Winter Sports 2015-2016

Winter Sports

Frazee • Detroit Lakes • Lake Park-Audubon

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

2

CauLfield Studios

The Frazee boys basketball team — Front row (L-R): Wes Erickson, Gunnar Hilde, Logan Gaetz, Jonathon Hoffman. Back row: Nathan Nguyen, Dustin Parsons, Arron Erickson, Anthony Snatos, Colton Bakkila, Chris Hughes, Parker Nudell, Jacob Roble.

Hornets looking for leadership early The Frazee boys basketball team is in a rebuilding season, with all new faces in the starting lineup.

“We graduated everyone and have huge shoes to fill,” Hornet head coach Brian Tangen said.

Frazee is coming off an 11-16 season that was ended by Perham; nine days after Frazee beat the Yellowjackets for the first time in two decades.

Brady Bellefeuille, last year’s scoring leader, recorded his 1,000th career point in the game. Bellefeuille was a constant in the scoring column in 2014.

Five games into the season, the coaching staff is still juggling the lineup to find a cohesive starting five.

“Our spots are still open and kids are still battling for playing time,” Tangen said.

Parker Nudell, Gunnar Hilde, and Dustin Parsons are the only players with varsity experience from last season.

“We have seven seniors so we are looking for leadership out of those guys,” said Tangen.

Those seniors are Nathan Nguyen, Hilde, Logan Gaetz, Colton Bakkila,

Jacob Roble and Captains Wes Erickson and Nudell.

The Hornets have struggled early this year, dropping the first five games, including a tough Heart O’ Lakes Conference opener at home against Breckenrdige.

“We need to improve on scoring and eliminating turnovers,” said Tangen. “Through the first four games we are shooting 22 percent from the field and committing 23 turnovers per game. That makes it tough to win.”

Breckenridge, along with Perham, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton and Barnesville are the early favorites in the Heart O’ Lakes Conference.

Hawley is the defending champion.

The Nuggets were perfect in the conference last year at 12-0, winning the title by three games over Breckenridge. Hawley (0-6) is in a similar situation to Frazee in missing all five starters and struggling early.

Game experience is the biggest way for teams to improve.

“We need to keep working each day to get better bit by bit,” Tangen said.

Frazee has battled to tilt the court in their favor, scoring 37 points per game, while giving up 60.4. The Hornets are fourth in the conference defensively, but at the bottom in scoring.

“The kids are working hard; offensive rebounds have been a positive,” said Tangen.

Converting offensive boards to points will be paramount to improving this season, along with getting contributions from underclassmen.

“Our juniors have been a pleasant surprise,” Tangen said.

Frazee has a trio of juniors in Dustin Parsons, Jonathon Hoffman and Anthony Santos.

The Hornets have three stretches of conference games starting with three games in mid-December, a stretch of four in early January, three on the road and five of the last six games of the year are against HOL opponents.

boys basketball roster No.

Pos.

name

2

Chris Hughes

G

10

4 10 12 14 21 23 23 30 32 33 34 42

Wes Erickson Cole Fleisher Nathan Nguyen Dustin Parsons Gunnar Hilde Logan Gaetz Colton Bakkila Jacob Roble Jonathon Hoffmann Parker Nudell Anthony Santos Arron Erickson

G G G G F G F F F F C C

12 8 12 11 12 12 12 12 11 12 11 10

Time

Opponent

SITE

11/20

7:30 PM

Menahga (5A)

Frazee H.S.

11/24 12/1 12/4 12/10 12/14

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:15 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM

Sebeka H.S. Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S.

12/18

7:30 PM

Sebeka (5A) NCE/UH Titans (6A) Battle Lake (6A) Breckenridge (8AA) Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8AA) Pelican Rapids (8AA)

12/22

7:30 PM

12/29

0:00 AM

12/30

0:00 AM

1/5 1/8 1/8 1/14 1/19

7:30 PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM

1/22 1/26 1/28

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM

2/2

7:30 PM

2/5

7:30 PM

Pelican Rapids H.S. Lake Park-Audubon Lake Park(6A) Audubon Park Rapids Area (8AA) Park Rapids Area H.S. Park Rapids Area Park Rapids Area (8AA) H.S. Barnesville (8AA) Frazee H.S. Perham (8AA) Perham H.S. Perham (8AA) Perham H.S. Hawley (8AA) Hawley H.S. Dilworth-GlyndonDilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8AA) Felton H.S. Crookston (8AA) Crookston H.S. Staples Motley (8AA) Frazee H.S. Walker-Hackensack- Walker-HackenAkeley H.S. (5A) sack-Akeley H.S. Wadena-Deer Creek Frazee H.S. (8AA) Pelican Rapids (8AA) Frazee H.S.

2/6

11:00 AM

Bagley (8AA)

Frazee H.S.

2/9 2/13 2/16 2/16 2/19

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM

Breckenridge (8AA) Barnesville (8AA) Perham (8AA) Perham (8AA) Hawley (8AA)

Breckenridge H.S. Concordia College Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S.

Please check www.frazee.k12.mn.us for schedule changes

Frazee Electric, Inc.

Live sporting event coverage FOLLOW @DLAKESSPORTS FOR EXTENDED SPORTS coverage!

grade

boyS basketball SCHEDULE Date

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING

Rita StelzeR, CISR, CIC

Quality Comes First • Licensed & Bonded For Your Protection

Agent, License #20057738 Phone 218/334-6551 Fax 218/334-5500 e-Mail: ucinS@loRetel.net

RESIDENTIAL • FARM • COMMERCIAL WIRING

122 WeSt Main FRazee, Mn 56544

Paul 001354010r1

218-334-2382 www.frazeeelectric.com

Mike

001351187r1

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

3

Caulfield Studios

The Frazee girls basketball team lost two of the school’s all-time best players last year and are rebuilding around experience in the backcourt, emphasizing playing with speed, proper positioning, and agility to combat the size of their opponents in the frontcourt. .

Hornet girls have historical shoes to fill

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Like the boys’ basketball team, the Frazee girls lost their leading scorers to graduation.

Gone are Josi Tappe, currently on the Concordia College-Moorhead roster, and Kennady Barlund.

Tappe also led the team in rebounds, with 164, and assists (106). She also scored her 1,000th career point and ranks fifth all-time in Frazee scoring with 1,177 points.

Barlund led the Hornets in scoring with 431 points, averaging 16 per game. She was named the team’s most valuable player, all-conference in the Heart O’ Lakes and was also awarded academic all-state for her work in the classroom. Barlund finished her career ninth all-time in scoring at Frazee with 976 points.

“We lost about 40 points a game from last season with Barlund, Tappe and Katie Smith, so we will need a number of players to step and fill the scoring void left by those three players,” Conzemius said.

Smith was an HOL honorable mention award winner and named as both the team’s defensive star and practice player of the year.

Barlund, Tappe and Smith combined to play in 282 career games.

“You just don’t replace three players like that,” Conzemius said.

“We are counting on several different players to step up and help them and our goal is to work hard and improve as the season goes on, and hopefully be

a tough team at the end of the season.”

It will be difficult for this year’s team to replace those historical numbers, and Frazee will need to excel in full-court fashion.

“Strengths this season should be our defense,” Hornet head coach Dave Conzemius said. “The girls have worked hard and have become a lot better. Assistant Coach Jason Reierson is our defensive coach and he does a great job and the girls have bought in to what he is teaching them.”

Getting players up to speed and battling in the paint are two primary concerns.

“Other than Whitney Janu, we don’t have much for size, so that we need to be good with positioning and our technique,” said Conzemius. “Another concern is experience; after Janu, Madison and Hailee Oswald, we have a bunch of players that have little or no varsity experience, so we will see early in the season what players are capable and ready for varsity action. We will have anywhere from 9-12 players that will play early in the season.”

Seniors Janu, Madison Oswald, Hailee Oswald and Michela Sanders are the team’s captains.

The Hornet girls opened the season with a tough conference and section matchup on the road, against last year’s HOL runners-up, D-G-F, but split the next four games to start the year 2-3.

“We were very happy to pick up that win over Crookston, as we are a work in progress right now. It is always nice to pick up some wins while working on so many things and trying to figure

▼ Concrete ▼ Stonework ▼ Fireplaces ▼ Brickwork ▼ Insulated

Concrete Walls ▼ Excavating ▼ Custom Laser Screeded Concrete

out who can play at this level.”

Janu and both the Oswalds have solidified 60 percent of the starting lineup.

“After that it could be as many as six or seven players that could start,” said Conzemius. “We will more than likely have a few different starting lineups early in the season as roles are defined on the team. Players that are battling for time include senior Michela Sanders, juniors Shania Lehman, Hailey Ellingson-Wirth, Ana Fleisher, and Shauntel Johannes, sophomores Carly Mahoney and Natalie Nudell, and eighth graders Paige Oswald and Paige Ziegler.”

Becoming more cohesive and competing in each game is the focus for this team in the first quarter of the season.

“We haven’t focused on our record; we are focused on improving both individually and as a team. If we can do both of those, picking up some wins along the way will take care of itself.”

D-G-F, with all their experience back,

girls basketball roster No.

Pos.

name

2

Hailee Oswald

G

12

4 10 12 14 22 30 32 40 42 44 52

Madison Oswald Paige Oswald Shania Lehman Paige Ziegler Hailey Ellingson-Wirth Carly Mahoney Natalie Nudell Audreana Fleisher Whitney Janu Michela Sanders Shauntel Johannes

G G G F G F F G F F F

12 8 11 8 11 10 10 11 12 12 11

girlS basketball SCHEDULE Date

Time

Opponent

12/3

7:30 PM

12/5 12/8

2:30 PM 7:30 PM

12/10 12/10 12/12 12/15

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 3:00 PM 7:30 PM

Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8AA) Crookston (8AA) Park Rapids Area (8AA) Ada-Borup (6A) Ada-Borup (6A) Badger/GB-MR (8AA) Pelican Rapids (8AA)

12/17 12/22 12/29 1/5 1/7

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM

Bagley (8AA) Menahga (5A) Breckenridge (8AA) Barnesville (8AA) NCE/UH Titans (6A)

1/8

7:15 PM

1/12 1/15 1/19 1/21

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM

1/26

7:30 PM

2/5 2/9

6:00 PM 7:30 PM

Park Rapids Area (8AA) Perham (8AA) Hawley (8AA) Roseau (8AA) Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8AA) Wadena-Deer Creek (8AA) Pelican Rapids (8AA) Breckenridge (8AA)

2/11

7:15 PM

2/13 2/16 2/18

6:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM

2/19 2/23

7:30 PM 7:30 PM

SITE Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S. Ada-Borup H.S. Ada-Borup H.S. Frazee H.S. Pelican Rapids H.S. Frazee H.S. Menahga H.S. Breckenridge H.S. Frazee H.S. Norman County East H.S. Park Rapids Area H.S. Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S. Bemidji State Frazee H.S. Wadena-Deer Creek H.S. Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S.

Staples Motley (8AA) Staples-Motley H.S. Barnesville (8AA) Concordia College Perham (8AA) Perham H.S. Lake Park-Audubon Frazee H.S. (6A) Henning (6A) Henning H.S. Hawley (8AA) Hawley H.S.

2/26 7:15 PM Battle Lake (6A) Battle Lake H.S. Please check www.frazee.k12.mn.us for schedule changes

GLENZ PLUMBING, INC.

DIAL 847-8859 Go ! s JOE GLENZ “MASTER PLUMBER” t Horne LICENSED & INSURED MINN LIC 058539PM Plumbing Contractor LIC PC-646100

001350147r1

grade

along with Barnesville, Breckenridge, Hawley, Perham and Pelican Rapids all having solid teams will make the going tough in conference play.

“As usual, the HOL is loaded with solid teams,” said Conzemius.

All • Residential • Commercial • Service Brands of Plumbing • Remodeling • Hot Water Heat • Cottage Plumbing Supplies 33732 182nd St. • Detroit Lakes

001350875r1

218-334-2131 • Frazee, MN Heath & Cindy Peterson, Owners

001350145r1

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

4

Caulfield Studios

The frazee wrestling team is loaded with ranked wrestlers to start the season and the Hornets are in pursuit of a fifth state championship in Class A. Leading the way for Frazee is returning state 120-pound champion Tanner Reetz.

Hornet roster deep, experienced and ranked

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

The storied Frazee Hornets wrestling program has consistently made noise at the state wrestling tournament over the past decade, with nine appearances and one championship.

The loaded Hornets, ranked No. 4 in the preseason and up to No. 3 in the December 11 poll, are the favorites to advance out of Section 8A and continue the streak.

Frazee has placed fourth in back-toback seasons, after a runner-up finish in 2013.

The Hornets’ only miss was in 2012, and they tied for the state championship with Jackson County Central in 2011.

