SoMINN FALL SPORTS 2025

girls tennis

Owatonna girls tennis

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Curt Matejcek, 29th year

Assistant coaches: Zach Waletich, 6th year; Sara Anderson, 1st year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Genevieve Froman, Harper Shives, Haley McNett, Donata Hudock, Sadie Cordell, and Ande Hunt

Juniors: Patty Procopio, Gabi Navarro, Lillian Thiele, Johanna Spielman, Elizaeth Tippel, and Sophie Grams

Sophomores: Greta Veldman and Megan Deml

Freshmen: June Froman

KEY PLAYERS:

Even though the team lost many of it’s top

players, we return many players who played a major part in last year’s team success. The team returns senior letter winners and this year’s captains Genevieve Froman, Harper Shives and Haley McNett. Also returning are juniors Patty Procopio, Gabi Navarro, Lillian Thiele, sophomore Greta Veldman, and freshman June Froman.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

The team will look to fill roles with last years’ top JV players and others from the 36 player roster. Those competing for playing time include seniors Donata Hudock, Sadie Cordell, Ande Hunt, and Abriana Harris, juniors Johanna Spielman, Elizabeth Tippel, and Sophie Grams, and Sophomore Megan Deml.

2024 RECAP:

The Huskies finished the 2024 season with a final overall record of 11-3 and a 9-3 conference record, good for 3rd place in the Big 9. The team also made an appearance at the Section Final 4, losing to Rochester Mayo in the semifinal match.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

The Huskies always look to finish in the top 3rd in the conference although with the talent that was lost to graduation that will be a lofty challenge.

COMPETITION:

The Big 9 conference will once again be led by Rochester Mayo, a perennial top 5 program in the State.

BY THE NUMBERS:

36 - total players

3 - retuning senior letter winners

Genevieve Froman is one of three senior captains on Owatonna’s team this season along with Harper Shives and Haley McNett. (File Photo - Owatonna.com)

Haley McNett is one of three seniors who lettered last year as a junior for the Huskies. (File PhotoOwatonna.com)

Faribault girls tennis

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Jeff Anderson – 7th year (10th year overall)

Assistant coach: Robb Morris –4th year (10th year overall)

ROSTER:

The senior group is led by Bella Anderson (2/3 doubles), Leah Nowaczewski (4 singles), Isabella Pankonin (2/3 doubles), Carmen Puente (1 doubles), Brianna VelazquezSanchez (2/3 doubles), and Skye Peterson (JV). Juniors include Allie Rauenhorst (JV/3 doubles), Beata Christianson (3 singles),

Northfield girls tennis

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Elisabeth Hurlbert, 5th year as Co-Head Coach

Head coach: Beth LaCanne, 5th year as Co-Head Coach

Assistant coach: Jake Odell, 2nd year as Assistant Coach

ROSTER:

The seniors are Annika Briske, Grace Dennison, Genevieve Knutson, Kate LaCanne, Maggie LaCanne, Alyssa Malecha, Adela Melby, Elsa Mitchell, Ashton Morrison, and Kate Sand. The juniors are Megan Carlson, Lindsey Clark, Jiselle Celis, Audrey Hehr, Jessa Jorgensen, Abby Kauffeld, Edie Pellinen, Emilyn Rataj, Mary Louise Street, and Emilia Zayas. The sophomores are Dalilah Amores, Anne Demas,

Whitney Huberty (2 singles), and Anika Sterling (1 singles). Underclassmen contributors are Hannah Shepherd, a sophomore expected to play 1 doubles, and freshman Allison Kramer, projected for 2 doubles.

KEY PLAYERS:

Singles leaders include Anika Sterling, Leah Nowaczewski, Beata Christianson, and Whitney Huberty, while doubles strength comes from Carmen Puente, Hannah Shepherd, and Allison Kramer.

Kate Grant, Miriam Malosh, Katie Nesseth, Izzy Paulson, Madeline Percy, Maia Richardson, Mari Schoenbauer, Kayla Skluzacek, Gwen Tapper, Kate Truman, Astrid White, and Raenna Dulac. The freshmen include Charlotte Otterblad, Lily Paulis, Jaklyn Rufino, and Estella Freeman, while the eighth grader is Ellise Njagi.

KEY PLAYERS:

Our 1 Singles player Maia Richardson is returning, as well as another top singles player Lindsey Clark. Both will play singles again this year. We also have all of our varsity doubles players returning, including Kate

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Bella Anderson, Brianna Velazquez-Sanchez, Isabella Pankonin, and Allie Rauenhorst.

2024 RECAP:

Faribault finished with a 3–8 Big 9 record, placing 9th in the conference. In the 1AA Team Sections, the Falcons fell to Stewartville (0–1). The overall season record was 4–13.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

The team’s focus remains on effort, attitude, and sportsmanship, with the goal of steady improvement and development into the best players they can be.

COMPETITION:

Mayo is the clear Big 9 favorite and projected state qualifier in the new 1AAA Section. Faribault looks to be competitive in conference play against Albert Lea, Austin, Mankato West, and Winona. In Section 1AA, Faribault will contend with TCU, Winona, Albert Lea, Northfield, Stewartville, and newcomers Simley and Jordan. The Falcons expect to be competitive in sections, particularly against TCU, Albert Lea, Winona, and Jordan.

BY THE NUMBERS:

12 total players

7 returning letter winners

6 seniors (2 captains)

4 juniors (1 captain)

1 sophomore

1 freshman

LaCanne, Elsa Mitchell, Katie Nesseth, Izzy Paulson, Kate Sand, and Gwen Tapper.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Kate Grant played a couple of varsity singles matches last year but she will be one of our top singles players this year. Dalilah Amores played mostly exhibition singles last year and we expect her to be in our varsity singles lineup this year. Siri Richardson played a few varsity matches last year and could play both singles and doubles this year.

2024 RECAP:

Conference Record was 5-6, overall record was 7-9. We advanced to the second round of team Sections.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Our goal is to improve our record from last season. We expect our team to be fully committed this season and compete to the best of their abilities.

COMPETITION:

Rochester Mayo has won the Conference for 30 years and has won the State Championship the last few years. So they are always the favorite for the Conference and Section. Also, Owatonna and Rochester Century are always tough opponents. This year the MSHSL added a third class to our Section. So we remain in Class AA, but Mayo has moved to AAA. This means many teams in AA will have more opportunities than we’ve ever had before to advance in both Team and Individual Sections. But we still have tough teams to compete against, including one team we have never played before, Simley.

BY THE NUMBERS:

30 - total players

8 - Varsity players returning 9 - seniors

Anika Sterling hits a shot. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

Maia Richardson competed in singles play for Northfield at the recent MSHSL Subsection 1AA tournament. (File Photo - NorthfieldNews.com)

Leah Nowaczewski hits a volley. (FIle Photo - Faribault.com)

Lindsey Clark serves during her recent match at third singles against Mankato East.(File PhotoNorthfieldNews.com)

2024 RECAP:

Best Record in St. Peter girls tennis history: 21-2 (lost to Prior Lake and Minnetonka). Won BSC Division and BSC Championship vs. St. James. Lost to Minnetonka in the Section 2AA final four for the fourth straight season. Kylie and Annika Southworth earned a 3rd place finish in the Section 2AA Individual Doubles tournament.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

New to girls tennis is a third class. We will stay in AA, but the 64 biggest schools will move to AAA. This will give our team a much greater chance to win a section title and also win section individual tournaments. Although we have lost our top players from the past few seasons, we have a young group of girls who have varsity experience and have put in a lot of time with their game and with conditioning. We will also have one of our best JV teams this season, with so many returning players that have experience.

COMPETITION:

BSC: St. James.

Section 2AA: Mankato East

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Aaron Rothenberger, 16th year as head coach, 19 seasons total coaching the team Junior High coach: Laura Zender, 2nd year

ROSTER:

Aisha Burale, Megan Graham, Alison Hanson, Sada Harmes, Aubrey Haynes, Charity Koller, Annika Magelee, Rahaf Salim, Brooklyn Schmidt, Emma Volk Kleschult,

St. Peter girls tennis Waseca girls tennis

Leah Boomgaarden, Audrey Born, Ella Dirks, Charlotte Hagen, Addison Jaeger, Lyric Ruble, Madalyn Ruffing, Natalie Salfer, Noelle Simonette, Kylie Southworth, Kady Thoms, Devyn Welp, Adriana (AJ) Huiras, Margaux Letts, Lilyana Lyons, Sophie Nielsen, Brielle Romasiewicz, Rowan Webster, Tegan Wenner, Josie Whipps, Anabelle Alexandri, Norah Born, Makayla Crowley, Eleanor Easton-Hong, Orla Leonhardt, Kate Moelter, Iris Sharstrom, Emma Barnick, Mia Hettig, Zoey Hettig, Eleanor Zender,

KEY PLAYERS:

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Kyle Collins, 22nd year, 28th overall

Assistant coach: Abbe Hoehn, 2nd year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Pearl Moore, Maddy Benson, Paige Dufault, Vivian Mader, Paola

Sandoval, Lily Sanchez, Layla Keith, Katie Olson, Madison Rasche

Sophomore: Hannah Rugger

Freshmen: Ava Miller, Anna Benson, Abby Jackson, Cady Stenzel, Sam Sutton, Chloe Hagen

Eighth-Grade: Lucy Deml

Sr. Vivian Mader- Played 2nd singles last year, was the 2024 Section 1A singles runner up and participated in the 2024 State Individual tennis tournament (0-2). 18-9

Sr. Maddy Benson- Played #3 singles last year and was 18-5

Sr. Paige Dufault- Played #2 doubles last year and was 15-8

Sr. Layla Keith- Played #3 doubles last year and was 15-6

Sr. Pearl Moore- Played #4 singles last year and was 9-5.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Fr. Ava Miller- Played #2 doubles with Paige

Bass, Chloe Hinderscheid, Eliana Homrighausen, Lauren Salfer, Cecelia Waller

KEY PLAYERS:

All returning players from last year’s starting team: Sada Harmes, Leah Boomgaarden, Ella Dirks, Natalie Salfer, Kylie Southworth, Kady Thoms, Margaux Letts, Brielle Romasiewicz.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Charity Koller, Kate Moelter, Addy Jaeger, and Maddie Ruffing

BY THE NUMBERS:

46 - total participants, most in girls that have participated since I started coaching in the past 19 years

37 - 9-12th grade participants, also the most in my 19 years of coaching

5 - Returning all BSC conference players

3 - Awesome captains: Charity Koller, Natalie Salfer, and Kylie Southworth

1 - team goal: to always show the best effort, attitude, and sportsmanship!

last year and will probably move into a singles spot, but can also play doubles very well. She is one of our most versatile and improved players.

2024 RECAP:

2024 Section 1A Champs! 15-6 record and went to the Class A state tournament before falling to #1 Blake (7-0) and St. James (5-2). We were 3-3 in Big South conference- East division.

We lost some of the top players in our lineup: Takya Schoenrock (1st singles) and Mia Kanewischer and Addie Pfeifer (1st doubles) to graduation, but return a good core group of players on this team, who put in some time over the course of the summer, which should payoff.

We had a couple of losses in our division last year, that we hope to rebound from this year.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We hope to compete for another Section title and the Division title (Black Division) in the Big South Conference.

COMPETITION:

Our section has a lot of returning players and will be well balanced. Cannon Falls returns almost everyone and they will be hungry for a rematch after last year’s 4-3 Section final. Both Lake City and Cotter return 9 of 10 players,

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In the conference, St. Peter returns 8 of 10 and their players put in a lot of time on the tennis courts in the off-season. They will be the favorite again.

We have a new division for our conference (Black or Big School) division: Belle Plaine, Marshall, New Ulm, St.Peter, Tri-City United, Waseca and Worthington.

Gold or small school division teams are: Blue Earth, Fairmont, Luverne, Pipestone, Redwood Valley, St. James and River Valley. The winners of each division (Black and Gold) will face off on Sept 23rd for the Big South Conference title.

BY THE NUMBERS:

17 - Total players

6 - returning letter winners

9 - Seniors

1 - Sophomore

6 - Freshman

1 - 8th grader

Harper

and Rochester Lourdes returns 8 of 10.

Kylie Southworth. (file photo - stpeterherald.com)

Freshman Ava Miller returns after a great eighth-grade season last year. (File PhotoWasecaCountyNews.

Ella Dirks. (file photo - stpeterherald.com)

Paige Dufault (left) and Layla Keith (right) both return for their senior seasons this season and are two of nine seniors on the team. (File Photo - WasecaCountyNews.com)

Le Sueur-Henderson girls tennis

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Cassie Wilke- 3rd year

Assistant coach: Ginger Nesbit- 9th year

Assistant coach: Jenny Miller- 4th year

ROSTER:

Ava Becker- 12, Carlin Straub- 12, Alice Breaker12, Teagan Graham- 11, Addison Fahey- 11, Kiandra Straub- 10, Sallie Nesbit- 10, Libby Genelin- 10, Maura Krause- 10, Sophie Tews9, Avery Lawrence- 9, Evelyn Scheele- 9

KEY PLAYERS:

We have the majority of our top 10 line up from last year returning which makes it a really exciting season for us! Based

Tri-City United girls tennis

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Sarah Adams, 2nd year as head coach, 23 year coaching

Assistant coach: Cory Beisel, 2nd year

ROSTER: Cristina Cruz-12 doubles, Caleigh Hoefs-12 doubles, Lucy Fleek-12 doubles, Dakota Meadows-12 doubles, Clara Leonard-12 singles, Ellie Adams-10 singles, Reagan

on matches that we have played thus far, each person has contributed to our wins so it’s difficult to just pick out a few!

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Sophie Tews is new to the varsity team this year and has found herself playing 3rd doubles during our first few matches. She’s a strong player and fun to watch. Our singles line up is young and a powerhouse. I am looking forward to working with that group this year and in the years to come!

2024 RECAP:

We have come off a rough two years with minimal “wins”. It’s something every team can relate to when you have a young group of players.

Steffen-10 singles, Destynee Wolff-10 singles, Hallie Holikcy-10 doubles, Camryn Holicky-10 doubles, Lexie Berger-10 doubles, Maisie Teigen-10 doubles

KEY PLAYERS:

Ellie Adams, Reagan Steffen, and Destynee Wolff have multiple years of varsity singles experience, and Cristina Cruz, Hallie Holicky, and Camryn Holicky have varsity doubles experience. The girls have put time in during the off-season, which should hopefully lead to success this year.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

I feel very optimistic about our 2025 season. We have already had more success so far in our first two weeks than we had all last season. The girls are motivated by this and are putting in the work each day to play at their full potential.

COMPETITION:

It’s hard to say. Some teams have lost a few top 10 players while other teams have not. Time will tell once we get into conference play! It will be interesting to see how we do up against some of our new section members as well.

BY THE NUMBERS:

12 - total players

8 - letter winners

3 - seniors

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Lexie Berger, Caleigh Hoefs, Maisie Teigen, and Lucy Fleek are looking at adding some competitiveness at doubles this year

2024 RECAP:

Our record last year was 5-13. We were 0-5 in the Big South Conference. We had one All-Conference selection in Ellie Adams

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Our goal is to have more wins than we did last year. We are excited that there are 3 classes in tennis and that we don’t have to face defending champs Rochester Mayo anymore! We’ve had girls put in time during the off-season, so I hope that will show in our matches.

COMPETITION:

There are some tough teams in the Big South. I hope we are able to be competitive with most teams in our conference. This is the first year that there are 3 classes for tennis, so we are in new territory regarding our section as we haven’t faced many of the teams in previous years.

BY THE NUMBERS:

25 - total players

6 - letter winners

5- seniors

Kiandra Straub and Ava Becker go for the high five after winning a point. (file photo-Lesueurcountynews.com)

Ellie Adams. (file photo-lesueurcountynews.com)

Addison Fahey. (file photo-Lesueurcountynews.com)

Destynee Wolff. (file photo)

girls SWIM & DIVE

St. Peter girls swim & dive

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Vance Maercklein, 3rd year high school, 13th year coaching swimming

Assistant Coach: Jasmine Witty: 2nd year coaching

Dive coach: Raunatta Wenner, 1st year

Sports Performance Advisor: Abby Mattson, 1st year

ROSTER:

Deszrae Jandert 12, Ashlyn Loula 12, Adela Madson 11, Annika Stone 11, Neveah Swanson 11, Abigail Ramirez 10, Chloe Yauger 10,Amelia Abels 9, Skyla Dale 9, Avery Haggenmiller 9, Himalaya Harrison 9, Kaelyn Loula 9, Skye Long 9, Sidney Nimps 9, Amaya VanBuskirk 9, Finnigan Wenner 9, Allison Wiley 9, Emma Midthun 8, Mallory Coe 7, Kinley Janovsky 7, Rawan Salim 7, Ivy Stockwell 7, Emelia Thompson 7, Aubree Tish 7

KEY PLAYERS:

Adela Madson (fly and IM), Ashlyn Loula (free), Kaelyn (free), Himalaya Harrison, (breast and IM), Skyla Dale (diving), and Finn Wenner (diving).

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Amelia Abels (free), Emma Midthun (breast and IM), Mallory Coe (fly), Kinley Janovsky (diving)

2024 RECAP:

Second at Conference, 7th at Sections with 12 in finals, Addison Landsom and 200 free relay (Sarah Coe, Trista Landsom, Kaelyn Loula, Adela Madson) qualified for state with Addison placing 14th. At Sections Kaelyn tied for 8th in the 50 free in prelims causing a swim off for who would swim in finals which she won. The 200 free relay out touched Mankato East, and tie the qualifying time, to earn their State slot.

Tri-City United/Le Sueur-Henderson

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

The main goal is to build our team up. The last few senior classes were large in numbers and depth but our younger classes are large. This year we will see them start to show off what the next 2-3 years could be. Our Juniors and Seniors have really shown great leadership these first few weeks by example and in and out of the pool.

COMPETITION:

Every year is different so we’ll see. Mankato West is still rebuilding, Mankato East, Northfield, and Marshall will have wide and deep teams this year. Austin lost two great divers but they still have a good team across the board.

BY THE NUMBERS:

Total team size: 24 (2 seniors, 3 juniors, 2 sophomores, 10 freshmen, 1 8th grader, 6 7th graders)

19 Varsity letter winners last year

from last 4 seasons is ready to take on her competitors again for one final splash!

Senior- Kendra Westphal LS-H has been with us since the 7th grade! We are so happy she has show significant strides in her swimming over the years putting herself on the A relay with teammate Ella.

Lily Traxler on the diving board is already putting herself ahead of where she was last season.

Kaylee Rezac- She came out hot at the end of last season. I am excited to see her fly this year.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

McKenna Fredrickson- As always this fire cracker comes out of no where in meets and can always turn it up another notch when needed.

Madelyn Ryan has shown some excellent strength during her conditioning.

I am excited to see her go!

Bre Erickson coming back after a knee injury ready

Moved on: Julia Odenthal, Olivia Onken, Kendelyn Sauter, Tahlia Buckingham

2024 RECAP:

Sectionals

We had a wonderful sectional meet! We had a combined total of 40 seconds dropped as a team at prelims!

200 free: Kaylee Rezac, and McKenna Frederickson, Emma Krenik and Tahlia Buckingham

200IM: Madelyn Ryan

Ella Schmiesing & Kendra

ROSTER: Kendra Westphal-12, Lily Traxler-12, Ella Schmiesing-12, Breanna Erickson-12, Madelyn Ryan-11, Ella McGrath-10, Makaya Hauer-10, Grace Harmeyer-10, McKenna Fredrickson-10, Elise Fashant-10, Kaylee Rezac-9, Emma

Krenik-9, Rylyn Dobmeier-9, Isla Stock-8, Sophie Ryan-8, Aubree Poock-8, Lyla Krocak-8, Alexis Fredrickson-7, Nora Christensen-7.

KEY PLAYERS: Senior -Ella Schmiesing, State participant

50 free: Ella Schmiesing, Olivia Onken, Makaya Hauer, and Grace Harmeyer

100 fly: Madelyn Ryan

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Kristen Denzer - Head 9th year

Ellie Sladek- Assistant swim & dive 2nd year

Captains:

Westphal

Ashlyn Loula. (file photo-Stpeterherald.com)

Ella Schmiesing throws up a heart symbol to her teammates and friends who came out to support her. (file photo-lesueurcountynews.com)

Adela Madson. (file photo-Stpeterherald.com)

Kendra Westphal. (file photo-lesueurcountynews.com)

100 free: Ella Schmiesing, Kendra Westphal, McKenna Frederickson, Julia Odenthal

500 free: Kaylee Rezac

100 back: Kendra Westphal, Olivia Onken, Emma Krenik and Tahlia Buckingham

100 breast: Grace Harmeyer, Makaya Hauer, and Julia Odenthal Sectional FINALS:

Diving: Lily Traxler placed the highest she ever has at sectionals coming in 10th Westphal, Schmiesing, Rezac, and Fredrickson placed 10th in the medley relay at finals!

Ella landed section A champion in the 50 free and qualified for state! lifetime PR 23.68 Ella then swam the 100 free and landed her self as the section A champion again! Also qualifying for state! with a lifetime PR 52.47

These swims were LIGHTS OUT for Ella! Ella was voted in a tie for Swimmer of the year from the Swim Coaches Association.

STATE

After an outstanding sectional meet we knew we would see some excellent state performances by our Ella!

She had a goal to move up higher on that podium in her races at state, and she did just that!

3rd place in her 50 free just hovering her lifetime best in the race with a 23.75!

A race where milliseconds means everything!

2nd place in her 100 free also hovering her lifetime best with a fi nal time of 52.55!

This state meet was sure one to remember!! So many giggles from her teammates, memories made, and milestones achieved!

Very proud of you Schmella!!! I know where Ella would like to see herself at the end of this season.. We will just have to wait and see what this girl can do!

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Season looks promising, again with small numbers but big hearts!

Having a repeat state meet competitor as well as a relay making it to state. Also, we’d love to see three relays at a minimum make it to the podium again at sectionals!

COMPETITION:

This is our 2nd year in a conference with St. Peter & Marshall. Season highlights: Making another STATE appearance for our Titans, maybe a relay or a diver! Deepen our stroke development beyond freestyle. We are pretty strong in our freestyle but need to broaden the girls to swim a variety of strokes.

BY THE NUMBERS:

Owatonna girls swim & dive

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Isaiah Fuller, 13 year

Assistant coaches: Peter Rhodes, 10th year; Tara Lammers, 5th year

Diving coach: Kasey Anderson, 17th season

ROSTER:

Seniors: Christina Bell, Lainey Steckelberg

Juniors: McKenna Abrahams, Ava Brekke, Anunda Buttera, Beverly Deranek, Krin Eickhoff, Laia Garcia Carbajo, Afton Gomez, Isabella Hines, Kate Karsten, Maya Miller, Lily Prestegard, Dalila Spencer, Allison Vandenbroeke

Sophomores: Delaney Gomez, Anna Hagenson, Ainsley Halverson, Emersyn Johnson

Freshmen: Linden Aarsvold, Kenzie Akers, Avery Born, Charlotte Cook, Camryn Fox, Charlotte Hines, Esther Hunt, Czarina Proft, Emmalaine Rhodes, Addison Schuetz, Harper Tuchtenhagen

Eighth-graders: Myla Anderson, Rachel Barth, Vivienne Bell, Caelyn Halverson, Brynlee Johnson, Natalie Rivers, Lilly Saufferer

Seventh-graders: Evelyn Eickhoff, Charlotte Gomez, Allison Hartle, Jacey Herron, Emily Kaplan, Brynn Pelinka

Faribault girls swim & dive

Assistant

Assistant

ROSTER:

KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Swimmer - Olivia Fisher, Ellyot Olson,

KEY PLAYERS:

Four team captains: Christina Bell, Lainey Steckelberg, Kate Karsten, and Beverly Deranek.

