Reed Larson hasn't won a lot since becoming head boys hockey coach at Willmar High School two seasons back. His first charge won a single Central Lakes Conference game and last season's had two wins. Overall, there were 11 wins, 36 losses and 3 ties.
The Grand Rapids native and his staff appeared never to lose heart or faith in what they were doing. After two season taking their licks, the 2006-7 season could be payback.
"Realistically, we may be good enough to finish in the top five in the conference," said Larson. "But I think we've got a chance of winning the section."
The reason for optimism includes 18 returning letterwinners, plus an import from Sweden who his new teammates say is a "scorer."
"We have a foreign exchange student, Joel Jonsson, who is going to help. You can tell that he's got that rink vision."
ADVERTISEMENT
There's good speed on the forward lines. With 10 seniors, Larson is expecting quality leadership will not be a problem.
Eric Bangen and Josh Aslesen are two forwards to watch.
"It doesn't matter who the third person on the line is, they just complement each other so well," said Larson.
Like any successful team, the Cardinals will have to skate hard, play smart and execute.
But what will carry the team when the going gets tough, he believes, are discipline and attitude.
"They respect each other and they show respect to the coaching staff," he said. "We had a couple of Minnesota Junior B coaches at our summer camp and they skated these kids until they were ready to drop. The whole time they were emphasizing attitude, discipline and respect."
Repeating the girls hockey opener, the Cardinal boys will opens at Benson on Nov. 30.
On the fly
ADVERTISEMENT
n The Cardinal girls basketball team opens in Bemidji at 3 p.m. Saturday with eight letterwinners, but for the first time in five winters won't have Laura Nielsen in the post. The Lumberjacks return the bulk of their line-up, including 6-2 Brianna Pfremmer, from a 15-10 team.
n Joe Sussenguth, first year volleyball coach at Ridgewater, now has the same number of national titles as his stepmother, Val Swanson, who retired after 26 years at the end of the 2005 season. Swanson followed this year's team to Rochester for the NJCAA tournament. "This was her team, too," said Sussenguth. Six members of the national champs played for Swanson's last team, which finished NJCAA runners-up.
n Former New London-Spicer heavyweight Stephen Westby, who placed third in the 2005 Class A meet for New London, has dropped out of Concordia and will enroll at Ridgewater for winter term. He isn't eligible to wrestle now, but may also play football next year.
n Following surgery and two radiation treatments Dustin Carlson, a Concordia-Moorhead junior, has resumed training. The starting defensive end for the Cobbers was concerned when he discovered a swollen testicle in late September. He saw a doctor immediately. He thinks the quick action may have prevented more serious complications. He will continue to have blood tests while preparing for his senior year of football.
n The Nordic Ski Club will contribute $1,000 to the Cardinals ski team's equipment fund. The board was also told that the school district will restore some funding for transportation.
n Top three finishers in each age group in the Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series received a hydration back pack with their name embossed. Those who didn't attend the awards night Nov. 3 may pick their pack up at Rambow, Inc., in New London or at either of the first two races of the 2007 series: The Frozen 5k in January at Spicer and the Memorial Day 5k at Willmar. Race coordinator Dan Hubbard said the Pat Boros Memorial Trail Run at Sibley Park has been added.
n Willmar High School senior Phil Cleary was a finalist for the Junior Triathlete of the Year presented Saturday at the eighth annual Minnesota Multi-Sports Awards. However, the award went to Mike Williams, 18, of Maple Grove, who has competed overseas. Cleary is training with the Winged Foot Running Club for the Nike Nationals.
n The Willmar Youth Hockey Association was able to add a 10-and-under girls team after a one year lapse. It has 14 girls and 12U has 12. There is no 14U this year but the high school does have a JV program for the first time. WHA spokesperson Kristi Block states the Mites has 65 little skaters, Squirts 23 (2 teams) PeeWee 18 (1 team) and Bantam 22 (2 teams)
