TMB golf - Marshall Independent

2 • Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010marshall baseballDeep Tigers rosterlooks to improveBy Joe Brownjbrown@marshallindependent.comMARSHALL — Marshall baseball coachSteve Fleck knows in order to compete in theSouthwest Conference, it’s an arms race.“One thing we’ve learned in the last coupleyears, teams like Luverne and Pipestonehave that one pitcher that’s lights-out,”Fleck said. “We have to have that one pitcherthat can match up against someone’s aceand beat them.”Fleck has a sense of optimism this seasondue to the amount of kids that came out forbaseball this season. For the Tigers toimprove on their 6-6 mark in the SWC (14-11 overall), they are looking to answer someIndependent file photoMarshall’s Darrick Allpress is one of fourseniors returning to the Tigers’ roster for the2010 baseball season.“Itmay come down todepth, which I have, but youstill have to go out and play.Battling for conference, that’smy expectation.”Marshall head coachSteve Fleckquestion marks at second base, third baseand left field.“Our kids are pushing and battling. Itmakes for good practices,” Fleck said. “I’venever had depth like I’ve had this year. It’skind of the fun thing. First time I’m carrying18 guys and high school baseball’s a shortseason. You got to prove yourself in the firstfew games and find out who your team’sgoing to be.”Young players came out in droves thisseason for Marshall and only four seniors(Andrew Mathiowetz, Andrew Larsen,Darrick Allpress and Gregory Barnes) are inuniform this season.“We’re young. In our program, 10th and11th-graders make up 31 kids out of 49 outfor baseball,” Fleck said. “A lot of kids outand a lot in two grades.”Out of the senior group, Fleck is expectingbig things out of Larsen, who will bepitching and batting in the No. 3 spot for theTigers.“Larsen has to be a big guy on the hill forPhoto by Joe BrownThe 2010 Marshall Tigers baseball team includes, from left, Front row: Assistant coachWilhelmi, Spencer Buss, Josh Flygare, Aaron Antony, Michael Danahar, Jack Marshall,Brandon Stegner, head coach Steve Fleck. Back row: assistant coach Chase Pollock, TylerAlcorn, Nathan Werner, Cody Mather, Andrew Larsen, Greg Barnes, Mason Schnaible, NateEllis, Zach Thooft, Mitch Maxwell.us,” Fleck said. “Obviously as a senior, I’dlike to see him have a big year for us.”At the No. 2 spot in the lineup, Mathiowetzhopes to play to last year’s all-conference andall-area form, where he hit for a team-high.452 batting average. Even more importantlyto Fleck, he hopes to see Mathiowetz continueto emerge as a team leader.“He had a great year. He’s a quiet kid —I didn’t think he was a leader vocally but heled by example,” Fleck said. “This year, Ihope he leads not only by example, we needhim to step up and lead young kids. It’ll bedifferent for him, but I think he can do it. Ihave all the confidence in him and want himto be kind of guy.“He’s got great speed. He hit for morepower than we were expecting (last year). Ifour leadoff guy doesn’t get on, he’s that guywho’s all of a sudden a second leadoff. We cansteal with him or hit-and-run in the No. 2 spot.”Fleck also expects another solid seasonout of junior Nathan Schaeffer. A secondMarshall Tigers BASEBALLteam all-area player last season, Schaefferwas 5-1 last year on the mound, finishingwith 41 strikeouts and a team-leading 3.09ERA.“Between Larsen and Schaeffer, we havethat 1-2 combo that can be lights-out,” Flecksaid.Starting the season on April 9 at theMetrodome against New Ulm, Fleckbelieves this season he’s got the right combinationof pitching, offense and depth thatcould put the Tigers to the top of the SWC.“As of now, we’ve been practicing for aweek and the group always seems to getalong,” Fleck said. “I’m not sure someonecould give you the favorite this year.Everyone knew last year Luverne was thefavorite and this year, 4-5 teams could contendfor it.“It may come down to depth, which ihave, but you still have to go out and play.Battling for conference, that’s my expectation.”• American Family Insurance - Chuck Fennell• Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center• Bladholm Construction• Bornhoft Concrete-Marshall, Tyler and Pipestone• Burger King• County Fair Food Store

Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010 • 3marshall golfHigh expectationsawait Marshall golfersBy Joe Brownjbrown@marshallindependent.comMARSHALL — Marshall boys golfcoach Allen Lucht is not shy about histeam’s goals this season: the Tigers are gunningfor state.“I think the whole team is solid, even theyounger ones,” Lucht said. “I think theexperience is there with our team. Most ofour kids play in Minnesota Golf Associationtournaments and Minnesota PGA juniorevents.”The Marshall boys golf team has plentyof reason to feel motivated this season.Despite high expectations, the Tigers wereunable to qualify for the state tournament atsections, finishing in third behind sectionwinningFairmont and New London-Spicer.This season, the Tigers are without anyseniors of the team. No seniors? No problem.Led by junior C.J. Haukom and sophomoreMax Deutz, the Tigers return to thelinks with a strong core of golfers. Luchtsaid Deutz is one of the strongest hitters onthe team, while Haukom is solid throughoutthe course.“I think it’ll be a pretty good nucleus withHaukom and Deutz,” Lucht said. “As far asindividual standouts, each week the scoresfluctuate. I think (the team) is pretty strongand dedicated to golf. We have a solid sixplayers on the course and I think it’ll workout just great.”That singular goal to get back to state iswhat helps push the Tigers in preparation forthe season, starting at home on April 13against BOLD and Ortonville. Lucht said hewas impressed with the team’s dedication.“Those kids play and practice everynight,” Lucht said. “They practice the shortgame more and work on their long game.”“I think (the team) is prettystrong and dedicated to golf.We have a solid six playerson the course and I think it’llwork out just greatMarshall boys head coachAllen LuchtLucht is making sure the Tigers havetheir expectations high this season, expectingthe team to win the SouthwestConference.“It might be close against Luverne, theymay give us some trouble. Other than that,we won’t have much trouble in the conference,”Lucht said. “We just have to play ourgame, not theirs and just shoot better thanthey do. If the kids quit worrying about whatthey’re shooting, we should win all our conferencematches.”While the Tigers’ boys golf team has noreturning seniors, the girls golf team is seniorladen,with seven girls in their last year of golf.With that amount of experience, girlsgolf coach Steve Johnson says expectationsare high.“Conference is up for grabs. JacksonCounty Central has all their letterwinnersreturning, they’re a very worthy opponent,”Johnson said. “Luverne is perennially a veryoutstanding golf team. It’s always very competitivein conference.”MHS golf PAGE 27Marshall Tigers GOLF• The Cutting Company• EcoWater Systems of Marshall - Pat Foley• First Independent Bank-Marshall• Hardee’sPhoto by Jenny KirkThe 2010 Marshall Tigers boys golf team includes, from left, front row: Jack Gallagher,Alex Buysse, Matt Christianson, David Booke, Jon Wyffels, Brent Haukom, Bo Erickson,Addison Gaines Back Row: Nate Berglind, Mitchell Noyes, James Hey, Marcus Holmberg,C.J. Haukom, Maximillian Deutz, Aaron French, Sam Pfaffe, Matt Bennett.Photo by Joe BrownThe 2010 Marshall Tigers girls golf team includes, from left, front row: Lauren Booke,Katy Mitlyng Laura Mitlyng, Miranda Christensen, Jaime Bofferding. Back row: Kate Doom,Olivia Bennett, Steph Noyes, Nicole Noyes, Ellie Geraets, Christina Pollock, Kayla Deutz.• Independent Lumber• Marshall Independent• Mister Cool’s Clothing

4 • Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010marshall softballMarshall looks forconsistent playBy Joe Brownjbrown@marshallindependent.comMARSHALL — In order to play well onthe softball diamond, Marshall softballcoach Jack Houseman believes his teamneeds to limit its mental mistakes before itcan excel on the field.“We’re looking at the number of errors,the number of mistakes you make in thefield,” Houseman said. “The drills are all setto that, trying to get the same play each day,no matter the weather, no matter the personnelwe have on the field and who’s there, sowe’re mixing people up in different positionsand making sure each one knows theirrole.”The Tigers, who finished fourth in theSouthwest Conference with a 6-6 conferencerecord, 10-12 overall, bring a mix ofexperienced seniors and fresh faces into thefold as the Tigers prepare for their firstgame of the 2010 season again RedwoodValley.Marshall has five seniorson this season’s roster:Emily Facile, AnnaBiastock, Katie Vogl, AbbyScott and BridgetBergstrom.“We got a pretty big mixof older girls with experienceand younger girls thatare going to get experienced,”Houseman said.“We got to kind of put ittogether and find out whereeverybody’s going to playthis season.”NetzkeOne of the biggest impact players comingback to Marshall this season is junior AlyssaNetzke. An all-area second-team player last• Patzer’s Hardware Hank/Patzer’s Furniture and Appliances• Paxton Signs• Prairie Pride/Tires Plus“We’re looking for everybodyto be the strong part of ourteam out of the nine girls. ...What we’re looking for isconsistency every game andplaying to a competitivelevel.Marshall head coachJack Housemanseason, Netzke hit for a .395 batting averagewith four doubles, two triples and 17 RBI.On the mound, Netzke led the team with 55strikeouts.Combined with Bergstrom, Houseman isconfident the duo can provide a 1-2 punchon the mound for the Tigers.“(Alyssa) got her experience pitching lastyear on the varsity and she’s got to use thatexperience again this year as one of ourmain pitchers,” Houseman said. “Hopefullywe continue to get the offense out of her.We’re looking for that offensive weaponagain.”Instead of praising one of his seniors,Houseman was quick to point out the talentsof all five seniors and how their play willhelp determine the Tigers’ season.“They’re all going to be part of theroles of the team,” Houseman said.“Katie Vogl will be a key part of theoffense and playing some outfield,Photo by Joe BrownThe 2010 Marshall Tigers softball team includes, from left, front row: Amanda Tubbs,Kelli VanLeeuwe, Jessica Tubbs, Maci Louwagie. Back row: Katie Vogl, Anna Biastock,Bridget Bergstrom, Abby Scott, Emily Facile. Not pictured: Alyssa Netzke, BrookeLouwagie.maybe some infield depending on howour outfield does. Emily Facile’s in theoutfield. Abby Scott’s an outfielder.Bergstrom will stay inthe infield. Biastock, herbat is getting better.”With the younger players,Houseman said heplans on rotating players inhopes of seeing who’sready to play at the varsitylevel.“I’ve talked to themabout getting some experiencelearning the game. It’sa lot quicker pace than B-squad. We hope to get themexperience along the way there to perform ata high level.“We’re looking for everybody to bethe strong part of our team out of the nineMarshall Tigers SOFTBALLFacilegirls,” Houseman said. “They should allhit well and play in the field well. Whatwe’re looking for is consistency everygame and playing to a competitivelevel.”Houseman said the team is hoping toplay for one of the top two spots in theSouthwest Conference. No small taskwith Pipestone Area going a perfect 12-0in the conference last year and 25-4 overall.Jackson County Central (8-4, 16-8)also presents a tough challenge forMarshall.Houseman believes the Tigers are capable,but it all goes back to one thing: consistency.“If each game we can consistently showup and bring our offense and perform ondefense, we’ll be right in the thick ofthings,” Houseman said.• Quarnstrom and Doering P.A.• R&G Construction• RE/MAX Town and Country• Southwest Coaches/Southwest Tour and Travel

Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010 • 5marshall trackNew faces fillTigers track teamBy Joe Brownjbrown@marshallindependent.comMARSHALL — It’s hard to tell what theseason has in store for Marshall boys andgirls track and field.On the boys team, some new faces arelooking to make an impact, filling inthroughout the team. For the girls, a newhead coach looks to lead the Tigers.For the boys team, head coach MikeJacobs believes finding balance will be thekey to Marshall’s success this season.“I felt we should have won the conferencelast year, but we gave up 15 points atthe meet. It was one of the most frustrating• Southwest Sanitation• Stoneberg Giles andStroup, P.A.• Tom’s Auto Body“Wehave to be able toscore in every area. ...Hopefully, we’ll developyoung kids and areas wherewe need help.Marshall boys head coachMike JacobsThe 2010 Marshall Tigers girls track team includes, from left, front row: Amber Amick,Samantha Madden, Miranda Merritt, Megan Vogl, Jenna Christianson, Shelby Maes, SarahAnderson, Kalin Webskowski, Tanisha Chege, Alexis Boyd, Haley VanKeulen, MadiVerschaetse. Row 2: Dani Crowell, Maranda Esparza, Hannah Wenker, Sydney Prorok,Casaundra Krogen, Jessie Hubley, Liana Hart, Becca Fedde. Row 3: Rebekah Zander,Wendy Lee, Sarah Schmit, Katie Zander, Bethany Lee, Jordan Lavoie, Lauren Webskowski,Haley Williams, Grace Stewart, Lizzy Miller. Back row: Stephanie St. Aubin, DeveanWalters, Hannah Roseland, Shelby Sorum, Amber Vlaminck, Jesafa Banks.• Town and CountryAgency• Turkey Valley Farms• Wells Fargo Bankmeets of year,” Jacobs said. “It will be a littlebit more of a challenge in the conference.Worthington has a lot of talent coming back.Jackson County Central is loaded with distancekids, they won the cross county conferencechampionship.”Through two indoor meets this season atthe University of Minnesota-Mankato, twoquestion marks coming into the season havepopped up and become strengths.The sprinters have been impressivethrough two meets this year, led by BeauBofferding. In both indoor meets this season,Bofferding has taken first in the 60- and200-meter dashes. Other sprinters who havemade an impact thus far include brothersStephen and Stephon Campbell, and AaronKlinkhammer.“We knew we weren’t going to lose soMarshall Tigers TRACKPhotos by Joe BrownThe 2010 Marshall Tigers boys track team includes, from left, front row: Christian Maes,Sean Marron, Nick Schiavo, Andrew Noble, Charlie Jackson. Row 2: Jacob Moe, TaylorSamuelson, Stephon Campbell, Daron Brown, Erik Stibbe, Austin Soupir. Row 3: AaronKlinkhammer, Mario Biondi, Stephen Campbell, Eli Louwagie, Luke Bock, Dallas Goslar.Row 4: Chad DeAustin, Grant VanKeulen, Beau Bofferding, Colten Citrowski, Ethan Hart,Joe Lilleberg, Matt Hansen. Row 5: Luke Sanders, Darin Deutz, Andrew Bell, Nick Evans,Joe Paskach, Austin Leek, Brett Fleahman. Row 6: Andrew Crow, Luke Klien, Andea Kack,Zach Fleahman, Caleb Schultz.BEST OF LUCKTIGERS!much in sprints,” Jacobs said. “We looked tobe coming back with a lot of sprint depth.Boffering is tremendously fast. (Evan)VanderZiel will be coming back and really,he’s arguably our second-fastest guy comingback. We have a little less power insprints (from last year). It’s harder to coverthe 4x100, 4x200 without using the samepeople over and over.”Another surprise coming from the indoormeets was the emergence of the throwers,especially senior Luke Klein. Signed on toplay football at Northern State (S.D.) nextseason, Klein threw the shot put 48 feet, 1.5inches, over eight feet farther than last season’sbest. Along with Klein, Jacob Moepassed the 40-foot plateau in the secondMarshall track PAGE 27

6 • Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010lakeview baseballUncertainty surroundsLakers this seasonBy Jenny Kirkjkirk@marshallindependent.comCOTTONWOOD — There are a lot ofquestion marks this year surrounding theLakeview boys baseball team.Due to a sudden health concern, headcoach Tom Yahnka was not able to start practicewith the team, so assistant coach AndyDallmann got the call to step up into action.“Tom won’t be able to fulfill his coachingduties right away,” Dallmann said. “For awhile,I’ll be running the show, although Tom will betaking care of some of the administrative stuff,so that will help out a lot. Tom asked me tocome on board to be his assistant. But withouthim here, it’s been an interesting few days.”Dallmann is a Wabasso native and a firstyearteacher at Lakeview this year.“This is really my true coaching debut forbaseball,” Dallmann said. “I’ve coached othersports, but this is a new task for me. I haveexperience with watching baseball and dealingwith amateur teams that I think I know enoughabout the game to help these guys out.”The Lakers finished 6-13 last year, losingto MACCRAY and Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunberg in the post-season.“Our numbers are probably down a littlebit, but I think we’ll have enough to put adecent squad together,” Dallmann said. “Ithink we can build up on our successes andfailures from last year.”Lakeview will have to fill the void left bystandout Tyler Peterson, who was lost tograduation last season.“Tyler was one of our key losses last year,”Dallmann said. “He was a pitcher, catcher and allaroundplayer. Wherever you wanted to put Tyler,you could really put him. He was also a very goodbatter, so he’ll be a tough one to replace.”While Dallmann is still getting acquaintedwith the Lakers’ players, he is optimisticabout their potential.“Our numbers are probablydown a little bit, but I thinkwe’ll have enough to put adecent squad together. Ithink we can build up onour successes and failuresfrom last year.Lakeview assistanthead coach AndyDallmann“As a team, we’re getting there,” Dallmannsaid. “I’m still learning about the guys and whodoes what. The biggest thing I’m learning is whohas experience. I’m trying to plug guys in holes,but I’m not too familiar with the team yet.”But Dallmann believes that Lakeviewhas a good core of seniors that have somegood baseball experience.“On our mound, Brady Ensted will be oneof our keys along with Adam Brewers, whowill pitch and play first base,” Dallmann said.“We’ll also get some new guys up on themound. Cory Timmerman will hopefully pitcha few innings and Winston Doom will be fillingin on the mound as well as in the outfield.”The Lakers also have seniors RyanKurtenbach and Jacob Schwarz, juniors JoryBossuyt and Nathan Mauland and sophomoresKade Lee and and Bryce Hansen.Lakeview will open its season at homeagainst Dawson-Boyd.“We have games right around the corner,”Dallmann said. “The first game is scheduledtoday and it’s a home game. There is no snowon the field, which is good. Now we’re justhoping for good, dry weather.”Lakeview Lakers BASEBALL• Cottonwood Co-op Oil and Convenience Store• Empire Insurance Agency, Inc.Photo by Jenny KirkThe 2010 Lakeview Lakers baseball team includes, from left, front row: Jake Schwarz,Ryan Kurtenbach, Jamie Unke, Anthony Calderon, Tyler Thompson. Back row: BryceHansen, Nathan Mauland, Winston Doom, Adam Brewers, Cory Timmerman, Kade Lee,Zach Hyatt.Independent file photoLakeview’s Adam Brewers winds up for a pitcher during a regular season game last year.Brewers will pitch and play first base for Lakeview this season.• Extreme Panel Technologies Inc.• First Independent Bank-Wood Lake

Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010 • 7lakeview golfOptimism surroundsLakers golf teamBy Jenny Kirkjkirk@marshallindependent.comCOTTONWOOD — The LakeviewLakers lost one senior off of last year’s squads,but returned everyone else. So head coachCory Hendrickson is optimistic about histeams’ outlook on the golf course this season.“Last year in the Camden Conference,the boys took fourth and the girls took fifth,”Hendrickson said. “I think with the teamsthat we have, we will definitely see a niceimprovement with that.”Curtis Rykhus was the lone senior on theteam and led the Lakers last year.“I have all my girls coming back,”Hendrickson said. “We didn’t lose anyone.As far as the boys, we lost Curtis. He ledour team, but hot on his heels was SeanPickthorn. I’m looking for Sean to improveby at least three strokes this season. I’mexcited for this year.”Numbers-wise, the boys overshadow thegirls, but Hendrickson is just happy to see anincrease in total participation. There areroughly 25 golfers in grades 7-12.“We have a lot more boys than girls thisyear,” he said. “We have more numbers thanlast year, so it’s nice to see that improvement.”Rykhus and Pickthorn, a senior this season,advanced to the section competition lastyear as individuals. Other upperclassmen• Hardware Hank• Hot Tubs and More“Last year in the CamdenConference, the boys tookfourth and the girls took fifth.I think with the teams thatwe have, we will definitelysee a nice improvementwith that.Lakeview head coachCory Hendricksonare expected to step up their play for theteam as well.Hendrickson said that junior JoryBossuyt, Cody Rykhus and NathanMauland, along with sophomore JeremyHaack, played quite a bit last season.“With their experience, I know they’regoing to do well for Lakeview,” he said.“We also have some freshmen coming up.We have Quinn Fenger, who is another leftythat is out this year.”In addition, the Lakers will look to freshmenWyatt Schuster, Kyle Berg, DerekLarsen, Andrew Lovsness, Josh Myrvik,FOLLOW YOUR FAVORITESPRING SPORTSTEAMS WITH A SUBSCRIPTION TO THEMARSHALL INDEPENDENTENDENT...CALL 537-1551 ORCALL (507) 537-1551 OR 1-800-640-6148Paul Louwagie and Lukas Vandelanotte.Lakeview also has quite a few newcomerson the team.“Jesse Timm came backout for golf in his senioryear,” Hendrickson said.“We also have quite a fewseventh-grade boys out thisyear. Taylor Pickthorn is aseventh-grader and that’sSean’s brother. It will beinteresting to see what theycan do.”Along with TaylorPickthorn, SawyerStevens, Eric Pehrson,Josh Meiners, JacobKesteloot and Ryan Bahnare all new to the sport as seventh-graders.Three Laker girls advanced to the sectionmeet last season, with Stephanie Werner,Brandi Geihl and Jessina Van Uden. Werner,a sophomore this year, led Lakeview withthe lowest scoring average.“Steph really came on last year and wasright there in contention at the sectionmeet,” Hendrickson said. “She missedLakeview Lakers GOLFPhoto by Jenny KirkThe 2010 Lakeview Lakers golf team includes, from left, front row: Steph Werner, AriAnderson, Hailey Matthys, Shelby Ness, Jessina Van Uden. Back row: Jesse Timm, JeremyHaack, Nathan Mauland, Sean Pickthorn, Jory Bossuyt.Werneradvancing to the state tournament by oneshot. I’m excited to see what she can do thisyear. She played a lot of golf in the summerand she has a new set of clubs. She just hasthe right mental attitude to do well this season.”Van Uden and Geihl are seniors this year.“Since she’s been out for golf, I can’tbelieve how much Jessina’s improved hergame,” Hendrickson said. “She’s reallydeveloped her short game. She has a goodattitude. In the game of golf, it’s so importantto have the right mindset. You have tostay positive and not let your mind wander.She does a good job.”Junior Ari Anderson and sophomoreShelby Ness are also upperclassmen hopingto contribute to the team and so is eighthgraderHailey Matthys.“We have some that are going out for thefirst time,” Hendrickson said. “Shelby hasdecided to take up the sport as as sophomore.We also have one new seventh-grader(Whitney Fischer). With all the girls returning,we’ve seen some nice improvementsfrom where they were the previous year.”• Insurance Service Agency-Kirk Lovsness• Marshall Independent

8 • Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010lakeview softballLakeview hopes smallball strategy pays offBy Jenny Kirkjkirk@marshallindependent.comCOTTONWOOD — In its third year ofexistence, the Lakeview girls softball teamis hoping to rely on its pitching and speed toimprove from last season.The Lakers finished the regular season 3-9 and then fell out of the playoffs with lossesto Wabasso and Windom Area.“We’re hoping to improve on our recordfrom last year,” Lakeview head coach PhilLalim said. “Some of the girls have beenplaying the game for awhile. There’s no reasonwe can’t challenge for the conferencetitle.”Lalim, who is in his second year of coachingsoftball, said that Kerkhoven-Murdock-“We’re hoping to improveon our record from lastyear. Some of the girls havebeen playing the game for awhile. There’s no reason wecan’t challenge for theconference title.Lakeview head coachPhil LalimPhoto by Jenny KirkThe 2010 Lakeview Lakers softball team includes, from left, front row: Corbyn Wee,Mallory Meyer. Second row: Kala Barker, Tami Schmidt, Dana Boerboom, LyndseyPeterson, Angela Timm. Back row: Kirstan Koetters, Emily Swenson, Bridgette LouwagieSarah Berg. Not pictured: Head coach Phil Lalim, Mikel Goepferich, Allison Boerboom,Laura Olson.Independent file photoLakeview’s Lyndsey Peterson hurls a pitchduring a Lakers’ regular season game lastyear. Peterson returns to the mound forLakeview this season.Sunberg won the Camden Conference title lastyear and will likely be strong again this year“KMS and MACCRAY have been at thetop,” he said. “Dawson has a nice team, too.Tracy-Milroy-Balaton might be up there. Asfar as a favorite, I’d have to give it to thereturning champs.”The Lakers graduated eight softball playersoff the squad last year in ChelseaGniffke, Kelsey Helgeson, Briana Brusven,Alicia Hanson, Morgan Wee, KristyKussatz, Shelby Bahn and Alissa Ricke. ButLalim said Lakeview can’t hide behind that.“We’ve got some experience back,”Lalim said. “But we’re young. For a lot ofthem, though, this is their third year with theprogram.”Sophomore pitcher Lyndsey Peterson isexpected to lead Lakeview this year afterhaving an impressive 2009 season, whereshe was named to the Independent All-Areasecond team.“We know what Lyndsey is going tobring,” Lalim said. “She throws around 65-70 percent strikes. Last year, she threw 68Lakeview Lakerspercent. She always throws right around theplate and trusts the defense.”Junior Bailee Olson will also help out inthe circle for Lakeview.“Bailee has come a long way,” Lalimsaid. “We’ll definitely have a 1-2 punch andthat will really help with doubleheaders. Ithink Bailee’s confidence in herself hasimproved. I think we’ll see even more thisyear. She’s one of the five upperclassmen, sowe should see some more leadership out ofher, too.”Peterson led the Lakers in batting average(.432), triples (5), doubles (5), homeruns (1), RBI (13), on-base percentage(.537) and slugging percentage (.841). Onthe mound, Peterson struck out 73 battersand had a 4.05 ERA.“At the plate, Lyndsey and Dana(Boerboom) are good hitters,” Lalim said.“Sarah Berg and Bailee and good, too.We’re trying to find a couple of slot hittersbecause we have a lot of speed.”Boerboom and Kirstan Koetters are theonly seniors on the team, while Olson,SOFTBALLBridgette Louwagie and Tami Schmidtround out the junior class. This is Koettersfirst softball season back since her seventhgradeyear.According to Lalim, the biggest obstaclethis season may be blending the youngerplayers into the lineup.“Our biggest challenge is probably ourage,” he said. “A lot of them haven’t playedat the varsity level. It’s a hurdle for us, butnot because of the lack of ability. It’s justthat they lack that varsity experience. Buthopefully after a couple of games, they’ll getused to the faster level.”In addition to Peterson and Berg, theLakers may count on sophomores MakalaBarker, Meagan Ramos, Angela Timm andMickel Goepferich and freshmen CorbynWee and Allison Boerboom to step up andhelp.“Pitching and quickness will be ourassets that we’ll bank on,” Lalim said. “Thetwo of them will help lead us. With a youngteam, you need strong pitching to get confidence.”• North Star Mutual Insurance Company• Norwegian Mutual Fire Insurance Company

Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010 • 9lakeview trackSmall on numbers,Lakers hope to excelBy Jenny Kirkjkirk@marshallindependent.comCOTTONWOOD — Despite facingsome adversity, the Lakeview track and fieldteam is optimistic about its upcoming season.Lakeview head coach Erik Lundbergknew that the Laker track team would take a“Our goals this year arefocusing on individuals.That’s what you have to dowhen you have such smallnumbers. But I think they’regoing to do really well.hit on the girls side when fastpitch softballbegan at the school three years ago.well and went to sections last year,” might lose your program.”“Our goal this year is focusing on individuals,”Lundberg said. “That’s what youLundberg said. “Our 4x400 and 4x800 did Two freshmen, four eighth-graders and threewell. Courtney does the 800 and the 4x800 seventh graders also make up the girls team, sohave to do when you have such small numbers.But I think they’re going to do reallyand 4x400. Amber does the 4x800, 300 hurdlesand the 4x400. Erica does the 4x800, “Tegan Van Moer, a freshman, came outLundberg is excited to build for the future.well. For the small numbers we have, we’ll4x400 and the 400.”for the first time and I think she’s going tobe very exciting in some events.”The Taylor twins, Wagner and freshman do well in the shot and disc,” he said. “She’sThe issue was compounded with the lossCorbyn Wee set a new school record in the very strong and very quick. We had two girlsof two solid athletes, who are still recoveringfrom injuries sustained before the start4x400 last year at the Sub-section 11 meet at try out the discus last year. They were a seventhand eighth grader. Once softball started,Redwood Valley.of the 2010 track season.“Carly can run anything from an 800 to a we haven’t had many throwers.”“Tristin Louwagie got hurt in basketballtwo mile,” Lundberg said. “We’ll be trying The numbers are much higher on theand had to have some surgery on her knee,”to decide if she’s going to run the 4x800 and boys side and there is some experienceLundberg said. “So we lost her to that,the mile or the 4x800 and the two mile or returning. Sophomore Noah Dovre had anwhich hurt our 4x100 relay. We had anotherwhat she’s most comfortable with.” impressive cross country season andinjury from last year when Trisha RykhusWee and senior Dana Boerboom will be Lundberg is hoping that Dovre will build onhurt her foot in pole vault. It hasn’t reallysplitting time with the track and field team that during track.healed throughout the volleyball and basketballseasons, so she knew she wouldn’t be atand the softball program.“Noah took sixth place in the 800 at sectionslast year as a freshman,” Lundberg“They’re both going to do long jump,”full stength yet.”Lundberg said. “Corbyn may also try the said. “We’re excited to see what he can doIndependent file photoBut returning for the Lakers are junior100 and Dana may try the 200. We’ll see now that he has more confidence. He doesn’tknow what he’s capable of yet.”Lakeview’s Courtney Taylor returns to the Carly Doom and sophomores Amber Taylor,what kind of times they have. We’ll have toLakers’ track and field team this season as a Courtney Taylor and Erica Wagner.base it on their endurance. In a small school,“We have a lot returning that did reallyyou have to let the kids do both sports or yousophomore. Lakeview track PAGE 26Lakeview Lakers TRACK• United Southwest Bank - Member FDIC• Wood Lake Lumber & Trustworthy HardwareLakeview head coachErik LundbergPhoto by Jenny KirkThe 2010 Lakeview Lakers track team includes, from left, front row: Anthony Bossuyt,Robert Mattson, Brandon Moody, Makana Barker, Lauren Dopp, Lexy Laleman, ErinDevereaux, Chels Gould. Second row: Daniel Harraghy, Jaden Hoffman, Maverick Fiene,Carly Doom, Courtney Taylor, Amber Taylor, Erica Wagner, Tegan Van Moer, Joci Dopp.Third row: Michael Alness, Derek Larsen, Eric Pehrson, Garrett Maag, Max Bechly, BenBossuyt, Brianna Hoffman. Back row: Brandon Hyatt, Steven Meyer, Gage Larsen, MattRenken, Noah Dovre, Jason Dutcher. Not pictured: Head Coach Erik Lundberg,ChaseGeisfeld, Garret Wee, Grant Taylor, Josh Meiners, Kruize McClain, Zach Hyatt.BEST OF LUCK LAKERS!

10 • Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010minneota baseballVersatile Minneotalooks to go farBy Matt Dahlseidmdahlseid@marshallindependent.comMINNEOTA — In 2009, the Minneotabaseball team followed up a 1-8 start bywinning six of its final seven regular seasongames.The mid-season turnaround was partlydue to an easier schedule, but also becausethe Vikings were settling into the holes thathad been left after the departure of a largesenior class.“The competition (to begin 2009) waspretty solid, but we just had a lack of experience,”head coach Keven Larson said.“The year before that we had lot of seniors,so it took awhile for guys to get their bearingsand adjust to the varsity level.”The Vikings lost three seniors from lastyear’s team that finished 7-11 (5-7 CamdenConference), including All-Conference firstbaseman Charles Bot. But the majority ofthe Minneota players will return for 2010looking to pick up where they left off.This year’s Vikings team is loaded withutility players, giving Larson a lot of optionsaround the field. Although Larson said hisMinneota Vikings• Brick’s Auto Body• Country Side Auto“We won’t have anyone whogoes out and strikes out 15guys, but we won’t haveanyone who’ll walk 15 guyseither. They’ll throw strikesand let our guys make playson defense.Minneota head coachKeven LarsonIndependent file photoMinneota’s Jesus Macias goes for a diving catch during a regular season game last year.A senior this season, Macias will patrol the middle of the infield for the Vikings.Photo by Matt DahlseidThe 2010 Minneota Vikings baseball team includes, from left, Front row: JustinVankeulen, Theodore Bueltel, Alex Lessman, Dillon Guttormsson, Tyler Buysse, MattMusser. Second row: Cory Drietz, Luke Bretschneider, Doug VanKeulen, Cal Swedzinski,Lee Bot, Beau Buysse, Alex Christensen, Brandon Anderson, Jeff Drietz. Back row: GrantHennen, Kevin Vercruysse, Benjamin Koch, Justin Fox, Adam Josephson, Shane Hennen,Will Kurka, Jon Doyscher, Jesus Macias.team doesn’t have dominant players whocan take over a game, he thinks the Vikingswill be able to work well as a cohesive unit.“Flexibility will be one of our biggeststrengths because we have a number of guyswho can play a few different positions,” hesaid. “Hopefully it doesn’t hurt us where wedon’t have someone consistently playing acertain position, but I’d rather have guyswho can step in at any position in case wehave to deal with injuries.”Senior Jesus Macias is one of theVikings’ most versatile players. AnIndependent All-Area honorable mentionplayer a year ago, Macias is Minneota’sleadoff hitter and has the ability to playany position on the field, including pitcher.Senior outfielder Justin Fox is one of theteam’s most consistent batters in the middleof the lineup and fellow seniors Matt Musserand Alex Christiensen can pitch or play inthe infield.Junior Beau Buysse caught for Minneotafor much of last year, but can also take themound or play most positions on the field.BASEBALLShane Hennen settled in as shortstop lastseason and will also be looked upon to pitchsome innings.After seeing little or no time on varsitylast season, Larson said he expects BrandonAnderson, Adam Josephson and brothersJeff and Cory Drietz to see quite a bit ofaction this year.Larson said the Vikings don’t have an aceon the team, but he trusts giving the ball toany of his pitchers, knowing they will usethe defense behind them.“I don’t think we have one guy that’s reallyan all-around, standout, ‘Hey if we have tohave a win this is the guy you put on themound’ guy,” he said. “But I think the guyswe put out there will be able to have a goodouting every time out.“We won’t have anyone who goes outand strikes out 15 guys, but we won’t haveanyone who’ll walk 15 guys either. They’llthrow strikes and let our guys make plays ondefense.”Minneota baseball PAGE 26• Dalager’s Grocery and Gas• Farmer’s Cooperative Association - Canby

Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010 • 11minneota golfSection goals insight for VikingsBy Matt Dahlseidmdahlseid@marshallindependent.comMINNEOTA — Three Minneota golfersadvanced through the sub-section to get tothe Section 3A tournament last year.With all three golfers back, and with thereturn of younger golfers who showedpromise last season, the Vikings boys andgirls squads will be looking to get through tosections as a team this year.Senior Brett Przymus and junior ZacCorbin both qualified for the section tournamentlast year as individuals and head coachRalph Hagen said junior Walker Hennenalso has the potential to post a low score.“I have a strong team coming back,”Hagen said. “Zac Corbin has extraordinaryhitting skills and Walker Hennen and BrettPrzymus are both very good golfers. I thinkall three of them have a shot (to makestate).”Hagen said Corbin’s power sets him apartfrom the other golfers on the team and couldgive him the best shot at qualifying for stateas an individual.“Zac has such extraordinary length, ifhe’s hitting the ball well, he might be theguy to beat,” Hagen said. “But there aregoing to be some very good golfers in thesub-section, so it will be tough.”The Vikings have 17 boys out for golfthis year. Hagen said he expects about 12 ofthem to be competing to fill the rest of thespots on the varsity roster. But whoeversteps in to take up those openings, Hagenexpects them to be able to put up solidscores.“I think we’re going to be experimentingand seeing who’s going to pick up thoseother three spots on the team,” Hagen said.“Assuming our veterans come back and playtheir game, we should be shooting around164 as a team. Around tournament time I’dlike to see us shooting around 160 for nine• Finnegan’s Super-Valu• Gislason Ace Hardware“Around tournaent time, I’dlike to see us shootingaround 160 for nine holes.To have four guys shooting40s would be my hope forthe boys.Minneota head coachRalph Hagenholes. To have four guys shooting 40s wouldbe my hope for the boys.”The Minneota boys finished in thirdplace in the sub-section last year, but werewell behind Wabasso and Springfield. If theVikings shoot like Hagen hopes, they wouldbe right around what was needed to qualifyfor the section tournament last year.On the girls’ side, junior Taya Kockelmanwas the lone representative for Minneota atthe section tournament last season. Still,Hagen thinks the other returning team memberswill fill out a strong varsity roster.“The girls have a pretty darn good team,”Hagen said. “Taya Kockelman is comingback. Katelyn Kack, Megan Spanton and acouple of other younger girls showed somepotential and Alyssa Enger was golfing prettygood at the end of last year.”The Minneota girls shot 438 in the subsectiontournament last season, placing fifth.Led by Kockelman, Hagen said he could seehis team shave nearly 40 strokes off of thattotal this year.“I really think we’ll be breaking 200 (fornine holes). That’s my goal for them,” hesaid. “Taya is a very good golfer. She’ll contendfor championship wherever we play.”Minneota Vikings GOLFPhotos by Matt DahlseidThe 2010 Minneota Vikings girls golf team includes, from left, front row: Celena Davis,Megan Spanton, Kajsa Christenson. Back row: Claire Van Keulen, Katelynn Kack, TayaKockelman, Natasha Gislason, Alyssa Engler.The 2010 Minneota Vikings boys golf team includes, from left, front row: NathanBuysse, Aaron Buysse, Zac Corbin, Blake Abraham, Walker Hennen, Zach Moorse, TaylorMosmalski, Brandon Prellwitz, Keagan Drietz.• Konold Oil Company• Marshall IndependentBEST OFLUCKVIKINGS!

