SPORTS

SECTION C • APRIL 7, 2011

PREVIEW
BASEBALL SOFTBALL GOLF TRACK AND FIELD
Boys: Pages 2 and 8 Boys: Pages 3 and 8
Pages 1 and 7 Pages 1 and 7
Girls: Pages 2 and 7 Girls: Pages 3 and 8
Boys: Pages 5 and 8
Pages 4 and 6 Pages 4 and 6 Boys: Page 6
Girls: Pages 5 and 7

Big things expected of six seniors on the diamond

JCC baseball team The Huskies have just 11
players on the varsity roster,
made up of 11 but they can play a variety
of positions and most have
interchangeable experience at the varsity
players, coach says level.
“Our defense depends
on whose pitching,” Steiner
by DAN CONDON said. “We’ve got 11 guys on
Sports Editor our roster, so they need to
be interchangeable parts.”
Seniors Bryce Christo-
Filling out the lineup card
pher and Brock Thaemlitz
may be a bit like putting to-
and juniors Dustin Pronk
gether a puzzle for Jackson
and Phil Buschena figure
County Central baseball
to be the starting pitchers,
coach Tracy Steiner, but it’s
with seniors Ty Schwarting,
a problem he likes.
Nolan Luhmann and Boog
JCC baseball schedule
Head coach: Tracy Steiner
April 4 vs. Mt. Lake-Butterfield-Odin
April 7 vs. Adrian
April 11 vs. Windom
April 14 vs. Worthington
April 16 vs. Pipestone
April 19 at New Ulm
April 26 at Redwood Valley
April 29 at Fairmont
May 2 at Martin County West
May 5 at Luverne
May 6 at Red Rock Central
May 10 at Worthington
May 12 at Windom
May 16 vs. Southwest United
Steiner coming out of the
bullpen.
Schwarting will play
catcher when he’s not
on the mound, but can
also play shortstop. When
Schwarting is on the hill, it
will be either junior Cooper
Moore or junior Brett Lar-
son behind the plate.
Moore and Larson, along
with Luhmann, Steiner and
Christopher will be part of
a rotation at second base,
with Luhmann and Stein-
er also capable of playing
short.
First base will be manned
by Christopher, Pronk, Co-
pley and Thaemlitz, with
the latter three also playing
at third.
Senior Evan Tufvesson
will be the primary center
fielder, with Larson and Co-
pley out in left field. Playing
in right will be Luhmann,
Buschena or Copley.
Despite a possibility of
seeing a lot of different
looks when in the field,
Coach Steiner said the of-
fensive lineup is pretty well
set.
Moore will start the sea- Photos by Dan Condon
son as the leadoff hitter, Returning letter winners for the Jackson County Central baseball team are (front, from left): Nolan Luhmann and Ty Schwarting. Back: Boog
but Tufvesson’s speed also Steiner, Brock Thaemlitz, Bryce Christopher, Evan Tufvesson and Cooper Moore.
makes him a capable lead-
off batter. Boog Steiner’s
NEEDtoSEE

April 11: No matter

May 17 vs. Redwood Valley ability to handle the bat
makes him the perfect No. 2
Quick facts the sport, it’s always
May 19 at Marshall fun to see the Huskies
May 28, June 1, 4, 7 and 9 Section Tournament hitter, followed by Schwart- 2010 record: 7-14
ing, Thaemlitz, Luhmann face Windom Area. The
June 16-17 State Tournament 2010 SWC record: 3-9 Eagles come to Jackson
and Christopher. Pronk,
Returning letter winners: 7 for an early-season
Larson and Tufvesson will
try to set the table from the showdown April 11.
bottom of the order.
“We want speed guys at regularly. Thaemlitz hit
NEEDtoKNOW

The Huskies were the

the top and then at the bot-
A Commitment to Quality Since 1994 tom,” Steiner said.
Schwarting was the team’s
• Quality Auto Body • Rust Repair leading RBI man last sea-
Repair son, driving in 15 runs. He
• Restorations
figures to have plenty of
• Glass Replacement chances to increase that
number, with Moore and
700 SECOND STREET o JACKSON, MN 56143 o 507-847-4197 his .333 batting average
hopefully on the base paths
.310 and drove in 12 runs only team to score
last year, with Christopher against the Fairmont
sporting a .289 batting av-
erage. Cardinals in the Section
The team’s balance up 3AA tournament last
and down the lineup and season. JCC lost 4-3
depth in the pitching staff and the Cardinals went
give Steiner reason to be- on to play in the state
lieve the Huskies can be a tournament. Brock Thaemlitz slides into home last season. Thaemlitz scored 12 runs last season
See JCC BASE on C7 and will be counted on for offensive production again this spring.

Nine returning veterans to lead the JCC softball team

Huskies hoping to
compete for title in
tough conference
by DAN CONDON
Sports Editor
After an 11-3 start last
season, the Jackson County
Central softball team fin-
ished by losing seven of its
final nine games — a rare
streak for the Huskies.
Head coach Shelly Hot-
zler and her team are ready
to get back on the field and
prove that last year was an
aberration.
To do that, the team will
rely on a solid group of
JCC softball schedule
Head coach: Shelly Hotzler
April 4 at Mt. Lake-Butterfield-Odin
April 7
April 11
April 12
April 18
April 19
April 26
April 28
May 5
May 10
returners, including senior
pitchers Breanne Rent-
schler and Sarah Christo-
pher. The duo pitched all
but one inning last season
and combined to allow just
48 earned runs in 150 in-
nings.
“That will help tremen-
dously,” Hotzler said of re-
turning the two to the pitch-
ing circle. “They will be
good leaders out there.”
When Rentschler isn’t
pitching, the speedster will
patrol centerfield. Chris-
topher will play second
base when she isn’t firing
strikes.
Senior Emily Arndt re-
turns at first base and se-
nior Leslie Handzus is back
to show off her range at
vs. Martin County West
at New Ulm
at Redwood Valley
vs. Blue Earth Area
at Fairmont
vs. Marshall
at Pipestone
vs. Worthington
at Windom
shortstop. Senior Kinbrae
Bezdicek also returns for
the Huskies and will move
from the outfield to third
base.
Hotzler said it’s the se-
nior leadership that she will
count on this year.
“They’ve got experience
and that will really help us,”
she said.
But some newcomers are
also going to be counted on
to carry the Huskies.
Sophomore Marita Ra-
sche will be behind the
plate after getting a taste
of varsity action toward the
end of last season. Sopho-
more Jasmine Erickson also
saw action last spring and
will play second base when
Christopher is pitching and
in the outfield when Chris-
topher is at second.
Junior Breanne Reetz
will also play in the outfield,
as will Caitlin Muir, who
can also play catcher.
See JCC SB on C7
Quick facts
2010 record: 13-10
2010 SWC record: 6-6
Returning letter winners: 9
NEEDtoSEE

