spring 2013 mshsl bulletin

Volume 82, Issue 3 Spring 2013

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THE BULLETINOfficial Publication of the

Minnesota State High School League2100 Freeway Boulevard

Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-1735763-560-2262

http://www.MSHSL.org

Information within this Bulletin

may be reprinted only with the

permission of the MSHSL.

Volume 82, Issue 3

Spring 2013

Editorial StaffEditor:

Howard W. VoigtAssistant Editor:Ellen Rajkowski

Contributing Editors:David SteadKevin Merkle

Lisa LissimoreCraig Perry

Jody RedmanJohn MilleaRich Matter

Chris Franson

Board of DirectorsRegions 1-2A

Scott McCready, St. CharlesRegions 3-4A

Bob Grey, MontevideoRegions 5-6A

Rick Bleichner, BreckenridgeRegions 7-8A

Mike Kolness, Ada-BorupRegions 1-2AA

Mark Fredericksen, WaconiaRegions 3-4AA

Mike Manning, RosemountRegions 5-6AA

Dan Johnson, HopkinsRegions 7-8AA

Tom Conzemius, Sauk Rapids-RiceState School Boards Assn.

Roz Peterson, LakevilleWalter Hautala, Mesabi East

MN Assn. of Secondary PrincipalsJohn Hamann, Underwood

Erich Martens, Sauk Rapids-RiceBoys Sports

Mark Solberg, Cambridge-IsantiGirls Sports

Shelly Hotzler, Jackson County CentralMN Music Educators Assn.Lane Powell, Fillmore Central

Speech Assn. of MNChris McDonald, EaganGovernor's Appointees

Lea B. Olsen, MinneapolisMike Rusinko, Eden Prairie

Laurie Esau, Orono

Steve Eklund, Braham

Printed byCarlson Print Group

7490 Golden Triangle DriveEden Prairie, MN 55344

The MSHSL Bulletin is publishedin Fall, Winter and Spring and

is designed to meet the needs ofthe 525 member Schools.

League Office Personnel

The Minnesota State High School League Office

has been established to provide special services to

the member schools. Listed below are the office

personnel:

Extension / Voice Mailbox

Executive Director - David Stead ........................ 480

Executive Assistant - Lynne Johnson ........... 490

Associate Director - Jody Redman ..................... 481

Administrative Assistant - Amie Symens ...... 491

Associate Director - Kevin Merkle ...................... 484

Administrative Assistant - Amanda Johnson 494

Officials Coordinator- Katie Vanderpoel ........ 496

Associate Director - Craig Perry ......................... 482

Administrative Assistant - Susi Hollenbeck ... 492

Associate Director - Lisa Lissimore .................... 483

Administrative Assistant - Sheila Robinson .. 493

Director of Information - Howard W. Voigt .......... 485

Assistant - Ellen Rajkowski ........................... 542

Assistant Director - Richard Matter ..................... 497

Accounting Assistant - Sharon Bahma ......... 541

Ticketing Assistant - Nancy Myers ................ 487

Assistant Director - Chris Franson ...................... 488

Web Site Coordinator - Nancy Etter .............. 551

Graphic Designer - Tracie Bressler ............... 552

Media Specialist - John Millea ............................ 554

Program Specialist - Amy Doherty ..................... 495

Office Manager - Kristi Vesall ............................. 489

Administrative Assistant - Yvonne Walsh ..... 486

Receptionist - Ann Bailey .............................. 540

The MSHSL Logo is a registered mark of the organizationand use in any manner is prohibited unless prior approval is

obtained from the League.

Schedule of Board of Directors Meetings

October 4 ................................. MSHSL OfficeBrooklyn Center

December 6 ............................. MSHSL OfficeBrooklyn Center

January 24 ............................... MSHSL OfficeBrooklyn Center

April 11 ..................................... MSHSL OfficeBrooklyn Center

June 3 ...................................... MSHSL OfficeBrooklyn Center

Representative Assembly Meeting

TBD ................ Edinburgh USA, Brooklyn Park

When calling the League Office (763-560-2262),direct your requests to staff persons as designated:

Accounts Payable .............................................................. Sharon BahmaAccounts Receivable ......................................................... Yvonne WalshActivity / Late Registrations ................................................ Chris FransonActivity Section Assignments ............................................. Chris FransonAdministrative Regions ........................................................... Dave SteadArchive Information ........................................................ Howard W. VoigtAthletic / Activity Director Advisory Committee ................... Kevin MerkleBoard of Directors Information ............................................... Dave SteadCamps and Clinics .................................................................. Craig PerryCharter Officials Associations .............................................. Kevin MerkleChemical Rule Interpretations ................................................ Craig PerryCooperative Sponsorship ................................................. Lynne JohnsonDebate & Music Judges ...................................................... Chris FransonDebate Judge & Music Judge Registrations .......................... Nancy EtterExCEL Program ................................................................. Lisa LissimoreFine Arts Rules Interp. (Debate & Music) .......................... Chris FransonFine Arts Rules Interp. (One Act & Visual Arts) ................ Chris FransonFine Arts Rules Interp. (Speech) ........................................ Chris FransonGender Equity ......................................................................... Dave SteadGeneral Information on MSHSL ............................................. Dave SteadHall of Fame ....................................................................... Lisa LissimoreInsurance ................................................................................. Rich MatterInterstate Sanctions ................................................................ Dave SteadLeague Publications ...................................................... Howard W. VoigtMarketing and Promotions ................................................. Lisa LissimoreMembership Information ................................................... Lynne JohnsonNews Media Services .................................................... Howard W. VoigtNon-School Competition ......................................................... Craig PerryOffice Management ................................................................. Kristi VesallOfficials Program .................................................................. Kevin MerkleOne Act Play Judge Registrations ......................................... Nancy EtterOne Act Play Judges .......................................................... Chris FransonPSAs and TV Visuals ..................................................... Howard W. VoigtRegistration of Officials ................................................. Katie VanderpoelResults and Records ..................................................... Howard W. VoigtRulebooks, Supplies, Awards ............................................ Yvonne WalshRules Interpretation Meetings ....................................... Katie VanderpoelSchool Eligibility ...................................................................... Craig PerrySpeech Judges .................................................................. Chris FransonSpeech Judge Registrations ................................................... Nancy EtterSports Medicine Advisory Committee .................................... Craig PerrySportsmanship Program .................................................... Lisa LissimoreSpotlight on Scholarship Program ..................................... Lisa LissimoreStudent Ejections ..................................................................... Ann BaileyStudent Eligibility .................................................................... Craig PerrySupplemental Allowances ...................................................... Kristi VesallTEAM UP Advisory Committee .......................................... Jody RedmanTEAM UP Program ............................................................. Jody RedmanTicket Assistant ..................................................................... Nancy MyersTriple “A” Award .................................................................. Jody RedmanWeb Site Development ....................................................... Chris FransonWeb Site Assistance ............................................................... Nancy Etter

Activity Rule Interpretations,

Coach Incidents Reports, and

Activity Advisory CommitteesAdapted Athletics (Bowling, Floor Hockey, Soccer, Softball) ... Rich MatterAlpine Skiing / Boys’ & Girls’ .................................................. Rich MatterBadminton / Girls’ .............................................................. Lisa LissimoreBaseball ................................................................................. Kevin MerkleBasketball / Boys’ ................................................................. Kevin MerkleBasketball / Girls’ ............................................................... Lisa LissimoreCheerleaders ....................................................................... Jody RedmanCross Country Running / Boys’ & Girls’ ............................ Lisa LissimoreDance Team / Girls’ .............................................................. Kevin MerkleDebate ................................................................................. Chris FransonFootball .................................................................................. Kevin MerkleGolf / Boys’ & Girls’ ................................................................. Dave SteadGymnastics / Girls’ .............................................................. Jody RedmanIce Hockey / Boys’ & Girls’ ..................................................... Craig PerryLacrosse / Boys' & Girls’ ......................................................... Rich MatterMusic ................................................................................... Chris FransonNordic Ski Racing / Boys’ & Girls’ .......................................... Rich MatterOne Act Play ....................................................................... Chris FransonRobotics ................................................................................ Amy DohertySoccer / Boys’ & Girls’ ........................................................ Jody RedmanSoftball / Girls’ .................................................................... Lisa LissimoreSpeech ................................................................................ Chris FransonSwimming and Diving / Boys’ & Girls’ ............................... Lisa LissimoreSynchronized Swimming / Girls’ ........................................ Lisa LissimoreTennis / Boys’ & Girls’ ............................................................ Craig PerryTrack & Field / Boys’ & Girls’ ............................................. Jody RedmanVisual Arts ........................................................................... Chris FransonVolleyball / Girls’ ................................................................. Jody RedmanWrestling ................................................................................. Craig Perry

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www.MSHSL.org Spring 2013 Bulletin 1

Dave’s DialogueDave’s DialogueDave’s DialogueDave’s DialogueDave’s DialogueWhat Now? Remarks to ‘The Best of the Best’ .......................................................................................... 2

News and FNews and FNews and FNews and FNews and Featureseatureseatureseatureseatures

Inside This Issue

OfficialsOfficialsOfficialsOfficialsOfficials

Athletic ActivitiesAthletic ActivitiesAthletic ActivitiesAthletic ActivitiesAthletic ActivitiesSafety Needs To Be Top Priority ........................................................... 23

Rest: The Forgotten Component of Training ....................................... 24

For Johanna Olson, Every Second Counted ........................................26

Your Purpose: Changing Lives and Making a Difference .................... 28

3 Brockpahler, Deitz, Reichl,Stroh Earn Triple A Awards

League Website PopularWinter Destination ......... 7

Daring Greatly ByEmbracing Failure .......... 8

12 Baker’s Dozen Headed to St. Louisfor National Robotics Championships

Registration Opens in May ......... 30

Is The Joy of OfficiatingIn Your Heart? ............................. 32

AlsoAlsoAlsoAlsoAlsoBoard of DirectorsMeeting Minutes ........................ 34

Spring 2013Calendars of Meetings andState Events ................................ 36

ExCEL Students BringingHope to Those in Need........................................... 9

Why We Play ConferenceAimed at Coaches ....... 14

Financial EducationSurvey Coming toSchools ........................ 15

Darwitz, WendellDominate National Girls’Hockey Records........... 16

29League Honors Officials

and Their Associations

2 Spring 2013 Bulletin www.MSHSL.org

Dave’s Dialogue

By Dave SteadExecutive Director

Academics, Arts and Athletics, Triple A if you will, may well be thehallmark program of the Minnesota State High School League.Twenty-five years ago League staff and the Board of Directors

chose to honor students in our member schools who exemplify theeducational aspects of League-sponsored and member schoolinitiatives deemed to be most important in our local and in a globalsociety.

We have long known that student-athletes and fine arts participants(1) have higher grade point averages (2) miss less school and (3) havefewer discipline problems. Education-based activities support theacademic mission of our member schools and truly reflect the valuesof leadership, sportsmanship, teamwork, and winning and losinglearned through participation. They build self-confidence and enableeach person to develop the skills necessary to become a productivemember of a community.

In support of those values, Mark Fredericksen, president of theLeague Board of Directors and Waconia High School principal,

What now?

addressed this year’s Triple A honorees. His comments reflect thepositive message demonstrated in every high school in Minnesota asschool communities support education-based endeavors.

Here are Mark’s remarks:

The best of the bestBy Mark FredericksenPresident, Minnesota State High School League Board of Directors

On behalf of the Minnesota State High School League Board ofDirectors, I want to congratulate each and every one of youfor being selected as your Region’s Triple A recipient. And, I

also want to give special congratulations to all the parents heretoday; you’ve done a great job! Thanks, too, to the sponsors of theTriple A luncheon — Fairview Health Services and AAA Minnesota.Our member schools truly appreciate everything these twowonderful organizations do to support the MSHSL and these verydeserving students.

John Hamann, vice president of the Board of Directors fromUnderwood, and I are both high school principals. We were talkingbefore the luncheon began and we were admiring the list ofaccomplishments and achievements of today’s honorees. We werealso a little surprised with all the similarities we shared with them.So Mr. Hamann and I started a list of our accomplishments. Let mesee . . . we were both seniors in high school (Mr. Hamann tooknotes). I think that does it! Needless to say, you 32 honorees are anincredibly unique and talented group of young women and men.

During the past four years, I’ve had an opportunity to presentmedals at virtually every MSHSL state tournament. And while it’sbeen a tremendous honor to share the stage with all of thetournament champions, I can honestly tell you that the Triple Aaward is the most prestigious and the most meaningful award theLeague presents. For each of you to demonstrate excellence inAcademics OR Arts OR Athletics is noteworthy, but to excel in allthree is very rare. You truly represent the best of the best; inessence, the very best that this state has to offer.

Your list of awards, honors, and accomplishments is impressive.Each one of you exemplifies the well-rounded, high-achievingstudent-athlete and fine arts participant every school craves. Yourparents are justifiably proud of you. As school leaders we’re proudof you, and you have every right to be proud of yourself and youraccomplishments . . . so far. But, there’s still a nagging question:“What now?”

Today is clearly a day of celebration and recognition of a jobwell-done. But I believe the Triple A award is much more than

congratulations on the culmination of your high school career.Instead, I hope you join me in viewing this award as simply thestarting point of a life of service to others and the beginning of alegacy of good.

Nobel Prize winner Albert Schweitzer said, “I don’t know whatyour destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among youwho will be truly happy are those who will have sought and foundhow to serve.”

Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself inthe service of others.”

And the guy at the drive through said, “You want fries with thatburger?”

Yes, these are some very different views on the theme of service,but there is a common thread. That thread is the knowledge thatwe’re constantly surrounded by opportunities to serve others, inways both large and small. And those opportunities exist,regardless of where your future leads or which career path you maychoose to follow.

As I reflect on your résumés and look at you, I see futuredoctors, lawyers, business and community leaders, teachers,spouses and parents, and perhaps even a high school principal ortwo. So my challenge to you is to find ways to give back to others;not to make service just a sidelight, but the focal point of your life.And in the end, I guarantee that your success will ultimately bejudged not so much by what you make, but by what you give.

According to Albert Einstein, “Only a life lived in the service toothers is worth living;” and I’m not about to begin arguing withAlbert Einstein.

You truly are an incredible group. You are talented, smart andambitious, and the possibilities in your future are limited only byyour own imagination. Together you represent our very best hopefor the future; not based on what you’ve accomplished so far, but bywhat lies ahead.

So, back to that nagging question, “What now?” . . . I hope your“What now?” continues to create good in the world and service toothers as you enjoy life’s journey and make a difference for thosewhose lives you touch.

Congratulations and good luck.


News & Features

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Four Minnesota high schoolstudents were honored with theMinnesota State High School

League Academics, Arts and AthleticsAward — Triple A Award — during anon-court ceremony at the 2013 StateBoys’ Basketball Tournament on March23.

Brockpahler, Deitz, Reichl, Stroh earn Triple A Awards

The 2013 Triple A Award winners (L-R): Katianne Brockpahler of Sebeka, Steffan Stroh ofUnderwood, Ted Deitz of Alexandria, andAllison Reichl of St. Cloud Apollo.

Katianne BrockpahlerSebeka High School — Region 6AG.P.A. 4.0Band, choir, volleyball, basketball, softball

Katianne Brockpahler is ranked number one in her class and hastaken nine different College in the Schools classes. She has received All-Conference honors in all three of her sports: volleyball, basketball andsoftball. In both basketball and softball, she has earned All-Conferenceawards in two seasons and has been a state tournament participant.Not limiting her awards to athletics, she has received numeroussuperior ratings in both band and choir. An assistant principal explainsthat Katianne’s quick wit, ease of conversation and contagiouspersonality make her a great leader in any situation or environment.

“I have many leadership qualities. I have been in Student Councilsince seventh grade, was the Student Body Secretary-Treasurer in 10thand 11th grades, and I am currently the Student Body Co-President andSenior Class President. I am the current National Honor SocietyPresident and Choir President. I believe all of these qualities have mademe a very well-rounded individual.”

Ted DeitzAlexandria High School — Region 8AAG.P.A. 4.0Band, choir, football, basketball

Ted Deitz has been named to both the All-State Band and the All-State Choir for two years. His musical honors also include a Best of Siteaward in choir performance and two superior ratings in both band and

“The Triple A Award is one of the most coveted awardspresented to students in Minnesota. Since its inception in1988, more than 12,000 students have represented their

school as nominees in the Triple A program.”The four students who received this year’s award were Katianne

Brockpahler of Sebeka, Ted Deitz of Alexandria, Allison Reichl of St.Cloud Apollo, and Steffan Stroh of Underwood. Each student willreceive a four-year, $1,000 scholarship from the Minnesota State HighSchool League.

Established in 1988, the award, popularly known as the Triple AAward, recognizes and rewards high school seniors from across thestate for their achievements in the classroom, the arts and athletics.To qualify for the award, students must have a “B” or better gradepoint average and participate in League-sponsored athletic and finearts activities. League member schools are invited to nominate twostudents, one boy and one girl, for the award. Award recipients areselected through a multi-level process involving the League’sadministrative regions and a committee of athletic, fine arts andeducational leaders.

“The Triple A Award is one of the most coveted awards presentedto students in Minnesota,” explained Jody Redman, associate directorof the Minnesota State High School League. “Since its inception in1988, more than 12,000 students have represented their school asnominees in the Triple A program.”

Fairview Sports and Orthopedic Care, the Institute for AthleticMedicine, and AAA Minnesota sponsor the Triple A Awards program,which is now in its 25th year. For more information about the program,visit the League website and click on the Recognition tab or call theLeague office at 763-560-2262.

Following are brief profiles of the 2013 Academics, Arts, andAthletics Award winners, plus all of the finalists – all of whom sharetheir thoughts on participating in high school activities.

choir. Ted also holds All-Statehonors in athletics, being namedAll-State and All-Conference infootball. In the winter season, heis on the basketball team, andwithin the classroom, Ted takesadvanced placement and Collegein the Schools classes. The schoolprincipal praises that Ted isunquestionably the strongestTriple A candidate that he hasworked with in his more than 20years in education.

“Academic, athletic and artsactivities aside, I am also veryinvolved in leadership andmentoring programs at our highschool and local church. I’m proudof my association with our localorganization called SLAM! (Serve,Lead, Act, Motivate), a mentoringprogram for students at themiddle school. We have organizedmany events, includingassemblies, class visits, andretreats to mentor making goodlifestyle decisions.”

