Winter Sports Preview 2010

By Jon Theuerand Andrew [email protected]

ALDEN — With the loss of three starters from last year’s team, the Alden-Conger Knights girls’ basket-ball team will field a young team this season.

The Knights lost Kenzie Martin, All-yssa Mareas and team Most Valuable Player and All-Conference performer Katie Hallman to graduation.

Alden-Conger does return two letter-winners from last season in senior Emily Bremseth and sophomore Ariel Keller.

Alden-Conger coach Gary Newman says the expectations for this season are simple: improve.

“We want to improve in all areas of the game,” Newman said.

Newman also said that he has a lot of girls out for the team this season, but that this year’s team will be very young.

Newman points to his team’s de-fense as a key for the Knights to have success this season.

Newman expects Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial and Nicollet to be among the conference favorites this season.

The Knights have already gotten off to a fast start this season, opening the year 2-0 with wins over Le Center and Grand Meadow.

Ninth-grader Karina Skov has been one of the team’s early surprises. Skov finished with a team-high 19 points with six rebounds and eight steals in the Knights’ season-opening win over Le Center.

Keller has averaged 17 points in the Knights first two games.

010-11 schedule

Nov. 30 Alden-Conger 56, Le Center 54 Dec. 2 Alden-Conger 51, Grand Meadow 36 Dec. 7 at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 vs. G-H-EC, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Truman, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 vs. LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 27 at J-W-P, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 vs. MedfordJan. 7 vs. Saint Clair, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 10 at Nicollet, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 vs. Martin Luther, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at J-W-P, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 vs. Martin County West, 6 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. United South Central Jan. 24 at Blooming Prairie, 7:30 p.m.Jan. 25 vs. Maple River, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 vs. LCWM, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at Glenville-Emmons, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Madelia, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 vs. G-H-EC, 7:30 p.m.

Page 20 • WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2010 • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, December 10, 2010

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

2010

Tigers, Huskies battle for Big 9 title, Page 2

Carlson leads Tigers boys’ hockey, Page 4

Wolverines have high expectations, 8

Knights enter season young, talented

Submitted photoAlden-Conger’s Ariel Keller (23) shoots a layup against Le Center on Nov. 30. Keller is averaging 17 points per game this season.

Knights look for better finish this

seasonBy Andrew [email protected]

ALDEN — Hoping to build off of last season’s 8-18 record, the Alden-Conger Knights boys’ basketball team will rely on its six seniors to help lead the team to a better finish down the stretch.

The Knights return seniors Michael Bernal, Michael Reyerson, Juan Martinez, Derek Nelson, Tyler Adix and Nathaniel Back.

The team lost, however, 2010 Tribune second team All-Area player Travis Marth, who led the team 11.4 points per game last season and was the Knights’ go-to scorer.2010-11 schedule

Dec. 7 vs. Lyle/Pacelli, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Le Center, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 vs. Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at G-H-EC, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at Grand Meadow, TBA Jan. 3 vs. Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 4 vs. Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Truman, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Saint Clair, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 vs. Nicollet, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 vs. MCW, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Martin Luther, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 vs. J-W-P, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Blooming Prairie, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Maple River, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at LCWM, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Madelia, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 vs. Medford, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Valley Conference Tournament, TBA Feb. 21 at LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 25 at United South Central, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 vs. Mankato Loyola, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Have a story idea?

Call Andrew at 379-3437

By Jon [email protected]

After being defeated in the second round of the Section 1A playoffs last season, expectations for this year’s Glenville-Emmons Wolverines girls’ basketball team are high.

The Wolverines have eight seniors this season and return a majority of their players from a year ago.

Among the returning seniors are Kalli Van Ryswyk, Kailey Davis, Emily Belshan, Alayna Hall, Devin Cooper, Robyn Roe and Tam Wallin.

Van Ryswyk, who provided an intimidating post presence a year ago, will be relied upon to do the same this season. Van Ryswyk is 50 points away from her 1,000th career point.

Also returning is Davis, the team’s MVP last season.

“I have huge expectations for these seniors,” G-E coach Lisa Ziebell said. “They know they have skills and they believe in themselves and their teammates.”

Ziebell also expects contributions

from juniors Jennaca Haines and Morgan Schumaker along with fresh-man Kayla Woodside.

Although the Wolverines return ex-perience, they did lose two key players from last season.

Reina Saltou and Megan Rasmus-son both graduated from last year’s squad.

Saltou provided three point shoot-ing and was a pressure player for Glenville-Emmons last season, while Megan Rasmusson was first off the bench and provided great leadership.

Among the strengths of this years team, Ziebell points to a great under-standing of the offense and the ability to rely on each other.

For weaknesses, Ziebell says that the lack of experience on the bench early on in the season could give the Wolverines troubles.

2010-11 schedule

Nov. 30 Glenville-Emmons 65, Lyle/Pacelli 62Dec. 2 Spring Grove 59, Glenville-Emmons 18 Dec. 10 vs. Hope Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 14 at Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 16 vs. Immanuel Lutheran, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Rochester Home School, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 4 vs. Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 6 at LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 7 vs. Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 10 vs. Lyle/Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Immanuel Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 14 vs. Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 18 at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 21 at Houston, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 27 at Northwood-Kensett, 6 p.m.

Jan. 28 at Hope Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 31 vs. Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. Spring Grove, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Lake Mills, 6 p.m. Feb. 11 at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 15 vs. Le Roy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 18 vs. Houston, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 19 vs. Norwood-Young America, 2 p.m.

will rely on its seniors who collectively won 17 of 18 individual matches at the team’s first tournament on Dec. 4.

The Tigers’ biggest loss from last season is the departure of Trevor Ras-mussen, three-time state tournament place winner. The Tigers do return six All-Conference performers from last season, though, and will challenge for a state tournament berth if they stay healthy.

Albert Lea could face Owatonna as early as Jan. 7 at The Clash Na-tional High School Wrestling Duels in Rochester. Otherwise, the Tigers and Huskies are set to square off on Jan. 13 at Albert Lea High School.

The Tigers will also face some of the top teams in Class AA this season as they host the No.3-ranked Kasson-Mantorville Komets on Dec. 11 and No. 6 Adrian Area on Feb. 5.

The Tigers have already faced top 10 talent this season as they knocked off Prior Lake, the No. 8-ranked team in Class AAA, in their first match of the season.

As a team, the Tigers look to get

back to the state tourna-ment for the first time since the 2008-09 sea-son. Albert Lea has fallen to Apple Valley in the state finals in their last two appearances.

Apple Valley entered this season ranked No. 1 and has nine individual wrestlers ranked No. 1 in the state.

For another chance at topping Apple Val-ley, the Tigers’ seniors will have to continue winning most of their matches.

2010-11 schedule

Dec. 4 Albert Lea 37, Prior Lake 23Dec. 4 Albert Lea 47, Centennial 13Dec. 4 Albert Lea 52, Sloughton, Wis. 13Dec. 9 vs. Rochester CenturyDec. 11 vs. Kasson-MantorvilleDec. 23 vs. Rochester MayoJan. 6 at Mankato WestJan. 13 vs. OwatonnaJan. 20 at FaribaultJan. 27 vs. Rochester John MarshallJan. 29 at NorthfieldFeb. 3 at Mankato EastFeb. 4 vs. Coon RapidsFeb. 5 vs. Adrian AreaFeb. 10 at Austin

• WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2010 • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, December 10, 2010 Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, December 10, 2010 • WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2010 • Page 19

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Projected champion:Albert Lea Tigers Projected standings:Team 2009-10

1. Albert Lea 18-112. Owatonna 52-53. Mankato West 15-184. Faribault 10-105. Austin 8-126. Rochester Mayo 7-87. Roch. John Marshall 7-188. Rochester Century 2-189. Mankato East 1-2110. Winona 1-13

Wrestler of the YearChad Zastrow, Century

Top of the classProjected Big Nine champions

103 — Dakota Wangsness (AL)112 — Nick Scheffert (OHS)119 — Evan Green (OHS)125 — Ben Anderson (OHS)130 — Scott Summer (OHS)135 — Jake Hanson (Mayo)140 — Dalton Westerlund (AL)145 — Trey Hable (AL)152 — Dalton Westerlund (AL)160 — Chad Zastrow (Century)171 — Carter Kortan (AL)189 — Coyte Kuefner (OHS)215 — Logan Barrett (OHS)HWT — Sam Gaul (Century)

Big NiNe Preview

Tigers (again) challenge Huskies for titles

Owatonna ranked No. 3, Albert Lea No. 6 entering seasonBy Andrew [email protected]

The Albert Lea Tigers and Owatonna Huskies wrestling teams are, once again, the frontrunners in the Big Nine Conference and Section 1AAA this season.

The Huskies enter the season ranked No. 3 in the state while the Tigers are No. 6, and both teams have a number of indi-viduals ranked in the state’s top 10.

Among them is Albert Lea sophomore Lucas Hansen, a sixth-place state finisher last season, and currently ranked No. 3 at 112 pounds behind the Huskies’ Nick Scheffert, who’s arguably the top wrestler in the Big Nine.

Tigers’ sophomore Garrett Wangsness ranks No. 10 in 119, junior Trey Hable is No. 7 at 145, junior

Dalton Westerlund is No. 4 at 152, senior Corey Hansen is No. 3 at 160, senior Carter Kortan is No. 6 at 171

and senior Conner Kortan is No. 8 at 189.

Owatonna has five wrestlers in the top 10 and four in the top five.

Entering the season unranked but making a name for them-selves around the state is Albert Lea’s Caleb Gaudian and Alex Nielsen.

In the Tigers first match of the season at 215, Gaudian pinned all three of his oppo-nents in the first period.

At heavyweight, Nielsen upset Centennial’s Zach Vine, the No. 4 ranked wrestler in the class, and will likely give Century’s Sam Gaul a run for the Big Nine championship.

With less depth than other seasons, the Tigers wrestling program

Sports Editor: Andrew DyrdalStaff writer: Jon TheuerCover/photo design: Stacey Bahr and Andrew Dyrdal

Page 2: Albert Lea wrestlingPage 4: Albert Lea boys’ hockeyPage 5: Albert Lea girls’ hockeyPage 6: Albert Lea boys’ basketballPage 7: Albert Lea girls’ basketballPage 8: Albert Lea boys’ swimmingPage 9: Lake Mills/N-K wrestlingPage 10: Lake Mills boys’, girls’ basketballPage 11: Northwood-Kensett boys’ basketballPage 12: Northwood-Kensett girls’ basketballPage 13: USC boys’ basketballPage 14: USC wrestling, girls’ basketballPage 15: NRHEG boys’ basketballPage 16: NRHEG girls’ basketballPage 17: NRHEG wrestlingPage 18: Glenville-Emmons boys’ basketballPage 19: Glenville-Emmons girls’ basketballPage 20: Alden-Conger boys’, girls’ basketball

CoryHansen

CarterKortan

Derek Sullivan/Owatonna People’s PressOwatonna’s Nick Scheffert, above, will compete with Albert Lea’s Lucas Hansen for a Big Nine title this season.

4Challenge, Page 19

Brie Cohen/Albert Lea TribuneAlbert Lea’s Cory Hansen wrestles an opponent at last year’s Class AAA state tourna-ment at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Challenge: Tigers will rely on seniorsContinued from Page 2

Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneGlenville-Emmons’ Kailey Davis (3) is one of eight seniors returning to the Wolver-ines girls’ basketball team. She is also the team’s reigning Most Valuable Player.

Senior-rich Wolverines have high expectations

iNdex

TreyHable

DakotaWangsness

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Coach: ‘I expect us to be playing for something special’ By Jon [email protected]

GLENVILLE — After graduating his largest class in nine years as a head coach, Glenville-Emmons Wolver-ines basketball coach Dan Fredrick-son thinks his team can take a step forward to something that could be special.

With six returning letterwinners from last year’s team and a solid group of players making the jump to the varsity squad this season, Fre-drickson says he expects his team to be able to play for the Southeast Con-ference Championship this season.

“I expect us to be able to contend for our first ever Southeast Confer-ence Championship,” Fredrickson said. “It’s a huge goal, but I would like to see us secure a No. 1 seed in our subsection. When the section gets down to its final four — two from the east and two from the west — I fully expect us to be playing for something really special.”

Among the reasons that have Fre-drickson thinking big is his six return-ing letterwinners from a year ago.

Among the six returning are Peter Hansen, Ryan Dempewolf, Landon Hall, Tyler Woodside, Andrew Lau and Collin Johnson. All six are seniors this season.

Hansen was Glenville-Emmons co-Most Valuable Player last season and racked up All-Conference and All-Area honors as well. Woodside also earned honorable mention All-Conference last season.

Fredrickson also points to juniors Tyler Belshan, Perry Kirsch, Tommy Kirsch, Trenton Thomas and sopho-mores Wyatt Madson and Derek Olson as key athletes for the season.

“These six players were part of an undefeated B-squad last season,” Fre-drickson said. “All six will be counted upon to play quality minutes every night. The depth they provide will be the difference maker on many nights.”

All though the Wolverines are ecstatic with all the returning play-ers, Fredrickson did graduate seven seniors from last year’s team.

Gone from last year’s team are Derek Sanderson, Michael Thofson, Michael Adams, Jon Mitgate, Kyle Thompson, Patrick Larson and Josh Wallin.

Sanderson was a co-MVP of the team last season and was All-Confer-ence and All-Area, while Thofson was an All-Conference honorable mention.

“We will miss Sanderson in the post and Mitgate’s offense,” Fredrick-son said. “Thofson and Adams were excellent defenders as well as team leaders every night. Those guys will be missed.”