April 26: The Huskies

May 14 JCC Tournament host Marshall, a team
May 19 vs. Luverne Shelly Hotzler said
May 24, 28 and 31, June 2 Section Tournament is the sleeper in the
June 9-10 State Tournament (Mankato) conference. The Tigers
swept the Huskies last
season.
NEEDtoKNOW

Sarah Christopher and

Breanne Rentschler
pitched 149 of the 150
innings for the Huskies
Jackson • 507-847-2200 last season and gave
Lakefield • 507-662-6611 up just 48 earned runs.
Both will be back in the
Photo by Dan Condon
circle for the Huskies
sanfordhealth.org this spring. Returning letter winners for the Jackson County Central softball team are (front, from left): Breanne Rentschler, Kinbrae Bezdicek, Emily Arndt,
Leslie Handzus and Sarah Christopher. Back: Caitlin Muir, Jasmine Erickson, Brooke Klontz and Marita Rasche.
C2
Everybody returns
to boys’ golf team
Huskies led by
three seniors,
but have plenty
of other talented
golfers back again
by DAN CONDON
Sports Editor
It isn’t very often a team
returns every member of
a successful campaign, but
that is the case for the Jack-
son County Central boys’
golf team.
The Huskies bring back
every member of last year’s
7-5 team, including seniors
Tanner Asa, Tyler Asa and
Colton Ward. Sophomore
Kyle Edlin also returns to
complete two-thirds of the
varsity lineup for JCC.
Junior Ben Kocak, soph-
omore John Marker, fresh-
man Kyle Christopher and
eighth-graders Joe Brink-
man and Kyle Kapplinger
all got varsity experience
last season and will com-
pete for the final two varsity
spots.
Having that many guys
competing for a spot on
varsity can only help the
team, head coach Mike Di-
Brito said.
“There are a huge num-
ber of boys out for golf this
year,” he said. “There will
be a major amount of com-
petition between members
of the team. This will make
everyone on the team im-
prove because they will
have to lower their scores
Tyler Asa gets ready to blast a drive down the middle of the fairway last spring.
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Sports Preview Thursday, April 7, 2011
JCC golf schedule
Head coach: Mike DiBrito
April 8 at Spirit Lake, Iowa
April 15 at Estherville-Lincoln Central (boys only)
April 18 vs. Fairmont
April 19 at Marshall
April 28 at Worthington
April 29 vs. Windom
April 30 at Worthington Tournament
May 3 at Redwood Valley
May 5 at Red Rock Central
May 6 vs. Estherville Lincoln Central (girls only)
May 9 at Southwest Star Concept (boys only)
May 10 vs. Luverne
May 12 vs. Pipestone Area
May 13 at Blue Earth Area
May 23 SW Conference Tournament (Worthington)
May 26 Sub-section Tournament (Buffalo Lake)
June 2 Section Tournament (Willmar)
June 14-16 State Tournament (Jordan) Photos by Dan Condon
Returning letter winners for the Jackson County Central boys’ golf team are (front, from left): Kyle Christopher, John Marker and Kyle Edlin.
Back: Ben Kocak, Tanner Asa, Colton Ward and Tyler Asa.
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just to get onto the varsity holes and Tyler 42.8.
roster.” The Asas, along with
The Huskies had a little Ward, give the Huskies a
friendly competition last trio of seniors with a lot of
season between the Asa varsity experience.
twins. The two frequently “Having three seniors Photo by Mike Jordan
fired the low score for the on the team will help us be
Kyle Kapplinger (left) and Joe Brinkman are only middle
Huskies, with Tanner aver- competitive this year,” Di-
schoolers, but are returning letter winners for the JCC
aging 41.1 strokes per nine See JCC BG on C8 boys’ golf team.
Quick facts
2010 record: 7-5
2010 SWC record: 3-3
Returning letter winners: 9
NEEDtoSEE
April 18: The Huskies
get an early-season
test when they host
Fairmont, a team that
is always tough in the
postseason.
NEEDtoKNOW
The Huskies return
ever y golfer from
last year’s 7-5 team,
including seniors Tyler
Asa, Tanner Asa and
Colton Ward. Also back
is Joe Brinkman, who
recorded the first hole-
in-one in team history
last season. Tanner Asa sends a putt toward the hole last season.
Benson returns to lead JCC girls’ golf team
Junior aiming for time ever in 2009.
Benson is now the clear- Quick facts
another trip to the cut leader, with Kristin
Schulz, Emma Lilleberg, 2010 record: 8-1
state tournament Blaike Smith, Lexie Hoff- 2010 SWC record: 5-1
man, Shelby Benson and Returning letter winners: 1
by DAN CONDON
Sports Editor
Alison Benson competing
for the other five varsity
NEEDtoSEE
spots. Also out for golf this May 10: The Huskies
The Jackson County Cen- spring are seventh-graders host Luverne, one of
tral girls’ golf team has Abby Brinkman, Emmalie the many tough teams
had a successful run the Benson, Rebecca Dose and in the Southwest
last few seasons, but this Ana Dunlavey. Conference. JCC beat
year’s squad will have a With such a young group,
DiBrito’s main objective is the Cardinals by 13
new look.
The only returner from to get the team experience shots last season.
last year’s varsity team is and for them to improve.
NEEDtoKNOW
junior Kaylee Benson, who “We have a young group The Huskies return just
has played in the state tour-
nament three times already.
of golfers that will be com-
peting at the varsity level,”
one golfer from a team
that went 8-1 last sea-
JCC will be without Briel he said. “Getting comfort-
Hendricksen, Emily Mark-
er, Erika Voss, Rachel Han-
able to compete at the varsi-
ty level will take some time.”
son and made it to state
two years ago: junior
DiBrito expects nerves to Kaylee Benson. But,
son and Karlee Schneek-
loth, who all graduated.
“Losing five exception-
come into play, especially
early in the season.
she’s a good one; Ben-
son has been to state
al seniors is tough,” head “The younger players will three times already.
coach Mike DiBrito said. be nervous playing at the
Photo by Dan Condon Those five seniors helped varsity level,” he said. “They
lead the Huskies to an 8-1 will have to realize they are
Kaylee Benson is the only golfer returning from a team that went 8-1 last season. Head
finish last season and took going to make mistakes on
coach Mike DiBrito said Benson is the perfect girl to lead a young squad.
the team to state for the first See JCC GG on C7
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 Sports Preview
Thursday, April 7, 2011 C3

