Waseca Winter Sports

WASECA BLUEJAYS • JWP BULLDOGS • WEM BUCCANEERS • NRHEG PANTHERS • WEM/JWP GRIZZLIES

WINTER HAS ARRIVED

2012-13 WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW Basketball • Wrestling • Gymnastics • Hockey

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Winter Sports Preview

STORY INDEX WASECA GIRLS BASKETBALL...........................................3 JWP GIRLS BASKETBALL..................................................4 WEM GIRLS BASKETBALL................................................5 NRHEG GIRLS BASKETBALL.............................................6 WASECA BOYS BASKETBALL............................................7 JWP BOYS BASKETBALL...................................................8 WEM BOYS BASKETBALL..................................................9 NRHEG BOYS BASKETBALL.............................................10 WASECA GYMNASTICS...................................................11 WASECA WRESTLING.....................................................12 WEM/JWP WRESTLING...................................................13 NRHEG WRESTLING........................................................14 WASECA BOYS HOCKEY..................................................15 WASECA GIRLS HOCKEY.................................................16

Friday, December 7, 2012

2012-13 Winter Sports Preview A special project of the Waseca County News 213 2nd St. NW, Waseca, MN 56093 www.wasecacountynews.com 2012-13 Winter Sports Preview is distributed to subscribers and readers of the Waseca County News at no additional charge. All rights reserved. Copyright 2012. All advertising content herein is the responsibility of the advertiser.

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Friday, December 7, 2012

Winter Sports Preview

WASECA GIRLS BASKETBALL

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Waseca returns with several seniors after finishing last season with a 10-14 record KEY NAMES:

Katie Miller, senior forward: Miller, who signed to play college basketball at Division II Bemidji State University next year, looks to lead Waseca after a season in which she was the Bluejays all-around best player (12.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.9 spg). Normally a post player, Miller will make the switch to forward at college and has worked on her outside shooting in the offseason, which bodes well for Waseca this year.

Jordyn Hedberg, senior guard: In her fourth year on varsity, Hedberg will look to continue being a consistent shooting threat during her senior year after a season in which she averaged 10.4 points per game and 3.5 rebounds a night. She also hit a team-high 45 3-pointers and had 42 assists and 31 steals.

Caitlyn Hayford, senior guard: Waseca coach Joan Conway says Hayford brings “a true passion for basketball” to the team. Hayford’s a strong defender, a player trait the Bluejays will need as they look to improve on last year’s 10-14 record.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Abby Collins, senior guard: Collins, one of eight seniors on this year’s team, is a solid shooter, and an improving defender and has gained a lot of experience from last year, Conway said.

Kirstin Simmons, sophomore forward/center: Simmons is ready to Waseca’s Jordyn Hedberg goes up for a shot Dec. 5, 2011 against Kasson-Mantorville. (County News file photo) step up and provide depth in the post after seeing varsity time as a freshman last season.

Waseca also hopes its play this year will propel the team toward earn- FROM THE COACH: Mikayla Rolling, sophomore guard: Look for Rolling, whom Conway ing a home game in the Section 1AAA playoffs and avoiding an early exit “Defensively, we are working to improve as says “has a real knack for the game,” to make an impact and play solid from the postseason.

Fortunately for the Bluejays, they have a Division II-caliber player defense this season. the year goes on. We want to dictate things in Katie Miller to build around, as well as several other seniors – Jordyn Hedberg, Caitlyn Hayford, Abby Collins, Bailey Krueger – and supporting MOVED ON: more on the defensive side of the floor.”

Lindsay Malecha, sophomore guard: The All-Conference freshman players – Mikayla Rolling, Kirstin Simmons, Sam Hiller – who are expected – Joan Conway, head coach made a splash at Waseca last year by scoring 284 points – just seven behind to contribute. Several players on the team can let the three fly, but rebounding is an early-season concern, Conway said.

Offensively, the Bluejays look teammate Katie Miller – and ripping down 110 rebounds. She also had 54 to improve in their second year of motion-oriented offense and tighten up steals. Malecha moved and now attends Lakeville South.

BY THE NUMBERS: the defense throughout the year.

SEASON UPDATE: Waseca started the season 4-1.

Kari Simmons: Simmons was Waseca’s lone senior last year. The senior – Seniors on this year’s Waseca roster captain scored nearly 12 points per game, grabbed about five boards and was a 44 percent shooter for the Bluejays.

6

2012-13 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Last season, Waseca (10-14, 5-5 South Central) finished in fourth place in the six-team South Central Conference and was bounced out of the Section 1AAA playoff after a 67-58 opening round loss to Austin. This year the Bluejays returned a senior-heavy lineup that includes some younger players also expected to contribute, and a new head coach who hopes Waseca takes its play to the next level. Joan Conway, formerly an assistant coach, takes over the team after Joel Hayford stepped down.

One of the early-season goals is to compete for the conference title, which means finishing at least third in the conference. St. Peter, Blue Earth and Fairmont, which finished first, second and third in the conference last season, respectively, are the early-season favorites, so Waseca will need to win some tough conference matchups to reach that goal.

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PAGE 4

Winter Sports Preview

JWP GIRLS BASKETBALL

Friday, December 7, 2012

With a new coach, JWP looks to take steps back toward becoming a successful program KEY NAMES:

Sam Gruis, senior guard: Gruis, who made the Waseca County News’ All-Area Girls Basketball team last year as a junior, comes off a season where she averaged 17 points, 2.5 steals and three assists per game. She’s an outside shooting threat and a great defender, coach Taylor Possail said.

Madison Krautbauer, senior power forward: The 5-foot-10inch power forward is an athletic post player who scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds per game last season on a struggling Bulldogs team.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON:

Callie Morton, junior small forward: The 5-foot-9-inch small forward averaged six points and six rebounds a night as a sophomore last season. Possail said she’s a versatile athlete “who has the ability to play inside and out.” ​Kaley Anderson​, freshman guard: Anderson was the star of the show in JWP’s 72-59 season-opening victory over Truman, dropping 27 points off the bench to help lead the Bulldogs to their JWP’s Sam Gruis swings a pass to a teammate in JWP’s 53-26 loss to St. Clair last season. (County News file photo) first road victory since February 2011. Look for her to make more contributions this season.

MOVED ON:

Selena Gahler: A senior guard last season, Gahler was the Bulldogs’ floor general and averaged 10.1 points and 4.3 assists per game despite turning the ball over 4.5 times each night. She led the defense with a team-high 57 steals and also ripped down 91 rebounds.

FROM THE COACH:

“Given the right momentum at the right time, I feel we have just as good a chance as any to steal some games and get ourselves in the thick of the conference race.”

2012-13 SEASON OUTLOOK

– Taylor Possail, head coach

It was no secret that Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton struggled last season. After winning four of its first nine games, the Bulldogs suffered a nasty 15-game losing streak and finished 1-15 – last BY THE NUMBERS: place – in the conference.

– Returning starters on a JWP team that won one It wasn’t an anomaly. The program hasn’t had a winning season since 2004-05. But under eager new head coach Taylor Possail, the conference game last season Several JWP defenders surround an opposing Medford player Bulldogs will look to take the first step back toward a successful – Seasons since JWP finished with winning record during a Dec. 9 game last season. basketball program this season.

Entering the season, JWP has a solid core of returning starters in seniors Sam Gruis and Maddie Krautbauer and junior Callie Morton. In terms of points and rebounds, that translates to about 31 points and 12 rebounds per game.

