Waconia sophomore Jake Stevenson (13) catches a throw to second to tag out Dassel-Cokato’s Jake Smith (16) on May 14.

In four games last week, the Waconia baseball team scored 41 runs and only allowed nine to be scored by opponents, finishing the week 3-1 with large margins of victory over Shakopee, Dassel-Cokato, and Annandale.

Despite a shortened conference season, the Wildcats finished fourth in the Wright County Conference in 2013 with a 6-6 conference record. Delano took the title at 9-2, closely trailed by Hutchinson and Holy Family tied at 9-3.

Waconia 13, Shako 1

The week began in a 13-1 victory at Shakopee on May 13, putting the Wildcats in prime position for a solid section seed.

The rally began in the top of the third, when the ‘Cats drove in four runs. Another run in the fourth put WHS up 5-0 before Shakopee could get on the board. Waconia sealed the win with an eight-run seventh inning to put away the Sabers.

Thirteen WHS runs came off of 18 Wildcat hits, giving many players great days at the plate. Cole Hanson was 4-5 on the day with a double and three RBIs. Nick Hukriede was 3-4 with three RBIs, while Jake Stevenson was 3-5 with two RBIs. Jacob Herd and Dan Butz both had two hits and drove in two runs. Roch Whittaker was 2-5 at the plate as well.

Herd threw seven innings for WHS, striking out six while walking just one Shakopee batter. He gave up one run on six hits. In the meantime, Shakopee went through four pitchers to try and stop the Wildcats.

Senior Josh Lenz pitches for WHS against Dassel-Cokato on May 14.

Waconia 16, D-C 5

Waconia 12, A’dale 1

Tuesday brought more electric bats for Waconia, as the Wildcats wholloped Dassel-Cokato 16-5 and then Annandale 12-1 later that night, ending both games after five innings.

While pitching from Josh Lenz and Dylan Lindner limited the Chargers to five runs on four hits, the Wildcat offense put together 16 runs off of 14 hits, that included four Waconia home runs.

Whittaker had a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the third inning, before Herd led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run shot to left field. Later in the fourth, Lindner homered to center. In the bottom of the fifth inning, where the Wildcats scored five runs to end the game, Hukriede hit a three-run home run to left field, scoring Stevenson and Lenz, who had previously reached the bags on a walk and a double, respectively.

All in all, Whittaker was 3-4 on the night with two RBIs, while other multi-hit nights came from Lenz (2-3, 2 RBIs), Herd (2-4, 3 RBIs), Hukriede (2-3, 4 RBIs), and Cody Clark (1-3, 3 RBIs).

Waconia carried its offensive momentum into Game 2 Tuesday night against Annandale, winning 12-1 after 10-run first inning. Waconia led 12-0 after three, and while the Cardinals were able to post one run in the top of the fifth, it clearly wasn’t enough.

Twelve Wildcat runs came from 13 hits. Multi-hit nights came from Lenz (2-2, double), Green (2-3, triple), Cole Sawyer (2-3, double), and Butz (2-4, double). Hanson and Stevenson also doubled. RBI leaders included Green (3), Hanson (2), Sawyer (2), and Stevenson (2).

Butz threw five innings from the mound, allowing one run on four hits. He struck out two and walked three.

Holy Family 2, Waconia 0

The Wildcat bats that had been so hot all week fell silent against Holy Family on May 16. Waconia’s offense was shut down by the Fire, with Butz grabbing a double as the lone WHS hit.

But on the flip side, Holy Family didn’t find much success at the plate either, thanks to stellar pitching by Stevenson. Stevenson threw all seven innings for WHS and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits. While walking four batters, Stevenson also struck out nine.

Waconia wrapped up the regular season with games against Big Lake and Buffalo on May 20, but those results were not available when this issue went to press. Seedings for the Section 2AAA tournament will be released later this week. Waconia has already seen many of its section competitors including Shakopee, New Prague, Buffalo, Minnetonka, and Hutchinson. The section also includes Chanhassen, Chaska, Eden Prairie, Mankato East, Mankato West, and Willmar.

