Flyers' Hauer makes big leap
She's ranked No. 1 in her graduating class with a 4.0 grade-point average.
She is the No. 1 chair in the Little Falls band and on Dec. 2, Beth Hauer was No. 1 at the Brainerd Nordic skiing invitational with a time of 19:27.
It was Hauer's first career individual victory and helped the fourth-ranked Little Falls Flyers win the 10-team event.
"The course was a nice course for Beth because it was a tough, slow course," said Flyers head coach Terry Wasland. "She's a tough-minded athlete. She seems to thrive a little better when conditions aren't perfect.
"We felt she would have a good race that day. What really surprised us was the fact she beat Addie Byrne of Grand Rapids, who I believe is ranked second in the state, by 20 seconds. She was a minute and a half ahead of our next girl."
Beth Hauer
Last season Hauer was the fifth Flyer skier and rarely counted toward the team score. The senior has jumped to No. 1 status this season thanks to a ski camp at Gustavus Adolphus College and a summer of concentrating on technique while inline skiing.
"I went into the (Brainerd Invite) knowing I was going to work as hard as I could," said Hauer, who also runs cross country and track and field. "When I found out I won I was surprised because I haven't won a run race before. I was happy about it."
Hauer's third-place finish led the Flyers to a win at the St. Cloud Cathedral Invite Dec. 23. Her runner-up finish at the Grand Rapids Invite led to another Flyers win Dec. 15.
"It's a pretty positive thing to have somebody, who didn't score much last year, come on and become your top athlete right now," Wasland said. "Especially when you have all but one of your kids coming back from last year. She's been a real pleasant surprise."
Beth Hauer
Year: Senior
School: Little Falls
Sport: Nordic ski
Key stat: Won the Brainerd Invite in 19:27
Hauer is a two-year letterwinner and two-year All-Central Lakes Conference athlete.
At last year's state meet she finished 52nd at 40:59.5. As a sophomore she placed 93rd at the state meet.
Her only goal this year is to be all-state.
"Being at state before I don't think it gives me confidence, but a desire to really work hard so I can go back there," Hauer said. "While we take it one meet at a time, I think the state meet is always on our mind."
Other notable performances:
Basketball: Sara Hoge, Aitkin, scored 35 points in two victories at the Aitkin Quarterbacks tournament.
Gabrielle Boser, Pierz, scored 32 points in two games at the Pierz tournament.
Courtney Volkmann, Wadena-Deer Creek, scored 34 points in two games at the Sauk Centre tournament.
Paige Beseman, Little Falls, finished with 27 points, 18 rebounds and five steals in two games at the Little Falls tournament.
Christina Mapson, Crosby-Ironton, had 26 points and 19 rebounds in two games at the Pierz tournament.
Emily Lueck, Pequot Lakes, scored 48 points in three games at the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley tournament.
Hockey: Emily Erickson, Pequot Lakes, scored three goals against St. Peter.
JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.