Spring sports 2014

Northfield High School

2014 Spring Sports Spotlight Baseball • Boys golf • Girls golf • Boys lacrosse • Girls lacrosse • Boys tennis • Boys track & field • Girls track & field • Softball

A WELCOMED ADDITION

NHS girls lacrosse team preps for first varsity season

PAGE 2

NORTHFIELD NEWS SPRING SPORTS

NHS Spring Sports Schedule

SPRING SPORTS SPOTLIGHT A special section of the Northfield News 115 W. 5th St. Northfield, MN 55057 Publisher Sam Gett Managing Editor Jerry Smith Sports Editor Nick Gerhardt Creative Services Jenny Schoenbauer Kate Townsend-Noet Katy McGillen Sales Associates Lauran Rott Joan Koester Megan Zwolenski The Northfield News’ 2014 Spring Sports Spotlight is distributed to subscribers and readers of the Northfield News at no additional charge.

All rights reserved.

Copyright 2014 All advertising contained herein is the responsibility of the advertisers. Please patronize and thank the advertisers for helping to make this special section possible.

BASEBALL 4/23 at New Prague, 4:30 p.m.

4/25 at Shakopee, 4:30 p.m.

4/28 vs. Shakopee, 5 p.m.

4/29 at Chaska, 6 p.m.

5/1 at Red Wing, 4:30 p.m.

5/6 vs. Farmington, 5 p.m.

5/8 vs. Academy of Holy Angels, 5 p.m.

5/9 vs. Jordan, 5 p.m.

5/13 at Chanhassen, 7 p.m.

5/15 vs. New Prague, 5 p.m.

5/17 vs. Hutchinson, at Minnetonka, 9 a.m.

5/17 vs. Moorhead, at Minnetonka, 11:30 a.m.

5/19 vs. Austin, 5 p.m.

SOFTBALL 4/23 vs. New Prague, 4:30 4/26 at Rochester Lourdes Invite, 9 a.m.

4/29 at Chaska, 4:30 p.m.

5/1 at Red Wing, 4 p.m.

5/6 at Farmington, 4:30 p.m.

5/8 at Academy of Holy Angels, 4:15 p.m.

5/9 at Owatonna, 4 p.m.

5/12 vs. South St. Paul, 4:30 p.m.

5/13 vs. Chanhassen, 4:30 p.m.

5/15 at New Prague, 4:30 p.m.

BOYS TENNIS 4/25 vs. Holy Family BOYS GOLF Catholic, 4:15 p.m.

4/23 at Farmington, 4/26 Northfield Fountain Valley Golf Club, Invitational, 8:15 a.m.

Northfield starting pitcher Elizabeth Pritchard delivers a pitch to the plate in the Raiders’ 2 p.m.

4/28 at Austin, 4:30 p.m. season-opener. Northfield gave up 10 runs in the first two innings in a 10-0 loss. (Nick Ger4/24 vs. Bloomington 4/29 at Shakopee, hardt/Northfield News) Kennedy (Northfield Golf 4:15 p.m.

Club), 3:30 p.m.

5/1 vs. Red Wing, 4:15 p.m.

5/19 at Shakopee, 5/21 at Farmington, 1 p.m. Mary’s, 6 p.m.

4/28 at Chaska, Hazeltine 5/6 at Chaska, 4:15 p.m.

10:30 a.m.

5/23 vs. Prior Lake, 5/22 vs. Shakopee, 6 p.m.

National Golf Club, 2 p.m.

5/8 at Academy of Holy 5/29 vs. Rochester Mayo 3:30 p.m.

5/23 vs. Farmington, 6 p.m.

5/1 Northfield Invitational, (Northfield Golf Club), Angels, 4:15 p.m.

5/9 at Lakeville South, 2 p.m.

BOYS LACROSSE 3:30 p.m.

GIRLS LACROSSE 5/6 at Nelson Invitational, 4/24 vs. Chanhassen, 4/24 at Chanhassen, 7 p.m. 4:15 p.m. at Ridges at Sand Creek, GIRLS GOLF 6 p.m.

4/29 at Rochester John TRACK & FIELD 10 a.m.

5/23 at Shakopee, 4/25 at Shakopee, Marshall, 7 p.m.

