Spring Sports Previews

Track and Field

Chatfield

Varsity Coaches: Jeff DeBuhr (Head), Scott Schmaltz, Damien Nickelsen, Jenny Bradt, Barb Storsveen, Niki DeBuhr, Maddy Kammer, Shane Fox

Where we left off in 2019:  The Gopher boys and girls each took 8th at the TRC Meet.  The boys took fifth at the 1A True Team Meet, the girls took 7th (of 15 teams).  The boys 4×100 (Carson Larrabee, Ben Muller, Jack Tuohy, Chance Backer) qualified for state, finishing 7th.  The boys 4×200 (Muller, Jared Baker, J-Tuohy, Backer) qualified for state, taking sixth.  All members have since graduated.   Chatfield missed out on the possibility of a short-relay team of Ben Muller, Chance Backer, Jared Baker, and Sam Backer last year.   

Seniors: Ethan Wright, Evan Wright, Braden Thompson, Joanna Salerno, Konnor Kivimagi, Becca Fox, Alyssa Baum, Rylee Burnett. Juniors: Mason Clemens, Logan Thompson, Kieran O’Connor, Sam Miron, Lauren Cole, Katelyn Dornack, Autumn Frederick, Abbi Gillespie, Tessa McMahon, Zayda Priebe, Yarely Arellano.  Sophomores:  Sam Backer, Lynn Borgen, Gabriel Erding, Isaac Erding, Michael Greiner, Eli Hopp,, Cole Johnson, Treyton Lanning, Adam Pagnano, Erik Seha, Isaac Stevens, Blake Thompson, Savannah Thompson, Aletta Strande, Ahna Schild, Emma Mulhern, Madison Lea, Anna Kivimagi, Sydney Ellis, Peyton Ellis, Emilie Copeman, Isabelle Carr.

Prognosis: The Gophers return eight kids who qualified for the 2019 1A Meet.  Becca Fox made the 300-hurdle final (took 8th).  Three members of the tenth place girls 4×200 qualifier return (Zayda Priebe, Alyssa Baum, Lauren Cole). Two members of the eleventh place girls 4×400 return (Cole, Fox).   Two members of the ninth place girls 4×800 return (Tessa McMahon, Abbi Gillespie).  Cole and Autumn Frederick also qualified in the High Jump.  The boys qualifying 4×800 returns one member (Treyton Lanning).  Gillespie (2nd 1,600), McMahon (4th 1,600), Aletta Strande (5th 3,200), Fox (4th 100-H), Joanna Salerno (5th 300-H), and Cole (4th H-Jump) all finished top five at the 2019 TRC Meet.  Chatfield’s girls’ cross country team has multiple members are out (McMahon, Gillespie, Strande, Katelyn Dornack), as is their top boys cross country runner (Lanning).  Football stand-out and fast-twitch guy Sam Backer is an intriguing sprinting candidate (brother Chance anchored multiple state teams).

Rushford-Peterson/Houston

Varsity Coaches:  Jen Hengel and Brenda O’Hare (co-head coaches), Ricky Smith, Danielle Lesser, Haley Keefauver, Jenny Helgemoe, Megan LaFleur. 

Where we left off in 2019:  The Tro-Cane girls took second at the TRC Meet, the boys third.  The boys took fourth at the 1A True Team meet, but moved on to state by wild card.  They finished sixth of 12.  The girls took sixth at the 1A True Team Meet.  Luke O’Hare (8th 1,600, 10th 3,200) and Triton Meldahl (9th 110-hurdles) qualified for state.  Meldahl graduated, missing out on his senior year.  O’Hare isn’t out this year, his senior year. 

Seniors:  Kirby Clay, Joshua Connor, Robbie Walker, Ben Wieser, Emma Geiwitz, Allison Papenfuss, Hannah Linder.  Juniors: Brady Gile, Aaron Prinsen, Tyler Rislov, Grace Buchanan, Liz Jandt, Therese Jore, Elly Malone, Grace Rohweder, Jayden Serres, Maci Woodard. Sophomores:  Austin Agrimson, Jackson Bergan, Dalton Hoel, Brielle Rasmussen, Kenna Gallion.

Prognosis:  The “Tro-Canes” return six kids who qualified for the 2019 Section 1A Meet.  All six qualified in multiple events.  Brady Gile just missed state in the Triple Jump as a frosh, taking third.  He also made sections in the 200 (6th) and 100 (8th).  Emma Geiwitz also just missed state in the Triple Jump, taking third too.  She also qualified in the L-Jump.  Brielle Rasmussen (6th 200) and Tyler Rislov (7th 1,600) added high finishes.  Rislov also qualified in the 3,200.  Allison Papenfuss triple-qualified (9th 200, 4×100, 4×200).  She is the only returnee on the 4×100.  She and Rasmussen were parts of the 4×200, which took fourth.  Ben Wieser qualified in the shot put (10th) and discus (9th).  The boys 4×200 qualified. No runners return.  Papenfuss is the reigning TRC 200-meter champ and Rasmussen finished third.  Gile is the reigning TRC T-Jump champion.  He also took third in the Long Jump.  Geiwitz (4th 400) and Wieser (4th Shot) also had high TRC meet finishes while the girls 4×100 (2nd > only Papenfuss) and 4×200 (2nd > Geiwitz, Papenfuss) finished top five.  The boys 4×800 (only Rislov) took third.