Among the strengths of this year’s team, Fredrickson points to experi-ence, defense, offense and the team’s overall shooting.

Fredrickson also said that his team needs to focus on one game and one play at a time this season.

“When you have such high expecta-tions, it can be difficult to manage them throughout the season,” Fre-drickson said. “You can’t buy into your hype. It always need to be one game and one play at a time.”

Fredrickson points to Lanesboro, Spring Grove and Glenville-Emmons

as conference favorites, while he says Glenville-Emmons, Goodhue, Beth-lehem Academy, Rushford-Peterson, Fillmore Central and Lanesboro should all be in contention for the sec-tion this season.

2010-11 schedule

Dec. 2 Glenville-Emmons 64, Spring Grove 47 Dec. 9 at Immanuel Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 10 at Hope Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 13 at Lyle/Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 14 vs. Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 20 at Rochester Home School, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 21 vs. Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 3 at Alden-Conger, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 7 at Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 13 vs. Immanuel Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 14 at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 17 at Le Roy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. Houston, 7:15 P.M. Jan. 25 vs. Lyle/Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 27 at Northwood-Kensett, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 28 vs. Hope Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 31 at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 1 vs. Cannon Valley Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 8 at Lake Mills, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 11 vs. Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 18 at Houston, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 19 vs. Norwood-Young America, 4 p.m. Feb. 22 at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 24 vs. LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m.

Page 18 • WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2010 • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, December 10, 2010 Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, December 10, 2010 • WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2010 •

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Carlson, Tigers hope to ride hot start to titleNystrom moves to 3rd all-time while his offense thrivesBy Andrew [email protected]

In his 38th season as the Albert Lea boys’ hockey head coach Roy Nystrom has a lot of numbers to crunch.

His 617 career coaching wins ranks third all-time nationally and Ny-strom has more wins than anyone who has ever coached in the state of Minnesota.

Nystrom also has one of the most potent goal-scorers in the state in Eric Carlson and an offense that currently ranks second in the Big Nine Confer-ence in goals scored. He hopes for a lot of lopsided victories this season, and if the Tigers continue their hot start, he’ll get them.

After a slow start to their 2009-10 campaign, the Tigers finished the season by winning nine of their final 12 regular season games and moving up to third place in the Big Nine.

The Tigers have gotten off to a bet-ter start this season with a blowout win over Waseca and 4-3 victory on the road against a talented Northfield team.

Albert Lea has received a lot of offensive production from juniors Carlson and Levi Hacker who lead the team with eight and seven points each, respectively.

Goaltenders Nick Dulas (Sr.) and Griffen Wangen (Jr.) have each notched wins in their only starts in front of the net. The two have com-bined for a 86.2 save percentage and a 2 1/2 goal against average.

Nystrom said one of his team’s big-gest strengths is its work ethic, and he is looking for seniors leadership from center Dillon Stolt along with Luke Cheever, Dave Enstad, J.T. Bellrich-

ard, Tyler Osmundson and Darian Weigel.

The Tigers also return five letter-winning juniors in Carlson, Hacker, Cody Haaland, Brady Falk and Auston Larson.

Standing in the Tigers way of a state tournament berth is the Rochester Lourdes Eagles, an early favorite to win Section 1A.

Nystrom said that to put themselves in position to make a run at state, the Tigers will have to make up for inex-perience in goal and on defense by im-proving on last year’s goal production.

Through two games this season, the Tigers have averaged 7 goals per game

and are giving up just 2 1/2.2010-2011 schedule

Nov. 30 Albert Lea 10, Waseca 2Dec. 2 Albert Lea 4, Northfield 3 Dec. 7 at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m.Dec. 11 vs. Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at New Prague, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Winona, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 vs. Austin, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4 vs. Rochester Lourdes, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 vs. Virginia/Mt Iron-Buhl, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 vs. Hibbing/Chisholm, 3 p.m. Jan. 11 at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 vs. Red Wing, 2 p.m. Jan. 20 vs. Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Mankato East/Loyola, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at Austin, 7:30 p.m.

Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneDillon Stolt (10) brings the puck up ice in the Tigers season-opening game against Wase-ca on Nov. 30. The Tigers beat the Bluejays 10-2, and Stolt had a goal and an assist.

Projected champion:Faribault Falcons

Projected standings:

Team 2009-10

1. Faribault 20-7-02. Rochester Century 18-8-03. Albert Lea 13-13-04. Roch. John Marshall 5. Rochester Mayo 7-19-06. Mankato West 11-14-17. Owatonna 8-14-48. Winona 17-8-19. Mankato East 11-15-010. Austin 9-17-0

Player of the YearEric Carlson, Albert Lea

All-Conference teamEric Carlson, C, Jr., Albert LeaDrew Weber, F, Sr., Mankato WestSean Lipinski, F, Sr., FaribaultNick Raehsler. D, Sr., Century Ville Rantanen, F, Sr., Mankato West

Big NiNe PreviewNRHEG returns 14 letter winners, strong junior classBy Jon [email protected]

NEW RICHLAND — After suffer-ing a 6-12 overall record and 2-2 dual meet record in the Gopher Conference last season, the New

Richland-Hartland-El-lendale-Geneva Pan-thers wrestling team look to rebound this season.

The Panthers return 14 letterwinners from last season including junior David Lassahn, who made it to state last season.

“The Panthers suf-fered through a terrible dual season in 2009-10, and one of their goals is to improve that mark,” Panthers head coach Paul Cyr said. “NRHEG will look to better overall balance and the continued development of their junior class in

an effort to improve on last year's win total.”

The Panthers did lose David Lindell to graduation.

Lindell finished third overall in class 2A at 215 pounds last season and left NRHEG with 131 victories.

Cyr says that returners David Las-sahn, Jacob Staloch, Dustin Esplan

and Brandon LeBlanc will be called upon to carry much of the leadership role this season.

Lassahn qualified for state last season and finished second in Section 2A.

Staloch bounced back from a serious injury as a freshman and put together a very good sophomore cam-paign, while Esplan finished third in the section last year and finished with a 18-9 record.

LeBlanc didn't wrestle in the sec-tion last season because of illness, but showed flashes of being very good last season and will be counted upon for a better year this year, ac-cording to Cyr.

Cyr also points to a pair of freshman in Dillion Parpart and Nathan Krohn that will need to improve and contrib-ute to the overall balance of team if they are to improve on their 2009-10 season.

Cyr feels that Waterville-Elysian-Morristown/Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton are the clear favorites in the Gopher Conference, while Jackson County Central, the defending Class A state champions, are seen as the sec-tion favorites.

Cyr also says that NRHEG will spend a part of the season figuring out which lineup will give the Panthers their best chance of winning this com-ing season.

“As is usually the case at NRHEG, we will spend a part of the season sorting out what will be our best lineup,” Cyr said. “We’re hoping to be a factor in the Section 2A team race in February.”

2010-11 schedule

Dec. 9 at WEM/JWP, 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Saint James, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 vs. Saint Clair, Blue Earth Area, 5 p.m. Dec. 17 at Redwood Valley, 4 p.m. Dec. 21 at MCW, 5 p.m. Jan. 6 at Medford, 6 p.m. Jan. 13 at Blooming Prairie, 6 p.m. Jan. 15 at Stewartville, 10 a.m. Jan. 20 at Mankato West, 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at Hutchinson, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 28 at Waseca, 7 p.m. Jan. 29 at Kasson-Mantorville, 10 a.m. Feb. 3 at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 5 p.m. Feb. 5 at Lakeville North, 10 a.m. Feb. 10 vs. USC, ML/LE, 6:30 p.m.

Panthers look to rebound off down year

Brie Cohen/Albert Lea TribuneDavid Lindell, above, is the biggest loss for the NRHEG wrestling team. Lindell, a 2009 graduate, finished third at state last season.

DavidLassahn

court defensive team and able to give teams a few more looks than we did last season,” Kruescher said.

The Tigers’ size also provides a variety of options on offense.

“We have more than a few guys who can play at least three different positions on the floor,” Kruescher said. “We can put a pretty long team out there at times if we need to, or we can go with four to five guards out there at the same time and shoot from long range.”

But the Tigers’ long range game may have taken a step back this sea-son after the graduation of the team’s top three-point shooter, Colby Strila-

eff, who shot 33 percent last season from behind the arc.

The Tigers also lost starting point guard Damian Montes who averaged 11 points per game in Albert Lea’s

final five games last season.Kruescher said that the Tigers

plan on pushing the ball up the floor more, especially off of defensive rebounds. “We’ll have to learn how to at-tack and not get careless with the basketball,” he said. “We’re going to have to continue to work hard on having consistent outside jumpers.”

Kruescher also expects the Tigers to be a “great rebounding team” due to their size and athleticism.

New Prague is the early Section

1AAA favorite this season, returning four starters after earning the No. 2 seed last year. Winona will also con-tend for a state tournament berth.2010-11 schedule

Dec. 7 at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 vs. Hayfield, 10 a.m. Jan. 4 at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 vs. New Prague, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 vs. Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 vs. Austin, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Winona, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 vs. Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at Austin, 7:30 p.m. Mar. 1 at Waseca, 7:30 p.m. Mar. 4 vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m.

AlikSmed

Experience: Tigers could be ‘great rebounding team’Continued from Page 6

Tribune file photoAaron Klatt (11) brings the ball up the floor last season against Mankato East.

DustinEsplan

By Andrew [email protected]

With just three returning seniors letterwinners, the Albert Lea girls’ hockey team will rely on speed to overcome experience and depth issues.

The Tigers opened the season with three one-goal losses, two of which came in overtime, but rebounded with three straight wins.

“This season will be a learning experience for the team with a new coaching staff implementing new systems and expectations,” Tigers head coach Paul Willet said. “We expect to give our best effort in each game and will be very difficult to beat during the second half of the season.”

The Tigers already seem tough to beat. In their last three games, Albert Lea has outscored their opponents 14-3, allowing just one goal in each game.

Eighth-grader Sydney Conley has been steady in goal with a 1.46 goal against average and a 92 1/2 save percentage. She has 110 saves in 119 shots on goal.

Willet succeeded Brian Blatti this season as the team’s head coach, and said the team’s goal is getting better every day and gaining a better under-standing of the game.

The Tigers return 12 letterwinners this season, though four are in ninth grade or younger.

Senior returners include Lauren Draayer, Sophia Jepson and Kaley Waldemar.

Through six games, Jepson has six points for the Tigers, including a two-goal outburst in the season-opener against Mankato East.

Junior Natasha Moyer and ninth-grader Anna Anderson both lead the team with eight goals apiece.

The Tigers also return letter-win-ning juniors Mariah Leach, Samantha Stanley and Kelsey Thomas, sopho-more Megan Pulley and ninth-graders Sydney Overgaard and MacKenzie Waldemar.

In order to get to the Class A state tournament, Willet believes his team will have to go through Section 1A fa-vorites Faribault, Red Wing and New Prague.

The Tigers have already beaten

one of those teams and were barely knocked off New Prague.

Willet keeps pointing to the second half of the season, though, saying the Tigers will be a different team the second time around their Big Nine schedule.

2010-11 schedule

Nov. 11 Mankato East 3, Albert Lea 2Nov. 16 Northfield 2, Albert Lea 1Nov. 18 New Prague 3, Albert Lea 2Nov. 23 Albert Lea 2, Faribault 1Nov. 20 Albert Lea 7, Waseca 1Dec. 2 Albert Lea 5, Austin 1Dec. 7 at Rochester Century, 5:30 p.m.Dec. 9 vs. Rochester Mayo, 5:30 p.m.Dec. 14 at Mankato West, 5:30 p.m.Dec. 16 vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m.Dec. 18 vs. Red Wing, 1 p.m.Dec. 27-29 Austin InviteJan. 4 at Rochester John Marshall, 5:30 p.m.Jan. 6 at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m.Jan. 10 vs. Dodge County, 7:30 p.m.Jan. 11 at Austin, 7 p.m.Jan. 13 vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m.Jan. 18 vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m.Jan. 20 at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m.Jan. 25 at Winona, 7:30 p.m.Jan. 27 vs. Faribault, 7:30 p.m.Feb. 1 at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m.Feb. 3 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m.


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Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneAlbert Lea’s Sam Stanley shoots the puck this season against Mankato East at City Arena. After losing their opening three games, the Tigers have won three straight.

Projected champion:Owatonna Huskies


Team 2009-10

1. Owatonna 15-9-22. Rochester Mayo 15-11-13. Mankato East 9-16-04. Faribault 20-9-15. Roch. John Marshall 6-19-06. Albert Lea 10-14-17. Mankato West 17-9-08. Winona 12-10-09. Rochester Century 0-24-010. Austin 11-13-2

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Tigers have rallied past 3-loss startTigers have rebounded after 1-goal losses


NEW RICHLAND — A new but very familiar face will be roaming the bench this season for the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers girls’ basketball team.

After former head coach Mindy Sparby accepted a new job in Belle Plaine, John Schultz was hired to take her place.

Schultz coached the NRHEG girls’ basketball team from 1992-1999 and will be assisted by Grant Berg this season.

Schultz inherits a team that has several returning letter-winners, while the Panthers also lost some important players from last season’s team.

Gone from last years teams are: Alyssa Hagen, Kate Quam and Alyssa Kerkoff.

Hagen was a four-year starter for the Panthers, while Quam has played since she was a sophomore.

Alyssa Kerkoff is a senior this year but moved away over the summer.

While the losses sting, the cupboard is not bare for Schultz as the Panthers welcome four letterwinners back from last year’s squad.

NRHEG returns senior Kristina Cole, junior Anna Schlaak and fresh-men Carlie Wagner and Jade Schultz. Schlaak and Cole both earned all-conference honors last season.

