Wolfpack Press » Sports

Park High School coaches want conference change, but what about community? Public meeting planned

Mr. Adams — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:00:35 +0000

By: Scott Wente, South Washington County Bulletin

Park High School athletic staff see leaving the Suburban East Conference as a way to bolster the school’s sports programs, but first want to hear from the community.

The school’s activities department is inviting students, parents, teachers and local residents to a “community input night” on Park athletics and activities Wednesday, Jan. 11. It will begin at 7 p.m. in the Park lecture hall.

The meeting, to be led by Park Activities Director Phil Kuemmel, comes as coaches and staff are looking at ways to improve the school’s competition and bolster participation. Kuemmel said there is general consensus among coaches that the best solution is to leave the big-school-dominated Suburban East Conference, where Park has struggled to compete in many sports.

Kuemmel acknowledged that any decision about a conference change would require District 833 School Board approval and that so far discussion mostly has involved school coaches and staff.

“We’re trying to improve the climate in the whole entire building” he said of Park.

Superintendent Mark Porter said any proposed change would need the support of the broader Park community, not just the consensus of a small group of coaches. He and School Board members encouraged Kuemmel to solicit more ideas and feedback.

“It does need a broader input before you would move this thing ahead,” Porter said of a conference change. “We’re willing to explore it.”

All three District 833 high schools are in the Suburban East, but Park teams generally have fared worse among conference opponents.

Kuemmel said Park has “unique challenges” that East Ridge and Woodbury high schools may not face and said school staff and coaches believe the district should consider “expanded opportunities” to help Park students.

Park has a higher percentage of students from low-income families, and Kuemmel said Park’s “socioeconomic demographics” are a factor in student-athlete participation. For instance, he said, there are fewer youth traveling athletic teams in Park’s boundary than in Woodbury’s or East Ridge’s, and those teams serve as feeder systems to the high school programs.

Also, Kuemmel said, more Park students may have to decide between getting an after-school job and playing sports.

“I would say that definitely comes into play,” he said.

A smaller pool of participants can make it harder to compete against larger schools, he said.

Kuemmel said some Park teams are competitive in the Suburban East, but a conference change may be better for “the overall culture of Park athletics.”

The Classic Suburban Conference could be an attractive alternative for Park because the schools are similar in size and athletic offerings, Kuemmel said.

“We’re not just going to go anywhere,” he said.

For instance, Park is not eyeing the St. Paul City Conference as an alternative, as some have speculated.

“That’s not going to happen,” he said.

If Park were to leave the Suburban East and was not picked up by the Classic Suburban, it may explore creating a new conference, Kuemmel said. That was unsuccessfully floated in previous discussions about Park’s conference alignment.

Even if Park left the Suburban East, the school still would want to compete against intra-district rivals Woodbury and East Ridge in non-conference competition, Kuemmel said.

Short of a conference change, there are other ways District 833 could help Park, Kuemmel said. For instance, it could restore team bus service to away games at Woodbury and East Ridge. That was eliminated in budget reductions, and student-athletes now must carpool or rely on bus service paid for by booster clubs. Those clubs increasingly are being used as a funding source.

Kuemmel said that school officials want to get public input on “a number of issues affecting Park High school.” He said the school’s focus is to offer “high quality, competitive athletic programs at Park.”

A New Vikings Stadium On The Horizon?

Mr. Adams — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:48:53 +0000

Written By: Sarah Miner

A huge pile of snow gradually began building on the roof of the Metrodome last winter and the weight became too much for the old stadium to handle. During the middle of a huge snow storm, the Metrodome roof collapsed. Its roof caved in, leaving the Vikings out of a stadium for the remainder of the season. Nearly a year later, talks of a new stadium are in the works. This new stadium would be located either in Arden Hills or Minneapolis, depending on what officials and the cities have to say.