Lanesboro/ Fillmore Central/Mabel-Canton

Varsity Coaches: Lori Anderson (head girls), Alex Aiken (head boys), Jana Boyum, Matt Anderson, James Semmen. 

Where we left off in 2019:  Both LFCMC teams won the SEC Meet (which had just four teams and two ‘mega’ squads).  The LFCMC girls took second at the 1A True Team Meet, making state.  They placed fourth.  The LFCMC boys took third at the 1A True Team Meet, qualifying for state by virtual Wild Card.  They finished third.  The Burros sent three individuals and two boys relay teams to state.  Emma Breitsprecher placed twice (3rd 300-H, 4th 110-H).  Carson Kiehne took sixth in the 400.  The boys 4×200 took seventh and 4×400 took third.  Kiehne, Ben Snyder, Drew Wyffels, and Josh Peters comprised each team.   Kassidy Broadwater made state in the Pole Vault.  Breitsprecher was deprived of a possible fourth year of state entrée last season. 

Seniors: Devin Troendle, Ben Snyder, Jared Peterson, Bodie Mayer, Sawyer Johnson, Logan Jensson, Jeremy O’Connor, Lane Collins, William Hoeltzle, Grant Kennedy, Carson Kiehne, Caleb Kunz, Sydney Taylor, Katelyn Kleiboer, Kelly Ristau, Kaylee Arndt.  Juniors: Seth Semmen, Trevor Ruen, Carson Ruen, J.T. Rein, Tate Pieper, Jacob Peterson, Gage Highum, Carter Clarke, Judson Bell, Morgan Pickett, Macayla Brogle, Ella Cambern, Brielle Ruen, Halle Norby.  Sophomores: Brock Taylor, Parker Storhoff, Andy Peterson, Beau Collins, Addie Miner, Madison Simon, Skyler Check.

Prognosis:  The Burros return 14 kids who competed at the 2019 Section 1A meet, the most of any of the five Journal-covered programs.  Senior Carson Kiehne qualified in four events (400, 4×200, 4×400, 4×800).  He took second in the 400 and 4×200, and first in the 4×400, to make state in all three (see above).  Ben Synder joined him on both state relay teams.  Brielle Ruen qualified thrice, just missing state in the 400 (3rd) while also placing in the 100 (8th) and amidst the 4×400 (4th).  Macayla Brogle joined her on the 4×400, joined Sister Lauren Brogle on the girls 4×200 (8th).  The girls 4×800 also qualified (8th).  Three members return: Katelyn Kleiboer, Madison Simon, and Halle Norby.  Morgan Pickett (400), Kelly Ristau (H-Jump), Jared Peterson (7th 400), J.T. Rein (7th 300-hurdles, 10th 110-hurdles), Tate Pieper (Pole Vault), Jayce Kiehne (9th 1,600), and Sydney Taylor (Shot Put) also made the 2019 1A Meet.  Kaylee Arndt (6th 1,600, 7th 3,200) won’t compete this year per injuries.   LFCMC has sent its girls to the state True Team meet the last three years of competition, and the boys the last two.

Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland/Southland

Varsity Coaches: Austin O’Hare (head boys), Aaron Thauwald (head girls), Shawn Kennedy, Rebecca Young, Jim Hubka, Maggie May. 

Where we left off in 2019:  The girls and boys took second at the SEC Meet (to LFCMC).  The girls won the Section 1A True Team meet and took third at state.  The boys took seventh at the 1A True Team Meet.  The girls 4×100 (Isabelle Olson, Anika Reiland, Kassidy Kirtz, Lauren Buchholtz) took third at state, the 4×200 (Reiland, Hindt, Buchholtz, Riley Queensland) won a state title.  Hindt also qualified for state in the 300-hurdles, taking fourth.  Buchholtz also qualified in the Long Jump.  A Reiland, Queensland, Hindt, somebody 4×200 team was deprived of defending its state title last year. 

Seniors:  Christian Hjelmen, Ethan Imm, Luke Speer, Blake Ludemann, Ellie Buchholtz, Ava Wilde, Amber Kiefer, Andrea Kiefer, Hailey Hindt, Madison Hindt, Jessica Grafe.  Juniors: Riley Paul, Isaiah Fett, Christian Luthe, Brendon Kennedy, Josh Wolf, James Howard, Roman Warmka, Jacob Kerrins, Elise O’Connor, Shelby Beck, Katie Poppenhagen, Maddy Bhend, Jaselyn Sathre, Emma Grafe, Anna Oehlke, Madisyn Nackers. Sophomores:  Roman Olson, Erick Padilla, Lucca Sween, Connor Karasek, Ethan Stern, Cam Ruechel, Josh Meskill, Andrew Imm, Garrison Hubka, Cassidy Redman, Anika Reiland, Aubrie Schneider, McKenna Hendrickson, Sydney Grafe, Katherine Hyrkas, Becca Hoffman, Kendyl Queensland.

