NRHEG winter sport athletes celebrated

NRHEG Activities Director Dan Stork extended many statements of gratitude as he opened the 2024-25 Winter Sports Banquet ceremony at 6:30 p.m. the evening of Tuesday, March 18 in the high school gym in New Richland.

NRHEG winter sports were recognized. Coaches from boys’ basketball, wrestling, and cheerleading all spoke. Girls’ basketball opted to celebrate at a later date this year.

Stork recognized co-op sports, including hockey with Waseca, in which senior Carter Martens had a terrific career playing goalie, earning a letter for a third straight year.

In total, nine senior athletes were recognized: Sierra Misgen, Carter Martens, Harbor Cromwell, Cole Hutchens, Logan Schiell, Aidan Schlaak, Aden Hanna, Jase Knudson, and Greyson Schaefer.

Many well-deserved awards were handed out during the evening. A sense of gratitude encompassed the room as speakers, coaches and players reflected on their memorable seasons, and for some, entire careers.

The banquet concluded with photos and good conversation among the hundreds of students, parents, family members and coaches in attendance.

Awards

 

Cheerleading

Sweetheart Award - Ariel Star Anhalt - “This goes to a cheerleader who has always brought a caring and kind attitude to the table. She has one of the biggest hearts I know and always puts her teammates first even when she's having a bad day,” coach Bailie Thom said.

Most Valuable Cheerleader - Madison Bogue - “Our MVC or Most Valuable Cheerleader is someone who has shown up for this team and always brings their best to the table. [She has] done a great job at being a leader for this team and is always willing to push herself to accomplish any task put in front of her. From stunting to leading the crowd in cheers, our MVC is Madison Bogue,” coach Bailie Thom said.

Most Improved - Alexia Schmidt - “Our most improved cheerleader is someone who worked hard to not only learn a whole set of basketball, but wrestling cheers as well. She took corrections and asked questions, so she could be her best,” coach Thom said.

Life Saver Award - Ella Jeno - “A new award this year is the life saver award. The life saver was described as someone who makes everything better on a bad day. I have never heard someone make so many people laugh. From trying to learn to salsa dance or playing hide and seek in the cheer mats, this cheerleader has never failed to lighten the mood. She has worked hard as a rookie this year and I have enjoyed watching her blossom into the wonderful cheerleader and teammate she has become,” coach Thom said.

Coaches Award- Tru Thao - “This goes to a cheerleader who did nothing but give her all this year. She took every correction given, was willing to try anything asked without hesitation. When it was time for the season to start, she came to practice ready every day and was always giving me a game day ready performance. I never once heard a complaint from her. Our coach award goes to Tru Thao,” coach Thom said.

 

Girls’ Basketball

Captains’ Awards - Sierra Misgen and Madison Bogue,

Most Valuable Offense - Camryn VanMaldeghem

Most Valuable Defense - Quinn VanMaldeghem

Rebound Award - Quinn VanMaldeghem

Sparkplug Award - Chloe Stork

Most Improved Player - Kyllie Olson

Captain Awards - Camryn VanMaldeghem, Quinn VanMaldeghem, Chloe Stork

All Gopher Conference - Quinn VanMaldegehm

All Gopher Conference - Kylie Olson

Sportsmanship Award - Izley Boerner

 

Boys’ Basketball

Panther Award - Jordan Brouwers

Most Valuable Player - Greyson Schaefer

Most Improved Player - Owen Wayne

Defensive Player of the Year - Brendan Schmidt

All Gopher Conference Second Team - Owen Wayne

Sportsmanship Award - Jordan Brouwers - “Jordan is a strong lead-by-example type of player that leaves it all on the court no matter the situation, and is quick to help up a teammate or opponent, even if he’s been scrapping for a loose ball,” coach Dan Schmidt said.

The boys finished the year with a 4-23 record. “We knew we were going to be inexperienced at the start of the season, and even though the scores may not have shown it all the time, I feel that we had some big improvements from day one until the end of the season,” Schmidt said.

Highlights for the boys’ season included a sweep of Medford, beating TCU in an important matchup for seeding, and a last-second 3-pointer to beat Bethlehem Academy.

MSHSL Spotlight on Scholarship award, which goes to those with a 3.0 or above GPA: Jordan Brouwers, Hudson Chrz, AJ Deen, Brooks Gilliland, Mack Gilliland, Zander Hanna, Shan Hansen, Brock Holland, Lavon Jewison, Deshawn Jones, Jase Knudson, Sean Lassahn, Gavin Lewison, Calvin Nissen, Dom Olson, Brendan Schmidt, and Owen Wayne.

Academic All-Conference team, with a 3.5 GPA and above: Jordan Brouwers, Hudson Chrz, Brooks Gilliland, Mack Gilliland, Brock Holland, Gavin Lewison, Calvin Nissen, Dom Olson, Brendan Schmidt, and Owen Wayne.

All-Conference Honorable Mention - Owen Wayne - Owen finished with 10 ppg in the conference. He was in the top 10 in the conference in steals with 1.7/game, ninth in 3-pointers with 2.1/game, and 16th in assists with 2.6/game.

 

Wrestling

Most Valuable Wrestler - Ryan Schlaak

Most Improved Wrestler - Chase Johannsen

Most Team Points - Ryan Schlaak - 112

Most Take Downs - Harbor Cromwell

Most Falls - Ryan Schlaak

Most Wins - Ryan Schlaak - 23 and Harbor Cromwell -23

Captains - Aidan Schlaak, Cole Hutchens and Harbor Cromwell

All Gopher Conference - Ryan Schlaak and Harbor Cromwell

Sportsmanship Award - Cole Hutchens