Buresh back to defend state track title for Wadena-Deer Creek
Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverine Avery Buresh came out of nowhere to capture the 800-meter run state championship last year.
This year, the senior is back to defend her title but will have to contend with the pressure of being a state champion and having other runners gunning for her.
Also joining Buresh are seniors Shelby Tabery and Karissa Andrews to help lead the young Wolverine girls' team.
Returning letterwinners
Seniors -- Avery Buresh, Shelby Tabery, Karissa Andrews.
Juniors -- Amanda Wegscheid.
Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines
Baseball coach -- Dennis Kaatz, 23nd year
Career record -- 314-133
2002 record -- 4-6 in Mid-State, 8-11 overall
Assistant coach -- Ryan Kapping
Softball coach -- Craig Klawitter, 1st year
2002 record -- 2-8 in Mid-State, 7-13 overall
Assistant coach -- Mike Kangas
Boys' golf coach -- Jim Formanek, 2nd year
Assistant coach -- Scott Woods
Girls' golf coach -- Missy Howard, 6th year
Assistant coach -- Jackie Kern
Tennis coach -- Bert LeBrun, 2nd year
2002 finish -- 1-12
Track coach -- Patty Berg, 7th year
Assistant coaches -- Shelly Davis, Travis Collins, Brian Longerbone, Terry Olson.
Freshmen -- Morgan Paulson, Alyssa Hay, Kasey Theisen
Additional varsity candidates
Seniors -- Megan Boline.
Juniors -- Kelsey Johnsten
Eighth graders -- Mary Pate, Rachel Davis, Alexa Hoffman, Christina Tabery.
Boys' track and field
The Wadena-Deer Creek boys' track and field team will have to make an adjustment as it heads into the season without its top runner Adam Asfeld, who has graduated.
W-DC does have the athletes to make up for that loss.
Back are juniors Andy Hay and Rocky Jantzen, both of whom gained valuable state meet experience last year as they competed in the 4x800 relay.
Freshmen Eric Asfeld, Adam's brother, should be able to fill some of the void in distance events.
Returning letterwinners
Juniors -- Andy Hay, Rocky Jantzen, Cliff Aldrich, Foster Lysdahl.
Sophomores -- B.J. Olson, Steven Cooney, Justin Shultz.
Freshmen -- Eric Asfeld, Brock Puskarich, Dewayne Steward, Tyler Gress, Evan Lachowitzer, Tim Richards.
Additional varsity candidates
Sophomores -- Dustin Postell, Brandon Hall.
Baseball
The Wadena-Deer Creek baseball team has plenty to be hopeful for entering this season.
W-DC returns 12 players from last year's team and has its top pitcher and hitter back.
Junior Tyler Neu returns to the mound where he was 4-3 with a 3.84 ERA. Neu also hit .339 at the plate.
W-DC's lone senior is Jason Ohrmundt. Last season, Ohrmundt led the team with a .411 batting average, 23 hits and 17 RBI.
Returning letterwinners
Seniors -- Jason Ohrmundt.
Juniors -- Matt Sweere, Tim Snyder, Lance Uselman, Tyler Neu, Brett Hieb, Brandon Currie.
Sophomores -- Travis George, Dan Hammer, Rory Witthuhn, Jordan Wohlwend, Joe Paulson.
Additional varsity candidates
Seniors -- Louie Vandermay, Michiaki Tanaka.
Juniors -- Cody McManigle, Travis Pettit, Bryan Savaloja, Brice Gray, Matt Gastecki.
Sophomores -- Kyle Dykhoff, Nathan VanOrsdel, Brady Wegscheid, Tyler Wolden, Phillip Schmidt.
Softball
In order for the Wadena-Deer Creek softball team to improve upon last year's 2-8 Mid-State Conference record, first-year head coach and long-time assistant Craig Klawitter will have to do so with only five returning players.
Seniors Carrie Schwartz, Angie Johnson and Jennifer Steinkopf will be looked to lead a team filled with underclassmen.
Returning letterwinners
Seniors -- Carrie Schwartz, Angie Johnson, Jennifer Steinkopf.
Juniors -- Jessica Radermacher.
Freshmen -- Nikki Kneisl.
Additional varsity candidates
Juniors -- Theresa Decock, Becky Hanson, Katie Peterson, Tegan Peterson, Marsha Wendt, Erika Snyder.
Sophomores -- Alex Askew, Andi Helmrichs, Kala Host, Ashley Lawson, Michele Gastecki, Sarah Schwartz, Kristina Schwartz, Kelsey Skoog, Megan Olson.
Girls' golf
Sophomore Chassy Dreger returns as the Wolverines' top golfer. She placed fifth at the North Subsection 6, Class 1A golf tournament and advanced to the Section 6 meet.
Joining Dreger as returning golfers are Megan Sorenson, Sarah Tabery and Kayla Gustafson.
Returning letterwinners
Juniors -- Megan Sorenson.
Sophomores -- Chassy Dreger, Sarah Tabery, Kayla Gustafson.
Additional varsity candidates
Juniors -- Brittaney Roberts.
Sophomores -- Sarah VanEvera, Bridgette Ideker, Chelsea Pettit.
Seventh graders -- Sam Plooster, Macy Hanson, Chelsea Lawson.
Boys' golf
Second-year Wadena-Deer Creek boys' golf coach Jim Formanek has at least one reason to be optimistic about this year.
That's because top golfer Mike Grieme is back.
Grieme, a junior, was the lone Wolverine to advance to the Section 6, Class 1A golf meet and performed well by shooting a 74.
Returning letterwinners
Juniors -- Mike Grieme, Mike Mays.
Freshmen -- Brennen Truax.
Additional varsity candidates
Seniors -- Nick Johnson.
Juniors -- Andy Hillesland, Bryan Wynn.
Sophomores -- Adam Sartell, Eric Brown, Alex Tast.
Tennis
Things may be looking up for the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines tennis team as nine players return from a 1-12 season.
Robbie Johnston, who plays doubles, is the lone returning senior for the Wolverines.
Returning letterwinners
Seniors -- Robbie Johnston.
Juniors -- Chase Hendrickson, Tyler Pederson, Jay Krogstad.
Sophomores -- Daniel Smith, Brian Leverson, Andrew Knutson.
Freshmen -- Aaron Taggart, Jake Hillesland.
Additional varsity candidates
Seniors -- Coby Blaszkiewics, Santiago Bocanegra, Pat Sellman.
Freshmen -- Chad Pederson.