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Larry and Mary Halverson moved to Waseca just in time to watch the Bluejays go to the State basketball tourney back in the 70s. Fun time to come to our city, the love affair for sports started back in the Canby, Mn HS days and has continued.
Most people have seen Larry drive for Clemons Bus Lines: he is the guy who drives to the games/events and is always happy to see the kids and parents win or lose! Safety is important but to have a real fan drive and watch your kid perform is really the story with Larry! Not only a fan of the Bluejays, Larry is the main driver for many of the Shattuck hockey and soccer teams as well!
Clemons Coaches with Larry behind the wheel travel all over the country with the elite Shattuck programs, Larry the fan sees some pretty good hockey as well! The next time your son/daughter goes to an event, ask them if they had Larry as the driver, if they did they were safe and had a fan of kids in the drivers seat!
Atta boy Larry keep up the good work!
Contact Steve Conway at steveconway47@yahoo.com
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Sport fans, we all know someone who sticks out as a FAN! Jim Goetz was at most basketball and baseball games I attended, he enjoyed watching the Bluejays! Vic Swensons, Gordy Larsons, Bob Kiselbachs, Don Wobshalls, and Gene Glynns: couples who attend together and seemed to be fixtures for years at Waseca sporting events!
My friend Dwain Nelson just passed away! Dwain and Marilyn raised 3 Bluejays: in-turn the grand-kids are Bluejays. The main event was baseball with wrestling a second choice: but soon softball, tennis, and basketball became must see on the social calender. County fairs with the lemonade stand fit in there someplace! Sports and family, work and family, leisure and family, Dwain and Marilyn always included family and friends in their activities. Dwain suffered the past few years, in case you did not know him, he was the guy in the wheel chair across the gym or field with family nearby watching the game. The Conway kids were blessed to have the Nelsons as friends and fans as well, thanks Dwain and Marilyn for treating my kids like family! Dwain will be put to rest his week, nice guys finish first!
Contact Steve Conway at steveconway47@yahoo.com
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Well fans, it is tournament time! Hockey, Raslin, Gymnastics,Swim/diving, and Basketball. This is what you practice for and work for, now it counts! The regular season is to prepare for the run to make the State tourney!
Remember when Janesville beat Waseca for the District Four Title? Yes, at one time there were sub-districts, districts, and regional tourneys! That was when there was one class in all sports and they eventually added the second class: and in some sports as many as 5 classes. The result to me is confusion! Once again we provide opportunity which in reality waters-down the success as we want everyone to win and be happy? I follow sports and I can't remember all the state participants from last year and I really can't remember the State champs either! Can you?
Remember tourney upsets? Sometimes teams with great record fall in the first contest! Sometimes the finals provide great drama with joy and sadness for others! Get out an enjoy a tourney contest, HS sports at its finest will be yours for the next couple weeks! Good Luck to the athletes and to the FANS!
Contact Steve Conway at steveconway47@yahoo.com
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Turnovers! I like them with fruit , Apple may be the best! Turnovers and basketball give you a bad taste in your mouth, YUK! I enjoy HS basketball, but I am weary of the lack of respect for the game by the locals. You better be able to count past your toes and fingers at a Waseca HS game, the girls are well into the 20s if not the 30s each game, the boys lost to Waterville with 28 TOs.
Think about it: that would be the number of times your favorite team did not get to shoot the ball! PLUS, the frustration , it can't add to the enjoyment of the player or the fan! Please take care of the ball, throw good passes, catch the ball, slow down just a bit and learn to make your team better by playing the game correctly! Basketball is the ultimate team game, you need the other players , it even takes two to throw the ball in play! Leave the turnovers in the bakery, start respecting the game! It is almost tournament time, now is the time to play your best.
Contact Steve Conway at steveconway47@yahoo.com
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The Mcloone boys were part of the Waseca athletic scene in the late 50s, 60s and early 70s. Like many other Waseca kids they honed their skills in the parks and athletic fields, their main field was across the street in Trowbridge park!
Johnny McLoone graduated in 1957; lettered in three sports at Sacred Heart. Excelled in football and track (state champ in 100 yd dash): After law school, resided in Waseca and practiced law the entire time. IV has six children is retired.
