Spring Sports Yearbook 2019

YEARBOOK SPRING 2019

NRHEG senior aims for a trip back to state meet Albert Lea softball gets a new leader

Wednesday, April 10, 2019 ALBERT LEA / GLENVILLE-EMMONS / ALDEN-CONGER / NRHEG / UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL / LAKE MILLS / NORTHWOOD-KENSETT

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SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK

2019 Starting 4

13

16

Lake Mills boys’ track and field leans on experience to lead the team

20

United South Central girls’ track and field eyes conference championship

22

Alden-Conger sophomore golfer hopeul to return to the state tournament

25

Northwood-Kensett girls’ track and field gets new head coach to start the season

NRHEG senior eyes return to state A.L. senior eyes a return to the state meet

PAGE 8

4

12

SPRINGSPORTSYEARBOOK

RETURNING TO THE MOUND

GOALS SET HIGH

Albert Lea baseball returns plenty of experience on the field

Albert Lea girls’ golf team has eyes set on a postseason run

Editor Tyler Julson Contributing writers Tyler Julson, Colleen Harrison, Sarah Kocher, Sarah Stultz and Sam Wilmes Cover design by Colleen Harrison Cover photo of NRHEG’s Brady Agrimson Photos by Colleen Harrison, Lory Groe and Tyler Julson

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ALBERT LEA

BASEBALL

By Tyler Julson

C

oming off a 6-12 season, the Albert Lea baseball team will rely on the experience of 11 returning letter winners.

The Tigers will be loaded with seniors as they look to climb the standings in the Big Nine and come out on top of a tough Section 1AAA. Senior shortstop Carter Simon returns as the most experienced player on the team, lettering in his last three years of play. Simon will be leaned on to provide quality leadership both on and off the diamond. Seniors Carson Goodell and Ian Ball bring a lot of speed to the base paths and will provide a dangerous scoring threat when on base.

The Tigers return most of their experience on the mound. Seniors Parker Andersen, Brock Hammer and Drake Dawson, as well as juniors Koby Hendrickson and Gavyn Tlamka, all saw quality starts as pitchers.

While the team is deep at the starting position, head coach Sean Gaston said some of them will need to step up and secure the top roles in order to achieve their full potential.

Other returning letter winners include seniors Jake Ball, Dalton Larson and Isaac Moyer.

Despite losing four key pieces from last year’s team, including Alex Goodmanson, a 2017 All-Big Nine selection; Zach Edwards, a three-year starter at catcher; Logan Stadheim, a Tiger Award winner; and Ty Harms, a two-year starter in the infield, the expectation remains the same.

“The expectations for the season is

BROCK HAMMER

always the same,” Gaston said. “Use the regular season to prepare ourselves to compete for a section championship.

We return a lot of guys who have played some varsity baseball, but now need to grow into larger roles. We must improve in all areas of the game throughout the year to be ready for sections.”

Gaston said the biggest strength of the team will be the experience on the field. While the team has a lot of returning players, not all of them have starting experience.

“From an offensive standpoint, we have some guys who can string together good at-bats and some guys who can run,” Gaston said. “We need to improve our ability to drive the baseball. Defensively, we have some really good athletes and we have made strides in strengthening our fundamentals and need to continue to press those.”

To be successful this season, the team needs to develop an aggressive mindset in all aspects of the game and

4 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, April 10, 2019

develop a sense of selflessness, according to Gaston.

“We have to come with a relentless attitude every day we show up to the diamond, whether it be practice or a game,” Gaston said. “The culture of our program demands that, and we must live that culture with all that we do. In addition, we need to grow a sense of selflessness where our players will do whatever is necessary for the team.”

Gaston will be assisted by Dan Harms and Jay Enderson at the varsity level. Nathan Wilson and Jeremiah Mickelson will coach the junior varsity team, and Corey Black and Matt Bitz will coach the ninth-grade team.

Rochester Century, Austin and Mankato East will be the teams to watch out for in the Big Nine, according to Gaston, while Austin and Red Wing will be the top contenders in the section.

The Tigers started their season with a road game in Faribault April 4. Their first home game was against Hibbing April 5.

Being a Trojan means wearing the blue and gold with pride. It means being part of a team, always striving to be better, and putting in the hard work. We hustle on the court, field, and mat and then turn around and do it again in the classroom. We score goals and make memories. We're here to work hard and play hard.

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ALBERT LEA BOYS’

TRACK FIELD &

By Tyler Julson

A

large number of returning letter winners on the boys’ track and field team has head coach Kevin Gentz optimistic the team can improve its section standings.

After finishing the season in seventh place out of 14 teams in 2018, 18 letter winners return to the team.

Senior Dane Brownlow, and juniors Braden Kraft and Garrett Everett come back as sprinters and middle-distance runners.

“These three have been out for track since they were in seventh and eighth grade,” Gentz said. “They provide great leadership and have helped us develop strength and consistency in our 4x200-meter and 4x400-meter relays.”

Returning throwers include juniors Nathan Bauers and Brody Dauer, a duo that Gentz has high hopes for.

“Both are returning throwers that were some of our top performers from last year,” he said. “They have high expectations for possibly placing in conference this year.”

Juniors Travis Jensen, Karter Kenis, Sonny Ortega-Roseli and Andrew Wilner and sophomore Aaron Bauers return as long-distance runners.

Gentz said their performances last season, he is optimistic they will be a key to the team’s success.

“These five provided great performances over the past year,” Gentz said. “They will help anchor our 4x800-meter team, an occasional 400-meter and obviously the 1,600meter and 3,200-meter. Kenis placed in the conference meet as a freshman.

JANYJOR RUEI

After some injuries, he is healthy and ready to go this season.”

The returning athlete who saw the most success last year was junior Janyjor Ruei as a hurdler, triple jumper and high jumper. Ruei placed fourth in both the high jump and triple jump at last season’s Big Nine Conference meet with jumps of 5’10” and 41’10.5”, respectively. He also placed seventh in the high hurdles, fourth in the high jump and sixth in the triple jump at last year’s sections.

He has hopes to break the school record of 43’2” in the triple jump.

Gentz said his expectations for the season are to place in the top six at true team sections, develop their depth to at least three athletes in every event and get someone qualified for state.

6 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, April 10, 2019

To accomplish those goals, Gentz said he needs to see everyone work harder and become more dedicated. If he can get his team to get on board with that, he said they have the talent to have a successful season.

Gentz considers Rochester Century and Mankato West to be the top teams in the Big Nine Conference, and Lakeville South and Lakeville North to be contenders for the Section 1AA crown.

Gentz will be assisted this season

by Lonnie Nelson, Don Kropp and Dave Herington, who combine for more than 45 years of coaching experience.

The Tigers had their first meet March 25 at St. Thomas University.

Their first outdoor meet was April 2 in Faribault.

ALBERT LEA GIRLS’

TRACK FIELD &

JAEDA KOZIOLEK

By Tyler Julson With a lot of new faces on the team, the Albert Lea girls’ track and field team is using 2019 as a learning year to find the right fit for everyone and hopefully set some personal records along the way.

