SPORTS WRAP
Medford boys basketball is enjoying steppingstones as they work their way back from cancelling the majority of their varsity schedule two seasons ago. Head Coach Steven Boehning points to victories, great improvements on defense and a positive attitude on the team.
“They’re a good group of kids that commit a lot of time regardless of wins and losses. I’m pretty lucky to have that. They understand just keep after it and good things will come.”
Orion Heintz, a senior power forward and guard, says the team has come together. “I really like the camaraderie with all the guys, all the inside jokes together, we’re all gaining more confidence as a team. I think that’s one of the bigger things that’s gotten us a couple of wins this season,” said Heintz.
The Tigers’ first win in three years was a big day, reflects junior Landon Seiler. “I will remember every single moment of that game,” said Seiler about the team’s win against Parnassus Prep on Dec. 15, 2025.
In his fourth year as the team’s point guard, Seiler has matured. Part of that is slowing down. “Ten seconds is actually a long time. So, you can slowly bring the ball up. You get it across halfcourt. Now you can work an offense. When I was younger, I just tried to get the ball up court. Tried to go way too fast.”
He likes how the defense has improved. “We play a little scrappier, going for the ball a little more. Picking up full court on man. Maybe it’s not what you would call a traditional press, but we’re still speeding them up creating fast misses and then our transition offense,” said Seiler.
Boehning says the offense is developing rhythm. “Playing with pace a little bit better is finding some easy ones on the court. Still getting better with our half-court offense. Our transition offense has been leaps and bounds better, pulling us along,” said Boehning.
Medford is averaging over 60 points a game this season, up 20 points over 2024-25. Boehning says participation is good with 26 players on the high school team, allowing for a full junior varsity and C-squad schedule.
The Tigers host Hayfield on Thursday, Jan. 29. They play at WEM on Feb. 2 and face Randolph on Feb. 6 before their final three home games.
One-goal games
OHS boys hockey extended their winning streak to six with a 3-2 victory over Rochester Century/John Marshall (RCJM) on Saturday night. Chet Jensen scored the difference maker on a one-timer off a sharp pass from Zach Klecker early in the third period.
Owatonna grabbed the initial lead on a goal by Grady Roush five minutes into the first. The Panthers tied it shortly afterward. The Huskies retook the lead on Wyatt Macy’s tally in the closing minute of the opening period. Each goal came on a power play.
RCJM tied it late in the second period. Braxton Ringhofer turned aside 25 shots, with 11 of those coming in the third. The Huskies are 5-3 in one-goal games.
A night earlier, the Steele County Blades dropped a 2-1 decision to the Minnesota Mullets in their first home game since mid-December. After giving up the first goal late in the first period, Trevor Dolata squared it up early in the second. Despite heavy pressure throughout the final frame, Steele County couldn’t find the back of the net and hit the pipe a couple of times. Minnesota scored late for the win.
Steele County bounced back on Saturday with a 3-2 win at the Northwest Express in Spooner, Wisconsin. Kade Phillips scored twice, his second with about five minutes to go. Dominic Seligman stopped 48 shots in goal. The Blades play eight home games in February, starting with a contest on Sunday, Feb. 1 against Hudson, Wisconsin.
Senior nights
It’s that time of year. Photo boards come out. Athletes list their favorite memories and pregame rituals. Senior night in high school athletics.
The Owatonna High School girls hockey team held theirs on Tuesday, Jan. 20 for Kendra Bogen, Kaylee Butler, Genna Froman, Paige Thompson and Alexie Olson. Each skater had at least two points and Olson earned the shutout in goal during an 11-0 win over Winona.
“This group’s been around for a very long time,” said Head Coach Tony Cloud. Three athletes joined varsity as eighth graders and two as freshman. “It’s been a great experience working with all five of them,” said Cloud.
In their effort to pay it forward, Cloud said, “Sharing that experience of what they went through as a young player. Being able to give guidance to our young girls… Setting the example for them and being able to continue our tradition of trying to be a competitive hockey team.”
OHS gymnastics honored seniors Kendra Miller, Chloe Myer and Dylann Norrid on Thursday, Jan. 22. Coach Kiana Starks says that leadership is a shared responsibility. “I feel like a lot of it is the upperclassmen do a lot of the leading. But all three seniors are great leaders, whether they lead verbally or just by example I appreciate every one of them.”
Norrid’s message to younger gymnasts is “be confident in what you do. That’s what’s going to make you the best person you can be at the end of the day.”
Fishing for charity
Catch a fish. Benefit a local charity. The annual Zappa Agency Fishing Tournament (ZAFT) on Lake Mille Lacs in mid-January raised over $15,000 for Steele County charities thanks to the Eagles Club of Owatonna and donations from ice fishers through live auctions and raffles.
“Local people doing good for the community,” says host Steve Zappa.
In its seventh year as a family-oriented event, he was encouraged to turn it into a fundraiser last year. “What the idea was that if the Eagles can get us started, we can build on that. Figuring out a way to make it a charity event. We’ve got a wide range of individuals fish in it. It’s always been a family and friends’ situation. Just friendly competition. My relationship with the other coaches, relationship with clients, and friends,” Zappa said.
Benefitting agencies include Owatonna Park and Rec Youth Scholarship Fund, Rachel’s Light, Steele County Ag Society, Hormel Institute for Cancer Research, Steele County Humane Society, Community Pathways, Hospitality House, Ike Walton and Let’s Smile.
Hormel Institute holds a special place in Zappa’s heart as his wife Kim battles breast cancer. “Anything we can do to help fight this terrible disease we’ll do. The heart of our community has always been a very giving community. We’ve always wanted to participate in that. That’s what my (insurance) agency is associated with, is giving back.”
Thirty teams took part. Andrew Stelter/Logan McElfresh won it for the third time. Mike and Isaac Gefre, and Austin Kozelka/Austin Smith were the other top finishers. Zappa stressed this is not a professional contest. Some teams were multi-generational, spouses and first timers.
The Fan-Owatonna radio station hosted a live-from-the-ice ‘Mic’d Up Misfits’ broadcast with hosts Jon Partridge and Jon Weisbrod trying their hand at fishing, but not finishing ‘in the money.’
North Mille Lacs Ice Fishing operating out of the Red Door Resort handled details. The next ZAFT is slated for Jan. 15-16, 2027.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play
Thursday, Jan. 29:
OHS boys swim/dive vs. Northfield, 6 p.m.
OHS girls hockey vs. Albert Lea, 7 p.m.
OHS wrestling vs. Albert Lea, 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 30:
OHS girls basketball vs. Rochester Century, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31:
Owatonna Dance Community Show, 8 a.m.