Winter sports magazine web

WINTER 2017

g n i l t s re AL w urns 5 ret state from P. 6

BOYS’ HOCKEY

Tigers lean on seniors this year P. 2

Wednesday, December 13, 2017 ALBERT LEA / GLENVILLE-EMMONS / ALDEN-CONGER / NRHEG / UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL / LAKE MILLS / NORTHWOOD-KENSETT

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WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK

2017 Starting 4

2

8

Josh Funk enters his first year as head coach of the girls’ hockey team

14

Lake Mills boys’ basketball looks to improve upon 14-9 record in 2016

16

USC wrestler looks to make school history by winning his second state title

23

NRHEG boys’ basketball hopes to keep rolling on momentum from last season

Albert Lea boys’ hockey leaning on senior leaders

First-year varsity head coach brings a lot of basketball experience to the position

PAGE 11

6

22

WINTERSPORTSYEARBOOK

NEW WRESTLING COACH HIRED

LOOKING FOR A NEW FACE

Albert Lea returns five wrestlers who qualified for the state meet in 2016

After losing key players from last season, NRHEG basketball looks for new identity

Editor Tyler Julson Contributing writers Colleen Harrison, Sam Wilmes, Sarah Kocher and Tyler Julson Cover design by Kathy Johnson Cover photo of Calen Hoelscher

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BOYS’ HOCKEY TEAM SETS GOALS HIGH

By Tyler Julson

F

BERGAN LUNDAK

2 | WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 13, 2017

or three years in a row, the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team has seen its season end in heartbreaking fashion.

In the 2014-15 season it fell to Mankato West in double overtime. In 2015-16 the Tigers fell to Mankato West again in double overtime, 1-2. Then last season, they fell in yet another overtime loss, this time to Red Wing by a score of 5-6. This year’s senior class has had enough.

“We want to go to the state tournament, nothing less,” said senior team captain Noah Karge. “Everyone has the mentality of going to the state tournament and we all know we have the team to make it there.”

Karge, along with Michael Savelhoul, Alex Ulve and Bergan Lundak have all risen to the challenge and become the captains of this year’s team. However, their leadership responsibilities began long before the season started.

“The captains have helped organize some offseason team workouts,” Lundak said. “Over the past five or six weeks we’ve had captains practices and we’ve had a lot of team bonding time just getting ready for the season to start.”

Along with the four captains, seniors Alex Goodmanson, Spencer Chicos, Calvin Peterson, Christian Ringoen and Logan Stadheim return to the team as letter winners from last year’s 13-13 team.

Also returning to the team as letter winners are juniors Cole Wentzel, Carson Goodell, Jaxon Heilman, Joeseph Witham and sophomores Karter Kenis and Cully Larson.

The head coach for this season’s squad is Jason Fornwald. While it is his first year with the boys’ team, he has spent the past five year’s as the girls’ head coach. He takes over for legendary hockey coach Roy Nystrom, who was leader of the team for an astonishing 45 years.

NOAH KARGE MICHAEL SAVELKOUL ALEX ULVE BERGAN LUNDAK

He said his expectations for the season are simply to get better every Seniors Noah Karge, day, and by the Michael Savelkoul, Alex time the postseason Ulve and Bergan Lundak comes around to be all return as the core playing their best group of leaders from a hockey of the seateam that went 13-13 son. last season.

The Tigers lost three key players from last year in their leading goal scorer Alex Dulitz, their goaltender Ben Witham and their leading defenseman Sam Chalmers. The senior captains said they put in a lot more work in the offseason and hope to fill their spots.

“We’ve put in a SEASON OVERALL CONF. 2016-17 13-13-1 9-9-1 lot more work this 2015-16 9-18 6-14 offseason than in 2014-15 12-15 7-11 previous years,” 2013-14 15-11-1 11-6 Savelkoul said.

2012-13 10-15-2 9-6-2 “Ever since the first Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net

PLAYERs TO WATCH

5-year Glance

week of summer we’ve been working out as a team just to make sure that we are ready to go once the season gets started.”

Fornwald said the senior leadership on this team is definitely one of its major strengths. The leadership is something that was there before he even got the job.

“With Roy leaving, we had to step up to take charge and lead the younger kids, because we didn’t really know who our coach was going to be right away.” Karge said.

Fornwald said the team’s weakness is going to be its lack of experience on defense. The players said it might be a struggle in the beginning to find the right lineups they want on the ice, but once they get that figured out, they’ll be as strong as anyone else.

According to the team, the biggest difference from last year to now is the confidence level. They are excited to get on the ice and show everyone what they’ve been working so hard to accomplish in the offseason.

They also expect a few of their younger teammates to step up and be able to hold their own in a higher level of competition.

“We have quite a bit of young talent this year,” Lundak said. “We have young guys that are going to be expected right off the bat to step into a big role on the team. It will be tough, but they’ll get used to it quickly.”

Fornwald said the big keys to success for the Tigers are going to be their ability to play hard-nosed, disciplined hockey, and playing to their potential.

The Tigers got their season off to a start on Nov. 28 with a road game in Austin.

“All of us have the mindset that we are going to state,” Lundak said.

“Especially after the last three years, we’re all sick of losing in sections.

We’ve got a lot of anger built up over the past years and we put in a lot of work this summer to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

Wednesday, December 13, 2017 • WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK | 3

ALBERT LEA BOYS’

BASKETBALL

SEAN WADDING

By Tyler Julson

T

he Albert Lea boys’ basketball team has put a lot of work into its game during the offseason. Coming off an 0-27 record in 2016, the Tigers are hoping to see all that hard work put in during the spring and summer pay off.

Head coach Lucas Novosad is entering his second year with the team and his expectations are to just go out and compete.

“We plan to compete night in and night out,” he said. “We plan to play fast on both sides of the floor. We spent a ton of time in the gym this spring, summer and fall and are ready to play with a toughness that will make this community proud.”

The team loses two major contributors from last Albert Lea returns six letter year’s squad. Both winners from last year’s Tanner Wichmann, squad, including Sean the leading scorer; Wadding, Garret Piechowski, Breandan Fredrickson, Dylan and Jack Buendorf, Sherff, Spencer Doyle and the second-leading Parker Anderson. scorer and leading rebounder, will be greatly missed.

However, Albert Lea has a handful of other players coming back to step up into leading roles.

The Tigers will have six returning letter winners out on the floor this year. Seniors Sean Wadding, Garret Piechowski and Brendan Fredrickson, along with juniors Dylan Sherff, Spencer Doyle and Parker Anderson all return and will play major roles within the team. All saw a good

PLAYERs TO WATCH

amount of time last year, with the exception of Fredrickson, who is coming off an ACL tear early last season.

“Wadding was an emotional leader last year for us,” Novosad said.

“Piechowski is one of the hardest workers in our program and will be asked to be a leader this season. Doyle, Anderson and Sherff all really came on at the end of the year and will be key contributors throughout the year.”

Novosad said the team strengths will

4 | WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 13, 2017

be shooting, playing as a team and coachability. The weaknesses will be the team’s youth and size. He said the key to their success with be the ability to dictate tempo and their overall shooting.

He expects Austin or Rochester John Marshall to be the front-runners in the conference.

The Tigers got their season off to a start on Dec. 1 when they traveled to Austin.