Contact Melissa Marohl at melissa.marohl@ecm-inc.com

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Senior Lincoln Biermann (left) looks to make a sweep tag on NYA”s Casey Clemenson on May 16.

The regular season ended on an 0-4 run for the Mayer Lutheran baseball team, as the Crusaders fell in double headers to Tri-City United and Norwood Young America last week. Mayer Lutheran finished the season 3-11 and last in the Minnesota River Conference.

TCU 19, LHS 1 – TCU 9, LHS 1

Hosting the Titans of Tri-City United on May 13, the Crusaders lost both game of the double header.

“Tri-City was just a bad, bad nightmare,” said LHS head coach Dave Lane.

While the Titans collected hit after hit in Game 1, the Crusaders were only able to tally three hits, one each from Cole Buttenhoff, Mitch Baumann, and Sam Schlueter.

“Obviously we didn’t hit the ball and they did the hit ball very well,” Lane said.

Baumann, Josh Parrish, and Lincoln Biermann all took turns on the mound, and all struggled slightly, according to Lane, letting up too many walks.

Game 2 was more well contended between the teams, as the Crusaders bats finally sprung into action thanks to Joel Burfeind’s 3-4 at the plate and Tanner Luebke’s 2-3 day.

“We actually hit the ball a little bit, had a lot of runners on, but could not get the big hits,” Lane said. “We had guys on, but just not able to get anybody in.”

Schlueter started on the mound for LHS and Chase Anderson finished.

NYA 3, LHS 2 – NYA 1, LHS 0

Traveling to Norwood Young America for the final games of the regular season, the Crusaders lost both on May 16 by one run.

“We had two dynamite ball games,” Lane said, despite the losses.

Buttenhoff pitched Game 1, allowing three runs (one earned).

Mayer Lutheran struggled at the plate, with limited base runners, mostly on walks. Baumann had the Crusaders lone hit of the game.

Regardless, Lane said the game was well-pitched by both teams and runs were hotly contended.

“It was a very, very well played game,” he said.

Luebke pitched Game 2 against the Raiders, allowing one unearned run, which would be the Raiders’ only run of the day.

The Crusaders were able to get a few runners on base on hits from Luebke, Buttenhoff, Aaron Luehrs, and Phil Burfeind, but were unsuccessful in getting any runners across home plate.

The Crusaders were seeded No. 7 in the Section 4A tournament and will host No. 10 PACT Charter on May 25 at 1 p.m. Pending no massive upsets, the winner of No. 7/No. 10 will likely play No. 2 New Life Academy of Woodbury on Tuesday.

Lane is looking forward to the first playoff game.

“We’re optimistic that we can make a little run,” he said.

Contact Melissa Marohl at melissa.marohl@ecm-inc.com

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Kendall Banyai

The Waconia boys’ golf team is holding on to third place in the Wright County Conference, six strokes over Delano, after picking up a win at Hutchinson last week.

Competing at the Crow River Country Club on May 15, Waconia finished with 307 strokes, just besting second place Orono (308) and third place Litchfield (310).

Senior Matt Rachey finished first for the Wildcats, third overall, with 74 strokes on the day. Senior Kyle Kauma golfed a 76, while senior Ryan Mattson finished at 77. Blaine Wilsey and Kendall Banyai both completed the course in 80 strokes, while Cal Rassman golfed an 87.

At Litchfield the next day, the Wildcats finished fourth as a team with 304 strokes. Litchfield won the meet at 290, followed by Delano (296) and Orono (302). Rachey finished in a multi-way tie for second place with 72 strokes, while Kauma was one stroke back at 73. Banyai also scored under 80 with 78 strokes. Mike Vigil made his Waconia varsity debut at Litchfield, golfing an 81. Wilsey finished at 83 and Rassman golfed a 97.

