SPORTS WRAP
Improved Rockets
John Marshall gave Owatonna a game for a while last Friday, leading 14-6 at halftime. The Huskies roared back with four straight touchdown drives in the second half to win 32-22.
Jeff Williams is happy to see the JM program become competitive again after an extended down period that included an 0-9 campaign two years ago.
“I’m very pleased. The way they’ve done the districting, drawn the boundaries, they put John Marshall behind the eight ball with the student population they’ve had. To see coach Kyle Riggott come in and take what had been a pretty tough operation for a few years and really turn the corner and have some success and develop some enthusiasm is really good to see. It is good for the district. It’s good for Rochester. And it’s good for John Marshall,” said Williams.
“Coach Riggott put his arms around these guys. Got them into the weight room. Got them doing some summer work that had fallen by the wayside at John Marshall for a few years. He’s done the things you need to do to build the program,” he said.
A century later
Owatonna’s win evened the career series with JM for the first time in one hundred years. An Indians victory in 1924 squared the series at 2-2. It’s taken the current 22-game winning streak to climb back to even. Williams is 23-9 against JM. The current head-to-head mark is 46-46-1, according to my records. If the seeds play out in the section tournament, the teams will meet again in the finals on Nov. 1 at Federated Field. Owatonna secured the top seed with the win over the Rockets last week and John Marshall is set for the second seed. Each will host its first section game on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Youth 1st
In my experience, kids in sports mainly want to have fun and be with their friends – especially at the younger levels. While there are many reasons to be in athletics, enjoyment and being with friends come up frequently when I ask student-athletes why they like participating.
I recently spoke with a junior high cross-country runner about what she liked about running. She said she didn’t like it. But she did enjoy hanging out with her friends. A few years ago, while coaching my son’s youth baseball team, a player said he had the most fun of any summer. That despite us only winning one game.
Mark Arjes, founder of Youth 1st, joined Jon Partridge on The FAN Owatonna’s Mic’d Up Misfits radio show recently to talk about his group’s mission to keep games fun and encourage sportsmanship in youth sports.
“First of all, remember it’s about the kids. Second, keep your competitive energies in check,” he said. “And the last one is always respect officials and opponents. If you don’t have officials or opponents, you don’t have games and competitions,” said Arjes.
“Let them have fun. And let them play and encourage them. That’s probably the biggest thing I learned as a parent was to encourage my kids when they were playing sports,” said Arjes. Keeping kids excited and coming back each year is vital, he believes.
Youth 1st wrapped up another successful Pigskin and Pork BBQ rib fundraiser with Cash Wise Foods to support their awards program and the Owatonna Parks and Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund.
“To have the scholarship fund there for families that maybe need a little help to get their kids in sports across the whole community. We just felt that that was a great place to do a donation,” said Arjes.
The team awards program in conjunction with Minnesota State University, Mankato is hosting a day with the Mavericks on Saturday, Oct. 26 where Owatonna kids can go to a football or volleyball game.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to see that higher level college play and get closer to the players… And for baseball, they got invited to go to the Twins and walk the warning track. The team awards program just reinforces that sportsmanship piece for everybody and tries to make some memories for the kids,” Arjes said. Find out more at youth1st.com.
Medford volleyball
Medford volleyball has taken on challenges this season, playing in some elite tournaments with an inexperienced roster with the hope of being battle-tested for the postseason.
The Tigers have a couple of veteran hitters.
“Addison Vandereide, Madalyn Huizel they’ve brought a lot to our offense. Libby Sutherland, this is her first time playing varsity. She’s done very well. We just need to fine-tune a few things with her and she’s been working really hard on making those adjustments. And Olivia Ward has stepped into that middle role. She’s another one that brings a dynamic to the offense. We have Amanda Bock who was our right-side last year. Who’s really grown in that position,” said Medford Head Coach Missy Underdahl.
She says the back row is young.
“As the season has progressed, we’ve definitely gotten stronger at defense,” she said. She recently told the team, “It’s your guys’ turn here soon. Where everything is going to come together and you’re going to have a great all-around game.”
Hailey Hemann is a third-year setter and told the Owatonna Live Coaches Show, “I’ve gotten settled in… As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that it’s ok to make mistakes. Having fun is going to get me farther than being nervous.”
Vandereide loves Hemann’s determination.
“I feel like we try to mix up our shots for the most part. It helps us keep the defense on their toes and just make our offense better,” said Vandereide.
Hemann said the home crowd at the Medford gym fires them up.
“I feel like the kids at Medford are really into volleyball. It’s one of our main sports. The fans we have are really dedicated,” said Hemann.
Both are following in the footsteps of their brothers.
“My brother’s definitely very motivating,” proclaimed Vandereide. “He pushes me to be the best. He’s a good leader for me.” Each plan to get into the medical field after high school.
Medford wrapped up the regular season with a game against Blooming Prairie this week. The playoffs begin on Monday, Oct. 21. Chatfield and Caledonia are among the favorites as top-10 rated Section 1AA teams.
The Tigers are five years removed from back-to-back state tournament appearances.
“I just remember going up and watching them at state. It really inspired me when I was younger because obviously, I wanted that to be me when I got older,” said Vandereide.