SPORTS WRAP

Dan Humes was born too early. At least for the sake of his twin sister Diana, who didn’t get the chance to participate in high school athletics. An accomplished runner for Owatonna High School and the University of Minnesota, Humes called his induction into the OHS Athletic Hall of Fame bittersweet.

            “I am humbled to be included in this. Extremely glad to be inducted along with some gals (the 1979 girls state champion cross-country team). I have a twin sister that wasn’t afforded opportunities because we graduated in 1970 and Title IX didn’t come into effect for two years.”

            The newest induction class was celebrated on Friday, Sept. 11.

            Lani (Granowski) O’Connor was on the girls cross-country team and is a member individually. She credited coach Ev Berg for seeing potential in the group. “He got us up at six in the morning to do our morning workout and we had an evening workout. He had a goal for us that year to win state.

            “I miss him a lot. When I used to come back to see my parents, I would always stop at his house and we would talk about state,” said O’Connor.

            Other runners were Jane (Brosen) Mollman, Sheri (Carlson) Slack, Jenny (Dunnum) Garriga, Loree (Haugland) Bren, Patricia (Reynolds) Jeter and Zandy Zwiebel.

            Karyn (Stordahl) Utecht (Class of 1999) isn’t speechless often. However, entering the hall had that effect, along with pride. “I realize now, especially as a mom watching my daughters grow up, how blessed I was to grow up in Owatonna.

            “I loved being at a school that celebrated the arts and celebrated athletics and excelled at everything. I was blessed with so many wonderful and positive opportunities and amazing people that encouraged me along the way,” said Utecht.

            Utecht was a state golfing champion and played for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Football family

            Cindy Peterson is a football fan thanks to her dad, Neal Davis, who coached the Indians from 1957-1966. “My sister (Jean) and I went to a lot of football practices. I could probably run through some drills for you.

            “They used 16-millimeter film. They would take it at the game. Then we would drive down and put it on the bus at the bus depot. They would take it up to Minneapolis and develop it.

            “After church on Sunday, we would go back and pick it up. Then we would sit and look at the film… He would say to me, ‘Watch No. 65, I’m watching the backfield,’” said Peterson.

            Her brothers are Frank and Paul.

            Current Huskies coach Jeff Williams said Davis turned a struggling program around. “He absolutely transformed what Owatonna football was all about… He was the guy that set it up for coach (Jerry) Peterson to turn Owatonna football into what it was,” said Williams.

            Andrew Stelter (Class of 2014) had many people to thank. “Wouldn’t be here without my friends, my teammates, my coaches, my parents, my family. Just very honored… I’m excited to celebrate tonight and reminisce on a fun career and athletic journey through Owatonna,” he said.

            Stelter anchored the football team to its first state title in 2013 and played for the University of Minnesota and professionally.

            Adam Hanna (Class of 1999) said, “I’m proud and humbled. It’s amazing to think back… It’s a small town, a small community. The connection that I had with people in high school and with the town. Certainly, remember our hockey team and going to the state tournament.”

            Hanna played for St. John’s University and was a national player of the year.

Boys soccer’s new look

            Owatonna High School boys soccer is adjusting to a new style with three forwards in the formation. Junior midfielder Logan Wilker believes it will lead to more goals. “I think we can begin scoring a lot more. Just getting our striker more touches. Obviously, I can play them up. Getting our wingers to cross more balls. Taking more shots.”

Senior Jack Hawkins is a forward. “I feel like with our new tactical strategies I’m able to play off the outside (midfielders) and move the ball up the field,” he said.

Hawkins says the team is adapting well with classroom film sessions helping. “We’re able to have different passing angles and moving off the ball is really important. And getting a numeric advantage up so that we can have more attackers going against defenders,” said Hawkins.

            New head coach Jeremy Wood knows that there will be a learning curve, “I think they’re adapting fairly well. There’s always going to be a degree of growth and development that is going to be required.

            “What did we learn from that? Did it go well? Did it not go well? Why didn’t it go well?

            “It’s no different from a student in a classroom. I don’t expect to hand them an exam the day after I tell them the thing, and here you go, ace this,” said Wood.

            Carson Van Gelder provides a solid backstop as a senior goalkeeper, a position he has held since his freshman year. His shot stopping and leg power has improved, but more than that, “A lot more confidence in the back of the net. Talking to the guys up front. Playing with my feet a lot. We play a lot more in possession with Wood’s style,

            “Basically, constant communication. My voice is pretty hoarse after every game,” said Van Gelder.

            He plays summer club soccer. “It’s good to play with other guys in the region and learn a little bit more about the other teams. So, I got a scouting report on the Lakeville teams and some of the other teams in the conference,” he said.

            After a season-opening tie against Lakeville North, the Huskies earned the first win for Wood against Lakeville South, a good section win as well. “It felt great for me,” said Wood. “Hoping for it to come sooner rather than later. I trust my guys that it was going to happen.”

            Wilker believes playing tough opponents will benefit the team in the long run. “Shakopee, Richfield. They were some good city teams. Cretin Derham-Hall. I think it’s good competition. Our conference is good, the Rochester’s. Our section is also good with the Lakeville’s.”

            He looks forward to the match at Federated Field at OHS Oct. 8 against Northfield. “I always like playing one game here. That’s Senior Night. It’s always fun playing on the turf. Get a bunch of fans in the stands. Just a cool atmosphere playing here,” said Wood.

            Wilker was glued to the World Cup. “Every game I was awake for, I watched. I tried to catch all of them. I’m an Argentina and (Lionel) Messi fan. I think having the World Cup in the U.S. was a great way to give exposure to the game.”

            Hawkins enjoyed the international flare, but the players that most inspired him are home grown. “When I was younger, I watched Benny Bangs (OHS Class of 2021) and Garrett Karsten (OHS 2024) because our play styles are kind of the same, just really fast. Same position. Always looked up to them,” he said.

            Van Gelder says the team can dream big and compete for conference and section championships. “One key is going to be confidence on the ball. Our new style is a lot more possession based. Being able to find connections all the way across the pitch and working our way up and finding numerical advantages to score goals.”

            Canaan Zinter joins Van Gelder, Hawkins and Wilker as captains.

OwatonnaHuskies.com play-by-play schedule

Friday, Sept. 18
OHS football vs. Rochester Century, 7 p.m., simulcast on 1170AM/106.3FM
(Pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m.)