November 3 marked the kickoff of winter sports with the annual winter sports night. With 10 different teams all starting their season soon, it will be a hectic few months at Orono High School. All the sports teams return high end talent and all are expected to compete for State tournament appearances.
Boys Hockey- The Spartans return many varsity players and didn’t lose a lot of players to graduation. The seniors that graduated will be replaced by some quality players and new underclassmen. Orono won three straight games in sections to reach the State Tournament for the first time since 2007. The Spartans are coached by second-year head coach, Kasey Yoder.
Boys Basketball- The boys basketball team has some lofty expectations for the upcoming season. This could be the most talented basketball team in years for Orono. They are coming off a season in which they made it to the state tournament and finished 4th place in state.. The Spartans return several key players and have a section in which they are already favored.
“We have the ingredients to make it back to state and win a championship,” Senior Guard Patrick Codute said. Orono’s head coach is Barry Wohler, who is returning for his fifth season.
Girls Basketball- The girls are not satisfied with the season they had last year. Making it to the section finals and suffering a close loss to Monticello. Most of the teams starters are returning and they have people talking about a state tournament appearance. “We have the experience and the talent to make a run,” Senior Captain Lydia Farmer said. The Spartans are coached by Ellen Wiese.
Girls Hockey- The Girls hockey team wants redemption. After having a 16-7-2 record and getting a high seed, the Spartans were upset with their loss against Princeton in the first round of sections last year. This year the Spartans lack the depth that they had in previous years but believe that they will be just fine. “We have a good defense and our forwards can hold their own and score goals,” Junior forward and captain Sarah Harrison said. The girls are coached by Keith Radloff and Steve Persian.
Boys and Girls Alpine Skiing- The boys and girls team are hoping to have another good season. Fresh off of a state tournament appearance, the boys team returns many key skiers as well as the girls team.
Boys and Girls Nordic Skiing- Optimism for the season is evident for the Nordic Ski team. Orono was placed into the Twin Cities Nordic Ski Conference starting this year. Nordic is coached by Cindy Conger and Mark Kobilka. The captains are Dan Wall, Andy Cornelius, Vanessa Whyte and Cabrini Winkels. The boys team lost their top 3 skiers from last year. For the girls, the Spartans lost their top skier Lydia Winkels. The first race is on November 18th, weather permitting.
Boys Swim & Dive- Both of the teams return varsity swimmers and divers. The season starts on December 1.
Girls Gymnastics- Orono Gymnastics are hoping to have another solid season. The girls return the majority of their team from last year, losing only one varsity senior. They are coached by Amber Dorholt. The team won about half their meets from last year and look to build on last year’s success.
Boys Wrestling- The Wrestling team returns almost all of their wrestlers from last year. Although losing standout Charlie Schmid hurts; they have plenty of capable wrestlers to soften the blow of replacing him. The team competes in the difficult Wright County Conference. Orono is coached by Joe McPherson. The season starts for the Spartans on Thursday, December 4th at New Prague.
Girls Dance- The girls dance team are coming off an excellent season in which they made it to the state tournament. Orono returns 9 varsity jazz dancers and 14 varsity kick dancers. The girls lost their coach over the summer but their new coach, Kim Johnson, has plenty experience. The team opens up the season at the Maple Grove Invitational on November 22.
