SPORTS WRAP
When the call came for the growing need for game officials, Mark Arjes felt the inspiration to respond. He formed Youth 1st about 12 years ago as an organization with the goal of emphasizing sportsmanship in youth sports. The program has evolved over time, and he saw this as another opportunity.
“We talk about positive conduct and good sportsmanship. One of the things we’re actually throwing about now is: Can that lead into a terminology of social responsibility? In other words doing the right thing all the time,” Arjes told the Owatonna Live Coaches Show. “The name is Youth 1st, but we’re really talking to the adults.”
Respect for opponents and officials was a building block for Youth 1st from the start. Arjes found that one reason umpires quit was pressure from parents and coaches. When the pandemic hit, this problem became worse. As sports resumed, many game officials didn’t return. The state high school league, activities directors, and local parks and recreation departments were left with a shortage.
Arjes saw a chance to help. With his background in baseball coaching and a couple of contacts he developed through Youth 1st, a plan came to life. “They had the idea of, hey, let’s figure out if we can really put this recruiting piece together and try to help with this official shortage. We started with baseball and softball because that was where they were. I have a lot of deep history there too.”
“We’ve got partnerships with the Twins Community Fund, with the St. Paul Saints, with the Northwoods League teams,” Arjes continued. “And then we got involved with Minnesota Softball and MYAS; which does a lot with baseball. That’s all part of our alliance now. So, all the pieces were really in place to start there.”
Behind the mask
Arjes says, “We officially implemented our Behind the Mask process for Owatonna baseball during the 2021 season. We have had 34 new umpires go through the initial training process working with six mentors. This group umpired about 60% of the traveling youth games in 2022, plus all of the Little League games held through Owatonna Parks and Recreation.”
It started with the 14-year-olds a couple of years ago in Owatonna. Arjes addressed the players, “How many of you want to learn to umpire? Most of them will try it. Not all of them will stick. But we get most of them to try it.”
“We’re trying to drive some depth in what we’re doing in baseball and softball,” said Arjes. They’re also looking to expand. “How do we now start looking at the park and recreation programs and as these kids come into our program, how can we then identify which ones of them play basketball or who plays football or other sports.”
He sees plenty of benefits to umpiring. “There are more life lessons actually learned in being an official than there are in being a player, I think. And the other cool thing is it gets our parents to buy into the whole conduct and sportsmanship piece because your son or daughter might be out there officiating tomorrow night, so you better behave tonight.”
Becoming a game official, whether a youth or adult, is also a great way to stay active and make some extra money. If you have any interest in officiating in any sport, contact a local high school activities director, parks and recreation office or Arjes at Youth 1st.
Coach stepping down
Owatonna girls’ basketball coach Lindsey Mesich is stepping down after seven seasons at the helm. She has a young daughter and is looking forward to more family time. She is a middle school counselor in Owatonna.
She told the Owatonna Live Coaches Show that the Huskies will bring back plenty of experience next season. “A lot of girls that gave us a lot of good minutes will be returning and healthy, hopefully.” In reflection on the just-completed season, she’s pleased with “the tenacity that the girls play defense with. Sometimes it got us in foul trouble. But it’s hard to teach kids to be aggressive. It’s easier to reign them back in.”
Girls’ basketball awards
Owatonna girls’ basketball seniors Kiara Gentz, Natalie Krumholz and Anni Moran received Academic All-State honors at the team’s recent banquet. Juniors Carsyn Brady and Morgan Fisher, and sophomore Maryn Pool earned Big Nine Honorable Mention.
Varsity awards included sophomore Lexie Klecker (Husky Spirit), Brady and sophomore Ava Olson-Brooks (Windex Award), sophomore Kennedy Schammel (Miss Hustle), sophomore Abby Shornock (Positive Teammate), Fisher (Clutch Baskets), and Krumholz (Coaches’ Award).
Junior varsity awards went to freshman Sophie Schlauderaff (Miss Hustle), junior Danika Ringhofer (Windex), sophomore Preslee Hodgman (Positive Teammate), sophomore Izzy Muir (Most Improved Player), eighth-grader Jersey Coleman (Best Offense), and junior McKenna Neumann (Coaches’ Award).
35-second shot clock
The next time a high school basketball game is played in Minnesota, a 35-second shot clock will loom above the basket. The high school league approved the move in December of 2021. Most coaches that I have spoken with are in favor. Though many believe the impact will be minor and mostly come into play at the end of close games. One coach saw it as unnecessary, saying most possessions are less than 30 seconds anyway.
Teams could use a shot clock on a trial basis this past season. In one game I witnessed there was only one violation. Not only will the shot clock be new, but so will the gym when the Huskies take to the floor of the new high school gym next season.
End of the winter sports season
The 110th Minnesota state boys’ basketball tournament marked the end of the 2022-23 winter sports’ season Saturday at Target Center. Russell-Tyler-Ruthton won their 4th Class A title. Albany captured the AA crown; its first. Totino-Grace repeated as AAA champ. Wayzata won the AAAA title over Park Center in overtime.
All-Conference for OHS Alum
Tyrel Creger (OHS grad of 2022) picked up several awards after helping the Bay College Norse of Michigan to a record season. He was named the MCCAA Defensive Player of the Year, the Freshman of the Year, and All-Conference First Team. He also earned All-Region honors.
Creger averaged 11 points, 5.5 rebounds, and more than four assists per game. He led the Norse with 62 steals while frequently matching up with the opposing team’s best player, according to a news release from the school.
The Norse had a program-best 26 wins, reached the conference finals, and won a game in the regional tournament.
Spring Baseball Change
Gone are non-conference baseball games against conference teams in the Big Nine. The league will go to a point system to determine its champion this spring. Much like the system used in hockey, if teams play twice during the season, each game is worth two points. If they only play once, the game is worth four points.
Occasionally, there’s been confusion on which game counted in the standings, especially when there was a weather postponement.
Tiger becomes a Bulldog
Kiley Nihart (Medford class of 2020) has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at Division II University of Minnesota-Duluth after a record-setting two-year stay at Rochester Community and Technical College. After being part of a state runner-up team and a third-place finish with Medford, Nihart set season and career dig records at RCTC (20-10). She was named a second-team All-American last fall while landing All-Conference honors for the second straight year. The team reached the region finals.
The UMD website states, “Nihart is yet another example of a volleyball athlete whose success has transcended that sport. She was a four-year starter as a guard on Medford’s basketball team, earning four-straight all-conference and academic all-conference nods along the way.”
Nihart plans to study exercise science with a minor in coaching at UMD.