The prior five years the Hornets were the state runners-up 2006 and 2007, third in 2008 and the consolation champions in 2009.

This year, Frazee shoots for their fifth state team title and are led by a state champion, junior Tanner Reetz.

Reetz won the 120-pound championship, along with graduated

senior heavyweight Garrett Malstrom.

No. 1-120 pound Reetz leads a crew of six experienced and ranked Hornet grapplers.

Sophomore Tanner Schermerhorn entered the season ranked No. 5 at 113. He and Reetz are the two underclassmen ranked.

No. 4-132 Ethan Byer, No. 3-138 Grant Jepson, No. 6-170 Tanner Bachmann and No. 3-182 Jonah Lange are all seniors and create a strong base for Frazee to build around.

Lange returns as the defending section champion and placed sixth at 182 pounds at state last season. Jepson also placed sixth at state at 132.

Tanner Eischens jumped to No. 5 in the second poll of the season at 132 pounds.

Malstrom’s departure notes one area of the lineup Frazee can improve upon at the heavier weights.

Tanner Tappe just missed a state bid with a third place section finish last year, and should anchor at heavyweight or 220 this season.

With plenty of recent and past

wrestling roster No.

wrestling SCHEDULE Date

Time

Opponent

SITE

12/11

4:30 PM

Brainerd H.S. (8AAA)

Brainerd H.S.

12/12 12/15

Brainerd H.S. Frazee H.S.

2/4 2/13

10:30 AM Brainerd H.S. (8AAA) 5:00 PM Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8A) 5:00 PM Pelican Rapids (6A) 7:30 PM Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8A) 10:00 AM Pierz (7A) 11:00 AM Minneota (3A) 7:30 PM Bemidji (8AA) 7:30 PM Perham (8AA) 7:00 PM Barnesville (6A) 7:30 PM Barnesville (6A) 11:30 AM Alexandria Area (8AAA) 7:30 PM Detroit Lakes (8AA) 0:00 AM Thief River Falls (8AA)

2/19

0:00 AM

2/20

0:00 AM

12/15 12/15 12/19 12/19 1/12 1/15 1/19 1/19 1/30

Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8A) Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8A)

Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S. Bemidji H.S. Perham H.S. Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S. Alexandria H.S. Frazee H.S. Thief River Falls H.S. Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S.

Please check www.frazee.k12.mn.us for schedule changes

106 106 106 113 120 138 152 152 182 106 113 113 120 126 132 138 145 145 160 160 160 182 182 220 220

grade

name Carlson, Christian Hedlund, Nate Newling, Mason Drescher, Caleb Hiemenz, Kaden Henebuth, Micah Hanson, Cole Solem, Howie Tweeton, Luke Kitchenmaster, Riley Beimert, Kaleb Schermerhorn, Tanner Byer, Ethan Reetz, Tanner Eischens, Tanner Jepson, Grant Drewes, Toby Wake, Charlton Bachmann, Tanner Beaty, Austin Wacker, Logan Lange, Jonah Splonskowski, Alex Malikowski, Anthony Tappe, Tanner

7 7 8 10 7 8 12 7 8 12 8 10 12 11 10 12 12 11 12 12 10 12 11 9 10

historical data to back up Frazee’s expectations, what counts most is what happens on the mat.

The Hornets got off to a roaring start, blowing away the competition at the Unruh Memorial wrestling tournament in Wahpeton.

Frazee scored nearly 100 points more than runners-up Carrington, 261.5 to 170.

Reetz, Byer, Jepson, Lange and 220-puonder Rory Drewes all won titles in the season-opener.

If Drewes can solidify the 220 weight and Tappe settles in at heavyweight,

along with Riley Kitchenmeister floating at 106 or 113, the Hornets have what they always have – a deep and talented roster.

Headed up by one of the top coaches in the state in Clay Nagel, the sky is the limit for Frazee wrestling.

Then again, that is how it is every year.

Preseason ranked Frazee wrestlers 113: No. 5 Tanner Schermerhorn 120: No. 1 Tanner Reetz 132: No. 4 Ethan Byer 138: No. 3 Grant Jepson 170: No. 6 Tanner Bachmann 182: No. 3 Jonah Lange

TWEETON REFRIGERATION AND HEATING SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION Residential Heating & Air Conditioning Commercial Refrigeration, Heating & Air Conditioning Specialists 24 HOUR SERVICE FREE ESTIMATES Complete Heating Systems • Repairs and Replacements Hydronic Infloor Heating • Ventilation Boilers • Gas Heat • Fuel Oil Heat • Gas Piping Geo Thermal • Air Conditioning and MORE 001352880r1

For an Elegant Event

choose the

Frazee Event Center

Spacious & Affordable

detroit lakes newspapers

Frazee, MN

001352786r1

218-334-3923

1106 8th Street SE Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 www.tweetoninc.com

218.847.7537 TOLL FREE: 888.847.7537

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

5

Fly Girls big on excitement and results

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Caulfield StudioS

The Frazee Fly girls have big aspirations this season and are primed for a return to the state meet. The High Kick team placed seventh at state last season, while the Jazz team is looking to get back to Minneapolis this year..

www.otpco.com ••1-800-257-4044 www.otpco.com 800-257-4044

dance roster

dance SCHEDULE grade

name

Date

Time

Opponent

SITE

Abby Voss

9

12/5

12:00 PM Detroit Lakes Invite

Detroit Lakes H.S.

Angela Kilde Ashley Johnson Autumn Moe Bailey Tinjum Brittany Lormis CalleBelle Nundahl Cassidy Nelson Cassidy Shipman Cecilia George Darcy Mortenson Delany Matejka Desiree’ Bauer Faith Conway Greta Nelson Hannah Conway Isabella Matejka Jaden Ketter Julianna Diemert Justice Gustafson Kaitlin Wake Kaitlyn Bruns Kiara Dekarski Maddie Rue Sarah Wendt

8 8 7 10 11 7 10 9 8 10 9 12 12 8 8 9 12 10 12 8 10 11 12 12

12/11

6:00 PM

Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. Breckenridge H.S.

12/18 12/18

Northern Lights West Conference Meet 11:00 AM Fergus Falls - Breckenridge Invitational 6:00 PM Wadena-Deer Creek (4A) 6:00 PM Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (4A) 6:00 PM United Clay-Becker Mystix (4A) 6:00 PM Mahnomen 6:00 PM Pelican Rapids H.S.

1/7

6:00 PM

1/9 1/16 1/22

TBD TBD TBD

1/23

TBD

2/6 2/12 2/13

TBD Sections 4A 11:00 AM State Tournament 11:00 AM State Tournament

12/12 12/18 12/18 12/18

Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S. Frazee H.S. Pelican Rapids H.S. Wadena Alexandria H.S. Hawley H.S. Hawley H.S. Pelican Rapids H.S. Wadena None Selected None Selected

M MalstroM alstroM E ElEctric lEctric

Residential Commercial Industrial

701 Hwy 10 E Detroit Lakes, MN (218) 847-9214

Emergency Services Available 24 hours/7 days a week

"New Patients Welcome"

Northern Lights West Conference Meet Alexandria Invite Hawley Invitational Northern Lights Conference Tournament Pelican Rapids Invite

Frazee H.S.

Please check www.frazee.k12.mn.us for schedule changes

Kristine M. Riewer, DDS Donald L. Steinmetz, DDS Ryan R. Manke, DDS

001353600r1

“They bring a lot of talent and leadership, but they also really appreciate and respect the talent of the younger girls. They understand that they need each other to achieve. The thing about dance team — there are no stars. It is a sport that is “’all for one, and one for all…’”

Creating a sense of team is as important to meet victories.

“Winning is certainly the goal, but I also really want these girls to gain a sense of sisterhood in the process,” Fett said. “I want them to understand that competition is about giving your best, overcoming obstacles, having fun together, and building memories that will last a lifetime.”

Fett’s excitement for her team makes the Fly Girls fortunate to have someone so pumped for their season.

“I love coaching young people,” said Fett. “They keep me young and it is just a joy to watch them grow.”

001354211r1

The Frazee Fly Girls are not messing around this season, after continuing to qualify for state last year.

“I have an amazing group of dancers, both on JV and Varsity,” Fly Girls head coach Ta Fett said. “My Varsity teams have that state title on their mind and in their hearts. They want it and are willing to do what it takes to get it.”

That mindset is key, according to Fett, to continuing the success of the Frazee program and taking the steps to have an elite performance on the biggest stage.

“Getting that winning mindset is really about belief,” she said. “There are so many talented teams, with some really incredible dancers. What a team needs is the complete and total belief that they can get to the top; they need to have complete faith in themselves, their coaches and teammates. Then they need to come together as one, that is when they are at their strongest and become their very best. That is the magical part of sports that I love.”

That belief and willingness to be better is not exclusive to the Frazee dancers. The same thought process goes for coaching, as well.

“After last season, I took a good look at what I needed to do as a coach to take talented girls to the highest level,” Fett said. “I looked at myself and how I could be a better coach and help them achieve their goals. I completely revamped my program. I focused on what it takes to build leadership, confidence, and unity. We set team and individual goals weekly. I set goals for myself too, and so do the other coaches.”

Frazee is joining the ranks of contemporary, lyrical performances for jazz. It’s also a favorite of Coach Fett.

“The coaches wanted the girls to really feel the music and tell a story, to capture the audience in that story,” she said. “The dancers really wanted the challenge and we gave it to them, in style and in difficulty. The dancers are absolutely loving this dance.”

“For High Kick, we chose something dark, but recognizable; using ‘Thriller’ as our inspiration and dressing like Victorian ghosts. Our theme this year is FEAR: Face Everything And Rise.

The routine is unique and has a lot of “tricks.” It is very different and the girls loved the choreography process. They had a ton of great ideas and worked so hard to put it all together.”

The team, as a whole, has produced a level of confidence in the Frazee coaching staff and that is resounding into a positive give and take between the team and their coaches.

“My team is young, but fearless. As a coach you get a feeling about your group, something undefinable really.

Something in your gut that tells you, ‘This collective group can make anything happen.’ That is really how I feel about this group of dancers.”

The Flyer girls are led by seven seniors.

info@malstromelectricinc.com www.malstromelectricinc.com Licensed • Insured • Bonded

12375 Cty Hwy 17 Detroit Lakes, MN

Fax: 218-847-2407

218-847-3132

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

6

Laker Boys Hockey — Row 1: Ryan Wheeler, Tanner Berby, Jeric Giwoyna, Josh Bollig, Jack DeConcini, Jon Richards, Jacob Anderson, Andrew Dahl, Austin Fritz. Row 2: Todd Dwyer, Tristan Wimmer, Anthony Dahl, Carter Schwan, Tyler Berby, Adam Lund, Trey Seebold, Jacob Herrmann, Zachariah Leeb. Row 3: Byron VanGerpen, Bailey Tulius, Ryan Paskey, Jace Kovash, Collin Ginnaty, Adam Gotchie, Carson Reep Row 4: Sam Nelmark, Jace Engelstad, Cam Gilbertson, Carson Tunheim, Ben Unruh, Palo DeConcini.

Big goals for Laker boys hockey

Brian Basham

Jon Richards is the leading returning scorer in Section 8A and heads up DL’s top line.

“Specializing In Decorative Concrete”

ELECTRICAL SUPPLY 960 10th Ave. S.E., Detroit Lakes, MN 218-847-5601 • Toll Free: 877-332-7112 • Fax: 218-847-5171 E-mail: arrow@lakesnet.net 001350959r1

CLASSIC CONCRETE CONTRACTORS LLP Over 40 Years Experience

champion Green Wave from East Grand Forks.

“Our goal is to go to the state tournament,” said Dwyer. “I think we have the guys to do it. I hope we have the maturity to do it. That’s winning a state tournament to get to the state tournament in Section 8.”

While Richards is undoubtedly the team leader, he puts that thought out of his mind.

“I’m just here to play hockey and have fun and get as far as we can,” he said. “I trust what coach thinks is going to work. We just have to work hard and work it out.”

The Lakers are ranked third in a preseason section coaches poll conducted by Frank Fee at KROX-AM in Crookston.

But that matters little as the ranked Otters present the first test of the year this weekend.

“We have to play gritty and hard and run the systems that coach has us do,” said Richards. “That’s kind of what it comes down to.”

