Ferber returns for 34th year leading NRHEG track teams
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By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
During the last three-plus decades, a lot of coaches have came and gone for New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva athletic teams. Except for one sport: track and field.
Duey Ferber enters his 34th season at the helm of the program. He remains as optimistic as ever, and he has some good reasons for that optimism with state entrants returning for both the boys and girls.
The boys' team will be led by Will Tuttle, who reached state in the 110-meter high hurdles and 300 intermediate hurdles, placing seventh in the highs. The Panthers' Most Valuable award winner for track and field last spring, Tuttle is one of three captains.
The other captains are Levin Kitzer, voted Most Valuable in track events last year, and Parker Bunn.
Also returning for the boys are Harbor Cromwell, Charlie Fuller, Devon Nelton, Wyatt Tuttle and Brendan Schmidt.
Key athletes graduating off last year's squad include Aidan Deyle, Lucas Hanna, Makota Misgen, Conner Nelson and Sawyer Prigge. Hanna finished seventh in discus at the state meet. Deyle was fourth in the 110 high hurdles at section.
According to Coach Ferber, the Panthers should have solid performers in most every event.
"We have some good athletes in most areas," said Ferber. "We should be strong in our hurdle events and sprint relays. Our long distance has some good younger athletes as well as some upperclassmen. Our jumps have some new athletes to hopefully score some points. We have most of our bases covered."
On the other side of the coin, Ferber said, "We need more events where we can score multiple people."
Avoiding injury is crucial for the Panthers.
"We need to keep everyone healthy and able to compete in all the meets," said Ferber. "We need to work hard and get some of our new members some experience in their events."
Ferber, who guided the Panthers to Gopher Conference championships in 2018 and 2019, said Maple River returns some very good athletes and are the preseason conference favorites. He expects Belle Plaine and Jordan to have solid squads in Section 2A.
"We have a lot of good hard working kids that love to be out there competing and trying to get better," summarized Ferber. "Our upperclassmen do a good job of showing the younger athletes how to work hard to succeed."
So how did the Panthers’ captains get into track:
“I was driving as a student driver with Mr. Ferber,” said Tuttle. “Nine hours that I rode with him, and he convinced me to do it, and I never looked back. He mentioned Brady Agrimson’s name. When I was a kid, oh my goodness I looked up to that guy. That’s all he had so say and I was gung-ho about it because I wanted to be like him.”
“One of the main this is it just looked like a lot of fun,” said Kitzer. “Everyone’s always real happy, messing around and just having a good time.”
New coach for NRHEG baseball, but he’s no stranger
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By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
A new head coach is in place for the NRHEG High School baseball team in 2024, but he's no stranger to the Panthers.
Shawn Larson, longtime assistant baseball coach and the varsity wrestling coach, will lead NRHEG on the diamond last spring.
While the Panthers have no seniors on their roster, a number of key players are back from last spring's team that finished 10-2 for second in the Gopher Conference and 11-5 overall.
Larson looks for good things from juniors Alden Dobberstein (P/SS/2B), Carter Martens (P/3B) and Jace Ihrke (P/C), and sophomore Jared Lee (P/1B/OF).
The other juniors are Aaden Hanna (P/OF), Mayson Patten (3B), Aidan Schlaak (P/IF), Seth Staloch (SS/2B) and Brock Ziemke (1B).
Varsity sophomores includ Isaac Bauleke (OF), Jordan Brouwers (OF/3B, Wyatt Larson (P/C/3B), Deven Parpart (P/IF/OF) and Owen Wayne (P/2B/SS).
"It is unkown at this time if we will be using any freshmen," said Coach Larson. "Alden Dobberstein, Carter Martens, Jace Ihrke and Jared Lee are all varsity returning players who we expect to stand out on our team this season."
As for new player impact, Larson looks forward to contributions from everyone.
"We have a cast of players that are capable of good things," said Larson. "Look for players like Aidan Schlaak, Wyatt Larson, Owen Wayne, Jordan Brouwers, and Deven Parpart to have good seasons and really help out the Panthers in the 2024 season."
Larson looks for wide-open races for both the Gopher Conference and section championships, and he believes the Panthers can contend.
"We have potential to be competing for both the section and conference title," said Larson. "Our section has several teams that will be contenders for the title. If I had to pick a favorite, I would have to pick Belle Plaine to be the top contender for the section. Our conference is extremely talented this season. United South Central, Maple River, Hayfield, Randolph, and Kenyon-Wanamingo are all teams that can win. Based of of last season, I would say that USC is probably the preseason favorite."
