Hutch kids in college - an online update

There is only so much space in the newspaper for collegiate briefs, so I thought I'd update everyone on the Hutchinson kids at colleges in my blog.

Again, my list may not be complete, so if I'm missing somebody, please let me know.

Football
Nate Swift – University of Nebraska – 2009
Lydon Murtha – University of Nebraska – 2009
* I try to update the public as much as can on these two. But here is what I have missed. After starting the season with a 3-0 record, Nebraska has been defeated at home twice by Virgina Tech and Missouri, who I believe is No. 3 ranked in the country.

Nebraska senior wide receiver Nate Swift caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Joe Ganz in the first quarter. Swift’s touchdown reception was the 15th of his career, tying him with Jon Bostick for third on the Nebraska career touchdown receptions list. He trails only Johnny Rodgers (25) and Maurice Purify (16) on the Husker career list.

Swift caught five passes against Missouri, giving him 123 career receptions. Swift is 20 receptions shy of Johnny Rodgers’ school record of 143 career receptions. Swift has 20 catches this season, becoming the first player in school history with 20 or more receptions in four consecutive seasons.

Swift has caught a pass in 37 of 43 career games and tonight marked his ninth game with five or more receptions, including three in 2008.

Murtha made his third start of the season at right tackle after missing the first two games with a staph infection in his right arm and a partially torn triceps. Ouch.

I'm planning a Lincoln trip Nov. 28 for their final home game against Colorado.

Randy Erickson – Southwest MN State University – 2012
* The Mustangs are 3-3 on the season following a big 35-28 win over Winona State last Saturday. On the season, Erickson has played in all six games with one solo tackle, six assists and pass knockdown.

Tony Mortensen – University of Minnesota – 2009
* Mortensen has appeared in one game for the Gophers in a win over Bowling Green earlier this season.

Brian Renkes - Bemidji State University – 2012
* The Beavers are 2-4 on the season. It appears still that Renkes will red-shirt.

Jack Daggett - St. John’s University – 2012
* He’s listed on the roster (that may be the biggest roster in D3 sports). The Johnnies are a surprise 0-2 in the MIAC.

Joe Schlueter - St. Olaf College - 2012
Shea Corrigan - St. Olaf College – 2012
Brian Albrecht - St. Olaf College - 2012
* All three are playing on the junior varsity squad for the Oles and suiting for varsity games.

Bill Moritz - Carleton College – 2012
* See Thursday’s paper of a picture with the four boys at Northfield schools. Moritz has one catch for seven yards and one punt for 29 yards in four games for the Knights.

Volleyball
Amanda Polzin – University of North Dakota – 2010
Laci Murtha – University of Mary – 2011
Kim Hacker - Bemidji State University - 2012
Brittany Stamer - Minnesota State University-Mankato - 2012
Ashley Maher - University of St. Thomas – 2012
* See last Tuesday’s paper

Cross Country
Amanda Dettman – MSU-Mankato – 2010
* Dettman finished 62th (19:52) at last Saturday’s SDSU Invite. She was 36th (24:12) at the Roy Griak Invite a few weeks back as the Mavericks placed third of 24 teams in DII.

Kyle Schmidt - South Dakota State University – 2012
* Five of South Dakota State's top seven runners were freshmen as the Jackrabbit men's cross country team claimed the team title at the season-opening NDSU Cross Country Open Friday afternoon at Rose Creek Golf Course. Schmidt finished 25th overall in 27:35.15. Schmidt also raced in the SDSU Classic last weekend.

Tamar Billiet - College of St. Catherine’s - 2012
* Billiet placed sixth on the St. Kate’s team with a time of 28:13 at the St. Olaf Invite Sept. 20. She also ran at Luther College Sept. 13. The Wildcats host a triangular Saturday.

Baseball
Brooks Albrecht – University of Minnesota – 2011
Injuries are part of the game. It cost Albrecht all of his first season on the Gophers baseball team. This year, the injury bug has hit Gophers All-American outfielder Matt Nohelty. He recently had surgery to repair a torn labrum. That injury has opened the door for Albrecht in center field.

Brooks is playing on the Gold team, which took control of the Steak ‘N Beans series with a convincing 9-0 shutout Family Day win Saturday at ****** Siebert Field. With the win, Gold takes a commanding 3-1 lead in the best of seven series. Game 5 will be Friday October 10 at 3:30 p.m.

Gold banged out 10 hits in the game, led by Albrecht and Puhl with three apiece. McLeod West grad Dustin Klabunde also pitched in relief for the Gold team.

Albrecht is hitting near. 300 with no errors this fall.

Evan Kohli – Illinois State University – 2010
* The Redbirds staff is high on Kohli right now. Here is what they have had to say:

"Just looking at Ben Ihde and Evan Kohli, I think we're going to be able to fill that hole and be a very good offensive team."

The goal for the Redbirds this season remains the same - make it to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, something Illinois State hasn't done since 2001. To do that, the Redbirds must improve defensively and find players who can fill the void left by Kevin Dubler (drafted by the Chicago White Sox) and Kyle Cherney (graduated). The Redbirds might already have the answer in junior college transfers, Ben Ihde and Evan Kohli, among other new additions to the team.

"Our expectation for every year is to get to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament," Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee said. "We haven't done that since I've been here. The one thing that I've noticed the first three weeks of the fall, with individual work and one week of team practice, how easily the new players are fitting in with some of the more veteran players. We have a lot of experience and we have a lot of talent with the new players."

To see a picture of Evan in his Redbirds hat, click here and scroll to the bottom - he's wearing No. 41:
http://goredbirds.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/100608aad.html

Josh Wendland – Southwest MN State University – 2012
* In his first season in baseball for the Mustangs (he played football a year ago), Wendland has been playing on the Gold team during the Fall Classic. He had a single and a run in a win over the Brown team last Friday. He also scored the lone run in a loss two days later. The final game of the best-of-five series will be played today at 3:30 p.m.

Coaches
Heidi Carlson - coach of Gustavus Adolphus Women’s Tennis team
Jon Carlson - coach of men’s and women’s Gustavus Adolphus
* The only news with these two is their daughter, Calleigh, is playing at No. 3 doubles for the St. Peter girls’ tennis team that is one win away from state. The top-seeded Saints play No. 2 seed Maple River today at 4:30 p.m. at Gustavus.