Ryan Mattson

“Kids had another great week,” said head coach Paul Henn. “Our last conference meet is today (Monday, May 20) and we are holding on to third place. We are looking to play our best golf here and prepare for our section tournament.”

As individuals, three Wildcats are holding on to top 25 WCC spots. Rachey is currently ranked second, 11 strokes behind Delano’s Jordan Peters. Kauma sits in ninth, just two strokes out of eighth and five strokes from third place Max Mason (Orono). Banyai is ranked 23rd in the conference. The section tournament will be June 3 in Jordan.

Contact Melissa Marohl at melissa.marohl@ecm-inc.com

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Karlye Vallafskey and Holly Thomas run the 100 meter dash earlier this season.

It was a short, but important week, for the Waconia track and field teams last week. Competing at Hutchinson on May 16 in the Wright County Conference Championships, the Wildcat girls were unable to defend their 2012 WCC title and finished second with 124.50 points to meet-winner Orono (136.50). The Waconia boys dramatically improved over last season’s last place finish to score 70 points and finish fourth in 2013, behind team champion Hutchinson.

Boys’ head coach Tom McDonald was pleased to get over the hump of finishing low in the WCC.

“I was very happy and very excited about how the boys did,” he said. “We were only one point from third place. We had some very nice individual performances.”

Junior Mason Tuttle began the scoring for the Wildcats by placing fourth in the finals of the 100 meter dash. Tuttle also picked up a point for WHS in the 200 meter dash by finishing eighth. In the same event, junior Marcel Montiel was fourth.

Montiel went on the place second in the 400 meter dash. Senior Brian Porter finished 10th in the same event. In the 800, sophomore Miles Trujillo was ninth, while senior Ben Vaske finished seventh in the 3200 meters.

Senior Tyler Thomas ran his way to a sixth place finish in the 110 meter hurdles, before senior Jacob Fettig pulled off a third place finish in the 300 meter hurdles.

In the relay events, the 4×200 team of Porter, juniors Tim Gray and Charles Frempong-Longdon, and sophomore Lucas Zimmer finished fifth in 1:37.52.

The all-senior team of Fettig, Porter, Adam Kirsch, and Ian Manske finished fourth in the 4×400 meter relay, while third place accolades went to the 4×800 team of senior Ryan Christensen, Vaske, Kirsch, and Manske.

The boys’ sole event win of the day came from senior Mark Brose, who dominated the pole vault competition to win at 13 feet. Freshman Zach Olsem added more WHS points in the pole vault by finishing fourth.

Fettig, Gray, and Zimmer teamed up in the triple jump for a 6-7-8 Waconia finish. In the shot put, freshman Ben Hedtke was seventh, while sophomore Matt Thom finished seventh in the discus.

“Overall, we had some nice, gutty performances,” McDonald said.

The Wildcat girls collected many top 10 finishes on their way to a strong second place finish on May 16, beginning in the 100 meter dash. After qualifying from the preliminary heats, senior Karlye Vallafskey and seventh grader Danielle Pioske finished second and seventh in the finals. Vallafskey posted 13 seconds flat, while Pioske clocked at 13.31.

Junior Miranda Schultz finished second in the 200 meter finals in 26.33 seconds. Freshman Molly Reighardt finished sixth in the event at 26.94.

Senior Anna Pioske collected a slew of points for WHS, beginning in the 400 meter dash. Finishing second at 1:01.74, Pioske went on to win both the long and triple jumps.

In the 800, sophomore Alora Rands was fifth while freshman Carissa Dock was eighth. Junior Lexi Willems was sixth in both the 1600 and 3200 meter races.

In hurdles, sophomore Kaitlyn Schuler was sixth in the 100 meters, while freshman Marya Haugland was fifth in the 300.

The 4×100 meter relay team of Danielle Pioske, Reighardt, Vallafskey, and Schultz won the event in 51.66 seconds.

