spring sports 2010

Lead OffB l o o m i n g P r a i r i e | m e d f o r d | n r H e g | oWaTo n n a | T r i To n

Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead FIRST

TIME INSIDE

ROSTERS FOR

ALL AREA

TEAMS

Building ProgramsKristi Hiatt and Tate Cummins were hired on the same day in 2006

and both have turned around losing programs.

Covering Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, Golf, Boys Tennis & Lacrosse

Lead Lead Lead Lead SPring SPorTS PrevieW 2010

Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, Golf, Boys Tennis & Lacrosse

MAnSKeJunior returns to the mound.

owatonna.com

PAulSonSenior eyes school record.

1

Page � Spring Sports Preview �010Spring Sports Preview �010

OWATONNA — Victoria Paulson has memorized a cou-ple of times.

First she knows that 1983 OHS grad Sarah Parks owns the 800-meter run record at Owatonna with a time of 2 minutes, 16.7 seconds.

Paulson also knows that she ran 2:16.8 when she won the 800 at the Big Nine Conference track and field meet last spring in Austin.

“Breaking that record defi-nitely means a lot to me,” Paul-son said. “To beat a record by Sarah Parks, who’s in the [Owa-tonna Athletic] hall of fame would be awesome. The record has stood for almost 30 years.”

Paulson knows it won’t be easy to take down Parks, who gradu-ated with eight school records in track and field. She worked out all winter, even running outside when the temperature hovered around 15 degrees. She also played soccer once a week.

“I ran too many miles to count,” she said. “I worked out hard this winter.”

While breaking the 800 school record remains goal No. 1, Paulson also has her eyes on

another prize. Last year, she finished third at the state meet in the 800, 1.67 seconds behind state champion Haylie Zenner of Fergus Falls. In the race that was run in a driving rain last June at Hamline Univer-sity, Paulson also finished be-hind Erin Krause of Wayzata. What’s the old saying? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Paulson and Krause met on a recruiting trip to Wisconsin during the offsea-son and both committed to the Badgers.

“We got along awesome,” Paulson said. “We stayed in touch, talked on Facebook and now we’re going to room to-gether.”

While the two are good friends, Paulson has no plans of being friendly if the two meet up again in June. The Owa-tonna senior believes she can get down to 2:13 this spring, two seconds faster than last year’s winning time by Zenner. If Paulson can win a state title, it will be the third straight year and fourth year in the last five that an Owatonna athlete won a gold medal at state. Saman-

tha Dehn (2005), Mike Shaver (2007), Amy Kubat (2008) and Casey Dehn (2008, 2009) have all worn an Owatonna uniform at the top of the podium.

Along with personal goals, Paulson, who might also run several relays and the 200, will do whatever she can to help the Huskies climb back up the Big Nine standings. The Huskies won conference titles from 2006-08 before finishing sev-enth last year. Paulson pointed to the graduation of Kubat, Beth Christensen, Aubrie Bow-ers and others from the highly successful Class of 2008 for the Huskies’ drop to seventh.

“We got hit so hard by grad-uation,” Paulson said. “It was tough last year. We can im-prove this year. We have over 100 girls out this year and we have so much young talent.”

Paulson admitted she’s even surprised to be chasing school records and state titles.

“When I look at my times, I’m amazed,” she said. “I worked so hard and to see my times go down is the greatest feeling ever.”

— Derek Sullivan

Paulson keeps her eye on the prize

Owatonna senior Victoria Paulson

A special project of the Owatonna People’s Press 135 W. Pearl St., Owatonna, MN

Publisher: Ron Ensley

Advertising Director: Debbie Ensley

Managing Editor: Jeffrey Jackson

Sports Editor: Derek Sullivan

Sports Reporter: Ian Stauffer

Account Representatives:Betty Frost, Diane Gengler,

Laurie Jensen, Ruth SatterlundAd design:

Jenine Kubista, Kelly Kubista, Sue Monson, Kerri Pohlner, Sue Schuster

Cover design: Kate Townsend-NoetCover photo: Ian Stauffer

On the cover: Owatonna softball coach Kristi Hiatt, left, and Owatonna baseball coach Tate CumminsLead Off 2010 is distributed to subscribers and readers

of the Owatonna People’s Press at no additional charge. All rights reserved. ©2010.

2

FREE, No Obligation Consultations & Second Opinions

507.332.00221575 20th St. NW Suite 202

Faribault, MN 55021

507.446.9000125 28th St NE

Owatonna, MN 55060

GrEat SMilES Start HErE

✔ Affordable fees, outstanding results✔ Children, teens & adults✔ Clear, gold or colored braces✔ No painful separators or metal bands

around the teeth

✔ No cumbersome headgear

✔ No down payment is required

✔ Flexible, interest free financing

✔ Results you’ll smile about!

KingBraces.com

4037697 King Ortho Spring Sports 2010 OPP 4.8 kp

Spring Sports Preview 2010 Page �Spring Sports Preview 2010

What happened last year?The Huskies were 7-2 in the Big Nine

triangulars, but finished seventh at the Big Nine Meet in Austin. OHS also finished fifth at the section true team meet and 13th at the Section 1AA Meet. Senior Victoria Paulson took third at the Class 2A State Meet last year in the 800-meter run.

2010 RosterSeniors

Rachel Arnott; Nicole Forster; Alyssa Ka-plan; Katie Kempton; Megan Kidd; Laura Lyons; Victoria Paulson; Karley Phelps; Christina Rozeske; Jamie Sease; Lyndsi Schwichtenberg.

JuniorsBecky Duron; Aubree Evans; Iina Lappa-lainen; Lauren Malo; Rachel Meyer; Joyce Portillo; Katarina Sak; Shaylma Salinas; Brooke Schmitz; Kenzie Schroeder Caro-line Stiles; Carly Ulrich.

SophomoresAnna Bastyr; Nikki Botten; Anna Chris-tenson; Kayla Docken; Leah Filzen; Carly Guenther; Savanna Hosler; Brittany John-son; Haylee Kremmin; Kiana Leer; Safo Ma-hamood; Jasmine Moore; Tracy Neubauer; Sami Olson; Elise O’Neill; Bailey Possehl; Shelby Randall; Lauren Schlobohm; Audrey Sexter; Heather Smith; Taylar Wickman; Ra-chel Wiebke; Eden Wilcox; Amanda Wilker; Emily Woothart; Savannah Wunderlich.

FreshmenOsbeida Aguilar; Shelby Bucher; Simone Breyer; Lara Butler; Saraha Carlson; Co-rey Dolan; Gabrilla Dosantos; Alexi Du-ruji; Neichelle Fuller; Monica Hanson; Leah Hawkins; Megan Herr; Kylin Lindholm; Katie Nosbush; Mati Oeltjenbruns; Kiara Parker; Shannon Randall; Kelsey Rohrig; Molly Russell; Santhya Salinas; Cassandra Schue; Erin Spatenka; Jillian Stout; Madelyn Thein; Vanessa VanEngelenhoven; Megan Wencl; Mallory Wright; Amanda Zuniga.

8th gradersHanna Busho; Holly Bloomenrader; Megan Damitz; Madison Eggermont; Emily Emanuelson; Kelly Fait; Angie Far-rier; Amy Filzen; Sacdia Hassan; Amanda Liedke; Shelston Lindgren; Toni Nelson; Mackenzie Peters; Haley Picha; Torii

Rethemeier; Abby Ryan; Madelyn Rysavy; Alix Schallau; Cassie Schnobrich; Kalley Schwab; Paige Stewart.

7th gradersKarin Anderson; Maline Bungum; Klesa Christian; Kathryn Dufrene; Ciera Fed-erly; Brekken Fukushima; Alicia Gonzalez; Amber Holte; Mariah Jorgensen; Alexis Kubista; Rhi Lustig; Anna Moe; Meagan Nowariak; Olivia Oland; Brianna Ong; Jas-mine Piepho; Shi Spiekermann; Hayley VanEngelenhoven; Elizabeth Wiebke.

2010 ScheduleApril 13 vs. Albert Lea, Park Center, 3 p.m.April 17 at Apple Valley Invite, 10 a.m.April 20 vs. Century, Winona, JM, 4:30 p.m.April 23-24 at Hamline Elite MeetApril 27 at Albert Lea quad, 4:30 p.m.May 4 at Winona tri, 4:30 p.m.May 11 at Section True Team (Mayo), 2:30 p.m.

May 20 at Mankato East tri, 3:30 p.m.May 28 at Big Nine Conference Meet (Rochester JM), 12:30 p.m.June 3,5 at Section Meet (Lakeville South)

Lead Off 2010Table of Contents

Feature StoriesPage 2: Owatonna’s Victoria Paulson is chasing a school recordPages 10-11: OHS coaches Tate Cummins and Kristi Hiatt have turned around losing programs in a matter of three yearsPage 20: Blooming Prairie junior pitcher Erica Manske is trying to be one of the best in the area

Owatonna Huskies: Girls track, girls golf Page 4: Baseball, softballPage 5: Boys and girls lacrosse Page 6: Boys trackPage 7: Boys golf, boys tennis

Medford TigersPage 12: Softball, track Page 14: Baseball

Blooming Prairie Awesome BlossomsPage 7: Golf Page 8: BaseballPage 9: Softball, track

NRHEG PanthersPage 12: Track Page 13: Softball, baseball, golf

Triton CobrasPage 15: Baseball, golf Page 16: Softball, track

SchedulesPage 17-18: Events calendar Page 19: State dates

2010 Owatonna Girls Golf

Huskies bring back 5 of 6What happened last year?

The Huskies pulled out of a three-way tie for fifth and took fourth place at the Big Nine Conference meet last season. One week later, OHS jumped over several teams and took eighth at the Section 1AAA Meet.

Owatonna returns five of the six play-ers from last year’s Big Nine and section lineups, including senior Taylor Nume-dahl and sophomores Claire Konold and Lauren Numedahl. Juniors Emma Konold and Libby Abbe area also back for another season.

2010 RosterLibby Abbe, jr.Brianna Brekke, jr.Claire Cink, jr.April Gwin, jr.Sophie Hill, 7thAlyssa Holcomb, so.Hailey Holland, jr.Alexandra Johnson, fr.Sara Johnson, so.Sara Jones, fr.Hailie Kallembach, so.Claire Konold, so.Emma Konold, so.Abby Krumrie, so.Whitney Kubat, so.

Maggie Noble, sr.Lauren Numedahl, so.Taylor Numedahl, sr.Amanda Slovak, so.

2010 ScheduleApril 13 vs. Faribault, 2:30 p.m.April 17 at Faribault Invite, 9 a.m.April 19 at Winona tri, 2:30 p.m.April 30 at Mayo tri, 3:30 p.m.May 4 vs. Rochester JM, Austin 2:30 p.m.May 8 Owatonna Invite, 9 a.m.May 11 at Albert Lea tri, 2:30 p.m.May 21 at Big Nine Meet, 10 a.m. (Mankato)June 1, 3 at Section Tournament (Cannon Falls)

“It’s going to be a constant competition for spots this year. Hopefully that will

help drive us lower

and lower in the scores.”

— TIM HUNST, OHS girls golf coach

Owatonna senior Taylor Numedahl

Owatonna senior Christina Rozeske

2010 Owatonna Girls Track & Field

OHS wants back on top

“Our numbers are high,

so we anticipate being able to have a lot of depth at each

event.”— ANN CHRISTENSEN,

OHS girls track and field coach

3

g o o d l u c kWe’ll help you get there.

unitedprairiebank.com 507.451.6300MEMBER FDIC • Equal Housing Lender

Good Luck Spring athletes!

Page � Spring Sports Preview 2010Spring Sports Preview 2010

Owatonna senior Tyler Smith

2010 Owatonna Baseball • Section 1AAA Champions

Huskies play for another title2009 Record: 18-12

What happened last year?The Huskies won the Section 1AAA

Tournament in a dramatic 12-inning game and made it to the Class 3A State Tourna-ment for the first time since 1988 and fin-ished sixth. Owatonna lost in the opening round at state, but bounced back to beat Hopkins in the consolation bracket.

OHS was led by seniors Kyle Melcher, Brian Sebring, Cody Johnson, Derek Rit-ter, Mitch Berg and area player of the year Neil Eddie.

2010 RosterQuinn Christenson, IF, sr.Dylan Jacobs, IF, jr.Jack Luening, P, sr.Luke Majerus, P, sr.Brett Meger, IF, jr.Paul Satterlund, OF, sr.Derek Schwab, OF, sr.Michael Schwab, OF, jr.

Mike Sebring, P, jr.Matt Simon, IF, so.Sheridan Skala, OF, sr.Tyler Smith, IF/P, sr.Dustin Starks, C, sr.Brian Wagner, P, sr.Sam Zappa, IF/P, jr.Josh Zeman, IF, jr.Brad Zimmermann, IF, sr.Nate Zimmerman, OF, jr.Travis Hilstad, IF, sr.