Prognosis: The Bulldogs return 10 kids who competed at the 2019 Section 1A Meet.  Hailey Hindt qualified four times.  She took second in the 300-hurdles, making state (fourth place).  She took first amidst the girls 4×200, which went on to a state title.  Hindt just missed state in the 100-hurdles (3rd) while also qualifying in the High Jump.  She joins Anika Reiland as the returning members of the state title 4×200 team.  Reiland just missed state individually, taking third in the 200.  She is the only returnee from the state third place girls 4×100.  Two members of the section qualifying ninth place 4×400 (Shelby Beck, Kendyl Queensland) team, and three members of the seventh place 4×800 (Maddy Bhend, Queensland, Beck) return.  Queensland also qualified in the 800, Beck in the Pole Vault.  All four boys relay teams made the 2019 Section 1A meet.  The fourth place 4×800 returns three members: Jacob Kerrins, Brendan Kennedy, and Christian Hjelman.  The eighth place 4×400 returns three members: Blake Ludemann, Hjelman, and James Howard.  The seventh place 4×200 returns three members: Ludemann, Speer, Howard.  The tenth place 4×100 returns Speer and Ludemann.  Howard (8th 200), Hjelman (800), and Kennedy (1,600) all qualified elsewhere.  GMLOKS also has Garrison Hubka, who was a state cross country qualifier in the fall for Kingsland.  The girls are the reigning 1A True Team state champs.   

Caledonia/Spring Grove

Varsity Coaches: Carl Fruechte (head boys), Reese Wait (head girls), Ryan Pitts.

Where we left off in 2019:  The Warrior boys placed 6th and the young girls 10th at the 10-team TRC meet.  CSG didn’t compete at the 1A True Team meet.  Individually, five boys and four girls qualified for the 1A Meet with senior Jack Beardmore advancing to state.  He finished second in the 100 and fifth in the 200. The highest section finish for the girls was a fifth place by then sophomore Eliza Welscher (100).

Seniors: Eliza Welscher, Stevie Joy Bulman, Brody Johnson, Mitchell Reynolds, Sam Rogich.  Juniors: Andrew Klinski, Christopher Pieper, Eric Myhre, Reid Bjerke.  Sophomores: Alexis Schroeder, Alexis Schuldt, Arianna Tostenson, Kennedy Kruse, Kloe Jore, Alec Weinbender, Bronson Knutson, Caleb Conniff, Eric Mauss, Hunter Holland.

Prognosis:  Coming back in 2021 are five of the 14 sub-section boys, including now junior jumper/thrower Chris Pieper, who competed in three sub-section events with a second place in high jump before placing 10th at sections. Senior Brody Johnson is the most experienced sprinter, having run at the 1A meet in the 4×100. Other veterans are juniors Andrew Klinski (400) and Eric Myhre (800) as well as senior thrower Sam Rogich. Only 12 C/SG girls competed at sub-section; six return, including three of four who qualified for section.  Eliza Welscher placed 5th at the 100 and ran with the 11th place 4×100 along with Kloe Jore and Alexis Schroeder. Youth abounds. Among 13 high school girls, there are only two seniors and no juniors.  There are many boys, but again only two seniors along with four juniors. Both head coaches said sprints and sprint relays will again be the team strengths. Distance running is always a challenge.

Baseball

Caledonia Warriors

Head Coach: Brad Augedahl

Where we left off in 2019: Caledonia went 13-1 in the TRC, winning the East Division title over La Crescent.  The Warriors won the 1AA East title, but fell back-to-back to the Lancers for the Section 1AA title. Cal finished 19-5. 

Seniors: Devin Vonderohe (1B/P), Austin Klug (IF/P), Casey Schultz (IF/OF), Andrew Kunelius (IF/OF), Sam Privet (OF/IF), Jake Staggemeyer (2B/3B).  Juniors: Brady Augedahl (OF/P), Gabe Morey (C/IF), Thane Meiners (IF/P), Ely Ranzenberger (RF/LF), Jermiah Jacobson (LF/CF). Sophomores: Tucker Ginther (OF/C), Ayden Goetzinger (IF/OF).

Prognosis: The Warriors advanced further than any other team on this list, but 1AA power La Crescent ended their 2019 campaign.  The Warriors were 1AA runner-up.  Three of five losses were to the Lancers.  Austin Klug is the only returning player from that squad (.371 average, seven 2Bs, 22 RBI, 16 runs, 16 SBs).  He was All-TRC HM.  The senior class is essentially the state runner-up basketball team.  They’ll need to change legs (basketball to baseball), but there is plenty of athleticism. 