8A Coaches Poll (KROX-AM) 1. East Grand Forks (6) 13 2. Thief River Falls (4) 16

Boys Hockey roster No. 3 4 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 28 30 35

Pos.

name Jeric Giwoyna Jacob Herrmann Carter Schwan Jace Kovash Collin Ginnaty Adam Lund Ryan Paskey Jack Deconcini Bailey Tulius Tyler Berby Adam Gotchie Trey Seebold Andrew Dahl Josh Bollig Jacob Anderson Jon Richards Tanner Berby Ryan Wheeler Austin Fritz

W D W D W C W D C W D W F D C W W G G

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL Driveways • Garages • Patios Sidewalks • Footings • Walls Foundations • Curbs • Gutters Colored & Stamped Concrete Concrete Resurfacing • Stenciling

218-849-4744 218-849-1878

grade 11 12 12 10 10 12 10 11 11 12 10 9 12 12 12 12 12 10 12

3. Detroit Lakes 29 4. Warroad 34 5. Crookston 39 6. Park Rapids 51 7. Kittson County Central 66 8. Lake of the Woods 67 9. Northern Lakes 70 10. Red Lake Falls 77 11. Bagley-Fosston 88

Boys Hockey SCHEDULE Date

Time

Opponent

SITE

11/21

2:00 PM

Fergus Falls (6A)

11/24

7:30 PM

Fargo Davies

12/1

7:00 PM

12/4

5:30 PM

12/8

7:30 PM

12/11

7:00 PM

12/12 12/18

3:00 PM 7:00 PM

12/19

1:30 PM

Northern Lakes Lightning (8A) Prairie Centre Area (6A) Park Rapids-Menahga-Nevis-WalkerHackensack-Akeley (8A) Lake of the Woods H.S. (8A) St. Paul Johnson (4A) Wadena-Deer Creek (6A) Warroad (8A)

12/28 12/29 1/2

7:15 PM 7:15 PM 2:00 PM

1/7 1/9

7:15 PM 3:00 PM

1/12

7:30 PM

1/16

TBD

Grand Forks Central

1/19

7:15 PM

Detroit Lakes

1/21

5:15 PM

Grand Forks Red River Prairie Centre Area (6A)

1/23

3:00 PM

1/26

7:00 PM

Kittson County Central (8A) Red Lake Falls (8A)

1/28

7:00 PM

2/4

7:15 PM

2/9

7:15 PM

Kittson Central H.S. Red Lake Falls H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S.

2/11

7:15 PM

West Fargo Fergus Falls (6A) East Grand Forks (8A) Fargo North Grafton-Park River, ND Crookston Pirates (8A)

Wadena-Deer Creek (6A) Northern Lakes Lightning (8A) Park Rapids-Menahga-Nevis-WalkerHackensack-Akeley (8A) Little Falls (6A)

Detroit Lakes H.S. Fargo Davies H.S. Breezy Point Hockey Arena Detroit Lakes H.S. Park Rapids Area H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes Wadena-Deer Creek H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Fergus Falls H.S. Fergus Falls H.S. East Grand Forks H.S. None Selected Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes H.S. Kent Freeman Arena

Long Prairie Expo Arena

Little Falls Exchange Arena

• BOYS & GIRLS CLUB •

Thrift Store and MORE

605 Hwy 10 East • Detroit Lakes

a Jeric Giwoyn

Donations accepted Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm • Sun 12:00pm-4:00pm

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

844-6556 Pick-up HOTLINE

www.boysandgirlsclubofdetroitlakes.org

218-850-9952

001350859r1

Detroit Lakes boys hockey kicked off the season Saturday, Nov. 22 at home versus No. 13 Fergus Falls in a 2 p.m. game.

The Lakers return the top scorer in Section 8A in senior Jon Richards.

Richards tallied 67 points last season, with 32 goals.

Senior Andrew Dahl made a big move in preseason up from the fourth line to the top and will be joined by sophomore Ryan Paskey with Richards to start the season.

“Andrew’s got the hands to play with Richards and that’s a big deal, but I’m

quick to change things when we start playing,” Laker head coach Todd Dwyer said.

Senior Austin Fritz will get the start in goal replacing four-year starter MacKenzie Steele.

“He’s the guy right now, for sure,” said DL head coach Todd Dwyer.

Fritz will get a lot of time in the pipes as sophomore Tristan Wimmer recovers from foot surgery after sustaining an injury during the football season.

Wimmer is expected to be back later in the season, but until then, much of the net minding duties will fall on Fritz with sophomore Ryan Wheeler as his early backup.

“I’ve been given the chance to do it and I want to do it to the best of my ability and I know I’ve got a team in front of me that is going to help me out if I give up a bad rebound,” said Fritz.

“We’re just going to get it done as a team and see what happens.”

Aside from in goal, team depth is a major key for the Lakers and a benefit as DL can roll four lines.

“It’s definitely going to be a group effort,” said Richards. “Depth is a key for our team this year and I think we can win a lot of hockey games.”

“We’ve got four lines and everybody wants to play,” said Dwyer. “We’re solid but we’ve got a lot of young guys playing big roles.”

Section 8 hockey simply won’t allow for all four lines to get playing time leaving DL’s younger plays in a big battle in practice and limited ice time in games to get time in the lineup.

“It’s early in the year and a lot of the young kids have been working hard,” said Richards. “It just comes down to who wants it more.”

Team goals are lofty looking to follow up on a 1-win season and a trip to the section semifinals last year losing by one goal to the threetime defending 8A champs and state

001351706r1

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

7

Laker girls aim for consistent start

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Laker Girls Basketball — Row 1: Abby Schramel, Mikayla Markuson, Grace Swenson. Row 2: Halle Jordan, Ellie Lunde, Lauren Tschider, Kendra Kvebak, Breanna Price, Naomi Larson. Not pictured: Emily Larson, Kyra Vagle.

DL and Alex split two games last season with both teams winning on the road.

Thief River Falls comes up Tuesday, Dec. 15, the fourth game of the season and the only two homes games for the Lakers in the first seven contests – both against the top of the section.

“We’d like to be in the mix with those two teams along with Sartell,” said Hoganson.

Pequot Lakes will provide the top competition in the Mid-State Conference for the defending champion Lakers. DL clinched the Mid-State title last year in Pequot by a 20-point margin of victory.

Both teams will be seasoned by the time of the first of two matchups Jan. 21 in Detroit Lakes.

Early January, in particular, is the healthy part of the schedule for the Lakers. DL will play five of the first six games of 2016 at home.

DL ends the season with a threegame home stand against a tough 4A Moorhead team and section rivals Sartell-St. Stephen.

Moorhead’s Sam Haiby will present

a challenge. Haiby averaged 20.7 points, 5.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game in her first year as a starter last season as a freshman.

Last season, the Lakers picked up a big win at Moorhead late in the season and knocked Sartell-St. Stephen out of the first round of the playoffs.

The third game of the home stand is the final conference game against Crosby-Ironton. That could provide some early playoff atmosphere, should the championship be in contention on the final game of the season.

girls basketball roster No.

name

Pos.

grade

1

Emily Larson

G

9

3

Halle Jordan

G

12

5

Naomi Larson

G

11

13

Kyra Vagle

F

12

15

Lauren Tschider

G

10

21

Kendra Kvebak

C

11

25

Mikayla Markuson

C

11

41

Breanna Price

C

9

43

Abby Schramel

F

11

45

Grace Swenson

F

12

Good Luck Lakers! detroit lakes newspapers 001353406r1

Detroit Lakes starts the season with strong competition and will need regular contributions from a flexible roster to help fill some spots in the lineup and put up a third consecutive 20-win girls basketball season.

“Consistency is an issue for this group and something we’re going to continue to work on,” DL head coach Mike Hoganson said. “We’ve got some inexperience right now and some veteran seniors who got some nice playing time last year.”

The main void due to graduation is at the post, the former realm of the DL all-time rebounding leader Shay Nielsen.

Grace Swenson, a 6-1 Minnesota State University Moorhead recruit, is a return starter and was an efficient complement to Nielsen last season.

This year, she will play a big role in the paint, but gives the team offensive options with her perimeter game as well.

“Grace comes in as a real nice inside, outside threat,” Hoganson said.

“She can knock down the three, but she’s also really effective inside.”

Mikayla Markuson will join Swenson in the paint coming off a confidence building volleyball season.

Along with freshman Breanna Price, the Lakers can run three six-footers when matchups dictate height on the floor.

“Collectively is where we’re going to replace some of that rebounding Shay had,” said Hoganson.

Junior Kendra Kvebak has the height to handle the frontcourt, as well.

Kyra Vagle brings experience from the wing and Halle Jordan will fill Hailey Jorgenson’s role needing to knock down threes.

Junior Naomi Larson made a midseason impact as a sophomore and saw increasing playing time last year as the season wound down. Larson is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery after an injury during the volleyball season.

Her ball skills and speed, a year improved, will be important at the point. Jordan will handle the rock as well up top.

Abby Schramel will see a lot of valuable time, like last season, where she showed she could provide some hot shooting from the field.

Sophomore Lauren Tschider and freshman Emily Larson will come off the bench on the perimeter.

DL opens the season at home against Section 8-3A rival Alexandria.

The Cardinals lost last year’s section final to Thief River Falls by one point.

The Prowlers eliminated the Lakers in the semifinals.

“They’re very athletic with both the coach’s kids coming back on the perimeter,” said Hoganson. “It’s going to be a nice challenge for us.”

Alexandria has appeared in three of the last four section finals losing two of the games by one point. The Cardinals will come to DL hungry and provide a stiff test to open the season.

detroit lakes newspapers

“Voted Best Burgers in the Lakes Area”

001351682r1

Lake Access to Deadshot Bay 218-844-6820 25807 Cty Hwy 22 Detroit Lakes

www.kitmasters.com

www.swanmachine.com

825 1st Street N.E. Perham, MN • 800-810-9110 • 218-346-2121

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

8

Laker dancers taking a stand to start season

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

The Detroit Lakes dance team started their season at home on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the team’s only home invitational, an event that packs the Ralph Anderson Gymnasium more than any other sporting event during the year.

Over 500 dancers from junior varsity and varsity teams of 16 different towns were in attendance.

“It’s going to be huge,” Laker head coach Britton Ramsey said prior to the event.

Nearly half of this year’s Laker team is new and others, like members of the volleyball team and swimming team, have had to crunch in practice times to get up to speed.

“We have a ton of rookies,” said Ramsey.

The team has two seniors in Sadie Boeckel and Nicole Leitheiser, but much of the veterans on the team are underclassmen.

Last year’s team had two seniors and only one the prior year, so a youth movement is nothing new.

“We’ve been young for years,” said Ramsey.

This year’s junior class of six has been with the team since their eighthgrade seasons giving the Lakers an experienced group to build around.

DL will compete in the 10-team Mid-State Conference split into east and west divisions and in the 16-team Section 4AA. Captains are junior Maddie Ramsey and Boeckel.

Many team members comprised the Laker Cheer team during the fall season coached by Christine Borich.

LAKER girlS dance TEAM — Row 1: Mirella Grimm, Ivy Branden, Cherish Johnson, Sadie Boeckel, Maddie Ramsey, Natalie Nelmark. Row 2: McKenna Ruchti-Westrum, Chloe Dallmann, Maddison Lewis, Trisha Gebhart, Abi Skinner, Lexie VanMaldeghem, Ellenorski Seaberg. Row 3: Chenoa Vizenor, Talia AshleyVillebrun, Elise Lakin, Hope Hansen, Brianna Drewes, Megan Gilsdorf, Casey Jenson, Lexy Stearns.

The cheer team allows dancers to get more experience with other aspects of dance, especially poms.

“I really pushed my kids to do it,” said Ramsey.

The MSHSL dance teams don’t compete in Pom or Hip Hop. “It complements our program really well,” Ramsey said.

The Laker cheer team added a lot of pep to football games this fall and did so in a unique manner entertaining, as well as, engaging the crowd.

Winter dance has seen its share of rule changes after the hoopla at

last year’s Class AAA kick awards ceremony, which resulted in a number of coaching suspensions.

The changes also affect choreography and how team’s look at score sheet results.

While the changes did not create a huge difference in how the Lakers prepare and perform, they did aid in how DL dancers decide how and what to perform.

“We made a decision as a team to start choreographing for us and not for what we expect a judge wants to see,” Ramsey said. “Judge to

judge, meet to meet, you can’t please everybody.

“We really made an effort to enjoy what we’re doing. Especially jazz, it’s more contemporary. We’re telling a story. We’re taking a stand on something.”

Dance rides the medium between art and sport and last year’s state tournament was marred by plagiarism and a distinct lack of sportsmanship.

While none of that affected the Laker dance team, the sport will certainly be going through somewhat of a rebuilding year after such a strange ending to the season.

The Lakers are doing their share to combat that with team unity.

“We’re having fun this year and doing things for ourselves; that seems to make a difference,” said Ramsey.

One important rule change more in the realm of actual competition is knocking 30 seconds off kick performances to reduce the potential for injury.

“It’s been awesome,” said Ramsey.

“I love that change.”

Another new change locally is bringing a junior varsity championship to the area – something that has been run in the metro area, but rarely outstate. The junior varsity championship will be held Saturday, Jan. 23.