But the biggest event victory of the day came for Waconia’s 4×200 team of Reighard, Anna Pioske, Vallafskey, and Schultz. With a final time of 1:45.79, the Wildcats set a new Wright County Conference record, besting the 2001 record set by a Delano squad (1:46.70).

Waconia’s 4×400 team finished seventh, while the 4×800 team of Dock, sophomore Kelsey Eder, senior Rhi McNulty, and freshman Maddie Ohlsen was fourth.

Junior Kirsten Wagener continued to be a force for WHS in the field events, pulling off a second place finish in the high jump, just one inch shy of first. Wagener also finished third in the long jump, and was second to Pioske in the triple jump. Sophomore Courtnie Stoddard was fifth in the triple jump.

In the pole vault, sophomore Abbie Cafferelle and junior Samantha Paulson were sixth and eighth. Sophomore Samantha Heldt was ninth in the discus.

Coming off their second place WCC finish, the Waconia girls also competed at True Team State on May 18 in Stillwater. The Wildcats finished fifth of nine teams with multiple event victories in the 4×200 and 4×100 meter relays, as well as the triple jump.

Vallafskey was third in the 100 meter dash, while Schultz and Reighardt were 2-3 in the 200. Pioske and Wagener finished 3-4 in the long jump, with Pioske setting a new WHS school record at 17 feet, 5 inches, breaking last season’s 17-03.00 record set by Stephanie Frempong-Longdon. Wagener was just three inches behind Pioske at 17-02.

Pioske and Wagener stayed tight in the triple jump, with Pioske winning at 36-01.50, and Wagener second at 35-03.75. Wagener went on to finish third in the high jump at 5-00 after a jump off.

The Wildcats now prepare for the section meet on May 29 and 31 at Gustavus.

Contact Melissa Marohl at melissa.marohl@ecm-inc.com

The post Track second, fourth at WCC appeared first on Sun Patriot.

Junior Kaylee Vanderhoff pitches for WHS.

Waconia 5, Holy Family 0

Holy Family 6, Waconia 2

The Wildcats split a double header at Holy Family on May 13, winning the first game 5-0 thanks to a shutout game pitched by Kiela DeVlaeminck. DeVlaeminck threw all seven innings and struck out five, while allowing five Fire hits and five walks.

The ‘Cats posted one run in the first inning and another in the second to take an early 2-0 lead. They would not score again until a three-run homer by senior Jaci Reinke in the top of the seventh to clinch the game 5-0.

Waconia collected eight hits, led by Nicole Groeneveld who was 2-3. Reinke was 1-3 with three RBIs, while Kia Pankey, Jordyn Goldschmidt, Ashley Pannier, Madi Heckmann, and Haley DeVlaeminck (double) also picked up hits.

Holy Family jumped out to an early lead in Game 2, after grabbing four quick runs in the top of the first inning. Waconia was limited at the plate with only two hits, one each from Pannier (double) and Reinke (home run).

The ‘Cats pushed one run across the plate in the fourth inning when Kiela DeVlaeminck was able to steal home. Their other run came on Reinke’s solo home run in the sixth.

Kaylee Vanderhoff pitched three innings for WHS and took the loss. She allowed five runs (three earned) on five hits, walked two, and struck out one. Kiela DeVlaeminck closed for the Wildcats, throwing the final four innings and allowing one run on six hits. She walked one and struck out two Fire batters.

Dassel-Cokato 6, Waconia 3

Waconia 6, Annandale 5

In two roads games on May 14, the Wildcats first fell to Dassel-Cokato 6-3. After taking an early 3-2 lead after two innings, the Chargers posted four runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take the game from Waconia.

The ‘Cats tallied just four hits, one each from Pannier (double), Haley DeVlaeminck, Reinke, and Groeneveld.

