S-M girls' track team returns many state participants

Optimism is running high as the Staples-Motley Cardinals girls' track and field team begins its season.

And, why shouldn't it? The Cardinals have three state qualifying individuals and a state relay team returning this year to a team that won the Section 6, Class 1A team title.

The 4x800 relay of Britta Binek, Steph Jares, Brittany Brenny and Courtney Robinson that placed fifth last year at state is back.

Freshmen Kelsey Griffith finished eighth at state in the pole vault while sophomore Jacque Peterson competed in the high jump. Brenny also ran in the 3200 at state.

Returning letterwinners

Juniors -- Britta Binek, Steph Jares.

Staples-Motley Cardinals

Baseball coach -- Ryan Hendrickson, 1st year

Assistant coaches -- Erik Johnson, Mark Jennissen

Softball coach -- Bruce Onischuk, 2nd year

Assistant coaches -- Tom Honek, Dan Skaaland

Track coach -- Ryan Beachy, 4th year

2002 boys' finish -- Boys: 5th in state team and individual meets; Girls: Subsection and section champions

Assistant coaches -- Paul Binek, Ron Beachy, Terri Dockendorf, Collin Beachy

Tennis coach -- Joe Joerger

Golf coach -- Glen Hasselberg, 5th year as head boys & girls coach

Assistant coaches -- Lynn Peterson, Bob Koenig, Bill Israelson, Sarah Penfield

Sophomores -- Brittany Brenny, Liza Milless, Jacque Peterson.

Freshmen -- Kelsey Griffith, Hannah Landecker, Courtney Robinson.

Additional varsity candidates

Seniors -- Ashley Blake, Alicia Wright.

Juniors -- Abby Palmer, Samantha Lenk.

Freshmen -- Anne Palmer, Kendell Spar.

Eighth graders -- Melissa Odden, Heather Dockendorf, Erika Saima.

Boys' track and field

Two relay teams for the Staples-Motley boys' track and field team should be in good shape entering this season.

Senior Tyler Frisk and junior Josh Smith, members of the 4x200 and 4x400 relays that qualified for state, return. Senior Aaron Kelly, who ran on the 4x400 relay, also returns to give the Cardinals a solid core of experienced runners.

Distance runners Chad Brever and David Reichel will also be expected to score as the Cardinals look to defend their Section 6, Class 1A team title.

Returning letterwinners

Seniors -- Tyler Frisk, Lem Berry, Dave Reichel, Dave Brenna, Aaron Kelly.

Juniors -- Chad Brever, Josh Smith, Dan Freeman.

Additional varsity candidates

Seniors -- Nick Doll.

Juniors -- Dylan Huss.

Sophomores -- Dan Huebsch, Andy Mertens, Ben Spar, Bryan Reese.

Freshmen -- Beau Pilgrim, Joe Smith, Nathan Warner.

Softball

Any time a team returns an all-conference and all-section player, it should have reason to feel good about its chances in the upcoming season.

That's exactly what second-year coach Bruce Onischuk has in Michelle Honek, who was named to the All-Mid-State Conference and Section 8, Class 2A teams.

Also returning is senior captain and all-conference third baseman Stacy Wagner.

Returning letterwinners

Seniors -- Amy Gaugert, Rose Milless, Stacy Wagner, Rachel Carry.

Juniors -- Michelle Honek, Nicole Hoffman.

Additional varsity candidates

Seniors -- Krystal Shequen.

Juniors -- Jackie Hansen, Amanda Reichel.

Sophomores -- Katie Crawford.

Baseball

One thing first-year Staples-Motley baseball coach Ryan Hendrickson won't have to worry about is having enough senior leadership.

The Cardinals return seven seniors, eight players overall, from last year's team that went 6-14.

One of the players Hendrickson will rely heavily on is third baseman Adam Johnson. The 6-foot-1 junior had a stellar year and was named to the All-Mid-State Conference team.

One question mark on the team will be pitching, but Hendrickson is hopeful that will come around by May.

"We are still developing some arms," said Hendrickson. "So much depends upon our pitching staff. But we have a solid group of seniors and juniors."

Returning letterwinners

Seniors -- Dennis Moon, Kurt Porter, Izaak Schafer, Beau Mertens, Nathan Sather, Ross Pierce.

Juniors -- Adam Johnson.

Additional varsity candidates

Seniors -- Chris Markus, Eduardo Marquina, Lance Lucas.

Juniors -- Zach Johnson, Paul Williams, Pat Gregg, Travis Warner, Tyler Crawford, Erick Klein.

Girls' golf

One word describes this year's Staples-Motley Cardinals girl's golf team: Youth.

Of the four returning golfers from last year's squad that was third in the Mid-State Conference and fourth in the Section 6, Class 1A tournament, there are none older than the sophomore level.

The Cardinals' youngest member, freshman Ashley Longbella, is also the most experienced golfer of the group. She's lettered twice and has competed in two section meets and one state meet.

Returning letterwinners

Sophomores -- Brittany Froman, Lacey Peterson, Sara Domier.

Freshmen -- Ashley Longbella.

Additional varsity candidates

Sophomores -- Kayla Peterson, Alicia Ulring.

Boys' golf

Although they only have one senior back, the Staples-Motley boys' golf team has an abundance of experience.

All six returning golfers played major roles for S-M as it captured the Mid-Minnesota Conference title, placed second in the subsection and finished third in the Section 6, Class 1A tournament.

Isaac Landecker and Cory Wilson should be the Cardinals' top guns this season. Last year, Landecker finished 15th in the subsection and seventh in the section tournaments. Wilson placed seventh in the subsection.

Returning letterwinners

Seniors -- Pat Helling.

Juniors -- Isaac Landecker, Andrew Murray, Travis Grossman, Travis Wilson.

Sophomores -- Cory Wilson.

Additional varsity candidates

Seniors -- Hiraku Aoki.

Sophomores -- Kevin Bender, Ryan Kohlman.

Freshmen -- Derek Orth, Ryan Murray, Brandon Myers.

Tennis

The Staples-Motley Cardinals return two letterwinners, sophomore Chris Miles and freshman Charlie Hoemberg, from last year's team.