Pierz girls' golf team looks for conference four-peat

For the past three years, the Pierz Pioneers girls golf team has run roughshod over the competition on its way to three consecutive Central Minnesota Conference titles.

Pierz returns six golfers who lettered, giving it the arsenal to fend off any challengers as it sets its sights on a four-peat.

Leading the way will be seniors Diane Stangl and Beckie Loidolt and junior Jenny Jamma, all of whom were named all-conference.

Stangl led the team with a scoring average of 50.5. Jamma was second at 51.3 and Loidolt third at 54.7.

Returning letterwinners

Seniors -- Diane Stangl, Beckie Loidolt.

Pierz Pioneers

Baseball coach -- David Rocheleau, 6th year

Career record -- 48-36

2002 finish -- 8-6 in CMC, 10-10 overall

Assistant coaches -- Simon Waltman, Scott Boser

Softball coach -- Mitch Becker, 2nd year

Career record -- 8-27

2002 record -- 7-12 in CMC

Assistant coach -- Adam Langer

Track coach -- Craig Johnshoy, 12th year

2002 finish -- Girls: 3rd place CMC outdoor, 2nd place CMC indoor, 4th place Subsection 5A; Boys: 4th place CMC indoor, 4th place CMC outdoor, 5th place Subsection meet

Assistant coaches -- Rey Zimney, Karla Jensen, Jordan Moe

Boys golf coach -- Leo Pohlkamp, 3rd year

2002 finish -- 2nd in CMC

Girls golf coach -- Steve Holbrook, 9th year

2002 finish -- CMC champions

Juniors -- Jenny Jamma.

Sophomores -- Kristy Virnig, Kelsey Fuhrman.

Freshmen -- Kim Stangl.

Eighth graders -- Kristen Sczublewski, Katie Sczublewski.

Boys' golf

With five of six golfers returning from last year's squad that finished second in the CMC, third-year Pierz boys' golf coach Leo Pohlkamp has to like his team's chances to overtake the top spot.

But the Pioneers will have to replace the departed Chris Boser, the lone Pioneer to advance to the section meet.

That transition should be easier with three all-conference golfers returning in seniors Doug Virnig and Dan Fischer along with junior Nate Meyer. That trio, along with a solid group of underclassmen, should have no trouble putting up low numbers.

Returning letterwinners

Seniors -- Doug Virnig, Dan Fischer, Mark Seelen, Chad Schirmers.

Juniors -- Nate Meyer, Alex Dinnebier, Tyler Hoheisel.

Additional varsity candidates

Seniors -- Anthony St. Sauver.

Sophomores -- Jake Hoheisel, Kory Hoheisel, Jason Folger, Tyler Stumpf.

Baseball

In order for the Pierz baseball team to improve upon last year's 10-10 overall record, coach David Rocheleau will have to find some pitching.

Senior Mitch Weber is the Pioneers' top returning pitcher as he posted a 3-1 record and 5.25 ERA. Senior Alex Gruber and junior Joe Kahl will be counted on to munch up some innings as well.

Pierz's offense will also have to find some punch as it graduated its top four hitters.

But senior Nick Gruber, who batted .333 last year, should be able to fill that void. Alex Gruber (.261) and Weber (.250) will also need to have lively bats.

Returning letterwinners

Seniors -- Jeff Funk, Mitch Weber, Alex Gruber, Craig Kapsner.

Juniors -- Craig Luberts, Joe Kahl, Eric Boser, Zach Watercott.

Sophomores -- Nick Gruber.

Additional varsity candidates

Sophomores -- Preston Loidolt, Nathan Britz, Cody Happke.

Softball

With its top pitcher and hitter returning, the prospects of a successful season are on the rise for the Pierz softball team.

Pitcher Amber Kummet, who won six games with a team-high 34 strikeouts, returns to the mound as the Pioneers' top pitcher.

Back from their all-conference performances are first baseman Kayla Pohlkamp and shortstop Kristin Kapsner.

Pohlkamp led the team with a .353 batting average and scored a team-high 13 runs. Kapsner was second with a .296 average while hitting two home runs.

Returning letterwinners

Seniors -- Kayla Pohlkamp, Stacey Tretter.

Juniors -- Kristin Kapsner.

Sophomores -- Amber Kummet.

Additional varsity candidates

Sophomores -- Kelly Medek.

Freshmen -- Sara Kahl, Kayla Meyer.

Eighth graders -- Tina Pohlkamp.

Girls' track and field

What the Pierz girls track and field team lacks in returning senior leadership, it makes up for with strong numbers in its junior and sophomore classes.

Kim Talberg and Nicolette Weber are the only returning seniors from last year's team that placed second in the CMC indoor meet and third in the outdoor meet.

But junior Kaley Jensen and freshmen Jamie Talberg and Kaitlyn Jensen should help the Pioneers with depth.

Returning letterwinners

Seniors -- Kim Talberg, Nicolette Weber.

Juniors -- Kaley Jensen, Cortney Waytashek, Lauren Dauphinias, Nicole Waytashek.

Sophomores -- Nicole Kasper, Theresa Gross, Sarah Virnig, Rachael Maurer.

Freshmen -- Jamie Talberg, Amber Welle, Kaitlyn Jensen, Sarah Eaves.

Additional varsity candidates

Seniors -- Leonie Schenzle, Anna Kuricina.

Juniors -- Susan Kimman.

Sophomores -- Sarah Froelich, Samantha Vokaty, Katie Flicker.

Freshmen -- Jessica Johnson, Amy Durheim, Josie Kasper, Lori Seppelt, Crescence Nutz, Stephanie Bleichner.

Eighth graders -- Tiffany Loidolt, Amanda Mehl.

Boys' track and field

Unlike the girls team, the Pierz boys' track team has an abundance of senior leadership.

Ben Durheim, Josh Otremba, Eli Solinger, Mark Poepping, Adrian Welle and Blake St. Sauver are all back from last year's team that took fourth in CMC indoor and outdoor meets.

Sophomore distance runner Zach Solinger leads a strong sophomore class that should help anchor the team.

Returning letterwinners

Seniors -- Ben Durheim, Josh Otremba, Eli Solinger, Adrian Welle, Blake St. Sauver, Mark Poepping.

Juniors -- Tony Andres, Steve Doroff.

Sophomores -- Zach Solinger, Jesse Zajac, Joe Stangl, Jon Andres, Randy Rauch.

Additional varsity candidates

Seniors -- Dan Maurer, Allen Paulson, Jason Welle, Ted Welle.

Juniors -- Nathan Duschner, Danny Kimman, Justin Athman, Craig Luberts, Brian Kummet.

Freshmen -- Riley Gruber, Matt Beck, Kyle Schraut, Jesse Will, Justin Gross.

Eighth graders -- Bryan Virnig, Josh Andrea.