The Bulldogs will need that production among the tough Gopher Conference competition, such as Bethlehem Academy and to area athletes!

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Friday, December 7, 2012

Winter Sports Preview

WEM GIRLS BASKETBALL

PAGE 5

WEM looks to improve on 13-15 record and finish top four in the Gopher Conference KEY NAMES:

Brittany Buesgens, senior guard: The speedy, athletic senior guard will look to become a consistent scorer for the Buccaneers this season.

Buesgens averaged 8.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game last season.

Hannah Steinhaus, junior post: Steinhaus returns after leading the team in scoring as a sophomore last season and will look for continued improvement in her game to help the Bucs improve on last season’s 13-15 (8-8 Gopher) record.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON:

Shayna Kinniry, senior post: The athletic senior is WEM’s best defender, able to match up on either guards or post players. Kinniry enters her senior year averaging 5.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season.

Kalley Kendall, junior post: Kendall returns as the team’s leading rebounder, ripping down 6.1 boards per game last season.

MOVED ON:

Lindsay Ayers: The three-year letter winner is the program’s career leader in steals and assists. Last season she gave the Bucs great production, averaging 10.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 4.2 steals per game.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown’s Madison Pratt pushes the ball downcourt after stealing the ball on the other end this season

Ashley Sanderson: The two-year letter winner and post player against Belle Plaine. (Miles Trump/Waseca County News) averaged nearly four points and three rebounds per game last season.

2012-13 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Entering the 2012-13 season, the WEM Bucs had plenty of familiar faces having lost only two seniors. Unfortunately for the Bucs, one of them was Lindsay Ayers, the program’s career leader in steals and assists and a three-year letter winner. After finishing 13-15 overall last season, WEM will look for other players, such as senior Brittany Buesgens, to step up and help fill the void. Senior Shayna Kinniry and junior Hannah Steinhaus also will be key players in WEM’s success this season.

The Bucs hope to attack the basket as much as possible and work the ball inside to their post players throughout the season. To find success this year, they’ll also need to dominate the rebounding battles on both sides of the floor, head coach Gabe Hauer said.

Defense, however, will be the one facet of the game the Bucs will hang their hat on, Hauer said. Last year, WEM didn’t improve on defense throughout the season, he said, but this year he hopes the opposite will happen. The Bucs will play an aggressive man-to-man defense most games.

While NRHEG and Bethlehem Academy are expected to battle it out for the top two spots in the Gopher Conference, WEM hopes to finish in the top three or four among Blooming Prairie, United South Central and Medford, Hauer said. The other goal is to win two games in the Section 2AA North playoffs, he said.

SEASON UPDATE: WEM started the season 2-1.

FROM THE COACH:

“Turnovers will be crucial to the success of this year’s team. We have to take care of the basketball and know when to be aggressive and take chances with the basketball.”

– Gabe Hauer, head coach

BY THE NUMBERS:

14.4 – Points per game graduated seniors Lindsay

Ayers and Ashley Sanderson scored last season

25 – Points per game the Bucs return in seniors

Shayna Kinniry and Brittany Buesgens and junior Hannah Steinhaus

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Winter Sports Preview

Friday, December 7, 2012

NRHEG GIRLS BASKETBALL

NRHEG picks up right where it left off after finishing third at state last season KEY NAMES:

Carlie Wagner, junior guard: The 5-foot-10 junior may very well be one of the best players in the state this season. Wagner, who spent her summer playing on a Minnesota AAU basketball team after breaking two state tournament scoring records as a sophomore last season, is back to lead that went 32-1 last season and lost only one – albeit, important – senior.

Jade Schultz, junior guard: Like Wagner, Schultz has been playing varsity since eighth grade and will take the floor and is a constant outside threat as the school’s single-season 3-point shooting leader. The strong, gritty junior also is on pace to surpass the 1,000-point mark this season.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON:

Katie Cole, senior, forward/center: The 5-foot-10 senior played is a returning starter with decent size and outside shooting. Along with being a 3-point shooting threat and posting up, Cole also is expected to play a big role on the defensive end.

Raelin Schue, senior, forward/center: Schue, also 5-foot-10, boasts some of the same benefits that Cole is expected to provide to the team: experience, outside shooting and defense. The athletic senior can knock down 3’s and is a good leaper.

MOVED ON:

Anna Schlaak: Schlaak, who also was a volleyball standout and currently plays at Concordia-St. Paul, is a big loss for the Panthers: She NRHEG’s Carlie Wagner goes up for a layup Nov. 29 against Belle Plaine. Below, a photo of NRHEG’s 2012-12 team. is NRHEG’s all-time leading rebounder, stealer and shot blocker. The Panthers hope they’ll have other players coming up to help fill her void. FROM THE COACH: Tori Raimann: NRHEG also lost Raimann, who was a senior leader and solid defender last season.

2011-13 SEASON OUTLOOK:

NRHEG returns all but three players to a team that finished third in state last season with a 21-1 record. That core includes standout Carlie Wagner, an all-state junior who broke the single-game (48 points) and tournament (112 points) scoring record at state last year, and All-Conference senior Jade Schultz, who is expected to surpass the 1,000-point mark this season.

Despite losing senior Anna Schlaak, the program’s all-time leading rebounder, stealer and shot blocker, NRHEG hopes to reload with players from a B-squad team that finished 23-1 last season.

The Panthers will continue their up-tempo style of play and look to keep the number on the scoreboard high. They also will be an improved shooting team this season and have added some quick players who can run the floor and finish on the other end. Getting quality minutes from bench players will be an important factor in the Panthers’ success this year, coach John Schultz said.

Schultz hopes the playoff-experienced team’s style of play will help propel NRHEG to the top of the Gopher Conference, as well as making another run at a section title. With good play, don’t be surprised if you see NRHEG back on top this season.

SEASON UPDATE: No. 2 NRHEG started the season 2-1.

“We are very excited to put this team on the floor. It will be fun to watch.”

– John Schultz, head coach

BY THE NUMBERS

8 – Returning letter winners to this year’s team

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Winter Sports Preview

WASECA BOYS BASKETBALL

PAGE 7

Waseca returns several experienced players to lineup and will look to improve on last year’s 12-15 record, first-round playoff loss KEY NAMES:

Brock Kolander, senior guard: The senior guard led Waseca in scoring last season (13.8 points per game) and earned all-conference and all-area nods. Unfortunately, he’ll be on the bench for a chunk of the season after suffering an arm injury as a running back in football this season.

The Bluejays hope to have him back by the end of January.

Jacob Sass: A post player who could hit the boards hard, Sass set school records with 304 total rebounds and 11.3 boards per game. He also averaged 8.4 points per game on the offensive end and had a team-high 38 blocks last season.

Zach Hiller: The three-sport athlete was a starting asset who played all three guard positions for the Bluejays throughout the season.

Shane Streich, sophomore point guard: The 2012-13 SEASON OUTLOOK: 5-foot-10-inch sophomore point guard started Jacob Sass, a force on the boards last season, as a freshman and averaged 7.6 points and three is graduated and gone, but Waseca’s optimism as assists per game last season. He also logged a teama team certainly isn’t. The Bluejays return three high number of minutes on the court as the floor starters – leading scorer Brock Kolander will part general. of the season with an injury – and several other Jake Busse, junior post: Along with Streich, players who gained valuable experience on a team Busse is another returning underclassmen starter, that went 12-15 (6-4 South Central) with only two which bodes well for the program. Busse averaged seniors last season.