5/8 Northfield Invite, 2 p.m. 10:30 a.m.

4/24 at Waseca, 4 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5/1 vs. Shakopee, 6 p.m.

5/9 at Mankato East Invite, 4/29 Missota Relays at 5/26 at Lake City, 10 a.m.

4/29 vs. John Marshall, 5/6 vs. Owatonna, 6 p.m. at LeSueur Country Club, Chaska, 4 p.m.

5/28 at Chaska, 10 a.m.

6 p.m.

5/9 at Farmington, 7 p.m.

8:30 a.m.

5/6 Section 1AA True Team 5/1 Northfield Invite at 5/6 at Owatonna, 7 p.m.

5/13 at Academy of Holy 5/10 at Mankato East meet at Lakeville North, Willingers Golf Glub, 2 p.m.

5/8 vs. Rochester Century, Angels, 6 p.m.

Invite, at Creeks Bend Golf 3:30 p.m.

5/2 at New Prague, 2 p.m.

6 p.m.

5/15 vs. Chaska, 6 p.m.

Course, 9 a.m.

5/9 at Faribault, 4 p.m.

5/6 at Red Wing, 2 p.m.

5/10 at Rochester Mayo, 5/19 vs. Shattuck-St. 5/13 at River Oaks Golf 5/15 vs. Farmington, John 5/12 at Chaska, 11 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

Mary’s, 6 p.m.

Course (Missota Conference Marshall, 3:45 p.m.

5/13 at Red Wing, 5/13 vs. Academy of Holy 5/22 at Shakopee, 5/22 Missota Meet), 12:30 p.m.

12:30 p.m.

Angels, 6 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5/15 at Red Wing, noon Championships at 5/16 at Rosemount, 2 p.m.

5/15 at Chaska, 7 p.m.

5/17 at Owatonna, 10 a.m.

Chanhassen, 1:30 p.m.

5/19 at Cannon Falls, 1 p.m.

5/19 at Shattuck-Saint

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Wednesday, April 23, 2014

NORTHFIELD NEWS SPRING SPORTS

PAGE 3

Northfield baseball poised for big things after last year’s finish

By Nick Gerhardt

playoffs and Northfield needed

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state. The Raiders came up one game short in a 5-0 loss, which came following a 2-1, nine-inning victory to force a championship game with Rochester Mayo.

“We were a little depleted in the end,” Maus said.

Northfield finished with an 18-7 record and finished a game out for the Missota Conference title. Shakopee won the title with a 9-4 conference record.

The Raiders will focus on developing enough pitching to carry them through this season, Maus said.

“Our plan, usually, is to develop enough pitchers so when the games get condensed at the end of the year, we’re able to roll out a bunch of guys,” Maus said.

“We don’t have a lot of horses, like a lot of studs, but by the end of the year we like to roll out five, six guys that can throw strikes.”

Northfield hasn’t sent a team to the state tournament since 2002 The 2014 Northfield High School varsity baseball team. (Photo courtesy of Lifetouch) at the high school level.

The team the Northfield VFW team defeated to get to state just so happened to be Rochester Mayo. So, there’s that.

NGerhardt@Northfieldnews.com to win its next six games to reach

on’t expect much of a drop-off this season for the Northfield High School baseball team, not even after graduating nearly a dozen seniors from a team that finished runner-up for the Section 1AAA title.

That’s because the new group coming in has some championship pedigree of its own. The Northfield VFW team finished fourth last summer at the state tournament and the same group finished second at the state tournament as 13-year-olds.

“We’re going to rebuild, but the cupboard’s not bare,” Raiders head coach Pete Maus said.

“There are players there to rebuild with. We might come out of the gates a little slow but once those guys get some experience we should be OK.” The returners include junior shortstop Tommy McDonald, senior first baseman Zach Bakko, junior pitchers Cody Polzin and Colin Shepley and senior pitcher Grant Erickson.

Last season, Northfield rallied through the consolation bracket to force a championship game with Rochester Mayo in the Section 1AAA playoffs. The Spartans beat the Raiders 6-4 to open the

Northfield third baseman Caleb Malek makes a throw to first base earlier in the season against Chaska at Northfield High School.

