Mark Kerfeld, Glenwood HS Class of 1986, shined on the hardwood
Sports | Published on August 14, 2023 at 2:48pm CDT
Mark Kerfeld — Glenwood High School Class of 1986
Mark Kerfeld shined for the Glenwood Lakers on the hardwood during his four varsity seasons. He also suited up to proudly represent the Blue and Gold on the gridiron and on the diamond in an eventful four-year span that culminated with his graduation in 1986.
In Mark’s four seasons playing for John Holsten, the Lakers claimed two outright West Central Conference championships in boys basketball, with one shared league title and a second-place finish.
Each of those Laker teams won at least three playoff games, with the 1985 Region 6 Champions gaining the Class A consolation title at State. In the surge to the 1985 State Tournament, Mark averaged more than 16 points per contest, with his per-game average that year topped only by teammate Mike Olson.
Though graduation would alter the rotation for the 1985-86 season, Mark captained the Lakers in his senior year. Following a 20-win season, he was honored with a selection to the West Central Tribune’s All-Area Team. WCCO Radio also recognized Mark in 1986, selecting him as one of only 28 players to its All-State Team of the Year. His contributions to the golden years of the mid-‘80s for Glenwood boys basketball are appreciated and celebrated.
He capped his Laker career by finishing number two in career scoring among boys basketball players at Glenwood, totaling 1,136 points. During that stretch, the Lakers won 85 percent of their games, which included a 16-4 postseason mark over four seasons.
Mark Kerfeld may look back at calendar year 1985 with some bittersweet memories. He was an impact player for the Glenwood Lakers that advanced to the ’85 Boys’ Basketball State Tournament in March. However, injuries sidelined him from playing baseball that spring and football to start his senior year at GHS. Still, Mark earned the honor of being a captain for the Laker football squad in 1985.
After the injury recovery process that winter, he gradually gained court time and led Glenwood to a share of the 1986 West Central Conference title in boys basketball. That spring, Mark was also an All-Conference selection in baseball.
During his years playing baseball, the Lakers won the district title his freshman season. Each of his Laker teams won at least once in the post-season, at a time before the double-elimination format was universally in place for baseball and softball.
Following graduation, Mark attended St. Cloud State University, earning a degree with honors in Political Science in 1991. He went on to attend the William Mitchell School of Law in St. Paul where he attained a law degree in 1995 and began practicing law shortly after passing the bar. In 1991, he opened his own law office, Kerfeld Law Office PA in Hopkins, specializing in civil litigation, with an emphasis on personal injury litigation, insurance coverage and claims.
He and his wife Karen, also a lawyer, have been married for 25 years and have one daughter, Morgan, currently a professor at the Carlson School at the University of Minnesota. He, Karen and their Golden Retriever, Rascal, live in North Oaks. In their spare time, they enjoy golfing, and spending time with family and friends at their cabin in northern Minnesota.
Mark joins older sister, Cheryl, as Kerfeld family members to be selected as inductees to the Minnewaska Area Schools Athletic Hall of Fame. Cheryl was honored as part of the third inducted class seven years ago. Congratulations to Mark Kerfeld, 2023 Minnewaska Area Schools Athletic Hall of Fame inductee!
