SPORTS WRAP
The Owatonna High School Athletic Hall of Fame is taking on a hue of maroon and gold this week. Three of the new members competed for the University of Minnesota after their days at OHS.
Karyn (Stordahl) Utecht played golf for the Gophers after winning a state individual title with the Huskies. Andrew Stelter was a football lineman following a state high school championship season. Daniel Humes ran for coach Roy Griak after setting numerous high school cross-country records. Adam Hanna, goalie for Owatonna’s only boys hockey state tournament team and Neal Davis, who turned around a struggling OHS football team, are the other individual inductees.
The newest “Team of Distinction” is the 1979 state champion girls cross-country team.
A reception will be held on Friday, Sept. 11 at 3:15 p.m. in the OHS Commons. The induction ceremony is at 4 p.m. in the Wenger Performing Arts Center. New members will be recognized during the football game against Mankato West.
Utecht graduated in 1999, the same spring she won the state individual golf championship while helping the team to a runner-up finish. She qualified for state all five years of her high school career and was a five-time letterwinner for the tennis team. Outside of sports, she was named Miss Minnesota in 2005.
Stelter graduated in 2014 after anchoring the defensive line of Owatonna’s first state championship football team in 2013 and was a Mr. Football finalist. He was a physical force on the basketball court and placed at the state track meet in shot put and discus. Stelter played professionally in the AAF and XFL.
Hanna graduated in 1999 one year after backstopping the Huskies to the state boys hockey tournament. His 1998 boys golf team was state runner-up. He played hockey for St. John’s University and was named the Division III National Player of the Year in 2006. Hanna played three years of pro hockey.
Humes (Class of 1970) was a freshman on a Big Ten championship cross-country team with the Gophers. He set numerous course records during his prep career and placed sixth at state his senior year.
Davis took over the Indians football team in 1957 while it was on a 22-game losing streak. Over the next 10 seasons, he “laid the foundation for Owatonna’s future success,” states a press release from the OHS Athletic Hall of Fame committee. He had several six- and seven-win seasons in the days before playoffs.
“Davis was known most for the character and integrity he instilled in his players,” read the press release. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, receiving the Purple Heart and four Battle Stars. Davis played football at Luther College and is a member of their athletic hall of fame and the Minnesota Coaches Hall of Fame.
Owatonna’s “Silver Belles” girls cross-country team won the 1979 state championship. The late Coach Ev Berg – a hall of fame member himself – believed the girls gained an advantage because of the co-ed practices they had with their male classmates.
Team members included Jane Brosen, Lani Granowski, Patricia Reynolds, Jenny Dunnum, Zandy Zwiebel, Sheri Carlson, and Loree Haugland. Linda Matejcek was the assistant coach.
Back on the court
Owatonna volleyball has a much different look this season after graduating heavily from a Big Nine Conference runner-up team. Coach Josh Halva expects them to grow throughout the season.
“It’s a huge challenge. Of the seven seniors that played a lot I think four of them, it was their third year on varsity. We’re bringing back two people with actual varsity time…Where we’re at in September will not be where we’re at in October. They’ll be 10 times the team,” said Halva.
The Huskies have a new setter, new libero, and hitters in new positions.
Junior Taelyn Klein sets after watching Kali Belting last year. “She didn’t have a lot of experience. That really stuck with me. You get put in situations you might not feel comfortable with or fully ready for. But you really got to trust yourself. Trust your team.
“We have smart players that will make smart choices, strong hits. They know when to change it up. They know if I call something, and they’re like, no, I want to run this, I’ll trust them. They know to trust me if I want to change it up,” said Klein.
Junior Blair Kath moves from right side to outside hitter and will be more involved in finishing plays. “I’m pretty excited. It’s definitely different from last year. It’ll challenge me more and I’m ready to get to know more of that position.
“Talking with (Klein). Letting her know how her sets are for us. Improvising with her sets and not let her get down on herself as well as we adjust,” said Kath.
Halva says the team will rely on its defense behind junior libero Callie Cook and specialists Reagan DeWitz and sophomore Malea Stevens. “Their passing and defense is insane. We’re going to be hard to put a ball down against. We just got to be able to put a ball down against somebody else. The rallies last a while,” he said.
DeWitz, one of eight seniors, says, “We have five full back row players. Two of us played on varsity last year.”
She expects Cook to step right into the libero role. “The positive energy she brings. She’s never looking down on anybody else. She’s always lifting others up and talking constantly,” said DeWitz.
Halva adds, “Callie earned that role. It was off leadership, her communication. She’s constantly positive. She holds people accountable. I named her captain last year, as a sophomore, for this upcoming year.”
DeWitz says it will take connection off the court to have success on it. “With fewer people with varsity experience, the communication and bond between us will definitely be stronger. Working hard in the weight room and on the court at practice. And having positive energy through games and working together,” she said.
Klein says the players have built a deep bond and friendship over time.
The Huskies have their home opener on Monday, Sept. 14 against Farmington. Kath enjoys playing in Federated Gym. “I like the atmosphere, having a bunch of fans. Knowing closer relatives, like my grandma, are there,” she said.