Spring Sports Preview 2011

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 16

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWTigers Baseball chases Big Nine title l 2

Megan Pulley leads Tigers girls’ golf l 8

TribuneAlbert Lea

Wolverines eye Southeast Championship l 13

Rebels excel on track, in field l 11

Friday, April 8, 2011

Panthers boys’ golf look to repeat atop Gopher

By Tim [email protected]

NEW RICHLAND — The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers return many of their start-ers in boys’ golf this season, giving them a good chance to defend their Gopher Conference title.

While Seth Hansen, Dalen Ferber and Dillon Hanson will be missed, the team has several returning let-terwinners, said head coach Brad Root. Those letterwinners are seniors Aaron Patraw, Matt Nafe, Jonathon Wolstrom and Cody Root and junior Sam Grothem

“We will again have good numbers on the boys’ side,” said Root, who also coaches girls’ golf, “Someone may emerge as a surprise to help us recapture the conference title.”

He said the varsity golf team has solid golf skills but will need to work on the mental game, course manage-ment and consistency.

“We need to move from being prac-tice players to tournament players,” Root said.

He said the team also needs to get more tournament experience

for junior varsity players so they are prepared when they reach the varsity level. The team also will focus on rules and etiquette.

“We want them to learn the game so they can enjoy it throughout their life,” Root said. “As always we want our student athletes to enjoy the sport and have fun while at the same time representing our school well.”

NRHEG is a favorite to win the Go-pher Conference this year. It will vie with Waseca at the sub-section meet. Tim Stoetz Jr. is the assistant coach.

The team’s home course is Riv-erview Golf Course. The conference tournament this year is at Oakview Golf Course near Freeborn, hosted by United South Central.

NRHEG has skill but needs to sharpen mental game

2011 schedule:

April 7 vs. Bethlehem AcademyApril 12 at United South CentralApril 14 vs. Blooming PrairieApril 19 at Janesville-Waldorf-PembertonApril 25 at Glenville-EmmonsApril 28 vs. United South CentralMay 3 tournament at TritonMay 5 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-PembertonMay 10 at Blooming PrairieMay 13 Gopher Conf. Tournament at Oakview Golf CourseMay 17 at Bethlehem AcademyMay 19 vs. Maple RiverMay 24 vs. Glenville-Emmons

Panthers girls’ golf primed for run at title

By Andrew [email protected]

NEW RICHLAND — After finishing second in the Gopher Conference last season, the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ golf team has a realistic shot at a league title this season.

The Panthers return four start-ers from last year’s team including Abbey Holland (Sr.), Hannah Moe (Sr.), Michaela Hansen (Jr.) and Lexi Wayne (Jr.).

The team has 12 girls out for golf and a nice talent pool, according to head coach Brad Root.

“The girls need to be mentally tough and focused this year,” Root said. “We are counting on continued improvement in all our girls.”

Root said his team takes aggressive shots and are risk takers, and that they need to be prepared for whatev-er weather conditions exist. He said the Panthers strengths will be team chemistry and work ethic.

“As always, we want our student-athletes to enjoy the sport and have fun while at the same time represent-ing our school well,” Root said. “We

will be working on the rules and golf etiquette so our golfers will be knowl-edgeable and welcome wherever we travel to play.”

The Panthers home course is Riv-erview Golf Course. The conference tournament this year is at Oakview Golf Course near Freeborn, hosted by United South Central.

The Panthers assistant coaches are Justin Timm and Tim Stoesz.

After finishing 9-8 last year, Root said the Panthers are the Gopher Conference favorite. He said the Panthers and Waseca are the Section 2AA favorite.

Root expects a good showing at the conference tournament and subsection.

NRHEG returns 4 starters from last season

2011 schedule:


year to know what it takes to com-pete at the varsity level.

The two starting seniors are Cody Kraay and Chad Schlaak.

Kraay was a pitcher and first baseman last season who played in 14 games and had a .353 bat-ting average. He was 0-1 in four appearances on the mound and finished with a 7.00 earned run average.

Schlaak was a captain last year and played in all 22 games. He had a .317 batting average and led the team with 20 stolen bases.

Kraay and Schlaak will be asked to help lead the Panthers back toward the top of the Gopher Conference.

“Leadership is an important key to success,” Reese said. “We do have enough leaders that can make this season very rewarding.”

Reese said that to be success-ful this season, everyone on his team needs to improve. He said that they need to get back to their philosophy of throwing quality pitches, making routine defensive plays and putting the ball in play offensively.


With a solid 1-2 punch on the mound this season, the Albert Lea baseball team is primed to make another run at a Big Nine Conference championship.

The Tigers return starting pitcher and Tribune Player of the Year, Aaron Klatt, who was 6-3 last season with a 2.32 ERA. He struck out 65 batters in 54 innings and hit .387.

The Tigers’ second pitcher is right-hander Cole Sorenson, who plays cen-terfield when he’s not on the mound. Sorenson was 3-2 last season, with a 2.10 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 37 innings.

Tigers coach Joe Sczublewski said the team still needs to develop pitch-ing depth beyond Klatt and Sorenson.

Albert Lea will contend for the conference title along with Rochester Mayo, John Marshall and Century, and Mankato East and West. Big Nine defending champions Owatonna lost a solid senior class but has their two top pitchers returning.

“It will probably be a wide open race again,” Sczublewski said. “The cham-pion of our 18-game Big Nine Confer-ence schedule has to be consistent.”

The Tigers baseball team did take a blow this winter when starting senior shortstop Carter Kortan torn his ACL during a wrestling match. Kortan was a defensive standout for the Tigers’ middle infield and will miss the entire season. Sczublewski said several younger players have shown progress this preseason as the team tries to

Page 2 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 15

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Albert Lea TigersSolid pitching staff set to lead

Tigers baseball this season

Aaron Klatt is the a captain for Albert Lea baseball this season and the team’s No. 1 pitcher. The senior posted a 2.32 ERA last year and was atop the Big Nine Confer-ence in strikeouts. He also had a .387 batting average. The 18-year-old is choosing between Winona State Uni-versity, South Da-kota State University and North Dakota State University for his undergrad and plans on pitching at whichever college he chooses. Klatt was a wide receiver on the Tigers’ foot-ball team this fall and a guard on the basketball team.

4Pitching, Page 5

Klatt, Sorenson and Kortan will be key to success

Table of contents2. Albert Lea baseball4. Albert Lea softball, boys’ tennis5. Albert Lea boys’ track and field6. Albert Lea boys’ golf7. Albert Lea girls’ track and field8. Albert Lea girls’ golf9. Lake Mills boys’ and girls’ golf, boys’ and girls’ track and field10. Northwood-Kensett boys’ and girls’ golf, boys’ and girls’ track and field11. USC baseball, softball, boys’ and girls’ track and field12. NRHEG baseball, softball, boys’ and girls’ track and field13. Glenville-Emmons baseball, softball, boys’ and girls’ golf14. Alden-Conger baseball, boys’ and girls’ golf16. NRHEG boys’ golf, girls’ golf

Cutouts by Stacey Bahr

and the team’s hurdlers.“Our hurdlers are some of the

most committed girls on the team,” Wempen said. “They will show im-provement through the season.”

Wempen said the team has a good mix of sprinters, mid-distance runners and distance runners, too.

Lindy Pins, the team’s lone senior, is looking to contribute in other athletic opportunities at the collegieate level, according to Wempen.

Young: Pins focusing other college sports

Continued from Page 9

2011 schedule

April 4 at CWL Relays at BrittApril 8 at Hampton-DumontApril 12 at AlgonaApril 15 at Northwood-KensettApril 18 at Belmond-KlemmeApril 19 at Garner-HayfieldApril 25 at Lake Mills InvitationalApril 26 at Forest CityMay 2 at West-HancockMay 5 at Clear LakeMay 9 at North Iowa Conference meetMay 12 at Class 1A regional meetMay 19 at state meetMay 20 at state meet

The Panthers lost two notable athletes to graduation last season. David Lindell, a two-time state qualifier in discus, and Kevin Klocek, who placed third in state in 100- and 200-meter races, are not returning to the team this season.

“We have a bunch of returning letterwinners and a handful of new guys,” Ferber said. “I’m anticipating a fun season.”

Fun: Panthers lost Lindell,

Klocek Continued from Page 12

2011 schedule

April 2 at Minnesota State-Mankato, 9 a.m.April 5 vs. Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.April 8 at Waseca, 4:30 p.m.April 12 vs. NRHEG Invite, 4:30 p.m.April 19 at United South Central, 4:30 p.m.April 26 at Maple River, 4:30 p.m.April 29 at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.May 10 at True Team Sections (Maple River), 4 p.m.May 17 at Gopher Conference meet, 4:30 p.m.May 26 at Section tournament, TBA

Rebound: Schlaak, Kraay will lead team


2011 schedule:

April 5 vs. Blue EarthApril 7 vs. MedfordApril 8 at Saint ClairApril 11 vs. RandolphApril 14 at Maple RiverApril 16 vs. Bethlehem Academy/Glenville-Emmons/NicolletApril 18 at Janesville-Waldorf-PembertonApril 19 vs. WasecaApril 25 vs. United South CentralApril 26 at Blooming PrairieApril 28 at Waterville-Elysian-MorristownMay 2 vs. Bethlehem AcademyMay 3 vs. Glenville-EmmonsMay 5 at Mankato LoyolaMay 10 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-PembertonMay 13 vs. Lake Crystal-Wellcome-MemorialMay 16 at United South CentralMay 19 vs. Blooming PrairieMay 20 at Albert Lea

(Sr.), catcher Shelby Mogenson (Sr.) and outfielder Tara Simon (Soph.). Simon batted .343 last season and led the team in doubles, while Cole was named the most improved player.

Panthers coach Wendy Schultz said the team’s goals are to improve on last season’s record and play fundamen-tally sound softball.

“Small ball is a must,” She said. “We need to be able to incorporate bunting along with our hitting.”

Schultz also said she expects the Panthers to play aggressively both on offense and defense.

“We have some quick gals,” she said. “I hope to be able to utilize that on the base paths.”

Though the Panthers enter the season young and inexperienced, nine of the team’s 11 players played softball this summer, three on two different teams.

“Hopefully the extra experience will payoff,” Schultz said. “I have thor-oughly enjoyed working with the 11 girls on our team. They are hard work-ers and have great attitudes.”

Schultz is in her second season as head coach after not having coached the Panthers for six years. She was the team’s coach from 1993-2004 and has a career coaching record of 149-100.

Panthers: Team has summer experience


2011 schedule:

April 5 at Blue Earth, 5 p.m.April 7 vs. Medford, 5 p.m.April 11 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.April 12 at Waseca, 5 p.m.April 14 vs. Maple River, 5 p.m.April 16 vs. NRHEG Tournament, 9 a.m.April 18 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.April 25 vs. United South Central, 5 p.m.April 26 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.April 28 at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.May 2 vs. Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.Mat 5 at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.May 10 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.May 13 vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.May 16 at United South Central, 5 p.m.May 17 vs. Byron, 5 p.m.May 19 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.May 20 vs. Glenville-Emmons. 4:30 p.m.

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have played softball for several years at various levels. The team’s weakness, though, is that only three players have varsity experience.

“We need to have consistent pitching and catching,” Harms said, for his team to be successful. “We need to play hard for seven full innings every game and have good defense.”

Harms said that Mankato East are favorites to win the Big Nine Conference this season and that Hastings will likely win the section. One of the Tigers’ goals is to win a section game this year.

Tigers: Team needs consistent

pitching Continued from Page 4

2011 schedule:

April 7 vs. Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.April 12 at Mankato West, 5 p.m.April 14 at Faribault, 4 p.m.April 16 at New Richland-H-E-G Tournament, 9 a.m.April 19 vs Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.April 21 at Austin, 5 p.m.April 26 vs. Rochester Century, 4 p.m.April 28 vs. Winona, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.May 5 vs. Mankato West, 4 p.m.May 10 at Owatonna, 4 p.m.May 12 at Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.May 17 vs. Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.May 25 at Section 1AAA Tournament, TBD

batting .417 with a team-high 17 RBIs.

Toulouse said his team’s strength this season will be pitching, experi-ence, hitting and team speed. The team’s weaknesses: Lack of depth behind Woodside, team defense and striking out at the plate.

Toulouse said his pitching and defense will need to be stellar this season for the team to be success-ful. He said the Wolverines also need to develop more depth and limit injuries.

Toulouse said that Wabasha-Kel-logg and Southland are the favorites to win the section tournament this season.

Settle: Team’s strengths are

pitching, hittingContinued from Page 13

2011 schedule:

April 7 at Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.April 8 at Houston, 4:30 p.m.April 11 at Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m.April 12 at Medford, 4:30 p.m.April 14 vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 4:30 p.m.April 18 vs. Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.April 19 at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.April 21 vs. Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.April 23 vs. Winona Cotter, TBDApril 29 at GHEMCL, 4:30 p.m.May 2 vs. Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.May 5 vs. Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m.May 9 at Lyle/Pacelli, 4:30 p.m.May 12 at Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.May 16 vs. Houston, 4:30 p.m.May 19 at Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.


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Alden-Conger KnightsKnights baseball enters season inexperienced


ALDEN — In his first season as Alden-Conger’s head baseball coach, Sam Hintz has his work cut out for him.

The Knights return just four letter-winners from last season’s 4-13 team. Of those four, only one is a senior.

“We are very inexperienced,” Hintz said. “Only a couple players on this team have participated in baseball from junior high to high school.”

The Knights’ top returner is Jordan Johnson, the only player on the team that batted over .300 the year before. Johnson was named team MVP in 2010 and Valley All-Conference hon-orable mention.