2013 Academics, Arts & Athletics Award Finalists

Jillian Krier Byron

Jacob Johnson Cotter

REGION 1A

Hannah Goemann United South

Central

Grant Becker Fairmont Area

REGION 2A

Rachel Cheadle Fulda

Maxwell Whitehead Murray County

Central

REGION 3A

Melanie Luikart St. Paul Academy

and Summit School

Francesco Di Caprio St. Paul Academy

and Summit School

REGION 4A

Noelle Elvehjem Mora

Adam Martin Pine City

REGION 5A

Katianne Brockpahler

Sebeka

Steffan Stroh Underwood

REGION 6A

Amy Bianco Ely

Isaac Coil Moose Lake

REGION 7A

Courtney Kirkeide Greenbush-

Middle River

Tyler Bentow Greenbush-

Middle River

REGION 8A

Christina Monson Albert Lea

Nick Brehmer Austin

REGION 1AA

Carolyn Osdoba Mankato East

Gordon Moore Worthington

REGION 2AA

Sonja Hedblom Eagan

Daniel Spika Eastview

REGION 3AA

Allison Cordes Roseville Area

Calvin Carlson St. Paul Central

REGION 4AA

Kaley Shagen Osseo

Matthew Fruzyna Spring Lake Park

REGION 5AA

Allison Domingues Robbinsdale Armstrong

Lucas Ray Robbinsdale Cooper

REGION 6AA

Rebekah Meyer Chisago Lakes

Area

Luke Heine Cloquet

REGION 7AA

Allison Reichl St. Cloud Apollo

Ted Deitz Alexandria

REGION 8AA


News & FeaturesTriple A ................................................................................ continued from Page 3

Allison ReichlSt. Cloud Apollo High School — Region 8AAG.P.A. 4.225Orchestra, swimming and diving, Nordic skiing, track and field

Allison Reichl is a National Merit Semifinalist who has enrolled inadvanced placement and College in the Schools classes. Her guidancecounselor says that in her 30 years in education, she would be hard-pressed to provide a better example of the ideal student as Allison. Inathletics, Allison is in swimming and diving, Nordic skiing and trackand field. In the arts, Allison has been a State Visual Arts Festivalparticipant and has earned superior and excellent ratings in orchestra.Her counselor continues by saying that Allison has earned heraccolades in a quite, unassuming manner and that she will be apositive force in the years to come.

“I have strived to not only be a great sports captain andenthusiastic class president, but to simply be a positive influence as ahuman being — and that is the most essential part of leadership. Ihold myself to a high standard of behavior, and I feel that mycompassion, inclusiveness, responsibility, and strong moral compasshave made me a special role model for other students.”

Steffan StrohUnderwood High School — Region 6AG.P.A. 3.969Band, choir, one act play, speech, football, basketball, track and field

Steffan Stroh is the state discus champion and the state runner-upin shot put. He holds three All-Conference awards, two All-Stateawards, and two State Meet appearances in track and field. In football,he has been named All-Conference twice, All-State once, and hasplayed in the state tournament. Steffan also plays basketball. He isinvolved in all of the artistic pursuits that his schools offers: band,choir, one-act play, and speech. He has been awarded two excellentratings in band performance. In the classroom, Steffan has enrolled inadvanced placement, PSEO and College in the Schools courses. Ateacher says that Steffan lives life with passion and vigor, and that hiscommitment to the school is evident in everything he does.

“I am present in the school gym, weight room, and on the fields notonly to improve myself, but to lead by example, showing that successis achieved by hard work and determination. As a three-sport athletefor more than four years, I have learned to set goals, and moreimportantly, strive to achieve those goals. Ultimately, goal setting willhelp me in college, my career, and my personal life to be successful.”

Jillian KrierByron High School — Region 1AG.P.A. 3.94Band, choir, volleyball, gymnastics, track and field

“In a day and age where specialization is becoming the norm, Iprefer to be well-rounded. I embrace the challenge of attaining elitestatus in all my activities, all while maintaining excellence in theclassroom. I do not regret being involved in all of my activities becauseit has allowed me to contribute to my school as much as possible. Ihave learned through hard work, dedication, and time managementthat I am still able to achieve my dreams.”

Jacob JohnsonCotter High School — Region 1AG.P.A. 4.01Band, one act play, cross country running, swimming and diving,basketball, track and field

“I have challenged myself with many rigorous and advancedplacement classes that I feel will allow me to be better prepared forcollege curriculum. I feel as though I perform best in these challengingclasses. The more difficult the class, the harder work, the better I do.”

Hannah GoemannUnited South Central High School — Region 2AG.P.A. 4.0Band, choir, speech, cross country running, basketball, track and field

“I have always given athletics my utmost effort and dedication, andhave practiced steadfast loyalty and support to my teams andteammates. Last winter I suffered an injury playing basketball that notonly ended my basketball season, but suspended my track season aswell. After surgery I slowly worked my way back to full health,expending a lot of sweat and tears to regain the strength I once had.”

Grant BeckerFairmont Area High School — Region 2AG.P.A. 3.737Band, choir, speech, soccer, hockey, tennis

“During my varsity soccer career, I have set every individual recordfor scoring in our school’s history. My junior year of soccer our teamset the record for the most wins in a single season, and we set aschool record for most goals in a single season. This year we made itto the first section championship game in school history.”

Rachel CheadleFulda High School — Region 3AG.P.A. 3.92Band, choir, speech, volleyball, basketball, softball

“The greatest achievement – and the most rewarding as well –would be to know that I made a difference. Through my actions, Iwould like to be able to see that I was uplifting to those with whom Icame in contact. Even if at graduation I am still uncertain if I haveachieved this, I will be able to say that I did the best I could and amproud of the efforts I have made.”

Maxwell WhiteheadMurray County Central High School — Region 3AG.P.A. 3.98Band, choir, speech, visual arts, football, basketball, track and field

“Being involved in so many activities is very time consuming, and Ihave learned to manage my time well. Even though there are timeswhen I feel overwhelmed, I remember how much fun these activitiesactually are. I do not do them just because I am good at them; Iparticipate in the activities because I enjoy doing them. Everything isimportant to me, no matter how much time or effort it takes.”

Melanie LuikartSt. Paul Academy and Summit School — Region 4AG.P.A. 3.9Orchestra, cross country running, Nordic skiing, track and field

“I was awarded the Science Magazine Award by my school. A labpartner and I had conducted an experiment in chemistry class thatattempted to separate grayanotoxin from azaleas and see if the toxinwas also present in azalea hybrids. The experiment was more involvedthan we had anticipated, and we had to dedicate time to it outside ofclass. However, we eagerly approached each step and celebrated everysuccess.”

Francesco Di CaprioSt. Paul Academy and Summit School — Region 4AG.P.A. 3.78Choir, orchestra, visual arts, soccer, track and field

“Excelling academically at St. Paul Academy is a careful balancingact. In combination with extracurricular participation and out-of-schoolactivities, the load can seem very overwhelming. Much of my first two

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News & FeaturesTriple A ................................................................................ continued from Page 5

years in high school consisted of me figuring out how to succeed in thesystem without sacrificing my interests or my sanity. My junior yearwas the culmination of my self-teaching and hard work.”

Noelle ElvehjemMora High School — Region 5AG.P.A. 4.112Band, choir, visual arts, volleyball, basketball, softball

“A smile on my face while working hard helps things move alongmuch faster than they would with a bad attitude. In a few years, thoughI hate to admit it, my athletics and fine art achievements are not goingto matter as much as they do now. What is going to matter is theattitude I have and the difference I make applying the lessons I amcontinuing to learn.”

Adam MartinPine City High School — Region 5AG.P.A. 3.99Band, choir, one act play, speech, football, basketball, baseball

“I was inducted into the National Honor Society in 10th grade and waselected by my peers as president during my senior year. Involvement inNHS has led me to volunteer at the local nursing home, Pine CityElementary School, Relay for Life, and cleaning up highways in the area.”

Amy BiancoEly High School — Region 7AG.P.A. 3.862Band, speech, cross country running, Nordic skiing, track and field

“I believe that one’s high school education is fostered not only inthe classroom but also through extracurricular activities. Serving onthe student council executive board as vice president, and currentlypresident, I have made it my goal to promote unity and support to allstudents in our school. We have worked diligently to promote schoolspirit and school pride through many varied activities.”

Isaac CoilMoose Lake High School — Region 7AG.P.A. 3.7Band, choir, one act play, football, basketball, track and field

“Academics have always been my main focus in school, becauseknowledge and perseverance are two things that everyone uses for alifetime. A lot of what you learn in school will help you to become avery successful and reliable person in life. Academics is the core oflife, it helps determine your pathway for the future.”

Courtney KirkeideGreenbush-Middle River High School — Region 8AG.P.A. 4.013Band, choir, volleyball, basketball, track and field

“Athletics have played a huge part in my high school career,teaching me valuable lessons like sportsmanship, commitment, andteamwork. As I strive to improve myself every day in whatever sportseason it is, I remind myself that what I put into my workouts andgames is important in molding who I am as a person.”

Tyler BentowGreenbush-Middle River High School — Region 8AG.P.A. 3.767Band, choir, one act play, visual arts, football, basketball, baseball

“I want to be a positive role model in my school and community. Ialways try to stay as involved as I can, not only with school work, finearts, and sports, but also by staying active in my community; it hastaught me how to effectively manage my time. I am grateful for aschool and community that support these efforts.”

Christina MonsonAlbert Lea High School — Region 1AAG.P.A. 4.095Choir, one act play, cross country running, basketball, track and field

“I’ve participated in varsity cross country and track since seventhgrade. Through these years, I have developed a passion for running. Myability paired with the disciplined lifestyle of an elite runner, allowedme to achieve titles as high as state champion. More valuable than anyrecognition I have received is the camaraderie with teammates andother competitors making similar sacrifices to put their best footforward.”

Nick BrehmerAustin High School — Region 1AAG.P.A. 3.92Choir, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis

“I am in that bittersweet time of my life where I cannot wait forcollege, but I am also disappointed to leave my high school yearsbehind. I have had so much fun and wish to do more. I just can’t waitto go to college and continue on with all of my passions, and see whatfield of study really grabs my attention and where it will all lead me.”

Carolyn OsbodaMankato East High School — Region 2AAG.P.A. 4.159Band, orchestra, swimming and diving, basketball, softball

“It’s very fulfilling to succeed in challenging classes. It has been mygoal for as long as I can remember to challenge myself wheneverpossible. Academics have certainly provided me an opportunity towork towards this goal. In my AP classes, I learn from outstandingteachers that provide me with a wealth of knowledge as well as theexperience of learning with classmates that are just as motivated asme.”

Gordon MooreWorthington High School — Region 2AAG.P.A. 3.9794Band, choir, orchestra, speech, cross country running, track and field

“High school helped transform me from a somewhat shy, awkwardmiddle schooler to, by my senior year, homecoming king. This was agreat honor, and I got there by being myself and earned the respect ofmy peers. I have become a leader in the school, someone who peoplegenuinely look up to, and I could not be more humbled or happier.”

Sonja HedblomEagan High School — Region 3AAG.P.A. 3.958Band, swimming and diving, Nordic skiing, track and field

“I think Dr. Seuss had a simple yet wonderful insight into how tolive life when he said, ‘You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyesshut.’ It has always been my mission to keep my eyes wide open; I loveexploring questions and reaching out to those around me. … I continueto explore the world with open eyes and have experienced wonderfulopportunities as a result.”

Daniel SpikaEastview High School — Region 3AAG.P.A. 3.966Band, choir, cross country running, basketball, tennis

“Each year I participate in Adopt-a-Highway with my cross countryteam. We clean up a large stretch of road each fall. I also am part ofAdopt-a-Family every Christmas. The cross country team and I donatemoney, shop and deliver gifts to a needy family.”

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News & Features

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Allison CordesRoseville Area High School — Region 4AAG.P.A. 4.0Band, choir, orchestra, cross country running, basketball,track and field

“I have learned I really enjoy working with youth. I am a coach forkids from ages 4-15 in the sports of t-ball, soccer, and track and field. Ihave assisted with a youth traveling basketball team for three years.Seeing many of these kids outside of the programs, I realize how I amnow the role model and can have a positive influence by my actionsand words.”

Calvin CarlsonSt. Paul Central High School — Region 4AAG.P.A. 4.29Band, football, basketball, swimming and diving, baseball

“I participated in the high school French exchange program duringmy sophomore year. We hosted a French exchange student in the fall of2010, and I was hosted by his family in France in the spring of 2011.When I entered high school, I took French 3 my freshman year andskipped French 2. This class was a struggle for me at first, but Iworked hard and came to enjoy learning the French language.”

Kaley ShagenOsseo High School — Region 5AAG.P.A. 3.918Orchestra, soccer, cross country running, Nordic skiing,track and field

“Math is my favorite subject. The rush of discovery is why I lovemath and why I view math tests as a race; in a limited space of time Imust solve a set number of problems, each of which only has one rightanswer. Like the ‘runner’s high’ that I experience when skiing, solvingcomplex math problems gives me an adrenaline rush. This rush occursbecause math challenges me to push my mind to its limit.”

Matthew FruzynaSpring Lake Park High School — Region 5AAG.P.A. 3.94Band, football, basketball, wrestling, track and field

“During a football game in my junior year I suffered a serious kneeinjury, torn MCL, which I overcame and was able to wrestle my junioryear and then played football this year. In the summer our footballteam has a weight lifting program that we attend, where I earned theIronman Award three years in a row because I didn’t miss a single dayof lifting.”

Allison DominguesRobbinsdale Armstrong High School — Region 6AAG.P.A. 4.0Band, choir, orchestra, cross country running, Nordic skiing,track and field

“I cannot imagine my life without running and trumpet. They havehelped me to become a more responsible and dedicated individual,both in my studies and in my community. These activities will be acherished part of my life no matter where I end up, and they will helpme discover who I want to be.”

Lucas RayRobbinsdale Cooper High School — Region 6AAG.P.A. 3.613Band, choir, orchestra, cross country running,swimming and diving, lacrosse

“There is a more developed personality within me, not just a personwho enjoys participating in many kinds of activities and challengingmyself, but also that I love helping and teaching people, and givingback to the next generation, which are large parts of my life.”

Rebekah MeyerChisago Lakes High School — Region 7AAG.P.A. 4.0Choir, one act play, basketball, track and field

“In track and field, I have achieved all-conference awards in relays,the 400-meter dash, and long jump. This last year, I was on the 4x100-and 4x400-meter relays that set new school and conference meetrecords. In addition to being conference champs, our 4x400-meterrelay team competed at the state meet. I look forward to being thisyear’s team captain and aspire to lead my teammates through anothersuccessful season.”

Luke HeineCloquet High School — Region 7AAG.P.A. 4.116Band, visual arts, cross country running, football, Nordic skiing,tennis, track and field

“Excellence in three ‘A’s’ is rare. Excellence in four ‘A’s’ is rarer.Single handedly creating the Northland Frisbee Invite, the UpperMidwest’s first Ultimate Frisbee tournament, my actions not onlyexemplify my practice of the four A’s – art, academics, athletics,altruism – but actively fostered those ideals in others. … I donated allproceeds – every dime – to The REACH Mentorship Program, a charityserving local disadvantaged youth.”

Winter is the busiest time of the year onthe League website. During February andMarch the League website had:

● 9,330,672 page views from 1,931,509user visits (680,381 unique).

● 3,099,511 of those page views were abracket.

● 35 percent of the traffic came from amobile device.

During just the four days of the boys’hockey tournament the League website had:

● 1,445,401 page views from 359,037user visits (190,349 unique).

● 574,307 of those page views were abracket.

● 157,000 or 43 percent of those visitsoriginated from a mobile device.

So far during the 2012-13 school year, theLeague website has been utilized for:

● Online meetings watched by 47,302coaches and officials.

● Delivery of CER courses completed by11,375 coaches.

Since the League website first offeredconcussion training, 25,898 coaches havecompleted the course, as well as 7,560registered officials and 4,572 lower-levelofficials.

Website popular winter destination


News & Features

By Jody RedmanAssociate Director

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points outhow the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds couldhave done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actuallyin the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood,who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again andagain, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming,but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, whospends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, inthe end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at theworst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that hisplace shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knewneither victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Daring greatly by embracing failure

When did students learn that mistakesand failure are negative and should be

avoided, that somehow they shouldachieve without failure?

We have a choice — to be the coach orthe critic. We either find value in failureand mistakes and our students grow —we coach. Or we respond with negativity

and the students on our team remainlocked in their comfort zone, where theywon’t take risks, they play it safe, and

learn nothing — we criticize.

It takes courage for students toshow up every day in thispublic arena called high school

athletics. It takes courage to be thestudents who wait for their turn toget into the game, to take the lastshot, or to be put into the game tothrow one pitch with the basesloaded. It takes courage to show up and try a new skill, knowing mistakeswill surely occur, to enter into a public arena where failure is inevitable,and to move outside of one’s comfort zone.

Roosevelt captures the essence of showing up in the second line of theabove quote: “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly…”We want students to enter into the arena and strive valiantly. We wantthem to fully engage in the opportunities that are being provided to them.There is so much to be gained, but this can only happen if we providethem with a safe place where they can show up and try.

Trying is natural. Trying is attempting something new; it is the struggleto overcome difficulties; it is striving for something more. A willingness totry is what puts our athletes into the arena. But as Roosevelt said, withtrying comes failure: “…there is no effort without error or shortcoming…”Think about how much time it requires to master a skill. The skilldevelopment of our students occurs when they try and fail, and then tryand fail again, sometimes hundreds of times. Students who show up aregoing to fail. Sometimes this failure is met by a critic whose judgment isdiscouraging. We need to celebrate, not discourage this process of tryingand failing.

When did students learn that mistakes and failure are negative andshould be avoided, that somehow they should achieve without failure?Consider a one-year-old who is learning to walk. When she falls down, shedoesn’t beat herself up, she doesn’t get yelled at, and she isn’t ridiculed.She falls down and then she gets back up. She tries again, falls downagain and eventually learns to walk. Did her ultimate success occurbecause the adults watching her effort judged her, screamed at her orgave her a sarcastic eye roll filled with disapproval? Just the opposite istrue. They cheered her on and encouraged her to try and try again.

