Northfield News Winter Sports Guide
RAIDER WRESTLING (page 3)
RAIDER BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL (pages 4 and 5)
RAIDER BOYS AND GIRLS HOCKEY (pages 6 and 7)
All the info you need to know about the Raiders *Comprehensive Northfield athletic schedule included on page 2
HILINERS (page 9)
RAIDER GYMNASTICS (page 9)
GATOR BOYS SWIM AND DIVE (page 11)
RAIDER ALPINE SKI (page 12)
RAIDER NORDIC SKI (page 12)
PAGE 2
Winter Sports Spotlight A special project of the Northfield News 115 W. Fifth St., Northfield, MN 55057 www.southernminn.com/ northfield_news Editor/Publisher: Chad Hjellming Associate Editor: Sam Wilmes Sports Editor: Michael Hughes Creative Services: Kate McGillen Sales Associates: Jay Petsche
Northfield News Winter Sports
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Northfield High School winter athletic schedules ALPINE SKIING Dec. 17 — at Mankato Mount Kato, 5 p.m. Dec. 20 — at Wild Mountain, 9 a.m. Jan. 7 — at Mankato Mount Kato, 5 p.m. Jan. 10 — at Welch Mountain Ski Area, 9 a.m. Jan. 16 — at Welch Mountain Ski Area, 5 p.m. Jan. 28 — at Welch Mountain Ski Area (Big 9 Conference Championships), 5 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Dec. 5 — at Apple Valley, 7 p.m. Dec. 6 — vs. Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 — at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. The Northfield News’ 2019 Dec. 17 — vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Winter Sports Spotlight is Dec. 19 — at Albert Lea, distributed to subscribers 7:30 p.m. and readers of the Dec. 27 — vs. Minnetonka, Northfield News at no 3:45 p.m., St. John’s University additional charge. (Granite City Classic) Dec. 28 — vs. St. MichaelAll rights reserved. Albertville, 11:30 a.m., St. Copyright 2019. Cloud Tech (Granite City Classic) Jan. 3 — at Rochester Mayo, All advertising 7:30 p.m. contained herein is the Jan. 4 — vs. St. Paul Johnson, responsibility of the advertisers. Please patronize 1 p.m. and thank the advertisers Jan. 7 — vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. for helping make this Jan. 10 — vs. Austin, 7:30 p.m. special section possible. Jan. 14 — at Faribault, 8 p.m. Jan. 17 — at Winona, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 — at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 — vs. Owatonna, 3 p.m.
Jan. 28 — vs. Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 — vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 — at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 — vs. Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 — vs. Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 — at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 — at Austin, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 — vs. Faribault, 7:45 p.m. Feb. 24 — vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 — at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL Dec. 3 — vs. Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 — at Red Wing, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 — vs. Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 — vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 — at Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 — vs. Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 27 — vs. Prior Lake, 6:30 p.m., St. Olaf College Dec. 28 — vs. Simley, 4:30 p.m., St. Olaf College Jan. 3 — vs. Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 — at Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 — at Austin, 7:30 p.m Jan. 14 — at Faribault, 6 p.m. Jan. 17 — vs. Winona, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 — vs. Red Wing, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 — at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 — at Rochester John Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 — at Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 — at New Prague, 7 p.m. Feb. 4 — vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 — at Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 — at Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 — vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 — vs. Austin, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 — vs. Faribault, 6 p.m.
Gymnastics Invite, 11 a.m. Jan. 9 — vs. Owatonna, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 11 — at Lakeville Invite, 11 a.m., Lakeville North High School Jan. 16 — vs. Red Wing, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28 — at Mankato quadrangular, 6:30 p.m., Mankato K & G Gymnastics Feb. 8 — at Big 9 Conference championships, 3 p.m., Austin
Jan. 30 — at Owatonna, 7 p.m. Feb. 1 — vs. Rochester John Marshall, 3:30 p.m. Feb. 6 — at Hastings, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 — vs. Rochester Century, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 11 — vs. Albert Lea, 7:15 p.m. Feb. 13 — at Red Wing, 7:15 p.m.
