The Big Lake Hornet fall sports programs are ready to compete and be challenged with the hope of bringing home some hardware and create lasting memories in 2023.
Here’s a look at the team’s and their outlook for 2023.
Nick Shriver is entering his first year at the helm of the Big Lake Hornet football team as he was hired by the school back in March. Shriver comes to Big Lake after spending the last five years teaching and coaching at Little Wound School in Kyle, SD, where he spent three years as an assistant and the last two as head coach of the Mustangs
Shriver’s job is daunting as the Hornets are coming off back-to-back winless seasons and just two wins over the last three.
His assistants are Tyler Halverson, Jeremy Eli, Nick Schaub, Wes Hertel, Ryan Stark, Corey Wemple, Austin Dischinger, Tanner Krutzig and Rick Boyes.
Alisha Brust returns as the Hornets’ volleyball coach and the team is looking to being competitive in the conference and section this season.
“We have a strong group of players that compete every day for playing time,” said Brust. “This makes our program better. Serving and net play will be the strengths of this group.”
Brust’s team made it to the section finals last season, and this year’s team has made it a goal to get back there again this year.
“Big Lake has never been to the state tournament in volleyball and it would be fun to see this crew fight their way through the section to get there.”
Brust’s assitant coaches are Kellie Olson (JV), Morgan Penner (B Squad), and Gabby Sandford (ninth Grade).
Returning to the court for Girls Tennis is Brett Mattson in his 11th season as team leader. Julie Browen returns as Mattson’s assitant coach.
(No other information was provided to the Patriot by press time.)
Amber Jodlowski, a 2013 graduate of Big Lake High School and assistant swim coach from 2017 through 2020 returns as the head coach of the swim and dive program.
Jodlowski is supported by her assistants and Monticello diving coach, Mckenna Peterson, Hannah Storm and Heather Peterson.
(No other information was provided to the Patriot by press time.)
The Big Lake boys soccer team is looking to rebound after a tough 2022 season that saw them win just two games.
Coach Mike Baldwin says things are already looking better after impressive performances in scrimmages this season.
“We’re looking to be strong competitors,” he says.
The Hornets had major injuries that ended the season of four starters and gave the team limited substitutions. This time around, everyone is healthy and the team is mostly seniors.
“We’ve got great potential and we’re very excited,” says Baldwin.
The Hornets opened the season with games against Sartell and Hutchinson, results next week. They host Zimmerman Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The Big Lake girls soccer team is looking to continue their strong play after a 9-5-3 record last season.
The Hornets ended their season with a double-overtime loss to heavily-favored Monticello in sections last year, and except for the loss of two seniors, the rest of the team is pretty much intact.
“It’s a good squad. They had a really good record last year and if they put their mind to it, which I know they will, we’ll have a good outcome,” says first year head-coach Troy Ives.
The Hornets showed their potential with a 4-0 win in last week’s scrimmage against Heritage Academy. Ives says the girls have lots of experience and were coached well last year by Brady Johnson.
“A lot of these girls have been playing soccer a long time, so they know the game,” says Ives.
The Hornets opened the season with games against Delano, Rockford and Hutchinson, results next week. They visit North Branch Monday and host Monticello Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
The Hornet cross-country teams this season will have a mix of established runners and those vying to fill spots vacated by graduating seniors.
The boys varsity has two definite top-class runners in senior Owen Layton and sophomore Jack Leuer, both of whom were state contenders last season. Layton took seventh and Leuer was 11th at the state meet and are expected to be in the mix again this season
They are joined by senior David Guyse who has been part of three conference champion teams and two state-qualifying teams. Several other runners have been working hard to fill the other four varsity positions: sophomore Gavin Flavin, junior Gavin Vold, sophomore Trent Erickson, eighth-grader Max Baron and eighth-grader Judd Layton all appear to be front runners for those spots.
“I expect the varsity lineup to be pretty fluid as the team finds its fitness level,” says Coach Todd Trutna. “If we run well and stay healthy, I think this team can battle Monticello and Becker for the conference title and state meet berth.”
The girls team also lost over half of its varsity members from last year, but does return the top three in senior Emilee Doperalski, junior Erin Kjellberg and junior Campbell Slattery. Alayne Boe, Raina White and Brynn Scheer will also likely earn a varsity slot early in the season. Seventh-grader Greta Layton may also earn some varsity time by the end of the season.
Last year the team struggled a bit at the start of the season, but came on strongly toward the end to finish the 12-team section meet in fifth place.
“I think this team will again improve throughout the season and just get stronger and stronger,” says Trutna. “The boys and girls had great participation in our summer practice sessions and look forward to seeing the growth and improvement throughout this season.”
The Hornets held their Invitational Tuesday, results next week.