The team hosts a show Jan. 18 with all the local dance studios, showcasing all of dance in Detroit Lakes and the working relationship the school team has with those institutions.

The show also features Kindergarten through sixth grade dancers who can participate in a halfday clinic and performance during the show.

Get Back in the Game

Keeping your head in the game can be difficult when you’re experiencing pain from an injury.

No matter what sport you play, if an injury has left you hurt or sitting on the sidelines, we’re here to help you recover. Our team will help guide you in setting realistic recovery goals so you can get back to the activities you enjoy as quickly and safely as possible.

Essentia Health St. Mary’s-Detroit Lakes 1027 Washington Avenue | Detroit Lakes 218.847.5611 EssentiaHealth.org

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

9

Lakers move to Section 8A for girls hockey season

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS and FRANK FEE, KROX Detroit Lakes moves to Section 8 this season in girls hockey, sending the Lakers to arguably the toughest section in Class A for the 2015-16 campaign.

Willmar moved from Section 2A to fill the void left by the Lakers, while DL joins teams they are accustomed to playing in 8A: Thief River Falls, Warroad, East Grand Forks, Crookston, and Park Rapids.

Last season, the Thief River Falls Prowlers capped off a 26-1-3 season by defeating Blake 3-1 for the Minnesota State High School Class A Girls Hockey championship.

Section 8A teams have been no strangers to the title game. In the last seven years, the section has had teams in the championship game six times with three state championships.

2014 - East Grand Forks lost 3-2 loss to Blake in championship.

2013 - Warroad lost to Blake in the championship.

2012 - Warroad took third.

2011 & 2010 - Warroad ended the season as state champions.

2009 - Warroad was the state runner up.

Thief River Falls is the Section coaches pick to make a repeat trip to state with Warroad a close second in a poll conducted by KROX RADIO in Crookston.

1. Thief River Falls (3) 4 2. Warroad (2) 6 3. East Grand Forks 10 4. Crookston 16 5. Detroit Lakes 16 6. Park Rapids 19 Thief River Falls In her first year as a head coach, Whitney Restemayer led the Prowlers to a 26-1-3 record and a state championship.

Although Thief only lost four seniors, they were all All-State caliber players who are or will be playing college hockey.

Like many of the Section teams, goaltending will be a question mark for the Prowlers who are looking to replace All-State goalie Frances Marshall.

The Prowlers return so many terrific players including Bemidji State recruit Briana Jorde on defense along with Callie Fagerstrom and Ava

LAKER girlS HOCKEY TEAM: Row 1: Shannara Wheeler, Hailey Sonstegard, Jeff Norby, Gretchen Norby, Bruce Raboin, Jamie Bollig, Kyndra McDougall Row 2: Emily Schiltz, Annie Campbell, Payton Carlblom, Chandra Johnson, Savanna Nolan, Brittany Hochstetler, Dani Unruh, Abagail King, Annika Merkens Row 3: Sydney Brininger, Karrigan Hallisey, Lily Burnside, Annie Ingebrand, Anna Payne, Sallee Stowman, Madyson Melgard Marolt.

Kora Torkelson is coming off a tremendous season in which she shined in the state tournament and will be looked at to be a leader offensively along with Kaylee Eskeli and Tessa Jorde.

Warroad The Warriors were in familiar territory last season, the Section 8A championship game, in which they lost 3-1 to Thief River Falls.

Losing a goalie, a defenseman and one forward to graduation, most figure they will be back there again with a stronger squad.

Demi Gardner (Senior), Mariah Gardner (Jr), Madison Oelkers (Fresh) are back and all three scored in double figures last season.

Danika Huerd is now a junior and will lead a very talented group of youngsters with names that are familiar like Christian (Hannah), Johnston (Katie) and others.

East Grand Forks Jim Enright is back for his second

year as head coach for the Green Wave with 15 wins last season.

East Grand Forks will be young with just a couple seniors, but their youngsters have gained valuable experience over the past couple years.

They should be one of the few teams with not only experience in goal, but one of the top goalies in the section with McKenzie Whalen who was sparkling in her freshman year.

Lauren Hedlund is back on defense with speedster Tiffany Hanson and Leah Pesch leading things up front.

Erica Eades, expected to be one of the top players in the Section is not out and concentrating on track.

Cynthia Loven is also not out at this time because of an illness and is uncertain if she will be able to play this season.

Crookston Jaclyn Martin is a former player for the Pirates, was an assistant coach for seven years and now gets her chance as the head coach for her alma mater.

She will try to overcome the decision of stalwart goalie, Lexie Cormican

(junior) not to come out for hockey this year. This lays the responsibility for goalie to a relative newcomer to hockey in general, Megan Flateland.

Flateland will have excellent protection in front of her as the Pirates return their four starting

girlS HOCKEY roster No. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 21 22 33 35

Wide Selection of Pet Food Old-Fashioned Candy Store Yard & Garden Pet Grooming

Pos. D F D D F F F F F F F F F D D F F D G G

grade 9 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 9 8 11 9 10 9 11 9 12 8 9 11

TEAM Industries is a proud supporter of Detroit Lakes athletics. www.team-ind.com

Questions -We Can Help

218-847-8265 • 1008 Washington Ave. Detroit Lakes (across from Essentia Health St. Mary’s)

001350137r1

Go Lakers!

name Sydney Brininger Sallee Stowman Emily Schiltz Chandra Johnson Dani Unruh Annie Ingebrand Hailey Sonstegard Savanna Nolan Lily Burnside Madyson Melgard Hannah Rhodes Abagail King Anna Payne Payton Carlblom Jamie Bollig Karrigan Hallisey Brittany Hochstetler Annie Campbell Kyndra McDougall Shannara Wheeler

Go Lakers!

001351229r1

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

10

girlS HOCKEY SCHEDULE

defensemen, Sabrina Delorme, Tori Demarais, Jayden Allrich and Kendall Wahouske.

Veterans Macy Strem, Leah Trostad and Annie Hajostek will lead the group up front.

Detroit Lakes The Lakers moved to Section 8A this year after losing 3-1 to Alexandria for the Section 6A title last year.

The Lakers had played in Section 3A around the turn of the century.

Gretchen Norby is also coaching at her alma mater now in her fifth year and coming off her best year with a 179-1 record.

Coach Norby does have back a solid defensive corp to build around with Jamie Bollig and Chandra Johnson.

They will have to be solid early on as the Lakers also have youth and inexperience in the goaltending department replacing four-year starter Veronica Badurek.

Leading scorer from last season, Hailey Sonstegard (29 goals) will be expected to do the same this year and will be aided on the top line by Hannah Rhodes.

Sonstegard is the second-leading scorer in the section behind Warroad’s Mariah Gardner.

This is not Section 6A, but the Lakers hope to be in the top four conversation of Section 8A this season.

Park Rapids Gary Vaudrin is back for his fourth season as head coach for the Panthers and he’s lost only one senior from their 6-17-1 season.

Most of the experience is on defense with Tayah Otterness and Emma Gribbin plus a pair of youthful goalies who split last season, Julia Smith and Kylee Pachel.

They have to fix a problem they had

Date

Detroit Lakes

7:15 PM

Fergus Falls (6A)

11/10

7:15 PM

Thief River Falls (8A) Crookston High School Pirates (8A) East Grand Forks (8A) Northern Lakes Lightning (6A) Alexandria Area (6A) Chaska/Chanhassen Storm Hawks (2AA) Park Rapids High School (8A) Fergus Falls (6A)

11/14

5:00 PM

11/17

7:15 PM

11/24 7:00 PM 11/27 0:00 AM 11/27 5:30 PM 11/28 0:00 AM 11/28 5:30 PM

Hailey sonstegard (8) scored 29 goals to lead Detroit Lakes last season and will spearhead the DL offense on the top line in her senior season. last season in scoring goals to take the pressure off the goalies and defensive players.

The regular season begins this weekend with East Grand Forks at Bemidji on Friday and a couple more on Saturday with Park Rapids at Benson-Morris and Fergus Falls at Detroit Lakes.

The rest of the teams will get going the following week with Detroit Lakes getting a quick taste of 8A with games with Thief River Falls, Crookston and East Grand Forks.

218.844.4660 • 1425 Hwy 10 West • Detroit Lakes

Call 847.3151 to subsCribe

11/7

11/20 7:15 PM

Find Taco John’s on facebook

We’re dishing out the best news, sports, business, entertainment and more each and every week.

Fergus Falls (6A)

11/19 7:15 PM

Brian Basham/Tribune

Serving Breakfast 7 Days A Week!

Returning scorers in Section 8A Mariah Gardner, Warroad 18-32-50 Hailey Sonstegard, DL, 29-12-41 Kora Torkelson, TRF, 19-20-39 Madison Oelkers, Warroad, 14-21-35 Briana Jorde, TRF, 8-18-26 Kaylee Eskeli, TRF, 13-8- 21 Demi Gardner, Warroad, 13-7-20 Macy Strem, Crookston, 10-9-19 Callie Fagerstrom, TRF, 8-8-16 Tiffany Hanson, EGF, 9-7-16 Danika Huerd, Warroad, 7-9-16

Opponent

2:00 PM

11/12 7:15 PM

®

Get the scoop.

Time

11/7

12/1

7:15 PM

12/3

7:00 PM

12/8

7:00 PM

12/8

7:15 PM

12/15 6:00 PM 12/18 7:15 PM 12/22 7:15 PM 1/5

7:00 PM

1/7

7:00 PM

1/9

2:30 PM

1/9

6:00 PM

1/16 1/19

0:00 AM 7:00 PM

1/26

7:15 PM

1/26

7:30 PM

1/29

7:30 PM

1/30

1:45 PM

SITE Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Crookston H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes

Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Park Rapids Area H.S. Fergus Falls H.S. Fergus Falls (6A) Fergus Falls H.S. Fergus Falls (6A) Fergus Falls H.S. Fergus Falls (6A) Fergus Falls H.S. Bemidji (8AA) Detroit Lakes H.S. Prairie Centre Blue Detroit Lakes Devils (6A) H.S. Park Rapids High Detroit Lakes School (8A) H.S. Park Rapids High Detroit Lakes School (8A) H.S. Moorhead (8AA) Moorhead H.S. River Lakes Stars Richmond Ice (8AA) Arena Northern Lakes Detroit Lakes Lightning (6A) H.S. Morris/Benson Detroit Lakes Area Storm (6A) H.S. Prairie Centre Blue Wadena-Deer Devils (6A) Creek H.S. Fergus Falls (6A) Fergus Falls H.S. Fergus Falls (6A) Fergus Falls H.S. Alexandria Area (6A) Alexandria H.S. Morris/Benson Area Morris Lee Storm (6A) Comm Center Crookston High Detroit Lakes School Pirates (8A) H.S. Crookston High Detroit Lakes School Pirates (8A) H.S. Thief River Falls Thief River (8A) Falls H.S. Sartell/Sauk Rapids Detroit Lakes Stormin Sabres H.S. (8AA)

Making the Grade • Demolition • Earthwork • Underground Utilities • Materials Sales • Demolition Container Service

001352452r1

P.O. BOX 1467 DETROIT LAKES, MN 56502 www.teamlab.net TOLL FREE 1-800-522-8326

CONTACT US TO REQUEST A FREE QUOTE OR PROPOSAL

218.847.7391 800.726.7643 www.houghinc.com

18262 OLD PIT ROAD, DETROIT LAKES, MN 56501

"Good Luck Lakers"

001351576r1 001350123r1

QUALITY TOYOTA

Make Your Hometown Goal the…

PIZZA CORNER FROZEN PIZZA

800-666-9455

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL AREA OF LUCK TO 1125 West Lincoln Avenue, ATHLETES BEST FROM QUALITY TOYOTA, YOUR Fergus Falls, MN

ALL AREA ATHLETES 218-998-1900 “Quality FROM QUALITY TOYOTA, YOUR

Player of the Game” 800-666-0952 001351726r1

“Qualitywww.qualitytoyota.net Player of the Game” SPONSOR!

SPONSOR!

001350880r1

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

11

laker GYMNASTICS team (at left) — Row 1: Kennedy Bridgeman, Falyn DeBoer, Jackson Hegg, Gabrielle Heide, Alivia Harris-Meyers. Row 2: Sidney Lundberg, Cora Okeson, Peyton Jernberg, Justine Lawrence, Alexis Yliniemi, Emma Disse. Row 3: Skylar DeBoer, Danielle Kulka-Fain, Leah Chavez, Alexis Ostlie, Katrina Okeson, Molly Lyngaas, Johanna Jernberg, Mathia Olds. Not pictured: Lydia Gag, Skylar Smith, Autumn Kulik, Kennedy Hegg. At right, Leah Chavez was named co-captain of this year’s team, with Thia Olds. The juniors head up a lineup loaded with depth and new faces ready to make an impact.