As coaches we have limitlessopportunities to provide messagesto the young people on our teams.Much of our athletes’ willingness torisk trying something new isdetermined by how we respond totheir efforts: the point guard’s riskto drive the lane with the left handinstead of the dominant right; thegymnast’s risk to throw a doublefly-away instead of the lay-out fly-away; or the goaltender who takesthe risk to leave the comfort of theblue-painted crease to challengethe oncoming shooter. All of these

risks take the athlete out of his orher comfort zone to the land ofuncertainty, where there is a goodchance that failure will occur. Ourresponse to their efforts, to theirrisks and their failures and to theirwillingness to leave their comfortzone will either encourage students

to try something new or convince them to stay locked in a risk-freecomfort zone.

The late motivational speaker Zig Ziglar said, “Failure is an event, nota person.” Yet at times our response to students when they make amistake is communicated with arms outstretched in disbelief, a scrunchedup angry expression, and screams that center on our disappointment,disapproval and disgust. Our response makes it very clear that the failureis the person. In the book Top 20 Teachers, the authors’ state, “It isbecause of the frequency and likelihood of these responses that people fearfailure and mistake making. As a result, they fear moving outside theirComfort Zone and handicap their learning and potential.”

We have a choice — to be the coach or the critic. We either find valuein failure and mistakes and our students grow — we coach. Or werespond with negativity and the students on our team remain locked intheir comfort zone, where they won’t take risks, they play it safe, andlearn nothing — we criticize.

Our awareness of how we respond to a student who makes the choiceto show up is essential to keeping him in the arena “…so that his placeshall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nordefeat,” said Roosevelt.

Performing in public takes courage. Traveling down a road not yettraveled takes courage. It takes courage to try a new skill and to risk notknowing or understanding something. It takes courage to show up everyday. We ultimately determine if our students will take the leap of faith totrust and risk failure simply by how we respond.

Take some time and reflect on how you respond to your players whenthey fail and make a mistake. Based on your response to their “error orshortcoming,” is it acceptable for your athletes to take risks and stretchthemselves or, based on your typical response, is it far better if they stay

safely tucked inside their comfortzone?

Daring greatly means riskingfailure by stepping into the arena,getting into the game when otherschoose to sit it out, and choosingto move outside one’s comfortzone to try something new. Whenyou create an environment wherestudents feel comfortable andembrace mistakes and failure, theathletes on your team will followRoosevelt’s lead, will dare greatlyand will show up.


News & Features

See ExCEL ExCEL ExCEL ExCEL ExCEL on

By Lisa LissimoreAssociate Director

They’re out there — students from the League’s 535 memberschools making a big impact serving the needs of others in theircommunity.

They’re tutoring students, assisting seniors, cleaning cemeteries,and coaching youth sports.

They’re teaching, mentoring, leading school supply drives, andorganizing activities for kids in homeless shelters.

They’re cleaning highways, landscaping parks, stocking foodshelves, and fundraising for worthy causes.

They’re linked in service — changing lives every day. They are the2013 ExCEL Award winners.

On March 16, the Minnesota State High School League and itsbroadcast partner, KSTC-TV Channel 45, honored this special group ofstudent leaders during ceremonies at the State Girls’ BasketballTournament.

“Every year, for the past 17 years, we’ve have given ExCEL(Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership) Awards tostudents who go beyond the classroom and the fields of competition toimprove the quality of life for others,” I said to the recipients and theirfamilies. I manage the awards program. “ExCEL award recipientsunderstand that leadership is not about them but about those theyserve. Your approach to volunteerism inspires others to make service acentral part of their lives.”

Nearly 4,000 students have been recognized through the ExCELAward program. Three-hundred and eight were nominated by theirschools this year. ExCEL Award recipients, 32 in all, were selectedthrough a multi-level process that involves League member schoolsand an independent panel of judges from schools throughoutMinnesota.

Like the groups before them, the 2013 ExCEL award receipts areengaged in life-changing projects that build stronger, healthier andsafer communities. Here’s a look at who they are and the things theydo.

Jacob AlexRosemount High School

School Activities: Student Council, Student Ambassador, NationalHonor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Peer Tutoring

Athletics: Soccer, Track and FieldFine Arts: Band, Debate, SpeechCommunity Service: Youth sports coach, church volunteer, Feed My

Starving Children volunteer, city commission participant

Mackenzie BadeLake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial High School

School Activities: Knowledge Bowl, Academic Decathlon, StudentCouncil, National Honor Society, Spanish Club

Athletics: Volleyball, Softball, CheerleadingFine Arts: ChoirCommunity Service: Assisted living facility volunteer, Adopt-a-

Highway volunteer, retreat leader, American Cancer Society volunteer,animal shelter volunteer, service trip

Carly BrandtMounds View High School

School Activities: DECA, Science Olympiad, School Mentor, NationalHonor Society, Volunteer Club

Athletics: Gymnastics, Track and Field, Cross Country Running,Swimming and Diving

Fine Arts: Band, Visual Arts, SpeechCommunity Service: Youth Advisory Board, Feed My Starving

Children volunteer, Salvation Army volunteer, hospital volunteer, campcounselor, senior living facility volunteer

Special Mention: Carly is the president of the Hands on Twin CitiesYouth Advisory Board, a metro area volunteering advocacy group.

ExCEL students bringing hope to those in need

They’re out there — students from theLeague’s 535 member schools making a

big impact serving the needs of others intheir community.

Brooke BorchardtZimmerman High School

School Activities: National Honor Society, DECA, Link LeaderAthletics: Volleyball, Basketball, Track and FieldFine Arts: Visual ArtsCommunity Service: Youth sports coach, Feed My Starving Children

volunteer, Adopt-a-Highway volunteer, church and elementary schoolvolunteer

Barrett CarlsonNew Ulm Cathedral High School

School Activities: National Honor Society, Knowledge Bowl, SchoolMass Leader

Athletics: Football, Basketball, Track and Field, Cross CountryRunning

Fine Arts: BandCommunity Service: Boy Scout and Eagle Scout service volunteer,

camp lifeguard, United Way volunteer, park maintenance volunteer,church volunteer, youth sports coach

Brandon FabelNorwood-Young America High School

School Activities: Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society, StudentCouncil, Advisory Council, FFA, Peer Tutoring

Athletics: Football, Basketball, GolfFine Arts: Band, Choir, SpeechCommunity Service: Boy Scout and Eagle Scout service volunteer,

church volunteer, youth sports coach, Feed My Starving Childrenvolunteer

Special Mention: Brandon spent nearly 500 hours cleaning up an oldcemetery in his community, including removing brush, trimming treesand cleaning gravestones. He also catalogued and archived all of theinformation found in the cemetery, including mapping, photographingand recording the data.

Bailey GrussingAdrian High School

School Activities: Knowledge Bowl, Spanish Club, Math League,National Honor Society, Student Council, Partners in Prevention

Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, SoftballFine Arts: Band, One Act Play, SpeechCommunity Service: Church volunteer, youth sports coach and

volunteer, Sunday School teacher, food drive volunteer, Youth Mentor

Abby ObrightUnderwood

Megan NorbyNevis

Zoe LeClairEagan

Hayley JohnsonWillow River

Mackenzie BadeLake Crystal-

Wellcome Memorial

Andrew SmithHenning

Leah PinaultMound Westonka

Paxton JordahlHutchinson

Brooke BorchardtZimmerman

Hunter SmithZimmerman

Ryan RubergRushford-Peterson

Joshua KimballWaseca

Carly BrandtMounds View

Connor SmythePark Rapids Area

Shelby SchiefelbeinKimball Area

Mitchell KollodgeAlbany

Barrett CarlsonNew Ulm Cathedral

Lauren SummersJanesville-Waldorf-

Pemberton

Matthew SchmitJackson County

Central

Bethany KozakWhite Bear Lake Area

Brandon FabelNorwood-

Young America

Aaron ThompsonUnderwood

Carly SigurdsonBOLD, Olivia

Marshal LandrumSt. Paul Como Park

Bailey GrussingAdrian

Courtney SillWabasha-Kellogg

Obiora ObikweluIrondale,

New Brighton

Greg MorkMora

Kayla NicklesBraham

Parry LarsonNorwood-

Young America

Beth HollandMorris Area

Jacob AlexRosemount


News & FeaturesExCEL .................................................................................. continued from Page 9Beth HollandMorris Area High School

School Activities: Robotics, FFA, Business Professionals of America,Sportsmanship Conference, Anti-Bullying Program

Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field, SoftballFine Arts: Band, ChoirCommunity Service: Church performer and volunteer, Adopt-a-

Highway volunteer, Feed My Starving Children volunteer, agricultureeducation volunteer, service trip, youth sports coach

Hayley JohnsonWillow River High School

School Activities: National Honor Society, Student Council, MathLeague, LifeSmarts Challenge, Anti-Bullying Committee, Family, Careerand Community Leaders of America

Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, Track and FieldFine Arts: Band, ChoirCommunity Service: Church volunteer, Adopt-a-Highway volunteer,

youth sports coach and volunteer, blood center volunteer, March ofDimes volunteer, American Diabetes Association volunteer

Paxton JordahlHutchinson High School

School Activities: National Honor Society, Math League, BusinessProfessionals of America, Key Club, Link Crew

Athletics: Football, Wrestling, BaseballFine Arts: Band, ChoirCommunity Service: Church performer and volunteer, service trips,

Sunday School assistant, Adopt-a-Highway volunteer, food shelfvolunteer, youth sports coach and volunteer

Joshua KimballWaseca High School

School Activities: Student Council, National Honor Society, LinkCrew, Marching Band, School Musical, Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Athletics: Cross Country Running, Tennis, Baseball, FootballFine Arts: Band, ChoirCommunity Service: Youth sports coach, service trip, Vacation Bible

School teacher, community musician

Mitchell KollodgeAlbany High School

School Activities: National Honor Society, Peer Tutoring, Math Team,Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Athletics: Football, Cross Country Running, Basketball, Track and FieldFine Arts: BandCommunity Service: Youth math team coach, church volunteer,

library volunteerSpecial Mention: Mitchell founded the elementary school Math

Masters team, which is part of a statewide math challenge andcompetition. He is the current coach of the team.

Bethany KozakWhite Bear Lake Area High School

School Activities: Ambassadors Program, Leadership Club, StateHistory Day

Athletics: Cross Country Running, Track and FieldFine Arts: BandCommunity Service: Church volunteer, apple orchard volunteer, Feed

My Starving Children volunteer, Dress for Success volunteer, SpecialOlympics volunteer, sport events volunteer

Marshal LandrumSt. Paul Como Park High School

School Activities: National Honor Society, National History Day,Broadcast Production, Student Showcase

Athletics: Cross Country Running, Nordic Ski Racing, Track and FieldFine Arts: Visual ArtsCommunity Service: Boy Scout and Eagle Scout volunteer, VFW

volunteer, sport events volunteer, youth sports volunteer

Parry LarsonNorwood-Young America High School

School Activities: Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society,Marching Band, School Musical, Student Council

Athletics: Cross Country Running, Track and Field, CheerleadingFine Arts: Band, ChoirCommunity Service: Elementary summer school assistant, American

Cancer Society volunteer, church volunteer, Feed My Starving Childrenvolunteer, youth sports volunteer, Friends of the Mississippi Rivervolunteer

Zoe LeClairEagan High School

School Activities: Science Club, Marching Band, French Club,Student Government, National Honor Society, Peer Tutoring,Leadership Seminar

Athletics: Tennis, Basketball, Nordic Skiing, LacrosseFine Arts: Speech, Debate, Band, ChoirCommunity Service: Nursing home volunteer and performer,

Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s Awareness volunteer, Feed MyStarving Children volunteer, Foreign Exchange Program volunteer

Greg MorkMora High School

School Activities: Marching Band, Student Council, National HonorSociety, German Club, Anti-Bullying Program

Athletics: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track and FieldFine Arts: Band, OrchestraCommunity Service: Youth sports volunteer, sport event volunteer,

Sunday School teacher, Foreign Exchange Program volunteer, churchvolunteer, homeless shelter volunteer

Kayla NicklesBraham High School

School Activities: National Honor Society, Theater, Student Council,Peer Tutoring, SADD, Link Crew

Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Track and FieldFine Arts: Band, ChoirCommunity Service: Church volunteer, youth sports coach, sport

event volunteer, Special Olympics volunteer, Military Families aide

Megan NorbyNevis High School

School Activities: National Honor Society, Chemical Health Fair,Student Council, Peer Tutoring, Leadership Conference, Family, Careerand Community Leaders of America

Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, Track and FieldFine Arts: Band, ChoirCommunity Service: Adopt-a-Highway volunteer, youth mentor,

church volunteer, service trips, youth sports coach, Sunday Schoolteacher, sport events volunteer

Special Mention: On one of Megan’s two church mission trips, shetraveled to a “Skid Row” area in California, which has one of thehighest populations of homeless people in the nation. She and hergroup served the homeless population, distributing sleeping bags,blankets, toothbrushes and other necessities.

Obiora ObikweluIrondale High School

School Activities: Student Council, Mock Trial, Step Team, SchoolMusical, Peer Mentoring, Diversity Club, Future Educators Club, SchoolPhotography

Athletics: Football, Track and FieldFine Arts: Choir, Band, One Act Play, SpeechCommunity Service: Service trips, Feed My Starving Children

volunteer, food program volunteer, youth tutor, church performer,Second Harvest Heartland volunteer

See ExCEL ExCEL ExCEL ExCEL ExCEL on


News & Features

Thirteen teams based in Minnesota havequalified for the FIRST nationalchampionship robotics tournament that

will be held in the Edward Jones Dome in St.Louis, Missouri, April 24-27.

The competition involves robots that flipflying discs to score points, as well as scalepyramid structures on the playing field.ULTIMATE ASCENTSM is played by twocompeting alliances on a flat, 27 x 54-footfield. Each alliance consists of three robots.They compete to score as many discs intotheir goals as they can during a two minuteand 15 second match. The higher the goal inwhich the disc is scored, the more points (2, 4or 6) the alliance receives. The match begins

Baker’s dozen headed to St. Louis for national robotics championships

with a 15-second Autonomous Period in whichrobots operate independently of driver inputs.Discs scored during this period are worthextra points. For the remainder of the match,drivers control robots and try to maximizetheir alliance score by scoring as many goalsas possible.

The match ends with robots attempting toclimb on pyramids located near the middle ofthe field. The robot earns points based on howhigh it climbs.

The 13 Minnesota teams representstudents from the following member schooldistricts: Becker, Duluth, Eagan, Eden Prairie(two teams), Edina, Frazee, New Brighton,Prior Lake/Savage, St. Cloud, St. Peter, TwoHarbors, and Woodbury.

The Minnesota State Robotics Tournamentis scheduled for May 18 at Williams Arena onthe University of Minnesota Minneapoliscampus.

The KING TeC Team 2169 drivers (L-R:Andy Huynh, Alex Passofaro, Paul Hines,

Maxwell Pitkanen) reacted withenthusiasm after the announcement that

they had won the Colorado Regional,qualifying the Prior Lake/Savage-based

robotics team for the nationalchampionships.

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Right: The robot shooting flyingdiscs at the Feeder Station.

Below: The robot shooting flyingdiscs at the Pyramid.


ExCEL ................................................................................. continued from Page 11Abby ObrightUnderwood High School

School Activities: National Honor Society, SADD, Student Council,Peer Tutoring, Math League, Service Club

Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, GolfFine Arts: Choir, Band, SpeechCommunity Service: Youth sports coach and volunteer, church

volunteer, Homeless Awareness volunteer, Adopt-a-Highway volunteer,food program volunteer, community landscaping volunteer

Leah PinaultMound Westonka High School

School Activities: National Honor Society, Literature Club,Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Athletics: Cross Country Running, Track and FieldFine Arts: Orchestra, BandCommunity Service: Music teacher, sport events volunteer, coat

drive volunteer, Feed My Starving Children volunteer, church volunteer,Sunday School teacher, missionary aide

Ryan RubergRushford-Peterson High School

School Activities: FFA, SADD, School Carnival, Marching BandAthletics: Cross Country Running, Basketball, Track and FieldFine Arts: BandCommunity Service: Church volunteer, 4-H volunteer, Adopt-a-

Highway volunteer, food shelf volunteer

Andrew SmithHenning High School

School Activities: National Honor Society, Student Council, SADD,Knowledge Bowl, Marching Band, School Musical

Athletics: Football, Basketball, GolfFine Arts: Choir, Band, SpeechCommunity Service: Boy Scout and Eagle Scout volunteer, park

landscaper, church volunteer, Sunday School teacher, youth sportsvolunteer

Special Mention: Andrew organized and led a project to landscapethe community’s Veterans’ Memorial Park. His project includedoverseeing a team of 10 workers, moving crushed rock, planting trees,and laying pavers around the newly erected flagpoles.

Hunter SmithZimmerman High School

School Activities: DECA, National Honor Society, School Board, LinkCrew

Athletics: Football, Wrestling, Track and FieldFine Arts: BandCommunity Service: Youth sports coach and volunteer, church

volunteer, highway cleanup volunteer

Connor SmythePark Rapids Area High School

School Activities: National Honor Society, Spanish ClubAthletics: Football, Swimming and Diving

ExCEL — Excellence in Community,Education and Leadership is a unique

awards program that honors high schooljuniors who are leaders in their schools

and who have made community service acentral part of their lives.

Shelby SchiefelbeinKimball Area High School

School Activities: KnowledgeBowl, National Honor Society,Student Government, Mock Trial

Athletics: Volleyball, Softball,Basketball manager

Fine Arts: Band, Choir, SpeechCommunity Service: Minnesota

Beef Ambassador, 4-H volunteer,church volunteer, Sunday Schoolteacher, food shelf volunteer

Matthew SchmitJackson County Central High School

School Activities: Student Council, FFAAthletics: Football, Basketball, Track and FieldFine Arts: Band, ChoirCommunity Service: Boy Scout and Eagle Scout volunteer, blood

drive volunteer, Kids Against Hunger volunteer, church volunteer, biketrail improvement volunteer

Carly SigurdsonBOLD High School

School Activities: Peer Tutoring, National Honor Society, MathLeague, Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, SoftballFine Arts: ChoirCommunity Service: Church volunteer and performer, youth sports

coach and volunteer, nursing home volunteer, service trip

Courtney SillWabasha-Kellogg High School

School Activities: Math Team, School Musical, SADD, StudentCouncil, Leadership Committee, Peer Helpers

Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, GolfFine Arts: Band, ChoirCommunity Service: Hospital and health care center volunteer, youth

sports volunteer, church volunteer, blood drive volunteer, Toys for Totsvolunteer

Fine Arts: ChoirCommunity Service: Service

trips, church volunteer, youthsports coach, sport eventsvolunteer, Salvation Army bellringer

Lauren SummersJanesville-Waldorf-Pemberton

High SchoolSchool Activities: National

Honor Society, Knowledge Bowl,Science Club, Band Council, History Club, School Musical, LeadershipConference

Athletics: Basketball, Volleyball, GolfFine Arts: Choir, Band, Speech, One Act PlayCommunity Service: Church performer and volunteer, 4-H volunteer,

youth sports coach, Meals on Wheels volunteer, youth mentor, winterclothing drive volunteer, Adopt-a-Highway volunteer, special needscamp aide

Special Mention: Lauren volunteered at a camp for children withmental handicaps. The children need one-on-one aides throughout theday, and Lauren was given the responsibility of being paired with aspecial camper throughout the week.