GIRLS HOCKEY
Nov. 29 — at St. Cloud Apollo, 7:30 p.m., MAC Arena (St. BOYS HOCKEY Cloud Invite) Dec. 3 — at St. Paul Academy, Nov. 30 — at Sartell/Saux Rapids, 12:15 p.m., MAC Arena 7:30 p.m. (St. Cloud Invite) Dec. 5 — vs. Mankato East, Dec. 6 — at Thief River Falls, 7:15 p.m. 6 p.m. DANCE Dec. 6 — vs. Alexandria, Dec. 7 — at Warroad, noon 7:15 p.m. Dec. 14 — at Lakeville North Dec. 10 — at Rochester Dec. 10 — at Mankato West, Invite, 10 a.m. Century, 7:30 p.m. 7:15 p.m. Jan. 4 — at Henry Sibley Dec. 12 — vs. Rochester Mayo, Dec. 12 — at Rochester Mayo, Invite, 10 a.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:15 p.m. Jan. 11 — at Lakeville South Dec. 17 — at Owatonna, Dec. 17 — vs. Owatonna, Invite, 10 a.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. Jan. 18 — at Big 9 Conference Dec. 20 — at Lakeville South, Dec. 19 — vs. Mahtomedi, Championships, noon, Austin 7:30 p.m. 7:15 p.m. Jan. 25 — at New Prague Dec. 26-28 — at Farmington Dec. 21 — at Rochester John Invite, 10 a.m. Invite, TBD, Schmitz-Maki Marshall, 5 p.m. Arena Dec. 26 — at Schwan’s Cup, GYMNASTICS Jan. 2 — vs. Rochester John TBD, Blaine National Sports *all home meets at Farmington Center Marshall, 7:30 p.m. Gymnastics Club Jan. 4 — at Mankato West, Dec. 27-28 — at Schwan’s Dec. 5 — vs. Winona, 6:30 p.m. Cup, TBD, Blaine National 4 p.m. Dec. 7 — at Prior Lake Invite, Jan. 9 — at Austin, 7:15 p.m. Sports Center noon, Twin Oaks Middle Jan. 11 — at Mahtomedi, Jan. 4 — vs. Mankato West, School noon, North Dale Rec 3 p.m. Dec. 13 — at Rochester Center Jan. 9 — vs. Austin, 7:15 p.m. quadrangular, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 16 — at Winona, 7:15 p.m. Jan. 16 — vs. Dodge County, Rochester Gage East Jan. 23 — vs. Rochester Mayo, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 — vs. Waseca, 7 p.m. Elementary 7:15 p.m. Jan. 23 — at Rochester Mayo, Dec. 20 — at Faribault, Jan. 25 — at Apple Valley, 7:30 p.m. Owatonna, 6:30 p.m. 2 p.m. Jan. 2 — at Austin, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28 — vs. Red Wing, See SCHEDULES on 5C Jan. 4 — at Faribault 7:15 p.m.
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Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Northfield News Winter Sports
PAGE 3
Northfield wrestling looking to build off historic season By MICHAEL HUGHES
mhughes@northfieldnews.com
L
RANKED RAIDERS
Drew Woodley — No. 1 at 145 ast year, the task was to Chase Murphy — No. 2 at 120 upend the expectations Jake Messner — No. 4 at 126 and natural paradigm of Mason Pagel — No. 8 at 182 the section. Nick Lopez — No. 9 at 285
This year, the goal for the Northfield wrestling team is to maintain what it hopes becomes a status quo of the Raiders on top looking down at the remaining teams in an always competitive Section 1AAA after winning the second section title in program history. “We did a lot last year, but this is a whole new year, so if we go into this year thinking, ‘Oh, we’re good and we’re going to do this,’” Northfield coach Geoff Staab said, “if we don’t put the work in and get better, we’re going to be the ones getting upset and not making it to the state tournament. We relayed that message on that we have to work hard every day, get better every day and put in the time and not underestimate any opponents. If we do that, it should be very good for us this year.” While Northfield graduates an individual state champion in Trayton Anderson, who’s now wrestling at Division I South Dakota State, Staab believes this year’s team might be more balanced and dangerous than last
CLASS AAA POLL 1. Shakopee 2. Stillwater 3. St. Michael-Albertville 4. Forest Lake 5. New Prague 6. Northfield 7. Apple Valley 8. Farmington 9. Prior Lake 10. Wayzata 11. Willmar 12. Anoka
year’s squad. The Raiders return five individual state qualifiers, and will gain from the maturation of a number of freshman who wrestled varsity last year. “We just have experienced, tough wrestlers at every single weight from 113 on,” Staab said. The lone weakness could be at 106, where now-sophomore Beau Murphy wrestled for parts of
Northfield senior Drew Woodley is the top returner for the Raiders this year after finishing as the state runner-up two years in a row. Northfield returns five individual state qualifiers. (News File Photo)
last year before his brother, nowjunior Chase Murphy, trimmed enough weight to enter at 106 in time for sections. Beau Murphy is now slated to wrestle at 113, though, while Chase Murphy will join with sophomore Jake Messner, another individual state qualifier last year, in alternating between 120 and 126 this year. “We’re not quite sure who we’re going to use (at 106) right now,” Staab said. “(Freshman) Aireaana Gavere is around that
weight and she says she wants to make 106. She’s a little heavy right now, but she thinks she can move down there.” After Chase Murphy and Messner, junior Sam Holman is slated to occupy the 132 slot and junior Gavin Anderson will take over at 138 after he bounced around in the lower weights a year ago. “Gavin Anderson is going to have another big year,” Staab said. “He did a lot in the offseason getting
better, working out, getting stronger and doing a lot of wrestling.” Then comes Drew Woodley, a two-time state runner-up and Iowa State commit who will likely slot in at either 145 of 152 after finishing second in the state at 138 last year, while senior Ethan Johnson will hold down his spot at 152 while looking to replicate his state appearance as a sophomore after missing out last year.