Along with the four returning letter-winners, Schultz also points to junior Tori Raimann and sophomore Katie Cole as players that he expects to help the team this season.

Among the expectations for the Panthers this season is to contend for a conference crown and make a run in the section tournament.

“We expect to keep the tradition in place,” Schultz said. “We hope to con-tend for the conference title and make a run in the section.”

Among the strengths for the Pan-thers this season, Schultz says he expects chemistry, shooting, rebound-ing and the overall speed of the team to be positives going forward.

“Chemistry, these girls play well together, they are a close knit group,”

Schultz said. “We are fast, shoot well from the perimeter and are tough on the boards.”

Schultz also says for his team to have a successful year, they will need to play their fast break game and improve on their defense.

As for conference favorites, Schultz points to United South Central and Faribault Bethlehem Academy, while he says Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial, St. Peter, Blue Earth Area and USC will be among the section favorites this season.

2010-11 schedule

Nov. 30 Le Sueur-Henderson 74, NRHEG 66 Dec. 7 vs. Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 10 vs. Blue Earth, 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 17 vs. USC, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 29 at Saint Peter, TBDDec. 30 at Saint Peter, TBD Jan. 4 at J-W-P, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 vs. W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 8 at Hayfield, 4 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Medford, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 17 at Maple River, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at Waseca, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 25 vs. Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 27 at USC, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. J-W-P, 6 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Jordan, 7 p.m. Feb. 11 vs. W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 15 at Medford, 6 p.m. Feb. 17 vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m.

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Former coach returns to Panthers

Tribune File PhotoThe Panthers’ Anna Schlaak watches as a member of the United South Central basketball team shoots the ball.

Schultz inherits talented NRHEG girls’ basketball team

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Tyler Mason/Faribault Daily NewsFaribault’s Mark Emge, above, is one of the top players in the Big Nine this year.

Tribune file photoAlbert Lea’s Kyle Ooms spins toward the basket last season during a game against Winona. Ooms averaged 10 points and 7 1/2 rebounds during 2009-10 campaign.

Tigers will rely on height, experience this season


In his second season as the Albert Lea Tigers boys’ basketball coach, Lucas Kreuscher returns five of his top athletes and hopes to build off last season’s 4-20 record.

Leading the team will be seniors Aaron Klatt, Alik Smed, Silas Randall, Cameron Solie, Josh Eisenbraun and Marc Kruger.

Klatt and Smed are both versatile, 6-foot-4-inch gaurds capable of bringing the ball up the floor or posting up defenders on the block. They will be able to create matchup problems and will be difficult for opposing coaches to scheme around.

“Our strength will be our seniors and their experience,” Kreuscher said. “We need them to play like seniors,

and lead the program like seniors are expected to.”

A non-senior expected to make an impact this year is 6-foot-4-inch junior forward Kyle Ooms.

Ooms was the Tigers’ second-leading scorer last season and top rebounder. He averaged 10 points per game and 7 1/2 rebounds per per game, provding Kreuscher with a hard-working post presence capable of making plays around the basket.

Randall, a 6-foot-4-inch forward also provides the Tigers with frontcourt height. He, along with 6-foot-2-inch guard Solie complete a lengthy group that

should excel on defense if they can get their long arms into passing lanes.

“We have a chance to be a solid half

Don’t-miss gameAustin at Albert LeaJan. 18: The rival Packers play Albert Lea for the first time this season. Both teams will be looking to break into the top half of the Big Nine.

4Experience, Page 17

Albert Lea returns top rebounder and 6 seniors

Churchill takes over PanthersNRHEG leans on experience, shooting with new coachBy Jon [email protected]

NEW RICHLAND — Having lost four players off last year’s team, the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers boys’ basketball team will rely heavily on their five re-turning letterwinners to remain in the upper echelon of teams in the Gopher Conference this season.

The Panthers lost Cory Camerer, Brett Hagen and Tyler Firm to gradu-ation, while Trevor Spooner, who played a key role on defense, moved.

Camerer, Hagen and Firm com-bined to average 31 points and 18 rebounds a game for the Panthers last season.

Along with the loss of those four, NRHEG will also have a new face roaming the sidelines this season.

Pat Churchill takes over for Brian Riley. Churchill has been at NRHEG for fours years, this will be his first as head coach.

Churchill will rely on seniors Hunt-er Eustice, Brian Billing, Evan Ferber, Kyle Bayerkohler and Matt Nafe to lead the Panthers this season.

Eustice serves as the teams most ex-perienced returning player as he has served as a starter for two years.

Nafe runs the point guard position for the Panthers and also is the team’s best shooter from last season.

Churchill looks for Ferber to score in a variety of ways for the team this season and mentions junior Sam Lun-dberg as a player who will play a key

role with his aggressiveness. Churchill said that shooting and

team speed are the strengths of his team, while their lack of height and physical play are their weaknesses.

Churchill said that for this team to be successful, they will need to rely on their speed to overcome their lack of height.

“We need to become more physi-cal and limit our mistakes and turnovers,” Churchill says. “We need to combat our lack of size with quickness.”

Churchill points to Waterville-Elysian-Morristown and United South Central as the Gopher Conference favorites, while he expects WEM, USC

and Maple River to be the section favorites heading into the season. 2010-11 schedule

Dec. 7 at Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 10 vs. Blue Earth, 7:45 p.m. Dec. 14 vs. Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 17 at J-W-P, 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at Blooming Prairie, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at Bethany Holiday Tournament, 6 p.m. Jan. 3 at USC, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 6 at W-E-M, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at Hayfield, 5:45 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Medford, 6 p.m. Jan. 13 vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 17 at Saint Clair, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 25 at Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 27 vs. Triton, 7:15 p.m . Jan. 28 vs. USC, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 1 vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 P.M. Feb. 4 vs. JWP, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 vs. W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 15 at Medford, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 22 vs. Waseca, 7:30 p.m.

Tribune file photoThe Panthers will be without Brett Hagen, above, this season.

Projected champion:Winona Winhawks


Team 2009-10

1. Winona 29-22. Owatonna 21-83. Rochester Century 14-124. Mankato West 17-95. Faribault 10-176. Rochester Mayo 11-167. Mankato East 16-128. Austin 13-139. Albert Lea 4-2110. Roch. John Marshall 1-24

Player of the YearMichael Emge, Faribault

All-Conference teamMichael Emge, G, Sr., FaribaultMark Blacklock, F, Sr., WinonaVaughn Thada, G, Sr., OwatonnaAter Manyang, F, Jr., Century Michael Idso, F, Sr., Mayo

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WELLS — After finishing with a 16-11 overall record, their best record over the past five season, the United South Central Rebels will look to continue to be in the upper echelon of teams in the Gopher Conference this season.

The Rebels return five letterwinners from last season in Riley Niebuhr, Eric Lackey, Kyle Bauman, Chris Melby and Cole Stencel.

Bauman, who stands six-feet-eight-inches tall, led USC in scoring and rebounding last season and is an outstanding all-around player for the Rebels.

Niebuhr is the other forward that returns, while Melby, Stencel and Lackey all bring experience to the USC back-court.

While the Rebels return several players from last season, USC did lose four seniors from last season that provided the Rebels with a boost.

Gone are Riley Swearingen, Nick Fure, Taylor Overbo and William Huper.

USC coach Rob Stevermer said that all though the Rebels lost some solid seniors from last year’s team, he ex-pects to have a very competitive team this season.

“We expect to have a good team this year,” Stevermer said. “Despite losing an outstanding group of seniors.”

Among the team’s strengths this season, Stevermer points to inside play, rebounding and good team chemistry.

Among the weaknesses USC faces this season are the lack of experience on the perimeter, while also fighting issues with depth.

As for keys for his team to have suc-cess this season, Stevermer said that overall health, post play, perimeter scoring, defense and rebounding will determine the season for the Rebels.

Stevermer says Waterville-Elysian-Morristown are the conference favorites, while W-E-M, Maple River, Kasson-Mantorville and Blue Earth

Area are his picks for teams that could win the section2010-11

Dec. 21 at W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 28 at Blue Earth, 6 p.m. Dec. 29 at Blue Earth, TBA Jan. 3 vs. NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 4 vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 6 vs. Maple River, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 10 vs. Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 11 at Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 13 vs. Medford, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 18 at Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 24 at Saint Peter, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 1 vs. W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Blue Earth, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 15 vs. Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 18 at Medford, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 22 at G-H-EC, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 vs. Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Mar. 1 vs. Minnesota Valley Lutheran, 7:30 p.m.


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Team 2009-10

1. Owatonna 19-102. Rochester Mayo 15-123. Rochester Century 15-114. Mankato West 6-195. Albert Lea 11-146. Roch. John Marshall 4-227. Austin 5-208. Mankato East 6-199. Faribault 14-1210. Winona 13-12

Player of the YearRachael Doll, Mayo

All-Conference teamRachael Doll, F, Soph., MayoCourtney Hayford, G, Sr., OwatonnaTrisha Benjamin, C, Sr., OwatonnaSarah McCann, G, Jr., Owatonna Alyssa Sager, F, Sr., Albert Lea

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Tigers season depending on depth

Andrew Dyrdal/Albert Lea TribuneAlbert Lea ninth-grader Bryn Woodside passes the ball during the team’s season-opening loss at home against Waseca.

Albert Lea must replace two award-winning playersBy Andrew [email protected]

The Albert Lea Tigers girls’ basket-ball team lost an All-State honorable mention player and an All-Conference player to graduation this season, prompting head coach Sean Gillam to call this season an “important transi-tion season” for his team.

The Tigers will lean on Alyssa Sager, a 5-foot-10-inch guard/forward and reigning All-Conference honorable mention perfomer.

Sager, along with Taylor Friehl, Sky-ler Anderson and Emily Stoneking are the team’s only letter-winning seniors.

Junior Ashley Tewes and ninth-grader Bryn Woodside are also return-ing letterwinners.

Gillam said the team’s greatest strength is their depth.

“We have seven to 10 players that can be interchanged in order to ex-ecute different offensive and defensive game plans,” he said. “This should allow us to be fresh at the end of the second half when teams with less depth may wither.”

Gillam also said depth could be a weakness, too.

“When you have so many kids vying for a finite amount of minutes, it be-comes important for players to better understand their roles,” Gillam said. “At the same time this depth causes it to be even harder for coaches to define roles, as they may need to be adaptive to each game.”

Gillam said it will be important for the coaches and players to men-tor each other so that they’re not just making a position but the collectively better.

2010-11 schedule

Nov. 30 Waseca Dec. 3 at Simley Dec. 7 at Northfield Dec. 10 at Winona Dec. 14 Rochester Mayo Dec. 17 at Mankato West Dec. 21 Rochester Century Dec. 27 Albert Lea TournamentDec. 28 Albert Lea Tournament Jan. 4 Owatonna Jan. 7 at Faribault Jan. 11 Rochester John Marshall Jan. 13 at Mankato East Jan. 18 at Austin Jan. 20 at Rochester Century Jan. 28 Winona Feb. 1 at New Prague Feb. 3 Mankato West Feb. 8 at Owatonna Feb. 11 Faribault Feb. 15 at Rochester John Marshall Feb. 18 Mankato East Feb. 22 at Rochester Mayo Feb. 25 Austin

Rebels hope to finally break through

Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneUSC’s Kyle Bauman goes up for a shot last season in Wells. Bauman led the Rebels in scoring and rebounding last season.

USC returns last season’s top scorer, rebounder

Hendrickson said. "If we want to be a good team, we will need to knock down free throws to finish off the close games."

An important thing for this year’s team will be to get off to a fast start.

Last year, USC went 4-6 in the first 10 games. Hendrickson said that will need to change this season.

"We want to have a better start to our season," Hendrickson said. "Our December schedule is very tough

again this year and how we do in those games will give us an indication of where we stand."

Hendrickson points to NRHEG and Faribault Bethlehem Academy as Conference favorites, while he says St. Peter, Lake Crystal-Welcome Memo-rial and Blue Earth will be section favorites.

2010-11 schedule

Nov. 30 USC 57, Saint Clair 43 Dec. 6 at Bethlehem Academy, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Maple River, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 vs. Fairmont, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 14 vs. J-W-P, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 17 at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 21 vs. W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 28 at Saint Clair, TBA Jan. 4 at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 7 vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 13 at Medford, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 15 vs. Cleveland at Target Center, 3 p.m. Jan. 18 vs. Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 21 at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at J-W-P, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 27 vs. NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 1 at W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 8 at Blue Earth, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 15 at Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 18 vs. Medford, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 22 vs. G-H-EC, 7:30 p.m.

Contend: USC needs better start to 2010-11 seasonContinued from Page 13

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WELLS — After being defeated in the first-round of the Section 2AA playoffs by Maple River, the United South Central Rebels girls' basketball team is looking for more this season.

USC returns eight letterwinners and four out of five starters from a team that finished 16-9 overall and 14-2 in the Gopher Conference.

“After winning our last 12 confer-ence games last year and coming up short, we expect to contend for a Gopher Conference championship,” USC head coach Stu Hendrickson said. "We also hope to be playing our best basketball at the end of the sea-son to make some noise in the section tournament."

Among the returning letter-winner from last season are seniors Tay-lor Chose, Danielle Koestler, Em-ily Krohnberg, Rachel Mattick, Val Sahr, Kayla Stenzel and juniors Katie

Ovrebo and Kristie Ovrebo. Sahr, Stenzel and Katie Ovrebo

were All-Conference players a year ago, while Danielle Koestler was hon-orable mention.

Sahr has been an All-Conference player for the last three years, while she also holds the school rebound-ing record and has a chance to reach 1,000 points this season.