Kate Karsten (diving) is our only returning state competitor and is positioned to be in the top 3 of the conference.

Krin Eickhoff set the school record in the 200 freestyle last year and is looking to have another big season.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

A lot of our younger athletes as they compete to fill some of the spots the team has open. A couple people we are looking to solidify our depth this year are Christina Bell (sprints/ fly), Lainey Steckelberg (backstroke/mid distance), McKenna Abrahams (sprints/ breaststroke), Beverly Deranek (Sprints/ Backstroke/IM), Anunda Buttera (sprints), Avery Born (Breastroke/sprints), Isabella Hines (fly/sprints), and Anna Hagenson (distance/IM/mid distance/sprints).

2024 RECAP:

We went 4-4 in dual meets, 10th in

the conference, 8th in the section.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We really want to improve across the board and hopefully climb the conference ranks a little higher this year, we have solid numbers so we’re pushing to be more competitive.

COMPETITION:

Right now the favorites will be Rochester Century, Northfield is always tough, Mankato East had a big year last year, and Rochester Mayo is always pretty loaded with talent.

BY THE NUMBERS:

43 - athletes

2 - seniors

13 - juniors

4 - sophomores

11 - freshmen

7 - eighth-graders

6 - seventh-graders

COMPETITION:

2024 RECAP: 1-6-1

10th in Big Nine 8th In Section 1A

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

As always, our goal is to get faster and stronger for the swimmers and better for the divers.

We are low on numbers with many athletes working hard to improve their efficiency in the water and get in shape. Century and Northfield will be the Big Nine favorites.

BY THE NUMBERS:

14 - total

8 - letter winners

5 - seniors

(We graduated eight from last year’s team.)

COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Charlie Fuller, 38th year with the girls’ team

coach: Bethany Fuller, 10th year

coach: Corine Seipel, 4th year

The senior class provides strong leadership with Vivian Conn, captains Lily Hanson and Abby LaLiberty, Ella Krahmer, and captain

Ella Wood. Juniors include Olivia Fisher and Amira Williams. The sophomore group features Cecilia Azelton, Shiloh Bongers, Hattie Danberry, Anisly Luettel, Ellyot Olson, and Chelsea Paulson. Rounding out the roster is seventh-grader McKena Gunderson, who brings young energy to the team.

Amira Williams

Divers - Abby LaLiberty, Hattie Danberry, McKena Gunderson

Kate Karsten returns for her junior season after going to state in diving last year as a sophomore. (File Photo - Owatonna.com)

Faribault swim and dive team member cheer during a relay. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

Christina Bell will once again be a captain for the Huskies this season in her senior season. (File Photo - Owatonna.com)

Abby LaLiberty dives for Faribault. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

Northfield girls swim & dive

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head Coach: Brian Porter - 4th year

Assistant Coaches:

Matt Detjen – Dive Coach/ Assistant - 5th Year

Amber Christman - 1st Year

ROSTER:

The senior class is led by Evie Bauer, Emerson Carlson, Julia Feldhake, Lydia Hershberger, Ella Holleran, Ella Porter, and Haley Zeledon.

Juniors include Natalie Barsness, Mae Bowers, Madelyn Hall, Hollis Holden, Greta Kortuem, Kasie Larsen, Addie Lloyd, Edythe Malecha, Elizabeth McCormick,

Summer Moeller, and Eleanor Otting.

The sophomore group features Lola Bauman, Bella Buesgens, Hennessy Momberg, Greta Peterson, Riley Rinaldi, and Ella Welp. Freshman swimmers include Audrey Brien, Violet Connole, and Alanna Flynn, along with diver Bella Watne.

The eighth-grade class brings strong numbers with Whitney Bauer, Melody Ford, Norah Flannery, Helena Holleran, Annika Korynta (Diver), Catherine McCormick, Keyshia Medina Ramirez, Sena Mosman, Ruby Otterblad, Zoe Robinson, Mia Sahlin, and Maggie Turner.

Seventh graders rounding out the team are Laurel Benson, Lucy Carlson, Freya Davis, Fiona Flannery, Jimmy Garcia, Quinn Hall, Maci Krenski, Grace Maclellan, Margaux Narvaez, and Bella Peltier (Diver).

RETURNING STANDOUTS:

This year the Raider/Gators has a young group of athletes but be on the lookout to see great things from:

12th Grade: Ella Porter, Ella Holleran, 11th Grade: Mae Bowers, Hollis Holden, Greta Kortuem, Kasie Larsen, Addie Lloyd, Maddie Hall, 10th Grade: Hennessy Momberg and 9th Grade: Violet Connole

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Senior: Evie Bauer, Emerson Carlson, Lydia Hershberger. Juniors: Natalie Barsness, Belinda Brosseau, Edy Malecha, Elizabeth McCormick, Summer Moeller, and Elle Otting. Sophomores: Riley Rinaldi. Freshmen: Audrey Brien, Bella Watne. 8th Graders: Ruby Otterblad

2024 RECAP:

Conference Record: 7 wins : 0 losses

Big 9 Conference Championship: 2nd Place out of 12

Section 1A Championship: 1st Place out of 10

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

The Northfield Girls’ Swim and Dive Team will continue its tradition of excellence in the 2025 Season. There will be opportunities for younger swimmers to transition into some big positions this season with the large number of swimmers and divers who graduated. The Gators will be led by Brian Porter in his fourth season with the team, 3rd as head coach. Matt Detjen continues to provide their expertise on the pool deck as the lead assistant coach working with the divers and swimmers.

The Gators welcome first year assistant coach, Amber Christman. We are thrilled to see the work that these young people put in during the off-season. In our first Time Trial of the year we have many athletes at or better than their best time last season. We anticipate the Northfield Girls Swim and Dive team will return to the Class A State meet and be competitive for a top 8, All-State position in a number of individual events along with some relays.

COMPETITION:

Northfield’s competition in the Big 9 is a force to be reckoned with. The Rochester Century Panthers are the defending Big 9 Champions and Rochester Mayo has many standout returners this season. Northfield will remain competitive at the Big 9 Championships in October. Look for them to place in the top 3 again this season. Additionally, Winona and Austin are up-and-coming teams in the conference and Northfield will look to have some great races against them. In Section 1A action, Northfield will look to compete for the Section 1A Title.

BY THE NUMBERS:

50 – Total number of Athletes Participating

44 – Swimmers

20 - Returning Letter Winners

7 – Seniors

3 - Returning All-Conference Athletes

6 – Divers

The 2025 Norhtfield High School girls swimming and diving team captains (L-R): Evie Bauer, Mae Bowers, Elle Otting and Ella Porter. (File Photo - NorthfieldNews.com)

cross country

St. Peter girls cross country

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Jeff Portugue 34rd year

Assistant coach: Jennifer Friedrick 1st year

ROSTER:

Keira Friedrich 12, Robin Hibscher 12, Addison Maxfield 12, Madison Petersen 12, Grace Penner 10, Lucia Penner 10, Maire Wils 10, Kendra Johnson 11, Kady Thoms 11, Tatum

Kennedy 11, Payton Fredrickson 9, Brielle Friedrick 8, Mia Gazzola 8, Vera Conlon 7

KEY PLAYERS:

This year the Raider/Gators has a young group of athletes but be on the lookout to see great things from:

12th Grade: Ella Porter, Ella Holleran, 11th Grade: Mae Bowers, Hollis Holden, Greta Kortuem, Kasie Larsen, Addie

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Not sure who will step up for us but we have a good returning group who should be very competitive in most meets. With our entire varsity team returning, I feel we might be better than last season. With the amount and number of girls that have logged summer miles. Mia Gazzola and Madison Petersen

St. Peter boys cross country

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Bill Stuewe 20th year

Assistant coach: Jennie Friedrich 1st year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Alex Bur, Lathe Bly Juniors: Zeb Davis Sophomores: Laird Bly, Enzo Gazzola, Henry Nienow, Issak Humphrey Freshmen

Ben Conlon, Odin Christensen, Levi Moenck

Seventh grade: Finnegan Koehler-Sandborg

KEY PLAYERS:

Alex Bur returns as last year’s top runner. Alex finished last year’s season as a Big South All Conference runner, State entrant and school record holder in the 5000 meters with a time of 15:56. Sophomores Enzo Gazzola, Laird Bly, Henry Nienow all return after a tough track season where all of these runners were injured at some point during the track season. Enzo returns as a Big South All Conference Honorable Mention runner. Enzo, Laird and Henry have put a lot of miles in over the summer. Lathe Bly showed good reliability during last year’s season, he will finish strong this year.

both are new this season and are going to compete in both soccer and Cross Country. Their addition will add to our team depth. Kady Thoms will also be competing in both Tennis and Cross Country as she did last season and will be competing for a varsity spot.

2024 RECAP:

Big South Conference champions, Section Champions, 6th place finish at State Meet

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We have a veteran group that put in some summer training. I am cautiously optimistic that we will be very competitive this season. Our summer training should pay off if we can stay injury free. We had more girls putting in some summer training than any other season. I am hoping we can fight for the conference and section championships as we did last season.

COMPETITION:

Marshal, Belle Plaine and Waseca all will have strong teams. Marshal and Waseca both qualified for the state meet and have been very good for many years. They seem never to be in rebuilding, but just seem to have new girls who step right into their lineup.

Section looks like to also be very tough Mankato East looks to be the preseason section favorite with Marshal and Mankato West also returning many runners. I would not rule out Belle Plaine either. We hope to be in the mix as well but, even as the Defending Section Champions it will be a very tough task to repeat with so many strong teams in the section.

BY THE NUMBERS:

9- returning letter winners

4- Ranked Teams in Section 2AA

4- New members of the team

2024 RECAP:

The team finished 3rd place out of 7 teams at the Big South Conference meet. The Saints finished 6th at the section meet out of 12 teams. Once again the Big South conference and the section 2AA meets will be very competitive. It will be a challenge to better those performances from last year.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

It would be great to repeat a third place finish at conference, but the other teams in the conference might have something to say about that.

COMPETITION:

Conference favorites would be Belle Plaine and Marshall, But it will be very competitive. The 2AA meet will see Belle Plaine and Mankato West and Mankato East challenging each other for the top spot.

BY THE NUMBERS:

11 - total Saint Peter runners

5 - letter winners from 2024

2 - seniors

1 Goal: finish strong!

KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Zeb Davis is back on the team after a brief absence and should get varsity time midway during the season. The team will be looking to freshman Ben Conlon and Odin Christensen to fill out varsity spots.

Lloyd, Maddie Hall, 10th Grade: Hennessy Momberg and 9th Grade: Violet Connole

Keira Friedrich. (file photo-stpeterherald.com)

Alex Bur. (file photo-stpeterherald.com)

Lucia Penner. (file photo-stpeterherald.com)

Tri-City United cross country

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Andrew Ruiz, 1st year

Assistant coach: Craig Nordling, 8th year

Assistant coach: Chris Vlasak, 1st year

ROSTER:

Boys CC

Casey Bruzek 8, Austin Burk 8, Patrick Duchene 8, Croix Kline 8, Samuel Teigen 8, Odin Wright 8, Ian Hart 9, Graysen Moon 9, Owen Bauer

10, Gabriel Coryell 10, Cassen Potthast 10, Cowen Bruzek 11, Soren McNamara 11, Colin Mechtel 11, David Black 12, Grant Fitterer 12, Peter Robrahn 12, Isaak Worm 12 Girls CC

Kaylee Gogerty 12, Taylor Engel 10, Mara Livingston 9, Elizabeth Robrahn 9

KEY PLAYERS:

Top Returning Boys - None graduated - Senior Grant Fitterer is returning after earning

all-conference honorable mention in 2024

Top Returning Girls: The girls varsity returns three runners this year. In 2024, Kaylee Gogerty finished 26th, Taylor Engel 29th, and Mara Livingston 30th

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

This year’s group of 8th grade boys will compete to make an impact on the varsity team in the near future, possibly as soon as this season. In addition, Junior, Colin Mechtel rejoins TCU and has the potential

Kelly claimed 20th at state. The girls were second in Conference, won Sections, and placed 15th at State.

to contribute to scoring for the team.

There are no new varsity girls this year.

2024 RECAP:

Boys - 7th Place at conference meet

Girls - 5th Place at conference meet

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

The goal for this season is to increase the size of our team and the depth of our varsity and junior high rosters.

COMPETITION:

In the Big South, Belle Plaine, Saint Peter, and Marshall will be competing for conference titles for both boys and girls.

Boy’s Section 2AA: Mankato East will join the top teams from the Big South.

Girls teams in the Big South will be looking at Marshal and St. Peter as the teams to chase. Waseca and Belle Plaine will also be tough teams.

Girl’s Section 2AA: Marshall and St. Peter are the teams to catch. Both Mankato East and West, along with Belle Plaine look to be in the top 5.

BY THE NUMBERS:

Boy’s Team:

18 - runners

10 - letter winners

2 - seniors

Girl’s Team:

4 - runners

4 - letter winners

1 - senior

Charlotte Meyer finished 2nd while Valerie Quast earned fifth at state.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Our girls team is looking to record their bestever State finish (12th, 2023) while hopefully coming out on top of the Conference and Section meets as well. The boys would like to retain both Conference and Sections titles and improve on our State placing from last year.

COMPETITION:

In the conference, the boys will face stiff competition from Madelia for the title. Madelia, Sibley East, Mt. Lake, and St. James will be tough teams at Sections. The girls should be very competitive at Conference and Sections with Springfield returning as the defending Conference champs and Mt. Lake and GFW at Sections.

BY THE NUMBERS:

33 - total team size (7-12)

11 - returners with State experience (8 girls, 3 boys)

7 - seniors

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Casey Olson, 3rd year (1st as head coach)

Assistant coach: Landon Javens, 3rd year

Assistant coach: Sean Pickle, 1st year

ROSTER: Boys CC

Jackson Bilitz - 10th grade, Mitchell Buboltz12th grade, Grayson Fenske-Deichman - 10th grade, Jack Green - 11th grade, Soren Kelly - 12th grade, Luke Kortuem - 9th grade, Jax Leagjeld - 10th grade, Rollie Matejcek - 10th grade, Elijah Mons - 12th grade, Reece Nelson - 9th grade, Andrew Tieva - 12th grade

Girls CC

Kate Daly - 11th grade, Ella Holub - 11th grade, Charlotte Kirschner - 10th grade, Molly Koester - 12th grade, Gisele McCabe - 9th grade, Charlotte Meyer - 9th grade, Lily Phillips - 10th grade, Lila Quast - 9th grade, Valerie Quast12th grade, Harper Rutz - 9th grade, Madison Seiwert - 9th grade, Teya Waagner - 12th grade

KEY PLAYERS:

Valerie Quast and Charlotte Meyer will be top finishers for the girls’ team as they finished fifth and second at state last season respectively. Soren Kelly will be a factor on the boys’ side as a 20th place state finisher last season. Mitchell Buboltz and Rollie Matejcek will help anchor the lineup as athletes who competed at Sections last year.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Madison Seiwert and Lila Quast will likely factor into the girls’ top 7 and Jack Green will make an impact for the boys.

2024 RECAP: The boys won Conference and Sections and placed 12th at State. Soren

Grant Fitterer. (file photo-lesueurcountynews.com)

Charlotte Meyer. (file photo-lesueurcountynews.com)

Kaylee Gogerty. (file photo-lesueurcountynews. com)

Soren Kelley. (file photo-lesueurcountynews. com)

Waseca cross country

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Grant Popp, 8th year

Assistant coaches: Heidi McCabe, 9th year; Nancy Kaplan, 7th year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Kelsey Draeger, Wyatt Hager, Tre Porter

Juniors: Taylor Markeson, Stella Omtvedt, Violet Rohwer, Megan Tegmeier

Sophomores: Najorie Lacy, Maren Schimming, Ava VanDenHemel, Samuel Feldkamp, Ryan Yoder

Freshmen: Quinn Yoder, Jenna Yoder, Keenan Collins

Eighth-graders: Ellie Kopischke, Leah Wilson, Sawyer Collins, Luke Feldkamp, Colin Guggisberg, Alex Lewandowski, Miles Popp

Seventh-graders: Violet Hughes, Korbin Collins, Will Deml, Kurt Erickson, Owen Fierke, Noah Love

KEY PLAYERS:

On the girls side we return two athletes who would have qualified for state as individuals had our team not made it, Stella Omtvedt and Ellie Kopischke, along with most of our varsity from last year. On the boys side, we are very young, but return two of our varsity, Wyatt Hager and Luke Feldkamp.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

I don’t know if we will have any new varsity girls, but we have some athletes who ended the season with injuries and are coming back ready to compete. On the boys side, Keenan Collins has looked good in practice and will be a top three runner for us this season.

2024 RECAP:

Last year our girls were 3rd in the conference, 2nd in the section, and 10th at state. Callie Dufault was a huge part of that success and graduated last year, but the rest of that team is back, so we’re hoping for another strong showing. The boys were 5th in the conference and 6th in the section last year, and we graduated 5 of our top 7 section finishers. We are looking for some of our young runners to fill those spots as the season progresses.

Le Sueur-Henderson cross country

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Shannon Froehlich 4th year

Assistant coach: Brenna Schmitt, 2nd year

ROSTER:

Boys CC

Luca Greenig-12th gr., Owen Greisen-12th gr., Gavin Jones-12th gr., Tyler Bushway-11th gr., Domenek williams-11th gr., Nathan Tews-11th gr., Dalton Wilson-11th gr., Colton Wilson- 11th gr., Will Adams- 11th gr., Gabe Roby-10th gr.,

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

The goal for the girls team is to return to state and improve on our 10th place performance. The boys are in more of a rebuilding year, so we’re looking for our individuals to get faster and gain experience and get our JH runners ready for varsity next year.

COMPETITION:

The Big South Conference could be the most competitive girls AA cross country conference in the state. The other three top girls teams didn’t graduate any of their top seven last year, so the top four teams will be very competitive. As returning champion, St. Peter is probably the favorite. Section 1AA also has some strong returning teams. Northfield was the champion last year and Faribault and Byron were both very good and will probably be strong again. If we can maintain in the Big South, that would be a good year, and I would like to think we have a chance to compete for the section title.

Last year the Marshall boys dominated the Big South meet and went on to a state championship. They graduated a lot of runners, and I think that makes Belle Plaine the favorite. In 1AA boys, Winona was the champion, but also lost a lot of seniors leaving the door open for Northfield to challenge. With such a young Waseca team, it’s hard to predict where we’ll end up by the end of the season, but if we could be in the middle pack of teams for the section, I would call our season a success.

BY THE NUMBERS:

11 - returning letterwinners

9 - returning girl letterwinners

2 - returning boy letterwinners

3 - total seniors

Henry Tuck-10th gr., Caleb sullivan- 10th gr., Liam Benson- 10th gr., Jacob Juarez- 10th gr., Gavin Renstrom- 9th gr., Everett Greisen8th gr., Vance Vanden Einde- 8th gr.

Girls CC

Norah Renstrom-12th gr., Lauren Stueber-12th gr., Nora Doerr-11th gr., Ellen Renstrom-10th

gr., Abby Lewis- 10th gr., Reganne Hartmann10th gr., Callie Greisen- 10th gr., Jasha Saradolla- 10th gr., Bella Bemmels- 9th gr., Hazel Renstrom- 8th gr., Lydia Schabert- 7th gr.

KEY PLAYERS:

Owen Greisen, Colton Wilson, Dalton Wilson, Tyler Bushway Norah Renstrom and Ellen Renstrom

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Domenek Williams and Nora Doerr

2024 RECAP:

Owen Greisen was SCC champion. Norah Renstrom and Ellen Renstrom were AllConference. Colton Wilson and Dalton Wilson were Honorable Mention.

At sections, Owen Greisen and Norah Renstrom advanced to the state meet. Owen finished 116th and Norah finished 104th at the state meet.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

There are many new athletes to the sport. The goals are for them to build confidence in their abilities, to build strength and endurance to reach their individual goals, and to develop mental toughness that can be used beyond participating in sports.

BY THE NUMBERS:

28 - total runners

12 - letter winners

5 - seniors

Stella Omtvedt and Ellie Kopischke will return as stand-outs on the girls team. (File photo - WasecaCountyNews.com)

Owen Greisen. (file photo - lesueurcountynews.com)

Norah Renstrom. (file photo - lesueurcountynews. com)

Owatonna boys cross country

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Luke Holt, 3rd year

Assistant coach: Jacob Jensen, 3rd year

Middle school coach: Ann Gilbertson, 2nd year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Dawson Levy (captain), Ayoub Farah (captain), Phoenix Storm, Keagon Springborg

Juniors: Micah Gentz (captain), Grayson Slotsve, Kaiden Struss, Mason Myrom, Ryder Erdman, Lowell Schutz, Jonathan Niessen, Brodie Flatland, Bradyn Jamaica

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

We have lots of athletes that will be fighting for varsity spots this year which will help our team depth and compete at a high level. Athletes to keep an eye on include seniors Ayoub Farah, Phoenix Storm and Juniors Micah Gentz and Kaiden Struss.

2024 RECAP:

Last year we took home a fourth place finish in the conference and a third place finish in the section. We sent two individual qualifiers to the state meet, including top returning runner in the section and senior captain Dawson Levy.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Goals and expectations for the season include a top 3 finish in a very competitive conference meet, and a top two finish in the section meet which would qualify the team to the state meet. We have a very competitive group of guys who can really push and hopefully qualify to the state meet for the first time since 2012.

With a total of almost thirty high school athletes and a large middle school team, we are featuring one of the biggest teams Owatonna has had in awhile.

COMPETITION:

Sophomores: Bryce Haverkost, Liam Muir, Anthony Wilson, Thor Dotson, Adam Ramsey, Randy Graves, Asher Ziegler, Cayden Cahoon

Freshmen: Noah Eickhoff, Charlie Hartman, Owen Leitner, Connor Millar, Andrew Jacott, Diego Flores, Like Halverson, Myles Stenzel

KEY PLAYERS:

Key returning runners from last year’s varsity team include senior Dawson Levy and Juniors Grayson Slotsve and Mason Myrom.

The conference is extremely tough with the top returning team being Mankato East along with state caliber teams from Winona, Mankato West, and Rochester JM. In the section the favorite is Lakeville North with other teams also looking to qualify for state that include Lakeville South, Rochester JM, and Farmington.

BY

THE NUMBERS:

29 - athletes

4 - seniors

9 - juniors

8 - sophomores

8 - freshmen

Dawson Levy returns for his senior season after competing at state last season as a junior. (File Photo - Owatonna.com)

Junior Micah Gentz is one of 3 captains on the Huskies this season along with seniors Dawson Levy and Ayoub Farah. (Lucas Dittmer/sothernminn.com)

Owatonna girls cross country

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Tasheena Cooke, 1st season as head coach

ROSTER:

Seniors: Kendra Melby, Lucy Jacobs, Paige Thompson, Addison Langlois, Sophia Cook

Juniors: Ava Cox, Sophia Qualley, Harmony Piepho, Rue Kopp, Ella Seykora, Kelsey Skala Sophomores: Leah Leckner, Gracie Randall, Clara Meier, Clara Sennott, Alexis Noble,

Brielle Goodnature, Ingrid Demars, Brooklyn Reyna, Totsiyaa Todd, Sophia Stockwell Freshmen: Jaci Smith, Chloe Millar, Molly Thamert

Eighth-graders: Karis Vangen

Seventh-graders: Bergan Rolloff, Scout Nicholson

KEY PLAYERS:

Leah Leckner- great runner who would have made it to state if the team did not.