Jerry: class of 1959 was the QB on a SH undefeated in football team in 1958 under coach Bill Marton. Jerry was the undefeated state champion in the mile his junior and senior years.. He was a college psychology teacher, and practiced as a psychotherapis. He is married, with two daughters.
Mike, another Sacred Heart grad, lives in Mankato is married to Nancy: (thank God she said yes!) they have six children. Many of you know Mike as a softball player and baseball ump years ago: just a great guy!
Steve has 4 kids he lives in cities and is in sales and of course still in rock and roll! Steve is a member of MN R&R Hall of Fame with the band: Judd! Steve was a runner, football, and basketball player: a 1971 grad of Sacred Heart. Currently CEO of ULTIMASONGS Records.
The McLoone boys made an imprint on the Waseca sports scene, who do you remember in your HS days?
Contact Steve Conway at steveconway47@yahoo.com
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Gene is the Dad: all 6'8'' of him, nice guy who had a great 12' shot which served him through HS and Mankato State (Now Minnesota State- Mankato).; Geno has the Waseca HS record of 26 rebounds in one game vs. St. Peter in 1969.
Eric is the son: Eric played for Waseca HS 1997-2000 and is the all time leading scorer in Waseca basketball with 1467 total! I watched Eric a lot ; I still think he could have scored a bunch more if he posted up more often, he was a talent!
The Wood boys: Gene and Eric: played on teams which never made it to the State tourney: Genes 1969 team was upset in the sections and Eric's teams never quite put it together to beat the teams from Marshall HS. What is the measurement of a great team is your eyes? Winning State, making the tourney, or a great regular season? What do you think?
Contact Steve Conway at steveconway47@yahoo.com
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In Waseca it is known as WBA or Waseca Basketball Association! Boys tourney was held last Saturday and I am sure provided a lot of great action and thrills for the kids and families without going out of town for a change!
You haven't lived till you experienced the thrill of seeing your kid step on the court and soon be transformed into a superstar! We all want the best for our kid, some want it without the work/effort of time and practice: others spend lots of time and money to provide the best in court time and coaching for THE KID! We lived the season and had fun with it! Sure there were times of anguish but....... We also enjoyed the weekly open gym times and it became a unwritten rule that that 2-3 hours on Saturday was a must for all the kids! We had fun!
I did coach one year but my main job was to holler at the refs and befriend other parents from towns which Waseca played against. I mastered each job! I had fun and still see the friends I made those WBA years! Many of the refs are still friends of mine, not all but many! WBA a great experience, how about you? Is it or was it a positive for your family?
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Jim Kozan has a great smile which can be found at Waseca Music Store or on stage at many of the local watering holes and wedding/celebrations. Kozy is a performer! One week in 1967 while at Waseca Sacred Heart HS, Jim scored 47 points in one varsity game and 41 points the next game in the same week! Kozy was a left handed scoring machine! Jim enjoyed his playing time and was a great teammate on and off the court! The smile you see today was on the court back then as well The next time you need entertainment for your family celebration call Kozy, but then ask him about scoring 47 points in one HS basketball game his senior year! Wow!
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High School sports are great aren't they? I watch HS athletes work their tails off on the mat, court, field, rink etc. They are enjoying one of the great times in their lives, the fellowship, the goal setting and achievement, the training and the results are life long memories.
The Waseca area has had great HS players, not many have made it to the big stage but the action has been memorable. Remember the the Edwards boys? Eustice boys? The Kelly's, the McLoone's, the Glynn's, the Dufault's, and others? What family has made the biggest impression on HS sports around Waseca for you? Records books for all Waseca area sports are dotted with names, who in your mind stands out?
Comments to steveconway47@yahoo.com
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Just had a family wedding! What does that have to do with sports? Well, the majority of invites were made to sport friends and relatives. Choir was a main stay but most relatives and friends were established or nurtured within the confines of an athletic field! Great people in sport, most are fans of their own children as well and appreciate the good times and success in the past. Many sport contacts last because we find that the instant gratification leads to a true friendship down the road, we care for the person who ONCE was an athlete! Pretty neat actually! In hindsight there are many great sport friends who could have been invited but......... Sports are great but family is the best and to have the kids home was special! My daughter Stephie married Joe and he loves sports! Life is good! See you at a ball game, become a fan again if you have not been.
