SPORTS WRAP

Owatonna High School gymnastics sets the bar of success high. They have won seven of the last eight Big Nine Conference and section titles, and have taken third place at state five times.

Nearly the entire lineup returns.

“We have a lot more skill that came on early this year. We have a lot of girls that have been practicing all summer long at off-season practices, making sure they’re on top of everything. We’ve all worked pretty hard this season so we’re a lot farther ahead than we were last year,” said senior captain Kaelyn Smith on the Owatonna Live Coaches Show.

Senior captain Emma Johnson believes depth could propel the Huskies back to state.

“I was super pleased with coming in third. I think that was about where we were at, and I think our team performed really well. That was a really good place for us to be. But I think this year we’re definitely capable of more,” she said.

Coach Evan Moe says it doesn’t take a lot to motivate the gymnasts.

“We do plant the seed in the back of their heads. We see a lot of our section opponents, in the conference of course, but also at invites, we’ll see teams like Lakeville North, South, Farmington… We tell the kids, flat out, these are nice kids, but at the end of the day, they want to beat you. You have a target on your back… That’s all the push they need, truthfully,” he said.

Owatonna and Lakeville South have each held the top ranking in the state this season and have squared off several times. Farmington is also top-10 rated. OHS is the three-time defending section champ.

More skills

Moe says they have built upon previous skills.

“We’re making upgrades across the board on a lot of these routines. On beam, we’re capping out right where they need to be. Bars though, we’re adding a lot of new difficulties.”

The Huskies nearly matched their state score at this season’s opening meet. “We were very proud of that,” said Moe.

“We’re upgrading some vaults, getting some different shapes to get a higher starting value. But for the most part, these kids are just working. No matter who they are, they’re working harder to get that next level of skill,” said Moe.

The Big Nine Conference competition is on Saturday, Feb. 10 in Mankato. The Section 1AA meet is Saturday, Feb. 17 at Rochester John Marshall High School. Roy Wilkins Auditorium hosts the state meet from Feb. 23-24.

Player of the Year

Gustavus Adolphus College linebacker Carson DeKam (OHS ’20) has made an impact on the Gusties’ football program. It has also made an impact on him.

“It’s always been about, not just football, but growing myself in every aspect of my life. We have something called the impact wheel where you can grow yourself in many different areas, whether it’s faith, whether it's school, social life…” said DeKam.

He became the first Gusty to earn MIAC Defensive Player of the Year honors after last season “You’ll see so many great players. So, to have coaches recognize you and see you that way, and see you at that level, playing at that level, it’s incredible,” said DeKam in an interview with Todd Walkingstick on Owatonna Live’s Beyond the Game.

The Gusties reached their goal of the conference championship game.

“The big opponent in our way every year is St. John’s. They’re in the Northwoods Division as well. Being able to beat them, go undefeated in the conference, especially the way that we started the season at 0-3, to win five straight like that was incredible. And then to win it at home was special.” Gustavus fell to Bethel in the title game.

He said being voted captain really touched him.

“When I was named a captain for Owatonna my senior year, it was cool because you knew everybody and you’ve known everybody for your entire life. I’ve only known these guys for two, or three years of my life. To be named a captain for people that you just met and people that you’ve really only seen a couple of times in your life, it’s incredible,” said DeKam.

Starting his college career during the COVID-19 year of 2020 means he has a fifth year of eligibility.

“It’s been crazy to look back on. I’m a senior now and I’ve been in this program for four years, and now I’ve got one last ride to go still.” Watch the full interview on OwatonnaLive.com.

Boys’ hockey

Seven high schools in the city of Minneapolis – population 429,954 – support one boys’ varsity hockey team. The last time OHS hosted a team from that city was 2002 and Southwest had their own squad. The late Owatonna head coach Dave Fromm played for Roosevelt.

Minneapolis came to the Four Seasons Centre last week and used an up-tempo pace to skate off with a 5-2 win. Owatonna’s Mark Spurgeon scored on the power play midway through the first period to tie the game at 1-1. Minneapolis went up 2-1 three minutes later and scored twice in the second for a 4-1 lead entering the third. Owen Beyer had the Huskies’ second goal with under seven minutes to play.

Last Thursday Owatonna had a four-goal first period on the way to a 7-0 win at Austin. Seven different players scored, including the first varsity goal for Cooper Aul. The Huskies topped Rochester Mayo 4-0 on Saturday. Zack Klecker scored twice.

OHS plays a key section and conference game Thursday, Feb. 1 against Rochester Century at Graham Arena.

Senior Night

The Owatonna girls’ hockey squad celebrated seniors Molly Achterkirch, Samantha Bogen, Izzy Radel and Zoie Roush during Saturday’s 6-1 win over Mayo in the final home game of the regular season. Roush had two goals.

Coach Tony Cloud said they combine for 21 seasons of varsity hockey.

“They’ve had a lot of years together. We’re really encouraged with what we’ve seen from these four girls and the leadership that they’ve brought and the experience that they bring to this young team,” said Cloud.

Two days prior OHS buried Austin 15-0 with ten players scoring. Averi Vetsch had a hat trick. The Huskies play Mankato East Thursday, Feb. 1 at 5:15 p.m. Playoffs start on Feb. 7.

Outdoor rinks

For at least a few days, it was cold enough for outdoor ice. Now, Morehouse is closed again and backyard rinks are mini pools. OHS junior Alia Kubicek has spent plenty of time through the years on her family’s outdoor rink, chasing around her three older brothers.

“I just remember not being able to skate very well and my brothers usually stick handling easily around me. But eventually, I got better, and I could stop them,” she said.

“Yeah, it helped a lot. Especially with the different speeds hockey is played at. My brothers played at a lot higher speed. So, I think it actually helped me become a better hockey player.”

Up North

Huskies’ boys’ hockey coach Dennis Will grew up in Superior, Wisconsin.

“We always had outdoor ice. I lived about a block from the rink. So, I would come home on a regular school day and head off to the rink and come home when it was dark,” said Will.

“I think it’s really good. Especially for the young kids to be out there getting extra ice time. You learn things on the outdoor rink you don’t learn when you’re at the arena. It’s good for kids to have some unstructured time where they’re not being coached all the time and just let them play and get that joy of the game,” he said.

Down South

Steele County Blades’ forward Nate Rakness played annually in an outdoor pond hockey tournament growing up in Fairmont.

“They set up five or six different rinks out on a lake and have a bunch of teams sign up from all age classes. You go out there and play pond hockey. It’s a pretty big event,” said Rakness.

Hockey Day Minnesota was held last weekend in Warroad and hits Valleyfair next year.

OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule

Thursday, Feb. 1
Medford wrestling vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo, 7 p.m.
OHS wrestling vs. Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 2
Medford boys’ basketball vs. WEM, 7:15 p.m.
OHS girls’ basketball vs. Austin, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 3
OHS boys’ hockey vs. Mankato East, 7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 5
Medford girls’ basketball vs. JWP, 7:15 p.m.