Vanderhoff pitched just over one inning, allowing two runs on two hits. She struck out one and walked four. Lexi Kretsch threw the final 4.2 innings for Waconia, allowing four runs on five hits, while striking out five and walking two Chargers.

In the same night, the Wildcats pulled off a nine-inning 6-5 victory over Annandale. Trailing 5-0 headed into the fourth inning, Waconia quickly caught up with a five-run inning fueled by a string of Wildcat hits.

Waconia clinched the game by pushing another run across the plate in the top of the ninth inning, after two Annandale errors put Waconia runners on base. The Cardinals had eight total errors to Waconia’s four.

Goldschmidt and Kiela DeVlaeminck were both 2-4 at the plate, with additional hits from Haley DeVlaeminck, Reinke, Pannier, and Heckmann (double) to tally eight total hits for WHS.

Kretsch started on the mound, throwing three innings and allowing five runs (one earned) on five hits. She struck out four and walked one. Kiela DeVlaeminck threw the final six innings, allowing four hits, but no runs. She struck out eight Annandale batters.

Buffalo 5, Waconia 1

The week continued at Buffalo on May 16, where the Wildcats fell to the host team 5-1 despite eight WHS hits. Buffalo was able to string its 10 hits together for five runs.

The lone Wildcat run came in the top of the fifth. After Goldschmidt singled to the pitcher and subsequently reached second on an error from said pitcher, McCall Helstrom singled to left field to score Goldschmidt.

Goldschmidt led WHS at the plate going 2-4, while Helstrom, Groeneveld, Reinke (double), Pannier, Heckmann, and Kenzie Clouse also picked up hits.

Kretsch threw four innings allowing four runs on seventh hits. Vanderhoff closed, allowing one run on three hits, including one home run.

Waconia 5, Hutchinson 1

The ‘Cats wrapped up their conference schedule May 17 at Hutchinson, winning 5-1. Waconia scored five runs on seven hits and two errors over Hutchinson’s one run on six hits and two errors.

Groeneveld was a perfect 3-3 at the plate for Waconia, while additional hits came from Goldschmidt, Pannier, Reinke (2 RBIs), and Clouse.

Vanderhoff threw the first inning, before Kiela DeVlaeminck threw the final six, allowing one unearned run on six hits. DeVlaeminck collected nine strikeouts during her time on the mound.

Up next

The Wildcats hosted Shakopee in the final game of the regular season on Monday. Seedings for the section tournament will be announced later this week with games beginning this weekend.

Contact Melissa Marohl at melissa.marohl@ecm-inc.com

The post Extra-inning win for WHS over A’dale appeared first on Sun Patriot.

Junior Krianna Boelke (left) catches an incoming throw to successfully tag out NYA’s Brooke Raether on May 16.

The Mayer Lutheran softball team ended the regular season 0-14 after four conference losses last week.

Hosting Tri-City United on May 14, Mayer Lutheran was able to score three runs, but unfortunately gave up 13 runs to the Titans, who took the game 13-3. The Crusaders were even less successful in Game 2, as they were shut down 30-1.

At Norwood Young America on May 16, the Crusaders lost both games to the Raiders in five innings. NYA shut out LHS in the first game 16-0 and also took the second game 19-1.

The Crusaders finished the season last in the Minnesota River Conference. Mayer Lutheran was seeded No. 9 in north division of the Section 2A tournament and faced No. 8 Buffalo Lake-Hector in a play in game on May 21.

Results of that contest were not available when this issue went to press. The victor advanced to play No. 1 Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity that same night.

Contact Melissa Marohl at melissa.marohl@ecm-inc.com

The post LHS softball last in MRC appeared first on Sun Patriot.

“The conference championships was a great afternoon to race,” said LHS head coach Tim Bierbaum. “The girls had season bests in all four of their relays, with two of them (4×800 and 4×400) having outstanding performances. The boys’ 4×800 broke the old conference record.”