Malek drove in a run and scored a run in a 4-3 victory. (Nick Gerhardt/Northfield News)

Nick Gerhardt is the Northfield News’ sports editor. You can reach him at 645-1111. Follow him on Twitter @NorthfieldNick.

“We’re going to rebuild, but the cupboard’s not bare.”

Raiders head coach Pete Maus

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NORTHFIELD NEWS SPRING SPORTS

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Northfield boys golf returns to the links with younger squad in 2014

By NICK GERHARDT

NGerhardt@Northfieldnews.com

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he Northfield boys golf team will once again feature a roster of fresh, young faces after graduating two seniors from last year’s team, which featured 19 players who were freshmen or younger.

The Raiders graduated Billy Seeberg and Andrew Scofield, the only two players to advance to the second day of the Section 1AAA tournament last season, but they have plenty of promising youngsters to fill in this season.

Eighth-grader Jimmy Fischer held down one of the top four varsity spots throughout most of the season last year and shot 91 on the first day of the section tournament, missing the cut by one stroke for the second day. Junior Cole Dornbusch shot 92 at the section tournament and just missed the cut as well.

Northfield does return a few juniors and a senior from last year. Nate Scofield is the lone senior this year, while the Raiders can call upon junior Andrew Carroll, Jacob Noel, Logan Olivero and Dustin Sorenson for experience.

Jake Thiel begins his second year on varsity for Northfield and said the team will need more consistency.

“We’ll just try to be more competitive through the year,” Thiel said. “Try to put more consistent

scores together.”

Some of the younger players like Fischer got some seasoning during the summer through Junior PGA events in the area.

Eighth-grader Casey Parker and sophomore J.P. Knutson played in events through the Junior PGA. Knutson tied for first with a 7-over 79 at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club in Albert Lea. Fischer shot 86 at Southern Hills in Farmington.

“We should be able to keep four scores in the low to mid-80s,” Raiders head coach Adam Danielson said. “We may not have the guy yet that we know can shoot mid-70s right now, but we have a couple of guys that are kind of getting close to that.”

Another goal Danielson has in mind for this year’s team is to reach the second day of the section tournament, something last year’s team didn’t accomplish.

Northfield missed qualifying for the second day by five strokes after shooting 354.

The Raiders will also try to improve upon a seventh-place finish in the conference as well this season. Northfield finished two strokes out of sixth place behind Holy Angels, which shot 340.

Fischer posted an 84 and Dornbusch shot 89 at the conference meet.

“The way the season starts is important,” Danielson said.

“We’re young, we’ll definitely improve as the year goes on.”

The 2014 Northfield High School boys varsity golf team. (Photo courtesy of Lifetouch)

Northfield finished seventh at the Missota Conference Championships. Seeberg took fourth with a 76. The team finished two strokes Nick Gerhardt is the Northfield News’ sports editor. You can reach him at 645-1111. Follow him on Twitter @NorthfieldNick.

“We’re young, we’ll definitely improve as the year goes on.”

Raiders head coach Adam Danielson

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Wednesday, April 23, 2014

NORTHFIELD NEWS SPRING SPORTS

PAGE 5

Northfield girls golf team regroups in 2014

By NICK GERHARDT

couple of players who can be in the

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start,” Northfield head coach Brian Stevens said. “If we can have some in the upper 80s, we’re going to be competitive.”

The Raiders turned in one of their best performances of the season on the first day of the section meet when they shot 356 to tie Red Wing for the day one lead.

The success proved short-lived after Northfield shot 374 the second day to finish third, but it showed what the Raiders were capable of doing at times.

“We played about as well as we could have that first day and the second day we played kind of average golf and the other teams, Red Wing, namely, stepped up their games,” Stevens said.

Houser had a 93 and Fischer had a 94 on the first day. Houser

NGerhardt@Northfieldnews.com low to mid-80s, which is a great

he Northfield High School girls golf team will need to replace two starters from last year and find some consistent scoring this season.

The Raiders graduated Nicole Traxler, who finished 49th at the Class 3A state meet last season, and Frannie Seitz, who routinely represented a top-four score for the team.