Other returners include Tony Benhke, the team’s Most Improved Player a year ago, honorable mention Lucas Kleinschrodt and Tribune All-

Area Spencer Niebuhr. Hintz said that the biggest key to

the team’s success will be pitching. What could get in the way of success in inexperience.

“It’s very challenging when talking about basic baseball skills, or play, and only three to four people know what I’m talking about,” Hintz said.

Hintz said that Maple River is the conference and section favorite.

Alden-Conger returns just 4 letterwinners

2011 schedule:

April 12 vs. Nicollet, 5 p.m.April 19 at Maple River, 5 p.m.April 21 at Glenville-Emmons, 4:15 p.m.April 25 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.April 26 at LC-W-M, 5 p.m.April 28 at LeCenter/Cleveland, 5 p.m.April 30 at Lyle/Pacelli Tournament, TBDMay 2 vs. Lyle/Pacelli, 5 p.m.May 3 vs. Martin County West, 5 p.m.May 5 at Saint Clair, 5 p.m.May 10 vs. Martin Luther/G-H-EC, 5 p.m.May 14 at Medford, 10 a.m.May 17 at Truman, 5 p.m.May 19 vs. Glenville-Emmons, 4:15 p.m.May 24 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Johnson takes over as Knights golf coach


ALDEN -- The golf teams at Alden-Conger have a new coach, Doug Johnson, who hopes to instill confi-dence in his golfers.

So while the coach is new, the teams bring experience to the table.

Some of the key golfers on the boys’ team are seniors Na-thaniel Back and Zach Rinehart, sophomore Tommy Geesman and eighth-grader Eli Hallman. Gees-man and Hallman are returning letterwiners.

The girls’ team features sopho-mores Chrissy Reindal, Kelsey Behnke and Lily Gjersvik. Also watch Brenna VanEngelenburg.

“We have a lot of young players this year and these eight are good leaders and good role models for our younger players,” Johnson said. “They all

have experience on the varsity level and will be able to handle the pres-sures that go along with golfing on the varsity level.”

The boys lost section qualifiers Jor-dan Mulso and Brandon McTauge. A weakness on the girls’ side is low numbers. Johnson said every girl is valuable to the team and there is no room for injury or sickness.

Johnson said his expectations for the team are that the Knights can have a shot to win every meet they compete in.

Alden-Conger has mix of youth, leadership

2011 schedule:

April 12 at Glenville-EmmonsApril 14 at Saint ClairApril 16 at Blooming PrairieApril 21 at United South CentralApril 25 at Bethlehem AcademyApril 26 vs. Grenada-Huntley-East Chain/Martin LutherApril 28 at MadeliaMay 9 at TritonMay 13 vs. Saint ClairMay 13 at Albert Lea Invite

Bethany Sekora,18, is a captain for Albert Lea softball and the team’s most powerful hit-ter. She’s been playing softball since seventh grade and also played varsity volleyball this season. Sekora plans on at-tending the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in the fall. She’s consider-ing majoring in psychology and will play in-tramural sports.


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Prudoehl takes over as Tigers’ tennis coachSteven

Kruen, 18, is a senior co-captain on the Albert Lea boys’ tennis team. He was also the cross county team’s top male runner this sea-son. Kruen didn’t pick up a racket until ninth grade. He played No. 2 doubles last season.


After a winless 2010 season, the Albert Lea boys’ tennis team will look to move forward with first-year head coach Wayne Prudoehl.

Prudoehl, an assistant coach last season, returns seven letterwinners from last year’s squad, including three seniors.

Returning to the Tigers this sea-son is Logan Tufte (Sr.), Steven Kruen (Sr.), Dyllan Engebretson (Sr.), Aaron Woitas (Jr.), Trevor Herfindahl (Soph.), Tate Tufte (Soph.) and Kyle Zogg (Soph.). According to Prudoehl, other key athletes include Darik Wei-gel (Soph.), Parker Thompson (Soph.) and Evan Templeman (Jr.).

Prudoehl said Weigel made some great improvements over the summer and is a great athlete. He said Thomp-son has loads of potential but needs some technical improvements to reach that fully and that Templeman

First-year head coach looks to get Albert Lea elusive win

4 Tennis, Page 6

Sekora leads inexperienced Tigers


In his second season as Albert Lea softball coach, Dan Harms wants to see his team win half their games.

They’ll have to do that without 2010 Tribune Player of the Year Lauren Klick and two other All-Conference honorable mention players.

The Tigers return three letterwin-ers off last year’s squad including first baseman Bethany Sekora (Sr.), outfielder Clair Buendorf (Jr.) and pitcher Krystle Nelson (Sr.).

Sekora is one of the Tigers’ top hit-ters with enough power to hit home runs, and Buendorf has a strong left-handed arm. Nelson is the only pitcher with varisty experience.

Harms said that Erin Everhard (Jr.) is another key athlete who throws hard as a pitcher and can play any defensive position.

Harms said that the Tigers strength this season will be that most players

Albert Lea’s goal is to win half of their games this year

4 Tigers, Page 15

Glenville-Emmons WolverinesWolverines baseball

won’t settle with SEC title

Wolverines softball returns experienced squad


GLENVILLE — In her ninth season as head coach, Lisa Ziebell has an experienced Glenville-Emmons soft-ball team with five seniors and nine returning letterwinners.

The Wolverines return Southeast All-Conference players Alayna Hall (Sr.) and Robyn Roe (Sr.), and All-Conference honorale mention and team MVP Kailey Davis (Sr.).

After finishing 4-13 last season, Ziebell said the Wolverines must pitch well and play defense to be suc-cessful. She also said that she expects

her experienced lineup to play like veterans.

Ziebell said Spring Grove and Houston are conference favorites.

Boys’, girls’ golf hoping to post winning records


GLENVILLE — The Wolverines field two seniors on their boys’ golf team, and they are hoping to post a winning record — if they can do well at the short game.

Coach Craig Rayman said the team has a strong willingness to work. Though it is a young team, he hopes golfing last summer will result in an improved squad.

“I hope they all played many rounds. We will see this spring,” he said.

Another key to improvement Ray-man cited was practicing chipping and putting.

Andrew Lau and Collin Johnson are the team’s seniors.

Other returning letterwinners are junior Cody Gaines, sophomores Blake Lundmark, Shawn Johnson and Jared Larson, and freshmen Sam Johnson, Dalton Nessett, Kenny Koch and Spencer Wangen.

Five to watch are Lau, Gaines, Lundmark, Johnson and Wangen. The team will miss the skills of Zach Wangen and Josh Minear.

Mike Hockert is the assistant coach.

Lanesboro is a conference favorite. Blooming Prairie and Lanesboro are both section favorites.

The Wolverines golf at Northwood Golf Course across the border in Iowa.

Wolverines return two letterwinners, have low numbers

It’s a slim year for the Glenville-

Emmons girls’ golf team. The Wol-verines have the minimum number of players to field a team.

The team has lost Karrin Olson and Kendra Davis to softball, and Mad-disson Minear moved.

However, it still has senior Jenna Klingson and eighth-grader Kristin Hahn, both returning letterwinners.

“Jenna is a good leader, and Kristin is in her second year,” said coach Craig Rayman.

The team could find some sur-prises with juniors Noelle Hagen and Morgan Schumaker.

Rayman, in his 23rd year as coach, said a key to success this season is getting solid practice without getting frustrated.

Glenville-Emmons finished 2-7 last year and 1-5 in the Southeast Confer-ence. Lanesboro is the favorite in the conference this year.

The squad’s assistant coach is Mike Hockert. The Wolverines golf at Northwood Golf Course across the border in Iowa.

Glenville-Emmons has 5 seniors, 9 returning letterwinners


GLENVILLE — The Glenville-Emmons baseball team is expected to contend for a Southeast Conference title this season, but they don’t want to settle there.

Coach Louie Toulouse said the team wants to make it out of the first round of subsections, something they didn’t do last season.

The Wolverines return eight letter-winners from last year’s team includ-ing Tyler Woodside, one of the team’s top pitchers. Woodside had a .90 ERA last season in 39 innings and

batted .333 with 14 RBIs. Woodside will be key to the Wolverines success this season along with senior Spencel Kral (P/IF) and junior Zack William-son (OF).

On the mound last season, Kral was 2-2 with a 6.11 ERA in 18 1/3 innings. He batted .438 with 12 RBIs. Williamson batted .367 with seven RBIs.

The Wolverines will be without their No. 1 pitcher from last season, Jon Mittag, who was 5-2 with a 1.49 ERA and 76 strikeouts. Mittag was also the team’s top offensive threat,

Woodside will lead Glenville-Emmons on mound

4Settle, Page 15

2011 schedule

April 8 at Grand Meadow/LeRoy-OstranderApril 11 vs. Alden-CongerApril 15 vs. Lyle-PacelliApril 16 at Blooming PrairieApril 18 vs. LanesboroApril 24 at NRHEGApril 25 vs. NRHEGApril 29 at HoustonMay 2 vs. Grand Meadow/LeRoy-OstranderMay 9 at Lyle-PacelliMay 13 at LanesboroMay 16 vs. Houston

Glenville-Emmons boys need to improve putting, chipping

2011 schedule

April 7 at Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.April 8 at Houston, 4:30 p.m.April 11 at Spring Grove, 4:30 p.m.April 16 at NRHEG Tournament, TBDApril 18 vs. Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.April 20 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.April 21 vs. Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.April 29 at GHECML, 4:30 p.m.May 2 vs. Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.May 5 vs. Spring Grove, 4:30 p.m.May 12 at Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.May 16 vs. Houston, 4:30 p.m.May 19 at Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.May 23 vs. Southland, 4:30 p.m.


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replace Kortan.Conner Kortan will return this sea-

son behind home plate after an All-Conference junior year. Conner had a .379 batting average last season.

Sczublewski said whichever team emerges as the Big Nine champion will be the favorite to win Section 1AAA. Rochester Mayo is the defend-ing section champ and Hastings, who upset Albert Lea in the first round last season, returns most of their team.

“We feel like we can be a serious contender,” Sczublewski said. “Like everyone else in the section, we hope to keep getting better throughout the season so that we will be playing our best baseball by the playoffs.”

The Tigers return seven letterwin-ners off last year’s squad including Klatt (SP/1B), Conner Kortan (C), So-renson (SP/OF), J.T. Bellrichard (IF), Cory Hansen (OF), Josh Eisenbraun (OF/1B) and Chris Stahl (OF).

Non-letterwinners expected to contribute this season are Dalton Westerlund (IF), Cody Haaland (P/1B), Ethan Abben (P/IF), Dylan See Rockers (P/OF) and Mikael Lunning (OF).

Tri-captains set to lead Tigers boys’ track and fieldBy Andrew [email protected]

In his first season as head coach, Kevin Gentz will look to captains Kyle Kriewall (Sr.), Alik Smed (Sr.) and Tommy Tiegs (Sr.) this season to lead the Albert Lea boys’ track and field team.

Those three must help make up for the loss of Matt Tiegs, Trevor Rass-mussen and Jack Sturtz, who gradu-ated after setting a school record in the 4x800-meter relay last season.

Kriewall is one the team’s top long jumpers and sprinter, Smed is an excellent high and long jumper and Tiegs is one of the Tigers’ top sprint-ers. Gentz will also look for impressive performances from hurdler Brody Sundblad (Jr.), 800-meter runner Sean Laurie (Jr.) and high-, long- and triple-jumper Tyler Wichmann (Sr.).

Gentz’s expectations this season are for his team to work hard and improve.

“As a team, we would like to become four deep at every event,” Gentz said. “We are continuing to develop athletes

in both field and running events.”Gentz said his team’s goals are to fin-

ish in the top four at true team section and send at least one athlete to the state meet at Hamline University in St. Paul.

Gentz said that the Tigers’ greatest strengths include their leadership, work ethic and positive attitudes.

“Our senior jumpers will be our strongest group of competitors,” Gentz said. “We have a lot of great athletes developing and showing great signs of improvement in shotput, disc, distance, pole vault and hurdles.”

Gentz said that Owatonna and Mankato East are the Big Nine Con-ference favorites.

Pitching: Tigerswill contend for

Big Nine titleContinued from Page 2

2011 schedule

April 5 vs. Winona, 5 p.m.April 7 at Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.April 12 vs. Mankato West, 5 p.m.April 14, vs. Faribault, doubleheader, 4 p.m.April 19 at Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.April 21 vs. Austin, 5 p.m.April 25 at Rochester Century, doubleheader, 4:30 p.m.April 28 at Winona, 5 p.m.May 3 vs. Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.May 5 at Mankato West, 4 p.m.May 7 at Waseca, 1 p.m.May 10 vs. Owatonna, doubleheader, 5 p.m.May 12 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.May 17 at Mankato East, doubleheader, 4:30 p.m.May 20 vs. New Richland-H-E-G, 5 p.m.May 24 at Austin, 5 p.m.May 28 at Section 1AAA tournament, TBDJune 16 at Class AAA state tournament, TBD

2011 schedule

March 19 at St. Olaf College, Northfield, 9:30 a.m.April 2 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, 9 a.m.April 5 at New Richland-H-E-G, 4:30 p.m.April 12 at Owatonna, 3:30 p.m.April 19 at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.April 26 vs. Mankato West, Austin, 4:30 p.m.April 29 at Rosemount, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.May 10 at True Team Section meet (Mankato West), 3:30 p.m.May 17 at Rochester John Marshall, 4:30 p.m.May 27 at Big Nine Conference meet (Winona), 10 a.m.June 2 at Section Meet (Lakeville South), TBDJune 4 at Section Meet (Lakeville South), TBDJune 10 at Class AA state meet, TBD

NRHEG PanthersPanthers baseball looks

to rebound in 2011By Andrew [email protected]

NEW RICHLAND — New Rich-land-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva baseball coach Jeff Reese called last season “very disappointing.”