Medford cross country

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Dave Bon, 13th year

Assistant coach: Jennifer LeBrun, 2nd year

ROSTER:

Girls: Avery Arndt (11, returning letter winner), Amelia Fitzgerald (11, returning letter winner), Aurora Heintz (10, returning letter winner), Claire Gibbons (9), Gabriella Salazar-Sharp (9, returning letter winner), Saia Doyon (8), Leona Malecha (7), Jazmin Meija (7)

Clara Sennott- another great sophomore who finished 11th in the section last season.

Kendra Melby- a senior leader who will look to return to state as a runner.

Clara Meier- will be one of many sophomores that will look to be a factor for the team.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Ava Cox- starts the year with an injury and has injury problems in the apst, but is a fantastic runner when healthy.

Jaci Smith- will be one of multiple underclassmen who will look to make a mark on the team.

2024 RECAP: 4th in Big 9 last season and 2nd in section to

Boys: Orion Heintz (12), Alex Thurnau (12, returning letter winner), Drake Stursa (11, returning letter winner), Mason Kolling (10, returning letter winner), Henry Miller (10, returning letter winner), Jacob Hora (9, returning letter winner), Joseph Hora (9, returning letter winner), Gabe Mullenbach (9), Kaiden Hood (7)

Manager: Claire Nagel (10)

KEY PLAYERS: Joseph Hora was our top runner last season and looks strong in early season practices. Alex Thurnau is very consistent and showed improvement at the end of last season. Orion Heintz joined the team as a senior

this year and may be in our top three. Avery Arndt and Amelia fitzgerald put in some miles this summer and start the season in good shape.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

On the boys’ team Orion Heintz, Gabe Mullenbach, and Kaiden Hood are new this season.

There are also three new 7th and 8th grader

make it to state as team for 2nd straight year.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK: Looking to return to state for 3rd straight year as a team.

COMPETITION:

Farmington and the Lakeville teams will look to be on top of the section leaderboards along with Rochester Century. Rochester Century will also look to be on top of the Big 9 along with Northfield.

BY THE NUMBERS:

7 - returning varsity runners who competed at state last season

girls: Saia Doyon, Leona Malecha, and Jazmin Meija.

I’ll see how they race in the first few meets. With a small team, even a new 7th grader has a good chance of running on the varsity team for at least a few meets.

2024 RECAP:

We finished near or at the bottom at both conference and section meets. My focus is always on individual improvement. If we can continue to improve individually, the team places will also improve.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We can only move in one direction. With such small numbers, it will only take a couple good runners to bring team success. I am always optimistic about a veteran runner having a breakthrough season or a talented new runner showing up. I’ll have a better idea once we start racing.

COMPETITION:

It is difficult to predict conference results because rosters can change significantly season to season. Randolph won for the boys and WEM/JWP won the girls meet last season. I expect them to be competitive again this season, but I am looking forward to Medford’s athletes running well and, I hope, surprising a few people.

BY THE NUMBERS:

17 - total athletes

2 - seniors

9 - boy runners

8 - girl runners

6 - returning boy runners

4 - returning girl runners

Leah Leckner returns for her sophomore season this year. (File photo - Owatonna.com)

Avery Arndt returns for her junior season this year for the Tigers’ girls team along with Amelia Fitzgerald. (File Photo - Owatonna.com)

Clara Meier (left) and Ava Cox (right) run together at Owatonna’s home invite last season. (File photo - Owatonna.com)

Joseph Hora. (File Photo - Owatonna.com)

Kenyon-Wanaming/Zumbrota-Mazeppa cross country

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Jared Andring, 5th year

Assistant coach: Ann Paukert

Assistant coach: Lee Sjolander

ROSTER:

The senior class features Courtney Andring, Holly Carlstrom, Bryan Jacobson, and Jacob Williamson. Juniors include Hannah Barton, Lily Duden, Zaynah Paider, Abby Siems, and Caleb Kevan. Sophomores are Olivia Markson, Landon Decker, and Liam O’Brien.Freshmen

Parker, Wiley Patrick, and Henry Stone. Seventh graders are Emma Barton and Deacon Schafer.

KEY PLAYERS:

Caleb Kevan made state last year. He is returning as is Jabob Williamson who has a good shot of making state. Lily Duden is our top returner from last year for the girls. Her goal is also to make state. All 3 of them earned all-conference honors last year.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

We have all our boys returning from last years varsity team. They are all a year older and a year stronger. They should be pretty good.

2024 RECAP:

Caleb Kevan, Jacob Willamson, and Lily Duden all earned all conference. Caleb made state.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Our goal is to get three people to state, 5 people all conference and finish in the top 3 as a team at conference

BY THE NUMBERS:

11 runners in eighth grade

include Abi Barton, Brynn Hovel, Quinn Andring, and Vinny Smith.

The eighth-grade group is large, with Audra Kelley, Hadley Lohman, Lilly O’Brien, Zailey Schafer, Owen Benter, Hayden Brown, Creston Grobe, Colin Jacobson, Malachi

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown/

Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton cross country

KEY PLAYERS:

Wyatt Jans should continue to pace the boys team while, MaKenzie Westphal could do the same for the girls.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Teagan Mulder for the boys could take the next step while Emma Huelsnitz is looking to do the same as well on the girls side. Brennan Welvaert, Dalton Ling and Eli Fall are all new faces for the boys. Norah Welvaert is a new face for the girls.

2024 RECAP:

The boys finished 11th in the Section 2A Championships with the girls finishing 10th. No runners made their way to state.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

A small team, WEM/JWP will look to compete more on the individual level than with larger squads in the team scores. After finishing 29th at sections last fall, Wyatt Jans is hopeful to take that next step during his junior season.

COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Liz Kvebak, head coach

ROSTER:

For the boys: Auston Holicky, Brennan Welvaert, Charlie Denis, Dalton Ling, Eli Fall, Parker Smith, Teagan Mulder, Wesley Heinz, and Wyatt Jans.

For the girls: Abby Crosby, Anne Adams, Ellie Schlie, Emma Huelsnitz, Hailey Heinz, Jaelyn Wilmes, Kwynn Krause, Lydia Coulsey, Madalyn Miller, MaKenzie Westphal, and Norah Welvaert.

ZM/KW boys start their race. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

Wyatt Jans runs for WEM/JWP. (File Photo - WasecaCountyTimes.com)

Blooming Prairie cross country

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: John Bruns, 27th year, 29th overall

Assistant coaches: Ryan Slack, 5th season; Danny Milligan, 2nd season; Madi Bruessel, 1st season

ROSTER:

Boys:

Seniors: Colby Johnson, Drew Reinke, Christian Quail, Tyler Anderson

Juniors: Wyatt Rafdal, Riley Anderson

Sophomores: Isaac Fort, Jakson Vermilyea

Freshmen: Mason Peterson, Dante Williamson, Justin Olson, Jeffrey Bruns, Andrew

Schwarz, Joseph Schwarz, Byron Saner

Seventh-Grade: Ethan Johnson and Oliver Saner

Girls:

Senior: Ella Salinas

Juniors: Gloria Hernadez, Sophia Esplan

Sophomores: Haley McIntosh, Bella Romeo, Evie Emanuel, Natalie Winzenburg, Raylee Miner

Eighth-Grader: Avilynn Wacek

KEY PLAYERS:

Isaac Fort- All-Conference honorable mention in 2023 and 2024

NRHEG cross country

Mason Peterson- All-Conference honorable mention in 2024

Dante Williamson- All-Conference honorable mention in 2024

Gloria Hernandez- State qualifier in 2024, 4x 1st team All Conference, Conference champion in 2021

Sophia Esplan- 2nd team All-Conference in 2023, 1st team All-Conference in 2024

Bella Romeo- All-Conference honorable mention in 2023 and 2024

Haley McIntosh- 2nd team AllConference in 2023 and 2024

KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Newcomers to the teams.

Boys: Christian Quail, Wyatt Rafdal, Riley Johnson, Jakson Vermilyea, Jeffrey Bruns, Andrew Schwarz, Joseph Schwarz, Byron Saner, Ethan Johnson, and Oliver Saner

Girls: Ella Salinas, Evie Emanuel, Raylee Miner, and Natalie Winzenburg.

2024 RECAP:

The boys were very young last season with 4 of our top 5 being 8th and 9th graders. In spite of that inexperience, they earned a second place in the Gopher Conference Meet last year. It will be exciting to see what that young group will accomplish in the future. Losing Will Sunde who was our lead runner every race for two years straight will hurt, but the young kids being one year stronger and an increase in numbers will definitely soften the blow. We added 9 runners to our roster this year and 7 of them will compete for Varsity spots as the season progresses. That competition for spots will be fun to watch!

The girls were also second in the conference last year. We have our top 4 runners back again this year. These 4, (Hernandez, Esplan, McIntosh, and Romeo) have earned All-Conference awards in 2023 and 2024. In addition to these 4 we also added 3 sophomores to the roster who will do very well as they get acclimated to the 5K distance in XC. This group could make up one of the best girls XC teams we have seen in a while.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Boys – Even with the graduation loss from last year, we are very excited for this group. We have a nice mix of experience and youth which will make it fun. As the season goes on and we get closer to our big meets it will be fun to watch what this group can accomplish. We expect to be in the mix for another Conference Championship and finish in the top half of the always competitive Section 1A meet. Girls – We have a great core group of 4 returning runners this year. Adding 3 more legit varsity runners will make this a team that is capable of competing for a conference championship. We have the potential to have one of our best finishes in school history at the Section 1A meet and hopefully advance a runner or two to the State Meet.

BY THE NUMBERS:

26 - total runners

17 - boy runners 9 - girl runners

Julieann Wobbrock (9th) - Conference runner-up. Section 12th place.

2024 RECAP: Jacob Karl and Julieann Wobbrock came close to qualifying to state for individuals. 2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

I expect Jacob and Julieann to contend for both the conference individual title and qualifying for the state meet after coming so close last season. It will be a tough

challenge, but I think they are up for it. Having such a small team, staying healthy is the key.

COMPETITION:

I consider JWP as having the top conference teams on both the Boys and Girls side. I think our girls can finish in the top half of the conference this year.

BY THE NUMBERS: 4 - Returning Letterwinners

Sophomore Isaac Fort is coming off of back-toback seasons as a Gopher All-Conference honorable mention. (File Photo - Owatonna.com)

Gloria Hernandez returns for her junior year after competing at state last season. (File Photo - Owatonna.com)

COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Larry Nydegger, 3rd year as head coach, 11th year total ROSTER: Jacob Karl, Holly Bartness, Amelie Duryee, Elle Jeno, Julieann Wobbrock, Devlin McWilliams

NRHEG’s Jacob Karl will return for his senior season. (File photo - Owatonna.com)

The 2025 NRHEG cross country team. (Lucas Dittmer - Owatonna.com)

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Mark Bongers

Anne Pientka

ROSTER:

The boys are Alex Dudley, Brandon Petricka, Christian McHugh, Erik Flores, Finn O’Connor, Garrett Petersen, Kalvin Fu, Khalid Ahmed, Leoarndo Bunch, Liam O’Connor, Marco Molina Rodriguez, Mitchell Gibbs, Nixon Jenson, Tegan

Faribault cross country Northfield

Miller, and Thomas Obbink. The girls are Brynn Beardsley, Cecelia Hoisington, Claire Wisdo, Hannah Petersen, Keira O’Connor, Lauren Bittenbender, Lillie Vance, Nora Cordova, Shae Battles, Sigrid Holmgren, and Sophia Conn.

KEY PLAYERS: Brynn Beardsley, Cecelia Hoisington, Claire Wisdo as well as Liam O’Connor and Thomas Obbink.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

All of our runners have a chance to take next steps this upcoming season.

2024 RECAP:

Brooklyn Becker, Brynn Beardsley and Claire Wisdo each qualified for state with the girls team at-large nearly making it.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Looking to return to state with a handful of old runners and possibly some new faces making that jump as well. Look to Beardsley

Boardman, Matthew Haefner, Logan Joyce, Jacob Lorence, Isaac Schleif, Grant Selchow, Caden Skluzacek, and Weston Sweeney.

KEY PLAYERS:

COACHES, YEARS

COACHING:

Head coach: Janet Smith 4th year head coach (8th with the Northfield program, 20 years of coaching cross country)

Assistant coach: Craig Cardinal, 7th year

Volunteer Assistant coaches: Scott Broughton, Anthony Pierre, Dale Fredrickson

ROSTER:

The seventh-grade group features Max Ensrud, Brian Lingle, and Brendan Sweeney. Eighth graders include August Ebling, Peter Hillman, Henry Jones, Grayson Mertesdorf, Asher Rhoades, Calvin Ruehs, Jasper Stencel, Augustin Vermilyea, James Whited, and Ben Wills. The ninth-grade class is large and includes Adam Aldorfer, Brandon Atzinger, Dylan Barber,

Samuel Borgerding, Odin Christopherson, Soren Christopherson, Calvin Detert, Arlo Eastvold Pettis, Theodore Ennis, Owen Ensrud, Finnegan Fearing, Alexander Flory, Nolan Fox, Anders Hillman, Blake Lingle, Max Mazzariello, Mason Mittelstaedt, Myles Olson, Leo Peterson, Walter Peterson, Eli Podracky, Jack Rabe, Samson Schieck, Noah Schlomann, Reed Sommers, Kysen Tran, Linus Wilhelm, and William Noland. The tenth-grade group features Liam Behrens, Nathan Broughton, George Bulfer, Thomas Cahoon, Jameson Fisher, Benjamin Jerdee, Aksel Johnson, Elijah Olson, PK Reddy, Leo Sahlin, and Henry Thorkelson. Juniors include Max Beckman, Khi Derby, Asher Engle, Alexander Fortner, Grayson Gray, William McLaughlin, Wyatt Stockdale, and Tristan Vermilyea. The senior class is led by Jason Aldorfer, Fletcher Aylin, William Baragary, Max

The Varsity team is returning all but one athlete of our top 7 runners. Isaac Schleif, Jason Aldorfer, Flecther Aylin, Willie Baragary, Grant Selchow, Theo Ennis, all ran at the state meet for the Raiders last season and will be returning to move the team up in placing this season.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

I think all of the athletes listed above will be key players for the raiders this season. They have so much experience. Four of the six Varsity returners have run at state the past two seasons. Them and many of the athletes, on both JV and Varsity, put in summer training and will be coming in with a lot of base mileage. We will have a strong contingent of 9th and 10th graders fighting for the last couple Varsity

to run her best times of her career.

COMPETITION:

Our numbers won’t be large enough to compete on the team level, but Northfield will continue to be among the best teams in the region and state at our level.

BY THE NUMBERS:

Two returning state qualifiers.

spots and top scoring JV positions this season which will make our team very competitive.

2024 RECAP:

Big 9 Conference: Varsity placed 6th & JV 5th

Section 1AA: Varsity placed 2nd & JV 2nd State: 13th place in class AA

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

The team would love to move back into the top 3 in the Big 9 Conference. We were 2nd in 2023. In section 1AA we are looking to take 1st this year. We have been second to Winona both in 2023 and 2024. If we place in the top two in the section, we will qualify as a team for the 3rd season in a row and there we are looking to break back into the top 10 in AA. Last year we were 13th out of 16 teams and in 2023 we placed 8th.

COMPETITION:

Last year in the Big 9: 1st place Mankato East, 2nd place Winona, 3rd place Mankato West (all three of these teams graduated 3 Varsity seniors). Owatonna was 4th and only graduated one senior from their Varsity squad and Rochester John Marshall was 5th and graduated 2 boys.

We only graduated Conner Kobes from our Varsity lineup so we are very excited to come back and move up against our competition this year in the Conference and hopefully beat out Winona in the section. The last time the Raiders won a section title was in 2003!!

BY THE NUMBERS:

70 athletes 7th-12th grade

9 – returning letter winners

11 – seniors

8 – juniors

11 – sophomores

27 – freshman

13 – 7th & 8th graders

Thomas Obbink races late in the section championship. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

The 2025 Northfield High School boys cross country team captains: (L-R) Jason Aldorfer, Isaac Schleif, Matthew Haefer, Fletcher Aylin. (File Photo - NorthfieldNews.com)

Brynn Beardsley is just steps from the finish line. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

Northfield’s Jason Aldorfer competes at the 2024 Class AA state meet. (File Photo - NorthfieldNews. com)

Northfield girls cross country

COACHES,

Head coach: Nichole Porath, 9th year. 4 time Big 9 Coach of the Year. 2024 Section 1AA Coach of the Year.

Assistant coach: Lyndsi Ringel, 2nd year

Assistant coach: Chelsey Headrick, 2nd year

ROSTER:

Brynn Bahler, Hanameel Biruk Tsegaye, Brea Borgerding, Siri Bowen, Ivy Brandenburg, Hannah Broughton, Bella Christopherson, Caitlin Cina, Abigail Cruse, Mariana Cruz, Ava Damm, Allia Doherty, Noir Ecker, Miriel Ennis, Claire Forbord, Catherine Foxhoven, Lucy Gorden Mercer, Elaina Haag, Aya Haidar, Victoria Hemmah, Karmen Jagiela, Thisbe Jothen, Erin Klaers, Claire Linnemann, Everlee Louvar, Makenzie McQuiston, Claire Morrell, Gracyn Mosley, Peyton Mosley, Lily Nguyen, Abigail Pape, Addison Perkins, Makayah Petricka, Peyton Quaas, Sunny Rodriguez, Rachel Scheffler, Brynn Stein, Adeline Stockdale, Katerina Stoufis, Reese Sweeney, Maia Valentyn, Adelynn Vettrus.

KEY PLAYERS:

Makayah Petricka is coming into the season after a fantastic track season. Last year she suffered heat stroke mid-season and even by the State meet we were conservative with her racing, not wanting her to regress in her recovery. She still finished 17th in the State, which is amazing. It will be fun to see what she can do when she is healthy. Claire Forbord is looking really strong. She will probably be a consistent #2 for us. We hope we can build on her previous seasons and find

a bit of a breakthrough. Peyton Quaas has also been a consistent varsity scorer for us. Both of them have been under the weather the first two weeks of the season, but I know when they are healthy they will be key returners for us.

Ivy Brandenburg and Karmen Jagiela are now entering their second seasons with NHS. They both having logged more summer miles than they have before, and it shows. Both are so much stronger than they were at the start of last year. I am really excited to see their summer work pay off.

Allia Doherty and Thisbe Jothen could also make a big contribution for us. They split their summer training between running and Nordic skiing so we are slowly re-introducing them to 6 days/week run training. They work so well together and could make a splash this year now that they’re even more experienced.

Bella Christopherson made a big leap last year after logging 250 miles last summer. She put in another 250+ miles this summer. She is travelling for the first part of the season so we haven’t seen workouts yet, but seeing her at summer practices it’s clear that she’s made another jump in her abilities.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Sunny Rodriguez is just a 7th grader, but she may jump right into a top Varsity spot for us. She set both the 800m and 1600m 6th grade track records this spring, both by considerable margins. Not only is she a great runner, but she has a great attitude and comes into the season with quality summer mileage – more than what is typical for a new runner for us. She will be a contributor, for sure.

Caitlin Cina is a 9th grader, but new to

cross country, coming to us after a middle school track season at Faribault. She logged over 250 miles this summer, and her first workouts have looked fantastic. She could be a varsity scorer for us right away, which is a testament to her hard work.

Mackenzie McQuistion, another new 7th grader, might be a big wildcard for us. She was our 8th finisher at our 2 mile team time trial. We had some runners out, but still, her finish was noteworthy. She has already shown in practice that she really wants to get after this and do her best.

2024 RECAP:

Big 9 champs, winning both the Varsity and JV races. 4th championship title, and the last 3 of those have been V/JV sweeps. Last year our training came together as well as it ever has in a championship race and the girls just flew – we could have scored our 6th and 7th girls in either race and still won both races. That is nearly unheard of. I will never forget the celebration, the tears of joy, and the insane amount of hugging and smiling after that race.

Section 1AA champs, JV also perfect scored the meet State meet: 4th place for the 2nd year in a row. That ties the highest place finish by a Northfield XC team, either gender.

2025

SEASON OUTLOOK:

We graduated 11 girls, two of which were Varsity scorers and sub-19 5kers. That’s a big loss. Huge, actually. Ordinarily that would mean a big rebuilding year, but I’m not sure it will be. I think we have a very good chance of winning a 5th conference title. That would be the most consecutive wins by a Northfield cross country team, either gender, since inception of the program. That would be amazing, but we are choosing not to focus on that, and instead we are just putting in the work and having fun while doing it. If we do that, I’m confident results will follow.

COMPETITION:

We are probably still the Big 9 conference favorites, just based on how strong we were last year, but it is not as much of a lock as it was last year. I’m sure the other Big 9 schools are eyeing an opportunity to take back a title based on what we lost to graduation. But what the others don’t know is just how many returning and new girls we have ready to step up. The section is a little less competitive than our conference, so we should be able to secure another State meet appearance. It’s never a guarantee, though.

For State: 3rd through 8th is really up for grabs. The top 2 ranked teams are so strong that unless something big happens, they’re locked at the top: Perham brings back everyone and Minneapolis SW moved into AA competition after finishing 4th in AAA last year. We come into the season ranked 6th based on the second unofficial ranking by IceColdXC (not the coaches association’s ranking, but typically they are the same). That’s entirely because we lost two significant scorers. They haven’t seen what our returners and new runners can do. I think we have a very good shot at 5th (which would be fantastic for a rebuilding year!), and potentially even equaling last year’s 4th place finish (unheard of for a rebuilding year? But I actually think it’s possible!). It would be a dream for this team to find its way to the podium (3rd or higher), but again, we are trying not to think about outcomes. We can’t control what Delano, St. Peter or Mankato East have this year or how they train. We can control our training, our attitudes, and our drive. We are going to keep doing what we know we are good at – and I’m confident that will land us right where we need to be.

BY THE NUMBERS:

42 - total runners (equaling the biggest team we’ve ever had!)

3 - seniors

Members of the 2024 Northfield High School girls cross country team gather to celebrate their fourth place finish at the MSHSL Class AA state meet on Nov. 2. (File Photo - NorthfieldNews.com)

Northfield’s Makayah Petricka captured All-State honors at the 2024 MSHSL Class AA state meet with a 17th place finish. (File Photo - NorthfieldNews.com)

St. Peter girls soccer

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Bre Landsteiner, 10th year

Assistant coach: Maddie Kleschult, 4th year

Assistant coach: Maggie Anderson, 3rd year

Assistant coach: Sam Madden, 1st year

St. Peter boys soccer soccer

ROSTER: Brooklyn Johnson GK 12, Maddie Petersen M 12, Addie Letts F 12, Canden Madden D 12, June Elias M 12, Nevaeh Rezmerski M 12, Katherine Callahan D 12, Isla Gassman D 11, Morgan Rogers GK 11, Courtney Domras D 11, Lily Prunty M 11, Vivian Hendrickson M 11, Ivy

KEY PLAYERS:

Addie Letts- Addie scored 10 goals and 6 assists last season. With her being in the forward position, we expect the same or even more from Addie this season!

Nevaeh Rezmerski, Maddie Petersen and June Elias- These three players are going to control our midfield for us. With June’s consistency and power, Maddie’s endurance and tenacity

and Nevaeh’s speed and foot skills- we will be dangerous in the midfield this season. And hopefully feed our outside midfielders and forwards to give us opportunities to score.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Lily Prunty

Nora Barnick

Camden Madden

2024 RECAP:

Last year, we had an overall record of 13-2-3 with a 12-0-1 record in the Big South Conference. We were Conference Champions. This is our second year in a row winning the conference title. We were seeded 3rd in our section. We lost in the section semi-final game to Mankato East.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Even though we lost some key players, especially in our backline, we are looking to be competitive in our conference and section this year. Our goal is to come to practice and games ready to work, ready to get better and improve, and to make our teammates better.

