SPORTS WRAP
The 2025 Owatonna High School Athletic Hall of Fame class features a trailblazing athlete, a pioneering coach, and championship and record-setting athletes. Ron Baker (Class of 1954), David Lundquist (‘60), Peggy Iverson-Radtke (‘72), Drew Lundberg (’07) and Leon Moat (coach from 1972-81) will be inducted this fall.
Iverson-Radtke was a state participant in the first-ever girls state track meet in 1972 and was a captain for the Indians’ Big Nine championship volleyball team when there was no section or state tournament. She led the basketball team in scoring her senior year at 29 points-per-game in a time when there was no three-point line.
Nominator Sandy Boss said, “Peggy and her classmates were pioneers in girls’ sports at OHS. Beginning in the 1969-70 school year, opportunities were made possible for girls to participate in more than girls’ recreation activities and have actual teams.”
Baker was a state champ in 1954, individually and with the team. He was “a coach in the wrestling room” according to former OHS coach Fred Stoeker, who nominated him. He also played football and tennis and graduated at the top of his class. Baker was a three-time letterwinner with the University of Minnesota wrestling team and competed in the NCAA tournament.
Lundquist played four years of varsity baseball, three years of football – where he earned All-State honors – and two years of basketball. He played football and baseball at Harvard University.
Lundberg graduated as the all-time leading scorer in OHS boys’ basketball history. He still holds several receiving records in football and was a standout track athlete. He played basketball at Iowa State University and North Dakota State University, becoming just the second Division I player from Owatonna. The other being Chad Kolander with the Gophers.
Moat opened up golf to young athletes. As manager at Brooktree Golf Course, he offered junior leagues before it became normal. “Leon also constantly lobbied for kids playing rights at a time when most courses had tight restrictions for junior golfers,” stated John Hamilton, who nominated Moat.
“His calm demeanor and ability to listen to young people and make them feel special earned him respect in the classroom and as a coach.” Four of his golfers went on to play in the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA.)
Athletes of the Year
OHS brought together the finalists for Athlete of the Year Award at a before-school ceremony last week. That filled the auditorium with state champions, most valuable players, and almost too many all-conference awards to count.
The Oldenburg Senior Athletes of the Year are Halle Theis and Nolan Ginskey. The junior honorees are Kendra Bogen and Dawson Levy.
Seniors
Theis was a captain for the state championship gymnastics team as well as a four-time individual state qualifier. The team won four Big Nine team titles during her career. Coach Kiana Starks says, “Halle has the grit and determination that is hard to come by in a young athlete.” She led the volleyball team in digs and qualified in the long jump for state track in 2024.
Ginskey rewrote the record book for receivers and was a two-time MVP for the football team. He was a finalist for Mr. Football. Coach Jeff Williams proclaimed, “Nolan is one of the most prolific athletes we have ever had at OHS.” He was voted team MVP for basketball twice. In track he was a member of the state title 4x200 relay team.
Finalists
Anna Mollenhauer was voted the second-best goalkeeper in Big Nine Conference soccer. She was All-Conference in hockey. On the golf course, head coach Maddie Meyer says, “Anna consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication, going above and beyond in every practice and game.”
Kennedy Schammel is a four-time letterwinner in soccer and three-time all-conference. She was voted the No. 2 overall player in the Big Nine Conference last fall. She was First Team All-State and a top-five finalist for Ms. Soccer. Coach Nate Gendron says, “Kennedy is a true goal scorer… She sees everything at a fast pace.”
Seth Johnson was state champ in the 110-meter hurdles last summer and finished fifth in the 300-meter hurdles. He won three letters in football and was a force in hockey. Boys’ hockey head coach Dennis Will stated, “Seth is a very strong dependable defenseman, a player that never shies from contact.”
Luke Webber was a member of the 4x200 relay title team in track while also qualifying for state in the 100- and 200-meter sprints. “That speed was put on full display on the football field,” stated Williams. “Luke is also a consummate teammate and will take on any role he is asked to take on in order to help the team be successful.”
Juniors
Bogen led the Big Nine Conference in kills during volleyball season. On the hockey rink she was top three in scoring for the second straight season. After earning offensive player of the year for softball as a sophomore, she’s leading the team at the plate again this spring.
Levy qualified for state in cross-country with a second-place finish in sections. He went out for swimming as a junior which “showed a lot of guts and determination and saw great improvement from the beginning to the end of the season,” says coach Peter Rhodes. He has turned in a 4:35 mile during the current track season.
Nominees
Addy Schroht has over 1,000 set assists in her volleyball career. Coach Josh Halva stated, “She leads by example and pours her heart into the program.” In lacrosse she leads the conference in assists. Coach Dani Licht says, “Addy gives her all every single day.”
Paige Thompson has earned five cross-country letters. Coach Dan Leer indicated, “She’s a strong leader, a dedicated competitor and a compassionate role model.” She will be a hockey captain next winter. In golf she’s lettered four times.
Gavin Burmeister will be a soccer captain for the second time this fall. Coach Bob Waypa believes, “Gavin is one of the most talented holding midfielders we’ve had in Owatonna.” He is a two-time letterwinner in basketball.
Wyatt Macy made a great impact in hockey. “Wyatt made a transition from playing defense his entire life to forward this past season,” lauded coach Will. In lacrosse, coach Scott Seykora stated, “Wyatt has been instrumental in our offense the last two seasons and is a very sneaky player…He also has the hardest shot on the team at over 90 mph.”
110% Award
Abby Shornock was the Most Versatile Player in her senior soccer season. “She is a true competitor and all-around player,” said Gendron. “Always putting in her full effort.” She was the Defensive MVP in basketball. “Our best on-ball defender,” says coach Pat Webb. “She was pound-for-pound one of the toughest players in our conference.”
Jack Mottl was two-time all-conference in soccer. Coach Waypa said, “No one worked harder. He was a quiet leader, but his actions and work ethics spoke louder than words.” In basketball, coach Josh Williams was impressed with his “relentless effort” and “will to win in everything we did from drills to games.” Mottl also played tennis.
O-Club
Athletes honored for lettering three times as a senior include Blake Davison, Blake Fitcher, Ginskey, Zach Haarstad, Johnson, Lane Karsten, Reed Kath, Cole Kruschke, Terell Miller, Mollenhauer, Mottl and Theis.