central Conference MVP Liz Dietz, who led MACA to an 11-1 conference season in the pitcher’s circle. She also batted a team-high .462 with 30 hits and 28 RBI last season. “Liz is an excellent pitcher with a good
Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times
The Morris/C-A softball team includes (front, from left) Macee Libbesmeier, Jordann Baier, Bailey Marty, Liz Dietz, Riley Decker, Jennifer Solvie, Jaden Ross, Kiley Swanson, Kendra Wevley, (second row, from left) Sydney Solvie, Ashlyn Hintz, MacKenzie Anderson, Whitney Bruns, Brianna Marty, Bailey Hottovy, Kelli Wilts, Lakia Manska, Abbigail Athey, Avery Frank, Brianna Backman, Kenzie Hockel, Jackie Hardy, (third row, from left) Yasmine Westerman, Allison Michaelson, Reilly Gibson, Camryn Ostby, Shannon Dougherty, Bryanna Sanasack, Piper Swanson, Kaylee Harstad, Carissa Oberg, Courtney Lehman, Katelyn Wehking, Ryanne Bisgard, Kenna Kehoe, Jade Weiland, coach Amanda Dusing, (back row, from left) volunteer coach Amanda Kells, coach Mary Holmberg, volunteer coach Neal Hofland, coach Mary Asche, Makenna Hufford, Sydney Dietz, Emma Bowman, Leah Staples, Sophia Carlson, Hannah Flogstad, LaRae Kram, and coach Sharon Martin. Liz Dietz listens to Morris/C-A head coach Mary Holmberg while ondeck during a game in the 2018 softball season. Dietz returns as the reigning West Central Conference MVP from a year ago.
MACA softball schedule Tuesday, Apr 2 at NL-Spicer, 4:30 p.m. Friday, Apr 5 vs Litchfield, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Apr 9 at Melrose, 5 p.m. Thursday, Apr 11 vs Minnewaska, 5 p.m. Friday, Apr 12 vs Montevideo, 5 p.m. Tuesday, Apr 16 at BOLD, DH 4 p.m. Tuesday, Apr 23 vs ACGC, DH 4 p.m. Thursday, Apr 25 at Benson, 5 p.m.
change up. She is a dependable, consistent, and a powerful hitter,” Holmberg said of Dietz, who returns as a senior this season. “Her experience will help us be successful.” Other all-conference players from last season include Bailey Marty, Riley Decker, Kenzie Hockel, Emma Bowman. Marty, a senior this season, was second on the team in batting average (.431) and first on the team in hits with 31 last season. At shortstop, she had 36 assists and 34 putouts. Decker, also a senior this season, finished the
Stevens County Times file photo
Morris/C-A’s Emma Bowman in action during the 2018 softball season.
Saturday, Apr 27 vs MACA tourney, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Apr 30 at Sauk Centre, DH 4 p.m. Thursday, May 2 vs Melrose, 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 at Minnewaska, 5 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Montevideo, 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 10 at Willmar, 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 vs Benson, 5 p.m.
year with a .400 batting average last season. She recorded 28 assists and 32 putouts at second base. “Riley makes good contact with the ball and defensively makes a lot of quality stops,” Holmberg said. Hockel returns to the team as a junior this year. She hit .379 with five doubles and a home run in 2018. She has a strong and accurate arm in the outfield, Holmberg said. Bowman returns to the team as a sophomore for her third season behind the plate for MACA. In 2018, she had 103 putouts with only two errors. At the plate, she hit .333 with seven doubles. “She is an excellent defensive catcher, who has a strong arm and can get the ball to second quickly,” Holmberg said. “Emma has power and speed at the plate being able to lay down a bunt or hit for extra bases.” Jen Solvie, who was named all-conference honorable mention a year ago, also returns to the line up. “Jen is a power hitter leading the Tigers in home runs last year with three,” Holmberg said of the .387 hitter
Stevens County Times file photo
that had 28 RBI, nine doubles and a triple last season. Also returning with some experience on varsity last season are Kenna Kehoe and Jordann Baier. Kehoe was the back-up pitcher
to Dietz and pitched 18 innings for two wins in 2018. She was also a part of the undefeated junior varsity team. Baier was a courtesy runner last season and scored 18 runs. “We are looking to
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those athletes who played on last year’s undefeated JV team to fill key roles for us this season,” Holmberg concluded. The Tigers were scheduled to open the season this past week.
