The “off” season

By Kenny Kiratli

Kenny Kiratli ('17) attends Northwestern University.

Posted: September 22, 2014

Redhawk sports stay busy this summer in many ways

As the long, hot, summer days come to an end, a new school year begins. A new year of academics, sports and social life. But another year of school cannot just begin without preparation. Constructing athletics for the 102nd school year of Minnehaha Academy, athletes of every sport have been playing and active. Just what goes on during the summer as you are at the beach or on a vacation? Hard work.

This year will be the inaugural year for the IMAC Conference, consisting of Minnehaha, Blake, Breck, Providence, Mounds Park and St. Paul Academy. Conference games will be played against these teams, and each team may be played more than once, being that the conference only has six total teams. As Minnehaha prepares for a new year, they will be seeing these familiar faces, and many others. But just how has every team been keeping busy? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.

 

Soccer

Redhawk Camp, a weeklong camp for all soccer players at Minnehaha, was held and attended by both the boys and girls teams. Captain’s practices and a few general practices were also held for the soccer players. “We trained twice a week basically all summer,” said senior captain Peter Webster. “In august, we started to have more practices per week. Most of the time Coach Linder was able to be there. We had a couple of scrimmages against Hope Academy, Apple Valley, Richfield and Armstrong Cooper.”

 

Baseball

The Minnehaha varsity baseball team capped off the 2014 season in early June, but just as the varsity season ended, a new season started up. Coached by Shane Hedeed, and welcoming back two graduated players, Eamonn Manion and Ryan Evenson, the team played 31 games, finishing the summer season 15-15-1, and ended in late July.

 

Hockey

Whether on the ice or in the weight room, the boys’ hockey team kept busy this summer. “I thought the summer practices were a good way to grow as a team and build some more chemistry together,” said junior captain, Josh Radtke. The boys had two on-ice practices and three workout days a week, with a few scrimmages thrown in the mix.

 

Volleyball

Camps, open gyms, and captain’s practices helped the volleyball team look ahead to the upcoming season. “It was a fun way to get some volleyball minutes in before tryouts and see or meet your teammates for the upcoming season,” said sophomore Abby Gillmer.  Graduating nine seniors (yes, nine!) the team will be young, but inexperience will be turned into reps, as the summer proved to be a great time to get to play as a new group.

 

Cross-country

After a successful 2013 season, the Minnehaha cross-country team spent their summer running and having practice five days a week, at 9 a.m. every Monday through Friday. “In June, we had a camp, which we rented a cabin and ran every day and played games, which was a ton of fun,” said junior Luke Frazier. “We also had two beach days where we ran in the morning and then hung out at the beach all day.”

 

AD

Roger Ross, who is a certified trainer and a former Minnehaha coach, ran athletic development. Running two sessions per day, athletes focus on speed, agility, and strength four days per week. “Athletic development is run to prevent injury, and to help the athlete in every aspect in their game,” said Ross, who now runs a similar training program after school.

 

Football

AD was a big part of the football team’s summer work, as they were widely represented in the workouts. “Minnehaha football was definitely the most represented sports team at AD,” said junior quarterback, Samuel Pickerign. Having a 7 on 7 passing league every Monday night, and a minicamp in June, touchdowns are not just a thing of the fall. “It’s great to play, and to put some work in,” adds Pickerign. The football team capped off the summer with captain practices and an annual trip to Lake Beauty.

And there you have it, a full summer filled with Redhawk sports! So this year, as you support your friends and classmates as they play, make sure to take a second to think about all of the hard work going on that puts the shots into the net, or the ball into end zone, or whatever makes you cheer for your Redhawk sports.

You may also like…

A new era for girls basketball

New coach brings different philosophy A warm salty drop of sweat falls from your drenched forehead as you are catching your breath. You place your hands on your knees as you watch your legs tremble with aching pain. Just as you regain your strength you hear the...

Money and Sports: Sports Gambling Increase

“It came down to the very last play of the game,” said the Sophomore passionately. “I couldn’t stand still. They had to win.” The fifteen-year-old ended up winning 1500 dollars. The winter sports season is now in full swing and engulfing the halls of Minnehaha Academy...

Sports around the world

Sports vary but interest remains high across the globe How many of your friends and family play sports? How many of your friends and family watch and follow sports? The United States sports culture is huge. The U.S. has large organizations like the MLB and the NBA...

High interest, high hopes

Boys basketball preview When you think of the name Minnehaha Academy, what do you think about? Oftentimes, MA is associated very closely with basketball. With superstar graduates such as Jalen Suggs and Chet Holmgren, both of whom went on to play in the NBA, our...

Fall sports enjoy annual traditions

Many fall sports seasons are rapidly coming to a close. The sports teams at MA; whether it is on or off a court or field have specific traditions or ways they bond together. Being on a sports team means you spend a lot of time with your teammates, and it is important...