SPORTS WRAP
For one week this fall, Owatonna varsity soccer will call Federated Field its home pitch.
The boys host Albert Lea on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Two days later, the girls play Northfield. Both sides like the excitement of playing at the high school, while still knowing they have something special at the Lincoln Soccer Complex.
The girls broke the ice by playing their regular season finale there last year.
“It was just fun to celebrate the new high school and our players be a part of it. It definitely has more of a ‘stadium feel’ and almost feels like they were playing on a bigger stage. The girls played one of their best games of the season that game and ended up beating Mayo,” said girls head coach Nate Gendron.
“I know a lot of the guys wanted to play at least one game on turf at the new stadium, and it did not work out last year, but it does work out this year. So, we are looking forward to it. The speed is much faster, passing, receiving, and even thinking/processing of the game. The ball bounces a lot, which we are not used to training on grass most of the time. Finally, turf is an unforgiving surface,” boys head coach Bob Waypa said.
“We have to keep more control of the ball and keep the ball closer to our feet. We have to play more direct on turf, whereas on grass we can spread the field a little bit more,” added Gendron.
He still loves their home pitch.
“Any true soccer fanatic knows that the game is truly better on grass. We will be staying at Lincoln Elementary for the foreseeable future. The Owatonna Park and Recreation crew has done a great job maintaining the fields and actually have cut our grass really low, which is true to what soccer should look like,” said Gendron.
Gendron said that gives the Huskies a more defined home field advantage.
“Not many teams play on natural grass anymore and our Lincoln field is big, and we can use it to our advantage to spread and stretch the field.”
Waypa also appreciates the home field.
“I love playing at Lincoln, on one of the best grass fields in the state. But mixing in a couple of games on turf is OK during a long season.”
The Huskies boys begin the season Saturday, Aug. 24, hosting Lakeville North. The girls open on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at Prior Lake. Practice begins on Monday, Aug. 12, for all fall sports.
Ace serve
It’s good for you and fun, too. Tennis in Owatonna got a boost with the construction of the courts at the new high school.
“There’s nothing better than playing on brand new courts,” said Owatonna Tennis Association (OTA) president Jerry Hartmann on the Owatonna Live Coaches Show. “The surface is just pristine. The nets are great. The school district did a marvelous job.”
There are outdoor courts at the old high school, Dartt’s Park, Manthey Park, Lincoln School, and indoor courts at West Hills.
OTA has 100+ members and is ready to welcome more for a very nominal $10 per year for individuals and $25 for families.
“As a community tennis association, we basically focus on helping to promote and support the game. The more people we have that are members of the association, the bigger the voice tennis has in the community,” said Hartmann.
Hartmann said tennis is the number one sport for extending your life by staying active.
A friend’s doctor told him recently that “tennis is one of the best sports you can play as you age because it keeps you balanced. You maintain your balance and also your mental acuity because you’re always problem-solving. Where to hit the ball, how to hit the ball.”
The association is a booster club for the Huskies’ program and helps with funding an extra coach, team awards and banners, and occasionally some extra tennis balls. Hartmann says they also brought some continuity to the task of being a captain by preparing a how-to guide.
He says tennis exists just fine alongside pickleball.
“I don’t really think it’s hurting tennis that much, because it’s a different type of sport.” Hartmann plays both himself. Watch the full conversation on OwatonnaLive.com.
10th Annual OTA Summer Tournament results
Men’s singles, A bracket: Matt Hokanson defeated Madden Vanderwerf.
Men’s singles, B bracket: Marcus Troe defeated Nelson Landrau.
Boys 16-and-under: Asher Penn defeated (his brother) August Penn.
Girls 16-and-under: Patricia Procopio defeated Gabrielle Navarro.
Men’s doubles, A bracket: Brad Nehls/John Foss defeated Caleb Schuler/Mac Pilcher.
Men’s doubles, B bracket: Jeff Anderson/Mitch Cocchiarella defeated Mathew Lust/Max Seybolt.
Women’s doubles: Procopio/Greta Veldman (winners.)
Mixed doubles, A bracket: Hokanson/Savannah Haugen defeated Schuler/Sara Anderson.
Mixed doubles, B bracket: Beth LaCanne/Jon Bolster defeated Sarah Palm/Rusty Hardman.