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Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times
Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times
The Morris/C-A boys golf team includes (front, left) Dalton Koehler, Darin Van Horn, Austin Raths, Barron Schneider, Chris Halvorson, Chase Engebretson, (back, left) Brock Peterson, Brady Loge, Simon Wulff, Tyler Buss, Kaedan Fischer, Jacob Ulrich, Easton Hacker, and not pictured Kylen Running Hawk and Jack Mahoney.
The Morris/C-A girls golf team includes (front, left) Cassidy Asmus, Makarian Schott, Mackenzie Stahman, Hannah Zimmel, (back, left) Megan Lindahl, McKenna Ahrenholz, Miranda Hesse, Peyton Hennen, Shayla Kill, and not pictured Chloe Mogard.
MACA golf teams lean on veteran experience By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times
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he Morris Area/ Chokio-Alberta golf teams return several golfers with varsity experience this season. The Tiger boys return all six golfers to the line up in 2019. The Tigers look to use that experience to be more competitive in the West Central Conference and in Section 3AA, MACA boys coach Joey Fragodt said. “Place top three in conference, make day two of the section tourney, and get a golfer or two to the state tourney,” Fragodt said of this year’s goals. For the Tiger girls, Lanna Stahman will re-takeover the Morris Area/ChokioAlberta Tiger girls golf program. Stahman,
who previously coached the program from 2004 to 2010, has high expectations for her veteran squad, which returns all but one player from last season’s roster. “I would like to take this group of experienced players and increase the number of all-conference players and finish in second place in the conference,” Stahman said. “We will need to be dedicated, work hard and stay focused on our golf game to get past the powerhouses of BOLD and Minnewaska.” In 2018, the Tiger boys took fourth in the West Central Conference behind Minnewaska, Melrose and BOLD. Minnewaska and Melrose are the West Central Conference favorites again this season, Fragodt said.
MACA girls golf schedule
MACA boys golf schedule Wednesday, Apr 24 at Ortonville, 10 a.m. Friday, Apr 26 at BOLD, 12 p.m. Friday, Apr 26 at ACGC, 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 at PDT, Morris 11 a.m. Tuesday, Apr 30 at Minnewaska, 3 p.m. Thursday, May 7 at Melrose, 12 p.m. Thursday, May 7 at Sauk Centre, 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 at Benson, 9 a.m. Friday, May 10 at NL-Spicer, TBD Thursday, May 16 at Benson, 12 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at Montevideo, 4 p.m.
The Tiger girls took third in the West Central Conference behind Minnewaska and BOLD the past two seasons. Hannah Zimmel and Peyton Hennen are both two-time all-conference golfers and return to the team a junior and senior this season, respectively. The Tigers, who were three strokes short of qualifying as a team
Tuesday, Apr 23 at Ortonville, 10 a.m. Friday, Apr 26 at ACGC, 12 p.m. Friday, Apr 26 at BOLD, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Apr 30 at Minnewaska, 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 30 at PDT, Morris 3 p.m. Friday, May 3 at Minnewaska Invite, 9 a.m. Thursday, May 7 at Sauk Centre, 12 p.m. Thursday, May 7 at Melrose, 4 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Oakdale, 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 15 at Brainerd, 9 a.m. Thursday, May 16 at Montevideo, 12 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at Benson, 4 p.m.