The Panthers opened their sched-ule by losing 15 of their first 17 games, including 12 in a row, before winning three of their final four. The team was ousted in the opening round of the section tournament and finished second-to-last in the Gopher Conference.

To avoid dissapointment this year, Reese knows changes must be made.

“We need to vastly improve all areas of our game, including my coaching,” he said. “We need to work harder on the basic fundamentals.”

Reese said last year’s team had too many errors, poor pitching perfor-mances and terrible hitting, which included too many strikeouts.

The Panthers have youth on their side with 10 returning juniors with varsity experience. They only return two starting seniors, though.

“I believe we have the players to lead the way,” Reese said. “Our juniors saw enough playing time last

Coach: ‘We need to vastly improve all areas of our game’

4 Rebound, Page 15

Expectations lower for NRHEG boys’ track and field By Andrew [email protected]

NEW RICHLAND — In his 20th season as head coach, Duey Ferber hopes the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Gevena boys’ track and field team finishes in the top half of the Gopher Conference.

After finishing third in the confer-ence last season, expectations are lower for the Panthers this year. Still, Ferber anticipates a fun season.

“Team wise, we know we cannot compete for the top of the conference of subsection,” he said. “However, we have some good guys and tremen-

dous enthusiasm this season.”The Panthers have returned nine

letterwinners including four throwers. “Our strengths will be in the

weights,” Ferber said. “Tony Wacholz is very solid in the throws.”

Wacholz, a senior, joins Tyler Crabtree (Sr.), Nate Lutgens (Sr.) and Travis Ripka (Sr.) as the team’s four throwers. Crabtree also runs mid-distance.

Ferber expects Evan Ferber (Sr.) to perform well this season in jumps and mid-distance and advance to the section meet.

Still, coach anticipates ‘fun season’ because of personnel

4 Fun, Page 15

Panthers softball looks to finish in top half of conferenceBy Andrew [email protected]

NEW RICHLAND — Without their biggest offensive threat from last season, the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers softball team looks to finish in the top half of the Gopher Conference with an inexperienced team.

The Panthers finished 7-13 last season and lost third baseman Alyssa Hagen to graduation. Hagen batted .421 last year and led the team in hits, home runs and RBIs. The Panthers also lost first baseman Kate Quam (.317), second baseman Jady Beenken

(.310) and outfielder Mariah Robran (.111). Hagen and Quam were voted co-team MVPs last season.

The Panthers will look to freshman Jade Schultz to led the team from the mound this season after a solid eighth-grade campaign, for which she was named All-Conference.

Schultz finished last season with a 7-13 record, 3.71 ERA, 171 strikeouts and 143 walks. She also batted .319 and led the Panthers in runs scored.

Schultz is one of five returning starters including outfielder Kristina Cole (Sr.), shortstop Kacie Phillips

NRHEG lost top 2 players from last season to graduation

4 Panthers, Page 15

Panthers girls’ track and field begins title defense


NEW RICHLAND — Set to defend their Gopher Conference title, the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ track and field team will need to shake off United South Central/Alden-Conger for a chance at another championship.

The Panthers lost just two athletes off their 2010 championship team, and aren’t the favorite to win the conference this season.

“One huge goal for us is to win the conference championship,” Panthers coach Duey Ferber said. “It will be tough to repeat.”

The Panthers return 14 letterwin-

ners from last year’s squad and will be strong in sprints, distance and throws.

Jill Kalis (Sr.), Kaylee Maxon (Sr.), and Amber Schmit (Sr.) are the Panthers’ top throwers, while Danielle Krueger (Jr.) and Abby Crabtree (Soph.) are the team’s top distance runners. Ferber expects all five girls to advance far into sections along with Carlie Wagner (Fr.) in the sprints and jumps.

“Our goal, as always, is to advance as many athletes as possible to the section meet,” Ferber said.

Ferber said that hurdlers Anna Schlaak (Jr.) and Katie Cole (Soph.) have a shot at advancing to sections, too.

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United South Central RebelsRebels baseball is

young, talentedBy Andrew [email protected]

WELLS — The United South Central baseball team this season will be without six Gopher All-Conference play-ers off last year’s team. Still, coach Pat Frank believes the team will be competitive and compete for a conference title.

“I think we’ll be a good ballclub by May,” Frank said. “And have fun.”

The Rebels won the Go-pher Conference champion-ship last season behind the pitching of Tribune co-Player of the Year Nick Fure.

Returning letterwinners for the Rebels this season are shortstop Eric Lackey (Sr.), pitcher/outfielder Dustin Dylla (Sr.), pitcher/infielder Anthony Stenzel (Sr.), catcher/outfield-

er Tyson Morton (Sr.), infielder Trey Allis (Soph.), pitcher/infielder Jason Huper (Jr.) and outfielder Colby Yost (Sr.).

Frank expects the Rebels to contend for another Go-pher Conference champion-ship this spring.

USC has won Gopher South 3 of last 4 years

Ramsley, Sunde set to lead Rebels softball


WELLS — With two re-turning Gopher All-Confer-ence players this season, the United South Central softball team expects to contend for a conference title.

The Rebels finished third in the Gopher Conference last season with a 6-4 record. They finished 15-6 overall before losing to Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial in the second round of the Section 2A softball tournament.

Pitcher Ali Ramsley and catcher Tayla Sunde are the team’s All-Conference returners.

Rebels coach Brad Huse said that the team’s strength will be pitching and the team’s weakness will be inexperience. He believes

his team will be successful if they play well defensively and have timely hitting.

After they finished sec-ond in the conference last season, Huse said Blooming Prairie is the Gopher Confer-ence favorite. He also said state defending consolation champs New Ulm Cathedral is the section favorite.

2011 schedule

April 5 at Martin County West, 5 p.m.April 7 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.April 11 vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.April 12 at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m.April 14 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.April 16 at LeCenter/Cleveland, 9 a.m.April 18 vs. Lake Crystal-W-M, 5 p.m.April 19 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.April 25 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.April 28 at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.May 2 vs. Mankato Loyola Catholic, 5 p.m.May 5 at Medford, 5 p.m.May 10 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.May 12 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.May 14 at Faribault Tournament, 9 a.m.May 16 vs. New Richland-H-E-G, 5 p.m.May 19 at Saint Clair, 5 p.m.May 24 at Section 2A Tournament, TBA

Rebels girls’ track and field enter season as conference favorites


WELLS — After finishing second in the Gopher Confer-ence last season, the United South Central girls’ track and field team is poised to take the title this year.

The Rebels return 15 let-terwinners from last season’s squad including nine of their top 11 scorers.

Of the team’s 46 athletes, only two are seniors and four are juniors. The Rebels’ largest class is sophomores with 10.

“We will be young but fairly experienced,” coach Kent Viesselman said. “There are several positive surprises and no negatives.”

Viesselman said the Rebels graduated three good seniors last season and that this year’s

team will have a slightly dif-ferent look than last year’s. Still, he expects the Rebels to have speed and depth.

“We need to plug some of the holes we had in our lineup last year,” Viesselman said. “I think it’s do-able.”

Rebels boys will be best on track, lack in field events

Like the girls, the Rebels boys’ track and field team also has 46 athetes on its roster.

Coach Viesselman said last season the boys were four events away from being a very good team and that this year he believes those holes have been filled.

“From what I’ve seen, so far, I think we’ll be able to fix those events.” Viesselman said. “Of course with last year’s gradua-tion some new holes were cre-

ated — but I think we’ll be OK.”Viesselman said the Rebels

will be strongest on the track, especially in sprints, hurdles and distance. He said he looks to Thane O’Rourke and Teddy Wiebold (sprints), Seth Treptow and Riley Niebuhr (hurdles) and Dylan Baumann, Jay Staloch and Daniel Elmer (distance) to lead in those events.

Viesselman said that the Rebels will lack in field events but have high point-scorers in Niebuhr (pole vault) and Tony Willette (throws.)

Niebuhr, Willette set to lead boys’ field events 2011 schedule

March 26 at MSU-Mankato, 9 a.m.April 2 at MSU-Mankato, 9 a.m.April 7 at St. James, 4:30 p.m.April 16 at Blue Earth, 10 a.m.April 19 vs. J-W-P, Waseca, NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.April 26 at Maple River, 4:30 p.m.May 3 vs. Maple River, 4:30 p.m.May 6 at Fairmont, 4:15 p.m.May 17 at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.May 21 at Stillwater, 10 a.m.May 26 at Subsection Tournament (NR), 4 p.m.June 10 at state tournament, TBD

Brady Falk, 17, began playing golf when he was four years old at the Albert Lea Coun-try Club. He placed third last summer in a Junior PGA tour-nament at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course in Sartell. Falk greatest weakness is his put-ting. His greatest strength is his iron play with Titleist AP2 irons.

Falk, Stadheim anchor senior-less Tigers golf


The Albert Lea Tigers boys’ golf team enters this season without four key players from last year’s conference-title-winning team. It is a 16-member squad without seniors.

However, the team returns two standouts — junior Brady Falk and sophomore Nate Stadheim. And Green Lea Golf Course hosts the Big Nine Conference Tournament.

Head coach Riley Worth said a key to success this year is to “be able to play our home course well and be able to play consistently in all weather conditions.”

He said he hopes the team will get better as the season goes and peak at the conference tournament, then con-tinue to perform into sectionals.

In 2010, the Tigers posted a 59-17-1 record, finishing sixth at sectionals.

They fended off Owatonna to place second at the conference tournament in at Northern Hills Golf Course in

Rochester. Winona took first in that tournament, but with a 16-2 con-ference record, the Tigers tied the Winhawks for a share of the confer-ence title.

It was the team’s first Big Nine championship in boys’ golf since 1994, when they tied Rochester Mayo.

This year, the strong teams in the Big Nine are likely to be Winona and Rochester Century. Worth said Owa-tonna could form a challenge, too.

Those teams look promising for the section meet, along with Lakeville North.

Falk is the Tiger to watch. Worth described him as the “hardest working golfer I’ve ever coached.” Falk drives long off the tee and has improved at chip shots. He was the team’s best performer last year at the sectional tournament.

Worth noted that Falk gets straight A’s, too.

Stadheim, Worth said, experienced

Albert Lea hosts Big Nine meet at Green Leashowed improvements near the end of last season and nearly cracked the varsity lineup.

Prudoehl expects the Tigers to make progress this spring and be as competitive as possible against most schools on their schedule.

“We need continued steady per-formance from seniors along with improvements from underclass-man,” Prudoehl said. “Especially the group of sophomores.”

Prudoehl said the Tigers’ big-gest strength is their athleticism and ability to cover the court well. He said their biggest weakness is that most players are better suited for singles rather than doubles.

The Tigers lost four seniors to graduation including last season’s No. 1 singles player Kyle See-Rockers. The team also lost Brian Reindl, Luke Thompson and Noah Christopherson.

Prudoehl said that Rochester Mayo is the early Big Nine Confer-ence favorite, followed by Rochester Century.

Tennis: Coach expects team to

competeContinued from Page 4

2011 schedule

April 7 vs. New Prague, 4:30 p.m.April 12 at Waseca, 4:30 p.m.April 14 vs. Rochester Century, 4:30 p.m.April 18 at Northfield, 4:30 p.m.April 19 at Winona, 4:30 p.m.April 21 vs. Rochester Mayo, 4:30 p.m.April 26 at Mankato West, 4:30 p.m.April 28 vs. Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at Faribault, 4:30 p.m.May 5 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 4:30 p.m.May 10 at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.May 12 at Austin, 4:30 p.m.

Your No. 1 source for Albert Lea boys’ golf

4Anchor, Page 8

2011 schedule

April 5 at Martin County West, 5 p.m.April 7 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.April 11 vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.April 12 at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m.April 14 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.April 16 vs. Maple River, New Ulm, 10 a.m. April 18 vs. Saint Clair, 4:30 p.m.April 19 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.April 25 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.April 28 at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.April 29 vs. Maple River, 4:30 p.m.May 3 vs. Mankato Loyola Catholic, 5 p.m.May 5 at Medford, 5 p.m.May 6 at LC-WM, 5 p.m.May 7 at Fairmont, 1 p.m.May 10 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.May 12 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.May 16 vs. New Richland-H-E-G, 5 p.m.May 20 at Waseca, 5 p.m.May 23 at Section 2A Tournament, TBA


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Alissa Allison, 17, is a senior captain this season on the Albert Lea girls’ track and field team. She is a two-sport athlete who also played tennis in the fall. Allison runs the 200-meter and 4x200- and 4x400-meter relays for the Tigers and has been involved in track since seventh grade. She is considering attending either the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities or Winona State University for undergrad. She plans on majoring in Spanish and pos-sibly nursing.

Your No. 1 source for Albert Lea

girls’ track and field

Monson eyes return to St. Paul for state meet


The Albert Lea girls’ track and field team has a strong nucleus of talent returning this season.

Leading the team this season will be distance runner Chrissy Monson (Soph.) and a strong group of jump-ers, which coach Margo Wayne calls the strongest she’s had in years.

“We have good leadership this year,” Wayne said. “Our distance events should be exciting and we should see points coming in from our sprints and relays. We have many new and prom-ising athletes in most of our events.”