SECTION 1AAA Albert Lea Austin Faribault Farmington Northfield Owatonna Rochester Century Rochester John Marshall Rochester Mayo Winona
See WRESTLING on 5C
KEY DATES
Northfield junior Chase Murphy swiped fourth at last year’s Class AAA state championships at 106 and enters this year ranked second at 120. (News File Photo)
Nov. 30 at Faribault Invite — It’s the first competition of the year and will give Northfield its first look against fellow Section 1AAA competition Austin, Faribault and Owatonna, plus Class AAA No. 2 Stillwater. Last year, the Raiders lost to the Huskies by half a point. Dec. 12 at Owatonna — It’s a triangular that also includes Mankato West, but it will also be the first matchup between Northfield and Owatonna since the Raiders upset the Huskies in last year’s Section 1AAA finals. Dec. 14 at Northfield Larry Severson Invitational — Last year, the Raiders won their own invitational for the first time in school history. This year, they’ll look to defend that crown against a field that includes Hastings and Lakeville South, a pair of team’s receiving votes in the preseason Class AAA poll. Dec. 27-28 at Rumble on the Red — Northfield will make its annual trip to the Fargo Dome, where it will battle what’s called the best collection of individual high school wrestling talent in the country. Jan. 3-4 at The Clash — A week after Rumble, the Raiders bus down to Rochester for a team invitational that often features a handful of squads that go on to qualify for the team state tournament. Feb. 6 vs. Albert Lea — It’s the final regular-season dual meet of the year, and it’s against traditional power Albert Lea. While the Tigers will be without some of their top talent from a year ago, they’ll be vying for a Big 9 Conference and Section 1AAA crown once again.
PAGE 4
Northfield News Winter Sports
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Northfield girls basketball searching for depth to start season By MICHAEL HUGHES
SECTION 1AAAA
mhughes@northfieldnews.com
W
hen the personnel changes, so does the system. In past years, the Northfield girls basketball team has possessed an army of 6-foot forwards at its disposal, which led the offense to revolve around action in the post. With the graduation of Rachel Kelly, that run of talented bigs appears to have halted, meaning the Raiders will change how they play this year. “We’ve got new systems offensively and defensively, so there’s a lot to learn, and they’re coming and they’re getting it,” Eddy said. “It’s a process, and it will be for a while that we’ll be working through the wrinkles, learning the new plays offensively and getting comfortable with what we’re doing defensively.” Offensively, Northfield will operate a four around one, which traditionally means four guards patrol the outside while one big sets up shop inside the paint, but the Raiders will likely take the perimeter-oriented offense a step further by having the one big in the high post. The hope, Eddy said, is that opens up the paint for dribble drives from guards on the outside and back cuts toward the basket. The players running that system will be a quartet of varsity returners in junior Annika Richardson, junior Emma Hodapp, junior Megan Fabeck and sophomore Emma Ras-
Farmington Lakeville South New Prague Northfield Owatonna Rochester Century Rochester John Marshall Rochester Mayo
mussen, while sophomore Samantha Ims is slated to run the point. In the early part of the season, junior Adrienne Whitson has solidified a role off the bench, but the depth behind Whitson is still sorting itself out without any seniors on the roster. That means that despite some of the athletic talent at his disposal, Eddy won’t be calling much highpressure, full-court defense. “We want to keep our key players on the floor as much as possible,” Eddy said. “We’ll look for transition offense, but right now we’re not planning on a lot of full-court Northfield sophomore Emma Rasmussen emerged as a key role player last season, and is slated to jump into the starting lineup this defense.” year. She’s one of four varsity returners along with juniors Annika Richardson, Emma Hodapp and Megan Fabeck. (News File Photo) The young Raiders will also move up to Class AAAA after the program reached three consecutive KEY DATES Section 1AAA finals. Dec. 10 vs. Rochester John Marshall — The Rockets made the biggest leap of any Big 9 Conference team last year to “They know we’re in a different claim a share of the conference title with Red Wing. Even after the graduation of four seniors, John Marshall should be section with bigger schools, but our one of the stronger teams in the Big 9, as well as Section 1AAAA. schedule throughout the season Jan. 3 vs. Rochester Mayo — The Spartans are another new Section 1AAAA foe, and this matchup will start what the Raiders hasn’t changed much because of like to view as the second half of the season after battling some of the top teams of the state during the St. Olaf Invitational. that, ” Eddy said. “We’re really emJan. 24 vs. Red Wing — In a reprise of what’s now an old Section 1AAA rivalry, the Wingers will visit Northfield toward phasizing a growth mindset and the end of January. Red Wing graduates its top scorer, Lindsay Reps, from last year when it shared the Big 9 title with continuing to improve in all aspects Rochester John Marshall. While it’s no longer a section matchup, there tends to be a little extra juice in this one. of the game and focus on what we Feb. 21 vs. Faribault — The Falcons and Raiders will meet in the regular-season finale once again, and last year can do and not necessarily the reNorthfield narrowly eked out a 53-51 victory. sults.”
SCHEDULES: Mark your calendars From Page 2C
Jan. 2 — at Valleywood Golf Course, 3:30 p.m. Jan. 24 — at Mankato East, Jan. 4 — Theodore Wirth Park, 5:15 p.m. 9 a.m. Jan. 30 — vs. Owatonna, 7 p.m. Jan. 7 — at Hyland Hills Ski Feb. 1 — vs. St. Paul Academy, Area, 3:45 p.m. 3 p.m. Jan. 11 — at Valleywood Golf Course, 9:30 a.m., True Team NORDIC SKIING Sections Jan. 14 — at Kenwood Trail Dec. 3 — at Hyland Hills Ski Middle School, 3:30 p.m. Area, 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11 — at Theodore Wirth Jan. 23 — at Valleywood Golf Course, 3 p.m. Park, 3:30 p.m. Jan. 27 — at Theodore Wirth Dec. 17 — at Hyland Hills Ski Area, 3:30 p.m. Park, 9 a.m.