ALBERT LEA BOYS’

SWIMMING

By Tyler Julson

T

he Albert Lea boys’ swim and dive team is coming off a year in which it was unable to advance any events to the state meet. However, first-year head coach David Voller feels he will be able to grow the program into a competitive squad.

The Tigers lose four seniors from last year’s team in Andrew Field, Ian Oolman, Travis Nemec and Aaron Zogg. Zogg, last year’s most valuable swimmer and Big Nine All-Conference selection, will be an especially big loss.

The team will only have 11 swimmers out this year. Garrett Evans, Michael Farnes, Adam Fitzlaff,

Kamden Larson, Thomas Lundell, Charles Brekke, Pacey Brekke, Lucas Everett, Luke Wagness, William Taylor and Alec Wendelboe will round out the lineup for the Tigers.

Voller was able to revitalize a young girls’ swim program that had a down year after being one of the best in the state. Now it’s time for him to have his opportunity with the boys’ team. It won’t be easy, but he has got a list of expectations to meet that will help the team get there.

He said he wants to see a lot of growth in the team. Not only in the numbers it has out, but he also wants to see growth in the ability of each and every swimmer. He plans on seeing

that growth by setting goals with the swimmers and helping them to meet their own specific goals.

According to Voller, the Tigers’ lack of experience and the small number of boys they have out for the team will be two of their weaknesses this season.

But where some see the inexperience as a downfall, Voller sees the youth of his team playing to their advantage as well. The youth of the swimmers might help the team be a bit more aggressive when it comes to lineup decision and provide the motivation of being the underdog.

Albert Lea started its season Dec. 12 with a dual on the road against Winona.

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Wednesday, December 13, 2017 • WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK | 5

NEW HEAD COACH

By Tyler Julson

F

or the past five years, Paul Durbahn has been by the side of legendary Albert Lea wrestling coach Larry Goodnature. Now, after all those years of learning, Durbahn will take over as the head of the program.

Durbahn has some big shoes to fill as the team gears up for the season. The Tigers have been section runner-up for the past two years and section champions the two years before that, including a state runner-up finish in 2015.

Rather than feeling a lot of pressure before the season, Durbahn said he feels more excitement.

“We’ll be successful. Larry’s not leaving the cupboards empty,” he said. “Everybody’s got expectations for this team, including myself, and I feel confident that we’re going to meet them. We’re ready to roll and we’re all excited to get started.”

Durbahn said he doesn’t plan on changing much of what Goodnature left behind. He said Goodnature set up a great program, and there wasn’t anything that he thought needed major change.

One thing that has changed since last year is the personnel on the mat.

Albert Lea lost six seniors from last year, including three-time state champion Garrett Aldrich.

However, they will have a handful of returning role players.

Seniors Gavin Ignaszewski and Jake Johnsrud each qualified for state in 2017. Juniors Nic Cantu Albert Lea will start the and Brody Nielson both took home season with five ranked third-place finishes, and junior wrestlers: 113 No. 2 Nic Cantu, 126 No. 6 Jake Johnsrud, Zach Glazier returns as a state run132 No. 5 Gavin Ignaszewski, ner-up.

152 No. 3 Brody Nielson and Albert Lea will start the season 170 No. 2 Zach Glazier ranked seventh in the state, according to The Guillotine. There will also be five individually ranked wrestlers on the team including, Cantu, ranked second at 113 pounds; Johnsrud, ranked

Ranked Wrestlers

6 | WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 13, 2017

NIC CANTU

ZACH GLAZIER

BRODY NIELSON

s i x t h a t 1 26 p ounds; Ign as zew s k i, r anke d f ifth at 132 p o u n d s ; N i e l s on, ran ked th ird at 1 5 2 p o unds an d G lazier, ran k ed s eco n d a t 170 pou n d s.

Dur ba hn talked abo u t w h o h e e x pe c ts to step u p an d tak e o n th e l e ade r s hip roles. “ W ha t ’s imp ressive to me is h o w m uc h these you n ger gu ys are t r ans f or min g into th o s e ro les ,” h e s ai d. “ They have really filled th o s e g aps where n eed ed . Yes , yo u lo s e s o m e s e niors, bu t th en yo u ju s t fill w i th those that are u p an d co min g.

O ur kids have taken th at ro le o n w e ll .”

Al t hough D rbah n h as h igh ex p ec t a t ions a nd goals for th e team an d i n d iv i duals on the mat, h e h as go t a pl a n f o r guiding the b o ys o ff th e m a t, a s w ell. “ I wa nt to sh ap e the s e k id s in to re spons i b le men th at car r y th em-

JAKE JOHNSRUD

s elves w i t h i nt e g ri t y, ” D urb a hn s aid . “ I w a nt t he m t o e x hi b i t po s i tive b eh a v i o rs a nd c ha ra c t e ri s t i c s an d mak e g o o d c ho i c e s . T ha t ’s go in g to b e a m a j o r t he m e a nd pa rt

o f m y g o a l s a s a c o a c h m ov ing f orw a rd. ” T he Ti g e rs g o t t he ir se a son off t o a s t a rt D e c . 2 w he n t he y t ra v e le d t o H a s t i ng s .

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Wednesday, December 13, 2017 • WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK | 7

ALBERT LEA GIRLS’

HOCKEY

By Tyler Julson

C

oming off a four-win season in 2016, the Tigers hope to build a new program with first-year head coach Josh Funk.

“We want to build off of where we have been in the past,” he said.

“We want to use the young skill we have and use our speed to push our opponents in ways that they haven’t been pushed before by Albert Lea.” The Tigers are Head coach: Josh Funk Assistant coaches: Abby led by their three Leach and Laura Wangen captains and Keys to success: returning seniors, being defensively sound, Hannah Johnson, shutting down opposing Lyric Blaketeams’ rushes, transition Domke and game and creating chances Maddie Carstens. within offensive zones Johnson, a forward, led the team in goals scored last year and tied for most points. Carstens was the other player tied for most points a season ago; she also has scored 18 career goals. Blake-Domke is a defenseman and is described as a staple to the defensive core with multiple years of varsity experience.

“Our three senior captains SEASON OVERALL CONF. 2016-17 4-21 3-12 have done a really 2015-16 3-21-2 2-14-1 good job at pre2014-15 3-23 2-16 paring the 2013-14 8-17 5-12 younger girls for 2012-13 10-16 7-11 the varsity experiCourtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net ence,” Funk said.

“They’ve been

Fast Facts

5-year Glance

LYRIC BLAKE-DOMKE

really good at leading the younger girls, getting them ready for hightempo practice and getting them mentally ready to play varsity hockey. It’s been nice to see; they’ve been a big help to start the season.”

The Tigers also return nine other letter winners from 2016, including Maddie Schnieder, Ally Rasmussen, Rylee Bjorklund, Laynee Behrends, Mia Fjelsta, Lucy Sherman, Daysha Luttrell, Katie Steven and Angelina Minear.

Funk said the team strength is going to be its speed. With such a young team, he said the speed will be able to mask the weaknesses until they can get those ironed out. Funk said the main weakness of the team is patience with the

8 | WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 13, 2017

puck, but they will be able to fix that as time goes on. He said the team is very coachable and willing to learn.

“They’re sponges — they’re very good at soaking up all of the things that I try and teach them at practice,” he said. “We’re excited for a different direction in the program. The girls have been working really hard so far, and I’ve thrown a lot at them this week. It’s been good to see that they’re picking things up a lot quicker than anticipated.”

