Area high school teams are eager for 2023 spring season
The long-awaited and much-anticipated thaw is looming, and area high school student athletes are chomping at the bit to get the spring season rolling. Coaches are optimistic and look forward to successful journeys in 2023.
Eden Valley-Watkins Baseball
The Eagles are looking to use the experience from the end of last year and apply that going into this season. EV-W ended up third in a very competitive section. The Eagles graduated three seniors from that team, but bring back a very experienced group led by Sam Nistler, Myles Dziengel, Xander Willner, Caden Neiman, Devin Dockendorf, Ty Stanwick, Nolan Geislinger, and Landon Neiman. There are many others who will look to earn a spot on the Varsity team. The Eagles are deep, having seen about 50 kids at the sign-ups a couple of weeks ago. That will make for some good competition, which is what the coaching staff wants.
“Our best facet of the game is team speed. We stole 108 bases last year, and brought a lot of those ‘culprits’ back. If we can throw strikes, play great defense, and get those timely hits, it’s going to be a great season,” said Head Coach Dan Berg. “We have six or seven guys we can put on the mound and compete for us. The key is to throw strikes and let our athletes go get the ball. One thing we need to work on is putting the ball in play and make the other team work.”
At times last year, EV-W hitters struck out too much and made it easy for opponents.
“Coming into the year, I think our number-one goal is to make the State Tournament, and we know it will not be easy. Our section is loaded with baseball talent. We have Albany, Pierz, Foley, Wadena Deer Creek (who made the State Tournament last year), -Annandale, and many others that are super-competitive. We think the conference title is a goal as well, but Paynesville brings back a lot of talent from a year ago, and I think other schools will be competitive, like BBE and Royalton. The one thing about baseball is, on any given day, anyone can win. We look forward to starting practice and hopefully getting outside sooner rather than later, but that doesn’t look promising,” Coach Berg explained. The coaches are Dave Schneider – Asst. Varsity Coach, David Luhman – JV Coach, and Heath Kramer – C-Squad Coach.
EV-W/K Boys’ Track and Field
Head Coach Jason -Mortenson again anchors the Eden Valley-
Watkins/Kimball boys’ track and field team.
“This year will be another fun year for the guys! We have (three) legs of the State relay teams back (Charley Fish, Peyton Hooper, and Bryce Lyrek), so the challenge is to find the fourth leg and make another run. They will be leading our sprinting group,” said Coach Mortenson.
Noah Stommes returns to lead the throwers, once he finishes the boys’ State basketball run. Henry Lemke steers the distance crew, and the expectation is for this group to take the next step this year. Also, the young jumpers are more experienced and stronger this year, which makes them more competitive.
“Our team has gained a few extra athletes that I think will help us be very successful this year. Last year we lost the conference by 1.5 points. Anything can happen during any year, and that is what makes it fun. I always enjoy the challenge of putting a team together that will compete by the end of the year. And, of course, being in good ol’ Minnesota, it will be interesting to see what Mother Nature has in mind. Fortunately, everyone else is in the same boat,” Coach Mortenson explained.
EV-W/K Girls’ Track and Field
The EV-W/K girls’ track and field athletes are looking forward to the upcoming season. There are 40-plus girls on the roster for grades 7-12. The team not only had great success last year when it came to meets, but they all worked extremely hard. The girls won several meets, including the conference, subsection, and section meet. In addition, they brought home a MSHSL State Championship for class A. The girls hope to compete to the best of their abilities from meet to meet.
“I’m looking forward to another track and field season. I sincerely enjoy working with the athletes and seeing how they progress over the entire season. We had phenomenal success last year, and I look forward to continuing that momentum going into the 2023 tour,” said Head Coach Tyler Warren.
The lineup discloses several all-conference athletes from last year who helped the team capture the Central Minnesota Conference title, along with section competitors: seniors Katheryn Donnay, Brielle Kuechle, Ellie Kuechle, McKenna Moehrle, Olivia Mortenson, Lexi Myers, Katie Ruhland, Leya Teicher, and Katelyn Utecht; juniors Mallory Evens, Bella Hernandez, Brookelyn Kuechle, Madi Mueller, and Katrina Schutz; sophomores Ellie Becker, Jordyn Theis, and Jocelyn Zoller; and eighth-grader Hope Kuechle. Several of those athletes return with State meet experience as well: Brielle Kuechle (100-meter hurdles, long jump State Champion, 4×100–meter relay), Ellie Kuechle (400-meter dash State Champion, long jump, 4×200-meter relay, 4×400-meter relay state champion), McKenna Moehrle (4×100 meter relay, 4×200–meter relay), Brookelyn -Kuechle (800-meter run, 4×400-meter relay), Ellie Becker (high jump), Jordyn Theis (4×100-meter relay, 4×200-meter relay), Jocelyn Zoller (300-meter hurdles, 4×400-meter relay State Champion), and Hope Kuechle (4×400-meter relay State Champion). Several other athletes are also returning from last year who were integral to the team’s success, and they will provide leadership in their respective running and/or field events. There is a nice balance of athletes across all events, which gives the team some depth and competitive lineups.
“The girls do a phenomenal job at focusing on the process of what it takes to improve, from the beginning of the season until the end. When athletes focus on that process, work hard, and stay competitive, the results will take care of themselves,” Coach Warren suggested.
Kimball Baseball
The spring baseball season is getting under way, and the Cubs have a number of new faces looking to earn playing time, after graduating six seniors off of last year’s 15-8 squad that finished second in the conference.