BOYS SWIM & DIVE Dec. 5 — at Rochester Mayo, 6 p.m. Dec. 12 — at Mankato West, 6 p.m. Dec. 14 — at Cougar Relays, 1 p.m., Mankato East Dec. 17 — at Rochester John Marshall, 6 p.m. Dec. 19 — vs. Rochester Century, 6 p.m. Jan. 2 — vs. Mankato East, 6 p.m. Jan. 4 — at Austin Invite, 10 a.m.
Jan. 9 — at Winona, 6 p.m. Jan. 16 — at Owatonna, 6 p.m. Jan. 18 — at True Team Sections, 12:30 p.m., Austin Jan. 24 — vs. Faribault, 6 p.m. Jan. 30 — vs. Albert Lea, 6 p.m. Feb. 5 — at Big 9 Conference Championships (diving), 5 p.m., Northfield Feb. 6 — at Big 9 Conference Championships (swimming), 4 p.m., Rochester Recreation Center
WRESTLING Nov. 30 — at Faribault Invite, 10 a.m. Dec. 5 — vs. Austin, 7 p.m. Dec. 7 — at Coon Rapids Invite, 9 a.m. Dec. 12 — at Owatonna, Mankato West, 9 a.m. Dec. 14 — at Northfield Larry Severson Invite, 10 a..m Dec. 19 — at Rochester John Marshall, 7 p.m. Dec. 27-28 — at Rumble on the Red, Fargo Dome Jan. 2-4 — at The Clash,
Rochester Community and Technical College Jan. 9 — vs. Mankato East, Rochester Century, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 11 — at Henry Sibley Invite, 9 a.m. Jan. 14 — at Scott West, Belle Plaine, 7 p.m. Jan. 25 — at Lake City Invite, 10 a.m. Feb. 1 — at Cannon Falls Invite, 10 a.m. Feb. 6 — vs. Albert Lea, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Northfield News Winter Sports
PAGE 5
Smaller personnel replacing lost seniors for Raider boys basketball By MICHAEL HUGHES
SECTION 1AAAA
mhughes@northfieldnews.com
W
hile the Northfield boys basketball team sustained inarguable losses from the top of last year’s roster with the graduation of four starters, the Raiders do possess five returners who played in the second half of last year’s Section 1AAA final against Austin. In addition to junior guard Kip Schetnan, a starter throughout last year, Northfield brings back junior guard Karsten Clay, junior guard Luke Labenski, junior guard Thomas Roethler and senior forward Nick Touchette. “It’s not necessarily as bad as it might sound at first,” first-year Northfield coach Ryan Driscoll said. “We don’t have a lot of size, but when you look around the rest of the conference and most of the teams we’re going to play, we’re very similar to a lot of teams.” While Northfield won’t possess the universal size that made it a handful in the Big 9 Conference, it will shift to a more guard-heavy approach this year. “We’re definitely a much smaller team, but we’re going to be quicker than we’ve been,” Driscoll said. “I think we’re much more skilled with the ball and shooting the ball, too.” That will be helped by varsity newcomers junior Anders Larson and junior Ryan Hegland, who both possess the ability to shoot from the outside and handle the ball, in addition to senior forward Daniel Monaghan, who starred
Farmington Lakeville South New Prague Northfield Owatonna Rochester Century Rochester John Marshall Rochester Mayo
Northfield junior guard Kip Schetnan is the lone returning starter from last year’s team that reached the program’s third straight section title. (News File Photo)
KEY DATES
Dec. 27-28 at Granite City Classic — After opening the season with five of its first six games against Big 9 Conference opponents, Northfield will face off with some metro opponents during the Granite City Classic in St. Cloud. The first matchup is against Minnetonka (13-13 last year) at St. John’s, with the second game on the docket a battle against St. Michael-Albertville (19-7 last year) at St. Cloud Tech High School. Jan. 10 vs. Austin — While this is no longer a Section 1AAA rivalry with Northfield’s move up to Class AAAA, the Raiders and the Packers have still always delivered entertaining contests over the last three years. Jan. 28 vs. Rochester John Marshall — The Rockets are no doubt a weaker team with Matthew Hurt, who’s now at Reach Sports Editor Michael Duke, doing most of the scoring. Lincoln Meister is still a plenty capable big for Rochester John Marshall, but does not Hughes at 645-1106. Follow him on carry the same gravity as Hurt. Twitter @NFNewsSports. © CopyJan. 31 vs. Rochester Century — In a Section 1AAAA field without Lakeville North, the title race is wide open for the first right 2019 APG Media of Southern time in recent memory. Century, along with its versatile guard Jack Fisher, might be the sneaky favorite.
Minnesota. All rights reserved.
