SPORTS WRAP

No fewer than four OHS teams start the new year atop the Big Nine Conference. From the mats and pools to rinks and courts, 2024 is starting off well for Owatonna.

The wrestlers (4-0 in the Big Nine Conference) have just two ranked individuals, despite returning seven athletes who went to state last season, and only one senior in their regular lineup.

Albert Lea Area is eighth-ranked. Northfield and Rochester Mayo join the Huskies among the “lean and mean” teams.

“We know that we’re the underdogs. We live in that. That’s fine. It makes us kind of wrestle with our backs to the wall. So, that’s kind of good,” said Owatonna head coach Derek Johnson. Owatonna’s last Big Nine Conference title was three seasons ago.

“Our lower weights have been tough for a while. Now they’re spaced out to where 107 basically through 145, we are some of the best in the state…We have a couple in a row in the upper weights too that are going to be hammers,” said Johnson. OHS is home against Winona on Friday, Jan. 5. Albert Lea comes to town on Feb. 1.

Gymnastics

Owatonna’s gymnasts have captured seven of the last eight conference titles, including last season. The squad returns nearly their entire line-up from a third-place finish at state.

“You just have to know there’s a bigger picture in mind than just yourself. You have a team to pull through for. It’s always putting the team first and doing the best that you can moving on from that event and being confident in your abilities,” said senior Emma Johnson.

The Huskies host Mankato East and West on Thursday, Jan. 4, at the Owatonna Gymnastics Club.

Boys’ hoops

Boys’ basketball (3-1 in the Big Nine Conference) is a banked-in, buzzer-beating three away from a perfect start in league play. Head coach Josh Williams said that they can wear out other clubs.

“With our press, with the pressure we put on, get our guys to understand that sometimes those runs may not always happen in the first half…Second half especially if we can just be a little deeper a little more in shape, keep that pressure on hopefully some of those bigger runs happen,” said Williams.

The Huskies host defending conference champion Mankato East on Thursday, Jan. 4. Owatonna won the league title two seasons ago and advanced to state.

Swim and dive

Boys’ swim and dive won their first three duals meets. Head coach Peter Rhodes is excited to go to the Maroon and Gold Meet at the University of Minnesota in early January. He feels several individuals and relays have a chance to return there for the state meet.

Rhodes said a middle-of-the-pack finish in the conference meet would be a nice improvement. The Huskies last won the Big Nine Conference title in 1995-96.

Boys’ hockey

OHS boys’ hockey head coach Dennis Will says great overall play is the early recipe.

“We actually are skating really well. I don’t know if there’s been a game where we’ve been outskated, and we’re passing really well. We’ve been working on trying to cut down on penalties and being disciplined. They’re starting to do that as well,” said Will.

Owatonna (3-0 in the Big Nine Conference) has a big game on Thursday, Jan. 4, with Rochester Century/JM coming to Four Seasons Centre. The last crown was for the Indians in 1992-93 when the team won back-to-back years.

OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play

Thursday, Jan. 4
OHS boys’ hockey vs. Century/JM, 7 p.m.
Medford boys’ basketball vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo, 7:15 p.m.
OHS boys’ basketball vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 5
OHS wrestling vs. Winona, 7 p.m.
Medford boys’ basketball vs. Hayfield, 7:15 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 6
OHS girls’ basketball vs. Lakeville North, 1 p.m.