2010 ScheduleApril 6 vs. Faribault, 5 p.m.

April 10 at Rochester JM, 10 a.m.April 13 vs. Mankato East, 6 p.m.April 15 vs. Century (DH), 4:30 p.m.April 17 vs. New Prague, Lakeville North (OHS Tourney), 11 a.m.April 22 at Mankato West, 7 p.m.April 27 at Austin (DH), 5 p.m.April 29 at Faribault, 5 p.m.May 4 vs. Rochester JM, 5 p.m.May 6 at Mankato East, 6 p.m.May 8 vs. Mankato West, 3 p.m.May 11 vs. Albert Lea (DH), 4:30 p.m.May 14 vs. Winona (DH), 4:30 p.m.May 18 at Mayo (DH), 4:30 p.m.

“In our minds, we’re still the section champs and we know teams will be

coming at us. We feel we are in great shape to compete this year.”— TATE CUMMINS, OHS baseball coach

2010 Owatonna Softball

Owatonna junior Cailyn McCauley

OHS wants to be the real deal2009 Record: 13-11

What happened last year?Owatonna had its first winning season

since 1993 despite a terrible start of 1-5. The Huskies made a run at the Section 1AAA Tournament semifinals, but lost to Hastings and Northfield to end the season. Before the playoffs began, the Huskies won seven of their final nine regular-sea-son games.

Owatonna graduated several starting players from last season, including all-area center fielder Rachel Olson and all-area infielder Chantel Skala.

The Huskies bring back several key players from last year’s team, including junior infielders Breezy Pitan and Cailyn McCauley, senior catcher Leah Bird, and eighth-grade pitcher Lianna Pilcher.

2010 RosterLeah Bird, C, sr.Nicole Buck, C, fr.Aimee Goodew, 1B, jr.

Bria Hilstad, 2B, jr.Sam Kniefel, OF, sr.Rachel Malo, 2B, fr.Cailyn McCauley, SS, jr.Lianna Pilcher, P, 8thBreezy Pitan, 3B, jr.Keshia Reuvers, 1B, jr.Katelyn Schwab, 1B, jr.Shanna Thom, P, fr.

2010 ScheduleApril 6 at Faribault, 5 p.m.April 8 vs. Rochester JM, 5 p.m.April 13 at Mankato East, 5:30 p.m.

April 15 at Century (DH), 4:30 p.m.April 20 at Winona (DH), 4:30 p.m.April 22 vs. Mankato West, 5:30 p.m.April 27 vs. Austin (DH), 4:30 p.m.April 29 vs. Faribault, 5 p.m.May 4 at Rochester JM, 5 p.m.May 6 vs. Mankato East, 5:30 p.m.May 8 vs. Red Wing, 1 p.m.May 11 at Albert Lea (DH), 4:30 p.m.May 14 Owatonna Tournament (vs. Farm-ington, 4 p.m.; vs. Northfield, 5:45 p.m.)May 18 vs. Mayo (DH), 4:30 p.m.

“I feel like once again I can make softball all it can be at Owatonna. I want that for the girls because they

deserve it.”— KRISTI HIATT, OHS softball coach

4

Good Luck To All Area Athletes!

www.expresspros.com812 S. Elm • Owatonna, MN 55060

507-455-3002 or 1-800-832-3002 108 W. Broadway St. • Owatonna • 507-455-9391

Good Luck From The Winning Team At

salon-e-clips!


2010 Owatonna Girls Lacrosse

Owatonna junior Megan Huseby

OHS brings back everyone2009 Record: 8-8

What happened last year?Owatonna finished the regular season

with a 7-7 record before upsetting No. 8 Eagan/Rosemount in the first round of sections. It was the second year in a row Owatonna beat Eagan in the first round of the playoffs. Owatonna’s season ended two days later with a 12-8 loss to top-seeded Bloomington Kennedy in the tournament quarterfinals. The eight total wins qua-drupled OHS’s total of two from 2008.

2010 RosterSeniors

Michaela Bernard; Cassie Brooks; Megan Harty; Marley Hunt.

JuniorsVanessa Brage; Genny Caswell; Alli Gil-genbach; Megan Huseby; Nichole Kenney; Silvana Koehler; Brenna Nelson; Estafania Ortiz; Santana Osterhus; Sophie Schultz; Sam Sorvaag; Marie Sprute; Dani Sum-mer; Kelsey Weinzetl.

SophomoresLiz Berg; Brianne Bernard; Liz Emanuel; Kaylynn Gunneson; Jordan Jandt; Liz Mar-shall; Rachel Monson; Taylor Picha.

FreshmenAshley Anderson; Rebekah Brandt; Mal-lory Davidson; Emily Fichten; Amber Grunwold; Lacey Hanson; Sami Hofer; Taylor Isakson; Jamie Kiefer; Ashley Kniefel; Preslie Kubat; Kassidy Schelling; Megan Schmidt.

8th gradersTess Heyer; Payton Noble; Paige Radue; Jordyn Williams.

2010 ScheduleApril 12 at Rochester JM, 6:30 p.m.April 15 at Bloom. Jefferson, 5:15 p.m.April 17 at Visitation, 1 p.m.April 20 at Apple Valley, 5:30 p.m.April 22 vs. Mayo, 6:30 p.m.April 27 at Holy Family, 6 p.m.April 29 vs. Rochester JM, 6:30 p.m.May 1 vs. Farmington, 2 p.m.May 4 vs. Prior Lake, 6:30 p.m.May 6 vs. Shattuck-St. Mary’s, 6:30 p.m.May 11 at Mayo, 6:30 p.m.May 14 vs. Century, 6:30 p.m.May 18 at Lakeville North, 7:15 p.m.

“I expect us to take the next step. With the level of experience we have

back at key positions, we think we can be a very competitive team.”

— BILL BERNARD, OHS girls lacrosse coachOwatonna senior Ben Hanson

2010 Owatonna Boys Lacrosse

Senior core leads Huskies2009 Record: 9-7

What happened last year?Owatonna hosted and won a playoff

game for the first time in school history last season. The Huskies beat Lakeville North in the first round of the playoffs before losing to Burnsville in the section quarterfinals. OHS was leading the Blaze 2-0 early in the game, but Burnsville pulled away after that and cruised to a a 15-3 victory.

The Huskies lost 19 seniors from last year’s team, including goalie Kory Reuvers and captains Anthony Kozelka and Kyle Radtke. All three Rochester school had varsity teams for the first time last year, and Owatonna went 4-2 against those teams to win the unofficial Big Nine title.

2010 RosterCam Anderson, M, so.Levi BigEagle, A, fr.Jesse Ebeling, M, jr.Gunner Elstad, A, fr.Brian Francis, A, sr.Will Gunderson, AMitchell Hannover, M, jr.Ben Hanson, A, sr.Garrett Harty, A, fr.Logan Harvey, G, so.

Derek Helgesen, D, sr.Josh Jensen, A, jr.Bryant Juarie, A, jr.Zach Klein, M, jr.Grant Kubat, A, jr.Jordan Lamb, D, jr.Derek Meyer, A, so.Zach Miller, A, so.Hunter Oeltjenbruns, A, so.Mitchell Ost, A, so.Mike Parsons, D, so.Logan Pirkl, A, sr.Chase Radue, A, sr.Matthew Ritter, M, so.Jacob Robertson, D, jr.Jamie Rohrig, A, sr.Luke Sammon, A, so.Kyle Shaw, A, fr.Janzen Staska, D, so.Seth Stoykovich, A, so.Paul Swenson, A, jr.

Jake Tveite, A, so.Michael Urch, D, so.Nathan Valen, A, so.Dalton Wanous, A, so.Mitchell Welch, A, jr.Alex Whited, A, so.Tyler Yentsch, A, so.

2010 ScheduleApril 12 vs. Century, 6:30 p.m.April 19 vs. Farmington, 6:30 p.m.April 20 at Apple Valley, 7:15 p.m.April 22 at Mayo, 6:30 p.m.April 27 vs. Holy Family, 6:30 p.m.April 29 at Rochester JM, 6:30 p.m.May 6 at Farmington, 6:30 p.m.May 8 at Minneapolis Southwest, 6 p.m.May 10 at Prior Lake, 7 p.m.May 13 vs. Mayo, 6:30 p.m.May 17 at Century, 5:30 p.m.May 18 vs. Rochester JM, 6:30 p.m.

“Some younger players will have to step up and work together as a team.”

— SCOTT SEYKORA, OHS boys lacrosse coach

5

496 W North St, Owatonna • 444-0010 www.wellsfederal.com

Wells Federal Bank is proud to support

area athletes!

Member

FDIC


Owatonna senior Jeremy Duruji

2010 Owatonna Boys Track & Field

Duruji, Vargason return to lead OHSWhat happened last year?

Led by a pair of state titles from Casey Dehn in the shot put and discus, the Hus-kies finished fifth in the team standings at the Class 2A State Meet a year ago. Sean Wallace took second in the shot put and finished eighth in the discus. Jeremy Duruji,who is a senior this year, took ninth in the 110-meter hurdles at state.

Along with senior thrower Brian Vargason and junior thrower Jake Fenske, the Huskies are hoping to make another run at the Big Nine and state team titles.

2010 RosterSeniors

Will Ahlberg; Javier Baragas; Jacob Beyer; Austin Cox; Michael Crabtree; Jeremy Duruji; Greg Gehring; Andrew Kern; Lukas Kopper; Matt Partridge; J.C. Rogers; Brian Vargason; Matt Wagner; Xavier Herrera

JuniorsRojelio Brockberg; Justin Duruji; Moham-

ud Egal; Jake Fenske; Nate Graff; Dylan Hondl; Bryton Jorgensen; Tom Kraus; Adam Kubat; Micky Kyei; Tommy Lund-berg; Ahmed Mohmmed; Leif Peterson; Dustin Possehl; Raul Rodriguez; Ryan Saufferer; Isaac Schrantz; Sid Simon; Ty-ler Supalla; Vaughn Thada; Will VanDuzer; Justin Velzke; Collin Wencl; Jon Zuniga

SophomoresAustin Bauer; Tyler Crawford; Eddie Dit-tmer; Jeff Dufrene; Ryan Emmanuelson; Jacob Forster; Max Frasier; Lucas Hughes;

Ryan Jensen; Dillion Jones; Jacob Kearn so.; David Kraus; Cooper Krusel; Bryce Lippert; Mark Naber; Ricky Pratt; J.B. Rog-ers; Quinten Smith; Travis Thamert

Freshmen

Caleb Buck; Collin Buck; Trever Carlson; Joey Emert; Michael Evans; Mark Holz-erland; Brody Hudson; Will Kreuter; Cole Martinez; Fernando Morallas; Jonah No-eldner; Cam Peterson; Jonah Remker; Kel-lin Starch; Nick Thamert; Tucker Thiede;

Spencer Versteeg; Jacob Warehime; Ethan Wickham

2010 ScheduleMarch 27 at St. Olaf Indoor Meet, 1:30 p.m.April 3 at U of M Indoor Meet, 9 a.m.April 13 vs. Albert Lea, Park Center, 3 p.m.April 17 at Stillwater Invite, 9 a.m.April 20 at Century quad, 4:30 p.m.April 23-24 at Hamline Elite Meet, 5 p.m.April 27 at Winona quad, 4:30 p.m.April 29 at Lakeville South Invite, 4:30 p.m.May 4 at Mankato West tri, 4:30 p.m.May 8 at Rochester Mayo Invite, 9 a.m.May 11 at Section True Team (Rochester Mayo), 4 p.m. May 20 vs. Winona, Mankato East, Austin, 3:30 p.m.May 28 at Big Nine Meet (Rochester JM), 12:30 p.m.June 3,5 at Section Meet (Lakeville South)

“We feel we’ve got a shot to win the Big Nine, win the section and send a

fair number of kids to state.”

— KEVIN STELTER, OHS boys track & field coach

Owatonna senior Matt Wagner

6

2299 Austin Rd. • Owatonna • 507.451.6922www.settesportscenter.com

Experience fair prices and a friendly atmosphere.

Big enough to serve you, small enough to know your name

Wishing All Area Athletes An Outstanding Sports Season!

OwatOnna autO SaleSGood Luck To ALL AreA TeAms!Doing Business in Owatonna for 29 Years.

150 SW 18th Street, Owatonna, MN 55060

507-451-8015

Vision Real Estate1880 Austin Road

455-3656or 1-800-737-0633

www.c21street.com

Good Luck FromAll Of Us At

Century 21 Vision Real Estate


2010 Owatonna Boys Golf

Owatonna junior Jack Bostrom

OHS brings back everyoneWhat happened last year?

The Huskies finished seventh in the Big Nine Conference team standings, led by a pair of top five finishes by then-sophomores Kaden Carpenter and A.J. Lindenbaum. Carpenter took fifth and Lindenbaum came in eighth. A week later, Owatonna finished 10th at the Section 1AAA Meet.