Second-year head coach Todd Dufault, also nearly eight points and ripped down 6.5 rebounds Waseca’s activities director, says the Bluejays are per game last season. conference contenders and expects to finish in the top three this season. Waseca finished third in KEEP YOUR EYES ON: Josh Kummerfeldt, junior guard: The 6-foot-2- the conference last season and is ranked third in inch junior guard averaged three points per game a preseason poll, behind Fairmont and St. Peter.

As far as Section 1AAA goes, the Austin Packand two rebounds last season. ers, who won the section last season, are the clear Devin Williamson, junior post: Williamson, cut favorite and are expected to rank near the top a 6-foot-4 inch junior who will be an asset down of Class AAA to start the season. New Prague and low, scored just under three points per game while Red Wing also will likely vie for top spots in the conference, along with Waseca, Dufault said. The grabbing nearly two rebounds last season. goal for the Bluejays is to host and win their firstTommy O’Neil, junior guard: O’Neil also gave round section playoff game.

Waseca will look to push the ball on offense Waseca some solid production, scoring four points and attack the rim this season while applying fullper game and averaging three rebounds a night. court and half-court defensive pressure to force other team to play uptempo. The strengths will be MOVED ON: defense and athleticism, Dufault said. Their weak-

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Waseca junior Tommy O’Neil flys through the air on a layup attempt, but New Prague’s Kyle Stepka draws a charge Nov. 30 in Waseca. (County News file photo)

nesses, he said, are rebounding, youth and a lack of big-game experience. The Bluejays will hope to counter, specifically, those last two weaknesses by playing a tougher schedule that includes more teams from the Big Nine and Missota conferences.

SEASON UPDATE: Waseca started the season 0-2.

– Todd Dufault, head coach

FROM THE COACH:

“If the kids continute to work hard and buy into the defensive philosophy, we feel that we can be very competitive in the SCC and section this season.

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PAGE 8

Winter Sports Preview

JWP BOYS BASKETBALL

JWP has another new coach, looks to finish top 3 in conference KEY NAMES:

Sawyer Gahler, junior point guard: Gahler, who tore up opposing defenses as a quarterback on the football field, is expected to be more of a distributor on the basketball court as a point guard for the Bulldogs. Coach Paul Ciochetto also hopes Gahler will become more of a vocal leader on the team.

Ricky Johnson, sophomore forward: In two games this season, the sophomore forward already has established himself as a scorer for the Bulldogs. Johnson dropped a team-high 20 points against Truman/Martin Luther Dec. 1 and came back to score 19 points the next day against Immanuel Lutheran in JWP’s first victory of the season.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON:

Kyle Fisel, sophomore forward: Coach Paul Ciochetto also expects the 6-foot-4 Fisel to be one of the team’s go-to scorers. Like Johnson, Fisel can play inside and out and brings size to the Bulldogs lineup. He’s scored 27 points in two games this season.

Tyler Cowdin, senior guard: Cowdin is a quick guard capable of having some big games for the Bulldogs, Ciochetto said.

Brett Bartelt, senior guard: The 6-foot-1 guard brings athleticism and physicality to JWP’s lineup, Ciochetto said, and also is capable of putting some points on the scoreboard.

MOVED ON:

Josh Stockman: The senior guard had little trouble finding ways to score last season, averaging 19 points per game to go along with five rebounds and four assists for the Bulldogs.

Brandon Janike: Janike was another scoring threat

for the Bulldogs, averaging 10 points per game and three rebounds each night.

2012-13 SEASON OUTLOOK:

For the third year in a row, Janesville-WaldorfPemberton enters the season with a new head coach.

Paul Ciochetto was hired in July to take over the varsity program and help JWP get back to a winning record, something the team hasn’t had since 2007-08, when the Bulldogs finished 20-11 and lost in the first round of the Section 1A playoffs.

Ciochetto expects the team to finish the season above .500, he said, and the players set a goal before the season of finishing top-3 in the Gopher Conference, which is expected to have tough teams such as Blooming Prairie, Bethlehem Academy and Waterville-ElysianMorristown near the top. JWP finished 7-18 overall and 5-11 in the Gopher Conference last season.

After losing senior guard Josh Stockman, the team’s leading scorer last season, the Bulldogs will look to tall sophomores Kyle Fisel and Ricky Johnson – who can play both inside and out, Ciochetto said – as two of the team’s go-to scorers. Ciochetto will look to junior point guard Sawyer Gahler to be a distributor and a vocal leader on the team. And a group of other players, such as seniors Tyler Cowdin, Brett Bartelt and Billy Steinhauer, each are expected to contribute throughout the year.

Several sophomores and juniors on the roster also will be competing for minutes this season.

SEASON UPDATE: JWP started the season 2-1.

FROM THE COACH:

“Overall I expect us to definitely have a winning record and compete within the conference, and once we get to sections to make some noise, but that all depends on how they continue to work and continue

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JWP’s Tyler Cowdin goes up for a layup in the second half of the Bulldogs’ 92-40 loss to Waterville-Elysian-Morristown in Waterville last season. (Faribault Daily News file photo)

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Friday, December 7, 2012

Winter Sports Preview

WEM BOYS BASKETBALL

PAGE 9

WEM looks to fill the voids of Grant Pope and Tate Harmon, continue success KEY NAMES:

Tucker Kinniry, senior forward: The 6-foot-2-inch returning letter winner scored 100 points and had 51 rebounds as a junior last season. He’ll return looking to make an impact on a Buccaneers lineup that lost several key seniors last season.

Nick Kaplan, senior forward: Another 6-foot-2-inch senior, Kaplan is a returning starter who can score and grab rebounds for the Bucs. He’ll enter his senior season after a successful junior campaign that included 197 points and 201 rebounds.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON:

Nolan Grose, senior forward: Grose ripped down 92 rebounds last season and returns as one of the tallest (6’3”) of five seniors on the team, looking to help the Bucs have another successful year.

MOVED ON:

Grant Pope: Considered the best point guard in the Gopher Conference last season, Pope was the Waseca County News’ AllArea Co-Player of the Year and helped lead the Bucs to a 26-3 (16-0 Gopher) record. He’ll be playing at nearby Minnesota State University, Mankato this winter as a freshman.

Tate Harmon: Pope’s All-Area co-player of the year counterpart was none other than Harmon, his cousin and longtime teammate, who is WEM’s all-time leading scorer. Harmon will take to the court at Iowa Lakes Community College this winter. Harmon was considered the best guard in the conference last season.

Lorenzo Lelli: On a WEM team that went undefeated in the Gopher Conference and had two college basketball players, Lelli was the second-leading scorer and was second on the team in steals last season.

2012-13 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Gone are Grant Pope and Tate Harmon, considered two of the

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Bethlehem Academy, Blooming Prairie and United South Central, which, in Wagner’s opinion, has the most dominant player in the conference in 6-foot-8-inch forward Kyle Bauman. Section 2AA isn’t expected to be a walk in the park, either. In a perfect world, the Bucs will finish in the top half of the conference and section, Wagner said.

They hope to do that by running a motion offense similar to last season’s. WEM will be small, but more up-tempo. The Bucs Above, Nicholas Kaplan goes up for a rebound during a game in should be able to handle the ball and work the clock. And they’ll the 2011-12 season. At right, Cole Pope dribbles this season. have some solid shooting threats.