Both teams finished in the middle of the pack, with the girls placing slightly higher than the boys. The LHS girls’ team finished fifth with 62 points, behind team champion Belle Plaine (198). The Crusader boys were sixth with 72 points, also behind team champion Belle Plaine (148).

The girls started the day with a strong second place finish in the 4×800 meter relay. Run by junior Samantha Bartz, sophomore Maria Kuntz, senior Holly Johnson, and freshman Hannah Truniger, the Crusaders finished in 10 minutes, 12.71 seconds, four seconds shy of first place.

Senior Allie Erdmann qualified for the finals of the 100 meter hurdles and finished eighth in 18.18 seconds. Freshman Whytnee Aurich pulled off a sixth place finish in the 100 meter dash before running the opening leg of the girls’ 4×200 meter relay, which finished third. Aurich, along with junior Lauren Schroeder and seniors Ashlyn Hucky and Kristen Mielke, finished in 1:55.62. Aurich, Schroeder, and Mielke then combined with freshman Belle Flucas to finish third in the 4×100 meter relay (53.72 seconds).

Freshman Hannah Truniger continued her winning ways in the 1600 meter run, besting Watertown-Mayer’s Liz Miller by five seconds. Truniger’s final time was 5:16.71. In the 400 meter dash, Bartz finished fifth, while Kuntz was just behind her in sixth.

Seniors Sarah Ruschmeier and Erdmann were 7-8 in the 300 meter hurdles, while freshman Kate Esser finished 10th in the event. Johnson pulled off a top ten finish in the 800 meter run while Mielke was seventh in the 200 meter dash. Johnson went on the anchor the 4×400 relay, and along with Erdmann, Kuntz, and Bartz, finished second in 4:16.26, just one second behind first place Belle Plaine.

In the field events, senior Molly Michaletz was ninth in the long jump, while Hucky finished eighth in the triple jump. Kuntz was seventh in the high jump and senior Nico Schmidt finished in a four-way tie for ninth. Schmidt went on to finish fourth in the shot put. In the pole vault, Esser finished ninth while sophomores Christina Erdmann and Audrey Morschen tied for 10th.

In the MRC meet for the boys, the Crusaders posted some strong finishes that are sure to contend for state entries at the Section 4A meet next week. Event victories for LHS began in the 4×800 meter relay run by the all-senior threat of Alex and Kyle Fredrickson and Chase and Jesse Greenhagen. The group won the event in 8:24.81, besting second place Tri-City United by a whopping 22 seconds and setting a new MRC record by seven seconds. With their new time, the runners are just five seconds shy of the Mayer Lutheran school record as well. All four runners went on to individual top 10 finishes in various events. Kyle Fredrickson would later win the 800 meter run, while Alex Fredrickson finished second in the 400 meter dash. Jesse Greenhagen won the 3200 meter run in 10;21.98, over 25 seconds ahead of his second place competitor. Chase Greenhagen placed eighth in the 1600 meter run.

The Fredricksons went on to run the opening and anchor legs of the event-winning 4×400 meter relay, along with sophomore Dain Aarrestad and junior Colin Hilk. The team finished the race in 3:36.07.

The 4×100 team of seniors Jeremy Price and Matt Carlson, along with sophomore Jacob Carlson and Seth Boehlke finished sixth.

Senior Nathan Schneewind was 10th in the 300 meter hurdles. Schneewind and fellow senior Jacob Daniels would finished 8-9 in the long jump. Schneewind would also pull off a second place finished in the pole vault, while Matt Carlson was third. Sophomore Taylor Otterstatter finished ninth in the triple jump.

In the shot put and discus events, senior Neal Kroells finished 10th in both to add points.

Early in the week, the Crusaders also competed at Belle Plaine in a triangular meet against the host team and conference competitor LeSueur-Henderson. Both LHS teams finished second.

“The Belle Plaine meet we used as a practice,” Bierbaum said, “but had lots of good things happen there.”

