Sports B Saturday, March 28, 2020 | SPORTS EDITOR: JASON FELDMAN, [email protected] Zmolek brothers back under one roof scatter again. Former Century ALL IN THE defenseman has six goals and 27 Riese will be a FAMILY points in his MSU career. senior at Minnesota • WILL ZMOLEK: The 2017 Cen- State University in standouts the fall, Will will be a Former Century boys hockey tury grad turns 21 on Thursday. R. Zmolek W. Zmolek B. Zmolek standouts Riese, Will and Bennett sophomore at Bemidji reunited … He was a freshman for Bemidji State, and Bennett will head play for the that Zmolek all had strong seasons cut State this season, helping the spring, then moved on to Cedar short. They’re all back in Roches- back to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for Beavers to a second-place finish Rapids in the fall. for now ter now, working out and training his second full season of junior in the WCHA. He had seven hockey with the USHL’s Cedar “It’s still going to take some at their family’s home. A look at BY JASON FELDMAN assists in 37 games. Rapids Roughriders. time to process this all,” Riese [email protected] their 2019-20 seasons: “We’ve all been back home for said of MSU’s season coming • RIESE ZMOLEK: The 23-year- • BENNETT ZMOLEK: The (more than) a week,” Will said to an abrupt halt, with the Three Division I hockey old recently finished his junior 6-foot-2, 180-pounder recent- earlier this week. “It doesn’t Mavericks holding a legitimate players in one house, and there season at Minnesota State ly finished his first full season happen a lot anymore. We can’t belief they could win a national championship. “Even when I haven’t been any scuffles or University, where he helped the with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids really go anywhere right now, trash talking. Roughriders. He’ll play there but the next few months will be pulled up to our house (on March Mavericks hold the No. 1-rank- 17), it felt weird. I was hoping At least not yet. ing in the country for stretches again next season before heading fun. Our parents seem pretty So say brothers Riese, Will and happy to have us all back.” every day when I’d wake up that this season as well as a WCHA to Minnesota State in 2021-22 or Bennett Zmolek. The brothers haven’t been it was a bad dream.” “It’s awesome being home regular-season title. The standout 2022-23. all together for such a stretch While Bennett was unable together,” said Bennett, the of time since Century’s 2014-15 to watch most of his brothers youngest of Doug and Jenny have a full house. I really hadn’t coronavirus and the disease it season — the only time Riese games this season, Riese and Zmolek’s three boys. “I’m not seen them since we all left last causes, COVID-19, begin to fade and Will played together on a Will were reunited on the ice able to see any of their games summer.” and life begins to return to a new team; Riese as a senior, Will a during the season … now we When concerns about the normal, the Zmolek boys will sophomore — ended. Riese left to See ZMOLEK, Page B2 Time to vote for Play of Year Voting on 32- play bracket opens Monday BY ISAAC TROTTER [email protected]

With no March Madness, we’re all in need of a bracket of some kind. The Post Bulletin sports team has you covered. We have created the bracket to decide the 2019-20 Play of the Year from schools in southeastern Minnesota. Thirty-two plays made the cut. But only one can be the winner, and it’s up to you to decide. There are four quadrants: boys’ , girls’ basketball, hockey and football/wrestling. The voting for the Round of 32 will begin on Monday, March 30, at 9 a.m. You’ll Photo courtesy of University of Pacific have three days to vote to see University of Pacific junior guard Broc who advances to the Sweet Finstuen, left, helped the Tigers to a 23-10 16. record this season. Finstuen is a 2017 Pine It won’t be easy to decide. ‘Do what it The No. 1 seeds are Island graduate. Caledonia boys basketball 311,000 and situated 80 player Eli King, Kasson- minutes east of San Mantorville girls basketball Francisco. player Mya Suess, Blooming While he was intrigued at Prairie football player Gabe takes to win’ being coached by a former Hagen and Dodge County “It’s easy to listen to (Stoudamire),” said NBA star like Stoudamire, boys hockey player Brody Pine Island’s Finstuen, a 6-feet-4, 200-pound junior guard the team he was joining Lamb. who spent his first two years out of high