Hodag fall sports preview
BY KEVIN BONESKE
The 2016-17 Hodag fall sports may already be underway, but the Star Journal asked the head coaches what fans can expectfor the remainder of the season. Be sure to pick up a copy of the Sept. 4 FREE Star Journal for a keepsake copy. Team photos by Bob Mainhardt.
HODAG BOYS SOCCER
Head coach: Dan Millot
Millot has 20 years of coaching experience
Team accomplishments in 2015?
Great Northern Conference champions, 8-1-1 in GNC and 12-3-1 overall.
Top returning players?
We have four returning All-GNC players that will help anchor our team. Key returners are midfielders Gunnar Millot, Jonus Saboni and Reeve Craig, and defenders Alec Lowry, Matthew Von Oepen and Easton Senoraske.
Key players lost?
Goalie Adam Mueller, defenders Mitchel Modic and Cody Vinger, and striker Devin Oleinik.
Strengths?
Team leadership and unity.
Weaknesses?
Youth and inexperience at the varsity level.
Team goals?
Our No. 1 goal is to win a conference championship, followed by a deeper run in the WIAA Tournament.
Concerns?
Team depth and overall health is a concern for us. We must stay healthy in our key positions.
Looking forward to…?
Watching the development of this team throughout the season as the rookie and veteran players learn to work together.
Teams to watch out for?
The conference will be very tight this year so you have to be prepared to play everyone. Each team has a player or two that can make an impact on a game. Our non-conference schedule is extremely tough and will challenge us both in skill and team character.
HODAG CROSS COUNTRY
Head coach: M.J. Laggis
Laggis is in his fifth season as head coach.
Team accomplishments in 2015?
Girls: Third at Great Northern Conference meet and 10th at Division 1 sectional.
Boys: Sixth at GNC meet and 11th at D1 sectional.
Last season’s top individual accomplishments?
Girls: Alayna Franson, second at GNC meet and 14th at D1 sectional.
Boys: Bridger Flory, 12th at GNC meet and 17th at D1 sectional.
Top returning athletes?
Girls: We are led by a good group of four with Gracie Quinn, Alayna Franson, Payton Hartman and Anna Sturzl. Gracie is that senior captain type that runs with grit and leads our team; she makes the whole group stronger with her attitude. Anna Sturzl is a solid strong runner that brings it on race days; she gives it all and she scores points for us. Payton is the definition of a solid hard-working, blue-collar type running mentality. She typically gets stronger as the race goes on, and she knows how to run when it counts. Franson went to state as a freshman, and today as a junior she brings a wealth of ability to the table. She has looked very good early on with first- and second-place finishes, and her goal is to run her absolute fastest in October.
Boys: We are led by Marcus Johnson, Bridger Flory, Robert Ritchie, and Tyler Kolasa. Bridger is a sophomore that just continues to grow and improve and he is fun to watch compete. Marcus is a tireless worker at practice; he shows great team leadership and on race day he brings his best. Robert Ritchie has shown a strong practice ethic so far this season; he finishes his workouts strong and we need him to be a big factor as we head down the stretch. Tyler Kolasa is truly a cornerstone of our boys team. He works extremely hard, he shows leadership and encourages his teammates, and he will be a solid performer at conference time in October.
Team goals?
Our goal is to continually improve throughout the season, and we’ll measure that by the amount of time that we drop in our races over the course of the month of September.
Looking forward to…?
We are looking for kids to step up and round out our varsity roster. We have high expectations for a strong conference finish on both teams.
HODAG GIRLS SWIMMING
Head coach: Lindsay Byrka
Assistant coach: Megan Cihla
Head coach and assistant are in their second year coaching team.
Notable team accomplishments in 2015?
3-3 win-loss record.
Fourth place at the Great Northern Conference meet.
Fifth place at the WIAA Sectional.
Notable individual accomplishments?
Kiah Francis sectional champ and state runner-up in the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley. 200 medley relay 13th at state.
GNC conference records in the 200 medley relay, 100 butterfly (Francis) and 100 freestyle (Francis).
Francis named GNC “Swimmer of the Year” and also broke four varsity records.
Grace Heck honorable mention in GNC for 100 backstroke; 200 freestyle relay honorable mention also.
Top returning athletes?
Francis, Heck, Maddie Quinn and Taylor Macak were state relay alternates; Jenna Hawley placed in top six in GNC in 100 breaststroke.
Key losses?
Graduated seven seniors.
Marie Sandstrom competed on the state medley relay.
Val Puza and Annika Benoy scored at the sectional meet.
Strengths?
Diversity of our team; ability to swim multiple events.
Sprinting is much improved from last year; key to relay success.
