SPORTS WRAP
Emma Kniefel felt gratified upon completion of her basketball career at Gustavus Adolphus College last month after a deep run in the NCAA Division III tournament. “We felt fulfilled.” Her decision to play a fifth year was influenced more by education than it was by redemption.
Well before a first-round, double-overtime tournament loss a year ago, the 2020 Medford graduate had decided she would return for a fifth year to add psychology as a major to her pursuit of a business management degree.
It paid off on the court as well. “This fifth year has just been 100% worth it… I think if I would have been done last year, I would have been left with that feeling of being unsatisfied and wanting to come back and play,” she said.
“But after this year and having the run that we did going to the Elite Eight, we accomplished everything that we really dreamed of.” Part of that was getting to “fly somewhere” which turned out to be Brunswick, Maine, where they won a Sweet Sixteen game before the Elite Eight loss.
While the Gusties had remarkable success each of her years in St. Peter, Kniefel said something was missing. “Of course you’re proud of the season you had and the success that you had and winning the MIAC playoff championship. Then that next step, the thing that we really wanted was to make a run in the NCAA tournament,” said Kniefel.
“We just wanted to prove to ourselves that we were a good basketball team. So, we just kept bringing up those feelings that we had last year and that unsatisfied taste in our mouths. We kept that really fresh in our minds. We’re not doing that this year,” she said.
Avoid a repeat
The Gusties nearly suffered a carbon copy of the 2024 ending but a big play by Kniefel averted that. “In Emma we trust,” coach Laurie Kelly said in a news conference, attributing the comment to the father of another player.
She added, “I agree with the same thing. When push comes to shove, if I need someone to step up, it’s gonna be Emma. We’re sitting here because of a step-back three to tie a game to take it to overtime,” referencing their first-round NCAA win over Wisconsin Lutheran College.
The end of basketball still has its finality. “We were sad because we knew that we were never going to play basketball with each other ever again… In the locker room it was really sweet. We were all just embracing each other, telling each other how much we care about one another,” said Kniefel.
Kniefel earned her fourth MIAC All-Conference honor this winter and was named an All-American while leading Gustavus with 15 points per game. She grabbed four-plus rebounds and handed out nearly three assists nightly.
She was an Academic All-District student-athlete and has one class remaining. She is in the process of job hunting, ready to move on to the next stage of her life. She plans to get into business but will always appreciate the additional time spent in the classroom. “Psychology is the study of humans. It’s great and I loved it,” she said.
Opening day rally
Owatonna High School softball climbed out of a 6-1 hole in their season opener on Tuesday, April 8, rallying for a 13-6 win over Austin at Federated Park. “It was not a pretty win tonight, but we will take it,” said Owatonna Head Coach Jeremy Moran.
The Huskies committed seven errors in the first three innings, leading to four unearned runs. Preslee Hodgman got OHS on the board with a solo home run in the second and added a two-run triple in the five-run third inning – part of a four-RBI game for her. Jessalynn Smith had a two-run double and smacked a triple of her own; as did Keeli Doran.
“I was really proud of the way the team kept fighting despite being down by five runs early,” said Moran.
OHS lost 11-1 at Rochester Mayo last Thursday and got no-hit by Brainerd’s Mya Tautges (University of St. Thomas commit) in a 3-1 loss on Friday.
No-hit at home
OHS baseball had 12 baserunners in their home opener on Thursday, April 10, but didn’t get a hit in an 8-1 loss to Rochester Mayo at Fuller Field. Between walks and hit batters, the Huskies had runners in all but one inning. The Spartans’ Isaac Peterson left with one out in the seventh inning due to the pitch count rule.
Rochester Mayo scored four in the first inning – three of those runners reached on walks. The Spartans’ catcher had a two-run double and a solo homerun. Jace Ulrich scored Owatonna’s run. He walked and later scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Nolan Rolloff. Blake Davison had several running catches in centerfield.
The Huskies rebounded with a doubleheader sweep of John Marshall Saturday with 11-10 and 3-1 wins.
Defending champs
Owatonna senior Seth Johnson is feeling a little pressure about defending his state title in the 110-meter hurdles. “This year I have that target on my back for people to come catch me now,” he said.
He’s doing what he can to stay ahead of the competition. “I’m in the weight room a lot. Just getting stronger. That definitely helps with the speed aspect as well. And then just keeping my hips loose.” He finished fifth in the 300-meter hurdles at state.
You could say more than half of the state title 4x200 relay team returns. Seniors Luke Webber and Nolan Ginskey ran last year. Senior Jamie Lisowski filled in at times. Three of last year’s four also ran at state in 2023.
“We just had great chemistry, great trust in each other,” said Webber about turning in the second-fastest time in state history. They were in a strength and speed program last summer.
“It was super rewarding. Especially with the ups and downs that our relay team had throughout the year… We knew that was our goal and we set out for it our first day of practice,” said Ginskey.
“I think we have the same goal: state championship. Going back-to-back,” said Ginskey.
He doesn’t mind having a target on their backs. “I love it. Even last year, going into every meet just knowing we were the fastest team there. We just had to do our thing. I like that, walking around with that confidence and that swagger. But then you’ve got to go out and do it and still put the work in,” said Ginskey.
Seeking returns to state
Zach Dahnert threw shot put at state for the first time last year. “I learned that it’s not really different than any other meet. I put a lot of pressure on myself last year. I know I’m not going to do that this year because I’ve been there. It’s really fun,” said Dahnert.
He hopes to throw discus there as well. Dahnert spent the winter leading captains’ practice and working on strength and conditioning.
Terell Miller was new to high jump in 2024 yet qualified for state. It took time to master his technique. “It took me almost all season to get it down really. I wasn’t jumping that well until the end of the season, like the last three or four meets,” said Miller.
He plans to work on his preparation. “Getting a good warm-up, eating good the day before. Getting good rest,” he said. Miller also long jumps and triple jumps.
Senior Jack Sorenson, who is committed to Minnesota State University-Mankato for track and cross-country, made it to state in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races last summer. He ran at state cross-country in the fall.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule
Thursday, April 17
Medford baseball vs. Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m.
Owatonna softball vs. Rochester Century, 7 p.m.
Owatonna boys lacrosse vs. Lakeville North, 7:30 p.m.