SEASON UPDATE: WEM started the season 2-0. best players in the Gopher Conference last season on a team that went 26-3 and was within two points of making it to the Class AA State Tournament. Lorenzo Lelli won’t be around to score FROM THE COACH: and steal the ball, and WEM also tragically lost senior Brady “If everything works out perfect, we Hruska, who died in a boating accident in late October. Hruska gave the Bucs solid production across the board last season — he would climb into the upper part of was third on the team in steals, third in assists, third in blocked the conference and section.” shots and fifth in scoring.

There’ll be voids in depth and experience on this year’s roster, – Jeff Wagner, head coach coach Jeff Wagner said. But there are some returners. Senior Nick Kaplan is an All-Conference returning starter from last season, when he scored 197 points and ripped down 201 rebounds. Fel- BY THE NUMBERS: low seniors Tucker Kinniry and Nolan Grose also put up solid – Number of victories WEM had last season, en numbers last year that they’ll hope to improve on this season.

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PAGE 10

Winter Sports Preview

Friday, December 7, 2012

NRHEG BOYS BASKETBALL

NRHEG loses several seniors from last year and will move forward with younger sqaud KEY NAME:

Nic Mangskau, senior guard: The 5-foot-11-inch guard was one of NRHEG’s top reserves last season, averaging four points per game. Coach Pat Churchill is looking for Mangskau to step up and be a leader on and off the court for the younger Panthers players this season.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON:

Spencer Tollefson, sophomore: Tollefson, a 6-foot-1-inch sophomore, is a solid player, Churchill says – a good scorer, ball handler and defensive player for the young Panthers team.

Preston Peterson, junior: The 5-foot-11-inch junior will look to bring solid offensive play to NRHEG this season.

Preston Peterson, junior: The 5-foot-11-inch junior will look to bring solid offensive play to NRHEG this season.

MOVED ON:

Matt Carlson: Carlson averaged 14 points per game and earned NRHEG moves forward with a young team this year, looking to fill in the roles of several graduated seniors. (Miles Trump/Waseca All-Conference honors twice in his NRHEG career.

County News)

Tyler Sorenson: An All-Conference Honorable Mention, SoThe team will need four sophomores to play significant minutes, want to play toward the end of the season. renson scored 12 points and ripped down seven rebounds a game head coach Pat Churchill said, which likely will be a trial-by-fire SEASON UPDATE: NRHEG lost its season opener Tuesday. for the Panthers. scenario for the younger players. Churchill said he’s looking to Mangskau to lead the younger players on the fly and teach them Sam Lundberg: Lundberg finished his senior campaign with what it takes to play varsity basketball.

FROM THE COACH: seven points, five rebounds and three assists per game and was The Panthers will play mainly man-to-man defense and run a “With very little varsity experience and a another All-Conference Honorable Mention. motion offense this season. Churchill hopes to keep games in the 30- to 40-point range to find success, he said, trying to create easy very young team, we know that we have an scoring opportunities while playing tough man-to-man defense and 2012-13 SEASON OUTLOOK: uphill battle this (season), but we believe controlling the boards. The Panthers have some size in 6-foot-5-inch Youth and a lack of experience are NRHEG’s greatest challenges sophomore Kevin Kalis and 6-foot-2-inch junior Nic Goette, but that as the season gets going we will entering the season. After graduating a core of scorers and go-to every one is 6 feet, 1 inch or shorter. players in Matt Carlson, Tyler Sorenson and Sam Lundberg during improve and will be a completely different The hope is that the Panthers finish somewhere in the middle of last year’s 9-18 (6-10 Gopher) team, the Panthers return to the court the Gopher Conference – in which Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, team the second half of the season.” this year with only one senior – Nic Mangskau, who averaged four Bethlehem Academy and Blooming Prairie are likely to be the frontpoints a game off the bench last season and is out for the start of the runners – and, with improvement, become a team that no others – Pat Churchill, head coach season after having surgery on his thumb.

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Winter Sports Preview

WASECA GYMNASTICS

PAGE 11

Waseca reloads with another talented group, hopes to defend South Central Conference title KEY NAMES:

Marina Chen, sophomore all-around: A state participant in 2011, the sophomore all-around gymnast is “capable of great things this year,” coach Scott Young said. She’s one of several returners on a team that will look to lead last year’s South Central Conference Champions.

Sadie Klug, junior all-around: Klug is capable of some putting up some solid scores for the Bluejays, specifically on the uneven bars, where she’s a key player for Waseca. Coach Scott Young says she’s “capable on every event.”

Maddy Swain, sophomore all-around: Swain made great progress toward the end of last season and is capable of scoring well on every event. She’s expected to add a double full to her floor routine this season and display increased difficulty on the bars and beam

KEEP YOUR EYES ON:

Caleigh Dennis, sophomore all-around: Simply put, Young is expecting “awesome skills” from the sophomore all-around gymnast this year. She’s another gymnast on the team with high potential, he said.

Jaz Malepsy, senior all-around performer: The lone returning senior starter, Malepsy, who’s showing great improvement, Young said, is a great leader in the gym and is expected to make a big impact on the team this season.

MOVED ON:

section favorite, Young said. After finishing fourth in Section 2A last

season, Waseca is hoping for a top-3 finish this year.

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Darian Zimmerman practice on the balance beam during the gymnastics practice this year. At right, Marina Chen Kiley Harguth: The all-around consistent performer and 2011 state first day ofStop by the Thrifty White Pharmacy for more information! meet participant was a great team leader and could be relied on for 34 practices a dismount. (Miles Trump/Waseca County News)

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That being said, the Bluejays hope to defend their Megan Harguth: Megan Harguth performed on the beam and on ence title last season.

– Returning starters on this year’s team Proudly serving all your family’s pharmacy needs the floor, where she “kept things fun with some wonderful perfor- conference title for a second year. Waseca edged Martin County Area by the razor-thin margin of .15 points to win the conference last season, (or more) – Waseca gymnasts who can score in the mances on the floor,” Young said.

Pharmacy staff left to right: and MCA, along with New Ulm, will be back to push the Bluejays again, Lori Barbknecht, mid-8s to high-9s on balance beam, coach Scott Young head coach ScottMarlis YoungScholljegerdes, said.

2012-13 SEASON OUTLOOK; In Section 2A, Prague, which finished second at state last says LisaNew Dahl, Barb Denn, Waseca returns all but two gymnasts – Megan Harguth and state season and returns the majority of its lineup, is again considered the Don Lord, Dale Rudolph,

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PAGE 12

Winter Sports Preview

WASECA WRESTLING

Friday, December 7, 2012

Waseca returns two top wrestlers from last year, will look to bring aggressive style this season KEY NAMES:

Zach Gehloff, senior, 170 pounds: Gehloff missed weight at the section tournament last year, but as a junior he was Waseca’s most dominant wrestler, finishing with a 32-1 season. He’s Waseca’s all-time leader in takedowns (408) and is second in program history for career wins (177).

Jacob Claybaugh, senior, 220 pounds: Claybaugh returns from his 35-4 junior season with experience at the state tournament, where he lost his second-round match to the eventual champion, Joe Schiller of Totino-Grace, and then lost his first-round match in the consolation bracket. He had 22 pins last year.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON:

Tristan Hoy, junior, 132 pounds: Hoy is an up-and-coming wrestler who coach Zach Hall expects to make contributions to the team this season.

Mikal McDaniels, senior, 152 pounds: Along with seniors Jacob Claybaugh and Zach Gehloff and junior Tristan Hoy, McDaniels is another player Hall says will be a key player to watch this season. The senior will wrestle at 152 pounds.

MOVED ON:

Tanner Pehrson: Pehrson finished with a 19-5 record last year and had eight pins while qualifying for the state tournament.