Despite injuries, state champions ready to defend title

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Thanksgiving weekend marked the beginning of the gymnastics season.

The defending state champion Laker gymnasts will miss three key members to start the year in Kennedy Hegg, Alexis Ostlie and last season’s all-around state champion Molly Lyngaas due to injury.

Hegg suffered an arm injury last season that has yet to fully recover.

Lyngaas suffered an ankle break

competing after the high school season and Ostlie had a minor break in mid-November. She is expected to miss at least a month.

Lyngaas is doing her best to get back in the lineup late in the season, which she did last year after having to nurse a similar injury. She returned in top form concluding her season with the individual state championship.

“That’s a great goal for her to have, but I’m going into it that she won’t be competing this season,” said DL head coach Steve Zamzo. “We’re going to

do what we can to allow her to get there.”

The state title defense begins at Perham Saturday, Nov. 28 as Detroit Lakes looks to pick up the first victory of the season at the Jackie Mann Invitational.

“I think we just do what we normally do, practicing and staying on top of our skills,” said Captain Thia Olds. “I know we have a few girls coming up who will help us out quite a bit. It stinks losing Molly, because she’s a top competitor.”

Olds will be joined as a team leader

by Co-captain Leah Chavez, both are juniors. There are no seniors on the team.

The Lakers lost one gymnast, Allison Berg, to graduation.

Four of the gymnasts were working double time late in the fall season as Emma Disse, Lexi Yliniemi, Jackson Hegg and Olds competed at the state diving meet one week prior to the opening gymnastics meet in Perham.

“They just come ready to go,” said Zamzo. “We tried to tell them to take

@dlakessports 001350131r1

To Assure Your Weekly Delivery...

...of the Detroit Lakes Tribune and the Lake Area Press in the upcoming months, please remove snow from around the tube.

Also...when leaving for the season please notify the Detroit Lakes Newspapers office to stop delivery of your paper. You may want to remove the tube until your return.

You’ve Got It!

Somebody Wants It! Advertise IT today!

Detroit Lakes

Newspapers

218.847.3151

218.847.3151 001350128r1

12

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

Brian Basham

the 2015 state champions were ready to start the push to defend their title with the first meet of the season, the Jackie Mann Invitational in Perham.

Minneapolis, showcasing the team’s depth.

Perham will contend as they always have for the section title. The Park Rapids program has gained momentum in the past few years and will be better.

Two new teams joined Section 8A in Big Stone Lake Area and MAHACA, a cooperative between Morris Area, Chokio-Alberta and Hancock, to expand the section to nine teams.

Fergus Falls will host this year’s

section final in mid-February.

Perennial power Melrose should be back in the mix for the state title.

The Lakers outscored Melrose by less than one point for the championship, 150.025-149.2.

Melrose won the 2014 state title.

The Lakers placed third 1.125 points back. The 2013 champions from New Prague were state runners-up.

GYMNASTICS roster name

GYMNASTICS SCHEDULE Date

Time

Opponent

SITE

11/28

10:00 AM

Perham (8A)

Perham H.S.

12/5

12:00 PM

MAHACA (8A)

12/11

6:00 PM

12/18 1/5

6:00 PM 6:00 PM

Park Rapids/Menahga/Nevis (8A) Perham (8A) Little Falls (8A)

1/12

6:00 PM

Moorhead (8AA)

1/14

6:30 PM

1/15

6:00 PM

Park Rapids/Menahga/Nevis (8A) Perham (8A)

1/22

12:00 PM

Bemidji (8AA)

1/23 1/26

0:00 AM 6:30 PM

1/30

2:00 PM

Fergus Falls (8A) Park Rapids/Menahga/Nevis (8A) Bemidji (8AA)

Morris Area School Detroit Lakes H.S. Perham H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Park Rapids Area H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Fergus Falls H.S. Park Rapids Area H.S. Bemidji H.S.

Alexis Ostlie Alivia Harris-Meyers Autumn Kulil Cora Okeson Danielle Kulka Fain Emma Disse Falyn DeBoer Jackson Hegg Johanna Jernberg Justine Lawerence Katrina Okeson Kennedy Bridgeman Kennedy Hegg Leah Chavez Lexi Yliniemi Lydia Gag Mathia Olds Molly Lyngaas Peyton Jernberg Sidney Lundberg Skylar DeBoer Skylar Smith

West River Dental Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

John R. Jordan D.D.S. • Nathan Jorgenson, D.D.S.

1583 Hwy 10 West • Detroit Lakes

218-847-1126

www.walmart.com

1106 W. River Road • Detroit Lakes

218-846-1900

877-508-1900 Toll Free

www.westriverdental.com

Pos. 10 7 7 9 11 10 7 8 11 9 10 7 8 11 9 8 11 11 9 9 10 8

grade Grade 11 7 8 8 8 7 7 7 8 9 7 10 8 11 8 10 9 8 10 8 9

• One Visit Crowns • Mercury Free White Fillings • Tooth Whitening (Bleaching) • Digital X-Rays • 3D Panoramic Imaging • Laser Dentistry • Implant Tooth Replacement & Denture Stabilization • State of the Art Technology • Braces

001350885r1

we gained two more kids of that caliber,” said Zamzo. “They’re ready to contend.”

Those key additions have the Lakers in a confident mindset ready to get the season underway.

“Same as last year, just work a little harder,” said Yliniemi. “We have Peyton and Justine who will help us out a lot,” Yliniemi said.

Yliniemi led with team-high scores on vault and floor to win at state.

Okeson and Olds led on bars and beam, respectively. Lyngaas was solid the entire meet and the potential for her return alone is discouraging to opponents.

Scoring impacts will be expected out of Johanna Jernberg, freshman Cora Okeson and the Lakers have the luxury of utilizing many gymnasts to get to the top of the podium. Okeson is a likely candidate for all-around.

“Cora has that potential to score very high and have that wow factor,” said Zamzo.

Okeson, Disse, and Jackson Hegg competed in the state individual meet with Lyngaas and Berg last season. That experience is invaluable bringing big stage competitiveness to each meet this year.

DL was able to win at state using eight different gymnasts in

001353484r1

a break, but they said, ‘No, this is our sport.’”

According to Disse, the mental preparations between the two sports are very similar. The physical aspect is where the difference lies as gymnastics can be far more taxing.

The injury situation on the team alone denotes the physicality of the sport.

“It’s NASCAR in a leotard,” said Zamzo.

Having overcome adversity and performed at the highest levels makes the Lakers favorites to win their third straight section championship and get back to where they want to be in Minneapolis at the end of the season.

“We’re going to look out to win state again, but first to beat Perham and get back into things,” said Yliniemi.

“We’re not guaranteed anything, we still have to perform,” said Zamzo.

“With the skills and attitude of the girls, that’s their ultimate goal. You always have to get a little bit better and push that envelope a bit.”

Freshmen Justine Lawrence and Peyton Jernberg joined the team from the Minnesota Flyers club team and will definitely make a big impact in filling the roles left empty by injury.

“I’d say we lost two state competitors from last season and

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

13

Nordic Ski teams waiting on Mother Nature Mother Nature has not been kind to the first two meets of the Nordic Ski season as green grass lies in the way where snow should be and both Laker teams wait in limbo to begin competing.

Detroit Lakes had two skiers advance to state last year in Austin Askelson, a senior this year and Berit Ramstad-Skoyles, from the girls team, who made five straight appearances and is currently skiing at St. Cloud State University.

“On the boys’ side, we do have Austin back as a senior looking to make improvements over last year at each race,” DL head coach Dan Josephson said.

The Lakers have a strong core of boys that will help out scoring team points and make a run into the section meet this year.

“We have six of the seven skiers back that raced at sections last year and all have to potential of making great improvements through this season,” said Josephson. “This is one of the deepest boys teams I have coached. In addition to last year’s section team returners we have seniors Mason Wentz, Jin Park, and Micah Rintamaki. We also have first year skier Zach Buboltz looking to make an impact on the snow.”

Sections are in mind as the Lakers look to punch more tickets to state.

“The races leading up to sections are just tune ups for the end of the year,” said Josephson. “As always we are looking to make improvements throughout the season and peak at the time of the section race to be able to go in strong, healthy, and ready to race.”

The Laker Nordic Ski team — Row 1: Faith Keller, Maren Holoan, Rena McLeod, Emily Skjonsberg, Bella Edvall, Jacob Trout. Row 2: Coty Silva, Anna Hokanson, Anna Schumacher, Jasmyn Hamm-Coyne, Aaron Oakes, Bridget Bergen, Jordan Ryan, Najmiya Abdurahmonova. Row 3: Isra Arisoy, Ellen Teiken, Grant Fritch-Gallatin, Aaron Johnson, Zachary Buboltz, Austin Askelson, Mason Wentz, Jack Richards, Jinhyun Park.

Both teams have been focusing a great deal on technique and specific strength training this early season since most of the kids are in need of a break to rebuild their aerobic training base and many on the roster are transitioning from the cross country running seasons.

“We have made our transition to artificial snow at Detroit Mountain and will be ready to hit the trails out there after a few more inches of snow,” Josephson said. “The trails are sitting ready and hopefully we can make it through the next couple of days without a complete melt out as

we have a nice thin base right now on most of the trails.”

The girls team has young talent to build around senior Bridget Bergen.

“We do have a strong mix of junior girls that will look to make improvements throughout the year and it will be fun to watch them grow as the season progresses,” Josephson said. “We also have a good group of middle school girls that have a great deal of excitement and energy to contribute to our girls team.”

The season-opening meet in Bemidji was cancelled due to a lack of snow. The race venue, Mt

Itasca in Coleraine, that has been a longtime point of stability due to its snow making capacity has been hampered by the warm weather and is unavailable at the current point in time as a back-up site for area races.

DL’s home race Tuesday, Dec. 15 is up in the air due to the warm weather.

“Maplelag has been busy trying to harvest snow from the surrounding ponds and spread it on their trails to help hold onto their main race and training loop. We will make the call in the next couple of days on whether or not we will be able to get our race in as scheduled or if we will have to postpone.”

DL has the luxury of being able to get out on some snow at the mountain, along with a quality-run venue at Maplelag for their home meets.

“I do feel fortunate that we do have the ability of practice on artificial snow at this point in time,” Josephson said. “Looking around at practice I have felt fortunate that we had right around 30 skiers last night skiing on artificial snow when most of our section and around the state other teams have not had the opportunity to do so. There are a few areas in the metro that have man-made snow and each night there are thousands of people skiing in circles on a 1.8km loop trying to get in practice time on snow.”

The home meet scheduled for the 15 th was officially postponed. No makeup date has been announced. It is the only home meet of the season for the Laker teams. DL will compete at Andes Tower Hills in Alexandria instead.

This year’s section meet will be held at Camp Ripley, in Little Falls early February.

Wishing All The Laker Athletes a Great Winter Season Winter Build Discounts Available Dynamic Homes is an Energy Star Partner

525 Roosevelt Avenue • Detroit Lakes, MN

1-800-492-4833

www.dynamichomes.com

001350418r1

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

14

The Laker wrestling team — Row 1: Isaiah Grant, Isaac Morrison, Blaine Henderson, Brody Ullyott, Nolan Mann, Thad Schlauderaff, Caleb Wolf, Carsen Wold, Garett Nelson, Bryant Hazelton.

Row 2: Michael Friendshuh, Andreas Barnett, Andrew Annette, Isaiah Thompson, Joseph Grave, Blake Webber, Matt Andresen, Fabyon Greer, Jordan Skadsem.

Row 3: Charles Barnett, Brennen Sather, Mason Vogt, Scott Heinecke, Jake Hanson, James Huwe, Sean Lundeen, Austin Baker, Braydon Ortloff, Payton Jackson.

