SPORTS WRAP
Owatonna’s trio of senior captains are leading a young tennis squad this spring. Thomas Oien indicates, “We have a lot of depth this year. They’ve put in a lot of work in the off season. We have a lot of new, young singles players. So, I think that will set up the future.”
In doubles Joe Zeman says, “We’re just trying to figure out who works best where. Our lineup aside from us three is super fluid. People are moving around from match to match.”
Head Coach Curt Matejcek appreciates his leaders. “I think the younger guys really look up to Thomas and Finn (Loveless) and Joe, not only for being seniors but as captains, setting a good example on the court, working hard in practice, and never taking a day off in practice,” said Matejcek.
He loves the team’s enthusiasm. “Maybe not so much experience, but they really like to go out there and compete. We have a bunch of eighth- and ninth-graders and some sophomores that are filling some key roles for us this year.”
Matejcek said adversity comes with the territory. “They’re going to have to learn to lose and how to build upon that and turn those losses into wins… They’ve shown a lot of grit on the court.”
He’s pleased with how many played over the winter to gain match experience.
Loveless commented on the strength of the team. “I think we do a great job of setting up our partners, especially in getting our first serves in. I think we do a great job as far as in the doubles lineup of crafting points.”
Loveless plays No. 1 doubles with Zeman as his new partner. “It’s going great. Leyton (Williams) graduated last year. He was my partner the last two years. When we had the idea for Joe to step into that role over the winter we played a little bit of doubles together,” said Loveless.
Zeman played singles last year. “I like how quick and strategy-based it is at No. 1 doubles. You call where you want the serve and, honestly, points last about 1-2 seconds.”
Oien dedicated himself to getting through physical therapy after a knee injury in soccer. “It takes a lot mentally because when you’re looking at just like in the baby steps, it seems like it’s so far away. But as you start to work through it, looking back on it now, it seems like it was a blur almost,” said Oien.
He enjoys the challenge of playing the number one singles spot. “I get excited just knowing I’m playing the best player from every single town and that they’re bringing their best talent against me.”
Oien says the Huskies have something in their favor at the new high school. “The wind is a really big factor with these courts. But I would say it’s almost an advantage also because in practice we’re playing in this wind.”
“I’m really excited. I think this year we’re finally going to get a practice under the lights at night. We didn’t get a chance to do that last year,” said Loveless. He likes the configuration of the courts as well.
Magnet on the news beat
OHS students want to know about the newest coffee shops in town. They need to know how the latest nicotine products affect them. And what’s the scoop with dad shoes? These are a few of the stories covered this year by the Magnet student news organization.
“A dad shoe is pretty much categorized as a neutral-colored, chunky-sole sneaker,” such as New Balance according to Zeman. “Maybe not the most world-changing article but I have had an investment in them for a long time,” Zeman told the Owatonna Live Coaches Show.
It’s his second year on staff. “I love being able to tell stories to OHS. I just love writing with the staff. It’s a super fun environment and I love journalism,” said Zeman.
A story with a bit more weight exposed a nicotine product. Zeman worked on that with senior Tanner Smith, who said, “ZYNs are nicotine pouches. It’s kind of like the vapes. It’s a pouch that you put in and they’re kind of a big thing at OHS. Being able to talk about the health impacts with professionals and some student accounts of that.”
Smith is in Magnet for the first time after being recruited by former advisor Jessica Wagner.
Health-related topics are important to senior writer Kennedy Schammel. “I’m very passionate about health. I write a lot about health. I think Magnet, we’re here for the student body and sharing the news that’s in our community,” said Schammel.
An impactful story for her was on “nutrition when you’re in sports and the benefits of sleep and mental health. That’s something I’ve focused on.”
It’s vital to get the facts, “I think the research is nice because sometimes you hear all these different things. So, when you sit down and look into things, you know what’s right from wrong.”
In this time of multimedia, The Magnet is no different, stated Schammel. “Every story that we write in The Magnet gets published at ohsmagnet.com - our online website. At the end of every quarter, we do have a print,” said Schammel.
They are active on multiple social media sites. “And sometimes people in Magnet will share stories on their own platforms so that opens it up to way more people,” said Schammel.
Smith added, “Instagram is probably our primary way. We use that mostly to make our stories more well-known and to reach a broader audience.” He says they post polls and countdowns to drive engagement. Magnet covers news, entertainment, sports, op-ed and more.
Junior Ande Hunt is in her second year and has had an interest for a long time. “In seventh grade I was researching what I wanted to do when I grow up and I found out I wanted to be a news anchor,” said Hunt.
“I’ve learned a lot about journalism, a lot about editing this year and I was a writer last year. A lot about the interview process, especially about communication which can help me throughout my life.”
Hunt said new advisor Polly Shives is enjoying her role. “It’s fun coming to class every day. You know what you’re expecting and what you’re supposed to do but you can also just talk with your friends and just hang out,” she said.
Meat cakes
One of the growing aspects of the Young Life Cake Auction is teen bakers. The person to beat is Alexis Noble. For the second straight year, the OHS freshman won the category by popular vote. Her cake looked like an enormous hamburger to go along with the basket’s grilling theme.
The four-layer cake with multiple frosting layers took three hours and came with some challenges. “Getting the shape of the burger using the cake, having to cut it to the correct shape… I just enjoy making cakes and I like to help out with Young Life,” said Noble.
A cake that appeared to be a choice cut of steak earned Jenna Klecker/Sara’s Sweets the professional prize. Cindy Shermo won the amateur division with a colorful flowery themed confection.
One supporter ran, literally ran, from Waseca to view the cakes. Alex Robran is training for Grandma’s Marathon and has relatives who are active in Steele County Young Life. The 47th cake auction was held Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church and raised over $61,000.
While the bidding has gone fully online, director Lindsay Thompson said, “There is a part of me that really misses the old format that we used to have. My favorite part of this auction is getting to see people. People come in that have come in for 47 years and we get to see them.”
Each cake came with goods, services, event tickets or an experience. “We do live in a community that is so gracious. We have so many businesses and individuals in town who give,” said Thompson.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play
Thursday, May 1
OHS softball vs. Mankato East, 7 p.m.
OHS boys lacrosse vs. Southwest Christian, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 3
OHS baseball vs. St. Paul Central, 12 p.m.
Monday, May 5
OHS softball vs. Red Wing, 7 p.m.