BY THE NUMBERS:

50 players

11 new players to the program

9 seniors

5 all conference and honorable mention

3 teams- for the first time in over 8 years!

1 new coach

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Tanner Nadeau, 5th year

Melic Thomas, 4th year

Zekeriah Kyoore, 3rd year

Matthew Tuggle, 2nd year

Steve Smith, 1st year

ROSTER:

Jose Guerra 9th ST, *Erick Barrientos 11th W, Manuel Hernandez 11th ST, Zakir Sayidnour 11th W, Jaego Smuder 11th CB, *Alex Dlouhy 12th CM, Alberto Zuńiga 11th CM, Marlowe

Harrison M 10, Nora Barnick M 10, Olivia Mish D 10, Evaney Garza D 10, Natalie Twait M 9, Ally Peterson F 9, Mia Gazzola M 8, Julia Nienow D 8

Addie letts. (file photo-stpeterherald.com)

Ramira Alcantara Alvarez. (file photo-stpeterherald.com)

Navaeh Rezmerski. (file photo-stpeterherald.com)

Waseca boys soccer

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

ROSTER:

Seniors: Diego Toapanta, Brady Tlougan, Amin Sharif, Christian Rodriguez

Juniors: Sunny Mei, Nolan McQuery, Jacob Harguth, Tovin Grannis, Edwin Aragon, Jostin Toapanta, Carson Harter

Sophomores: Carlo Driessen, Sawyer Mairs, Matthew Nelson, Landon Rutt

Freshmen: Jayden Lenz, Shylo Driessen, Tomas Vasquez

Brian Rutt, and Ryan Mairs

Waseca girls soccer

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Philip Bulfer, 7th year

Assistant coach: Jay Bulfer, 3rd year; Anastasia Garza, 2nd year; Neil Johansson, 1st year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Ella Bulfer, Khloe Fuller, Ava Brun, Hope Nelson, Rylee Schaefer

PETER BOYS SOCCER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

Smith 12th W, Levi Gilbertson 12th ST, *Gandhi Jimenez 12th CM, *Ramiro Alcantara Alvarez 12th W, Zakir Huessin 12th ST, Henry Nienow 10th CM, Hanad Ismail 11th CM, Jared Herrley 12th CB, Jaxson Schaefer 12th W, Colton Travaille 12th CB, Ethan Evenson 10th CB, Sakaria Mohamed 11th CB, Ricardo Dias 12th GK

* Captains

KEY PLAYERS:

Alex Dlouhy , Gandhi Jimenez , Levi Gilbertson, Ramiro Alvarez, Jaxson Schaefer

Juniors: Jesalyn Weise, Reese Ludwig, Angelica Lopez, Jacey Jensen, Anya Gaona

Sophomores: Kelly Hernandez, Reese Rodriguez,

Freshmen: Sheila Driessen, Liz Abokui, Delila Veroeven

Eighth-graders: Aryana Garza, Rachel Mielke, Lilly Muff

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Alberto Zuńiga, Zakir Huessin, Manuel Hernandez, Zakir Sayidnour

2024 RECAP:

8-6-2 finished 4th in our conference and 3rd in our section, we lost to TCU in the sections semis

Last year we wanted revenge on the previous year, the boys were highly motivated, and turn four wins into eight wins, competed in each game, and played the game the right way

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK: Our goal this year is to go into each game expecting to win. We know it might not be

KEY PLAYERS:

Captains Tovis Grannis (Leading defense) and Sunny Mei (Leading Midfield) along with Diego Toapanta (Leading strikers).

KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Captain Sunny Mei (Leading Midfield) doing extremely well, ensuring the team control and balance.

2024 RECAP: 2-13-1 last season.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Growing as a team, ensuring team bonding. Having a successful season means working together and come out healthy.

COMPETITION:

Growing as a team, ensuring team bonding. Having a successful season means working together and come out healthy.

BY THE NUMBERS: 34 - total players 16 - varsity 18 - JV

4 - Seniors

KEY PLAYERS:

Ella Bulfer (Senior, Goalkeeper, Captain)

– Anchoring the defense, Ella had a standout junior season with over 120 saves, earning recognition as one of the top keepers in the conference.

Chloe Fuller (Senior, Captain, Midfielder) – A composed leader who sets the standard for effort and teamwork in the midfield.

Ava Brun (Senior, Attacker) – Returning from an injury that sidelined her most of last season, Ava is eager to make an impact on the attacking front.

Riley Schaefer (Senior, Midfield/Attacker)

– After an impressive preseason, Riley

the outcome but instead of just wanting to be competitive with each team, we want to go in trying to beat each team. We have an incredibly deep bench and that will help us down the road in section play. Have some exciting new talent mixed with our guys that have been with us since they were 7th graders. Obviously we all want to go to state, but we want to enjoy the season one game at a time and one practice at a time. Our goal is to claim the 1 seed in our section and then go from there!

COMPETITION:

This year in our conference I’d say it’s a fourth team race for the conference that being Worthington, New Ulm, Marshall, Saint Peter.

is primed to be a major contributor. Her speed, vision, and finishing ability make her an exciting threat in the attack.

Reese Rodriguez (10th Grade, Defense) – A key part of the back line, Reese brought stability and speed to the defense last season after the graduation of core seniors. This year, she will be relied upon to anchor the defense and set the tone in the backfield.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Rachel Mielke (8th Grade) – A young but dynamic player who has already shown tremendous promise and skill. Rachel is expected to contribute significantly as she gains experience.

Delilah Varone (9th Grade, Center Defense) –An exciting, strong defender who will start in the center back role alongside Reese Rodriguez. Their defensive dynamic is expected to dramatically slow down opponents’ attacks and bring strength and stability to the back line.

2024 RECAP:

8-4-3 overall, 2nd in Big South Black Division. Lost to Northfield in Section 1AA quarterfinal.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

The Waseca High School girls soccer program continues with similar numbers to recent years, featuring 34 players this fall, with a solid mix of returning veterans and talented underclassmen. Our underclassmen program is looking extremely strong, and we are hoping that our numbers increase to preCOVID roster sizes as we continue to have a great influx of young players coming into the program. With this balance of experience and emerging talent, the Bluejays are excited

All four of these teams play a different version of soccer and any of these teams on any given night could be one another! In our section I’d say the section favorites are either us or TCU!

BY THE NUMBERS:

This year we rostered 20 players, the most we’ve ever put on at the beginning of the season but with the hopes to get everyone a taste of the Varsity level and develop them during practice.

9 Seniors- that we will miss dearly and have given everything they can to this program!

ST.

Head coach: Jenaro (JD) Delgado, 13th year as head coach, 26th year overall

Assistant coaches: Michael McQuery, David Vasquez,

Diego Toapanta is one of 4 seniors on the Bluejays squad this season. (File Photo - WasecaCountyNews.com)

Waseca senior goalkeeper Ella Bulfer is one of 5 seniors on the Bluejays this season and will anchor the defense. (File photo - WasecaCountyNews.com)

Sunny Mei will lead the midfield for Waseca this season as a captain. (File Photo - WasecaCountyNews.com)

Reese Rodriguez will also anchor the defense as a sophomore after stepping up big last season. (File photo - WasecaCountyNews.com)

Tri-City United boys soccer

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Darren Iverson, 4th year (32-14-3 career record)

Assistant coach: Collan Zehnder, 2nd year

Assistant coach: Erik Sloboden, 1st year

ROSTER:

Nick Mendez, 12, GK, Jason Moore, 12, F, Will Sandbulte, 12, M/F, Cooper Sutherland, 12, M/F, Zach Zehnder, 12, D, Christ Gutierrez, 11, D, Erik Hernandez, 11, D, Alex Mendez, 11, M, Chase Miller, 11, F, Meradie Mpunza, 11, F, Gavin Phelps, 11, D/M, Keith Sexton, 11, GK/M, Brayden Siebsen, 11, M, Carson Flicek, 10, M, Gio Perez, 10, F, Angel Ruiz

Gomez, 10, F, Brayden Sherman, 10, D, Easton Sween, 10, D, Steven Chiquito Lopez, 9, D/M, Giovanni Ruiz Gomez, 8, F

KEY PLAYERS:

Nick Mendez is one of the best goalkeepers in the State and will be asked to anchor a defensive unit that is replacing lots of graduated experience. Cooper Sutherland, Brayden Siebsen, Alex Mendez, Gio Perez and Angel Ruiz Gomez are each already multi-year letterwinners and should strike fear into opposing defenses.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Because we lost a large and talented group of seniors, most everyone on the roster is going

WASECA GIRLS SOCCER

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

for a competitive and promising season.

This year’s senior class is the foundation of our program’s leadership, bringing experience, grit, and commitment both on and off the field:

Ella Bulfer (Goalkeeper, Captain) –Fierce shot-stopper and team leader who anchors the defense.

Chloe Fuller (Senior, Captain, Midfielder) – A composed leader who sets the standard for effort and teamwork in the midfield.

Ava Brun (Attacker) – A resilient competitor returning from injury, ready to impact the attack.

Riley Schaefer (Midfield/Attacker) –A dynamic offensive threat with the ability to create and finish chances.

to be asked to play a bigger role. Seniors Will Sandbulte and Zach Zehnder along with juniors Erik Hernandez, Chase Miller and Gavin Phelps will all be counted on to make an impact. Meradie Mpunza, Carson Flicek and Gio Ruiz Gomez played starring roles on JV and Junior High last season and seem poised to take Varsity by storm.

2024 RECAP:

12-5-2 Overall, 5-3-1 (2nd place in the Big South black division), Lost in the Section 2A final to Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa (PIZM) for the second consecutive season.

2025

SEASON OUTLOOK:

After falling just short of the conference championship match and the state tournament, this team begins with well-earned optimism and lofty aspirations. As always, instead of targeting wins and goals scored, we will focus on doing things right every practice and every match and hope that good results come from good work.

COMPETITION:

New Ulm and Marshall won the two

divisions of the Big South in 2024 and are the favorites again. TCU and St. Peter will hope to challenge New Ulm in the black division and Worthington will attempt to reclaim the gold division from Marshall.

For 2025, PIZM was moved out of Section 2A (to 1AA). With the 4-time section champs gone, there will be a massive push to fill their cleats. TCU expects to be in that mix, but every other team in the section, including 2024 three-seed St. Peter and four-seed Southwest Minnesota Christian, plus young but maturing teams Fairmont, Albert Lea and Wings United can claim to be even better in 2025.

BY THE NUMBERS:

26 - number of career letters won by 10 departing 2024 seniors

58 - Career goals scored by Angel Ruiz Gomez during his 7th grade to Freshman seasons, already TCU’s career record

10 - Matches against AA and AAA opponents in TCU’s 16-game (plus one scrimmage) schedule

Tri-City United girls soccer

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Kyle Krueger, 3rd year

Assistant coach: Erik Wipf, 7th year

ROSTER:

Johanna Zasoski 8 G, Shaylan Dunphy 12 D, Kirra Flicek 11 D, Alice Grimm 11 D, Paige Miller 8 DM, Aubrey Heller 10 DM, Camila Perez 10 LM, Lupita Lopez 12 CM, Arlet De La Rosa Huerta 9 RM, Kinsley Mach 11 Att, Ella Krocak 8 Att, Laura Nauman 9 G, Quinn Sloboden 8 D, Abigail Schmitz 10 D, LillyAnn Teal 11 D, Layla Estevez 10 M, Suwani Hidalgo 10 M, Makayla Severson 8 M, Carolyn Houn 8 M, Valeria Figueroa 12 Att, Grace Malecha 10 Att, Aubrie Barnett 11 Att, Elizabeth

KEY PLAYERS:

Lupita Lopez, Shaylan Dunphy, Kinsley Mach, Arlet De La Rose Huerta, Ella Krocak, Kirra Flicek, Camila Perez

KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Paige Miller, Laura Neuman, Aubrey Barnett

2024 RECAP: 2024 was our first year in the Big South Conference. We took 4th in our side of the

TRI-CITY UNITED GIRLS SOCCER CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Hope Nelson (Defensive Midfield) – Strong, reliable presence in the midfield, providing stability and control for the team. Their leadership will set the tone for a competitive and memorable season.

COMPETITION:

Byron will look to repeat as section champs.

BY THE NUMBERS:

34 - players

5 - seniors

5 - juniors

2 - sophomores

3 - freshmen

3 - eighth-graders

Gardner 10 MGR, Melody Morales 12 MGR

Angel Ruiz Gomez. (file photo-lesueurcountynews.com)

Kinsley Mach. (file photo)

Cooper Sutherland. (file photo-lesueurcountynews.com)

Owatonna boys soccer

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Bob Waypa, 28th year

Assistant coaches: Patrick Grubish, 6th year; Cody Boerma, 3rd year; Michael Johnson, 2nd year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Emelio Rosas, Aiden Boyd-Kossow, Landen Sturges, Mubarak Hassan, Gavin Burmeister, Jackson Kath, Albert Silva, Abram Moran, Ean Nylund, Andrew Beaver, Josh Olson

Juniors: Carson Van Gelder, Jack Hawkins, Andrea Bonfanti, Luis Rosas, Akram Haji, Canaan Zinter, Hamsa Rashid

Sophomores: Logan Wilker, Miguel Arevalo

TRI-CITY UNITED GIRLS SOCCER

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

conference but 5th overall in the conference. We ended the season with an overall conference record of 2-7-1. Our season ended in the first round of sections at Fairmont with a 0-2 loss. It was a hard fought game and a vast improvement from our match earlier in the year.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Our goals for this season include bolstering our defense, becoming a possession-based team, and advancing past the first round of sections. Our conference will continue to be difficult however we should be a much more competitive team this year. We return our entire varsity starting roster which allows

KEY PLAYERS:

It starts with our three captains Carson Van Gelder, Andrew Beaver and Gavin Burmeister. They lead by example on and off the field and with 13 new players on varsity we will lean on there experience and leadership until everyone else is up to speed playing at the varsity level. Also add in returners Jack Hawkins, Logan Wilker and Akram Haji, these are six very talented players these 13 new players can learn from.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

A couple names jump out right away. First, Josh Olson is a senior that took a year off but is back and should have a huge impact for us. In most games he will be the tallest player on the field at

them to continue their growth, carry over their knowledge gained from last season and continue their development as a cohesive group.

COMPETITION:

St. Peter are the defending Conference champions and should be the favorites to repeat this year. Fairmont always has a solid team coming from the other side of the conference that will fight for the top spot. As for us, we aim to be in the top half of the conference at the end of the season and hosting a section playoff game. The power house that is Pine Island is no longer in our section which opens the doors for a new Champion this year that we are excited to fight for.

around 6’5” he is a force. But its not just with the balls in the air he has tremendous vision and anticipates well and has very good foot skills. A second name that pops out right away is Andrea Bonfanti who is an exchange student from Florence Italy. In my 28 years the most skilled exchange student I have been blessed to work with. His game is just at another level. In just the first couple weeks here he has made a lot of strong connections with the guys on the team. Others that could also make an impact could be Miguel Arevalo (soph) and Canaan Zinter (jr) but I really like all 13 of the new players we have on varsity this fall and it would not surprise me if all had big impacts on the season.

2024 RECAP:

In 2024 we went 4-8-5 (overall). In my 28 years by far the strangest season I’ve ever had. There were many games where we dominated every

BY THE NUMBERS:

36 - total players - largest number we’ve had for the girls program!

5 - seniors - 2 of which helped start and grow the girl’s program

5 - Juniors

stat except the score board. We had a couple games where we outshot our opponent 20-1 only to lose 1-0. Our goals against last year was less than the year before when we went 10-6-2. It was crazy for sure. We finished 4th in the Big 9 and gave Mayo everything they could handle in the first round of sections. We lost 2-1 on a very late second half goal.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Like every season we want to put ourselves in a position to win the Big 9 and win our section. We can’t win our section in the first week but we can hurt our chances by starting off slow. This is why I like to schedule as many tough non-conference games early to get us ready for conference play. I like this group of 21 players we have this year. They bring a lot of talent and are eager to learn and get better ever day. The problem new players to varsity run into is the speed of play. Not only the physical speed of play but also the mental part as well. They now need to recognize things faster, process faster and make decisions faster then handle the physical speed. This takes time and around mid season we will see these players start seeing everything faster which then slows the game down for them. At that point we hope to look sharper and more confident on the ball. Early on it’s common to look a little sloppy as we figure things out as a team. But again I really like this team.

COMPETITION:

What I have learned from my 27 years coaching is anything can happen and teams that struggled one year can be on top the next. We can’t focus on what other teams do only what we do. If we play well in all phases of the game day in and day out there is no reason we are not in the hunt for the Big9 and section titles later in the season. But it is a day to day process and we are always just looking at what we can do to be better today and what can we learn from yesterday.

BY THE NUMBERS:

21 - total players

8 – returning letter winners

11 - seniors

8 - Sophomores

5 - Frehmen

13 - 7th and 8th graders - Hardworking group that provides an encouraging and great future for the program

Camila Perez. (file photo-lesueurcountynews.com)

Gavin Burmeister is one of three captains of the Huskies this season along with Carson Van Gelder and Andrew Beaver. (File photo - Owatonna.com)

Akram Haji will return for his junior season this year. (File photo - Owatonna.com)

Owatonna girls soccer

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Nate Gendron, 8th year as head coach, 14th year overall

Assistant coaches: Jeremy Wood, 8th year; Bria Brandt, 3rd year; Jordan Dub, 2nd year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Jessica Fisher, Gabrielle Simon, Attley Klemmensen, Rylee Hilmer, Sophia Schlauderaff, Brynn Routh, Noelle Kubicek, Scarlet Schwartz

Juniors: Amari Knickrehm, Emilie Storheil, Addison Gerdes, Tegan Kruschke, Norah Cederstrom, Amelie Tolle, Audrey Dowling

Sophomore: Paige McGrath

Freshmen: Avery Pegg, Finley Rolloff, Presley Schammel, Addyson Elmhorst, Meela Hartman

KEY PLAYERS:

Attley Klemmensen: Will be playing in the middle of the field as a central midfielder. She will control the game for us and we want everything to funnel through her feet. Key part of our transition game defense to offense.

Sophie Schlauderaff: Will be a true utility player that we hope to use in several aspects of the game. She is able to win 50:50 balls and control possession.

Norah Cederstrom: Really dynamic and influential player that will be on the outside. She is able to use her high quality footwork and skill to take players on 1v1.

Presley Schammel: She is filling her older sister’s shoes quite well. She will be moved around depending who we play but the ball will be glued to her feet.

Brynn Routh and Audrey Dowling will be controlling our defense and together they will be difficult to get through.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

We have 5 freshmen on the roster and I anticipate we’ll be saying their names for a long time: Finley Rolloff, Meela Hartman, Presley Schammel, Addy Elmhorst, and Avery Pegg. Additionally, Addie Gerdes will play a huge role for us in the midfield.

2024 RECAP:

Conference Record: 9-1-1 (Big9 Champs with Winona) Only lost to Winona and tied Northfield.

Overall record: 12-5-2 Making it to the section finals and lost to Lakeville North 3-0. We beat South in a shootout in the section semi-finals.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We always want to be a top competitor in the Big 9 Conference. We are a young team and are still developing to figure out our true identify and build trust with one another. It will take time, however, our younger players are really strong

Faribault boys soccer

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Brendan Cox, 12th year as head coach, 18th with the HS Boys Program

Assistant coach: Bill Favro, 6th year

Assistant coach: Abdimutalib Abdullahi, 4th year

Assistant coach: Abdiraham Adan, 1st year

ROSTER:

The Falcons return a senior-heavy squad led by Omar Ali (Goalie), Leighton Anderson (Defender), Luqman Madey (Defender), Cullen Cox (Attacker), Jee Favro (Attacker),

Nichalos Sonpon (Attacker), Abdirahman Hussein (Midfielder), Muhsin Sahardid (Defender), Warsame Muhumed (Attacker), Abdikani Ahmed (Attacker), Zakariya Arte (Defender), Marco Chub Cac (Defender), Eddie Yetzer (Midfielder), Abdirizack Shire (Attacker), Khalif Abdi (Defender), Abdi Abdi (Defender), and Isaiah Alfaro (Goalie). Juniors include Tin Truong (Defender), Abdukar Ahmed (Midfielder), and Khalid Abdullahi (Defender). The underclassmen group features sophomore Jaden Burt (Midfielder).

KEY PLAYERS: Cullen Cox, Nicholas Sonpon, Abdirahman

and when you pair that with the experience of our older players, we will be a tough team.

COMPETITION:

Winona and Mankato East are always difficult. Our goal is to beat Winona this year as it has not happened in 4 years. It is difficult to know what to expect from the other teams in the conference as 6 of the 12 schools will have new head coaches this year.

BY THE NUMBERS:

9 - returning letter winners

6 - returning starters

8 – Seniors

7 – Juniors

1 – Sophomore

5 – Freshman

4 captains - Attley Klemmensen, Norah Cederstrom, Sophie Schlauderaff, Gabby Simon

Hussein, Eddie Yetzer, Jee Favro, Leighton Anderson, Omar Ali.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Tin Truong, Jaden Burt, Abdukar Ahmed

2024 RECAP:

Conference Record was 4-3-4, 5th in the Big9. We were the number 1 seed in the section tournament and lost in the Section final. Overall record was 6-4-8. We had a good year, ultimately fell short of our goal to be Section Champs and go to the state tournament.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

With nine returning starters and the largest senior class in program history, this team enters the season with experience, leadership, and high

expectations. We’re built to compete in the Big 9 and make a strong push in our section—ready to put in the work and chase something special.

COMPETITION:

We are built to compete. Both our Section and Conference have quality teams and coaches, so every game is a challenge. Mayo is always strong in the Big 9, and Winona is off to a good start in the section.

BY THE NUMBERS:

80 - total players

13 - letter winners

22 - seniors

9 - returning starters

Senior Attley Klemmensen will be one of 8 seniors on the Huskies this season. (File photo - Owatonna. com)

Jee Favro chases down a loose ball. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

Norah Cederstrom will return for her junior season this year. (File photo - Owatonna.com)

Cullen Cox escapes for a goal. (File Photo — Faribault.com)

Faribault girls soccer

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Varsity coach: Abigael Stroup, 3

Varsity coach: Erika Frear, 5

JV coach: Craig VanSomeren, 1

ROSTER:

The varsity roster is led by seniors Kaylie Bertram, Bella Hammer, Yamilet Rodriguez, and Sivana Schwartz, while the junior class includes Claire Anderson, Tavia Korbel, Maddie Kramer, Anika Voit, Eve Drewitz, Emma Erolgu, and Aubrey Paul. The sophomore group features Cecelia Awe, Fiona Voit,

Chrystal Trujillo, and Macy Bauer, with freshman Natalia Garcia and eighth grader Marcela Garcia rounding out the team.

KEY PLAYERS:

As a team, we are so lucky to have so many returning varsity athletes this year. Their skill level and dedication has only improved since last season, and I think it would be safe to say that the Faribault Girls Varsity team as a whole is going to stand out this year.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

New to varsity this year, Marcela Garcia, Natalia Garcia, Chrystal Trujillo, and Cecelia Awe

2024 RECAP:

Last season’s record was 3-8-3. From last season to this season, we are already seeing so much growth. Our girls are showing up and working hard every day, and having fun while doing so.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Our goals for this season are to continue to develop our soccer skills while also continuing to grow athletes passion and love for the sport. Another goal is to play with urgency, effectiveness, and effort from whistle to whistle, and making every second count. Lastly, to play as a team. Our

seniors picked the mantra “In unity, we find strength” as a foundation for our season.

