SPORTS WRAP
OHS tennis sophomore Tristan Gibart hopes to play in college. But in the meantime, is trying to ensure the high school program stays strong by spending time instructing younger players.
He worked at the Owatonna Indoor Tennis Center over the winter. “If we as a team put in the time, we have a chance to be one of the top teams in the Big Nine Conference. I just wanted to give the entire team a chance. Tennis, even though it’s an individual sport, there’s still a team aspect. If you team’s not good, you’re not going to be good,” said Gibart.
Gibart says there are already results. “A lot of people that are moving up the ladder of the lineup actually are involved in the offseason hitting groups that I do.”
For his goal of playing past high school, “throughout the offseason I did some mental training and USTA and UTR tournaments, simple hitting like that can really up your game.”
He’s taking the challenge head on of holding down the number one spot in the singles rotation. “Being an underclassman, getting to see and play all these seniors before they graduate. I think that’s just a good competition aspect.
“Getting to play better competition, even if I’m not winning these matches, is still getting me better. Then through that, I can implement that to the rest of my team and help them get better as well throughout the offseason,” he said.
Gibart believes the Huskies lineup is quite equal and competitive, and knows the lineup can change any day. “It’s quite a privilege (to be No. 1).”
Thirty-year head coach Curt Matejcek says building up the youth is crucial. “We lost our tennis pro out at the (West Hills) Tennis Center. Sara Anderson, one of our assistant coaches, has graciously taken over after her job at Federated during the day and going out to the little kid lessons.
“It’s tough to have a program if you don’t have that feeder program. We just want to make sure as a tennis association and as a tennis group that we’re able to fill the needs of those younger kids who are looking for an individual sport,” said Matejcek.
Matejcek says, “Our numbers at the varsity and JV level are really strong. We are trying to build up our numbers in that seventh- and eighth-grade level. The numbers at the lower levels right now are very strong from what I understand. It’s encouraging.”
Tate’s Night
When OHS baseball coach Tate Cummins reported to Fuller Field Thursday, April 30 for a game against Rochester John Marshall, he was hoping for a solid pitching effort and good defense. He was not expecting to be the subject of a pregame presentation recognizing his 20 years as coach.
“I did not see it coming but it’s good to see all the (former) coaches and see my family down at the park. That was a nice surprise.” He caught the ceremonial opening pitch from his daughter Ava. “She threw strike. That was good,” he said.
He says the years have gone by quickly. “Been blessed with a lot of really good baseball people, excellent people that have surrounded the program. We’ve really enjoyed coaching the kids throughout all these years. Every single season brings something new. It’s always exciting.”
Cummins recently surpassed 250 career victories. His teams have won three Big Nine Conference titles and a section championship.
The game turned out as hoped for with a five-inning complete effort on the mound from Nolan Rolloff, who was backed up with three double plays, and hit a home run in the 10-0 win over the Rockets. Adean Tackmann’s two-run triple ended the game.
The previous night, the Huskies topped Mankato West 2-1. Jace Ulrich tossed all seven. Catcher Arik Tackmann and right fielder A.J. Ulrich made big defensive plays.
A.J. Ulrich toed the rubber Tuesday, going the distance and holding Winona to five hits in a 7-1 victory at Dartt’s. Will Radel had two RBIs. Bentley Arvig scored twice and drove in a run without getting a hit.
Cummins says, “Kids are having great at bats… Our defense has been awesome… The pitching - we had three games and we threw three guys. They all threw complete games this week. That’s something to say about their effort. They’re putting a lot of work in.”
Coach Elle
Elle Williams’ affinity for softball is evident in her actions and words. For example, she skipped out to the pitching circle to discuss matters with Hanley Rosenau in the second game of a doubleheader against Mankato West on Saturday, May 2 at Federated Park.
The Owatonna pitching coach says, “I love it so much that I don’t ever want to leave the game.”
Rosenau settled down, threw a complete game four-hitter, struck out 10 and scored the winning run on a walk-off double by Ava Fisher, her third hit of the game in a 6-5 win over the Scarlets. Kendra Bogen added two hits. Samantha Meier had a two-run single.
In the opening game, OHS burst to a 4-2 lead on home runs from Jessalynn Smith, Fischer and Hailey Butler, assisted a little by a stiff breeze blowing out to right field. The Scarlets steadily built momentum and won 9-5.
Owatonna has seven games this week, including the make-up for their Strike Out Cancer game against Faribault on Friday, May 8 at 5 p.m.
Williams, a Hawley, Minnesota grad, just earned her physical education and health degree with an adapted P.E. certification at Bemidji State University where she played softball.
She is student teaching in Owatonna and thrilled to work with the Huskies’ pitchers. “They want to soak up as much knowledge as they can. A really tough part about softball being a game of failure, they don’t focus on the mental side enough.
“Making those adjustments at a young age and being able to help themselves out. Not just our group of girls, but through the whole sport, they have a lot of mental toughness that they have to build at this age. It’s a critical time for that. We’ve really been working on that.”
Head coach Jeremy Moran says, “It’s been great. She’s been connecting really well with the players, pitchers specifically. Helping them out with not just the mechanics of the game, but also the mental side of being in that circle.”
During Williams youth days, a coach of hers passed away, which motivated that group of players. “Got to state my junior year. During that time, it was so critical for us. Our grieving process and moving forward. It really helped having that team aspect.
“That drove me to want to play as much and as long as I could. That’s how I got into it. Having that great of a coach. Having a female coach that was that impactful was huge. I just wanted to have somewhat of an effect like that on other girls someday.”
Her time in Owatonna is a one-year arrangement. She will be with her husband, Brayden Williams (OHS Class of 2022), as he completes his college career at Missouri Southern State University next season, pursuing a business degree and playing basketball.
Elle believes they will return to Minnesota eventually, settling near family, either hers or his, depending on where their job hunt takes them.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule
Thursday, May 7
OHS softball vs. Rochester Century, 5 p.m.
OHS girls lacrosse vs. Rochester JM, 7:15 p.m.
Friday, May 8
OHS softball vs. Faribault, 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 9
OHS boys lacrosse vs. Mankato, 1 p.m.
OHS girls lacrosse vs. Lakeville North, 5:15 p.m.