But the real question: would this stadium be beneficial to Minnesota and its citizens? The answer isn’t so crystal clear. The stadium would have significant economic effects, creating more jobs for construction workers and an estimated 3,400 full and part time jobs once the building is finished. Currently, the Metrodome employs just 2,800 people. The stadium, when not being used by the Vikings, would be open for the public, meaning concerts and community events could be hosted in the new stadium. 95% of the materials costs to build the stadium will eventually go back to tax payers and the new stadium will bring in more viewers with its heightened publicity, increasing revenue. Without the new stadium, Minnesota won’t see the return of the NCAA Final Four, a Super Bowl, or other large scale national or international events. The new stadium will also have more restaurants and bathrooms and will ultimately make game day more enjoyable for fans.

Sounds perfect, right? Well, not quite. With every major contribution to the new downtown landscape comes with a price. The cost of this fancy new stadium? $400 million. The Vikings would pay for 40% of the cost to build it but the other 60% would come out of tax payers’ pockets. The Vikings also believe that whoever uses the stadium must help in cover the hefty cost it is to build it. But if officials cannot come to an agreement on where the site of the new stadium will be, building will inevitably be delayed. Delaying construction would cause the projected cost of the stadium to increase by $50 million. The last thing tax payers want is to have to pay more because of debating officials.

But looking at this realistically, it’s time for an upgrade. The Metrodome is the second oldest stadium in the NFL and can’t hold nearly as many fans as other stadiums in the league. When it comes down to the answer, a new stadium would be in the best interest of fans and officials.

2011-12 Winter Preview: New hope for Park wrestlers

Mr. Adams — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:52:36 +0000

By: Patrick Johnson, Sports Editor, South Washington County Bulletin

Park senior captain Nate Bauman hits the mat again this year as one of the Wolfpack’s key wrestlers.

In the offseason, the Minnesota State High School League realigned its section placements for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years. The minor adjustments brought forth a major change for the Park wrestling team as perennial power Hastings was moved out of Park’s section and into Section 1AAA.

With the top two teams and the top two individual wrestlers in each weight class qualifying for the state tournament, Park will still need to contend with the state’s top wrestling program, Apple Valley – the six-time defending Class AAA state champion – in section competition. However, without Hastings in Section 3AAA, too, Park will have a better chance to send individuals to state or to go as a team – something that’s only happened twice before (1984 and 1985).

This past year, Apple Valley and Hastings were the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams in the state and qualified 22 total wrestlers to state out of the 28 possible berths. Apple Valley sent 13 individuals to the state tournament and Hastings sent nine to state. Of the six remaining spots, Eagan qualified three wrestlers to state and Rosemount, Burnsville and Henry Sibley each sent one wrestler to state.

“Our team is very excited. We will have much more team balance than we have had in many years,” Park head coach Jim LaBrosse said. “However, we still have a long way to go and we feel that this is the year to make big strides in a positive direction.”

This season, Park will be led by senior captains: Kenny Gerhard (145 pounds), David Ayers (138 pounds), Nate Bauman (182 pounds) and Scott Johnston (170 pounds). Other senior wrestlers looking to make an impact are: Craig Sargeant (285 pounds), Jordan Reeves (152 or 145 pounds), D’Monte Farley (160 pounds), Darius Henrey (195 pounds), Max Flipp (138 pounds), Tyler Liljedahl (215 pounds), Nick Cekala (285 pounds) and Ryan Lund (126 pounds). Others to watch in 2011-12 are: junior Matt Armour at 152 pounds, sophomores Cody Linssen at 195 pounds, David Giadyu at 145 pounds, Austin Thurmes at 106 pounds, J. P. Pallias at 120 pounds, freshmen Corey Flaata at 160 pounds, Jake Lanik at 126 pounds, Brandon Young at 145 pounds, Danial Duval at 132 pounds, Tony Watson at 152, Noah Ijohma at 138 pounds, Steven Thongsirisak at 285 pounds and eighth graders Zach Wills at 170 pounds and Collin LaBrosse at 106 pounds. Linssen is the lone Wolfpack wrestler currently ranked in the top 10 in his weight class. He is ranked 10th in the state at 195 pounds right now.

“With the addition of a number of football players coming out to help solidify our upper weights we will be strong up top once again,” LaBrosse said. “We have some great leadership and experience in the middle weights and some scrappers down below.”