The Tigers will be without Sarah Wenum, a Big Nine All-Conference performer, who graduated last year. Wenum was a high jumper, ran the 800-meter and 4x800- and 4x400-meter relays.

The Tigers do return 15 letterwin-ners, though, but only two seniors.

Monson placed third and sixth at

state last season in the 3,200-meter and 1,600-meter races, respectively. She is one of the top runners in the section again this season and likely looks to improve on those state places.

The Tigers placed eighth in the conference last season and Wayne expects Rochester Mayo and Mankato East to contend for a conference title this year.

In order to get to the state tourna-ment as a team, the Tigers would have to beat both Lakeville North and South, the two top teams in the section.

Tigers girls’ track and field strongest in distance, relays

2011 schedule:

March 19 at Northfield, 9:30 a.m.March 29 at Gustavus College, St. Peter, 10 a.m.April 2 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, 9 a.m.April 5 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.April 12 at Owatonna, 3:30 p.m.April 19 at Rochester Century, 4:30 p.m.April 26 at Mankato West, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at Winona, 4:30 p.m.May 10 at Mankato West, 3:30 p.m.May 17 vs. Rochester John Marshall, Mayo, 4:30 p.m.May 27 at Big Nine Conference meet (Winona), 10 a.m.June 2 at Section 1AA meet (Lakeville South), TBDJune 4 at Section 1AA meet (Lakeville South), TBD

Follow Vikings sports atAlbertLeaTribune.com

Northwood-Kensett VikingsVikings return half of

state champ relay teamBy Tim [email protected]

NORTHWOOD, Iowa — Look for the Vikings boys’ track team to do well in sprints and distance races this season. It’s the middle distances and field events that need development.

Returning letterwinners this sea-son are seniors Spencer Capitani and Anthony Hauge, juniors Nik Werner, Shayne Olson, Tanner Haberman, Caleb Reyerson, Tyler Thofson and Evan Fritz and sophomores Cameron Batton and Garret Olson.

Other key athletes this season are Daniel Pendleton, Dylan Nitcher and Torin Newell.

Werner and Capitani last sea-son were on Northwood-Kensett’s 4x200-meter relay state champion-ship team, and they were part of the school’s 4x100-meter state runner-up team.

They were also part of a state-qual-ifying shuttle hurdle team.

The school graduated the other half of those relay teams — Sam Arnold and Jayson Olson. They also lost Jacob Gor-don, a state qualifier in the shot put.

David Capitani has coached Northwood-Kensett boys’ track for 16 years. He said he hopes to develop field events and find hurdlers that can score team points at track meets.

The Corn Bowl Conference favorite is St. Ansgar.

The assistant coach for the Vikings is Lee Okerlund.

Vikings boys’ golf looks to bounce back from 2010


NORTHWOOD, Iowa — Coming off a winless 2010 season, coach Greg Parks and the Northwood-Kensett boys’ golf team are expecting to improve throughout the season this year.

Parks has coached the Vikings for

14 years and has a career coaching record of 95-110-2. Last season, the Vikings finished 0-15 in the Corn Bowl Conference and 0-16 overall. The team’s best finish over the last five seasons was 7-6.

The Vikings return four letterwin-ners this season: Eric Otis (Sr.), Sam Krull (Jr.), Tim Davis (Sr.) and Micheal Gordon (Jr.).

Vikings’ track and field is young, determined


NORTHWOOD, Iowa — The Northwood-Kensett girls’ track and field team this season returns 16 let-terwinners off last year’s squad — but only one senior.

“We are very young,” coach Ryan Severson said. “So we hope to im-prove with every meet.”

According to Severson, the Vikings’ strengths this season are distance runners and 800-meter runners. The team’s weakness is it’s youth.

Severson has coached the Vikings

for six years and been in the N-K school district for 18. His assistant coach is Mike Kessel.

The Vikings’ key losses from last season include Kathy Porter, who qualified for state last season in the shotput. Lauren Severson, who scored 128 points last season in discus and 800-meter runner Marlee Butler are two other key losses.

Severson said his team’s success will rely on the growth of freshman and sophomores, and development of the sprinters. He said West Fork is the favorite to win both the Corn Bowl Conference and district.

2011 schedule:

March 15 at AmesMarch 21 at Cedar FallsMarch 31 at West ForkApril 7 at North IowaApril 8 at Clarion-GoldfieldApril 12 at Nashua-PlainfieldApril 14 at Lake MillsApril 15 at Forest CityApril 18 at North ButlerApril 19 at Charles CityApril 25 at Northwood-KensettMay 2 at Garner-HayfieldMay 5 at Central SpringMay 9 Corn Bowl Conf. Meet at Nashua-PlainfieldMay 12 district tournamentMay 20, 21 state tournament

Vikings look to finish in top half of Corn Bowl ConferenceBy Andrew [email protected]

NORTHWOOD, Iowa — In his 10th season as girls’ golf coach, North-wood-Kensett’s Steve Hartman hopes to finish in the top half of the Corn Bowl Conference.

The Vikings return five letterwin-ners (Mikki Butler, Tessa Bratrud, Beanne Lombard, Hayley Buechle

and Gabbi Fridley) off last season’s 19-11 team. The 2010 Vikings fin-ished 7-7 in the conference.

Butler and Bratrud were named to the Cornbowl All-Conference Second Team last season. The team lost Kate Hartman, the 2010 conference cham-pion, to graduation.

Hartman said the conference favorite this season is Central Springs.

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Stadheim, Worth said, experienced success in 2010 and will have to be a young team leader this season.

Three key seniors lost last season were All-Conference golfers Sam Matheson, Tyler Haaland and Tyler Brackey.

Brackey, a five-year letterwinner and 2007 team MVP, now plays for Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls.

Matheson, the 2009 and 2010 team MVP and four-year letterwinner, now plays for Luther College.

Haaland, a four-year letterwinner, plays for Bemidji State.

The team also lost Casey Marka, a four-year letterwinner, who competed in five Big Nine tourneys and five sec-tion meets.

The 2011 season is Worth’s sixth

as head coach, establishing a career record of 189-134-7, and 52-38 in the Big Nine. He has taught journalism and English at Albert Lea High School for seven years.

Casey McIntyre is the assistant coach for the team. He has taught industrial technology in Albert Lea schools since 2002.


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Megan Pulley,16, is one of the Big Nine Conference and Section 1AAA’s top golfers. She began play-ing when she was 5 years old at Albert Lea Coun-try Club. Pul-ley is a three-sport athlete at Albert Lea High School. In addition to golf, she also participates in soccer and hockey.

High-scoring Pulley to lead Tigers girls’ golf


Two years removed from a Big Nine Conference championship, the Albert Lea girls’ golf team is looking to climb back toward the top of the league.

The Tigers return their top golfer from last season as well as three other returning letterwinners.

“We need to finish in the top three of the Big Nine this season,” Tigers coach Shawn Riebe said. “I would like to see the girls finish strong at the sec-tion meet, too.”

Leading the Tigers this season will be sophomore Megan Pulley, a two time All-Conference performer who just missed leading the conference in scoring last season.

“Megan played around the state this summer in some very prestigious tournaments and placed very well in tough competition,” Riebe said. “She will make waves this year around the conference and section.”

Pulley will be joined atop the Tigers’ lineup by junior Morgan Field, Paige Brick (Jr.), Chelsea Battle (Fresh.) and

Makenna Friehl (Soph.).Riebe said Field has varsity experi-

ence, is a natural leader and that other girls look up to her for advice. He also said Brick added more play this sum-mer and that she, Battle and Friehl are looking to be factors on varsity this season.

The Tigers’ key losses from last year’s team are Taylor Nelson and Erin Brick. Both girls had six years of high school golf experience and were consistent scorers and leaders, ac-cording to Riebe.

Riebe said the Tigers’ strength will be having a strong No. 1 golfer and the team’s enthusiasm.

Lake Mills BulldogsSeniors Brandt, Barrett to

lead Bulldogs boys’ golfYoung Bulldogs girls’ track

and field eyes NIC title


LAKE MILLS, Iowa — Lake Mills girls’ track and field coach Kristin Wempen hopes her team competes for a North Iowa Conference cham-pionship this season. They’ll need to do so with just one senior and three juniors.

“We have a young squad,” Wem-pen said. “But everyone the team has talents that will contribute to our overall success.”

Last year’s Bulldogs team sent eight events to the state track and

field meet. Haley Krull (Jr.) placed third in state in the 100- and 200-meter races and the 4x400 team played fourth. The Bulldogs also fin-ished third in conference and fourth in districts.

“We should be competitive and strong in our running events,” Wem-pen said. “We have spots to fill due to graduation and injury in field events, though.”

The Bulldogs return 10 letterwin-ners from last season including six sophomores. Carlie Christianson (Soph.) and Haley Schutter (Jr.) and

2011 schedule

April 11 at Rochester Mayo, 3:30 p.m.April 14 at Waseca, 3:30 p.m.April 19 at Austin, 2:30 p.m.April 21 at Red Wing Invite, 12:30 p.m.April 26 at Prior Lake Invite, 11:30 a.m.April 28 vs. Winona, Roch. J.M (Wedgewood Cove), 2:30 p.m.May 2 at Eastview Invite, 1 p.m.May 5 at Northfield Invite, 2 p.m.May 10 at Mankato West, 2 p.m.May 17 at Mankato East. 2 p.m.May 23 at Big Nine Conference meet (Rochester), 10 a.m.June 2 at Section 1AA meet (Cannon Falls), TBDJune 6 at Section 1AA meet (Cannon Falls), TBDJune 14 at Class AA state tournament, TBD

Lake Mills has just 1 senior, 3 juniors

4Young, Page 15

Anchor: Team lost 4 top playersContinued from Page 6

April 14 at WasecaApril 18 at Onalaska, Wis.April 21 at Rochester CenturyApril 25 at ChanhassenApril 26 triangular at Rochester John Marshall, vs. WinonaApril 28 at NorthfieldMay 3 triangular at Faribault, vs. Mankato EastMay 10 at WinonaMay 12 triangular vs Mankato East, Owatonna, at Wedgewood CoveMay 13-14 Albert Lea Invitational at Green Lea and Wedgewood CoveMay 17 vs. Rochester Mayo at Green LeaMay 23 Big Nine Conf. Meet at Green LeaJune 2 Section Meet at HastingsJune 6 Section Meet at HastingsJune 14 State Meet, at location TBD

Sports coverage that goes beyond the scores.

Every day in the Tribune.


LAKE MILLS, Iowa — The Bulldogs boys’ golf team looks to have a shot to beat the 15-14 performance they posted last year thanks to returning several key golfers.

That includes four letterwinners — seniors Tim Brandt and Nick Barrett and sophomores Mitch Anderson and Trygg Roggers.

Coach Lyle Thompson said the team hopes that senior leadership helps the team do well at the confer-ence meet and excel at the sectionals.

“The seniors will have to golf up to their capabilities,” he said.

He said Brandt and Barrett are coming off an All-Conference sea-sons, and Drew Appel returns after a year off. The coach said to watch

freshman Kray Grothe.A key loss was Casey Tiedman, who

medaled at sectional last season.Favorites in the North Iowa Confer-

ence are Newman and Lake Mills. Lake Mills and Algona Garrigan as favorites for sectional.

The Lake Mills boys’ golf team plays at Rice Lake Golf & Country Club.

2011 schedule:

April 5 triangular at SheffieldApril 12 vs. Forest CityApril 15 at OsageApril 19 at West HancockApril 25 vs. Northwood-KensettApril 26 triangular at GarnerApril 29 triangular at Lake MillsApril 30 at West Hancock InviteMay 2 vs. Belmond-KlemmeMay 3 at North IowaMay 6 triangular at Lake MillsMay 9 North Iowa Conf. Tournament at BelmondMay 13 sectional meetMay 20 district meetMay 27, 28 state meet

Bulldogs girls’ golf will play to best of ability


LAKE MILLS, Iowa — Lake Mills girls’ golf coach Anne Skellenger said expectations for her team this season would normally be high.

But with only three returning let-terwinner, one out due to injury, she said all she asks is for her team to play to the best of their ability.

After finishing 21-10 last season and winning districts, the Bulldogs return Joran Durby (Sr.), Abbey Honsey (Sr.) and Heidi Brandt (Soph.). Honsey,

though, is out with an injury.Other key athletes are Kari An-

derson (Jr.) and Darian Swenson (Fresh.).

Skellenger said the Bulldogs’ strength is their dedication to the sport while their weakness is lack of true experience. She said hard work will be the key to success this season.

Skellenger is in her 19th year at Lake Mills and fourth as the girls’ golf coach. Her career record is 57-54.

Skellenger said the North Iowa Conference favorite is Newman Catholic of Mason City, Iowa.

L.M. boys’ track and field looks to improve


LAKE MILLS, Iowa — After being plagued by injuries last season, the Lake Mills boys’ track and field team looks to make improvements this year.

The Bulldogs finished in eighth place last season in the nine-team North Iowa Conference. Bulldogs coach Dan Rice said the team is trying to eliminate injury problems during early season training.

“We have a very promising group of young runners,” Rice said. “We hope to be able to compete with the top programs in the area in the next year or two.”

The Bulldogs will be led by Zach Marpe, Calvin Beal, Brian Hengesteg and Alex Grunhovd.

Marpe is a strong distance runner who was a state qualifier in cross country and won the two-mile at the Warburg College co-ed indoor meet in mid-March. Beal is another top distance runner, and Hengesteg and Grunhovd are excellent long jumpers.

Rice said that the favorite to win the NIC is Osage and the district favorites are Belmond-Klemme and St. Ansgar.