Funk said the likely favorite to win the Big Nine Conference is Red Wing.

The Tigers started their season Nov. 9 with a road game against Mankato East.

ALBERT LEA

DANCE

By Sarah Kocher

A

lbert Lea’s dance team is starting its winter season under the eye of a head coach who is new this year.

Head coach Megan Ball said the team is looking to create a strong team bond as they work to improve their dance skills while having fun at the same time. Being united is a key to success for the team, Ball said. In addition, the team is strong in its determination and persistence.

Last year, the team finished sixth in kick and fifth in jazz at conference, and seventh in kick and

eighth in jazz at sections. Their

captain Mackenzie Breamer have

best conference finish in the last

five years of varsity dance experi-

five years was third place.

ence. According to Ball, Breamer is

While the dance team lost 10

a talented and positive dancer, who

seniors with varsity jazz and kick

always works hard and has a smile

experience, it brings back Big Nine

on her face while doing so.

All-Conference honorable mention

Finally, captain and junior

Riley Jimenez, who is a junior this

Mallory Dempewolf brings three

year. In addition, the team

years of varsity dance experience

includes the leadership of sec-

to the team. She is “a strong chore-

ond-year captain and senior

ographer and helps out wherever

Sydney Doran.

she sees a need,” Ball said.

“She encourages all dancers and is a strong supporter of ALDT on and off the dance floor,” Ball said of Doran.

Conference and district favorites are Austin and Faribault.

The dance team’s Big Nine Conference meet will take place

Both Doran and fellow senior and

Jan. 20 at Winona High School.

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ALBERT LEA GIRLS’

BASKETBALL

By Tyler Julson

A

lthough it will be Karol Hansen’s first year as the Albert Lea girls’ varsity head coach, she brings over 20 years of Head coach: Karol Hansen basketball coachAssistant coaches: Mark ing experience Henrich, Jasmine Hansen with her. and Chris Withers Hansen has Keys to success: Aggressive spent 22 years in defense and ability to score in transition. the girls’ basketball program with experience in all of the age and skill levels. She will bring all of that knowledge to a team that struggled in the 2016 season.

The Tigers finished last season with a mark of 2-25. Although they were only able to pull out two victories, it was a one-game improvement SEASON OVERALL CONF. from the previous 2016-17 2-25 1-21 year.

2015-16 1-26 0-22 Albert Lea will 2014-15 3-24 2-20 2013-14 11-17 7-11 return nine letter 2012-13 11-14 7-10 winners from a Courtesy of Minnesota-Scores.net season ago, including seniors Rachel Rehnelt, Alli Christiansen, Kalli Citurs, Alexandra Eckstrom and Lydia Boorsma; juniors Megan Johnson and Lexus Saltou; and

Fast Facts

5-year Glance

KALLI CITURS

sophomores Turena Schultz and Samantha Skarstad.

On top of returning nine key athletes, the Tigers only lost one role player from last year in Kathryn Flaherty.

Rehnelt returns as a major piece of the offense and last year’s offensive player of the year winner.

Other returning award-winners include Schultz, for defensive player of the year; Boorsma for most improved and Eckstrom for the Tiger award.

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Hansen said her expectations for the season are simply to play as a team and to have daily improvement throughout the entire season.

The Tigers’ keys to success will be their aggressive style of defense and their ability to score in transition.

According to Hansen, Rochester Mayo, Owatonna and Northfield will likely be the favorites to win the Big Nine Conference.

The Tigers got their season started Nov. 28 on the road against Rochester John Marshall.

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Wednesday, December 13, 2017 • WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK | 11

ALL-AREA WINTER 2017

CALENDAR Dec. 21 (THU) Boys’ Basketball: Albert Lea at KassonMantorville, 7:15 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Nicollet, 7:15 p.m.

Loyola Catholic at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Northfield at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton at AldenConger, 7:15 p.m.

Randolph at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

United South Central at Martin County West, 7:15 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Albert Lea at Northfield, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Hockey: Albert Lea at WIndom, 7 p.m.

Boys’ Swimming and Diving: Red Wing at Albert Lea, 6 p.m.

Wrestling: NRHEG at Triton, 7 p.m.

Dec. 22 (FRI) Boys’ Basketball: NRHEG at WatervilleElysian-Morristown, 7:15 p.m.

Bethlehem Academy at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: United South Central at Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea at Austin, 7 p.m.

Dec. 27 (WED) Boys’ Basketball: Alden-Conger at Grand Meadow, 7:30 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Albert Lea tournament at Rochester, 3 p.m.

Dec. 28 (THU) Boys’ Basketball: Alden-Conger at Leroy-Ostrander, 7:30 p.m.

Triton at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

United South Central tournament at Blue Earth Area, TBD Girls’ Basketball: Albert Lea at South Saint Paul, Tournament NRHEG and Alden-Conger tournament at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

United South Central tournament at Blue Earth Area, TBD Boys Hockey: Albert Lea tournament at Rochester, 5 p.m.

Girls’ Hockey: Mankato East at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Dec. 29 (FRI) Boys’ Basketball: United South Central tournament at Blue Earth Area, TBD Girls’ Basketball: Albert Lea at South Saint Paul, Tournament NRHEG and Alden-Conger tournament at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

United South Central tournament at Blue Earth Area, TBD Boys’ Hockey: Albert Lea tournament at Rochester, 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 2 (TUE) Boys’ Basketball: Red Wing at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

St. Ansgar at Northwood-Kensett, 7:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at North Iowa, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m.

St. Ansgar at Northwood-Kensett, 6:15 p.m.

Lake Mills at North Iowa, 6:15 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Albert Lea at Rochester Mayo, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 4 (THU) Boys’ Basketball: Alden-Conger at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Waterville-ElysianMorristown at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial, 7:15 p.m.

Mabel-Canton at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Hockey: Worthington at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Boys’ Swimming and Diving: Northfield at Albert Lea, 6 p.m.

Wrestling: Northwood-Kensett at Rockford, 6 p.m.

Lake Mills quad at home, 6 p.m.

Jan. 5 (FRI) Boys’ Basketball: Winona at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton at AldenConger, 7:15 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m.

Forest City at Lake Mills, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Winona, 7:30 p.m.

Alden-Conger at United South Central, 7:30 p.m.

Forest City at Lake Mills, 6:15 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Albert Lea at Eveleth-Gilbert/ Mesabi East, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 6 (SAT) Boys’ Basketball: Hayfield at NRHEG, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Hayfield at NRHEG, 6 p.m.

Girls’ Hockey: Burnsville at Albert Lea, 1:15 p.m.

Wrestling: Northwood-Kensett and Lake Mills at Hampton-Dumont, 10 a.m.

Jan. 8 (MON) Boys’ Basketball: Mabel-Canton at AldenConger. 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 9 (TUE) Boys’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Faribault, 7:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m.

Maple River at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at North Butler, 7:30 p.m.

West Hancock at Lake Mills, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Faribault at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Madelia at Alden-Conger, 7:15 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m.

United South Central at Maple River, 7:15 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at North Butler, 6:15 p.m.

West Hancock at Lake Mills, 6:15 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Hockey: Albert Lea at Minnehaha Academy, 7 p.m.

Wrestling: United South Central at Grand Meadow, 5 p.m.

