SPORTS WRAP
I have always been impressed by the number of Owatonna High School students I interview who are involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota.
Executive Director Michelle Redman told Owatonna Live, “Our school site mentoring program is huge. It is one of our greatest prides. Because when a high schooler is matched with an elementary student, not only is that elementary student getting mentored…but also that high schooler is learning leadership, all these skills through being matched.”
Senior Attley Klemmensen says her whole family is dedicated to the program. “I started last year, and all my older siblings were also a Big for Big Brothers Big Sisters. My family is also a Big and we have a Little together. I just meet with my Little (Acyiah) at Lincoln Elementary. Once a week we get to hang out. Sometimes I bring a snack.”
Senior Sophie Schlauderaff says, “I love making an impact on a younger girl in our community, just like someone who needs a little extra love. We just hang out once a week. It’s super fun.” Her match is Kassidy.
It turns out some are both Bigs and Littles at the same time, a real full circle moment, according to Redman. “A lot of our Littles that get into the high school, want to give back and become Bigs as well.”
While recruiting last year she encountered a student who said “I’m meeting with my Big tonight…And I really want to be a Big also. I want to pay it forward.”
Redman said there is great need for Bigs, of all ages, with over 350 Littles waiting to be matched. It’s as easy to start as going to their website, bbbssmn.org, or stopping by their new offices at 141 E Vine St. in downtown Owatonna.
“Being a big doesn’t take a ton of time. It doesn't take a ton of effort. We don’t want to minimize the impact a Big can make. Because the impact they can make is huge. It doesn't matter the amount of time you spend with your Little, just that you spend time. It can be a 20-minute walk with your dog, talking to your Little, really have that one-to-one communication. Or it can be two hours making dinner together,” said Redman.
They have programs to fit anyone’s schedule. For instance, “A 30-minute activity, every other week at the Owatonna Middle School. You just show up. The activity is already waiting for you,” Redman indicated.
In a pickle
As the weather turns colder, pickleball and tennis are alive and well in Owatonna. In addition to both sports being housed at West Hills, Christian Family Church has four dedicated pickleball courts.
Bob Rinaldi of the Owatonna Pickleball Association (OPA) states, “Pickleball remains very strong in Owatonna. It combines an easy-to-learn, great exercise, low-impact component and social aspect all within a paddle sport on a smaller-sized court.”
He says OPA membership is steady and includes players of all ages. He’s excited for what’s happening for the youth. “In the last couple of years, the OHS National Honor Society sponsors a student pickleball tournament that draws over 100 OHS students to it.
“The last three years we have hosted the OHS Lifetime Activities students an hour a day for a week by teaching, coaching and playing with them, culminating in a two-day tournament. The caliber of the OHS students has increased dramatically which is a sign many are playing pickleball regularly.”
Drake Simonson of Owatonna Park and Recreation told Owatonna Live’s Straight Talk, “We’re seeing an uptick in our pickleball play. We’re trying to keep that going. Our goal working through this winter is get to some established leagues going. Get some tournaments going, just new programs in general.”
West Hills Tennis and Pickleball Center has drop-in times on Mondays and Fridays from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Rinaldi says OPA is working with park and rec to find more open play times.
Adult and youth pickleball lessons are available at West Hills with a couple of six-class sessions scheduled for this winter. “They’re led by great instructors who have played high level and have done classes through OPA. Great guys to work with,” said Simonson.
He adds there are youth tennis lessons “led by a great instructor in Sara Anderson, who played a high level of tennis at Winona State. So, she works with those kids really well. We are going to start to develop some intro to tennis adult classes as well.”
The men’s Rusty Racquets tennis group plays on Wednesdays from 6:45-8:45 p.m. The new varsity/JV drop-in time is Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. View the full schedule on the Owatonna Parks and Recreation website, Owatonna.gov, or Facebook page. Season passes are available.
Davis Duals return
Huskies wrestling brings back the Davis Duals on Saturday, Nov. 29 at OHS. Apple Valley, Lakeville North, Medford and NRHEG will join the Huskies for a tournament named in honor of longtime coach Scot Davis, who will be in attendance along with former coaches and supporters. Action begins at 10 a.m.
Official practice began on Monday, Nov. 17 for wrestling and boys basketball. Boys swim and dive practice starts on Monday, Nov. 24.
One more game
Retiring OHS boys soccer coach Bob Waypa was back on the sidelines for the Senior Classic early this month, leading a team in Minnesota’s high school all-star game. Even better, Owatonna’s Gavin Burmeister was invited to be on the team and said, “It was a great experience. You get to play with all the best players in the state. Especially, with Bob coaching me. It was the icing on the cake… He’s pushed me throughout all my years starting at ninth grade. He pushes everybody every day to run far and to just keep trying even if you’re tired mentally.”
Fellow senior Andrew Beaver told Owatonna Live, “He’s been in the program for so long, he understands the play styles for each team. He’s watched all of us grow up. He can really put that into a game plan to help us succeed.”
Emotions of the end
Waypa said his final game allowed him to feel the emotions all the seniors have felt over the years. “I guess I never knew what it was like to be a senior… I had that during games this year. But after the JM loss (in the playoffs), usually I give the speech afterwards. I just couldn’t. I think 28 years of emotions just caught up to me. I had to walk away. My assistants started talking and I came back, and I talked to the guys.”
A highlight for Waypa this fall was seeing his daughter Kelli score a goal for Dordt University of Sioux Center, Iowa in a match up with their crosstown rival Northwestern, where her sister Lauren attends and competes in track and field. He believes it’s the first time he’s seen her score a goal in person.
It was one of three goals for the first-year midfielder. The Defenders lost in the championship of their conference tournament.
More college notes
Jack Mottl (OHS ’25) played soccer for Bethany Lutheran in Mankato, which advanced to the conference title match in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) post-season tournament. As a freshman defenseman he had two assists on the season.
Mehsa Krause (OHS ’24) earned All-Conference honors in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) as a sophomore volleyball player for St. Olaf College in Northfield. She led the regular season conference champs in kills.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play
Thursday, Nov. 20:
OHS girls hockey vs. Northfield, 7 p.m.
OHS girls basketball vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 22:
OHS girls basketball vs. Waconia, 1:30 p.m.