Aaron ThompsonUnderwood High School

School Activities: School Musical, Student Council, Knowledge Bowl,National Honor Society, Peer Tutoring, Service Club

Athletics: Football, Basketball, Track and FieldFine Arts: Band, Choir, SpeechCommunity Service: Boy Scout and Eagle Scout volunteer, 4-H

volunteer, youth recycling volunteer, Adopt-a-Highway volunteer,nursing home volunteer, Salvation Army bell ringer

Special Mention: Aaron spearheaded a project to beautify the lawnoutside his church so it could be used as a gathering place. Hefundraised with local businesses, designed and built picnic tables, andtrained young Boy Scouts to build bird feeders.

News & Features


Leadership from the Minnesota State High School League,Minnesota State High School Coaches Association and theMinnesota Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association are

collaborating to offer the Why We Play…A Coaches Conference. Theconference is open to all coaches, but it is specifically intended toassist League member high schools’ veteran head coaches in meetingthe provisions of state statute MS 122A.33—Head Coach Licensure.

The cost of the Why We Play conference is $99 and will providecoaches who must meet MS122A.33—Head Coach Licensure with boththe in-person instruction and the online NFHS licensing codes neededto complete the 60 clock hours of instruction required by the statute.This is a cost savings of $71 and is only being offered at the Why WePlay…A Coaches Conference on both August 1 and 7.

Registration for all three of the Why We Play conferences isavailable through the League’s Coaches Clipboard Page. Space islimited, so early registration is suggested.

Athletic administrators (who do not need to meet MS122A.33—

The traditional Head Coaches Course will continue to be offered bythe League at regional sites in June, July and August. Coaches mayregister for these courses through their Coaches Clipboard page tomeet the in-person requirement. The cost to register for the traditionalHead Coaches Course is $170. There will not be a reduced fee for thesecourses.

The dates for several upcoming Head Coaches Courses have beenconfirmed and are listed below. The location for many of these coursesis yet to be identified. Once the location is determined the course willbe added to the Coaches Education Schedule available online.

Head Coaches Course Schedule:● Thursday, June 20: Hopkins High School & one additional

location TBD● Saturday, June 22: Locations TBD● Saturday, July 27: Locations TBD● Friday, August 23: Locations TBD● Saturday, August 24: Locations TBD

News & Features

Why We Play conference aimed at coaches

Head Coach Licensure) are alsoinvited and encouraged to attendthe general sessions of theconference at no cost. Conferencedetails and registrationinformation was included in yourMNIAAA Conference attendeepacket.

The conference isopen to all coaches,but it is specificallyintended to assistLeague memberhigh schools’veteran headcoaches in meetingthe provisions ofstate statuteMS 122A.33—HeadCoach Licensure.


News & Features

The Minnesota State High School ClayTarget League announced that 114 highschool teams representing 195 schools

and 3,400 student-athletes are participatingin the 2013 spring season. Led by the supportof their schools and hundreds of volunteercoaches, thousands of student athletes will betrapshooting weekly in April and May atshooting ranges throughout Minnesota.

“This is the fifth consecutive year that theleague has doubled in teams, schools andathlete numbers,” said Jim Sable, executivedirector of the MSHSCTL. “In 2012, there were57 teams and 1,500 student athletesparticipating. With this kind of growth,trapshooting continues to be Minnesota’sfastest growing high school sport.”

MSHSCTL’s program attracts student-athletes to participate in shooting sportswhile creating a virtual competition amonghigh schools throughout Minnesota. Shootingpractices and competition are conducted at ashooting range near the school’s location. Atrue team scoring system is used in threeshooting performance categories — top score,

Clay Target League has 114 high school teamsrepresenting 195 schools for 2013 spring season

top 50 percent performer’s average score,and overall team average score.

The numbers of athletes on a team areused to define the conferences that teamscompete within. Scores are submitted andcompared with other school’s performancesto determine the earned points for a team andthen posted on the League’s website. Theseason culminates with the state tournamentat Alexandria Shooting Park in Alexandria

June 7-9 where individual and teamchampions will be determined andrecognized.

On December 6, 2012, the Minnesota StateHigh School League approved a presentingpartner state tournament with the MinnesotaState High School Clay Target League for June2014.

“Trapshooting will be recognized as a sportlike all other high school sports,” Sable said,“thus making Minnesota the first state highschool athletic association in America to hosta sanctioned high school trapshooting statetournament.”

The Minnesota State High School ClayTarget League is a 501(c)(3) non-profitcorporation and the independent provider ofshooting sports as an extra curricular coedactivity to high schools for students in gradessix through 12 who have earned theirFirearms Safety Certification. The MinnesotaState High School Clay Target League hasthree priorities — safety, fun andmarksmanship — in that order.

For more information about the MinnesotaState High School Clay Target League, visitwww.mnclaytarget.com.

None other than AlanGreenspan, formerchairman of the Federal

Reserve, said it best whencapturing the importance ofteaching young people anunderstanding of the basicfinancial tools they will need tosucceed in life: “The number oneproblem in today’s generationand economy is the lack offinancial literacy.”

The Minnesota State HighSchool League and Wells Fargo,the League’s premier corporatepartner, have a goal to dosomething about that problem.And it’s going to start by seekingthe help of high school educatorswith a brief survey.

That survey, which is aimed athigh school business and mathteachers (or others at highschools who teach students aboutthe basics in financialmanagement), is to determinewhat’s being taught and whatinformation can be provided forstudents to better theirunderstanding of basic financialeducation.

The survey will be sent toschools in early May and teacherswill have approximately twoweeks to respond. The survey will

be less than 10 questions andtake just a few minutes tocomplete. Its major focus will beon determining if curriculums inhigh school focus appropriatetime and attention on:

● Managing a checking orsavings account

● Money management andbudgeting

● Responsible use of credit● Planning for college● Other topics that teachers

believe are appropriate.“We all know how vital it is in

today’s world for students tohave a real grasp of handlingtheir money and the toolsnecessary to manage itresponsibly,” said Sue Walker ofWells Fargo. “Our goal is to firstsurvey educators in high schools.We hope to understand theirneeds and provide the right toolsand resources we have at ourdisposal to educate students tomake the right choices when itcomes to managing their money.”

These tools will be helpfulthroughout high school, post-highschool and beyond.

“As we begin our seconddecade of working with WellsFargo as our premier corporatepartner, we share the belief that

Survey on financial education coming your way“Our goal is to first survey educators in

high schools. We hope to understandtheir needs and provide the right tools

and resources we have at our disposal toeducate students to make the right

choices when it comes to managing theirmoney.”

it’s our duty to lead studentsdown the path to financialliteracy,” said Lisa Lissimore,League associate director. “WithWells Fargo and its financialknowledge and expertise, we areconfident we can play a role ineducating students. And we’d likeeducators to help us develop theproper tools in the right formatfor schools. That’s an importantfirst step.”

Educators can look for thesurvey soon.

“We hope to implement thisprogram in the fall,” Lissimoreadded. “We are eager to hearfrom math and business teachersto make sure we move in the rightdirection.”


News & Features

By John Gillis

A cursory review of the girls’ice hockey section of theNational Federation of State

High School Associations’ onlinemultimedia National High SchoolSports Record Book reveals thatit is dominated by twoextraordinary Minnesota players— Natalie Darwitz and KrissyWendell.

Darwitz and Wendell, whocompleted their respective highschool careers in 2000, arecollectively listed 20 times in theRecord Book. Darwitz holds thenational career records for goals(316), assists (152) and points(468), while Wendell holds the topspots for goals in a season (110),goals in a game (8), points in aseason (165) and points in agame (11).

Darwitz played hockey forEagan High School, while Wendellplayed for Park Center HighSchool, both suburban TwinCities schools. Despite theirrelatively close proximity, the twomet just once in high school intheir teams’ opening game of the1999-2000 season at the EaganCivic Arena.

In that watershed mid-November contest that wastouted as the showdown betweenthe north suburban star (Wendell)and the south suburban star(Darwitz), Wendell scored sevengoals to help lead her Park Centerteam to a 10-4 victory overEagan. Darwitz, who was nursingan injured hip, scored twice forEagan. Played before a packedhouse, the game lived up to thehype as the two star players

played fast-paced and physicalgames against each other.

“I don’t think many peopleknow that we actually playedagainst each other in highschool,” Wendell said. “It wasvery early in the season, and itwas played in a packed arenawith lots of excitement. I doremember thinking it was weirdbecause we had already beenteammates on the U.S. team andwe hadn’t played against eachother before. I think that’s theonly time we have ever been onopposing teams.

“I also think the media hyped

up the rivalry far more thanNatalie and I thought of it as arivalry. We enjoyed playing on thesame team far more than we didplaying against each other — atleast I did. We are very different-style players, and thankfully weplayed with each other more thanagainst each other.”

“If you ask Krissy and me, itwas just another game,” Darwitzsaid. “The communities wereexcited, the rink was packed andit was fun. We’re competitors, butalso good friends who played onthe same U.S. national ream. Iknew it was going to be a fungame, although we ended uplosing. The best thing about it is itwas great for girls’ hockey – it gota lot of newspaper and televisioncoverage. People who didn’tnormally come out to watch agirls’ hockey game came out andwatched that game. We put agood product on the ice.”

Both Darwitz and Wendellgrew up playing hockey with boys.In addition, Wendell played in the1994 Little League World Seriesas the only female on theBrooklyn Center team and thefirst female starting catcher inLittle League World Serieshistory.

The duo came along at exactlythe right time, as the Minnesota

State High School League’sRepresentative Assemblyapproved adding girls’ hockey inMarch 1994 and it became aLeague-sponsored activity withthe 1994-95 school year. Duringthat inaugural season, more than1,000 Minnesota high school girlscompeted in hockey on 24 varsityand 12 junior varsity teams. Thefirst MSHSL girls’ hockeytournament, which was heldFebruary 24-25, 1995, at AldrichArena in Maplewood, Minnesota,drew 6,155 spectators.

Both players helped lead theirrespective high school programsto great state tournamentsuccess. Darwitz played in threestate tournaments with the bestfinish a runner-up placement toHibbing/Chisholm High School.Wendell led Park Center to thestate tournament twice, includinga 6-0 win in the title game overAnoka High School as a senior.For both of them, playing in thestate tournament was amemorable experience.

“Playing in the statetournament is what everyMinnesota kid dreams aboutwhen they think of high schoolhockey,” Wendell said. “It’s such afun tournament with so much

Darwitz, Wendell dominate national girls’ hockey records

Krissy Wendell (left) and Natalie Darwitz ahve been both opponents and teammates on the ice.

John

Mill

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“I don’t think many people know that weactually played against each other inhigh school. It was very early in theseason, and it was played in a packedarena with lots of excitement. I doremember thinking it was weird becausewe had already been teammates on theU.S. team and we hadn’t played againsteach other before. I think that’s the onlytime we have ever been on opposingteams.” See Records Records Records Records Records on Page 17


News & Features

history and tradition. I thinkthere’s something special abouthaving your entire schoolsupporting you and bringing somuch school pride. Just playing inthe state tournament is great, butbeing able to end your highschool career with a statechampionship is really specialand such a special memory.”

“Growing up in Minnesota,watching the boys’ hockey statetournament on television everyMarch instilled in me how great itis and what a special moment itis to be in the tournament,”Darwitz said. “Although we neverwon the girls’ state hockey title,for my high school to go the statetournament three times in fouryears was a tremendousexperience.”

In recognition of their manyaccomplishments during theirstoried high school careers, bothplayers received numerousaccolades. In separate seasons,both were named Metro Player ofthe Year by the Minneapolis StarTribune, and Wendell was chosenMinnesota’s Ms. Hockey followingher senior year.

Following high school, Darwitzand Wendell both played for theUniversity of Minnesota women’shockey team. They teamed up tolead the Golden Gophers to back-to-back NCAA women’s hockeynational championships in 2004and 2005.

Wendell, a 5-foot-6 forwardwho shoots left-handed, was aco-captain of the Gophers teamand scored the game-winninggoal in the 2005 WesternCollegiate Hockey Associationchampionship game against theUniversity of Wisconsin. Shefollowed that with a hat trickagainst Eastern CollegiateAthletic Conference championHarvard, and was the NCAAscoring runner-up to Gophersteammate Darwitz.

Similar to high school,Wendell’s and Darwitz’ namesalso appear several times in theNCAA Record Book. During the2004-05 season, Wendell set theNCAA single-season record forshort-handed goals with seven,and had the career record forshort-handed goals of 16 when

Records .............................................................................. continued from Page 16

Wendell (left) and Darwitz were cover girls in 2000 during theirhigh school heydays.

she graduated. Wendell currentlyranks seventh in career pointswith 237. In 2005, she becamethe first player from Minnesotaand the first from the WCHA towin the Patty Kazmaier Award,which recognizes the nation’s topDivision I women’s hockey player.

Darwitz, a 5-3 center/wingwho shoots right-handed, beganskating at the tender age of five.She currently holds the NCAArecords for most points scored ina season (114) and for mostassists in a season (72), andranks third in career assists with144. Her career points total of246 ranks fifth all-time, and hercareer average of 2.49 points pergame ranks second. In 2005, sheled the nation as she averaged2.85 points per game.

During her three years atMinnesota, Darwitz helped leadthe Gophers to back-to-backnational championships, scoredthe winning goal in her final gamewith 1:08 to play versus Harvard

(4-3), won the Most OutstandingPlayer of the 2004 NCAA Women’sHockey Championship FrozenFour, and was named U.S.Women’s Player of the Year.

Both have played extensively atthe international level. Wendellstarted with the U.S. NationalTeam at the Three Nations Cup in1998, and in 2005, led all playersin scoring with nine points as theUnited States won its first goldmedal at the Women’s World IceHockey Championships. She was amember of the silver medal-winning U.S. team at the 2002Winter Olympic Games in Salt LakeCity, and played on the bronze-medal squad at Turin in 2006.

Darwitz was on the sameOlympic squads with Wendell in2002 and 2006, and also was amember of the silver-medal teamin 2010 in Vancouver. She earnedmedals at eight Women’s WorldChampionships and at 10Women’s Four Nations Cupcompetitions.

Today, Wendell is married toRed Wing native and formerUniversity of Minnesota men’shockey star John Pohl, and theyare parents of three youngdaughters. John is head girls’hockey coach at Cretin-DerhamHall High School and Krissyassists him.

Darwitz is the head girls’hockey coach at Lakeville SouthHigh School and a private skatinginstructor. She enjoys boating onthe lakes in her native Minnesota,but also likes to surf in SouthernCalifornia and Mexico with herboyfriend.

Although both successfullyplayed hockey at the highestpossible levels, their high schoolexperiences still hold a specialplace.

“I think there is somethingspecial about representing thetown in which you grow up in andplaying with teammates you’veknown almost your entire life,”Wendell said. “At the high schoollevel, the sport is still very pure.Every level that you climb, thecompetition gets even tougherand at times can be morestressful and the emphasis to wingets greater. In high school, youcan just enjoy the experiencewithout all of the pressure toalways win. And, of course, it’snice to be able to play in front ofall your family and friends.”

“Playing at the high schoollevel is definitely special,”Darwitz said. “I tell the girls Icoach to not look past todayplaying high school hockey. I tellthem it’s one of the bestexperiences of their lives. There’snothing better than representingyour school and your community,and there’s nothing quite likecross-town rivalries. We are veryfortunate in Minnesota to havethat experience and to have thatgreat tradition in hockey. If Icould do it, it would be awesometo be able to go back to play itagain.”

John Gillis is the associatedirector of publications andcommunications of the NFHS.Reprinted with permission fromthe NFHS website (www.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=8307).

“Playing at the high school level is definitely special. I tell the girls I coach to notlook past today playing high school hockey. I tell them it’s one of the best

experiences of their lives. There’s nothing better than representing your school andyour community...”


News & Features

Four individuals who excelledas high school athletes,including former Washington

Redskins’ all-pro quarterback JoeTheismann and current LosAngeles Clippers’ guard ChaunceyBillups, headline the 2013 classof the National High School Hallof Fame.

Joining Theismann and Billupsas athletes in the 2013 class areHarrison Dillard, who helpedCleveland (Ohio) East TechnicalHigh School to three state trackchampionships before winningfour gold medals at the 1948 and1952 Olympic Games, and KristinFolkl Kaburakis, who helped herSt. Louis (Missouri) St. Joseph’sAcademy teams to four statevolleyball championships and fourstate basketball titles in the early1990s before an outstanding two-sport career at StanfordUniversity.

These four individuals, alongwith five high school coaches,two officials, one administratorand one individual in the

Theismann, Billups headline NFHS Hall of Fame Class of 2013performing arts, will be inductedinto the NFHS National HighSchool Hall of Fame June 27 atthe Hyatt Regency Denver atColorado Convention Center inDenver, Colorado.

High school coaches slated forinduction this year: Ed Aston,who retired in 2011 after 37years as girls’ swimming coachand 33 years as boys’ swimmingcoach at Cheshire (Connecticut)High School; Chuck Koeppen,cross country running and trackcoach at Carmel (Indiana) HighSchool for 37 years beforeretiring in 2008; Chuck Lenahan,who is in his 42nd year asfootball coach at Plymouth (NewHampshire) Regional High School;Mike Messere, lacrosse coach atCamillus (New York) WestGenesee High School for the past37 years; and James Tate, whohas coached cross countryrunning and track at Mobile(Alabama) St. Paul’s EpiscopalHigh School for the past 34 years.