JCC girls return a lot of talent to the track

Huskies bring back
13 letter winners
and nine of last
year’s top 10 scorers
by DAN CONDON
Sports Editor
A new season for the
Jackson County Central
girls’ track and field team is
already under way and the
Huskies have a lot talented
girls back.
The Huskies kicked off
their season Tuesday with a
meet in Luverne and will be
back on the track tomorrow
(Friday) in Mt. Lake.
The season continues
with another meet in Mt.
Lake April 15 and includes
six other varsity meets be-
fore the Southwest Confer-
ence tournament May 19 in
Luverne. The sub-section
meet is May 26 in Luverne
and the section tourna-
ment is June 2 in Redwood
Falls.
The Huskies have 25 girls
on the team and more than
half are returning letter
winners.
“We’ve got 13 letter win-
ners back,” head coach
Brian Cook said. “We only
lost two, so that is great.”
Among those back are
nine girls who finished in
the top 10 of the team’s
scoring chart last year.
Sophomore Sydnee
Donnelli and sister, senior
Courtney Donnelli were the
top two scorers, followed
closely by eighth-grader
Julia Schumann.
Filling spots five through
10 on last year’s scoring list
were senior Sarah Voehl,
senior Megan Johnson,
sophomore Jessica Voe-
hl, junior Tracey Steffen,
eighth-grader Jade Holthe
and eighth-grader Riley
Schneekloth.
“I’m excited to have all
those letter winners back,”
See JCC GT&F on C8

Photos by Dan Condon

Returning letter winners for the Jackson County Central girls’ track and field team are (front, from left): Tracey Steffen, Sarah Voehl, Rachel
Sarah Voehl hands the baton to Sydnee Donnelli last spring. Both are back this year Buresch, Courtney Donnelli and Riley Schneekloth. Back: Kirsten Ringgenberg, Jade Holthe, Hope Belknap, Sydnee Donnelli and Jessica Voehl.
and should contribute big points for the Huskies. Missing: Hailey Timko, Julia Schumann and Megan Johnson.

JCC track and field schedule

Balance is the key for boys’ track team April 5

April 8
Head coach: Brian Cook

Huskies have 26
athletes, including
seven seniors
by DAN CONDON
Sports Editor
The Jackson County Cen-
tral boys’ track and field
team is expected to be a
balanced one this spring,
with seven returning letter
winners leading the way.
There are 26 Huskies
ready to compete this sea-
son, with 13 of them in 11th
or 12th grade.
Having seven seniors
on the team is a definite
strength, head coach Brian
Cook said.
“Those seven seniors are
great leaders,” he said.
The Huskies bring back
three of their top five scor-
ers from last year, including
at Luverne
at Mt. Lake
April 15 at Mt. Lake
half of the 4x800-meter re- April 18 at Windom
lay team that won every race
it competed in last season. April 26 at Slayton
Seniors Justin Cook and April 28 at Fairmont
Marc Strom were part of May 6 at Fairmont
that team, with Cook scor- May 9 State True Team
ing a team-high 265 points May 12 at Worthington
last season and Strom fin- May 13 at Blue Earth Area (JV)
ishing fourth with 171. Both May 19 SW Conference meet (Luverne)
will again run long- or mid-
dle-distance races this sea- May 26 Sub-section meet (Worthington)
son. June 2 Section meet (Redwood Falls)
Also running in middle- June 10-11 State Tournament
and long-distance races will
be seniors Nathan Fields
and Tanner Hummel, ju-
niors Taylor Freeman and
Ben Kocak and freshman
Jordan Ringgenberg.
Freeman scored 122
points last season for the
Huskies. Jackson • 507-847-2200
The team’s depth in the Lakefield • 507-662-6611
middle- and long-distance
races is a strength of the
team, according to Coach
Cook.
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C4 Sports Preview Thursday, April 7, 2011

Photo by Dan Condon

Returning letter winners for the Southwestern United baseball team are (front, from left): Sean Haberman, Kyle Elder, Brady Meyer, Alex Meyer, Ben Cunningham and Tim Kennedy. Back: Riley Place, Austin Liepold, Luke Henkels,
Mark Ferguson, Jacob Olson, Lukas DeWall and Jacob Post. Below: Henkels returns as the catcher for the Wildcats.

Wildcats return 13 players to diamond squad

Despite a lot of Two of those seniors have
been around a while as Alex
letter winners back, Meyer and Sean Haberman
will be taking the field for
SWU baseball team the fourth year in a Wildcat
is still young uniform. Other seniors are
Ben Cunningham, Lukas
DeWall and Tim Kennedy.
by DAN CONDON Junior Luke Henkels also
Sports Editor
NEEDtoSEE
coach Tim Owen said. May 5: The Wildcats host
Cunningham figures to Quick facts Edgerton/Ellsworth, a
be the No. 2 pitcher, with team it swept in a pair of
junior Kyle Elder, Kennedy, 2010 record: 3-15
Henkels, junior Riley Place 2010 RRC record: 3-7
games last season. The
sweep gave SWU two if
and sophomores Mark Fer- Returning letter winners: 13
guson and Jacob Post also its three victories.
capable of taking the ball
on the hill.
NEEDtoKNOW

Thirteen Wildcats return
to lead a Southwestern
United baseball team hop-
ing to finish well ahead of
last year’s 3-15 mark. But
despite all those players
back, SWU still has a fairly
young team with just five
seniors on the squad.
returns with plenty of expe-
rience and will be behind
the plate for the third year.
He was named the team’s
MVP and best hitter last
season.
Henkels will catch a
pitching staff led by Meyer,
who will be the team’s No.
1 starter.
“He’s one guy ready to be
the leading pitcher,” head
DeWall is expected to be
at second base and Kennedy
at first, giving the Wildcats
a solid right side of the in-
field. The left side is still up
in the air.
“The right side of the
infield will be good,” Owen
said, adding the team was
still looking for a shortstop
and third baseman.
The outfield will feature
Haberman, with Elder, ju- Luke Henkels was the
nior Austin Liepold, Place, only Wildcat to hit over
Ferguson, Post, Meyer, .300 last season, but Lu-
Cunningham and Henkels kas DeWall, Alex Meyer,
also capable of playing in
the outfield. Ben Cunningham, Kyle
Owen likes the speed the Elder and Sean Haber-
outfielders have and said man all had an on-base
his team will need to use its percentage of at least
speed on offense as well. .313 thanks to double-
“We have to do the lit- digit walks.
See SWU BASE on C6