12 • Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010minneota/canby softballVikings’ successhinges on pitchersBy Matt Dahlseidmdahlseid@marshallindependent.comMINNEOTA — Errors proved costly forthe Minneota/Canby softball team last season,as the Vikings gave up an average of10.7 runs per game, the highest in theCamden Conference.After a 3-4 start in 2009, the Vikings lost10 of their last 11 games. For the team toimprove its position in the conference standingsthis year, head coach Jeff Hansen saidhis players need to return to the fundamentalsthat had brought the squad success in thepast.“To be successful, we needed to field theball better,” Hansen said. “To be honest, we“All three pitchers do a nicejob. They all throw strikes.They’ll make teams hit theball and put it in play, but wejust need the defense to besound and make playsbehind them.Minneota/Canby headcoach Jeff HansenPhoto by Matt DahlseidThe 2010 Minneota/Canby Vikings softball team includes, from left, Front row:Deanna VanDerostyne, Calleen McNeill, Megan McNeill, Jamie Lundberg, AbbyChampagne. Second row: Megan Regnier, Ricki Kallhofi, Jenna Hennen, FenjaSiepelmeyer. Back row: Head coach Jeff Hansen, Katelyn Smith, Heidi Schroepfer, AmberGrengs, Jennifer Hegg.Independent file photoMinneota/Canby’s Jamie Lundberg looksto pick off a runner during a regular seasongame last year.• Minneota Building Materials• State Bank of Taunton, FDIC Insuredhad a lot of errors. We’re usually a team thatprides itself on having a strong defense.We’ll have to get back to that and do a lotbetter this year.”Even though the Vikings gave up a lot ofruns last season, Hansen said the team’spitching will be one of its strengths.Amber Grengs, Jenna Hennen and HeidiSchroepfer enter the season as Minneota’smost experienced pitchers. None of thepitchers will overpower batters, but theyknow how to use the defense behind them,Hansen said.With Jamie Lundberg also returningbehind the plate, the team with have a seasonedbattery.“All three pitchers do a nice job,” he said.“They all throw strikes. They’ll make teamshit the ball and put it in play, but we justneed the defense to be sound and make playsbehind them.”Offensively, Minneota ranked fifth out ofseven teams in the conference last season,scoring 5.5 runs per game.Hansen thinks his team will be solidoffensively, but doesn’t expect a significantturnaround in offensive production, whichmakes playing error-free defense even moreimportant.“We’re not a big hitting team,” he said.“We’ll have to earn our runs and manufacturethem with our speed.That’s one of the reasonswe can’t give away outs.”The Vikings likelywon’t be an offensive juggernaut,but they havesome solid batters returningto the lineup.Schroepfer, who alsoplayed second base forMinneota/Canby last year,Schroepferbatted .352 last season.Hansen said she will play avital role for the team againthis year as one of the squad’s most athleticplayers.Lundberg also had a stong season for theVikings at the plate last year with a .319average as a sophomore.Minneota/Canby SOFTBALL• Tri-County Veterinary Clinic• Ufkin’s Furniture and Appliances“We’re going to continue to look to(Lundberg) to be a leader on offense,”Hansen said of his catcher. “She also does anice job behind the plate and is a real hardnosedplayer who grits things out. It’s notalways pretty, but she can get the job done.”Callie McNeill, Megan McNeill andGrengs also saw at-bats last year will belooked on to produce this year.Hansen said he’s not yet sure how the restof his lineup will fill out and that there couldbe a lot of rotating players early in the seasonto see what combination works best.“There are a lot of unknowns after that,”Hansen said. “There will be opportunitiesfor young girls who don’t have a lot of varsityexperience to come in and earn spots.”“We’ve been struggling to find somedepth, so we’ll be trying to plug people intothe right spots to serve the team the bestway, which may not always be where theplayers want to be.”

Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010 • 13canby/minneota trackLancers full ofdepth and talentBy Jenny Kirkjkirk@marshallindependent.comCANBY — The potential for greatness ishigh on the Canby/Minneota Lancers trackand field team this season.While head coach Ben Miska will have toreplace a number of solid athletes that graduatedlast year, he has plenty of talentremaining.“There are a lot of kids and I’ve alwayssaid that competition breeds success,”Miska said. “That’s the name of the game.”Canby/Minneota has 84 participants ingrades 7-12, including 10 seniors.“We’re looking at a good year,” Miska“There are a lot of kids andI’ve always said thatcomptition breeds success.That’s the name of thegameCanby/Minneota• American Family Insurance - Chuck Fennell• Canby Drug and GiftsCanby/Minneota headcoach Ben MiskaThe 2010 Canby/Minneota Lancers girls track team includes, from left, front row:Shelby Haight, Angela Full, Riley Nordgaard, Kate Oellien, Courtney Slaba, Shelby Kontz,Nicole Kraus, Jenna Anundson, Abby Vlaminck, Meghan Travis, Brigit Lozinski. Secondrow: Brooke Nelson, Kim Club, Caitlin Slaba, Chelsea Deslauriers, Morgan Merritt, DanaKraus, Amber Grothem, Haily Citrowske, Leah Jessen, Morgyn Drietz, Morgan Crowser,Haylee Smith, Morgan Krug, Agne Miskinis. Back row: Cinthia Salazar, Haley Esping,Brittany Merritt, Kaylen Weidert, Deisree Sik, Tabea Schultner, Elise Citrowske, MariaSanchez, Anita Henningsgaard, Yasemin Sucu, Sariah Cheadle, Brandi Merritt, TaraKockelman, Jessica Moeller, Hayley DenelsbeckMissing: Head Coach Ben Miska, CourtneyCitrowske, Taylor Reiss, Becca Kamrath, Kaitlyn DeVos, Sofia Rabaey, Alenni Nemitz,Amanda Grengs, Hayley Davis, Hailie Moeller, Kayla FairchildPhotos by Jenny KirkThe 2010 Canby/Minneota Lancers boys track team includes, from left, front row: SeanAlu, John Mamer, Nick Stoks, Wyatt Johansen, Jack Citrowske, Nathan Cooper, Nick Esping,Clark Davis, Miles Schmitz. Second row: Jack Anundson, Wyatt Kraus, Andrew Swedzinski,Cedric Citrowske, Jacob Cheadle, Tucker Ward, Westley Skogen. Back row: Nate Stafki,Austen Bouvette, Luke Jessen, Travis Longhenry, Jordan Wiesen, Zach Brusven, BrandonGrengs, Micheal Schmidt, Dustin CoilMissing: Head Coach Ben Miska, Cooper Cleveland,Jonas Phillipsaid. “The girls have won the conference thelast two years and the sub-section the lasttwo years and we’re looking to repeat that.The boys improved last year, taking secondin the conference and second in the sub-section.We’re hoping to be able to build offthose.”The toughest loss for the Lancers on thegirls side is three athletes that made up the4x800-meter relay team. LaurenBeukelman, Thea Merritt and KatherineAnundson ran the race with now-sophomoreRiley Nordgaard.“There are a good number of kids comingback,” Miska said. “That doesn’t replacewhat we lost last year. For girls, we lostLauren and Katherine. They are both runningtrack at Mankato. Thea was a big partof our program last year, too.”Beukelman advanced to the state meetlast year in the 400-meter dash, where shefinished ninth. She holds the Canby schoolrecord with a 59.35 effort.In addition to competing in the longjump, Beukelman ran a leg of the 4x400relay. Together with Nordgaard, ChelseaDeslauriers and Morgan Merritt, Beukelmanhelped set the 4x400 school record (4:12.91)TRACK• Canby Farmers Grain Co. -Canby and Dawson MN - Astoria, SDin 2009.Thea Merritt and Anundson also ran openmid-distance events.“Morgan and Leah (Jessen) were bigcontributors for us last year as seventhgraders,”Miska said. “Morgan was a hurdlerand was part of a crew that set theschool record in the 4x400. Leah has gone tostate in cross county two years in a row, soshe’s ready to go. Her and Dana (Kraus)should be our top distance runners.”Miska said that Nordgaard will likely beused in a variety of events this season. Highjump is one event that Nordgaard will hopefullyfind consistency with again, however.She set the school record (5-foot) in 2008.“Riley should have a good year in thehigh jump,” Miska said. “She’s a phenomenalathlete and will do very well for us.We’ll move her around in some differentspots this year. She’s such a good athlete thatshe can do well in a number of events.”Miska said that Canby has solid seniorleadership to bank on and also confidencefrom the success in other sports.C/M track PAGE 27

14 • Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010canby baseballTalented young corehopes to push LancersBy Jenny Kirkjkirk@marshallindependent.comCANBY — Despite losing five seniors tograduation, Canby head coach Ryan Arndt isconfident that a new core of players willlead the Lancers in the right direction thisyear.Standout senior Chris Nemitz and versatilejunior Trever Citrowske are back inaction after leading Canby from the moundand at the plate last year.“Chris is a pretty effective left-handedpitcher,” Arndt said. “He leads us on themound. Trever also pitches, but I like to seehim in the field for his defense. Both of themled us in hitting, too.”Nemitz was named to the Independent“There is some uncertaintyyet as to who will fill thoseroles. But the kids haveshown some good things atpractice already and I thinkthere are kids that can stepin.Canby head coachRyan ArndtPhoto by Jenny KirkThe 2010 Canby Lancers baseball team includes, from left, front row: Dan Yackley,Trever Citrowske, Kyle Miller, Trent Antony, Austin Campbell, Cole Morris, Joey Cheng.Second row: Matt Jelen, Stephen Huber, Chance Anseeuw, Chris Kaddatz, BrandonKallhoft, David Bursack. Back row: Ben Kamrath, Jordan Clarksean, Riley Schubert,William Kamrath, Chris Nemitz, Bryon Meyer, Michael Sik.Independent file photoCanby’s Trever Citowske sits back and waits for a pitch during a regular season game lastyear. Citrowske, an all-area second team selection last year, led the area with a .467 battingaverage last season.Canby Lancers• Co-op Credit Union of Montevideo - Canby Branch• Country Side Auto• D&K RV SalesAll-Area First Team last season after batting.431, driving in 28 runs for the Lancers andleading the area with five home runs. On themound, Nemitz was 6-1 and also made theSection 3A All-Section team and CamdenAll-Conference team.Citrowske, an Independent All-AreaSecond Team pick, led the area with a .467batting average, driving in 17 runs. He ledCanby with nine doubles, two triples andnine stolen bases. On the mound, Citrowskestruck out 18 batters. He also earned All-Conference honors.Other seniors that are expected to step upand provide leadership are JordanClarksean, Riley Schubert, Bryon Meyer,Kyle Miller and Brandon Kallhoff.“The senior leadership is already showingthrough at practice,” Arndt said. “We got deeperin the playoffs last year and hopefully thatcarries over. The kids attended camps this winterand have high expectations for the season.”The Lancers’ biggest challenge will bereplacing some key players lost to graduationlast year. Catcher Jake Long was a twoyearstarter behind the plate for Canby. TheLancers also lost second baseman KyleMamer and outfielder AndersHenningsgaard, who was namedIndependent All-Area Honorable Mentionlast year.“I have to find kids to fill the spots forlast year’s seniors,” Arndt said. “There issome uncertainty yet as to who will fill thoseroles. But the kids have shown some goodthings at practice already and I think thereare kids that can step in.”Pitcher Brandon Kamrath and outfielderAndy Winter also graduated last year. Arndtwill look to sophomore Chris Kaddatz andjunior Dan Yackley for help on the mound.“Chris just got back from having kneesurgery the first of the year,” Arndt said.“Dan is a left-handed pitcher. We have somefreshman possibilities, too.”Canby went 8-10 last season. After beatingKerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 14-5 inthe playoffs, the Lancers then fell 8-3 toRenville County West. A final loss came atthe hands of Ortonville in a 7-5 outcome.BASEBALL• Farmer’s Cooperative Association - Canby• First Security Bank, Canby - Member FDIC• Jim’s Market

Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010 • 15canby golfImproving numbershelps Canby golfBy Jenny Kirkjkirk@marshallindependent.comCANBY — Canby head coach MiloLarson, who has coached golf since 1969,said that he is encouraged to see an increasednumber of participants on the Lancer golfteam this season.“We have the best numbers we’ve had forsome time,” he said. “We have 17 girls ingrades 9-12 and 15 boys.”While the girls team has no seniors, theboys have three.Last year, Martha Lueders led Canby as asophomore and was named the 2009 mostvaluable golfer. Lueders and junior KileyMercer advanced to the section meet in 2009.“Last year, we had seven or eight girls,”Larson said. “Martha was definitely the veteranof the group. We had five eighth-gradegirls and all of them came back out along withsome more of their friends. We have a largenumber of freshman and juniors this season.”In addition to Lueders and Mercer, juniorsKami Cleveland, Karli Jelen, BeccaSaltee and Sierra Schmitz are expected toanchor the squad. Moriah Hoffman is thelone sophomore this year.Ten freshman will also battle for a spoton the team, including Taylor Armitage,Kora Cleveland, Taylor Gorder, KendraJohnson, Jenna Miller, Mckenzie Noyes,Alicia Prokop, Kristy Schmidt, ScarletThorston and Kayla VanDerostyne.“We’re kind of excited because we have agood number of bodies,” Larson said. “I enjoycoaching and golf is a life skill thing. A lot ofkids come back and say they’re glad they did it.”So far, Larson said practice has beengoing well. The Lancers try to use the insidetime to do refresher things before hitting thecourse when the conditions improve.On the boys side, Canby’s most valuablegolfer went to then-senior Andrew Fokken.“We’rekind of excitedbecause we have a goodnumber of bodies. I enjoycoaching and golf is a life skillthing. A lot of kids comeback and say they’re gladthey did it.Canby head coachMilo LarsonThe Lancers also lost Travis Nordgaard tograduation last season.Larson said that Nick Simonton was thereturning leader from last year. As an eighthgraderlast season, Simonton advanced tothe section meet.“Nick is our returning leader,” Larsonsaid. “I’m not sure who will be the next guysin line after him.”The Lancers have three seniors on theteam in Taylor Ward, Alex Stoks and PaulLueders. Juniors Levi Beiningen, TylerEekoff, Zach Gorder and Ethan Kack willlook to contribute to the team.Also part of the team are Alex Brouwer,Keagan DeSmet, Kyle DeVos, Joel Kern, JesseLokken, Billy Longhenry and Vasu Potla.Larson said he is anxious to see how a newgolf rule — one that allows a team’s headcoach and assistant coach to provide advice toplayers during competition — plays out.“The rule wasn’t proposed by the coaches,it was put in by the league,” said Larson.“It makes you wonder who is going to runthe meets then. Regardless, it’ll be a learningexperience for everyone.”Canby Lancers• Marshall Independent• Moberg Meat Center, Inc.Photos by Jenny KirkThe 2010 Canby Lancers boys golf team includes, from left, Front row: Jesse Lokken,Paul Lueders, Taylor Ward, Tyler Eekoff, Alex Brouwer. Back row: Nick Simonton, BillyLonghenry, Levi Beiningen, Alex Stoks, Kyle DeVos, Vasu Potla.The 2010 Canby Lancers girs golf team includes, from left, Front row: Jenna Miller,Martha Lueders, Becca Saltee, Karli Jelen. Back row: Taylor Gorder, Scarlet Thorston, SierraSchmitz, Kiley Mercer, Moriah Hoffman, Kami Cleveland.GOLF• Nemitz Insurance Agency Inc.• Porter Elevator, Inc.BEST OFLUCKLANCERS!

16 • Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010tmb baseballPanthers’ pitchingparamount to seasonBy Matt Dahlseidmdahlseid@marshallindependent.comTRACY — Pitching was a strong pointfor Tracy-Milroy-Balaton during its runnerupperformance in the Camden Conferencelast season.All-Conference and All-Section pitcherAlex Jones had a miniscule 2.03 ERA andIsaac Dolan was also a reliable force on themound.But with the departure of the team’s toptwo hurlers, who earned 14 of the team’s 16wins during the season, pitching will be oneof the biggest question marks for thePanthers heading into 2010.Even with that uncertainty, TMB headcoach Bill Tauer thinks his squad can againbe a contender in the conference.“I think we can have similar goals (as lastseason),” he said. “It’s going to be a work inprogress, but we always have the goal to winthe (Camden) South division. By the end ofthe year, if the kids work hard, we can bevery competitive.”In addition to Jones and Dolan, thePanthers also graduated their starting catcher,third base and and left fielder. But therewill still be plenty of talent returning forTMB.Junior Dominic Dolan returns to anchorthe infield at shortstop. He earned All-Conference honors last year batting .393“It’s going to be a work inprogress, but we alwayshave the goal to win the(Camden)South division. Bythe end of the year, if thekids work hard, we can bevery competitive.TMB head coachBill TauerTHE INDEPENDENT’S SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW IS INITS FOURTH YEAR. WATCH FOR EXPANDINGCOVERAGE INVOLVING MORE INDEPENDENT-AREASCHOOLS AND TEAMS THIS SPRING.TMB Panthers• Almlie Funeral Homes - Tracy - Balaton - Westbrook• Currie State BankPhoto by Matt DahlseidThe 2010 TMB Panthers baseball team includes, from left, front row: Dominic Dolan,Taylor Hoffbeck, James Fultz, Mark LaVoy, Joe Hook, Brandon Kirsh, Zach Campbell. Backrow: Shane Erickson, Aric Carpenter, Jon Swenson, Eric Carter, Jeremy Hoflock, LucasDolan, Josh Soupir.with 16 stolen bases.Jeremy Hoflock will remain at first baseafter playing there last season. Tauer said heexpects a lot out of Hoflock offensively andwill have him batting in the third or fourthslot after he batted .410 last season. In theoutfield, senior Josh Soupir will return ascenter fielder.After splitting time at right field andcatcher last year, Shane Erickson will takeover behind the plate full time this season.With speed on the field as well as runningthe basepaths, Tauer said his team will try tofind ways to use its athleticism to its advantage.“This is probably one of the most athleticteams I’ve had since I’vebeen here,” Tauer said.“Defensively, were goingto be very solid and offensively,we’re going to scoresome runs.”Tauer thinks his teamwill be able to manufactureits fair share of runs, buthow TMB keeps the opposition’sruns down is anothermatter.Zach Campbell has themost experience of thereturning pitchers. He wasHoflock1-0 last year and pitched 12 1/3 innings. LucasDolan and Aric Carpenter also threw a fewinnings on varsity last season.A couple of pitchers from last year’s “B”squad could also work their way onto thePanthers’ staff. Taylor Hoffbeck was 5-0 lastseason in 28 1/3 innings, while Eric Carter was3-1 and threw 24 1/3 innings.Tauer said the teams in the CamdenBASEBALL• First Independent Bank-Balaton• G&R ElectricConference will definitely test his pitchingstaff. He expects Minneota, Canby, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton andLakeview all to field strongteams and put up a fight forthe conference’s Southdivision.“I think our half of theconference will be verycompetitive,” Tauer said.“Probably the most competitiveit’s been since I’vebeen here.”In the Camden North,Campbell Tauer said MACCRAYwill again be the team tobeat. The Wolverines laidclaim to the Class A state title last season.One of their three defeats during the seasoncame at the hands of TMB.With hard work, Tauer said the Pantherscould again give MACCRAY some problemsand be in contention for a conferencetitle.

Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010 • 17tmb golfYouth movementafoot for PanthersBy Matt Dahlseidmdahlseid@marshallindependent.comTRACY — One senior.That's all the Tracy-Milroy-Balaton boysand girls golf teams have combined.But while head coach Randy McIntirethinks inexperience could result in strugglesfor the boys team this season, he's lookingfor a solid performance from the Panthergirls."All seven girls that we have that letteredlast year are back," McIntire said. "We don'thave a senior girl on the team. Last year theywere all ninth- and 10th-graders."We were sub-section runners-up lastyear, so we advanced to sections as a team,but didn't golf very well there. Hopefullywe'll be better this year and our goal is to getback to sections with our girls team."It had been nearly a 20-year droughtsince the Panthers had qualified for the sectiontournament. With everyone back fromlast year, TMB hopes it won’t have to waitnearly that long to make a return trip.Vickie Lau anchors the top of thePanthers' varsity roster. As a freshman twoyears ago, Lau qualified for the state tournamentand just missed out on heading to stateagain last season as a sophomore.A surprise for the TMB girls team lastyear was the play of Megan Van Essen. Withno golf experience heading into her sophomoreseason, she was able to be one of thePanthers' top contributers."Megan Van Essen had never picked up aclub before last year and she came aroundreally well," McIntire said. "She ended upbeing our second-best golfer."While TMB has a threat for a state qualifierin Lau, McIntire said one of his squad'sbiggest strengths is the consistency of therest of the golfers. Along with Lau and VanEssen, he said McKindra Butman, CourtneyLau, Kristina Lee, Kelsey Lee and AnnaPommier are all capable of putting up competitivescores."We've got girls that could shoot between48 and 54," McIntire said. "If you can getfour golfers hovering around 50 and around200 as a team, you're usually going to dofairly good."McIntire said the squad was fortunate toqualify for the section tournament last season,but with all the Panther girls returningfor at least two more seasons, the futurelooks bright for the TMB girls."We probably weren't the second-bestteam in our sub-section last year, but we justhad a really good day," McIntire said. "Wedidn't graduate anybody either and most ofthe other teams graduated a couple of seniors,so that helps us out."The boys team, on the other hand, wasunable to overcome its inexperience in 2009and had a tough time competing with otherTMB Panthers• John’s Rx Drug• Marshall Independent“We’ve got girls that couldshoot between 48 and 54. Ifyou can get four golfershovering around 50 oraround 200 as a team,you’re usually going to dofairly good.TMB golf PAGE 26TMB head coachRandy McIntirePhotos by Matt DahlseidThe 2010 TMB Panthes boys golf team includes, from left, front row: Brad Schmidt, CodyChristian, Tylor Hansen, Adam Debbaut. Back row: Alex Bitton, Andrew Vroman, AlexBlegen, Casey Benson, Brock Benson.The 2010 TMB Panthes girls golf team includes, from left, front row: Anna Pommier,Elizabeth Shelton. Back row: Vickie Lau, Megan VanEssen, Courtney Lau, McKindraButman, Kristina Lee. Not pictured: Kelsey Lee.GOLF• Midwest Supply, Tracy and Slayton• Minnwest Bank South, Tracy - Slayton - Lake Wilson

18 • Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010tmb softballTMB ready to makemark in CamdenBy Matt Dahlseidmdahlseid@marshallindependent.comTRACY — Many high school sportsteams rely on seniors to provide leadershipand guidance for the younger players, alongwith, of course, production on the field orcourt.With no seniors on the the Tracy-Milroy-Balaton softball team, senior leadershipwasn’t something the Panthers could counton in 2009. But the lack of upperclassmenalso meant the younger players had theopportunity to hone their skills at the varsitylevel, knowing they would all be back witha season under their belts for another run.The young Panthers put together a 6-16season last year and finished fifth in the“We’re coming back withkids who’ve played against allthose (area) players. I expectour players to step up toanother level this yearbecause we have theexperience.TMB head coachPaul SkoglundIndependent file photoTracy-Milroy-Balaton’s Michelle Lenertz, right, decides to hold off on a pitch during a regularseason game last year. Lenertz is one of seven seniors on the Panthers’ roster this season.TMB Panthers• Minnwest Investment and Insurance Center - Tracy• Murrayland Agency, Inc.Photo by Matt DahlseidThe 2010 TMB Panthers softball team includes, from left, front row: Kayla Daniels,Shelby Evers, Lexi Beierman, Jessi Noakes, Rachel Wilking. Back row: Kate Johnston, AnnaJohnson, Michelle Lenertz, Brit Hanson, Adria Dolan, Ashley Daniels, Jenny Welu.Camden Conference with a 4-8 record.The 2010 TMB squad has six seniors andfive juniors along with a few younger playerswho will make significant contributions.After coaching his players through a year inwhich development was the key objective,TMB head coach Paul Skoglund said he’slooking forward to the Panthers being competitivewith some of the better teams in theregion.“A lot of good ball players graduated inthe area,” said Skoglund, who is in hisfourth year as coach of the Panthers. “Teamslike Wabasso and MCC, who had goodyears, had a lot of seniors who moved on.We’re coming back with kids who’ve playedagainst all those players. I expect our playersto step up to another level this yearbecause they have that experience.”TMB started last season with a 3-3record, but only won three of its final 16games. During the team’s struggles, therewere also flashes of what the squad wascapable of.Midway through the season, the Pantherswon 3-2 against a Murray County Centralteam that finished the year 17-9.Panthers PAGE 26SOFTBALL• Sanford Tracy Medical Center• Southwest Insurance Services“Probably a key word for last year’s teamwould be ‘inconsistent,’” Skoglund said.“Our highlight of the year was when we beat(Murray County Central), who was secondin the section and almost went to state. But,sometimes we got beat up pretty good. Witha younger, inexperienced team, that can happen.”One of the areas the Panthers were consistentin was hitting, Skoglund said. Theteam averaged 5.2 runs per game during theseason.Catcher Shea Lanoue returns for her senioryear after being named All-CamdenConference last season. Senior infielderMichelle Lenertz will also be looked upon toprovide leadership for the team after earningIndependent all-area honorable mentionhonors in 2009.Pitching is what gave the Panthers problems.TMB gave up an average of 9.5 runsper game during the season.Skoglund said he expects the Panthers’pitching to be “much improved” this year.

Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010 • 19tmb trackMix of young andold propel PanthersBy Matt Dahlseidmdahlseid@marshallindependent.comTRACY — Losing five of her team’s toprunners to graduation, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton track and field head coach MonicaHeadlee wasn’t sure what to expect out ofher squad coming into the season.The 4x100- and 4x200-meter relay teamsof Brandon Kirk, Josh Hook, Walker Schaarand John Swenhaugen, along with 1,600-meter runner Ryan Tholen, qualified for thestate meet last year and gave the Panthers amedal threat in every meet as seniors duringthe 2009 season.But despite the loss of some of herstrongest competitors, Headlee thinks her2010 TMB team may be even more competitivethan last year’s squad.“Points-wise and team-wise, we weren’tending up in the top three at meets last season,”Headlee said. “That was reallybecause our numbers were down, notbecause of our talent level. I think that justwith the sheer numbers we have this seasonthat we’ll be more competitive.”Instead of relying on a handful of athletesto get points for her team in competition,Headlee said this year, TMB will be able toget more team members in more events.Part of the challenge for the Panthers willbe preparing the younger competitors to performat the high school level. But Headleesaid that challenge has been made a littleeasier with the help of a dedicated group ofseniors.On the girls team, seniors MeredithHicks and M’Hesi Haugen give Headleetwo athletes to turn to for strong performanceson the track who can also serve asmentors for the younger team members.Hicks was a member of TMB’s sprintrelay teams that qualified for sections lastyear and she also qualified for sections inthe long jump. Haugen was a hurdler and• Tracy Insurance - Tom Rignell• Western Mutual Fire Insurance Co.“...With the leadership of ourseniors, if our younger kidscan have fun this year andstick with it, in a year or twothey could be thefront-runners.TMB head coachMonica Headleehigh jumper last year who Headlee saidplaced in the high jump in nearly everymeet.“Both (Hicks and Haugen) have years ofexperience in track,” Headlee said. “Theyare also great leaders and do a fantastic jobof explaining things to the younger athletes.It makes us coaches’ jobs a lot easier.”Also seniors, Skylar Schwartz and distancerunner Jesse Miller fill a similar roleon the boys team.“They weren’t big points scorers lastyear, but they have experience and leadershipcapabilities,” Headlee said.Senior Dalton Kirk gives the Panthersanother athlete who can pick up points. Hewill be looking to qualify for his first statemeet after coming close in past seasons.“(Kirk) has just been so strong in the hurdlesfor several years and he has come upjust short at making state three years in arow now,” Headlee said. “I think he’ll beTMB track PAGE 26TMB PanthersPhotos by Matt DahlseidThe 2010 TMB Panthers boys track team includes, from left, front row: BrettSwenhausen, Kong Meng Moua, Nate Wieme, Bee Thao, Peng Thao, Touna Moua. Middlerow: Brad Schmidt, Eric Donner, Scott Vue, Adria Serra Moral, Asa Nelson, SterlingSchuartz, Mae Tiegs, Ex-Savor Cruz. Back Row: Skylar Schwartz, Andrew Martinez, MasonVan Essen, Tommy Nelson, Jesse Miller, Blake Giles, Ronnie Jorgenson, Spencer Schwartz.The 2010 TMB Panthers girls track team includes, from left, front row: Becca Chandler,Cassie Hook, Mckynna Cochran, Judy Trejo, Svea Landa, Kristen Andree. Middle row:Cecilia Trejo, Jordan Schmidt, Charly Morgan, Naomi Krause, Kassidy Przymus, JordanRoedl, Caitlin Sailor. Back row: Sammie Gervais, Tiffani Karbo, Morgan Holm, LaurenSchaar, Karli Tholen, Heidi Bengtson, Karli Mayer, Jessie Nelson, Ellie Tiegs.TRACKBEST OF LUCK PANTHERS!

20 • Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010rtr baseballUpperclassmen paveway for KnightsBy Dan Gillanddgilland@marshallindependent.comTYLER — Russell-Tyler-Ruthton isentering its second consecutive season ofhaving a baseball team of its very own. Afterteaming with Lincoln HI and Lake Bentonas the Lincoln County Gladiators, theKnights began building their own identity so many people in thelast season.“There’s a foundation and camaraderie community that are reallythat’s definitely building,” RTR head coachstepping up for us.Erik Frisvold said. “I can only take so muchcredit because there’s so many people in thecommunity that are really stepping up forRTR head coachus.” Erik FrisvoldAfter a 2009 season in which the Knightsonly won several games, Frisvold believes theIndependent file photoRussell-Tyler-Ruthton’s Jason Minett takesa swing at a pitch during a game last season.The Knights look to rebounds from a 2-14overall record last season.“There’s a foundation andcamaraderie that’s definitelybuilding. I can only take somuch credit because there’sprogram is going in the right direction, sayingthat from junior high through high school,participation numbers are up in RTR baseball.The Knights took a step forward last seasonby beating Dawson-Boyd in a Section3A tournament play-in game. Frisvold saidthe team lost just two players from 2009 tograduation, and sees reason for optimism in2010.“We lost six or seven one-run games,”Frisvold said. “The big thing is to justimprove upon last year. We didn’t really losea lot of depth or talent.”Frisvold said the many close losses lastseason can be attributed to several factors.“It comes down to staying focused anddefense and not getting clutch hits in clutchsituations, not coming through,” Frisvold said.RTR has five seniors and four juniors onits roster this season.“Definitely our experience is our biggestattribute, as well as our offense,” Frisvoldsaid. “We always have the ability to put upruns.”RTR Knights• Bornhoft Concrete-Marshall, Tyler and Pipestone• Buffalo Ridge BankPhoto by Dan GillandThe 2010 RTR Knights baseball team includes, from left, front row: Abel Romandia,Bryce Weets, Eric Wiering, Phil Madsen, Mitch LaRock, Brandon Kerr, Shay Wabeke. Backrow: Jason Minett, Luke Wiering, Mark Borchert, Tylan Gylling, Jake Schueller, PrestonWabeke, Nick Moberg. Not pictured: Chris Schulze.Defensively, however, Frisvold said histeam needs to improve. He declared defenseto be the Knights’ “weak point.”“It was always a matter of time beforewe’d make an error,” Frisvold said.In the field, Frisvold expects senior TylanGylling to be one of his leaders. Gylling is amiddle infielder and also pitches.“He really helps out everyone in the outfield,knowing where to be,” Frisvold said.“He knows what’s going on.”But on offense, RTR will have a pair ofupperclassmen batters with consistent strokes.Junior outfielder Jason Minett returns asone of RTR’s top hitters. Frisvold said hehas consistently batted above .350 in hiscareer, and struck out just once in his VFWleague last summer. Frisvold called Minett apatient, line-drive hitter whose batting averagehas climbed every season.“We go as Jason goes, offensively,”Frisvold said. “He’s kind of our catalyst.”Senior Eric Wiering will likely be moreof a home-run threat for RTR.“He hits for a little more power thanJason does,” Frisvold said. “... He’s a battler,BASEBALL• Chuck Rupp and Son Inc.• The Corner Storehe’s a grinder and he’s gotten better everyyear.”On the mound, sophomore Phil Madsenwill play a key role. Frisvold expectsMadsen to be his No. 1 pitcher.After beating Dawson-Boyd in the playoffslast season, the Knights faced eventualClass A state champion MACCRAY. InRTR’s first game against the Wolverines,Frisvold started Madsen. RTR lost the game9-1 after a late collapse. But coming into thefinal stage of the game, the Knights led 1-0.The freshman had a shutout going.“He’s a go-getter,” Frisvold said. “He relishesthat big moment.”Madsen also has his coach’s confidenceat the plate. Frisvold expects to moveMadsen into the leadoff spot left vacant byTyler Solsaa’s 2009 graduation.In 2009, the Knights had to deal withnumerous close losses. Frisvold said histeam will have to learn how to pull throughin tight games.“It’s just getting used to being in thosesituations, knowing how to come through,”he said. “Baseball is a game of inches.”

tr golfIndependent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010 • 21Strong sophomoreclasses lead RTRBy Dan Gillanddgilland@marshallindependent.comTYLER — With no seniors, boy or girl,the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton golf teams look tohave a foundation in place that can be builtupon.Knights head coach Darin Dahle knowshis team isn’t the most aged, but he’s lookingforward to the season.“It should be fun,” Dahle said. “We’ll becompetitive, but we’re still young yet.”On the boys side, RTR has a core of foursophomores — the oldest players on theteam. Leading the way will be HudsonVanDrunnen. Although the RTR team finishedlast in sub-section play in 2009,VanDrunnen pulled out a score of 90 toadvance to the Section 3A meet.VanDrunnen just missed placing in theCamden Conference Golf Tournament aftershooting an 84.“He just pretty much lives on a golfcourse,” Dahle said. “That’s why he doeswell. His swing is really smooth, pretty naturalswing. He spends a lot of time at it. Heworks hard at it.”Sophomores Andrew Bakker and NathanChristensen each contributed for the Knightslast season, as well. Bakker carded a 102 atthe conference meet, while Christensen finishedwith a 105. The Knights took sixth outof nine teams in the conference.“(VanDrunnen is) going to be our leaderthis year again,” Dahle said. “And hopefullythose boys — the rest of them — pick uptheir game. I know they want to do reallywell as a team and compete well in the conference,anyway. So we’ll see how that goesfor the boys.”With four players from the same class,Dahle said his four sophomores are a cohesivegroup with a shared passion for golf.“They really enjoy it,” Dahle said. “Theylove being out there together. They live to be“They really enjoy it. Theylove being out there together.They live to be on a golfcourse, I think. So they’reexcited about it.on a golf course, I think. So they’re excitedabout it.”Dahle’s girls team brings slightly olderplayers, with two juniors in Sam Schaeferand Taryn Pagel.Schaefer made the sub-section cut in2009 with a score of 107 to advance to sectionplay.“She’s just a solid player,” Dahle said,“Hits the ball straight and doesn’t get in awhole lot of trouble, so she does a prettynice job, and she’ll be our leader this year.”Schaefer was nearly joined at sections byKelsey Stanek, who barely missed advancingat the sub-section meet after shooting a108. Dahle said Stanek came on strong duringthe final stretch last season.“She played pretty well at the end of theyear,” Dahle said. “She’s another one, she’svery capable of hitting the ball pretty well.It’s just a matter of getting out there enoughand getting in the time that she needs to.”As an eighth-grader last season, HannahKruger shot 115 at the conference meet, theKnights’ second-best score. Dahle saidKruger has plenty of distance, and will be aKnights golf PAGE 23RTR KnightsRTR head coachDarin Dahle• DeBoer Motors• First Independent Bank-Russell• Hartquist Funeral Home/Utoft Johansen ChapelPhotos by Dan GillandThe 2010 RTR Knights boys golf team includes, from left, Front row: Andrew Bakker,Nathan Christensen, Ryan O’Toole, Hudson VanDrunnen, Colby NelsonThe 2010 RTR Knights girls golf team includes, from left, Front row: Kelsey Stanek, SamSchaefer, Taryn Pagel. Not pictured: Hannah KrugerGOLF• Jerry Minett & Sons Well Drilling• Marshall Independent• Shadetree Auto Repair