King, a sophomore, and was below average in 2018- school playing junior college basketball, 19, finishing 14-18 overall his brother Noah, a senior at Finstuen found his first at Central Wyoming College and Stoudamire Caledonia, also appear in the and 4-12 in the West Coast then Casper (Wyoming) College. “This is Conference. The Tigers football/wrestling region for a coach who played at the highest level way at Pacifiic owned the same 14-18 record the year a couple of outstanding plays and had to guard guys like Jason Kidd and before (9-9 in the WCC.) that helped the Warriors BY PAT RUFF Steve Nash. We can’t compare anything But after a 2-2 start this season, Pacific win the Class AA state [email protected] we’ve done to what he did. When he talks took off. It won 10 of its next 11 games en championship. about your game, you just say, ‘OK.’” route to its 23-10 record, including 11-5 in The voting will go amon Stoudamire has reeled in two When Stoudamire evaluates Finstuen’s the WCC. quickly, with the champion prestigious coaching awards this just-completed season, helping Pacific to It was that jump that earned determined by April 10. month. a 23-10 record, he’s much more than “OK” D Stoudamire a pair of prestigious post- Let’s get the fun started. On March 3, the former NBA star with what he provided. season coaching awards. point guard was named the West Coast Finstuen wasn’t a lavish scorer, But he considered the recognition Conference Coach the Year. Then Tuesday, averaging 5.1 points per game. But he VOTING misplaced. another biggie came his way, Stoudamire was a frequent starter who excelled at “Those awards don’t mean a thing SCHEDULE prized with the Ben Jobe National Coach so many of the things that Stoudamire to me,” Stoudamire said. “I wish they Round of 32: 9 a.m. March of the Year Award, given annually to the covets. top minority Division I coach. Among them is thefts. Finstuen had 20 were team awards, not coach of the year 30 - 10 a.m. April 2. A former NBA Rookie of the year steals this season, good for second on the awards. You can’t do it without players. Sweet 16: 2 p.m. April 2 - (1996), the 46-year-old Stoudamire team despite averaging just fewer than 15 I tell everyone, we were a team that got 10 a.m. April 4. draws special interest in southeastern minutes per game. better and better each and every game. That’s because guys bought in. You have Elite Eight: 2 p.m. April 4 - Minnesota. “Broc has great instincts with the That’s especially true in Pine Island, way he can get steals,” Stoudamire said. to have guys who play as hard as our guys 10 a.m. April 6. where one of its own is playing for “It’s crazy how he can anticipate and get did, that’s the No. 1 thing.” Final Four: 2 p.m. April 6 - Stoudamire at the University of Pacific. them.” Stoudamire points to Finstuen as one 10 a.m. April 8. That guy — 2017 Pine Island graduate Finstuen wasn’t sure what to anticipate of those workers. Broc Finstuen — relishes the hands he’s when he first arrived at Pacific. It’s Championship: 2 p.m. in. located in Stockton, Calif., population See FINSTUEN, Page B3 April 8 - Noon April 10. Activities directors faced with unique challenge BY GUY N. LIMBECK wiped out entirely. weather.” years of athletics, different,” Lourdes [email protected] “We’re used to Two years ago, approximately and you can’t activities director scrambling in the 75 percent of the scheduled predict something Steve Strickland This year’s spring is a different spring because of spring sporting events had to be like this.” said. “I’m going kind of crazy for high school weather, but now rescheduled due to the weather. The activities activities directors in Rochester it’s something “It’s usually one of your most directors are into work every and the entire state. else,” John hectic, crazy, unpredictable looking at a day and continue Usually the activities directors Marshall activities seasons and then you go here, number of to do my work as are gearing up for the sports Ihrke director Brian where you might end up Whitney scenarios that Strickland if things were season, which was set to begin Ihrke said. “We’re postponing an entire season,” could play out, still going. I haven’t changed next week. But because of just going to hope that we have Mayo activities directory Jeff and trying to stay positive in the COVID-19, the spring season is a nice sunny spring and then Whitney said. “Totally different process. anything.” on hold until at least May and when we start playing games we scenarios, but the same results. “I’m still going at it as if we’re there is a chance it could be won’t have to worry about the You do this long enough, all these having a season, unless I hear See DIRECTORS, Page B2 B2 Saturday, March 28, 2020 POST BULLETIN • PostBulletin.com Sports Zmolek HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL From page B1