Chatfield Gophers

Head Coach: Brian Baum 

Where we left off in 2019:  Chatfield went 7-8 in the TRC, 9-10 overall.  The Gophers fell in the first round of the 1AA tourney to L-A 6-5.  It was one of the few times the Gophers finished below five-hundred in recent memory. 

Seniors: Tate Karver (OF), Seth Goetzinger (2B), Max Aug (SS), Corey Ericson (2B), Rylan Ostby (1B), Austin Koenigs (OF), Ben Fretland (3B), Henry Gathje (C).  Juniors: Connor Jax (IF), Caden Nolte (1B).  Sophomores: Carter Daniels (OF), Drew Schindler (2B), Luke Carrier (OF), Ryan Nosbisch (1B), Jacob Erickson (OF), Jackson Schild (OF), Drew O’Connor (C), Adam Mullenbach (1B), Sulley Ferguson (1B). 

Prognosis: Like a lot of AA teams that rely on juniors and seniors, the Gophers have a lot of new faces after last year’s void-season.  Coach Baum does own the luxury of returning two All-TRC selections from 2019 in seniors Max Aug and Henry Gathje.  Aug is a two-time all-league pick (team-high .393, HR, 19 RBI, 15 runs, 41 1/3 IP, 4-2 record, 48 K, 22 BB, team-low 2.20 ERA in 2019).  Gathje (.316, two HR, team-high 20 RBI) has already signed to play college baseball at St. Mary’s.  Austin Koenigs, Corey Ericson, and Tate Karver were also on varsity in 2019.   

Fillmore Central/Lanesboro Falcons

Head Coach: Josh Jones

Where we left off in 2019:  FC/L baseball didn’t have the numbers to support a team in 2019.  So it has been since 2018 when a Falcons baseball group took the field and Keith Larson was the coach.

Seniors: Ryan Holmen (P), Wilson Storhoff (Utility).  Juniors: Adam Ruen (3B), Jordan Peterson (CF). Sophomores: Cooper Ferrie (1B), Stephan Schultz (IF), Peyton Olson (OF), Carter Hovland (Utility), Dillon O’Connor (LF), Gunner Benson (C), Ty Sexton (2B), Bryce Corson (SS), Garrett Gossman (OF/P), Brayden Engen.

Prognosis:  The Falcons are a mystery.  Not one player on the team has seen a second of varsity time on the baseball diamond.  The team in primarily Lanesboro guys, a departure from years past when it has been mostly Fillmore Central.  There are just four upperclassmen.  Coach Jones is a FC grad who played in the mid-2010s.  FC/L will go from one Corson to the next as SS, as Bryce takes over for brother Logan (albeit it three years apart).

GMLOK Bulldogs

Head Coach: Dakotah Rostad 

Where we left off in 2019: Led by Drew Copley, GMLOK took home the SEC baseball title, going 14-0 in league play. The Bulldogs fell to Z-M in the 1AA West quarterfinals by a 5-2 final. They finished at 17-3.   

Seniors: Christian Jacobsen (2B/3B/P), Andy Lohuis (utility), Devin Carr (OF), Lucas Heusinkveld (CF/P).  Juniors: Dustin Copley (P/C/SS), Memphiz Gomez (OF), Nick Fetterly (P/IF), Hunter Mundfrom (OF), Gavin Sweeney (1B), Bret Musel (1B), Cole Start (2B), Kyle Kasel (IF), Hayden Sass (OF), Andrew Ramaker (1B).  Sophomores: Cole Kruegel (OF), Connor Munson (P/C/IF), Zac Shorter (P/C/1B).    

Prognosis: The Bulldogs have a good mix of ages.  Dustin Copley is the team’s top returnee.  As a frosh, he was his brother Drew’s best sidekick (.404 average, four 2Bs, two 3Bs, HR, 17 RBI, 20 runs scored, 13 SB).  Dustin made All-SEC.  Lucas Huesinkveld, Andy Lohuis, and Nick Fetterly also played in 2019.  The ‘Dogs will look to defend their SEC title. 

Houston Hurricanes

Head Coach:  Jason Carrier

Where we left off in 2019: Houston went 2-12 in the SEC in 2019.  They finished 2-18 overall, falling to R-P 13-8 in a 1A quarterfinal game. 

Seniors: Caiden Olson (IF/P), Landon Carrier (IF/P), Ryan Williams (OF). Juniors: Kenny Grupe (C/OF), Steven Clay (OF).  Sophomores: Lawrence Traun (IF/P), Eli Clay (OF), Connor Porter (IF/P), Ethan Kinstler (OF), Mac Sheck (IF). 