Northfield does return all-conference honorable mention winner senior Ashley Houser along with juniors Laine Fischer and Molly Gainey, who all competed at the section meet last season. The Raiders also return McKenzie Hasse and senior Aleisha Bielenberg, who will compete for one of the top four spots on the team.

“This year I think we have a

The 2014 Northfield High School girls varsity golf team. (Photo courtesy of Lifetouch)

shot 90 the second day and Fischer 97.

Northfield has 54 girls out for the team in grades 7-12 this season, Stevens said. He’ll have plenty of people to call in throughout the season.

“We’re a team without superstars and when you have that kind of situation you’re going to have days where you’re going to be up and down,” Stevens said. “We’re still hoping superstars will emerge soon, but when you have kids that shoot

around bogey golf sometimes that can explode on you on some days.”

The Raiders finished fourth at the Missota Conference Championships and shot 363.

This season Red Wing dropped down to Class 2A and will not be

in the same section as Northfield.

Nick Gerhardt is the Northfield News’ sports editor. You can reach him at 645-1111. Follow him on Twitter @NorthfieldNick.

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NORTHFIELD NEWS SPRING SPORTS

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

After three years, Northfield boys lacrosse ventures into being a varsity sport

By NICK GERHARDT

Rochester Century and Rochester

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“I think it’s real exciting for everybody that we finally get to be recognized by the high school as a legitimate sport because so many people have been working at it,” said senior captain Luke Marlenee.

Olson has a solid base of players to begin the inaugural season.

A total of 53 players tried out for the team. The team lost in the first round of the playoffs last season.

Two of the players on the roster – Cory Gett and Tim Dokken – have already committed to playing Division-III lacrosse at Benedictine University in Illinois.

The team has a patchwork of multi-sport athletes from across various sports. The team has cross-country runners, basketball players, hockey players and soccer players, Larson said.

“It’s not come out and play lacrosse with your friends anymore,” Larson said. “We’re here to compete.”

Larson said the team will need

NGerhardt@Northfieldnews.com Mayo on the schedule this season.

he Northfield boys lacrosse team will begin its first season as an officially sanctioned varsity sport and it couldn’t be any sweeter for a group of seniors who have waited three years for it to happen.

The Raiders have spent the past three seasons as a club team, but have used that time to refine their skills to prepare for rigors of a varsity schedule.

“I think these guys are ready to be serious about this,” said Northfield head coach Gunnar Olson, who served as head coach of the club team the previous three seasons. “The competition is going to much tougher. We’re going to play a pretty tough schedule.”

That competition includes conference opponents Chaska, Chanhassen, Shakopee, Academy of Holy Angels and Farmington. The Raiders also have future Big 9 opponents Rochester John Marshall/Lourdes, Owatonna,

The 2014 Northfield High School boys varsity lacrosse team. (Photo courtesy of Lifetouch)

News’ sports editor. You can reach to build its depth to compete with letes, not necessarily former to compete,” Larson said. him at 645-1111. Follow him on the other teams in the league that lacrosse players, but kids that have had established varsity pro- know how to compete and want Nick Gerhardt is the Northfield Twitter @NorthfieldNick. grams.

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NORTHFIELD NEWS SPRING SPORTS

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

After three years, Northfield boys lacrosse ventures into being a varsity sport

By NICK GERHARDT

Rochester Century and Rochester

T

“I think it’s real exciting for everybody that we finally get to be recognized by the high school as a legitimate sport because so many people have been working at it,” said senior captain Luke Marlenee.

Olson has a solid base of players to begin the inaugural season.

A total of 53 players tried out for the team. The team lost in the first round of the playoffs last season.

Two of the players on the roster – Cory Gett and Tim Dokken – have already committed to playing Division-III lacrosse at Benedictine University in Illinois.

The team has a patchwork of multi-sport athletes from across various sports. The team has cross-country runners, basketball players, hockey players and soccer players, Larson said.

“It’s not come out and play lacrosse with your friends anymore,” Larson said. “We’re here to compete.”

Larson said the team will need

NGerhardt@Northfieldnews.com Mayo on the schedule this season.

he Northfield boys lacrosse team will begin its first season as an officially sanctioned varsity sport and it couldn’t be any sweeter for a group of seniors who have waited three years for it to happen.