five times in the past three months. Riese’s MSU team Swanson named head coach at K-M won three of those five games, “We had to scrap the whole “I don’t get wrapped up in canceled until early May, and including the last game of Former assistant thing,” Swanson remembers. titles and stuff,” Swanson said. there’s no established date for the regular season, when the “We had no one who can do this.” “It’s an honor and a privilege to sports to return. Mavericks topped Bemidji State will take over Swanson learned a valuable work with the young men and “You hope that we can get 4-1 at Bemidji on Feb. 29 to lesson that season that has stuck have a chance to lead and guide back soon, but we have to be clinch the WCHA regular season KoMets program with him throughout his three them as they try and chase their safe,” Swanson said. “It’s not championship. decades as a football coach. dreams for the future.” just football but they want “I’m pretty sure Will (and BY ISAAC TROTTER “I resorted back to the plays K-M went 6-4 last season with to stay in contact with their BSU) was in the same boat as [email protected] that were easiest for everyone two of its losses coming to teammates and classmates. If we were,” Riese said. “Everyone to understand,” Swanson said. state semifinalist Winona. The this extends into the summer, was so heartbroken. I’m pretty When Joel Swanson was “My goal was always by the end KoMets have finished with a we’re going to have to figure sure (BSU) would’ve gotten into 24 years old, he was a bright- of the year, I want them to have winning record in three of the out some other ways. Usually, the NCAA tournament. It’s not eyed football coach at Luverne ideas. I want to teach the kids last four years, and Swanson’s I have everything mapped out. easy to get there, to put in a High School. He had a star to make calls. I want the kids plan is to keep it that way. Now, there’s a lot of adjustments whole year, then this happens. quarterback on his roster to feel comfortable out there so His plan is to tailor his because of what’s going on in It’s a lot to handle in a short who’s name was Terry Van they’re not looking to me right offensive and defensive our country.” period of time.” Engelenhoven. before the snap. I want them to schemes so they fit the KoMets’ When sports come back, Both teams were likely to Van Engelenhoven had a know what to watch for so they personnel. Swanson won’t fit a Swanson will undoubtedly make the NCAA tournament rocket for an arm. He was a can switch things around if square peg into a round hole. have a plan ready to roll for his field. MSU, still looking for its star pitcher on the diamond needed.” “I want to keep things simple KoMets squad. But the lesson he first-ever win in the national who threw 90 miles per hour That’s exactly what Swanson for the guys, but I also don’t learned with Van Engelenhoven tournament, would have likely and went on to play for will bring to the field in the fall. want to run the same thing at Luverne will loom large in been a No. 1 seed in one of the South Dakota State University. Last week, Swanson accepted that everyone else is running,” 2020. four regionals with its 31-5-2 Swanson was enamored of the head football coaching job at Swanson said. “I like being “The hardest thing is not record and two Hobey Baker his star quarterback. He came Kasson-Mantorville. different. I purposely put things being around the kids and Award finalists in forward Marc to training camp with 125 It was an easy choice. in on both sides of the ball hearing their ideas and inputs,” Michaelis and goalie Dryden different plays that utilized Van Swanson has been coaching that no one else is doing. Then Swanson said. “It’s their season. McKay. Engelenhoven’s bazooka-like football at K-M for almost a opponents don’t have anything I’ve done it for over 30 years. “It was really tough to sit in arm. decade. He was the defensive to refer back to.” There’s always another season that team meeting,” Riese said But Van Engelenhoven blew coordinator