Comments to steveconway47@yahoo.com
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Bruce Smith was from Faribault Mn, he played halfback for the back to back national champion Gophers in 1940-1941, and won the Heisman in 1941! That's right, Faribault kid won the Heisman Trophy, was a big time athlete and a big time person before his death from Cancer in 1967! The trophy is presented to the best College FB player of the year per vote of Sportcasters, writers and former Heisman winners. I visited the New York Athletic club near Central Park in NY, pretty impressive place and of course very historic! Smith is still the only Gopher to win the award in school history! Smith and the Heisman are a long time ago but so is the last Gophers title in the Big Ten! 1967 the year Smith past away, the Gophers tied with Indiana but Hoosiers went to the Rose Bowl! This New Years day Ohio State will play Oregon in the Rose Bowl, as you watch the action remember it has been over 40 years since the Gophers qualified and almost 50 years since they played in the Grand Daddy of them all: Rose Bowl! Go Gophers!
Comments to steveconway47@yahoo.com
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God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference
I had the opportunity to attend a dinner honoring Coach Steve Wilkinson of Gustavus
College Saturday evening. The above prayer is condensed but is the model for The Coach in 40 years of coaching men tennis at Gustavus.
Yes, a simple prayer which shaped and molded young men into adulthood, also influenced their families in a way which I have never seen. Judy and I sat with 350 other fans and enjoyed 5 hours of the same story over and over on how the Coach made them a better tennis player but more importantly a better person! The smile, the listening, the guiding hand, the consistent love, the knowledge of tennis and life, and always available to advise are the hallmarks of The Coach!
The Coaches faith was put into action every day with young men searching for answers to questions we all ask each day no matter our age. I am a better person for knowing Coach Steve Wilkinson! By the way record for Coach Wilkinson 1971 - 2009 was 929 wins and 279 losses.
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1. Act as if you belong: your team needs you.
2. Today can be the beginning of a new life, get to practice or workout.
3. Never lose your sense of humor, playing ball is the best.
4. Success is 99 percent sweat, one percent talent, outwork the competition.
5. Gratitude and kindness will open many doors for you. Thank the coaches, parents, and the ref.
6. Compare yourself with others, it makes you better.
7. Give back, help pick up after practice, give someone a ride home.
8. Peer pressure never goes away, ask Coach or Mom and Dad.
9. Ask for help when you need it, don't guess get the facts.
10. Be yourself, you are special and the only one with the opportunity.
11. Forget about perfection: but practice, practice , practice.
12. Lean on God: the talent is there, use it for the good of all!
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Coaching HS football is a big job: low pay long hours etc. We all know that big money follows Division 1 FB coaches but notice the coaches listed on the all time wins list below, not all worked for big money! The hype with coaches changing jobs, Colleges looking for the next savior is the big TV money talking no doubt! The HS jobs are going to be more difficult with budget cuts, the hours will still be long, the lack of money will hinder kids going out and fans will think twice about paying 8-10 dollars to see game! Or will it get better with quality kids only on the field? What do you think? Maybe more one sport athletes? Maybe better choices made by the parents and the athlete? Maybe less choice of activity? What do you think?
1. John Gagliardi, Carroll College/St. John's University (1949-2009): 471-126-11
2. Eddie Robinson, Grambling State (1941-1997): 408-168-15
3. Joe Paterno, Penn State (1966-2009): 393-129-3
4. Bobby Bowden, Samford/West Virginia/Florida State (1959-2009): 388-129-4
5. Amos Alonzo Stagg, Springfield College/Chicago/Pacific (1892-1946): 329-190-35
6. Paul W. "Bear" Bryant, Maryland/Kentucky/Texas A&M/Alabama (1945-1982): 323-85-17
7. Glenn Scobey "Pop" Warner, Georgia/Cornell/Carlisle/Pitt/Stanford/Temple (1895-1938): 318-106-32
8. Roy Kidd, Eastern Kentucky (1964-2002): 314-124-8
9. Forrest "Frosty" Westering, Parsons College/Lea College/Pacific Lutheran (1962-2003): 302-96-7
10 Harold R. "Tubby" Raymond, Delaware (1966-2001): 300-119-3
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How about a trophy for the winner of the Blue Earth vs. Waseca Football game! The Little Brown Jug, The Old Oaken Bucket, Floyd of Rosedale, The Axe, are just a few legendary names of rivalry trophies, Waseca doesn't have any? Isn't it time? How about a Monster Bratwurst to the winner of the New Ulm vs Waseca wrestling match? Rivals are made not born, the most unique trophies just happen, but........