The Raiders have spent the past three seasons as a club team, but have used that time to refine their skills to prepare for rigors of a varsity schedule.

“I think these guys are ready to be serious about this,” said Northfield head coach Gunnar Olson, who served as head coach of the club team the previous three seasons. “The competition is going to much tougher. We’re going to play a pretty tough schedule.”

That competition includes conference opponents Chaska, Chanhassen, Shakopee, Academy of Holy Angels and Farmington. The Raiders also have future Big 9 opponents Rochester John Marshall/Lourdes, Owatonna,

The 2014 Northfield High School boys varsity lacrosse team. (Photo courtesy of Lifetouch)

News’ sports editor. You can reach to build its depth to compete with letes, not necessarily former to compete,” Larson said. him at 645-1111. Follow him on the other teams in the league that lacrosse players, but kids that have had established varsity pro- know how to compete and want Nick Gerhardt is the Northfield Twitter @NorthfieldNick. grams.

“We have a lot of good ath-

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Wednesday, April 23, 2014

NORTHFIELD NEWS SPRING SPORTS

PAGE 7

Northfield boys tennis team will rely on its depth in 2014 season

By NICK GERHARDT

Century 5-2 in the Section 1AA

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season.

“I told [them] that we really have great depth on our team and that is a good problem to have for me,” Raiders head coach Mark Johnson said. “I believe we can plug many players in at certain positions and we won’t fall off.”

Junior Evan Johnson earned all-conference honors last season and his brother, Andrew, received all-conference honorable mention. Evan will hold down the No. 1 singles spot while Andrew will stay at No. 2 singles.

Evan finished 11-6 last year and Andrew went 9-6.

Senior captain Kevin Kowalewski played No. 3 singles and went 8-4 and senior Scott Silkensen had a 7-5 record at No. 4 singles.

“I think that if we can just

NGerhardt@Northfieldnews.com team tournament to end the

h e No r t h f i e l d Hi g h School boys tennis team has some depth this season and that should help as it prepares for a rugged conference schedule with the likes of No. 10-ranked Shakopee and Red Wing.

The Sabers and the Wingers return all but one player from each of their rosters from last season and the Raiders return plenty as well.

Shakopee won the conference title last season while Northfield finished third after losing to Red Wing in the conference finale. The Raiders went 9-4 overall and 5-2 in the Missota. The Wingers beat Northfield 6-1 to claim sole possession of second place. Three matches went three sets and the Raiders won one of those matches.

Northfield fell to Rochester

See TENNIS on 10A The 2014 Northfield High School boys varsity tennis team. (Photo courtesy of Lifetouch)

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PAGE 8

NORTHFIELD NEWS SPRING SPORTS

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

In first season as varsity sport, Northfield girls lacrosse ready to learn

By Nick Gerhardt

girls interested in it and made

W

high school, which is really important.”

The biggest challenge thus far has been bringing the team together as one unit, junior Nicole Nelson said.

The enthusiasm for the sport has shown itself with the number of players who came out for the team this season. More than 50 girls decided to play lacrosse this season.

The team showed some promise in its first game of the season and held a 2-1 lead early on against Rochester Century.

DuPay expects the team to rely on Carey, Madison Casney, Nelson, Rainah Ward and Rebecca Soderlund among others.

“We have a good group of girls that should do well for us this year,” DuPay said.

The 2014 Northfield High School girls varsity lacrosse team. (Photo courtesy of Lifetouch) The Raiders will face Missota Nick Gerhardt is the Northreach him at 645-1111. Follow Conference schools Chanhassen, Shakopee, which is also begin- sport, along with Big 9 foes Mayo, field News’ sports editor. You can him on Twitter @NorthfieldNick.

Farmington, Holy Angels and ning its first season as a varsity Owatonna and John Marshall.

NGerhardt@Northfieldnews.com us feel a lot more of a part of the

hen the Northfield girls lacrosse team gets rolling this season it will be a learning experience for coaches and players as the team begins its first varsity season.

Dan DuPay will coach the Raiders this season and there’s been a lot for him to learn in a short period of time.

Northfield has played as a club team the past two seasons but DuPay doesn’t have a background coaching lacrosse – it’s his first season as well. That’s meant a lot of video watching, reading and listening about all things lacrosse.