Jan. 11 (THU) Boys’ Basketball: Alden-Conger at Martin County West, 7:15 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Red Wing at Albert Lea, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Hockey: Waseca at Albert Lea, 5:30 p.m.

Boys’ Swimming and Diving: Albert Lea at Rochester Century, 6:30 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 7 p.m.

W-E-M/J-W-P at NRHEG, 7 p.m.

United South Central at Medford, 7 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett quad at home, 6 p.m.

Lake Mills at Forest City, 6 p.m.

Jan. 12 (FRI) Boys’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m.

United South Central at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Nashua Plainfield at Northwood-Kensett, 7:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at Belmond-Klemme, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Mankato East at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

NRHEG at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Loyola Catholic School, 7:15 p.m.

Leroy-Ostrander at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Nashua-Plainfield at Northwood-Kensett, 6:15 p.m.

Lake Mills at Belmond-Klemme, 6:15 p.m.

Jan. 13 (SAT) Boys’ Hockey: Albert Lea at Le SueurHenderson, 1:45 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea at St. Cloud Tech, 9 a.m.

United South Central at Lake CrystalWellcome Memorial, 10 a.m.

Northwood-Kensett at AGWSR, 10:30 a.m.

Lake Mills tournament at home, 10 a.m.

Jan. 15 (MON) Boys’ Basketball: United South Central at Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Cleveland at AldenConger, 7:15 p.m.

St. James Area at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 16 (TUE) Boys’ Basketball: Mankato West at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

St. Clair at Alden-Conger, 7:15 p.m.

Leroy-Ostrander at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at West Fork, 7:30 p.m.

Bishop Garrigan at Lake Mills, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Mankato

12 | WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 13, 2017

West, 7:30 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Glenville-Emmons, 7:30 p.m.

West Fork at Northwood-Kensett, 6:15 p.m.

Bishop Garrigan at Lake Mills, 6:15 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Waseca at Albert Lea, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Hockey: Albert Lea at Northfield, 7:30 p.m.

Wrestling: United South Central at St. James Area, 5 p.m.

Jan. 18 (THU) Boys Basketball: United South Central at Martin County West, 7:15 p.m.

Stewartville at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Alden-Conger at GHEC, 7:15 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Winona at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Boys’ Swimming and Diving: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 6 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea at Rochester Mayo, 7 p.m.

Westfield at NRHEG, 7 p.m.

W-E-M/J-W-P at United South Central, 10 a.m.

Northwood-Kensett at North Union, 6 p.m.

Lake Mills at St. Ansgar, 6 p.m.

Jan. 19 (FRI) Boys’ Basketball: NRHEG at Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m.

Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial at AldenConger, 7:15 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m.

Rockford at Northwood-Kensett, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Austin, 7:30 p.m.

Bethlehem Academy at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

United South Central at Madelia 7:30 p.m.

Rockford at Northwood-Kensett, 6:15 p.m.

Jan 20 (SAT) Boys’ Basketball: Northwood-Kensett at Lake Mills, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Northwood-Kensett at Lake Mills, 6:15 p.m.

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

Dance: Albert Lea at Winona, Conference Meet Wrestling: Albert Lea at Simley, 9 a.m.

Northwood-Kensett at Anamosa, 9:30 a.m.

Lake Mills at North Butler, 10:30 a.m.

Jan. 22 (MON) Boys’ Basketball: St. James Area at United South Central, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Alden-Conger at Immanuel Lutheran, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 (TUE) Boys’ Basketball: New Ulm at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Maple River at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Glenville-Emmons, 7:30 p.m.

United South Central at Waterville-Elysian-

Morristown, 7:15 p.m.

Lake Mills at Eagle Grove, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: NRHEG at Maple River, 7:15 p.m.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Lake Mills at Eagle Grove, 6:15 p.m.

Girls: Hockey: Luverne at Albert Lea, 5:30 p.m.

Wrestling: Northwood-Kensett quad at home, 6 p.m.

Jan. 25 (THU) Boys’ Basketball: Alden-Conger at Madelia, 7:15 p.m.

Randolph at Glenville Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Albert Lea at Rochester Century, 7:15 p.m.

Girls Hockey: Rochester Century at Albert Lea, 5:30 p.m.

Boys’ Swimming and Diving: Mankato West at Albert Lea, 6 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea triangular at home, 5 p.m.

NRHEG at Le Sueur-Henderson, 5 p.m.

Lake Mills quad at home, 6 p.m.

Jan. 26 (FRI) Boys’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m.

Medford at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Newman Catholic at Northwood-Kensett, 7:30 p.m.

Garner-Hayfield-Ventura at Lake Mills, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Owatonna at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Medford, 7:15 p.m.

St. Clair at Alden-Conger, 7:15 p.m.

Lyle-Pacelli at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

United South Central at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m.

Newman Catholic at Northwood-Kensett, 6:15 p.m.

Garner-Hayfield-Ventura at Lake Mills, 6:15 p.m.

Jan. 27 (SAT) Boys’ Basketball: Blooming Prairie at AldenConger, 6:30 p.m.

Central Springs at Northwood-Kensett, 5:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at North Union, 5:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Blooming Prairie at AldenConger, 5 p.m.

Central Springs at Northwood-Kensett, 4:15 p.m.

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

Boys’ Hockey: Austin at Albert Lea, 5 p.m.

Girls’ Hockey: Austin at Albert Lea, 1 p.m.

Wrestling: Farmington at Albert Lea, 4 p.m.

United South Central at Lake City, 10 a.m.

Northwood-Kensett and Lake Mills at Forest City, 10 a.m. (Conference Meet) Jan. 29 (MON) Boys’ Basketball: Glenville-Emmons at Cleveland, 7:15 p.m.

Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton at United South

Central, 7:15 p.m.

Riceville at Northwood-Kensett, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Riceville at NorthwoodKensett, 6:15 p.m.

Jan. 30 (TUE) Boys’ Basketball: Rochester Century at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Le Sueur-Henderson, 7:30 p.m.

Loyola Catholic School at Alden-Conger, 7:15 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at St. Ansgar, 7:30 p.m.

North Iowa at Lake Mills, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Mabel-Canton, 7:30 p.m.

Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at St. Ansgar, 6:15 p.m.

North Iowa at Lake Mills, 6:15 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Albert Lea at Red Wing, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Hockey: Red Wing at Albert Lea, 7:00 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 7:15 p.m.

Alden-Conger, Conference Showcase, 7:15 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Randolph, 7:15 p.m.

Bethlehem Academy at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 1 (THU) Boys’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Immanuel Lutheren, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Madelia, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Alden-Conger at Schaeffer Academy, 7 p.m.

Houston at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Mankato West at Albert Lea, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Hockey: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m.

Boys’ Swimming and Diving: Owatonna at Albert Lea, 6 p.m.

Wrestling: Winona at Albert Lea, 7 p.m.

Medford at NRHEG, 7 p.m.

United South Central at Maple River, 7 p.m.

Feb. 9 (FRI) Boys’ Basketball: Blooming Prairie at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Houston at Alden-Conger, 7:15 p.m.

United South Central at Maple River, 7:15 p.m.

Northwood-Kensett at North Iowa, 7:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at Newman Catholic, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m.