Waseca needs some passion: remember when you would never miss the basketball game at Fairmont? Remember the refs at Wells, you always went because it was fun and you knew that the game would be close! The South Central Conference has not lived up to the passion of many, teams are not dominating any more! The Waseca home crowds are friendly now not competitive, we want a win if it is ok with everyone, no passion! It shows on the floor, the mat, the field! The fun of competition is the reward of the fans, we need to compete hard but fair and gain the home court advantage BACK! Get out and be a fan again! A fan not only cheers for the home team but also appreciates the efforts of the competition, BUT we want a win! The reason the score is kept is not to see how close it ends, we need wins with hard play and excitement! The fun is in the hunt, teams use to want to beat Waseca on its home turf, lets make that difficult again! Good Luck in the Winter sport season athletes, give us a reason to cheer hard again!
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Notice the name of Waseca School Board member Mike Gehloff and current Waseca Varsity Wrestling Coach Brad Lechner in this article from 25 years ago!
As a rule, a high school wrestling team that loses eight athletes to graduation faces a rebuilding year.
Time will tell for sure, but the 1984-85 Waseca Bluejays just might be an exception to the rule. The Bluejays, who went 9-3-1 last year while winning the South Central Conference dual-meet title, saw eight seniors graduate last spring -- or two thirds of the starting lineup.
The returning cast, however, gives reason for optimism.
The returning letter winners include senior Brad Lechner, who last year went 26-4 while placing fourth in the Class AA State Tournament. Mike Gehloff, 20-4 as a freshman, also returns, as do seniors James Hayes and Jon Reger. Last year's B-Squad, by the way, compiled a 16-2-2 record.
- 25 years ago, November 22, 1984, Waseca County News
Winter sports are here: Hockey, Wrestling, Basketball, and Gymnastics: get a schedule and get out and see the kids perform! Minnesota State, Mankato: Bethany Lutheran: Gustavus: St. Olaf: and Carlton College have great local kids as well!
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I went to the Notre Dame vs. Navy game this past November 7th, fun stuff! I thought of the traditions, the legends, the enthusiasm, the crowds, the swagger of success, etc. I am impressed but the facts are ND doesn't win like the old days! A major problem when you have the swagger of Number One!
I have always been aware of the lore of the Four Horseman and the Seven Mules at Notre Dame! What I did not know is the famous Four Horseman were not large people, in fact none of the four were taller than 6' and no one weighed more than 162 pounds! Small in stature but larger in results and legend! The record for Notre Dame with the four Horseman in the back field was 28-2, two losses came at the hands of Nebraska! So, if you are normal, get out and participate, winners come in all sizes and shapes! Go Irish
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Waseca Girls Cross Country made waves this past season with the State Title! Wow! The pessimist would point out that the change in class made a big difference in the result: True in winning the team title but false in the fact that Waseca girls had a great team! 2008 team was close to making the AA state meet, this 2009 team was as good if not better and would have been close if not a AA State participant! Great team no matter the class! Congrats to the members /coaches/fans!
Did you know? Area individuals have made a name for themselves at the State C/C meet in the past. In 1970 Dan Lyndgaard won the title with a time of 15:11, he followed up the next season in 1971 with another victory in 15:34: Dan ran for New Richland and the titles came when all schools were in the same class! WOW! In 1974 Dave Tappe from New Richland finished second by less than 2 seconds in 15:23! The venue was 3 miles held at The U of M Golf Course! 1980 same location but now 5000 meters but Class AA, Wasecan Todd Moxley finished second in a time of 15:47! 1990 Shawn Schmidknecht of Waseca was second at 5000 meters in 16:40 Class A at U of M. Great sport with great coaches and individuals! |
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| The Internet is full of info if you really want to do research. Granted correct info in allows correct answers out! I have watched Waseca play many foes in years past, I liked playing Rochester, Mankato, Faribault, etc in all sports. Former Bluejay Coach Roger Stippel wanted Waseca to move to the Big Nine Conference so we could play the best in all sports on a consistent level. I admit I thought it to be a stretch but worth consideration.