last year before The coronavirus outbreak has for me. That’s not the case for of the Mavericks’ final get- out his knee early in the season, taking over as the interim head thrown a wrench into Swanson’s all of my guys. So I want them together as a team. “I have a and Swanson was stuck. All of coach during the middle of the plans. Off-season workouts have to have some ownership of their frog in my throat just talking his offensive plays were useless. season. come to a halt. Spring sports are season.” about it. The stuff we’ve been through together, grinding every day. We grew so close … not AMATEUR SOCCER getting a last chance to try for a championship with that group. It was hard to look around the locker room.” While Riese and Will were Season ends before it starts for Med City on the ice with their teams, preparing for practices when around the globe, but Med City FC had built official. Spaeth was willing to see the big the news of the canceled 2020 NPSL momentum. picture. postseason broke, Bennett was The Mayhem were coming off their best “If we do our part in a small way here, we home in Rochester, recovering season yet. They finished 8-1-3 last year and want to do that,” Spaeth said. “I love soccer, from mononucleosis. He didn’t season canceled for the first time reached the NPSL playoffs. but it’s not worth dying for.” get the chance for a face-to-face BY PAT RUFF In recognition of that strong campaign, There still is a chance that Med City FC goodbye with his teammates. [email protected] the Mayhem had been invited to participate will have a bit of a season. But it would “We faced a lot of injury and in the prestigious Lamar Hunt U.S. Open likely be one where just a handful of teams illness this year,” Bennett said The National Premier Soccer League has Cup. But their opening game of that participated, with mini-tournaments. of the Roughriders’ season. “I cancelled its 2020 season over concerns of massive tournament, which had been Spaeth said that he has already been felt like, just all the practices COVID-19, the fast-spreading world-wide scheduled for March 25, was put on hold reached out to about that. and everything, those were disease. due to COVID-19 worries. As of last week, What Spaeth says he will put most of his always competitive and helped Included in the NPSL is Rochester’s Spaeth wasn’t sure whether that game concentration into now, though, is the 2021 me improve my all-around fourth-year amateur team, Med City FC. would be made up. season. There is a silver lining in that. game.” Med City FC General Manager Frank Med City FC was set to open its NPSL “For the first time in our history, we’ll The silver lining for the Spaeth considered it the right decision. season on May 2. The league had already have more than a year to prepare for a Zmoleks has been some “It is understandable given the current made adjustments in recent weeks, having season,” he said. unexpected time together climate and uncertainty that we are in that delayed its normally early starting West at home. Even the youngest they cancel it,” Spaeth said. “This (COVID- Coast schedule to April 4. That was also NO WORD ON UPSL, WPSL sibling, Ella, a middle-schooler 19) isn’t something that’s going to go away in response to COVID-19. Now, the entire There has been no word yet of Rochester’s who bucked the family trend in two or three weeks. It’s not just going to season is gone for NPSL teams. two other amateur soccer teams, Rochester and excels at basketball, seems magically disappear by then. Making sure Spaeth said that conference calls have FC and women’s team Rochester United FC, happy to have her brothers we are putting the health of our players, happened between a number of teams in the having had their seasons cancelled due to back. fans and staff first is the right idea.” NPSL the last two weeks, discussing how to COVID-19. Both are in their second year. “I think she really likes it It’s not an easy time for Spaeth to take proceed with the season. Having taken part Rochester FC plays in the United Premier when we’re home,” Bennett a break. Not only has he put in countless in those, he had a strong hunch that things Soccer League, while Rochester United said. “She said it was too quiet hours preparing for the season, including were going to get canceled. FC plays in the Women’s Premier Soccer with us gone.” recruiting players who annually come from On Thursday, that cancellation became League.