Potential: Athletes have a solid base for technique, so they can begin to train for their races, and hopefully develop and improve very quickly.
Experience: Many athletes have club, YMCA and USA swimming experience.
Talented crop of new athletes including junior Alex Gallegos, who moved from LUHS, and freshman Marisa McGuire.
Weaknesses?
Only two seniors on the squad.
Depth; numbers are low.
Distance freestyle: Our distance program is on the rise, but we have a lot of time to drop to be competitive with the top swimmers in the GNC and Sectional.
Team goals?
Represent our team, our school, our community at the WIAA Division 2 state meet.
Improve upon our times and transform our weaknesses into strengths.
Concerns?
Lack of depth for GNC dual meets.
Looking forward to…?
Rapid improvement in times as well as confidence.
Having them realize their goals through their own hard work and dedication
Teams to watch out for?
Tomahawk and Ladysmith: Both return several top finishers and brought in talented freshmen; they were both at the top of the GNC and Sectional last year, and both were heavily represented at the Division 2 state meet.
HODAG FOOTBALL
Head coach: Chris Ferge
Ferge is in his third season as Rhinelander’s head coach.
Team accomplishments in 2015?
Last season 0-6 in Great Northern Conference and 1-7 overall. Our team was a lot better than what our record was. Injuries hurt us.
Individual accomplishments?
Tim Palubicki, Alex Littleton, Bryce Beauchine and Henry Kipper named second-team all-conference. Kyle Wertel, Luke Roberts, Logan Freund, Adam Maas and Eric Tracy received honorable mention in GNC.
Top returning athletes?
Colton Krueger (RB/LB), Tyler Blomdahl (OL/DL), Jonah Zarda (WR/DB), Matthew Reinthaler (OL/DL) and Alec Bess (WR/LB).
Key players lost to graduation?
Sam Olson, Eric Tracy, Brandon Reinthaler, Luke Roberts, Henry Kipper, Bryce Beauchine, Tim Palubicki and Adam Maas.
Strengths?
The team is very hard-working, very committed and able to pass and run the ball. Overall, I feel that we’re very competitive.
Weaknesses?
Underclassmen need to play at a higher level quicker.
Team goals?
Win every game, make it to the playoffs and have kids love football.
Concerns?
Injuries – I’m more concerned about that than everything else.
Looking forward to…?
Every day at practice when the kids are learning football and loving football.
Teams to watch out for?
Everybody. There isn’t a team that we overlook or a team we fear.
HODAG GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Head coach: Kathy Wawrzynowicz
Assistant coaches: Melanie McGuire, Gretta Layman, Anne Buchmann
Wawrzynowicz, who did not coach the team last season, has 32 years of coaching experience.
Team accomplishments in 2015?
Last season 1-11 in Great Northern Conference and 5-32 overall.
Individual accomplishments?
Hope Wissbroecker named to All-GNC Second Team.
Top returning players?
Outside hitter Hope Wissbroecker, outside hitter Kaly Kostrova, setter Allyson Seefeldt, Libero Stephanie Kuester and outside hitter/middle blocker Lindsay Juedes.
Key players lost?
Kim Bilogen
Strengths?
Hitting can be a strength if we are able to develop some strength at the net. Hope Wissbroecker is an excellent hitter, but we need to develop others to go with her. Serving is a strength if we can be consistent. Quickness is definitely a strength.
Weaknesses?
Offense, blocking, communication.
Team goals?
To improve with each match we play.
Concerns?
We are not a tall team or a very powerful team. We are going to have to rely on our quickness and be able to play smart at the net. This is an inexperienced team and a work in progress.
Looking forward to…?
Working with the team and seeing their growth and development in the sport.
Top teams to watch out for?
Medford, Mosinee, Tomahawk.
HODAG GIRLS TENNIS
Head coach: Bob Heideman
Assistant coach: Mark Jacobson
Volunteer coach: Gerry Baier
Heideman is in his 18th year as head coach.
Notable team accomplishments?
We were 17-3 last year, won our sixth Great Northern Conference title in a row, advanced six of seven positions to sectionals. Ivy Packard advanced to state, lost in first round. Doubles team advanced to state and won two rounds, making it to the round of 16.
Top returning athletes?
We have seven returning seniors. Ivy Packard went to state and was Player of the Year in the GNC. Kristina Jacobson is the No. 2 singles conference champion. Belinda Weddle is the No. 3 singles conference champion. Ali Schickert and Erica Counter are the No. 3 doubles conference champions. Kianna Meyers, half of the No. 2 doubles conference champions, and Katie Krueger and Hannah Stroede round out the seniors.
Team goals?
We hope to repeat as conference champions, advance at least five positions to sections and get someone to state.
Teams to watch out for?
Antigo will be our conference rival.
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