Jerry Kimmel, a basketballofficial from Kentucky whorecently retired after 56 years asan active official and assigner forthe Kentucky High School AthleticAssociation, and HaigNighohossian, a soccer officialfrom Granite City, Illinois, who isin his 39th year as an activeofficial with the Illinois HighSchool Association, are thisyear’s honorees in the Officialscategory.

Ronnie Carter, who retired in2009 after 23 years as executivedirector of the TennesseeSecondary School AthleticAssociation, is this year’sinductee in the Administratorscategory, and Richard Floyd, whois retiring this year after 50 yearsin music education, including 29years as director of music for theUniversity Interscholastic Leaguein Austin, Texas, is this year’shonoree in the Performing Artscategory.

Theismann was a three-sport

star at South River (New Jersey)High School and led the footballteam to the New Jersey StateInterscholastic AthleticAssociation Group IIIchampionship in 1966 with a 9-0record and 24 touchdown passes.He quarterbacked the Universityof Notre Dame to a No. 2 nationalranking in 1971, and he won aSuper Bowl and Most ValuablePlayer honors during his careerwith the Redskins.

Billups was a four-time all-state selection and three-time Mr.Basketball at Denver (Colorado)George Washington High School.He averaged 23.8 points pergame for his career and helpedhis team to state championshipsas a sophomore and junior in1993 and 1994. Billups is in his16th season in the NationalBasketball Association (NBA),highlighted by six years withDetroit when he helped thePistons to the 2004 NBAchampionship.

The Minnesota State High SchoolLeague nominated Caitlin Tate, thestarting goaltender for the girls’hockey team at Park of CottageGrove. She was born without a righthand. League Media Specialist JohnMillea profiled her in a feature thatwas published in the 2013 StateGirls’ Hockey Tournament program.That feature follows on the nextthree pages.

Logan County High School in Russellville,Kentucky, and Magoffin County HighSchool in Salyersville, Kentucky, have

been selected the 2013 recipients of theNational High School Spirit of Sport Award bythe National Federation of State High SchoolAssociations. The award was created by theNFHS to recognize those individuals whoexemplify the ideals of the spirit of sport thatrepresent the core mission of education-basedathletics.

Logan County High School, located in thewestern part of the state, and Magoffin CountyHigh School, located 281 miles to the east inthe Appalachian Mountains, have nottraditionally been common opponents orrivals in sports, nor have they generally hadmuch in common.

That all changed on March 2, 2012, whenan EF3 tornado spun up in the ruralAppalachian valley between the mountainsand descended upon the tiny town ofSalyersville around 11:40 p.m. It toucheddown and began a 49-mile path of destructionthrough four counties. In the process, scoresof buildings, businesses and homes weredestroyed. Both the middle school and thehigh school were condemned following thestorms.

That was the day before the scheduledKentucky High School Athletic Association15th Region girls’ basketball game betweenMagoffin County and Paintsville High School.After much discussion, the game was moved

to Monday night, just two days before thestart of the state tournament. Before a verysmall contingent of Magoffin County fans,many of whom now owning only the clotheson their backs, the Lady Hornets defeatedPaintsville 49-40. Magoffin County coach ScottCastle had become the inspirational leader asteam members fought back emotions to try toenjoy the regional win, proudly proclaiming“One team. One goal. One Promise. We areMagoffin.”

While that was in and of itself both verymoving and inspirational, it merely set thestage for what was to follow.

Two days later at the KHSAA Sweet 16®

girls’ state basketball tournament in BowlingGreen, Magoffin County was pitted against

Ashland Blazer High School from the 16thRegion, a much larger school and itsgeographic neighbor located in an area thatwas also devastated by the tornado. Prior tothe game, the two teams gathered at centercourt for a moment of silence and thencelebrated survival. After trailing in thesecond half, Magoffin County came back towin 63-59.

Logan County coach Scot McAlister was inthe stands that night and was inspiredwatching the undersized but feisty MagoffinCounty team upset Ashland Blazer. As aresult, he decided to offer his facility toMagoffin County as a “home away from home”in which it could practice, seek refuge or justget away. When the Lady Hornets arrived atLogan County, they were amazed to begreeted by 300 student-athletes who hadorganized a pep rally and a pizza party in theirhonor.

Giving up their own time and at their ownexpense, the Logan County students drove 30miles from Russellville to Diddle Arena inBowling Green, where they filled one of theend zones with students dressed in theMagoffin County school colors. Throughout thegame, the Logan County contingententhusiastically supported Magoffin Countywith voracious cheers and chants that theyhad practiced both at school and en route tothe game. The emotion in the arena waselectric.

Kentucky high schools share NFHS National High School Spirit of Sport Award

Park’s Tate the League nominee

See Spirit Spirit Spirit Spirit Spirit on Page 22


Continued Next Page

News & Features


News & Features

See TTTTTateateateateate on Page 22


Tate..................................................................................... continued from Page 21

Spirit ................................................................................... continued from Page 19

Athletic ActivitiesMinnesota volleyball players raised$42,650 for breast cancer research

The following note was sent to several League staff members.

In 2012, Minnesota high school volleyball teams were ranked No. 7 in the country for theirDig Pink® fundraising! They raised a total of $42,649.92 for The Side-Out Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money for breast cancer research through the sport ofvolleyball.

When student athletes share their limited free time with others in order to make adifference in the lives of those around them, it is not only impressive, it is inspiring, and wewanted to share this accomplishment with you.

The top Minnesota fundraising teams in 2012 were:Tomahawk Conference — $14,022.70; Randolph High School —$3,364.00; Hastings High School — $2,600.00; Breckenridge Senior High School — $2,577.13;Mounds View High School — $2,323.00; North Branch High School — $2,245.90; White Bear LakeArea High School — $1,596.35; Yellow Medicine East High School — $1,563.03; Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School — $1,425.00; Martin Luther High School, Northrop — $1,401.70.

Middle schools, high schools and colleges nationwide raised a total of more than $1.1 million forSide-Out’s Dig Pink initiatives in 2012 (and the funds continue to come in)! In addition, 10 studentswere recognized with scholarship and/or community service awards through the Side-OutAmbassador Program. We look forward to another wonderful year in 2013!

Thank you for fostering an environment where players are encouraged to build both physicalstrength and strength of character.

Julie Matthews, Special Projects CoordinatorSide-Out Foundation (www.side-out.org)

Although Magoffin County lostthat game to Lincoln County, LoganCounty’s selfless involvementbecame the big story of thetournament. Since that game, thestudents from both schools havestayed in touch and forged lifetimefriendships as individuals whomight have otherwise never seeneach other again.

Nine months later, theMagoffin students decided thatthey wanted to pay back theLogan County girls’ team bycoming to its first home game. OnDecember 1, busloads of MagoffinCounty students made the five-hour drive from Salyersville toRussellville. Only a few LoganCounty school administrators

were aware of Magoffin County’simpending arrival at their game.As they poured into the gym thatnight, it was very apparent theimpact it had on McAlister, whowas moved to tears.

“When you do the right thinglike we did in March, you reallydon’t expect anything in return,”he said.

Although Logan County wasnot able to win that game, theplayers’ and fans’ hearts wereenriched by the visit from theirnew friends. Using their own pre-rehearsed cheers, the MagoffinCounty students supported LoganCounty.


Athletic Activities

By Kevin MerkleAssociate Director

There are many aspects involved in a high school educationalactivity programs. Close attention needs to be given to coaching,finances, facilities, equipment, practices, conditioning, X’s and

O’s, etc. Care must be taken to make sure that attention is given to allof these areas. However, there is nothing more important than riskmanagement and the safety and well being of the participants. Safetyneeds to be the Number One priority.

ADs and coaches must place an emphasis on the area of riskmanagement, making sure that facilities are safe; that practices areconducted with safety of the athletes in mind; and that you have an up-to-date Emergency Action Plan — a plan that administrators, coachesand students know and understand. Other key pieces include the rulesof the games and how athletes are trained.

RulesI have had the opportunity to be involved in the rules-making

process at the national level. The number one concern in making andchanging rules is safety. I’m not sure that all rules are written toprotect the safety of participants as well as they could be, but that isthe goal. Minnesota has been a leader in helping to make changes atthe national level in football and hockey; we have been at the forefrontof adopting rules in regard to concussion and concussion training; weare the leaders in Emergency Action Planning; and we continued toenforce the “jewelry” and other equipment rules.” Some rules are notnecessarily popular, but necessary to insure the safety of participants.

Facilities and equipmentWhile always restrained by finances, we all do what we can to make

facilities safer for student-athletes. Great improvement has been madein how fields are built and maintained; lighting and padding in gyms;depth of swimming pools, improvements in padding and equipment insuch sports as gymnastics and track. More and more artificial turffields are being used, which, when maintained properly, can providesafer playing conditions.

Preparation, training and practiceWe continue to made great strides in the training of our athletes.

Improved off-season conditioning programs; more strength training;improved stretching and warm-up procedures; more knowledge aboutnutrition; increased use of athletic trainers, etc.

With all of that has been and is being done, there is always the needfor improvement. Look for changes in the following areas.

Rules changesMinnesota will continue to experimenting with the onside kick rule

in football, with the main purpose to make this particular play safer.We will continue to experiment with the rules in hockey to continue tomake the game safer. We are considering a change in Dance Team rulesthat will shorten the length of the dances and the number of kicks inthe High Kick division. This is being done for the safety and well beingof athletes. There will additional training and information for coachesin a variety of sports on proper ways to train athletes, and to teachskills and techniques safely.

PracticesThe League Sports Medicine Advisory Committee is working on a

set of procedures and recommendations in regard to practices.Guidelines and recommendations are being developed on length ofpractice, number of practices in a day, amount of rest betweenpractices, as well as proper acclimatization and conditioning. Somecoaches and schools may already have sound guidelines and/orpolicies in place, but we know that there are other situations where thewell being of the students is not the highest priority. Situations inwhich practices last for 3-4 hours, or there are three practices in oneday. We look forward to receiving these recommendations and sharingthose with our member schools in the near future.

FootballWe will be releasing recommendations later this spring (which may

become policy in the future) in regard to the amount of physical

Safety needs to be top priority

contact that can occur during the summer. Currently we have the mostliberal rules in the nation, by allowing coaches to have contact withkids and conduct practices — with no restriction — seven days a weekduring the months of June and July, with the exception of the no-contact week around July 4. We have researched what is being done inother states and what are acceptable standards and based on thatinformation, will be recommending guidelines and/or policies in regardto the number of days of practice to acclimatize to weather andequipment; and the number of days of practices when person to personcontact is allowed. I’m not sure that coaches are out of line withcurrent practice, but we know that there has been expansion in thenumber of practices and the amount of physical contact and bothLeague staff and the Minnesota High School Football CoachesAssociation feel there is a need for guidelines and policy in this area.At the national level there is also discussion in regard to how manypractices, with full contact, should be allowed in one week.

Participation limitsLastly, and again with football, we are looking at the rules in regard

to the use of school equipment during the summer and the safetyimplications of that use, as well as the number of quarters a studentshould participate during a week or during a given three day period.Our current participation rules are seasonal limits, which work, butthere are no policies that keep football players from participating inmultiple games in one day or games on consecutive days. With theknowledge that we now have in regard to concussions and braininjuries this area needs attention. Regulations in these areas arenecessary if we truly keep safety as our highest priority.

Biggest impact at local levelLeague staff will continue to work at the state and national level to

minimize risk to student-athletes, but more important is what is doneat the local level. Coaches and administrators have direct control inregard to the safety and well being of participants. Leaders must keepup with research, trends and new information in the area of riskmanagement, the training and conditioning of athletes, and injuryprevention. Athletes must be taught the skills to allow them to playsafely and must be trained to play according to the the rules of thegame. Leaders must constantly be vigil in their concern for the safetyof athletes. Take a reasonable approach in finding the best ways inwhich to provide opportunities for your students, making sure that theopportunities are offered with the safety and well being of theparticipants in mind.

Keep safety as the Number One priority.

Leaders must keep up with research,trends and new information in the area

of risk management, the training andconditioning of athletes, and injury

prevention.


Athletic Activities

By William O. Roberts, M.D., M.S.

Even God knew the importance of a weekly day of rest, accordingto Genesis. “And on the seventh day God … rested.”

Most training programs provide for a day off in each seven-daycycle, a week or so off every three months, and a month off each year.Whether the sport uses arms or legs, or both, the muscles need aregular break from training to perform at peak.

One of the advantages of growing up in snow country before theadvent of indoor facilities was the natural break that Mother Naturegave us on the shoulder of winter; that time is long gone for most highschool athletes.

High school athletes often play two or three sports in school(Minnesota athletes average 2.35 sports per academic year), but somealso play on community or regional teams in addition to competing forthe school. Other high school athletes limit themselves to one sport,but train and compete year around. Both kinds of athletes can getcaught in an overtraining situation without enough rest in theirconditioning and competition plan.

To get the most out of your athletes, it may be necessary forcoaches to take their athletes’ out-of-school activities into accountwhen setting up individual training programs. An overtrained or injuredathlete will not help your team.

In addition to training rest, athletes need sleep; and in the highschool age group, lots of it. Adolescent sleep requirements aregenerally in the 9- to11-hour range, and in some studies less than 15percent of adolescents get more than 8.5 hours of sleep a night. Someof the high school athletes that I see in the office are trying to get byon 4-5 hours of sleep a night.

Rest: The forgotten component of training

The pressures of school, sports, social activities, and family oftenforce high school athlete into sleeping patterns that limit the hoursneeded to get an adequate volume of sleep each night. This day-to-dayfatigue increases stimulant use, increases errors, decreases reactiontimes, and likely makes training less effective.

What can coaches do?● Know your athletes’ schedules and activities.● Know your athletes’ other sports.● Individualize training to accommodate conditioning outside of

your sport.● Encourage adequate sleep.● Do not use “double sessions” unless the second session is purely

skill-building.● Watch for drops in training performance and effort.● Watch for fatigue, depression, and overall “burnout.”

Most training programs provide for a dayoff in each seven-day cycle, a week or sooff every three months, and a month offeach year. Whether the sport uses arms

or legs, or both, the muscles need aregular break from training to perform

at peak.


Athletic Activities

By Jeff McGonigal

When I was principal at Coon RapidsHigh School I made it a point to stopin to watch the competitions involving

our adapted sports teams. Walking into thegym always put a smile on my face becausethe Coon Rapids kids recognized me and wereexcited that I was there. Afterwards, theywould seek me out in the halls to talk abouthow the game went.

Their parents and family members werethere to cheer them on, proud to see theirkids enjoying a spirited competition and doingtheir best to win. And win they do.

Adapted sports give students with physicalor cognitive impairments an opportunity tojoin with their peers in a team activity that isas valuable for them as sports are for ourother teams. Though the students on anadapted sports team come from each of ourhigh schools, they unite as one, the Anoka-Hennepin Mustangs. They are able to buildfriendships with students across the schooldistrict who are in similar circumstances.When a student in a wheelchair sees otherstudents who use wheelchairs, there’s thefeeling of “I am not the only one in awheelchair and we’re going to use them tocompete!” They also have an opportunity toget the sense of playing a role in somethingthat is bigger than each of them asindividuals. Team activities provide thatimportant experience for students.

In January, the U.S. Department ofEducation directed all school districts offeringathletic programs and receiving federalfunding to accommodate or adapt for studentswith disabilities. School districts across thenation are now scrambling to learn more

about the newrequirement andwhat they must doto comply. Locally,school districts aredoing the same,but we are in amuch morepositive positionthan most otherstates.Way back in 1984,

a number of areaschool districts

created the Minnesota Adapted AthleticAssociation (MAAA). The Minnesota State HighSchool League held the first tournaments foradapted sports in 1993. There are now foursports available for students with disabilitiesincluding indoor soccer, floor hockey, indoorsoftball, and bowling.

Minnesota schools are in the forefront forcreating such opportunities. They see thevalue it provides our young people. Minnesotaschools enthusiastically support all MAAAprograms. Despite such positive strides,challenges still exist. In many cases, districtscombine athletes to create the numbersneeded for a sporting activity to take place.Doing so is much easier in the Twin Citiesthan in rural Minnesota. The MAAA and itsparticipating districts are currently trying tofind ways for these rural districts to createteams and participate.

Since January’s announcement by the U.S.Department of Education, Anoka-Hennepinhas completed its winter floor hockey season.Saturday, March 16, I attended the final day ofthe Minnesota State High School League’sState Adapted Floor Hockey Tournament. As

Adapted sports a chance to compete as a teamAdapted sports give

students with physical orcognitive impairments an

opportunity to join withtheir peers in a team

activity that is as valuablefor them as sports are for

our other teams.has been the case for a number of years, theevent was hosted by Bloomington JeffersonHigh School. Teams from Anoka-Hennepin notonly qualified for the tournament, but alsocompeted very well on their big day. Otherarea teams from Fridley, Centennial, CirclePines, Columbia Heights, Spring Lake Park,and Osseo school districts competed as well.

The spring season will bring indoorsoftball. Home games for Anoka-Hennepin’sMustangs are played at the AndoverCommunity Center. The state tournament forindoor softball will be held at Coon RapidsHigh School later this spring. Please considerattending an adapted game supporting anyschool or team. I am confident you will comeaway seeing the value of these programs.Schedules are available atwww.maaaconference.org.

Jeff McGonigal is associate superintendentfor the Anoka-Hennepin School District.Reprinted with permission from ABCNewspapers.

Fan enjoys League’s adapted tournaments

The following note was sent to Executive Direcor Dave Stead.

Dave,You and your staff are to be commended for a wonderful adapted floor hockey state tournament

at Jefferson High School this past weekend. We have attended these state tournaments in alladapted sports for the past five years and this was one of the best, primarily due to theoutstanding play of the competing teams in CI and PI. What a fantastic job our schools andcoaches are doing in sports with students who have disabilities! It just makes me so proud ofMinnesota. Under your leadership, we are the gold standard in this nationally.

We follow the Robins PI team from Armstrong High School so we were elated at their ultimatechampionship in a game that had all the excitement of any state championship in any sport;competitive, outstanding play from two fine teams. It was good to see WCCO Channel 4 do a verycomplete piece on their 10 p.m. news. This is the kind of exposure needed yet often lacking.

