THE BECKER 2022-23 FOOTBALL TEAM. (In no particular order): Zach Halvorson, Thomas May, Benjamin Duncan, Zach Bengtson, Kyan Blomquist, Kaleb Tuftedal, Sawyer Anderson, Connor Gass, Johnathon Boecker, Deegan Schmidt, Joshua Miller, Ethan Guck, Thatcher Jurek, Joshua Robinson, Ethan Jassmann, Avery Dawson, Alexander Riservato, Cody Klatt, Jaxon Reiffenberger, Nathan Weiss, August Olson, Mason Nevala, Gus Baldry, Trevor Briggs, Isaiah Gardner, Jaxon Faul, Jackson Duncan, Garett Lane, Landen Kujawa, Grady Muellner, Collin Lietha, Jake Rosenow, Jackson Fischer, Jayden Stanger, Matthew Warhol, Brayden Lutzke, Owen Angell, Cayden Goodell, Chandler Davis, Ryan Werner, Kendrick Tomasko, Aiden Radeke, Joshua Groskreutz, Anthony Hanson, Mitchell Soltau, Aiden Golley, James Landwehr, Carson Schwarzkopf, Robert Houle, Isaac Daluge, Brandon Hyrkas, Aiden Holm, Kaden Nicolas, Sawyer Brown, Nabil Fisher, Lance Lysdal, Cody Becker, Grayson Kipka, Chase Stupar and Carter Reckelberg. (Photo by David Hyttsen).
Becker boys cross country. The Becker boys cross country team has great numbers this season. Pictured, front from left: Brandt Hemmelgarn, Jacob Kurhajetz, Mavrick Pink, Weston Denne, Mason Tschida, Jase Tobako* and Evan Hubbard. Middle: Aiden Jacobs, Tanner Schmitt, Cooper Pany, Hunter Heitkamp, Holden Hubbard, Henry Peckskamp and Owen Young. Back: Hudson Spindler (Manager), Denlan Harmoning, Cameron Northenscold, Alexander Schermer*, Parker Spindler*, Thomas Cota*, Aiden Frommelt and Jonathan Drury. Not pictured: Alex Swanson, Tanner Felton, Carson Schuster, Sam Rusin. (* Denotes Team Captains.) (Submitted Photo).
Becker girls Cross Country. The Bulldog girls cross country team again is loaded with talent. Pictured, front from left: Ella McDonald, Charlie Dirkes, Alyssa Brower, Abby Frey, Anna Wynia, Greta Schmitt and Addy Goenner. Middle: Ava Schreiber, Sophia Malisheski, Aria Deidrick, Naiya Hanson, Katelyn Brower, Andie Changamire and Laney Hodel. Back: Myka Maksimenko, Lillee Stevens, Alea Briggs, Adele Changamire, Raelee Lyon, Tasha Berthiaume, Olivia Babler, Lexi Rose and Emilia Hansen. (Submitted Photo).
Becker swimming and diving The Becker swimming and diving team continues to grow in numbers, with nearly 30 athletes working hard to try and match last year’s record-setting season. (Submitted Photo.)
Becker boys soccer. The Becker boys soccer team will rely on many new faces this year. Pictured, front from left: Landon Reynolds, Asher Olson, Adler Herdina, Eric Kyaw, Merritt Rogers, Damyen Slavnic, Rowen Klug. Middle Row: Brigham Ebert, Troy Nuest, Sawyer Klug, Mason Sundberg, Braxton Knippenberg, Paxton Ament, Hayden Olson, Jay Olson. Back: Tate Salvevold, Bryce Paumen, Sam Hansen, Noah Hoffmann, James Lane, Alex Mendoza, Aidan O’Connor, Oakley Esping, Evan Norberg.. (Submitted Photo).
THE BEcker BULLDOG soccer squad will be led by captains, Charlie Ebert, Rebecca Lyon and Abby Atwood. (Submitted Photo).
Becker Tennis. The Becker girls tennis team will feature six returning letterwinners.Pictured, front from left: Brynn Dahlheimer, Lauren Ergen, Charlotte Northenscold, Gracie Conzemius, Sami Leaders, Olivia Nieken, Arica Stah, Madison Bass*, Lauren Biegler, Taylor Lissen. Middlet: Emelia Strong, Kierra Pfingsten, Kylee Becker, Faith Bass, Reis Brake, Emi Hampton, Chloe Spear, Myla Priebe, Lily Anderson*, Hannah Hyttsten. Back: Maddy Konerza, Tess Brown, Abigail Spindler, Emily Huffman, Ali Groskreutz, Payton Enerson, Lauren Croal*, Riley Hausmann, Phoebe Grecula, Sammy Duncombe, Bryn Hillesheim, Allie Duncombe. (* Denotes Captains.) (Submitted Photo).