Jasmine Hansen enters her fourth year as head coach alongside assistants Jim Haney, Amy Lageson and Mark Henrich, hoping to help her student athletes reach their goals this season.

Tamata Lopez is the sole returning senior letter winner from last season, but is joined by underclassmen letter winners in juniors Shayna Skaar and Jocelyn Strom; sophomores Jaeda Koziolek, Jacy Rosas, Abigail Thompson and Jaiden Venem;

freshmen Talia Johnson and Karmie Ponciano; and eighth-grader Kendall Kenis.

Despite losing Allison Christenson and Autumn Muilenberg, both key ath-

letes from last season, Hansen said Lopez, Venem and Koziolek should all be able to consistently score points for the Tigers in their respective events — Albert Lea girls’ Track & Field/ PAGE 13

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ALBERT LEA GIRLS’

GOLF

By Tyler Julson

T

he Albert Lea girls’ golf team is relying heavily on the leadership of two returning seniors in the 2019 season.

Charley Fleek and Emma Loch are the lone returners from a team that graduated four seniors last year.

Loch, a returning state qualifier from last season, as well as Fleek have high expectations going into the season, as head coach Shawn Riebe said both could contend for another state meet appearance.

Riebe, entering his 17th year as head coach of the girls’ Tigers program, said these two will be relied upon to not only boost the team standings, but help lead the younger girls as well.

“They bring a lot of experience and golf knowledge with them,” Riebe said.

“Both girls have a lot of postseason experience as well. We have a very young and inexperienced team this year since we graduated four seniors last year. These girls will help guide the younger girls and teach them as well.”

Riebe said a big key to the team’s success this season is going to be the ability for the young players to adapt to the rigors of varsity play and the time and effort it takes to do that. Jumping up to the varsity level includes a move from nine to 18-hole rounds and many more rounds on the season.

“Expectations this year will be to get a lot of playing time and experience for the new varsity golfers,” Riebe said. “We need to have our seniors help prepare the new players and also try to play well through postseason themselves.”

The biggest team strength this

EMMA LOCH

season will be its enthusiasm to start the season and their character off the course. According to Riebe, the girls’ on the team are a great group of student athletes, making his job as a coach much easier.

While the team is anxious to get out and start the season, Riebe said having only two girls with varsity experience will be the team’s biggest weakness.

8 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Over the past five seasons, the Tigers have finished as high as third place in the Big Nine Conference with a runner-up finish in Section 2AA. Riebe expects Red Wing to be the conference favorites this season, with Jordan and Waseca taking the advantage in the section.

The Tigers started their season with a meet on the road against Mankato West on April 9.

ALBERT LEA BOYS’

GOLF

LOGAN HOWE

By Tyler Julson

T

he Albert Lea boys’ golf team will be without a senior letter winner this season as it looks to improve upon a 2018 seventh-place finish in the Big Nine.

While none of them are seniors, the Tigers do return four letter winners from 2018. Juniors Logan Howe and Danny Chalmers, freshman Tucker McKinney and eighth-grader Drew Teeter return to the team, with Howe, Chalmers and McKinney as members of last year’s section team.

Head coach Max Jeffrey, entering his third season, expects the team to be able to place inside the top half of the conference tournament, as well as become upstanding players off the course.

“I think we return a great group of student athletes that will represent Albert Lea High School with class on and off the course,” Jeffrey said. “We have some juniors that have played a lot of varsity golf that can help our younger guys throughout the season. Things that we will continue to work on will be our short game work from 150

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ALBERT LEA BOYS’

TENNIS

By Tyler Julson

E

ntering his second season as the head coach of the Albert Lea boys’ tennis program, Neil Chalmers said he expects the team to be very competitive this year with a lot of close matches.

The Tigers return a host of players who finished the 2018 season with a 7-8 record. Senior Grant Herfindahl comes back to the No. 1 singles spot after earning an All-Conference nod last season. He is joined by fellow seniors Matt Edwards and Jaxon Heilman, juniors Sam Yoon and Cole Indrelie, and sophomore Caleb Hanson, all of whom lettered last year.

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GRANT HERFINDAHL

Yoon returns as a three/four singles player, Edwards and Heilman as partners in two doubles and Indrelie and Hanson as partners at three doubles.

However, due to the loss of last year’s seniors, Chalmers said positions from last year will likely change before the season gets started.

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“These players all bring great experience, leadership, a positive attitude and a great work ethic to become better,” Chalmers said. “This makes them all good role models for our program.”

Despite losing a handful of key players from last year, including Josh Englin, Keith Grzybowski, Andrew Huerta-Ortiz and Levi Kermes, Chalmers said he is hopeful that the

squad will be able to earn a home match in the section tournament.

He said the keys to the team’s success is going to hinge on its strength at two, three and four singles, as well as two and three doubles.

“We are strong at the top of our line up, which helps all the others on our team be successful,” Chalmers said. “We have great leadership from our captains as well as

our upperclassmen.”

Chalmers expects either Rochester Mayo or Rochester Century to be the front runner for both Section 1AA and the Big Nine Conference this year.

The Tigers kicked off their season with a home triangular against the Panthers of Rochester Century and the Rockets of Rochester John Marshall on April 6.

Albert Lea boys’ Golf/ PAGE 9 success is going to be its ability to develop consistent scorers from match to match as well as the ability to set and reach scoring goals.

Two big losses from last year’s squad include Bergan Lundak and Spencer Chicos, both of whom were consistent scorers at almost every meet.

On top of those changes, the Tigers

will also have to adjust to a few format changes in the conference as well. Due to the Big Nine splitting into two divisions, the team will have one-on-one duals with the other five teams in their division, and there will now be two conference tournaments, one in the middle of the season and one at the end.

Jeffrey expects Northfield, Mankato East, Mankato West and Red Wing to

be the top contenders for the conference title in the stacked Big Nine. He said Blue Earth will be tough in the section, as they return all golfers from a team that went to state last season.

The Tigers started their season with a tournament in Hayfield on April 6.

They had their first home meet April 8 against Mankato West at Wedgewood Cove Golf Course.

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ALBERT LEA

SOFTBALL

By Tyler Julson

T

he Albert Lea softball team will start the 2019 season with a new leader ready to turn the team’s recent struggles around.

Derek Fleek takes over as the club’s new head coach. Despite being in his first year coaching softball, Fleek has plenty of coaching experience and game knowledge under his belt.

Having spent six years as an assistant coach under storied Albert Lea baseball coach Joe Sczublewski, Fleek is primed to get the Tigers on the right track.

Fleek plans to use his playing experience as part of his coaching technique.

“Kids learn a lot more if you can demonstrate it to them,” Fleek said.

“Some might not pick up on things as well if they don’t see it happen, and I think I can demonstrate things pretty well.”

Fleek said one of the biggest challenges he will face this season will be changing the mindset of the girls.

After a few unsuccessful seasons, he said it can be easy to get down on yourself quickly. However, he thinks a good conference win can turn those feelings around.

Team strengths are going to be the depth they have at many positions and the girls’ mindset to come in and work hard every day, according to Fleek.