Wildcats enter softball season with enthusiasm

More experienced The team is winless in a week later, when the Wild- been trying to improve their and now have some experi-
each of its last two sea- cats were practicing outside pitching and should have ence,” said Owen, adding in
team looking for a sons, but new head coach for the first time. Despite a deeper staff of pitchers the past girls had played as
Cindy Owen said that hasn’t cold weather and rain fall- this year. freshman or even younger
few victories stopped the Wildcats from ing, the team wanted to Owen will rely on return- before quitting.
working hard and enjoying keep taking ground balls ing letter winners Connor DeWall was an honor-
by DAN CONDON themselves. instead of heading inside. DeWall, Kayla Droll and Ja- able mention all-conference
Sports Editor “Last Friday it was five “They’re working hard,” nae Vonk to lead the team. player last year and will be
o’clock and I told them we Owen said. “They want to While having just three let- back at first base this sea-
There is a feeling of ex- were done with practice, but keep practicing. They’ve got ter winners back may not son. Droll will likely pitch
citement for the Southwest- they wanted to keep practic- a lot of enthusiasm. They’re seem like a lot, it is more and play catcher or at third
ern United Wildcat softball ing,” Owen said. anxious to get the games than the Wildcats have had base. Vonk will play second
this spring. The same thing happened started.” in some years prior. base again.
In preparation for their “We have girls that have Senior Ashley Riggle re-
season opener, Owen has stuck with the program See SWU SB on C6
SWU softball schedule had her team going through
Head coach: Cindy Owen the basics over and over.
“We’re working a lot on
April 5 vs. Luverne fundamentals,” she said.
April 8 vs. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton “They probably think it
April 12 at Red Rock Central/WWG gets boring after a while,
but we need that to go any
April 14 vs. Edgerton further.”
April 15 at Worthington The Wildcats have also
April 18 at Madelia/Truman
April 19 at Adrian Area
April 21 vs. Mt. Lake-Butterfield-Odin
April 26 vs. Murray County Central Quick facts
April 29 at Martin County West 2010 record: 0-16
May 2 at Martin Luther/GHEC 2010 RRC record: 0-10
May 3 vs. Red Rock Central/WWG Returning letter winners: 3
May 5 vs. Edgerton
May 9 vs. Windom Area
NEEDtoSEE

May 10 vs. Adrian Area May 10: SWU hosts

May 12 at Mt. Lake-Butterfield-Odin Adrian, a team it scored
May 17 at Murray County Central seven runs against last
May 20, 24, 28, 31 and June 2 Section Tournament spring. The late-season
June 9-10 State Tournament (Mankato) game will give SWU
time to gain much-
needed experience.
NEEDtoKNOW

The Wildcats lost by

the 10-run rule every
game last season, but
new head coach Cindy
Owen expects that to
change with a hard-
Rosso Performance working group of play-
ers led by returners Ja-
Heron Lake, MN Photos by Dan Condon
nae Vonk, Connor De- Janae Vonk takes a swing for the Wildcat softball team
(507) 831-5079 Wall and Kayla Droll. last season. Returning letter winners for the Southwestern United softball team are Janae Vonk
(from left), Connor DeWall and Kayla Droll.

SPORTS
P.O. Box 208, 310 Second Street With P.O. Box 249, 403 Main Street
Dan Condon
Jackson, MN Lakefield, MN
Jackson • 507-847-2200 (507) 847-3771 (507) 662-5555
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sanfordhealth.org
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Thursday, April 7, 2011 Sports Preview C5

Wildcat boys
are on the rise
All four scorers are
back for SWU
by DAN CONDON
Sports Editor
Last season, the South-
western United boys’ track
and field team had a much-
improved season, with four
boys combining to score
more than 300 points.
All four are back this sea-
son and the Wildcats also
have six others hoping to
contribute this spring.
Seniors Marty Schmitz
and Mitchel VanWesten,
junior Jameson Collin and
sophomore Ben Peter all
did well for SWU last sea-
son and are expected to
again lead the team.
Schmitz led the Wildcats
in scoring with 190.5 points
and is looking to defend
his Red Rock Conference
championships in the long
jump and high jump. He
also made it to the section
meet in both events last
season.
Schmitz will also run re-
lays for SWU this spring.
VanWesten scored most
of his 131.25 points last sea-
son in the 1,600-meter run.
He is the school’s record
holder in the event, having
posted the fastest time at
the Fulda Invite last season
and then breaking his own
record later in the year. He
was an all-conference run-

Photos by Dan Condon

Returning letter winners for the Southwestern United boys’ track and field team are Marty Schmitz, Jameson Collin, Mitchel VanWesten and Ben Peter.

ner and advanced to the Esqueda and seventh-grad-

section meet last season.
VanWesten will run the
mile race again this season,
as well as the 800-meter
run. His field events will
likely be high jump and
long jump.
Collin scored 60.75 points
last season in the high jump
and sprints. The lengthy
junior will compete in the
same events this year and
will be a part of SWU’s re-
lay teams.
Peter will also compete
in sprints and relay teams
this season after scoring
11.25 points for SWU last
spring.
Co-head coaches Jason
Fisher and Donna Cook
expect big things from the
jumpers this season, as
well as from VanWesten in
the mile.
Also competing for the
Wildcats will be exchange
student Adraino Martins,
Ben Peter flies through the air during the long jump junior Edwin Marsical,
cometition last season. sophomores Mykil Vonk,
Matthew Soto and Emilo
er Alex Coronado.
Martins is a jumper and
Marsical and Esqueda are
both expected to compete
in shot put and discus.
“They’ve got some po-
tential,” Fisher said of the
throwers.
Vonk will also compete in
throwing events and run the
100-meter dash. Soto will
run sprints and relay races
and Coronado will run the
800- and 1,600-meter runs.
The four returners are
expected to lead the Wild-
cats, with the other six ex-
pected to improve as they
gain more and more expe-
rience.
Some of that experience
may come in relay races,
something the Wildcats
weren’t able to have in some
previous years due to low
numbers. This year’s squad
will likely have at least one
sprint relay team per meet.
The Wildcats were sched-
See SWU BT on C8 Jameson Collin soars over the bar while competing in the high jump last spring.

