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Sports from the week of August 21, 2002

New coach enjoys working with offense

The Tracy/Milroy/Balaton football team is preparing for their first game which will be against Redwood Valley at Redwood Falls on Thursday, August 29.

"We are coming along faster than I expected," said Coach Randy McIntire. "I am more concerned about the offense and lack of depth right now than I am about the defense. We desperately need back up strength."

The Panther coaching staff is working players at several positions in order to give them some flexibility. They will continue to do this during the scrimmage scheduled for Saturday at Sleepy Eye St. Mary's. TMB will play Windom, Red Rock Central, and St. Mary's.

The schedule this year includes games with Redwood Valley, St. James and Fairmont as well as against five 212 Conference foes. They will be facing state champion Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City and the always strong BOLD team plus MACCRAY on their home fields and will host Renville County West and Yellow Medicine East at Tracy.

"I am enjoying working with the offense this year after serving as a defensive coach for so many years," said McIntire. "I know the things that caused us the most trouble on defense and will be trying to work them into our offense during the season. "


Spikers open at Minneota

The Panther volleyball team travels to Minneota Tuesday for their season opener. C-squad action begins at 5 p.m.

The Panthers were working hard on serving and serve receiving during the morning practice session Monday.

"Our skills haven't developed as rapidly as we would like to have them," said Coach Katie Gervais. "We are looking for roles for the players to assume. For instance Senior Laura Zwach will have to step up and assume a leadership role with this team. We do have a few juniors and sophomores who have also exhibited some leadership skills."

The Panther coaching staff will likely juggle the lineup early to find the right mix of players. They will be scrimmaging against Lac Qui Parle Valley at the Prairie Pavilion on Thursday as part of the preparation.

"We are young and inexperienced," said Gervais. "However there is some talent on the squad. They can be better than they think they can at this time."


Harriers open at Mt. Lake

The Panther cross-country team opens the season in Mt. Lake, Wednesday, August 28.

"The girls have logged about three times as many miles this summer than they have ever logged before," said Coach Brian Michelson. "Dani Jones, Kelley Laleman, Megan Pool, Jillian Tholen and Kristin Sweetman have all logged over 150 miles during the summer."

The team has 22 runners, including eight returning letter winners.

The team hopes to build on some of the successes the Panther track team enjoyed. last spring. Rebecca Gervais was ninth in the state track meet in the 800 meter run and Kristin Sweetman placed 12th in the two mile run at the state meet. Sweetman, Jillian Tholen and Rebecca Gervais were all members of the state championship 4x800 relay team.