Rice is in his ninth season as coach and 11th year in the Lake Mills school district. He said his team will need to continue to improve this season in order to be successful.

Stadheim, Worth said, experienced success in 2010 and will have to be a young team leader this season.

Three key seniors lost last season were All-Conference golfers Sam Matheson, Tyler Haaland and Tyler Brackey.

Brackey, a five-year letterwinner and 2007 team MVP, now plays for Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls.

Matheson, the 2009 and 2010 team MVP and four-year letterwinner, now plays for Luther College.

Haaland, a four-year letterwinner, plays for Bemidji State.

The team also lost Casey Marka, a four-year letterwinner, who competed in five Big Nine tourneys and five sec-tion meets.

The 2011 season is Worth’s sixth

as head coach, establishing a career record of 189-134-7, and 52-38 in the Big Nine. He has taught journalism and English at Albert Lea High School for seven years.

Casey McIntyre is the assistant coach for the team. He has taught industrial technology in Albert Lea schools since 2002.


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Megan Pulley,16, is one of the Big Nine Conference and Section 1AAA’s top golfers. She began play-ing when she was 5 years old at Albert Lea Coun-try Club. Pul-ley is a three-sport athlete at Albert Lea High School. In addition to golf, she also participates in soccer and hockey.

High-scoring Pulley to lead Tigers girls’ golf


Two years removed from a Big Nine Conference championship, the Albert Lea girls’ golf team is looking to climb back toward the top of the league.

The Tigers return their top golfer from last season as well as three other returning letterwinners.

“We need to finish in the top three of the Big Nine this season,” Tigers coach Shawn Riebe said. “I would like to see the girls finish strong at the sec-tion meet, too.”

Leading the Tigers this season will be sophomore Megan Pulley, a two time All-Conference performer who just missed leading the conference in scoring last season.

“Megan played around the state this summer in some very prestigious tournaments and placed very well in tough competition,” Riebe said. “She will make waves this year around the conference and section.”

Pulley will be joined atop the Tigers’ lineup by junior Morgan Field, Paige Brick (Jr.), Chelsea Battle (Fresh.) and

Makenna Friehl (Soph.).Riebe said Field has varsity experi-

ence, is a natural leader and that other girls look up to her for advice. He also said Brick added more play this sum-mer and that she, Battle and Friehl are looking to be factors on varsity this season.

The Tigers’ key losses from last year’s team are Taylor Nelson and Erin Brick. Both girls had six years of high school golf experience and were consistent scorers and leaders, ac-cording to Riebe.

Riebe said the Tigers’ strength will be having a strong No. 1 golfer and the team’s enthusiasm.

Lake Mills BulldogsSeniors Brandt, Barrett to

lead Bulldogs boys’ golfYoung Bulldogs girls’ track

and field eyes NIC title


LAKE MILLS, Iowa — Lake Mills girls’ track and field coach Kristin Wempen hopes her team competes for a North Iowa Conference cham-pionship this season. They’ll need to do so with just one senior and three juniors.

“We have a young squad,” Wem-pen said. “But everyone the team has talents that will contribute to our overall success.”

Last year’s Bulldogs team sent eight events to the state track and

field meet. Haley Krull (Jr.) placed third in state in the 100- and 200-meter races and the 4x400 team played fourth. The Bulldogs also fin-ished third in conference and fourth in districts.

“We should be competitive and strong in our running events,” Wem-pen said. “We have spots to fill due to graduation and injury in field events, though.”

The Bulldogs return 10 letterwin-ners from last season including six sophomores. Carlie Christianson (Soph.) and Haley Schutter (Jr.) and

2011 schedule

April 11 at Rochester Mayo, 3:30 p.m.April 14 at Waseca, 3:30 p.m.April 19 at Austin, 2:30 p.m.April 21 at Red Wing Invite, 12:30 p.m.April 26 at Prior Lake Invite, 11:30 a.m.April 28 vs. Winona, Roch. J.M (Wedgewood Cove), 2:30 p.m.May 2 at Eastview Invite, 1 p.m.May 5 at Northfield Invite, 2 p.m.May 10 at Mankato West, 2 p.m.May 17 at Mankato East. 2 p.m.May 23 at Big Nine Conference meet (Rochester), 10 a.m.June 2 at Section 1AA meet (Cannon Falls), TBDJune 6 at Section 1AA meet (Cannon Falls), TBDJune 14 at Class AA state tournament, TBD

Lake Mills has just 1 senior, 3 juniors

4Young, Page 15

Anchor: Team lost 4 top playersContinued from Page 6

April 14 at WasecaApril 18 at Onalaska, Wis.April 21 at Rochester CenturyApril 25 at ChanhassenApril 26 triangular at Rochester John Marshall, vs. WinonaApril 28 at NorthfieldMay 3 triangular at Faribault, vs. Mankato EastMay 10 at WinonaMay 12 triangular vs Mankato East, Owatonna, at Wedgewood CoveMay 13-14 Albert Lea Invitational at Green Lea and Wedgewood CoveMay 17 vs. Rochester Mayo at Green LeaMay 23 Big Nine Conf. Meet at Green LeaJune 2 Section Meet at HastingsJune 6 Section Meet at HastingsJune 14 State Meet, at location TBD

Sports coverage that goes beyond the scores.

Every day in the Tribune.


LAKE MILLS, Iowa — The Bulldogs boys’ golf team looks to have a shot to beat the 15-14 performance they posted last year thanks to returning several key golfers.

That includes four letterwinners — seniors Tim Brandt and Nick Barrett and sophomores Mitch Anderson and Trygg Roggers.

Coach Lyle Thompson said the team hopes that senior leadership helps the team do well at the confer-ence meet and excel at the sectionals.

“The seniors will have to golf up to their capabilities,” he said.

He said Brandt and Barrett are coming off an All-Conference sea-sons, and Drew Appel returns after a year off. The coach said to watch

freshman Kray Grothe.A key loss was Casey Tiedman, who

medaled at sectional last season.Favorites in the North Iowa Confer-

ence are Newman and Lake Mills. Lake Mills and Algona Garrigan as favorites for sectional.

The Lake Mills boys’ golf team plays at Rice Lake Golf & Country Club.

2011 schedule:

April 5 triangular at SheffieldApril 12 vs. Forest CityApril 15 at OsageApril 19 at West HancockApril 25 vs. Northwood-KensettApril 26 triangular at GarnerApril 29 triangular at Lake MillsApril 30 at West Hancock InviteMay 2 vs. Belmond-KlemmeMay 3 at North IowaMay 6 triangular at Lake MillsMay 9 North Iowa Conf. Tournament at BelmondMay 13 sectional meetMay 20 district meetMay 27, 28 state meet

Bulldogs girls’ golf will play to best of ability


LAKE MILLS, Iowa — Lake Mills girls’ golf coach Anne Skellenger said expectations for her team this season would normally be high.

But with only three returning let-terwinner, one out due to injury, she said all she asks is for her team to play to the best of their ability.

After finishing 21-10 last season and winning districts, the Bulldogs return Joran Durby (Sr.), Abbey Honsey (Sr.) and Heidi Brandt (Soph.). Honsey,

though, is out with an injury.Other key athletes are Kari An-

derson (Jr.) and Darian Swenson (Fresh.).

Skellenger said the Bulldogs’ strength is their dedication to the sport while their weakness is lack of true experience. She said hard work will be the key to success this season.

Skellenger is in her 19th year at Lake Mills and fourth as the girls’ golf coach. Her career record is 57-54.

Skellenger said the North Iowa Conference favorite is Newman Catholic of Mason City, Iowa.

L.M. boys’ track and field looks to improve


LAKE MILLS, Iowa — After being plagued by injuries last season, the Lake Mills boys’ track and field team looks to make improvements this year.

The Bulldogs finished in eighth place last season in the nine-team North Iowa Conference. Bulldogs coach Dan Rice said the team is trying to eliminate injury problems during early season training.

“We have a very promising group of young runners,” Rice said. “We hope to be able to compete with the top programs in the area in the next year or two.”

The Bulldogs will be led by Zach Marpe, Calvin Beal, Brian Hengesteg and Alex Grunhovd.

Marpe is a strong distance runner who was a state qualifier in cross country and won the two-mile at the Warburg College co-ed indoor meet in mid-March. Beal is another top distance runner, and Hengesteg and Grunhovd are excellent long jumpers.

Rice said that the favorite to win the NIC is Osage and the district favorites are Belmond-Klemme and St. Ansgar.

Rice is in his ninth season as coach and 11th year in the Lake Mills school district. He said his team will need to continue to improve this season in order to be successful.


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Alissa Allison, 17, is a senior captain this season on the Albert Lea girls’ track and field team. She is a two-sport athlete who also played tennis in the fall. Allison runs the 200-meter and 4x200- and 4x400-meter relays for the Tigers and has been involved in track since seventh grade. She is considering attending either the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities or Winona State University for undergrad. She plans on majoring in Spanish and pos-sibly nursing.

Your No. 1 source for Albert Lea

girls’ track and field

Monson eyes return to St. Paul for state meet


The Albert Lea girls’ track and field team has a strong nucleus of talent returning this season.

Leading the team this season will be distance runner Chrissy Monson (Soph.) and a strong group of jump-ers, which coach Margo Wayne calls the strongest she’s had in years.

“We have good leadership this year,” Wayne said. “Our distance events should be exciting and we should see points coming in from our sprints and relays. We have many new and prom-ising athletes in most of our events.”

The Tigers will be without Sarah Wenum, a Big Nine All-Conference performer, who graduated last year. Wenum was a high jumper, ran the 800-meter and 4x800- and 4x400-meter relays.

The Tigers do return 15 letterwin-ners, though, but only two seniors.

Monson placed third and sixth at

state last season in the 3,200-meter and 1,600-meter races, respectively. She is one of the top runners in the section again this season and likely looks to improve on those state places.

The Tigers placed eighth in the conference last season and Wayne expects Rochester Mayo and Mankato East to contend for a conference title this year.

In order to get to the state tourna-ment as a team, the Tigers would have to beat both Lakeville North and South, the two top teams in the section.

Tigers girls’ track and field strongest in distance, relays

2011 schedule:

March 19 at Northfield, 9:30 a.m.March 29 at Gustavus College, St. Peter, 10 a.m.April 2 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, 9 a.m.April 5 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.April 12 at Owatonna, 3:30 p.m.April 19 at Rochester Century, 4:30 p.m.April 26 at Mankato West, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at Winona, 4:30 p.m.May 10 at Mankato West, 3:30 p.m.May 17 vs. Rochester John Marshall, Mayo, 4:30 p.m.May 27 at Big Nine Conference meet (Winona), 10 a.m.June 2 at Section 1AA meet (Lakeville South), TBDJune 4 at Section 1AA meet (Lakeville South), TBD

Follow Vikings sports atAlbertLeaTribune.com

Northwood-Kensett VikingsVikings return half of

state champ relay teamBy Tim [email protected]

NORTHWOOD, Iowa — Look for the Vikings boys’ track team to do well in sprints and distance races this season. It’s the middle distances and field events that need development.

Returning letterwinners this sea-son are seniors Spencer Capitani and Anthony Hauge, juniors Nik Werner, Shayne Olson, Tanner Haberman, Caleb Reyerson, Tyler Thofson and Evan Fritz and sophomores Cameron Batton and Garret Olson.

Other key athletes this season are Daniel Pendleton, Dylan Nitcher and Torin Newell.

Werner and Capitani last sea-son were on Northwood-Kensett’s 4x200-meter relay state champion-ship team, and they were part of the school’s 4x100-meter state runner-up team.

They were also part of a state-qual-ifying shuttle hurdle team.

The school graduated the other half of those relay teams — Sam Arnold and Jayson Olson. They also lost Jacob Gor-don, a state qualifier in the shot put.

David Capitani has coached Northwood-Kensett boys’ track for 16 years. He said he hopes to develop field events and find hurdlers that can score team points at track meets.

The Corn Bowl Conference favorite is St. Ansgar.

The assistant coach for the Vikings is Lee Okerlund.

Vikings boys’ golf looks to bounce back from 2010


NORTHWOOD, Iowa — Coming off a winless 2010 season, coach Greg Parks and the Northwood-Kensett boys’ golf team are expecting to improve throughout the season this year.

Parks has coached the Vikings for

14 years and has a career coaching record of 95-110-2. Last season, the Vikings finished 0-15 in the Corn Bowl Conference and 0-16 overall. The team’s best finish over the last five seasons was 7-6.

The Vikings return four letterwin-ners this season: Eric Otis (Sr.), Sam Krull (Jr.), Tim Davis (Sr.) and Micheal Gordon (Jr.).

Vikings’ track and field is young, determined


NORTHWOOD, Iowa — The Northwood-Kensett girls’ track and field team this season returns 16 let-terwinners off last year’s squad — but only one senior.

“We are very young,” coach Ryan Severson said. “So we hope to im-prove with every meet.”

According to Severson, the Vikings’ strengths this season are distance runners and 800-meter runners. The team’s weakness is it’s youth.

Severson has coached the Vikings

for six years and been in the N-K school district for 18. His assistant coach is Mike Kessel.

The Vikings’ key losses from last season include Kathy Porter, who qualified for state last season in the shotput. Lauren Severson, who scored 128 points last season in discus and 800-meter runner Marlee Butler are two other key losses.

Severson said his team’s success will rely on the growth of freshman and sophomores, and development of the sprinters. He said West Fork is the favorite to win both the Corn Bowl Conference and district.