WRESTLING: Raiders vying for continued success From Page 3C “I think he’s got a chip on his shoulder after not making it to the state tournament last year,” Staab said. After that comes the area where Northfield might see the biggest gains. At 160, sophomore Darrin Kuyper will look to build off of a 30win freshman season, sophomore
on last year’s junior varsity team while stuck behind the stockpile of forward depth from last year who have mostly graduated. Offensively, the challenge will be finding ways for the team’s two returning scorers — Schetnan and Clay — to reliably and consistently find good looks at the basket, since both their names will be circled of every scouting report produced by opposing teams. “We’re going to have to be fundamental in getting our guys open,” Driscoll said. That’ll be done primarily through proper spacing and efficient screening, Driscoll said, but also by overwhelming opponents. With the smaller personnel, the Raiders are going to try and speed the game up on both ends of the floor. “We don’t want anyone to feel comfortable on offense or defense,” Driscoll said. “That’ll really be our focus early on, is just playing aggressive early on and making teams feel uncomfortable.”
Nick Mikula will enter the lineup on a more full-time basis at 170 after wrestling sporadically in varsity duals as a freshman last year, senior Jack Holman is working on moving down to wrestle at 182 and sophomore Mason Pagel will bump up to 195 after he registered 32 wins last year as a freshman and finished third in the section at 182 behind a pair of Division I wrestlers in the sincegraduated Zach Glazier (Albert Lea)
and Cade King (Owatonna). “He should be one of the front runners in that weight class in our section,” Staab said of Pagel. Then, senior David Tonjum will return to the 220 position after he finished his junior year on a tear by clinching the team section title with a pin, while Lopez will grab full control of the heavyweight position after he qualified individually for state a year ago at the spot.
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PAGE 6
Northfield News Winter Sports
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Early on, Northfield boys hockey working on finding right combinations By MICHAEL HUGHES
KEY DATES
mhughes@northfieldnews.com
W
ith the graduation of 12 seniors from last year’s team, the line sheets are bound to look not only a bit different, but somewhat foreign at the start of the season for Northfield boys hockey. The constants returning are junior forward Carson Van Zuilen, who centered the top line a year ago and will do the same this season, in addition to junior forward Will Tidona, senior defenseman Kearic Gargrave, junior defenseman Isak Johnson, junior defenseman Josh Kruger and senior goalie Cal Frank. Combined with junior defenseman Davis Royle, who had the talent to find some varsity ice time a year ago but needed to wait a year after transferring from Lakeville North, the defensive pairings for the Raiders appear solid. Where some questions will arise at the start of the season is on the three forward lines. In addition to Van Zuilen and Tidona, the trio of senior Teague Nelson, junior Ryan Will and junior Bohde Hasse all played primarily junior varsity last season, but did receive limited exposure in varsity action. Other than that, it will be all varsity newcomers. The early front runner to center the second line is sophomore Spencer Klotz, who last year was still eligible to play bantams. “We sent him back to bantam to develop for one year and he had a humongous year,” Northfield coach Mike Luckraft said. “He had over 100 points in bantams, so he’ll have a big imprint on the forwards this year, for sure.” Other than Van Zuilen, Tidona and Klotz, the remaining six forward spots will remain in flux through the early part of the season as the Raiders experiment with combinations until they find one that works sustainably. “We’re going to ask our D to get up in the play and participate more in the offensive part of things,” Luckraft said. “Obviously, Carson and Spencer are going to be a big part of that and Willie
Northfield senior defender Kearic Gargrave is one of two seniors with signifant varsity experience back for the Raiders along with goalie Cal Frank. (News File Photo)
SECTION 1AA Farmington Hastings Lakeville North Lakeville South Northfield Owatonna Rochester Century Rochester John Marshall Rochester Mayo
looks really good. He plays really hard and is an aggressive player, and then it’s just gaining confidence for those other guys. They definitely have the ability to do it, but it’s a big step from JV hockey to varsity hockey.” The fact that Northfield should be solid at goal prevention will provide the forward group with a bit of wiggle room to find its footing. In addition to the defensive corps, Frank returns after finishing with a 7-2 record last year and a .899 save percentage. He’ll be given the starting reigns and the majority of the starts from day one, but junior Micah Olson should also see some time.
Northfield junior defender Will Tidona has been seeing varsity ice time since he was a freshman, but will inherit an increased role as one of only two returning forwards, along with junior Carson Van Zuilen, with significant varsity experience. (News File Photo)
“He was the MVP of the JV (last year),” Luckraft said. “He was a guy that stepped up and played a lot last year because of his role on the JV. He’ll get an opportunity
of varsity. I think Cal will be our starting guy, and we play a very tough schedule, so we’ll let Cal settle in a little bit and throw Micah a game here or there.”
While the defensive experience should provide some cover, the tough schedule chops off the adjustment period for a relatively inexperienced Northfield team.
Dec. 5 vs. Mankato East After three straight road games to start the year, the Raiders will battle the Cougars to open up its home slate. Last year, Northfield lost in Mankato 5-4 in a bit of a wild contest. Dec. 17 vs. Owatonna Now a Section 1AA foe, Owatonna will visit Northfield Ice Arena with an additional layer of intrigue. Last year, the Huskies surprised by inserting themselves into the Big 9 Conference title race, but had those aspirations dampened after a 3-2 defeat against the Raiders at the end of January. Dec. 26-28 at Herbs Brooks Classic — The Raiders will partake in the Herbs Books Holiday Classic, which was previously named the Schwan’s Cup. Northfield opens up play in the Silver Bracket the day after Christmas at the National Sports Center in Blaine against Minnehaha Academy, which like Northfield was moved up to Class AA this season. Other teams in the Silver Bracket include Bloomington Kennedy, Gentry Academy, Eau Claire North, St. Paul Academy, Marshall and Chisago Lakes Feb. 8 vs. Rochester Century — In the penultimate home game of the regular season, the Raiders will welcome last year’s Big 9 champion to Northfield Ice Arena. Last year, Century lost only three times and topped Northfield 5-1.
