SPORTS WRAP
Training is not necessary. Athletic wear is optional.
The Owatonna Young Professionals group is hosting the fourth annual 0.5K Beer Run on Saturday, June 20 at Mineral Springs Brewery from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
That’s zero-point-five-k. Roughly a third of a mile. About two football fields.
The event benefits the Owatonna Area Special Olympics.
Taylor Herman of the Young Professionals says the idea came up at a committee meeting from someone who had done this at college. “It’s an easy race. It’s not hard. It’s short. It’s quick… It’s different. We didn’t want to do the same thing that someone else has already done.
“That’s how Owatonna’s shortest race came to be,” said Herman.
Rylee Muhr says bettering the community is a core value for the group, which is affiliated with the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism “It gives us a goal to reach to benefit a non-profit. It’s that extra layer of project management to going out and networking with the community for those business partnerships, those sponsorships.
“It gave the Young Professionals a way to hone in those skills. Then also give back to the community. And do something fun,” said Muhr.
The run features food trucks and beverages and will be held rain or shine. It’s for all ages. Dressing up is encouraged. Register through the chamber website. Walk-ups are welcome.
Muhr told Owatonna Live’s Business Talk, “We’re a networking group of 18-to-39-year-olds looking to professional development, personal development, but then also get connected to the community. We want to showcase Owatonna as a place to work, live and play.”
Herman says they host an educational “lunch and learns” series.
“We like to bring in local people to talk about topics, whatever that could be. That can range from personal to professional development,” said Herman.
He said many of the Young Professionals are new to town and events provide a way for them to get connected to the community. They are hosting a tailgate at the Owatonna Aces amateur baseball game on Wednesday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Dartt’s Park.
NCAA Lacrosse Tournament
One dream completed. On to the next for Preston Meier.
The 2022 OHS grad concluded his senior year at Concordia University of Wisconsin as an all-conference player on the league championship lacrosse team, which played in the NCAA Division III tournament.
“It was the number one goal for this season and to be able to accomplish it was like a dream come true for me and my teammates. And I know it meant a lot, even to some of the players I’d played with in the past.”
The Falcons hosted the first-round game, falling to Ohio Northern, a club coached by a former professional lacrosse coach.
Meier says playing college sports provided an automatic bonding group. “I think that brings us together even closer because you’re coming to a school where you don’t know anybody. So, you have to lean on your teammates in that sense,” said Meier.
He says Concordia has a very strong supportive athletic environment and he was encouraged to run cross-country as well. “Once I knew it wasn’t going to be too hard or a big deal, and we could work out a balanced schedule, I was all for it. Getting to do two sports that I love at the collegiate level.”
He and his former OHS teammate Sam Pfieffer will run a youth lacrosse camp in town again this year. The two spent their formative years frequently traveling great distances for camps and to play. “We wanted to bring something for the youth here in Owatonna to make things easier, help develop their skills, and ultimately, grow the game of lacrosse.”
Meier was excited to see the Huskies have a record-setting year and reach the section finals for the first time. “They had a great team this year. Super entertaining. They did amazing.”
Having just graduated and landed a full-time job in Owatonna, Meier can focus on checking the next item off his bucket list.
He will run Twin Cities Marathon this October. “I’ve been a runner my whole life. Honestly, I feel like it’s something you have to do and I’ve wanted to do.”
End of Year Wrap
With the closing of the 2025-26 school year, now is a good time to reflect on a few of the highlights. Leaving the conference titles and section championships for another day, the fine arts are an area of joy and passion at OHS.
One of my favorite days of the year is the winter concert in December. Senior Mia Armstrong sings in Concert Choir, Treble Choir, and with the Carolers. “The spirit of the season brings it all together. When you get into those long rehearsals (for Carolers), it’s like, ‘OK, I’m ready to be done.’ Then you start performing. Everyone loves it. Everyone appreciates it. It’s just great. We have fun,” said Armstrong.
She told Owatonna Live, “I think the biggest thing I’ll miss of high school overall is choir. The music department. Our choir families. The music we do and how hard we work every day. It’s what I love.”
The Owatonna Theater Department musicals become more epic each year. Newsies was top notch two years ago. Mama Mia was a high-spirited romp last year. Les Misérables was spectacular this year.
Senior Logan Halverson, appearing in his first high school production, landed one of the main leads as Jean Valjean. “This is my first one. I stepped into the deep water, if I may say. I’ve been having fun so far. But there’s definitely a lot of room to grow.
“I wasn’t expecting to get the role that I got. So, I’m very fortunate. This is something I can do in the wintertime. I can hang out with my buds,” he said before the show.
In reflection after the show closed, he commented, “It was a lot of work that we put in. But afterward, it was a little bit bittersweet. It was bitter that it had to end, because it was so much fun to do. But then it was sweet to get your life back, in some ways more than others. Rehearsals were pretty long.”
I enjoy interviewing students involved in Magnet, Speech, Mock Trial and Student Council. It’s important to give these students and their accomplishments publicity. We also featured Knowledge Bowl, DECA, Young Life, and the robotics team on the Owatonna Live Coaches Show.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule
Wednesday, June 10:
Aces baseball vs. Pine Island
Sunday, June 14:
Aces baseball vs. Winona
Tuesday, June 16:
Legion baseball vs. Rochester JM, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, June 17:
VFW baseball vs. Faribault, 5 p.m.