“They are all key athletes,” Hen-drickson said of all of his returners.

Among the strengths of this years team, Hendrickson says that he ex-pects experience, depth, balance and rebounding to all be big parts of his teams success this season.

Among the weaknesses the Rebels plan to battle early on are getting some of the younger players accus-tomed playing at the varsity level and also getting to the players to take on certain roles.

Hendrickson also points to the teams free throw shooting as some-thing that will need to improve to be an elite team.

“An area that we want to im-prove is our free throw shooting,”

Rebels expect to contend for conference title

Submitted photoUSC’s Val Sahr goes up for a layup in an early season game against Faribault Bethle-hem Academy.

USC returns 4 of 5 starters off 14-2 Gopher Conf. team

4Contend, Page 14


WELLS — With the losses of seniors Alex Dreyer and Dylan Thisius, the Unites South Central Rebels wres-tling team will have a differ-ent look this season.

Among the returners for USC this season will be Dustin Dylla, Dylan Her-man, Cole Wenzel and Tony

Willette. Herman, who is a fresh-

man this season, qualified for the state tournament last season.

USC faced some tough tests early on in their schedule when they hosted Medford on December 9 and travel to take on Waterville-Elysian-Morristown/Janes-ville-Waldorft-Pemberton on December 16.

USC wrestlers face tough tasks early

Brie CohenAlbert Lea TribuneUSC head wrestling coach Marcus Eytcheson counsels a wrestler at the state tournament last season.

Tribune File PhotoAn Albert Lea swimmer swims the free-style last season for the Tigers.

Tiger swimmers

gaining experience


In his 24th season, Albert Lea boys’ swimming head coach Jon Schmitz is coming on an 0-10 record, but lost no key swimmers from last season.

He expects his team to improve this season based on the experience some of his swimmers bring to the team, and the number of swimmers he has.

Some of the team’s weaknesses, though, will be inexperience and skill at some parts of the Tigers squad.

Schmitz said that Rochester Cen-tury is the Big Nine team to beat this season, while St. Thomas Academy is the favorite in the section.

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Early sEason shots

Andrew Dyrdal/Albert Lea TribuneLake Mills’ Alex Grunhovd (23) tries to dribble past a North Iowa Bison defender on Dec. 7 in Lake Mills, Iowa.

Andrew Dyrdal/Albert Lea TribuneAlbert Lea’s Alyssa Sager, left, sizes up a Waseca opponent during the girls’ basketball team’s first match at home.

Andrew Dyrdal/Albert Lea TribuneAlbert Lea ninth-grader Anna Anderson brings the puck toward the net in a game against Mankato East at City Arena this season.

Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneAlbert Lea’s Eric Carlson shoots a puck against John Marshall at the the Rec Cen-ter in Rochester.


The Lake Mills/Northwood-Kensett Ducks wrestling team will look to things a step further from last season.

With the return of 10 letterwinners from last year’s team, in-cluding a state qualifier in senior Royce Byrnes, LM-NK will look to send more kids to state and win more dual meets this season.

“We would like to hit the 20 win mark for duals this season,” LM-NK coach Alex Brandenberg said. “We would like to see three or four kids make the state tournament and have a couple of kids place at the state tournament.”

Brandenburg enters his third year with LM-NK, while coach Ron Dodd enters his first year

of coaching at LM-NK. LM-NK returns 10 letterwinners

from last season that includes seniors

Spencer Capitani, Royce Byrnes and J.R. Linquis, juniors Calvin Beal, Blake Huntington and Josh Perez, and sophomores Shaun Haugerud, Cameron Batton, Andy Dahle and Ben

Irons. Byrnes was a conference champion

and state qualifier last season, while Batton and Capitani both were confer-ence runner-ups.

Among the losses for LM-NK from last season are Jake Brek-ken, Junior Gallardo and Isaac Buffington.

All three wrestlers posted over 20 wins last season with Brekken grab-bing 33 wins and qualified for districts.

Brandenberg says among the strengths of this year’s team are the number of wrestlers out this sea-son with 35 and depth, along with a number of kids coming off of solids seasons last year.

Among the weaknesses he expects his team to deal with this season, he points to inexperience, with 25 of his 35 wrestlers being underclass-man. Brandenberg also says his team needs to continue to work on being a more aggressive team this season.

Brandenberg points to Osage and Forest City as two team he expects to be in the running for the North Iowa Conference championship this season. 2010-11 schedule

Dec. 9 at Albert Lea, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Nashua-Plainfield, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 18 LM-NK Invite, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 4 vs. West Hancock, Eagle Grove, 6 p.m. Jan. 6 at Newman, 6 p.m. Jan. 8 at Hampton-Dumont, 10 a.m. Jan. 11 at Osage, 6 p.m. Jan. 15 LM-NK dual tournament Jan. 20 at Garner, 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at North Butler, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 27 at Forest City, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at West Hancock, 10 a.m. Feb. 1 at Clear Lake, 6 p.m.


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Byrnes, Capitani lead Ducks in senior season

Tribune File PhotoThe Lake Mills/Northwood-Kensett Ducks’ Spencer Capitanis competes against an opponent last season.

Wrestling team returns 10 letterwinners, 1 conf. champ

RoyceByrnes

SpencerCapitani

Northwood-Kensett will lean on Low this seasonBy Jon [email protected]

NORTHWOOD- After finishing with a 15-8 overall record and a 10-4 record in the Corn Bowl Conference last season, the Northwood-Kensett Vikings girls' basketball team will look to keep mak-ing strides this season to stay in upper echelon of teams in the conference.

The Vikings' come into the season having lost four seniors from last year’s squad, none bigger than the loss of senior Kate Hartman.

Hartman was a first team All-State and holds the school records in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks.

Along with Hartman, Northwood-Kensett also lost seniors Kjirsti David-son, Kathy Porter and Brooke Claussen to graduation.

"We lost over two-thirds of our scoring and rebounding to graduation," Vikings coach Daryl Love said. "With no seniors on the squad, it could be a rebuilding year. But I expect others to step up and fill the holes. As a team, when chemistry builds we should be very competitive."

Among the returners that Love ex-pects to lean on is junior Britney Low.

Low, who averaged nine points a game and four rebounds was a second team all conference selection last season.

Love also expects juniors Jami Dahlby and McKensie Nicholson and Sophomore Brooke Burnes to play key roles for the team this season.

Among other athletes that are key for the season are Juniors Tessa Bratrud, Courtney Eilertson and Laura Sla-vikova, along with Sophomores Maren Davidson, Savannah Lira and Mary Bjorklund.

Love says that points to playing as a team as the key to success for this year’s team.

"We must play as a team using every-ones skill sets," Love said. 2010-11 schedule

Nov. 19 North Iowa 42, Northwood-Kensett 38 Nov. 30 West Hancock 62, Northwood-Kensett 30 Dec. 2 Lake Mills 46, Northwood-Kensett 34 Dec. 7 at West Fork, 6 p.m. Dec. 10 vs. Rockford, 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Newman Catholic, 5 p.m. Dec. 14 at Central Springs, 6 p.m. Dec. 17 at North Butler, 6 p.m. Jan. 4 vs. Central Springs, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at Saint Ansgar, 6 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Riceville, 6 p.m. Jan. 14 at Central Springs, 6 p.m. Jan. 18 at Rockford, 6 p.m. Jan. 20 at Ventura, 6 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. West Fork, 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at Nashua-Plainfield, 6 p.m. Jan. 27 vs. Glenville-Emmons, 6 p.m. Jan. 28 vs. North Butler, 6 p.m.Feb. 1 at Riceville, 6 p.m. Feb. 3 vs. CAL, 6 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. Saint Ansgar, 6 p.m.

Vikings hope to fill void left by Hartman

Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneAlbert Lea boys’ hockey coach Roy Nystrom leans over to talk to players during a game against Roch. John Marshall. Nystrom won his 617th game this season, moving to third all-time nationally.

Nystrom makes coachiNg history


Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneLake Mills’ guard Alex Grunhovd brings the ball up the floor for the Bulldogs last season.

Lake Mills hopes to reach full potential


LAKE MILLS, Iowa — The Lake Mills Bulldogs boys’ basketball team returns six letter-winners from a team that went 16-5 overall and 10-3 in the North Iowa Conference last season finishing second to Forest City.

“We have a nice group of returning players,” Lake Mills coach Kyle Menke said. “We are hoping for a high plac-ing in the North Iowa Conference and would like to improve on last season’s win total.”

Although the Bulldogs return six letterwinners from last season, they did lose two key players from last year’s team in Jordan Colby and lead-ing scorer Chris Throne.

Throne led the team in scoring last season and was a first team all-state selection by the Iowa Newspaper Association.

With the losses, the Bulldogs will lean on the returning letterwinners from last season.

Three players who played key roles last season and will do so this sea-son are seniors Marcus Gaskill, Alex

Grunhovd and Tyler Rice. Gaskill provided a dominant pres-

ence down low last season for the Bulldogs and will look to be dominant again this year, while Grunhovd and Rice will provide Lake Mills with guards who can handle the ball.

“Grunhovd and Rice are excellent ball-handlers and passers,” Menke said. “Gaskill is a talented post player with very solid overall skills. We have some good quickness in the guards and should be a balanced offensive team.”

Menke also expects returning letter-winners Dylan Davis, Tim Brandt and Drey LyBarger to play huge roles for the team this year.

Menke says his bench will be a key going forward for his team.

“One of the keys will be how well our bench develops,” Menke said. “There are several key players who will need to step into important roles for our team to reach its full potential.”

Menke points to Forest City as the conference favorite this season, but says there are several teams who could upset the Indians.

“There are several teams who should be able to challenge the Indi-ans this season,” Menke said. “We are hoping to be one of those teams.”

2010-11 schedule

Dec. 7 v Lake Mills 54, North Iowa 44Dec. 10 vs. Belmond-Klemme, 6:15 p.m. Dec. 14 at Garner-Hayfield, 6:15 p.m. Dec. 17 vs. Osage, 6:15 p.m. Dec. 18 vs. Estherville Lincoln Central, 3 p.m. Jan. 4 at West Hancock, 3 p.m. Jan. 7 vs. Newman Catholic, 6:15 p.m. Jan. 14 at Forest City, 6:15 p.m. Jan. 18 at North Iowa, 6:15 p.m. Jan. 28 at Osage, 6:15 p.m. Feb. 1 vs. West Hancock, 6:15 p.m. Feb. 4 at Newman Catholic, 6:15 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Glenville-Emmons, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10 vs. Forest City, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Armstrong-Ringsted, 7:30 p.m.

Lake Mills girls’

basketball gets new coach

Team returns six letterwinners and wants to challenge rival Forest City

Four seniors returning from last year’s team


LAKE MILLS, Iowa — While the Lake Mills Bulldogs girls’ basketball team returns four letterwinners from last year’s team, the Bulldogs will have a new face on the bench this season.

Beth Van Roekel takes over the team this season.

Van Roekel has been at Lake Mills for six years.

While Van Roekel will be new to the bench, she will have the services of four returning letter-winners from last year’s team.

The Bulldogs return seniors Lindy Pins, Amanda Lampman, Haley Matthews and sophomore Megan Johnson.

Pins led Lake Mills in scoring last season with 13.9 points per game, while Lampman was fourth on the team in points with 7.4 per game and was second on the team in re-bounding with 90 total rebounds.

“I think we have the potential to do very well in the conference this year,” Van Roekel said. “I want our girls to play together as a team and be known for their hustle and extra effort they put on the court.”

The Bulldogs did lose senior Jade Durnil to graduation from last year’s team.

Durnil averaged 6.6 points per game last season and pulled down 73 rebounds on the year.

Van Roekel says their strengths this season are senior leadership, good work ethic, talented shooters, quickness and overall team work.

She also points to a lack of height in the post and inexperience as weaknesses for the Bulldogs.

Van Roekel says what could ulti-mately define success for the Lake Mills this season is hard work and working as a team.

“They need to work hard and work as a team,” Van Roekel said. “If they can support each other and push each other, I think the season will go well.”

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NORTHWOOD — With the loss of five players from last season’s team, the Northwood-Kensett Vikings basketball team will depend on young players to step up for the team this year.

The Vikings lost Christian Burnes, Jacob Gordon, Sam Arnold, Jay-son Olson and Derek Varner to graduation.

Arnold was a first team all confer-ence selection, while Burnes was a second team all conference selection.

With the losses, Vikings head coach Marty Cotter will have three returning

letter-winners to help lead his young team.

Brady Cotter, Garrett Olson and Nik Werner all return this season with a team that has only one senior.

Cotter also points to Tyler Thofson, Shayne Olson, Dylan Nitcher and To-rin Newell as players that will be key athletes for the Vikings this season.

Cotter says his expectations for the season will be to be competitive in conference play with his young squad.

Among the weaknesses the Vikings will face, Cotter says youth and in-experience will be something North-wood-Kensett will battle early on.

Cotter points to West Fork as the conference favorite this season.

Have a story idea?


Vikings need youth to step up

Tribune file photoJabob Gorden (32) is one of five players that graduated from the Northwood-Kensett boys’ basketball team. The Vikings will need inexperienced players to step up this season.

• WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2010 • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, December 10, 2010 Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, December 10, 2010 • WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2010 •

Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneLake Mills’ guard Alex Grunhovd brings the ball up the floor for the Bulldogs last season.

Lake Mills hopes to reach full potential


LAKE MILLS, Iowa — The Lake Mills Bulldogs boys’ basketball team returns six letter-winners from a team that went 16-5 overall and 10-3 in the North Iowa Conference last season finishing second to Forest City.