2010 RosterJack Bostrom, jr.Noah Braget, fr.Rylee Burns, fr.Parker Butler, jr.Andrew Buzzard, fr.Bryce Cameron, so.Kaden Carpenter, jr.Kyle Dickerman, fr.Isaiah Fails, fr.Tyler Jenkins, so.Jeffrey Johnson, 8thPeter Jones, 7thJacob Kaplan, fr.Joshua Kaupa, fr.

Ben Konold, 8thAJ Lindenbaum, jr. Lane Livengood, jr.Ryan Malo, jr.Adam Meisch, fr.Mitchell Mulert, fr.Colin Piper, fr.Eric Pirkl, jr.Carson Running, jr.Adam Smith, sr. Scott Summer, jr.Eric Teaman, so.Ted Urch, 8thJake Zulk, fr.

2010 ScheduleApril 13 at Faribault, 3:30 p.m.April 27 vs. Waseca, 3 p.m.April 30 at Mayo tri, 3:30 p.m.May 1 at Ballard Invite, 11 a.m.May 6 at JM tri, 3:30 p.m.May 11 vs. West, Albert Lea, 2:30 p.m.May 18 at Century tri, 3:30 p.m.May 22 Owatonna Invite, 10 a.m.May 24 at Big Nine Conference Meet, 10 a.m. (Rochester)June 1, 3 at Section 1AAA Tournament (Hastings)

“Our goal is to improve our performance in the conference and the section tournaments this year

through hard work.”— KEITH BANGS, OHS boys golf coach

2010 Owatonna Boys Tennis

Owatonna junior Dan Borgertpoepping

Huskies hoping for more winsWhat happened last year?

Owatonna lost a lot of close matches last season and finished 4-10 overall and 4-5 in the Big Nine Conference. The Hus-kies lost in the first round of the Section 1AA Tournament.

Eric Zishka, then a sophomore, made it to the Class 2A State Tournament and went 1-1 before ending his season with a 21-3 overall record.

The Huskies lost five seniors from last year’s squad, including both members of the No. 1 doubles team that went 6-3 in the conference.

2010 RosterAlex Appel, so.Daniel Borgertpoepping, jr.Joe Dingmann, jr.Gavin Glynn, 8thSean Grubish, fr.Ty Haley, so.

Christian Schuster, so.Matt VanOmmeren, 8thRyan Wachowiak, sr.Igor Wicherek, jr.Eric Zishka, jr.

2010 ScheduleApril 6 vs. Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m.April 10 at Cretin-Derham Hall, 2 p.m.April 12 at Northfield, 4:30 p.m.April 15 vs. Austin, 4:30 p.m.April 17 vs. Mankato West, 11 a.m.

April 20 at Faribault, 4:30 p.m.April 22 vs. Rochester JM, 4:30 p.m.April 23 vs. Rochester Lourdes, 4:30 p.m.April 27 at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.April 29 vs. Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.April 30 vs. Waseca, 4:30 p.m.May 4 at Century, 4:30 p.m.May 6 vs. Winona, 4:30 p.m.May 8 at Chaska, 9 a.m.May 11 at Mayo, 4:30 p.m.May 15 at Big Nine Conference Tourna-ment (Rochester), 9 a.m.

“We played six 4-3 matches last year. If we can win some of those...our

record should be improved.”

— CURT MATEJCEK, OHS boys tennis coach

Blossoms have holes to fillWhat happened last year?

Graduated seniors Adam Wondra and Derek Resler both qualified for the Class A state tournament last year, so the Blos-soms have some big openings in the lineup. On the girls side, the Blossoms lost one key senior and a key sophomore who did not come out.

2010 RosterBoys

Dylan HatchPat JonesSoren PetersonVictor PetersonJordan Ressler

GirlsErin JohnsonJeana JohnsonKrystal Klemmensen

Anna NobleMaggie Sorensen

2010 Schedule-Boys and girls at all events unless notedApril 15 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.April 17 Blooming Prairie (b) Invite, 9 a.m.April 20 at Faribault B.A., 4:15 p.m.April 22 at Stewartville, 2 p.m.April 23 at J-W-P Invite (g), 1:30 p.m.

April 27 at USC, 4:30 p.m.April 29 at J-W-P, 4:30 p.m.April 30 at J-W-P Invite, 1:30 p.m.May 4 at Triton (g), 1:30 p.m.May 7 vs. Faribault B.A., 4:15 p.m.May 11 vs. USC, NRHEG 4:30 p.m.May 14 Gopher Conference Meet (Bloom-ing Prairie), 10 a.m.May 24 at Sub-section Meet (Hayfield)

“We want to take a crack at winning the Sub-section meet and advancing

individuals to state.”

— ERIK VIGELAND, Blossoms golf coach

2010 Blooming Prairie Boys & Girls Golf

7

COUPON

$300 Off577 State Avenue • Owatonna

507-446-8050Not valid with any other offers. Expires 6/30/2010

(Regular Price) Large Pizza

Good Luck Area Athletes

online ordering at:www.buckspizza.com


Blossoms junior Cooper Nelson

2010 Blooming Prairie Baseball

Blossoms want to go a step farther this year2009 Record: 19-6

What happened last year?The Awesome Blossoms made it to the

Section 1A Final Four, but finished their season with two disappointing losses at Mayo Field in Rochester. Blooming Prairie had just four hits in two games and lost 6-2 to Chatfield and 18-2 to Wabasha-Kellogg.

The Blossoms finished the season with a 19-6 record led by a large group of talent-ed seniors. Matt Zellmer, Austin Moe, Josh Toquam and Israel Clark were all multi-year starters and won’t be back this season.

BPHS does return several key players, including senior catcher Justen Ingvalson and junior outfielder Cooper Nelson.

2010 RosterJeffrey Doerhoefer, OF, sr.Zach Herdina, IF, sr.Luke Heuman, IF, so.Justen Ingvalson, C, sr.John Kraling, OF, so.

Aaron Krejci, IF, sr.Ryan McCabe, C, so.Cooper Nelson, OF, jr.Isiah Toquam, IF, so.Pat Trotman, IF, sr. Brad Wocelka, OF, sr.Luke Zellmer, P, so.

2010 ScheduleApril 6 at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 4:30 p.m.April 8 at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.April 10 at Byron, 2:30 p.m.April 12 at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.April 13 vs. Lyle/Pacelli, 4:30 p.m.

April 15 vs. USC, 5 p.m.April 17 at Blue Earth Area, 10 a.m.April 20 at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.April 22 vs. Hayfield, 4:30 p.m.April 24 vs. Goodhue, noonApril 26 at J-W-P, 5 p.m.April 27 at NRHEG, 5 p.m.April 29 vs. Medford, 5 p.m.May 3 at Randolph, 5 p.m.May 6 vs. W-E-M, 5 p.m.May 7 vs. Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.May 11 at USC, 5 p.m.May 13 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.May 18 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.May 20 vs. Triton, 4:30 p.m.

“Every day we have practice, we talk about being better

than the day before.”

— CHRIS STALOCH, Blossoms baseball coach

8

GOOD LUCK

4033240 Blooming Prairie Sig pageOP 4.8 kp

Blooming Prairie Blossoms

Corner of Main & Hwy 218 in Blooming Prairie507-583-4450

Come in & enjoy a taste of

THE BAKERY

345 Main St East • Blooming Prairie 507-583-4433

Tues.-Fri 6am-5pm; Sat., 6am-2pm

FRESH BAKED DAILYDonuts • Rolls • Bread • Muffi ns

Custom Decorated Cakes • Deli Meats• Cheese • Lunch

www.fmbankmn.com

Farmers & MerchantsState Bank

607 North MainAustin, MN 55912

(507) 437-3253

245 East MainBlooming Prairie, MN 55917

(507) 583-6688

Krejci Ford Inc218 Hwy N

Blooming Prairie507-583-2046

Your Service Minded Dealer

R & R Insurance Agency LLC

236 E. MainBlooming Prairie

507-583-7971Carl Peterson

Hansen

507-583-6651 • Toll Free 866-583-6651Appraisal Services

Estate • Divorce • Residential • Farmland

Real Estate Co.Harold “Bud” Hansen & Dale Hansen

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • FARMLAND • ACREAGES

344 E. Main Street • Blooming Prairie507-583-2271 • 1-866-5Dr-Chad

www.drchad.org

Blooming Prairie328 Hwy Ave S (507) 583-7837


Blooming Prairie junior Tayla Jones (top), and graduated senior Katelin Strand

Awesome Blossoms play for another trip to section finals

2009 Record: 19-7

What happened last year?The Awesome Blossoms went 8-3 in

the Gopher Conference during the regular season. In the playoffs, Blooming Prairie was the Sub-section 1A runner-up, but lost in the Section tournament and did not go to the state tournament.

The Blossoms graduated three key starters from last year’s squad. Two-time area player of the year and starting short-stop Resha Koster, first baseman Katelin Strand and third baseman Mag Fogarty are all gone.

Blooming Prairie brings back several key players, including junior pitcher Erica Man-ske, who will be the starter in the circle for the fourth season. BPHS also brings infield starters Tayla Jones and Sam Johnson and outfielder Tricia DeBoer. Senior catcher Kelly Peterson will likely split time between second base and catcher, while sophomore Hunter Henderson will fill in behind the dish.

Blooming Prairie coach Ali Mach has 93 career victories, leaving her just seven away from 100.

2010 RosterAnna Peterson, OF, sr.Kelly Peterson, IF/C, sr.Sam Johnson, IF, sr.Erica Manske, P, jr.Tayla Jones, IF, jr.Sidni Olson, IF, jr.Mariah Allard, OF, jr.Hunter Henderson, C, so.Tricia DeBoer, OF, so.Shelbi Swenson, IF, fr.

2010 ScheduleApril 8 at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.April 12 at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.April 13 at Triton, 4:30 p.m.

April 15 vs. USC, 5 p.m.April 17 at Rushford-Peterson Tourna-mentApril 22 at Southland, 4:30 p.m.April 26 at J-W-P, 5 p.m.April 27 at NRHEG, 5 p.m.April 29 vs. Medford, 5 p.m.May 3 at Randolph, 5 p.m.May 4 vs. Hayfield, 4:30 p.m.May 6 vs. W-E-M, 5 p.m.May 11 at USC, 5 p.m.May 13 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.May 15 at Hayfield Tournament, 8:30 a.m.May 18 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.

“This team is very balanced with a combination of youth and experience and all the girls will be expected to

step up and work together.”— ALI MACH, Blossoms softball coach

2010 Blooming Prairie Softball

What happened last year?None of the Awesome Blossoms ath-

letes were able to qualify for state. The Blooming Prairie girls finished sixth at the Gopher Conference meet. The BPHS girls didn’t have a senior on the roster last sea-son and bring back everyone.

2010 Girls RosterSeniors

Ashley Campbell; Darcy Skala; Jenna Paulson; Kelcie Driessen.

JuniorsAllyson Grunklee; Kristin Hagen; Marissa Noble; Rachel Klemmensen.

SophomoresCierra Coughlin; Cortney Easton; DaVyll Smith; Emmeline Soto; Katie Willaimson; Kayla Wobschall; Kierstin Wencl; Lyndsay Pryor; Melanie Grant; Rhianna Gwilt.

FreshmenHannah Sunde; Hally Vogt; Janelle Mo-rem; Jesaray Suazo; Katherine Bell; Kelli Williamson; Marissa Jensen.

8th GradersGracie Grunklee; Kendra Boecker; Russia Smith.

7th GradersAlanna Grant; Alyssa Gonzales; Cassy Witt; Daysha Zilm; Kelli Wallace; Macaela Jensen.

2010 Boys RosterSeniors

Tim Boeker; Josh Gwilt; Jeff Hagstrom; Pat Hjelmen; Robert Hofius; Dudley Smith; Rudy Vasquez.

JuniorsJake Elwood; Andrew Grant; Shawn Halla; Daniel Hansen; Anthony Kartes; Connor Robbins; Will Sherman.

SophomoresCody Doerhoefer; Adam Driessen; Alex Fiebiger; Gabe Kartes; Dayton Peterson.

FreshmenZach Ahrens; Tyler Bissell; Tyler Cozine; Jacob Schroeder; Michael Thomas.

2010 ScheduleApril 8 at Hayfield Meet, 4:30 p.m.April 13 at NRHEG Meet, 4:30 p.m.April 17 at Cannon Falls Meet, 10 a.m.April 22 at Triton Meet, 4:30 p.m.April 27 Blooming Prairie Meet, 4:30 p.m.April 29 Blossom Relays, 4:30 p.m.May 4 Blooming Prairie Meet, 4:30 p.m.May 11 at Section True Team (Rushford), 4:30 p.m.May 18 at Gopher Meet (Medford), 4:30 p.m.May 27 at Sub-sections Meet, 4:30 p.m.June 1, 3 at Section Meet (Triton), 4:30 p.m.

“This team has a great work ethic and they work hard all of the time.

If they continue to work as hard as they already have, they will be able to

accomplish their goals.”— Kari Bottin, first-year Blossoms girls track coach

2010 Blooming Prairie Track & Field

Blooming Prairie girls bring back full roster

9

Good Luckto All Area Teams!

