SPORTS WRAP

            Owatonna High School football isn’t the only team on Friday (or Wednesday) nights that relies on precision, dedication and hard work.

            The OHS cheerleaders spend all week working out and perfecting their routines for game night too.

            Senior Lakyrie Jones was recruited in seventh grade by a friend and was told, “You should tryout. It’s a fun environment.

            “I remember my first few seasons I would go home, and I would practice in a mirror over and over again. There’s a lot of the same chants. The stunts are really difficult when you are first starting. It gets more fun after you’re more experienced. All the dancing. Counting in your head. It’s a lot of things to consider while you’re doing it,” said Jones.

            The team hosted youth cheer night at homecoming. “I like helping them out. Even smiling at them or complimenting them makes them feel like the specialist kid in the world. I enjoy making their day. It makes me happy,” says Jones.

            Naysa Jacobson, the only other senior, says this year’s squad has come together well after graduating 14 seniors from the 2025 team. “Especially with stunting. I feel a lot of our stunts have hit really well. We have been cohesive that way too.

            “Seeing the reaction the crowd has is exciting. When we do a flip in our stunt or certain things it’s breathtaking to see and really pretty,” said Jacobson.

            Jacobson is a back for stunts, providing support for pyramids. Jones is a base, one who throws and catches other cheerleaders.

            Jacobson is a captain. “We get to have a leadership role on the team and help everyone be their best and support the team in different aspects.”

            Junior Scarlet Vance is a first-year captain. “I like to make sure everyone is trying their hardest. I give the best tips I possibly can. The tips I wanted when I was younger and starting out in cheer because there are new girls on varsity this season,” said Vance.

            Vance enjoys football season. “I love the student section. They are so hype usually. I try my best to get them to be hype. They all cheer with us for certain chants and I really like their energy,” she said.

            Jones adds, “I love the support in the stands. A lot of the families come together whether it’s grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts. We have a great football team. It’s also fun to win.”

            All three cheer for boys basketball. Jacobson says, “Watching the game is fun. I also love cheering in the gym and getting a different environment compared to football.”

            Vance doesn’t mind that the hoops crowd is a bit lower key. “It makes it a little bit less stressful. I don’t mind that. But they are very supportive of all the people on the court. I appreciate that.”

            Jacobson is also in National Honor Society, Thriving Minds, Prom Committee, and is an officer in SHOC. Jones sings in Concert and Treble Choir.

More Color

            The third annual Color Run to fund the Ellendale inclusive playground is this Saturday, Oct. 24 at the NRHEG elementary school. Check-in begins at 2 p.m. The one-mile run/walk/stroll begins at 3 p.m. Get blasted by color along the route if you like.

            Food trucks, music, and face painting are part of the event which funds the final phase of the playground, the rubberized pathway. The project has been driven by donations, grants and fundraisers.

New Hip

            Sadly, I will not run, walk or stroll the color run as I will be just hours removed from getting a new hip.

            I frequently run… for fun. I have been asked if my running led to my hip’s demise and the answer is no, it did not, I have arthritis. In fact, running may have allowed me to delay surgery as long as I have after first being diagnosed three years ago.

            Yes, I will run again. My orthopedist assures me the technology of my new hip allows for that. Answering why I want to run again shall be left for another time.

My last organized event was the Twin Cities 10-mile on Oct. 4. My goal is to at least walk a turkey trot this Thanksgiving. Realistic? I’m not sure.

            This is my first surgery of any kind, not counting wisdom teeth. I admit, I am a bit anxious about it. I have great support in my wife and kids offering a calming word. My wife has been through it before. She’s had several surgeries including two c-sections. Also, our daughter is a doctor, though she is an ENT. But her knowledge and skill give me general faith in the medical community.

            Countless friends have offered good wishes and assured me I’ll be happy with my new hip. Many say that recovery is easier than knee replacement. (By the way, my knees are fine.)

            My procedure is on Friday, Oct. 23. I may still be slightly under the influence of anesthesia and/or pain meds on Saturday and Sunday when I write my first recovery account for the Times’ Oct. 28 edition.

Back in December 2018 I caught reference to something called a ‘running streak.’ Since then, I have run at least one mile every day. Usually more, but that’s the minimum requirement standard.

            While my doctor says I can run again, I can’t on Oct. 24. But how far can I walk? I’ll let you know next week.

OwatonnaHuskies.com play-by-play

Wednesday, October 21:
OHS football at Apple Valley, 6 pm (simulcast on 1170AM/106.3FM)

You can watch archived games for free at OwatonnaHuskies.com.