“We have a nice group of returning players,” Lake Mills coach Kyle Menke said. “We are hoping for a high plac-ing in the North Iowa Conference and would like to improve on last season’s win total.”

Although the Bulldogs return six letterwinners from last season, they did lose two key players from last year’s team in Jordan Colby and lead-ing scorer Chris Throne.

Throne led the team in scoring last season and was a first team all-state selection by the Iowa Newspaper Association.

With the losses, the Bulldogs will lean on the returning letterwinners from last season.

Three players who played key roles last season and will do so this sea-son are seniors Marcus Gaskill, Alex

Grunhovd and Tyler Rice. Gaskill provided a dominant pres-

ence down low last season for the Bulldogs and will look to be dominant again this year, while Grunhovd and Rice will provide Lake Mills with guards who can handle the ball.

“Grunhovd and Rice are excellent ball-handlers and passers,” Menke said. “Gaskill is a talented post player with very solid overall skills. We have some good quickness in the guards and should be a balanced offensive team.”

Menke also expects returning letter-winners Dylan Davis, Tim Brandt and Drey LyBarger to play huge roles for the team this year.

Menke says his bench will be a key going forward for his team.

“One of the keys will be how well our bench develops,” Menke said. “There are several key players who will need to step into important roles for our team to reach its full potential.”

Menke points to Forest City as the conference favorite this season, but says there are several teams who could upset the Indians.

“There are several teams who should be able to challenge the Indi-ans this season,” Menke said. “We are hoping to be one of those teams.”

2010-11 schedule

Dec. 7 v Lake Mills 54, North Iowa 44Dec. 10 vs. Belmond-Klemme, 6:15 p.m. Dec. 14 at Garner-Hayfield, 6:15 p.m. Dec. 17 vs. Osage, 6:15 p.m. Dec. 18 vs. Estherville Lincoln Central, 3 p.m. Jan. 4 at West Hancock, 3 p.m. Jan. 7 vs. Newman Catholic, 6:15 p.m. Jan. 14 at Forest City, 6:15 p.m. Jan. 18 at North Iowa, 6:15 p.m. Jan. 28 at Osage, 6:15 p.m. Feb. 1 vs. West Hancock, 6:15 p.m. Feb. 4 at Newman Catholic, 6:15 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Glenville-Emmons, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10 vs. Forest City, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Armstrong-Ringsted, 7:30 p.m.

Lake Mills girls’

basketball gets new coach

Team returns six letterwinners and wants to challenge rival Forest City

Four seniors returning from last year’s team


LAKE MILLS, Iowa — While the Lake Mills Bulldogs girls’ basketball team returns four letterwinners from last year’s team, the Bulldogs will have a new face on the bench this season.

Beth Van Roekel takes over the team this season.

Van Roekel has been at Lake Mills for six years.

While Van Roekel will be new to the bench, she will have the services of four returning letter-winners from last year’s team.

The Bulldogs return seniors Lindy Pins, Amanda Lampman, Haley Matthews and sophomore Megan Johnson.

Pins led Lake Mills in scoring last season with 13.9 points per game, while Lampman was fourth on the team in points with 7.4 per game and was second on the team in re-bounding with 90 total rebounds.

“I think we have the potential to do very well in the conference this year,” Van Roekel said. “I want our girls to play together as a team and be known for their hustle and extra effort they put on the court.”

The Bulldogs did lose senior Jade Durnil to graduation from last year’s team.

Durnil averaged 6.6 points per game last season and pulled down 73 rebounds on the year.

Van Roekel says their strengths this season are senior leadership, good work ethic, talented shooters, quickness and overall team work.

She also points to a lack of height in the post and inexperience as weaknesses for the Bulldogs.

Van Roekel says what could ulti-mately define success for the Lake Mills this season is hard work and working as a team.

“They need to work hard and work as a team,” Van Roekel said. “If they can support each other and push each other, I think the season will go well.”

Northwood - KeNsett

• Free Gift Wrapping• We Mix Paint • Bridal Registry

STEINMETZ HARDWARE, INC.96 10th Street North

Adjacent to VerHelst Drug

Northwood 641-324-1763

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INJECTionTECHnology

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NORTHWOOD — With the loss of five players from last season’s team, the Northwood-Kensett Vikings basketball team will depend on young players to step up for the team this year.

The Vikings lost Christian Burnes, Jacob Gordon, Sam Arnold, Jay-son Olson and Derek Varner to graduation.

Arnold was a first team all confer-ence selection, while Burnes was a second team all conference selection.

With the losses, Vikings head coach Marty Cotter will have three returning

letter-winners to help lead his young team.

Brady Cotter, Garrett Olson and Nik Werner all return this season with a team that has only one senior.

Cotter also points to Tyler Thofson, Shayne Olson, Dylan Nitcher and To-rin Newell as players that will be key athletes for the Vikings this season.

Cotter says his expectations for the season will be to be competitive in conference play with his young squad.

Among the weaknesses the Vikings will face, Cotter says youth and in-experience will be something North-wood-Kensett will battle early on.

Cotter points to West Fork as the conference favorite this season.

Have a story idea?


Vikings need youth to step up

Tribune file photoJabob Gorden (32) is one of five players that graduated from the Northwood-Kensett boys’ basketball team. The Vikings will need inexperienced players to step up this season.


The Lake Mills/Northwood-Kensett Ducks wrestling team will look to things a step further from last season.

With the return of 10 letterwinners from last year’s team, in-cluding a state qualifier in senior Royce Byrnes, LM-NK will look to send more kids to state and win more dual meets this season.

“We would like to hit the 20 win mark for duals this season,” LM-NK coach Alex Brandenberg said. “We would like to see three or four kids make the state tournament and have a couple of kids place at the state tournament.”

Brandenburg enters his third year with LM-NK, while coach Ron Dodd enters his first year

of coaching at LM-NK. LM-NK returns 10 letterwinners

from last season that includes seniors

Spencer Capitani, Royce Byrnes and J.R. Linquis, juniors Calvin Beal, Blake Huntington and Josh Perez, and sophomores Shaun Haugerud, Cameron Batton, Andy Dahle and Ben

Irons. Byrnes was a conference champion

and state qualifier last season, while Batton and Capitani both were confer-ence runner-ups.

Among the losses for LM-NK from last season are Jake Brek-ken, Junior Gallardo and Isaac Buffington.

All three wrestlers posted over 20 wins last season with Brekken grab-bing 33 wins and qualified for districts.

Brandenberg says among the strengths of this year’s team are the number of wrestlers out this sea-son with 35 and depth, along with a number of kids coming off of solids seasons last year.

Among the weaknesses he expects his team to deal with this season, he points to inexperience, with 25 of his 35 wrestlers being underclass-man. Brandenberg also says his team needs to continue to work on being a more aggressive team this season.

Brandenberg points to Osage and Forest City as two team he expects to be in the running for the North Iowa Conference championship this season. 2010-11 schedule

Dec. 9 at Albert Lea, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Nashua-Plainfield, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 18 LM-NK Invite, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 4 vs. West Hancock, Eagle Grove, 6 p.m. Jan. 6 at Newman, 6 p.m. Jan. 8 at Hampton-Dumont, 10 a.m. Jan. 11 at Osage, 6 p.m. Jan. 15 LM-NK dual tournament Jan. 20 at Garner, 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at North Butler, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 27 at Forest City, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at West Hancock, 10 a.m. Feb. 1 at Clear Lake, 6 p.m.


David’s Super Foods

Good Luck!

103 N. Washington641-592-0051

Lake Mills Lake Mills, Iowa

for supporting my education at Lake

Mills School!Through our collective efforts, we are

committed to teaching and learning for all.

102 S. 4th Ave E. • Lake Mills, IA

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Thanks, Mom & Dad

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GOOD LUCK TEAMS!

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Byrnes, Capitani lead Ducks in senior season

Tribune File PhotoThe Lake Mills/Northwood-Kensett Ducks’ Spencer Capitanis competes against an opponent last season.

Wrestling team returns 10 letterwinners, 1 conf. champ

RoyceByrnes

SpencerCapitani

Northwood-Kensett will lean on Low this seasonBy Jon [email protected]

NORTHWOOD- After finishing with a 15-8 overall record and a 10-4 record in the Corn Bowl Conference last season, the Northwood-Kensett Vikings girls' basketball team will look to keep mak-ing strides this season to stay in upper echelon of teams in the conference.

The Vikings' come into the season having lost four seniors from last year’s squad, none bigger than the loss of senior Kate Hartman.

Hartman was a first team All-State and holds the school records in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks.

Along with Hartman, Northwood-Kensett also lost seniors Kjirsti David-son, Kathy Porter and Brooke Claussen to graduation.

"We lost over two-thirds of our scoring and rebounding to graduation," Vikings coach Daryl Love said. "With no seniors on the squad, it could be a rebuilding year. But I expect others to step up and fill the holes. As a team, when chemistry builds we should be very competitive."

Among the returners that Love ex-pects to lean on is junior Britney Low.

Low, who averaged nine points a game and four rebounds was a second team all conference selection last season.

Love also expects juniors Jami Dahlby and McKensie Nicholson and Sophomore Brooke Burnes to play key roles for the team this season.

Among other athletes that are key for the season are Juniors Tessa Bratrud, Courtney Eilertson and Laura Sla-vikova, along with Sophomores Maren Davidson, Savannah Lira and Mary Bjorklund.

Love says that points to playing as a team as the key to success for this year’s team.

"We must play as a team using every-ones skill sets," Love said. 2010-11 schedule

Nov. 19 North Iowa 42, Northwood-Kensett 38 Nov. 30 West Hancock 62, Northwood-Kensett 30 Dec. 2 Lake Mills 46, Northwood-Kensett 34 Dec. 7 at West Fork, 6 p.m. Dec. 10 vs. Rockford, 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Newman Catholic, 5 p.m. Dec. 14 at Central Springs, 6 p.m. Dec. 17 at North Butler, 6 p.m. Jan. 4 vs. Central Springs, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at Saint Ansgar, 6 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Riceville, 6 p.m. Jan. 14 at Central Springs, 6 p.m. Jan. 18 at Rockford, 6 p.m. Jan. 20 at Ventura, 6 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. West Fork, 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at Nashua-Plainfield, 6 p.m. Jan. 27 vs. Glenville-Emmons, 6 p.m. Jan. 28 vs. North Butler, 6 p.m.Feb. 1 at Riceville, 6 p.m. Feb. 3 vs. CAL, 6 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. Saint Ansgar, 6 p.m.

Vikings hope to fill void left by Hartman

Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneAlbert Lea boys’ hockey coach Roy Nystrom leans over to talk to players during a game against Roch. John Marshall. Nystrom won his 617th game this season, moving to third all-time nationally.

Nystrom makes coachiNg history


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WELLS — After being defeated in the first-round of the Section 2AA playoffs by Maple River, the United South Central Rebels girls' basketball team is looking for more this season.

USC returns eight letterwinners and four out of five starters from a team that finished 16-9 overall and 14-2 in the Gopher Conference.

“After winning our last 12 confer-ence games last year and coming up short, we expect to contend for a Gopher Conference championship,” USC head coach Stu Hendrickson said. "We also hope to be playing our best basketball at the end of the sea-son to make some noise in the section tournament."

Among the returning letter-winner from last season are seniors Tay-lor Chose, Danielle Koestler, Em-ily Krohnberg, Rachel Mattick, Val Sahr, Kayla Stenzel and juniors Katie

Ovrebo and Kristie Ovrebo. Sahr, Stenzel and Katie Ovrebo

were All-Conference players a year ago, while Danielle Koestler was hon-orable mention.

Sahr has been an All-Conference player for the last three years, while she also holds the school rebound-ing record and has a chance to reach 1,000 points this season.

“They are all key athletes,” Hen-drickson said of all of his returners.

Among the strengths of this years team, Hendrickson says that he ex-pects experience, depth, balance and rebounding to all be big parts of his teams success this season.

Among the weaknesses the Rebels plan to battle early on are getting some of the younger players accus-tomed playing at the varsity level and also getting to the players to take on certain roles.

Hendrickson also points to the teams free throw shooting as some-thing that will need to improve to be an elite team.

“An area that we want to im-prove is our free throw shooting,”

Rebels expect to contend for conference title

Submitted photoUSC’s Val Sahr goes up for a layup in an early season game against Faribault Bethle-hem Academy.

USC returns 4 of 5 starters off 14-2 Gopher Conf. team

4Contend, Page 14


WELLS — With the losses of seniors Alex Dreyer and Dylan Thisius, the Unites South Central Rebels wres-tling team will have a differ-ent look this season.

Among the returners for USC this season will be Dustin Dylla, Dylan Her-man, Cole Wenzel and Tony

Willette. Herman, who is a fresh-

man this season, qualified for the state tournament last season.

USC faced some tough tests early on in their schedule when they hosted Medford on December 9 and travel to take on Waterville-Elysian-Morristown/Janes-ville-Waldorft-Pemberton on December 16.

USC wrestlers face tough tasks early

Brie CohenAlbert Lea TribuneUSC head wrestling coach Marcus Eytcheson counsels a wrestler at the state tournament last season.

Tribune File PhotoAn Albert Lea swimmer swims the free-style last season for the Tigers.

Tiger swimmers

gaining experience


In his 24th season, Albert Lea boys’ swimming head coach Jon Schmitz is coming on an 0-10 record, but lost no key swimmers from last season.

He expects his team to improve this season based on the experience some of his swimmers bring to the team, and the number of swimmers he has.

Some of the team’s weaknesses, though, will be inexperience and skill at some parts of the Tigers squad.