It’s Our Business to Protect Yours ®

The FEDERATED Insurance CompaniesHome Office: 121 East Park Square • Owatonna, Minnesota 55060Phone: (507) 455-5200 • www.federatedinsurance.comEd. 12/09 Copyright 2009 • Federated Mutual Insurance Company

Spring Sports Preview 2010Spring Sports Preview 2010

10

Page �0 Page ��

OWATONNA — Tate Cummins and Kristi Hiatt have a lot in com-mon.

They both teach at Medford and got their coaching starts there, grew up in the Big Nine, were hired as Owaton-na coaches at the same school board meeting and lost a lot of games their first springs with Owatonna coaching caps on.

Cummins and Hiatt were both hired on Oct. 23, 2006 as the newest baseball and softball head coaches at Owatonna High School. They took over full-time the following spring, and Cummins led the Huskies to a 9-13 record on the baseball diamond, while Hiatt’s first team finished 7-16.

Fast forwarding to 2009, Cummins led Owatonna to its first state tour-nament since 1988. Hiatt guided the Huskies to their first winning season since 1993.

Cummins graduated from Austin High School in 1995 and coached at Rochester John Marshall from 2001-03, so he knows the Big Nine. It took Cummins only two summers to pro-duce a winning program. He went 19-8 in 2008. Owatonna started the sea-son 9-1, matching the win total from Cummins’ first season. The Huskies got within two wins of the state tourna-ment, but Owatonna just couldn’t beat

Rochester John Marshall in the post-season, losing twice to the Rockets.

One year later, the Huskies entered the postseason with an 11-9 record. Owatonna got hot at the right time and reeled off five straight wins. The Huskies entered the final night of the Section 1AAA tournament needing only to win one of two games against JM to reach their first state tournament in 21 years. The Rockets won the first game 6-0, but Owatonna outlasted JM in the nightcap, winning 3-2 in 12 in-nings.

“A lot of things lined up,” Cummins said after Owatonna scrimmaged Hay-field on March 31. “Baseball at times is a lucky game. At the same time, the guys have earned everything they have achieved. We need to continue to build on that and get better.”

Cummins had the Huskies back on top last year. For the first time since the late 1980s, Owatonna will go into a season as defending section cham-pions.

“In our minds, we’re still the sec-tion champs and we know teams will be coming at us,” Cummins said. “We feel we are in great shape to compete this year, and I think the guys feel that as well.”

Winning must feel pretty good to Cummins, who also went just 9-33

at Medford before former OHS ac-tivities director Jeff Dahline offered him an opportunity to replace Doug Wanous. While Wanous was unable to win a Big Nine or section title in his decade as head coach, he did build a solid youth program that provided the players on the Huskies’ last two teams that won a combined 37 games.

“We knew Coach Wanous did an

excellent job of building the program. We just wanted to build off of that,” Cummins said. “Our motto is contin-uos improvement. We’re trying to get better every single year.

“Owatonna’s athletic programs compete for Big Nine championships in just about every sport. It’s just a great place to compete.”

Cummins still teaches at Med-

ford. In the spring, Owatonna offers five sports for boys. The other four coaches either teach in the Owatonna school district or have in the past. To keep baseball players from being re-cruited to other sports, Cummins runs baseball camps and academies in the summer.

“We hope to keep the guys that love baseball,” Cummins said. “That’s a

Three-year TurnaroundTate Cummins and Kristi Hiatt

took over losing programs, but in three short years, both

found winning ways

OPP file photoOwatonna softball coach Kristi Hiatt, seen here during a game against Faribault in 2007, took over the Huskies program three years ago. Last year, she coached OHS to its first winning season since 1993.

good way for us to build relationships with the younger generations, get in front of them in the summer. We are involved with the youth programs. Plus we get a lot of help from people in the community, the Bullpen Club. More people other than myself work hard and do everything they can to help Owatonna baseball.”

Hiatt also has to deal with being at Medford during the day. She relies on team veterans like senior Leah Bird and junior Breezy Pitan to stay in touch with the girls inside the halls of Owatonna High School.

“It’s tough for me to not commu-nicate as well. That’s why I rely on upperclassmen. I rely on them to get the word out,” Hiatt said. “They do a good job of that. They hang posters, and do a lot of great stuff to promote the team.”

Hiatt, a 1996 Owatonna grad, added that being off campus during the day isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“There are pros and cons,” she said. “I don’t have to deal with a lot of the drama that sometimes goes on during the day.”

Like Cummins, Hiatt was already coaching at Medford when Dahline began his search for a new softball coach. Haitt was the Tigers’ volley-ball coach.

“I had a few people call me and ask if I was going to do it,” she said. “I thought about it and I didn’t know if I could do it considering I was at Medford.”

One person who called to persuade Hiatt was Owatonna wrestling coach Scot Davis, whose daughter Ashley was on the high school team. Hiatt had coached Ashley at the youth level.

“He said, ‘You should do it. You love the game so much,’” Hiatt said. “But I knew I had to talk to Medford and see if it was even doable.

“When Scot Davis called and said that I told myself I was doing it for sure.”

Hiatt tried to coach both volleyball at Medford and softball at Owatonna in 2007-08, but when she had a child, she was forced to give up volleyball.

“I love being busy. I love coaching girls and making them get better,” Hi-att said. “Doing both was fun until I had a child. I would coach all three seasons if I could, but I knew I had to not only coach, but be a mom as well. Softball was my love, so it was an easy choice.”

Turning the softball program into a winner was quite the challenge. The team hadn’t won more games than it had lost in more more than a decade. Even when Hiatt played for Owaton-na from 1994-96, OHS finished with a losing record.

“In ‘96, we had eight seniors. We were really good, but we didn’t do

anything with it,” Hiatt admitted. “That hurt me as a player that we couldn’t put it together.

“Now, I feel like once again I can make softball all it can be at Owa-tonna. I want that for the girls because they deserve it.”

After two years on the job, Owa-tonna continued to lose double-digit games. Hiatt went 14-31 her first two years as coach of her alma mater. Year three looked like it might end worse. The Huskies started the season with six straight home games, but won only once. With a third straight losing sea-son staring her in the face, Hiatt turned to a seventh-grader. Right-hander Li-anna Pilcher was called up from the junior varsity and finished with eight wins in the circle. Owatonna got hot and won 11 of its next 14 games.

“Last year, we started to jell as a team. We figured each other out, both players and coaches. They actu-ally got along well as a team,” Hiatt said. “Then, when they got a confi-dent pitcher up there, it made things a whole lot better. If your pitcher’s con-fident, suddenly the rest of the team’s confident.”

Now Hiatt and the Huskies need to prove that 2009 wasn’t a fluke. Owa-tonna brings back five regulars and welcomes three ninth-graders who have had a lot of success at the youth level. Lauren Malo will most likely play second, Nicole Buck should start at third and Shanna Thom’s bat has Hiatt looking for somewhere to put her. Thom’s normal position is in the circle, but with that spot locked up for the next five years, Hiatt needs to find

somewhere else for her to contribute. Why is Hiatt considering starting three ninth-graders?

“They have so much talent, and they all hit the ball like crazy.”

The future looks bright for Owa-tonna softball.

“They know what’s it’s like to have a winning season. They know how good it feels to win,” Hiatt said. “They know they’re good. They be-lieve in each other. Now they have to work hard and stay up there.”

It’s not just softball that has im-pressive young players. Cummins said every class from eighth grade up has great athletes and strong baseball players.

“We are very happy with the guys coming into the program,” he said. “The guys coming into the program know what we expect. The foundation is great right now.”

Cummins should know. He coaches the VFW team in the summer. The team normally gets filled by freshmen and sophomores. He uses the time in the summer to teach up-and-com-ing players the ins and outs of varsity baseball.

“It puts us ahead. We don’t take our first two weeks and re-teach ev-erything,” he said. “We come in and get a little review. Our practices are shorter because we know what’s go-ing on.”

While Owatonna broke a 21-year drought with a state tournament ap-pearance last year, Cummins has another goal in mind this year. The Huskies have never won a Big Nine title. The last time an Owatonna team won the conference was 1988 when the Indians reigned. Cummins feels that drought will end soon.

“Right now, we are very, very en-thusiastic about this year and the years to come. We feel like we are in a good position to compete every single year.”

— Derek Sullivan

OPP file photoOwatonna baseball coach Tate Cummins, seen here telling Mitch Berg to slide during a game against Albert Lea last season, led OHS to its first state tournament appearance since 1988 last season in his third year at the helm.

GOOD LUCK!To All Area Sports Teams

In The 2010 Spring Season

2525 Lemond St. SWOwatonna, MN

(507) 451-30751-35 & Hwy. 14W, next to the Wal-Mart Supercenter

A Must See! The Place To Be!Owatonna’s Rock ‘n Roll McDonalds VFW

135 Oakdale St., Owatonna507-451-1001

Good LuckArea Teams!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL AREA!

sp rtsTEAMS THIS SPRING SEASON!

OwatOnnaHeating & COOling, inC.

408 N Cedar • Owatonna • (507) 451-2051

Spring Sports Preview 2010 Spring Sports Preview 2010

11

Page �0 Page ��

OWATONNA — Tate Cummins and Kristi Hiatt have a lot in com-mon.

They both teach at Medford and got their coaching starts there, grew up in the Big Nine, were hired as Owaton-na coaches at the same school board meeting and lost a lot of games their first springs with Owatonna coaching caps on.

Cummins and Hiatt were both hired on Oct. 23, 2006 as the newest baseball and softball head coaches at Owatonna High School. They took over full-time the following spring, and Cummins led the Huskies to a 9-13 record on the baseball diamond, while Hiatt’s first team finished 7-16.

Fast forwarding to 2009, Cummins led Owatonna to its first state tour-nament since 1988. Hiatt guided the Huskies to their first winning season since 1993.

Cummins graduated from Austin High School in 1995 and coached at Rochester John Marshall from 2001-03, so he knows the Big Nine. It took Cummins only two summers to pro-duce a winning program. He went 19-8 in 2008. Owatonna started the sea-son 9-1, matching the win total from Cummins’ first season. The Huskies got within two wins of the state tourna-ment, but Owatonna just couldn’t beat

Rochester John Marshall in the post-season, losing twice to the Rockets.

One year later, the Huskies entered the postseason with an 11-9 record. Owatonna got hot at the right time and reeled off five straight wins. The Huskies entered the final night of the Section 1AAA tournament needing only to win one of two games against JM to reach their first state tournament in 21 years. The Rockets won the first game 6-0, but Owatonna outlasted JM in the nightcap, winning 3-2 in 12 in-nings.

“A lot of things lined up,” Cummins said after Owatonna scrimmaged Hay-field on March 31. “Baseball at times is a lucky game. At the same time, the guys have earned everything they have achieved. We need to continue to build on that and get better.”

Cummins had the Huskies back on top last year. For the first time since the late 1980s, Owatonna will go into a season as defending section cham-pions.

“In our minds, we’re still the sec-tion champs and we know teams will be coming at us,” Cummins said. “We feel we are in great shape to compete this year, and I think the guys feel that as well.”

Winning must feel pretty good to Cummins, who also went just 9-33

at Medford before former OHS ac-tivities director Jeff Dahline offered him an opportunity to replace Doug Wanous. While Wanous was unable to win a Big Nine or section title in his decade as head coach, he did build a solid youth program that provided the players on the Huskies’ last two teams that won a combined 37 games.

“We knew Coach Wanous did an

excellent job of building the program. We just wanted to build off of that,” Cummins said. “Our motto is contin-uos improvement. We’re trying to get better every single year.

“Owatonna’s athletic programs compete for Big Nine championships in just about every sport. It’s just a great place to compete.”

Cummins still teaches at Med-

ford. In the spring, Owatonna offers five sports for boys. The other four coaches either teach in the Owatonna school district or have in the past. To keep baseball players from being re-cruited to other sports, Cummins runs baseball camps and academies in the summer.

“We hope to keep the guys that love baseball,” Cummins said. “That’s a

Three-year TurnaroundTate Cummins and Kristi Hiatt

took over losing programs, but in three short years, both

found winning ways

OPP file photoOwatonna softball coach Kristi Hiatt, seen here during a game against Faribault in 2007, took over the Huskies program three years ago. Last year, she coached OHS to its first winning season since 1993.

good way for us to build relationships with the younger generations, get in front of them in the summer. We are involved with the youth programs. Plus we get a lot of help from people in the community, the Bullpen Club. More people other than myself work hard and do everything they can to help Owatonna baseball.”

Hiatt also has to deal with being at Medford during the day. She relies on team veterans like senior Leah Bird and junior Breezy Pitan to stay in touch with the girls inside the halls of Owatonna High School.

“It’s tough for me to not commu-nicate as well. That’s why I rely on upperclassmen. I rely on them to get the word out,” Hiatt said. “They do a good job of that. They hang posters, and do a lot of great stuff to promote the team.”

Hiatt, a 1996 Owatonna grad, added that being off campus during the day isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“There are pros and cons,” she said. “I don’t have to deal with a lot of the drama that sometimes goes on during the day.”