Huwe to lead young Lakers on the mat

ERV'S TOWING & TUNE-UPS 847-1215 OR 847-9898 AFTER HOURS 847-3432 409 MINNESOTA AVE., DETROIT LAKES

106 106

Hazelton, Bryant Henderson, Blaine

8 7

106 106 106 120 126 132 138 160 170 182 182 195 126 126 132 138 145 145 160 170 170 285

Morrison, Isaac Ullyott, Brody Wold, Carson Grove, Joe Mann, Nolan Duvall, Dante Grant, Isaiah Vogt, Henry Freindshuh, Mike Annette, Andrew Barnett, Charles Barnett, Andreas Greer, Fabyon Jackson, Payton Ortloff, Braydon Sather, Brennen Baker, Austin Thompson, Isaiah Lundeen, Sean Hanson, Jacob Olds, Noah Huwe, James Eklund, Bergen Moran, Vinnie Nelson, Garett Schlauderaff, Thad Wolf, Caleb

7 7 7 8 7 7 7 9 7 7 9 7 9 10 10 9 10 8 11 10 9 12 7 9 7 7 7

6:00 PM

12/4 12/5 12/8

10:00 AM 10:00 AM 5:00 PM

12/8

6:30 PM

12/15 12/18

6:00 PM 7:00 AM

12/19

7:00 AM

12/22

5:00 PM

12/22

5:00 PM

1/2 1/5

0:00 AM 6:00 PM

1/5

7:30 PM

1/7

5:00 PM

1/7

7:30 PM

1/14

6:00 PM

1/16

10:00 AM

1/19

5:00 PM

1/19

5:00 PM

1/28

6:30 PM

2/4 2/13

7:30 PM 0:00 AM

2/19 2/20

0:00 AM 0:00 AM

Opponent

SITE

Mahnomen/Waubun (8A) Wahpeton Wahpeton Staples Motley (6A)

Detroit Lakes H.S. Wahpeton H.S. Wahpeton H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Crosby-Ironton (7A) Detroit Lakes H.S. Bemidji (8AA) Bemidji H.S. Blackduck/Cass Lake Cass Lake-Bena Bena Bears (7A) H.S. Blackduck/Cass Lake Cass Lake-Bena Bena Bears (7A) H.S. Pequot Lks/Pine River- Detroit Lakes B (8AA) H.S. MAHACA (8AA) Detroit Lakes H.S. Perham (8AA) Perham H.S. Park Rapids Area (8A) Park Rapids Area H.S. Park Rapids Area (8A) Park Rapids Area H.S. Dilworth-GlyndonDetroit Lakes Felton H.S. (8A) H.S. Dilworth-GlyndonDetroit Lakes Felton H.S. (8A) H.S. Perham (8AA) Perham H.S. Thief River Falls (8AA) Ottertail Central Bulldogs (8AA)

Thief River Falls H.S. Henning H.S.

Fergus Falls (8AA)

Detroit Lakes H.S. Thief River Falls (8AA) Thief River Falls H.S. Frazee (8A) Frazee H.S. Thief River Falls (8AA) Thief River Falls H.S. Fergus Falls Fergus Falls H.S. Fergus Falls (8AA) Fergus Falls H.S.

705 Hwy 10 E Detroit Lakes

Start to FiniSh

AMERICAN CARS — PICKUPS — TRUCKS • MAJOR TUNE UPS • ENGINE REPAIR • TOWING • STARTING SERVICE • HEATING • BRAKE WORK

grade

name

Time

12/3

Minnesota Metalworks Inc.

Detroit Lakes, MN • 218-847-4034 1244 HAWK STREET Laser Cutting • Press Brakes • Machining • Turret Punching Plasma Cutting • Powder Coating • Painting • Sand Blasting • Welding

Hours of Operation: Mon.-Sat.: 6am-9pm Sunday: 7am-9pm

Ph: 218-847-0472

001352545r1

We Install Quality NAPA Parts

Date

wrestling roster No.

3. Sam Anderson, Totino-Grace 12 4. Josiah Schatz, Scott West 12 5. Kyle Lypkie, Stewartville 12 6. Wyatt Yoemans, Bemidji 12 7. Logan Swanson, Mankato East 12 8. Casey Vesledahl, Becker 12 9. Ben Kemp, Henry Sibley 10 10. Adrian Moscoffian, Fairmont/Martin County West 12

wrestling SCHEDULE

Class AA State Rankings 285 pounds 1. James Huwe, Detroit Lakes 12 2. Alex Burns, Tri-City United 12

001350119r1

AutoCare ® Center

001350655r1

NAPA

Pequot Lakes/Pine River-Backus for the top spot in the section.

Perham is the defending 8AA team champion. The PL/PR-B Road Crew won in 2014.

The Lakers have not made a team appearance at state since back-to-back trips in 2004 and 2005.

DL opened the season Thursday, Dec. 3 against Mahnomen/Waubun at home.

License #BC002500

• Engineered, Designed Post Frame Buildings • Completely Erected With Warranty

LICENSED - INSURED - BONDED

• Commercial • Residential • Farm • Industrial Cell: 218-849-5564 Office: 218-847-9900

Toll Free: 888-856-5676 Mahnomen: 218-936-5220

SERVING THE LAKES AREA

• Engineered, Designed Post Frame Buildings • Crews with over 30 years experience • Engineered, Designed Post Frame Buildings • Machine• Completely & Boat Storage • Completely Erected WithWithWarranty Erected Warranty • Garages• Crews • Shopswith • Commercial 30 yearsexperience experience • Crews• Models withOpen over 30over years 7 Days A Week www.foltzbuildings.com Machine & Boat Storage • Machine & ••Boat Storage Garages • Shops • Commercial • Garages • Shops • Commercial • Models Open 7 Days A Week 800-255-9981 www.foltzbuildings.com • Models Open 7 Days A Week www.foltzbuildings.com

SERVING MINNESOTA AND THE DAKOTAS.

001351192r1

Senior James Huwe’s run to the Class 2A state heavyweight was the story of the wrestling season last year in Detroit Lakes and he begins a return quest heading up a young and inexperienced squad.

“It’s a season to regroup; we’ve got a lot of young kids who are new,” said Huwe. “I have a set of goals for myself.

The ultimate goal is to be the state champ. I’m worrying about myself and about getting better, leading the team as best I can.”

Huwe is not the only Laker with state experience as Braydon Ortloff and Payton Jackson, both sophomores, look to punch tickets to St. Paul after missing last season. Both wrestlers qualified as eighth-graders at the 2014 tournament. Ortloff placed sixth at 106 pounds.

Ortloff finished fourth at the Section 8AA tournament last season at 120 pounds. Jackson placed sixth at 126.

The top two individuals qualify for the state meet.

Huwe pinned his way to the section finals before shutting out Jesse Bucholz of Perham 5-0 to win the championship.

His season ended in a nail-biting four overtime loss in the final match of the state tournament.

“It was a close match throughout the whole thing,” Huwe said. “Just getting there is a big feat.”

Huwe has a lot of confidence because of his state experience and it will be a needed boon to this year’s team.

“You get better as you get older,” Huwe said. “My maturity is a lot more now than it was even a year ago. My first year when I was a freshman, I was nervous. Being down there the past

three years, I’m pretty confident and it shouldn’t be much of a burden.”

This year, while Huwe will have plenty of time to concentrate on his individual goals, he also will be counted upon to be a leader on the team as the lone senior.

“James is our leader,” DL head coach Robb Ullyott said. “He’s in a unique position to be a real leader on this team and make a difference, especially with these young guys we’ve got. I think back to my wrestling days and how much I looked up to the older guys that made a difference in my life and they really made an impact on me.

He’s got a chance this year to come out as one of the guys that really made a difference.”

Sean Lundeen is the only junior on the team. Austin Baker joins Ortloff and Jackson in the sophomore class. The rest of the Lakers’ roster is comprised of seventh graders through freshmen.

“We’re going to have to be a little careful this year,” Ullyott said.

“There’s going to be some growing pains. This will be probably one of the youngest teams I’ve been associated with here.”

The large group of young wrestlers shows the success DL has had with their youth program.

“We’ve seen the bubble kind of coming with these young guys,” Ullyott said. “We’ve got to be patient a little bit anyway. We’re just hoping to get better and hopefully at the end of the season James is in a position to do something,” said Ullyott.

Section 8AA will provide tough competition for the young Lakers.

Bemidji dropped a class due to enrollment numbers and joins Section 8AA in wrestling. The Lumberjacks should compete with Perham and

001350661r1

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

15

Swimmers pushing for strong section showing

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

The Laker boys swimming and diving team returns an experienced roster of 26 swimmers, with only one team member not having any competitive swimming or diving experience, allowing the team to come out of the gate strong to begin the year.

“We were able to start out the season rather smoothly,” said DL head coach Rian Heimark.

The team is also young, comprised mostly of underclassmen.

“We only have two seniors on the team this year, but we have eight juniors, nine sophomores, and four freshmen, whose talents are widespread,” Heimark said. “Twentyone of the boys are doing the swim practices each day, while five are working on the diving board with diving coach Bobbi Jo Koons.

Laker girls head coach Carol McCarthy is also assisting Heimark in practices at the high school pool.

Senior Jake Anderson, junior Quinn Bakken, and junior Spencer Heimark are this season’s team captains.

The trio will look to lead the Lakers to a repeat Mid-State Conference championship.

“Our biggest goal is to win the conference title, and it will take a combined effort to accomplish this,” Heimark said.

Last year, the top two Laker 400-freestyle relay teams scored four more points than the same pairings from Park Rapids Area to clinch the Mid-State Conference championship in the final race giving the Lakers a slim seven-point victory over the

The Laker boys swim team — Row 1: Tucker Strawsell, Quinn Bakken, Jake Anderson, Tanner Olson, Brady Labine, Isaac Howard, Sean Oakes, Zane Freeman. Row 2: Connor Bunn, Allen Holzgrove, Elliot Musielewicz, Spencer Heimark, Austin Gedrose, Edward Johnson, Elijah Kitzmann, Gunnar Feddersen. Row 3: Josten Bellefeuille, Garrett Bakken, Ivan Kyska, Jesse Livermore, Connor Haugrud, Landon Lindsey, Simon Steinke, Gabriel Kitzmann, Lance Parzyck, Charles Wakonabo.

Panthers at home to take the MidState.

“Because our talent is widespread, we need to figure out where we are going to be the strongest with each event and then mix things up a little bit,” Heimark said.

Diving will be a strong suit for the Lakers contributing important points in meets.

“Zane Freeman, Austin Gedrose, Edward Johnson, and Brady Labine have all returned with diving board

experience, and they will definitely be playing an important part with their diving, and swimming, abilities,” Heimark said.

Detroit Lakes had two individuals advance from sections to the state meet last year.

Jared Olson, who graduated, qualified in the 200-freestyle and 100-backstroke.

Freeman, a junior, advanced from 14th place after the state preliminaries to make the podium with a sixth place

finish.

According to Heimark, the Lakers are taking a strong look at what they can accomplish during the season to find ways to peak, team-wise, in the meets that matter most.

“As far as sections go, we have set higher standards for the boys, and we will need to wait and see what comes of that.”

This year’s Section 5A meet will be held in mid-February at Thief River Falls.

Chuck Collins Manufactures Sales & Service

001351072r1

chuck@connectionpointllc.us www.connectionpointllc.us

Connection Point

001352194r1

M: 218-234-5254 F: 773-304-1463

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

16

Laker basketball enters season with fresh faces

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

THE LAKER BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM — Row 1: Samuel Priem, Tanner Doppler, Kai McLeod, Nathan Johnson, Lance Singer, Isaac Cihak. Row 2: Matt Haire, Jake Richter, Jacob Pazdernik, Kelvin Price, Adam Daggett.

“He finds ways to make plays and get his hands on the ball. He gives us a lot of energy on both ends of the floor.”

Junior Kai McLeod will also see his share of time on the floor.

Last season’s home opener was a barn burner, with the Hawley Nuggets that ended in a three pointer at the buzzer for Ryan Cihak to start DL’s year with an exciting victory.

“That’s one of the most memorable games I’ve been a part of,” said Flint.

DL didn’t have to wait long to face the Nuggets again, another team that was hit hard by graduation. The two teams met Tuesday, Nov. 24 in Hawley, with DL dominating in a 6328 blowout.

BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE Date

Brian Basham

Sam Priem saw his share of playing time cracking a seniorloaded lineup last season and will be one of the Lakers leaders this year in his senior season.

BOYS BASKETBALL roster No.

@dlakessports

Med-Pac, Inc.

1 2 3 5 10 13 15 21 22 23 24 30

Pos.

name Adam Daggett Jacob Pazdernik Kai McLeod Tanner Doppler Sam Priem Jake Richter Lance Singer Kelvin Price Jackson Haire Matt Haire Isaac Cihak Nathan Johnson

G G G G G F C C F C C C

grade 11 12 11 10 12 12 12 11 10 12 11 11

Time

Opponent

11/20

7:30 PM

Bemidji(8AAA)

11/24 12/1

7:30 PM 7:15 PM

Hawley(8AA) Staples Motley(8AA)

12/4

7:15 PM

Crosby-Ironton(7AA)

12/8

7:15 PM

12/11

7:15 PM

12/11

7:30 PM

12/15

8:00 PM

Park Rapids Area(8AA) Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8AA) Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8AA) Thief River Falls(8AAA)

12/18

7:45 PM

Pequot Lakes(7AA)

12/19

7:15 PM

12/22 12/29

7:30 PM 0:00 AM

12/30

0:00 AM

1/5

7:30 PM

Alexandria H.S. (8AAA) Bemidji(8AAA) Sauk RapidsRice(8AAA) Sauk RapidsRice(8AAA) Fergus Falls(8AAA)

1/8

7:15 PM

Staples Motley(8AA)

1/15

7:15 PM

Crosby-Ironton(7AA)

1/19

7:30 PM

Pequot Lakes(7AA)

1/21

7:30 PM

Little Falls(8AAA)

1/23

2:30 PM

1/29 2/4 2/4 2/5

7:30 PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:15 PM

2/9

7:15 PM

2/11

7:30 PM

Sartell-Saint Stephen(8AAA) Rocori(5AAA) Perham(8AA) Perham(8AA) Park Rapids Area(8AA) Thief River Falls(8AAA) Albany(6AA)

2/13

2:30 PM

Grand Rapids(7AAA)

2/16

7:30 PM

Moorhead(8AAAA)

2/18

7:30 PM

Alexandria H.S. (8AAA)

Ralph Braaten President 001351839r1

Custom Fabrication CNC Plasma, Press Brake, Custom Aluminum Welding on Pontoons, Trailers, Fish House, and Docks.