He ended his career seventh all-time in school history for wins.

Michael Hayes: Hayes is another key individual lost from last Waseca senior Jacob Claybaugh, right, gained experience at the state tournament last year and will look to make a big impact year’s roster. He wrestled at 195 pounds for the Bluejays. for the Bluejays this season. (County News file photo)

2012-13 SEASON OUTLOOK

Waseca finished 5-24 last season (1-4 South Central) and lost to Byron 36-28 in the Section 1AA tournament but sent Jacob Claybaugh and Tanner Pehrson to the state tournament. Zach Gehloff, who finished 32-1 last season, missed weight at the section meet and was disqualified from taking another shot at a state berth.

This season, Waseca returns Claybaugh (35-4) at 220 pounds and Gehloff (32-1) at 170 pounds as seniors, each ranked top six in Class AA in their respective weight classes, according to the Guillotine rankings, as well as several other wrestlers who are expected to contribute. Those returning include junior Sam Sierra, junior Tristan Hoy, sophomore Brady Bomsta, and freshmen Jackson Killian, Andrew Burns, Lucas Maxon and Dylan Winegar.

Coach Zach Hall expects Waseca to have some tough competition among Section 2AA teams such as Kasson-Mantorville this season, but he also knows that Waseca wrestlers work hard and can be dangerous against any opponent. The Bluejays will wrestle with an aggressive style this season, he said.

Claybaugh, Gehloff and possibly others will have chances to earn state berths as individuals. As a team, Hall expects Waseca to be competitive throughout the season.

UPDATE: Waseca has yet to win a match after a tournament in New Prague and a triangular at Martin County West.

FROM THE COACH:

“We will be in close battles throughout the entire season.”

– Zach Hall, head coach

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Friday, December 7, 2012

Winter Sports Preview

WEM/JWP WRESTLING

After successful 2011-12 season, WEM/JWP looks to reload with talented returning wrestlers KEY NAMES:

PAGE 13

Jeff Purvis: Purvis finished the season with a solid 21-22 record at 132 pounds on a team that went 18-7 overall.

Jordan Vogelsang: Vogelsang helped WEM/ JWP by finishing his senior year with a 19-22 record at 195 pounds.

Skyler Petry, junior, 113 pounds: The sophoJames Volkmann: Volkmann also added to more last year had a stellar season at 106 pounds, the win total, chipping in 17 wins at 138 pounds racking up 34 pins – about 20 of which came in last season.

30 seconds or less – on his way to a 43-3 record and a second-place finish at state. He’s ranked 2012-13 SEASON OUTLOOK second in Class AA at 113 pounds this year and The Waterville-Elysian-Morristown/Janesis 38 wins away from notching his 150th victory. ville-Waldorf-Pemberton Grizzlies return three state participants in junior Skyler Petry (second Brady Ayers, senior, 170 pounds: Ayers re- place at 106 pounds), Brady Ayers (sixth place at turns looking for a state title after pinning 26 160 pounds) and Colin Ayers (did not place), as wrestlers in 38 of his wins and racking up 248 well as all-area junior Dylan Wolff and several points, second most in the area behind Petry. other top competitors from a team that tied for Last year he finished sixth at state at 160 pounds. first place in the Gopher Conference last season and finished with an 18-7 record. Petry was the KEEP YOUR EYES ON: Waseca County News’ All-Area Wrestler of the WEM/JWP’s Skyler Petry wrestles at the state tournament last season. The junior will look to Dylan Wolff, senior, 113 pounds: Wolff re- Year last season. make another splash this year wrestling at 113 pounds. (Miles Trump/Waseca County News) turns to the Grizzlies after finishing with a 34-9 With no dominant team in the Gopher Conrecord and fourth in Section 1AA. He helped ference, the Grizzlies are looking to earn another the team build some solid leads last season and conference title this season. The difference will FROM THE COACH:

BY THE NUMBERS collected 20 pins and 203 points along the way. be whether some of WEM/JWP’s younger wrestlers can improve and step up as solid wrestlers, – Combined wins last season “Regardless of the technique we Colin Ayers, junior, 120 pounds: Fresh off as well as whether the Grizzlies can stay healthy, are using, you will see our guys between returners Skyler Petry, Dylan Wolff, last season’s trip to the state tournament where coach Adam Roesler said.

Colin Ayers and Brady Ayers, the Grizzlies’ he did not place, Colin Ayers returns to make While Kasson-Mantorville, the defending working for takedowns on their top four wrestlers another splash at 120 pounds this season. He’s Section 1AA champion, returns six letter wincoming off a 33-12 record and 189 points last ners and is the heavy favorite to win the section feet, working for the fall on top, year. title again, WEM/JWP hopes to make its way – Returning letter winners from last into the section finals for a second straight year, and looking for escapes from the season’s team, which won a share of the Tucker Roeker, junior, 145 pounds: Coach Roesler said. bottom with good movement. We Gopher Conference title Adam Roesler expects that Roeker, who went 25Expect to see six minutes of hard-fought, ag17 last season and was third in the section, can gressive wrestling from all three positions and will be teaching an aggressive style – Wins Brady Ayers needs to earn his be one of the Grizzlies who go far come tourna- a multitude of styles and skill levels out of the that focuses on the basic skills that 150th victory ment time. Roeker has a 45-59 career record that Grizzlies this season. Roesler expects WEM/JWP allows all wrestlers to succeed.” he’ll look to improve on during his junior season. to start matches fast.

SEASON UPDATE: WEM/JWP had several – Adam Roesler, head coach MOVED ON: place winners at at Blue Earth Tournament.

148

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PAGE 14

Winter Sports Preview

NRHEG WRESTLING

NRHEG loses several key seniors, moves forward with younger team KEY NAMES:

Friday, December 7, 2012

pounds.

Seth Petranek: Petranek was another bigtime wrestler for the Panthers last season: He finished with 35 wins, 192 points and took sixth place at the state tournament at 182 pounds.

Tyler Logan, junior, 138 pounds: Logan returns to NRHEG with the most wins on the team 2012-13 SEASON OUTLOOK NRHEG faces a rebuilding year. Last year, after going 26-16 last season at 138 pounds. He’ll the Panthers went 16-6 (3-1 Gopher) to win the look to be one of the top wrestlers on the team Gopher Conference and lose to Jackson County this season.

Central in the sections semifinals but send sevDillon Parpart, junior, 170 pounds: Similar eral wrestlers to state. Entering this year, the to Logan, Parpart is entering his junior season team lost 11 seniors, including two-time state as one of NRHEG’s top returning wrestlers. He medalist Dustin Esplan, sixth-place finisher Seth went 22-13 on the mat last season for the Pan- Petranek and state entrants Jacob Staloch, Brandon Leblanc and David Lassahn. thers.

The Panthers do, however, return 11 letter winners, including juniors Dillon Papart and Tyler Logan and sophomores Keith Maxon and KEEP YOUR EYES ON: Keith Maxon, sophomore, 182 pounds: Max- Dillon Kubiatowicz, all of whom coach Paul on had 20 wins and only six losses last season as Cyr expects to be the squad’s top returners this NRHEG’s Dillon Papart, right, is a key returner this season for the Panthers, who lost several a freshman and returns as one of NRHEG’s top season. Together, those four wrestlers finished seniors after a successful 16-6 season. (County News file photo) with a combined 83-57 record in their respective wrestlers this season. weight classes last season. Cyr also said seniors team race in February.

