Speaking of Sports

By John Fragodt, Sports Reporter

Laker student-athletes continue to excel on area courts, fields, pools and race courses this fall.  I’m continually amazed at the great success of Laker student-athletes and this was another week that proves that hard work pays off.

•  The Minnewaska Area girls tennis team had a great season this fall, going 19-4 overall and 8-0 in the conference to win a 10th-straight conference title.

The Lakers fell to Litchfield in the Section 6A finals, 5-2, about six weeks after losing to the Dragons in an early-season match, 4-3.  Minnewaska also beat Montevideo during the season, 4-3, to claim the WCC title.  The Lakers were seeded as high as third in state Class A during the season.  

Well, Litchfield earned the third seed during the State Team Tourney and beat Monte in the quarters, 5-2.  Litchfield went on to place second overall in the Class A Tourney, losing only in the finals to Blake, 6-1, while Monte lost to St. James for the consolation title.  That just goes to show you how close the Lakers were to placing among the top four at the state tourney.  

Also, congratulations to Megan Thorfinnson and Alia Randt for placing fourth at the State Tourney for one of the highest placings at state in program history.

•  The Lakers hosted the opening round of the Section 6AA Volleyball Tourney last Wednesday, beating Osakis in four games.  It’s interesting to note that a home volleyball playoff match is pretty rare for the Lakers as Minnewaska Area hadn’t hosted a volleyball playoff match since Oct. 25, 2001 when the Lakers beat MACCRAY in the section opener, 3-2.

Second-seeded Minnewaska hosted Albany, Oct. 28, 1999, losing in five games, and the Lakers also hosted at least one playoff match in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1995.

•  The cross-country teams qualified the entire girls’ team and Zach Palmer to this Saturday’s State Cross-Country Meet.  It was the second state team trip for the girls in the last four years and the first state berth for Palmer, who won a sprint over a SC runner for the  final boys’ state berth.

•  The last playoff game at home for the Minnewaska football team was in 2020 when the Lakers beat Melrose in the playoff opener 35-19 before losing to NLS in the next round, also at home.  Saturday’s big win over the Wildcats gives Minnewaska another chance at Albany this Friday night.  Go Lakers!