Like Cummins, Hiatt was already coaching at Medford when Dahline began his search for a new softball coach. Haitt was the Tigers’ volley-ball coach.

“I had a few people call me and ask if I was going to do it,” she said. “I thought about it and I didn’t know if I could do it considering I was at Medford.”

One person who called to persuade Hiatt was Owatonna wrestling coach Scot Davis, whose daughter Ashley was on the high school team. Hiatt had coached Ashley at the youth level.

“He said, ‘You should do it. You love the game so much,’” Hiatt said. “But I knew I had to talk to Medford and see if it was even doable.

“When Scot Davis called and said that I told myself I was doing it for sure.”

Hiatt tried to coach both volleyball at Medford and softball at Owatonna in 2007-08, but when she had a child, she was forced to give up volleyball.

“I love being busy. I love coaching girls and making them get better,” Hi-att said. “Doing both was fun until I had a child. I would coach all three seasons if I could, but I knew I had to not only coach, but be a mom as well. Softball was my love, so it was an easy choice.”

Turning the softball program into a winner was quite the challenge. The team hadn’t won more games than it had lost in more more than a decade. Even when Hiatt played for Owaton-na from 1994-96, OHS finished with a losing record.

“In ‘96, we had eight seniors. We were really good, but we didn’t do

anything with it,” Hiatt admitted. “That hurt me as a player that we couldn’t put it together.

“Now, I feel like once again I can make softball all it can be at Owa-tonna. I want that for the girls because they deserve it.”

After two years on the job, Owa-tonna continued to lose double-digit games. Hiatt went 14-31 her first two years as coach of her alma mater. Year three looked like it might end worse. The Huskies started the season with six straight home games, but won only once. With a third straight losing sea-son staring her in the face, Hiatt turned to a seventh-grader. Right-hander Li-anna Pilcher was called up from the junior varsity and finished with eight wins in the circle. Owatonna got hot and won 11 of its next 14 games.

“Last year, we started to jell as a team. We figured each other out, both players and coaches. They actu-ally got along well as a team,” Hiatt said. “Then, when they got a confi-dent pitcher up there, it made things a whole lot better. If your pitcher’s con-fident, suddenly the rest of the team’s confident.”

Now Hiatt and the Huskies need to prove that 2009 wasn’t a fluke. Owa-tonna brings back five regulars and welcomes three ninth-graders who have had a lot of success at the youth level. Lauren Malo will most likely play second, Nicole Buck should start at third and Shanna Thom’s bat has Hiatt looking for somewhere to put her. Thom’s normal position is in the circle, but with that spot locked up for the next five years, Hiatt needs to find

somewhere else for her to contribute. Why is Hiatt considering starting three ninth-graders?

“They have so much talent, and they all hit the ball like crazy.”

The future looks bright for Owa-tonna softball.

“They know what’s it’s like to have a winning season. They know how good it feels to win,” Hiatt said. “They know they’re good. They be-lieve in each other. Now they have to work hard and stay up there.”

It’s not just softball that has im-pressive young players. Cummins said every class from eighth grade up has great athletes and strong baseball players.

“We are very happy with the guys coming into the program,” he said. “The guys coming into the program know what we expect. The foundation is great right now.”

Cummins should know. He coaches the VFW team in the summer. The team normally gets filled by freshmen and sophomores. He uses the time in the summer to teach up-and-com-ing players the ins and outs of varsity baseball.

“It puts us ahead. We don’t take our first two weeks and re-teach ev-erything,” he said. “We come in and get a little review. Our practices are shorter because we know what’s go-ing on.”

While Owatonna broke a 21-year drought with a state tournament ap-pearance last year, Cummins has another goal in mind this year. The Huskies have never won a Big Nine title. The last time an Owatonna team won the conference was 1988 when the Indians reigned. Cummins feels that drought will end soon.

“Right now, we are very, very en-thusiastic about this year and the years to come. We feel like we are in a good position to compete every single year.”

— Derek Sullivan

OPP file photoOwatonna baseball coach Tate Cummins, seen here telling Mitch Berg to slide during a game against Albert Lea last season, led OHS to its first state tournament appearance since 1988 last season in his third year at the helm.

GOOD LUCK!To All Area Sports Teams

In The 2010 Spring Season

2525 Lemond St. SWOwatonna, MN

(507) 451-30751-35 & Hwy. 14W, next to the Wal-Mart Supercenter

A Must See! The Place To Be!Owatonna’s Rock ‘n Roll McDonalds VFW

135 Oakdale St., Owatonna507-451-1001

Good LuckArea Teams!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL AREA!

sp rtsTEAMS THIS SPRING SEASON!

OwatOnnaHeating & COOling, inC.

408 N Cedar • Owatonna • (507) 451-2051


Flores twins return for final seasonWhat happened last year?

Thomas Schroht took second in the shot put at the Class A State Tournament to highlight a successful season for the Tigers. Schroht broke his own school record several times throughout the sea-son before the state tournament. Schroht graduated last year, and the Tigers have some holes to fill in their lineup.

On the girls side, no one graduated from last year’s team. Senior twin sisters Adriana and Alejandra Flores have been Medford’s best athletes in cross country and track for the last four years. Both will be competeing for their final trip to the state meet this spring.

2010 RosterBoys

SeniorsReid Balzer; Justin Hellevik; Kyle Lafky.

JuniorsCody Arrizola; Grant Fitzgerald; Justin Turner.

SophomoresElijah Chapple; Dan Larson; Zach Lawson; Brad Maas; Curt Maas; Austin Parrish; Josh Perrizo; Lee Obernolte; Chris Reiter.

FreshmenHunter Beckstrom; Bryce Elmhorst; Geof-frey Fitzgerald; Joe Haak; Brandon Han-son; Torrey Hunt; Brady Rogotzke; Alex Spinler; Jon Wagaman.

8th gradersConnor Chapple; Chase Hanson; Mi-chael Homblad; Tyler Keller; Angel Lo-pez; Adam Manderfeld; Luke VanZuilen; Ryan Von Ende.

7th gradersJacob Hellevik.

GirlsSeniors

Adriana Flores; Alejandra Flores.Sophomores

Isabell Archibald; Ashley Janousek; Cait-lin Wilson; Megan Klapperich; Lauren Larson; Samantha Lester.

FreshmenAndrea Gerlach; Megan Geyer; Alyssa Luebbe; Kori Noble; Katherine Oakland; Sara Thofson.

8th gradersAllie Keilen; Sam Larson; Ellyn Luebbe; Sa-mantha Plotz; Maricruz Soto; Kendra Yule.

7th gradersHolly Vohs.

2010 ScheduleApril 6 at NRHEG Meet, 4:30 p.m.April 15 at Triton Meet, 4:30 p.m.April 17 at Montgomery-Lonsdale MeetApril 20 at P-E-M Invite (Plainview), 4:30 p.m.April 22 at Triton Meet, 4:30 p.m.April 27 Medford Invite, 4:30 p.m.May 4 at Blooming Prairie Invite, 4:30 p.m.May 6 at Byron Invite, 4:30 p.m.May 11 at Section True Team (Rushford), 3 p.m.May 13 Medford Invite, 4:30 p.m.May 18 Gopher Conference Meet (Med-ford), 4:30 p.m.May 25 Sub-section Meet (Medford), 4:30 p.m.June 1, 3 at Section Meet (Triton), 4:30 p.m.

“My goal, as always, is to send as many athletes as possible to the section and state meet.”

— KEVIN WERK, Medford track and field coach

2010 Medford Track & Field

Tigers bring back 5 starters

What happened last year?The Tigers started the season with 15

straight losses before ending a five-year losing streak with a win. A few weeks later, Medford won a playoff game for the first time, beating Lyle/Pacelli in the Sub-section 1A West tournament. Med-ford only graduated one player from last season’s team.

2010 RosterAlicia Ahlf, IF, so.Kasey Grunwald, P, jr.Emma Hellevik, C, jr.Jodi Holmquist, IF, sr.Sierra Krause, IF, jr.Krista Krogh, IF, so.

Chelsea Morgan, OF, jr.Nicole Morgan, IF, fr.Marissa Morris, OF, sr.Gillian Needham, OF, jr.Alex Noble, IF, sr.Amanda Prondzinski, IF, sr.

2010 ScheduleApril 12 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.April 15 vs. Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.April 19 at Randolph, 5 p.m.April 22 vs. W-E-M, 5 p.m.April 23 vs. Triton, 4:30 p.m.April 26 vs. Loyola, 5 p.m.April 29 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.April 30 vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo, 5 p.m.May 4 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.May 6 at USC, 5 p.m.May 8 at Faribault B.A. Tournament, 10 a.m.May 10 at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.May 11 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.May 13 at W-E-M, 5 p.m.May 17 at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.

“We need to continue to build from last year and focus on not letting

errors bring the team down.”— JULIE LANGENFELD, Medford softball coach

2010 Medford Softball

Medford junior Kasey

Grunwald

State qualifiers lead PanthersWhat happened last year?

The NRHEG girls track and field team sent two athletes to the Class A State Meet. Now-graduated senior Heather Schmit took 14th in the long jump, while current junior Alyssa Kerkhoff finished 18th in the 200-meter dash. Kerkhoff is back this sea-son to lead a deep Panthers team.

On the boys side, current senior David Lindell finished 14th at state in the discus with a throw of 108-8. The Panthers lost several key athletes, including 100-meter dash school record-holder Keith Billing.

2010 RosterBoys

SeniorsAndy Kampen; Kevin Klocek; David Lin-dell; Josh Schroeder.

JuniorsKyle BayerKohler; Brian Billing; Tyler Crabtree; Evan Ferber; Nate Lutgens; Chandler Muff; Travis Ripka; Tony Wa-cholz; Matt Young.

SophomoresTyler Holtz; Geoff Ramaker; Ryan Schlaak.

FreshmenHans Frank; Nathan Wallin.

8th gradersRoss Chester; Raece Johnson; Brandon Reese; TJ Schiltz.

7th gradersTodd Erickson; Kyle Holz; Kevin Kalis; Keith Maxon.

GirlsSeniors

Alex Hale; Jenny Seath.Juniors

Jill Kalis; Alyssa Kerkhoff; Kaylee Maxon; Alearah Neumann; Amber Schmit; Tatum Wacholz.

SophomoresEmily Habeck; Samanta Hogstad; Jennika Jongbloedt; Danielle Krueger.

FreshmenPaige Bolduan; Katie Cole; Abby Crabtree;

Ashley Garretson; Emmy Hobbs; Hannah Lewison; Mikayla Lindell; Destinee Meyer; Railinn Schue; Lindsey Schulz; Jamie Ul-rich.

8th gradersSamantha Kohnert; Paige Overgaard; Laura Ranniger; Carlie Wagner.

7th gradersMegan Conely; Melissa Malakowsky; Shantaya Olson; Jade Peterson; Sarah Rieke; Shanna Stencel.

2010 ScheduleApril 3 at USC Invite, 9 a.m.April 6 NRHEG Invite, 4:30 p.m.April 13 NRHEG Invite, 4:30 p.m.April 16 at Waseca Meet, 4:30 p.m.April 20 at USC Meet, 4:30 p.m.April 27 at Blooming Prairie Meet, 4:30 p.m.April 29 at Awesome Blossom Relays, 4:30 p.m.April 30 at Blue Earth Meet, 4:30 p.m.May 4 at USC Meet, 4:30 p.m.May 11 at Section True Team (Maple River), 4 p.m.May 18 at Gopher Conference Meet (Med-ford), 4:30 p.m.May 22 at Fairmont Meet, 4:30 p.m.May 27 at Sub-section Meet (Maple River), 4:30 p.m.June 5 at Section Meet (Mankato West), 10 a.m.

2010 NRHEG Track & Field

NRHEG sophomore

Danielle Krueger

12

4037503 Hursh Spring Sports Preview 2010 OPP 4.8 kp

Hursh MotorsHursh Motors

Web Site: www.hurshmotors.com

195 SE 18th St., Owatonna, MNPhone: 451-6934 or 1-800-433-2618 • Fax: 507-451-8115

MONDAY-FRIDAY 8-6 • SATURDAY 8-4Cadillac • Buick • Pontiac • Chevy

Dare to DreamThe Car you’ve always dreamed about is now within your reach.

Come to Hursh Motors and see how!Check out our great selection of NEW & USED vehicles!

Service • Selection • Price • Quality

We wish all of the area athletes BEST OF LUCK in the spring sports season!


2010 NRHEG Softball

NRHEG senior Mariah Robran

Panthers look to be aggressiveWhat happened last year?

NRHEG won just three games and bowed out of the playoffs in the first round. Head coach Grant Berg is out and new coach Wendy Schultz is back at the helm after an earlier 11-year run as coach.

The Panthers bring back six starters from last year, including five seniors (Alyssa Hagen, Kate Quam, Jady Beenken, Lyndsay Carlson and Mariah Robran). Eighth-grader Jade Schultz is back to handle the pitching duties.