This year, the Suburban East Conference is as tough as ever with three teams in the state rankings.

Hastings is ranked third, Forest Lake is fifth and White Bear Lake is seventh.

Last year, Park finished in the middle of the pack. However, LaBrosse said the Wolfpack’s goal this year is to finish in the top four in the SEC.

Park opens the season with the 14-team Lakeville North Invitational on Sat. Dec. 3, followed by the annual District 833 Triangular against rivals Woodbury and East Ridge, which will be hosted by Park on Thursday, Dec. 8. Park also is holding its annual tournament – the Park Wolfpack Duals on Saturday, Dec. 10.

“These guys are very anxious to step on the mat and show their talents,” LaBrosse said.

Park boys basketball gets first season-opening win since 2007

Mr. Adams — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:26:06 +0000

By: Patrick Johnson, South Washington County Bulletin

With a 45-41 win over Simley, the Park boys basketball team is 1-0 for the first time since the 2007-08 season.

The victory, on Friday at Park High School, allowed the Wolfpack to match its win total from last year – just one game into the 2011-12 season.

“It was a good win. The guys worked really, really hard,” Park head coach J Schwartz said. “It was very special because it was the home opener and afterwards it was fun to say to the guys that we’re 1-0.”

On Dec. 7 of 2007, Park started 1-0 after beating Minneapolis Roosevelt 65-64 in the season opener on the way to a 9-18 record. Last week, Park achieved what it couldn’t the past three years, winning its opener by amassing a sizeable lead on Simley then holding on for the win in the closing seconds.

Park led 22-15 at the half and by as much as 13 points early in the second half, but the Spartans (0-1) chipped away, pulling within two points with under a minute to play. However, Park junior Justin Myers sank two clutch free throws to give the Wolfpack a four-point lead, 45-41, with 7 seconds remaining.

And all that was left was to celebrate.

“It felt fantastic,” Schwartz said. “Our guys were excited. They kind of celebrated like they won the state title. But, that’s how they felt and reacted to it.”

The win also helped the Wolfpack avenge a 50-49 loss at Simley last season.

“I think the guys have a chip on their shoulder,” Schwartz said. “Last spring and this summer and fall the guys worked unbelievably hard in the weight room and on the court with their skills. I think they feel they have something to prove a little bit.”

After going 1-26 in back-to-back years, Park is 2-52 the past two seasons. Schwartz said the team adopted the motto “Be the change” for this season. After losing the team’s top five scorers to graduation, Schwartz said he knows his team will only be able to change its course if it outworks teams.

He said he felt Friday was a good example of that.

“I think we beat them to nearly every loose ball and had a lot of energy baskets,” Schwartz said. “The intensity was great. We’re not the biggest, strongest, fastest team, but I’m very impressed by how hard these guys have worked. Every single day at practice they beat the heck out of each other and that’s one of the reasons we’ve improved.”

In the win, Park pulled down 53 rebounds – more than 20 more than Simley.

Myers, a 6’5” forward, led the way with a team-high 18 rebounds to go along with 11 points. Also, senior forward Anthony Tola had 10 points and 10 rebounds (six offensive) and senior guard Robert Briggs scored a team-high 12 points – nailing four three-pointers.

Schwartz said the three main things his team concentrated on in the preseason were defense, rebounding and avoiding turnovers.

“Giving up 41 points was fantastic and shows how hard they worked and how dedicated they are to defense,” Schwartz said. “We did a great job on the boards, too. That was great. We didn’t take a good job taking care of the ball. But, the guys know it and we’ll clean that up.”

Park was at North St. Paul on Tuesday, Dec. 6, after the Bulletin went to print. Next, the Wolfpack travels to Bemidji on Friday, Dec. 9, for its annual northern pilgrimage, where the team will play out-state squads on consecutive nights.

“The games will be tough, but you get on the bus and you can laugh and watch movies, then share the hotel together and bond a little bit,” Schwartz said. “Having fun is a good thing.”

