SPORTS WRAP
Owatonna Dance Team (ODT) is mixing the momentum of a Big Nine Conference runner-up finish last winter with the energy of its six seniors and first-year head coach.
Captain Addy Johnson says, “Our routines are more fun and upbeat this year. We’ve switched it up a little bit and we have new and different choreography with new girls coming up to varsity.”
Aubrey Groby, another captain, was on the design team. “We based it off of what have we done, what have we not done. What looks good. What have other teams done that looks good.”
ODT Head Coach Emma Paquette, who’s in her fifth year in the program, loves the process. “I really like seeing them come up with the routines…It’s fun seeing them come out of their shell and seeing them all learn it. Most times we come up with new things as we’re learning it,” said Paquette.
The dance team has its own mentoring program, says captain Emily McMasters. “We have ‘sisters’ on the team where the older girls get paired with an underclassman. That helps us bond too,” said McMasters.
Tori Koziolek has danced most of her life, starting at two years old. “I was the youngest in my class because my coach snuck me in there and I’ve been doing it ever since. I’ve loved it and I love being on the floor in front of people,” said Koziolek.
Jocelyn Anselmo had a different beginning. “I actually started a lot later than the normal dancer. I started in seventh grade at Just For Kix… I love the bond with the whole team,” said Anselmo.
Claire Noble told Owatonna Live that her inspiration came as a kid watching a ballerina cartoon. “I enjoy cheering on the younger girls and watching everyone’s improvement throughout the year,” said Noble.
The jazz dance theme is “Cold as Ice” and the team’s costumes are Owatonna blue, which Paquette says is a first. The girls are excited about it.
Kick has a “Charlie’s Angels” theme. Groby says, “This is embodying super sassy, super confident. And I think that’s what we need.” These outfits are hot pink and holographic.
When asked about goals, Paquette stated, “Better than the last. I’m not going to be mad if we don’t place first every time. As long as our scores are going up and they’re still having fun.”
ODT is two meets into their season. Their next competition is on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Lakeville South. Owatonna does not host a competition this season but will have their annual community show on Saturday, Jan. 31 at OHS, showcasing their routines and highlighting the dance schools around town.
Watch for the full interview on the OwatonnaLive.com Coaches Show.
The girls are back
Owatonna High School girls hockey has resumed its junior varsity (JV) schedule this winter. Coach Tony Cloud says it’s great. “It’s a chance for us to have the kids in the program have a chance to work with our coaches. Working with the varsity staff, as well as our JV staff to build this program to be cohesive.
“I’m really happy that I get a chance to work with these kids for an extended period of time.” It means a big influx of players new to the roster.
Senior captain Genna Froman tells young players, “Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s very fluid in hockey. You never know one day to the next where you’re going to be. Work hard each and every day. The biggest thing is hard work in hockey.”
Paige Thompson, a captain and one of five seniors on the roster, says leadership is important for a young team. “You need some upperclassmen to jump in at some points. For a lot of people, high school hockey or high school sports is brand new to them. Showing them the ropes and how being on a high school team works is super important.”
The Huskies girls hockey program has an amazing streak of 17 consecutive seasons with a .500 or better record. All but one of those seasons is above .500.
Senior Kendra Bogen offers an explanation. “Definitely passion. Every girl wants to win. Every girl wants to be the best that they can be. Having coaches that push us every day helps with that. And knowing where we want to be at the end of the season.”
Boys hit the ice
OHS boys hockey opened their season Friday night with a flurry as they combined with Farmington for five goals in the first period in what ended up as a 4-2 loss to the Tigers at Schmitz-Maki Arena.
After falling behind 2-0 early, the Huskies stormed back with a goal by senior Jackson Kath off a two-on-one rush with assists to sophomore Sam Monson and senior Landen Sturges. They evened the game with a rebound goal by junior Zach Klecker on assists from sophomore Zach Roesner and junior Cameron Molina. Farmington took a 3-2 lead into first intermission.
OHS sophomore goalie Braxton Ringhofer turned aside all 17 shots he faced in the second period, a couple in highlight reel fashion. Overall, he had 45 saves in his varsity debut. The Huskies killed off four penalties and missed on a pair of shorthanded breakaways by junior Caleb Ringhofer and senior Isaac Mobley.
Owatonna plays road games at New Prague on Nov. 25 and Austin on Dec. 2 before their home opener on Dec. 4 with Faribault at Four Seasons Centre.
Fall awards
After a spectacular season that included a runner-up finish in the Big Nine Conference and the first section victory in a few years, Huskies volleyball announces All-Conference honors for Kendra Bogen (team MVP), Kyleah Miller (Most Improved), Libby Jensen and Autumn Frandsen. Honorable mention goes to Danielle Roush. All are seniors.
Coach Josh Halva was named Section 1AAAA Coach of the Year and says he was surprised and emotional. “It shows we are building a solid program and that what we are teaching the kids is working… I look at it more like a program award. All of the hard work the parents, coaches and players are putting into it. I was very happy for us all,” said Halva.
OHS boys cross-country All-Big Nine Conference runners are seniors Ayoub Farah and Dawson Levy and junior Grayson Slotsve with freshman Andrew Jacott earning an honorable mention. The team was a Gold Academic Award winner with a 3.99 GPA. The Huskies won the Big Nine Conference title and placed 10th at the state meet.
Girls soccer All Conference honors include senior Attley Klemmensen, freshman Finley Rolloff (Offensive MVP), and junior Norah Cederstrom, plus honorable mention for senior Scarlet Schwartz (Defensive MVP) and freshman Addyson Elmhorst (Best Newcomer).
Other awards are Most Versatile (junior Addison Gerdes) and Coaches Award (seniors Noelle Kubicek and Brynn Routh.) Big Nine Academic Honor Roll for seniors Sophia Schlauderaff, Gabrielle Simon, Jessica Fisher, Klemmensen, Schwartz, Kubicek and Routh.
Girls tennis named junior Sophie Grams its Most Improved Player. Sophomore Greta Veldman earned the Sportsmanship Award. Junior Gabriella Navarro had the best record at 18-2. All-Big Nine Conference selections are seniors Harper Shives, Haley McNett, Genna Froman and junior Patty Jo Procopio.
Honorable mentions were awarded to Navarro and Veldman. Scholar Athletes are seniors Kelly Sackett, Donata Hudock, Shives, McNett and Froman.
In boys soccer, senior Gavin Burmeister landed all-conference, and senior Josh Olson was an honorable mention. Juniors Akram Haji and Canaan Zinter earned all-section. Team awards include MVP (Burmeister), Golden Boot (sophomore Logan Wilker), Defensive Player of the Year (Olson) and First-Year Impact Player (senior Abram Moran).
Big Nine Scholar Athletes are seniors Andrew Beaver, Sturges, Logan Halverson, Olson, and Burmeister.