COMPETITION:

Hard to say right now with many teams only having one game under their belts. But we are confident in our athletes to give it their all no matter the challenge.

BY THE NUMBERS:

37- total players. 16 varsity, 21 JV

10 - total seniors

Northfield boys soccer

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Cale Steinhoff, 5th year

Assistant coach: Doug Seymour, 11th year

Assistant coach: Nicky Vazquez, 5th year

Assistant coach: Jair Ascencio, 4th year

Assistant coach: Oscar Gaspar, 1st year

ROSTER:

The senior class features captains Theo Menk (Goalkeeper), Marcos Gallardo (Defender), and Anthony Baez (Midfielder), along with Kian Morsching (Defender), Kyle Bulfer (Forward), Juan Lazaro (Defender), Rafa Bustos Lazaro (Defender), Josue Lazaro (Forward), Henry Keane (Defender), and Sam Froehle (Forward). Also contributing are seniors Ben Flory (Forward).

The junior group includes Sebastian Perez (Midfielder), Soren Clay (Forward), Jael Quiroga (Forward), Ben Heinritz (Goalkeeper), Carter Borovsky (Defender), and Jim Graham (Defender).

Sophomore contributors are Owen Jacobi (Midfielder), Edwin Cortave Deleon (Midfielder), and Kevin Baez (Midfielder), while the younger class also features Wyatt Norrie (Midfielder).

KEY PLAYERS:

18 of our 21 players saw varsity action last season.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Edwin Cortave Deleon

2024 RECAP:

7th in Big 9 (3-4 Conference Record, 8-6 overall), won section tournament, lost in state quarterfinals

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We expect to compete in every match. We hope to contend for the Big 9 conference title, the section championship, and a state tournament berth.

COMPETITION:

Expect to contend with Faribault, Austin, Byron, Winona, Kasson-Mantorville, and Waseca for the section.

Expect to contend with Big 9 schools for the conference - the Rochesters (John Marshall, Mayo, and Century) and Owatonna are all class AAA and are consistently tough opponents.

BY THE NUMBERS:

21 - total players

18 - letter winners

11 - seniors

Anika Voit chases down a loose ball. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

Northfield goalkeeper Theo Menk registered his fifth shutout of the season during the Raiders’ 1-0 victory over Big 9 rival Owatonna on Setp. 26.(File Photo - NorthfieldNews.com)

Faribault coach Abigael Stroup gives an okay to the bench. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

Cale Steinhoff begins his fifth season as head coach at Northfield High School in 2025. (File Photo - NorthfieldNews.com)

Claire Anderson stands in goal while Fiona Voit looks on. (File Photo — Faribault.com)

Northfield girls soccer

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Blake Kane, 4th year

Assistant coach: Elle Kingsley, 6th year

Assistant coach: Lisette Salgado, 2nd year

Assistant coach: Brent Kivell: 3rd year

Assistant coach: Cecelia Kivell: 1st year

ROSTER:

The senior class features Camila Gaspar Benitez (Midfielder) and Osiris Perez Dorantes (Defender). Juniors include Alaia Douah (Midfielder), Ava Hietala (Defender), Elsa Peterson (Midfielder), Hope Edwards (Defender), Linnea Wilhelm (Goalkeeper), Maria Miller (Midfielder), Nora Schmidt (Midfielder), and Sidney Livingston (Defender/ Forward). Sophomores bring strong depth

with Caitlin Sommer (Goalkeeper), Callie Lynch (Defender), Ceci Chapp (Forward), Danika Bulfer (Forward), Libby Larson (Defender), Maia Graupmann (Midfielder/ Forward), and Maya Klein (Defender).

KEY PLAYERS:

Junior captain Alaia Douah will anchor the middle of our offense in the starting attacking central midfield role. Dani Bulfer, who tied for the most goals on the team last season as a freshman, is always a scoring threat and will be very dangerous this year. Elsa Peterson will play an outside midfield role for us. She is such a speedy and smart player. Finally, our junior captain GK, Linnea Wilhelm, is an incredibly talented player and a force between the goalposts.

KEEP YOUR

EYE ON:

Callie Lynch (sophomore, D) is starting her first full season with the varsity roster and first as a starting defender. We anticipate her being a cornerstone of our defense as an outside back. Maia Graupmann (sophomore, M/F) is another new, young player to varsity, but she is an incredible athlete who we expect to contribute immediately. Finally, Ceci Chapp (sophomore, F) is also starting her first full season at varsity and is a speedy and dangerous player up top.

2024 RECAP:

We finished 2024 with an overall record of 7-92. This was good for 7th place in the Big 9. We lost in the section semi-final match to Byron 0-2.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We are a young team in 2025, but we still have substantial experience in our starting 11. While it will be a challenge to replace two long-time contributors in ‘25 graduates Kate Hubers and Olivia Rasmussen, we have several players who are very capable of stepping up. We anticipate

further sharpening our attack and have several solid options as goal scorers and bringing in a stingy defensive group. We fully expect to finish in the top half of a tough Big 9 Conference and compete for the Section 1AA championship.

COMPETITION:

The Big 9 is always a strong athletics conference and this year will be no different for girls soccer. Owatonna, who finished last year at the top of the table, graduated some talented players, but we fully expect them to come back strong again this year. Mankato East & West are also always well-run and talented programs and we look forward to facing both at home this season. In Section 1AA, we anticipate Byron being a very strong team with much of their ‘24 section championship roster still intact.

BY THE NUMBERS:

17 - total players

11 - returning 2024 letter winners

2 - number of seniors

Camila Gaspar Benitez brings the ball upfield for the Raiders against Waseca. (File Photo - NorthfieldNews.com)

Alaia Douah in action against Mankato East. (File Photo - NorthfieldNews.com)

Football

Zach Roesner (FB/LB), Will Frantesl (OLB), Colton Glende (OL/LB)

KEY PLAYERS:

4 Senior Captains: Tristan Graham, Logan Risser, Max Flemke, Ryan McIntosh.

Tristan Graham: 1,000 yard rusher and all-conference last season. Poised for big things in his senior season.

2025

SEASON OUTLOOK:

Looking to become section champs for the third straight season. Play Mankato East and West to start season before facing section opponents in five straight weeks. End season at home against Apple Valley before MEA break.

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Jeff Williams, 30th season

ROSTER:

Seniors: Bentley Arvig (WR/DB), Ryan McIntosh (FB/DL), Vicente Chavez (WR/ DB), Mason Klecker (WR/DB), Isaiah Farwell (WR/DB), Cooper Aul (WR/DB), Landen Sturges (P), Christian Flores (QB/DB), Mal Tut (WR/DB), Tristan Graham (RB), Isaiah Carreon-Sorenson (FB/LB), Nathan Gronli (FB/OLB), Gavin Worrell (OLB), Amilio Garza (FB/LB), Carter Flatland (RB/OLB), Logan Risser (OL/LB), Elijah Black (OL/DL), Tyson Kreutter (OL/DL), Hunter Theobald (OL/DL), Logan Jensen (OL/DL), Max Flemke (OL/ DL), Kaden Keller (OL/DL), Riley Kreeger (WR/DB), Will Halverson (TE/OLB), Addison

Owatonna football Medford football

Young (WR/DB), Alec Gowlland (TE/DL)

Juniors: Nolan Rolloff (WR/DB), Aedan Tackmann (QB/DB), Nolan Johnson (WR/ DB), Lee Smith (WR/DB), Jorge Juarez, (WR/ DB), Kade Hullopeter (OLB), Carson Bock (LB), Benedict Digerland (OLB), Dreyvin Berg (FB/ LB), Canaan Zinter (P/PK), Jacob Dut (FB/ LB), Ben Sackett (FB/DL), Xzabian Hernandez (OL/DL), Andrew Selbrade (OL/DL), Seth Keck (OL/DL), Sam Dulas (OL/DL), Bryan Canales (OL/DL), Chase Grunwald (OL/DL), Armani Leshoure (OL/DL), Jasher Young (OL/DL), Alex Martinez (OL/DL), Willie Moore (WR/ DB), Brendan Klecker (TE/OLB), Jacob Ryks (WR/DB), Fisher Merxbauer (TE/OLB)

Sophomores: Arik Tackmann (QB/DB), Cooper Routh (WR/DB), Lucas Ginskey (WR/DB), Jackson Holder (QB/DB),

Logan Risser: Starter at guard and linebacker last season. Quarterback of the defense and will get him off the field on offense so he can focus on defense.

Max Flemke: Starting nose and the bell cow of the defense up front. Does a great job of occupying the center, making moves, getting sacks, and causing chaos in the middle of the defensive line.

Ryan McIntosh: Defensive end and also plays fullback. Bull in a china shop that runs around, makes plays, and causes chaos.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Many players who look to fill in roles from graduated seniors.

2024 RECAP: 11-1 overall. Undefeated in regular season before beating New Prague and Rochester John Marshall in sections for section chip. Beat

COMPETITION:

Rochester John Marshall will look to return to the section championship. Face them on the road in 5th week of season, beat them last year in close game on the road. Northfield will look to bounce back after competing in section championship two seasons ago.

New Prague will also look to make noise in the section along with Rochester Century. Rochester Mayo will once again be in the section after competing in 6A last couple seasons.

BY THE NUMBERS:

58 - total players

26 - seniors

25 - juniors

7 - sophomores

(OL/DL), Will Grayson (OL/DL), Joshua Halvorson (OL/DL), Gaborik Langlie (WR/ DB), Justin Limon (WR/DB), Ayden Madrid (WR/DB), Tanner Milewski (RB/LB), Landon Seiler (QB/ DB), Vicente Torres (OL/DL)

Sophomores: Liam Ahrens (QB/DB), Gage Becker-Wolf (WR/DB), Kale Concannon (TE/DL), Mason Krenz (RB/LB)

Freshmen: Dominic Anderle (WR/DB), Oscar Arana Vazquez (WR/DB), Sam Bauer (WR/ DB), Luther Johannes (OL/DL), Elliot Jones (RB/LB), Brad Limon (RB/LB), David Mendoza (WR/DB), Sorin Mountain (OL/DL), Nicolas Taylor (WR/DB), Trevor Vatsaas (QB/LB), Seifer Whitehead (OL/DL), Sebastian Duffner (OL/DL)

KEY PLAYERS:

Connor Wilson – 3 year starter on offensive and defensive line, has wealth of experience.

Will Grayson – 2 year starter on offensive and defensive line, smart and knows the game of football.

Justin Limon – 2 year starter as WR and CB, quick and fast, great hands and good head about football.

Tanner Milewski – 2 year starter at RB and LB, strong, tough has a great motor.

Cretin-Derham Hall in thriller before falling to Alexandria in state semifinals at the bank.

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Jerome Johannes, 17th year

Assistant coaches: Kevin Werk, 25th year; Steve

Boehning, 9th year; Ernesto Lazaro, 1st year

ROSTER: Seniors: Jon Gonzalez (OL/DL), Bennett

Weatherly (OL/LB), Connor Wilson (OL/DL) Juniors: Sebashtian Aispuro (OL/DL), Chase Balzer (OL/DL), Johnny Cole (TE/ LB), Daniel Flores (OL/DL), Preston Gerber

Tristan Graham returns for his senior season after having a breakout year at running back in 2024. (File photo - Owatonna.com)

Medford’s Justin Limon is returning for his junior season as a two-year starter. (File photo - Owatonna.com)

Owatonna players and fans sing the school anthem after their thrilling victory in the opening round of state last season. The Huskies will look to return to state for the 3rd straight season. (File photo - Owatonna.com)

Junior Tanner Milewski will return to the Tigers as a wide receiver and cornerback. (File photo - Owatonna.com)

Blooming Prairie football

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Chad Gimbel, 28th year

Assistant coaches: Matt Kittelson, 18th year; David Lassahn, 7th year; Josh Johnson, 12th year; Dylan Nirk, 3rd

year; Charlie Heimerman, 3rd year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Bradley Boyd (WR/DB), Cannon Wacek (HB/LB), Wyatt Magnuson (OL/

DL), Brady Johnson (OL/DL)

Juniors: Conor Rennie (WR/DB), David Clennon (WR/LB), Gabe Staloch (WR/ DB), Eliot Gimbel (WR/DB), Kingston Lee (OL/LB), Kelvin McCarthy (WR/DB), Gavin Slowinski (WR/CB), Zach Holtberg (OL/DL), Connor Cooke (OL/DL), Max Thoen (OL/LB), Jaxon Studer (WR/LB)

Sophomores: Eli Johnson (QB/DB), Jaxon Meier (WR/DB), Derek Miner (WR/DB), Andrew Kuiter (WR/DB), Bentley Miller (WR/ DB), Max Sorenson (WR/DB), Evan Jacobsen (WR/DB), Lukas Denherder (HB/LB), Landon Olivio (OL/DL), Jayden Kvalsten (OL/LB), Rylin

NRHEG football

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Marc Kruger, 8th year

Assistant coaches: Jeff Jimenez, 5th year; Chad Skyes, 4th year; Dan Bell, 3rd year; Jacob Schuller, 2nd year; Nick Goette, 1st year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Gavin Lewison (RB/DB), Quen Meyering (WR/DB), Justin Beauvais (WR/ DB), Jordan Brouwers (OL/DE), Trevor Selover (OL/DL), Kaleb Hughes (OL/DL), Devlin Hudson (OL/DL), Wyatt Larson (TE/DE)

Juniors: Chase Johannsen (RB/DB), Ryan Schlaak (RB/LB), Brooks Gilliland (QB/ DE), Brendan Schmidt (WR/DB), AJ Deen (WR/DB), Jack Bartlett (WR/DB), Colton Conroy (TE/LB), Fynn Baumann (TE/DE), Shane Service (OL/DL)

Sophomores: Dakota Schlaak (WR/DB), Sean Lassahn (RB/LB), Calvin Nissen (RB/ DB), Noah Weller (TE/DE), Levi Whiteside (QB/LB), Braxton Arnold (WR/DB), Bodie Newgard (WR/DB), Chase Hanson (WR/LB), Ajay Arndt (TE/DL), Reid Sandry (TE/LB), Lincoln Quade (RB/DB), Connor Louks (OL/ DL), Corey Seedorf (OL/DL), Dylan Schrout

(OL/DE), Zander Hanna (OL/DE), Hunter McMann (OL/DL), Kailin Hudson (OL/DL)

Freshmen: Brock Holland (QB/DE), Owen Schlaak (WR/DB), Lucas Degen (TE/ DE), Charles Buenger (WR/DB), Memphis Schlaak (WR/DB), Alex Wyrum (RB/LB), Tyler Piepho (WR/DB), Eli Hendrickson (RB/LB), Mack Gilliland (RB/LB), Jemisyn Vallejo (WR/DB), Aidyn Groth (OL/DL), Brayton Kruger (OL/DL), Mason Peterson (OL/DL), Preston Hanna (OL/DL), Wyatt Hendrickson (OL/DL), Cooper Cords (OL/DL)

KEY PLAYERS:

Ryan Schlaak RB/LB 11th - Great RB who runs with power, and our best returning tackler.

Jordan Brouwers OL/DE 12th - Edge player who made a ton of plays for us last year.

Trevor Selover OL/DL 12thBest returning lineman.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Brooks Gilliland QB 11th

- Will be taking over as QB1. Has big shoes to fill from Alden Dobberstein, but we know he is up for it.

Thompson (OL/DL), David Penkeva (OL/DL)

Freshmen: Owen Gimbel (HB/LB), Gabe Onken (WR/DB), Justin Schumacher (WR/LB), Monty Mausbach (OL/DL), Orlan Larson (OL/DL), Elliot Schiller (OL/LB), Bradley O’Connor (OL/ DL), Jace Kotek (OL/DL), Leland Lane (OL/DL)

KEY PLAYERS:

Brady Johnson, Bradley Boyd, Cannon Wacek, Gabe Staloch, and David Clennon

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

David Penkeva, Max Sorensen, Kingston Lee, Eliot Gimbel, Kelvin McCarthy, Lukas DenHerder, and Jaxon Meier

2024 RECAP:

8-2 overall, 7-1 District—2nd place— Lost in the section semi-finals

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Our goal is always stay the same no matter what—Work hard to consistently improve, compete for a district and section championship.

COMPETITION:

We moved section and classes so very difficult to know what all teams have returning—Section is our district/conference—Expectation is WEM, Maple River to be the top teams in section just looking at last years results.

BY THE NUMBERS:

4 - Seniors

4 - Returning starters on both offense and defense

2024 RECAP:

3-6, 5th seed in the section and 4th in the sub district.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

It is exciting for NRHEG to see what a new class and section has in store for the team as they play many new teams. We will be a young team, but have a lot of skill

MEDFORD FOOTBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

Landon Seiler – 2 year starter at QB and DB, very smart, team leader, ready to take a huge step this year.

2024 RECAP: Finished the season 0-8, last in district.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Returning a lot of players, but will still have to play a lot of young players. We are hoping to compete each game, we are progressing nicely during the past two weeks and have seen a lot of players set up their game. Our team size will

and will look to make some noise..

COMPETITION:

I think Fillmore Central will be the top team in the section, with Lewiston-Altura and United South Central also being very good teams.

BY THE NUMBERS:

50 - total players

8 - letter winners

8 - seniors

be an issue and our depth will be a challenge. Players are hungry this year, look for some breakout performances from our junior class.

COMPETITION:

Our depth is going to be our issue. Playing younger guys who do not have a lot of experience will be tough, but we believe our upperclassmen will shine and pick up those players.

District favorites – Blooming Prairie, WEM, Maple River, BEA

BY THE NUMBERS:

Numbers are changing everyday. We have added a few and have lost a couple.

Sean Lassahan RB/LB 10th - Young explosive player who saw a little bit of time as a freshman.

Bradley Boyd. (File photo - Owatonna.com)

The 2025 NRHEG Panthers football team. (Lucas Dittmer - Owatonna.com)

Cannon Wacek is one of four seniors on the Blossoms this season. (File photo - Owatonna.com)

Ryan Schlaak returns to the Panthers as a dominant running back and linebacker. (File PhotoOwatonna.com)

Waseca football

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Brad Wendland, 20th year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Cyrett Long (WR/DB), Jordan Johnston (RB/DB), Deven Parpart (RB/DB), Malachi Noble (RB/DB), Ethan Hiller (WR/ DB), William Mansfield (TE/LB), Deron Russell (WR/DB), Riley Mitchell (WR/DB), Jett Rohl (RB/LB), Jacob Root (TE/DB), Liam Biddle (WR/DB), Allen Kopetzki (OL/LB), Julius Oviedo (OL/LB), Matt Veroeven (OL/DL), Lucas Selthun (OL/LB), Kaden Garza (OL/DL), Caleb Wulf (OL/DL), Nathan Kaiser (OL/DL)

Juniors: Titan Rahe (WR/DB), Darius Powell (WR/DL), Xander Rivera (WR/DB), Owen Honstad (WR/LB), Jonah Worke (WR/DB), Kallen Glynn (RB/LB), Lucas Danner (WR/ DB), Owen Rupe (TE/LB), Tucker Thompson

(WR/DB), Sean Noble (OL/DL), Brady McKenna (OL/DL), Brady McKenna (OL/ DL), Shakeem Brown (OL/DL), James Quade (OL/DL), Brandon Bartz (OL/DL), Trey Jenzen (OL/DL), Alex Dickerson (OL/DL)

Sophomores: Kellen Klinger (QB/DB), Lual Garang (WR/DB), Aydan Kath (QB/DB), Toby Jeske (TE/LB), Sam Selthun (RB/LB), Peyton Sommers (TE/LB), Cyrus Wilson (WR/DB), Jaxton Rohl (WR/DB), Sawyer Ellis (RB/ LB), Jaco Knutson (TE/LB), Cole Mondahl (WR/DB), Archer O’Brien (WR/DB), Ton Bethke (OL/DL), Aidan Deraad (OL/DL), Landan Madsen (OL/LB), Jadon Entinger (OL/DL), Dominik Marquez (OL/DL), Jordan Oviedo (OL/DL). Jaxon Gehring (OL/DL), Tyler Loewen (OL/DL), Jose Vierra (OL/DL), Isaiah Dymeck (RB/DB), Carter Radcliff (RB/ LB), Wyatt Arndt (OL/DL), Mason Prescher (WR/DB), Gunner Boswell (WR/DB)

KEY PLAYERS:

Captains: Lucas Selthun (OL/LB), Ethan Hiller (WR/DB), Jordan Johnston (RB/ DB), and Deron Russell (WR/DB)

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Sophomore Kellen Klinger (QB), senior Deven Parpart (RB), senior Kaden Garza (D-Line), sophomore Toby Jeske (TE/ LB), and senior Matt Veroeven (D-Line)

2024 RECAP:

The Bluejays finished the regular season 7-1 with their only loss to state champion Stewertville. It included wins over 4A state semi finalist Marshall and Fairmont. In the section title game we lost 20-12 to Fairmont. We finished the season 8-2. We were champions of the Big South White division in 2024 with a record of 5-0.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Excited for this team and this group of kids. I really like how our senior group goes about their business. We expect to be among the best 3A teams in the state.

We have a tremendous number of kids in the football program. In grades 9-12 we have 88 kids playing football. In my 20th year as a coach here, I think this is the highest number we’ve ever had. This is a testament to the number of excellent coaches that we have in our youth program, our junior high program and the 9-12 program. Should be a fun year. Our home games are great events.

COMPETITION:

The favorites in the section will be Waseca and Fairmont again.

BY THE NUMBERS:

88 - Total players in grades 9-12

Head

Assistant

ROSTER:

Sophomores:

KEY PLAYERS:

Leading the way will be Daulton Bauer, who enters his third year as our starting quarterback, and I’m excited to see the growth and development he’s made over the years. Caleb

and playmaking

ability on both sides of the ball, while Chase Gerdts adds a level of physicality on offense and defense that’s hard to match. I’m excited for this group and the impact they’ll have on our season. We lost a lot of key seniors including Lucas Morsching (Mid Southeast(West)Co-Defensive

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

coach: Ryan Luedtke (3rd season)

coach: Adam Roesler, Sam Schruin, Brandon Goebel, Bjorn Peterson, Rich Davis, Mike Sturdivant

Seniors: Daulton Bauer, Zachary Blasing, Aiden Cummins, Chase Gerdts, Josiah

Hagen, Dylan Hood, Caleb Quast, Rylan Rolfson, Rocco Scholl, Michael Walker

Juniors: William Barbknecht, Carson Schultz, Seth Dahlberg, Jeffrey Simonson, Parker Geariety, Tyson Johnson, Gavin Weedman, Yale Johnson, Jason Wheelock, Aidan Rider, Jackson Winters

Gavin Bauer, Ayden Peterson, Garrett Reinhardt, Carter

Freitag, James Schoenrock, Leighlan Harris, Jett Sturdivant, Tyson Kronbach, Jaxon Wolff, Brayden Neegaard

Quast brings dynamic speed

Deron Russell returns for his senior year as a receiver and defensive back. (File photo - WasecaCountyNews.com)

Daulton Bauer. (file photo-wasecacountynews.com)

Jordan Johnston returns after sitting out last year due to injury. Johnston will switch to the running back position after playing quarterback in years past. (File photo - WasecaCountyNews.com)

Caleb Quast hauls in a perfect pass from Bauer for an 84 yard touchdown. The catch broke the school record for receiving yards in a game. (file photo-wasecacountynews.com)

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown football

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Sam Stier 3rd Year

Assistant coach: Cory Immerman 3rd Year

Assistant coach: Chad Atherton 3rd Year

ROSTER:

Jacob Androli, Gavin Atherton, Jack Barry, Cole Bartz, Patrick Bauer, Jack Bilsdell, Avery Breyer, Myles Brosnan, Miles Carroll, Mason Denis, Hudson Duhme, Dylan Edelman, Ethan Enertson, Rory Filar, Ethan Franke, Grady Grohmann, Aiden Gruber, Charles Hebl, Ryder Hughes, Kaden James, Parker James, Emmitt Janda-Jones, Wyatt Janda-Jones, Braxton Keele, Timothy Kellstadt, Jacksten

Knish, Brenden Masso, David Mielke, Brady Murphy, Spencer Nordstrom, Jake Nutter, Casey Oorlog, Zachary Quast, Trey Richards, Liam Roemhildt, Benjamin Root, Reed Sammon, Landon Schultz, Kavan Sheehy, Dawson Slechta, Brendan Snesrud, Cale Snesrud, Tyler Taylor, Brayden Tlusby, Tarek Tolzman, Hunter Tonn, Liam Vosburg, Mason Waugh, Benjamin Wendel, James Whitener, G. Williams-Langerman, John Woratschka.