Prognosis:  Senior Caiden Olson and Landon Carrier are returning full-timers.  Olson was All-SEC (team-high .446 average, HR, nine 2Bs, 12 RBI, and 16 runs).  He led Houston in four of five listed stats as a sophomore. He also led the ‘Canes in innings pitched with 31 2/3.  Carrier added 8 RBI while pitching 11 innings.  Kenny Grupe also played.  The Hurricanes have more freshman on varsity (six) than any other class and then juniors/seniors (five).

Mabel-Canton Cougars

Head Coach: Karl Urbaniak

Where we left off in 2019: The Cougars went 0-14 in the SEC, 1-17 in 2019.  They fell to SG in a 1A quarterfinal.   

Seniors: Jack Arneson (IF), Colton Heintz-Kuderer (IF/DH), Randy Gerard (IF). Juniors: Jaymeson Tollefsrud (OF), Alex Arneson (OF/IF/P), James Arneson (1B/OF/P), Owen Underbakke (1B/P), Jon Chounard (OF). Sophomores: Robert Michels (3B/C/P), Frederick Williams (OF/IF/P), Matt McClimon (3B/1B), Jordan Larson (C/OF/P), Jeremiah Schneekloth (OF), Jacolbey Torgerson (OF) 

Prognosis: The 2019 season wasn’t good to the Cougars.  They return six kids from that group that got at least 20 at bats; Jack Arneson, Jordan Larson, Randy Gerard, Alex Arneson, Colton Heintz-Kuderer, and Cayden Tollefsrud (SS/P/C).  None hit over .200.  Tollefsrud had the most pitching experience (8 1/3). 

Rushford-Peterson Trojans

Head Coach: Jordan Aug

Where we left off in 2019: The Trojans went 3-10-1 in the TRC, 8-13-1 overall.  The Trojans won an opening round play-off game, but fell back-to-back after that.  W-K ended their season with a 4-0 win in 1A play-off game.   

Seniors: Evan Loney (IF), Hale Stensgard (IF), Easton Wilcenski (OF). Juniors: Logan Skalet (IF/P), Justin Ruberg (SS), Malachi Bunke (OF), Tommy Ekern (C), Alex Ronnenberg (IF), Hadyn Kahoun (OF).  Sophomores: Riley Tesch (IF), Andrew Wilkemeyer (IF). 

Prognosis: The Trojans played four freshman in 2019.  Malachi Bunke, Tommy Ekern, Justin Ruberg, and Alex Ronnenberg all got at least 50 plate appearances and played in at least 18 games.  Their stats weren’t stand-out (24 total RBIs, 35 total runs scored), but they are seasoned and two years older.  Fellow juniors Hadyn Kahoun and Logan Skalet also played some while seniors Easton Wilcenski and Hale Stensgard did as well.  Stensgard (11 2/3 IP), Skalet (10 2/3 IP), and Ronnenberg (10 1/3 IP) all threw at least 10 innings in 2019.

Spring Grove Lions

Head Coach: Chris Strinmoen

Where we left off in 2019: The 2019 Lions won a program-record 16 games and captured the sub-section championship – the first postseason crown in 40 years (1979) of Spring Grove stand-alone baseball. SG went 16-8, including a 9-5 conference record while placing third among eight SEC teams.

Senior: Isaac Griffin (OF/P). Juniors: Jonah Udstuen (2B), Matthew Doering (OF). Sophomores: Ty Cleven (1B/P), Logan Brumm (C/3B), Caleb Griffin (P/OF/IF), Nathan Solberg (SS/P), Lawrence Skauge (2B).

Prognosis: It ranks as one of the most inexperienced and youngest Spring Grove baseball teams. There are 16 varsity candidates but only one senior and two juniors. Senior letter winner Isaac Griffin is the only Lion who has ever played in a high school game. The three-year, letter-winning outfielder will be the primary pitcher this spring with only 6 2/3 innings of experience on the varsity mound.

Softball

Caledonia/Spring Grove

Warriors

Head Coach: Chad Augedahl 

Where we left off in 2019: The Warriors went 7-11, including 5-11 in the TRC.  C/SG fell to state-ranked Chatfield in the Class 1AA playoff opener.

Seniors: Taylor Kohlmeier (2B), Dana Augedahl (OF/C), Grace Privet (1B/P), Ashly Ideker (C/1B), Claire Buttell (OF).  Juniors: Amber Stemper (OF), Lydia Jennings (3B/1B), Brianna Stemper (SS/3B), Teagan Lange (SS/P), Lillian Doyle (OF), Madisyn Tessmer (3B), Grace Denstad (2B/1B), Hattie Sanness (OF). Sophomores: Emily Ideker (3B/P), Paige Klug (SS/P). 

Prognosis:  The four returning letter winners are all seniors who started two years ago (as sophomores). Grace Privet has been the primary pitcher since the eighth grade.  Dana Augedahl (OF/C), Claire Buttell (OF) and Ashly Ideker (C/IF) also offer valuable starting experience. With five pitchers on the varsity roster, there is depth at that all-important position. Numbers are strong with 33 candidates in the top four grades, including 16 on the varsity roster. Coach Chad Augedahl identifies leadership from the five seniors as a team strength as the Warriors plan on a deeper playoff run in 2021.