“They have to be prepared to make the jump and make sure that they do it and do it quickly,” Luckraft said. “The season goes so fast. All of a sudden you’re into February and then you’re thinking about playoffs.”
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Northfield News Winter Sports
PAGE 7
Northfield girls hockey young, but not inexperienced By MICHAEL HUGHES
mhughes@northfieldnews.com
P
aige Haley might be the new head coach for the Northfield girls hockey team, but she’s not a new face. Still, even if Haley is connected to past versions of the Raiders, she’s not that interested in discussing them or dwelling on who might have left from those teams. “I have not talked about last year at all, I don’t care,” Haley said. “This is my first year as a head coach, and we’re just moving forward at this point. You can’t look back, because why? Everything is moving forward, and we’re chasing and trying to build this program and get better. This group, I can tell they’re buying into it.” While Nothfield is young, it’s not lacking in experience. Junior forward Jessica Boland is entering her fourth year on varsity, while freshman forwards Ava Stanchina and Tove Sorenson both have a full season of varsity hockey to go off of despite their age. The defensive corps consists of three multi-year varsity players in senior Anne Fossum, junior Payton Fox and sophomore Cambria Monson. “Those guys are really the leaders on this team,” Haley said. “They’re veterans, they know what we’re all about with our culture, teamwork and the tempo of practice. They’ve been a huge part of the good start we’ve had for the last couple weeks.” Sophomore goalie Maggie Malecha is entering her first year of significant varsity playing time, but Haley has no doubt she can handle that responsibility after the time and work Malecha put in over the summer. Where the departure of last year’s senior class does show up is in the overall numbers, with this year’s roster containing a few less names than in years past.
KEY DATES Dec. 26-28 at Farmington Invite Northfield will be making its annual post-Christmas, pre-New Years trip to Farmington to face a field that typically features some of the top talent in southern Minnesota. This year, the Raiders could run into the likes of Farmington, Lakeville North, Owatonna or Eastview. Jan. 11 vs. Mahtomedi (North Dale Rec Center) For the second year in a row, Northfield will face off with Mahtomedi while experiencing the elements. On a rink set up outside the North Dale Rec Center last year, the Raiders topped the Zephyrs 1-0. Jan. 16 vs. Dodge County Last year, Dodge Country overwhelmed an undermanned Northfield team in a 3-1 victory that allowed it to secure the No. 3 seed in the Section 1AA playoffs ahead of fourthseeded Northfield. This year’s contest might very well possess significance once it comes time to sort out section seeding. Jan. 30 vs. Owatonna The Raiders faced little resistance en route to last year’s Big 9 Conference title. That might change this year due to the continued rise of a few programs including the Huskies, who a year ago finished with a conference record of 10-4-2, with a pair of those losses coming against Northfield. In the final conference game of the year, and last regular-season contest against a Section 1AA foe, the Raiders may have plenty on the line.
“We’re small,” Haley said, “but everyone really likes each other and there’s that good vibe of good team chemistry, and
Northfield junior Payton Fox (25) is one of three experienced defenders returning for the Raiders, along with senior Anne Fossum and sophomore Cambria Monson. (News File Photo)
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that’s something that’s really important to me in keeping good character, and I think all those kids have it. As a group we’re really strong even though we’re really small.” That’s meant Haley hasn’t needed to devote a wealth of time ensuring players are in the right places at the right time and are making correct decisions. That’s good, because while she has experience as an assistant coach, the responsibilities associated with the title of head coach are a bit more time consuming. “It’s a lot, just on the admin
Northfield freshman Ava Stanchina is only a freshman, but she’s one of a handful of young Raiders with a year of varsity experience already. (News File Photo)
side of it,” Haley said. “Before I could just show up and coach, but now I’m a little more responsible for things. That’s been different, and just the silly things like handing out jerseys
and equipment, that falls on me. That’s been a little bit of a different pressure, but it’s all good. I was ready for it, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to do this.”