Maple RIver at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Boys’ Swimming and Diving: Albert Lea at Northfield, 5 p.m. (Conference diving)

Feb. 2 (FRI) Boys’ Basketball: Glenville-Emmons at LylePacelli, 7:15 p.m.

Medford at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Osage at Northwood-Kensett, 7:30 p.m.

Lake Mills at Forest City, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Rochester John Marshall at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Alden-Conger at Leroy-Ostrander, 7:30 p.m.

United South Central at Medford, 7:15 p.m.

Osage at Northwood-Kensett, 6:15 p.m.

Lake Mills at Forest City, 6:15 p.m.

Feb. 3 (SAT) Boys’ Basketball: Fairmont at NRHEG, 7 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Fairmont at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Wrestling: Northwood-Kensett sectional meet, TBD Feb. 5 (MON) Boys’ Basketball: Rochester Mayo at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Spring Grove at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

United South Central at Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 8 (THU) Boys’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Houston, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Red Wing at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Alden-Conger, Conference Showcase, 7:15 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Mankato East at Albert Lea, 7:15 p.m.

Wrestling: Albert Lea at Northfield, 7 p.m.

NRHEG at Maple River, 7 p.m.

United South Central at Westfield, 7 p.m.

Feb. 10 (SAT) Girls’ Basketball: Alden-Conger, Conference Showcase, TBD Boys’ Hockey: Albert Lea at Winona, 6:45 p.m.

Boys’ Swimming and Diving: Albert Lea at Rochester, 1 p.m. (Conference swimming) Wrestling: Northwood-Kensett district meet, TBD Feb. 12 (MON) Boys’ Basketball: Alden-Conger, Conference Showcase, 7:15 p.m.

United South Central at Blue Earth Area, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: United South Central at Blue Earth Area, 6 p.m.

Feb. 13 (TUE) Boys’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Winona, 7:30 p.m.

Grand Meadow at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Winona at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Rochester at Alden-Conger, 7:15 p.m.

United South Central at JanesvilleWaldorf-Pemberton, 7:30 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Rochester John Marshall at Albert Lea, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 15 (THU) Boys’ Basketball: Alden-Conger, Conference Showcase, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: NRHEG at St. Peter, 7:15 p.m.

Schaeffer Academy at Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Albert Lea at Faribault, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 16 (FRI) Boys’ Basketball: Faribault at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

NRHEG at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Faribault, 7:30 p.m.

United South Central at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Madelia, 7:30 p.m.

Boys’ Hockey: Albert Lea at Rochester Lourdes, 7 p.m.

Feb. 17 (SAT) Boys’ Basketball: Alden-Conger, Conference Showcase, TBD Feb 19 (MON) Girls’ Basketball: United South Central at GranadaHuntley-East Chain/Martin Luther, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 20 (TUE) Boys’ Basketball: Mankato East at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Blue Earth Area at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Rochester at Alden-Conger, 7:15 p.m.

Madelia at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m.

NRHEG at Blue Earth Area, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 22 (THU) Boys’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m.

Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Martin Luther, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Mankato West at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 23 (FRI) Boys’ Basketball: Bethlehem Academy at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Glenville-Emmons at Leroy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 24 (SAT) Boys’ Basketball: Austin at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball: Austin at Albert lea, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 26 (MON) Boys’ Basketball: Glenville-Emmons at Medford, 7:30 p.m.

Cleveland at United South Central, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 27 (TUE) Boys’ Basketball: Waseca at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.

Mar. 2 (FRI) Boys’ Basketball: Albert Lea at Northfield, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017 • WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK | 13

LAKE MILLS BOYS’

BASKETBALL

By Tyler Julson

K

yle Menke is entering his 19th season as head coach of the Lake Mills boys’ basketball program. Through those 19 years, Menke has a career record of 250155 and finished last season with a 14-9 record.

The Bulldogs look to continue their head coach’s success with more than a handful of returning role players. Lake Mills returns six letter winners from last year, including seniors Trevor Hanna, Grant Fjelstad and Anthony Naser; junior Tommy Kaktis; and sophomores Chett Helming and Colby Groe. Hanna returns as the only player to receive an All-Conference honorable mention. Lost from last season were first team All-Conference winner Charlie Dugger and second team All-Conference winner Luke Groe.

“We will have a very young varsity team with a total of only seven juniors and

TREVOR HANNA

seniors on the roster,” Menke said. “We have many players who will contend for playing time, which should make for a fun and competitive season.”

The Bulldogs’ strength this season will be their overall speed and quickness.

According to Menke, the team might struggle a bit with outside shooting as they don’t have the reliable deep shooters they have had in the past.

Menke sees the keys to success as limiting

turnovers and their play in the frontcourt.

“The key to success will be how well we take care of the ball and whether we can defend the post,” he said. “There are many quality post players in our conference that will be a challenge to defend.”

He expects either Garner-Hayfield, Forest City or Bishop Garrigan to take the conference title this year.

The Bulldogs got their season started on Nov. 28 with a trip to West Hancock.

LAKE MILLS

WRESTLING

By Sam Wilmes

A

fter a dominating 2016-17 season, the Lake Mills Bulldogs wrestling team plans to stay at the top of the Top of Iowa Conference this year and make it to the state competition for the third year in a row.

The Bulldogs return most of their starting lineup from last year’s squad that finished with a 36-3 overall record, including senior Gabe Irons (195), who finished 52-8 a year ago,

placing eighth at state; and juniors Caiden Jones (113) and Cael Boehmer (145), who finished with records of 52-5 and 37-15, placing fifth and eighth at state, respectively. Tyler Helgeson, who finished eighth at state with a 48-12 record as a freshman, will also be a team leader.

“Last year’s squad took Lake Mills wrestling to a level it hasn’t seen in nearly two decades,” said coach Alex Brandenburg. “We finally have gotten

14 | WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 13, 2017

to the point where we feel like we can compete with the best schools in the state.”

The senior class will feature multiple letter winners with extensive match experience, including at 170 pounds, Cole Bergo (37-17), 126 pounds Alex Martinson (34-18), 285 pounds Brett Tyler (7-5) and 152 pounds Drae Love (16-16), Alex Albert (15-22) and Zach Johnson (7-14).

Lake Mills WRESTLING/ PAGE 24

LAKE MILLS GIRLS’

BASKETBALL

By Sarah Kocher

T

he Lake Mills girl’s’ basketball team has two pairs of big shoes to fill as it look to gain more experience this season.

The team lost Jewell Gasteiger, the third-leading scorer in school history and third 1,000-point scorer in school history; and Lexi Groe, the school’s all-time leading rebounder.

“We have some key spots and a lot of minutes to fill from two graduates that played a lot for the past four years, so we need some girls to step up and fill some roles, particularly inside,” head coach Thad Evans said. “Both Jewell and Lexi were big contributors in our post game. How well we compete this year will be decided by how we respond in the paint.”

Evans said junior forward Audrey Casperson has the potential to step into some of that open space.

“Audrey Casperson is a smart and effective player that does a lot of things well and will fill a big role for us moving forward if we are to be successful,” Evans said.

He said the team also benefits from the work of Becca Evans, whose role on the team is greater than her statistics could suggest. “(She) does a lot of the little things and is one of the unsung heroes in the area,” Evans said.

Also filling important roles on the team are seniors Laura Knudtson, who is the top-returning scorer and a four-year starter; and Teah Kesler, a key outside

JESSA GASTEIGER

shooter. Senior Becca Evans is coming back with a strong post defense.