2010 RosterJady Beenken, IF, sr.Lyndsay Carlson, IF, sr.Kristina Cole, IF/U, jr.Betsy Donovan, OF, sr.Vicki Enzenauer, IF, sr.Alyssa Hagen, IF, sr.Brandi Hagen, IF, sr.Emily Light, OF/U, jr.Shelby Mogenson, C, jr.

Kacie Phillips, IF/U, jr.Kate Quam, P, sr.Mariah Robran, IF, sr.Jade Schultz, P, 8thTara Simon, OF, fr.

2010 ScheduleApril 6 vs. Blue Earth, 5 p.m.April 12 at Randolph, 5 p.m.April 13 vs. Waseca, 5 p.m.April 17 NRHEG Tournament, 9 a.m.April 19 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.April 22 at Maple River, 5 p.m.

April 26 at USC, 5 p.m.April 27 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.April 29 vs. W-E-M, 5 p.m.May 3 at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.May 4 at Medford, 5 p.m.May 6 vs. Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.May 11 at J-W-P, 5 p.m.May 13 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.May 17 vs. USC, 5 p.m.May 18 vs. Kasson-Mantorville, 5 p.m.May 20 vs. Glenville-Emmons, 5 p.m.

“Small ball is a must. We need to be able to incorporate bunting along with our hitting. We want to be aggressive

both offensively and defensively.” — WENDY SCHULTZ, NRHEG softball coach

Reese fields young teamWhat happened last year?

The Panthers won 10 games and lost in the first round of the playoffs. Most of that team is gone now, and Jeff Reese could be looking at a tough season in his 33rd year at NRHEG.

The Panthers do bring back several key seniors, including pitcher/infield Brett Ha-gen. He had three of NRHEG’s wins on the mound and posted a 1.46 ERA. He also hit .328 at the plate.

2010 RosterTrevor Arnold, OF, sr.Brett Hagen, P, sr.Mitch Akemann, P, so.Randy Raatz, IF, sr.Jared Reyant, IF, so.Gene Lynne, OF, sr.Taran Waalkens, 2B, sr.Matt Tomsche, IF, sr.Tyrel Lson, OF, sr.

Cody Kraay, P, jr.Chad Schlaak, OF, jr.

2010 ScheduleApril 5 vs. Eden Valley-Watkins (Metro-dome), 8 a.m.April 6 at Blue Earth Area, 5 p.m.April 12 at Randolph, 5 p.m.April 17 NRHEG Tournament, 9 a.m.April 19 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.April 22 vs. Maple River, 5 p.m.April 23 at Waseca, 5 p.m.

April 26 at USC, 5 p.m.April 27 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.April 29 vs. W-E-M, 5 p.m.May 3 at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.May 4 at Medford, 5 p.m.May 6 vs. Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.May 11 at J-W-P, 5 p.m.May 13 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.May 14 vs. Albert Lea, 6:30 p.m.May 17 vs. USC, 5 p.m.May 21 at Lake Crystal/WM, 5 p.m.

“We lack some (pitching) depth, which will show if we get the usual rainouts

and the games start to pile up.”— JEFF REESE, NRHEG baseball coach

2010 NRHEG Baseball

Panther boys bring back 4 starters, girls must rebuild

What happened last year?The NRHEG boys team won the Gopher

Conference and went 19-7 on the season. They finished fifth at the Sub-section 2AA East Tournament. The Panthers bring back four starters from that team, including se-niors Seth Hansen and Dalen Ferber.

The Panther girls went 9-8 a season ago and took third at the Gopher Confer-ence Meet. NRHEG lost four of their top players to graduation, so they Panthers will have some rebuilding to do.

2010 RosterBoys

SeniorsDalen Ferber; Seth Hansen; Dillon Hanson.

JuniorsBret Fisher; Matt Nafe; Aaron Patraw; Cody Root; Burch Smith; Anthony Svo-boda; Jonathon Walstrom.

SophomoresLevi Arnold; Pete Blowers; Sam Grothem; Spenser Hanna; Kyle Wallerich.

FreshmenBrendon Arnold; Kirby Butler; Matt Davis; Zach Eden; Brandon Herman; Colton Ryg; Kyle Schlaak; Maverick Waltz.

GirlsSeniors

Emily DavisJuniors

Abbey Holland; Hannah Moe.Sophomores

Michaela Hansen; Betsy Johannsen; Hai-ley Johnson; Jill Theuer; Lexi Wayne.

FreshmenBrinna Bergland; Liz Eder; Brenna Hagen; Maddy Reed; Maddy Schwierjohann.

2010 ScheduleApril 13 at USC, 4:30 p.m.April 15 vs. Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.April 17 at Blooming Prairie Tournament (b), 9 a.m.April 19 at Maple River, 4:30 p.m.April 20 at Triton (b), 4:30 p.m.April 22 at Fairbault B.A., 4:30 p.m.April 26 at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.April 27 vs. J-W-P, 4:30 p.m.April 29 vs. USC, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at J-W-P, 3 p.m..May 4 at Triton Invite, 1:30 p.m.May 6 vs. Faribault B.A., 4:30 p.m.May 11 at Blooming Prairie tri, 4:30 p.m.May 14 at Gopher Conference Meet (Blooming Prairie), 4:30 p.m.May 17 vs. Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.May 20 vs. Maple River, 4:30 p.m.May 25 at Sub-sections (Dodge Center)June 4 at Sections (Belle Plaine)

2010 NRHEG Boys & Girls Golf

13

123 West Broadway, Owatonna 507-451-7888

www.intouchpt.com

“In Touch Physical Therapy kept me in the game last year after a shoulder injury. With their help I was able to continue playing hockey and didn’t miss any games.” –Erik Johnson

We Can Keep You in the Game!

4037534 In Touch sports OPP 4.8 kp


2010 Medford Baseball

Several key Medford ballplayers return

Triton senior Alyson Eipers

Medford senior Cole Kavitz

What happened last year?Dennis Whitman took over the Medford

baseball program last spring, a month after he led the Tigers wrestling to a third-place finish at the Class A State Meet.

Due to several rainouts, Medford played only 14 games. The Tigers won only three games, defeating Lyle-Pacelli (14-7), J-W-P (13-3) and Faribault Academies (6-4).

Goodhue defeated the Tigers 13-2 in the Sub-section 1A West Tournament. In the loss, Medford had only three hits to go with seven errors. Jake Full, Nolan Green and Zach Keller got hits. Kyle Clevenger took the loss, allowing 11 hits. Clevenger, Green and Keller are all back this year.

In fact, Medford has starters return-ing at all four infield positions, including

seniors Brad Keller (SS), Zach Keller (2B) and Nolan Green (1B). Clevenger, a junior third-baseman and pitcher is back for his third year on varsity.

Senior Bryant Gengler missed more than half of last season after breaking his collarbone, an injury that even kept him out for the beginning of the football season in the fall. He’s healthy and ready for his se-nior year.

2010 RosterDerek Butterfield, OF, fr.Kyle Clevenger, P, jr.Kade Cronin, IF, fr.Bryant Gengler, C, sr.Nolan Green, 1B, sr.Jacob Holm, P, jr.Cole Kavitz, OF, sr.Andrew Keller, C, so. Brad Keller, SS, sr.

Zach Keller, 2B, sr.Adam Nelson, OF, jr.

2010 ScheduleApril 12 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.April 13 at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.April 15 vs. Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.April 19 at Randolph, 5 p.m.April 22 vs. W-E-M, 5 p.m.April 24 at Lyle/Pacelli TournamentApril 26 vs. Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.April 29 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.May 4 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.May 6 at USC, 5 p.m.May 10 at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.May 11 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.May 13 at W-E-M, 5 p.m.May 15 Medford Tournament, 10 a.m.May 17 at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.May 20 vs. LeCenter/Cleveland, 5 p.m.May 25 at Lyle/Pacelli, 5 p.m.

“We should be pretty set in the infield.We’ve got a good core of kids, four or

five guys, coming back.”

— DENNIS WHITMAN, Medford baseball coach

The Tigers hope

experience will lead to

more wins this spring

14

GOOD LUCK

4033239 Medford Sig pageOP 4.8 kp

Medford Tigers

WHERE DREAMSBECOME REALITY

115 First Street NE, Medford451-2122www.americanafi nancial.com

GOOD LUCKTIGERS!

TheMedford Teachers

PRECISION AUTO BODY(507) 455-3991

108 5th Ave. SE • Medford

“OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE”

Good Luck Medford!From The

Medford Board of Education

& Administration

Good Luck Tigers!


2010 Triton Baseball

Triton senior right-hander Brett Henslin

Triton looks for more armsWhat happened last year?

The Cobras finished last season with a 12-8 record. Triton defeated Byron (8-6) and Zumbrota-Mazeppa (3-1) in the postseason. Rochester Lourdes ended the Cobras’ season with 12-3 victory in the Sub-section 1AA West Tournament. The two wins were a lot better showing than 2008, when the Cobras went 0-2. In 2007, Triton won the section title.

Senior Damon Andrews and sophomore Logan Spitzack made the all-area team. An-drews graduated and now plays football at UND. Spitzack led the Cobras with five wins and 1.85 ERA. He struck out 59 batters in 49 innings. At the plate he hit .431 with six extra-base hits. He was voted team MVP.

2010 Roster

Brandon Stebbins, IF, jr. Blake Roussel, IF, jr.Ethan Kruger, IF, sr.Sam Wilmes, IF, sr.

Jordon Johnson, OF, jr.Brett Henslin, IF, sr.Eric Benson, OF, sr.Kyle Thaden, C, jr.Justin Gartner IF, jr.Logan Spitzack, IF, jr.Logan Erdmann, OF, sr.Zach Fischenich, OF, jr.Conner Breitbarth, IF, sr.Jason Jensen, OF, sr.

2010 ScheduleApril 6 vs. Pine Island (DH), 4:15 p.m.

April 9 vs. Winona Cotter, 5 p.m.April 13 vs. Cannon Falls (DH), 4:15 p.m.April 16 at Kasson-Mantorville, 5 p.m.April 20 at Goodhue (DH), 4:15 p.m.April 27 vs. Lake City (DH), 4:15 p.m.May 3 vs. Rochester Lourdes, 5 p.m.May 4 at Hayfield, 5 p.m.May 6 at Kenyon-Wanamingo (DH), 3:45 p.m.May 10 at Zumbrota-Mazeppa (DH), 4:15 p.m.May 18 at Stewartville, 5 p.m.May 21 vs. Byron, 5 p.m.

“We have a lot of open spots. We’ll see what happens, who is ready

to help us out.” — MIKE ELLINGSON, Triton baseball coach

2010 Triton Boys & Girls Golf

“We want to play our best at the end of the year and see how many we can qualify for sections again and see if

we can get a couple to state.” — DON HENDERSON, Triton golf coach

What happened last year?The Cobras had three boys and four

girls qualify for sections, but none ad-vanced to the Class AA State Tournament.

Getting golfers to state this year could be even more difficult as Mankato East, Fairmont and Waseca move into Triton’s section, which already includes perennial power Rochester Lourdes.

The Cobras do have large and experi-enced rosters on both the boys and girls teams. The only major graduation loss was Tito Thiemann off the boys team.

2010 Boys Roster

Adam Anderson, sophAlex Finne, 7thAndre Joyce, soph.Ayrton Henderson, fr.Blake Randall, fr.Davis Cieslinski, 8thDylan Timmerman, soph.Evan Schaffer, fr.Garet Kubat, soph.Garrett Schaefer, sr.Jacob Sikel, 7thJake Wobbrock, fr.Jonathan Keller, fr.Luke Roussel, fr.

Matt Kramer, 8thPreston Pflaum, 7thRyan Peterson, fr.Tanner Murphy, fr.Thor Wirth, 8thTom Wojtowicz, sr. Trent Maloney, 7th

2010 Girls RosterAbigail Lilledahl, fr.Amber Miosi, fr.Devin Paige-Thomas, fr.Heather Timm, fr.Jessica Paulson, fr.Kayla Myers, soph.Kaylee Corey, sr.Lacy Koss, jr.Mercedeys Lamoree, jr.

Miranda DeBus, fr.Paige Johnson, fr.Rachel Welsh, soph.Shania Wojtowicz, 8thStephanie Schaub, fr.

2010 Boys ScheduleApril 16 at Shattuck Invite, 9:30 a.m.April 29 at Stewartville tri, 3 p.m.May 6 at Cannon Falls tri, 3 p.m.May 14 Triton tri, 3 p.m.May 20 at HVL Meet (Cannon Falls), 9 a.m.

2010 Girls ScheduleApril 29 at Stewartville tri, 3 p.m.May 6 at Cannon Falls tri, 3 p.m.May 14 Triton tri, 3 p.m.May 20 HVL Meet (Cannon Falls), 9 a.m.