Park Athlete of the Week: Cameron Anderson

Mr. Adams — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:53:27 +0000

By: Patrick Johnson, Sports Editor, South Washington County Bulletin

One of Park’s youngest athletes made a name for herself last week.

Eighth-grade cross country runner Cameron Anderson had the Wolfpack’s top finish at the Section 3AA championship meet. Anderson finished first for Park girls with a time of 15:47, coming in 26th place overall, helping the Wolfpack place 10th out of 15 teams.

Park football: Wolfpack’s season ends with 44-7 loss to rival Woodbury

Mr. Adams — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:12:48 +0000

[By: Patrick Johnson, Sports Editor, South Washington County Bulletin]

There weren’t many surprises in the Section 4AAAAA quarterfinal as the second-seeded Woodbury Royals steamrolled rival Park, the seventh seed in the seven-team section, 44-7 on Tuesday, Oct. 25, under the lights of Woodbury’s Royals Stadium.

Up 21-7 at the half, Woodbury scored 20 points in the third quarter to put the game on ice and advance to the semifinal. The Royals (6-3) will now play host to third-seeded Eagan, which beat six seed Minneapolis South 50-0 in the playoff opener, on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. The Wildcats were 5-4 on the year.

In the win over Park, Woodbury took advantage of the big play.

With a 21-7 lead starting the second half, Woodbury junior quarterback Sawyer Moon hit senior receiver Ryan Fritze with a 68 yard catch-and-run down to the Wolfpack’s 6-yard line. Three plays later, Woodbury junior running back Quaran Al-Hameed punched in his third of four touchdowns in the game from the 2-yard line to put Woodbury up 28-7 with 9:09 left in the third quarter, dashing any hopes Park had of an upset.

In the first half, the Royals blocked two punts and turned them into touchdowns to go ahead 14-0. Then, after recovering a Park fumble, Woodbury went up 21-0 with 10:36 remaining in the first half.

Park (0-9) showed life in the middle of the second quarter, however.

On the heels of a Woodbury fumble, recovered by Park’s Jordan Reeves on the Wolfpack’s own 39 yard line, Park junior running back Dylan Smallidge broke off a 44-yard touchdown run, turning the corner and sprinting down the left sideline.

After the Wolfpack forced a Woodbury three-and-out, the Wolfpack drove down to the Royals’ 34-yard line. However, Woodbury defensive back Andrew Norlander picked off a Kyle Fritz pass to end the threat and the two teams went into the locker rooms with a 21-7 game.

In the second half, though, it was all Woodbury, which put in its reserves midway through the fourth quarter after building a 44-7 lead, capped by a 48-yard field goal by Royals’ kicker Trevor Lo.

Al-Hameed had 12 carries for 124 yards and four touchdowns and Moon completed 11 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 42 yards to lead the Royals in the game. Also, senior tight end Jordan Voit caught five passes, including two touchdowns.

Despite the loss, Park junior running back Dylan Smallidge was a beast for the Wolfpack, running 21 times for 137 yards and a touchdown in the game.

Park’s season ends with a 20-game losing streak. The Wolfpack’s last win was Friday, Oct. 9, 2009, 27-25 over East Ridge. The Wolfpack is now 3-34 since the start of 2008 season.

Park must now say good-bye to 18 seniors, including Fritz, who was second in the Suburban East Conference in passing yards, D’Monte Farley, who was third in the SEC in receiving yards and a key player in the Wolfpack’s defensive backfield, and team captain and defensive tackle LaVonte Hardie.

Fiscal and Political Shifts Cloud Vikings’ Stadium Push

Mr. Adams — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:52:55 +0000

[By KEN BELSON • Published: October 4, 2011 NY Times]

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — For decades, N.F.L. teams, including those in Arizona, Ohio and Texas, have persuaded taxpayers to help them cover most of the costs of their new stadiums. The Minnesota Vikings, whose roof on their current home, the Metrodome, collapsed spectacularly last winter, are no different.

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

The Vikings, one of the least valuable N.F.L. franchises according to Forbes, had the roof of their aging stadium collapse last season.