for the second day of sections last year, also return Miranda Hesse, Shayla Kill, Mackenzie Stahman and Chloe Mogard. “We are fortunate to have so many players that have played on the varied courses around the conference. This
experience will be invaluable throughout the season,” Stahman said. For the boys, the top returner is junior Chase Engebretson, who was the lone Tiger boys golfer to make it to day two of sections. Dalton Koehler, Engebretson,
Brady Loge and Brock Peterson finished in the top 25 in the conference last year. “All of my returning varsity golfers will be key to our success this season,” Fragodt said. “They all have the potential to be very good golfers and give the team quality scores each meet.” The Tigers were three strokes away from advancing to the second day of the Section 3AA meet as a team and finished in sixth in the section. Hennen finished in 14th overall while Zimmel also made the top 20 against section competition. The Tiger girls are scheduled to open the 2019 season at Ortonville the week of Monday, April 22.
HAVE A GREAT
SEASON TIGERS & OWLS! Stevens County Times file photo
Stevens County Times file photo
Morris/C-A’s Brock Peterson watches his ball after a tee-off during the 2018 boys golf season. He is one of six juniors on the boys golf team this spring.
Peyton Hennen putts onto the green during the 2018 girls golf season. She is one of three seniors on the team this season.
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House to lead MACA trap team By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times
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he Morris Area/ Chokio-Alberta trapshooting team is under new management for the 2019 season as Nick Milbrandt stepped down at the end of the 2018 season. The Tigers will be coached by new head coach Jared House. “Trapshooting is a great activity that has practical real world applications, instills discipline and teaches a respect for firearms,” House said. “It is an activity that will be used by the athletes for years to come. That’s why I jumped at the chance to become the coach of the MACA trap team.” Last season, Milbrandt
MACA BASEBALL From Page 1
last fall with a collarbone injury, will hope for an injury-free season on the diamond. Bruns hit .250 as a freshman starter last year. “Zach Bruns was a lightning bolt for us last year as a freshman, and we are excited to see what he can do with a year of experience,” Sayles said. Kevin Asfeld hit .286 last season with two home runs and returns as a senior this year. Noah Sheldon is also among the experienced returners as he appeared in 13 games in 2018 and batted .250 on the year.
handed out seven 25-straight patches, with five coming at the Minnesota Trapshooting Championships, in Alexandria. Jordan Moser earned two last season, once in week two and once at Championships, Carter Deneui recorded one in week three, and Brady Cardwell, Tristan Raths and Morgan Kirwin all earned theirs at Championships. Raths was the lone shooter to earn a 50-straight patch for the Tigers, and Cardwell finished in the top 25 in the conference. Four of the five shooters return to the team this season. The current roster lists 17 kids. “Our goal is to ensure
“Our biggest highlight is the amount of young talent that got varsity experience and the development they made,” Sayles said of the growth in the 2018 season. Cade Fehr, Eli Grove and Jack Riley will be among the newcomers to the varsity team, and Sayles hopes to see them make an immediate impact. “Cade Fehr and Eli Grove are solid corner infielders with the potential to have big bats for us this season, as well as bolster our pitching staff,” Sayles said. “Jack Riley is a versatile athlete with great awareness on the base paths. We are looking forward to what they can bring to us.” “We have a lot of new
Submitted photo
The Morris/C-A trapshooters that competed at Championships in 2018 include (front, left) Brady Cardwell, Chandler Wilts, Dylan Gillespie, Kellen Erdahl, Derek Giese, Morgan Kirwin, Carter Deneui, (back, left) Trevor Voges, Dalton Schmidt, Alex Denzer, Jordan Moser, Ryan Miller, Shyler Buntje, Tristan Raths, and Hunter Voigt. a safe season while consistently improving scores and ultimately qualifying for the state tournament at the end of June,” House said.