KEY PLAYERS:

Talen, Jacob, Brady, Avery, Gavin, Tarek

We have our entire backfield and both TE/ WRs returning. I am expecting all of them to take another step and be difficult to

prepare for. This is also not included Grady Grohman and Kaden James (also seniors) who are returning to the line for the 3rd year along with John Woratschka (Junior).

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Newer impact athletes for us will come in the likes of Ethan Einertson Wyatt JJ and Kavan Sheehy as we look to replace the seniors we lost last year.

2024 RECAP:

8-2 District Champions Section Runner Up 2025 SEASON OUTLOOK: Our sights are set on the state

tournament and finding a way to get this group to US Bank Stadium.

COMPETITION:

I think there are some pretty fun showdown games on our schedule. Ones that jump out right now are Maple River, Blooming Prairie, and an early test with Lewiston Altura.

BY THE NUMBERS:

45 - total players

25 - letter winners

13 - seniors

Player of the Year), Isaiah Berndt, Ethan Born, Luke Cahill, Max Davis, Isaac Gahlon, Carter Hoehn, Landon Johnson, Gavin Marinenko, Preston Meihak, Jaxon Miller, Peyton O’Brien, Davien Weis. They were all letter winners and a cohesive group.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Two players to keep an eye on this season are Yale Johnson and Gavin Bauer. Yale has put in a tremendous offseason of work that has prepared him to compete at a high level on the field. Gavin, who many know from the basketball court, is ready to make his mark and have a breakout year in football.

2024 RECAP:

The Bulldogs had their best season in the last five years, going 4-6.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

This season will be a true test as we face a tough schedule with strong programs like Fillmore Central, WEM, Maple River, Blue Earth Area, and Blooming Prairie. Our players have been putting in the work and showing up every day with focus and determination. The energy and effort they have brought to practice has been outstanding, and we’re excited to see it carry over onto the field.

COMPETITION:

Our keys to success this season will start with staying healthy and keeping our players on the field. Offensively, we need to get the ball to the perimeter and let our skill guys use their speed and playmaking ability. On the other side of the ball, stopping the run will be critical to controlling games. If we can execute in these areas, we’ll put ourselves in a strong position each week.

The section will be extremely competitive this year with several strong teams in the mix. WEM, who lost in the section championship last season, returns the majority of their team and will be a tough matchup for anyone. The addition of Blooming Prairie, a program that has traditionally been very strong, only adds to the challenge alongside perennial contenders like Maple River and Blue Earth Area. From top to bottom, it’s a tough section!

TEAM STRENGTHS:

One of our biggest strengths this season will be our balance on offense. We’ll have speed and playmaking ability with seniors Caleb Quast and Daulton Bauer, while also bringing physicality and toughness running the ball with Chase Gerdts. This combination gives us the ability to attack defenses in multiple ways. With these weapons, we’re confident we can create challenges for every opponent we face.

TEAM WEAKNESS:

One challenge we face this season is the loss of 14 seniors who brought experience and leadership to the field. While that leaves big shoes to fill, it also creates an exciting opportunity for our younger players to step up and make their mark. This group has shown great preparation and a willingness to try new things, which will help them grow quickly into their roles.

COACH COMMENTS:

I’m excited for the season and can’t wait to see this group take the field. I’m looking forward to watching how they handle adversity together and grow from those moments, while also celebrating the successes they earn along the way. This team has the potential to make it a special year.

GOOD LUCK TITANS!

WEM head coach Sam Stier runs between drills. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

Gavin Atherton celebrates a touchdown. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

Faribault football

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator & Defensive Line: Glenn Hansen

Defensive Backs Coach: Tim Ehlers

Inside Linebackers: Tony Harris

Outside Linebackers: Kevin Palacios

Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks: Mike Richards

Offensive Line Coach: Harold Nielsen

Running Backs: Jauhem Byrd

Receivers & Tite Ends: Renon Thomas

Offensive Quality Control: Doug Boelter

Bethlehem Academy football

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Christian Harmeyer, 1st year

Assistant coach: Chandler Ruehmann, 4th year

Assistant coach: Dan Wiesser, 2th year

Assistant coach: John Harris, 1st year

KEY PLAYERS:

We have a core of players that are coming back this year. They were young last year and we are going to lean on the experience that they are going to bring to the team. Tommy Kunze, Hayden Dillon, Aiden Conrad, Lucas Caron, Brecken Kaderlick and Henry Foxhoven

ROSTER:

12th Grade: Jordan Reuvers, Gavin Erickson, Jose Garcia, Grifin Schema, and Nate Lockerby.

11th Grade: Dom Erickson, Maverick Gordon, Ike Teske, Javahn Siemers, Blake Judd, Sam Dietz, Evan Gustafson, Carson Blumenaauer, Thomas Keeley, Jon Westenberg, Renon Thomas, and Eddie Pino.

10th Grade: Grady Freelove, Landon Thomas, Nason Fernandez, Mayson Drake, Ben Loeslie, Noah Negaard, William Sonpon, Joseph Shoop, Willie Watters, Bitan Gatwech, and Connor Lockerby.

KEY PLAYERS:

DE/RB Jose Garcia, LB/RB JJ Reuvers, OL/DL Nate Lockerby, OL/DL Jonathan Westenberg, QB/DB Javahn Siemers, OL/DL Conner Lockerby, RB/DB Ike Teske, OL/DL Bitan Gatewich.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Varsity newcomers Grady Freelove (RB/DB) and Joseph Shoop (RB/DB) will have the opportunity to show off their athleticism and their fantastic preparation for this season. Veteran Seniors Jose Garcia, Nate Lockerby and JJ Reuvers have been joined by Seniors OL/DL Griffen Schima and TE/DB Gavin Erickson to lead this team to be their best.

2024 RECAP:

Went 4-5 with plenty of close games over the course of the season. Wins over Austin and Winona were good midseason victories.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We are a young team, but we’re motivated and had a terrific summer in preparation for this year. We are striving for consistency and setting a standard of Faribault Football that will propel us to reach our potential. This year is going to be a fantastic opportunity for us to work, grow and compete. It will be the foundation of all of our future success.

COMPETITION:

Being a young team, we have our work cut out for us in our Section. Every week we have to be our best as our Section is stacked with talented teams. We play Winona, who is scrappy and always plays their best against us. Weeks 4-6 we face Byron (State Tournament Team) Kasson Mantorville (Section Final Team) and Stewartville (current back-to-back defending 3A State Champion) all in a row. The Section Title runs through those three teams. Throw in 5A geographic rival Northfield as well as tough city opponents St Croix Lutheran, North St. Paul and Fridley, we have our work cut out for us. We have to learn consistency and compete at our highest level. That said, I am so proud of these guys and how they have embraced the process. They have worked towards building a new standard of Faribault Football that will add to Faribault’s historic football tradition. We are young, but we’re eager and ready.

BY THE NUMBERS:

With only five seniors we would love to have more numbers out. Shakespeare would be proud of this Band of Brothers though. We do have 17 returning varsity letter winners which makes us a group of younger players with some experience. At the same time more players will only help improve our Team.

and leadership. Goals are to improve from last year and getting back into the win column.

COMPETITION:

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Tommy Kunze, Hayden Dillon, Aiden Conrad, Lucas Caron, Brecken Kaderlick and Henry Foxhoven

2024 RECAP:

0-9 on the season, Lost in the 1st round of the playoffs

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We are looking to build with the returning players from last year going to 9-player. Using the experience gained from last year,we are looking to have a more successful season. We have a solid core of juniors and seniors that we are going to lean on with their experience

We have made some big strides over the summer learning a new offense, the 9-player game, and how we all can gel together. We know that the teams in 9-player are going to be very physical and we have to match that physicality. If we can match the physicality we have an opportunity to compete in any game we play. This is our first year in 9-player so we need to gain the experience and find our rhythm.

BY THE NUMBERS:

21 - total players

16- Returning letter winners

5 - seniors

8 - juniors

2- Sophomores

6 - Freshmen

Faribault head coach Glenn Hansen. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

BA quarterback Tommy Kunze throws a pass. (File Photo— Faribault.com)

New Bethlehem Academy Football coach Christian Harmeyer speaks to players on his team. (File Photo — Faribault.com)

Northfield football

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head Coach: Brent Yule, 5th year

Assistant coaches: Bubba Sullivan, Bob Pagel, TJ Wiebe, John Sand, Cory Callahan, Geoff Staab, Eric Carter, Hans Bengtson, Landon Shroyer and Adam Hoffman.

ROSTER:

The senior class features Kayden Oakland (TE/ DE), Julian Vazquez (WR/LB), Charlie Becker (WR/DB), JT Graupmann (QB/DB), Christain Whiteman (RB/LB), Michael Steward (WR/DB), Carter Simon (WR/DB), Henry Webber (RB/ DE), Devon Monroe (WR/DB), Aidan Wallig (OL/DL), Cole Matthews (OL/DL), Kennan Fields (OL/DL), Evan Riely (OL/DL), Keegan Resendiz (OL/DL), and Kian Morshing (K).

Juniors include Lincoln Wilson (WR/DB), Haziel Lopez (WR/DB), Davis Ness (QB/DB), Sam Stier (WR/LB), Dyson McBroom (TE/LB), Finnegan Ernste (TE/DB), Tim Voight (WR/ DB), Tyler Holz (TE/DE), Braden VanSickle (WR/DB), Ben Ims (WR/DB), Brody Jenson (RB/LB), Mccoy Weitz (RB/DB), Caden Staab (RB/LB), Oliver Waters (OL/DL), Jeremy Obure (OL/DL), David Orozco (OL/DL), Maverick Allen (OL/DL), Ethan Moore (OL/DL), Owen Jenson (OL/DL), Jake Larson (OL/DL), Theo Miller (OL/DL), Henry Larson (TE/DL), Kane Sullivan (TE/DE), and Kaedon Schlaak (OL/DL).

The sophomore group is large, highlighted by

Preston Rataj (WR/DB), Liam Oakland (WR/ DB), Drew Pribyl (WR/DB), Brady Welin (WR/ DB), Ben Lapanta (WR/DB), Devin Becker (RB/ LB), Max Byler (RB/LB), Sam Harner (RB/ LB), Seth Linnenann (WR/DB), Eli Bengtson (QB/LB), Conner Winkleblack (WR/DB), Tavis Ballstadt (WR/DB), Charlie Johnson (RB/LB), Xander Stavenau (RB/LB), Reed Roiger (TE/LB), Maddox Fredrickson (RB/ DB), Luken Weitz (OL/DL), Evan Thompson (OL/DL), Marton Hargitay (OL/DL), Marco Orozco (OL/DL), Sawyer Bruneau (OL/ DL), Alejandro Torres (OL/DL), Augustus Wendling (OL/DL), Quinn Weitz (OL/DL), Philip Benjamin (TE/DB), Oliver Sykora (TE/DE), and Jayden Parence (TE/DB).

KEY PLAYERS:

Offense:

JT Graupmann - QB returning starter - all-district

Kayden Oakland - TE returning starter - all district - pre season all state

Julian Vazquez - returning starter - leading receiver last season

Charlie Becker - returning starter - all district

Ben Ims - returning starter WR

Defense: Michael Steward - 2 year starter

all-district 7 ints last season

Kayden Oakland - returning starer pre season all state

Henry Webber - 2 year starter

Brody Jenson - starter last season

Charlie Becker - starter last season

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Junior Tyler Holz - DE/TE

Aidan Wallig - OL/DL

Lincoln Wilson - WR/DB

Carter Simon - WR/DB

2024 RECAP:

Finished regular season 3-5 earned a 3 seed in sections where we lost to Rochester JM in the section semi’s. We showed heart and battle all year long.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We have some good depth in our skill positions and look forward to watching our kids go to work. They have worked very hard all off-season and look forward to seeing some of our talented seniors lead our group.

COMPETITION:

Owatonna will be tough as they always are and made it to the state semi’s last season. Mayo will also be very tough as they dropped to 5A from the big class 6 schools. We will need to execute and play very physical

to compete with these programs.

BY THE NUMBERS: 15 seniors 24 juniors

ROSTER:

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Cole Walters – 2nd year as

head coach, 6 total years coaching Assistant coaches: Randy Hockinson

(37 years), Jason Hedeen (23 years), Tyler Craig (1 year), Tate Erlandson (4 years), Kevin Vazquez (3 years)

The senior class is led by Noel Hernandez (RB/DB), Logan Trump (OL/LB), and Myles Thompson (RB/LB). Juniors include Jaxson Hedeen (OL/DL), Jaydan Carroll (QB/DB), Carsen Senn (WR/DB), Trey Watkins (RB/

DB), Jeramyah Fox (RB/LB), William Garcia Vroman (OL/LB), Junior Torres (OL/DL), and Collin Meyer (OL/DL). Sophomores on the roster are Nate Keller (RB/LB), Gideon Johnson (RB/LB), Jackson Diderrich (OL/DL), Brody Rapp (OL/DL), and Bennet Shelton (OL/DL). A large freshman group features Isaac Mills

Julian Vazquez scored the winning touchdown in Northfield’s win over Faribault. (File Photo - NorthfieldNews.com)

Kenyon-Wanamingo takes part in a drill. (File Photo — TheKenyonLeader.com)

Northfield quarterback JT Graupmann helped lead Northfield to a win at Rochester Century on Oct. 11. (File Photo - NorthfieldNews.com)

Coach Brent Yule talks with his team at the end of practice on Aug. 13. (File Photo - NorthfieldNews.com

Cole Walters talks to quarterback Noah Wallaker (File Photo - TheKenyonLeader.com)

St. Peter football

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Justin Helget, 2nd year as Head Coach

Assistant coach: Kent Bass

Assistant coach: Kurt Moelter

Assistant coach: Doug Boyer

Assistant coach: Tyler Mass

Assistant coach: Riley Pfiffner

9th Grade Coach: Kevin Durham

9th Grade Coach: Air Chantharak

ROSTER:

Carter Wills, Ethan Potts, Alex Korir, Ashton Guida, Ian Wills *, Max Welp, Jacob Little, Carter Dale, Benton Darge, Brady Bartelt, Lathe Bly, Finley Olson, Jayveon Williams, Carson Gunderson, Tanner Mediger, Brody Whipps, Ryan Moelter *, Brock Guth, Deontre Torres, Thomas Johnson, Peyton Garcia Landa, Brayden Bass, Brady Ferguson, Riley Pugh, Owen Potts, Isaiah Hesse, Jadon Telshaw, Joseph Connor, Joe Greenig, Parker Maloney*, Kemper Ely*, Jemari Zuniga-Thorpe, Nathan Walter, Dawson Holtz, Joe Dorow, Thomas Dunn, Eric Nourie, Tyson Fredrickson, Solomon Thompson, Connor Holicky, Marshall Bye, Brody Hinton, Zaylen Bonds, Cyrus Fremo

KEY PLAYERS:

Parker Maloney - Senior - Defensive Line and Offensive Line

(QB/DB), Teddy Johnson (WR/DB), Braiden Johnson (RB/LB), Brady Christensen (RB/DB), William Noland (WR/LB), Jade Knott (WR/ DB), Seth Nystuen (RB/DB), Wyatt Oster (WR/ DB), Ben Scheffler (RB/LB), Roman Gura (OL/ DL), Colter Livingston (OL/DL), Caleb Thoreson (OL/DL), Chase Cordes (OL/DL), Blane Helgeson (OL/DL), and Jacob Flom (OL/DL).

Kemper Ely - Senior - Defensive Line and Offensive Line

Joe Connor - Senior - Offensive Line and Linebacker

Ian Wills - Senior - Defensive Back and Running Back - Receiver

Carter Dale - Senior - Safety - Receiver

Ryan Moelter - Junior - Strong Safety/ Warrior - Running Back - Receiver

Alex Korir - Junior - Defensive Back - Quarterback

Owen Potts - Junior - Strong Safety/Warrior - Tight End

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Deontre Torres - Senior - Defensive Line and Receiver

Cyrus Fremo - Senior - Defensive Line and Offensive Line

Brock Guth - Senior - Defensive Back and Receiver

Lathe Bly - Senior - Kicker

Ashton Guida - Junior - Defensive Back and Receiver

Finley Olson - Junior - Defensive Back and Receiver

Carter Wills - Junior - Defensive Back and Running Back - Receiver

freshmen year. When he had to step in for an injured player on our playoff run.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Ethan Potts - Junior - Defensive Back and Quarterback

Brody Whipps - Junior - Defensive Back and Strong Safety/Warrior

Eric Nourie - Junior - Defensive Line and Offensive Line

Nathan Walter - SophomoreOffensive Line and Linebacker

Jaden Telshaw - SophomoreOffensive Line and Linebacker

2024 RECAP:

We wrapped up the 2024 regular season with a hard-earned 4-4 record, showing grit and determination each week. Even more impressively, we defended our home field with a strong 3-1 record in front of our incredible fans, whose energy and support fueled us all season long. Our efforts earned us a first-round bye in the playoffs, setting up a second-round matchup against Hutchinson. While our season came to a close with a 21-0 loss, the journey was filled with moments of perseverance, growth, and teamwork that we can all be proud of.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Our focus for the 2025 season is to build on the success we achieved last year, carrying forward the momentum and lessons from 2024. We are committed to taking the season one game at a time, embracing the “win the week” mentality through preparation, discipline, and execution. Just as important, we strive to deliver an unforgettable experience for our athletes, families, student body, and community, making each game day a source of pride and excitement. Now in our second year

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

of implementing our offensive and defensive schemes, we look forward to continued improvement as we refine our systems and push ourselves to reach our full potential. Above all, we will give our best effort every time we step onto the field, knowing that hard work, grit, and commitment are the keys to our success.

COMPETITION:

We feel our team is in a strong position heading into the 2025 season. Building on the experience we gained last year and the continued growth in year two of our offensive and defensive systems, we believe we can compete with the teams in our district and section. The district will once again be highly competitive, with several teams returning key talent. Marshall, Rocori, and Hutchinson, given their recent success, will be among the favorites in the section. That said, our focus remains on our own preparation and execution. If we take care of business each week, we believe we can put ourselves in a great position to succeed.

BY THE NUMBERS:

Total Athletes: 44 (10-12 Grade)

Parker Maloney - 2024 All District - 2024 Saints Offensive Lineman of the Year

Kemper Ely - 2024 All District2024 Saints Defensive MVP

Joe Connor - 2024 All District

Ryan Moelter - 2024 All District - 2024 Offensive MVP

Alex Korir - 2024 All District Honorable Mention

3 seniors KENYON-WANAMINGO FOOTBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

KEY PLAYERS:

Gideon Johnson Returning Sophomore LB/ RB Filled in for varsity last year at LB when needed. Shows an impressive combination of speed and power when running with the ball. Impressive ball carrier vision. Will be a leader on the field this year in terms of his performance.

Noel Hernandez Returning Senior RB/ DB. Ended the season with our highest rushing average per attempt. Our lightening in a bottle player. A track guy as well. Also ended the season with the most interceptions on the team last year.

Jaxson Hedeen Returning Junior OL/ DL. Has been playing varsity since his

Jayden Carroll Junior QB/DB Stepping into the QB position. Has stepped into a leadership role and remains calm, cool, and collected on the field. Looking to conduct the Brody Rapp Sophomore OL/DL Brody stood out with the JV group last year. Attacked the weightroom this spring and summer and looks to be ready to fill in as a leading OL/DL.

Myles Thompson Senior RB/LB Myles mainly played JV last year but is ready to step into some critical varsity roles as one of the few seniors on the team. Myles has put on a lot of strength and has looked good on the field so far.

2024 RECAP:

The Falcons finished 1–8 overall, placing 9th in the Mid-Southeast East District and 7th in Section 1A. The season ended with a firstround section loss. The program graduated 15 seniors, including all-district honorees Tanner Hedeen (RB/LB) and Charles Koncur (OL/DL), along with honorable mention selections Joe Mills (OL/DL), Owen Craig (RB/LB), and Jack Vierling (RB/DB).

We are going to have a young team this year. Our goals are to go out and get better every week. This past spring in our leadership council the players read The Hard Hat by Jon Gordon. Each player has been asked to take a “Hard Hat Mentality” and approach this season. We show up. Go to work. Get better for ourselves and our teammates. The onfield results will take care of themselves. We are excited to go out each week and compete with the teams in our section and district.

COMPETITION:

This year we have moved up to class AA. We are in section 4aa. This means our section now includes new teams we have not played in a long time or eve before. Our district realigns as well and is pretty similar to our section with just a couple of differences. Our district and section are full of good quality teams that will be a battle to play every week. We look forward to competing for the Jug with Cannon Falls for the

first time in a long time. Of course, though, Cannon Falls is one of the top programs in AA, so they will be a challenge to compete against.

BY THE NUMBERS:

31 players on the current roster

15 freshmen

5 returning letter winners (Noel Hernandez, Jaxson Hedeen, Gideon Johnson, Jaydan Carroll, Jackson Diderrich)

Kemper Ely. (file photo - stpeterherald.com)

Ian Wills. (file photo - stpeterherald.com)

Le Sueur-Henderson football

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Co-Head coach: Jim Wagner 4th

Co-Head coach: Colin Everson 4th

Assistant coach: Nate Kirschner 3rd

Assistant coach: Nate Wentzlaff 4th

ROSTER:

Jackson Wolf 12 WR/DB, Sam Wagner 12 QB/DB, Jack Fuhrman 12 WR/DB, George Doherty 12 RB/LB, Joe Lewis 12 TE/DB, Peyton Tellijohn 12 OL/LB, Jack Miller 12 RB/LB,

Kaiden Reinhardt 12 OL/DL, Carter Nelson 12 OLDL, Lucas Kahlow 12 OLDL, Alex Haas 12 OLDL, Erich Broeckert 12 WR/DB, Sebastian WIlliams 12 OLDL, Asher Dunn 12 OLDL, Wyatt Boelter 11 WR/DB, Mason Johnson 11 RB/LB, Jack Thelemann 11 QB/DB, Liam Christenson 11 WR/DB, Grady Graham 11 WR/DB, Andrew Lansing 11 OL/LB, Kaide Weldon 11 RB/LB, Mitchell Dhaene 11 OL/LB, Alex Shepherd 11 OL/LB, Lucas Bird 11 OLDL, Landon Esparza 11 RB/LB, Tristian Tellijohn 11 RB/LB, Emmet Nelson 11 OLDL, Rigo Mendez 11 OLDL, Jackson Forcier 11 OLDL, William Husfelt 10 WR/ DB, Nate Lansing 10 QB/LB, Aadin Maxfield

Tri-City United football

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Matt Collins, 6th year as head coach, 14th year overall

Assistant coaches: Carl Bratsch, 1st year at TCU, Andrew Meier 14th Year at TCU, Jay Frederickson 11th year at TCU, John Rumpza 6th year at TCU, Jacob Gillespie, 4th year at TCU, Luke Klein, 3rd year at TCU, Jared VanDorpe, 5th year at TCU, and Logan Dykstra, 1st year with TCU.