There are a handful of returning athletes who will help turn the tide for the Tigers. Junior Mia Fjelsta returns to the pitcher position as last year’s team MVP. Senior Khira Hacker

MIA FJELSTA

will be relied upon at first base and as a strong hitter at the plate.

Another returning pitcher is Megan Johnson, who had been sidelined with an injury during the winter, but Fleek is hopeful she will make some appearances on the mound. Senior Taysha Sternhagen comes back to her shortstop positions and senior Lexus Saltou returns as catcher. Fleek described Saltou as the “spark plug” behind the plate with great leader-

12 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, April 10, 2019

ship qualities.

Fleek will be assisted by Karol Hansen on the varsity squad, Mary Bissen on the junior varsity and Derek Ihrke on the ninth-grade team.

He expects returning state champions Faribault to be the favorite in the Big Nine Conference.

The Tigers got their season started with a road game against Stewartville April 2. Their first home game was April 4 against Faribault.

NRHEG RUNNER SETS EYES

By Tyler Julson

A

fter a third-place finish in the 110-meter high hurdles at the state meet one year ago, NRHEG senior Brady Agrimson has only a state championship on his mind to start the year.

The only two runners to beat him at the meet were seniors, opening the door for a special opportunity.

Agrimson said flexibility and staying injury free are going to be the keys to his run back to the championship heat.

“My goal is to be able to do the splits by the time sections come,” Agrimson said. “If I can just stretch over the hurdles, I won’t have to worry about jumping as high.”

He said it has been a struggle waiting for all the snow to melt, which would allow him to start practicing outside.

Having to practice inside will be one of his biggest challenges this season, according to Agrimson.

On top of a return trip to state, Agrimson said he’s most looking forward to the conference meet.

“The boys won conference for the first time in a really long time last season,” Agrimson said. “The girls won confer-

ence year after year a while ago, now it’s the boys’ turn. We want to keep that going.”

Returning to help Agrimson work toward that conference crown are letter winners Alex Buckmeier, Jacob Schuller, Lonnie Wilson, Mason Ferber, Daniel Nydegger, Teddy Gushwa and Argo Gushwa.

On the girls’ team, head coach Duey Ferber is excited about the amount of returning scorers on the team.

Seniors Olivia Christopherson, Darian Pearson, Caitlin Goette, Jayna Finseth and Hannah Budach; juniors Jade Mely, Micaela Vaale, Maggie Maroney and Diamond Woodlard; sophomore Natalie Johnson; freshmen Journey Utpadel and Elsa Gushwa; and eighth-grader Raquel Fischer all come back as major role players from last year’s team.

Both the boys’ and girls’ Panthers squads started their regular season with a home meet April 2.

Albert Lea girls’ Track & Field / PAGE 7 Lopez in the throwing events, Venem in the long-distance running events and Koziolek in the hurdling and jumping events.

Like many years in the past, the Tigers will be limited in much-needed team experience.

“Again this year we will be very young,” Hansen said. “We have several new ladies that are joining us this year, so it will be learning year for all.”

She said the biggest factor in finding success this season is going to be finding the correct events and positions for each athlete to be put in that will best allow them to succeed. Once those spots are found, their goal is to set personal records and strive to break them throughout the season.

Hansen said Mankato East will be the top team in the Big Nine this year, while Northfield and Farmington will be the teams competing at the top of

the section.

The Tigers started their season with an indoor meet at St. Thomas University on March 25, and their first outdoor meet was April 2 at Faribault against Faribault, Austin, Bethlehem Academy, Cannon Falls, Cristo Rey Jesuit, Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf and New Prague. Due to the construction of the new Hammer Field, the Tigers will be without a home meet for the 2019 season.

BRADY AGRIMSON

Wednesday, April 10, 2019 • SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK | 13

ALL-AREA SPRING 2019

CALENDAR Apr. 11 (THU) Baseball: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 5 p.m.

Maple River at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

United South Central at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Softball: NRHEG at Maple River, 5 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at United South Central, 5 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Alden-Conger at Madelia, 4:15 p.m.

Boys’ track and field: Northwood-Kensett at Lake Mills, 5 p.m.

Girls’ track and field: Northwood-Kensett at North Iowa, 5 p.m.

Apr. 12 (FRI) Baseball: Lyle-Pacelli at Glenville-Emmons/ Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.

Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial at United South Central, 5 p.m.

Softball: Lyle-Pacelli at Glenville-Emmons/ Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.

Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Faribault, 10 a.m.

NRHEG meet at Blue Earth Area, 4:30 p.m.

Houston at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.

United South Central at Maple River, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Northwood-Kensett at Newman Catholic, 4:15 p.m.

Lake Mills at North Union, 4:15 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ track and field: United South Central at Blue Earth Area, TBD Girls’ track and field: Lake Mills at Northwood-Kensett, 5 p.m.

Apr. 13 (SAT) Baseball: Rochester Century at Albert Lea (double header), noon Softball: United South Central at St. Clair, 9 a.m.

Boys’ tennis: Albert Lea at Rochester Mayo, 9 a.m.

Apr. 15 (MON) Baseball: NRHEG at Medford, 5 p.m.

Softball: Medford at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Bethlehem Academy at United South Central, 5 p.m.

Boys’ tennis: Waseca at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ golf: Glenville-Emmons at GMLO, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Northwood-Kensett at Osage, 4:15 p.m.

Lake Mills at home, 4:15 p.m.

Boys’ track and field: Lake Mills at North Butler, 4:30 p.m.

Apr. 16 (TUE) Baseball: Austin at Albert Lea (double header), 4 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger at Houston, 4:30 p.m.

United South Central at Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.

Softball: Albert Lea at Austin (double header), 5 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger at Houston, 4:30 p.m.

Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton at United South Central, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ golf: NRHEG and United South Central at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ golf: Northfield at Albert Lea, 2:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Leroy-Ostrander at Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at Forest City, 4:15 p.m.

Boys’ track and field: Albert Lea at Winona, 4:30 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Charles City, 5 p.m.

Lake Mills at Belmond-Klemme, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ track and field: Albert Lea at Rochester Mayo, 4:30 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett and Lake Mills at Garner-Hayfield/ Ventura, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ track and field: NRHEG at Stewartville, 4:30 p.m.

United South Central meet at home, 4:30 p.m.

Apr. 18 (THU) Baseball: Albert Lea at Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.

NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

United South Central at Maple River, 5 p.m.

Softball: Rochester John Marshall at Albert Lea, 5 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Maple River at United South Central, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ golf: Albert Lea at Northfield, 2:30 p.m.

Girls’ golf: NRHEG meet at home, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Northwood-Kensett at West Fork, 4:15 p.m.

Boys’ tennis: Red Wing at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ track and field: Albert Lea at Faribault, 4:30 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett and Lake Mills at North Iowa, 5 p.m.

Girls’ track and field: Albert Lea at Faribault, 4:30 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Nashua-Plainfield, 4:30 p.m.

Lake Mills Roland Story, 4:30 p.m.

Apr. 22 (MON) Baseball: NRHEG at Hayfield, 5 p.m.

United South Central at Waterville-ElysianMorristown, 5 p.m.

Softball: Hayfield at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at United South Central, 5 p.m.