Cobras want to peak late

15

#1 INTIRES

451-3084Toll Free 1-800-446-3084

Good Luck Area Athletes!From your friends at

Harland’s Tire & Auto Center

M-F 7:00 am-5:30 pm Sat. 7 am-noon

Your Champion Team For Over 58 Years

website: Harlandstire.comemail: Harlandstire@qwestoffi ce.net

Toll Free 1-800-446-3084

211 W. Main, Owatonna


EVENTS April 8Baseball

Blooming Prairie at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.Softball

Rochester JM at Owatonna, 5 p.m.Blooming Prairie at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.Triton at Byron, 5 p.m.

Track and fieldBlooming Prairie at Hayfield Meet, 4:30 p.m.

April 9Baseball

Winona Cotter at Triton, 5 p.m.

April 10Baseball

Owatonna at Rochester JM, 10 a.m.Blooming Prairie at Byron, 2:30 p.m.

Boys tennisOwatonna at Cretin-Derham Hall, 2 p.m.

April 12Baseball

Blooming Prairie at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.J-W-P at Medford, 5 p.m.NRHEG at Randolph, 5 p.m.

SoftballBlooming Prairie at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.J-W-P at Medford, 5 p.m.NRHEG at Randolph, 5 p.m.

Boys lacrosseCentury at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

Girls lacrosseOwatonna at Rochester JM, 6:30 p.m.

Boys tennisOwatonna at Northfield, 4:30 p.m.

April 13Baseball

Mankato East at Owatonna, 6 p.m.Lyle/Pacelli at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.Medford at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.Cannon Falls at Triton (DH), 4:15 p.m.

GolfOwatonna (b) at Faribault, 3:30 p.m.Faribault at Owatonna (g), 2:30 p.m.

SoftballOwatonna at Mankato East, 5:30 p.m.Blooming Prairie at Triton, 4:30 p.m.Waseca at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Track and fieldAlbert Lea, Park Center at OHS (b/g), 3 p.m.Blooming Prairie at NRHEG Meet, 4:30 p.m.Triton at Stewartville Invite, 4:30 p.m.

April 15Baseball

Century at Owatonna (DH), 4:30 p.m.USC at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.Faribault B.A. at Medford, 5 p.m.

Girls lacrosseOHS at Bloomington Jefferson, 5:15 p.m.

SoftballOwatonna at Century (DH), 4:30 p.m.USC at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.Faribault B.A. at Medford, 5 p.m.Pine Island at Triton, 5 p.m.

Boys tennisAustin at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

GolfBlooming Prairie (b/g) at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.

Track and fieldMedford at Triton invite, 4:30 p.m.

April 16Baseball

Triton at Kasson-Mantorville, 5 p.m.

Track and fieldNRHEG at Waseca Invite, 4:30 p.m.

April 17Baseball

Owatonna vs. New PragueOwatonna vs. Lakeville NorthBlooming Prairie at Blue Earth Area, 10 a.m.NRHEG Tournament, 9 a.m.

GolfBlooming Prairie (b) invite, 9 a.m.Owatonna (g) at Faribault Invite, 9 a.m.

SoftballBlooming Prairie at Rushford Tourna-mentNRHEG Tournament, 9 a.m.Triton at J-W-P Tournament, 11 a.m.

Girls lacrosseOwatonna at Visitation, 1 p.m.

Boys tennisMankato West at Owatonna, 11 a.m.

Track and fieldOwatonna (b) at Stillwater Invite, 9 a.m.Owatonna (g) at Apple Valley Invite, 10 a.m.Blooming Prairie at Cannon Falls Meet, 10 a.m.Medford at Montgomery-Lonsdale Red-bird Invite

April 19Baseball

Medford at Randolph, 5 p.m.J-W-P at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

GolfOwatonna (g) at Winona tri, 2:30 p.m.

Boys lacrosseFarmington at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

SoftballMedford at Randolph, 5 p.m.J-W-P at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

April 20Baseball

Blooming Prairie at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m.Triton at Goodhue (DH), 4:15 p.m.

GolfBlooming Prairie (b/g) at Faribault B.A., 4:15 p.m.

Boys lacrosseOwatonna at Apple Valley, 7:15 p.m.

Girls lacrosseOwatonna at Apple Valley, 5:30 p.m.

SoftballOwatonna at Winona (DH), 4:30 p.m.Rochester Lourdes at Triton, 5 p.m.

Boys tennisOwatonna at Faribault, 4:30 p.m.

Track and fieldOwatonna (b) at Century quad, 4:30 p.m.Owatonna (g) home quad, 4:30 p.m.Medford at P-E-M Invite, 4:30 p.m.Triton at Stewartville Invite, 4:30 p.m.NRHEG at USC Invite, 4:30 p.m.

April 22Baseball

Owatonna at Mankato West, 7 p.m.Hayfield at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.W-E-M at Medford, 5 p.m.Maple River at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

GolfBlooming Prairie (b) at Stewartville, 2 p.m.

Boys lacrosseOwatonna at Mayo, 6:30 p.m.

Girls lacrosseMayo at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

SoftballMankato West at Owatonna, 5:30 p.m.

Blooming Prairie at Southland, 4:30 p.m.W-E-M at Medford, 5 p.m.NRHEG at Maple River, 5 p.m.Triton at Cannon Falls, 5 p.m.

Boys tennisRochester JM at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

Track and fieldMedford, Blooming Prairie at Triton Meet, 4:30 p.m.

April 23Baseball

NRHEG at Waseca, 5 p.m.Golf

Blooming Prairie (g) at J-W-P Invite, 1:30 p.m.Boys tennis

Rochester Lourdes at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.Track and Field

Hamline Elite MeetSoftball

Triton at Medford, 5 p.m.

April 24Baseball

Goodhue at Blooming Prairie, noonMedford at Lyle/Pacelli Tournament

Track and FieldHamline Elite Meet

April 26Baseball

Blooming Prairie at J-W-P, 5 p.m.Mankato Loyola at Medford, 5 p.m.NRHEG at USC, 5 p.m.

SoftballBlooming Prairie at J-W-P, 5 p.m.Mankato Loyola at Medford, 5 p.m.NRHEG at USC, 5 p.m.Lake City at Triton, 5 p.m.

April 27Baseball

Owatonna at Austin (DH), 5 p.m.Blooming Prairie at NRHEG, 5 p.m.Lake City at Triton (DH), 5 p.m.

Boys lacrosseHoly Family at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

Girls lacrosseOwatonna at Holy Family, 6 p.m.

SoftballAustin at Owatonna (DH), 4:30 p.m.Blooming Prairie at NRHEG, 5 p.m.Triton at Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 5 p.m.

GolfWaseca at Owatonna (b), 3 p.m.Blooming Prairie (b) at USC, 4:30 p.m.Boys tennisOwatonna at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.

Track and fieldOwatonna (b) at Winona quad, 4:30 p.m.Owatonna (g) at Albert Lea quad, 4:30 p.m.NRHEG at Blooming Prairie Invite, 4:30 p.m.Medford Invite, 4:30 p.m.

April 29Baseball

Owatonna at Faribault, 5 p.m.Medford at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.W-E-M at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

GolfBlooming Prairie (b/g) at J-W-P, 4:30 p.m.

Boys lacrosseOwatonna at Rochester JM, 6:30 p.m.

Girls lacrosseRochester JM at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

SoftballFaribault at Owatonna, 5 p.m.Medford at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.W-E-M at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Triton at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 5 p.m.Boys tennis

Albert Lea at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.Track and field

Owatonna (b) at Lakeville South Invite, 4:30 p.m.NRHEG, Blooming Prairie at Awesome Blossoms Relays, 4:30 p.m.Triton at Lake City Invite,4:15 p.m.

April 30Golf

Owatonna (b/g) at Mayo tri, 3:30 p.m.Blooming Prairie (b) at J-W-P Invite, 1:30 p.m.

SoftballKenyon-Wanamingo at Medford, 5 p.m.

Boys tennisWaseca at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

Track and fieldNRHEG at Blue Earth Invite, 4:30 p.m.

May 1Golf

Owatonna (b) at Ballard Invite, 11 a.m.Girls lacrosse

Farmington at Owatonna, 2 p.m.

May 3Baseball

Blooming Prairie at Randolph, 5 p.m.NRHEG at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.Rochester Lourdes at Triton, 5 p.m.

SoftballBlooming Prairie at Randolph, 5 p.m.NRHEG at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.Winona Cotter at Triton, 5 p.m.

May 4Baseball

Rochester JM at Owatonna, 5 p.m.NRHEG at Medford, 5 p.m.Triton at Hayfield, 5 p.m.

GolfRochester JM, Austin at OHS (g), 2:30 p.m.Blooming Prairie (g) at Triton invite, 1:30 p.m.

Girls lacrossePrior Lake at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

SoftballOwatonna at Rochester JM, 5 p.m.Hayfield at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.NRHEG at Medford, 5 p.m.Randolph at Triton, 5 p.m.

Boys tennisOwatonna at Century, 4:30 p.m.

Track and fieldOwatonna (b) at Mankato West tri, 4:30 p.m.Owatonna (g) at Winona tri, 4:30 p.m.Medford at BP HS Meet, 4:30 p.m.Triton at Rushford-Peterson Invite, 4 p.m.NRHEG at USC Invite, 4:30 p.m.

May 6Baseball

Owatonna at Mankato East, 6 p.m.W-E-M at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.Medford at USC, 5 p.m.Mankato Loyola at NRHEG, 5 p.m.Triton at Kenyon-Wanamingo (DH), 5 p.m.

GolfOwatonna (b) at Rochester JM tri, 3:30 p.m.

Boys lacrosseOwatonna at Farmington, 6:30 p.m.

Girls lacrosseShattuck-St. Mary’s at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

SoftballMankato East at Owatonna, 5:30 p.m.W-E-M at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.Medford at USC, 5 p.m.Mankato Loyola at NRHEG, 5 p.m.Triton at Goodhue, 5 p.m.

Boys tennisWinona at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.

Track and fieldTriton, Medford at Byron Invite, 4:30 p.m.

May 7 Baseball

Alden-Conger at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.Golf

Faribault B.A. at Blooming Prairie (b), 4:15 p.m.Faribault B.A., J-W-P at BPHS (g), 4:15 p.m.

May 8Baseball

Mankato West at Owatonna, 3 p.m.Golf

Owatonna (g) Invite, 9 a.m.Boys lacrosse

Owatonna at Minneapolis Southwest, 6 p.m.Softball

Red Wing at Owatonna, 1 p.m.Medford at Faribault B.A. Tournament, 10 a.m.

Boys tennisOwatonna at Chaska, 9 a.m.

Track and fieldOwatonna (b) at Mayo Invite, 9 a.m.

May 10Baseball

Medford at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.Boys lacrosse

Owatonna at Prior Lake, 7 p.m.Softball

Medford at Faribault B.A., 5 p.m.

May 11Baseball

Albert Lea at Owatonna (DH), 4:30 p.m.Randolph at Medford, 5 p.m.Blooming Prairie at USC, 5 p.m.NRHEG at J-W-P, 5 p.m.Triton at Zumbrota-Mazeppa (DH), 4:15 p.m.

GolfMankato West, Albert Lea at Owatonna (b), 2:30 p.m.USC, NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.Owatonna (g) at Albert Lea tri, 2:30 p.m.

Girls lacrosseOwatonna at Mayo, 6:30 p.m.

SoftballOwatonna at Albert Lea (DH), 4:30 p.m.Blooming Prairie at USC, 5 p.m.Randolph at Medford, 5 p.m.NRHEG at J-W-P, 5 p.m.Triton at La Crescent, 5 p.m.

Boys tennisOwatonna at Mayo, 4:30 p.m.

Track and fieldOwatonna (b/g) at Section True Team (Mayo), 2:30 p.m.Medford, Blooming Prairie, Triton at Section True Team (Rushford), 4:30 p.m.NRHEG at Section True Team (Maple River), 4 p.m.

May 13Baseball

NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.Medford at W-E-M, 5 p.m.

Boys lacrosseMayo at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

SoftballNRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.Medford at W-E-M, 5 p.m.

May 14Baseball

Winona at Owatonna (DH), 4:30 p.m.

16


CALENDARAlbert Lea at NRHEG, 6:30 p.m.

GolfGopher Conference (b/g) Meet (Bloom-ing Prairie), 10 a.m.

Girls lacrosseCentury at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

SoftballOwatonna vs. Farmington, 4 p.m.Owatonna vs. Northfield, 5:45 p.m.Hayfield at Triton, 4:30 p.m.

May 15Baseball

Medford Tournament, 10 a.m.Boys tennis

Owatonna at Big Nine Tournament (Rochester), 9 a.m.

SoftballBlooming Prairie at Hayfield Tourney, 8:30 a.m.

Track and fieldTriton at HVL Meet (La Crescent), 10:30 a.m.

May 17Baseball

Medford at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.USC at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Boys lacrosseOwatonna at Century, 5:30 p.m.

SoftballMedford at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.USC at NRHEG, 5 p.m.Kasson-Mantorville at Triton, 5 p.m.

May 18Baseball

Owatonna at Mayo (DH), 4:30 p.m.J-W-P at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.Triton at Stewartville, 5 p.m.