The MACA trapshooting season just concluded its second week of practice this week. Next up is a reserve week the week
of April 14. Reserve week scores are to be used for an entire team if a scheduled competitive week is cancelled. Competition begins it’s
five-week season on April 21. Morris/C-A is scheduled to shoot every Monday evening and Saturday morning during the season.
players who we believe will be able to move us in the right direction, from new senior leaders to a couple strong sophomores with the ability to hit the ball hard,” Sayles added. The Tigers will need depth if they plan to compete in the West Central Conference this season. In 2018, MACA went 4-10 in the conference for seventh place and finished the season 8-13 overall. BOLD, Minnewaska and Sauk Centre all finished with 10-plus wins to top the conference a year ago. “BOLD is once again going to be a powerhouse, and in a (strong) conference, it could be a very good mix this year,” Sayles said of competition in
the conference. “Our expectation as a team is to be competing for a (top spot) in the section tournament. We have the talent and the
attitude to make a deep run in the playoffs. I also think we will be much more competitive in the West Central Conference and stack up
some wins there.”
Stevens County Times file photo
Morris/C-A’s Kevin Asfeld awaits the pitch in the batter’s box during the 2018 baseball season. He is one of seven seniors on the Tiger baseball roster this season.
The Tigers are scheduled to open the season against Melrose Tuesday, April 9, in Morris.
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2019 Spring Sports Preview
The Stevens County Times
Stevens County Times file photo
Hancock’s Tanner Pahl fires a pitch during the 2018 baseball season. Pahl is one of just three seniors on the Owl baseball team this season. Submitted photo
The Hancock trap team includes (front, left) Ely Rinkenberger, Zachary Koehl, Jed Feuchtenberger, Logan Metzger, Remington Schaefer, Eric Nelson, (middle, left) coach Bruce Malo, Clark Koehl, Jackson Koehl, Toby Messner, Jacob Koehl, Jared Koehl, (back, left) Tory Schmidgall, Gideon Joos, Tyler Timmerman, Dalton Rose, and Harrison Zeltwanger.
Hancock trap hopes for improvement By Brooke Kern Stevens County Times
T
he Hancock trapshooting team enters its fourth year as a program and its fourth season under Bruce Malo. Over the four seasons, the program has averaged right around 15 male participants. This year they have 16 on the final roster, which includes just two seniors and three juniors. “We’ve always been really young,” Malo said of his trapshooting squad that includes six eighth-graders this season. “We have some really energetic underclassmen.” Although boys
and girls can both participate in trapshooting, “We have never had a girl participate,” Malo said. The Hancock trap team comes off a 2018 that ended abruptly when its scheduled slot at the Minnesota Trapshooting Championships was cancelled due to lightning. “We didn’t really have any highlights last season. No one really did outstanding, no one shot a perfect score, and we didn’t have a high finisher in the conference,” Malo said. “Our biggest highlight was watching the seventh grade kids from two years ago improve as eighth graders.”
After a not-sogreat 2018 season, the Hancock trapshooting team looks to build on that and hopefully see some success this season, Malo said. “The big thing in trapshooting is consistency, and I see consistency in these younger kids. I tell the kids that we want to improve scores each week. That happens a lot, and practice really makes a difference.” The Hancock trapshooting season just concluded its second week of practice this week. Next up is a reserve week the week of April 14. Reserve week scores are to be used for an entire team if a scheduled
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competitive week is cancelled. Competition begins it’s five-week season on April 21. Hancock is scheduled to shoot every Saturday morning.
HANCOCK BASEBALL From Page 1
Along with Rohloff, the Owls have nine other players that pitched at least one inning last year. Rohloff, Molden, Pahl, and Preston Rohloff all pitched over seven games last season. “We are looking for our pitching rotation to become a stronger force this year as everyone is returning,” Christianson said. Hancock, who has 13 boys on the roster this spring, will look to improve its offense
from a year ago as well. Rohloff and Daniel Milander tied for a team-high 12 hits last season. Rohloff and Pahl also had teamhigh 10 runs batted in for the Owls. As a team, the Owls had 101 hits and struck out 111 times. The team batted an average of .224. Pheasant Conference favorites this season are Border West, West Central Area and Brandon-Evansville, Christianson said. Section 6A favorites include New York Mills, Border West, BelgradeBrooten-Elrosa and Parkers Prairie.