SPORTS WRAP

Back to state for Huskies football. Owatonna beat John Marshall 38-15 last Friday and plays Cretin-Derham Hall in the state quarterfinals on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Eastview High School at 1 p.m. The winner advances to U.S. Bank Stadium for the semifinals.

Over the last 13 seasons, OHS has earned nine section titles and has won state championships in 2013, 2017 and 2018. Seeing that success was an inspiration to senior quarterback Hunter Theis. “Growing up watching the games, getting to leave school early, seeing Jason Williamson break like 12 tackles on one touchdown with the little spin move. I mean, growing up with that stuff puts a dream in your mind,” said Theis.

Senior linebacker Blake Fitcher said the realization that it all ends with one loss adds to the incentive.

“That you’re not going to play football for another nine months after this, it can sink in your heart. That’s kind of what you have to live with at this time of year. Last year we lost a total of three games. We have something to prove after losing the quarterfinals to a really good St. Thomas Academy team…We want to get to that Bank and eventually get a ring,” said Fitcher.

The Huskies are stout defensively, allowing less than 10 points per game – second best in Class AAAAA – and 50 yards rushing per game.

“One, the team chemistry. Everybody’s close. We hold each other to a high standard. If somebody makes a mistake, we’ll get on him. And I also believe it’s the experience with seven or eight returning starters,” said Fitcher.

Two-way starter in the trenches Zach Dahnert said the offensive line has picked up their game since early in the season.

“Just playing more aggressive, smash-mouth football. Coach Kyle Melcher has gotten on to us about that, especially against Chanhassen when we did not run well. He got on us and we really practiced hard at running the ball,” said Dahnert.

“They’ve been great. They make good pockets. It’s easy to step up. I trust every single one of them. Especially on plays where I’ve got to run out. I always know I’m going to have time to get the ball out,” said Theis about his offensive line.

Owatonna (10-0) is averaging 125 yards rushing per game and nearly 170 passing. Cretin-Derham Hall (6-4) runs for about 200 yards per game and throws for 150. The Raiders have won five straight after a 1-4 start.

Dahnert lived every lineman’s dream of an interception in a mid-season game.

“Blake went and hit the quarterback and he just kind of lobbed it up. I saw the thing floating in the air for a little bit and I started freaking out. I bobbled it…I caught it at the 15. I got down to the five. I got dragged down by the running back. I was not happy,” said Dahnert.

Racing at state

This might be the start of something big. Owatonna girls cross-country ran at state for the second straight year last weekend. Without a senior in the race or in varsity sections, the Huskies will likely be contenders again next year.

Junior Kendra Melby said the team made great strides.

“This season we’ve improved a lot. There’s been a lot of season bests. And I’m proud of all of us… We’ve come closer together, more talking, communicating,” said Melby.

“The team has gotten really close. It’s fun to see if we set a goal to make to state that we can achieve that,” said sophomore Ava Cox.

Eighth-grader Jaycie Smith said the seniors, including captains Annelies deBruin, Isabella Schultz and Theresa Wunderlich, provided great leadership.

“I think that they have really helped make sure everyone gets closer with each other and become friends with each other as one big team,” said Smith.

Freshman Leah Leckner led the Huskies in their second-place finish at sections and said state is icing on the cake.

“It’s pretty hilly but the course is really fun just because it’s state. So, there’s no other experience like it. It’s just really fun,” said Leckner.

“There’s definitely a lot of pressure. But I feel like a lot of the pressure was more at sections than it is at state. Because you already made it to state,” said freshman Clara Sennott.

Sophomore Sophia Qualley was happy to see others step up after OHS graduated their top runner from the 2023 team.

“Losing Carsyn Brady to North Dakota State University, we kind of had to pick up after that. But we have a bunch of good runners still,” said Qualley.

Freshman Clara Meier loves the exhilarating feel of qualifying for state.

“I was super excited to experience it all again. It’s a cool feeling. Being with your teammates and your best friends because you get to run with them every day. It’s super fun,” said Meier.

Boys at state

Senior Jack Sorenson was back state cross country for a second straight year. He was hampered during the season.

“I’m happy to still be able to be at the dance… It was a struggle, especially with a hamstring injury. You can’t go out and train as much. Biking you can only do for a certain extent before it might tighten up or hurt again,” he said.

Sorenson said he was “feeling great” and back at “100%” after his third-place individual finish at sections at Brooktree Golf Course.

Junior Dawson Levy achieved his goal of making it to the state meet at the University of Minnesota.

“I’m really excited. At the beginning of the year, we wrote down goals. One of my goals was to run sub-16:30. I’ve done it three times. Another was to make it to state.” Levy ran 16:11 at sections for runner-up honors, edging Sorenson by one second.

Blades big night

Slapshots. Big saves. Civic projects. Junior hockey is more than just a game. The Steele County Blades will auction off specialty jerseys on Friday, Nov. 8 to benefit Community Pathways of Steele County. The event is sponsored by Hy-Vee Foods. Game time is 7 p.m. at Four Seasons Centre in Owatonna.

Nick Adamek, in his 11^th season as head coach, says it’s important to support the community, “It’s two ways. We do give back a ton. We hope that it’s reciprocated by people coming to watch our guys play. We do a lot of stuff with youth hockey here in town. Bingo Night at the Eagles. We are in every single elementary school throughout the year,” said Adamek.

He invites groups to reach out to him if they have a service project.

Forward Nate Rakness enjoys it.

“We’re one of the teams that do the most for the community. We do a lot of volunteering every week,” he said.

Arturas Laurynavichus, a forward from Minsk, Belarus, is a fan favorite.

“I have such a great time here. I love to play for the Blades… We’ve got such nice fans. I appreciate it for how they come to our game and cheer for us. It’s really good,” he said.

He’s looking forward to an outdoor game on Sunday, Jan. 12 in St. Louis Park. The year before he arrived, the Blades played Hockey Day Minnesota and players told him how much fun it was. He says outdoor hockey isn’t a popular option in his native country.

Rakness has played outdoors many times, including a high school game with his hometown at Winona.

“It just gets the guys going. It’s a whole different experience. It’s super exciting. Hopefully, we can go out there and have some fun and come home with a win.”

He loves calling Four Seasons his home rink.

“Our locker room is magnificent. It’s crazy how nice it is. We have the lounge down there. We have a great workout area. Having two rinks is nice, especially right about now when everyone starts playing,” said Rakness.

Defenseman Tyler Hadfield said the team is experienced.

“We’re skilled. We’re fast. Our young guys are young. When we want to be physical, we can be really physical too. Having kids trying to all buy into everything,” said Hadfield.

On being named team captain, he said, “It’s a great honor. I’ve been here for three years. I felt I’ve carried a little bit of that leadership through those three years. To watch everybody grow under me, know that I can take the kids under my wing.”

Adamek says recruiting players to town is easy.

“We’re lucky. Owatonna’s a place where the players want to play… Our guys tend to want to come back here. That being said, we’ve also brought in several other veterans from other teams,” said Adamek.