Winter sports and activities are coming up! Coaches and students are preparing for the upcoming season. The Morris Area school district has an abundance of activities, including but not limited to: Basketball, Hockey, Boys’ Swimming/Diving, Gymnastics, Wrestling, Mock Trial, Speech, One-Act, Knowledge Bowl, Skiing, Robotics, BPA, FFA, and the Unified Club. Information about captains, dates, and coaches are starting to be announced.
For Basketball, the varsity girls’ team is coached by Dale Henrich and the varsity boys’ team is coached by Jacob Torgerson. This will be Torgerson’s first year as head coach. The assistant coaches for the boys’ team are Joey Fragodt, Jarrod Asmus, Scott Gonnerman, and Mark Torgerson. Torgerson stated, “This is going to be my first year as head coach, but 5th year coaching basketball overall. We will come into the season a little inexperienced as far as varsity basketball is concerned, but I fully expect us to compete with everyone we play and have a successful season.” The captains are to be determined once the season starts. The first game of the year is on Dec. 1st at home vs New London-Spicer. Boys junior varsity is coached by Braiden Kittleson and Riley Krueger. Coach Krueger stated, “I’m excited to be able to coach again and with last year being a very successful season, I have high hopes that we can have an even better year this season.” Coach Kittleson said, “I am really excited for the season. We are going to have a lot of fun and play a lot of good, team basketball!”
7th-grade girls basketball is coached by Olivia Schleper and 8th-grade is coached by Mary Asche. Their first game of the year was on Tuesday, November 15th at Sauk Center. Coach Asche stated, “We have good numbers and a good group of ladies in both 7th and 8th grade. They have put in some time during the summer and we are excited to start the season.”
Boys Swimming and Diving is coached by head coach Michelle Just, and assistant coaches Sam Oellien and Kira McCallum. This year’s team captains include Matthew Gomer, Daytona Hoberg, Sam Just, and David Varga. The first meet of the year is on December 10th in Fergus Falls. This year we are hosting True Team and Sections. True Team is on January 14, and Sections are at the end of February. Coach Just said, “Looking at last year’s stats, all of the boys dropped time from the beginning to the end of the season. Our divers also showed improvement off the board. We are hoping to see some more drops in time and some good points scored from our divers.”
Matt Brukow is coaching Alpine Skiing with his assistant coaches: Michael Backman, Mike Martin, Courtney Smith, and Ross Marty. Their first race is on Jan. 5th at Powder Ridge. The team will be hosting a race at Andes Tower Hills on either Jan. 26th or 27th. Coach Brukow said, “With this being my first year coaching this team, I am hoping that we can build a good relationship and achieve some of the athletes’ goals for the year.”
Gymnastics is coached by head coach Trent Oberg and assistant coaches Jodi Snell and Savannah Aanerud. Their first meet of the year is a home varsity meet on Saturday, Dec. 3rd at noon. When asked about his hopes for the upcoming season Coach Oberg said, “To continue to develop individually and as a team. Set as many Personal Bests as possible. Have fun.”
Girls’ Hockey is coached by Coleton Anderson and assistant coach Sally Jones. Captains this year include Karlie Bruns, Allison Michealson, and Kortney Sanasack. Their first game of the year was on Nov. 10th against Prairie Centre.
The wrestling team is coached by Kyle Rose and assistant coaches Chuck Griffith, Nate Kleespie, and Alec Gausman. Their captains are yet to be determined and their first match is on Dec. 2nd.
Unified PE/Club is coached by Mary Asche and Kelly O’Leary. The Clair Exner floor hockey showcase is on Friday, Dec. 16th. They will be having a Unified Basketball game in February and will also be hoping to have a Unified Week. Coach Asche stated, “We are excited about the upcoming Unified Season. We are hoping to compete in a Unified Basketball tournament and go to a Bowling Unified Bowling Invitational.”
Moving on, we have a Mock Trial, which is coached by Stevens County Attorney Aaron Jordan and Seth Kelly, and will be kicking off on November 22nd. Speech is coached by John Klienwolterink and Alyssa Holland. One Act is directed by Kelly White and Knowledge Bowl is coached by Britney House. Robotics is directed by Eric Buchanan. BPA is managed by Karie Hickman and FFA is directed by Jennah Trefz.