Size of school determines which Class a school is in, therefore who your competition to go to State is based on numbers. Waseca Football played in Class 3A with 566 students according to the Minnesota State High School League website: Kasson Mantorville has 561: Blue Earth 355: Washburn 726: Belle Plaine 442: St. Peter 519: Fairmont 535: etc.
Waseca use to play 4A Football against Albert Lea 911: Austin 1044: Faribault 1064: Winona 1090: Northfield 1199: Red Wing 833!
I was impressed with KM Saturday night! Their speed and confidence was admirable and their execution was great! My brain says why are we playing KM and not the big schools? The numbers and my eyes show the answer, we belong in Class 3A and we need to get better to compete with the good ones! Fun season boys and Coaches: hit the weight room, start running, get better, and make it back to the FB State again next season, please! |
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Sports and the venue it creates is a big deal in many small towns in our country! A good football team is about as good as it gets, I am of the old school who believes that a football team winning is the the real deal for a community: the fun, excitement, the pride is the best it can be! Everyone gets a chance to be part of it! The band, cheerleaders, individuals from the other fall sports teams, parents, alumni, even the bus driver is excited about playoffs and the potential trip to the big show! Great stuff isn't it?
This weekend get out and watch the Bucs and the Bluejays strut their stuff on the big stage! Waterville has been this level before, I know they have high expectations! Waseca is in new territory and I think hungry for recognition as one of the best ever in Waseca football! Good luck Coach Jon Bakken and Coach Brad Wendland! Enjoy the day with your squad and fans!
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Are you paying too much for ............. This is a question asked about everything these days! When it is tourney time , cost go out the window when you continue to win!
Teams are excited to get to the playoffs and each win bring more excitement for the coaches, fans and families! I notice over the years that success takes the sting out of the dollars spent in the off season for lessons or clinics, the extra gas and meals as we follow our team, the extra pasta party, the extra racquet stringing, the warmer jacket and gloves, the hotel room at STATE!
We all love a winner! The coach gets smarter, the cheerleaders are prettier, the team has more unity, and the parents actually start to like each other! Playoffs and winning are great, Good Luck to all this fall 2009 season! I hope we all go to State and win!
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STEWART W. PETERSON, what a great guy! Stew was an original! A lineman in college, Stew had the idea that life was fun and should be lived to the fullest!
My first experience with Stew was in summer baseball: the Sacred Heart guys were always told by the Public school guys that we were not good enough to play sports with them! We knew better and Stew knew better! Stew made sure the SH guys were on the VFW baseball squad, he knew we would make the team better and also we deserved the opportunity!
I never forgot Stew for that, he had remained a friend of mine for the 40 plus years since those baseball days!
God Bless Joe Lynch , Stew Peterson, Lee Storby, Manny Beckmann, John Bendix, Dean Means , Paul Andrejewski, Roger Nelson, Tony Sybilrud, and Jack Murphy: these were Public School guys or summer baseball guys who treated the big kid from Sacred Heart with class! Thanks!
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Shane Streich won the SCC Cross Country title this past week as a 7th grader, Micci O'Grady did the same in 1984 as a 8th grader and the Coach is the same guy? 25 years ago the area was amazed at a young Waseca runner, many have the same feeling today! Good luck to all athletes this week, no matter the sport!
1984/ O'Grady becomes youngest-ever SCC champ
On a scale of one to 10, Mici O'Grady has been a 10.
O'Grady, Waseca's eighth-grade running wonder, won her 10th race without a loss on Thursday, becoming the youngest Wasecan ever to win the South Central Conference cross country championship [or any SCC conference title].
"Mici was certainly the heavy favorite going into the race," coach Gary Meurer said. "And she went out and showed everyone they were right."
O'Grady, running with a bothersome back on a hazy Fairmont Country Club course, battled early with runner-up Beth Hoffman of St. James before opening a big lead and winning going away. O'Grady clocked 11:30, Hoffman 11:48.