Chatfield Gophers

Head Coach: Jerry Chase

Where we left off in 2019: Chatfield went 14-2 in the TRC, capturing their fifth straight West title.  They finished the year 19-6 overall.  The Gophers made the Section 1AA Final Four in Austin for a sixth straight year, beating Z-M 5-1, losing to Cotter 2-0.  A senior-laden group led by Lexi Chase was then denied of one last run in 2020. 

Seniors: None.  Juniors: Sydney Allen (2B), Peyton Berg (C/SS/P), Jaiden Zimmerman (P/SS), Kennedie Schmaltz (3B), Brynn Irish (LF/C), Devann Clemens (RF), Brynn Van Dyke (1B), Kiley Bakken (CF).  Sophomores: Kara Goetzinger (CF/P), Tatum Allen (LF), Claire Springer (P), Josie Koenigs (SS/3B).   

Prognosis:  The Gophers have been a Section 1AA power, but haven’t made a title game since 2014.  Pitching will be new for the first time since 2015, as Lexi Chase did the majority of it from 2016 thru 2019.  Peyton Berg, sister to former stand-out Belle Berg, is the only returnee from 2019.  Peyton was All-TRC (.341 average, 4 HRs, team-high 37 RBIs, 12 multi-RBI games).  With no seniors, it will be a two-year process.

Fillmore Central/Lanesboro Falcons

Head Coach: John O’Connor

Where we left off in 2019:  The Falcons went 4-12 in the TRC, and 7-16 overall.  FC progressed to the 1A title game, falling to M-C 9-2.  They then were downed by W-K 3-2 to just miss Austin. 

Seniors: K.J. Corson (SS), Addie Peters (P/OF), Addison Schoepski (2B), Hannah Storlie (3B), Hope Sexton (1B/P). Juniors: Eleyna Wyant (IF/OF), Lauren Mensink (OF). Sophomores: Emily Mason (2B), Nadia Highum (3B), Regan Hanson (C), Abby Bothun (OF), Jessie Schreiber (1B), Kaci Ruen (1B/P/SS/Utility), Michelle Strimpel (OF). 

Prognosis:  FC returns four starters from their 2019 1A title game reaching squad, including hitters one (Corson), two (Peters), and four (Storlie) in the line-up plus Mensink.  Corson made All-TRC and All-Section (team-bests .343 average, 17 runs) as a sophomore.  Peters (27 IP, .254 average) and Storlie (HR, 11 RBI) also had notable stats. 

Adison Schoepski also played a lot.  The Falcons have some good athletes from both FC and Lanesboro. 

GMLOK Bulldogs

Head Coach: John Fenske

Where we left off in 2019:  The Bulldogs were solid in 2019.  They went 8-4 in the SEC and 11-8 overall.  GMLOK fell to Byron 9-1 in a 1AA quarterfinal game. 

Seniors: Kelly Hanson (1B), Lily Hughes (P), Nicole Hanson (3B), Zoe Scrabeck (LF), Morgan Langelslag (3B). Juniors:  Emily Miner (RF/P), Brooke Kolden (CF), Alexys Harwood (2B), Lydia Voeltz (C), Anna Welsh (C/OF), Audrey Webster (2B), Kennedy Fenske (1B).  Sophomores: Makenzie Armegust (IF/P), Emma Hemann (OF).   

Prognosis: Hughes returns as the Bulldogs pitcher after making All-SEC HM as a sophomore (10-8, 117 IP, 176 Ks, 1.85 ERA, .359 average, 9 RBIs, 10 runs).  Zoe Scrabeck (.358, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 17 runs), Lydia Voeltz (.263, HR, 14 RBI, 8 runs), Brooke Kolden (.256, 6 RBI, 12 runs), Alexys Harwood (7 RBI, 5 runs), and Emily Miner (12 runs) were all regulars in 2019.  The team boasts a spackling of some of the better athletes from GM, L-O, and K.

Houston Hurricanes

Head Coach: Jake Highum

Where we left off in 2019: The Hurricanes went 5-7 in the SEC and 6-15 overall.  Houston fell to Goodhue 4-3 in a 1A East quarterfinal.  Coach Highum was set to take over last year before the season was scuttled. 

Seniors: Richelle Botcher (P), Emma Geiwitz (OF), Bev Hahn (LF), Becca Rostad (SS).  Juniors: Emma Chapel (OF), Hailey Alfson (utlility).  Sophomores: Lilly Carr (P/3B), Sydney Torgerson (1B/OF), Nicole Beckman (P/2B), Ashtyn Meyer (1B/OF), Olivia Beckman (C). 