Boys’ golf: Albert Lea at Somerby Golf Club, 11 a.m.

14 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Alden-Conger at Bethlehem Academy, 12:30 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Rockford, 4:15 p.m.

Lake Mills at home, 4:15 p.m.

Boys’ tennis: Fairmont at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ track and field: Northwood-Kensett at home, 5 p.m.

Girls’ track and field: Lake Mills at home, 4:45 p.m.

Apr. 23 (TUE) Baseball: Rochester Mayo at Albert Lea, 5 p.m.

Randolph at Glenville-Emmons/AldenConger, 4:30 p.m.

Softball: Albert Lea at Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.

Randolph at Glenville-Emmons/AldenConger, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Alden-Conger at Truman/Martin Luther/GHEC, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ golf: NRHEG and United South Central at Blue Earth Area, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 2:30 p.m.

Boys’ tennis: Winona at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ track and field: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 4:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at Garner-Hayfield/Ventura, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ track and field: Albert Lea at Rochester John Marshall, 4:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at Forest City, 4:30 p.m.

Apr. 25 (THU)

Baseball: Faribault at Albert Lea, 5 p.m.

Schaeffer Academy at Glenville-Emmons/ Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.

Bethlehem Academy at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Medford at United South Central, 5 p.m.

Softball: Albert Lea at Faribault, 5 p.m.

Schaeffer Academy at Glenville-Emmons/ Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.

United South Central at Medford,

5 p.m.

Boys’ golf: Owatonna at Albert Lea, 2:30 p.m.

GIrls’ golf: NRHEG and United South Central at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Madelia at AldenConger, 4:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at West Hancock, 4:15 p.m.

Boys’ tennis: Albert Lea at Faribault, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ track and field: Northwood-Kensett at North Union, 4:30 p.m.

Apr. 26 (FRI) Baseball: Waseca at Albert Lea, 5 p.m.

Spring Grove at Glenville-Emmons/AldenConger, 4:30 p.m.

Softball: Albert Lea at Rochester Century (double header), 4 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Northwood-Kensett at St. Ansgar, 4:15 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ track: NRHEG at Blue Earth Area, 4:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at Hampton-Dumont, 4:30 p.m.

Apr. 27 (SAT) Boys’ golf: Alden-Conger and NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 10 a.m.

Lake Mills at West Hancock, 9 a.m.

Girls’ golf: Lake Mills at ClarionGoldfield-Dows, 9 a.m.

Apr. 29 (MON) Baseball: United South Central at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Softball: NRHEG at United South Central, 5 p.m.

Boys’ golf: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 10 a.m.

Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Austin, 10 a.m.

Lanesboro at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Northwood-Kensett meet at home, 4:15 p.m.

Lake Mills at Garner-Hayfield-Ventura, 4:15 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ track and field: Northwood-Kensett at Garner-HayfieldVentura, 4:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at West Hancock, 4:30 p.m.

Apr. 30 (TUE) Baseball: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 5 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger at Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.

United South Central at Hayfield, 5 p.m.

Softball: Mankato West at Albert Lea, 5 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger at Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Hayfield at United South Central, 5 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Alden-Conger at Leroy-Ostrander, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ golf: NRHEG and United South Central at Hayfield, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ tennis: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ track and field: Albert Lea at Rochester Century, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ track and field: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ track and field: NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

United South Central at Lake CrystalWellcome Memorial, 4:30 p.m.

May 2 (THU) Baseball: Mankato East at Albert Lea, 5 p.m.

NRHEG at Maple River, 5 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at United South Central, 5 p.m.

Softball: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 5 p.m.

Maple River at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

United South Central at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Girls’ golf: NRHEG and United South Central at Hayfield, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: St. Clair at AldenConger, 4 p.m.

Boys’ tennis: Mankato West at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ track and field: NRHEG at Byron, 4:30 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at North Butler (Conference meet), 4 p.m.

Lake Mills at Garner-Hayfield/Ventura, 4 p.m.

May 3 (FRI) Baseball: Kingsland at Glenville-Emmons/ Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.

United South Central at Truman, 5 p.m.

Softball: Kingsland at Glenville-Emmons/ Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.

United South Central at Truman, 5 p.m.

Girls’ golf: Kingsland at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.

May 4 (SAT) Baseball: Albert Lea at Red Wing (double header), 11 a.m.

May 10 (FRI) Baseball: Houston at Glenville-Emmons/ Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.

United South Central at Janesville-WaldorfPemberton, 4:30 p.m.

Softball: Houston at Glenville-Emmons/ Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Alden-Conger at Madelia, 1 p.m.

Girls’ golf: GMLO at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.

May 11 (SAT) Softball: NRHEG at Hayfield, 8:30 a.m.

Boys’ tennis: Albert Lea at Rochester (Conference meet), 9 a.m.

May 6 (MON) Baseball: Bethlehem Academy at United South Central, 5 p.m.

Softball: NRHEG at Tri-City United, 4:30 p.m.

United South Central at Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.

Boys’ golf: Faribault at Albert Lea, 2:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at North Union (Conference), 10 a.m.

Girls’ golf: Albert Lea at Faribault, 2:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Houston, 4:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at North Iowa, 10 a.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Northwood-Kensett at St. Ansgar (Conference), 10 a.m.

Girls’ track and field: Northwood-Kensett at Central Springs, 5 p.m.

May 7 (TUE) Baseball: Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger at Lyle-Pacelli, 4:30 p.m.

Medford at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Softball: Red Wing at Albert Lea (double header), 4 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger at LylePacelli, 4:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Medford, 5 p.m.

Boys’ golf: United South Central at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ tennis: Austin at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ track and field: Albert Lea at Winona (team sections), 2:30 p.m.

United South Central at Maple River (team sections), 3 p.m.

May 9 (THU) Baseball: Albert Lea at Northfield, 5 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Maple River at United South Central, 5 p.m.

Softball: Northfield at Albert Lea, 5 p.m.

NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

United South Central at Maple River, 5 p.m.

Girls’ golf: NRHEG at United South Central, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Truman/Martin Luther/ GHEC at Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.

Randolph, 4:30 p.m.

Softball: Winona at Albert Lea, 5 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger at Randolph, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ golf: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 2:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Alden-Conger at Madelia, 10 a.m.

NRHEG and United South Central at Bethlehem Academy 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ golf: Mankato East at Albert Lea, 2:30 p.m.

Boys’ track and field: Albert Lea at Red Wing, 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ track and field: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ track and field: NRHEG and United South Central at Blooming Prairie (Conference meet), 4:30 p.m.

May 16 (THU) Baseball: Owatonna at Albert Lea, 5 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger at Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.

United South Central at Medford, 5 p.m.

Softball: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 5 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger at Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m.

Bethlehem Academy at NRHEG 5 p.m.

Medford at United South Central, 5 p.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: NRHEG and United South Central at Waseca (Conference meet), 10 a.m.

May 17 (FRI) Baseball: NRHEG at Byron, 5 p.m.

Girls’ golf: Glenville-Emmons at Lanesboro, 4:30 p.m.

May 20 (MON) Baseball: Jackson County Central at United South Central, 5 p.m.

May 13 (MON) Baseball: Hayfield at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at United South Central, 5 p.m.