Four returners expected to lead Wildcat girls

Three seniors make western United this year, top six on SWU’s scoring
ranging from a state qualifi- chart last season.
up one-fourth of er to newcomers with plenty Granstra led the Wildcats
of potential. with 246 points last season
SWU squad Of the 12 Wildcats ready and already has 612 in her
to run this spring, four are career.
by DAN CONDON returning letter winners. The senior won the discus
Sports Editor Seniors Katey Granstra, in every meet she competed
Mara Eichenberger and in last season until state,
Regina Steffen and junior where she finished second.
A dozen girls are out for Jennifer Schmidt are all She also excelled at that
track and field at South- back after finishing in the shot put and is expected to
rack up a lot of points in
the two events again this
season.
SWU track and field schedule Granstra’s ability to fin-
Head coaches: Jason Fisher and Donna Cook ish well in both throwing
events is a strength of the
April 5 at Luverne team, according to co-head
April 8 at Mt. Lake coaches Jason Fisher and
April 19 at Slayton Donna Cook.
April 26 at Slayton Another strength is
April 28 at Worthington Eichenberger’s speed in
sprints.
May 3 at Pipestone
Eichenberger scored
May 5 at Worthington 205.75 points last season
May 12 at Worthington and was second at the Red
May 16 at Windom Rock Conference meet and
May 19 RR Conference meet (Slayton) later qualified for the sec-
May 26 Sub-section meet (Worthington) tion meet.
June 2 Section meet (Redwood Falls) The senior will be count-
June 10-11 State Tournament ed on to use her wheels
to score points again this
season in sprints and relay
races.
Steffen and Schmidt could
also contribute in relay rac-
es, but the lack of numbers
on the team will likely limit
the Wildcats to one or two
Jackson • 507-847-2200 relay teams in each meet.
Fisher said the relay teams
Lakefield • 507-662-6611 will likely feature one or two
upper classmen, with some
younger girls rounding out Photos by Dan Condon
sanfordhealth.org the team.
Returning letter winners for the Southwestern United girls’ track and field team are Katey Granstra (from left), Mara Eichenberger, Regina
See SWU GT on C7 Steffen and Jennifer Schmidt.

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C6 Sports Preview Thursday, April 7, 2011

SWU baseball schedule SWU BASE: A lot of talent returns

Head coach: Tim Owen Continued from C4
April 5 vs. Worthington tle things offensively,” hunt for hardware,” he said,
April 12 vs. Red Rock Central/WWG he said. “We have to adding the Red Rock Con-
bunt, move runners over ference could be down a bit
April 14 at Edgerton/Ellsworth and hope to sneak one this season.
April 16 at Martin County West Tournament through. We don’t have Others hoping to get a
April 19 vs. Adrian the capability of winning chance on varsity are sopho-
April 21 at Mt. Lake-Butterfield-Odin too many slugfests.” mores Austin Droll (out-
April 25 at Luverne Henkels was the lead- field, designated hitter),
April 26 at Murray County Central ing hitter for SWU last Blake Glaser (outfield), Erik
April 29 at Russel-Tyler-Ruthton season, batting .373. De- Jass (catcher, outfield), Jus-
Wall was next (.240), with tin Jass (outfield, pitcher),
May 2 at Martin Luther/GHEC Meyer hitting .236. Austin Rossow (outfield,
May 3 at Red Rock Central/WWG “We’ve got to find designated hitter), Kurt
May 5 vs. Edgerton/Ellsworth somebody who can hit,” Schmitz (outfield, pitcher),
May 9 vs. Minneota/Lincoln HI Owen said. “Luke is our Kraig Stenzel (catcher, out-
May 10 at Adrian returning hitter, but we field), Luke Veith (outfield,
May 12 vs. Mt. Lake-Butterfield-Odin had a lot of guys in the infield) and Jay Young (out-
May 16 at Jackson County Central lower .200s.” field) and freshmen Nathan
Owen was still work- Beyer (outfield) and Aaron
May 17 vs. Murray County Central
ing on a batting order as Fest (infield, outfield and
May 24 vs. Windom Area of last week and said the pitcher).
May 25, 28, June 1, 4, 7 and 9 Section Tournament lineup could change. The Wildcats have 57
June 16-17 State Tournament “We’ve got to work on players out for baseball this
finding where guys can year in grades six through
P & J’s Mini Mart be most successful in the
field and in the lineup,”
12, allowing SWU to field
seventh- and eighth-grade
and Cafe
he said. teams as well as a junior
Despite question varsity squad.
marks entering the sea- Les Knutson and Nick
Photos by Dan Condon 891 1st Ave., Heron Lake son, Owen said the goals Stevermer are coaching
Returning letter winners for the Southwestern United boys’ golf team are Kyle Wendland (from left), Logan are the same for the Wild- the junior high teams, with
cats. Blaise Jacobsen assisting
Ellenbecker, Walker Crocker and Clay Salzwedel.
Catering • Gas • E–85 • Groceries • Food “Ideally, you’d like to Owen at the varsity level.

793-2651
Season of change for Wildcats Open 7 a.m.–10 p.m., 7 days a week!