Although I am not a parent of an adapted athlete (my children graduated years ago), we are nonetheless inspired by what theyovercome to compete.

Our only complaint was the parking at Jefferson. There were so many people for the Saturday games that many of us could notfind a place to park, needing to go into adjacent neighborhoods!

Thank you and kudos to you.

Ann Ahlquist


Athletic Activities

By Mackenzie Lobby

Two days before 33-year-oldJohanna Olson lost her 15-year battle with brain cancer,

her older sister, Marney, leanedover her hospice bed andwhispered, “rabbit, rabbit,rabbit.” It was a tradition,something the sisters had said toeach other for luck on the first ofeach month for as long as theycould remember. It wasparticularly important to say onthe first day of the year, and itwas Jan. 1, 2013. Even in thesehard moments when it seemedluck wasn’t on her side, Johannajoked that it could have beenmuch worse if those propitiouswords hadn’t been uttered. Andwhile Johanna’s body, oncestrong and swift, was finallysuccumbing to disease, no onewho knew her would have beensurprised to hear that she stillconsidered herself lucky.

Olson hailed from a smalltown in northern Minnesota, theproduct of parents who weremarathoners and outdoorenthusiasts. Growing up Nordicskiing, hiking and swimming inthe area lakes with her parentsand sister and eating hergrandmother’s homemade lefse,she once jokingly likened herupbringing to “A Prairie HomeCompanion.” The boisterous,snowy blonde looked the part.

Her running career began inseventh grade for Wadena-DeerCreek High School, during whichshe qualified for the state crosscountry meet. By the end of herprep career, she’d earned fiveother state meet berths, andtallied three runner-up finishes.Division I schools lined up torecruit the young runner out ofthe North woods, but she insistedon blazing her own trail.

Boundless talentTwo years earlier, Marney had

enrolled at Luther College inDecorah, Iowa, and since thenJohanna had been on coach BetsyEmerson’s radar. When Johannavisited campus with her sister asa sophomore, Emersonremembers being struck by thehigh-schooler’s easygoingconfidence and vibrancy.

“Here came in this littleblondie with a smile on her faceand her letter jacket weigheddown with patches and medals,”

Emerson said. “I rememberkeeping my fingers crossed thatJohanna might consider Luther.”

Despite the allure of full-ridescholarships and big leagueprograms, the budding runnerwas drawn to the Division IIIliberal arts school with a strongacademic reputation. Emersonidentified her as a rare talentwhen Olson finished second atthe conference meet and led herteam to qualify for regionalsduring her freshman year.

In the sport of running,momentum is key, both literallyand figuratively. Riding high onthe success of her first collegiateseason, Olson vied to earn a spoton the starting line at nationals.

It took her seeing severalblack spots on her way to biologyclass and a piercing headacheone day to drastically alter thoseplans. A few days after theconference championships, Olsonmade an appointment to see adoctor about her symptoms. Thediagnosis that came back wasstunning: a Grade II glioma, atumor in the parietal and occipitallobes of her brain. Surgery wasnecessary. Immediately.

Though Olson bounced backsooner than most expected,allowing her to finish in the top

five at the conference meet in the5,000 meters that spring, doctorsdiscovered the tumor had grownback early in her sophomore year.Continuing with her full-timeschoolwork, Olson drove to theMayo Clinic five days a week forsix weeks of radiation treatments,which left her weak andnauseous. Her teammates tookturns making the 140-mileroundtrip with her. It was thenthat doctors confirmed hercondition would be chronic. Itwasn’t a matter of if the tumorwould reappear, but when.

Undaunted, Olson returned tothe team and began rebuildingher fitness. An inspiration to bothher teammates and to runningrivals, she made a comeback thatwas nothing short of spectacular.Not only would she be faster thanshe had been before, but theforce of her drive seemed toscoop up those around her andpropel them to be better too.

“Johanna brought out the bestin her teammates,” Emersonsaid. “I could go one by one anddescribe how much better eachathlete became during the timethey ran with her.”

Her teammates say that itwasn’t just her against-the-oddsstory but her unrelenting

enthusiasm that made hersomeone everyone just wanted tobe around.

By the end of junior year,Olson had led her team to aconference championship, was anAll-American and had receivedthe prestigious Honda InspirationAward. Finally able to ride thewave of momentum, Olson neverlost a race during her senior year.On a snowy day in Spokane,Wash., she capped off that seasonby running away from the rest ofthe field and winning the 2000NCAA Division III cross countrytitle on the third anniversary ofher brain surgery.

“Johanna just never thought,‘I’m not going to be able to dothis.’ It was always, ‘I’m going towork really hard to get where Iwant to be,’ “ said her sister,Marney.

That winter, she would alsoanchor Luther’s distance medleyrelay on the indoor track,receiving the baton in last placeduring the race for the nationaltitle, but still managing to seizethe championship. Upongraduation, Olson was a seven-time All-American, three-timeacademic All-American and anNCAA post-graduate scholar.

For Johanna Olson, every second counted

Johanna Olson won the 2000 NCAA Division III cross country title while a senior at Iowa’sLuther College, on the third anniversary of her first brain surgery.

See JohannaJohannaJohannaJohannaJohanna on Page 27

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Just the beginningThe collegiate running scene

was not the end of the road forOlson, who had a growingnumber of clean scans under herbelt. Two years after graduatingfrom Luther, she bumped up hertraining mileage, eliciting a finishin 2 hours, 43 minutes, 27seconds at the 2003 Twin CitiesMarathon. Not only was she thethird American to cross the line,the time also qualified her for thefollowing year’s Olympic trials,where she would place 44th in2:46:59.

Training as a full-timegraduate student in exercise andsports science at Oregon State,she again qualified for the trialsin 2008.

“Seeing how she prepared forit was just the next level mentallyand physically,” remembersRobyn Wangberg, one of herteammates from Luther whotrained with Olson in Corvallis,Ore. Off a 2:43:39 trials finish,Olson signed up for the 2008Twin Cities Marathon thefollowing fall.

It was around that time, aftera decade of good health, thatOlson began experiencingpeculiar symptoms. There wereinstances when she sensed shehad a third arm and other dayswhen her head just hurt. A scanconfirmed her fears: The tumorhad returned.

When she was able to beginrunning several months after againhaving surgery, she noted in herblog a sense of wholeness, writing,“I used to try to say running wasnot who I was, but yesterday Ihappily realized, it is who I am, orat least a huge part of me.”

Olson simply refused to stopmoving forward in life or withrunning. Having sought treatmentin the Twin Cities, she headedback west to take a job as theexercise physiology labcoordinator at Central OregonCommunity College in Bend. Afterjust over a year of spotless scans,an MRI showed that once again,the tumor was back. This led toher third brain surgery, on Sept.20, 2011, along with a regimen oforal chemotherapy.

Dreaming of anotherfinish lineOlson soon decided she

needed a new goal. She called herparents and asked them if theywould consider participating with

Johanna.............................................................................. continued from Page 26

her in the 2012 Twin CitiesMarathon in the coming fall.Instead of running, however, sheproposed that they “ralk.” Olsonwould draw up a training planand they would run 4 minutes andwalk 1 minute all the way fromdowntown Minneapolis to thestate capitol in St. Paul.

“Johanna always got thatrunner’s high, even when shewasn’t running Olympic trialstimes,” Marney said. “She had thesame love for it no matter what.”

While she hoped the marathonwould be a celebration of theconclusion of chemo, her lowblood counts that summer meantputting the treatments on hold. Inthe meantime, she continued totrain, biked nearly everywhereand learned to surf.

When Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012,arrived, 15 other marathonersjoined Olson, all donning blue“Team Joha” shirts at the startline of the Twin Cities Marathon.As 11,000 runners wereunleashed on the streets ofMinneapolis, the team wascheered on by spectators proudlywearing the blue shirts all alongthe 26.2-mile course.

They came fromMassachusetts, Washington,Idaho, Oregon and all corners ofMinnesota. While Johanna hadtouched many, the sum of theseparts didn’t come into focus untileveryone congregated onmarathon morning.

“People yelled her name allalong the way and jumped in therace with us,” her mom, Jane

Bagstad, said. “It was the last bigthing we were able to dotogether.”

For Olson it was always aboutfighting for minutes on the clock.Every step counted and eachsecond mattered; time spentbeing anything but joyful waswasted. For her last marathon,she savored each moment.Finishing in 5:09:54, the minuteson the clock took on newmeaning.

It wasn’t until the day afterChristmas that doctorsdetermined the tumor had spread

“Johanna brought out the best in herteammates. I could go one by one and

describe how much better each athletebecame during the time they ran with

her. ”

Despite her battle with braincancer, Olson never countedherself as anything but lucky.

and all treatment options wereexhausted. As her familyconverged on her hospice room inBend, she was surrounded byphotographs of her favoriteplaces to run. It was in themountains of Sun Valley, on thecraggy paths of Bend, and alongthe calm lakes of northernMinnesota. When she ran, it washard for Johanna to ever feelanything but lucky.

Reprinted with permission fromthe Feb 20, 2013, edition of ESPNW — http://espn.go.com/espnw.

Johanna Olson’s final dream came true when she, her mother,her father and supporters known as Team Joha completed theTwin Cities Marathon together last fall, alternating runningand walking.

Athletic Activities


Athletic Activities

By Craig PerryAssociate Director

As athletic administrators, we each have a résumé that reflects alifetime of commitment to the greatness that is high school athletics.Whether we are in our first, 21st or 41st year, we all have a lifetimerésumé. Every day we have the opportunity to create and supportchange that will last a lifetime. Our daily canvas is painted with bothtiny strokes of achievement and bold strikes of majoraccomplishments. We work with coaches, student-athletes, parentsand the school community. We cheer the small and large victoriesequally, victories not measured by the scoreboard but insteadmeasured by student growth and achievement.

Every day, we get to change lives. Think about that statement —every day we get to change lives. And we change lives by championingthe values of participation. We champion the values of education-basedathletics. We know the true value of high school athletics is reallyabout a commitment to be selfless, not selfish.

The true value of education-based athletics was very prominent atthe recent MNIAAA annual conference in St. Cloud. The theme of theconference “Making a Difference Begins With You” was evident at thefirst general session and prominent throughout the conference.Speaker after speaker reminded all of us about the importance of highschool athletics. General session speakers, workshop presenters andthe MNIAAA Board of Directors had a unified message to deliver: Withsolid, strong leadership from the athletic directors, a collaborative andsupportive staff working at the school, and an emphasis on connectivityand community we can fulfill our purpose. And that purpose is thedevelopment of high school students.

We all know and recognize the development benchmarks ofsuccessful athletic programs: high student-participation rates; highlyeducated and motivated coaches who daily grow athletes to their fullpotentials; educated and motivated athletic directors who lead theircoaches to grow to their full potentials; recognition that athleticparticipation enhances the academic mission of schools;acknowledgement that participation in community service projectsdevelops students into contributing members of society; understandingthat sportsmanship awards and community service projectsdemonstrate the desired outcomes and growth in students; and therealization that coaching staff stability is the constant that providesthe stability; the foundation of program. High schools that use thesebenchmarks to measure their programs truly value education-basedathletics.

However, when I speak to my colleagues across the state ofMinnesota and across the nation, the message is that we are worriedthese benchmarks are not always supported or incorporated.Specifically, we fear the value of education-based athletics is notshared by today’s students.

● We know and understand the greatness of high school athleticsand we champion the values of education-based athletics, yet wefeel something has changed and we fear we are championing acause not equally share by school communities and parents.

● We see the values we grew up with, the values we champion, butnot like we used to and, sadly, in some instances we cannot seethem at all.

● We worry that the lens we use to view the benefits of education-based athletic are not shared by the students and parents of thisgeneration.

● We fear they have chosen a different view through a differentlens and their focus is quite the opposite of what we know istruly the strength of high school athletics.

Essentially, we are worried this generation may have lost its way,not entirely, but enough that a refocusing is needed. We have heard thelabels over the last couple of decades: Generation X, Generation Next,or the Generation of Me. Regardless of the labels, we worry that thestudents have lost their way, perhaps focusing on the wrong things, notthe valued things.

Are they spending too much time focusing on the outcome, the final

result on the scoreboard? Conversely, are they willing to spend thecorrect amount of time on the process — focus on their developmentas complete students and complete athletes? With year-round privatetraining, sport specialization and the demise of multi-sport athletes,can we still reach them with a focus on character traits and values thatbest mold and develop tomorrow’s leaders today.

In the simplest sense, we worry this generation can be summed upwith a single statement: They believe in “Me,” not “We,” where theyhave everything, think they have nothing, and continue to ask for more.This statement begs the question — what do today’s high schoolstudents really value. The responses in a recent student surveyconducted at St. Anthony Village High School are incredible andwelcoming.

The students were asked to share their views about participationand to rank the importance of Character Education, Sportsmanshipand Winning among other topics. Here is what they had to say abouttheir athletic and activity programs:

● 75 percent rank Character Education in the athletic/activityprograms as Important (44 percent) or Very Important (31percent);

● 87 percent rank Sportsmanship as Important (25 percent) orVery Important (62 percent);

● 51 percent indicated Winning is Important (29 percent) or VeryImportant (22 percent).

These students placed a high emphasis on their development andthey appear to have a great perspective on winning. Refreshing isn’t it,to see that all is not lost on today’s students? These responses confirmthe value of education-based athletics. When we emphasize charactereducation and sportsmanship with our coaches who motivate andencourage, our coaches who are skilled in their sport specificdiscipline, are approachable and who are equally respectful andrespected we know students will be best prepared for life.

Making a Difference or Changing Lives — it starts with you. Yourimportance in the development of coaches and students cannot beunderestimated; the value you have in your students’ lives cannot becompared. Every day that you and your coaches approach the canvasand color it with subtle touches and broad strokes of support,encouragement, and humor — applied fairly and consistently—weknow that you are changing lives. You change lives today and every day,creating tomorrow’s leaders today and we champion their selflessefforts.

Your purpose: Changing lives and making a difference

Every day that you and your coachesapproach the canvas and color it with

subtle touches and broad strokes ofsupport, encouragement, and humor —

applied fairly and consistently—we knowthat you are changing lives.


Officials

By Kevin MerkleAssociate Director

Game officials are extremelyimportant — without themwe cannot have games. For

many years the League hasrecognized individual officials foryears of service. In 2010 a moreextensive awards program,sponsored by Wells Fargo, wasintroduced. At the 2013 StateBoys’ Basketball Tournament theLeague honored four OfficialsAssociations and seven officials.

Association of ExcellenceAwardThe most prestigious award is

the Association Award ofExcellence. This award isdesigned to recognize and rewardone association for their overallquality and the service that itprovides to member schools. Thewinner of the 2013 AssociationAward of Excellence is theNorthwest Association ofUmpires. Accepting the award onbehalf of the Association wasLarry Gallagher.

The Northwest Association ofUmpires has been serving highschool, college and amateurbaseball teams for 92 years. Thesssociation has exceptionalprograms for training anddeveloping umpires. It has a welldefined mentorship program; awell defined Code of Conduct andCode of Ethics; and membersvolunteer to assist in trainingumpires at both the youth andhigh school level. The associationis extremely well organized andtakes advantage of the latesttechnology in assigning andtraining umpires. Congratulationsto the Northwest Association ofUmpires on being named the2013 Association of Excellence.

Citation AwardThe Citation Award is given

annually to recognize and rewardassociations for a specificprogram that has made asignificant impact on theassociation or the schools andathletes that they serve. This yearthe League presented threeCitation Awards.

The first was presented to theGopher Officials Associationfor its efforts in training both newand veteran officials. Receivingthe award on behalf of theassociation was Darrel “Bozo”

Wincek. Gopher has a formalizedprogram of training for both newand veteran officials that includesclassroom training, pre-seasonon-court or on-field training, plusfollow-up observations andfeedback from fellow officials.Members have also embarked ona mentoring program that willprovide additional feedback andsupport to new officials.

The second Citation Awardwas presented to the LakeSuperior Soccer RefereesAssociation. Receiving the awardon behalf of the association wasJerry Sillanpa. The LSSRA wasrecognized for the pre-seasonrules meeting BBQ it sponsors forits officials and for the coaches ofthe teams that the associationserves. This is a great opportunityfor coaches and officials to buildbetter relationships and todiscuss common issues. For morethan 10 years the association hasalso sponsored a TeamSportsmanship Award and a FairPlay Sportsmanship Award toindividual players.

The third Citation Award waspresented to the St. Paul HockeyOfficials Association.

Representing the association wasC.J. Beaurline. The St. PaulHockey Officials Association isrecognized for its trainingprogram for officials. Attendanceat a training session is requiredof every official every year. Ananimated Power Pointpresentation is used to reviewpositioning, basic mechanics, rulechanges and game situations. Allfirst- and second-year officialsare also required to attend an on-ice seminar.

Distinguished Service AwardThe Distinguished Service

Award is presented to recognizethose individuals who go “Aboveand Beyond” in their service totheir local officials’ association.Through their leadership andlong-term service, they havemade a significant impact on thestudents and schools ofMinnesota. While all of thosenamed have been accomplishedofficials for many years, that isnot part of the criteria for thisaward. This award is aboutservice to their local association.

The Distinguished Awardrecipients were:

Scott Anderson, Bemidji:Scott has been a registeredofficial for 30 years and was veryinstrumental in the reformation ofthe Bemidji BasketballAssociation 12 years ago. Hisleadership and service as atrainer and mentor to newofficials has allowed theassociation to become credible,consistent and respected, as hehas molded the association “oneplayer at a time.” As a Leagueofficial Scott always “puts thestudent athletes first.”

John Bombach,Bloomington: John has been anofficial and a member of theMinneapolis Officials Associationfor 40 years. John has been onthe board for the association,serving as the president, hastrained and mentored countlessofficials and for many years hasserved as the chair of theHonorary Membership Committeeand has provided leadership inorganizing social events. Johnbelieves that “every game wasimportant to all of the players,coaches and fans; it was theirgame.”

League honors officials and their associations

Officials were recognized on-court during the 2013 State Boys’ Basketball Tournament.(Front, L-R): Jeff Schmidt, Northwest Umpires Association; George Drouches;

Brenda Holmberg; Larry Gallagher, Northwest Umpires Association; Mike Madden;CJ Beaurline, St. Paul Hockey Officials Association. (Back, L-R): Scott Anderson;

John Bombach; Kevin Merkle; Don Pankowski; Rick Rud; Jerry Sillanpa, Lake Superior SoccerOfficials Association; Darrell “Bozo” Wincek, Gopher State Officials Association.