BY THE NUMBERS UPDATE: Dillon Kubiatowicz, sophomore, 113 pounds: Dustin Burshem and Cody Rypka spent time – Seniors lost from last year’s Gopher Entering the season, Coach Paul Cyr expects the in the starting lineup last year and will look to stabilize a young Panthers’ squad.

Sophomore Conference championship team 113-pound sophomore to be one of the Panthers’ FROM THE COACH: Nick Bartness, who missed the last half of the top four wrestlers this year. Kubiatowicz went – Returning letter winners this season due to injuries, also will be counted on 15-22 as a freshman last season.

“I expect that if we continue to season to make contributions this season.

A group of freshmen also may have a chance improve as the season wears MOVED ON: Dustin Esplan: The two-time state medalist to see some varsity action, but Cyr said depth on, we will be very competitive led the team in wins (39) and points (217.5) at will be a concern due to a number of wrestlers by season’s end. Inexperience 120 pounds last season and won Section 2A. who compete in the same weight class.

Jackson County Central, which NRHEG lost He had 18 pins, seven major decisions and four is our biggest concern as we technical falls while leading the Panthers to a to in the semifinals last season and is the defend16-6 season and a share of the Gopher Confer- ing section champion, is the favorite to repeat as begin the season, and once section champions, he said, while United South ence title.

Central and Waterville-Elysian-Morristown/ we have a few matches under Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton are favored in David Lassahn: The all-conference senior our belt, we’ll be a lot better.”

Burshem Logan went 34-8 last season, scoring 142.5 points, eight the Gopher Conference this season. NRHEG will major decisions and four technical falls at 145 sort out its lineup at the beginning of the season — Paul Cyr, head coach in hopes of being in the mix for the Section 2A

11 11

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Friday, December 7, 2012

Winter Sports Preview

WASECA BOYS HOCKEY

PAGE 15

Waseca loses two leading scorers but hopes to reload and improve on last year’s 8-14-1 record KEY NAMES:

Joey Helms, senior forward: Helms returns as a starter and a team leader both on and off the ice on a Waseca team that finished 8-14-1 (2-4 South Central) last season. Coaches will continue to look to Helms, who had one goal and seven assists last year, as a team leader in his senior season.

CJ Nordquist, senior defenseman: Nordquist is a returning starter and a crucial cog in Waseca’s defense this season. He’ll look to help the Bluejays improve on last year’s 8-14-1 finish. He had two goals and four assists last year.

Cody Ulfers, sophomore center: Ulfers opened the season with a hat trick in Waseca’s Nov. 29 win over Dodge County. He had five goals and 10 assists last season.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON:

Austin Stroda, senior goalie: Head coach Jim Ferch expects big things out of Stroda in net this season. Stroda played in 18 games last season, making 202 saves and finishing with an .890 save percentage.

Jesse Ungs, senior forward: The senior forward has a passion for the game and wants the puck when he’s on the ice, Ferch said. Last season Ungs had two goals and five assists.

Waseca’s Michael Kunz takes a shot Tuesday, Dec. 4 against Austin at Waseca Community Arena. (Miles Trump/Waseca County News)

JP Eykyn, sophomore center: The sophomore center has shown this season he can be a scoring threat for the Bluejays. He has a goal out of the penalty box to find success, Ferch said.

COACH QUOTE: in both of Waseca’s games so far.

Ferch and the Bluejays are hoping for a strong finish in the “We will have to rely on a lot of players this South Central Conference, where last season they finished 2-4 for MOVED ON: third place in the four-team conference behind St. Peter/Le Sueurseason to step up and make something happen.”

Matt Metzdorff: Metzdorff was a senior captain and award win- Henderson/Tri-City United and New Ulm. Ferch says Waseca can ner who was in a leadership role and was crucial to Waseca’s success compete with conference favorites New Ulm and St. Peter/Le Sueur– Jim Ferch, head coach. last season, collecting 15 goals and four assists. He’s currently playing Henderson/Tri-City United, although it won’t be an easy task.

The Bluejays lost in the first round of the Section 1A playoffs to on the JV hockey team at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. St. Peter/Le Sueur Henderson/Tri-City United 4-0 last season and BY THE NUMBERS: Kyle Quast: The center is Waseca’s points leader, and he led the will look to make a splash in the playoffs this year.

– Number of goals Waseca’s graduated seniors Kyle SEASON UPDATE: Waseca started the season 1-1.

Bluejays in goals (17) and points (27) least season, averaging 1.17 Quast and Matt Metzdorff scored last season points per game.

32

Pontus Sjoman: Sjoman was a foreign exchange student from Sweden who played 22 games in net for Waseca last season. At one point, he ranked second in Minnesota for goalie save percentage (.924).

2012-13 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Waseca lost its leading scorer and a couple of other key players at the end of last year and now returns with several experienced players on what head coach Jim Ferch calls a young team with a lot of talent. Several of those players are seniors and returning starters, including CJ Nordquist, Austin Stroda, Joey Helms, Michael Kunz and Jesse Ungs. The rest are juniors and sophomores who are expected to make an impact this season.

Offensively, Waseca should have a fast attack. The team boasts size and speed and is expected to be strong defensively. The Bluejays also will have good depth on the team but will need to stay

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PAGE 16

Winter Sports Preview

WASECA GIRLS HOCKEY

Friday, December 7, 2012

Waseca returns several experienced players, including a couple who could etch their names in program history this season KEY PLAYERS:

Alicia Knoll, senior defender: The four-year letterwinner is back after leading Waseca (11-11-1) in points (35) with 18 assists and 17 goals, eight of which came on power plays, during her junior season.

Statistics show just how valuable Knoll is to the team — Waseca was a whopping +34 when the junior was on the ice last season. Knoll is currently in third-place in school history with 49 assists, trailing recordholder Turk Johnson (2001-2006) by 22 assists.

Taryn Juberien, senior forward: Juberien, a five-year letterwinner, gives Waseca experience and offensive firepower on the ice. After finishing last season with a team-high 24 goals and nine assists, the senior forward is back and looking to leave her mark in program history. If all goes well, Juberien, currently at 72 goals and 112 points, has a good chance of becoming the school’s leader by surpassing Turk Johnson’s record in total points (125) and Megan Scholljegerdes’ (1999-2003) record in goals (74).

Abbe Hoehn, senior defender: Another experienced returner, Hoehn is Waseca’s only other five-year letterwinner and enters the season in second place in school history in assists (54). Last season Hoehn finished with five goals and 16 assists while helping anchor a Bluejays defense that allowed roughly four goals per game.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON:

Waseca’s Katelyn Miller brings the puck across the blue line against Belle Plaine Nov. 29 in Waseca. (Miles Trump/Waseca County News)

Olivia McIntosh, junior forward: McIntosh already has five goals this season and netted an overtime scoring (18 percent) and light the lamp often. With a few returning offensive threats, such as Knoll, Taryn game-winner to give Waseca its second win of the year. She returns after a sophomore season where she Juberien, Maddy Knoll and Olivia McIntosh, Waseca will have a chance to sharpen those areas of its game scored four goals and dished out six assists, numbers she’s approaching already this season. before the end of the season.

SEASON UPDATE: Waseca started the season 3-2.

Taylor Juberien, senior goalie: The twin sister of Taryn Juberien, Taylor returns to the net this year after stopping 85 percent of the shots sent her way and allowing just more than four goals per game last FROM THE COACH: season. She finished with a 9-11-1 record and looks to improve this season.