Schmitz said that Rochester Cen-tury is the Big Nine team to beat this season, while St. Thomas Academy is the favorite in the section.

Have a story idea?


Early sEason shots

Andrew Dyrdal/Albert Lea TribuneLake Mills’ Alex Grunhovd (23) tries to dribble past a North Iowa Bison defender on Dec. 7 in Lake Mills, Iowa.

Andrew Dyrdal/Albert Lea TribuneAlbert Lea’s Alyssa Sager, left, sizes up a Waseca opponent during the girls’ basketball team’s first match at home.

Andrew Dyrdal/Albert Lea TribuneAlbert Lea ninth-grader Anna Anderson brings the puck toward the net in a game against Mankato East at City Arena this season.

Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneAlbert Lea’s Eric Carlson shoots a puck against John Marshall at the the Rec Cen-ter in Rochester.


WELLS — After finishing with a 16-11 overall record, their best record over the past five season, the United South Central Rebels will look to continue to be in the upper echelon of teams in the Gopher Conference this season.

The Rebels return five letterwinners from last season in Riley Niebuhr, Eric Lackey, Kyle Bauman, Chris Melby and Cole Stencel.

Bauman, who stands six-feet-eight-inches tall, led USC in scoring and rebounding last season and is an outstanding all-around player for the Rebels.

Niebuhr is the other forward that returns, while Melby, Stencel and Lackey all bring experience to the USC back-court.

While the Rebels return several players from last season, USC did lose four seniors from last season that provided the Rebels with a boost.

Gone are Riley Swearingen, Nick Fure, Taylor Overbo and William Huper.

USC coach Rob Stevermer said that all though the Rebels lost some solid seniors from last year’s team, he ex-pects to have a very competitive team this season.

“We expect to have a good team this year,” Stevermer said. “Despite losing an outstanding group of seniors.”

Among the team’s strengths this season, Stevermer points to inside play, rebounding and good team chemistry.

Among the weaknesses USC faces this season are the lack of experience on the perimeter, while also fighting issues with depth.

As for keys for his team to have suc-cess this season, Stevermer said that overall health, post play, perimeter scoring, defense and rebounding will determine the season for the Rebels.

Stevermer says Waterville-Elysian-Morristown are the conference favorites, while W-E-M, Maple River, Kasson-Mantorville and Blue Earth

Area are his picks for teams that could win the section2010-11

Dec. 21 at W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 28 at Blue Earth, 6 p.m. Dec. 29 at Blue Earth, TBA Jan. 3 vs. NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 4 vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 6 vs. Maple River, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 10 vs. Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 11 at Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 13 vs. Medford, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 18 at Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 24 at Saint Peter, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 1 vs. W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Blue Earth, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 15 vs. Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 18 at Medford, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 22 at G-H-EC, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 vs. Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Mar. 1 vs. Minnesota Valley Lutheran, 7:30 p.m.


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Team 2009-10

1. Owatonna 19-102. Rochester Mayo 15-123. Rochester Century 15-114. Mankato West 6-195. Albert Lea 11-146. Roch. John Marshall 4-227. Austin 5-208. Mankato East 6-199. Faribault 14-1210. Winona 13-12

Player of the YearRachael Doll, Mayo

All-Conference teamRachael Doll, F, Soph., MayoCourtney Hayford, G, Sr., OwatonnaTrisha Benjamin, C, Sr., OwatonnaSarah McCann, G, Jr., Owatonna Alyssa Sager, F, Sr., Albert Lea

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Tigers season depending on depth

Andrew Dyrdal/Albert Lea TribuneAlbert Lea ninth-grader Bryn Woodside passes the ball during the team’s season-opening loss at home against Waseca.

Albert Lea must replace two award-winning playersBy Andrew [email protected]

The Albert Lea Tigers girls’ basket-ball team lost an All-State honorable mention player and an All-Conference player to graduation this season, prompting head coach Sean Gillam to call this season an “important transi-tion season” for his team.

The Tigers will lean on Alyssa Sager, a 5-foot-10-inch guard/forward and reigning All-Conference honorable mention perfomer.

Sager, along with Taylor Friehl, Sky-ler Anderson and Emily Stoneking are the team’s only letter-winning seniors.

Junior Ashley Tewes and ninth-grader Bryn Woodside are also return-ing letterwinners.

Gillam said the team’s greatest strength is their depth.

“We have seven to 10 players that can be interchanged in order to ex-ecute different offensive and defensive game plans,” he said. “This should allow us to be fresh at the end of the second half when teams with less depth may wither.”

Gillam also said depth could be a weakness, too.

“When you have so many kids vying for a finite amount of minutes, it be-comes important for players to better understand their roles,” Gillam said. “At the same time this depth causes it to be even harder for coaches to define roles, as they may need to be adaptive to each game.”

Gillam said it will be important for the coaches and players to men-tor each other so that they’re not just making a position but the collectively better.

2010-11 schedule

Nov. 30 Waseca Dec. 3 at Simley Dec. 7 at Northfield Dec. 10 at Winona Dec. 14 Rochester Mayo Dec. 17 at Mankato West Dec. 21 Rochester Century Dec. 27 Albert Lea TournamentDec. 28 Albert Lea Tournament Jan. 4 Owatonna Jan. 7 at Faribault Jan. 11 Rochester John Marshall Jan. 13 at Mankato East Jan. 18 at Austin Jan. 20 at Rochester Century Jan. 28 Winona Feb. 1 at New Prague Feb. 3 Mankato West Feb. 8 at Owatonna Feb. 11 Faribault Feb. 15 at Rochester John Marshall Feb. 18 Mankato East Feb. 22 at Rochester Mayo Feb. 25 Austin

Rebels hope to finally break through

Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneUSC’s Kyle Bauman goes up for a shot last season in Wells. Bauman led the Rebels in scoring and rebounding last season.

USC returns last season’s top scorer, rebounder

Hendrickson said. "If we want to be a good team, we will need to knock down free throws to finish off the close games."

An important thing for this year’s team will be to get off to a fast start.

Last year, USC went 4-6 in the first 10 games. Hendrickson said that will need to change this season.

"We want to have a better start to our season," Hendrickson said. "Our December schedule is very tough

again this year and how we do in those games will give us an indication of where we stand."

Hendrickson points to NRHEG and Faribault Bethlehem Academy as Conference favorites, while he says St. Peter, Lake Crystal-Welcome Memo-rial and Blue Earth will be section favorites.

2010-11 schedule

Nov. 30 USC 57, Saint Clair 43 Dec. 6 at Bethlehem Academy, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Maple River, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 vs. Fairmont, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 14 vs. J-W-P, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 17 at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 21 vs. W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 28 at Saint Clair, TBA Jan. 4 at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 7 vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 13 at Medford, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 15 vs. Cleveland at Target Center, 3 p.m. Jan. 18 vs. Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 21 at Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at J-W-P, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 27 vs. NRHEG, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 1 at W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 8 at Blue Earth, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 15 at Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 18 vs. Medford, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 22 vs. G-H-EC, 7:30 p.m.

Contend: USC needs better start to 2010-11 seasonContinued from Page 13

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Tyler Mason/Faribault Daily NewsFaribault’s Mark Emge, above, is one of the top players in the Big Nine this year.

Tribune file photoAlbert Lea’s Kyle Ooms spins toward the basket last season during a game against Winona. Ooms averaged 10 points and 7 1/2 rebounds during 2009-10 campaign.

Tigers will rely on height, experience this season


In his second season as the Albert Lea Tigers boys’ basketball coach, Lucas Kreuscher returns five of his top athletes and hopes to build off last season’s 4-20 record.

Leading the team will be seniors Aaron Klatt, Alik Smed, Silas Randall, Cameron Solie, Josh Eisenbraun and Marc Kruger.

Klatt and Smed are both versatile, 6-foot-4-inch gaurds capable of bringing the ball up the floor or posting up defenders on the block. They will be able to create matchup problems and will be difficult for opposing coaches to scheme around.

“Our strength will be our seniors and their experience,” Kreuscher said. “We need them to play like seniors,

and lead the program like seniors are expected to.”

A non-senior expected to make an impact this year is 6-foot-4-inch junior forward Kyle Ooms.

Ooms was the Tigers’ second-leading scorer last season and top rebounder. He averaged 10 points per game and 7 1/2 rebounds per per game, provding Kreuscher with a hard-working post presence capable of making plays around the basket.

Randall, a 6-foot-4-inch forward also provides the Tigers with frontcourt height. He, along with 6-foot-2-inch guard Solie complete a lengthy group that

should excel on defense if they can get their long arms into passing lanes.

“We have a chance to be a solid half

Don’t-miss gameAustin at Albert LeaJan. 18: The rival Packers play Albert Lea for the first time this season. Both teams will be looking to break into the top half of the Big Nine.

4Experience, Page 17

Albert Lea returns top rebounder and 6 seniors

Churchill takes over PanthersNRHEG leans on experience, shooting with new coachBy Jon [email protected]

NEW RICHLAND — Having lost four players off last year’s team, the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers boys’ basketball team will rely heavily on their five re-turning letterwinners to remain in the upper echelon of teams in the Gopher Conference this season.

The Panthers lost Cory Camerer, Brett Hagen and Tyler Firm to gradu-ation, while Trevor Spooner, who played a key role on defense, moved.

Camerer, Hagen and Firm com-bined to average 31 points and 18 rebounds a game for the Panthers last season.

Along with the loss of those four, NRHEG will also have a new face roaming the sidelines this season.

Pat Churchill takes over for Brian Riley. Churchill has been at NRHEG for fours years, this will be his first as head coach.

Churchill will rely on seniors Hunt-er Eustice, Brian Billing, Evan Ferber, Kyle Bayerkohler and Matt Nafe to lead the Panthers this season.

Eustice serves as the teams most ex-perienced returning player as he has served as a starter for two years.

Nafe runs the point guard position for the Panthers and also is the team’s best shooter from last season.

Churchill looks for Ferber to score in a variety of ways for the team this season and mentions junior Sam Lun-dberg as a player who will play a key

role with his aggressiveness. Churchill said that shooting and

team speed are the strengths of his team, while their lack of height and physical play are their weaknesses.

Churchill said that for this team to be successful, they will need to rely on their speed to overcome their lack of height.

“We need to become more physi-cal and limit our mistakes and turnovers,” Churchill says. “We need to combat our lack of size with quickness.”

Churchill points to Waterville-Elysian-Morristown and United South Central as the Gopher Conference favorites, while he expects WEM, USC

and Maple River to be the section favorites heading into the season. 2010-11 schedule

Dec. 7 at Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 10 vs. Blue Earth, 7:45 p.m. Dec. 14 vs. Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 17 at J-W-P, 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at Blooming Prairie, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at Bethany Holiday Tournament, 6 p.m. Jan. 3 at USC, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 6 at W-E-M, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at Hayfield, 5:45 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Medford, 6 p.m. Jan. 13 vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 17 at Saint Clair, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 25 at Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 27 vs. Triton, 7:15 p.m . Jan. 28 vs. USC, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 1 vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 P.M. Feb. 4 vs. JWP, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 vs. W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 15 at Medford, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 22 vs. Waseca, 7:30 p.m.

Tribune file photoThe Panthers will be without Brett Hagen, above, this season.

Projected champion:Winona Winhawks


Team 2009-10

1. Winona 29-22. Owatonna 21-83. Rochester Century 14-124. Mankato West 17-95. Faribault 10-176. Rochester Mayo 11-167. Mankato East 16-128. Austin 13-139. Albert Lea 4-2110. Roch. John Marshall 1-24

Player of the YearMichael Emge, Faribault

All-Conference teamMichael Emge, G, Sr., FaribaultMark Blacklock, F, Sr., WinonaVaughn Thada, G, Sr., OwatonnaAter Manyang, F, Jr., Century Michael Idso, F, Sr., Mayo

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With just three returning seniors letterwinners, the Albert Lea girls’ hockey team will rely on speed to overcome experience and depth issues.

The Tigers opened the season with three one-goal losses, two of which came in overtime, but rebounded with three straight wins.

“This season will be a learning experience for the team with a new coaching staff implementing new systems and expectations,” Tigers head coach Paul Willet said. “We expect to give our best effort in each game and will be very difficult to beat during the second half of the season.”

The Tigers already seem tough to beat. In their last three games, Albert Lea has outscored their opponents 14-3, allowing just one goal in each game.

Eighth-grader Sydney Conley has been steady in goal with a 1.46 goal against average and a 92 1/2 save percentage. She has 110 saves in 119 shots on goal.

Willet succeeded Brian Blatti this season as the team’s head coach, and said the team’s goal is getting better every day and gaining a better under-standing of the game.

The Tigers return 12 letterwinners this season, though four are in ninth grade or younger.

Senior returners include Lauren Draayer, Sophia Jepson and Kaley Waldemar.

Through six games, Jepson has six points for the Tigers, including a two-goal outburst in the season-opener against Mankato East.

Junior Natasha Moyer and ninth-grader Anna Anderson both lead the team with eight goals apiece.

The Tigers also return letter-win-ning juniors Mariah Leach, Samantha Stanley and Kelsey Thomas, sopho-more Megan Pulley and ninth-graders Sydney Overgaard and MacKenzie Waldemar.

In order to get to the Class A state tournament, Willet believes his team will have to go through Section 1A fa-vorites Faribault, Red Wing and New Prague.

The Tigers have already beaten

one of those teams and were barely knocked off New Prague.

Willet keeps pointing to the second half of the season, though, saying the Tigers will be a different team the second time around their Big Nine schedule.