KEY PLAYERS:

This year, we return some key players from last year’s team, including our leading passer, Kellen Jirik. We return four of our top five rushers from a year ago, Nate Blaschko, Keegan

O’Meara, Jacob Neubauer, and Parker O’Malley. We also return five of our top receivers from a year ago, Parker O’Malley, Keegan O’Meara, Carter Beulke, Jacob Neubauer, and Eian O’Keefe. Defensively, we return three of our top five tacklers from a year ago, Nate Blaschko, Parker O’Malley, and Tucker Skluzacek. We will also look to get key contributions on both sides of the ball from Maxxis Ross, Triston Olson, Bryce Meyer, Karson Malecha, Mitchell Holicky, Logan Heller, Julian Hanson, Jacob Fournier, Abram Chimal, Ethan Woldsnes, Jude Soto, Eli Krautkremer, Toren Kellen, Corday Freeman, Matthew Farr, Brody Factor, Chris Estrada, Logan Dietz, Ryan Dahlke, Eli Brikbeck, and Eric Borchardt.

10 WR/DB, Cole Conrad 10 WR/DB, Jayden Esparza 10 OLDL, Mason Bushway 10 TE/DL, Waylon Theike 10 RB/DB, Marshall Ernst 10 OL/DL, Weston Nytes 10 OL/DL, Jeremiah Wagner 9 TE/LB, Seth Garcia 9 OLDL, Riley Browning 9 RB/LB, Declan Cross 9 WR/ DB, Kain Romano 9 WR/DB, James Shultz 9 TE/LB, Sean Hathaway 9 QB/DB, Jorryian Henderson 9 RB/LB, Val Miller 9 OLDL, Michael Rodriguez 9 OLDL, Seth Stengl 9 OLDL

KEY PLAYERS:

Sam Wagner, George Doherty, Waylon Theike, Kaiden Reinhardt, Jack Fuhrman, Peyton Tellijohn

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

We have some new players on both sides of the ball, Jack Miller, Grady Graham, Mitchell Dhaene, could all make a big impact

2024 RECAP:

We finished 5-5 overall. We lost in the section semifinals to Jackson County. We were cochampions of our sub district with Maple River and Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK: We have high expectations for our team. With large numbers of upperclassmen and returners we are looking to be competitive and make a run in late October and November.

COMPETITION:

Favorite to win the section would be Jackson County.

BY THE NUMBERS:

49 - total players 14 - seniors

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Juniors Eli Birkbeck, Ryan Dahlke, Logan Dietz, Chris Estrada, Brody Factor, Matthew Farr, Corday Freeman, Toren Kelly, Eli Krautkremer, Jude Soto, and Ethan Woldsnes. Sophomores Carson Beulke, Eric Borchardt, Ethan Ernste, Oliver Grogg, Ethan Holicky, Brendan Frederick, Thomas Plut, Colton Sherman, and Ty Smith.

2024 RECAP:

We finished with a disappointing 1-8 record and a loss in the section playoffs to Worthington. We delt with some significant injuries throughout the year and lost some close games.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We’ve had a great offseason and summer as a team. We are faster and stronger than we have been the last couple of years. Our team has had great energy and leadership to start

the season. We return some valuable pieces from our team last season and have some exciting younger players. We are hoping to be competitive with every team in our district and section. Fairmont, Waseca, Luverne, and TCU are the favorites in Section 3AAA.

COMMENTS FROM THE COACH: Favorite to win the section would be Jackson County.

BY THE NUMBERS: 68- Players on the team

24- Returning letter winners 14 - seniors

Sam Wagner. (file photo)

Parker O’Malley. (file photo)

George Doherty runs through an arm tackle. (file photo-lesueurcountynews.com)

Abram Chimal. (file photo-lesueurcountynews.com)

Cleveland football

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Erik Hermanson – 31 years coaching football (11 as head)

Assistant coaches - Kyle Atherton, Matt Miller, Larry Walechka, Dustin Bosshart, Garrett Mensing

ROSTER:

Bode Bartell, Carson Lyons, Nathan Seeman, Caleb Possin, Alex Kortuem, Wyatt Krenik, Sam Ternes, Garret Heldberg, Tanner Simonette, Braeden Smith, Owen Lloyd, Jack Mons, Ethan Hoehn, Brayden Seeman, Tony Hollerich, Gage Bock, Jake Mueller, Pierce Lyons, Austin Tarkey, Harry Fuller, Adam Rain, Jackson

Shouler, Urijah Hoheisel, Kiptyn Coon, Max Esser, Jeremy Miller, Garet Peterson, Henry Boelter, Carsyn Ryg, Mason Kluntz, Richard Jordan, Zander Hoechst, David Draheim

KEY PLAYERS:

QB Carson Lyons – Jr. – Last year he went 118-209 for 1544 yards 20 TD’s and only 3 INTS. He led our team in Defensive points also, with 67 tackles, 3 for a loss, 5 INTS and 2 fumble recoveries.

RB Caleb Posin – Sr. - Caleb rushed 89 times for 269 yards. On defense he led our team with 74 tackles and had 11 tackles for loss! Caleb was also trusted to be our punter and kicker. He punted 28 times for 977 yards, 7 inside the 20

and a long of 63 yards. Kicking he made30 of 35 PAT and 4 for 6 field goals, with a long of 29.

David Draheim, Mason Kluntz – Sr. – two of our captains that anchor our OL and DL. Great leaders and awesome players

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Tanner Simonette – Braeden Smith – JR – Our two tight ends will be explosive players on offense. Look for them to be big in the passing game with their speed and athletic ability.

Bode Bartel – Alex Kortuem – Sr. – Our two senior receivers that will make big plays and be reliable when we really need a play.

Sam Ternes – Jr. – a jack of all trades you could see Sam at almost any position on the field. His athletic ability makes him a weapon all over the field.

2024 RECAP: 6-3

Finished

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Build on last year’s success and play up to our potential.

BY THE NUMBERS:

33 - total players

23 - letter winners

7 - seniors

MSAD football

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Ryan Smith-Hastings, 4th year

Assistant coach: Kiefer Anderson, 2nd year

ROSTER:

Seniors are Hsa Mu Phyar and Nicholas Zentic Jr. The 10thgrade group includes Salan Saied and Abdullah Ahmed Ali. Ninth graders are Riley Novacinski, Robert Brown, and Diesel Zentic.

KEY PLAYERS:

We expect Hsa Mu Phyar to continue his excellent season from last year when he scored 3 touchdowns (one on offense, one on defense and one on special teams). With a small team, we do expect all players to contribute to this season in various positions.

leap from last year, he has improved over the summer and is excited to learn a new position- quarterback. We hope to see him leading the team this season and the next couple of years as well.

2024 RECAP:

Due to losing 4 seniors from the 2023 team that went 6-0, last year was a rebuilding year for our squad in which we ended up with a 0-5 record, so we took the time and opportunity to work with our younger players for more playing time experience in preparation for this year.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We hope to stay competitive in all of our games and win a couple of them. Most importantly, we are focused on players’ development and improvement in all aspects of football and continuing to build our program.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

We’re expecting to see Salan Saied make a

2nd in the district. Beat St. James in a home playoff game and lost in the 2nd round to USC.

Carson Lyons. (file photo)

Mason Kluntz. (file photo - lesueurcountynews.com)

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Josh Halva, 2nd year (7th overall)

Assistant coaches: Jason Kaytor, 21st year; Elise Oppegard, 3rd year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Kali Belting (S), Kendra Bogen (OH), Autumn Frandsen (L), Libby Jenson (OH), Kyleah Miller (M), Danielle

Owatonna volleyball Medford volleyball volleyball

#1 & #2 in kills in the Big 9, both All-Conference.

Addie Schroht – All Conference HM as a setter, has over 1,000 career set assists.

2024 RECAP:

Great first year for us with me as the head coach. Took some time to get to know each other but we finished with an 8-3 Conference record and the #5 seed in the section. We lost to Farmington in 5 sets in the first round of the section playoffs.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

The girls are working hard and we bring back a lot of varsity experience. We expect to have a fun year ahead.

Goals of winning the Big 9 Conference Championship, hosting a first round section game and advancing in the section playoffs.

COMPETITION:

In our conference we should be towards the top if we stay healthy and play well. Northfield is always good and Mankato West will be up there,. They have a good program and the team I think that will surprise some folks is Austin. They have a couple of fantastic juniors this year.

Section is lead by the defending state champions and current #1 team in the state Lakeville South. Not to be outdone, the #2 team in the state is Lakeville North. We play Lakeville South the opening round of a tournament in Marshall, should be a good test to see where we are.

BY THE NUMBERS:

Roush (M), Adeline Schroht (S), Kennedi Wagner (DS), Miley Fulton (OH)

Juniors: Grave Halverson (DS) and Ella Thompson (RS)

Sophomores: Callie Cook (DS) and Blair Kath (RS)

KEY PLAYERS:

Kendra Bogen (captain) and Libby Jensen- Went

ROSTER:

KEY PLAYERS:

Seniors

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Autumn Frandsen (captain) – Libero, is maybe the quickest defensive player I have ever coached.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Kyleah Miller (captain) and Danielle Roush – both played middle at times for us last year. Their blocking and improving offensive game will help us set the tone early.

9 – Seniors

9 - Returning letter winners

9 – Juniors

12 – Sophomores

24 – Freshman/8th graders

COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Head coach: Missy Underdahl, 9th year

Madalyn Huizel, Lauren Ristau, Ellery LaCroix, Olivia Ward, Jade Laue, Bailey Rathai, Libby Sutherland, and Jayden Schweisthal

who will look to be leaders on the team, which include Olivia Ward, Jade laue, and Libby Sutherland.

Blue Earth Area, Central, Glencoe-Silver Lake, Holy Family Catholic, JWP, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, Le SueurHenderson, Maple River, Minnesota Valley Lutheran, Sibley East, Southwest Christian, St. Clair, TCU, Waseca, and WEM.

Kendra Bogen will look to make an impact in her senior season, as she once again is a captain. (File Photo - Owatonna.com)

Olivia Ward sends the ball over the net in the section playoffs last season against Triton. (File photo - Owatonna.com)

Danielle Roush (13) and Libby Jenson (14) will both return for their senior seasons for the Huskies. (File Photo - Owatonna.com)

Jade Laue returns for her senior season for the Tigers. (File photo - Owatonna.com)

Blooming Prairie volleyball

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Gina Hendrickson, 15th year

Assistant coaches: Cory Hendrickson, 7th year and Kylie Forystek, 2nd year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Madelyn Harvey (LIB), Ambriella Miller (OH), Sam Hefling (OH), Claire Schwarz (S/OH)

Juniors: Jaspher Doocy (MH), Bella Schiller (S), Addison Mongeau (DS/S), Neila Nelson (DS), Aubrey Klocke (MH/ OH), Gracelyn Anderson (OH)

Sophomore: Ellie Stoen (MH)

Freshman: Elaine Schwarz (MH)

Eighth-Grader: Ava lea (MH/OH)

KEY PLAYERS:

Senior Claire Schwarz is a returning starter who will lead our offense at the setting position. She is an experienced player who is expected to earn her 1,000th set assist sometime this fall. In addition, Claire is a strong server and will see some action as an outside hitter this season. Claire is a true team leader and a 2025 captain. Not only is she making consistent connections with our hitters, but she’s also an offensive threat in her own right. Last fall,

Claire was a Gopher Conference Honorable Mention and our team’s 2024 MVP.

Madelyn Harvey is another returning senior starter who will be our libero this season.

Madelyn earned 361 digs in the 2024 season (our team’s 2024 Defensive Player of the Year) and is looking to keep adding to her career total this season. Madelyn is a spark plug on our team who adds big energy to the court. She brings her best effort every day, and as a 2025 captain, will help lead our team in a positive direction this season.

Sam Hefling is a returning 6 position player from last year. As she starts her senior season, Sam looks strong at the OH position. She is opening up as a player and adding a more diverse shot selection to her arsenal. In addition, Sam is an aggressive server and a reliable primary passer in serve receive.

Jaspher Doocy is a junior middle hitter who is another returning starter from last season.

Jaspher was our team’s Most Improved Player last season and has continued to make strides in the off-season. Jaspher is more creative and active in the middle this year which will open up some different looks for our team offensively. She is a strong blocker who takes pride in putting up a wall at the net.

Look to see some real fire from freshman, Elaine Schwarz. This will be Elaine’s first varsity volleyball season, but she is bursting with potential. She’s a long player who hits

Waseca volleyball

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Krissy Plonske, 3rd year

Assistant coaches: Liz Prostrollo, 1st year; Abbie Wobschall, 1st year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Audri Willingham (DS), Madison Corder-Broughten (RH/S), Remy Murphy (MH), Alyssa Kilmer (L/OH), Ellery Waldron (OH/RH), Brooke Bartelt (RH/DS)

Juniors: Savannah Vogts (RH/ MH), Tajha Nelson (DS/L)

Sophomores: Madalynn Root (DS), Ashley Fliflet (MH), Asia Mayberry (OH/MH/ RH), Addison Zimmerman (OH/RH)

Freshman: Avery Barto (S)

Eighth-Grade: Kaia Sartori (OH)

KEY PLAYERS:

Alyssa Kilmer and Ellery Waldron

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Kaia Sartori and Avery

2024 RECAP:

We lost a good group of key players. Lost about 8 seniors.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Our objective for the season is to develop strong fundamentals, teamwork, and sportsmanship while preparing my athletes to compete at the highest level in our conference.

Our goal is to become one team and work on backing each other up on and off the court.

COMPETITION:

We are a young new team, I think we will surprise some teams.

a big ball from nearly any position. She’s connecting well with her sister, Claire; they are a fun setter/hitter combination. We’re looking for big things from Elaine this season.

Ambriella Miller is a senior OH who keeps things light for us on our court. She is a highly dependable hitter and server. Like Sam Hefling, Ambi is also adding more shot selection to her offensive game. Defensive Specialist, Addison Mongeau, is another familiar face in our starting line up from last year. Addison’s floor defense looks scrappier this season. She is quick to the ball and is a solid server.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Incoming Juniors, Aubrey Klocke and Bella Schiller are players who are fitting into our offense nicely this season. Aubrey is taking good cuts at the ball and is working to improve her consistency while Bella is another setter who can help our team keep the offense interesting. Gracelyn Anderson and Neila Nelson add depth in our back court with solid ball control.

Rounding out our roster are two middle hitters – sophomore, Ellie Stoen and eighthgrader, Ava Lea. Ellie and Ava are both determined blockers. They add height to our roster, give us more options offensively, and are connecting well with our setters. Look to see both improve as the season progresses.

2024 RECAP:

Gopher Conference Record: 0-10, Overall Record: 8-22

Last year we played in Section 1A. We played Spring Grove at Spring Grove to end our 2024 season. This year, our school moved back up to Section 1AA.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Last season, we struggled in conference play (0-10 in the Gopher Conference). We were a team that could play with everyone; however, we struggled to finish games competitively. Despite the losses, I always believed that we were close to turning a corner. We are excited to start this season to see exactly how close we are to getting over those hurdles that were holding us back and start earning more wins.

We have great building blocks in the gym this fall. We have some young hitters who could really help us kill balls and side out quickly. We return a lot of players who have solid ball control and quick floor defense, and we return a talented setter. We are likely to have some early growing pains as we work some of these new hitters into our offense, but I really like what I’m seeing in the gym these early days. As the head coach, I really want the kids to enjoy playing volleyball and competing. Most importantly, I want to see the players be their authentic selves on the court and play as a unified group with high energy. Right now, the girls are having a lot of fun, and it is reflected in their overall game. We know that we have a lot of work to do and if we can really get after it in these early weeks, look to see us constantly improve as the season progresses.

COMPETITION:

Honestly, there are a lot of great teams out there and we are going to have to bring it in every match. Our first game is at AldenConger and we will be challenged right away.

BY THE NUMBERS:

13 - Total Players

4 - Seniors

6 - Juniors

1 - Sophomore

1 - Freshman

1 - Eighth-Grader

10 - Returning Letterwinners

5 - Returning Starters

2 - Captains (Seniors Claire Schwarz and Madelyn Harvey)

Barto

Senior Claire Schwarz is one of two captains for the Awesome Blossoms this season. (File Photo - Owatonna.com)

Ellery Waldron (13) is one of 6 seniors on the Waseca squad this season. (File Photo - WasecaCountyNews.com)

Senior Madelyn Harvey returns as Blooming’s libero. (File Photo - Owatonna.com)

Alyssa Kilmer. (File Photo - WasecaCountyNews.com)

NRHEG volleyball

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Bethany Tennis, 2nd year (4th overall)

Assistant coaches: Corrine Schuller, 19th year; Jen Hatton, 12th year

ROSTER:

Seniors: Gabby Schlaak (OH), Camryn VanMaldeghem (OH), Quinn VanMaldeghem (MH), Kyrea Eustice (OPP), Kayden Warke (DS), Nora Flatness (MH), Addy Stadheim (S), Chloe Stork (MH), Meela Budach (OH), Chloe Riewer (L)

Juniors: Anika Ladlie (OPP), Izley Boerner (DS), Clara Buendorf (MH/

OH), Kylie Olson (MH/OPP)

Sophomores: Brooklyn Sommer (S)

KEY PLAYERS:

We have a majority of our team returning from last year with our 10 seniors all playing key roles to our success.

Addy Stadheim will play a key role as she leads our offense in the setting position. She brings a high volleyball IQ along with great leadership qualities to our team.

Gabby Schlaak will continue to be a leader on the outside pin playing all the way around coming off last year leading our team in both our offensive kills and defensive digs stats.

Chloe Riewer will return her role as libero and will do a great job defending the back row with consistency.

We have all-conference awardees Camryn VanMaldeghem and Gabby Schlaak returning as well as all-conference honorable mention Addy Staheim returning for their senior seasons.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Senior Quinn VanMaldeghem will be a key utility player with potential influence in both the back and front row. Camryn VanMaldeghem returns to Varsity but in a new role as an outside hitter.

2024 RECAP:

NRHEG finished 4-6 (6th seed) in conference and 11-14 overall in the 2024 season. Our season had its ups and downs. We had some adjustments to the roster throughout the season

that forced us to be flexible on the court. The Panthers had multiple games lost with less than a 5 point differential from the team that finished on top. Overall, I was extremely proud of the growth all of our program athletes showed last year. They proved on multiple occasions that they could compete with the best.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Our goal this year is to continue building on our success, improve each player’s individual skills, and work together to be a stronger, more cohesive team. I expect to see competitive teams throughout all levels of our program and hope that we can continue to foster a positive gym culture. Volleyball is a team sport, and while individual skills are important, it is our ability to work together as one unit that will set us apart. My expectation is for each player to step up not only as a leader on the court but also as a supportive teammate. We have a dynamic offense with multiple players capable of attacking from various positions. This variety in our offense makes us difficult to defend against and should keep our opponents on their toes.

COMPETITION:

Our conference has a lot of amazing athletes, with this comes great competition. I predict that competition will be tough on all levels. With our seniority and familiarity, the Panthers will continue to build off their success from previous years and hope to come out on top of these competitions. Staying calm, focused, and positive will be key as we face tough competition throughout the season. Our section has changed this year as we move to 1A.

BY THE NUMBERS:

15 - Total players

10 - Seniors

4 - Juniors

1 - Sophomore

8 - Returning letter winners

Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton volleyball

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Toryn Richards, 1st year

Assistant coach: Jolene Hauger, 10 years

Assistant coach: Carrie Richards, 10 years

ROSTER:

Lillian Ewert DS 12th, Victoria Blomstrom DS 12th, Neveah Weimert S 12th, Raylen Blasing DS 12th, Chloe Kaiser DS 11th, Ellie Morsching DS 12th, Lily Quast DS 12th, Sophia Okins OH 11th, Brielle James OH 12th, Makaela Westphal OH 9th, Ryleigh Donner OH 10th, Ashlynn Wolff MB 9th, Rachelle Oelke RH 11th, Mikayla Wheelock RH 12th, Kaitlyn Cowdin

DS 9th, Katelyn Olson OH 12th, Kayleigh DOnner DS 10th, Aubrey Adams MB 12th

KEY PLAYERS:

I expect to see Neveah Weimert and Katie Olson stand out this year, they are my two returning varsity players from last year. So, with their experience it will be great to see how they grow this year.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Keep an eye on Ashlynn Wolff as well as Lillian Ewert. Ashlynn is a freshman middle blocker who has great court vision as well as she is very quick. Lillian Ewert is a senior libero who is very explosive and quick and brings the team great energy.

2024 RECAP:

6th place last year in conference 5-5

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK: Goals this year is to be above .500 for the season. Place in the top 5 for conference as well as making it to the section semifinals.

COMPETITION:

The team only has two returning players from last year. With this being said, as a team they want to make a difference for the volleyball program. We have strong hitters as well as strong serve receive. They all want to see success in this program and are willing to work hard everyday for it.

BY THE NUMBERS: 5 - letter winners 3 - seniors 18 players 9 seniors

2 letter winners

The 2025 NRHEG Panthers volleyball team. (Lucas Dittmer - WasecaCountyNews.com)

Nevaeh Weimert. (file photo-wasecacountynews. com)

Camryn VanMaldeghem returns for her senior season for the panthers. (File Photo - WasecaCountyNews.com) Katie Olson. (file photo-wasecacountynews.com)

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown volleyball

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Crystal Lamont – 19th season (397–150 career record)

Assistant coaches: Ken Trnka, Kelci Halvorson

ROSTER:

WEM returns a strong senior group led by Addison Condon, Liza Baker, Robynn Schwichtenberg, and Alenka Jans. Juniors

Alix Velzke and Bryella Pope also return as letterwinners, while additional depth comes from juniors Kyeria Morris (MH) and Meghan Krystosek (RH). The sophomore class includes Ellie Lamont (setter) and Paetyn Judd (OH/RH), with freshman Inezsa Pope (MH) and seventh grader Greta Velzke

(MH) adding young talent to the mix.

KEY PLAYERS:

Addison Condon, senior, OH – Addison has become one of the top all-around players in the state. She covers an unbelievable amount of court defensively. Last season she put together one of the top hitting seasons we have seen at WEM with 472 kills. She will be our go to player and I’m excited to see how much she can continue to improve as the season progresses.

Liza Baker, senior, OH – Liza moved to outside hitter last season. She adapted well and helped our team with her overall athleticism and court sense. She was a strong defender and covered a tremendous amount of the court. Her continued growth will have a huge factor on our success this season.

Alix Velzke, junior, DS – Alix is our vocal leader on the court. She has a never say die attitude and provides great depth and energy to our

Faribault volleyball

defense. She continues to learn and improve every time she takes the court. I expect her to cover even more ground this year and help us solidify our defense.

Alenka Jans, senior, RH – Alenka is a smart player who can find a variety of ways to score. She has a steady presence and provides great energy for our team.

Robynn Schwichtenberg, senior, setter/ RH – Robynn is a very versatile player who could play any position for our team. Due to an injury, we are asking her to move to set along with hitting out of the rightside this season. She is an efficient hitter who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. She has good ball control and we expect her to help our offense improve this season.