2093 South 2nd Street • PO Box 5, Lake Park, MN 56554 Toll Free (866) 875-8068 • Phone: (218) 238-5100 Fax: (218) 238-5102

Brent Smith

B.S.R.T. (R)(MR)(ARRT) MRI Technologist

1252 Washington Avenue Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 (218) 847-6300 001350902r1

SITE Detroit Lakes H.S. Hawley H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Crosby-Ironton H.S. Park Rapids Area H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Thief River Falls H.S. Pequot Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Bemidji H.S. Sauk RapidsRice H.S. Sauk RapidsRice H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Staples-Motley H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Little Falls H.S.

Sartell-Saint Stephen H.S. Rocori H.S. Perham H.S. Perham H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Detroit Lakes H.S. Alexandria H.S.

Matt Hedstrom Cell: 218-841-9791 mhedstro@amfam.com

Open Monday through Friday for Detroit Lakes and the surrounding area 1123 HWY. 10 EAST SUITE 1 1123 HWY. 10DETROIT EAST SUITE 1 56501 LAKES, MN

DETROIT LAKES, MN 56501 OFFICE: 218-847-5796 TOLL FREE: 800-750-9004 OFFICE: 218-847-5796 FAX: 218-846-1493 TOLL FREE: 800-750-9004

FAX: 218-846-1493 R001952272

New faces comprised the starting lineup for the Laker boys basketball team as they got their season underway Friday, Nov. 19 at home versus Bemidji.

The Lakers graduated a dozen seniors last year and will do battle this season with a fresh crop of players.

“There’s going to be a learning curve,” head coach Robb Flint said. “We’re going to make some silly mistakes, just because we’re inexperienced.”

Jacob Richter and Sam Priem were two players who saw their share of playing time last season, including the section final game, finding a way to get playing time on a loaded bench in 2014-15.

“Those are two guys who are going to have to step up,” said Flint.

The starting lineup will be all seniors with Matt Haire, Jacob Pazdernik, and Lance Singer joining Priem and Richter.

Captains for this season are Richter and Singer.

“We have athletes,” Flint said.

“It’s just going to take some time to figure out the pace and speed of play.

“Once you get to varsity level, it’s a lot faster and it takes a while to get acclimated to that.”

This year DL will have a shorter bench, but the core group of the team has played together since their sophomore season, allowing the coaching staff to get the team strategy in place for the season opener.

“It was easy to keep implementing more defenses and schemes,” Flint said of the first fortnight of practice.

Bemidji returns a couple starters and enters the season under new head coach Travis Peterson, who replaced Dan Ninham.

Peterson was an assistant coach under Ninham for the past three seasons.

Bemidji is coming off a 5-21 season.

The Lakers were 23-6 last year.

All the changes between the two teams left both coaching staffs will little to scout and go on in terms of pregame preparation.

The Nov. 20 home opener provided an entertaining battle, as the two teams duked it out en route to a 71-58 Laker victory.

Junior Adam Daggett saw time off the bench and will compete for a spot in the starting lineup after scoring in double figures.

“Daggett has had a really good couple weeks after a tremendous summer,” said Flint prior to the Bemidji game. “He’s going to be pushing our starting five every week to crack that. It’ll be good competition for our guys.”

Isaac Cihak, another junior, will make an impact at the post position.

“I haven’t coached many guys who play harder or want it more than Isaac,” Flint said.

“For being six-one and playing the post, he gets a lot of stuff done. He’s a lot of fun to coach and I’m really glad he’s on our team. He’s like a pitbull down there.

GOOD LUC!K LAKERS

Matt Hedstrom Cell: 218-841-9791 mhedstro@amfam.com

Jim Hedstrom Cell: 218-841-7405 Jim Hedstrom Cell: 218-841-7405 jhedstro@amfam.com jhedstro@amfam.com

GOOD LUCK LAKERS!

001354677r1

17

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

Caufield Studio, INC.

The Raiders Boys’ basketball team — Front row L-R: Nick Donovan, Lane Ulmer, Grant Pederson, Carter Raaen.

Back row: Mike Vohnoutka, Mitch Hall, Reese Mattson, Anthony Lange, Clay Anderson, Jesse Bergh, Garret Frank, Jake Sherbrooke, Ben Carson.

Offseason work has Raiders ready for season Head Coach Kyle Haberman begins his second season at Lake Park-Audubon directing a Raiders’ basketball program back into a winning mental mindset.

“We need to start the culture of expecting to win,” Haberman said.

“That isn’t here yet.”

LP-A is coming off a 7-17 season and a fifth place finish in the Pine to Prairie South Conference at 3-13. The Raiders are off to a 3-2 start after five games in 2015 trying to reverse a string of five consecutive losing seasons.

The 2009 Raiders finished 1610 winning the final six games of the regular season only to lose to Mahnomen in the opening round of the playoffs. Since that season, LP-A has a mark of 40-87 the past five years.

No. 3-seeded Ada-Borup knocked out the Raiders 73-44 in Moorhead to end last year’s campaign.

That team was young and the Raiders return much of their scoring strength improved from a season of experience and a dedicated summer program.

“We have returned some guys that are ready for us to take the next step,” Haberman said. “We will not be very deep, but if we stay healthy should be able to contend every night. The hope is that by the end of the season we find some continuity and finish strong.”

The Raiders will be without senior senior Paul Jenson.

“He worked hard on his game all summer, but is expected to miss the season due to concussion symptoms,” Haberman said. “His efforts will be tough to replace.”

Haberman started pre-season programs for the youth basketball in LP-A getting third through sixth graders and seventh and eighth graders into shape and shooting early.

Getting varsity players into the gym this past summer was also a key to changing the mindset and talent level for the Raiders to compete in the conference and Section 6A. “We were able to have 13 guys over 10,000 shots and eight of those were over 15k, led by junior center Jesse Bergh who tallied 22,000 shots.”

Bergh’s height will be important in the paint for the Raiders. Through the opening three games, Bergh led the Raiders in scoring average 17.7 per game, with a healthy field goal percentage of 70.6.

Bergh’s improvement has been visible early, as he has put up 10 more points per game than last year, when he averaged 6.2 as a sophomore.

Around the perimeter, LP-A will post their tri-captains, junior Mitchell Hall and seniors Lane Ulmer and Reese Mattson. Sophomore Grant Pederson rounds out the starting five, with junior Mike Vohnoutka poised be a difference-maker off the bench as the sixth man.

Senior Jake Sherbrooke and sophomore Carter Raaen will also play key minutes.

Hall, Ulmer and Vohnoutka have found early success from long range, each shooting better than 42 percent from the arc. With Bergh mopping up rebounds down low, the Raiders can be successful if they can complement his play with a strong attack from the field.

“Bergh has put in the time needed to take the next step as a basketball

First Hawley Agency

W agner

Insurance Agency

W agner

First Hawley Agency

001350895r1

For peace of mind…

Life • Health • Home • Auto • Commercial • Crop • Farm 1018 Hobart St. • PO Box 579 710 South Ten Dr. • PO Box 256 Hawley, MN 56549 Lake Park, MN 56554 Insurance Agency Ph. (218) 483-3526 Ph. (218) 238-5696 firsthawleyagency@arvig.net wagneria123@yahoo.com

player. We need him to be a large defensive presence in order for us to be as successful as we want to be. If Hall takes the next step, he should be one of the best players in our conference and Ulmer has been our constant the last few years. He may have to do some things differently than he has in the past but will work at anything we need him to do for the betterment of the team.”

Hall is the team’s leading scorer from last year, after he averaged nearly 15 points per game as a sophomore.

Fundamentals will be important on defense and when attacking opposing defenses.

“We need to be sharper on the defensive end especially rebounding the basketball,” said Haberman. “We also need to react better when teams throw different defenses at us.”

Battle Lake and Hillcrest Lutheran Academy advanced to the Section 6A final with the Battlers coming out on top. Both teams have reloaded and should be the top contenders. Waubun returns an experienced club and are the early favorites for the conference title.

BOYS BASKETBALL roster No. 3 4 5 11 13 15 20 23 25 31 41 45

Pos.

name Mike Vohnoutka Grant Pederson Garret Frank Reese Mattson Lane Ulmer Jake Sherbrooke Clay Anderson Carter Raaen Mitch Hall Anthony Lage Nick Donovan Jesse Bergh

G G G F G F F F F C F C

grade 11 10 10 12 12 12 12 10 11 11 9 11

boys basketball SCHEDULE Date

Time

Opponent

11/23

7:30 PM

Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8AA)

11/28 12/7

7:30 PM 7:30 PM

12/10 12/11 12/15

TBD TBD 7:30 PM

12/17

7:30 PM

Hawley(8AA) Norman County West(8A) Fosston(8A) Blackduck(8A) FertileBeltrami(8A) Climax/Fisher (8A)

12/21

7:30 PM

Waubun(6A)

12/22

7:30 PM

Frazee(8AA)

12/28

TBD

12/29

TBD

12/30

TBD

1/4

7:30 PM

1/7

7:30 PM

Calvin Christian Invitational Calvin Christian Invitational Calvin Christian Invitational NCE/UH Titans (6A) Park Christian(6A)

1/9

4:00 PM

Lamoure

1/12

7:30 PM

Ada-Borup(8A)

1/12

7:30 PM

Ada-Borup(8A)

1/14

7:30 PM

Norman County West(8A)

1/16 1/19

6:00 PM 7:30 PM

Rothsay(6A) Waubun(6A)

1/21

7:30 PM

Win-E-Mac(8A)

1/26 1/29

7:30 PM 7:30 PM

Bagley(8AA) Mahnomen(8A)

2/5

7:30 PM

Ulen Hiterdal

2/5

7:30 PM

2/8

8:00 PM

NCE/UH Titans (6A) Park Christian(6A)

2/11

7:30 PM

Ada-Borup(8A)

2/18

7:30 PM

Rothsay(6A)

SITE Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton H.S. Hawley H.S. Lake ParkAudubon Fosston H.S. Fosston H.S. Fertile-Beltrami H.S. Lake ParkAudubon Waubun H.S. Lake ParkAudubon Calvin Christian H.S. Calvin Christian H.S. Calvin Christian H.S. Ulen-Hitterdal H.S. Lake ParkAudubon Lake ParkAudubon Ada-Borup H.S. Ada-Borup H.S. Norman County West H.S. Rothsay H.S. Lake ParkAudubon Lake ParkAudubon Bagley H.S. Mahnomen H.S. Lake ParkAudubon Lake ParkAudubon Park Christian H.S. Lake ParkAudubon Lake ParkAudubon

800.439.6038 218.439.6037

windsor@loretel.net

19694 Morton Oaks Rd. Audubon, MN 56511

Kris Eiter, Larry and Jodi Stockert

001354890r1

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

Windsor Sales was founded in 1987 and since 1990 has focused primarily on hospitality industry. Windsor Sales also specializes in lighting of retail spaces, multi-family housing, manufacturing, and other institutional areas.

Hot Stuff Pizza now available!

Pizzas - Call one in today!

Hwy 10 East • Audubon 439-6670 Open 24 Hours A Day

001352260r1

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

18

Caufield Studio, INC.

The Raiders girls’ basketball team – Front row L-R: Cassidy Holmstrom, CoCaptain Sam Dahlgren, cocaptain Allie Herfindahl, Emma Osborne.

Back row: Assistant Coach Ashley Tingelstad, Head Coach Brad Dunham, Brianne Huesman, Maria Miosek, Elise Whitehead, Rileigh Leninger, Alexa Carlson, Carli Raaen.

Raider girls program gains former star on staff

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

The Lake Park-Audubon varsity girls basketball team played through a tough year last season, accumulating only two wins after a trip to the subsection finals in 2013-14. Rebuilding a team that lost its scoring that year continues into this upcoming season.

The entire varsity roster has seen time on the floor early in the season, as head coach Brad Dunham works the lineup to find a consistent rotation.