2011 schedule:

March 15 at AmesMarch 21 at Cedar FallsMarch 31 at West ForkApril 7 at North IowaApril 8 at Clarion-GoldfieldApril 12 at Nashua-PlainfieldApril 14 at Lake MillsApril 15 at Forest CityApril 18 at North ButlerApril 19 at Charles CityApril 25 at Northwood-KensettMay 2 at Garner-HayfieldMay 5 at Central SpringMay 9 Corn Bowl Conf. Meet at Nashua-PlainfieldMay 12 district tournamentMay 20, 21 state tournament

Vikings look to finish in top half of Corn Bowl ConferenceBy Andrew [email protected]

NORTHWOOD, Iowa — In his 10th season as girls’ golf coach, North-wood-Kensett’s Steve Hartman hopes to finish in the top half of the Corn Bowl Conference.

The Vikings return five letterwin-ners (Mikki Butler, Tessa Bratrud, Beanne Lombard, Hayley Buechle

and Gabbi Fridley) off last season’s 19-11 team. The 2010 Vikings fin-ished 7-7 in the conference.

Butler and Bratrud were named to the Cornbowl All-Conference Second Team last season. The team lost Kate Hartman, the 2010 conference cham-pion, to graduation.

Hartman said the conference favorite this season is Central Springs.

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United South Central RebelsRebels baseball is

young, talentedBy Andrew [email protected]

WELLS — The United South Central baseball team this season will be without six Gopher All-Conference play-ers off last year’s team. Still, coach Pat Frank believes the team will be competitive and compete for a conference title.

“I think we’ll be a good ballclub by May,” Frank said. “And have fun.”

The Rebels won the Go-pher Conference champion-ship last season behind the pitching of Tribune co-Player of the Year Nick Fure.

Returning letterwinners for the Rebels this season are shortstop Eric Lackey (Sr.), pitcher/outfielder Dustin Dylla (Sr.), pitcher/infielder Anthony Stenzel (Sr.), catcher/outfield-

er Tyson Morton (Sr.), infielder Trey Allis (Soph.), pitcher/infielder Jason Huper (Jr.) and outfielder Colby Yost (Sr.).

Frank expects the Rebels to contend for another Go-pher Conference champion-ship this spring.

USC has won Gopher South 3 of last 4 years

Ramsley, Sunde set to lead Rebels softball


WELLS — With two re-turning Gopher All-Confer-ence players this season, the United South Central softball team expects to contend for a conference title.

The Rebels finished third in the Gopher Conference last season with a 6-4 record. They finished 15-6 overall before losing to Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial in the second round of the Section 2A softball tournament.

Pitcher Ali Ramsley and catcher Tayla Sunde are the team’s All-Conference returners.

Rebels coach Brad Huse said that the team’s strength will be pitching and the team’s weakness will be inexperience. He believes

his team will be successful if they play well defensively and have timely hitting.

After they finished sec-ond in the conference last season, Huse said Blooming Prairie is the Gopher Confer-ence favorite. He also said state defending consolation champs New Ulm Cathedral is the section favorite.

2011 schedule

April 5 at Martin County West, 5 p.m.April 7 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.April 11 vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.April 12 at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m.April 14 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.April 16 at LeCenter/Cleveland, 9 a.m.April 18 vs. Lake Crystal-W-M, 5 p.m.April 19 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.April 25 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.April 28 at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.May 2 vs. Mankato Loyola Catholic, 5 p.m.May 5 at Medford, 5 p.m.May 10 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.May 12 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.May 14 at Faribault Tournament, 9 a.m.May 16 vs. New Richland-H-E-G, 5 p.m.May 19 at Saint Clair, 5 p.m.May 24 at Section 2A Tournament, TBA

Rebels girls’ track and field enter season as conference favorites


WELLS — After finishing second in the Gopher Confer-ence last season, the United South Central girls’ track and field team is poised to take the title this year.

The Rebels return 15 let-terwinners from last season’s squad including nine of their top 11 scorers.

Of the team’s 46 athletes, only two are seniors and four are juniors. The Rebels’ largest class is sophomores with 10.

“We will be young but fairly experienced,” coach Kent Viesselman said. “There are several positive surprises and no negatives.”

Viesselman said the Rebels graduated three good seniors last season and that this year’s

team will have a slightly dif-ferent look than last year’s. Still, he expects the Rebels to have speed and depth.

“We need to plug some of the holes we had in our lineup last year,” Viesselman said. “I think it’s do-able.”

Rebels boys will be best on track, lack in field events

Like the girls, the Rebels boys’ track and field team also has 46 athetes on its roster.

Coach Viesselman said last season the boys were four events away from being a very good team and that this year he believes those holes have been filled.

“From what I’ve seen, so far, I think we’ll be able to fix those events.” Viesselman said. “Of course with last year’s gradua-tion some new holes were cre-

ated — but I think we’ll be OK.”Viesselman said the Rebels

will be strongest on the track, especially in sprints, hurdles and distance. He said he looks to Thane O’Rourke and Teddy Wiebold (sprints), Seth Treptow and Riley Niebuhr (hurdles) and Dylan Baumann, Jay Staloch and Daniel Elmer (distance) to lead in those events.

Viesselman said that the Rebels will lack in field events but have high point-scorers in Niebuhr (pole vault) and Tony Willette (throws.)

Niebuhr, Willette set to lead boys’ field events 2011 schedule

March 26 at MSU-Mankato, 9 a.m.April 2 at MSU-Mankato, 9 a.m.April 7 at St. James, 4:30 p.m.April 16 at Blue Earth, 10 a.m.April 19 vs. J-W-P, Waseca, NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.April 26 at Maple River, 4:30 p.m.May 3 vs. Maple River, 4:30 p.m.May 6 at Fairmont, 4:15 p.m.May 17 at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.May 21 at Stillwater, 10 a.m.May 26 at Subsection Tournament (NR), 4 p.m.June 10 at state tournament, TBD

Brady Falk, 17, began playing golf when he was four years old at the Albert Lea Coun-try Club. He placed third last summer in a Junior PGA tour-nament at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course in Sartell. Falk greatest weakness is his put-ting. His greatest strength is his iron play with Titleist AP2 irons.

Falk, Stadheim anchor senior-less Tigers golf


The Albert Lea Tigers boys’ golf team enters this season without four key players from last year’s conference-title-winning team. It is a 16-member squad without seniors.

However, the team returns two standouts — junior Brady Falk and sophomore Nate Stadheim. And Green Lea Golf Course hosts the Big Nine Conference Tournament.

Head coach Riley Worth said a key to success this year is to “be able to play our home course well and be able to play consistently in all weather conditions.”

He said he hopes the team will get better as the season goes and peak at the conference tournament, then con-tinue to perform into sectionals.

In 2010, the Tigers posted a 59-17-1 record, finishing sixth at sectionals.

They fended off Owatonna to place second at the conference tournament in at Northern Hills Golf Course in

Rochester. Winona took first in that tournament, but with a 16-2 con-ference record, the Tigers tied the Winhawks for a share of the confer-ence title.

It was the team’s first Big Nine championship in boys’ golf since 1994, when they tied Rochester Mayo.

This year, the strong teams in the Big Nine are likely to be Winona and Rochester Century. Worth said Owa-tonna could form a challenge, too.

Those teams look promising for the section meet, along with Lakeville North.

Falk is the Tiger to watch. Worth described him as the “hardest working golfer I’ve ever coached.” Falk drives long off the tee and has improved at chip shots. He was the team’s best performer last year at the sectional tournament.

Worth noted that Falk gets straight A’s, too.

Stadheim, Worth said, experienced

Albert Lea hosts Big Nine meet at Green Leashowed improvements near the end of last season and nearly cracked the varsity lineup.

Prudoehl expects the Tigers to make progress this spring and be as competitive as possible against most schools on their schedule.

“We need continued steady per-formance from seniors along with improvements from underclass-man,” Prudoehl said. “Especially the group of sophomores.”

Prudoehl said the Tigers’ big-gest strength is their athleticism and ability to cover the court well. He said their biggest weakness is that most players are better suited for singles rather than doubles.

The Tigers lost four seniors to graduation including last season’s No. 1 singles player Kyle See-Rockers. The team also lost Brian Reindl, Luke Thompson and Noah Christopherson.

Prudoehl said that Rochester Mayo is the early Big Nine Confer-ence favorite, followed by Rochester Century.

Tennis: Coach expects team to

competeContinued from Page 4

2011 schedule

April 7 vs. New Prague, 4:30 p.m.April 12 at Waseca, 4:30 p.m.April 14 vs. Rochester Century, 4:30 p.m.April 18 at Northfield, 4:30 p.m.April 19 at Winona, 4:30 p.m.April 21 vs. Rochester Mayo, 4:30 p.m.April 26 at Mankato West, 4:30 p.m.April 28 vs. Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at Faribault, 4:30 p.m.May 5 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 4:30 p.m.May 10 at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.May 12 at Austin, 4:30 p.m.

Your No. 1 source for Albert Lea boys’ golf

4Anchor, Page 8

2011 schedule

April 5 at Martin County West, 5 p.m.April 7 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.April 11 vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.April 12 at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m.April 14 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.April 16 vs. Maple River, New Ulm, 10 a.m. April 18 vs. Saint Clair, 4:30 p.m.April 19 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.April 25 vs. NRHEG, 5 p.m.April 28 at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.April 29 vs. Maple River, 4:30 p.m.May 3 vs. Mankato Loyola Catholic, 5 p.m.May 5 at Medford, 5 p.m.May 6 at LC-WM, 5 p.m.May 7 at Fairmont, 1 p.m.May 10 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.May 12 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.May 16 vs. New Richland-H-E-G, 5 p.m.May 20 at Waseca, 5 p.m.May 23 at Section 2A Tournament, TBA


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replace Kortan.Conner Kortan will return this sea-

son behind home plate after an All-Conference junior year. Conner had a .379 batting average last season.

Sczublewski said whichever team emerges as the Big Nine champion will be the favorite to win Section 1AAA. Rochester Mayo is the defend-ing section champ and Hastings, who upset Albert Lea in the first round last season, returns most of their team.

“We feel like we can be a serious contender,” Sczublewski said. “Like everyone else in the section, we hope to keep getting better throughout the season so that we will be playing our best baseball by the playoffs.”

The Tigers return seven letterwin-ners off last year’s squad including Klatt (SP/1B), Conner Kortan (C), So-renson (SP/OF), J.T. Bellrichard (IF), Cory Hansen (OF), Josh Eisenbraun (OF/1B) and Chris Stahl (OF).

Non-letterwinners expected to contribute this season are Dalton Westerlund (IF), Cody Haaland (P/1B), Ethan Abben (P/IF), Dylan See Rockers (P/OF) and Mikael Lunning (OF).

Tri-captains set to lead Tigers boys’ track and fieldBy Andrew [email protected]

In his first season as head coach, Kevin Gentz will look to captains Kyle Kriewall (Sr.), Alik Smed (Sr.) and Tommy Tiegs (Sr.) this season to lead the Albert Lea boys’ track and field team.

Those three must help make up for the loss of Matt Tiegs, Trevor Rass-mussen and Jack Sturtz, who gradu-ated after setting a school record in the 4x800-meter relay last season.

Kriewall is one the team’s top long jumpers and sprinter, Smed is an excellent high and long jumper and Tiegs is one of the Tigers’ top sprint-ers. Gentz will also look for impressive performances from hurdler Brody Sundblad (Jr.), 800-meter runner Sean Laurie (Jr.) and high-, long- and triple-jumper Tyler Wichmann (Sr.).

Gentz’s expectations this season are for his team to work hard and improve.

“As a team, we would like to become four deep at every event,” Gentz said. “We are continuing to develop athletes

in both field and running events.”Gentz said his team’s goals are to fin-

ish in the top four at true team section and send at least one athlete to the state meet at Hamline University in St. Paul.

Gentz said that the Tigers’ greatest strengths include their leadership, work ethic and positive attitudes.

“Our senior jumpers will be our strongest group of competitors,” Gentz said. “We have a lot of great athletes developing and showing great signs of improvement in shotput, disc, distance, pole vault and hurdles.”

Gentz said that Owatonna and Mankato East are the Big Nine Con-ference favorites.

Pitching: Tigerswill contend for

Big Nine titleContinued from Page 2

2011 schedule

April 5 vs. Winona, 5 p.m.April 7 at Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.April 12 vs. Mankato West, 5 p.m.April 14, vs. Faribault, doubleheader, 4 p.m.April 19 at Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.April 21 vs. Austin, 5 p.m.April 25 at Rochester Century, doubleheader, 4:30 p.m.April 28 at Winona, 5 p.m.May 3 vs. Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.May 5 at Mankato West, 4 p.m.May 7 at Waseca, 1 p.m.May 10 vs. Owatonna, doubleheader, 5 p.m.May 12 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.May 17 at Mankato East, doubleheader, 4:30 p.m.May 20 vs. New Richland-H-E-G, 5 p.m.May 24 at Austin, 5 p.m.May 28 at Section 1AAA tournament, TBDJune 16 at Class AAA state tournament, TBD

2011 schedule

March 19 at St. Olaf College, Northfield, 9:30 a.m.April 2 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, 9 a.m.April 5 at New Richland-H-E-G, 4:30 p.m.April 12 at Owatonna, 3:30 p.m.April 19 at Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.April 26 vs. Mankato West, Austin, 4:30 p.m.April 29 at Rosemount, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.May 10 at True Team Section meet (Mankato West), 3:30 p.m.May 17 at Rochester John Marshall, 4:30 p.m.May 27 at Big Nine Conference meet (Winona), 10 a.m.June 2 at Section Meet (Lakeville South), TBDJune 4 at Section Meet (Lakeville South), TBDJune 10 at Class AA state meet, TBD

NRHEG PanthersPanthers baseball looks

to rebound in 2011By Andrew [email protected]

NEW RICHLAND — New Rich-land-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva baseball coach Jeff Reese called last season “very disappointing.”