22 • Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010rtr trackFresh faces provideunknown for RTRBy Dan Gillanddgilland@marshallindependent.comTYLER — One look at the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton track and field team, and it’seasy to see that the Knights have plenty ofathletes participating this season.But a glance at the ages of the competitorson head coach Ted Kern’s roster saysthat the team might have to learn as it goes.“We should be around that 50 mark,”Kern said of the Knights’ roster size, “but 30of them are seventh- and eighth-graders.And a lot of the high-schoolers haven’t beenout before.”It should be no surprise, then, that Kernhas trouble gauging how the season willplay out for his Knights.With so many athletes relatively new tovarsity track and field, Kern has the task offinding out what events his competitors arebest suited for. He will try to match his participantsup with the right events the oldfashionedway.“Trial and error,” Kern said of hismethod. “You kind of have an idea fromwatching the kids in other sports what theirstrengths might be. Seeing what they’reinterested in is important, too, to try to getsome enthusiasm built up.”The girls team placed fifth out of eightteams at the 2009 Camden ConferenceTrack and Field Meet, and will be returningtwo high-schoolers with strong records inthe sport.Senior Jade Possail returns after takingsecond in the 100-meter dash and fifth in the200 at the conference meet. Possail tookseventh in the 100 at the Section 3A meetlater in the season. Kern said she will againbe a strong competitor in the sprint races.Wendy Andersen finished as the conferencerunner-up in the triple jump last yearand is back as a sophomore.Kern is optimistic about the abilities of• Southwest Implement Inc.• Tyler Bus Company• Woodstock Telephone Company“You kind of have an ideafrom watching the kids inother sports what theirstrengths might be. Seeingwhat they’re interested in isimportant, too, to try and getsome enthusiasm built up.some of his young distance runners, particularlyeighth-graders Samantha Brust andJustine Possail, who each contributed lastseason. Brust finished sixth in the 3200 runat the sub-section meet in 2009. JustinePossail took fifth in the 1600 at the samemeet. Kern will try to fill out his 4x400 and4x800 relay teams with the Knights’ youngtalent.“We have a lot of pretty young distancerunners ... some kids who kind of took theirlumps on the varsity last year — particularlygirls — that we’re looking for somegrowth in this year,” Kern said.The boys team took seventh at the conferencemeet last year. The only athlete toadvance to sections was Nick Wiering, whois now graduated.It could be the jumping events where theboys make their mark. Kern said RTR has ahistory in those areas.“We’ve had some pretty good jumpers inRTR track PAGE 26RTR KnightsRTR head coachTed KernPhotos by Dan GillandThe 2010 RTR Knights boys track team includes, from left, front row: left to right: ColtenLawson, Ty Thooft, Travis Lavoie, Casey Kelley, Michael Torkelson. Back row: IsaiahDeRuyter, Kole Vogt, Kevin Andersen, Dylan DeRuyter, Shane Vogt. Third row: Nick Beck,Lestat Clemmer, Dylan Kor, Newt Dunblazier, Brett Feller. Not pictured: Brett Peterson,Nathan Condelli, Tanner Thomsen, Taylor Brust, Taylor Thooft.The 2010 RTR Knights girls track team includes, from left, front row: Shelby Kern,JasiAnna Borman, Maria Weber, Justine Possail, Nicole Enemark, Mackenzie Buse, ShelbyHauswedell, Amanda Torkelson, Gina Rutgers, TaNiel Rochel. Back row: CheyenneKaffenbarger, Dana Schaefer, Larisa Denney, Krista Johnson, Samantha Brust, WendyAndersen, Jackie Minett, Ashley Hankins, Jada Carr, Kaitlin Vos. Not pictured: Jade Possail,Shayna Possail, Katie Bump, Jasmine Reyes, Ceydi Vargas, Rachael Blake.TRACKBEST OF LUCK KNIGHTS!

Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010 • 23lincoln hi baseballRebels look toprove they belongBy Joe Brownjbrown@marshallindependent.comIVANHOE — Scott Connor has tried tobuild a program from infancy at Lincoln HI.When Connor and his wife arrived intown, the only organized baseball in Ivanhoewas tee-ball, so he and his wife started aLittle League team.Now, Connor will lead the Rebels intotheir second year as a baseball team andtheir first as a member of the CamdenConference.Previously a member of the LincolnCounty co-op with Russell-Tyler-Ruthtonand Lake Benton two seasons ago, Connor,an assistant coach for Lincoln County,believed it was time for a change.“The (Lincoln HI and RTR) kids wererivals in other sports like football so it washard to come together,” Connor said. “Therewas some perceived favoritism and we justdecided it’d be easier for us to have LincolnHI and (RTR).”After the split, Lincoln HI had abaseball team, but the MinnesotaState High School League did notsanction the team. The Rebelsplayed a junior varsity schedule.Lincoln HI took its lumps lastseason, as Connor said the teamwon one game during the season.But he helped build the programfrom scratch and Connor believesthe team is making strides.“My expectations aren’t aboutwins and losses,” Connor said. “Myexpectations are to get better everygame. My judgement is based onimprovement and not making mentalerrors.”First, the Rebels need a strong grasp ofthe fundamentals. Normally, a baseball teamis teaching advanced techniques in batting,fielding and pitching. With two weeks to gobefore the regular season begins, Connorsaid he’s still teaching the basics.“We’re still teaching the kids how tothrow properly,” Connor said. “But this isstuff the kids have to learn nowbecause they didn’t have the youthbaseball before. Normally, I’d gomore into stuff like batting styles.We’ve gotten a lot more hits (thisseason).”Connor has a mix of young andold with three seniors and a largergroup of freshmen and sophomores.There are also seventh and eighthgraderson the Rebels’ roster.“We got a good group of fresh-Connor man and sophomores,” Connorsaid. “Our age is pretty young here.”The building of the program isstill under construction for Connor andLincoln HI. Connor believes the team willbe building for the next five years.“The people here (at Lincoln HI) havebeen pretty tolerant,” Connor said. “Theyknow it takes a while to get a winning pro-Lincoln HI Rebels• Bank of the West - Ivanhoe• Hendricks Clinic, P.A.“The people here (at LincolnHI) have been prettytolerant. They know it takesa while to get a winningprogram going.Lincoln HI head coachScott ConnorPhoto courtesy of Ivanhoe TimesThe 2010 Lincoln HI Rebels baseball team includes, from left, front row: Jordan Beck,Jacob Fadness, Andrew Behnke, Nathan Pavek, Lucas Amundson, Mike Dwire, JoshBednarek. Back row: Head coach Scott Conner, Travis Studemann, Trey Buchholz, BrandonSilva, Shawn Lietz, Jacob Pavek, Dan Paluch, Andrew Swanson, assistant coach BrockCitterman.gram going.”The Rebels will host their first officialCamden Conference game today againstCanby. The players may be inexperiencedon the baseball diamond, but Connor hasseen a group this season that is anxious toshow it belongs.Knights golf FROM PAGE 21tough player if her short game improves.The Knights took seventh in the conferencechampionship last season. Dahle wouldlike to see his squad get into the top five thisyear.With the promising play of Schaefer,Kruger and Stanek last season, Dahle saidthe play of his second junior will be importantto the team’s performance.“Taryn Pagel is kind of a key,” DahleBASEBALL• Hendricks Trustworthy Hardware• Ivanhoe Medical Center“The team has a lot of ingenuity,” Connorsaid. “They will stay here and practice until8, 9, 10 p.m.”Who wins and loses won’t matter muchto Connor. After helping build baseball atLincoln HI, the Rebels are finally on theirown two feet.said. “If she can get a little more consistent,she’s shown signs of shooting really well.”Dahle knows a big factor in how his girlsperform this season will be their ability tokeep their ball safe.“If those girls can stay out of trouble andjust hit it straight down the fairway everytime, you’re not going to put up a big number,”Dahle said.

24 • Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010lincoln hi golfRebels’ ultimategoal: a trip to stateBy Joe Brownjbrown@marshallindependent.comIVANHOE — For Lincoln HI boys andgirls golf, four goals always stick out toRebels golf coach Greg Gile.■ Recruit. Get kids out for golf early andmake sure they stay in the program.■ Remember the rules and etiquette ofthe golf course.■ Course management. Take the gameone hole at a time.■ Work hard and give yourself an opportunityto win.With these four credos, Gile has helpedmake a strong golf program at Lincoln HI,sending the girls team to state last season andhelping to improve the boys team, which• Marshall Independent• Prairie Pride/Parts City“You’re going against an 80-acre living organism that canhit you harder than a 250-pound linebacker. Whateverturns out turns out and letthe chips fall where they fall.Lincoln HI head coachGreg GileThe 2010 Lincoln HI Rebels girls golf team includes, from left, Front Row: Taylor Ness,Danielle Buseth, Malorie Madtaune, Katrina Citterman, Chelsey Benz, Hannah Oellien.fields three former All-Camden Conferencegolfers.But it’s never about the accolades theteams have achieved in the past. Gile isadamant that the team focuses on now.“We always got to stay in the presenttense and play with a purpose,” Gile said.“Take it one meet at a time, like the oldcliché.”For the girls golf team, which finishedfifth at state last year, five of the six girlswho made up the state team return thisseason: Taylor Ness, Malorie Midtaune,Chelsey Benz, Katrina Citterman,Danielle Buseth. The best part forLincoln HI — all five girls are only sophomores.The fivesome, along with juniorHannah Oellien, make up the six varsitygolfers. But one of the biggest impactsfor this year’s team was getting to watchlast year’s lone senior, BrittanyVanOverbeke.“It was really sad to see her finish hercareer. She was definitely the leader of theteam (last year),” Gile said. “The (remaining)girls saw a very positive role model.These girls are wonderful young ladies,Lincoln HI Rebels GOLFPhotos by Joe BrownThe 2010 Lincoln HI Rebels boys golf team includes, from left, Front Row: JeramieBlegen, Jon Gladis, Brad Pape, Jeff Gladis, Lenard Lustfield, Jacob Pavek.• Quarnstrom and Doering P.A.• Tom’s Welding and Machine Shopwonderful workers.”Gile said all six girls varsity golferstook lessons during the summer and areready to make it back to state. A differencein this year’s roster, according toGile, is more balance throughout the lineup.“Any one of those six kids could lead us,”Gile said. “On any given day, you could seeany one of the six be up there.”While the girls look to return to state, theboys team is hoping to get somebody tostate.According to Gile, the Rebels boys golfteam has never sent a golfer to the state tournament.“We’ve had kids play well in sectionsand have a real good shot,” Gile said. “Oneof our goals is to get someone to move on tostate.”Leading the way for the Rebels is thelone senior on the boys golf team: BradPape. In the Section 3A championship lastyear, Pape, an All-Conference golfer lastseason, shot Lincoln HI’s top score with an83.L HI golf PAGE 26

Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010 • 25lincoln hi trackLincoln HI trackgaining credibilityBy Joe Brownjbrown@marshallindependent.comIVANHOE — Lincoln HI track coach AlPanka knows how consumed high-schoolkids’ schedules are.With JO volleyball, plays, musicals,baseball and golf hitting the forefront of thespring, Panka knows his numbers will below and consumed with other things.But that has not dampened his optimismor his energy for his track team.Independent file photoLincoln HI’s Ryan Verschelde goes for thetriple jump during Lincoln HI’s first season asits own track team last year.“We got a few guys whohave a decent shot at sections,a few guys who couldmake it to state. There’s atleast four-to-five guys withan outside shot at state.Lincoln HI head coachAl Panka“We got a few guys who have a decentshot at sections, a few guys who could makeit to state,” Panka said. “There’s at leastfour-to-five guys with an outside shot atstate.”A challenge for Panka has been findingkids who would be fully committed to trackand field. Instead of having a team of fullycommittedtrack and field athletes, Pankamakes compromises with the other programsat the school.“We’re fighting with everything,”Panka said of going against other springactivities. “With baseball, we got a fewkids doing both. Anything from baseball,JO volleyball, you’re competing for kids.“You got to be flexible enough and makesure kids aren’t sitting on their butts and aregetting out and doing something.”A selling point Panka has made to athletesand other coaches at the school hasbeen the incentive of getting their athleteson the track or in the field to help improve inthe other sports.“Track’s work. You’re working out andlifting weights so it helps for every othersport,” Panka said. “It’s not like basketball— we got something for everyone.“If a kid wants to come out for a specificevent, that’s fine. We’re not going to makeyou a thrower if you don’t want to be athrower.”Since becoming its own track team afterdropping the co-op with Russell-Tyler-Ruthton and Lake Benton, numbers havebeen hard to come by for Lincoln HI. Thisseason, the girls team only has eight girls onthe roster, with Chelsea Conrad being theKEEPEEP TRACKOF ALL YOURFAVORITESPRING SPORTSTEAMS IN THE PAGESOF THE INDEPENDENTENDENTLincoln HI Rebels TRACKBEST OF LUCK REBELS!Photo by Joe BrownThe 2010 Lincoln HI Rebels track team includes, from left, front row: AlexandraDeSmet, Heidi Pavek, Emily Clarke, Devon Buffington, Alicia Moen, Andrew Behnke, MattGollaher, Jorge Cervantes, Mike Dwire. Second row: Brandon Silva, Dan Paluch, CodyNess, Samantha Jo Buffington, Chelsea Conrad, Greg Gawarecki, Trey Buchholz, RyanVerschelde. Not pictured: Corey Fleahman, Brittany Majusiak, Brandon Stynski, AndrewSwanson, Emily Christensen, Kayleen Trigg.only senior. Brandon Silva, Corey Fleahmanand Trey Buchholz are the only seniors outof 14 boys out for track.It’s a slow improvement in numbers, butan improvement nonetheless for Panka andthe Rebels.“We only graduated two seniors from lastyear,” Panka said. “And we got at least sixnew kids, so we gained some bodies. Yougot to have the athletes in order to performwell.”In only its second year, Lincoln HI trackstill has a ways to go. But the team is makingan effort to get the athletes out and Pankais selling the athletic and friendly aspects oftrack and field.“Our big goals this year are to stayhealthy, improve week-by-week and havefun,” Panka said. “Track is more of a socialsport. You do your event and you get to meetkids from other towns.”