In addition to having a coach learning the sport, there are around 30 girls who are new to the sport this season.

“I think it’s really cool,” sophomore Brooke Carey said.

“I think it has made a lot more

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NORTHFIELD NEWS SPRING SPORTS

PAGE 9

Northfield boys track team mixes in youth with experience

By Nick Gerhardt

Godfrey finished sixth in the

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season and has picked up where he left off this season. Godfrey placed sixth in the 3,200 at the section meet and ninth in the 1,600.

Northfield will have to replace its two all-conference athletes from last season in Kiefer Schmidt and Joe Donahoe. Schmidt took second in the 100 at the conference meet last year and Donahoe took second in the pole vault for the Raiders.

With such a mix of younger athletes coming into the season the team remained cautiously optimistic before the season. After two meets this season the team has shown some signs of improvement.

“We’ve had some good surprises, some young kids who are really performing at a higher level than what I thought they would be able to at this point,” Northfield head coach Karl Viesselman said.

Senior Colin Landsteiner has noticed improvement in the distance events early in the season as well.

“There are a lot of young guys in my field (distance) that are doing really great, opening some eyes,” Landsteiner said. “I think we’re working toward building a

NGerhardt@Northfieldnews.com 1,600 at the conference meet last

he Northfield boys track and field team will rely on a mix of younger athletes to fill events and veteran athletes to expand on their potential.

Senior Josiah Bardwell is one returner for the Raiders with higher aspirations than last season after he finished all-conference honorable mention in the 300-meter hurdles. Bardwell set a career best time last season at the conference meet with a thirdplace finish and has set his sights on earning all-conference honors this season.

Adam Kasper has improved in the hurdle events as well early this season and has challenged Bardwell in the 300 hurdles.

“Now he’s definitely closing in on me,” Bardwell said. “I barely beat him in 300s, which that is my race, so that’s definitely exciting to see.”

Seth Shuster is another senior for Northfield who has his eyes on improving in the pole vault. Early into the season Shuster has surpassed his career-best height in the pole vault by clearing 12 feet.

Junior Corbin Godfrey has made the Raiders competitive in the distance events this season.

The 2014 Northfield High School boys varsity lacrosse team. (Photo courtesy of Lifetouch)

better team.”

Team members this season will have plenty of opportunities to compete as the team continues to fill events to give younger athletes a chance.

“Right now we’re filling all the events,” Viesselman said. “A lot of young guys are getting opportuni-

ties to compete. We’re not going to win a lot of races, but we’re more competitive than what I feared we would be.”

Nick Gerhardt is the Northfield News’ sports editor. You can reach him at 645-1111. Follow him on Twitter @NorthfieldNick.

Northfield junior Adam Kasper eyes his landing in the long jump during the Raiders’ dual versus Faribault at Bruce Smith Field. (Josh Berhow/Faribault Daily News)

“We’ve had some good surprises, some young kids who are really performing at a higher level than what I thought they would be able to at this point.”

Northfield head coach Karl Viesselman

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NORTHFIELD NEWS SPRING SPORTS

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Northfield girls track smaller, but returns quality

By Nick Gerhardt

NGerhardt@Northfieldnews.com

T

he Northfield High School girls track team returns to the track just one year removed from repeating as conference champions. But don’t expect the Raiders to have enough depth for a fresh title this season.

What Northfield lacks in depth, it makes up for with quality. The Raiders have quality in the field events with senior Anna Pfefferle in the triple jump, juniors Alexis Kiefer and Christy Anderson in the pole vault and senior Annika Johnson in the throws. Kiefer is an all-conference winner from a season ago, while Anderson and Johnson earned honorable mention all-conference.

Early on, the Raiders have reached the state honor roll with their performances in the field events.

Kiefer owns the second-best pole vault height in the state for Class 2A. Pfefferle has a triple jump of 34 feet, 4 inches on the books and senior Kaia Bierman made the honor roll in the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes, 23.69 seconds.

“Our numbers are down substantially this year,” Northfield head coach Troy Cohrs said. “For this year it’s turned out to be a blessing. It’s given us a better core of athletes who are definitely dedicated and want to be here. It’s been a lot of fun to work with them. I think there’s a core group of girls with talent even though we don’t have depth.”