Reach Sports Editor Michael Hughes at 645-1106. Follow him on Twitter @NFNewsSports. © Copyright 2019 APG Media of Southern Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Northfield News Winter Sports
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
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Northfield News Winter Sports
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Northfield gymnastics adjusting to life in Farmington By MICHAEL HUGHES
SECTION 1AA
mhughes@northfieldnews.com
W
hile it might not be in town, the Northfield gymnastics team is starting to feel at home. After last season, in which the Raiders did not have the benefit of a home meet, they’ll once again not have a competition in Northfield, but will be hosting meets and the program’s annual invitational at Farmington Gymnastics & Cheer, where the team also practices daily. “It has given the girls a sense of home that they haven’t had in the past few years,” Northfield coach Leanne Fricke said. “I know we are all excited to be able to host “home” meets at the facility as well. That was some- Northfield’s Sidney Petersen sticks her landing on the uneven bars during the Class AA state finals last year at the University of thing we couldn’t do last year Minnesota. Petersen finished 20th in the all-around competition. (Michael Hughes/Northfield News)
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and I know they are looking forward to their fans coming out to cheer them on.” While the first two weeks of practice have included adjusting to taking a bus up to Farmington each day for practice, Northfield is beginning to settle into the routine. On the floor, there’s been little adjustment needed with the amount of firepower the Raiders are
See GYMNASTICS on 11C
Hiliners upping number of competitions this season By MICHAEL HUGHES
mhughes@northfieldnews.com
I
n addition to a new coach, this year will have a much different feel for the Northfield dance team. For starters, the Hiliners will compete a lot. “We’ll actually have eight competitions this season, which is great,” first-year coach Allison Grabow-Rise said. “It’s a lot. Last year they competed at I think three competitions.” Last year, Northfield finished eighth out of nine teams in both kick and jazz at last year’s Big 9 Conference Championships, before a 13th-place kick finish and a 14th-place jazz finish at the Section 1AAA Championships. This year, Grabow-Rise is so far staying mum on the theme and routines for those competitions, but revealed the changes
that are being put into place building up to those routines. Northfield will practice yoga throughout the year in addition to amplified strength and conditioning training, plus a greater focus on what GrabowRise says are “the performance aspects of our routines.” Those aspects will also be honed through competition for the 25-member Northfield team, which will be captained by Leah Kovach, Sydney Gill, Kylie Kvernmo and Tegan Underdahl. “We’re a competition dance team and we need to compete,” Grabow-Rise said. “We gain experience and learn so much at every competition we go to. We get judges’ score sheets, we get judges’ feedback and comments, and with all of those tools we adjust our approach and our routines accordingly, going off of the judges’ score
SECTION 1AAA Apple Valley Burnsville Eastview Farmington Lakeville North Lakeville South New Prague Northfield Owatonna Prior Lake Rochester Century Rochester John Marshall Rochester Mayo Rosemount
sheets and the judges’ feedback.” Reach Sports Editor Michael Hughes at 645-1106. Follow him on Twitter @NFNewsSports. © Copy- The Hiliners will be competing in eight regular-season competitions this year according to firstright 2019 APG Media of Southern year coach Allison Grabow-Rise, an increase from three a year ago. (News File Photo) Minnesota. All rights reserved.
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Northfield News Winter Sports
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
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Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Northfield News Winter Sports
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Gators filling in the gaps left by departure of last year’s seniors By MICHAEL HUGHES
SECTION 1AA
mhughes@northfieldnews.com
A
year ago, the Northfield boys swimming and diving team reached extraordinary heights with a secondplace finish at the Class A state championships following its third straight Section 1A title. This year, the Gators will move up Class AA, and Section 1AA as a result, and will do so without a departing senior class that accomplished historic success proven by the records listed on the wall of the pool at Northfield Middle School. That’s not to say it’s an entirely new team this year, though, with many of the athletes who helped Northfield achieve last year’s success back this year. “It’s a decent-sized senior class,” Northfield coach Doug Davis said. “It’s not nearly as large as the senior group last year, but it’s still a very talented group of boys, so I’m looking forward to working with them in their final year.” That senior class includes Marcus Hauck, Dillon Smisek and Alex Dell, who were all part of last year’s state roster, in ad-
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Northfield senior Marcus Hauck is one of six seniors back this year for the Gators, who will move to Class AA. He’s joined in the senior class by Dillon Smisek, Alex Dell, Cavan Blandin, Bryce Malecha and Jose Gonzalez-Ramirez. (News File Photo)
dition to section contributors Cavan Blandin, Bryce Malecha and Jose Gonzalez-Ramirez. That’s supported by a varsity-tested junior class that features Erik Larson, Ryan Malecha, Isaac Guggisberg, Matt
Anderson and Nick Borene. That upper experience, combined with the potential of some of the younger swimmers in the program, should be enough to keep the Gators relevant in a new class and section.
“If we can get a group of 10 or 12 pretty solid gentleman that are go to guys,” Davis said, “and then a handful of that younger group to really step up to the plate and raise their game, we’ll be very competitive
at the end of the season.” That younger group includes sophomore Owen Lehmkuhl, sophomore Trevor Dell, sophomore Garrett Gray, sophomore Connor Berndt, freshman Jeb Sawyer and eighth-grader Jens
Kasten. For much of the season, not much will change for the Gators, who will still compete in typical dual meets against Big 9 Conference opponents and the same invitationals as a year ago. The difference will come at the end of the season. For us,” Davis said, “the only thing that’s really going to change is the section meet, and if we can get to the state meet — the level of competition and speed up there is something all these guys have to get ready for.” Reach Sports Editor Michael Hughes at 645-1106. Follow him on Twitter @NFNewsSports. © Copyright 2019 APG Media of Southern Minnesota. All rights reserved.
