SPORTS WRAP
Many hands make for light work. Many feet can be advantageous too, especially when carrying a football 52 miles. Blooming Prairie cross-country doubled in size this year from a dozen last season to 25 athletes now.
The tradition of transporting the game ball for homecoming required runners to start in Mapleton, home of last Friday’s opponent, Maple River. The relay began at 6 a.m. “We just broke the news to them that they’re going to be getting up really early on Friday morning. But they’re excited for it,” said coach John Bruns.
Junior Sophia Esplan told Owatonna Live. “We all get to hang out together. It’s always fun. We get inside jokes after. Those memories stick with us,” said Esplan.
She says the increase in runners was fueled several ways. “We got the word out. We told a lot of our friends. And especially with the grade below us. They told a lot of their friends.”
Tyler Anderson came back for his senior year. “Me and Drew (Reinke) joined back this year. It’s good to be out and active and hanging out with all my friends.”
Bruns said, “They just travel in packs... Got a few more new girls, a few more younger boys. Before you knew it, we were bursting at the seams.”
Those extra runners allow for high goals after each squad finished second in the Gopher Conference in 2024. “We’ve got a bunch of ninth-grade boys that are running really well right now. Three of them are newcomers,” added Bruns.
Reinke, a senior, knows the boys can improve. “We’ve been having a good season but I think everyone knows they can do better. We’re really good at running as a team. There’s a lot of young talent.”
The BP girls return four all-conference runners. Bruns said competition is good this season to fill the fifth spot. “This year we added three girls that really fit that role and they’re running really well.”
Junior Gloria Hernandez has the school record in her sights, coming within eight seconds during an early season meet. She says pack running helps the team. “We have really good numbers and the girls are doing a good job pack running. I think we can do pretty good at conference this year.”
Cool treat
Besides the occasional football, Awesome Blossom runners sometimes have a popsicle in their hands. A previously well-kept secret was that runners could stop by the home of Sandy Bass and grab a cold treat on a hot day.
Sophomore Isaac Fort said he was surprised the first time. “Pretty happy to get a break and also get a popsicle.”
Bruns noted, “It was kind of a secret in cross-country at first but then I discovered it because they were eating popsicles on their run.” Bruns asked his athletes, “’Where’d you get those from?’ They were very guarded about it because they didn’t want to get in trouble. I think it’s a great deal that they are able to get that support.”
Hall honor
The 29th annual induction into the Owatonna High School Athletic Hall of Fame was held Friday, Sept. 19.
Peggy Iverson was overwhelmed, and grateful for the opportunities that came her way before graduating in 1972. “Girls weren’t supposed to be in athletics. But my parents, I don’t think they missed a game. It comes back to Owatonna. It’s a very progressive community that supported young people, girls or not, in athletics and you can see that they’re still doing the very same thing.” She went on to become an elementary physical education teacher in town.
Drew Lundberg (OHS ’07) told the Mic’d Up Misfits on The FAN-Owatonna, “You can’t write a better story. It took a lot of hard work. It didn’t happen just with a flip of a switch. Now I ask that; ‘How did I get here?’”
At the ceremony, he stated, “It’s great for induction to be in homecoming week for the first time. The energy is unmatched. It really brings back memories and makes me want to put on a jersey and get on out there again.”
Dave Lundquist reflected. “One thing I have enjoyed probably more than anything, the people I’ve met, the people I’ve seen, what I’ve been able to do with my training (at OHS) and the fun that I had playing various sports was great. I’m really excited about your new school here. It’s all very nice.” Lundquist (OHS ’60) announced a financial gift. “Why not do some scholarship work with Owatonna High School where I have a lot to be thankful for.”
LaRae Nordlie-Samuels spoke as a family friend of Ron Baker (OHS ’54.) In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Baker served in the U.S. Air Force and was a longtime dentist in Owatonna. He was an avid curler, and the Owatonna Curling Club presents an award in his name.
Jeff Moat accepted for his father Leon who entered as a former coach. He spoke of his father’s passion, kindness and encouraging nature, plus how he treated his players like family. The full ceremony can be viewed at OwatonnaLive.com.
Tackle Cancer
Owatonna’s Tackle Cancer football game is getting a boost from the Owatonna Eagles, which will match up to $10,000 in donations made at the club now through Oct. 10.
Nancy Williams heads up local fundraising efforts. She joined the Mic’d Up Misfits from the Eagles Club for the announcement. “I’m so excited for this partnership. We’ve just been doing this on our own. It’s been me and Jill Achterkirch… For well over a decade we’ve been supporting the Randy Shave Tackle Cancer fundraiser with a Tackle Cancer game that the Huskies play. Everyone’s been touched in some way by cancer. We have people that are living with it today and are fighting. There are warriors out there. We also have people that we are doing fundraisers like this in honor of, that have fought the battle and, sadly, have not made it through,” said Williams.
Williams’ personal connection came when her father was diagnosed with leukemia at age 40 when she was just 12. He made it just three months.
“I’ve kind of brought that forward in my work. I’m a school social worker at the high school. I do a lot of grief counseling with kids, but a variety of other work with mental health.”
Supporters can order Tackle Cancer T-shirts or sweatshirts through Court Sports and More. Find a link on OHS football social media or at Owatonnafootball.com.
On game night (Oct. 10) donations can be made at Federated Field. Raffle baskets and a 50/50 drawing will be held. Players and cheerleaders will recognize individuals they are playing in honor or in memory of.
50 years of running
OHS girls’ cross-country is celebrating 50 years with a special event on Thursday, Oct. 2 during the Ev Berg Invitational. Members of the first team will be on hand to be recognized and hand out awards to this year’s runners.
Becky Kirchgasler, Becky Ringhofer, Regina McGoff and Andrea Johnson have indicated they will be at the meet, which starts at 3:30 p.m. on the upper nine at Brooktree Golf Course. The team, which consisted of six runners, was known as the Silver Belles to coach Berg.
Hockey repeats
Steele County Blades junior hockey reeled off back-to-back 6-3 wins over the Minnesota Mullets at Augsburg University last weekend to open their season. The Blades grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first period of each game. The Mullets rallied to within a goal in each contest, but Steele County never allowed the tying marker.
John Scott (Reedsburg, Wisconsin), Maxime Vernier (Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada), and Mason Ford (Mosinee, Wisconsin) each had a goal and an assist on Saturday. Jack Gardner (Poplar Grove, Illinois) scored twice Sunday. Braedyn Sullivan (Manchester, New Hampshire) and Dominic Seligman (Gilbert, Arizona) were the winners in goal.
Steele County returns to play on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Four Seasons Centre in Owatonna at 7 p.m. against Hudson, Wisconsin. Admission is free to the home opener.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule
Thursday, Sept. 25:
OHS boys soccer vs. Rochester Mayo, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 26:
OHS football at Rochester JM, 7 p.m. (simulcast on The FAN-Owatonna 1170AM/106.3FM)
Blooming Prairie football vs. St. Clair/Loyola, 7 p.m.