With the numbers down this

From Page 7A

The 2014 Northfield High School girls varsity track and field team. (Photo courtesy of Lifetouch)

season, Pfefferle said the dynamic has changed with the team.

“Our team is just a little different,” Pfefferle said. “The dynamic is, while we’re still a team and still compete as a team, it’s more focused individually on how we can do individually because we can’t go to a True Team meet and compete with Lakeville North.”

Pfefferle will compete in relay events − the 200, 400 and 800 − in addition to the triple jump throughout the year.

The team will focus on strengthening the events it does have talent in and will try to get

those athletes onto the Hamline Elite Meet and the state meet this season.

“We’re there in a lot of spots,” Cohrs said.

The Raiders also can call on freshmen Mya Jirik and Emma Rezac to run legs on relays and sprint events. Northfield also has sophomore Siri Olson in the shot put, along with Abby Stets and Bailey DuPay for relays and sprints.

Nick Gerhardt is the Northfield News’ sports editor. You can reach him at 645-1111. Follow him on Twitter @NorthfieldNick.

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Northfield’s Emma Rezac (right) hands the baton to Anna Pfefferle during a 4x200-meter relay last season. (Josh Berhow/Faribault Daily News)

hit a high percentage of first serves in, I think we can compete with them,” Kowalewski said.

On the doubles side, the Raiders will return its No. 1 team in senior captain Ryan Walser-Kuntz and junior Tanner Ruppe. The duo went 7-7 last season.

“I think this year we have a solid group of experienced players who are ready to come out strong for their senior year,” Walser-Kuntz said.

Northfield also returns Max Nickel, who went 9-4 at No. 2 doubles and senior Jordan Shimek, who went 8-3 at No. 3 doubles last season.

Mark Johnson has higher expectations in the section tournament this season for the team.

“We would like to get to the final four in the section and see what happens,” he said. “That would be a realistic goal for us. Hopefully we can get better every match we play and have a solid postseason.”

Nick Gerhardt is the Northfield News’ sports editor. You can reach him at 645-1111.

Follow him on Twitter @ NorthfieldNick.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

NORTHFIELD NEWS SPRING SPORTS

PAGE 11

Injuries riddle 2014 Raiders softball team

By NICK GERHARDT

Paige Ciernia and Krystin Pyle

T

Ryan Pietsch will rely on for increased production.

“We’ve got a good group of kids, they’re working hard,” Pietsch said. “Obviously we lost a significant amount of starters from last year through graduation.”

Pritchard said the transitioning of new players in new roles has started to get better as the team spends more time working together.

“We faced adversity early on, but I think it’s better as we get practicing and getting into a grove from games,” Pritchard said.

With an abundance of new faces, Pietsch said he hasn’t settled on any steadfast lineups just yet.

“We’re still trying to figure out what lineup is going to give us the best opportunity to compete each

NGerhardt@Northfieldnews.com are seniors third-year head coach

he 2014 Northfield High School softball team looks a little like the walking wounded these days with injuries plaguing the team.

Junior starting shortstop Kate Arneson tore her anterior cruciate ligament earlier this year and will miss the entire softball season. Arneson also hit leadoff for the Raiders, who finished with a 9-14 record and a 4-2 loss to Albert Lea in the Section 1AAA to end their season.

Northfield has to replace six seniors with a base that doesn’t have much varsity experience. Senior pitcher Elizabeth Pritchard and junior third baseman Quinn Hanzlik started last season for the Raiders, while Allie Erickson,

The 2014 Northfield High School varsity softball team. (Photo courtesy of Lifetouch)

day and win,” Pietsch said.

Ellie Whitson began the season injured to further beleaguer the Raiders.

Northfield rattled off a fourgame winning streak late in the

season last year immediately following a four-game skid. The Raiders followed the four-game win streak with a four-game losing streak to end the regular season.

Pietsch just wants the team to improve every step of the way this season.

“Part of it with an inexperienced crew is just looking to get better every day,” Pietsch said.

“Every game we play is another game of experience we get under our belt. Hopefully by the end of the season we’re playing our best ball and the kids are comfortable and the nerves are gone.”

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