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By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
A remarkable feature of the NRHEG cheer team’s season was the “second-ever” trip to national-level competition both for these athletes and for NRHEG schools. They concluded their season with an eighth-place finish at nationals the week of February 7-10.
NRHEG coach Joni Churchill started off her group’s portion of the night congratulating and thanking everyone involved in winter sports.
“You all have a lot to be proud of and we had so much fun cheering you on,” Churchill said.
“Thank you to all of the coaches for letting us come along on this fun ride. Thank you to Dan Stork, Mr. Meihak and Mr. Berg, and everybody in the office for everything they do to make this possible, Mr Domeier for being the soundtrack to our crazy. Thank you to Mr Schaefer and the pep band for always killing it; we’re so lucky to get to partner with such a great group.”
Churchill thanked the cheer parents for their continued support of their children’s endeavors.
“We couldn’t do this without you.”
Winter cheerleaders were recognized: Ariel Anhalt, Autumn Baseman, Maddy Bogue, Addy Buenger, Payton Bunn, Julia Churchill, Orianna Degen, Sierra Misgen, Avary Riskedahl, Brenna Sommer, Isabel Stadheim, Tru Thao, and Malonna Wilson.
“Not only are these guys on the sidelines of every home game, they are all athletes in their own right,” Churchill said.
The competition team earned a Regional Academic Honors award for academics, as well as earning the highest cumulative GPA in the state, both for the second straight year with a 3.79 cumulative GPA.
Two cheerleaders were named All-State: Payton Bunn and Isabel Stadheim.
Four seniors were named to the Honors Team of Excellence for having a GPA of 3.5 or higher: Bunn, Julia Churchill, Brenna Sommer, and Stadheim. All four of them were invited to apply for scholarships, which they received. This is the most athletes from any school in the 30-year history of the Minnesota Cheer Coaches Association to receive scholarships in the same year.
“We are so proud to represent NRHEG,” Churchill concluded. “Congratulations ladies.”
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By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
NRHEG wrestling coach Shawn Larson offered thanks and praise for the 2023-24 Panther squad at the annual winter banquet.
“Before I get into our season and our team, I want to congratulate and thank a lot of people here,” Larson began.
Larson thanked the other winter sports competitors, assistant coaches Nate Jensen and Dillion Kubiatowicz, videographer Daniel Petsinger, staff members Karla Christopherson, Teri Kormann, and Sue Kulseth, as well as Activities Director Dan Stork; NRHEG cheerleaders; the Wrestling Booster Club; and all others who help make NRHEG wrestling successful. Larson also thanked Erik Olson for “his willingness to do any job or work with any athlete” as well as Krey Cory and Lance Perkins for their work in the elementary program. Student helpers Winter Pederson, Aspyn Stenzel, Ciara Stenzel, and Zoe Wilson were also thanked.
“And last but not least by any means, I want to thank all of the parents and families who are involved with these kids,” Larson concluded. “Because you have to give up holidays… And kids will recall their weight when it's Christmas time, or Thanksgiving and things like that. You know, pretty much every Saturday from November to March, you're doing something. I really appreciate all the time and effort, and I mostly appreciate that you let me have time with your athletes. Thank you.”
Season recap
The Panthers finished their regular season with a poor team record due to injuries and had a bad matchup against Medford in the team section meet, losing in the first round.
“Our wrestlers had continued growth over the season and had some good things happen,” Larson said.
Most of those good things were significant individual accomplishments, including nine placewinners at the section tournament, one section champion, George Roesler, and two runners up, Annabelle Petsinger and Ryan Schlaak.
Last year’s state champion Petsinger ultimately suffered an injury at the state tournament and forfeited two matches. Larson stated she battled injuries all year long and showed tremendous character. Next year she will be wrestling at the college level for Iowa Central Community College.
Ryan Schllak had a fantastic run at the section tournament, but had two rough draws and lost both of his state tournament matches.
Roesler won two matches by fall in the state tournament, but lost in the “blood round” just barely missing out on a medal.
“The three wrestlers who competed at the state tournament should know they made the Panther Nation proud,” Larson concluded. “We are proud of you for representing NRHEG well.”
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By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
The NRHEG boys' basketball team celebrated the end of a challenging season last Tuesday evening. Head coach Dan Schmidt started the program by thanking a lot of folks, including all of the coaches and the new “shot clock operators,” a first this year.
Despite the team’s few wins, Schmidt praised his players, highlighting their hard work and dedication.
“We battled injuries,” Schmidt said. “We had 62 missed player games.”
Schmidt recounted the team's three wins, including a win against a new Rochester team which was hosting its first-ever home basketball game.
Schmidt concluded. “I’d like to close by congratulating the girls’ basketball team, wrestling, and cheer squads on great seasons this year. You all represent the Panthers well.”
The following awards were handed out:
All-Conference Award (Second Team AC): Daxter Lee who finished in the top five in NRHEG school history in points, 3-pointers, steals, rebounds and assists. Lee will be playing basketball next year at the University of Dubuque in Iowa.
Most Valuable Player: Will Tuttle
Panther Award: Jared Lee
Most Improved: Greyson Schaefer
Defensive MVP: Tuttle
Sportsmanship Award: Jared Lee.