Larson, who replaces Mark Lee as head coach, will be assisted by first-year coach Marcus Fischer and former NRHEG head coach Jeff Reese.
“We have a plan as a team to use people in as many was as possible, so being able to know every role and help everybody else know every role is very important, because we don’t have a lot of guys,” said Dobberstein. “We need multiple people to do multiple things. I think the most important thing is building a family within the team.”
Lee, a sophomore, said he feels no pressure this season, but the lack of outside practice could be a challenge for the Panthers.
“We haven’t had a lot of outside time, so if we can get started on a hot streak, fix things as soon as possible rather than letting them build on each other,” said Lee. “Because it’s going to be hard not being outside, getting right into the games.”
So who’s going to pitch for the 2024 Panthers?
Grapplers send three to state, nine medal at sections
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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.”
A shock to the system
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
“When you hear the ‘C-Word,’ it’s a shock to the system,” says Geneva area resident Todd Utpadel, who says he sometimes has the sense cancer is all around him.
“It just kept hitting and kept hitting,” he says of the number of relatives and close friends the disease has taken. “When you feel useless, that’s when it’s time to look for a way to make a difference.”
Utpadel, a 1978 graduate of Ellendale-Geneva High School, and a founding member of the Snowy River Band, decided he would use music. A persistent performer at venues across southern Minnesota, he announced at Albert Lea’s Moose Lodge on New Year’s Day he has formed the group “Musicians Against Cancer,” and will be donating all tips he receives during 2024 to the Blooming Prairie Cancer Fund, which has a two-fold approach to fighting cancer. During 2023, it contributed $120,000 to the Eagles’ Cancer Telethon and also gave more than $30,000 directly to individuals battling the disease to help meet their expenses.
“My donations are specifically for the second part,” Utpadel reveals. “Of course research is important, but I choose to help people who need the support right now for everything they’re going through. For many of them, the cure won’t be found in time; they’re facing challenges from many directions at once, and one of them is their finances.”
Utpadel set himself a goal of raising $10,000 by the year’s end. His plans got a boost when Albert Lea’s Moose Lodge–a venue he plays fairly often–offered to match his receipts for the month of January up to $500. His “day job,” Owatonna Motor Company, did the same for February. A pair of private citizens is matching March’s the same way. The Blooming Prairie Servicemen’s Club has committed to helping with April. Utpadel says he hopes to find organizations which will continue the pattern for the remainder of the year.
He expresses gratitude to his wife, Sherry, Owatonna Motor Company, owner Bill Zaharia, and general manager Brandon Ratkowski for their patience and support, since his enthusiasm for the goal has him booking performances “rather ambitiously”--nine weekend nights in April alone.
“But this is not about me, and I’m not doing it by myself,” says Utpadel, mentioning “The Red Solo Cup Cancer Jam” scheduled for April 19 at the Albert Lea Moose Club. Utpadel has been in touch with many fellow musicians and has commitments from a range of people.
Among those who may come are some members of the Snowy River Band, which, over time, has opened for about 30 national acts including Waylon Jennings and John Michael Montgomery. Other performers with ties ranging from local to national have indicated an interest.
During a recent performance at Spare Time Entertainment Center in Owatonna, friends and fans Todd and Tracy Jerzak of Rochester made the trip to hear Utpadel play. “He’s a great musician,” said Todd enthusiastically. “He’s a traditionalist in that he likes some of the older music, but he includes the newer stuff, too.
“It’s just like him to play for no money,” interjects Tracy. “He has a good heart.”
“I’m a musician myself,” says Todd. “I play the guitar and banjo. I can imagine it’s a really good feeling to use your music to help people, to take away some of their worry and stress. It’s a great cause.”
Fans Deb and Gerald Herget, one-time Ellendale residents who now live in Albert Lea, say they request Utpadel’s schedule and attend every performance they can that is within a reasonable driving distance. Deb says her sister married Utpadel’s uncle, and so she not only remembers the days of the Snowy River Band, but was there on some of the night’s when a younger Utpadel was being taught his way around on a guitar’s strings.
As for his own skills as a musician, Utpadel indicates that using them for the good of others just makes sense, since it was the support and encouragement of family members, teachers and community members which helped him acquire and build them. As he and his siblings grew up on a farm south of Ellendale, he remembers his uncle teaching him to play guitar, the music instructors at school offering encouragement even from the time he was in elementary school, and his grandmother advising him, “You’ve been given a gift. Don’t mess it up.”
His musical career, he says, has “never been about money, anyway.” The chance to perform with other musicians, to combine their mutual skills to create something that brings them satisfaction and pleasure for the audience, “is more of a blessing than anything.”