The Panthers opened their sched-ule by losing 15 of their first 17 games, including 12 in a row, before winning three of their final four. The team was ousted in the opening round of the section tournament and finished second-to-last in the Gopher Conference.

To avoid dissapointment this year, Reese knows changes must be made.

“We need to vastly improve all areas of our game, including my coaching,” he said. “We need to work harder on the basic fundamentals.”

Reese said last year’s team had too many errors, poor pitching perfor-mances and terrible hitting, which included too many strikeouts.

The Panthers have youth on their side with 10 returning juniors with varsity experience. They only return two starting seniors, though.

“I believe we have the players to lead the way,” Reese said. “Our juniors saw enough playing time last

Coach: ‘We need to vastly improve all areas of our game’

4 Rebound, Page 15

Expectations lower for NRHEG boys’ track and field By Andrew [email protected]

NEW RICHLAND — In his 20th season as head coach, Duey Ferber hopes the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Gevena boys’ track and field team finishes in the top half of the Gopher Conference.

After finishing third in the confer-ence last season, expectations are lower for the Panthers this year. Still, Ferber anticipates a fun season.

“Team wise, we know we cannot compete for the top of the conference of subsection,” he said. “However, we have some good guys and tremen-

dous enthusiasm this season.”The Panthers have returned nine

letterwinners including four throwers. “Our strengths will be in the

weights,” Ferber said. “Tony Wacholz is very solid in the throws.”

Wacholz, a senior, joins Tyler Crabtree (Sr.), Nate Lutgens (Sr.) and Travis Ripka (Sr.) as the team’s four throwers. Crabtree also runs mid-distance.

Ferber expects Evan Ferber (Sr.) to perform well this season in jumps and mid-distance and advance to the section meet.

Still, coach anticipates ‘fun season’ because of personnel

4 Fun, Page 15

Panthers softball looks to finish in top half of conferenceBy Andrew [email protected]

NEW RICHLAND — Without their biggest offensive threat from last season, the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers softball team looks to finish in the top half of the Gopher Conference with an inexperienced team.

The Panthers finished 7-13 last season and lost third baseman Alyssa Hagen to graduation. Hagen batted .421 last year and led the team in hits, home runs and RBIs. The Panthers also lost first baseman Kate Quam (.317), second baseman Jady Beenken

(.310) and outfielder Mariah Robran (.111). Hagen and Quam were voted co-team MVPs last season.

The Panthers will look to freshman Jade Schultz to led the team from the mound this season after a solid eighth-grade campaign, for which she was named All-Conference.

Schultz finished last season with a 7-13 record, 3.71 ERA, 171 strikeouts and 143 walks. She also batted .319 and led the Panthers in runs scored.

Schultz is one of five returning starters including outfielder Kristina Cole (Sr.), shortstop Kacie Phillips

NRHEG lost top 2 players from last season to graduation

4 Panthers, Page 15

Panthers girls’ track and field begins title defense


NEW RICHLAND — Set to defend their Gopher Conference title, the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ track and field team will need to shake off United South Central/Alden-Conger for a chance at another championship.

The Panthers lost just two athletes off their 2010 championship team, and aren’t the favorite to win the conference this season.

“One huge goal for us is to win the conference championship,” Panthers coach Duey Ferber said. “It will be tough to repeat.”

The Panthers return 14 letterwin-

ners from last year’s squad and will be strong in sprints, distance and throws.

Jill Kalis (Sr.), Kaylee Maxon (Sr.), and Amber Schmit (Sr.) are the Panthers’ top throwers, while Danielle Krueger (Jr.) and Abby Crabtree (Soph.) are the team’s top distance runners. Ferber expects all five girls to advance far into sections along with Carlie Wagner (Fr.) in the sprints and jumps.

“Our goal, as always, is to advance as many athletes as possible to the section meet,” Ferber said.

Ferber said that hurdlers Anna Schlaak (Jr.) and Katie Cole (Soph.) have a shot at advancing to sections, too.

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Bethany Sekora,18, is a captain for Albert Lea softball and the team’s most powerful hit-ter. She’s been playing softball since seventh grade and also played varsity volleyball this season. Sekora plans on at-tending the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in the fall. She’s consider-ing majoring in psychology and will play in-tramural sports.


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Prudoehl takes over as Tigers’ tennis coachSteven

Kruen, 18, is a senior co-captain on the Albert Lea boys’ tennis team. He was also the cross county team’s top male runner this sea-son. Kruen didn’t pick up a racket until ninth grade. He played No. 2 doubles last season.


After a winless 2010 season, the Albert Lea boys’ tennis team will look to move forward with first-year head coach Wayne Prudoehl.

Prudoehl, an assistant coach last season, returns seven letterwinners from last year’s squad, including three seniors.

Returning to the Tigers this sea-son is Logan Tufte (Sr.), Steven Kruen (Sr.), Dyllan Engebretson (Sr.), Aaron Woitas (Jr.), Trevor Herfindahl (Soph.), Tate Tufte (Soph.) and Kyle Zogg (Soph.). According to Prudoehl, other key athletes include Darik Wei-gel (Soph.), Parker Thompson (Soph.) and Evan Templeman (Jr.).

Prudoehl said Weigel made some great improvements over the summer and is a great athlete. He said Thomp-son has loads of potential but needs some technical improvements to reach that fully and that Templeman

First-year head coach looks to get Albert Lea elusive win

4 Tennis, Page 6

Sekora leads inexperienced Tigers


In his second season as Albert Lea softball coach, Dan Harms wants to see his team win half their games.

They’ll have to do that without 2010 Tribune Player of the Year Lauren Klick and two other All-Conference honorable mention players.

The Tigers return three letterwin-ers off last year’s squad including first baseman Bethany Sekora (Sr.), outfielder Clair Buendorf (Jr.) and pitcher Krystle Nelson (Sr.).

Sekora is one of the Tigers’ top hit-ters with enough power to hit home runs, and Buendorf has a strong left-handed arm. Nelson is the only pitcher with varisty experience.

Harms said that Erin Everhard (Jr.) is another key athlete who throws hard as a pitcher and can play any defensive position.

Harms said that the Tigers strength this season will be that most players

Albert Lea’s goal is to win half of their games this year

4 Tigers, Page 15

Glenville-Emmons WolverinesWolverines baseball

won’t settle with SEC title

Wolverines softball returns experienced squad


GLENVILLE — In her ninth season as head coach, Lisa Ziebell has an experienced Glenville-Emmons soft-ball team with five seniors and nine returning letterwinners.

The Wolverines return Southeast All-Conference players Alayna Hall (Sr.) and Robyn Roe (Sr.), and All-Conference honorale mention and team MVP Kailey Davis (Sr.).

After finishing 4-13 last season, Ziebell said the Wolverines must pitch well and play defense to be suc-cessful. She also said that she expects

her experienced lineup to play like veterans.

Ziebell said Spring Grove and Houston are conference favorites.

Boys’, girls’ golf hoping to post winning records


GLENVILLE — The Wolverines field two seniors on their boys’ golf team, and they are hoping to post a winning record — if they can do well at the short game.

Coach Craig Rayman said the team has a strong willingness to work. Though it is a young team, he hopes golfing last summer will result in an improved squad.

“I hope they all played many rounds. We will see this spring,” he said.

Another key to improvement Ray-man cited was practicing chipping and putting.

Andrew Lau and Collin Johnson are the team’s seniors.

Other returning letterwinners are junior Cody Gaines, sophomores Blake Lundmark, Shawn Johnson and Jared Larson, and freshmen Sam Johnson, Dalton Nessett, Kenny Koch and Spencer Wangen.

Five to watch are Lau, Gaines, Lundmark, Johnson and Wangen. The team will miss the skills of Zach Wangen and Josh Minear.

Mike Hockert is the assistant coach.

Lanesboro is a conference favorite. Blooming Prairie and Lanesboro are both section favorites.

The Wolverines golf at Northwood Golf Course across the border in Iowa.

Wolverines return two letterwinners, have low numbers

It’s a slim year for the Glenville-

Emmons girls’ golf team. The Wol-verines have the minimum number of players to field a team.

The team has lost Karrin Olson and Kendra Davis to softball, and Mad-disson Minear moved.

However, it still has senior Jenna Klingson and eighth-grader Kristin Hahn, both returning letterwinners.

“Jenna is a good leader, and Kristin is in her second year,” said coach Craig Rayman.

The team could find some sur-prises with juniors Noelle Hagen and Morgan Schumaker.

Rayman, in his 23rd year as coach, said a key to success this season is getting solid practice without getting frustrated.

Glenville-Emmons finished 2-7 last year and 1-5 in the Southeast Confer-ence. Lanesboro is the favorite in the conference this year.

The squad’s assistant coach is Mike Hockert. The Wolverines golf at Northwood Golf Course across the border in Iowa.

Glenville-Emmons has 5 seniors, 9 returning letterwinners


GLENVILLE — The Glenville-Emmons baseball team is expected to contend for a Southeast Conference title this season, but they don’t want to settle there.

Coach Louie Toulouse said the team wants to make it out of the first round of subsections, something they didn’t do last season.

The Wolverines return eight letter-winners from last year’s team includ-ing Tyler Woodside, one of the team’s top pitchers. Woodside had a .90 ERA last season in 39 innings and

batted .333 with 14 RBIs. Woodside will be key to the Wolverines success this season along with senior Spencel Kral (P/IF) and junior Zack William-son (OF).

On the mound last season, Kral was 2-2 with a 6.11 ERA in 18 1/3 innings. He batted .438 with 12 RBIs. Williamson batted .367 with seven RBIs.

The Wolverines will be without their No. 1 pitcher from last season, Jon Mittag, who was 5-2 with a 1.49 ERA and 76 strikeouts. Mittag was also the team’s top offensive threat,

Woodside will lead Glenville-Emmons on mound

4Settle, Page 15

2011 schedule

April 8 at Grand Meadow/LeRoy-OstranderApril 11 vs. Alden-CongerApril 15 vs. Lyle-PacelliApril 16 at Blooming PrairieApril 18 vs. LanesboroApril 24 at NRHEGApril 25 vs. NRHEGApril 29 at HoustonMay 2 vs. Grand Meadow/LeRoy-OstranderMay 9 at Lyle-PacelliMay 13 at LanesboroMay 16 vs. Houston

Glenville-Emmons boys need to improve putting, chipping

2011 schedule

April 7 at Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.April 8 at Houston, 4:30 p.m.April 11 at Spring Grove, 4:30 p.m.April 16 at NRHEG Tournament, TBDApril 18 vs. Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.April 20 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.April 21 vs. Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.April 29 at GHECML, 4:30 p.m.May 2 vs. Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.May 5 vs. Spring Grove, 4:30 p.m.May 12 at Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.May 16 vs. Houston, 4:30 p.m.May 19 at Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.May 23 vs. Southland, 4:30 p.m.


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Alden-Conger KnightsKnights baseball enters season inexperienced


ALDEN — In his first season as Alden-Conger’s head baseball coach, Sam Hintz has his work cut out for him.

The Knights return just four letter-winners from last season’s 4-13 team. Of those four, only one is a senior.

“We are very inexperienced,” Hintz said. “Only a couple players on this team have participated in baseball from junior high to high school.”

The Knights’ top returner is Jordan Johnson, the only player on the team that batted over .300 the year before. Johnson was named team MVP in 2010 and Valley All-Conference hon-orable mention.

Other returners include Tony Benhke, the team’s Most Improved Player a year ago, honorable mention Lucas Kleinschrodt and Tribune All-

Area Spencer Niebuhr. Hintz said that the biggest key to

the team’s success will be pitching. What could get in the way of success in inexperience.

“It’s very challenging when talking about basic baseball skills, or play, and only three to four people know what I’m talking about,” Hintz said.

Hintz said that Maple River is the conference and section favorite.

Alden-Conger returns just 4 letterwinners

2011 schedule:

April 12 vs. Nicollet, 5 p.m.April 19 at Maple River, 5 p.m.April 21 at Glenville-Emmons, 4:15 p.m.April 25 vs. J-W-P, 5 p.m.April 26 at LC-W-M, 5 p.m.April 28 at LeCenter/Cleveland, 5 p.m.April 30 at Lyle/Pacelli Tournament, TBDMay 2 vs. Lyle/Pacelli, 5 p.m.May 3 vs. Martin County West, 5 p.m.May 5 at Saint Clair, 5 p.m.May 10 vs. Martin Luther/G-H-EC, 5 p.m.May 14 at Medford, 10 a.m.May 17 at Truman, 5 p.m.May 19 vs. Glenville-Emmons, 4:15 p.m.May 24 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.

Johnson takes over as Knights golf coach


ALDEN -- The golf teams at Alden-Conger have a new coach, Doug Johnson, who hopes to instill confi-dence in his golfers.

So while the coach is new, the teams bring experience to the table.

Some of the key golfers on the boys’ team are seniors Na-thaniel Back and Zach Rinehart, sophomore Tommy Geesman and eighth-grader Eli Hallman. Gees-man and Hallman are returning letterwiners.

The girls’ team features sopho-mores Chrissy Reindal, Kelsey Behnke and Lily Gjersvik. Also watch Brenna VanEngelenburg.