Prognosis:  The ‘Canes return the team’s main pitcher from 2019 in senior Richelle Botcher (over 102 IP, 71 K), a multi-year hurler.  Also back is the ‘Canes second pitcher from 2019, Lilly Carr (29 1/3 IP).  Bev Hahn (9 RBI, 9 runs) and Becca Rostad (16 runs) were also starters in 2019, each hitting around .400.  O-Beckman and Torgerson played some too.  With the addition of Geiwitz, who will also do track and field, this team is eerily similar to the section title basketball team (of which Highum was an assistant coach).

Mabel-Canton Cougars

Head Coach: Kati Bergey 

Where we left off in 2019:  Mabel-Canton won the 1A East title, downing FC/L in the finals 9-2.  They made Austin for the second time in three years, beating BP 15-5, but falling twice to WEM.  M-C was 1A Runner-Up. 

Seniors: Laruen Wyffels (IF), Jordyn Newgard (OF), Kenidi McCabe (SS), Natalie Murray (2B).  Juniors: Emma Tollefsrud (OF/2B), Gwen Tollefsrud (P/OF), Thea Snyder (IF), Molly Lee (C), Emily Carolan (P).  Sophomores: Anna Bjertness (OF), Kelly McClimon (OF). 

Prognosis:  The Cougars have been a 1A softball force from 2017-2019, and some of those “forces” are back to see if that trend can continue.  Five starters return off the 2019 section runner-up squad.  Two-time All-SEC pick Kenidi McCabe heads the cast (team-best .487 average, eight 2Bs, 20 RBIs, and 25 runs).  Carolan (141 IP, 15-8, 44 K, 3.38 ERA, .303 average, 13 RBI) and Newgard (.361 average, eight 2Bs, three 3Bs, HR, 20 RBI, 19 rusn) return after making All-Section.  Carolan pitched every inning as a frosh.  Lauren Wyffels (8 runs) and Molly Lee (.264 average, 16 RBI, 20 runs) were also regulars.  The Tollefsrud twins combined to score 26 runs. 

Rushford-Peterson Trojans

Head Coach: Jeremy Tesch

Where we left off in 2019:  R-P went 2-14 in the TRC, 5-15 overall.  They fell 12-0 to FC/L in the 1A quarters. 

Seniors: Rylin Hoel (OF/P), Paige Dailey (IF), Isabelle Olson (3B/P), Hailey Jenkins (SS).  Juniors:  Brooke Johnson (OF), Aviana Anderson-Ingram (1B/P), Emarie Jacobson (CF/P).  Sophomores: None on varsity. 

Prognosis:  Trojan softball has struggled.  They’ll look for new beginnings.  Jenkins (.303 average in 33 AB’s) and Hoel (36 ABs) are the most experienced girls from 2019.  Isabelle Olson, Emarie Jacobson, and Aviana Anderson-Ingram also played some.  Jenkins owns 10 of R-P’s returning 16 hits from 2019.

Hot Shots

Spring Grove’s Caden Grinde and Caledonia’s Sam Privet have been selected as two of the state’s top 40 seniors.  They will play in the Minnesota Basketball Coaches All-Star Series.  Spring sports began. Dustin Copley struck out 14 in just five innings of work while driving in three as GMLOK beat FC/L 15-2.  Lily Hughes struck out 11 in five innings of work at the Lady Bulldogs beat the Falcons 10-0 in five.  Frosh Lucy Voigt added three hits, three RBI, and three runs for GMLOK.  Isaac Griffin stuck out 11 in 5 1/3 innings to lead the SG over Houston 13-2 in six innings.  Ruen and Kiehne’s highlighted LFCMC’s first track and field meet.  Siblings Carson (200), Lillyan (3,200, 4×800), and Jayce Kiehne (H-Jump, 4×800) all took first, as did siblings Brielle (200, 400, 4×800), Carson (1,600), and Luke Ruen (800, 4×800).  Lanesboro boys golf scored a super-low score in beating G-E 163 to 278.  Clay Schwichtenberg shot a 38 to medal.

Baseball (4/8 – 4/10)

GMLOK 15, FC/L 2 [6] (GM: D. Copley 5 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 14 K, 4 BBs, Win, 2-4, 3B, 3 RBI, 4 R; Connor Munson 3-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 1 R; Andy Lohuis 2-4, RBI, 3 R, RBI; Nick Fetterly 1-3, RBI, 2 R.  FCL: Wilson Storhoff 1-3, R.  Bulldogs benefitted from 12 BBs.  GM > 1-0.  FCL > 0-1)

Spring Grove 13, Houston 2 [6] (SG: Caleb Griffin 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI; I. Griffin 2-4, RBI, R, 5 1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 11 K, 3 BB, Win; Nathan Solberg 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, R; Logan Brumm 2-3, 2B, 3 R, RBI; Ty Cleven 2-4, 2 R; Brandon Jahnke 1-3, 2B, RBI, 2 R.  H: Kameron Morgan 1-3, RBI, R; Caiden Olson 1-2, R; Connor Porter 4 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 K, 4 BB, Loss.  Lions led 3-0 through four but had a five-run fifth and a five-run seventh)