Boys’ golf team at the course for the Red also coming on toward the One way to track the
Rock Conference tourna- end of the season. Wildcats’ improvement is
now calls Prairie ment. Jordan DeWall was on by keeping track of statistics
“One hundred yards there the team last season and such as fairways hit, greens
View home is 100 yards anywhere,” Jay- has an inside track to one in regulation and putts.
cox said. of the final two open spots “We’re really going to
by DAN CONDON In fact, the course may on the varsity team. Also work on our stats,” Jay-
Sports Editor benefit a young Wildcat competing for a varsity spot cox said. “We’re going to
team, as Prairie View has are Caleb Postma, Derek keep track every time they
It’s a season of change for no mature trees and fewer Durst and exchange student play.”
the Southwestern United spots to get in trouble than Aurelio Boerlin. Sixth-grad- The Wildcats, who don’t
boys’ golf team. Emerald Valley. ers Mason Ellenbecker and have a girls’ team again
The Wildcats are playing The Wildcats return four Kurt Obermoller are also this spring, are scheduled
without Brady Hall for the letter winners, all who proj- working on their game this to host Westbrook-Walnut
first time in six years after ect to be in the lineup when spring, but are too young to Grove – the team Jaycox
the graduation of the two- the team opens its season compete for the Wildcats. tabbed as the conference
time state qualifier. against Worthington Tues- Jaycox said the Wildcats favorite – May 3. South-
But a bigger change is day. are a team that works well west Christian, Red Rock
where the Wildcats will call Freshman Clay Salzwedel together, with the boys all Central and Adrian will also
home. SWU will practice has two seasons under his trying to push each other have good teams, Jaycox
and play its home meets at belt and is joined by sopho- to improve. said. SWU will face SWC
Prairie View Golf Links in more Kyle Wendland and “I see them all work- and Adrian in Adrian May
Worthington after previ- freshmen Walker Crocker ing together,” she said. 5. The match against RRC
ously calling Emerald Val- and Logan Ellenbecker as “They’re going out and get- will be made up, as it was
ley home. returners. ting better.” postponed from April 5
Head coach Deb Jaycox Salzwedel and Wend- Jaycox said the obvious due to water on the Falcon’s
doesn’t see that as much land showed improvement goal for the Wildcats is to home course.
of an issue, as the Wildcats all season last spring, with win their matches, but she That is good news for
have practiced and played Crocker and Ellenbecker really hopes the team shows Jaycox, who said the extra
improvement all season, time before the opener
something assistant coach will be good for her team.
Marv Johnson said is the “That gives us another
SWU boys’ golf schedule norm for the Wildcats. whole week of practice
Head coach: Deb Jaycox “It’s going to be fun to before our first meet,” she
see how they improve all said.
April 5 at Red Rock Central season,” Jaycox said, add- And even if that isn’t
April 12 at Worthington ing she hopes the team will enough time for the Wild-
April 14 vs. Hills-Beaver Creek be competitive by the time cats to me in midseason
the conference tournament form, Jaycox said she and
April 18 vs. Adrian and Southwest Christian rolls around. “They will the team won’t panic.
April 19 vs. Fulda get better as the year goes “We’re young,” she said. Photo by Dan Condon
April 25 vs. Windom on.” “We can only go up.”
May 3 vs. Westbrook/Walnut Grove Alex Meyer fires a pitch for Southwestern United last season.
May 5 at Adrian
May 6 at Martin County West
May 13 vs. Martin County West
May 17 Red Rock Conf. Tournament (Worthington) SWU SB: Team looking for wins
May 23 at Westbrook/Walnut Grove
May 27 Sub-Section Tournament Continued from C4
June 3 Section Tournament turns with experience and she is at least hoping the
June 15-16 State Tournament will pitch and play in the Wildcats can play in some
outfield. Owen said the close games, something
speedy freshmen Alaina they didn’t do last year
Klingenberg and Catelyn when they lost by the 10-run
LaCourn will see time in rule every game.
the outfield, with fresh- “We want to play some
men Megan Schmitz, regulation games,” Owen
Mariah Freeman, Elia said. “We think that’s very
Romero, Maria Crowell doable. We need to devel-
Whatever the occasion, call us to help plan your special event! and Maclane Rostomily, op that winning attitude.”
Silverback’s Café and Catering senior Danielle Olson
and exchange student
Developing that winning at-
titude is something that has
Lakefield 507-662-6220
Mon.–Wed. 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Thurs. and Fri. 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m., Mari Melo also vying for started to come through the
with delivery; Sunday 11 a.m.–2 p.m. time in the outfield. sweat of the first few weeks
Seventh-grader Ida of practice.
Rogers-Ferguson, Crow- “They want to get a cou-
ell, Rossow, sophomore ple wins,” Owen said. “They
Kelsey Medina and ju- want to get that monkey off
nior Arianna Hesemann their back.”
should see time at pitcher The Wildcats have 40 girls
for the Wildcats. out for softball in grades
Junior Maddie Rasche seven through 12 this year,
will play on the left side nearly double the amount
of the infield, freshman that went out last year.
Kristin Liepold could play Because of the high num-
first base or catcher and bers, the Wildcats already
freshman Sonja Peters have three junior varsity
can also play catcher. games scheduled and are
“A family business, doing Owen isn’t sure of a hoping to get a few more
business like family!” batting order yet, but said added.
she hopes her team will Coaching the JV team
Hwy. 71, Downtown Jackson do a better job of putting will be Molly Neil and Erica
the ball in play and using Pasche, with Lucas Silva- Photo by Dan Condon
507-847-5582 Kyle Wendland sends a putt toward the hole for the its speed. Garcia assisting Owen and
Wildcats last spring. Even if they don’t win coaching the junior high Kayla Droll gets the ball in to the infield last season.
Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. a game again, Owen said team. Droll is expected to make the switch from the outfield to
Sat., 8 a.m.-3 p.m. infield this spring.