2010-11 schedule

Nov. 11 Mankato East 3, Albert Lea 2Nov. 16 Northfield 2, Albert Lea 1Nov. 18 New Prague 3, Albert Lea 2Nov. 23 Albert Lea 2, Faribault 1Nov. 20 Albert Lea 7, Waseca 1Dec. 2 Albert Lea 5, Austin 1Dec. 7 at Rochester Century, 5:30 p.m.Dec. 9 vs. Rochester Mayo, 5:30 p.m.Dec. 14 at Mankato West, 5:30 p.m.Dec. 16 vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m.Dec. 18 vs. Red Wing, 1 p.m.Dec. 27-29 Austin InviteJan. 4 at Rochester John Marshall, 5:30 p.m.Jan. 6 at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m.Jan. 10 vs. Dodge County, 7:30 p.m.Jan. 11 at Austin, 7 p.m.Jan. 13 vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m.Jan. 18 vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m.Jan. 20 at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m.Jan. 25 at Winona, 7:30 p.m.Jan. 27 vs. Faribault, 7:30 p.m.Feb. 1 at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m.Feb. 3 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m.


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Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneAlbert Lea’s Sam Stanley shoots the puck this season against Mankato East at City Arena. After losing their opening three games, the Tigers have won three straight.



Team 2009-10

1. Owatonna 15-9-22. Rochester Mayo 15-11-13. Mankato East 9-16-04. Faribault 20-9-15. Roch. John Marshall 6-19-06. Albert Lea 10-14-17. Mankato West 17-9-08. Winona 12-10-09. Rochester Century 0-24-010. Austin 11-13-2

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Tigers have rallied past 3-loss startTigers have rebounded after 1-goal losses


NEW RICHLAND — A new but very familiar face will be roaming the bench this season for the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers girls’ basketball team.

After former head coach Mindy Sparby accepted a new job in Belle Plaine, John Schultz was hired to take her place.

Schultz coached the NRHEG girls’ basketball team from 1992-1999 and will be assisted by Grant Berg this season.

Schultz inherits a team that has several returning letter-winners, while the Panthers also lost some important players from last season’s team.

Gone from last years teams are: Alyssa Hagen, Kate Quam and Alyssa Kerkoff.

Hagen was a four-year starter for the Panthers, while Quam has played since she was a sophomore.

Alyssa Kerkoff is a senior this year but moved away over the summer.

While the losses sting, the cupboard is not bare for Schultz as the Panthers welcome four letterwinners back from last year’s squad.

NRHEG returns senior Kristina Cole, junior Anna Schlaak and fresh-men Carlie Wagner and Jade Schultz. Schlaak and Cole both earned all-conference honors last season.

Along with the four returning letter-winners, Schultz also points to junior Tori Raimann and sophomore Katie Cole as players that he expects to help the team this season.

Among the expectations for the Panthers this season is to contend for a conference crown and make a run in the section tournament.

“We expect to keep the tradition in place,” Schultz said. “We hope to con-tend for the conference title and make a run in the section.”

Among the strengths for the Pan-thers this season, Schultz says he expects chemistry, shooting, rebound-ing and the overall speed of the team to be positives going forward.

“Chemistry, these girls play well together, they are a close knit group,”

Schultz said. “We are fast, shoot well from the perimeter and are tough on the boards.”

Schultz also says for his team to have a successful year, they will need to play their fast break game and improve on their defense.

As for conference favorites, Schultz points to United South Central and Faribault Bethlehem Academy, while he says Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial, St. Peter, Blue Earth Area and USC will be among the section favorites this season.

2010-11 schedule

Nov. 30 Le Sueur-Henderson 74, NRHEG 66 Dec. 7 vs. Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 10 vs. Blue Earth, 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 17 vs. USC, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 29 at Saint Peter, TBDDec. 30 at Saint Peter, TBD Jan. 4 at J-W-P, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 vs. W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 8 at Hayfield, 4 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Medford, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Randolph, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 17 at Maple River, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at Waseca, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Mankato Loyola, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 25 vs. Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 27 at USC, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. J-W-P, 6 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Jordan, 7 p.m. Feb. 11 vs. W-E-M, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 15 at Medford, 6 p.m. Feb. 17 vs. Randolph, 7:15 p.m.

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Tribune File PhotoThe Panthers’ Anna Schlaak watches as a member of the United South Central basketball team shoots the ball.

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Carlson, Tigers hope to ride hot start to titleNystrom moves to 3rd all-time while his offense thrivesBy Andrew [email protected]

In his 38th season as the Albert Lea boys’ hockey head coach Roy Nystrom has a lot of numbers to crunch.

His 617 career coaching wins ranks third all-time nationally and Ny-strom has more wins than anyone who has ever coached in the state of Minnesota.

Nystrom also has one of the most potent goal-scorers in the state in Eric Carlson and an offense that currently ranks second in the Big Nine Confer-ence in goals scored. He hopes for a lot of lopsided victories this season, and if the Tigers continue their hot start, he’ll get them.

After a slow start to their 2009-10 campaign, the Tigers finished the season by winning nine of their final 12 regular season games and moving up to third place in the Big Nine.

The Tigers have gotten off to a bet-ter start this season with a blowout win over Waseca and 4-3 victory on the road against a talented Northfield team.

Albert Lea has received a lot of offensive production from juniors Carlson and Levi Hacker who lead the team with eight and seven points each, respectively.

Goaltenders Nick Dulas (Sr.) and Griffen Wangen (Jr.) have each notched wins in their only starts in front of the net. The two have com-bined for a 86.2 save percentage and a 2 1/2 goal against average.

Nystrom said one of his team’s big-gest strengths is its work ethic, and he is looking for seniors leadership from center Dillon Stolt along with Luke Cheever, Dave Enstad, J.T. Bellrich-

ard, Tyler Osmundson and Darian Weigel.

The Tigers also return five letter-winning juniors in Carlson, Hacker, Cody Haaland, Brady Falk and Auston Larson.

Standing in the Tigers way of a state tournament berth is the Rochester Lourdes Eagles, an early favorite to win Section 1A.

Nystrom said that to put themselves in position to make a run at state, the Tigers will have to make up for inex-perience in goal and on defense by im-proving on last year’s goal production.

Through two games this season, the Tigers have averaged 7 goals per game

and are giving up just 2 1/2.2010-2011 schedule

Nov. 30 Albert Lea 10, Waseca 2Dec. 2 Albert Lea 4, Northfield 3 Dec. 7 at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m.Dec. 11 vs. Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at New Prague, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Winona, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 vs. Austin, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4 vs. Rochester Lourdes, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 vs. Virginia/Mt Iron-Buhl, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 vs. Hibbing/Chisholm, 3 p.m. Jan. 11 at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 vs. Red Wing, 2 p.m. Jan. 20 vs. Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Mankato East/Loyola, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at Austin, 7:30 p.m.

Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneDillon Stolt (10) brings the puck up ice in the Tigers season-opening game against Wase-ca on Nov. 30. The Tigers beat the Bluejays 10-2, and Stolt had a goal and an assist.

Projected champion:Faribault Falcons


Team 2009-10

1. Faribault 20-7-02. Rochester Century 18-8-03. Albert Lea 13-13-04. Roch. John Marshall 5. Rochester Mayo 7-19-06. Mankato West 11-14-17. Owatonna 8-14-48. Winona 17-8-19. Mankato East 11-15-010. Austin 9-17-0

Player of the YearEric Carlson, Albert Lea

All-Conference teamEric Carlson, C, Jr., Albert LeaDrew Weber, F, Sr., Mankato WestSean Lipinski, F, Sr., FaribaultNick Raehsler. D, Sr., Century Ville Rantanen, F, Sr., Mankato West

Big NiNe PreviewNRHEG returns 14 letter winners, strong junior classBy Jon [email protected]

NEW RICHLAND — After suffer-ing a 6-12 overall record and 2-2 dual meet record in the Gopher Conference last season, the New

Richland-Hartland-El-lendale-Geneva Pan-thers wrestling team look to rebound this season.

The Panthers return 14 letterwinners from last season including junior David Lassahn, who made it to state last season.

“The Panthers suf-fered through a terrible dual season in 2009-10, and one of their goals is to improve that mark,” Panthers head coach Paul Cyr said. “NRHEG will look to better overall balance and the continued development of their junior class in

an effort to improve on last year's win total.”

The Panthers did lose David Lindell to graduation.

Lindell finished third overall in class 2A at 215 pounds last season and left NRHEG with 131 victories.

Cyr says that returners David Las-sahn, Jacob Staloch, Dustin Esplan

and Brandon LeBlanc will be called upon to carry much of the leadership role this season.

Lassahn qualified for state last season and finished second in Section 2A.

Staloch bounced back from a serious injury as a freshman and put together a very good sophomore cam-paign, while Esplan finished third in the section last year and finished with a 18-9 record.

LeBlanc didn't wrestle in the sec-tion last season because of illness, but showed flashes of being very good last season and will be counted upon for a better year this year, ac-cording to Cyr.

Cyr also points to a pair of freshman in Dillion Parpart and Nathan Krohn that will need to improve and contrib-ute to the overall balance of team if they are to improve on their 2009-10 season.

Cyr feels that Waterville-Elysian-Morristown/Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton are the clear favorites in the Gopher Conference, while Jackson County Central, the defending Class A state champions, are seen as the sec-tion favorites.

Cyr also says that NRHEG will spend a part of the season figuring out which lineup will give the Panthers their best chance of winning this com-ing season.

“As is usually the case at NRHEG, we will spend a part of the season sorting out what will be our best lineup,” Cyr said. “We’re hoping to be a factor in the Section 2A team race in February.”

2010-11 schedule

Dec. 9 at WEM/JWP, 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Saint James, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 vs. Saint Clair, Blue Earth Area, 5 p.m. Dec. 17 at Redwood Valley, 4 p.m. Dec. 21 at MCW, 5 p.m. Jan. 6 at Medford, 6 p.m. Jan. 13 at Blooming Prairie, 6 p.m. Jan. 15 at Stewartville, 10 a.m. Jan. 20 at Mankato West, 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at Hutchinson, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 28 at Waseca, 7 p.m. Jan. 29 at Kasson-Mantorville, 10 a.m. Feb. 3 at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 5 p.m. Feb. 5 at Lakeville North, 10 a.m. Feb. 10 vs. USC, ML/LE, 6:30 p.m.

Panthers look to rebound off down year

Brie Cohen/Albert Lea TribuneDavid Lindell, above, is the biggest loss for the NRHEG wrestling team. Lindell, a 2009 graduate, finished third at state last season.

DavidLassahn

court defensive team and able to give teams a few more looks than we did last season,” Kruescher said.

The Tigers’ size also provides a variety of options on offense.

“We have more than a few guys who can play at least three different positions on the floor,” Kruescher said. “We can put a pretty long team out there at times if we need to, or we can go with four to five guards out there at the same time and shoot from long range.”

But the Tigers’ long range game may have taken a step back this sea-son after the graduation of the team’s top three-point shooter, Colby Strila-

eff, who shot 33 percent last season from behind the arc.

The Tigers also lost starting point guard Damian Montes who averaged 11 points per game in Albert Lea’s

final five games last season.Kruescher said that the Tigers

plan on pushing the ball up the floor more, especially off of defensive rebounds. “We’ll have to learn how to at-tack and not get careless with the basketball,” he said. “We’re going to have to continue to work hard on having consistent outside jumpers.”

Kruescher also expects the Tigers to be a “great rebounding team” due to their size and athleticism.

New Prague is the early Section

1AAA favorite this season, returning four starters after earning the No. 2 seed last year. Winona will also con-tend for a state tournament berth.2010-11 schedule

Dec. 7 at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 vs. Hayfield, 10 a.m. Jan. 4 at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 vs. New Prague, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 vs. Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 vs. Austin, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Winona, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Faribault, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 vs. Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 vs. Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at Austin, 7:30 p.m. Mar. 1 at Waseca, 7:30 p.m. Mar. 4 vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m.

AlikSmed

Experience: Tigers could be ‘great rebounding team’Continued from Page 6

Tribune file photoAaron Klatt (11) brings the ball up the floor last season against Mankato East.

DustinEsplan

Coach: ‘I expect us to be playing for something special’ By Jon [email protected]

GLENVILLE — After graduating his largest class in nine years as a head coach, Glenville-Emmons Wolver-ines basketball coach Dan Fredrick-son thinks his team can take a step forward to something that could be special.

With six returning letterwinners from last year’s team and a solid group of players making the jump to the varsity squad this season, Fre-drickson says he expects his team to be able to play for the Southeast Con-ference Championship this season.

“I expect us to be able to contend for our first ever Southeast Confer-ence Championship,” Fredrickson said. “It’s a huge goal, but I would like to see us secure a No. 1 seed in our subsection. When the section gets down to its final four — two from the east and two from the west — I fully expect us to be playing for something really special.”

Among the reasons that have Fre-drickson thinking big is his six return-ing letterwinners from a year ago.

Among the six returning are Peter Hansen, Ryan Dempewolf, Landon Hall, Tyler Woodside, Andrew Lau and Collin Johnson. All six are seniors this season.

Hansen was Glenville-Emmons co-Most Valuable Player last season and racked up All-Conference and All-Area honors as well. Woodside also earned honorable mention All-Conference last season.

Fredrickson also points to juniors Tyler Belshan, Perry Kirsch, Tommy Kirsch, Trenton Thomas and sopho-mores Wyatt Madson and Derek Olson as key athletes for the season.

“These six players were part of an undefeated B-squad last season,” Fre-drickson said. “All six will be counted upon to play quality minutes every night. The depth they provide will be the difference maker on many nights.”

All though the Wolverines are ecstatic with all the returning play-ers, Fredrickson did graduate seven seniors from last year’s team.