But the Vikings’ pitch stands apart from other N.F.L. stadium deals because it is running headlong into a vastly different economic and political landscape. In a state whose financial hardships were so severe that the Legislature shut down state services for several weeks over the summer, a franchise in the $9 billion N.F.L. is asking the public to pay about 60 percent of the cost of a $1.1 billion stadium that would be built here, about 10 miles north of the Twin Cities.

The country’s most popular sport is colliding with the country’s emergent political philosophy: smaller government and lower taxes.

“We have to ask whether this is really a good use of the money,” said King Banaian, one of more than 30 Republicans to join Minnesota’s House of Representatives this year and a professor who teaches sports economics at St. Cloud State University. “Should we be supporting a new stadium over higher education? It’s simply not a priority. These deals are, by and large, giveaways to millionaires and billionaires.”

Out of the Vikings’ effort over several years to get a new stadium has come the latest in a series of proposals to build the team an indoor facility on the state’s largest Superfundsite, an abandoned Army munitions plant opened during World War II. The team is offering to pay more than $400 million toward the cost of the stadium, as well as any overruns. It hopes also to get the potentially lucrative rights to develop an adjoining 170 acres, and revenue from any naming rights and personal seat licenses.

In flush times, many politicians might have backed such a project if only to avoid standing in the way of a hometown icon, especially one that could conceivably move to sunnier places, like Los Angeles, which is trying to woo an N.F.L. team.

But these are not flush times, particularly in Minnesota, the home of Representative Michele Bachmann, the Tea Party stalwart. While the Democratic governor and leaders from the Republican-controlled Legislature try to find the votes for the $300 million in state money needed to complete the deal, an alliance of land-use advocates, fiscal conservatives and liberals has joined hands in opposition.

One of them is Chris Coleman, the mayor of St. Paul, who said he opposes the stadium plan because residents in his city would be forced to pay higher sales taxes but not reap the benefits of a stadium in Arden Hills.

“If public participation in the investment made it more affordable for the family to attend the games, I’d be for it,” he said. “The economics are really screwy.”

The tug of war over whether to help the Vikings may last through the end of the season, when the team’s lease expires at the Metrodome, which opened in 1982. The Vikings say they will not sign a new lease unless there is a deal in place to build them a new home in Arden Hills. (The Twins, who used to play in the Metrodome, signed a series of one-year leases while they waited for their new park to open.)

But a vote on state financing for a new stadium did not come up this summer, when the government was shut down for nearly three weeks as lawmakers tried to close a $5 billion deficit. Gov. Mark Dayton is willing to call a special session this fall, but only if he has enough votes on an amended bill, which he does not appear to have at the moment.

Complicating matters, some Republicans want a referendum on the $350 million contribution from Ramsey County, where the stadium would be situated. Given the public’s distaste for higher taxes — the county hopes to pay for its share by raising the local sales tax by half a cent — a referendum would probably fail.

Tony Bennett, a Ramsey County commissioner and chief backer of the stadium deal, bemoaned what he said was the stridency of many politicians. He said they failed to see the benefits of turning a toxic eyesore into an income-producing property that would provide thousands of jobs and produce millions of dollars in new taxes.

“It’s going to kick-start the economy,” he said as he gave a tour of the site, which still has telephone lines and fire hydrants, but also land soaked with industrial solvents. “Too much is in this not to do it.”

Zygi Wilf, the Vikings’ principal owner, said he was only asking for equal treatment with the Twins, who moved to Target Field, which was publicly financed. The sum the Vikings are willing to spend on the stadium is among the highest contributions of any N.F.L. team to a new stadium, Wilf said.

The Vikings, he added, generate tens of millions of dollars in taxes that would be lost if the team left, though Wilf has been careful to avoid any talk about moving the team if he does not get a new stadium. Even if he wanted to leave town, the N.F.L., which would have to sign off on any move, prefers that the Vikings stay in Minnesota, where there are avid fans and several key advertisers.