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Thursday, April 7, 2011
Breanne Rentschler fires a pitch for the Huskies last season. Rentschler and Sarah
Christopher will be counted on to handle the pitching duties again this spring.
JCC SB: Tough SWC schedule awaits JCC softball team
Continued from C1
Sophomore Brooke
Klontz could see some time
pitching, with sophomores
Adriane Rentschler, Jenna
Stade and Brooke Arndt
also expected to get some
playing time this season.
As of last week, Hotzler
wasn’t sure of a batting or-
der, but said Breanne Rent-
schler would be leading off.
She led the team with a .430
average last year, picking up
37 hits — all singles — in
86 at bats.
Handzus (.329) and Ra-
sche (.316) both hit over
.300 last year and will be
counted on to lead the of-
fense.
The Huskies played well
Leslie Handzus laces a pitch for the Huskies last season. Handzus hit .329 for JCC a
year ago.
JCC GG: Benson returns to lead young girls’ golf team
Continued from C2
the golf course and will have
to learn from them. The
main goal will be to make
improvements as the season
progresses.”
One way to do that, Di-
Brito said, is to pinpoint
areas that need a little extra
work.
“Each meet they are go-
ing to have to identify areas
where they are struggling
and take the extra time to
work on those areas,” he
said.
A typical problem area
for youngsters is the short
game and DiBrito said
his team has already been
working on getting that part
of the game up to speed.
“The young players are
going to have to improve
their short game,” he said.
“This will help them cut
strokes fast.”
Putting in the extra time
is something DiBrito fully
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during the summer season
last year, even advancing
to nationals. Hotzler hopes
that momentum carries into
the new season and leads
to a successful run in the
Southwest Conference and
section playoffs.
“We’d like to do well
in the conference, finish
strong and hopefully get to
state,” she said.
The Pipestone Arrows
stand in the way of both
goals and, along with Red-
wood Valley, are listed by
Hotzler as the conference
favorites. Marshall could be
the conference dark horse,
Hotzler said.
Of those three confer-
expects the Huskies to do.
“The main strength of
this team is the willingness
to work hard,” he said.
That might come from
watching Kaylee Benson,
who spends countless hours
on the course.
“Kaylee will be a great
role model for the younger
players,” DiBrito said. “Her
performance will help mo-
tivate the girls this year.
She will be a great leader
who will help the younger
players become more suc-
cessful.”
Benson is coming off a
season in which she was
medalist nine times and av-
eraged just 41.9 strokes per
nine holes. As good as her
first half of the season was,
she really picked it up down
the stretch and ended with a
tie for 27th place at the state
tournament.
Benson and the Huskies
305 2nd Street
P.O. Box 211
Jackson, MN 56143
(507) 847-3891
Fax (507) 847-3422
Sports Preview
Photos by Dan Condon
ence powers, the Huskies
will face Redwood Valley
first. JCC faces the Cardi-
nals April 12. The Huskies
host Marshall April 26 and
face Pipestone on the road
two days later.
The Huskies’ home tour-
nament is set for May 14,
with just a doubleheader
against Luverne following
before playoffs begin.
Hotzler is assisted by
Cory Pauling at the varsity
level, with Katie Anderson
coaching the B squad team.
Kristin Thiner and Brit Sch-
neekloth are coaching the
middle school teams.
are scheduled to open the
season tomorrow (Friday)
in Spirit Lake, Iowa, and
will kick off the Southwest
Conference schedule April
19 in Marshall. Other con-
ference meets are April 28
in Worthington, April 29
against Windom, May 3 at
Redwood Valley, May 10
against Luverne and May 12
against Pipestone Area.
The SWC tournament
is May 23 in Worthington,
with the sub-section meet
May 26 and the section
tournament June 2.
DiBrito expects a tough
conference slate again this
season.
“All the girls’ teams will
be pretty competitive in the
conference,” he said.
Amy Voss and Brett Ben-
son, Kaylee’s oldest brother,
return as assistant coaches
for the Huskies.
www.federatedrea.coop
Jackson • 847-3520
JCC BASE: Six seniors to lead team
Continued from C1
threat in the Southwest
Conference and section.
“We have lofty goals,”
he said. “Anytime you
start a season, your pri-
mary goal is to win it all.
But you have to have
goals along the way. First
of all, we want to have a
winning season.”
To do that, Steiner said,
the Huskies will have to
show more consistency
than they displayed last
season.
“We have to play con-
sistently good baseball,”
he said. “We got there
last summer, but we need
to do that out of the gate
this season.”
The Huskies lost to
Fairmont in the playoffs
last season, but were the
only team to score on the
Cardinals in the section
tournament.
Steiner thinks his team
is capable of doing what
Fairmont did last spring.
“We should be the team
Ty Schwarting blasts a home run for JCC last season. The senior hit .339 last spring last spring. The two can both play the middle infield posi-
and will be counted on to drive in runs from the middle of the Huskies’ lineup.
SWU GT: Four girls return, eight others out for Wildcat track and field team
Continued from C5
Jennifer Schmidt (above) and Katey Granstra (below) make up half of the returning the other newcomers can
letter winners for the Southwestern United girls’ track and field team.
We “plug”
teamwork!
going through the section
and going to state,” Steiner
said. “Having said that,
there’s some really good
teams in our section.”
The conference also has
some tough teams, with
Marshall tabbed as the fa-
vorite by Steiner.
With six seniors on the
team, Steiner expects plenty
of leadership.
“I sat down with the se-
niors and told them ‘This
is your team. You guys are
going to make it what you
want of it,’” Steiner said.
“They’ve been working
really hard. They lead by
example.”
Steiner has given his se-
niors a voice, meeting with
them once a week to get
their thoughts on what the
team is or isn’t doing.
“We have a conversa-
tion about how things are
going,” Steiner said. “I ask
them what they think we
need to work on. I give them
a large voice in what’s going
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R.D.A.; Becki Goss;
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Debby Christopher, D.D.S.
302 Second Street - Jackson
847-3317
C7
Photos by Dan Condon
Bryce Christopher is one of many players who can pitch and play multiple positions
in the field for the Huskies.
on. I want it to be a good, ship role and buy into being the regular season.
fun experience for them and a leader on the team.” Despite a tough sched-
they’re more likely to have The team was scheduled ule and a stretch in which
fun if they have that leader- to open the season Tuesday, the Huskies have seven
but that game was post- games in 10 days, Steiner is
poned. The Huskies are confident the Huskies can
now scheduled to open their do well.
campaign today (Thursday) “I’m fairly confident we
against Adrian. have the guys to do this,”
The SWC schedule begins he said.
Monday when the Huskies Steiner is assisted by
host Windom. Two more Mike Wierson, with Jim
conference home games fol- Gumto and Nathan Boller
low, with three other games coaching the B and C squad
scheduled in April. May has teams. Eric Tvinnereim and
nine games on the schedule, Zach Stratton are coaching
with a double-header May the middle school squads.
19 in Marshall wrapping up
Boog Steiner flips the ball to Nolan Luhmann for an out
tions and pitch for the Huskies.
Two likely candidates races; seventh-grader Miri-
are seventh-graders Hailey am Elabedi will run sprints
Schumacher and Katelyn and middle-distance races;
Walters, both of whom have and eighth-grader Nikki
good speed. Walker will run sprints and
Steffen will also compete relays.
in hurdles and long jump, With just 12 girls on the
with Schmidt running the team, Fisher said it is unre-
800-meter run and compet- alistic for his team to win
ing in high jump. Schmidt meets, but he expects the
was fifth on the scoring list Wildcats to compete well.
last season with 165.5 points “We want to stay competi-
and Steffen scored 87.25 to tive,” he said. “With our low
