SPORTS WRAP
You will likely hear someone talk about a lifelong friendship developed during their days as an Owatonna student-athlete. Another might reminisce about a highlight from a big win. Lessons learned while in competition are popular topics. Humble thanks will be a connecting theme.
The annual Owatonna High School Athletic Hall of Fame reception is Friday, Sept. 19. The public is invited to the high school for a social time at 3:15 p.m. and a ceremony in the Wenger Performing Arts Center at 4 p.m. with comments from the inductees. The five individuals will be recognized during the homecoming football game that night at Federated Field.
Drew Lundberg (OHS ’07) lit it up in all his sports. He graduated with school records in scoring for basketball, receiving yards in football, and the shot put and discus marks in track and field. Lundberg played basketball at the University of Northern Iowa and North Dakota State University.
Peggy Iverson (OHS ’72) went through school just as Title IX passed allowing for girls’ participation in sports. She competed at the first-ever girls state track meet. Iverson was part of a Big Nine Conference championship volleyball squad and led the basketball team in scoring her senior year. She taught elementary physical education in Owatonna and was an assistant swimming coach.
Dave Lundquist (OHS ’60) played football, basketball and baseball for the Indians, and football and baseball at Harvard University. Lundquist had a successful career as a vice president of finance and chief financial officer for several big companies.
Ron Baker (OHS ’54) was an state champ in wrestling, both as an individual and as a member of the team. He lettered in football and tennis at Owatonna and wrestled for the University of Minnesota. Baker became an assistant wrestling coach at OHS. He also won the city open golf title in 1969 and was vice-skip on a senior curling state championship team.
Leon Moat coached OHS boys’ golf from 1972-81 and was an advocate for youth golf while managing Brooktree Golf Course. The Indians were district champions in 1975 and sub-region champs a year later.
Puck drops
The new season of Steele County Blades hockey begins this weekend against the Minnesota Mullets at Augsburg University in Minneapolis. Games are on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m. The home opener is Saturday, Oct. 4 at Four Seasons Centre in Owatonna at 7 p.m.
First-year head coach Logan Wilt says the team has experience. “We have a good corps of players that have at least a season of junior hockey under their belt. Some veteran leadership that we have joining us this year is going to be huge for us, coupled with some very talented young players. With the right guys at the helm getting those guys up to speed shouldn’t be a problem,” he said.
For players making their junior debut, he explains the learning curve. “Adjusting to the physicality is a big piece of this. Adjusting to the amount of work that you’re putting in in a given week. We have guys coming from youth hockey that have maybe practiced twice a week, adapting to the schedule of making this a full-time job.”
For more information and to see their new logo, go to scbladeshockey.com.
Return to court
Sara Anderson (OHS ’20) stumbled upon a coaching opportunity while attending college and playing tennis at Winona State University. When she mentioned that to OHS coach Curt Matecjek, he invited her to help him out. Now she’s officially an assistant on the girls’ team this fall.
“I stayed in Winona one summer. So, I coached their summer camp which is when I got started and then Winona kids started asking for private lessons in the winter. I came back home and told Curt that I was helping the Winona girls. And he was like, ‘You want to help the Owatonna girls?’ So, now here I am,” said Anderson.
She’s found it to be rewarding. “I love watching the kids finally pick up on something. Because I know it took me a while too. And when I had those ‘ah-ha’ moments it was amazing. So, I love watching the little kids be able to figure out their skills too and get happy and excited,” she said.
“It’s nice to have Sara join the staff. She volunteered last season… We’re happy to have her. She’s a great asset to the program. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. And the girls have something they can emulate as well,” said Matejcek.
Anderson works with the youth red and orange ball program at West Hills through Owatonna Parks and Recreation as well. While her competitive days are mostly done, she still hits with the high school girls, her sister Caitlin, and drops in with the Rusty Racquets men’s doubles league. She also plays in the annual summer tournament in town.
She says it’s a different perspective as a coach. “I still get butterflies watching them play. Before, I got nervous when I played too. But once my match was done, I was like, ‘OK.’ But now it’s across the whole board. I get nervous until we get the four points and then I can relax a little bit,” she said.
She was a three-sport athlete for the Huskies, winning 101 tennis matches, playing basketball, and running track and field where she advanced to state twice. Anderson has a nursing degree from WSU and works at Mayo in Rochester.
New course
The 11th annual Daikin Dash 5K for Cancer has a new course. The event supports the Steele County Relay for Life and will start at Mineral Springs Brewery on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8 a.m. Sign up at relayforlife5K.com.
The main event, the 30th annual Relay for Life, begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday on the Steele County Fairgrounds.
Colorful run
The second annual color run to benefit the inclusive playground in Ellendale is Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Ellendale Elementary School at 5 p.m. NRHEG gym teacher Wendy Schultz says, “We have been raising money for the past two years. Through donations, fundraisers, and grants we have been able to raise $84,000 and the complete the first phase.”
The second phase is to fund a special piece of playground equipment called a sway fun glider that has “ample room for two wheelchairs plus two large benches for plenty of other passengers.” They have raised $31,000 of the necessary $43,000 for that item.
The final phase of the project will be to put in either turf or poured-in-place rubber.
The one-mile walk/run features food trucks, games, face painting and fire trucks. Check-in begins at 4 p.m. Register by Sept. 26 to get a T-shirt. The fee is $30. You can go to the Ellendale or New Richland schools or email wschultz@nrheg.k12.mn.us for more information.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play
Thursday, Sept. 18:
OHS girls’ swim/dive vs. Mankato West, 6 p.m.
OHS girls’ soccer vs. Rochester JM, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 19:
OHS Homecoming Parade, 1:30 p.m.
OHS football vs. New Prague, 7 p.m. (pregame at 6 p.m.; simulcast on The FAN-Owatonna, 1170AM/106.3FM)
Blooming Prairie football vs. Maple River, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20:
OHS girls’ soccer vs. Farmington, 11 a.m.
OHS boys’ soccer vs. Farmington, 1 p.m.