to be called in place about a year in unpleasant weather. in moving things later or situations that pop up due Directors off. A lot of advance. So while games “You can’t even start starting to move things to poor weather. Right From page B1 conference this year are waiting making up a legit schedule around because you still now they would probably calls are to happen, the ADs are until you really get some have graduations, you cherish the thought at “We’re not totally currently working on next year’s direction one way or still have proms and all only having to worry scrapping everything, being held. schedules. another,” Whitney said. those things that might about the weather. but we’re hanging tight,” Activities “We’ve already built the “You don’t want to waste take place or might not “Sports are a real big Century activities director directors fall and winter schedules a lot of time building take place based on the deal to people,” Ihrke said, Mark Kuisle said. “As Kuisle of the 12 for the conference and things when you don’t circumstances,” Kuisle “not only for exercise, but I talk with ADs across schools in we’re working on non- know what’s going to said. for recreation and for fans. Minnesota, everyone’s the Big Nine Conference conference schedules,” happen, but you want The activities directors Hopefully we’ll be back to kind of in the same boat, had a conference call on Whitney said. “We were to be prepared if it does are used to dealing with normal before too long.” only taking care of the Thursday. just starting to build next happen.” short term rather than “We’re just trying to get year’s spring schedule in It’s unlikely the spring looking at the long term.” our staff up to speed with the conference, so the Big season can be pushed Kuisle is also the some technology and some Nine ADs are still doing back to finish later than current president of options for themselves that.” normal, however. There the Athletic Directors so they can be able to The mad scramble could are other factors in place, Association in Minnesota. communicate with kids come later this spring if and the fact that sporting The association was while we’re in this down the season does get under venues may not be supposed to have a three- time,” Kuisle said. way. Schedules might need available. day conference this week to be redone to reflect “When we start looking with the 325 members WORKING AHEAD the shorter season. And at those state tournament and 90 administrative The activities directors with spring, there is also dates, we don’t have a assistants, but that had usually have schedules the constant threat of great deal of flexibility

LENNOXFURNACE LIQUIDATION Mildred(O’Byrne) EXTENDED THROUGH SALE MARCH 31! Due to the huge response to our Lennox furnace the special events in your life! liquidation sale, K&S is extending the savings through Make your milestone announcement a part of local history. March 30th! Now is absolutely the best time to buy! Lennox 95% Efficient Furnace Wedding Engagement Birthday $1,895* and with system purchase Graduation Retirement Anniversary Many More! *Toqualified buyer on qualifying equipment. See K&S for complete details. Fuchs Four easy ways to submit your announcement: 90th Birthday We have alimited number of the Lennox furnaces 1. Online: postbulletin.com/celebrations and matching air conditioners remaining in our warehouse. Hundreds of homeowners have saved. Millie and her family 2. Call: 507.285.7777 Call soon while we still have inventory! are celebrating her When the units in our warehouse aregone, 90th Birthday 3. Email: [email protected] so arethe liquidation savings! —April 2nd— 4. Stop in: Post Bulletin front desk: CallC ll ffor your 10100%0 FREEon-site estimate and see just how 1700 Greenview Dr. SW • Rochester, MN 55902 • Mon.-Fri. 9AM-5PM affordable anew Lennox home comfort system can be! Please help her *0% financing is to qualified buyer through US Bank Visa Platinum Card. After 0% introductoryperiod, unpaid balances are subject to celebrate by sending APR of 11.24% to 23.24% variable. For more information, visit www.usbank.com/credit-cards. birthday greetings to: Deadline is 8 days prior to 1260 Winona St SE the Saturday you want your Apt 213, Celebration to run. 4205 Hwy 14 W•Rochester Chatfield MN 55923 507-282-4328 Please, no gifts. www.ksheating.com