“We have a lot of young players this year and these eight are good leaders and good role models for our younger players,” Johnson said. “They all

have experience on the varsity level and will be able to handle the pres-sures that go along with golfing on the varsity level.”

The boys lost section qualifiers Jor-dan Mulso and Brandon McTauge. A weakness on the girls’ side is low numbers. Johnson said every girl is valuable to the team and there is no room for injury or sickness.

Johnson said his expectations for the team are that the Knights can have a shot to win every meet they compete in.

Alden-Conger has mix of youth, leadership

2011 schedule:

April 12 at Glenville-EmmonsApril 14 at Saint ClairApril 16 at Blooming PrairieApril 21 at United South CentralApril 25 at Bethlehem AcademyApril 26 vs. Grenada-Huntley-East Chain/Martin LutherApril 28 at MadeliaMay 9 at TritonMay 13 vs. Saint ClairMay 13 at Albert Lea Invite

year to know what it takes to com-pete at the varsity level.

The two starting seniors are Cody Kraay and Chad Schlaak.

Kraay was a pitcher and first baseman last season who played in 14 games and had a .353 bat-ting average. He was 0-1 in four appearances on the mound and finished with a 7.00 earned run average.

Schlaak was a captain last year and played in all 22 games. He had a .317 batting average and led the team with 20 stolen bases.

Kraay and Schlaak will be asked to help lead the Panthers back toward the top of the Gopher Conference.

“Leadership is an important key to success,” Reese said. “We do have enough leaders that can make this season very rewarding.”

Reese said that to be success-ful this season, everyone on his team needs to improve. He said that they need to get back to their philosophy of throwing quality pitches, making routine defensive plays and putting the ball in play offensively.


With a solid 1-2 punch on the mound this season, the Albert Lea baseball team is primed to make another run at a Big Nine Conference championship.

The Tigers return starting pitcher and Tribune Player of the Year, Aaron Klatt, who was 6-3 last season with a 2.32 ERA. He struck out 65 batters in 54 innings and hit .387.

The Tigers’ second pitcher is right-hander Cole Sorenson, who plays cen-terfield when he’s not on the mound. Sorenson was 3-2 last season, with a 2.10 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 37 innings.

Tigers coach Joe Sczublewski said the team still needs to develop pitch-ing depth beyond Klatt and Sorenson.

Albert Lea will contend for the conference title along with Rochester Mayo, John Marshall and Century, and Mankato East and West. Big Nine defending champions Owatonna lost a solid senior class but has their two top pitchers returning.

“It will probably be a wide open race again,” Sczublewski said. “The cham-pion of our 18-game Big Nine Confer-ence schedule has to be consistent.”

The Tigers baseball team did take a blow this winter when starting senior shortstop Carter Kortan torn his ACL during a wrestling match. Kortan was a defensive standout for the Tigers’ middle infield and will miss the entire season. Sczublewski said several younger players have shown progress this preseason as the team tries to


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Albert Lea TigersSolid pitching staff set to lead

Tigers baseball this season

Aaron Klatt is the a captain for Albert Lea baseball this season and the team’s No. 1 pitcher. The senior posted a 2.32 ERA last year and was atop the Big Nine Confer-ence in strikeouts. He also had a .387 batting average. The 18-year-old is choosing between Winona State Uni-versity, South Da-kota State University and North Dakota State University for his undergrad and plans on pitching at whichever college he chooses. Klatt was a wide receiver on the Tigers’ foot-ball team this fall and a guard on the basketball team.

4Pitching, Page 5

Klatt, Sorenson and Kortan will be key to success

Table of contents2. Albert Lea baseball4. Albert Lea softball, boys’ tennis5. Albert Lea boys’ track and field6. Albert Lea boys’ golf7. Albert Lea girls’ track and field8. Albert Lea girls’ golf9. Lake Mills boys’ and girls’ golf, boys’ and girls’ track and field10. Northwood-Kensett boys’ and girls’ golf, boys’ and girls’ track and field11. USC baseball, softball, boys’ and girls’ track and field12. NRHEG baseball, softball, boys’ and girls’ track and field13. Glenville-Emmons baseball, softball, boys’ and girls’ golf14. Alden-Conger baseball, boys’ and girls’ golf16. NRHEG boys’ golf, girls’ golf

Cutouts by Stacey Bahr

and the team’s hurdlers.“Our hurdlers are some of the

most committed girls on the team,” Wempen said. “They will show im-provement through the season.”

Wempen said the team has a good mix of sprinters, mid-distance runners and distance runners, too.

Lindy Pins, the team’s lone senior, is looking to contribute in other athletic opportunities at the collegieate level, according to Wempen.

Young: Pins focusing other college sports


2011 schedule

April 4 at CWL Relays at BrittApril 8 at Hampton-DumontApril 12 at AlgonaApril 15 at Northwood-KensettApril 18 at Belmond-KlemmeApril 19 at Garner-HayfieldApril 25 at Lake Mills InvitationalApril 26 at Forest CityMay 2 at West-HancockMay 5 at Clear LakeMay 9 at North Iowa Conference meetMay 12 at Class 1A regional meetMay 19 at state meetMay 20 at state meet

The Panthers lost two notable athletes to graduation last season. David Lindell, a two-time state qualifier in discus, and Kevin Klocek, who placed third in state in 100- and 200-meter races, are not returning to the team this season.

“We have a bunch of returning letterwinners and a handful of new guys,” Ferber said. “I’m anticipating a fun season.”

Fun: Panthers lost Lindell,

Klocek Continued from Page 12

2011 schedule

April 2 at Minnesota State-Mankato, 9 a.m.April 5 vs. Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.April 8 at Waseca, 4:30 p.m.April 12 vs. NRHEG Invite, 4:30 p.m.April 19 at United South Central, 4:30 p.m.April 26 at Maple River, 4:30 p.m.April 29 at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.May 10 at True Team Sections (Maple River), 4 p.m.May 17 at Gopher Conference meet, 4:30 p.m.May 26 at Section tournament, TBA

Rebound: Schlaak, Kraay will lead team


2011 schedule:

April 5 vs. Blue EarthApril 7 vs. MedfordApril 8 at Saint ClairApril 11 vs. RandolphApril 14 at Maple RiverApril 16 vs. Bethlehem Academy/Glenville-Emmons/NicolletApril 18 at Janesville-Waldorf-PembertonApril 19 vs. WasecaApril 25 vs. United South CentralApril 26 at Blooming PrairieApril 28 at Waterville-Elysian-MorristownMay 2 vs. Bethlehem AcademyMay 3 vs. Glenville-EmmonsMay 5 at Mankato LoyolaMay 10 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-PembertonMay 13 vs. Lake Crystal-Wellcome-MemorialMay 16 at United South CentralMay 19 vs. Blooming PrairieMay 20 at Albert Lea

(Sr.), catcher Shelby Mogenson (Sr.) and outfielder Tara Simon (Soph.). Simon batted .343 last season and led the team in doubles, while Cole was named the most improved player.

Panthers coach Wendy Schultz said the team’s goals are to improve on last season’s record and play fundamen-tally sound softball.

“Small ball is a must,” She said. “We need to be able to incorporate bunting along with our hitting.”

Schultz also said she expects the Panthers to play aggressively both on offense and defense.

“We have some quick gals,” she said. “I hope to be able to utilize that on the base paths.”

Though the Panthers enter the season young and inexperienced, nine of the team’s 11 players played softball this summer, three on two different teams.

“Hopefully the extra experience will payoff,” Schultz said. “I have thor-oughly enjoyed working with the 11 girls on our team. They are hard work-ers and have great attitudes.”

Schultz is in her second season as head coach after not having coached the Panthers for six years. She was the team’s coach from 1993-2004 and has a career coaching record of 149-100.

Panthers: Team has summer experience


2011 schedule:

April 5 at Blue Earth, 5 p.m.April 7 vs. Medford, 5 p.m.April 11 vs. Randolph, 5 p.m.April 12 at Waseca, 5 p.m.April 14 vs. Maple River, 5 p.m.April 16 vs. NRHEG Tournament, 9 a.m.April 18 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.April 25 vs. United South Central, 5 p.m.April 26 at Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.April 28 at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.May 2 vs. Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m.Mat 5 at Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m.May 10 vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 5 p.m.May 13 vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m.May 16 at United South Central, 5 p.m.May 17 vs. Byron, 5 p.m.May 19 vs. Blooming Prairie, 5 p.m.May 20 vs. Glenville-Emmons. 4:30 p.m.

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have played softball for several years at various levels. The team’s weakness, though, is that only three players have varsity experience.

“We need to have consistent pitching and catching,” Harms said, for his team to be successful. “We need to play hard for seven full innings every game and have good defense.”

Harms said that Mankato East are favorites to win the Big Nine Conference this season and that Hastings will likely win the section. One of the Tigers’ goals is to win a section game this year.

Tigers: Team needs consistent

pitching Continued from Page 4

2011 schedule:

April 7 vs. Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.April 12 at Mankato West, 5 p.m.April 14 at Faribault, 4 p.m.April 16 at New Richland-H-E-G Tournament, 9 a.m.April 19 vs Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.April 21 at Austin, 5 p.m.April 26 vs. Rochester Century, 4 p.m.April 28 vs. Winona, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.May 5 vs. Mankato West, 4 p.m.May 10 at Owatonna, 4 p.m.May 12 at Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.May 17 vs. Mankato East, 4:30 p.m.May 25 at Section 1AAA Tournament, TBD

batting .417 with a team-high 17 RBIs.

Toulouse said his team’s strength this season will be pitching, experi-ence, hitting and team speed. The team’s weaknesses: Lack of depth behind Woodside, team defense and striking out at the plate.

Toulouse said his pitching and defense will need to be stellar this season for the team to be success-ful. He said the Wolverines also need to develop more depth and limit injuries.

Toulouse said that Wabasha-Kel-logg and Southland are the favorites to win the section tournament this season.

Settle: Team’s strengths are

pitching, hittingContinued from Page 13

2011 schedule:

April 7 at Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.April 8 at Houston, 4:30 p.m.April 11 at Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m.April 12 at Medford, 4:30 p.m.April 14 vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 4:30 p.m.April 18 vs. Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.April 19 at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.April 21 vs. Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.April 23 vs. Winona Cotter, TBDApril 29 at GHEMCL, 4:30 p.m.May 2 vs. Hope Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.May 3 at NRHEG, 4:30 p.m.May 5 vs. Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m.May 9 at Lyle/Pacelli, 4:30 p.m.May 12 at Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m.May 16 vs. Houston, 4:30 p.m.May 19 at Alden-Conger, 4:15 p.m.

Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, April 8, 2011 • SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW • Page 16

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWTigers Baseball chases Big Nine title l 2

Megan Pulley leads Tigers girls’ golf l 8

TribuneAlbert Lea

Wolverines eye Southeast Championship l 13

Rebels excel on track, in field l 11

Friday, April 8, 2011

Panthers boys’ golf look to repeat atop Gopher


NEW RICHLAND — The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers return many of their start-ers in boys’ golf this season, giving them a good chance to defend their Gopher Conference title.

While Seth Hansen, Dalen Ferber and Dillon Hanson will be missed, the team has several returning let-terwinners, said head coach Brad Root. Those letterwinners are seniors Aaron Patraw, Matt Nafe, Jonathon Wolstrom and Cody Root and junior Sam Grothem

“We will again have good numbers on the boys’ side,” said Root, who also coaches girls’ golf, “Someone may emerge as a surprise to help us recapture the conference title.”

He said the varsity golf team has solid golf skills but will need to work on the mental game, course manage-ment and consistency.

“We need to move from being prac-tice players to tournament players,” Root said.

He said the team also needs to get more tournament experience

for junior varsity players so they are prepared when they reach the varsity level. The team also will focus on rules and etiquette.

“We want them to learn the game so they can enjoy it throughout their life,” Root said. “As always we want our student athletes to enjoy the sport and have fun while at the same time representing our school well.”

NRHEG is a favorite to win the Go-pher Conference this year. It will vie with Waseca at the sub-section meet. Tim Stoetz Jr. is the assistant coach.

The team’s home course is Riv-erview Golf Course. The conference tournament this year is at Oakview Golf Course near Freeborn, hosted by United South Central.

NRHEG has skill but needs to sharpen mental game

2011 schedule:


Panthers girls’ golf primed for run at title


NEW RICHLAND — After finishing second in the Gopher Conference last season, the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ golf team has a realistic shot at a league title this season.

The Panthers return four start-ers from last year’s team including Abbey Holland (Sr.), Hannah Moe (Sr.), Michaela Hansen (Jr.) and Lexi Wayne (Jr.).

The team has 12 girls out for golf and a nice talent pool, according to head coach Brad Root.

“The girls need to be mentally tough and focused this year,” Root said. “We are counting on continued improvement in all our girls.”

Root said his team takes aggressive shots and are risk takers, and that they need to be prepared for whatev-er weather conditions exist. He said the Panthers strengths will be team chemistry and work ethic.

“As always, we want our student-athletes to enjoy the sport and have fun while at the same time represent-ing our school well,” Root said. “We

will be working on the rules and golf etiquette so our golfers will be knowl-edgeable and welcome wherever we travel to play.”

The Panthers home course is Riv-erview Golf Course. The conference tournament this year is at Oakview Golf Course near Freeborn, hosted by United South Central.

The Panthers assistant coaches are Justin Timm and Tim Stoesz.

After finishing 9-8 last year, Root said the Panthers are the Gopher Conference favorite. He said the Panthers and Waseca are the Section 2AA favorite.

Root expects a good showing at the conference tournament and subsection.

NRHEG returns 4 starters from last season

2011 schedule:


Spring Sports Preview 2011

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