SPORTS WRAP
Two Owatonna High School graduates have landed prominent head coaching jobs. Mike Nolan (OHS Class of 1988) was named boys basketball coach at Lakeville North. Lincoln Nguyen (OHS Class of 2004) is the new boys hockey coach at Eden Prairie.
Nolan played for Len Olson in Owatonna and at Hamline University, graduating in 1992. He became the lead assistant to John Oxton in 1996 and was the interim coach for the Panthers from 2006-08 while Oxton was on leave to watch his daughter play basketball.
Oxton recently announced his retirement after 41 years. Lakeville North won the state title in 2014 and has gone to state 11 times in the last 20 years.
Nolan, a middle school teacher in Lakeville, told Owatonna Live, “I’m super excited for the opportunity. I’ve always wanted to go into teaching and coaching. I fell into an unbelievable situation with a hall of fame coach for the past 30 years.”
Nguyen takes over the reins at Eden Prairie after being an assistant at Minnetonka last winter. Previous experience includes being the head coach for Division III Marian University, an assistant with Division I University of Alaska-Fairbanks, multiple junior hockey teams and his alma mater Owatonna.
In a news release from Eden Prairie High School, Nguyen says, “I am incredibly fortunate and honored to have the opportunity to work with the student-athletes in the boys hockey program, continuing their development and carrying forward the legacy built by former players and coaches.”
The Eagles won the state title in 2021 – their third straight appearance in the championship game. EP has three titles in school history and three runner-up finishes.
New OHS coach
Owatonna has a new coach; Tasheena Cooke takes over from Dan Leer for girls’ cross-country. Cooke (OHS Class of 2003) has assisted with the team for the last seven years and helped with the track distance runners the last five.
She was a six-time letterwinner, captain, and three-time state participant for the Huskies. Cooke also ran track and played basketball. She served in the military for five years, including a year in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She has been a fitness instructor and personal trainer for the last 10 years.
Activities Director Marc Achterkirch says, “Tasheena has an incredible amount of experience, has built lasting relationships with her student-athletes and will continue to be an incredible role model, mentor and coach for our students.”
Robotics honor
Owatonna robotics coach Nathele Beadell is the section coach of the year. She said, “I’m very appreciative of the recognition. With so many exceptional coaches in our section, it’s a true honor.”
Beadell says the students “truly are incredible. One of the things I appreciate most is their creativity. They approach challenges with fresh ideas and innovative thinking, and it’s inspiring to see how they tackle problems from different angles. I also really enjoy witnessing their growth – not just in technical skills like building, wiring, and programming, but also in their confidence, leadership, and teamwork.”
Achterkirch stated, “Beadell has done a tremendous job growing our robotics program. She has a deep passion for allowing students to learn, explore and develop a love for everything associated with robotics. Not only are our students excelling in the robotics arena, but also as individuals in our classrooms, schools and community.”
The team moved to the old high school this season where they share space with the middle school and emerging elementary programs. Over 100 students are involved overall.
Owatonna’s Rebel Alliance finished in the top five of each competition this season in Colorado, Iowa, and Minneapolis on consecutive March weekends. “Long bus rides, full days of intense matches, late nights, and facing some of the best teams from around the world. It was a lot to handle, but they stayed focused, worked hard, and supported each other the whole way,” said Beadell.