Softball: NRHEG at Hayfield, 5 p.m.

United South Central at Waterville-ElysianMorristown, 5 p.m.

May 21 (TUE) Baseball: Albert Lea at Fairmont, 5:30 p.m.

Blue Earth Area at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Boys’ golf: Albert Lea at Rochester John Marshall (Conference meet), 10 a.m.

Boys’ and girls’ golf: Alden-Conger at Madelia (Conference meet), 9 a.m.

GIrls’ golf: Big Nine Conference meet at Albert Lea, 10 a.m.

May 14 (TUE) Baseball: Albert Lea at Winona, 5 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger at

May 23 (THU) Boys’ and girls’ track and field: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, April 10, 2019 • SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK | 15

LAKE MILLS

TRACK FIELD &

By Sarah Stultz

W

ith some experience under their belts, the Lake Mills boys’ track team this year hopes to find more success at both the conference and state levels.

“We have been a team loaded with young talented athletes who should now be coming into their own,” coach Dan Rice said.

“We hope to make a run at the conference title and send multiple events to the state meet.”

Rice said key athletes this season will be sophomore Caleb Albert, a middle-distance runner and 4x800-meter relay state qualifier; sophomore Carson Eaton, a sprinter who would have been a state qualifier if not injured; junior Bennett Eaton, in sprints and hurdles, who also would have qualified in multiple events for state if not injured last year; junior Mason Fritz, a middle-distance runner and state qualifier in the 4x800-meter relay; junior Jackson Rice, a middle-distance runner and state qualifier in the 4x800-meter relay; junior Carson Rygh, a distance runner and state qualifier in the 3,200-meter run and state cross country medalist; senior Cael Boehmer, a state medalist in the shuttle hurdle relay; and senior Tommy Kaktis, a state qualifier in the 4x800-meter relay and state medalist in the shuttle hurdle relay.

In addition to these athletes, other returning letter winners are sophomore Caleb Bacon, hurdles and throws; sophomore Brayden Lindeman, throws; sophomore Dalton Thorson, sprints; sophomore Andrew Womack, distance; junior Garrett Hanna, sprints; junior Tyler Helgeson, hurdles and high jump; junior Chett Helming, sprints; junior Logan Prescott, sprints; junior Parker Rogstad, springs, hurdles and long jump; junior Blake Storby, middle dis-

CHRIS JAMPTGAARD

tance and high jump; senior Cael Boehmer, sprints and hurdles; senior Dylan Renneker, sprints; and senior Maverick Schmitt, throws.

Rice, who has coached the team for 17 years, said the team’s strengths are the running events, while the field events are their weakness. The key to success will be staying healthy, cleaning up some exchanges and continuing to develop the young athletes.

Girls setting goals, focusing on attitude and effort

The Lake Mills girls’ track team may be young with only three seniors on the roster, but the team’s coach said it all comes down to attitude and effort to find success.

Coach Skyler Ahrens, who is in her first year as coach at the school, said throughout the pre-season, the team has spent a lot of time discussing these characteristics, along with goal setting.

“Setting appropriate goals and focusing on the only two things we can control as athletes — attitude and effort — amazing things will happen,” Ahrens said.

The team returns the following letter

16 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, April 10, 2019

winners: seniors Lyv Arispe and Breanna Mary, both sprinters; and juniors Kate Groe, Madison Holton, Megan Groe, Olivia Moen, Hope Levine, Jessa Gastiger, Dani Brua and Kaylee Mary.

Arispe is a former state qualifier in the 4x100-meter relay and the 100-meter dash and placed seventh in the relay. Megan Groe also placed seventh in the 4x100-meter relay, and Gastiger qualified in the shuttle hurdles.

Ahrens said Breanna Mary has been a delight to work with since coming to Lake Mills, has a great attitude and the range to go 100 to 800 meters. Of the underclassmen, the coach said Megan Groe has been impressive to work with and will be a key contributor in the 200- and 400-meter distances. Katie Groe will be a leader for the throwers, and sophomore Taylor Ingledue is likely the fastest on the roster and will be valuable in the sprint relays.

Ahrens said the team’s strength this year are its depth in sprints. While some may classify the team’s youth as a weakness, she doesn’t see that as being an issue with the leadership of the older girls on the team.

LAKE MILLS

GOLF

By Sarah Kocher

T

he Lake Mills girls’ golf coach is looking to bring his own golf background in to help the team find success this season.

First-year head coach Travis Laudner has been a certified PGA golf professional for eight years, and said his background as a golf professional will help the team utilize swing-training techniques and video analysis to help the team members improve all aspects of their game.

The 2019 team includes senior Kendall Kirschbaum, senior Audrey Casperson, sophomore Makenna Hanson, freshman Lindsey Hersey, freshman Tayler Halbakka, freshman Jadyn Hengsteg, freshman Kenna Vanek and

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freshman Madison Levine. Kirschbaum and Casperson are returning letter winners.

“My goal is to teach the girls the fundamentals of golf, including stance, posture, alignment, swing analysis, short game, rules and etiquette,” Laudner said.

“I hope to have them see improvement and gain confidence that will translate to success on the golf course.”

The girls’ golf team went 9-19 last year with a fifth-place Top of Iowa Conference finish and ended the postseason with a sixth-place finish at regionals.

Their best finish in the last five years was third place in conference and third in regionals.

Boys

lean on new player

On the boys’ team, a new recruit has the coach hopeful for a better year than the last.

“With the addition of (freshman) Bennett Burger, who is an outstanding player, we will be more improved over last year,” boys’ golf coach Lyle Thomson said.

The Lake Mills boys’ golf team brings back seven Lake Mills Golf/ PAGE 26

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NRHEG

SOFTBALL

By Colleen Harrison

T

he Panthers’ softball team will look to continue its winning ways this season.

Coming off of 11-9 overall record (3-3 Gopher Conference) in 2018, NRHEG will be led by Wendy Schultz in her 21st nonconsecutive year at the helm. Schultz previously coached the team from 1993 to 2004, 2010-14 and 2016 through this season. She will be assisted by junior varsity coach Nate Jensen.

While the Panthers will look to make up for the loss of Gabby Muri and Makenzi Rhoades from last sea-

son, a number of returning starters should bolster the team.

Alexis Anderson (outfielder); Paige Knudson (shortstop), an AllConference player who was a Golden Glove winner and co-MVP; Sarah Johns (infielder, pitcher); Cloie Arndt (catcher); Sophie Stork (pitcher, infielder) an All-Conference player who was co-MVP; Grace Kofstad (outfielder); Ava Kyllo (infielder) a past Most Improved recipient; and Sidney Schultz (infielder, outfielder, pitcher) return for NRHEG. Schultz considers juniors Madie DenHerder, Jayna Domeiera and Madtlyn BrotonAnderson to be prospects.

“We have eight of our nine starters back from last year’s team, even so, we are very young,” Schultz said. “We hope to get better and improve throughout the entire season and be playing our best ball at playoff time.”

She considers the team’s strengths to be speed and hardworking, positive attitudes, while the team’s youth and learning to play new positions could be potential weaknesses.