Houston 4, Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 5 [5] (H: C. Olson 3-3, R; K. Morgan 0-3, 2 RBI; Alex Walters 1-2, 2 RBI.  Knights led 5-2 heading to Houston’s fifth of a five-inning game.  Hurricanes scored two, but left game-tying runner on third base); AC/G-E 18, Houston 8 [5] (H: C. Olson 2-3, 2B, RBI, 2 R; Arik Melbo 1-1, 3 R.  Game featured 25 total walks including 17 issued by Houston pitching.  Hurricanes > 0-1, 0-3)

Softball (4/8 – 4/10)

FC/L 0, GMLOK 10 [5) (GM: L. Hughes 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 K, Win; L Voigt 3-3, 3 RBI, 3 R; Lydia Voeltz 2-2, two 2B, 3 RBI; Emily Miner 1-3, RBI, R.  FCL: K.J. Corson 1-1, 3 SB.  Teams combined for just nine hits, but FCL pitching walked seven and Hughes just one.  Bulldogs had a five-run second) 

St. Charles 18, R-P 0 [4] (R-P: Rylin Hoel 2-2, two 2Bs.  Saints had nine extra base hits, Trojans two hits)

Caledonia/SG 8, Kasson-Mantorville 10 (The Komets, after two outs in the final inning, broke an 8-8 tie with a single and walk-off home run. C/SG had led 4-0, 6-2 and 8-6 and never trailed until that final hit. Teagan Lange pitched three innings with Emily Ideker in relief. C/SG: Ashly Ideker 2-2, Brianna Stemper 2-4); Byron 14, C/SG 1 [5] (C/SG: C/SG: B. Stemper 2-3; Teagan Lange 1 for 1, 3B, RBI.  Warriors > 0-2)

AC/G-E 6, Houston 5 [8] (H: Nicole Beckman 2-5; Hailey Alfson 2-3); AC/G-E 13, Houston 9 [5] (H: Olivia Beckman 3-4, 2B, 2R; Hailey Alfson 2-2, 2B, R; Emma Geiwitz 2-3, 2 R.  Knights had a 10-run fourth, breaking a 3-3 tie.  Hurricanes had a six-run fifth.  Hurricanes > 0-2)

Track and Field (4/9)

PEM Invite (Meet featured host Bulldogs, LFCMC, and Pine Island, but wasn’t team scored.  Burro girl first places: B. Ruen (200, 400), L. Kiehne (3,200), Kelly Ristau (H-Jump), the 4×800 (L-Kiehne, Morgan Pickett, Madison Simon, B-Ruen).  Burro boys first places: C-Kiehne (200), Caleb Kunz (110-H), J.T. Rein (300-H), Luke Ruen (800), Carson Ruen (1,600), J-Kiehne (H-Jump), the 4×800 (Chase Christenson, Mason Howard, L-Ruen, Jayce Kiehne)) 

St. Charles Invite (Meet featured Cotter, Chatfield, and DESC.  Gophers boys first places: Sam Backer (200), Alex Wright (3,200), Mason Clemens (Shot Put, Discus), the 4×200 (Backer, Isaac Erding, Eli Hopp, Braden Thompson) & 4×800 (Alex Rowland, Konnor Kivimagi, Gabe Erding, Treyton Lanning).   Gopher girls first places: Tessa McMahon (1,600), Joanna Salerno (100-H), Becca Fox (300-H), Chloe Berg (T-Jump), Zayda Priebe (Discus), the 4×100 (Lauren Cole, Rylee Burnett, Salerno, Ahna Schild) & 4×200 (Cole, Fox, Autumn Frederick, Schild))

Golf (4/9)

(G) Chatfield 261, FC 199 (FC: Chloe Morem 44*, Courtney Hershberger/Marissa Topness 48s; Lily Miller 59; Aubrey Larson 61.  C: Paige Erickson 62); (B) Chatfield 198, D-E 214, FC 194 (FC: Jake Fishbaugher 40*; Riley Lange 48; Tyler Mayer 52.  C: Colton Johnson/Bralyn Burnett 45s; Tadyn Burnett 49.  At Harmony GC)

(B) Southland 205, Houston 260 (H: Owen Gaustad 50; Ethan Knutson 54.  S: Max Schmitz 47*. At Valley High GC) 

(B) Lanesboro 163, G-E 278 (L: Clay Schwichtenberg 38; Caden Anderson/Clay Anderson 40’s; Hayden Lawstuen 45; Kaden Stettler 48; Reece Benson 49.  At Northwood GC) 

(B) GMLO 210, Kingsland 224 (GM: Ben Kraft 50; Dekota Steinkamp/Taylor Glynn 51s.  K: Braxton McCaslin 45*; Nick Eickhoff 57.  At Preston GC)

*Fillmore County Journal Sports page is a written collaboration by Paul Trende and Lee Epps.