MOVED ON:

Jacie Hoehn: The junior who scored 16 goals, dished out 15 assists and finished third in team points last season — behind Knoll and Juberien — transferred to Dodge County this year. Hoehn’s production during her promising sophomore season will be missed, but the Bluejays hope to have other veteran and up-and-coming players fill the void.

Katie Weisinger: Weisinger, a defender who played in 19 games last season, didn’t take many shots (8) but dished out four assists during her senior year. She was a five-year letter winner.

2012-13 SEASON OUTLOOK:

In his 15th season as Waseca’s head coach, Kyle Collins hopes this year’s team has what it takes to contend for the South Central Conference title, which powerhouse New Ulm has won 14 of the last 16 years.

In the 2010-11 season, the title rested in Waseca.

Waseca returns its top two lines, four starters — seniors Alicia Knoll, Taryn Juberien, Abbe Hoehn and Taylor Juberien — and 12 letter winners after finishing 11-11-1 (3-2-1 South Central) and second place in the conference last year behind the Eagles. One thing’s clear: If the Bluejays are to compete for the SCC title, they’re going to have to beat New Ulm, which will be no easy task.

The road to a Section 1A title will be even more difficult. The section this season includes two state-ranked teams –No. 5 Red Wing, which won the section last year, and No. 19 New Prague – and Waseca plays both of them. The early-season goal, Collins said, is to earn a topfour seed and play the section opener at Waseca Community Arena.

Before then, the Bluejays hope to improve on their power-play

“Many of our older girls have been playing hockey for several years now. They need to lead this time on and off the ice.”

– Kyle Collins, head coach

BY THE NUMBERS:

5 – How many more goals Waseca scored last season than its opponents 16 – Varsity letters the four returning seniors have earned playing hockey in Waseca

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Friday, December 7, 2012

WASECA GIRLS BASKETBALL CONFERENCE: South Central Conference SECTION: 1AAA COACH: Joan Conway, 1st year

TEAM ROSTER No. Name Pos. Grade 3 Abby Collins G 12 4 Bailey Krueger G 12 5 Jordan Paulson G 11

JWP GIRLS BASKETBALL CONFERENCE: Gopher Conference SECTION: 1A COACH: Taylor Possail, 1st year

TEAM ROSTER No. Name Pos. Grade 0 Callie Morton F 11 2 Maddie Krautbauer

NRHEG GIRLS BASKETBALL CONFERENCE: Gopher Conference SECTION: 2AA COACH: John Schultz, 9th year

TEAM ROSTER WEM GIRLS BASKETBALL CONFERENCE: Gopher Conference SECTION: 2AA COACH: Gabe Hauer, 3rd year

TEAM ROSTER No. Name Pos. Grade 1 Brittany Buesgens G 12 3 Nicole Dahle G 12

Winter Sports Preview

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2012 ROSTERS

11 Caitlyn Hayford G 12 12 Mikayla Rolling G 10 13 Sally O’Brien G 10 15 Mackenzie Madsen C 11 21 Kaitlin Vetsch C 11 22 Katie Tlusty F 10 23 Jordyn Hedberg G 12 31 Sam Hiller F 10 33 Katie Miller F 12 43 Bailey Grubish G 11 44 Amanda Sletten F 12 50 Kirstin Simmons C 10

WASECA BOYS BASKETBALL

CONFERENCE: South Central Conference SECTION: 1AAA COACH: Todd Dufault, 2nd year

TEAM ROSTER No. Name Pos. Grade 2 Shane Streich G 10 4 Collin Rongstad G 11 10 Thomas O’Neil G 11

12 Nick Dufault G 9 14 Jacob Laube G 11 20 Isaac Highum G 10 22 Brock Kolander G 12 24 Lucas Johnson G 11 30 Josh Kimball G 11 32 Josh Kummerfeldt G 11 34 Andy Haley F 11 42 Tyler Kolander F 10 44 Jake Busse F 11 50 Matt Kaiser C 11 52 Devin Williamson F 11 54 Jordan Altman C 11

JWP BOYS BASKETBALL

CONFERENCE: Gopher Conference SECTION: 1A COACH: Paul Ciochetto, 1st year

TEAM ROSTER No. Name Pos. Grade 0 Berlyn Olson C 10 1 Tyler Cowdin G 12

2 Sawyer Gahler G 11 3 Brett Bartelt G 12 5 Ricky Johnson F 10 10 Jordan Richardson G 10 12 Kyle Fisel F 10 13 Tristan Kroll G 10 20 Billy Steinhauer G 12 23 Max Burley G 11 24 Zach Janike F 10 30 Brady Gerdts F 10 33 Devon Lynch F 12 45 York Thissen C 11

F 12 4 Marissa Southwick G 10 10 Hannah Herold G 12 12 Kennedy Strauss G 10 14 Kaley Anderson G 9 20 Hannah Olson G 9 24 Sam Gruis G 12 30 Josse Crouch F 11 32 Taryn Clayton C 10 34 Cari Gottschalk C 11 44 Lauren Summers C 11 50 Lynsey Guse G 11

No. Name Pos. Grade 0 Hannah Lundberg F 11 1 Maddie Wagner G 8 2 Marnie Wagner G 8 3 Carlie Wagner G 11 5 Abby Crabtree G 12 10 Paige Overgaard C 11 11 Anna Stork C 10 12 Jade Schultz G 11 14 Katie Cole F 12 25 Raelin Schue F 12 4 Madison Pratt G 11 5 Meghan Domonoske C 12 10 Kati Dotseth G 11 11 Ashley Smelser G 11 12 Cassie Rezac G 12 13 Hannah Steinhaus F 11 14 Briana Adank G 12 15 Shayna Kinniry F 12 21 Brooke Galler G 10 22 Kalley Kendall F 11 23 Tierney Winter G 9 34 Bethany Mader C 12

Wiste’s Meat Market is a Proud Supporter of the JWP Sports & their fans. Wiste’s Meat Market is your Holiday Headquarters Gift Certificates & Gift Boxes!

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Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm Thurs 8am - 7pm Sat 8am - 6pm

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WEM BOYS BASKETBALL CONFERENCE: Gopher Conference SECTION: 2AA COACH: Jeff Wagner

TEAM ROSTER No. Name Pos. Grade 1 Derek Masberg F 12 2 Brady Hruska (In memoriam) G 12 3 Tucker Kinniry G 12 4 Cole Pope G 10

WEM/JWP WRESTLING CONFERENCE: Gopher Conference SECTION: 1AA COACH: Adam Roesler, 8th year

TEAM ROSTER Weight Name Grade Halverson, Kurt 11 106 Eustice, Sam 7 106 Johnson, Braydon 7 106 Langford, Tristen 7 120 Hill, Justin 9 132 Reyes, Sebastian 7 160 Kruger, Jacob 11 182 Miska , Travis 9 220 Pullen, Dakotah 9 106 Eustice, Ryan 9

WASECA GIRLS HOCKEY CONFERENCE: South Central SECTION: 1A COACH: Kyle Collins, 15th year

TEAM ROSTER No. Name Pos. Grade 1 Taylor Juberien G 12 2 Anna Hoehn F 9 3 Madi Priebe F 9 4 Maddy Knoll F 9

Winter Sports Preview

Friday, December 7, 2012

2012 ROSTERS

5 Mitchell Jindra G 12 10 Ethan Thompson G 11 12 Nate Molitor G 11 14 Tre Mesagna G 11 22 Sean Klugherz G 12 24 Landon Harmon F 11 30 Brady Dotterweich G 11 32 Nolan Grose F 12 34 Kyle Opsahl F 11 40 Nicholas Kaplan F 12 42 Jacob Deno F 11 44 Tanner Henninger F 11

