SPORTS WRAP
As the school year reaches the home stretch and winter turns to spring – and briefly back to winter – several students have added their names to those who will play college sports. Owatonna High School (OHS) hosted a Letter of Intent signing day in early February.
Owatonna senior Ethan Fitch chose North Dakota State University to play Division I lacrosse. Huskies’ coach Scott Seykora is thrilled.
“I was ecstatic that Ethan Fitch has committed to play at NDSU. They have built a strong program there. Ethan just started playing lacrosse last year and was voted Captain for his senior year. He was selected to play in the Captains’ Cup this spring sponsored by Homegrown Lacrosse. He picked up the game really fast and worked hard to be a competitor. I'm so happy for him,” said Seykora.
Senior Jacob Ginskey likes what he found at Gustavus Adolphus College to continue his football career.
“Most of the schools either had football or academics. Gustavus, I think, had a great balance between both, and I loved the coaches, the campus, and everything there. It felt like the right place,” said Ginskey.
In addition to several OHS grads on the roster in St. Peter, high school teammate Torrin Smith will also be a Gusty. He finds a special connection on the gridiron.
“I don’t think there’s anyone on that team that didn’t get along with one another. That was definitely my favorite thing about it. I could talk to anyone at any time during practice and just have a good conversation with them,” said Smith.
The Huskies won the section championship in the fall.
Gusty soccer
The connection to Gustavus extends to the soccer pitch, where Ashton Kraus will put his skills on display.
“He was probably the most complete player I have coached in a very long time. There was no weakness to his game. Probably the best one-vs.-one player I have seen that could dominate with or without the ball. He seemed to be playing one step ahead of the competition at all times,’ said Huskies’ head coach Bob Waypa.
Running west
Senior Laken Meier, who recently sang and danced in the OHS musical Newsies, is headed to Colorado Christian in Lakewood.
“I just really love it there. I think it’s really pretty, and the academics and athletics are amazing. And especially having faith being the center of the school is something that I was really looking for,” said Meier.
She’ll run sprints “and they’re really excited about my long jump. They really want to try and see what I can do in the triple jump. That should be interesting, because I’ve never done that before,” said Meier on the Owatonna Live Coaches Show.
Hoops south
Daxter Lee has done everything during his five years for NRHEG.
“When I started in eighth grade, I was a defensive guy, a facilitator. Then I went to freshman year, and I was a scorer. I went to my sophomore year. That’s when I was more of a scorer, but also a role player. And then my junior year, I was shooting guard. So, I was a shoot-first guy. But now this year, I’m a point guard. So, I had to be a pass-first guy. It’s changed throughout the years, and I enjoy it,” said Lee.
He committed to the University of Dubuque in Iowa.
“They know how to win. I want to go enjoy and learn a lot there,” said Lee.
Dancing up a storm
The time is approaching for Dancing with Our Steele County Stars. Mainstreet Director Lisa Cochran and I are among the nine couples that will trip the light fantastic (or possibly trip each other, in our case) to benefit Healthy Seniors of Steele County at OHS on Saturday, April 13.
Personally, I think we have a better chance of making a half-court shot in the Federated Gym than sashaying our way to the medal stand in the dance contest. However, we are having fun and helping a great cause.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule
Thursday, April 4
Medford baseball vs. Triton, 4:30 p.m.
Friday, April 5
Medford baseball vs. Lake Crystal-Welcome Memorial, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, April 8
Medford softball vs. United South Central, 4:30 p.m.