Mayer Lutheran will next be in action on May 30 and June 1 at Macalaster College for the Section 4A meet. Those that qualify will then compete at the state tournament, held at Hamline University on June 7-8.

Contact Melissa Marohl at melissa.marohl@ecm-inc.com

The post Belle Plaine sweeps MRC track championships appeared first on Sun Patriot.

Competing against eight other teams in the Cannon Falls Invitational on May 13, the Crusaders finished eighth with 380 strokes. Shattuck-St. Mary’s won the meet with 318 strokes.

Chad Anenson was Mayer Lutheran’s top competitor, finishing the day with 90 strokes. Jared Scrimgeour was second for LHS, coming in at 94, while Andrew Wolf and Joe Zittergruen tied at 98. Cole Carns scored a 99 and Tim Renner golfed a 102 at Cannon Falls.

The Crusaders also competed in St. Cloud on May 16, but those results were not available when this issue went to press.

The Minnesota River Conference championship meet, originally scheduled for Monday, May 20, was rescheduled to Wednesday, May 22 and was held at the Glencoe County Club instead of Timber Creek in Watertown.

The top four MRC teams will compete in the new inter-conference cup on May 23 at Burl Oaks. Sections will be next Tuesday, May 28 at Victory Links in Blaine.

Contact Melissa Marohl at melissa.marohl@ecm-inc.com

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Meagan Rachey golfs at Island View on May 14. The sophomore is closing in on her fourth consecutive individual WCC title.

Two meet wins and three second place finishes rounded out last week for the Waconia girls’ golf team. The Wildcats kicked off the week by winning the front nine at Baker National Golf on May 13. With 189 strokes, the ‘Cats led second place Litchfield by seven.

Sophomore Meagan Rachey won the meet with 43 strokes, while junior Brittany Johnson golfed a 48, good enough for fifth place. Senior Jenna Lund and eighth grader Lauren McNulty also finished in the top ten, tying for seventh with 49 strokes. Sophomore Bridget Muehlberg and freshman Jade Scrimgeour also competed, both finishing with 68 strokes.

On the back nine of the same course, the Wildcats finished second to Litchfield. Rachey placed second overall at 40 strokes, while Lund (47), Johnson (49), and McNulty (50), finished 12th, 17th, and 19th, respectively. Muehlberg golfed a 58 on the back nine, while Scrimgeour finished at 60.

Hosting the conference teams at Island View on May 14, the Wildcats finished second to Litchfield by just three strokes (182-185).

Rachey won the meet (37 strokes), while Lund finished fifth with 46 strokes. McNulty golfed a 50 on the day, followed by Johnson (52), Scrimgeour (57), and junior Audra Thurman (62).

The week ended May 16 at New London-Spicer when the Wildcats finished second to Litchfield for the third time last week. Rachey was second at 39 strokes, while Lund (46) and McNulty (47) both finished in the top 20. Johnson finished with 49 strokes, followed by Scrimgeour (51) and Thurman (60).

With just two meets remaining this season, the Wildcats are sitting comfortably in second place in the WCC. Unfortunately, first place Litchfield is 105 strokes out of reach this season, but the ‘Cats lead third place Hutchinson by 62.

Audra Thurman

Rachey continues to lead the individual standings, 39 strokes over Litchfield’s Kennedy Sommerfeld. Lund is tied for ninth overall, just a few strokes out of seventh place. McNulty and Johnson are both within the top 20.

Waconia finished out the regular season with a win early this week at Dassel-Cokato on May 20 and 21. With 368 strokes, the Wildcats won the meet May 20, besting second place St. Michael-Albertville by five strokes (373). Rachey was the individual medalist with 76 strokes, nine over the second place competitors. Lund and McNulty both finished under 100, at 94 and 98, respectively. Johnson finished with 100 strokes, while Scrimgeour (104) and Thurman (126) also contributed to the Wildcat win.

The May 21 results were not available when this issue went to press.