113 Petry, Skyler 11 113 Wolff, Dylan 12 120 Anderson, Tuckor 9 126 Ayers, Colin 11 126 Ayers, Reid 9 132 Boran, Brody 8 132 Dimmel, Brendan 10 132 West, Trevor 9 138 Jewison, Nick 10 138 Ranslow, Tyson 12 145 Roeker, Tucker 11 152 Boran, Ben 10 152 Jewison, JeanPierre 11 160 Ayers, Brady 12 170 Budach, Kyle 12 170 Marzahn, Brendan 10 195 Grams, Taylor 10 195 Schuch, Easton 10

5 Sadie Herbst F 8 6 Mackenzie Jorgenson F 10 7 Katelyn Miller D 9 9 Aly Storjohann F 8 10 Sami Meyer D 11 11 Olivia McIntosh F 11 12 Averi Dahlberg F 8 13 Abbe Hoehn F 12 15 Maddie Helms G 9 16 Sammy Strand F 11 17 Taryn Juberien F 12 18 Katie Johnson F 8 20 Cali Pederson F 8 24 Alicia Knoll D 12

N W

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NRHEG BOYS BASKETBALL CONFERENCE: Gopher Conference SECTION: 2AA COACH: Pat Churchill, 3rd year

TEAM ROSTER No. Name Pos. Grade 2 Johnny White G 12 5 Trevor Tracy G 10

10 Nic Mangskau G 12 11 Preston Peterson G 11 15 Macoy Schwierjohan G 10 20 Jarek Schendel G 11 21 Kelson Titus G 10 23 Noah Krell G 11 30 Spencer Tollefson G 10 33 Colton Hagen F 10 40 Hudson Mrotz C 10 43 Kellen Ferber F 11 45 Kevin Kalis F 10 50 Nick Goette C 11

HAVE A GREAT SEASON! “Serving Our Community For Over 114 Years”

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FDIC

103 Broadway Ave N. New Richland, MN • 507-465-3218

WASECA GYMNASTICS CONFERENCE: South Central SECTION: 2A COACH: Scott Young

TEAM ROSTER No. Name Grade 3 Jazmine Malepsy 12 5 Dallas Pederson 12 6 Deanna Tupy 12

7 Molly Zaft 12 8 Sadie Klug 11 10 Miranda DuChene 11 12 Caleigh Dennis 10 14 Madeline Swain 10 15 Marina Chen 10 17 Darian Zimmerman 10 18 Michaela Groll 9 19 Sydney O’Brien 9 20 Alexis Overholt 9 21 Kyna Hammond 9

Agro-Economics, Inc.

Good Luck Teams!

Mark Bernard, CPAg Office: 507-465-3707 Cell: 507-340-2923 Fax: 507-465-3757 121 3rd St, N.E. PO Box 188 New Richland, MN 56072 mbernardagro@gmail.com

Friday, December 7, 2012

WASECA WRESTLING CONFERENCE: South Central Conference SECTION: 1AA COACH: Zach Hall, 2nd year

TEAM ROSTER Weight Name Grade

Winter Sports Preview

PAGE 19

2012 ROSTERS

106 Noah Schmidt 8 182 James Ebertowski 11 132 Jackson Kilian 9 138 Tristan Hoy 11 145 Cesar Gallegos 10 152 Jack Milbrett 8 160 Zach Gehloff 12 182 Dylan Winegar 9 220 Jacob Claybaugh 12 285 Samuel Sierra 11

NRHEG WRESTLING

10 106 Cole Lenort 10 106 Cordell Peterson 9 CONFERENCE: Gopher 120 Gunther Olson 8 Conference 126 Dustin Burshem 12 SECTION: 2A 126 Jet Wayne 10 COACH: Paul Cyr, 27th 138 Trey Hoppe 9 year 138 Tyler Logan 11 145 Zach Edon 12 145 Hunter Schwartz 11 TEAM ROSTER 145 Matt Webster 12 Weight Name Grade 152 Nick Bartness 10 106 Matthew Butler 7 152 Jonathan Weller 9 106 Brett Kubiatowicz 7 160 Sam Jewitt 12 106 Ben Lewer 7 160 Dillon Parpart 11 106 Bryce Okland 7 160 Cody Ripka 12 106 Cole Staloch 7 170 Matt Jensen 10 113 Chad Erickson 7 170 Keith Maxon 10 113 Palmer Peterson 9 195 Todd Erickson10 132 Lucas Herrmann 9 195 Zeke Erickson 9 132 Allan Zimmerman 11 195 Joe Jensen 8 182 Brandon Hermann 12 220 Wyatt Fitterer 9 0 Brad Claycomb 12 106 Dillon Kubiatowicz

WASECA BOYS HOCKEY CONFERENCE: South Central SECTION: 1A COACH: Jim Ferch, 2nd year

TEAM ROSTER No. Name Pos. Grade 1 Alex Huebel F 10 2 Cody Platte D 10 3 JP Eykyn F 10 5 Parker Herbst F 11 6 Brett Whitehurst D 10 7 Jesse Ungs F 12

8 Michael Priebe F 10 9 Daniel Stroda F 10 10 Dakota Johnson F 10 12 Jack Paczkowski F 10 13 Michael Kunz F 12 14 Joey Helms-C F 12 15 Barry McRaith F 12 17 Jack Johnson D 10 19 Wyatt Krampitz F 10 20 Ben Johnson D 11 21 Ben Weller F 10 22 Cody Ulfers C 10 23 Dan Riha F 11 24 CJ Nordquist F 12 25 Josh Metzdorff-A F 11 31 John Janssen D 11 33 Austin Stroda G 12 34 Zac Weichert G 10

New Richland

Good Luck to All the Teams!

Care Center

~ Short Term or Long Term Skilled Nursing Care ~ Physical, Occupational, and Speech One of MN’s FIVE Star Therapy Quality Rated ~ IV Therapy Nursing ~ Tube Feedings Homes. ~ Wound Care (including wound vac) ~ Beauty Shop ~ Great Entertainment and Activities

Many other specialized services and accommodations…

312 1st St. NE, New Richland 507-465-3292 Fax: 507-465-3403 www.newrichlandcarecenter.com

• Memory Care • Assisted Living • Respite Care 113 1st St. SW, New Richland, MN 56072 507-463-3565 • www.countryneighbors.org

PAGE 20

Winter Sports Preview

Friday, December 7, 2012

We also offer quality services to our customers • Catering • Hy-Vee’s Kitchen • Bakery • Service Meat Counter • Fresh Seafood • Fresh Produce • Wine & Spirits

• Organic/Health Foods • Floral Department • Customer Service • One Hour & Next Day Kodak Photo Service • Kodak Picture Maker • Gift Cards

• Pharmacy • Pharmacy Drive Thru • Red Box • On-line Shopping • U.S. Postal Substation • Lottery Tickets • Drive-up Grocery Pickup

You’ll be pleased with yourself for choosing Hy-Vee’s catering service. We offer you only the highest quality food and services. We base our reputation on it.

Hy-Vee caters weddings, anniversaries, rehearsal dinners, birthdays, office gatherings or any other event - from elegant floral design to decadent desserts, every detail is carefully executed with your menu, location and budget limits in mind. We do it all! No matter what your budget, we will be sure to make your event a carefree success. Just let us take care of the details.

1230 N. State Street Waseca • 507-835-8030 Open 24 Hours