Radinovich, Aulie return for Ranger boys' cross country running team

The Crosby-Ironton Rangers boys' cross country team will be hard-pressed to repeat last year's success.

Three of the top five scorers graduated, leaving only junior Joe Radinovich and senior Ricky Aulie back from last year's fifth-place state team.

Radinovich was second in the East Subsection 5A and section meets, trailing only teammate Sam Anderson. Radinovich finished fifth in the state and will be the key for the Rangers.

Competing for the remaining spots will be sophomores Jim Stokman and Matt Keney and freshman Lane Srock.

Crosby-Ironton Rangers

Football coach -- Craig Johnson, 8th year

Career record -- 23-40

2001 record -- 3-3 in Sea Range Conference, 4-5 overall

Assistant coaches -- Neil Tesdahl, Rick Harig, Mike Gindorff

Volleyball coach -- Arlen Bowen, 1st year

Career record -- Rochester Lourdes 25-6, St. Charles 43-27

Assistant coaches -- Kim Preimesberger, Jamie Preimesberger

Girls' tennis coach -- Brian Gaffney, 8th year

Assistant coach -- Dave Niemi

Cross country coach -- Roger Twigg, 31st year

2001 record -- Girls 6th in Section 5A, boys 2nd Section 5A

Assistant coach -- Tom Sura

On the girls' side, numbers are up and with sophomore Kim Beaman back (subsection champion, seventh in the section, 37th at state last year), expectations are high.

"The girls should be stronger as only one graduated," said Roger Twigg, who's entering his 31st year as head coach, the longest stint of any C-I coach in school history.

"With hard work and a little luck, we should be a contender at the subsection and section meets," he added.

Seniors Erika Lundgren and Nicole Anderson are back as are juniors Steph Anderson, Cheris Hudrlik and Carly Mortz. Sophomore Angel Adams and freshman Andrea Borden complete the roster.

Football

Entering his eighth season as head coach of the C-I football team, Craig Johnson will have to be teacher more than coach.

Johnson will need a strong junior and sophomore class to step up and mature quickly. With only nine seniors and four returning letterwinners, the Rangers will rely heavily on underclassman.

Senior defensive end/tight end Paul Bushard, senior halfback/defensive back Jason Holmvig and senior defensive end/guard Tim Fournier will lead the group. All three started last year with junior Nick Perpich (LB-OL).

Other seniors returning are Nate Bjerga (SS-QB), Nick Ogborn (DT-OT), Tony Sandberg ( (OT-DT), Jer Riskus (RB-SS), Tyler Scull (RB-LB) and Travis Klun (WR-DB).

Additional varsity candidates:

Seniors -- Josh Ruschen (WR-DB), Jeremy Kleineck (WR-DB), Nate Taggart (WR-DB); Juniors -- Mark Bergee (WR-LB), Rob Gilmore (C-DT), Bill Gottsch (TE-DB), Tyler Hendrickson (WR-LB), Tom Kirzeder (WR-DB), Tyler Moe (OT-DT), Kyle Redberg (TE-DB), Matt Unzeitig (OG-DE).

Volleyball

Arlen Bowen takes over as head coach of the C-I volleyball team, replacing Barb Neprud who is taking a leave after walking the sidelines for 18 years.

With six returning starters, Bowen could have a successful first year.

Leading the way will be All-Mid-State Conference selection Brianna Wynn. The junior middle hitter will be paired with 6-foot-2 junior Whitney Smetana in the middle and senior outside hitters Heather Santi, Sarah Uglem and Amy Cruser.

The setter will be senior Devan Preimesberger.

"A number of returning starters will bring leadership and experience to this year's team," said Bowen, who coached one year at Rochester Lourdes and finished 11-1 in the conference and 25-6 overall. Bowen also spent three years at St. Charles where the Fighting Saints were 23-17 in conference play, 43-27 overall.

Additional varsity candidates:

Senior -- Mariya Hachey (Utility); Juniors -- Korie Bedard (utility), Emily Perrine (utility) and Jenna Kovatovich (outside hitter).

Tennis

Megan Beseres and Kate Gaffney should be mainstays of this year's C-I tennis team.

Beseres, a senior, advanced to the section last year and earned All-Mid-State Conference honors. Gaffney, a junior, was an all-conference selection as well. The two will be asked to lead a team that has five other returning letterwinners and some young talent.

"Beseres, Gaffney, Angie Gaviglio and Bethany Stokman give us a solid lineup at singles," said head coach Brian Gaffney. "The wild card will be our doubles teams. We'll be a bit inexperienced there, but our senior leadership of Crystal Graf and Amy Lueck at No. 1 hopefully will set the tone for the rest of the doubles teams.

"I suspect there will be a battle between a number of girls to fill the spot at second doubles with Hanni Johnson and to fill third doubles."

Sophomore Sarah Kneeland and freshmen Vicki Lueck, Brittany Ostrowski, Jamie Ogborn, Betsy Wehseler, Brita Johnson, Farrah Steinke and Amelia Erickson are candidates to fill the open doubles spots.