SPORTS WRAP
Royalty Reign
“It’s so exciting. It wasn’t something I was expecting. It’s such an honor,” said Anna Cox on being named the first homecoming queen at the new Owatonna High School. “Being the first at this school is a really neat opportunity.”
“I’m just grateful. It was a good group of boys and good group of girls. I’m just grateful that I was chosen,” said Jacob Ginskey after being crowned king.
On the night of coronation, Cox was excited for Friday night. “There’s a dance that we perform at halftime for the student section that we’ve been practicing, and I’m really excited for that. It’s a mash-up of different popular songs. That’ll be fun.”
Cox is a cross-country captain, runs track, and is a member of NHS, FFA and Students Helping Others Choose (SHOC). She plans to pursue a career in agriculture.
“I work on a dairy farm, and I show dairy cows. That’s something that I want to go into,” she said.
Ginskey is in band, choir, NHS, SHOC, DECA and Rotary. He’s a captain for all his sports. “I just do my best to help lead the team,” he said. He might pursue football after high school and is thinking of a business major for now.
Regarding the new high school, Cox said, “It’s so awesome. It’s a really beautiful school. And I’m so blessed that I get one year in it.”
“It’s been awesome. The whole facility is like coach Williams was saying,” Ginskey echoed.
Words from the coach
Williams doesn’t usually spend much time talking about football when he takes the stage for homecoming coronation. This year in the new high school was no different. While he thanked fans for their support, he did not discuss the passing game, the squad’s defensive prowess or any keys to a win on Friday night.
“The support that our kids have gotten this fall from you guys and from the student section has been unbelievable and is very much appreciated,” he said.
He congratulated the homecoming royalty as well.
“It’s really a neat feeling to know that your peers, your classmates think so highly of you,” he said to the candidates.
Williams focused on opportunities and amenities that generations of students will get to enjoy in the new building. He heard a recurring theme while visiting with residents during the recent grand opening.
“There was a tremendous sense of pride on the part of the people who came to view this building and how neat it turned out. They were so proud that they could provide this gift to the kids of Owatonna and the kids of Owatonna to come.”
He spoke of veteran educators who will utilize the new spaces, including Erik Eitrheim.
“I’m firmly convinced that he is the best theater director in the state of Minnesota. And I am firmly convinced that one of the reasons why this community invested in this theater here is because they went to plays in the old place and said, ‘We can do better.’”
He also spoke of the new music center.
“You see that music wing, it’s absolutely gorgeous, beautiful and state-of-the-art. The community was willing to invest in that music wing because we’ve got Mrs. Sandra Justice, Mr. Peter Guenther, and Ms. Paula Asmus. They’re phenomenal music teachers and they’re carrying on a great tradition of music in Owatonna,” said Williams.
“You go up to our weight room,” he continued. “Why is our weight room this beautiful and luxurious and full of 18 racks? Because we have Mr. Jerry Eggermont up there. Because Mr. Eggermont pours into the kids, and he poured into kids in a small facility. A facility that didn’t have nearly the amount of equipment and the community said, ‘We can do better for our kids.’”
“Facilities are great, but I am grateful that we were able to transplant those people and so many more from the old high school. Bringing them into this facility so they can pour into these kids. Between the facility, the mentorship, and the guidance they provide to our kids, we’re going to give them the best education that money can buy.”
Fans left the auditorium without knowing the game plan for Century but realizing that they should be there to be part of the fun of homecoming. You can see a video of the coronation and the homecoming parade on OwatonnaLive.com.
Stunning Cancellation
The Twin Cities Marathon and 10-mile were canceled Sunday due to extreme heat conditions. I signed up for the 10-mile. We were cautioned several times during the week that there was a slight chance of cancellation. I was still stunned to get the email at 5:30 a.m. Sunday as I was driving to a parking lot in St. Paul.
Having planned for and being prepared to run, I found a park with a lake to run laps around for my own virtual 10-mile. The weather was warm in the morning, but I have run in plenty of heat this summer and had water handy. At the same time, I would not have wanted to tackle the marathon in those conditions. Officials took plenty of grief in social media posts over the move. But I also know of some marathoners who were grateful the decision was made.
Officials suggested during the week that if people hadn’t trained well enough or had medical conditions, they should consider not running. I feel that many, myself included, who had signed up for the full, would have gone ahead with it anyway – which could have led to some dire circumstances.
Hail Mary Catch
NRHEG grad Tyrone Wilson, a sophomore wide receiver with Augsburg University, caught a last-second touchdown pass at Gustavus Adolphus to lift the Auggies to an improbable victory on Sept. 23. His leaping grab in the end zone with one second remaining gave Augsburg the win at 33-31. It was Wilson’s second touchdown catch of the game and fourth of the year.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule
Thursday, Oct. 5
OHS girls’ swim/dive vs. Albert Lea, 6:30 p.m.
OHS girls’ soccer vs. Rochester Mayo, at new OHS, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 6
OHS football at Mankato West, 7 p.m. (simulcast on The FAN-Owatonna, 1170AM/106.3FM)
Blooming Prairie football vs. Hayfield, 7 p.m.