finish sixth. numbers, we aren’t going
Schumacher and Wal- to win meets, but we would
ters are both expected to like to be competitive.”
compete in high jump, with The Wildcats were sched-
Schumacher also running uled to open their season
the 800 and Walters com- Tuesday in Luverne and will
peting in hurdles. be back in action tomorrow
Cook said one key to the (Friday) at a meet in Mt.
Photos by Dan Condon
season is finding events Lake. Meets are scheduled
Schumacher, Walters and in Slayton on April 19 and
26, with three meets in
do well in. Worthington, one in Pipe-
Sophomore Hannah stone and one in Windom
Langseth-Berger is expect- before the regular season
ed to compete in sprints, ends.
relays and long jump; soph- The Red Rock Confer-
omore Jessi Lentz will run ence meet is May 19 in
sprints; junior Jordin Ell- Slayton, followed by the
ness will join Granstra in sub-section meet May 26
the throwing events; sopho- in Worthington and the
more Julia DeWall will run section tournament June 2
sprints and middle-distance in Redwood Falls.
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C8
Mitchel VanWesten gets good distance in the long jump
last season. VanWesten will compete in the event again
this year and look to break his own record in the 1,600-
meter run.
SWU BT: Wildcats return four
Continued from C5
uled to get their first test of
the season on Tuesday at a
meet in Luverne and will be
back on the track tomorrow
(Friday) in Mt. Lake.
SWU has meets in Slayton
on April 19 and 26, followed
by a meet in Worthington
April 28. A meet in Pipe-
stone on May 3 is followed
JCC BG: Huskies return every golfer from last year
Continued from C2
Brito said. “Those guys have
learned a lot about course
management, which will
help them make good deci-
sions on the golf course.”
The Asa twins and Brink-
man all qualified for the
section tournament last
season, where Brinkman
recorded the first hole-in-
one in team history.
The Huskies are sched-
uled to open their season
tomorrow (Friday) in Spirit
Lake, Iowa, with another
trip south of the border
scheduled a week later
against Estherville Lincoln
Central.
JCC opens the Southwest
Conference schedule April
19 in Marshall, the team Di-
Brito tabbed as the favorite
to win the conference.
“We always have a very
competitive conference,”
DiBrito said. “The Marshall
boys are always a tough
team.”
The Huskies have home
conference meets against
Windom (April 29), Lu-
verne (May 10) and Pipe-
stone Area (May 12). The
conference meet is May
23 in Worthington, with
the sub-section meet May
26 and the section meet
June 2.
DiBrito expects his expe-
rienced squad to have plen-
ty of success this season.
“I would like to see us
be very competitive in the
conference and section,”
he said.
To do so, the Huskies will
rely on their strengths.
Dr. Clayton R. Lewis
711 Third Street
Jackson, MN 56143
507-847-4390 • 800-404-4390
202 Grant St., Jackson, MN
(507) 847-4700
www.unitedprairiebank.com
Photo by Dan Condon
by two more in Worthing-
ton, with a May 16 meet in
Windom wrapping up the
regular season.
The conference meet is
scheduled for May 19 in
Slayton, the sub-section
meet is May 26 in Worthing-
ton and the section meet is
June 2 in Redwood Falls.
“The main strengths of DiBrito said.
this team are experience
and the fact that so many Amy Voss and Brett Ben-
different guys will be com- son.
peting for varsity spots,”
Kyle Edlin is one of several JCC golfers with plenty of
varsity experience.
Member
FDIC
Sports Preview
JCC BT&F: JCC boys should have balanced track team this season
Continued from C3
able to do well in those
races, it will make it eas-
ier to fill the holes left by
the big group of seniors
that graduated from last
year’s team.
Senior Steven Salzwe-
del racked up 142 points
in sprints and relays last
season, senior Zach Post
scored 86 and senior
Evan Koep scored 62.
All three will compete in
sprinting events this sea-
son, as will junior Austin
Lucht, sophomores Ja-
Evan Koep competes in the pole vault for JCC last season.
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Photo by Dan Condon
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Thursday, April 7, 2011
son Vongsavanh and C.J. vaulting. Relay teams weren’t set
Rosenkranz, freshmen Jer- Competing in jumping earlier this week and could
emy Ringgenberg, Darnell events will be freshman change throughout the sea-
Taylor-Breck, Bradley Gus- Jon Harmening and sopho- son as runners round into
tafson, Wyatt Cleberg and more Tanner Post, among form.
Evan Broitzman. others. “We’re hoping to do
Jeremy Ringgenberg, With so many kids on well in relays,” Cook said.
junior John Isaacson and the team, Coach Cook is “We’ll have to wait and see
freshman Matt Schmit will excited to see how his team who is on those teams.”
compete in hurdles for the shakes out. The Huskies don’t have a
Huskies. “We’re excited to see home meet this season, but
Junior Alex Tewes and where they’re going to fit do have many nearby. The
sophomore Wayne Fisk into the varsity roster,” he season started Tuesday in
will be competing in shot said, adding he is happy to Luverne, with the Huskies
put and discus, with Koep, see 13 freshmen and sopho- back in action tomorrow
Hummel and Lucht pole mores on the team. (Friday) in Mt. Lake. JCC
returns to Mt. Lake April 15
and has a meet in Windom
on April 18.
Meets are scheduled
for April 28 and May 6 in
Fairmont, with another
meet in Worthington May
12.
The Southwest Confer-
ence meet is May 19 in Lu-
verne, the sub-section meet
is May 26 in Worthington
and the section meet is June
2 in Redwood Falls.
Cook said he hopes the
Huskies can repeat their
success of last season and
would like to again do well Above: Taylor Freeman carries the baton during a relay
at the true team meet. last spring. Below: Jordan Snyder leads a pack of runners
“We’re looking to have a during a long-distance run last season.
strong repeat at true team,”
he said.
Last year, JCC won the
section true team meet and
was fifth at the state true
team tournament.
Cook also hopes to have a
few relay teams and sprint-
ers at the state meet this
season.
“We’re hoping to get
more runners up to state,”
he said.
Cook is assisted by Jack
Walsh, Bob Ruby, Kerri Ko-
cak and Rafael York.
Photos by Dan Condon
JCC GT&F: Huskies bring back 13 letter winners
Continued from C3
Cook said. Huskies. each year.”
The Huskies figure Ringgenberg, VanEpps, One such competition
to score a good amount Jessica Voehl and Court- Cook hopes to see improve-
of points in sprints this ney Donnelli will all also ment in is the section true
year, with both Donnellis, compete in multiple field team meet.
Schumann and Schneekloth events. “I’m very excited this year
ready to speed down the With so many quality girls to compete in the true team
track again. back this season, Cook ex- competition with all our let-
Also running sprints pects the Huskies to move ter winners back,” he said.
are juniors Sarah Dar- up in the standings. Assistant coaches for the
ling, Kirsten Ringgenberg, “We’re hoping to improve Huskies are Jack Walsh,
Monica Gee and Amanda in team results,” Cook said. Bob Ruby, Kerri Kocak and
Pohlsen and sophomores “We’ve been moving up Rafael York.
Jessica Voehl, Mariah
Smith, Caitlyn Stevens,
Michelle VanEpps and Tay-
lor Dunker.
“We’ve got great depth in
sprinting,” Cook said.
The Huskies also have a
solid group of middle- and
long-distance runners back
this season.
Johnson, Sarah Voehl
and Holthe scored most of
their points in middle- and
long-distance runs last sea-
son and will be joined in
the events by senior Hope
Belknap, juniors Hailey
Timko and Rachel Bu-
resch, sophomore Miranda
Above: Julia Schumann flies through the air during long Kunerth and freshman Mi-
jump last season. Below: Riley Schneekloth and Jessica randa Timko.
Voehl sprint to the finish of the 100-meter dash. “We’ve got great experi-
ence in long-distance run-
ning,” Cook said.
The Huskies will also put
together relay teams, with
Cook hoping to get a few
of them to the state tour-
nament.
“We should be very strong
in relays,” he said. “Hope-
fully we can get some to
Photos by Dan Condon
state.”
Steffen will be competing Hope Belknap competes in a relay race for the Huskies
in hurdle races again for the last season.
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