While she said the Gopher Conference should be fairly balanced, Schultz thinks WEM will be conference favorites, with St. Peter, LSH and Jordan being Section 2AA favorites.

NRHEG

GOLF

By Sarah Stultz

W

inning first in the Gopher Conference last year, the NRHEG girls’ golf team hopes to continue its success into the new season.

“We hope we have some All-Conference honors, as well as advancement to the section tournament,” said coach Brad Root.

“The girls need to be mentally tough and focused this year.”

The Panthers finished 15-7 last year. Aside from being first in the conference, they were sixth in the sub-section.

Returning starters from last season are

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senior Grace Cumming, junior Sydney Koziolek and sophomores Ellie Baker, Kia Buendorf and Julia Churchill.

Root said the team has a good chemistry and great work ethic, and people can expect to see a positive attitude in poor weather, aggressive shots and big risk-takers. He is counting on continued improvement in all players.

Root said NRHEG and United South Central are the conference favorites. The sub-section and section favorite is Waseca.

The NRHEG boys’ golf team hopes to build a strong mental game this year as they look to advance to sections.

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18 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Root said the team had a good season last year, and the boys got some good experience.

“The varsity boys have pretty good golf skills, but need to work on the mental side of the game and course management this year and consistency,” said Root, who has been head coach for nine years.

He said goals for the season include being better prepared for various weather conditions and dealing with different situations on the course.

Returning letter winners are Ross Lenort, Atom Oquest, Josh Martin, Chuck Pittman, Tory Christenson, Porter Peterson, Bo Budach and Hash Howe.

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NRHEG

BASEBALL

By Colleen Harrison

T

he Panthers baseball team will look to keep improving this year after a 5-9 season in 2018.

Drew Paukert will coach the team for his fifth year in a row, and will be assisted by Shawn Larson and Mark Lee. NRHEG will see the return of letter winners Spencer Tufte (first baseman, pitcher); Jake Tasker (infielder, pitcher); Nick Staloch (infielder, pitcher); Kordell Schlaak (infielder); Graham Kyllo (outfielder); Sawyer VanMaldeghem (infielder); and Devin Buendorf (outfielder, pitcher).

Tasker, a junior, will be in his third season as a starter, and Paukert will look to him to be the No. 1 pitcher for the team once again.

Senior VanMaldeghem will also be a “key piece” for the Panthers, according to Paukert.

“Sawyer is one of the more gifted defensive players I have coached in my five seasons,” he said. “He covers a lot of ground for us up the middle at shortstop, being able to make plays on balls a lot of high school players

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can not.”

Tufte will be the Panthers’ No. 2 pitcher, and has led the team in a number of stat categories in the past.

NRHEG will look to compensate for the loss of Cole Staloch from last year’s squad, as well as some holes due to offseason injuries.

“We bring a number of players back, so experience should be something that we have a decent amount of this spring.

We will need to fill some holes in the (outfield) early on in the season from last year,” Paukert said. “However, we feel that we can be a competitive team this spring in the Gopher Conference.

We return our top three pitchers off of last year’s team. If we can replace a couple of bats in our lineup, we should be a tough out at the end of the season.”

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While he considers pitching a strength for NRHEG, Paukert will look for consistency to be worked on as well as hitting to be improved.

“We will have to find some ways to do a better job of hitting for average this spring. Last season as a whole, we struggled offensively to get hits when we needed them,” he said. “We will also have to be more consistent on the mound in terms of throwing strikes.

Walking people often and early in innings was an Achilles heel for us last year. We hope with all three of our top guys returning, this could possibly be strength for us this spring.”

Paukert expects WEM and Medford to be Gopher Conference favorites, and for WEM, Jordan, Belle Plaine and St. Peter to be Section 2AA favorites.

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Wednesday, April 10, 2019 • SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK | 19

UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL/A-C

TRACK FIELD &

By Sarah Kocher

A

fter a third-place conference finish last year, the Rebels’ coaching staff is looking for the young girls’ team to pick up where last year’s seniors left off.

“We have a very strong group of juniors and sophomores who look to take a step forward this year,” head coach John Soucheray said.

The girls’ team returns with a slew of letter winners, including the team’s only returning senior, Abi Renz; juniors Lauren Hagenson, Destiny Olson, Alexis Roberts and Ongelle Schroeder; sophomores Kristen Hubbard, Jenny Mulholland, Kylie Niebuhr, Lydia Niebuhr, Josie Schumann, Trystan Servantez, Lauren Thunstedt and Delany Weber; and freshmen Paige Diekmann, Melany Ehlert, Lexi Johnson, Madison Klingbeil, Grace Mithun and Leah Winch.

Of the athletes, watch for Ehlert, a freshman who focuses on hurdling events and jumps. Soucheray said she was one of the top point-scorers last

DEREK CHRISTENSON

year. He also recommended keeping an eye on Schumann, who competes in hurdles, sprints and jumps. Soucheray said the sophomore racks up a lot of points through the season and is also a great leader. Also pay attention to Olson, Hagenson and Servantez, he said.

The keys to success with the teams are to keep the athletes healthy, find ways to train them efficiently and grow the program, Soucheray said. The girls’ team looks to make some noise in the

Gopher Conference, he said, and plans to see both girls and boys competing for top five in sections.

Fairmont is the favorite for the conference, winning last year’s meet by over 160 points.

Boys

eye conference title

The boys’ team finished second in the Gopher Conference last year and also brings back a handful of letter winners, including seniors Derek Christenson, United South Central Track & Field/ PAGE 24

UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL

BASEBALL

By Sam Wilmes

T

he United South Central Rebels baseball team hopes to capture the Section 2A championship this year with eight returning letter winners.

The Rebels return All-Conference selection Levi Thisius, who hit .350 last year and played multiple positions. The squad also returns four seniors, including All-Conference pitcher Sam Zebro, right fielders Jacob Stevermer and Joe

Bushlock and second baseman Colby Koleck. Returning juniors include AllConference selection catcher Zach Niebuhr, shortstop AJ Kloos and center fielder Isaac Meyer.

“These guys are all key players due to having experience and will be able to contribute right from the start,” said Manager Pat Frank. Frank has compiled a 125-65 record in 11 seasons as head coach, including a 6-9 mark last year.

20 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, April 10, 2019

He said he hopes to also win subsection competition, the Gopher Conference and have six academic AllConference players.

Frank expects Waterville-ElysianMorristown, Blooming Prairie, Maple River, NRHEG and Hayfield to be conference favorites. Blooming Prairie, Lyle-Pacelli, Hayfield, Randolph and Faribault Bethlehem Academy are expected conference favorites.

UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL

SOFTBALL

By Tyler Julson

T

he United South Central softball team will lean on the athleticism of its players as it looks to improve upon a 1-12 record from a season ago.

Head coach Brandon Neseth returns for his second season along with seven letter winners from last year.

Seniors Lizzy Baird (pitcher), Kourtney Harpestad (infield), Madison Loegering (infield) and Hailey Warmka (outfield), and juniors Kaylee Carlson

KOURTNEY HARPESTAD

(catcher), Kylee Loegering (outfield) and Daylyn Huper (infield) all return to the team for the 2019 season.