On nights when he performs alone, Utpadel says he arrives at the venue about an hour ahead of schedule. He sets up a banner which lets people know their tips are being given to a cause, and being matched. “People appreciate that,” he observes. “It means that, when they put one dollar in the can, it’s almost as if they’re putting in two.”
Utpadel’s usual performance times are from 6 to 8 p.m. He says he plays and sings “straight through,” with no break. He typically includes older, traditional country songs, but also plays ballads and occasional gospel numbers. He says he gladly plays requests when he can find the needed music on electronic sources, and invites others to sing along or simply sing while he accompanies them. When children are part of the audience, he gleefully announces, “Okay, it’s time for the Grandpa Song!” He says young children take particular pleasure in “Baby Shark.”
“I try to play something for everyone, so every night is different,” he observes. “I try to include a little humor, maybe a few jokes. I pick on the help, I encourage children to go invite their grandmothers to dance.
“I like being around people. I like people. I hate to see anyone hurting. That’s why I wanted to start Musicians Against Cancer.”
Utpadel recommends that anyone interested in finding out more about Musicians Against Cancer, or about the Blooming Prairie Cancer Fund can find out more on Facebook. He will be performing at the Geneva Bar from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 5.
Girls’ season ends in subsection championship for the third straight year
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By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Head coach Onika Peterson began the girls' basketball portion of the Winter Sports Banquet Tuesday night by thanking both office staffs, the bus drivers, custodians, Dan Stork, Joni Churchill and the cheerleaders, Mr. Schaefer and the band, student managers Meela Budach, Kyera Eustice, Kayden Warke, Hadley Roeker, Addison Sandry, and Peyton Frye, as well as the team’s bookkeeper, Mrs. Eder and Stork; all of the teams coaches at various levels, Dave Sandry, Jenny Wyrum, Heather Christensen, Cassie Schlaak, Betsy Schoenrock and Kayley Camerer.
“Thank you for all of your time and dedication you’ve given to our program,” Peterson said.
2023-24 Season
Coach Peterson gave a recap of the 2022-23 season:
For the third year in a row, the NRHEG girls' basketball team was defeated in the subsection championship game, this time by eventual section champions Waterville-Elysian-Morristown
The girls finished the year with a record of 20-8 losses, 11-5 in conference play, 7-3 within their division and 13-5 in their section.
“To finish this year 20-8 at MSU in the sub-section championship I think we surprised a couple of teams,” Peterson said. “We had a great season. Every single one of these girls were needed throughout the season whether they were the person who made the extra pass, rebounded, dove after loose balls, or battled in practice; it all added up for our team to be successful.”
The girls started the season with a 9-1 record going into their holiday tournament, which they also won.
Throughout the season the girls continued to improve and went into the playoffs 17-7 as the number two seed.
In the first two rounds of playoff play the girls beat Waseca at home 55-39 and St. Clair, at Mankato East 62-38. They ultimately lost to WEM, a team they beat twice during the regular season, 55-43. They simply fell in a hole that game, and despite getting the score to within six, couldn’t pull off the comeback.
“Throughout the whole season we talked about how tough our top teams were and how during the playoffs it could be anyone’s night,” Peterson said. “WEM ended up pulling off three upsets to get to the state tournament.
“I can’t say enough great things about this team, the effort, grit, and heart that they showcased all season long,” Peterson continued. “Through a broken tooth, sprained ankle, bruised knees they came back every day ready to battle. I am so proud of this group.”
Many players were recognized for their academic achievements, including: Ezra Boerner, Izley Boerner, Clara Buendorf, Savannah Farr, Faith Nielsen, Preslie Nielsen, Hope Nielsen, Kylie Olson, Chloe Riewer, Hallie Schultz, Addy Stadheim, Chloe Stork, Camryn VanMaldeghem, and Quinn VanMaldeghem. Recognized with the Gopher Conference Academic awards were also both Boerners, Buendorf, Preslie Nielsen, Olson, Riewer, Schultz, Stadheim, and Stork. Hallie Schultz was recognized with a MGBCA Academic All State Award for being a senior with a GPA of 3.75 or better.
Finally, the team bid farewell to its four seniors: Schultz, Faith, Preslie, and Hope Nielsen. “Thank you girls for a terrific couple of years,” Schultz said. “You will all be missed. Good luck with all your future plans. I know you are going to succeed at whatever you choose to do.”
Schultz took time to thank the players’ parents for all of the support they show to their own children and to the NRHEG basketball program. “I was blessed to have a great group of kids and that has everything to do with having solid and supportive parents.”