The Raiders are off to a 0-3 start after a Pine to Prairie Conference loss to Mahnomen at home to open the season and a pair of defeats at the Fosston tournament.

LP-A has a string of five consecutive conference games upcoming with a tournament at Dilworth-GlyndonFelton over the holiday break.

LP-A lost their leading scorers from last season, Laina Nelson and Megan Hilfer, to graduation. Juniors Sam Dahlgren and Cassidy Holmstrom return with the most varsity experience.

Dahlgren scored 93 points last season, followed by Holmstrom with 77. The Raiders will be without Dahlgren’s services, however, after ACL surgery.

Building the program back to prominence requires work at the junior varsity level and below. Lake Park-Audubon hired former Raider

North Dakota State All-American track star Ashley Tingelstad to work with these younger players.

“It is a privilege to be back at LP-A,” Tingelstad said. “I am truly excited for this opportunity. I am quickly finding out that the coaching side is vastly different from the player’s side. As a player, I had to learn one position and thought that I knew everything there was to know about the game. Coaching has made me realize that that was not the case. There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes that I was unaware of as a player.”

Tingelstad was a tenacious guard on both ends of the floor, making a living on the court with steals in the backcourt and layups. She could also shoot from all over the field.

“I still am and always will be a competitive person, so as a coach I want to be able to bring out the best in these athletes,” she said. “I want to make a positive impact on these girl’s lives, like the coaches I have had in the past did for me. I guess this is my way of giving back to the school that paved the way for my athletic career.”

Tingelstad has been working on basketball basics and teamwork – the concepts players need to learn at a young age to be successful at the high school level.

“In the past couple of weeks we have really been stressing the fundamental

aspects of basketball so we can develop each and every one of these girls,” said Tingelstad. “We want the team as a whole to be great, not just one or two players. We understand that changes take time to fully be implemented, but with the coaching staff we have, and what we are doing, our goal is to make LPA a force to be reckoned with.”

Tingelstad was a force for East Grand Forks (28-3), leading the Green Wave to the 2009 state tournament her senior season after transferring out of the LP-A district. She played the state quarterfinal with a knee injury. That level of toughness and the experience she gained in her stellar career at NDSU will only benefit young Raider student-athletes. Tingelstad knows what it takes to win.

“Fundamentals and hard work will be the foundation that our program will be built upon,” she said.

girls basketball roster No. 2 4 11 14 15 21 22 34 40 44

Pos.

name Allie Herfindahl Emma Osborne Alexa Carlson Elise Whitehead Maria Miosek Sam Dahlgren Brianne Huesman Carli Raaen Rileigh Leininger Cassidy Holmstrom

F F G G C G G C C C

C ONSTRUCTIO N LLC 218-530-0238

1-800-244-5709 • 218-935-2517

502 North Main Street • Mahnomen, MN 56557

www.wildriceelectric.com

001337364r1

12 12 11 11 10 11 10 12 11 11

Time

12/1

7:30 PM

12/10 12/10

TBD 7:30 PM

12/11 12/15

TBD 6:00 PM

12/18

7:30 PM

12/21 12/28

6:00 PM TBD

12/29

TBD

1/5

7:30 PM

1/8

7:30 PM

1/9

2:30 PM

1/12

6:00 PM

1/12

6:00 PM

1/14

7:30 PM

1/16 1/18

4:00 PM 7:30 PM

1/21

7:30 PM

1/22

7:30 PM

1/26 1/28

7:30 PM 7:30 PM

2/1

7:30 PM

2/4

7:30 PM

2/8

6:30 PM

2/11

6:00 PM

2/16

7:30 PM

2/18 2/25

7:30 PM 7:30 PM

Opponent

SITE

Mahnomen (8A)

Lake ParkAudubon Fosston (8A) Fosston H.S. Red Lake Falls Fosston Tour(8A) nament Fosston (8A) Fosston H.S. Fertile-Beltrami Fertile-Beltra(8A) mi H.S. Climax-Fisher (8A) Lake ParkAudubon Waubun (6A) Waubun H.S. Dilworth-GlyndonDilworth-GlynFelton H.S. (8AA) don-Felton H.S. Dilworth-Glyndon- Dilworth-GlynFelton H.S. (8AA) don-Felton H.S. NCE/UH Titans Norman (6A) County East H.S. Park Christian (6A) Lake ParkAudubon Lamoure Lake ParkAudubon Ada-Borup (6A) Ada-Borup H.S. Ada-Borup (6A) Ada-Borup H.S. Sacred Heart H.S. Sacred Heart (8A) H.S. Rothsay (6A) Rothsay H.S. Waubun (6A) Lake ParkAudubon Win-E-Mac (8A) Lake ParkAudubon Brandon-Evansville Brandon(6A) Evansville H.S. Bagley (8AA) Bagley H.S. Mahnomen (8A) Mahnomen H.S. Fosston (8A) Lake ParkAudubon NCE/UH Titans (6A) Lake ParkAudubon Park Christian (6A) Park Christian H.S. Ada-Borup (6A) Lake ParkAudubon Pelican Rapids Pelican Rapids (8AA) H.S. Frazee (8AA) Frazee H.S. Rothsay Lake ParkAudubon

GOOD LUCK TEAMS!

KEVIN LEFEBVRE

Residential Construction New and Remodeling Skidsteer Work Kitchen Bathrooms

grade

GIRLS basketball SCHEDULE Date

MN license #BC635703 ND License #44571

001350888r1

www.mmcdc.com • 218-847-3191

001351383r1

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

19

Caufield Studio, INC.

The United Clay Becker badgers feature a host of young wrestlers, due to an impressive summer program and staff youth camps that have the future of UCB wrestling looking bright. The Badgers are on the return path to qualfying mulitple individuals for the state meet after sending one, Nick Wamre, last year.

UCB wrestling has strength in youth numbers United Clay Becker is short on upper classmen, but has a load of young talent to build around for the near future.

“We have a lot of young wrestlers,” head coach Nick Paur said. “Our Junior high program this year wrestled in the Fargo league to get them more matches and better matchups. We have a few wrestlers we expect to compete at a high level.”

Senior Jarrett Lange and juniors Riley Byklum and Alec Korby are this season’s tri-captains and will be counted upon to lead this young group.

All three wrestlers, Lange at 138 pounds, Byklum at 132 and Korby at 160, along with sophomore 170-pounder Sam Wamre, have a good chance to do a lot of damage individually at the Section 8AA meet this year.

Team wise, United Clay Becker was eliminated by Detroit Lakes in the preliminary round last season and given the youthful nature of the team will likely wait another year for a deep run in the team portion of the playoffs.

“We aren’t in the top half but we are improving each year with numbers and experience,” said Paur. “I look to a goal to win a section dual.”

UCB had 20 seventh and eighth grade kids try out for wrestling this year.

“My assistant coach Cole Wixo and I feel we make great contact with many of the athletes and push them to

be active year round,” Paur said.

Both Wixo and Paur also coach junior high and varsity football, respectively, and interaction with young players at that level aids in the continuation of sports for many of the kids into the winter season.

“We have Nick Birchem over in Hawley working with the junior varsity and varsity football team also,” said Paur.

United Clay Becker is a co-op between the schools of Hawley, Lake Park and Audubon.

Summer camps have also led to increased numbers.

“We have held a youth camp each summer for both Hawley and Lake Park-Audubon kids and had great turnouts so the kids get to know each other.”

Finding ways to make those workouts enjoyable and creating team chemistry is obvious by the number of young student athletes ready and willing to wrestle.

“I think we have fun and the kids feed off of that,” Paur said.

Nick Wamre represented UCB at state last year in the 195-pound class, but it was a quick trip as Wamre was defeated in the opening round by Mora’s Jordan Tober, who dropped his second match eliminating Wamre from wrestlebacks.

Jonah Lange and Mason Swegarden appeared at state two seasons ago with Swegarden bringing back a fourth place finish at 145 pounds.

UCB has two big dates in January

R&R

Up to 3400 Gallon Capacity

Transportation, Inc. & BODY SHOP

3 Trucks To Serve You

001353551r1

218-439-3766 • 1-800-726-7439

wrestling roster No. 113 138 152 160 170 220 285 106 106 106 120 120 120 132 132 138 138 138 145 152 152 152 160 170 170 170 170 182 182

Pos.

name Helgeson, Sam Flores, Brendon Seley, Janai Bencker, Mason Noel, Eli Dayley, Wyatt Greenleaf, Blake Peterson, Garret Rivers, Nick Sperr, Nathan Coufal, Mark O’Connell, Sanden Shultz, Cade Boe, Bradyn Byklum, Riley Lange, Jarrett Loberg, Trevor Magnusson, Hunter Osborne, Jack Janssen, Arthur “AJ” Johnson, Baily Seley, Jordyn Korby, Alec Hines, Thomas “TJ” Mattson, Jack Stevens, Austin Wamre, Sam Felker, Seth Ruhl, Isaiah

7 9 9 11 10 10 11 9 8 8 9 9 9 9 11 12 10 9 10 11 9 10 11 9 9 9 10 10 12

grade Grade 11 7 8 8 8 7 7 7 8 9 7 10 8 11 8 10 9 8 10 8 9 11 8 8 11 11 9 12

TIM SMITH

LICENSED • INSURED • BONDED

218.532.2516

Year-Around Pumping • Farm • Residential • Commercial • Lift Pump Replacement • Portable Restroom Rental & Service • Sewer Line Jetting & Thawing • Sewer Line Camera Inspection

Time

Opponent

SITE

12/1

7:00 PM

Pelican Rapids (6A)

Pelican Rapids H.S. New York Mills Quad New York Mills H.S. None Selected Breckenridge H.S. None Selected Crookston H.S. Crookston H.S. Cass Lake-Bena H.S. Cass Lake-Bena H.S. Cass Lake-Bena H.S. Cass Lake-Bena H.S. Hawley H.S.

12/4

5:00 PM

Staples Motley (6A)

12/4

5:00 PM

New York Mills (6A)

12/4 12/10

5:00 PM 5:00 PM

Fosston/Bagley (8AA) Breckenridge (6A)

12/10 12/12 12/12 12/18

6:30 PM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM

12/18

9:00 AM

12/19

9:00 AM

12/19

9:00 AM

1/12

5:00 PM

1/12

5:00 PM

1/15

0:00 AM

1/15

0:00 AM

Barnesville (6A) Crookston (8A) Crookston (8A) Blackduck/Cass Lake Bena Bears (7A) Blackduck/Cass Lake Bena Bears (7A) Blackduck/Cass Lake Bena Bears (7A) Blackduck/Cass Lake Bena Bears (7A) Mahnomen/Waubun (8A) Red Lake County Lake ParkCentral (8A) Audubon Fosston/Bagley (8AA) Lake ParkAudubon East Grand Forks/ Lake ParkAudubon Sacred Heart (8AA)

1/15

1:00 PM

Fergus Falls (8AA)

1/15

1:00 PM

United Clay Becker Badgers (8AA)

1/15

1:00 PM

Breckenridge (6A)

1/22

10:00 AM

Pelican Rapids (6A)

1/22

10:00 AM

Barnesville (6A)

1/22

10:00 PM

1/23

0:00 AM

1/28

7:00 PM

1/28

7:30 PM

2/2

7:00 PM

2/2

7:00 PM

Park Rapids Area (8A) Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8A) Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8A) Dilworth-GlyndonFelton H.S. (8A) Walker-Hack-Akeley/ Nevis (7A) Walker-Hack-Akeley/ Nevis (7A)

Lake ParkAudubon Lake ParkAudubon

Lake ParkAudubon Lake ParkAudubon Lake ParkAudubon None Selected Lake ParkAudubon Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton H.S. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton H.S. Hawley H.S. Lake ParkAudubon

@dlakessports

Hawley CO-OP Elevator

Owner-Operator

Cormorant DEWEY’S SEPTIC SERVICE

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR TOP QUALITY DRIVERS!

North End of Audubon

to look forward to on back-toback weekend, the Terry Teiken Invitational tournament Jan. 15, and the Badgers host the Heart O’ Lakes/ Mid-State conference tournament the following weekend, also in Lake Park.

The Badgers have begun the year 5-6 in duals and in placed fourth at the Crookston tournament Saturday, Dec. 12 with a dozen wrestlers placing.

001351627r1

BY ROBERT WILLIAMS

rwilliams@dlnewspapers.com

wrestling SCHEDULE Date

218-483-3351 001351251r1

Winter sports preview 2015-2016

20

Proud Supporter of Our Athletes

We are dedicated to cheering on your children while they grow, shine and win. Sanford Health Detroit Lakes Clinic provides quality local health care backed by a system of specialists to serve your sports medicine and family health care needs.

Clinic Hours Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–Noon

Call (218) 846-2000 to schedule an appointment.

sanfordhealth.org

038003-00035 8/15