Big Nine

Sophomore Isaiah Noeldner won by pin at heavyweight to complete an amazing come-from-behind win for No. 8 Owatonna over No. 6 Albert Lea 30-27 Saturday afternoon at a packed OHS gym. The second period stick was the fourth straight win for Owatonna to complete the rally from a 27-12 deficit after the 170 pound match.

Owatonna and Northfield have quickly developed a great Big Nine Conference rivalry since the Raiders rejoined the league a few years ago. Northfield has had the upper hand for the most part this winter. On Tuesday, Owatonna's basketball teams will be looking for a season split with Northfield while the OHS boys' hockey team aims for a season sweep.

The biggest obstacle to Thursday's Big Nine Conference wrestling showdown between Owatonna and Albert Lea might be the weather. But whether the dual happens as scheduled, or moves to another date, Owatonna coach Adam Woitalla says it will come down to, "bonus points, bonus points, bonus points."

Eight Owatonna football players were named to the Big Southeast All-District team, including the Offensive Player of the Year. Four others earned a spot on the honorable mention team. Junior Jason Williamson landed the top offensive honor for the Red Division after racing for nearly 2,000 yards.

Owatonna football is averaging more than 500 yards of offense each game. Junior running back Jason Williamson is eating up the turf at a 190 yard per-game pace. The newly-minted No. 1-5A Huskies (6-0) faces possibly their toughest test of the regular season when they play at No. 5-5A Northfield (6-0) Friday night at 7PM.

Owatonna, Northfield, Mankato West and Winona all won lopsided games Friday night to improve to 3-0. At least one of those teams will lose next week, as the Scarlets go to the Winhawks.

Owatonna used a big second quarter to give themselves plenty of breathing room in their showdown with Rochester Mayo Friday. Austin and Winona used huge second stanzas in their wins as well.

Owatonna's boys and girls soccer teams have already passed a few early season tests with wins and draws against perennial section favorites Lakeville North and Farmington. On Thursday each team will see how it stacks up in the Big Nine Conference race.

The Falcons topped the Huskies 4-1 Thursday at Alexander Park, taking advantage of several Owatonna errors. All four Faribault runs were unearned.

In the new realignment announced by the high school league over the weekend, Albert Lea Area comes back into Section 1AAA. OHS girls hockey moves back into Section 1AA.