“It’s a strong market that has very strong demographics and a very good history,” said Marc Ganis, the president of SportsCorp, a consultant. “They’ve only got one issue: the state is broke and it doesn’t want to contribute money.”

That is one reason Wilf has appealed to the community’s emotional attachment to the team.

“How many of you have been touched to your fiber at some time in your lives because of the Minnesota Vikings?” Wilf said during a recent luncheon at the St. Paul Rotary Club, and about two-thirds of the audience raised a hand. “We realize that we’re not just the owners of a proud franchise, but we’re really stewards of a franchise for the benefit of all the fans who have been touched by the Minnesota Vikings.”

Wanting to keep the Vikings in Minnesota is one thing; spending scarce dollars to help them build a new stadium is another.

According to a poll by The Star Tribune in May, more than 60 percent of those surveyed said the Vikings should continue playing at the Metrodome and almost three-quarters said public money should not be used to help build a new stadium.

“I think the Vikings franchise can afford the stadium,” said Carey Goedel, a fan from New Prague who, as a zookeeper, was furloughed during the state shutdown. “It’s not fair to make the general public that might not care about sports pay for it.”

If lawmakers fail to broker a deal, it will not be the first time a team failed to win public concessions. Seattle turned its back on the N.B.A.’s SuperSonics, who left for Oklahoma City soon after. The Rams left California for St. Louis, which offered the team a new, domed stadium. The Colts left Baltimore for greener fields in Indianapolis. Baltimore turned around and lured the Browns to town.

While Wilf said he was focused on getting a deal done in Minnesota, the Vikings would certainly attract interest from other cities. New and bigger stadiums are the currency that fuel sports teams, so, unsurprisingly, the Vikings, who play in an aging facility, are one of the least valuable franchises in the N.F.L. According to Forbes, the team is worth $796 million, 28th among 32 teams. The Vikings barely turned a profit last year, earning $3.7 million in operating income. The Vikings are the fourth most indebted franchise.

Despite the uphill fight to win over legislators, Ted Mondale, the governor’s chief negotiator in the stadium debate, said that labor unions, construction companies and corporate executives already back the stadium plan. He emphasized that the stadium would not be corporate welfare and that everything, including naming rights, parking and development rights, was on the table. Opponents need to understand that the state’s investment will generate far greater returns, and that the cost of doing nothing would be far worse, he said.

“It’s tough to do this in a recession,” Mondale said. But “if you lose an N.F.L. team, you look like a loser city.”

New District 833 Nordic Ski Coach

Mr. Adams — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:47:04 +0000

Joe Wacker has been hired as the new Nordic ski coach for District 833. He takes over for Will Stoltz, who resigned from that position this summer.

Will served as the head coach for both the boys and girls Nordic teams at Park, Woodbury, and East Ridge High Schools for the past two seasons.

“Will worked hard to build and develop teams at all three high schools. I appreciate all that he has done for our Nordic ski program. Joe comes in with an abundance of energy and enthusiasm, and as a proud alumnus of our Nordic ski program, will do whatever it takes to build the program throughout the district.”

– Phil Kuemmel, Activities Director

Mr. Wacker (pronounced Walker) is a 2007 graduate of Park High School and skied for the Wolfpack. He also skied competitively for the College of St. Scholastica for four years. Joe is currently a substitute teacher in District 833.

Unwelcome homecoming: Bears maul Wolfpack 48-7

Mr. Adams — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 23:43:57 +0000

It took just five plays to spoil homecoming for the Park football team.

Visiting White Bear Lake beat Park 48-7 on Friday, Sept. 23, scoring three touchdowns on its first five offensive plays, taking a 21-0 lead less than four minutes into the Wolfpack’s homecoming game at Park High School.

After receiving the opening kickoff in the Suburban East Conference contest, White Bear Lake (3-1; 3-1 SEC) scored on the very first play of the game as Bears senior quarterback Eric Gebeke ran 78 yards for a touchdown to make it 7-0. Then, after a Wolfpack three-and-out, White Bear Lake senior Ridge Sackman ran 68 yards for a touchdown on the Bears’ second play of its second possession. Following a fumble by Park, White Bear Lake made it a 21-0 game as White Bear Lake junior Nick Truen ran for a 35-yard score on the Bears’ second play of its third drive.

