Sports from the week of November 26, 2003
Girls host highly ranked Worthington Tuesday
The Panther girls' basketball squad has been working for a week in preparation for their opening game against Worthington next Tuesday at Tracy.
"That will be a tough one!" said Co-Coach Ric Haberman. “Worthington is rated number two in the state in Class 3A in the pre-season polls."
Athletes in grades 9-12 are: Nicole Haecherl, Steph Kaup, Kasey Loeslie, Melissa Luckhardt, Lyndsie Murphy, Jenna Schaar, Jadeen Schultz, Tessa Nelson, Ashlei Carpenter, Jackie Coulter, Ashlee Domine, Alyssa Kirk, Stacy LaVoy, Emily Miller, Mariah Schelhaas, Jillian Tholen, Cassie Willard, Sarah Fritz, Jackie Haecherl, Ashley Kirk, Cassie Miller, Brittany Norstegard, Rita Ryan, Emily Scharfe and Rebekah Zens.
Eighth graders are: Lisa Bauer, Brittanie Carlson, Lindsey Daniels, Mallory Fultz, Jessica Her, Michelle Jones, Bailey Lackie, Michelle Lanoue, Brittnee Michael, Molly Miller, Katie Olafson, Ashley Sammons, Becki Towne and Jenny Vroman. From the seventh grade were Bridgit Kirsh, Carly Miller, Zer Moua, Roxanne Ryan and Ka Lia Thao.
Game time for the B and C-squad is 6 p.m. , with the C-squad at the Prairie Pavilion next Tuesday night.
Boys hoop program boasts big numbers
The Panther boys' basketball practice began Monday at the high school gymnasium for the 2003-04 season. There were 36 aspirants out in grades 9-12 and 41 in the seventh and eighth grades.
"We have a large number of kids out for basketball, especially in the lower grades," said Panther Coach Nat Boyer. "They are hungry for some successes."
Boyer is still looking for volunteer coaches to help in the six Saturday sessions in November and December planned to get kids in the first, second and third grades started playing basketball. He is also scheduling local tournaments for kids in grades 4-5-6 during the season.
The Panthers return six letter winners from last season (five seniors and one junior). The lettermen, along with last season's B-squad, have gained experience by playing in about 40 games during the summer months.
"The kids have retained the fundamentals learned last year and have been hitting the weight room to prepare for this season," said Boyer.
Athletes in grades 9-12 are: Chris Bangasser, Mark Buysse, Anders Davidson, Jason Heern, Sean Kirk, John Knott, Ross Ladehoff, Adam Louwagie, Ted Nilius, Eric Peterson, Pat Spielman, Kyle Stibbe, Donald Strand, Vang Thao, Anthony Vroman, Erik Frisvold, Gary Knott, Brad Lanoue, Tristan Larson, Bee Lor, Derek Radke, David Schiller, Chad Stibbe, Derrick Vandromme, Roberto DelAngel, Brady Jackson, Casey Klein, Adam LeClaire, Darin Louwagie, Kyle McIntire, Taylor Rignell, Nick Soupir, Seth Swan, Kraig Van Keulen, Corey Warner and Ben Ziemke.
Eighth graders include: Mitchell Bot, Dan Bundy, Anthony Dolan, Anthony Dutcher, John Gervais, Ryan Kaup, Eric Lanoue, Michael Lenertz, Drew Nelson, Koulee Noukhay, Steve Paradis, Andy Prairie, Matt Rosa, Brian Schlager, David Schmidt, Ryan Thooft, Va Xiong and Spencer Zwaschka.
Seventh graders are: Pablo Agullar, Mike Anderson, Josh Anderson, Travis Apperson, Tyler Bauer, Tyler Christiansen, Isaac Dolan, Keith Engelkes, Aaron Frisvold, Adam Haecherl, Chris Hansen, Josh Hoflock, Will Johnston, Alex Jones, Brandon Kirk, Bo Kirsh, Paul LeClaire, Todd Louwagie, Walker Schaar, John Swenhaugen, Seth Swensen Ryan Tholen and Kayne Zwaschka.
The Panther's season begins at Bird Island on Tuesday, Dec. 9 against BOLD. They open their home schedule on Friday, Dec. 12 against Redwood Valley with the C-squad game at the Prairie Pavilion and the B-squad at the high school starting at 6 p.m.
Optimism reigns as wrestlers get ready
The Panther wrestling team began practice sessions for the 2003-4 season Monday at the Prairie Pavilion. Twenty-eight athletes reported.
The Panther will open their season at Maynard, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, participating in a triangular with MACCRAY, Renville County West and Benson.
Since three of the four teams were 212 Conference members Coach Travis Christenson was asked who in the conference would be favored this season.
"BOLD is always tough in the 212 Conference," said Christenson. "I am not sure if their football program feeds off their wrestling program or if their wrestling program feeds off their football program. Both are very good. We see a lot of second and third generation wrestlers at BOLD."
The Panthers have 14 letter winners back from last season, bringing experience at almost every weight level.
"We will be better than last season!" exclaimed Christenson. The Panther have their home opener Thursday, Dec. 11 when they host a triangular with Pipestone and Red Rock Central. B-squad action begins at 5 p.m.