2024 RECAP:

The Buccaneers finished 18–13 overall

and 7–3 in the Gopher Conference, good for 3rd place. They lost four key seniors to graduation: Ashlyn Pelant, Tatum Richards, McKenna Schuster, and Tianna Pope.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We return our top two players from last season and are excited to build off of that. Both our outside hitters improved their ability to see the court and find different ways to score. They also are the keys to our defense and cover a great deal of ground for us. Our goal is to have a topnotch defense that is relentless and frustrates our opponents. We will be fundamentally sound and hope to overcome our lack of height with our defensive tenacity and offensive efficiency.

Section 2AA –Belle Plaine and Southwest Christian will again be the teams to beat.

Gopher Conference – We are hoping to compete for a conference championship. Kenyon-Wanamingo and Triton will be the favorites heading into the season. The conference is getting stronger as a whole which has led to some great matches and tough competition throughout the season. That is exciting to see and helps every team get better prepared for the playoffs.

COMPETITION:

In Section 2AA, Belle Plaine and Southwest Christian are the teams to beat. Within the Gopher Conference, Kenyon-Wanamingo and Triton enter as favorites, but WEM expects to be in the mix for the title. The conference’s overall strength has grown, providing high-level matches that should prepare the Buccaneers well for postseason play.

BY THE NUMBERS:

18–13 overall in 2024

7–3 Gopher Conference (3rd place)

4 graduated seniors

4 returning senior letterwinners

2 junior letterwinners

Young depth: 2 juniors, 2 sophomores, 1 freshman, 1 seventh grader

KEY PLAYERS:

We have 3 returning Varsity players,

leading

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

We have a very new team this year. Mara and Audrey sat the bench last year for Varsity and are stepping into starting roles this year. Ary is coming up from JV as a Right Side hitter and Rayna is coming up from our 9th grade squad to fill our other Middle hitter spot.

2024 RECAP: 4-23 overall

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We are in a growing phase in our program this year. With our team being so young we are building our skills, knowledge and team cohesiveness. This group is fierce and dedicated to the sport that they love and to each other. This is a group to keep an eye on.

BY THE NUMBERS:

3 returning starters

COACHES, YEARS COACHING: Katie Ruisi 1st year as Head, 6th year coaching with FHS, 10th year overall coaching

Assistant coach: Tara Melchert 4th year Varsity Assistant Assistant coach: Jason Langevin 1st year as JV at FHS

ROSTER: #2 Erin Klett 12th DS, #4 Rayna Mougni 10th MH/OH, #5 Mara Gonzalez 10th OH, #6 Audrey DeBruzzi 10th S, #7 Stella Herda 9th Libero, #8 Ellie Rice 12th RS, #9 Brenna VanDerVeen 10th MH, #10 Kyleigh Berken 9th OH/S, #11 Ary Rios 11th RS/OH, #12 Claire Kreager 8th MH, #15 Reese Bolster 9th S and #16 Nyajal Lul 11th MH

Kyleigh B, Stella H and Brenna V

this young team.

WEM’s Liza Baker (6) hustles to keep the ball up. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

The Faribault girls volleyball huddles together. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

Addison Condon blasts an attack between a pair of defenders. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

Stella Herda digs a serve against Owatonna. (File photo — Faribault.com)

Bethlehem Academy volleyball

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Christine Bothun, 7th year at BA, 17th year overall

Assistant coach: Jill Strodtman, 7th year at BA

Assistant coach: Brianna Radatz, 1st year

ROSTER:

Bethlehem Academy’s lineup features a mix of experienced upperclassmen and promising

underclassmen. Seniors include Madalyn Huizel (OH), Payton Eckhardt (RH/MH), Maggie Edel (DS), Brylie Becker (OH), and Caitlin Bothun (OH). Juniors are Aubrey Brown (S/ DS), Gabbie Pavek (Libero/DS), Isabella Kugler (DS), Sarah Tobin (MH), and Evelina Caldera (RH). The sophomore class brings depth with Mikayla Dienst (S), Aliyah Hacker (OH/RH), Keira Drier (DS/OH), and Quin Wray-Raabolle (OH). Freshman Chloe Gjerald (MH) rounds out the roster, adding young talent to the mix.

KEY PLAYERS:

Mikayla Dienst - Taking over the setting role. Sarah Tobin - Was out with a knee injury for the 2024 season, happy to have her back in the MH position. Brylie Becker - Returning OH. Caitlin Bothun - Out with a Knee Injury, but looking to make an impact with the team in other ways, strong leader.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Madalyn Huizel - Transfer student, we moved her to the Outside and expect her to be a big hitter for us. Chloe GjeraldFreshmen MH, young but has shown a lot of growth in the early weeks of the season.

2024 RECAP:

Conference Record: 9-1, Tied for Conference Championship. Seeded 5th in the section, lost to K-W in the Quarter Final 2-3

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Our Goal is to finish at the top of our conference. We did have a large graduating class and Caitlin is out with an injury; however, we have a lot of

Northfield volleyball

talented players filled with determination and a willingness to work and make the necessary adjustments. While many may think this will be a rebuilding year for BA, we want to prove to them that it is not - we will be a strong team.

COMPETITION:

I believe the favorites in the conference will be K-W, WEM and BA. Section favorites are likely Fillmore Central, Spring Grove and K-W. However, I do believe we could be seeded near the top of the section.

BY THE NUMBERS:

15 Players

7 Letter Winners

5 Seniors

5 Juniors

4 Sophomores

1 Freshman COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

coach: Elizabeth Larson 3rd

total years

Assistant coach: Anna Dols, Anna Pfefferle. 2nd year

ROSTER:

Juniors include captain Edith Larson

and Naveah

The sophomore group

Stephanie Mergens

and Avery Parish (Pin). A strong freshman class adds Aubrey Ims (Pin), Kendall Kaiser (DS), Sidney Koester (Pin), Milli Larson (L/DS), and Keatyn Madow (S).

KEY PLAYERS:

Amber Mahal, Tegan Madow, Edith Larson, Naveah Pennock and Stephanie Mergens.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Sidney Koester and Madeline Douah

2024 RECAP:

Conference Champions - Big 9. 11-0 match record and 33-0 set record in conference Section 6AAA Runner Up

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK: New players and new look. Working towards strong defensive presence and emerging offense.

COMPETITION:

Many teams will be in the running for the Big 9 Championship. Owatonna and Mankato West were also at the top of the conference last year and will be tough opponents again this year, along with Mayo and Century who always have strong teams.

BY THE NUMBERS:

14 - total players

7 - letter winners

4 - seniors

2 - juniors

3 - sophomores

5- freshman

Assistant coach: Tallie Berkvam-Peters 2nd year

The senior class is led by captains Delphine Hawkins (L/DS) and Tegan Madow (M), along with Amber Mahal (M) and Kate Potter (L/DS).

(S/RH)

Pennock (S/RH).

features Madeline Douah (Pin),

(L/DS),

Bethlehem Academy volleyball celebrates after winning a point. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

LEFT: Tegan Madow (7) and Faith Corbett (12) were two of Northfield’s leaders in the recent win over Austin. (File Photo - NorthfieldNews.com)

BA coach Chris Bothun. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

NHS coach Elizabeth Larson celebrates with her team after the win over Benilde-St. Margaret. (File Photo - NorthfieldNews.com)

Kenyon-Wanamingo volleyball

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Siri Quam, 2nd year head coach

Assistant coach: Cheryl Dahl

Assistant coach:Terra Haugen

ROSTER:

The senior class is led by Audrey Haugen (Middle Hitter), Emilie Jarvis (Defensive Specialist), Addy Lindell (Right Side Hitter), and Ava Flom (Setter). Juniors include

Kendal Johnson (Setter), Sam Boyum (Middle Hitter), Eva Jacobson (Defensive Specialist), Anna Ostertag (Outside Hitter), and Emma Koncur (Pin Hitter). The sophomore group features Ruby Sjoblom (Middle Hitter), Maddyn Alexander (Setter), Claire Olson (Pin Hitter), and Hannah Kruger (Middle Hitter). Freshman Mali Quam rounds out the roster as an Outside Hitter.

KEY PLAYERS:

Audrey Haugen - Gopher Conference All-

Le Sueur-Henderson volleyball

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Stacey Feser, 7th year

Assistant coach:Nick Feser, 3rd year

Assistant coach: Lauren Berndt, 5th year

Assistant coach: Sara Rassmussen, 2nd year

Assistant coach: Morgan Schwandt, 1st year

ROSTER:

Ruby Fritz 9 S, Elsie Meger 10 S, Elena Meger

Conference 2024 Season, Mali Quam - Gopher Conference All-Conference 2024 Season, Emilie Jarvis - Gopher Conference All-Conference Honorable Mention 2024 Season and Addy Lindell.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Kendal Johnson & Maddyn Alexander are looking to fill the role of setter that Carmen Nerison (3 year Varsity Starter, school record holder in career assists) previously held.

2024 RECAP:

Conference Co-Champions with BA (Record 9-1)

Overall Record: 21 - 7

Section Semi-Finalists

Carmen Nerison 2,000 set assists, school record holder

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Looking to defend Conference Championship

Hope to have a good showing in post-season play in Section 1A

COMPETITION:

Conference: Bethlehem Academy & WatervilleElysian-Morristown are traditionally very strong competitors in the conference. Triton and NRHEG both are returning talented groups of athletes as well.

Section: Fillmore Central- had a great showing at the State Tournament last year and will have a lot of key returners. Mabel-Canton, Bethlehem Academy and Alden-Conger

BY THE NUMBERS:

14 Players

9 Returning Letter-Winners

4 Seniors

varsity as a starter. She will bring lots of experience and guidance for our younger players as well as being a key contributor.

Gracie Fredrickson (outside hitter) is a junior and this will be her second season on varsity. She will be an impact player at the outside position and force the opposing team to aggressively defend her.

Elsie Meger (setter) is a sophomore and this will be her second season on varsity. She will run our offense again and continue to build our team’s chemistry.

KEY PLAYERS:

We have four returning varsity athletes that I’m expecting to do very well this year.

Victoria Hutton (middle blocker) is a junior and this will be her third year on

Ashlyn Fischer (middle blocker) is a freshman who got moved up to play on varsity halfway through the season last year. She is a strong blocker in the front row and will continue to dominate there.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Alaina Hutton (outside hitter) is a freshman and this is her first season on varsity. She will

grow into a very strong and dominant outside hitter and I’m excited to see her growth.

Muriel Hilgers (right side) is a sophomore and this is her first season on varsity. She will be a big block on the right side and be part of a solid group of front row players that will excel.

Elena Meger, Grace Feser, Anyssa Christ, and McKenna Andresen are our back row players that are going to.

2024 RECAP:

We are part of the South Central Conference (SCC) and our record was 7-3. We took third in the conference. The top three teams (Lake Crystal, St. Clair, and us) were neck in neck and played some great conference volleyball. We lost our first section playoff game to WEM.

10 OH, Victoria Hutton 11 MB, Grace Feser 10 DS, Muriel Hilgers 10 RS, Etta Boesl 9 MB, Gracie Fredrickson 11 OH, Alaina Hutton 9 OH, McKenna Andresen 11 DS, Ashlyn Fischer 9 MB, Anyssa Christ 12 DS

Siri Quam talks to her Kenyon-Wanamingo volleyball team. (File Photo - Faribault.com)

Victoria Hutton. (file photo-lesueurcountynews.com)

Audrey Haugen goes up for a block. (File Photo - TheKenyonLeader.com)

Gracie Fredrickson aims to cross with an attack. (file photo-lesueurcountynews)

St. Peter volleyball

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Carmen Hanson, -- 19th year

Assistant coaches:

JV: Hannah Johnson-- 5th year

B-Squad: Brielle Bushaw -- 1st year

C-Squad: Klaire Hudson -- 2nd year

Middle School Coaches: Niki Zitur 9th year & Cari Panizke 4th year

ROSTER:

Macey Portner: 12th OH/OPP, Rowyn Myhra:

12th OH, Auden Anderson: 12th OPP, Lily Filand: 12th S, Brynlee Travaille: 12th S, Kyla Yost: 12th DS, Reign Harmon: 12th MB, Sammy Rubishko: 11th OH/OPP, Brogan Travaille: 11th DS, Halle Mackowicz: 11th MB, Audrey Menning: 11th OH, Savanna Brown: 11th DS, Maya King: 10th S/MB, Lydia Fell: 10th MB

KEY PLAYERS:

Rowyn Myhra- 2nd year varsity, and captain 2025

Macey Portner - 2nd year varsity, and captain 2025 Lily Filand - 2nd year varsity, and captain 2025

Good Luck Teams!

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Sammy Rubischko (Junior)

Brogan Travaille (Junior)

Lydia Fell (Sophomore)

Maya King (Sophomore)

2024

RECAP:

Overall Season 21-9, Lost in Section semi-finals (Emmy Remmert broke her leg during the match v. Marshall.. The score at that time was 18-7… ) Emmy Remmert received All State Team.

BSC 7-2 (Losses to Redwood Valley & Belle Plaine) Graduated 10 seniors; one returning starter coming back for 2025.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

This season’s schedule will look very different from the past. Our schedule consists more of AAA and AAAA teams which will create

more competition for our players. Though we lost multiple starters who had numerous years of experience, we had prepared our current players to step into those positions. They worked hard over the summer knowing what roles they were having to fill.

COMPETITION:

As noted, the BSC will look very different this year. We will be playing other teams within the BSC that we do not necessarily see during our regular season. We should be very competitive with these teams. Marshall or Willmar will be the section favorites.

BY THE NUMBERS:

We currently have a total of 8 seniors, 9 juniors, 8 sophomores & 12 freshmen. We will be having a V, JV, B & C squad for these grade levels.

Rowyn Myhra. (file photo-stpeterherald.com)

Rowyn Myhra (file photo-stpeterherld.com)

Tri-City United volleyball

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Katie Keogh: 3rd year as head coach at TCU. Career record: 133-87

Jessi Johnson: 1st year as Assistant Varsity Coach

ROSTER:

Kailey Vosejpka 11 S, Annika Meier 10 S, Emme Beer 11 MB, Laney Fink 11 MB, Kaitlyn Hartwig 11 DS, Laynee Blaschko 12 DS, Lily Kaplan 12 DS, Lilly Claffey 11 OH, Taylor Haechrel 12 OH, Claire Hoefs 12 RS, Morgan Meier 12

Cleveland volleyball

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head Coach: Dave Nixon (24th year as a varsity coach, 26th as a head coach)

Assistant Coaches: April Thompson (1st year) & Madisyn Schrom (1st year)

ROSTER:

Melia Sathoff, 11, OH, Delaney Thompson, 11, Libero, Taylor McCabe, 11, OH/MBm Luci Blaschko, 10, DS, Jocelyn Kortuem, 10, S, Keira Schipper, 11, MB/R, Kaitlyn Flowers, 11, DS/S, Maile Meissner, 11, MB/R, Aubrey Blaschko, 10, R, Liviana Lee, 11, MB/R, Amelia Chmiel, 11, DS/OH, Ava Kluntz, 10, MB/R, Cheyenne Lotspeich, 11, DS, Anna Lamont, 11, OH/R, Taylor Wolf, 11, DS, Sierra Lotspeich, 9, OH

KEY PLAYERS:

Melia Sathoff, OH, 11, 5’ 11”

Kills: 180 Blocks: 20 Digs: 177 Service Aces: 39 Set Assists: 4

OH, Lily Schmiesing 10 OH, Carly Hartwig 10 MB, Kaytlyn Miller 12 Manager, Cora Crow 11 Manager, Baylee Caponi 10 Manager

KEY PLAYERS:

Emme Beer, Laney Fink, Kaitlyn Hartwig, Lilly Claffey, Claire Hoefs, Annika Meier, Taylor Haechrel, Laynee Blaschko, Carly Hartwig

Emme Beer, Laney Fink, Claire Hoefs and Kaitlyn Hartwig are returning players who earned starting spots last year. Annika Meier, Lilly Claffey, Taylor Haechrel, Laynee Blascko, and Carly Hartwig also saw varsity time.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Kailey Vosejpka, Lily Kaplan, Lily Schmiesing, Morgan Meier

All four of these players are dedicated and have spent a lot of time this summer preparing for the season. They all of shown leadership qualities and a high amount of dedication to our team so far!

2024 RECAP:

Our overall record last year was 12-10, and we hosted and won our first section match. We got to the second round of section play and lost to Southwest Christian which ended our season. This team spent a lot of time playing together this summer. They attended practice, played in a weekly league, and attended two tournaments. At the end of our summer season, we earned 2nd in a tournament at MSU. Our players played great defense and really clicked on offense. Their hard work in the summer really began to show during this tournament.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Our goal for this season is to play competitively and with a lot of energy. Although we graduated a lot of seniors, we return a lot of players who saw court time last season. Some of them have played on varsity multiple years, and others are new this season. However, they have all put in a lot of hours in the gym this summer so that they will be well-prepared for this season. This particular group is excellent at communicating and goal setting, and they are extremely hard working. They’ve asked for extra practice time, and they show up in the gym on their own to get in extra reps at hitting, passing, and setting. I am so proud of this team already, and the season has barely begun!

COMPETITION:

We never overlook any team in our section. It’s important that we compete well against all of them, and we have the opportunity to play against a lot of them during our season. We will face at least six of our section opponents during our regular season, and these will be very important matches for us to compete and hopefully earn wins in order to get a higher seeding for the section tournament. Additionally, we are intentional about adding opponents in higher classes like Marshall, Jordan, St. Peter, Hutchinson to our schedule to continue challenging ourselves and preparing for sections. No matter the opponent, we view them as an opportunity to prepare for the post-season. Teams like GSL, Holy Family, Belle Plaine, WEM, and Southwest Christian tend to be in the top of our section, and we plan to work and compete hard enough to be right with those teams this season.

Melia has great all around skills and a high volleyball IQ that allow her to be very crafty with her attack. She can score with a big swing or with a variety of crafty role shots or tips. She sees the court well and is an efficient hitter that can hit from anywhere in the front row. She has the ability to dominate in the front row with her variety of attacks and with her blocking.

Delaney Thompson, DS, 11, 5’ 5”

Did not play in 2024 - injured all season Delaney is a fierce competitor and relentless defender. She doesn’t let the ball touch the floor without giving maximum effort and can cover a lot of ground in the back row with her quickness and her ability to read opposing hitters. She also has the ability to spark runs from the service line for us with her aggressive and consistent float serve.

Taylor McCabe, MB, 11, 5’ 9”

Kills: 91 Blocks: 32 Digs: 36 Service Aces: 3 Set Assists: 2

Taylor is an explosive athlete and a dynamic front row player that is a force at the net for us. She will do a little bit of everything for us. She plays with a ton of energy and enthusiasm and is a great teammate that will get everyone fired up. Competes hard with a smile on her face and her energy is very contagious.

Jocelyn Kortuem, Setter/R, 10, 5’ 10”

Kills: 15 Blocks: 7 Digs: 88 Service

Aces: 3 Set Assists: 11

Jocelyn will likely step into a much bigger role for us this Fall filling the void of our six rotation Setter that graduated. She has great all around skills and is a competitor that is willing to do whatever is asked of her to help the team succeed. Jocelyn is very coachable and has an extremely high volleyball IQ with a great strategic mind for the game. She will probably coach some day down the road.

Luci Blaschko, DS, 10, 5’ 3”

Kills: 0 Blocks: 0 Digs: 77 Service

Aces: 3 Set Assists: 3

Luci is a fearless defender that plays with a ton of energy and doesn’t let the ball hit the floor without giving maximum effort. She is solid

in serve receive as well so she plays a key role in getting our offense started. You know when Luci is on the court because you can hear her talking and competing throughout the rally.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Sophomore, Rightside, Aubrey Blaschko: explosive hitter and has the ability to be a difference maker in the front row.

Junior, DS, Amelia Chmiel: great team player that plays with a ton of positive energy & effort. Junior MB/OH Liviana Lee: explosive jumper and has a lot of untapped potential.

Sophomore, MB/R, Ava Kluntz: works extremely hard and is a competitor that makes plays because of her effort.

2024 RECAP:

The Clippers compiled a 24-8 record including a 5-1 record in conference.

Emma Beer rises up for an attack. (file photo-lesueurcountynews.com)

Melia Sathoff. (file photo-lesueurcountynewc.com)

Taylor McCabe swung for 28 winners. (photo courtesy of Richard Rohlfing-Cleveland Public Schools)

MSAD volleyball

COACHES, YEARS COACHING:

Head coach: Kali Bissell, 8th year

Assistant coach: Jessica Rademacher, 2nd year

ROSTER:

Eighth graders include Mackenzie Paulson, Salma Mougni, and Yaretzi Villanueva. Ninth grader Melanie Miller stands alone. The 10th-grade group is made up of Maresa Starr and Sophia Nelson.

Seniors are AnXin Sandager, Mya Palmer, and Zubedia Ahmed Al.

KEY PLAYERS:

This season, we are excited to have several returning varsity athletes who we expect to play key roles on the court. Their knowledge of the game and past experience at the varsity level will be a huge advantage for our team. We look forward to seeing them not only showcase their skills but also step into leadership roles—guiding our younger players, sharing what they’ve

learned, and modeling a strong work ethic.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

We have several new athletes joining the varsity team this season, many of whom are still learning and adjusting to the speed and intensity of varsity play. While they may be inexperienced at this level, they bring a lot of enthusiasm and a willingness to grow.

2024 RECAP:

Last season, we finished 5th in the Great Plains Schools for the Deaf Conference and were proud to bring home the Sportsmanship Award. Our team battled through a tough quarterfinal match that went to a decisive fifth set. The players gave everything they had and showed how much they wanted it, but we came up just short.

With that experience under our belt, we’re looking forward to another chance in the tournament this year. Our returning athletes have grown from last season’s challenges, and with their leadership we’re aiming higher—our goal is to break into the top three of the conference.

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

This season, our team’s primary goal is to finish in the top three in the Great Plains Schools for the Deaf Conference. Alongside that competitive goal, with a mix of returning athletes and several new players still learning the varsity level, we know this year will be about developing our foundation and working hard every day to improve.

LE SUEUR-HENDERSON VOLLEYBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 40

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We’re a very young team this year, but that’s also something I’m really excited about. I’ll have the opportunity to grow with this group for the next few years, and that gives us a strong foundation to build on. We’ve added some much-needed height to our roster, which will definitely help us at the net. Our goals this season are to be

CLEVELAND VOLLEYBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42

2025 SEASON OUTLOOK:

We expect to compete for a Conference Championship and a Section Championship. We will be young but we have players at

one of the top teams in the conference and to advance past the first round of playoffs. Right now, our focus is on gaining experience, building cohesion, and developing our team chemistry. If we continue to work hard and grow together, I believe we can become a very competitive program and a real threat in the seasons ahead.

COMPETITION:

We took third in the conference last season, and we’re looking to build on that finish.

key positions that received quality playing time last year that will help us to fill the void of our 8 seniors that graduated. Our defense and ball control will be what carries us to compete. Keys to a successful season are working hard to improve each and every day and competing to the best of our abilities when we step on the court.

Our conference and section are always very competitive, and we know every match will challenge us. Compared to some of the more experienced teams, we’re still developing, but with the added height and athleticism we have this year, I believe we can match up well. While we’re still young, our goal is to compete with the top teams in the conference again and push further in the section playoffs. If we continue to improve and grow as a group, I think we can surprise some people and make our mark.

COMPETITION:

Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart

One of the better teams in the Section last year. Expect them to be one of the top teams again this Fall.

Cedar Mountain

Very competitive team that plays great

defense and is very well-coached. They play extremely hard and have a high volleyball IQ.

Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s

One of the top teams in the Section that has had success the last few years in the Section. Expect them to be competitive again this Fall.