Park (0-4; 0-4 SEC) got off the mat, however, compiling a 10-play, four minute touchdown drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown run by junior running back Dylan Smallidge to make the score 21-7 with 3:43 left in the first quarter. But, that’s as close as the Wolfpack would get. It took the Bears only four more plays and 22 seconds to get into the end zone again, this time on an 18-yard run by senior running back Joe Nasvik, making it 28-7. After a pair of interceptions by White Bear Lake on Park’s next two possessions, Truen scored his second touchdown of the game with 2:55 left in the half, making it a 35-7 game – and the rout was on.

In all, White Bear Lake totaled 515 yards of total offense, including an astounding 447 yards rushing. Sackman led the way with 120 yards rushing on eight carries, followed by Tyler Hubman, who had nine rushes for 92 yards and Gebeke, who had two carries for 86 yards.

Park had 220 yards of offense, 135 in the air and 85 on the ground. Smallidge led the way for the Wolfpack with 67 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries along with three catches for 36 yards. Senior quarterback Kyle Fritz was 15-for-28 passing for 135 yards. His leading receiver was junior Irving Gutierrez, who caught six balls for 41 yards.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Wolfpack next week. Park travels to St. Paul to take on Cretin-Derham Hall on Friday, Sept. 30. The Raiders are undefeated and ranked third in Class AAAAA.

[By: Patrick Johnson, Sports Editor, South Washington County Bulletin]

Park senior D'Monte Farley and the Wolfpack fell 48-7 to White Bear Lake on Friday, Sept. 23. Read the article: Unwelcome homecoming: Bears maul Wolfpack 48-7

PHS Hall of Fame Inductees

Mr. Adams — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:42:03 +0000

Park High School is honored to announce the seventh class for induction in the Park High School Hall of Fame. These alumni are being recognized for this prestigious award because of their athletic excellence while representing Park High School. The coaches and community members are being honored for their commitment to the youth in our community and their dedication and support of Park athletics. The following are the individuals selected into the 2011 Hall of Fame:

Jerome Detviler (Coach/Class of ‘68): “JD” participated in football and track and field while at Park High School, but is probably best known for his efforts as a long-time coach in soccer, Nordic skiing, and track and field. While his teams were very successful, his ability to bring a love for the sport to his athletes made him a great coach.
William Hare (Class of ‘61): Bill earned ten varsity letters at Park in football, basketball, and baseball. He was a standout baseball player at Hamline University and is inducted in their hall of Fame. Hare was a successful baseball coach (winning four state championships) and athletic director at Greenway Coleraine High School.
Norm Larsen (Coach/Athletic Director): Mr. Larsen was the head football coach at Park for ten years and led the 1959 team to an undefeated 9-0 season. After his coaching career, Norm continued to serve as Park’s athletic director until his retirement in 1977. Larsen was instrumental in establishing the “Citizens for Lights” committee which raised money for lights at the Oltman field and is still giving away scholarship money to District 833 students today.
Leslie (Bloedel) Mollner (Class of ‘89): Leslie was a three-year state meet participant in diving while at Park, and finished in 11th in the state her senior year. She also excelled at gymnastics, where she led her teams to two state meet appearances and was an individual state champion in the vault. Leslie twice earned All-American honors as a gymnast at Gustavus Adolphus, leading her team to four straight Division III national championships.
Tim Scanlan (Class of ‘79): Tim was a three sport stand-out all three years that he attended Park, participating in football, basketball, and track. He continued his athletic career at the U of M, as a high jumper freshman year and a member of the JV basketball team his sophomore year. Scanlan is currently the vice president of event production at ESPN, and in 2003 won an Emmy Award for Technical Achievement.

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 5:00p.m. at Mississippi Dunes on Grey Cloud Island. For ticket information, call Activities Director Phil Kuemmel at 651/768-5720. Once again, congratulations to this year’s inductees. We look forward to honoring them in November.