Becker Volleyball. The Becker volleyball team will have a host of new faces looking to replace some key players who graduated after last season. The players decided to go with their “serious, guns-out” look for this year’s preview picture. (Submitted Photo).
Fall Sports Preview - Bulldogs
By Mark Kolbinger, Contributing Writer & Bill Morgan, Editor
309
August 31st, 2023 @ 10:06 am
The Becker Bulldog activities programs are ready for another year of strong participation numbers, and the pursuit of individual and team excellence.
Here’s a look at the team’s and their outlook for 2023.
Dwight Lundeen returns as head coach of the Becker Bulldog football team as they are set to enjoy the comforts of a new, state-of-the-art football stadium named after their inspirational leader.
Lundeen and his usual torrent of talented coaches are set to begin the season this week against Hill Murray. The team held intra-squad practices in full gear this past week and Dwight feels the kids are ready to go.
“I’m optimistic,” he said. “We have a very good ‘D’ and I’m excited to see what our new QB (Zach Bengtson is capable of. He’s got some solid WRs (Kyan Blomquits, Mitchell Soltau).
Becker’s schedule is demanding as they face some formidible foes from start to finish. The first home game onn the new turf is Sept. 8 against Providence Academy.
Head Coach Trish Reimer-Kealy returns for her 19th season to lead the Girls Cross-Country program, coming off last year’s M8 Conference and Section 5AA titles. She has eight returning letterwinners and four Senior Captains (Olivia Babler, Tasha Berthiaume, Alea Briggs and Lexi Rose) who will look to lead the team as they try to match last year’s success. There are strong numbers in the program and the final results will depend on which runners develop under Reimer-Kealy, the recent National Coach of the Year Finalist.
The Boys Cross Country team will again be led by Head Coach Dustin Weege, entering his seventh season at the top and 14th overall in the program. Last year, the team was third in the conference and posted their highest section place in program history. Six returning letterwinners and four high-character team captains (Jase Tobako, Thomas Cota, Alex Schermer and Parker Spindler) are reasons for optimism for the team.
Fans can circle September 28 on the schedule, as the boys and girls teams will host their annual meet at the Pebble Creek Local 9.
Over in the Aquatics Center, 24th season Head Coach Tina Tamm has a pool full of swimmers and divers looking to replicate last season’s runner-up finish in the M8 Conference. Ten returning letterwinners join Captains Brianna Dahle, Grace Wynia, Lauren Woelfel and Gabby Barthel-Scott to give Tamm a great deal of confidence in her team’s ability to perform at a high level.
“We lost a great group of seniors and they will be missed but we also have girls ready to fill their spots,” Tamm says. “We are young but I think we have enough talent to keep us afloat.”
Head Coach Nick Crowley returns for his sixth season in charge of the Becker Boys Soccer program and will need to replace 11 Seniors who graduated last spring. Captains Erik Kyaw (11), Rowen Klug (11), and senior Oakley Esping will provide the leadership for the team, as the Bulldogs try to get back to the Section Finals.
“We’re a young squad — losing 11 seniors will be tough, but our numbers improved from last year,” says Crowley. “We are looking to keep the energy and mentality from last year.”
Ben Strom returns as the Becker Bulldog Girls Soccer coach for 2023. His squad started the regular season last Saturday at home against SW Christian.
The girls finished 4-13 last year and lost to Big Lake, 3-0 in the Section 6AA Quarterfinal last October.
Head Coach Nate Bucher of the Girls Tennis team and his squad are flying high coming off last year’s M8 Championship and six returning letterinners are reason for optimism: Madison Bass, Lily Anderson, Lauren Croal, Ali Groskreutz, Olivia Nieken and Hannah Hyttsten.
Bucher will rely on his three Captains for leadership in Anderson, Croal and Bass as the team looks to defend the Conference title.
For the Bulldog volleyball team, second year coach Jess Vealetzek will look to guide the Bulldogs to improvement across the court, as the team looks for many new players to compete against a talented M8 Conference.
