Sports for the week of October 6, 2004

Whew! TMB wins thriller

Scrappy fourth-quarter sparks comeback

The Tracy/Milroy/Balaton Panther football team won a thriller over MACCRAY at Maynard Friday night 28-27. The win improved the Panthers' season record to 3-2 and they are now 1-1 in the 212 Conference and in a tie for third place.

Donald Strand scored the winning points on a two-point conversion with 1:37 to play, after firing a 37-yard touchdown pass to Brett Jackson. The Panther defense the fought off a last second-onslaught from MACCRAY. A 35-yard Wolverine field goal attempt that would have won the game was wide right as time expired.

The Panthers were down 27-13 as the fourth period began. TMB picked up one score when Strand scrambled 23 yards for a touchdown. Bauer's kick made the score 27-20 with 7:44 remaining.

"We didn't quit. We had more work to do and we did it," said Panther Coach Randy McIntire. "After we scored to make it 27-20 Dan (Malmberg) already was asking if we were going for two points on the next conversion."

The Panther defense forced a three and out situation when Andy Nelson registered a sack on third down with 8 yard to go. TMB then marched to the Wolverine 18-yard line in 4 plays before turning the ball over on an interception.

The defense again held and forced a punt which TMB put in play on their own 40. Strand completed three straight passes capped by the scoring strike to Jackson to bring the score to 27-26. Strand scored on a quarterback sweep for the two-point conversion.

The Wolverines took the kickoff on their own 34-yard line and on 7 of 8 passing moved to the Panther 16-yard line. The field goal attempt was long enough, but wide right and the Panthers had the win.

Pipestone is no match for Panther volleyball

The Panther volleyball team moved to 16-3 for the season with a three game sweep of Pipestone at Pipestone Monday night. T/M/B is undefeated in the 212 Conference with a 5-0 record. The game scores were 25-20, 25-18 and 25-11.

Emily Miller led the Panther offense, as she was 10 of 10 serving with 3 aces to go with her 7 kills. Tessa Nelson had 8 kills and 5 blocks while Krysta Tholen had 24 set assist along with 6 digs.

'We played very well,'coach says of ACGC win

The Panther girls' volleyball team swept Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City 3-0 in volleyball at Grove City Thursday, 25-4, 25-10 and 25-7. The action improved Tracy/Milroy/Balaton to 15-3 on the season and 5-0 in the 212 Conference.

"We played very well in this match," said Panther Coach Katie Gervais.

Nicole Haecherl led the team in serving, as she was 13 of 13 with 4 aces. Laura Lanoue was 17 of 19 serving and had 7 digs. Tessa Nelson led the offense with 12 kills while Krysta Tholen had 24 set assists.

Runners compete at Windom

The Panther girls were fifth and the boys eighth at the Redwood Falls Invitational Thursday. Tracy/Milroy/Balaton's Jillian Tholen was second in the girls' varsity race.

The girls team scores were: 1) Marshall, 41; 2) CML, 55; 3) MCW, 80; 4) MVL, 115; 5) T/M/B, 134; 6)RV, 135; 7) SESM, 161; 8)Windom, 220. The boys team scores were: 1) Marshall, 19, 2) RV, 79; 3)CML, 80; 4)Windom, 106; 5) SESM, 151; 6)MCW, 151; 7) MVL, 162; 8) T/M/B, 194.

The Panther girls individual results were: 2) Jillian Tholen, 15:24; 18) Stacy LaVoy, 17:47; 35) Jessica Mason, 18:44; 37) Jenna Schaar, 19:01; 41) Becca Gervais, 19:18; 43) Megan Pool, 19:42; 44) Jenny Vroman, 19:56.

The Panther girls JV results were: 9) Julia Olson, 19:58; 12) Jessica Coulter, 20:33; 15) Rachel Stobb, 21:08; 18) Ashlei Carpenter, 21:56; 20)Bobbi Jo Buyck, 22:17; 23) Cassie Miller, 28:28.

"Jillian (Tholen) ran a strong race," said Panther Coach Marie Clauson, "This was a difficult course-but Jillian still finished with an excellent time. Jessica (Mason) ran an excellent race today. she really believed in herself today and helped the team out tremendously. Our three seniors closed up their gap today which helps the team's confidence."

"Julia (Olson) continues to improve," stated Clauson. "Ryan Tholen ran a strong race again as well. He really attacked the difficult hills and passed several runners doing so. Chad Cooreman looked very strong in his race today as well. This is a tough course but we worked hard and had a successful day."