“All six of those players played nearly every game, so the lineup will be significantly different this season. However, there were a few underclassmen who played big roles last year,” said Head Coach Adam Beyer.
First-team All-Conference out-fielder senior Gavin Winter returns to the top of the order after tying the Cubs’ single–season hit record and breaking the single-
season stolen base record last year. Junior Clay Faber should take over as the team’s ace, after throwing the second-most innings the prior season, and he will be back in the infield when not on the bump. Also returning to the pitching staff with the fourth-most innings last year is senior Josh Witte. There will be plenty of other innings to be earned throughout the season with new faces. Junior Nathan Serbus picked up a lot of innings for the Legion team last summer, and he should see a significant role on the Varsity staff this year. Senior Austin Schindler returns this season, after injuries cost him his junior season, plus his speed will be utilized in the outfield. Sophomore Hank Meyer played in 19 games last season in the infield, and the took on the designated hitter role. His primary position is catcher, and he will return there this season. Another sophomore, Bryant Knaus, played in nine games last year as a defensive specialist; he looks to have a larger role this year. In addition to these players, there are several new boys getting their first Varsity action.
Last summer, the Kimball Babe Ruth team qualified for the State Tournament, and the leaders of that team will compete for Varsity time with the group of juniors moving up from the Junior Varsity.
The first game is scheduled for Monday, April 10, against -Spectrum, a section opponent. The first conference game is Tuesday, April 11, in Holdingford. The Cubs’ first home game is Thursday, April 13, versus Maple Lake.
Kimball Softball
Head Coach Emily Greniger begins her inaugural role at the helm of the Kimball softball team.
“I, as well as our other coaches and returning players, are excited to kick off the 2023 season! We lost one senior, and are returning a good amount of players with playing experience. Our focus will be on leadership and ‘Winning the Moment,’” said Coach Greniger.
With all the snow still sitting on the ground, and the likelihood of a condensed schedule, the Cubs will have to keep their focus on what’s right in front of them and what they can control. This year’s seniors include Hallie Arnold (returning from knee injury), Emily Krohn, Caitlin Krippner, Morgan Streit, and Emma Schmitz.
“The community has been extremely supportive of me in my new role as head coach, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I played high school softball just down the road at Maple Lake during the 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 seasons. In my senior season, the team ended with a trip to the State Tournament where we took second. I went on to play for -Gustavus -Adolphus College in St. Peter during the 2016, 2017, and 2018 seasons with a postseason run in 2016. I graduated in January 2019. In the spring of 2021, I assisted previous head coach Roger Utecht and gained a wealth of knowledge that I will carry into this season. I am thrilled to be welcoming both Mollie Scheiber (Varsity Assistant) and Megan Taylor (Junior Varsity/Varsity Assistant) to the program as well. Their knowledge and experience as athletes and coaches will be essential to developing a strong, competitive program culture,” Coach Emily Greniger says.
Kimball Trap Team
The Kimball Cubs have 55 kids competing in the Minnesota Clay Target League this spring. This year is going to be a struggle with the late winter. Snow-moving efforts have been under way at the Kimball Rod and Gun Club, in an effort to clear the trap fields and houses.
“We are looking forward to some warmer weather to clear up all the snow. We start our season on March 26, and we compete every Sunday through the end of May. We will learn more later in the season as to when we will compete at the Alexandria Championship shoot,” explained KHS Head Coach Rob Kuechle.
K/EV-W Boys’ Golf
The K/EV-W golf team is in a year of change, a change for the positive. Last season was Coach Ostrander’s and Coach Bahe’s last one with the K/EV-W boys’ and girls’ golf teams. Their contributions to the teams were wonderful, two back-to-back conference titles for the girls with Ostrander, and an influx of youth golfers under Bahe. Enter newcomers, and welcome Coach Merten and Coach Anderson to the program this year. Coach Merten comes from a golf and volleyball background, much like Ostrander, and will contribute much to the team. Coach Anderson is coming off of a boys’ basketball State Tournament appearance from EV-W, as he spearheads the girls’ program this year.
“The girls’ program only lost a few seniors this last year, and we hope to see another conference title and another all-conference award for Avery Maus, and maybe even a State entrant berth for Maus this year,” said boys’ Head golf Coach Zach Boser.
The boys face another tough year in the conference, with an ever-dominant BBE, and a growing Paynesville program. Both have given a strong showing in the conference championship in the past. The K/EV-W boys’ program lost some strong senior golfers last season, and hopes to build a competitive team that can give our conference competition a run for the money.
“We have Luke Ashbrook (-K-senior) returning fresh off a fifth-place State individual title from last season. He made a great run last season, and I see another State entrance for him, with the hopes of that State Championship title. Along with Luke, we have senior Jack Kneip (EV-W) returning for his final season with our program. Jack has grown a lot since he started with the program as a seventh-grader. We have a very young team besides Luke and Jack, and will be building our program up after they graduate this spring,” Coach Boser explained.
The first scheduled meet is set for Monday, April 10, at Pine Island. If Mother Nature will cooperate, we should be on the course soon, and all warm-weather thoughts are greatly appreciated.
The 2023 high school spring sports season promises to be a highly competitive and fun-filled experience for participants and fans alike. Full schedules will be printed in the Tri-County News next week, and are available on the individual schools’ websites, and at the Minnesota State High School League website at www.mshsl.org.
Good luck, all!