Taunton Stadium, opened in June, already has captured the interest of the Northwoods Summer Collegiate League.
Ryan Voss, president of the Alexandria Beetles, wants to play game in Willmar. He's picked out a date (July 24th, a Tuesday). The Beetles would play the Mankato Moondogs, one day after those same two teams play at Knute Nelson Memorial Stadium in Alexandria.
There is nothing official. Discussions are in the preliminary stage. He's spoke with college coach Dwight Kotila, a long-time friend, and Rob Baumgarn, the facility scheduler for city recreation.
"We're interested in stretching out," said Voss, a 30-year-old Cold Spring native. "We'd really like to show our product to another market."
Voss believes there's little reason Willmar can't some day field a team in the 12-team league that reaches into Iowa and Wisconsin. Brainerd and Eau Claire came in last season.
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The Beetles are a big draw in Alexandria, a summer retreat since the railroad came through 125 years ago. Voss said the team drew an average of 1,049 fans on its 34 home dates. Added bleachers down the foul line and a hospitality deck expanded the quaint park from 616 seats in the grandstand to over 1,400.
The Beetles are five years old (the league has been around since 1993). Brett Saberhagen tossed out the first pitch last June; his son Drew will be back to pitch a second year for the Beetles. Bob Feller, Dan Gladden and Goose Gossage are among other celebs to put in an appearance at Knute.
Voss wants it to be a special night at Willmar. "How much does the stadium seat?" he asked. "We want to fill all 1,000 seats. We want to get the boosters, youth baseball, the community behind this."
He plans to petition the city for a fireworks permit and a one-day 3.2 beer license.
Smith's Eagles
Lee Smith, who played on one of the highest scoring lines in state hockey history, ranks second in tenure among the 11 coaches in the Lake Conference. He's starting his 13th season at Eden Prairie, where his only losing season was his first one (9-14).
His teams have been in nine section finals and to state three times, but as he quickly states, "We haven't won the big one yet and that's what counts."
Smith (74 points) skated on a line with Brian Nelson (88) and Brett Erdmann (54) that won a Central Lakes Conference title and went 17-4. Willmar scored at least seven goals in 14 games.
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Smith, who has two boys, teaches sixth grade. One of his students is Ellen Piechowski, whose father is Raymond native and Lee's former Legion teammate Tim Piechowski. Tim won the Hengstler-Ranweiler Award in 1984, while Lee was second in the voting.
The Eagles (1-1) will play Edina, Elk River and Grand Rapids at a holiday tournament in Edina.
Gusties' Hagemeyer
Scott Hagemeyer, who won two gold medals for the Cardinals at the 2003 state swim meet, is the MIAC Swimmer of the Week. At the Carthage Invitational at Kenosha, Wis., he won the 100 freestyle (46.35) and was second in the 50 freestyle (21.28), both NCAA "B" qualifying times. He also had a personal best in the 200 freestyle (1:46.94).
The meet had a thrilling finish. Hagemeyer made up two body lengths in the anchor leg of the 400 freestyle relay to outtouch the Carthage relay by .19. It earned Gustavus the team trophy. His 45.3 split was fastest 100 split of the meet.
On the fly
n Alison Adamson, 5-5 junior guard at Augustana College (5-1) is averaging 14 points-per-game, tops on the team. She's sank 17 three-pointers. Saturday's 80-70 win over Nebraska-Kearney was the Vikings' 23rd straight at home in Sioux Falls, S.D.
n Just like old times for former Cardinal linemates Mandi Samuelson and Alyssa Dahl, now skating for the Concordia Cobbers (0-7-2). At 13:17 of the third period, Dahl scored on an assist from Samuelson in a game Nov. 25, a 3-2 loss to Finlandia in Moorhead. Samuelson has three points, tied for most on the team.
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n Jenifer (Peterson) Palmer, a two-time All-Area choice and a 1,000-point scorer at Willmar in the mid-1980s, lives in Pierre, S.D., with husband Todd, a Clara City native. Their daughter, Sydney, won the girls age 8-9 regional Punt/Pass/Kick competition Nov. 27 at the Metrodome.
n Matt Wetterling, a sophomore wrestler at North Dakota State, was the highest finishing Bison at the University of Northern Iowa Open Sunday. At 184 pounds, he went 5-1 with three pins. His only loss a 6-4 decision to a Nebraska wrestler. Matt is 16-4 with 12 pins this season.