- 25 years ago, October 16, 1984, Waseca County News
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I know the St. Louis Rams of the NFL are struggling this season: did you know they have 4 Minnesota guys on their roster? Minnesota FB is soft huh? James Laurinaitis from Wayzata, Adam Goldberg from Edina, Mark Setterstrom from Northfield, and Craig Dahl from Mankato East are the Minnesota born players! Just think Waseca played against Setterstrom and Dahl in the sporting season, they made it big so can you!
College rosters are sprinkled with Waseca area athletes in all sports! I know the Northern Sun and MIAC conferences have people on their rosters in many of the sports whether fall ,winter or spring seasons. How about Rick Jeddeloh coaching basketball at Bethany College, Mike Wobshall writing for Vikings .com, Phil Driscoll Jr. works for the Gophers in management of the FB stadium, Williams arena, and Hockey facilities, Eric Overland is one of the strength coaches for Notre Dame, there are many more people dreaming big in athletics!
So HS athletes in Waseca Area, DREAM BIG and work hard to excel! You will have fun and enjoyment beyond your wildest dreams! Good Luck!
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October is a magic month in HS sports: the last regular season events are here, some have started or will start playoffs soon! Girls tennis will pick state tourney team entrants this week, Thursday is a big day for No. One seed Waseca girls at the friendly confines of the Gutavus Tennis Bubble!
Waseca use to own that place with many great victories and great individual efforts! State tourney individuals will be picked next week!
Football goes into the traditional Wednesday game with MEA weekend, next weeks game will be the last regular season : then seeding for the playoffs! Volleyball is approaching the last games and Cross Country has the conference meets this week!
Area teams want to be healthy and playing at their best this time of the year; conference titles are great but the chance to advance to the state tourney is the real deal! Good luck to all area teams and give it a little extra to achieve greatness! Communities always remember the teams that made it to state! Be one of those memories!
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Last week I attended a couple events in the area. I helped out at the Waseca Cross Country meet at Lakeside Golf course on Thursday, nice crowd of fans on a very nice Minnesota fall day! Saw many of the area schools run, saw familiar faces from other schools enjoying the competition. Over the years some people just attend for the fun of it, they are fans! I am one of them!
I attended the Bluejay FB game Friday night, I expected a blowout but saw a massacre! Brutal game for the Jimmies: I counted 32 freshman and sophomores on the roster with a real lack of size and ability! The Bluejays came out smokin' and dominated on both sides of the ball! I always stand on the visitors sideline and visit with the opposition fans, they were stunned by the lopsided score and wanted to retire for the night early in the 2nd half! Very small crowd from Waseca at the game, where were you?
Saturday I went to the Gopher game: had breakfast on campus, saw Goldy Gopher, Joe Maturi without a warm jacket, shook hands with the U of M President Brunick, watched the team parade into the stadium surrounded by a few hundred fans, lots of sun and a big wind from the NW, visited with former great Bobby Bell, and then went to Stubb and Herbs restaurant and watched the first half: it was great! We left at half time jumped on the free shuttle back to our $10 parking spot on west bank and visited with hundreds of frozen Gophers fans! We drove home listening to the second half of a Gopher victory on the radio!
What was in you sports weekend? |
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So, you think sports are taking the majority of you social life now? What about the article below from 1959? It my be popular to be a soccer Mom now days: I wonder how many parents in the Waseca of 1959 would believe all the action in 2009?
1959/ School Board Members Feel Athletics at Central Being Overstressed; May Cut Back
Members of the District 829 school board indicated Tuesday night that they would take some action in the future regarding what was termed "the overstressing of athletics" at Central high school.
It was pointed out that this condition exists not only at Central but at all schools in the state and that Central officials have to "go along" with the trend.
The matter came up at the regular school board meeting held Tuesday night at Central. The action is likely to take the form of a suggestion to the meeting of the District School Board Association, that the entire conference cut back its athletic schedule.
- 50 years ago, September 16, 1959, Waseca Journal
Too much today? What do you think?
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The level of play! Waseca area is blessed to have a number of options for sports viewing. The 1 A level with the smallest Gopher conference schools: the 2A schools like Waterville and NHREG: the 3A Waseca Bluejays: the larger schools of Mankato and Owatonna are in 4A or 5A. The idea is to allow each level to participate against equal size and therefore to have a competitive contest.