See AAAAAwardswardswardswardswards on Page 30

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OfficialsRegistration opens in May

Officials registration for 2013-14 will open in early May.Registration information will be mailed to currently registeredofficials the first week in May. If you do not receive information byMay 15, be sure to contact the League office. The deadline forreturning officials to register without a late fee is July 1, 2013.

Promotional Level Program update

The League continues to move ahead with adoption of thePromotional Level Program for officials. Spring officials will beplaced at their initial levels in April. The Officials AdvisoryCommittee has recommended changes in the testing requirement,and in the requirement for coaches’ ratings. That and moreinformation about the application process will be shared later thisspring. Late this spring, training clinic attendance will be updatedand the date by which you need to be trained will be in the Official’sCorner of the League website. More details will be shared as wemove ahead.

Review rule changes for fall sports

Fall sport coaches and officials are encouraged to be aware ofthe rule changes in their sports. The National Federation hascompleted the annual process for fall sports and the rule changescan be found on the League website for fall activities or througheither your Coaches Clipboard or Official’s Corner pages. Go to yoursport on the applicable page and the link to the news release fromthe NFHS is provided. Look for “Rule Changes for 2013.”

Awards ............................................................................... continued from Page 29

George Drouches, GoldenValley: George has been aregistered official for more than40 years and a member of theNorthwest Association of Umpiresfor 35 years. Since 2001 he hasbeen the president of theassociation and a board membersince 1996. George has been aleader in moving the associationforward and improving itsorganizational structure. He hasalso been a trainer at numeroustraining clinics. “George canrelate to the difficulties of beingan official, while at the same timeproviding constructive criticismto help officials to improve.”

Brenda Holmgren, ClearLake: Brenda has served on theboard of the Minneapolis OfficialsAssociation for five years and asa clinician for 10 years. She hasmentored officials for more than20 years and has assisted with

training at numerous basketballofficiating camps and clinics.Brenda was recently honoredwith the 2013 Breaking BarriersAward by the National Coalitionof Women in Athletics. “One ofthe most impressivecharacteristics of Brenda is herability to diffuse a potential tensesituation with either a coach or aplayer.”

Mike Madden, Maple Grove:Mike has been an official for 44years and has been the Presidentof the Gopher OfficialsAssociation for the past 13 years.He has also served as anevaluator, recruiter and trainer ofofficials. Mike has also assisted inassigning games and assisted inthe development of the annualGopher Youth BasketballTournament, one of the first youthtournaments in the metro areastarted more than 30 years ago.

Mike always said, “We officiateand get paid for doing somethingthat we love, and that we arelucky to have this opportunity.”

Don Pankowski, Rochester:An official and member of theRochester Officials Associationfor 23 years, Don has served asVice President for Volleyball forthe past 20 years. He has servedas the Charter clinician and asthe Volleyball assignor for 12years. He is responsible for thetraining and mentorship of newofficials and has volunteered inproviding training for benchpersonnel and line judges. “Donmakes the quality of volleyballofficiating his number onepriority, and is professional anddedicated both on the court in hisadministrative duties.”

Rick Rud, Lakeville: Rick hasbeen an official and member ofthe Southern Minnesota Wrestling

Association for 34 years. For thepast 24 years he has been theleader of this association andserved as the assignor. He is veryinstrumental in recruiting and isinvolved in mentoring all newofficials. He has beeninstrumental in building positiverelations between officials andthe schools of southernMinnesota. “Rick treats ourAssociation as a family andnaturally, as anyone would withtheir family, he takes care of usall.”

Congratulations to theassociations and individuals whoreceived awards. Thank you foryour many years of dedication tohigh school athletics and yourservice to the student athletesand the member schools of theMinnesota State High SchoolLeague.

Players, coaches, fans made game best of the season

The following note was sent to Associate Director Kevin Merkle.

Mr. Merkle,I would like to commend the Brandon-Evansville and Underwood boys’ basketball teams,

coaches, schools, and fans. Jeff Arnold, Eric Hamm, and I officiated a Section 6A boys’ basketballgame between these two teams on March 4 in Underwood. Players on both teams played hard,demonstrated excellent sportsmanship, and represented their respective schools very well. Thecoaches did an excellent job of coaching and asked only respectful questions about a few calls thatwe made. Fans from both schools cheered for their team and also applauded efforts by both teams.

John Hamann, athletic director in Underwood, was an exceptional host, and the scorer and clockkeeper both did an excellent job. Officiating this game was my most enjoyable officiatingexperience of this season! I am not sure what more we could want as officials, and I felt it wasimportant to recognize the players, coaches, fans, and site management.

Scott MonsonMorris Officials’ Association


OfficialsWhy do you officiate high school athletics?

MJ Wagenson, Softball/Basketball OfficialPine Island, Minnesota

Officiating interscholastic sports is a way for me to provideopportunities for young student-athletes, similar to those thatwere provided for me through participation in athletics.

Sports in many forms are a constant for me. Without thoseopportunities, I would not be as fortunate as I am to have met somany fantastic people — coaches, officials and participants — norwould I have achieved my goal of having a sport-based career. Ihave had wonderful role models/mentors and hope that I canprovide to aspiring student-athletes the positives of applyingteamwork, self-discipline and good sportsmanship through sportparticipation, into their lives and career choices.

Reprinted from the January 2013 issue of High School Todaypublished by the National Federation of State High SchoolAssociations.

MJ Wagensen in a still frame from a video posted at theLeague’s Vimeo Channel (www.vimeo.com/channels/MSHSL)

that details why so many Minnesotans choose to officiatehigh school activities.

Too bad one teamhad to lose this game

To the League:The purpose of this report is

to praise the coaches, players,fans and administrations ofPine Island and Dover-Eyotahigh schools pertaining to agirls subsection finalbasketball game on Saturday,March 2. The game occurred atwhat was an absolutelypacked Mayo Civic CenterAuditorium. The atmosphere was absolutely electric. Both teamsbrought bands and both crowds were extremely positive insupporting their teams.

It was truly one of those games that officials do not get to bepart of very often. The players played their hearts out, thecoaches were unbelievable to work for and used all of theirenergy to coach their teams. The respect everyone involved hadfor each other in this contest was an absolute model for highschool athletics. As an official one does not get to be part of aspecial game like this very often.

The outcome of the game resulted in Pine Island claiming a56-55 OT victory over Dover-Eyota via a 3-point basket with onlyseconds remaining. The only part of this game that was crushingwas that one team actually had to lose. Through all of this, theDover-Eyota girls and coaches were nothing short of amazing intheir appreciation of their opponent in a crushing loss. PineIsland was amazing as well in the compassion they showed forDover-Eyota as well in the loss.

If all athletic events could have the impact on officials as thisone did, we would have many more officials. A big thank you toall involved for making this a contest I will remember for a verylong time in my officiating career.

Marshall Behrens, Registered OfficialRochester(on behalf of officiating partners Aric Kittleson and Eric Huntoon)

Great game followedby unexpected e-mail

The following notes wereshared with League AssociateDirector Kevin Merkle.

Hi Kevin!Brad Sylliaasen, Ryan

Weiser and I worked theSection 8AA semifinal onTuesday night at Concordiabetween Hawley and Perham.Perham ended up winning thegame which was televised by Channel 6 WDAY-TV here inFargo. Both coaches, Jed Carlson with Hawley and Dave Cresapwith Perham, were good all night long. They split games duringthe regular season with the loss to Perham, Hawley’s only losson the season.

When we got to work on Wednesday morning we had the e-mail below in our inbox. What a class act on behalf of Mr.Carlson! As you know, it’s difficult to get positive commentsfrom the winning coach, let alone the losing coach. I just wantedthe MSHSL to be aware of this email.

Rock Messerschmidt, Registered Official

Hey guys,You guys did a great job last night. The communication with

all of the TV stuff was extraordinary. Your judgement was spot-on all night as well. It’s not very often that a coach loses andthinks the refs were outstanding. Great job all year.

Every time I see you guys on the floor, I know its going to bea good experience for our kids. Congratulations on anothersuccessful year and thanks for what you do. Without guys likeyou, there wouldn’t be high school basketball games.

See you next seaso

Jed Carlson, Boys’ Basketball CoachHawley High School


Officials

By Larry Gallagher

Why do you officiate? I havecontemplated that question manytimes.

There are times I did not feel the joy inofficiating. However; that feeling has alwayspassed and for some reason I get rejuvenated.

I am constantly evaluating why I officiate.There are many reasons, but I have narrowedit down to one large word — significance.

What does it mean to be significant? Teamsports are made up of two teams competingagainst one another to determine the winner.The first part of rulebooks speak of thepurpose of both of those teams: “The object ofeach team is to score more runs or pointsthan its opponent.” But there are more thantwo teams out there when you count the teamof officials. The officials’ sole purpose is toofficiate the game so that no one team gainsan advantage over the other not intended bythe rules of the game.

Therefore, we can become very significantnot only in how well we perform the physical

duties, but also the social and psychologicalparts of our avocation. Significance is animportant part of our job. The challenges ofmaking decisions that impact others is verysignificant to the sporting world.

Making decisions in officiating is difficult.It gets the adrenaline flowing and when youmake a mistake you feel bad, but you alsoknow that you can recover from messing up atthe next opportunity and do the best you can.Being able to recover from a mistake is alsoone of the challenges we have on our road tosignificance. The best officials will faceadversity. The best ones find a way to makethat work for them in the future and developas officials so they are prepared for the nextoccurrence and are now up to the challengebecause of having overcome the negativeexperience.

Officiating is not for everyone. There aremany officials that just do the job and do notfind the joy in it because they are either notable to handle the difficult times or they arenot mature enough to develop a vision of whatis ahead of them as officials.

Is the joy of officiating in your heart?If you can find the joy in officiating, you

will have unlocked the secret to a long andsuccessful career. When looking for the joy,look inward and don’t expect someone to giveit to you.

Explore the rulebook, casebooks,mechanics manuals and the opportunity todeal with coaches and players in a healthymanner. Become a joy to be around on thefield or court. Find a partner(s) that you canget along with and who will challenge you toalways work on your skills and knowledge.

How about volunteering in your communityto teach officials who are just learning? Howabout finding a community education class toteach in your community about officiating?Find ways to give back to the officiatingcommunity in any way that you can to becomesignificant. That will help to bring you the joyin officiating that I have found.

Larry Gallagher of Crystal has officiatedhigh school baseball and basketball, andcollege baseball since the early 1960s.Reprinted with permission from the November2012 issue of REFEREE magazine.

After getting “dump-trucked” and sustaining the damage depicted above, Bryce Jacobsen drove this car and got behind theplate to call a baseball game.

By Bryce Jacobsen

It was going to be a hecticafternoon.After working in a fourth-

grade class as a substituteteacher, I hopped in my car topick up my 22-month- old son,Chase. Immediately followingthat, it was off to a varsitybaseball game. My wife wouldmeet me at the game site to takeour son.

Ironically, the school day waswithout problems. However, thatafternoon there was a majorproblem.

En route to my son’s daycare, I

was stopped at a red light, behindone other car. The light turnedgreen and I proceeded.

As I crossed the intersection,all of a sudden out of the rightcorner of my eye I noticed a bigtruck grill in my peripheral vision.

I slightly gassed it, turned thewheel to the left away from thetruck and then pulled my body asclose to the wheel and away fromwhat I saw.

It wasn’t enough.I had been hit by a small dump

truck.Due to faulty air brakes he ran

the red light and right into me,sending the tail of my car into the

driver side headlight of a JeepGrand Cherokee.

If it was not for that last-second maneuvering I probablywould have been T-boned — hitsquare in the middle of mypassenger door and flownthrough the intersection I wascrossing.

Essentially, keeping my car inthe straight line from where Istarted and where I ended up, theimpact with the Jeep might havesaved my life.

I immediately heard manypeople asking me if I was allright.

After I realized what had

happened, I was, in fact,completely intact and even moresurprisingly nothing morehappened than just getting mybell rung.

I then called my wife, Sarah,to tell her what had happenedand that I thought I was fine. Stillnot really knowing what trulyhappened or if I was really OK, Itold her I had to call my assigner,Jeff Schmit.

I told him what had happenedand that I wasn’t sure if I couldumpire the game I was scheduledto work in about an hour.

A bang-up job

Within hours, ‘dump-trucked,’ then behind the plate

See UmpireUmpireUmpireUmpireUmpire on Page 33


Officials

Umpire ............................................................................... continued from Page 32“You got hit by what, Bryce?”

he asked. “How are you? Are youOK?”

I told him I had no idea aboutworking the game yet. I justwanted him to know whathappened as soon as possible sohe could work whatever magic heneeded to get the game covered.

After the police, ambulanceand fire truck all came and left, Idiscovered my car was drivable.

I called Sarah back, reassuredher that I was OK and told her Iwas onmy way to pick up Chase.

She asked if I told Jeff whathappened. I told her I did, andthat I still needed her to meet meat my game as we arranged at thestart of the day.

“You’re not going to work yourgame, are you?” she asked. “Youjust got into an accident.”

I told her I was fine and thatJeff probably wouldn’t expect meto workthe game but I felt fine.

So I called Jeff and told him Iwas on my way. He had alreadytalked to the home school’sathletic director and my partner.

My partner and I agreedearlier in the week that I wouldwork the plate. When I got there, Ifelt fine, so I strapped it on.

During the pregameconference both coaches asked ifthe umpire that got in theaccident was all right.

I said, “1 think I’m OK.” Theywere both shocked that I stillmade it.

It was important to me that Iworked the game. For one, I knewit would be a good game. Also,my partner, who I had neverworked with, was in his first year

in our association. We were ableto spend time in between inningsgoing over how he can get betteron the bases.

He really reminded me ofmyself when I was quiteinexperienced but seekinginformation from colleagues tobecome better no matter what ittook.

When I figured out I wasn’tgoing to be playing higher levelsof baseball, I was encouraged bymy father to stay involved in thegame.

I have been very dedicated tobecoming a better umpire.

Early on, my thinking was tojust do a good job in order to notget yelled at so much. Then itbecame an aspiration to work inthe minors some day, maybe evenThe Show.

Well that didn’t work out, but

I’ve worked hard to attain thelevel I have in our association.

Of course I want the highestlevel games with the best teamsthat have great plays and pace,but there is so much more to thisgreat sport.

I love umpiring baseball andaspire to be better every day.

I consider being a part of thegreatest game in the world not tobe work. What is the saying? Ifyou love what you do, you willnever work a day in your life.

So even on the day when I gotdump-trucked, I had to be outthere.

Bryce Jacobsen of Farmingtonhas worked multiple levels ofbaseball for more than 17 years.Reprinted with permission fromthe February 2013 issue ofREFEREE magazine.

Players, coaches, fansmade game best of theseason

The following note was sentto Associate Director KevinMerkle.

Mr. Merkle,I would like to commend the

Brandon-Evansville andUnderwood boys’ basketballteams, coaches, schools, andfans. Jeff Arnold, Eric Hamm, and I officiated a Section 6A boys’basketball game between these two teams on March 4 inUnderwood. Players on both teams played hard, demonstratedexcellent sportsmanship, and represented their respectiveschools very well. The coaches did an excellent job of coachingand asked only respectful questions about a few calls that wemade. Fans from both schools cheered for their team and alsoapplauded efforts by both teams.

John Hamann, athletic director in Underwood, was anexceptional host, and the scorer and clock keeper both did anexcellent job. Officiating this game was my most enjoyableofficiating experience of this season! I am not sure what morewe could want as officials, and I felt it was important torecognize the players, coaches, fans, and site management.

Scott MonsonMorris Officials’ Association

Pre-game conferences,outstandingcommunicationappreciated by coach

The following was note wassent to Associate DirectorKevin Merkle.

Last night (Jan. 3), our teamplayed another highly rankedteam in a great high schoolbasketball game. Withoutquestion, the packed gym and emotion made it seem like aRegion Final. Game was played at a high level, was physical,and had multiple skilled players.

The officiating crew of Rick Spencer, Jon McClean, and SteveBrinson should receive high marks on their professionalism andjudgment. Two things were evident by their positive actions.

First, the pre-game discussion was spot-on, clear, and set thetone for the game. Having just come from an out of state eventwith no pre-game discussion, I was reminded how fortunate weare to have associations like MSHSL/Gopher who stress the rightthings like the pre-game talk and officials who carry that activityout in such a first class manner.

Second, the level of communication was outstanding duringthe game from all three officials. While the game was playedwith high intensity, these three officials communicated to bothplayers and coaches in a direct, positive manner, even in“anxious” moments. I was extremely impressed.

David Thorson, Boys’ Basketball CoachDeLaSalle High School


Summary of the Minutes of the December 6, 2012, Board of Directors Meeting

See December 6 December 6 December 6 December 6 December 6 on Page 35

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Flower exchange by friendly rivals noted

Dear Kevin,I am sending you and the Minnesota State High School League this letter in order to recognize

an event that occurred during a girls’ swimming meet this past fall.Grand Rapids was hosting an invitational for several teams. It was the last meet of the season

before section championships. The teams that were there were pretty even in ability, so the meetwas going to be a close one. Two of the teams, Grand Rapids and Hibbing, have developed a goodrivalry where the competition is evident at both team and individual levels. They have alwayspushed each other to do their best during competitions.

During the meet, the Hibbing senior swimmers and divers presented flowers to the seniors ofGrand Rapids in recognition and appreciation of the competition they had over the years. It wasalso presented in respect, admiration and camaraderie for all the long hours of hard work they hadall endured since starting competitive swimming.

Following the meet, I thanked the Hibbing coaches and as many swimmers and divers as I could for doing this; as it showed thattough competitors can still be good friends. I was informed that it was a decision involving the swimmers, coaching staff, and parentsupport group at Hibbing to do this, with the swimmers initiating the event. The coaching staff then told me that the swimmers gotthe idea from the swimmers at Duluth East, where the same thing had happened to them during that meet.

This was something that went above and beyond sportsmanship, and should be recognized. Congratulations to the Hibbing andDuluth East swimming and diving teams, coaches and parents for “paying it forward” and setting examples for the future. You haveenhanced the importance and benefits for what athletics, teamwork, and the Minnesota State High School League stand for!