GYMNASTICS: Raiders return four state qualifiers from last year with eyes on section crown From Page 9C returning. A year after qualifying five individuals to compete at state, the most of any team in Class AA, Northfield returns four of those athletes in senior Ellie Stodden, senior Hannah Ringlien, junior Adison Dack and sophomore Sidney Peterson. Peterson qualified for the state all-around competition last year. “These four have their eyes set on returning to state individually this season as well,”
Fricke said. “Also returning for us is senior Saundra Stodden who has been a solid competitor for us in past seasons and is looking strong this season.” Of course, a surefire way for multiple Raiders to qualify for state is to win the Section 1AA competition, which came down to the final event last year. Northfield led Owatonna entering the final rotation, but a strong set of floor routines from the Huskies gave them the section title by a minuscule amount of 0.6 points. “One of the biggest team
goals for the season is to make it to state,” Fricke said. “Last season at sections they came up just short of making it. Narrowly missing it by 0.6. This team has shown they definitely have the drive and determination to make this happen.” Northfield’s Adison Dack, right, flips over on the uneven bars during last year’s Class AA State finals at the University of Minnesota. Dack finished 17th out of 48 in the discipline. (Michael Hughes/Northfield News)
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Northfield News Winter Sports
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Nordic girls return top racers, boys looking to replace graduated speed By MICHAEL HUGHES
mhughes@northfieldnews.com
W
ith a pair of returning state-qualifiers a n d a t r i o of speedy seniors, the Northfield girls cross country team enters the winter with realistic expectations of finishing in the top half of Section 1. A state-qualifying position (top two teams in the section) might remain narrowly out of reach, though, since even though the Raiders return the top of their lineup, so does the majority of the competition for those two state-qualifying spots. “I think we were fourth in the section last year, and no one else is really graduating much from their teams either,” Northfield coach Craig Cardinal said. “So from a team perspective we’re not sitting bad, but nobody else really graduated anyone either.” Seniors Caroline Peterson and Katie Schroeer return after qualifying individually for state the past
two years, while senior Jess Messner rounds out the experienced top three racers for the girls team. Behind those top three is an emerging amount of depth, Cardinal said, led by junior Claire Bussman. “Next year I expect her to be our top returner,” Cardinal said. “She was another consistent attender of our summer practices and her fitness has continued to develop through her cross country season. I think she’ll be closing in on those top three seniors this year.” On the boys side, there’s a lot more at play in the earlier parts of the season. The Raiders graduated Patrick Welch, a two-time state qualifier, leaving the top of the lineup open for a skier to grab control. Early contenders for that top spot include junior Martin Brice, who is looking to build off a strong cross country season in the fall, in addition to freshman Sam Folland. “We’ve got a freshman this year on the guys side, Sam Folland, who has been training hard this sum-
the pack for both boys and girls is really solidifying,” Cardinal said. “There were a number of skiers on both sides that made some technique gains over the summer when they’ve been training on their own.”
Top boys returners Martin Brice, junior Sam Folland, freshman
Boys newcomers
Tyler Collette, junior Linden Feltes, junior Jacob Lockner, junior Lucas Ailabouni, sophomore Zach Broden, sophomore
Top girls returners Caroline Peterson, right, and Katie Schroeer, left finished fourth and eighth overall at last year’s Section 1A race to qualify for their second straight state appearances. (News File Photo)
mer, and I can tell from his fitness that he’s set to make a pretty big jump,” Cardinal said. “He might still be a long shot for state this year, but as only a freshman he’s
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Jess Messner, senior Caroline Peterson, senior Katie Schroeer, senior Claire Bussman, junior
got a lot of potential yet to realize.” a strong summer on the rollers. Beneath those two, junior Lockner, as well as Bussman Girls newcomers Jacob Lockner has emerged as for the girls team, represent a bur- Celine Falcon-Geist, senior a potential staple of Northfield’s geoning middle for both teams. Allison Goodell, senior top-five finishers each race after “It looks like our middle of Wendy Bollum, junior
Northfield alpine team nearly doubles in size By MICHAEL HUGHES
mhughes@northfieldnews.com
Through the combination of recruitment and a larger number of athletes co-opting onto the team from Red Wing, the Northfield boys and girls alpine ski teams have nearly doubled in size. That’s despite the loss of a large senior class for the girls team that included state qualifier Caroline Pritchard. The Raider girls return an individual state qualifier in junior Libby Brust, who finished 39th out of 87 entrants at last year’s state meet. That’s in addition to the return of Megan Stein, who was unable to compete last year after suffering a knee injury toward the start of the season. “Megan injured her knee last year and is coming back very strong, so I expect she’ll do very well, too,” Northfield coach Johnny Ostberg said. “She certainly has the capability of doing well at sections and maybe even qualifying for state.” The girls will also be aided by
Northfield junior Libby Brust finished 39th at last year’s state meet and is the top skier returning to this year’s team. (News File Photo)
the return of Ella Hegseth, Ostberg said, and while it’s still too early to tell which newcomers might slide into the varsity conversations since the Raiders have yet to take to the snow, he’s anticipating a few fresh faces in Northfield’s top five. On the boys side, there’s some more continuity with senior Sam Hegseth returning at the top of the lineup, while Brandon Winkelman and Sawyer Koch will also feature for the Raiders.
While Ostberg said he doesn’t know if the increase in numbers will directly and immediately translate to greater success, he did say the growth of his rosters will amplify what he believes to be the most consistent part of his program. “We’ll be doing fine,” Ostberg said. “We won’t be the strongest team, we never are, we just have some really strong skiers, so what we’re going to do is have a whole bunch of fun.”