Rounding out the team is the multi-faceted play of senior Jade Gasteiger, who the coach said has the ability to create offense from defense.

Where the team is inexperienced and untested in post depth and needs to improve inside scoring, he said the team is strong in their outside shooting, pressure defense, team speed and scoring potential.

“When we are shooting well outside, we can compete with anyone, but we need to find a way to score inside if we

are going to compete with the better teams in the area,” Thad Evans said.

The key to the team’s success will be improving the intensity of their defense and to score consistently at the post.

Returning letter winners include Knudtson, guard; senior Kesler, guard; Jade Gasteiger, guard; sophomore Jessa Gasteiger, guard; Becca Evans, forward; and Casperson, forward.

The Lake Mills girls’ basketball teams went 14-9 last year with a conference record of 9-7.

Conference favorites are Forest City, West Hancock and North Union.

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Through our collective efforts, we are committed to teaching and learning for all.

Lake Mills, IA

206 E. Main Lake Mills, IA

Dr. Scott Bosacker 641-592-1100

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102 S. 4th Ave E. Lake Mills, IA

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Wednesday, December 13, 2017 • WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK | 15

UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL GIRLS’

BASKETBALL

KAITLYN DYLLA

By Colleen Harrison

T

he Rebels will have some young, unfamiliar faces this year as the girls’ basketball team looks to get back to .500.

United South Central went 10-15 overall last season, and 4-8 in the Gopher Conference.

Dale Koestler will coach the Rebels in his 19th year at the helm, and will be assisted by Anthony Jackson in his first year as an assistant coach.

United South Central will have work to do to improve upon last season’s record, especially with the loss of key players Shianne Robertson and Kate Kessler to graduation. Robertson was the team’s leading scorer and had both 1,000 career points and career rebounds, while Kessler was the team’s second-leading scorer.

Returning letter winners for the Rebels include senior post Kendra Shultz, junior wing Lizzy Baird, sophomore guard Kaylee Carlson and sophomore post Lauren Hagenson, as well as freshman post Kaitlyn Dylla.

“We’re going to be young,” Koestler

said. “We’re athletic enough, but they’ve got a lot to learn as far as their basketball IQ and just bringing up their level of play.

“Experience is a weakness, but Kaylee Carlson started all last season as a ninthgrader. Kaitlyn Dylla started as an eighthgrader, and Lizzy Baird started as a freshman. That will be a good core to key around.”

Koestler will look to build upon the skills his players currently have, and teach them how to put those skills

together as a team.

“I’m not worried too much about wins and losses in the beginning,” he said.

“The key to our success is learning what it takes to compete and what it takes to become a team.”

Koestler considers Maple River and NRHEG to be conference favorites, and sees St. Clair as the Section 2A standouts.

United South Central opened its season by hosting Loyola Catholic on Dec. 1.

UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL

WRESTLING

By Tyler Julson

A

lthough the United South Central

wrestling team will be young in the 201718 season, it will rely on returning talent to lead them to success.

In his third year as the head coach of the program, Rob Routh has set some high

goals for the team as it moves into the new season. He said he wants at least four wrestlers to qualify for the state tournament, two to place at the state tournament and 10 wrestlers to place in the section tournament.

Giving a good boost to those goals will be returning letter winners Blake Legred,

16 | WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Gavin Sonnek, Bryce Sonnek, Levi Thisius, Hunter Johnson and Micah Hamson. Both Legred and Gavin Sonnek were state qualifiers in 2016, with Legred winning the state title. Legred will be back as only a junior and will look to become the first multi-time champion in school history.

United South Central WRESTLING/ PAGE 17

UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL BOYS’

BASKETBALL

By Colleen Harrison

he Rebels will look to gain more experience and get back to at least .500 this season, after finishing 6-22 overall last year and 2-10 in the Gopher Conference.

Taylor Ovrebo will return for his second year at the helm for the United South Central boys’ basketball team, and will be assisted by Andy Johnson and Chad Klocek.

While Ovrebo cited just one key player loss from last season, that one player — Ryan Kloos — is a significant loss. Kloos had over 1,000 career points and was a frequent All-Conference honoree.

The second-year coach said the Rebels “will be another young team for USC, but will have experience at key positions” and “will be pretty competitive on the defensive end of the floor, which will compete well in the Gopher Conference.”

The Rebels will see the return of key athletes Colby Klocek and Sam Zebro, both juniors. Ovrebo said Colby Klocek’s ability to shoot from three really spaces the floor, and said he is a very good on-the-ball defender. The coach added that Zebro has a high basketball IQ and is also a good defender.

Senior Trent Stevermer and juniors

Nolan Magnuson and Jake Stevemer will also return to the varsity roster for United South Central.

“We have a lot of guys who will contribute defensively,” Ovrebo said.

“If we can dedicate our time to becoming the best we can defensively and let the offense take its course throughout the course of the season, we can be a good team.”

Ovrebo thinks Bethlehem Academy and Blooming Prairie will be conference favorites, and considers Springfield to be Section 2A favorites.

United South Central opened its season Dec. 5 on the road against St. Clair.

United South Central WRESTLING/ PAGE 16 Last year the Rebels finished the season with an 8-5 record and took third place in the Gopher Valley Conference. Keenan Biddle and Ethan Morales are the only two key wrestlers the Rebels lost from last season, meaning a majority of last season’s

lineup will return.

According to Routh, the team’s weakness is going to be its youth, but he is excited to have much of the success they had last year returning to the squad. He said he hopes to recruit a few more wrestlers walking the hallways at school to be able to fill out the entire lineup.

Helping the athletes learn and improve every day is his key to success this season.

Routh expects Westfield or Maple River to win the conference and Blue Earth to win the section.

The Rebels started their season Nov. 30 when they hosted Blue Earth Area.

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Wednesday, December 13, 2017 • WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK | 17

NORTHWOOD-KENSETT BOYS’

BASKETBALL

By Tyler Julson

N

orthwood-Kensett boys head basketball coach Marty Cotter is entering his 13th year with the program.

After a rough year in 2016, the team is looking to bounce back and reestablish themselves as a competitive program.

The good news for Vikings fans is that there is only one key loss from last year’s team that finished the season 2-20. The bad news is that it was the top playmaker for the team in nearly all categories, Tom Fick.

Five returning letter winners from 2016 will return to the team to fill the void left by Fick. Seniors Colton Moretz, Kole Parks, AJ Branstad, Josh Jaspers and junior Josh Fick will have

KOLE PARKS

improvement on their minds when the season gets under way. The one thing Cotter expects from this season is improving their record from last year.

According to Cotter, the Vikings’ keys to success are going to be their guard play and the hope that they

will be able to find a consistent scorer.

Cotter expects Osage, Newman Catholic or West Fork to come away with the district title this year.

Northwood-Kensett opened its season Nov. 28 when it hosted the Bearcats of North Butler.

NORTHWOOD-KENSETT

WRESTLING

By Tyler Julson

C

oming off a 7-20 season in 2016, the Northwood-Kensett wrestling program looks to build upon its young roster as it hopes to improve this year.

Four key athletes will return to the squad for the Vikings, and fifth-year head coach Jordan Reindl is hoping they can instill a mentality in the younger group. Gavin Varner, Caden Schrage, Samuel Kliment and Gideon Rollene will play a major role in the

success of the upoming season.