GolfOwatonna (b) at Century tri, 3:30 p.m.

Boys lacrosseRochester JM at Owatonna, 6:30 p.m.

Girls lacrosseOwatonna at Lakeville North, 7:15 p.m.

SoftballMayo at Owatonna (DH), 4:30 p.m.J-W-P at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.Kasson-Mantorville at NRHEG, 5 p.m.Faribault B.A. at Triton, 4:30 p.m.

Track and fieldGopher Conference (Medford), 4:30 p.m.

May 20Baseball

Triton at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.LeCenter/Cleveland at Medford, 5 p.m.

SoftballGlenville-Emmons at NRHEG, 5 p.m.

Track and fieldOwatonna (b) home quad, 3:30 p.m.Owatonna (g) at Mankato East tri, 3:30 p.m.

May 21Baseball

NRHEG at Lake Crystal/WM, 5 p.m.Byron at Triton, 5 p.m.

GolfOwatonna (g) at Big Nine Meet (Manka-to), 10 a.m.

Track and fieldTriton Invite, 4:30 p.m.

May 22Golf

Owatonna (b) Invite, 10 a.m.Track and field

NRHEG at Fairmont Invite, 4:30 p.m.

May 24Golf

Owatonna (b) at Big Nine Meet (Roch-ester), 10 a.m.Blooming Prairie (b/g) at Sub-section meet (Hayfield)

May 25Track and Field

Sub-section meet (Medford), 4:30 p.m.

May 27Triton, Blooming Prairie at Sub-section Meet (Stewartville), 4:30 p.m.NRHEG at Sub-section Meet (Maple River), 4:30 p.m.

May 28Track and field

Owatonna (b/g) at Big Nine Meet (Roch-ester), 12:30 p.m.

June 1Golf

Owatonna (b) at Section (Hastings)Owatonna (g) at Section (Cannon Falls)Medford, Triton, Blooming Prairie at Section Meet (Triton), 4:30 p.m.

June 3Golf

Owatonna (b) at Section (Hastings)Owatonna (g) at Section (Cannon Falls)

Track and fieldOwatonna (b/g) at Section Meet (Lakeville South)Medford, Triton, Blooming Prairie at Section Meet (Triton), 4:30 p.m.

June 5Track and field

Owatonna (b/g) at Section Meet (Lakeville South)NRHEG at Section Meet (Mankato Loyola), 10 a.m.

Individual team standings with

previews throughout the section

Blooming Prairie soph. Adam Driessen

17


What happened last year?The Cobras won 10 games last year after

only winning five games total the previous two springs. Triton lost all-conference and all-area pitcher Emily Fischenich, who won six games and struck out 76 batters. Both Fischenrich and current senior Rachel Tate made all-area teams.

The Cobras ended the regular season with three straight wins to improve their record to 9-10. In the postseason, Triton scored 34 runs in three games, but lost twice. Stewartville defeated the Cobras 5-3 in the section opener, and Pine Island ended Triton’s season with a 9-5 victory. The 9-5 loss was the fourth time last year that the Cobras lost despite scoring four or more runs. Triton did end a long postseason los-ing streak with a 20-3 win over Byron in the loser’s bracket.

2010 RosterBethany Anding, OF, jr.Jade Bryngelson, OF, jr.Shelby Bucher, OF, jr.Megan Coffman, IF, sr.Brooke Coughlin, OF, jr.

Alyson Eipers, P, sr.Jen Ellingsen, IF, sr.Sam Groll, C, sr.Holli Gustafson, OF, jr.Whitney Head, C, jr.Amanda Jackson, IF, jr.Nichole Kanable, IF, sr. Kaitlyn Knutson, IF, sr.Kamry Long, IF, sr.Taylor Staffon, IF, sr.Rachel Tate, OF-P, sr.

2010 ScheduleApril 6 vs. Stewartville, 5 p.m.April 8 at Byron, 4 p.m.April 13 vs. Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.

April 15 vs. Pine Island, 5 p.m.April 17 at J-W-P Tournament, 11 a.m.April 20 vs. Rochester Lourdes, 5 p.m.April 22 at Cannon Falls, 5 p.m.April 23 at Medford, 4:30 p.m.April 26 vs. Lake City, 5 p.m.April 27 at Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 5 p.m.April 29 at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 5 p.m.May 3 vs. Winona Cotter, 5 p.m.May 4 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.May 6 at Goodhue, 5 p.m.May 11 at La Crescent, 5 p.m.May 14 vs. Hayfield, 4:30 p.m.May 17 vs. Kasson-Mantorville, 5 p.m.May 18 vs. Faribault B.A., 4:30 p.m.

“This is their senior year. This is the year they have to make things

happen.”

— BRENT HAALA, Triton softball coach

Seniors lead Cobras

2010 Triton Softball

Triton senior Alyson Eipers

2010 Triton Track and Field

Cobras eye more state qualifiers What happened last year?

The Cobras had another strong contin-gent last June at the Class A State Meet at Hamline University. Carmen Sutherland, 2009 grad, finished eighth in the 100-me-ter dash with a time of 13.27 seconds.

The Cobras’ girls team also sent two relay teams. The 400 relay team placed fourth with a time of 51.45. The 800 relay team was sixth (1:48.22).

On the boys’ side, Cody Christian ad-vanced in the shot put, but did not place. Christian is back this year. The boys’ team also had Dylan Bungum (110 hurdles), Adam Bungum (hurdles), Jason Jennings (200), Emerson Price (long jump) and Pat Haltvick (high school) at the Section 1A Meet, which will be in Dodge Center this spring.

2010 Boys RosterSeniors

Dylan Bungum; Alex Chicos; Cody Christian.Juniors

Joe Blazek; Randall Breederland; Zach Haltvick; Tyler Head; Connor Henderson; Jason Jennings; Mason Larson; Trevor Ness; Emerson Price; Finn Reinbacher; Jacob Rislov; Chris Schley; Devan Wanek; Jordan Wente.

SophomoresJacob Becerra, soph.; Jack Blaisdell, soph.; Adam Bungum, soph.; Jaren Hol-leback, soph.; Damian Johnson, soph.; Connor Kispert, soph.; Joan Mendoza, soph.; Andrew Sahr, soph.; Shane Ste-vens, soph.; Dylan Sutherland, soph.; Peter Tate, soph.

FreshmenCorey Gilchrest, fr.; Gavin Johnson, fr.; John Kidd, fr.; Grant Klancher, fr.; Joe Kuth, fr.; Blake Randall, fr.

8th gradersPatrick Marquardt, 8th;

7th gradersCasey Lang, 7th; Cameron Marquardt, 7th; Ben Scherger, 7th.

2010 Girls RosterSeniors

Rebecca Cummins; Brandi Mayer; Maddi Nerenhausen.

JuniorsCaitlin Anderson; Kelsey Babcock; Alli-son Erler; Kayla Hendrickson.

SophomoresAbby Buehler; Jenna Tumlin; Kari Van-Zuilen.

FreshmenCaroline Adams; Abby Nerenhausen; Paige Wanek.

8th gradersJanice Becerra; Alexis Johnson; Aimee Larson; Rachel Putnam; Mack Robinson; Ashley Swift.

7th gradersKaty Erdmann; Arieanna Hendrickson; Caitlyn Jones; Haley Redican; Brooke Sexton; Piper Yankowiak.

2010 ScheduleApril 6 at Faribault, 4 p.m.April 13 at Stewartville Invite, 4:30 p.m.April 15 Triton Invite, 4:30 p.m.April 20 at Stewartville Invite, 4:30 p.m.April 22 Triton Invite, 4:30 p.m.April 29 at Lake City Invite, 4:15 p.m.May 4 at Rushford-Peterson Invite, 4 p.m.May 6 at Byron Invite, 4:30 p.m.May 11 at Section True Team (Rushford), 3 p.m.May 15 at HVL Meet (La Crescent), 10:30 a.m.May 21 Triton Invite, 4:30 p.m.May 27 at Sub-section meet (Stewartville), 4:30 p.m.June 1,3 Section Meet (Triton), 4:30 p.m.

Triton senior Dylan Bungum

18

Take Care of Your Young AthletesDon’t Let Them Play Hurt

Call 507-451-8254 for the Best in Sports Medicine

Owatonna Physical Therapy CenterFull Cybex Gym • Convenient Location & Scheduling

Let us help you get back into the game to stay!

Greg Schroeder, MPT1414 S. Oak Ave. • Owatonna

Independently Owned by Mary & Rich Peterson


State tournament dateS Casey Dehn at 2009 Boys State Track Meet

Boys Tennis June 8-11

Baseline Tennis CenterMinneapolis

Boys/Girls LacrosseJune 8-11

Chanhassen & Mound View High Schools

SoftballJune 10-11

Caswell Park North Mankato

Boys and Girls Track and Field

June 10-11Hamline University

St. Paul

Boys/Girls GolfJune 15-17Class AAA

Bunker Hills Golf CourseCoon Rapids

Class APebble Creek

Becker

BaseballJune 17-19Class AAA

Midway StadiumSt. Paul

Class AADick Putz Field

St. CloudClass A Mini MetJordan

19

Catch All the Latest

Call or Stop in Today

to Subscribe!!135 West Pearl Street

Owatonna507-444-1561

IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

owatonna.com

Spring Sports Preview 2010

Blooming Prairie junior pitcher Erica Manske

Manske’s arm will be BP’s biggest weaponBLOOMING PRAIRIE

— Despite more than 50 high school starts and a summer pitching for an all-star team in Wisconsin, Blooming Prairie junior Erica Manske still feels butterflies when she enters the circle.

“I’m confident, but I do still get nervous before each game,” Manske said. “I think that I need to get nervous before the game because that means I’m into the game.”

Manske made the all-area team last year after striking out 154 hitters in 127 2/3 innings and leading Blooming Prairie to the Section 1A Final Four.

As good as Manske was in 2009, she believes the best is yet to come this spring. For starters, she pitched last year with a bad back that flared up late in games. Secondly, she pitched during the offseason for the first time in her high school career.

In previous summers, Man-ske concentrated on basketball

after her softball season was over. After the 2009 season ended with a 2-0 loss to Hope Lutheran in the Section 1A Tournament, Manske tried out for the Danes all-star softball team in Wisconsin.

“I feel like I’ll be ready this year,” Manske said. “Last year, it kind of took me awhile to get going because I hadn’t pitched for a year. Now, I’ve been pitching all year long.”

Manske’s offseason work-load put a smile on the face of Blossoms coach Ali Mach.

“She has been pitching lon-ger,” Mach said. “She played through the summer, which she hasn’t always done. She played very competitively. She didn’t play a fall sport; she worked on softball. She has put in the extra time.”

Blooming Prairie will need Manske to be dominant early in the season as the Blossoms replace three starters on the in-field. While Blooming Prairie will have a new first baseman,

shortstop and third baseman this year; Manske will throw to a pair of experienced catchers. Both senior Kelly Peterson and sophomore Hunter Henderson are back this year.

“It’s really important because I’m really comfortable with both of them,” Manske said. “I trust both of them. They’re both really good.”

Last season, Peterson got injured at the beginning of Blooming Prairie’s playoff run. Henderson, younger sister of Owatonna’s Dalton Henderson, stepped in as a ninth-grader.

“Hunter was strong for us last spring,” Manske said. “She’ll definitely take on a big role for us. It just depends on where.”

When the Blossoms are in the field, Manske might be their best weapon. Blooming Prairie’s defense has been a problem spot in recent years, and, on top of that, this year the Blossoms must replace three starters.

“One of biggest problems defensively is the girls don’t communicate well with each other,” Mach said. “We have always been battling that.

“We lost three infielders and that’s huge because they were very experienced in their posi-tions. It’s just going to take a little while for everything to be meshed together.”

Mach has confidence that when the playoffs roll around, Blooming Prairie’s defense will be playing at a high level. Until then, the Blossoms will look to Manske to slow down other teams.

“It’s nice having Erica,” said outfielder Tricia DeBoer. “I think she really improved over the summer.”

Manske also hopes to be a two-way player this year. She plans to get some hits as well as some strikeouts.

“I just learned how to slap,” she said. “That’s how I’m go-ing to hit this year.”

— Derek Sullivan

20

1620 South Cedar • Owatonna • 451-0138

All You Care To Eat

Create your own buffet from our Hy-Vee Kitchen, Chinese Express, Soup & Salad Bar, Italian Cuisine and Pizza!

Only $9.99h hGrand Buffe hthGG

1620 S. Cedar • Owatonna451-0138 • Open 24 Hours

Hy-Vee Gas HoursOpen Daily 7 Days Per Week

5:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.Kitchen: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

GAS

ADDITIONAL

3¢ OFF PER GALLON

OF GAS WHEN

PRESENTING

YOUR

HUSKIES CARD

Coupon good at yourOwatonna Hy-Vee Gas only.

Expires 12/31/2010.

spring sports 2010

Documents

lead offb

owatonna victoria paulson

i r i e

track field

straight year

record defi

state meet

n g p r