All in all, head coach Dan Benham is content with the way the ‘Cats are playing at the end of the season.

“Another good week,” he said. “The girls have been playing good golf.”

The section tournament will be held June 3 in Jordan.

Contact Melissa Marohl at melissa.marohl@ecm-inc.com

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St. John’s School students perform during the fourth annual Yellow Ribbon banquet in NYA on Friday. (NYA Times staff photo by Adam Gruenewald)

by ADAM GRUENEWALD
NYA Times

Honoring and supporting the U.S. military at home and abroad should remain a ever vigilant priority for the entire community.
The fourth annual Yellow Ribbon Honor Banquet celebrated and reinforced that idea on Friday, May 17.
About 125 people packed the Wilkommen Park Pavilion for the event, which included several speakers and ceremonies, including a performance by the St. John’s School students.
Above all, though it recognized the families of SSGT Amanda Boehne, LCPL Cole Benkowski, SPC Cole Klaustermeier and PFC Cody Storms, who represent those deployed service members from the NYA area.
Guest speaker Major General Larry Shellito, who is currently serving as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, was among the founders of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program.
In his speech, Shellito recognized veterans of WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War and others.
A Vietnam War veteran himself, he shared some of his experiences in coming back.
Returning home to Fargo, N.D., he was greeted by a small group of family members.
“Then I went out and thought I’d have a good time,” he said, recalling meeting a young woman. “I said I’d just come back from Vietnam. She said ‘Oh, you’re one of those’… Within two weeks I learned never to talk about it. And I didn’t talk about it for 25 years, unless I felt safe.”
For Shellito, he found that safe place through veterans service organizations and also through the Minnesota Army National Guard, of which he was a member from 1973 to 2000.
What hasn’t changed over those years, he said, is that U.S. military might remains strong.
“Every other country that thought they would go toe-to-toe with the United States, they said we cannot beat them, we cannot defeat them,” he said.
Referring to the Vietnam War, Shellito said there is one weakness to the U.S. military, which remains the same today.
“The Achilles heel of the United States military… that keeps us weak is the hearts and minds of the American people.”
Shellito encouraged those in attendance and all citizens of the United States to keep supporting the U.S. military through any way they can in sending members off, taking care of their families and welcoming them home.
“It is a community mission to make sure they are supported,” he said. “Stop and think about what would be our next mission be and what would be the things that make Norwood Young America a role model. The whole premise of the Yellow Ribbon is care and helping those that need help.”
Shellito was certainly encouraged by the attendance at the banquet and efforts of NYA members.
“You have saved lives, you truly have saved lives,” he said. “When you come back home, you’d be surprised how something as simple as a thank you is just phenomenal.”
NYA Mayor Tina Diedrick too, thanked the families present and the service members for their efforts.
“Our freedoms are protected and defended by the sacrifices that your service members make and their families,” she said. “I just want to tell you how proud we are of them, on behalf of the City of Norwood Young America, and how much that we love you and bless you and we are here for you. The Yellow Ribbon  committee has done so much to make that and feel that as well. We reach out as a whole community to support you.”
MC David Elling added he was grateful for the service of the current volunteers of the U.S. military.
“They have done it with incredible pride and honor,” he said. “They did again and again and again. They are truly amazing. Where these young people’s service ends, ours begins.”
There are still 68,000 young men and women currently serving in Afghanistan, so the job is not yet done, Elling said.
“We have one sacred obligation and that’s to equip and prepare the young men and women who are going to protect us,” he said. “And when they come back to take care of them and their families. I sincerely pray that we never forget that responsibility of what we have to do.”
The NYA  Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Campaign meets every second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the NYA City Hall conference rooms.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/NYABeyondtheYellowRibbon, http://nyabeyondtheyellowribbon.weebly.com, or www.BeyondTheYellowRibbon.org.

Contact Adam Gruenewald at adam.gruenewald@ecm-inc.com.

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