26 • Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010RTR track FROM PAGE 22the past, and Dylan Kor has the potential tobe a pretty nice jumper down the line,” Kernsaid. “He’s just a freshman this year, butthere’s some potential there. (Sophomore)Nathan Condelli did some good things lastyear in the long jump and some of the sprintraces.”RTR will return its entire 4x400 relayteam made up of brothers Taylor and TyThooft, Taylor Brust and Dylan DeRuyter.The team placed fourth in sub-section competitionlast season.Panthers FROM PAGE 18Senior Brittany Larson and junior KaylaDaniels will see a lot of time on the mound,as will freshman Jenny Welu, who saw somevarsity action last season.The Panthers will have a lot of competitionin the Camden Conference this year.Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg went undefeatedin conference play and MACCRAYL HI golf FROM PAGE 24Along with junior teammates Jake Pavek,Jon Gladis and Lenard Lustfield, the Rebelshave four former All-Conference golfers onthis year’s team.Not a bad unit to have with difficultteams in the section like Dawson-Boyd andSpringfield.“Once you get to the conference tournament,you have to get the boys ready toaccept the challenge,” Gile said. “We are notgoing to back down from a Dawson-Boyd orSpringfield.”Gile said a main focus for both the girlsand boys golf teams is to keep the teams onan even keel.“Golf is not a hoo-ha sport, you got toTMB golf FROM PAGE 17area teams. With a similar makeup this season,McIntire said the TMB boys are goingto have a lot of work to do if they want to seemuch improvement."The guys team, they may struggle againthis year," he said. "We're fairly youngagain. We've only got two returning letterman,so we're going to be very inexperienced."Juniors Adam Debbaut and Alex Blegenare the squad's most experienced varsitygolfers, and the team's lone senior, TylorHansen, didn't golf varsity last year.An encouraging sign for the Panthers,Kern said that preparing his young teamis going to be a “feeling-out process.” Anduntil he gets a better understanding of whathis team is capable of, Kern doesn’t havemany clear expectations.“It doesn’t pay to set goals until we’vebeen to a couple meets and kind of seenwhat we have to work with,” Kern said.“From there, then we can look at somegoals, we can look at getting some kidsmoved around.”only had two conference losses on the yearand Skoglund said those will likely be theteams to beat again this year.With his full team from last year stillintact, Skoglund thinks the Panthers will beable to hold their own in the conference.“I’m expecting this to be a turnaroundyear,” he said.keep the kids level-headed,” Gile said. “Wedon’t want golfers like Tiger Woods, gettingmad all the time. We want golfers like VijaySingh or Ernie Els, who are calm all thetime.”Whether it’s the girls team looking toreturn to state or the boys team looking to goto state for the first time, one of the pointsremains valid: go one hole at a time.“You got to practice your routine andgive yourself an opportunity,” Gile said.“You’re going against an 80-acre livingorganism that can hit you harder than a 250-pound linebacker. Whatever turns out turnsout and let the chips fall where they fall.”however, is the work ethic that has beenshown by the younger golfers. McIntire saidhis varsity roster is up in the air at this point,but he thinks some freshmen and sophomorescould push the upperclassmen forspots on the varsity team."We had a lot of kids in our sophomoregroup that went out and golfed a lot lastsummer," he said. "The problem is, the oldergroup we have just doesn't put enough timein on the golf course. They like to golf, butthey just don't golf 40 to 50 rounds a summerlike some of the younger kids I have.The younger kids might end up starting."TMB track FROM PAGE 19really working hard because he wants tomake it all the way to state his senior year.”As for the throwing events, Headlee saidthere are some girls who are just getting intothe shot put and discus, but she thinks someof her more experienced throwers on theboys team will be able to put together a solidseason.“Blake Giles and Tommy Nelson are twoguys who have thrown shot and disc the lastcouple years,” she said. “In those events, ittakes a few years to develop. We also pickedup senior Ronnie Jorgenson this year andwe’re hoping with those three guys we’ll beable to get some points in the throws.”While some teams may overlook thePanthers after losing their five state qualifiersfrom last season, Headlee said shethinks her team of 55 athletes could be asurprise this year.With senior leadership in place and manyyoung team members eager to learn,Headlee said TMB has a solid foundation inplace for the future.“We won’t have the big front-runnerswith (the five state qualifiers) gone,”Lundberg challenged Dovre to stay withtwo solid Redwood Valley runners at thesection meet last year and Dovre cut six secondsoff his best time and finished the 800with a 2:06.46.Last year, the Lakers lost Issac Pehrson tograduation. Junior Steven Meyer and seniorMatt Renken return to lead the throwing events.“Isaac was a thrower,” Lundberg said.“Steven did well last year as a sophomoreand I think he’ll do really well this year.Matt should have a good year in the shot putif he works on his foot speed. I think he’sgoing to try to spin this year. We’ll see howthat goes for him.”Senior Ben Bossuyt will return as the toppole vaulter for Lakeview.“We’re hoping to get him to bend the polea little bit more this year,” Lundberg said.“He’s got good speed and good strength, butIndependent file photoAfter falling short the past three years,Tracy-Milroy-Balaton hurdler Dalton Kirk,left, looks to make state as a senior.Headlee said. “What we do have is thebeginning of a good team that maybe thisyear won’t be the front-runners, but with theleadership of our seniors, if our younger kidscan have fun this year and stick with it, in ayear or two they could be the front-runners.”Lakeview track FROM PAGE 9With the success of the Minneota sportsteams from the fall and winter, Larson hopeshis players can continue their winning wayson the ball diamond. The Vikings have playerson their team who were on the Class Astate championship football squad, thewrestling team that finished third at stateand the sub-section runner-up basketballteam.“We have some guys on the team thathe just needs more work in the air.”Bossuyt also ran some relays last year,too. Lundberg said that Lakeview may puttogether a 4x100 or 4x200 relay withBossuyt and juniors Maverick Fiene andGage Larson.“We could throw together a relay once inawhile,” Lundberg said. “But if we do,we’re still looking for that fourth guy.”Time will tell who will step up for theLakers. Right now, Lundberg is just happyto have access to the track this early in theseason.“Amazingly enough, we’ve been able tobe on the track three days already,” he said onMarch 25. “I for sure thought we wouldn’t beable to get on the track for another two tothree weeks.”Lakeview will spring into competitionbeginning today in Benson.Minneota baseball FROM PAGE 10have played on some of the other teams...football, basketball, wrestling,” he said.“Any time you have guys who have been onthose teams, you hope they can bring everythingthey can from those experiences.“In close games, hopefully they’ll take amore relaxed approach since it’s not theirfirst time around.”

Marshall track FROM PAGE 5meet of the season, and Andrew Crow had atoss of 39-5.“We’re very comfortable with the throwersby virtue of Jacob and Luke and (Ryne)Myhrberg,” Jacobs said. “I think we’ll beOK in that area.”Where Jacobs and the Tigers are hopingto see improvements is in the field eventslike the high jump, long jump, triple jumpand pole vault.Even as the team tries to find its identity,Jacobs believes the team will be in the huntfor the Southwest Conference championship.“The key for us is to score points in everyarea,” he said. “We have to be able to scorein every area. Last year, we got nothing inpole vault, very little in high jump. We wereright in the thick of it, but fell a little bitshort. Hopefully, we’ll develop young kidsin areas where we need help.”For new Marshall girls track coachStephanie Bot, not only does she have thechallenge of putting her team in the bestposition to win events, she’s still trying toremember everybody’s name.So far in her first year, Bot has beenencouraged by the girls’ enthusiasm andcoachability.“They are great girls that come in to workhard every day and are easy to coach,” BotMHS golf FROM PAGE 3Independent file photoMarshall golfer Max Deutz rips a driveduring a meet last year.Independent-Marshall, Minn. • Tuesday, April 6, 2010 • 27said. “It’s been a change for them to get anew coach, but they’ve been real receptiveand real supportive. A lot of it, for me, isenthusiasm. I want them to be committedand get the effort out of them.”What Bot knows so far is she’s workingwith some talented kids.Starting with distance running, seniorJessie Hubley has had finishes of first andthird place in the 1,600-meter run this season,finishing with a season-best time of5:45 at the Mankato West Invite.Freshman Sarah Anderson has made herpresence felt as both a sprinter and a jumper.In the first varsity meet of the year,Anderson took first place in the long jumpwith a leap of 15-10.Along with throwers Katie and RebekahZander, and junior Alexis Boyd returningfrom injury, Bot will soon learn how goodher team can really be.“We got some good short distance kids.After we get healthy and get everybodyback, we’ll be competitive,” Bot said. “Theteam won conference last year and theywant to repeat as conference champs.“I don’t want to just come in and changeeverything. We may change a few things asthe season goes. The coaching staff has beengreat. If I need to know who a kid is, they’remore than willing to step up and help.”Returning to Marshall this year are sistersNicole and Stephanie Noyes. Last year,Stephanie Noyes qualified for state as anindividual, finishing 69th.“Nicole and Stephanie are just really smartplayers,” Johnson said. “Not extremely long,but play very intelligent games and don’tmake mental errors. Very steady players.”Other players Johnson is looking for bigcontributions out of include Olivia Bennett,Christina Pollock, Kayla Deutz and MirandaChristensen.“All are really about the same in terms of whenthe season gets going and trying to get the kinksout,” Johnson said. “All are capable of shootingaround 90, somewhere in the 85-90 range.”But one colossal challenge standsbetween Marshall and any state aspirations:Minnewaska, the four-time defending statechampions. Johnson said Fairmont wasswitched out of the section and the juggernautLakers were moved in.With its first match starting on April 12,sections is a far cry for Marshall. But whenthe showdown comes against Minnewaska,the Tigers will not simply lie down.“What you got to do is believe you couldbeat them,” Johnson said. “If they play theirvery best, they’re going to beat us. Every teamcould have an off day. I would say it would bean upset, but potentially, we could do it.”C/M track FROM PAGE 13Independent file photoCanby/Minneota’s Kate Oellien goes forthe triple jump during a track meet lastseason. Oellien is one of eight seniors on theLancers’ track team this season.“We have 10 seniors, which is a goodnumber,” Miska said. “Two are boys andeight of them are girls. Of those, Deslaurierswas our No. 2 point-scorer for us in the girls.She’ll run the 400 and 200 and she’ll dowell.”Senior Kim Club was a solid thrower lastyear for the Lancers, while Nicole Krausand Kate Oellien were big hurdlers.Courtney Slaba filled in on the sprint relays.“You talk about these kids and they’re thesame kids that are having successful years involleyball, basketball and cross country,”Miska said. “We just have a lot of good athletesthat are girls in our system right now.”There are a number of underclassmenthat Miska feels will be very competitive.“Haylee Davis, who set our triple jumprecord last year (32-7.25), should do well,”Miska said. “Dana was a distance personthat contributed big points for us. EliseCitrowske has a really good shot at makingit to state in the shot and discus this year.She just has to get some things figured out.”On the boys side, Jacob Cheadle is thetop returning athlete after advancing to thestate meet last year in the long jump.Cheadle, who also broke the school record(21-3) last season, finished ninth at state.“Jacob went to state as a sophomore lastyear in the long jump,” Miska said. “He’llhave a really good chance in the sprintingevents this year, too.”Cheadle, along with Gustavo Bellizia,Andrew Swedzinski and Brett Citrowske,helped set a new Canby record in the 4x200relay (1:33.44) in 2009.“Gustavo was an exchange student for uslast year,” Miska said. “He was a great kid tohave on the team and a big part. Brett wasalso a big contributor. We’re missing a lot ofkids, but we’ve got a lot kids that are goingto step up for us.”Bellizia and Brett Citrowske, who alsoran the 400-meter dash and 4x400, were lostto graduation last year. In addition, Canbylost a number of senior boys that werethrowers, including Ethan Webster and LeePeterson.“Andrew Swedzinski, CedricCitrowske and Jonas Phillip are sophomoresand will be filling in on relays andsprint events,” Miska said. “We’re goingto look at putting together a 4x100 relayteam this year with Cheadle, Swedzinskiand two other guys. We’d like to make arun at it.”Senior Mike Schmitz is expected to continueto contribute in the hurdles, relayevents and triple jump.“A lot of these kids have been participatingsince seventh grade,” Miska said. “Nowthey’re 10th, 11th and 12th grade, so it’spaying off for them.”Miska has high expectations for seniorJordan Wiesen.“Jordan had a great year in basketball anddid well for us the last few years in track,”said Miska. “He’ll be high jumping, triplejumping and filling in on relays. He’s a prettygood athlete.”Brandon Grengs, Luke Jessen and NickStoks made up a solid core of mid-distanceand distance runners last season.“Nick will run the mile and two-mile,”Miska said. “As an eighth-grader last year,he was competing in sections, which for aboy, that is phenomenal.”Miska is optimistic that any number ofathletes could punch his or her ticket tostate.“We have a lot of potential to get tostate,” he said. “Riley in the high jump, Elisein the throwing events, Morgan in the 300hurdles, and Leah in the distance events.Jacob has a chance and maybe we’ll put arelay together. Wiesen has a good chance inthe high jump, too.”View and purchase photos fromselect games atcu.marshallindependent.com

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