SPORTS WRAP
After a decade of being a Husky, first with Owatonna then at St. Cloud State University, if Grace Wolfe continues her hockey career she will do so with a different moniker.
The 2021 OHS grad and SCSU graduate student plans to declare for the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) draft in June. She’s focused now on a strong finish to the season and the WCHA playoffs.
Her coach Mira Jalosuo spent time as an assistant with the Minnesota Frost of the PWHL and was a two-time Olympian for Finland. “I’ve had conversations with her about it. She understands it because she’s been there. She’s coached and she understands the skill that it takes.”
Wolfe takes pride in her dedication to defense and has a knack for blocking shots, leading the Huskies in that stat each of the last two seasons. “Having the urgency to block a shot and not being afraid to. It only hurts for a little bit. It’s fine after that. So, I don’t really care about the hurtful stuff,” she said.
“I’m a pretty defensive defenseman. So, that’s one thing that’s always on my mind when I am on the ice. How can I make this easier for the goalie? How can I stop a scoring chance from happening?” Wolfe has a career-high 20 points this season (five goals and 15 assists).
In her fifth year of college due to a medical redshirt as a junior, she is honored to be captain. “It teaches you a lot about how to work with different people; how to find solutions to problems; how to collaborate. It’s been very, very good for my character development. It’s easy now to have uncomfortable conversations because as a captain you have to do that quite often,” said Wolfe.
She enjoys the cultural aspect of college sports. “It is amazing to see, and the fact that I get to have those relationships with those people. Maybe I can go later and see their hometown. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
This year’s roster includes players from Finland, Canada, Switzerland, Germany and Russia. “I love seeing how the world is different.”
She earned her degree in exercise science last May and will finish her Masters in clinical exercise physiology this May. After the college hockey season ends, she will take on an agent and train for the draft.
Thinking back, she appreciated playing with her sister while skating for OHS. “I loved playing with (Ava). That was really fun. Obviously, she played goalie. And that’s not something you really get to do, play a sport with your sibling and get to spend that time with them,” she said.
“And just the connections you make throughout the community. I still talk to some people down there… Sections were always super fun. And the competitiveness was something I enjoyed.”
St. Cloud State plays at the University of Minnesota in the WCHA playoffs on Friday, Feb. 27 in game one of a best-of-three first round series.
Mock trial does it again
It’s back to state for Owatonna High School mock trial. Many students return after their 11th place finish in 2025.
Senior captain Ayoub Farah has high hopes. “Our team really came together when it mattered the most. Going into the season, we had expectations of winning state. And that expectation is still present. Our team is experienced. We know what we’re doing. Now it’s just executing when it matters the most… Honestly, this is, I think, the most competitive team I’ve ever been a part of,” he said.
Junior Eric Zhang says the hard work is paying off. “We definitely had really high rigor this year. A lot of people put in a ton of work. We increased practice times. We stayed here late. We really put in the work to get our materials done,” said Zhang.
Now it’s time to work even harder, according to junior Josephine Sanford. “In order to become a contender we are going to need to study a lot more of the specifics. Everyone’s going to need to have a better handle on specific litigation things such as objections as well as the case itself.”
The team can draw on last year's experience, says senior Silas Klug. “It ended up being very tough. There was a good few trials that things seemed very close. The other teams are very good at state. We need to make sure we’re on top of things… perfect memorization. Going into it completely ready.”
The case is one of civil litigation focusing on defamation. It involves a pair of underwater recovery businesses and an item that goes missing from the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Actual judges do the scoring. Each element is rated 1-10. “It’s not actually decided on which team would have won the court case. Which is strange,” Klug points out.
He has the role of attorney for the defense and says his opening statement is crucial. “As Ayoub often says, the opening is the backbone of the trial. It’s what causes a lot of them to win or lose,” said Klug.
Ayoub says Klug delivers a great opening. “He’s articulate. He’s incredibly good on his feet. And so creative. I think the defense would be very hindered without his presence.”
Zhang says the group has come together. “It really helps you develop some teamwork skills. You have six people on a team. You have to work real closely with those people. It also develops analytical skills. You’re able to process information and think on the spot really easily.”
Sanford appreciates the life lessons. “It’s a great way to learn time management and especially if you want to go into law, or if you’re very curious about it. I would say it actually provides a pretty realistic setting… and a source of networking to meet people and understand how the system works.”
The rest of the team includes Finley Carlson, Yunuen Gutierrez Tolentino, Kenneth Lu, William Meyman, Asher Penn, Stephen Sennott and Jackson Stephan. State is March 5-6 at the U.S. Courthouse in St. Paul.
Run Ayoub run
After a top-10 finish at the state cross country meet in November, Farah committed to run for the University of Minnesota in December. “I was really grateful for coach (Brad) Wick for believing in me and offering me a spot on the roster next year. I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity and I look forward to being able to contribute to a talented Division I roster.
“I’m not entirely sure what to expect. The Big 10, I want to say, is one of the most talented conferences in running, in general. Minnesota, last year, was one of the best programs in the Big 10. I know it’s going to challenge me in ways I’ve never been challenged before.”
OHS coach Luke Holt calls the opportunity, “A true display of his hard work and dedication. His pursuit over the past year to become the best student athlete is unmatched. I could not be more happy for him. His perseverance and desire to become the best runner he can be while doing all of the little things will help him excel at the next level… He always leads by example, and his constant support and belief in his teammates is an impact that helps the entire team.”
Holt expects Farah to contend for the podium at state during this spring’s track season.
Farah plans to study political science/international relations with the plan to get into a legal field and eventually run for office.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule
Friday, Feb. 27:
OHS boys basketball vs. Northfield, 7:30 p.m.