Mike MattsonRegistered Official

Reflection, Pledge of Allegiance

Board Actions1. Associate Director Lisa

Lissimore introduced RogerCersine, accompanied by hiswife Barb, and presented anaward to him in recognitionof his service as the MSHSLState Rules Interpreter forBoys’ and Girls’ Swimming.

2. Approved the Agenda with thefollowing change: DiscussionItem #A – School Membershipand Student Eligibility to bediscussed following theCommittee Reports.

3. Approved Minutes of theOctober 4, 2012 Board ofDirectors meeting.

4. Les Zellman, AthleticDirector and former MSHSLBoard President, St. James,spoke regarding DiscussionItem, Football TournamentFormat, and requested thatthe Board revisit the topic ofsection football.

5. Pat Barrett, Girls’ BasketballCoaches Associationrepresentative, Fridley, spokeregarding Action ItemBasketball TournamentFormat, and their support ofthe anticipated proposal.

6. Tom Critchley, Boys’Basketball CoachesAssociation representative,Roseville, spoke regardingAction Item BasketballTournament Format, andtheir support of theanticipated proposal.

7. Received lobbyist’s reportincluding: The RevenueReport has been released;Chairs of Committees havebeen appointed; Bullyinglegislation will be a topic thisyear; and The LegislativeSession will start January 8,2013.

8. Received legal counsel’sreport that pending litigationwill be discussed in a closedsession.

9. ● Staff members reportedon the Fall Tournaments.● Roger Aronson, MSHSLLobbyist/Special ProjectsCounsel and Kevin Merkle,Jody Redman and DaveStead, MSHSL staff, met withTed Mondale, MinnesotaSports Facilities Authority,CEO to provide input asplans are drawn for the newViking Stadium.● Classification Committeemet in October andrecommendations from theCommittee will be presentedlater in the meeting.● Executive Director DaveStead attended the MidStates meeting in ChicagoDecember 3-4, 2012.● Office expansioncompleted.● The office will be closedstarting at 12:00 noon onDecember 21, 2012 and openon Wednesday January 2,2013. Member schools havecontact information forexecutive staff.

10. President Mark Fredericksenprovided members with areport from the ExecutiveCommittee meeting.A number of topics werediscussed and specific actionwas taken as follows:● Dennis Peterson,Superintendent, MinnetonkaPublic Schools spoke to theExecutive Committeeregarding the Girls’Swimming and Diving StateTournament;● The MASSP had inquiredif the MSHSL would beinterested in sponsoringNational Honor Society andStudent Council. JohnHamann spoke with MASSPregarding this topic andreported that MASSP hashired a part-time employeewho will be responsible forthose two programs and theMSHSL was not requested tomove forward with thissponsorship;● Approved a request for aspecial cooperativeagreement between Cloquetand Fond du Lac OjibweSchool;● Co-op timelines werediscussed and arecommendation will bepresented later in themeeting;● Approved ToyotaAdvertising Agreement;● Adapted Bowling andeligibility requirements werediscussed;

● Approved leaseagreement with the MSHSLFoundation.

11. Approved the Board ofDirectors Goals/Initiatives aspresented.

12. Approved Football Ad-HocCommittee recommendationto reduce the enrollmentcutoff for 9-man footballfrom 165 to 150 beginningwith the 2013-2014 schoolyear.

13. Approved request from theMinnesota State High SchoolClay Target League tobecome the PresentingPartner for Clay TargetShooting starting with the2013-2014 school year.

14. Approved the classificationof schools for CompetitiveSections recommendation aspresented.

15. Approved implementing theindependent contractorstatus to employee statusbeginning January 1, 2014

16. Approved the Boys’ & Girls’Basketball TournamentFormat as presentedbeginning with the 2014season.

17. Approved the December 6,2012 Eligibility Committeeminutes as presented.

18. Approved the September,October, and November,2012 financial statements aspresented.

19. Approved moving forward


December 6 ....................................................................... continued from Page 34

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

with the “Y” CoachingConference to assist memberschool coaches with meetingthe Statutory Requirementsof MS 122A.33.

20. Went into Closed Session at12:17 p.m.

21. Came out of Closed Sessionat 1:33 p.m.

22. Discussion ItemsA. Kevin Merkle spokeregarding summer practices,which is primarily a footballissue, and the need toregulate summer practicesdue to heat acclimatizationand concussions. A reportshould be ready to present to

the Board at future meeting;and participation limits re:quarters per day/per “x”hours which is a safety issue.The intent is not to changethe rules dramatically, butadd some parameters; andFootball Tournament formatand how to move forward.

No changes will be made forthe next two year cyclebeginning with the 2013-2014 school year.

The complete, official Minutes maybe obtained from the League officeby the designated schoolrepresentative of member schools.

Summary of the Minutes of the January 24, 2013, Board of Directors MeetingReflection, Pledge of Allegiance

Board Actions1. Approved the agenda.2. Approved Minutes of the

December 6, 2012, Board ofDirectors meeting.

3. Received lobbyist’s reportincluding an update on thecurrent legislative session.No MSHSL bills have beenintroduced at this time.Some topics being discussedare: security at schools andMSHSL events; bullying; anddue process for headcoaches.

4. Received legal counsel’sreport including negotiatingball contracts; Wells FargoPremier Sponsor contractand an update on currentlitigation.

5. Received Executive Directorsreport including:● Associate Director JodyRedman indicated that theTriple “A” Awards Banquetwill be held on March 23rd,12:00 noon at the GravesHotel in Minneapolis. AllBoard Members are invitedto attend;● Executive Director DaveStead indicated that JodyRedman will be honored atthe Timberwolves game onFriday February 8th byMedtronic in an on-courtcelebration of “Heroes in theMaking.” This is in responseto the MSHSL and Jody’scontributions to SuddenCardiac Arrest education;● The 2013 RoboticsCompetition is UltimateAscent and Board Membersviewed a short videooutlining the structure of thecompetition. Other StateAssociations have contactedthe MSHSL inquiring aboutthe Robotics competition;● MSHSL “School BoardOlympics” and staffpresentation at the MSBA

Conference in January;● Dave Stead will present atthe MASSP Conference onJanuary 31st;● Doug Erickson, MASSP,met with Jody Redman andDave Stead regardingworking MASSP and theMSHSL working together tosupport Student Council andNational Honor Societyprograms. Board Memberswill be updated once moreinformation is available.

6. President Mark Fredericksenprovided members with areport from the ExecutiveCommittee meeting. Anumber of topics werediscussed at the meeting:● Co-op timelines;● Why We Play CoachingConference;● Application to the MSHSLFoundation to help cover thecost of an MSHSL 100-yearCelebration book;● Requests from memberschools to be a lowerclassification who did notmeet the 50% free/reducedcriteria;● Reviewed the choices ofthe Board Members topMission Statements andTaglines. The ExecutiveCommittee concurred thatthe current MissionStatement accurately reflectsthe mission of the Leagueand does not need to bereplaced or revised; thetagline chosen is “Educationand Leadership for aLifetime;”● A special Board Workshopwill be held on Friday March8th, 10:00 a.m. at the XcelCenter to review andapprove the new competitivesection assignments.

7. Approved the lowerclassification appealsrecommended by the AD’sAdvisory Committee.

8. Dave Stead spoke regarding

the Representative Assemblyprocess and indicated thatsix (6) Regions were in favorof the a submitted lacrosseamendment and nine (9) ofthe Regions were not infavor. Nine (9) of the regionsneeded to respond in theaffirmative in order for theamendment to be forwardedto the RepresentativeAssembly. Board action isnot required and theamendment will not beadvanced.

9. Approved RegionConsistency Policy revisionsnecessary in the seedingprocess to includeforfeitures.

10. Approved Penalties forJewelry Infractions in Track& Field and Cross Country aspresented.

11. Approved the January 24,2013 Eligibility Committeeminutes as presented.

12. Approved the December2012 financial statements aspresented.

13. Approved the AnnualFinancial Report for the yearending July 31, 2012.

14. Approved Region 4A’srequest for $30,000 to helpoffset tournament expenses.Region 4A is made up ofsmaller schools and does notgenerate enough financialsupport to cover expenses.

15. Approved a 2-year contractwith Wells Fargo to continueto be the Premier Sponsor ofthe MSHSL.

16. Approved the MSHSLsponsoring the Why We PlayCoaches Conference to beheld August 1 and August 7,2013.

17. Approved the MSHSLsubmitting an application tothe MSHSL Foundation tooffset the cost of the Why WePlay Coaches Conference.

Discussion ItemsA. Kevin Merkle reported on the

following:● Summer practices, whichis primarily a football issue,and the need to regulatesummer practices due toheat acclimatization andconcussions. The FootballCoaches’ Association istaking the lead on this issueand will forward arecommendation to theBoard at a later date.● Summer Vacation period –Bylaw 208. Staff isrequesting directiveregarding protectiveequipment used during thesummer months and thesafety issues (reconditioning,etc.) which could become aliability for member schools;● Participation limits re:quarters per day/per “x”hours which is a safety issue.Currently there are no dailyor weekly limitations.Information has beenrequested from other StateAssociations and will beprovided to the Board whenavailable.● Section Football andalternative footballscheduling discussionscontinue to be held; and● An update on venues forthe 2014-15 FootballTournament due to theclosing of the Metrodome.

B. Dave Stead stated thatseveral ADs have beenworking on a ProfessionalDevelopment Conference tobe held on June 25, 2013available to all high schoolactivity/athleticadministrators. Theconference is sponsored bythe MNIAAA andrepresentatives have askedthe League for help inmaking the informationavailable to member schools.

See January 24 January 24 January 24 January 24 January 24 on Page 36


Calendars

Spring 2013 Calendar of Meetings

April 11 .................................... League Board of Directors Mtg., League Office, 9:30 a.m.April 13 ...................................................... ACT National Test Date (www.actstudent.org)April 19 ........................................... TeamUp Advisory Committee, League Office, 10 a.m.April 23 .................... Area Meeting, Best Western Garden Inn, North Mankato, 9:30 a.m.April 24 .............................................. Speech Advisory Committee, League Office, 9 a.m.April 24 .................................. Area Meeting, The Marshall Golf Club, Marshall, 9:30 a.m.April 26 ................................................... Area Meeting, Clarion Inn, Rochester, 9:30 a.m.April 29 ........................................... Area Meeting, Best Western, Fergus Falls, 9:30 a.m.April 30 ..................................... Area Meeting, Best Western, Thief River Falls, 9:30 a.m.

January 24 .......................................................................... continued from Page 34

C. Craig Perry spoke regardingforfeits, vacating games, andtitles. The EligibilityCommittee will begin a

discussion regarding theappropriate action for theLeague to take if aparticipant is found to be

ineligible followingparticipation in a post-season tournament.

The complete, official Minutes maybe obtained from the League officeby the designated schoolrepresentative of member schools.

Fall 2012 and Winter 2013 State Tournament Team Champions

Girls’ Tennis ............................................................ A – THE BLAKE SCHOOL, MinneapolisAA – EDINA

Boys’ Soccer ............................................................................. A – ROCHESTER LOURDESAA – EASTVIEW, Apple Valley

Girls’ Soccer .............................................. A – BENILDE-ST. MARGARET’S, St. Louis ParkAA – WAYZATA

Boys’ Cross Country Running ......................................................................... A – PERHAMAA – STILLWATER AREA

Girls’ Cross Country Running ............................................................................... A – ESKOAA – WAYZATA

Girls’ Volleyball ........................................................ A – BETHLEHEM ACADEMY, FaribaultAA – MARSHALL

AAA – LAKEVILLE NORTHAdapted Soccer ............................................................................... CI – *DAKOTA UNITED

PI – *ROBBINSDALE/HOPKINS/MOUND-WESTONKAGirls’ Swimming & Diving ........................................................................ A – NORTHFIELD

AA – EDINAFootball ........................................................ 9-Man – CLINTON-GRACEVILLE-BEARDSLEY

A – MAHNOMENAA –CALEDONIA

AAA – BLUE EARTH AREAAAAA – HUTCHINSON

AAAAA – TOTINO-GRACE, FridleyAAAAAA – EDEN PRAIRIE

Policy Debate Champion ................................................ THE BLAKE SCHOOL, MinneapolisLincoln-Douglas Champion ................................................... ROBBINSDALE ARMSTRONGPublic Forum Debate Champion ........................ ST. PAUL ACADEMY & SUMMIT SCHOOLOne Act Play Starred Performances ................ A – BELLE PLAINE; ST. PAUL ACADEMY &

SUMMIT SCHOOL; SAUK CENTRE: AA – MINNETONKA; FRIDLEYEASTVIEW, Apple Valley; PARK, Cottage Grove

May 1 ........................................................ Area Meeting, Valentini’s, Chisholm, 9:30 a.m.May 4 ...................................................... SAT National Test Date (www.collegeboard.org)May 7 ............................ Area Meeting, The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes, Brainerd, 9:30 a.m.May 9 ......................................... Area Meeting, Edinburgh USA, Brooklyn Park, 9:30 a.m.May 21 ......................... Athletic Directors Advisory Committee, League Office, 9:30 a.m.May 28 ............................................................... Region Secretaries, League Office, 9 a.m.June 1 ..................................................... SAT National Test Date (www.collegeboard.org)June 3 ...................................... League Board of Directors Mtg., League Office, 9:30 a.m.June 8 ........................................................ ACT National Test Date (www.actstudent.org)

Boys’ Alpine Skiing ........................................................ THE BLAKE SCHOOL, MinneapolisGirls’ Alpine Skiing ........................................................................................ MINNETONKABoys’ Nordic Skiing ...................................................................................... EDEN PRAIRIEGirls’ Nordic Skiing .............................................................................................. WAYZATAGirls’ Hockey ........................................................... A – THE BLAKE SCHOOL, Minneapolis

AA – MINNETONKAGirls’ Dance Team / Jazz ................................ A – YELLOW MEDICINE EAST, Granite Falls

AA – CHASKAAAA – MAPLE GROVE

Girls’ Dance Team / High Kick ............................................................. A – CANNON FALLSAA – CHASKA

AAA – EASTVIEW, Apple ValleyWrestling ....................................................................... A – JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL

AA – KASSON-MANTORVILLEAAA – APPLE VALLEY & ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE (Co-Champions)

Girls’ Gymnastics ................................................................................... A – NEW PRAGUEAA – ROSEVILLE AREA

Boys’ Hockey ............................................ A – ST. THOMAS ACADEMY, Mendota HeightsAA – EDINA

Boys’ Swimming & Diving ........................ A – ST. THOMAS ACADEMY, Mendota HeightsAA – EDEN PRAIRIE

Girls’ Basketball ........................................................................................... A – MINNEOTAAA – NEW RICHLAND-H-E-G

AAA – DELASALLE, MinneapolisAAAA – HOPKINS

Boys’ Basketball ............................. A – SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN, EdgertonAA – MINNEHAHA ACADEMY, Minneapolis

AAA – DELASALLE, MinneapolisAAAA – APPLE VALLEY

Adapted Floor Hockey ............................................... C I DIVISION – *NORTH SUBURBANP I DIVISION – *ROBBINSDALE/HOPKINS/MOUND-WESTONKA

Spring 2013 Calendar of State Events

May 17 .................................................... STATE ADAPTED BOWLING TOURNAMENT – Brunswick Zone, Brooklyn Park

May 18 ..................................................................... STATE ROBOTICS TOURNAMENT – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

May 18 ............................................................. Final date of GIRLS’ BADMINTON seasonMay 31-June 1 ...................................... STATE ADAPTED SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT –

Coon Rapids High SchoolJune 4-7 ........................................................... STATE BOYS’ TENNIS TOURNAMENT –

Class AA @ Baseline Tennis Center, U of M; Class A @ Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center, Minneapolis

June 6-7 ....................................................... STATE GIRLS’ SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT – Caswell Park, North Mankato

June 7-8 ............................. STATE TRACK & FIELD MEET – Hamline University, St. Paul

June 8 ............................................ Final date of GIRLS’ SYNCHRONIZED SWIM seasonJune 11-12 ....................................................................... STATE GOLF TOURNAMENT –

Class AAA @ Bunker Hills Golf Course, Coon Rapids;Class AA @ Ridges at Sand Creek, Jordan; Class A @ Pebble Creek Golf Club, Becker

June 11-14 ............................................................. GIRLS’ LACROSSE TOURNAMENT – Chanhassen & Chaska High Schools

June 11-14 .............................................................. BOYS’ LACROSSE TOURNAMENT –Chanhassen & Chaska High Schools

June 13-14, 17 ................................. STATE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT - Class AAA @ Midway Stadium, St. Paul & Dick Siebert Field, U of M, Minneapolis (13-14);

Class AA @ Dick Putz Field, St. Cloud & Joe Faber Field, St. Cloud (13-14); Class A @ Athletic Park, Chaska & Mini Met, Jordan (13-14);

Prep Championship Series, Target Field, Minneapolis (17)

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Minnesota State High School League2100 Freeway Boulevard Brooklyn Center MN 55430-1735 PHONE: 763/560-2262 FAX: 763/569-0499World Wide Web: www.MSHSL.org

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P A I DTWIN CITIES MNPermit No. 31890

Mission StatementThe Minnesota State High School League provides educational opportunities

for students through interscholastic athletic and fine arts programs and provides leadership and support for member schools.

Beliefs◆ Participation in school activity programs is a

privilege and not a right.◆ Sportsmanship needs to have a constant presence

in all school-based activity programs.◆ Students should have an equal opportunity to

participate in all activities offered by their school.◆ Ethical behavior, dignity and respect are non-

negotiable.◆ Student participants who choose to be chemically

free must be supported.◆ Collaborative relationships with parents enhance a

school’s opportunity to positively impact studentsuccess.

◆ Academic priorities must come before participationin athletic or fine arts activities.

◆ Positive role models and an active involvement in astudent’s life by parents and others are critical tostudent success.

◆ High school activity programs are designed forstudent participants, and adults must serve in asupportive role.

◆ The success of the team is more important thanindividual honors.

◆ Compliance with school, community and Leaguerules is essential for all activity participants.

◆ Participation in school-sponsored activities must beinclusive, not exclusive.

◆ Ethical behavior, fairness, and embracing diversitybest serve students and school communities.

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spring 2013 mshsl bulletin

Documents

director of information

assistant ellen rajkowski

mshsl bulletin

spring andis

aadan johnson

mshsl logo

office manager kristi

media specialist john