The Vikings got their season started with a meet on the road in Eagle “These four wrestlers gave us a Grove on Nov. 28. huge boost last season,” Reindl said.

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NORTHWOOD-KENSETT GIRLS’

BASKETBALL

By Tyler Julson

E

ntering his 16th year as head coach of the Northwood-Kensett girls’ basketball team, Daryl Love is hoping his team can stay competitive with others in the conference this season.

It’s going to be a tall task after losing four of the five starters from last year’s team that went 10-13. Terran Haberman, last year’s leading scorer and rebounder; Calli Christianson, the teams leader in assists; Mackenzie Costello, the leading shot blocker; and Tegan Cotter, last year’s best defender, all graduated.

Left to try and fill their shoes are three letter winners from last season: senior forward Dusti Bratrud and junior guards Laura Hopperstad and Josie Einertson.

Love said the team’s main strengths

LAURA HOPPERSTAD

are the players’ positive attitudes, determination and their hard work ethic. Their weakness is going to be their lack of height, experience and finding their main scorer.

The Vikings’ keys to success will be outperforming opposing teams in the fundamental aspects, like rebounding,

tempo, defensive play and waiting for the scoring opportunities to come to them.

Love expects Osage to be the conference champions this season.

The Vikings got their season started Nov. 21 when they hosted the North Iowa Bison.

GLENVILLE-EMMONS GIRLS’

BASKETBALL

By Sam Wilmes

A

fter a winless 2016-17 season, the Glenville-Emmons girls’ basketball team hopes to enter the win column this year with the help of nine returning letter winners.

“All nine will be key players for us,” said head coach Lucas Knutson. “They are all similar in ability level and have good chemistry. We will need a few of these players to step up as leaders and all-around performers for our team.”

Knutson said Nicole Allison hopes to be

the defensive “stopper” and described her as “a senior leader.”

“Halee Miller, Daniela Rizo and Sara Allison give us three potential playmakers as post players,” Knutson said. “All three have the ability to score down low, get rebounds and play interior defense.”

Severtson and Anderson are expected to be starting guards for the Wolverines, replacing graduated seniors Payton Cech and Kayla Gerber.

“They will provide ball-handling and quickness in the backcourt,” said Knutson, adding his team will work to continue to

improve fundamentals and skills.

“We should be able to compete with many of the teams in the Southeast Conference, but will not contend for a conference or section title,” he said. “A good goal for the team would be to win five games. I think that is possible.

“We will improve and become tougher throughout the season. We will gain experience and confidence. We are trying to build the program back up after several seasons with a low number of wins. This team will work hard and have fun. There will be lots of positive moments for the girls.”

Wednesday, December 13, 2017 • WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK | 19

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he Glenville-Emmons boys’ basketball coach hopes team continuity will propel the Wolverines to a successful season.

“Our team’s strength would be that our starting five and first couple players off the bench have played together their whole careers,” said head coach Aaron Dempewolf. “Our team chemistry on offense has been why our record has improved each year since I’ve been head coach of JV and varsity.”

The Wolverines return senior guard Christian Nelson and senior forwards Anthony Rasmusson and Logan Studier; junior forward Bret Belshan; and sophomore guard Dawson Dahlum from the 2016-17 team that finished 10-17 in Dempewolf’s first season at the helm.

Nelson was leading scorer of the Wolverines’ JV team last year.

“He’s a vocal leader of our team and is always in the gym working on his game,” Dempewolf said.

Dempewolf said Belshan has varsity experience and described him as a leader.

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“Bret Belshan is one of our only two returning starters from last season,” Dempewolf said. “Bret has two years of varsity experience and is also a leader of our team. His versatility helps us on offense and defense, since he can play as a guard or a forward.”

The Wolverines will look to replace their all-time leading scorer and rebounder, Derek Van Ryswyk, who graduated after averaging 21 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks per game last year.

Another graduate, Carter Dahlum, finished his career with 915 points, averaging 12 points per game as a senior and playing three years as point guard.

Dempewolf said he wants the team to constantly improve, and he believes the team needs to make plays on defense that turn into points on offense, limit turnovers and stay out of foul trouble to be successful.

“We hope to find ways to win the close games that we lost last year,” he said.

Dempewolf expectes Spring Grove to be conference favorites.

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By Sam Wilmes

Fast Facts

A

fter a tough 2016-17 Head coach: Bob Hansen season, the Assistant coaches: Matt Alden-Conger Hallman Keys to success: Limiting boys’ basketball turnovers, taking good shots team hopes to finand starting players from ish in the top half their returning lineup of the Valley Conference this season with nine returning letter winners.

Returning players for the Knights include senior forward Gavin Steele; senior guards Dalton Bradley, Alex Cummings, Kaleb Bendickson and Logan Sailor; junior guard Ryan Hansen; and junior forwards Luke Morrison, SEASON OVERALL CONF. 2016-17 5-20 2-7 Adam Skov and 2015-16 4-19 1-11 Erik Theusch.

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29-70 record, including a 5-20 overall mark last year. The Knights were 3-10 in conference games.

Hansen described Bendickson, a three-year starter, as a “solid player on both ends of the court.”

Hansen said Steele provides size and strength to the squad while Bradley brings speed and defense.

Ryan Hansen, a point guard and honorable mention All-Conference selection, was described by the coach as controlling what the team does on offense.

Bob Hansen said the key to the team’s success will be limiting turnovers and taking good shots.

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Cleveland and St. Clair are conference favorites, Bob Hansen said, and he expects Cleveland to win Section 2A. The Knights will look to make up for the loss of Dillan Lein, a threeyear starter, All-Conference player and leading scorer and rebounder.

Matt Hallman will be assistant coach.

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Wednesday, December 13, 2017 • WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK | 21

NRHEG GIRLS’

BASKETBALL

By Colleen Harrison

T

he Panthers girls’ basketball program lost six players to graduation from last year’s team – a team that was the Class 2AA consolation champions last year and the state champions in 2013 and 2014.

Onika Peterson will again be the head coach of the NRHEG team for her fourth year in a row, assisted by Drew Paukert. She will look to build on her impressive 64-25 overall coaching record with the Panthers.

The Panthers will be without twins Maddie and Marnie Wagner — who both had over 400 career points each — and will also notice the absence of Kayley Camerer, Rachel Collins, Grace Johns and Gretchen Ramaker. The six varsity standouts helped NRHEG to a 27-6 record last year, staying perfect in Gopher Conference play at 12-0.

However, the Panthers will see the return of key athletes Betsy Schoenrock and Kelly Harden. Schoenrock was at

KELLY HARDEN

480 career points going into this season, along with 250 rebounds and 76 blocked shots. Harden was at 112 rebounds heading into this year, along with 47 steals.

Schoenrock and Harden will be joined by fellow returning varsity athletes Lauren Herrmann, Gabby Muri, Erin VanWilgen, Olivia Christopherson, Hannah Budach, Alexis Anderson, Caitlin Goette and Sophie Stork.

“With losing six girls from last year’s squad who had numerous years of varsity experience, there is going to be a little bit of a learning curve for this season,” Peterson said. “I am extremely

excited for this group of girls and what is coming up in our program. I am hoping we are playing at our best once playoff season comes.”