Gone from last year’s team are Derek Sanderson, Michael Thofson, Michael Adams, Jon Mitgate, Kyle Thompson, Patrick Larson and Josh Wallin.

Sanderson was a co-MVP of the team last season and was All-Confer-ence and All-Area, while Thofson was an All-Conference honorable mention.

“We will miss Sanderson in the post and Mitgate’s offense,” Fredrick-son said. “Thofson and Adams were excellent defenders as well as team leaders every night. Those guys will be missed.”

Among the strengths of this year’s team, Fredrickson points to experi-ence, defense, offense and the team’s overall shooting.

Fredrickson also said that his team needs to focus on one game and one play at a time this season.

“When you have such high expecta-tions, it can be difficult to manage them throughout the season,” Fre-drickson said. “You can’t buy into your hype. It always need to be one game and one play at a time.”

Fredrickson points to Lanesboro, Spring Grove and Glenville-Emmons

as conference favorites, while he says Glenville-Emmons, Goodhue, Beth-lehem Academy, Rushford-Peterson, Fillmore Central and Lanesboro should all be in contention for the sec-tion this season.

2010-11 schedule

Dec. 2 Glenville-Emmons 64, Spring Grove 47 Dec. 9 at Immanuel Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 10 at Hope Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 13 at Lyle/Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 14 vs. Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 20 at Rochester Home School, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 21 vs. Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 3 at Alden-Conger, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 7 at Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 13 vs. Immanuel Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 14 at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 17 at Le Roy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. Houston, 7:15 P.M. Jan. 25 vs. Lyle/Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 27 at Northwood-Kensett, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 28 vs. Hope Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 31 at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 1 vs. Cannon Valley Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. Spring Grove, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 8 at Lake Mills, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 11 vs. Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 18 at Houston, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 19 vs. Norwood-Young America, 4 p.m. Feb. 22 at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 24 vs. LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m.


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Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneGlenville-Emmons’ Tyler Woodside catches the ball with his back to an Alden-Conger defender. Woodside is one of the team’s top interiors players.

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After being defeated in the second round of the Section 1A playoffs last season, expectations for this year’s Glenville-Emmons Wolverines girls’ basketball team are high.

The Wolverines have eight seniors this season and return a majority of their players from a year ago.

Among the returning seniors are Kalli Van Ryswyk, Kailey Davis, Emily Belshan, Alayna Hall, Devin Cooper, Robyn Roe and Tam Wallin.

Van Ryswyk, who provided an intimidating post presence a year ago, will be relied upon to do the same this season. Van Ryswyk is 50 points away from her 1,000th career point.

Also returning is Davis, the team’s MVP last season.

“I have huge expectations for these seniors,” G-E coach Lisa Ziebell said. “They know they have skills and they believe in themselves and their teammates.”

Ziebell also expects contributions

from juniors Jennaca Haines and Morgan Schumaker along with fresh-man Kayla Woodside.

Although the Wolverines return ex-perience, they did lose two key players from last season.

Reina Saltou and Megan Rasmus-son both graduated from last year’s squad.

Saltou provided three point shoot-ing and was a pressure player for Glenville-Emmons last season, while Megan Rasmusson was first off the bench and provided great leadership.

Among the strengths of this years team, Ziebell points to a great under-standing of the offense and the ability to rely on each other.

For weaknesses, Ziebell says that the lack of experience on the bench early on in the season could give the Wolverines troubles.

2010-11 schedule

Nov. 30 Glenville-Emmons 65, Lyle/Pacelli 62Dec. 2 Spring Grove 59, Glenville-Emmons 18 Dec. 10 vs. Hope Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 14 at Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 16 vs. Immanuel Lutheran, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Rochester Home School, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 4 vs. Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 6 at LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 7 vs. Mabel-Canton, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 10 vs. Lyle/Pacelli, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Immanuel Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 14 vs. Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 18 at Schaeffer Academy, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 21 at Houston, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 27 at Northwood-Kensett, 6 p.m.

Jan. 28 at Hope Lutheran, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 31 vs. Alden-Conger, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 4 vs. Spring Grove, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Lake Mills, 6 p.m. Feb. 11 at Lanesboro, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 15 vs. Le Roy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 18 vs. Houston, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 19 vs. Norwood-Young America, 2 p.m.

will rely on its seniors who collectively won 17 of 18 individual matches at the team’s first tournament on Dec. 4.

The Tigers’ biggest loss from last season is the departure of Trevor Ras-mussen, three-time state tournament place winner. The Tigers do return six All-Conference performers from last season, though, and will challenge for a state tournament berth if they stay healthy.

Albert Lea could face Owatonna as early as Jan. 7 at The Clash Na-tional High School Wrestling Duels in Rochester. Otherwise, the Tigers and Huskies are set to square off on Jan. 13 at Albert Lea High School.

The Tigers will also face some of the top teams in Class AA this season as they host the No.3-ranked Kasson-Mantorville Komets on Dec. 11 and No. 6 Adrian Area on Feb. 5.

The Tigers have already faced top 10 talent this season as they knocked off Prior Lake, the No. 8-ranked team in Class AAA, in their first match of the season.

As a team, the Tigers look to get

back to the state tourna-ment for the first time since the 2008-09 sea-son. Albert Lea has fallen to Apple Valley in the state finals in their last two appearances.

Apple Valley entered this season ranked No. 1 and has nine individual wrestlers ranked No. 1 in the state.

For another chance at topping Apple Val-ley, the Tigers’ seniors will have to continue winning most of their matches.

2010-11 schedule

Dec. 4 Albert Lea 37, Prior Lake 23Dec. 4 Albert Lea 47, Centennial 13Dec. 4 Albert Lea 52, Sloughton, Wis. 13Dec. 9 vs. Rochester CenturyDec. 11 vs. Kasson-MantorvilleDec. 23 vs. Rochester MayoJan. 6 at Mankato WestJan. 13 vs. OwatonnaJan. 20 at FaribaultJan. 27 vs. Rochester John MarshallJan. 29 at NorthfieldFeb. 3 at Mankato EastFeb. 4 vs. Coon RapidsFeb. 5 vs. Adrian AreaFeb. 10 at Austin


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Projected champion:Albert Lea Tigers Projected standings:Team 2009-10

1. Albert Lea 18-112. Owatonna 52-53. Mankato West 15-184. Faribault 10-105. Austin 8-126. Rochester Mayo 7-87. Roch. John Marshall 7-188. Rochester Century 2-189. Mankato East 1-2110. Winona 1-13

Wrestler of the YearChad Zastrow, Century

Top of the classProjected Big Nine champions

103 — Dakota Wangsness (AL)112 — Nick Scheffert (OHS)119 — Evan Green (OHS)125 — Ben Anderson (OHS)130 — Scott Summer (OHS)135 — Jake Hanson (Mayo)140 — Dalton Westerlund (AL)145 — Trey Hable (AL)152 — Dalton Westerlund (AL)160 — Chad Zastrow (Century)171 — Carter Kortan (AL)189 — Coyte Kuefner (OHS)215 — Logan Barrett (OHS)HWT — Sam Gaul (Century)

Big NiNe Preview

Tigers (again) challenge Huskies for titles

Owatonna ranked No. 3, Albert Lea No. 6 entering seasonBy Andrew [email protected]

The Albert Lea Tigers and Owatonna Huskies wrestling teams are, once again, the frontrunners in the Big Nine Conference and Section 1AAA this season.

The Huskies enter the season ranked No. 3 in the state while the Tigers are No. 6, and both teams have a number of indi-viduals ranked in the state’s top 10.

Among them is Albert Lea sophomore Lucas Hansen, a sixth-place state finisher last season, and currently ranked No. 3 at 112 pounds behind the Huskies’ Nick Scheffert, who’s arguably the top wrestler in the Big Nine.

Tigers’ sophomore Garrett Wangsness ranks No. 10 in 119, junior Trey Hable is No. 7 at 145, junior

Dalton Westerlund is No. 4 at 152, senior Corey Hansen is No. 3 at 160, senior Carter Kortan is No. 6 at 171

and senior Conner Kortan is No. 8 at 189.

Owatonna has five wrestlers in the top 10 and four in the top five.

Entering the season unranked but making a name for them-selves around the state is Albert Lea’s Caleb Gaudian and Alex Nielsen.

In the Tigers first match of the season at 215, Gaudian pinned all three of his oppo-nents in the first period.

At heavyweight, Nielsen upset Centennial’s Zach Vine, the No. 4 ranked wrestler in the class, and will likely give Century’s Sam Gaul a run for the Big Nine championship.

With less depth than other seasons, the Tigers wrestling program

Sports Editor: Andrew DyrdalStaff writer: Jon TheuerCover/photo design: Stacey Bahr and Andrew Dyrdal

Page 2: Albert Lea wrestlingPage 4: Albert Lea boys’ hockeyPage 5: Albert Lea girls’ hockeyPage 6: Albert Lea boys’ basketballPage 7: Albert Lea girls’ basketballPage 8: Albert Lea boys’ swimmingPage 9: Lake Mills/N-K wrestlingPage 10: Lake Mills boys’, girls’ basketballPage 11: Northwood-Kensett boys’ basketballPage 12: Northwood-Kensett girls’ basketballPage 13: USC boys’ basketballPage 14: USC wrestling, girls’ basketballPage 15: NRHEG boys’ basketballPage 16: NRHEG girls’ basketballPage 17: NRHEG wrestlingPage 18: Glenville-Emmons boys’ basketballPage 19: Glenville-Emmons girls’ basketballPage 20: Alden-Conger boys’, girls’ basketball

CoryHansen

CarterKortan

Derek Sullivan/Owatonna People’s PressOwatonna’s Nick Scheffert, above, will compete with Albert Lea’s Lucas Hansen for a Big Nine title this season.

4Challenge, Page 19

Brie Cohen/Albert Lea TribuneAlbert Lea’s Cory Hansen wrestles an opponent at last year’s Class AAA state tourna-ment at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Challenge: Tigers will rely on seniorsContinued from Page 2

Jon Theuer/Albert Lea TribuneGlenville-Emmons’ Kailey Davis (3) is one of eight seniors returning to the Wolver-ines girls’ basketball team. She is also the team’s reigning Most Valuable Player.

Senior-rich Wolverines have high expectations

iNdex

TreyHable

DakotaWangsness



GOOD LUCK TIGERS!

By Jon Theuerand Andrew [email protected]

ALDEN — With the loss of three starters from last year’s team, the Alden-Conger Knights girls’ basket-ball team will field a young team this season.

The Knights lost Kenzie Martin, All-yssa Mareas and team Most Valuable Player and All-Conference performer Katie Hallman to graduation.

Alden-Conger does return two letter-winners from last season in senior Emily Bremseth and sophomore Ariel Keller.

Alden-Conger coach Gary Newman says the expectations for this season are simple: improve.

“We want to improve in all areas of the game,” Newman said.

Newman also said that he has a lot of girls out for the team this season, but that this year’s team will be very young.

Newman points to his team’s de-fense as a key for the Knights to have success this season.

Newman expects Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial and Nicollet to be among the conference favorites this season.

The Knights have already gotten off to a fast start this season, opening the year 2-0 with wins over Le Center and Grand Meadow.

Ninth-grader Karina Skov has been one of the team’s early surprises. Skov finished with a team-high 19 points with six rebounds and eight steals in the Knights’ season-opening win over Le Center.

Keller has averaged 17 points in the Knights first two games.

010-11 schedule

Nov. 30 Alden-Conger 56, Le Center 54 Dec. 2 Alden-Conger 51, Grand Meadow 36 Dec. 7 at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 vs. G-H-EC, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Truman, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 vs. LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 27 at J-W-P, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 vs. MedfordJan. 7 vs. Saint Clair, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 10 at Nicollet, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 vs. Martin Luther, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at J-W-P, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 vs. Martin County West, 6 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. United South Central Jan. 24 at Blooming Prairie, 7:30 p.m.Jan. 25 vs. Maple River, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 vs. LCWM, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at Glenville-Emmons, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Madelia, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 vs. G-H-EC, 7:30 p.m.

• WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW 2010 • Albert Lea Tribune • Friday, December 10, 2010

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

2010

Tigers, Huskies battle for Big 9 title, Page 2

Carlson leads Tigers boys’ hockey, Page 4

Wolverines have high expectations, Page 18

Knights enter season young, talented

Submitted photoAlden-Conger’s Ariel Keller (23) shoots a layup against Le Center on Nov. 30. Keller is averaging 17 points per game this season.

Knights look for better finish this

seasonBy Andrew [email protected]

ALDEN — Hoping to build off of last season’s 8-18 record, the Alden-Conger Knights boys’ basketball team will rely on its six seniors to help lead the team to a better finish down the stretch.

The Knights return seniors Michael Bernal, Michael Reyerson, Juan Martinez, Derek Nelson, Tyler Adix and Nathaniel Back.

The team lost, however, 2010 Tribune second team All-Area player Travis Marth, who led the team 11.4 points per game last season and was the Knights’ go-to scorer.2010-11 schedule

Dec. 7 vs. Lyle/Pacelli, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Le Center, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 vs. Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at G-H-EC, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at Grand Meadow, TBA Jan. 3 vs. Glenville-Emmons, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 4 vs. Grand Meadow, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Truman, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Saint Clair, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 vs. Nicollet, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 vs. MCW, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Martin Luther, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 vs. J-W-P, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Blooming Prairie, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Maple River, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at LCWM, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Madelia, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 vs. Medford, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Valley Conference Tournament, TBA Feb. 21 at LeRoy-Ostrander, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 25 at United South Central, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 vs. Mankato Loyola, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, December 10, 2010

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