Tri-County area prep student athletes, coaches happy to be playing spring sports

The spring sports season for Tri-County area schools is not only underway but has reach its middle point by the end of this week.

After nothing was played last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, local student athletes and coaches and fans are happy to be hitting the links, running the track and throwing the ball around the old diamond this year.

"I am sure the canceled 2020 season was frustrating to all coaches and players in our conference," Osseo-Fairchild head softball coach Chad Frase said. "Trempealeau County only allowed us to practice last July and not play any games. What I noticed is everyone came to those practices and gave maximum effort, even knowing there would not be any summer league games in 2020. Our school district has been meeting in person five days per week since September. I think that full-time schedule has helped our student athletes stay in the flow of the five day work week. I think that full-time school schedule will help prepare us for a busy softball schedule. I think the silver lining of the safer at home order was more family time and it truly slowed down the fast pace world the student athletes have grown up in. I also believe they are ready to get back on the softball field. I know the players' parents are eager to get back in the stands watching softball. I know I won't complain about a long drive to an away game or a late night dragging the field after a game for a long time. I am ready to see what this team can accomplish in 2021 and am thankful we have the opportunity to compete."

Fall Creek's head coach for boys' golf Matt Prissel is in his first season but also excited to be outdoors this spring instead of cooped inside.

"Everybody is happy to be back on the course," Prissel said. "Regardless of the sport this year, a return to closer to normalcy has been important. Even if things are not exactly the way they were pre-pandemic, we are thankful to be competing. Having the chance to participate in sports and competitive athletics is a huge factor for the experiences of our student-athletes--it is neat to see that they are back to making some memories that will last them a lifetime. Also, there is something special about spring sports and knowing that nicer days and warmer weather is in front of us and winter weather is behind us."

With the 2020 season canceled, time was seemingly suspended from 2019, where Fall Creek won the Western Cloverbelt Conference title. For the Crickets to do this again in 2021 will take strong play from the sophomores of that squad one year removed. Many were starters including: Brandon Jaenke: Pitcher/3rd baseman, Lucas Costley: OF/Pitcher , Jack Riemenschneider: IF/P, Luke Olson: 1B/P, Nate Sorensen: IF
Logan Gilles: C and Nolan Martzke: 3B/P. So far so good as FC is at atop the league standings.

"Our success will depend on how fast the pitching and defense come around this season," "FC head coach Mike Johnson said. "The only returning player with varsity pitching experience back is Brandon Jaenke. The high quality of baseball played by our opponents in the Western Cloverbelt will make it tough each game. The 14 conference games will be played in just five weeks this season so pitching and health will be very important. We only have 13 players out for baseball this season."

But the main thing is a happiness for sunshine, clouds and even rain if it means the kids are outside again.

"It's great to get back to baseball again...finally," Johnson said. "We were all disappointed that the WIAA pushed back and shortened our 2021 season this year after having last year's season totally wiped out. The student/athletes who love baseball as their main sport really got a bad deal out of all of this. They are excited and working hard for the upcoming season. I know they do appreciate the game of baseball now more then ever!"

Fall Creek's softball team has also been performing well on the diamond. FC is led by a trio of juniors pitcher Samantha Olson, Catrina Cline, and Hannah Herrem.

"We will look to improve each day and grow together as a team. We look to play our best softball later in the season," Crickets' head coach Brand Ceranski said. "We are ecstatic to be back on the diamond!!!
There is a ton of passion and excitement for softball in our community. The lay off is the same for all programs, we will look to gain experience at the varsity level and improve throughout the season. "

Track and Field is also back. Fall Creek is off to a strong start, winning first meets with a deep team led by athletes like Caleb VanDong, Soren Johnson and Isaac Kauffman and Leo Hagberg along with the school's top runner Jenna Anders on the girls' team. Augusta returns may letter winners from the 2019 squad including: Kennedy Schroeder, Daisia Wheeler, Kyle Shult, Bailey Peterson and Kirsten Willms. The Beavers recently swept a double-dual meet over Eleva-Strum and Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran earlier this week. Such small meets will be a feature of Augusta's and E-S's schedule this year

"I would say mental toughness, positive attitude, team cohesiveness, and having fun is what's going to determine how our season will go," Augusta's Zach Lee said. "The kids are happy with the schedule and happy to be back to track."

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