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Ole athletes are aiming high this fall season

By Tom Swift '95
September 18, 2006

The return of crisp afternoons means classes are in session, colorful leaves will soon enliven Manitou Heights and St. Olaf College student-athletes are back competing with conference championship aspirations.

Here's a team-by-team glance at Ole fall sports, including links to up-to-date scores, schedules and other news:

Onward Steadily
The St. Olaf football team is coming off the program's first eight-win season since 1978, and the Oles are poised to take another step forward.

The largest roster (112 players) in school history includes a remarkable junior class (12 returning starters, three All-MIAC selections). Quarterback Matt Penz, a junior who didn't start in 2005, will cut his teeth surrounded by nine starters from a big-play offense that was fifth in the nation in yards per game (506.4).

The Oles have perhaps the most talented receiving corps in team history. Junior Horace Gant, a first-team All-MIAC selection, entered the season already ninth on the career list with 77 receptions. Andrew Schmiesing had team highs last year in receptions (48), touchdowns (8) and receiving yards (730). A solid ground game -- led by running back Jay Higgins, who chalked up 1,117 yards from scrimmage and scored 12 touchdowns in 2005 -- will keep defenses honest.

"Last year we had a lot of big plays, but we weren't as consistent as we could be," says Blake Hamel, a team captain and one of four returning starters on the offensive line. "This year we're more seasoned. I think we'll make fewer mistakes."

The Oles have talent on both sides of the ball. James Bechdol, an All-American candidate, anchors a defense with established players throughout the lineup. Last year, the All-MIAC end had a team-high 11 tackles for a loss, six sacks and 44 tackles.

"I believe this will be our best team," coach Chris Meidt says, "but five or six other teams on our schedule think the same. We have an incredibly tough conference."

Solid Foundation
The Ole the volleyball team's pedigree -- four returning starters and two all-conference selections -- could return the program to national prominence. The attack begins with senior setter Audrey Volstad, a two-time all-conference pick, who led the MIAC in set assists a year ago. Outside hitter Andrea Otteman, an All-MIAC selection who has already surpassed 1,000 career kills, will be among Volstad's prime targets.

St. Olaf finished fifth in the MIAC in 2005 and made the program's first postseason appearance in three seasons. A playoff victory over No. 12 Concordia College-Moorhead could serve as a springboard for further success in the new season.

"This is the most mature team I've played on in my four years," Volstad says. "We have multiple offensive threats and a very aggressive defense that other teams will have trouble preparing for. I think we'll compete at the top of the conference, and we have all the ingredients to make a post-season run."

On the Defensive
Two years removed from a MIAC championship, the men's soccer team plans to contend once again on the strength of fundamental team defense. Tri-captain Andrew Gastineau, a senior and an All-MIAC selection last fall, will solidify what should be a steady backfield.

"This team doesn't have a superstar like in past years; our strength is our depth," Gastineau says. "We'll rely on our team defense to win balls and a strong counterattack to score goals. We also changed our formation, which should help us prevent teams from creating scoring chances."

Erik Halaas, another senior captain, and junior Jacob Meyer, who led the team in scoring a year ago and netted the game-winner in four of the team's six wins, should jumpstart the offense. Seniors Gabe Herrick, Mike Peabody and Abu Farah, an all-region pick in 2004 coming off an injury-plagued season, will be counted on to secure the middle of the field.

Newcomer Inherits Veterans
Jeremy Driver '94 is pleased entering his first season as coach of the women's soccer team. For one thing, he's back at his alma mater after three seasons as coach at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. For another, he inherits a stable of skillful veteran players.

At the top of the list of returning starters is the team's three-time most valuable player and two-time All-MIAC forward Kelsey Watt. In 2005, Watt had a team-high eight goals and 18 points.

Among other established players are senior midfielders Katie Bierlein and Liz Tanner. Sophomores Jess Magnuson, a forward, and Jenny Kallas, a midfielder, also are expected to contribute. Such a nucleus has Driver thinking his team has enough talent to earn a berth in the conference tournament.

"A lot of good pieces are already here," he says. "Not just Kelsey, but all of our seniors. They're not only fine soccer players, they're quality people who provide great leadership."

Building on Success
The men's cross country team had an outstanding 2005 season, capped by strong finishes at the MIAC Championships (third) and the Central Regional (sixth). But in 2006 the Oles must move on without MIAC champion and national qualifier Sam Hauck '06.

St. Olaf will fill the void with a solid mix of veterans and newcomers, including All-MIAC selection and senior Tony Hoff. Among other returning runners are seniors John Lamppa and Andrew Petz, and junior David Swanson. Sophomores David Green and Cullen O'Neill also should pitch in as the Oles try to return to the form that earned them the 2004 MIAC championship.

Reloading for Another Run
The St. Olaf women's cross country team graduated 18 letter winners last fall, including three of the lineup's top seven, but coach Chris Daymont's team is always ready for another stellar year -- as reflected in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association preseason poll that ranked St. Olaf 23rd.

Twenty-one newcomers will join last year's fourth-place MIAC finisher, sophomore Jenna Carlson, with an eye on improving the team's third-place conference standing. Sophomore Annie Knutson, who placed in the top 20 at the regional race a year ago, also is expected to contribute. Other returning Oles with big-race experience include seniors Stephanie Block, Brittney Schwager and captains Erin Weier and Andrea Gelle.

The team is hoping to receive boosts from Jennie Hedberg and Casey Baustian, top runners in 2004, who missed the 2005 season while studying abroad. A strong first-year class includes Michaela McLaughlin, Erin Murphy and Elizabeth Whitt.

On the Way
The St. Olaf men's golf team has not been a MIAC powerhouse in recent seasons, but Glen Peterson says the Oles are headed in the right direction. "We're going to get better because we have a lot of balance and some good young players," the second-year coach says. "We're inexperienced, but we have a lot of potential."

Sophomore Mack Traynor and senior Brian DeLaitsch shared the team's most valuable player award last season. Juniors Tucker Weisman and Bob Hunter turned in the best scores in the team qualifying rounds this fall. Andrew Peterson, a first-year student, may contribute low scores as soon as this year.

Links to Achievement
Luke Benoit, a three-time NCAA Division III All-America golfer at Gustavus Adolphus College, has taken over as coach of the women's golf team. Before arriving at St. Olaf, he played professionally, including a second-place finish at the South Dakota Open. Benoit says he?s excited to build the program with promising players such as sophomore Kate Solheim and first-year Lizzy Zahn. Those returning with varsity experience include Amy Springer, Alyssa Zuehl and Emily Segar.

"The opportunity to get this program on the right track and work with some very talented, dedicated individuals is very exciting," Benoit says. "St. Olaf has such a strong reputation that being associated with this incredible college makes me proud."

Contact Michael Ludwig at 507-646-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.