Usually the case but sometimes not the result! I remember Waseca competing on equal footing with Faribault for 1/2 of a football game but too many big kids and higher quality subs can make for a long evening and lots of injury! Waterville seems to just win no matter what size school they play: but a entire season with bigger schools could be a painful equalizer with exhaustion and injury. Are there too many classes? Should schools be allowed to play who ever they can schedule and get back to a few "David vs Goliath contests! When is the last time you watched Big Nine football and compared it with your teams level of play? What do you think?
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Teammates! We all remember people we played with as a kid, high school and college days! Your first experience with a teammate was most likely the neighbor kids you rode hot wheels or bike with to the park or just up and down the driveway! Later it became more organized and maybe the teammates had a uniform or at least a team shirt to put importance in the relationship!
Whatever happened to that first kid? My first kid was my older brother, we were pals because I was bigger and he liked to take me along. I could play hard and we had that secret magic together on the court or the field! Did you have magic with someone?
Time, place, distance, job, education, and just new priorities makes teammates in life! Maybe it is time to look up that first play mate, or the guy you shot hoops with for hours, or the guy that was your catcher on the VFW baseball team? Why not renew that magic again and talk about old times and see if he ever learned to master that jump shot!
Teammates are great: you don't always get to pick them but they can be a treasure! Who was your first teammate?
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Hall of Fame Induction this weekend! Do you know about it? Do you know who is to be inducted? Do you know how to nominate someone? Do you know who is eligible? You should check this Hall of Fame out, maybe you should be in it?
The Hall of Fame is promoted by the Bluejay Boosters! Are you a member? The original theory was to take the past and promote the present Bluejay athletes with positive info on the warriors from TheGood Old Days! Encourage the current group of athletes to excel: to do their best each season: to have fun and success at a activity they love: too work hard to be a great teammate! Do you think the current format of the Hall of Fame meets a gold standard of success?
The 2009 class will be present during the Homecoming parade, at the football game , and honored at a dinner Saturday evening. It seems to be a secret but: Greg Vilt, Mike Larson, Billy Lechner, The 1990 State Baseball Champs, and my personal favorite Jacob Conway are the honorees! Tell them congrats on a very nice award! Whether you agree or not on the inductees is the beauty of a Hall of Fame: remember the old days and go see a game featuring the future class of inductees! Tell somebody how much fun you had playing ball and just how good you were! That's part of the fun!
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St. Johns plays Gustavus this weekend at St. Peter. You can watch Waseca's Jimmie Loonan and Josh Smith play for The Johnnies as well as locals from New Richland, Blooming Prairie, and Blue Earth dominate the Gusties roster. Loonan scored his first collegiate touchdown last Saturday for the Johnnies on a 15 yard pass. The game is at the new Gustie Stadium located on campus but to the west edge of the athletic complex! Beautiful venue!
My plan is to attend the battle of Catholicism between The Johnnies and the Tommies on October 17th in Collegeville just NW of St. Cloud : The Johnnies suit up all 190 plus players and it is a sight to see them run down the hill on to the field. You need a program to find out the difference between the multiple numbers identity since you will see two of each number suited up for action! The red and white of St. Johns is impressive and the Johnnies fans are loyal above and beyond normal. They do one thing well: WIN! Kowz A.M 1170 carries all Johnnie Football games: the show is great but very pro-Johnnie! I don't blame them it is a great program, give a listen or attend a game this fall. www.gojohnnies.com Tell Coach John Gaglardi you know Waseca's John Bendix!
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Injuries! Many an athlete has performed flawlessly until injury showed its ugly face. High school, college, pro, and the weekend warriors have all seen the pain of injury. The HS athlete of course is different, they are suppose to be in shape because of the young age, not always the case!
Coaches and parents: yes parents: need to push their athletes to get in the best shape possible. Be a 3 sport athlete, run, bike, lift, eat properly, and get to know your body are all vital to prevent injury! When injury does hit, the better conditioned athlete recovers and gets back to the action. Get in gear, get in shape at a young age, and stay in shape as a life style!
Couple other no brainers! Wear a mouth guard, wear a cup, protect your eyes, be conservative with your hair, and stay hydrated! Don't take your body for granted, be proactive! Encourage your team mates to respect themselves as well! Ok, what do you think?