Baird, a returning All-Conference pitcher, will be a key factor in the United South Central Softball/ PAGE 26

UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL

GOLF

By Sarah Kocher

T

hanks to a program rich in returning letter-winners, the United South Central boys’ golf coach Brad Heggen said the team’s strengths include depth and experience.

“With 17 boys in the program, we have seven returning letter winners, five underclassmen ready to make a move to the next level and five (middle-school) golfers rounding out the program.”

Returning letter winners include seniors

Blake Legred and Nolan Magnuson and juniors Jacob Billings, Andrew Heggen, Brevan Linder, Adam Stenzel and Carson Wegner. Magnuson and Heggen were both All-Conference selects, while Legred was an United South Central Golf/ PAGE 22

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ALDEN-CONGER

GOLF

By Sam Wilmes

W

ith three returning letter winners from their 2018 squad, the Alden-Conger Knights plan to compete for a Valley Conference girls’ golf championship this year.

Returning letter winners include senior Autumn Soost and juniors Annika Riebe — a state participant, All-Conference selection and Most Valuable Player — and Ahnika Johnson.

“(Riebe) has been our top golfer for two years now,” said head coach Sam Hintz, who is entering his third year as head coach with a 20-6 mark.

The girls’ squad finished with a 10-3 record last season.

The Knights hope to replace Sydney Chicos, a two-time Valley Conference player.

“We have a strong top four golfers,” Hintz said. “If they play well, it will be tough to beat us. The five and six (spots) on the roster will be filled by younger players, who will

gain a lot of experience this year.”

For the boys, head coach Bob Hansen will lead the squad for the third year. Last year’s team finished with an 8-4 record, including an 8-3 conference mark.

Returning letter winners include Ryan Hansen, Erik Theusch, Austin Attig and Jack Redman.

Hanson and Theusch have led the Knights in scoring average. Hanson was an AllConference selection in 2017 and an honorable mention All-Conference player in 2018.

up Glenville-Emmons’ team. He will be assisted by Joe Brooks and Josh Lair.

Looking to build off of a 2-15 record in 2018, the Wolverines will look to returning key players Dawson Dahlum (junior shortstop/pitcher), Adam Skov (senior outfielder), Reece Nelson (sophomore infielder/catcher), Tyler Lair (sophomore outfielder/catcher), Dylan Gerber (junior first baseman), Zack Petersen (senior outfielder), Logan Reicherts (senior outfielder) and Garrick Steele (junior pitcher).

An All-Conference and All-Section player last season, Dahlum especially will be expected to lead. He hit .457 (21 for 46) last year and is one of the best shortstops in the Southeast Conference, accord-

ing to Knutson.

The Wolverines will also look to other players to step up and fill the void of losing Gavin Steele, Kaleb Bendickson, Hunter Robertson and Christian Nelson from last year’s squad.

While depth and numbers are a strength for the team, Knutson said improvement will be needed across the board.

“We are in the third year of this (AldenConger and Glenville-Emmons) pairing and should have a good, young group of players to build this season’s team around,” he said. “We could have some good pitching depth. We will need to hit better and catch the ball consistently in order to improve.”

GLENVILLE-EMMONS/ALDEN-CONGER

BASEBALL

By Colleen Harrison

T

he Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger baseball team will look to build up experience this season. Heading into the third year of combining forces, the Wolverines will look to develop a core of young athletes.

“We had 14 freshmen on our 24-man roster a year ago, and anticipate that many of those guys will be back to contribute again in 2019,” head coach Lucas Knutson said. “Competition for playing time at all positions should be a positive thing for us.”

Knutson is starting his fourth year as head coach — the third at the helm of the combined team after one year of heading United South Central Golf/ PAGE 21 All-Conference honorable mention and Billings, Heggen, Stenzel and Wegner were recognized as academic all-conference players.

Heggen and Wegner both made it one step short of the state tournament last year.

“Our hope is that we have state tournament participants this year,” Heggen said.

The team finished the Gopher Conference in second place at the end of the regular season, and also achieved a second-place finish in the

conference tournament.

“Although we felt good about our record last year, we hope to be even more competitive in the conference this year — in both the regular season and the conference tournament this year,” Heggen said. “Given our depth and experience, qualifying, as a team, for the state tournament is a goal this year.”

Girls looking to build team The United South Central girls’ golf coach is

22 | SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, April 10, 2019

hoping to build up varsity team numbers this year.

The team has one returning letter-winner, 10th-grader Paige Adams, and just lost three-year state qualifier Morgan Pyzick.

“We did not have enough girls on varsity last year to qualify for a team score,” Heggen said. “I would like to have enough girls on varsity to be able to count team scores.”

A-C/G-E

SOFTBALL

By Colleen Harrison

T

he Knights softball team will look for strength in numbers this year.

Lisa Ziebell will be at the helm for her 17th year overall — 15 with GlenvilleEmmons and two with the combined Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons team.

She will be assisted by Sarah Attig and Carter Dahlum, who will also be the ninthgrade team’s coach.

The Knights had an overall record of 2-21 last season, going 0-9 in the Valley Conference and 2-8 in the Southeast Conference. Things will be simplified this year with the team only playing in the Southeast.

While Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons only lost one key player from last season — second baseman and right fielder Savanah Schipper — the bigger void to fill will be the loss of varsity assistant and ninth-grade coach Jim Smith, who passed away in July.

“He was a huge asset in the program. He will be missed by all of us,” Ziebell said.

“His upbeat style of coaching and always encouraging the athletes, his positive attitude seemed to carry over to the girls. I will miss him more than anyone; he was very helpful.”

Returning letter winners for the Knights are Erika Bute (pitcher, third baseman, shortstop); Megan Linn (catcher); Trinity Newman (centerfielder); Daniela Rizo (third baseman, outfielder); Mackenzie Hanssen (right fielder, first baseman); Kenna Gaines (first baseman); Kennedy Severtson (shortstop, second baseman); Chloe Anderson (outfielder, third baseman); Sydney Rasmusson (outfielder, third baseman, first baseman); Grace Erickson (left fielder, outfielder); Kaetlin Bendickson (pitcher); Abbie Theusch (outfielder, first

KENNEDY SEVERTSON

baseman); Kylie Korman (second baseman, shortstop, outfielder); Lacy Peterson (infielder, catcher); and Liz Wasmoen (infielder, pitcher).

Bute “can play anywhere,” according to Ziebell, and pitched most of the Knights’ games last year. She tied for most stolen bases with 17, led the team with 18 hits and was an All-Conference honorable mention. Linn was an All-Conference honorable mention, the team’s MVP and won a Golden Glove. She drew the most walks with 13. Gaines is an All-Conference honorable mention, won the team’s Slugger Award and led the team with 15 RBIs last season. Newman won the team’s HEART Award last season, and Severtson tied with

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Bute for most stolen bases with 17 and was second on the team for RBIs with 12. Rizo is also expected to make an impact this year; she led the team two years ago in several stat categories before missing last season due to a knee injury.