While Peterson believes her team has a strong inside game, she’ll look for her team to gain experience this year and keep turnovers down, keep rebounding and always keep hustling. She believes Waterville-Elysian-Morristown and Maple River will be Gopher Conference favorites, and thinks St. Peter and Norwood-Young America will be section favorites.

NRHEG opened its season on the road at Bethlehem Academy on Dec. 1.

NRHEG

WRESTLING

By Tyler Julson

I

n Shawn Larson’s fifth year as the NRHEG wrestling coach, he and the team will look to improve upon their 2-16 record of last year.

The Panthers will have a solid group of upperclassmen returning this year to try and make that goal happen. They return nine seniors and juniors includ-

ing Chad Erickson, Brett Kubiawicz, Cole Staloch, Brendon Strand, Tyler Jacobson, Alex Buckmeier, Quinten Arndt, Carter Hagen and Mason Okland. Jacobson and Staloch were also Gopher Conference All-Conference and All-Conference honorable mention, respectively.

The only major loss from the 2016

22 | WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 13, 2017

team was Austin Hill, who finished sixth place in the section last year.

Nine of the wrestlers attended a few training camps in the offseason and have given Larson high hopes of regaining some ground in the conference.

“We are expecting to make a strong NRHEG WRESTLING/ PAGE 24

NRHEG BOYS’

BASKETBALL

By Colleen Harrison

T

he Panthers will look to return to the state tournament this season, but will have to do it without a number of last year’s standouts who got the team to the Twin Cities.

The NRHEG boys’ basketball team had its best finish last year with a 30-3 overall record, finishing the season as Section 2AA consolation champions and Gopher Conference co-champions.

Pat Churchill will once again be at the helm for NRHEG in his eighth year, and will be assisted by Isaiah Lundberg.

The team will look to compensate for the loss of Oakley Baker, Tyler Raimann, Jason Jongbloedt, Chad Agrimson, Sam Prigge, Jack Schultz and Carter Fisher.

Baker’s presence especially will be missed, as the four-year starter finished his high school career with over 2,000 points. He will play this year for St. John’s University.

Still, there will be a number of familiar faces returning this season for NRHEG. Benji Lundberg — a leader for the Panthers in the playoffs last year — will return, along with Brady Agrimson, Jerret Utpadel, Jacob Schuller, Nathaniel Techau, Devin Buendorf, Peyton Castle, Perry Peterson and Blake Ihrke. Junior

BENJI LUNDBERG

Jake Stork will return to the varsity team this year after missing last season due to an injury.

“We are replacing a lot of players from a really good team last year,” Churchill said. “It will take a while for all the new faces to learn the varsity game and their new roles. We feel that we might struggle a little early in the year, but with experience we can keep getting better and better and be a solid club by the end of the year.”

Churchill will look to Lundberg to help coach up his less-experienced players. He believes the team’s strength is its size, with four starters who are 6’3” or taller. A concern will be replacing the

shooters the team lost from last year, and getting younger players to adjust to varsity speed — something Churchill hopes will improve as the team gains more experience.

He thinks the Gopher Conference favorites will likely be Bethlehem Academy, Maple River and WatervilleElysian-Morrisontown, with Jordan being the Section 2AA favorites.

NRHEG opened its season Dec. 1 when it hosted St. Clair.

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Wednesday, December 13, 2017 • WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK | 23

ALDEN-CONGER GIRLS’

BASKETBALL

By Colleen Harrison

T

he Knights will be led by a familiar face this season, as Jenny Hovendick returns at the helm for the girls’ basketball team. She previously coached for Alden-Conger from 2011 to 2015, amassing a career record of 47-54 with the Knights. She will be assisted

by Brynn Harms.

In addition to their head coach, the Knights will see the return of several letter winners and key athletes this season.

Long-time standout Erika Bute returns, hoping to have an even better season than last year, when she led the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. The junior guard

has been making an impression since she was an underclassmen, and has been an AllConference selection and team MVP in past seasons.

Also returning to the team is the No. 2 overall leader in the aforementioned statistical categories, Abbie Theusch. Theusch is only a freshman, so it’ll be exciting to see her hopefully evolve into an even better player as Bute has.

Adding extra experience to Alden-Conger’s roster are junior forward Megan Linn and sophomore forward Mikenna Erickson.

The team will look to compensate for the loss of All-Conference Honorable Mention Kelsey Newman.

Lake Mills WRESTLING/ PAGE 14 The junior class includes district qualifiers Kyle Beery (35-19) and Max Johnson (2616).

At 138 pounds, Ashten Love (27-19), and at 182 pounds, Drake Harnish (13-5) are sophomore letter winners.

The Bulldogs’ freshman class is reportedly one of the best the school has had. The Bulldogs have eight freshmen on the roster, Jack Ramaker (106), Isaac Bergo (113), Andrew Womack (120), Dalton Thorson (126), Casey Hanson (132), Brayden

Lindeman (160), Elijah Wagner (160) and Riley Kirschbaum (160).

Sophomores on the roster are Chance Levine (106), Caleb Albert (120), Tyler Helgeson (120), Ryan Knudtson (120), Jimmy Gallardo (120), Trae Butler (120), Carson Rygh (138) and AJ Carter (160).

Juniors on the team are Kyle Beery (132), Zack Wagner (170), Dylan Renneker (170), Jaime Roa (182) and Max Johnson (220).

Class 1A reportedly has the strongest core of top five dual teams in years.

NRHEG WRESTLING/ PAGE 22 attempt at regaining a top three in the conference,” he said. “We are hopig to learn from our setbacks from last season, and have a winning season this year.”

Larson said the team’s main strength will be all of the experience the upperclassmen bring to the lineup. He said although they had a rough season last year, he is optimistic because they bring back nearly everyone from a sea-

son ago and this time they’ll have a lot more experience. He said a weakness might come in the form of keeping a full lineup. A lot of the returning wrestlers are in the same weight range, and that may lead to some open spots on the roster.

He believes that keeping his wrestlers conditioned and making them be able to wrestle for the entire match will be a big factor in the success of the season.

24 | WINTER SPORTS YEARBOOK • Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Hovendick said the team’s strength is its perimeter play, and that she will expect her athletes to play hard, play smart and play together. She’s looking for the Knights to improve upon their 15-11 overall record from last season.

“We will look to add more contributions from our forwards and centers this season,” she said. “This team is young, talented and should have a lot of success this season.”

Hovendick projects St. Clair to be both a Valley Conference favorite and Section 2A favorite, and thinks Martin County West will make the conference competitive, as well.

Alden-Conger opened its season at Mountain Lake on Nov. 28.

“If we can stay healthy and get our kids spread out to certain weights, I think we could have an even stronger dual lineup than last year,” Brandenburg said. “The difficult part about getting third or better will be that Lisbon, Don Bosco, Denver and Missouri Valley return almost everyone.”

A majority of the toughest meets for the Bulldogs are expected to come before break, and the team will attend the Battle of Waterloo, facing top north-central Iowa wrestling programs and annual meets with Blue Earth Area and Maple River.

“Being able to get athletes to wrestle full matches,” Larson said. “Last season our downfall was giving up too many bonus points. If we can eliminate that, we will be much more competitive.”

Larson said Westfield is the favorite to win the conference this year, and Kenyon-Wanamingo or Blue Earth Area are most likely to win the section.

The Panthers got their season to a start Dec. 2 with a dual on the road at St. James Area.

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