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Volleyball is an interesting sport! Consistent team play seems to be a hard to achieve goal for every team. Great individuals make a huge difference in high school volleyball but team work and coaching seem to be the real mix which takes a team to the next level. Area schools like Faribault B.A.and Marshall have long time coaches who seem to reload each year and WIN!
Waseca volleyball has started with a couple wins in 2009: is this the year? Get out and see the area girls play volleyball! Which area school has the best team in 2009? Who is/was the best area volleyball player in your opinion?
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Good teams happen or it is because of coaching! I think it is coaching! - What do you think? Good teams can happen: an athlete moves to town, a kid grows, or someone with talent decides to play hard are examples! Good coaching is the real key to a good team! Good coaches are hard to come by, things have changed the good people do not necessarily start or stay as in the old days. Many talented people turn away from coaching, others eventually turn away because of the hassle, pay, long hours , or whatever the reason! What do you think? Team is good because ............................... What is you opinion?
View from the Sidelines is written by Steve Conway.
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| Cross country , great sport! No ball, bat, net, ump, ref, and it is outside in the elements. Repetition and hard work is the difference in many runners performance. Similar to swimming except there is the great outdoors to compete in and sometimes against! Great area names have competed Schmidtknecht, McPartland, Rundquist, Severson, Miehlisch, Burke, Maas, Kozan, OGrady, Lyngaard, ( remember those fabulous New Richland teams)!
The first Waseca team was in 1961: Byron Monahan, Terry Hager, Harvey Jobe,Norm Johnson, Jerry Torbert were a few of the runners. They were coached by former U of Mn athlete Bill Schimille now a Mankato resident. The local teams are in action right now, why not find check the schedule and get out and see a C/C meet with area schools invited. Waseca's only home meet of the season is October 8th at Lakeside Golf course. Waseca heads to Mountain Lake to open the season Wednesday September 2nd, long trip but a great venue for the spectator viewing, long downhill finish! Another great meet is the Montgomery invite on September 10th, huge numbers and a great starting point watching the mad rush to be leader of the pack!
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Best football coach in Waseca area football?
Jon Bakken - WEM? Hard to omit Jon from any list of candidates for this honor! What a program in Waterville! Waseca area had a few guys in here for their first job and moved on to bigger venues with success.
Jim Korth at Janesville and Sacred Heart, later won big at Mankato Loyola: Rich Chalmers at Sacred Heart then St. Cloud Cathedral and Big Nine titles at Red Wing: Marty Coughlin from the 40s was a sub for the four horseman at Notre Dame in college: Coach Coughlin was the head man at Sacred Heart and a had an undefeated 1945 team! How about Gene Wiebusch and Jack Dahl at Janesville: Bill Marten or Billy Walters at Sacred Heart ( same Bill Walters later was asst. at Waseca High): Waseca Public's Lee Krough, Lloyd Hollingsworth, Neil Davis coached the great teams in late 50s, Lee Storby, Terry Gilbertson( coached in Waseca for 25 years): Don Collins at UMW, Jim Simser won a state title at New Richland before moving to Fairmont. Who did the job in your eyes?
Steven J Conway
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Waseca Girls Tennis is arguably the most success-full program in Waseca sports!
The girls with Coach Bruce "Vince" Wessman and Lisa Broughton as team leader started winning in the mid-90s and continue today. Broughton is the reason tennis is big in Waseca, many great teams and players have followed but Broughton stands alone as the greatest influence on Waseca tennis!
The 2009 Waseca Girls Tennis team now lead by Coach Kyle Collins: is in action this week on the road vs. Rochester Lourdes, Owatonna, Rochester Mayo, and a doubles tourney at Northfield! Four straight days of tough tennis, check them out at home September 2nd!
Maybe there is a new Lisa Broughton in the mix! Who was the best in your opinion?
View from the sidelines is written by Steve Conway. He can be reached at steveconway47@yahoo.com.
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I have watched Waseca area sports since the late 1950s. Each decade has a great team or dominate individual as the player to watch or emulate in life! Who do you remember as the best player in Waseca football? Vern Sysyka, Jerry Cawley, Mike Edwards, Joel Wabner, Gene Volz, John Glynn, Steve Cunningham, Barry Quickstad, Jim Tetzloff, George Jessen: or whom?
View from the sidelines is written by Steve Conway. He can be reached at steveconway47@yahoo.com.
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