SPORTS WRAP
Another incredible season of Owatonna football has come to an end, one week and two wins shy of perfection. But one that leaves many wonderful memories.
A snapshot of big plays includes Blake Fitcher’s fumble return, Seth Johnson’s one-handed touchdown grab, and Nolan Ginskey weaving his way through defenders after any one of his record-setting catches.
Zach Dahnert’s interception, realizing the dream of all defensive linemen, and Blake Davison’s pick-six that led to a glimmer of hope against an impressive Alexandria team in the state semifinals are some other favorites.
Let’s also not forget a five-touchdown performance from Hunter Theis, a 200-yard game by Tristan Graham, or a 65-yard punt by Landen Sturges.
The Huskies overcame halftime deficits to defending state champ Chanhassen and upstart Rochester John Marshall. They scored a last-minute touchdown to avoid an early playoff exit. They needed and converted a fourth-down play in overtime and a two-point conversion against Cretin-Derham Hall to reach U.S. Bank Stadium for the fourth time in the last 10 years.
OHS had multiple starters limping on and off the field by the end of their semifinal game. It wasn’t perfect but it was really good and a joy to watch.
It’s a privilege to cover the Huskies. To convey the thrills and spills under the Friday night lights. Congratulations to the team, coaches, families and fans.
Football is king. It’s a great conversation starter in every coffee shop and random encounter on Cedar Avenue. When the fair starts, more people will ask me how the team looks rather than if I’ve tried the newest treat-on-a-stick.
State diving
Making it to state is no small feat. Owatonna senior Mya Dutton competed in the state diving meet for the third straight year last week, joined by sophomore teammate Kate Karsten a first-timer.
About midway through the season, Karsten started believing she might get there. But says it was still a surprise at sections.
“I was in total shock. I totally thought that I was going to get either fifth or sixth going into the section meet. I was like, ‘I’m going to do my best.’ And then when my name just kept staying up on the leaderboard I was like, ‘No way,’” said Karsten.
“It was very relieving. I’m very proud of myself because it was a hard season. But it’s very rewarding,” said Dutton. After misfiring on a dive, she knew it would be close. Karsten was third while Dutton took the fourth and final spot to advance to the University of Minnesota’s Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center.
Karsten missed the semifinals at state by one spot, finishing 21st. Dutton came in 30th.
“Mya’s always been a leader. She’s always showed up. She’s worked hard on offseason and really perfected dives ultimately. Kate, her mindset is what really sets her apart from a lot of athletes. She shows up and she has fun with diving. She doesn’t get too worked up. She doesn’t put a lot of pressure on herself,” said Owatonna Diving Coach Kasey Anderson.
Anderson, the section diving coach of the year, leads a big group.
“This year I started with 12 and then a couple of them went over to swimming. They’re very talented in both. I think I ended the season with eight… I tend to usually have the largest group in the Big Nine Conference,” she said.
Anderson hosts winter opportunities but doesn’t do much recruiting. She says word-of-mouth from her divers keeps the program strong. OHS is an academic gold award winner with a GPA of 3.79.
Stick it to Cancer
With a big turnout expected for Owatonna’s girls hockey showdown with Northfield last week, the team hosted Stick It to Cancer Night. Proceeds support Shelly Johnson, whose sons Kenneth and Patrick played hockey. She has served on the youth hockey board and ran the concession stand.
Her cancer journey began in 2021 when a spot was found on her kidney. Cancer spread to her lungs, and she started chemo and infusion treatment early in 2022. A portion of her lung was removed later that year. Side effects of treatment led to hip replacements in 2023.
She continues her fight with radiation and chemo. Johnson attended Tuesday’s game. A silent auction, bake sale and the 50/50 raffle raised over $3,200.
“It was such a fun night. No words can explain the strength and support within the hockey community. We want to thank everyone who volunteered, donated and purchased. It takes a village,” said organizer Jamie Tiedemann.
On the ice
The Huskies game against the Raiders turned on special teams. Northfield notched two power-play goals and added a shorthanded marker in the 4-1 decision. Averi Vetsch scored Owatonna’s goal, assisted by Alia Kubicek. The teams have a rematch on Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Northfield Ice Arena.
Dance the day away
Owatonna dance opened the season at Burnsville on Saturday with a second-place finish in kick and fifth in jazz. “Both of our routines went really, really well,” said coach Nikki Gefre. “Their energy level was there. It was clean. It was a really good start to the season.
“This year for kick the energy is definitely there from all of them. They really have a passion for this theme of Greek goddesses. They get to be beautiful but powerful at the same time and they really portray that well while dancing. For jazz we’re more of an intense, sharp jazz this year and they definitely show their enthusiasm when that bass drops in the song.”
Goals are sky-high as the team has climbed the rungs in the Big Nine Conference.
“It’s amazing. Last year we placed second overall and the year before we placed third. So, just continuing to grow and get better is truly amazing to see the program continue and level-up each year,” said senior Sophie Woodfill.
Senior Kennedy Katzung said students design the dances.
“The senior leaders actually chose the theme back in the summer. So, we’ve known that for a while. Prior two weeks to the season the choreography teams, varsity and junior varsity – there’s two separate ones – start creating the dance two hours after school every day,” she said.
Owatonna hosts the Big Nine Conference meet on Friday, Jan. 17. The Huskies have a home invitational on Saturday, Dec. 14 in Federated Gym.
Owatonna hosted a big invite for the first time last season, thanks to the space available at the new school.
“The atmosphere was just so nice. The vibes were just flowing. And having a huge audience come watch us just meant so much to us and we enjoyed every single moment from that day,” said senior Taylor Schewe on the Owatonna Live Coaches Show.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule
Friday, Nov. 22
Medford girls basketball vs. Wabasha-Kellog, 7:15 p.m.
Blooming Prairie girls basketball vs. Waseca, 7:15 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 25
Huskies and Varsity Choir and Orchestra concert, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 26
OHS boys hockey vs. New Prague, 7 p.m.