“Most of the girls played together this year in basketball, (I’m) hoping by now they have gotten to know each other,” Ziebell said. “It is very important these girls learn about each other in order to play as a team. Last year (the team) was getting to know each other, this year I have big expectations for this team. I want them to challenge each other every day, be positive and practice with a very high level of energy.”

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Wednesday, April 10, 2019 • SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK | 23

GLENVILLE-EMMONS GIRLS’

GOLF

By Sam Wilmes

T

he Glenville-Emmons Wolverines golf team is hoping for success, teamwork, lower scores and positive attitudes in their second year of golfing after six years of not having participants.

The Wolverines will rely on three sophomore returning letter winners,

United South Central Track & Field/ PAGE 20 Santiago Mendoza and Roel Perales, juniors Jackson Martens, sophomore Riley Staloch and eighth-grader Gabe Schroeder.

Soucheray said Christensen found success last year in the mid-distance

Kaylee Nelsen, Jaden Schumaker and Sarena Ewers. “(Kaylee Nelsen) puts her whole mind and interest into the golf game,” head coach Jenna Bauers said. “She stays positive and is always willing to be the helping hand.”

Of Schumaker, Bauers said she “is a

events and was close to qualifying for state in the 200- and 400-meter dashes.

“He looks to close that gap in his senior year,” Soucheray said.

Schroeder is also one to watch, with a strong seventh-grade performance in mid-distance events. Staloch and Perales

happy-go-lucky kind of girl.”

“No matter what the score is for the day, she is always smiling and willing to try harder the next time,” Bauers, a thirdyear coach, said.

For the Wolverines to be successful, Bauers said they need to “stay confident, happy and have fun.”

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NORTHWOOD-KENSETT

TRACK FIELD &

By Colleen Harrsison

T

he Vikings will look to continue building a team that finished fourth in the Top of Iowa Conference last season.

David Capitani will be in his 24th year at the helm of the Northwood-Kensett boys’ track and field team, and will be assisted by Brendan Ehlke.

Marquise Berry (high jump, long jump); Sam Kliment (sprints); Trey Walsamar (middle distance); Logan Mix (sprints); Logan Benjegerdes (hurdles, sprints); Makaio Hoch (sprints); Caden Schrage (hurdles, middle distance); TJ Whitelow (sprints); Spencer Smith (middle distance); Carter Severson (sprints); Nathan Hanneman (distance); and Brandon Varner (hurdles, sprints) return for the Vikings as key athletes. Capitani will look to them to fill the void of losing Kole Parks, Josh Jaspers and AJ Branstad from last season.

The Vikings should be competitive this season, especially in the high and low hurdles, relay and jump events, according to

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Capitani. He believes potential weaknesses could be the throwing or distance events due to a possible lack of experience or depth. Keys to success for the team should be developing shuttle hurdlers, 800-meter runners and throwers, he said.

Capitani expects Central Springs and St. Ansgar to be conference favorites.

A new leader for girls’ track and field Troy Einertson will be the new head coach of the Northwood-Kensett girls’ track

and field team. He will be assisted by Ellen Gallagher.

Returning letter winners for the Vikings are Josie Einertson, Jacie Davis, Emily Follmuth, Laura Hopperstad, Sarah Yezek, Jacie Davis, Kennedy Eskildsen, Jaela Parks, Peyton Pangburn, Clara Davidson, Lindsey Davidson, Maddy Schoger, Kayla Senne, Hallie Varne, Jozalyn Munson and Ruthie Conlin.

Einertson has qualified for the state track Northwood-Kensett Track & Field / PAGE 26

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Wednesday, April 10, 2019 • SPRING SPORTS YEARBOOK | 25

NORTHWOOD-KENSETT

GOLF

By Tyler Julson

E

xpectations are high this season for the Northwood-Kensett girls’ golf team. Returning first team AllConference player and senior Allie Carmen, along with fellow senior Julia Quisley and junior Alexis Halbach, will be key to the Vikings’ 2019 season.

“Our returning letter winners will be key and if we can get them shooting in the low 50s every round, we can have a lot of success this year,” said head coach Steve Hartman.

With a 2018 record of 5-18, Hartman enters his 21st season as head coach with a career record of 319-261.

The Vikings’ best finish over the past five years was a 25-15 record in 2015.

They started their season with a meet at Elma Golf Course on April 2.

Boys

seek improvement

The Northwood-Kensett boys’ golf team returns eight letter winners as it looks to improve upon its 1-8 finish from a season ago.

After a last-place finish in the Top of

Iowa East Conference, the Vikings return seniors Brock Nelson, Josh Fick, Nathan Cordle and Ethan Welch; juniors Austin Efflandt and Ross DeArmoun; and sophomores Kael Julseth and Bryce Paulson.

Head coach Greg Parks returns for his 22nd season at the helm.

The Vikings started their season with a meet against Riceville, Rockford and St. Ansgar at Elma Golf Course on April 2. Their first home meet was April 4 against North Butler and St. Ansgar.

United South Central Softball/ PAGE 26 success of the Rebels this season. Carlson will also be relied upon to be a utility player, according to Neseth.

“Lizzy Baird was our main pitcher last year and was a great hitter for us,” Neseth said. “We have high hopes for her this season and she has really taken on a lead-

ership role with the team. Kaylee Carlson is a very talented junior that will catch and play other positions for us.”

Neseth said athleticism will be the team’s biggest strength this season. He said all of his players are talented athletes and they will continue to build and become better softball players throughout

the season. Hitting will be a major point of focus for the team this season.

Expectations for the season are to be competitive with every team in the conference and section, and to be at their best when the postseason rolls around and make a run into the playoffs, according to Neseth.

Northwood-Kensett Track & Field / PAGE 25 meet the past three years.

“She has always been a sprinter, but we will lean on her more this year in the mid-distance races,” Troy Einertson said. “With the experience she has and her hard work ethic we will be looking for big things from her this year.”

Pangburn and Senne are returning state qualifiers in the shuttle hurdles, and Lindsey

Davidson has been a state qualifier the past two years in both track and cross country.

“Lindsey has tremendous upside and I am hoping she can continue working hard in the 3,000 and 1,500, while working on her speed in the 800,” Troy Einertson said.

“Lindsey will be a leader for us in our long-distance races.”

Parks is a returning state qualifier in the distance medley, while top returning throwers

will be Hopperstad and Yezek.

“With the long track season, it is our goal to try and stay healthy all year and be competitive in every meet and every event we enter,” Troy Einertson said. “We would like to finish in the top three at the conference meet, compete for a district title and compete on the Blue Oval in May.” He expects Top of Iowa Conference favorites to be Osage and St. Ansgar.

Lake Mills Golf / PAGE 17 returning letter winners, including seniors Nate Orban and Jimmy Gallardo; juniors Lane Abele and Elisha Stene and sophomores Casey Hanson, Payton Severson and Jack Ramaker. Hanson and Gallardo also

return following selection to the 2018 AllConference team.

The high number of returning letter winners is a team strength, Thomson said.

“We plan to be much improved on our short game and putting,” Thomson said.

Last year, the boys’ team went 16-12 and placed fourth in both conference and sectionals.

Conference favorites this year are Garner-Hayfield-Ventura and Bishop Garrigan.

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