Finalists for Owatonna Athlete of the Year

The Owatonna High School tradition of naming senior and junior athletes of the year will continue on Wednesday, May 26. The latest group of "O" Club members will also be recognized for their commitment to multiple sports. The 110% award winners, Triple-A and Excel Minnesota State High School League honors will also be highlighted.

The 12 athlete finalists include Big Nine Conference and Big Southeast champions, section finalists and section champions, and a state champ. Nearly all of the senior group of nominees have committed to play college sports, representing Division I, II and III athletics. The list includes a two pairs of sisters.

OHS Activities Director Marc Achterkirch states, "Athletes were nominated by one of their coaches and voted upon by all the head coaches. This is an incredible honor for our athletes. Their hard work, determination, and leadership abilities have elevated them to be some of the very best athletes to participate at Owatonna High School."

Senior Female Finalists:

• Anna Herzog
• Sarah Kingland
• Grace Wolfe

Senior Male Finalists:

• Payton Beyer
• Zach Kubicek
• Matt Seykora

Junior Female Finalists:

• Ava Wolfe
• Taylor Schlauderaff
• Olivia Herzog

Junior Male Finalists:

• Grant Achterkirch
• Landen Johnson
• Preston Meier

Johnson won a state individual wrestling title. Beyer was part of a state tournament basketball team. Seykora was a member of a state meet wrestling team as a junior. Both were on the football squad that has won a number of consecutive section titles.

Several of the girls were members of a section runner-up soccer team this past fall and players on the Big Nine title hockey team in the 2019-2020 season.

Those highlights just scratch the surface of their overall accomplishments. Watch for more info in future postings.

Invited guests will attend the ceremony Wednesday at OHS. I feel honored to have the chance to emcee the festivities and relive some of the highlights that these athletes have performed for us.

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