Boys’ Basketball

The Dodger boys’ basketball team is looking for a breakout season. “We have high expectations and goals. If we play up to our abilities we will accomplish our goal of a conference championship and a shot at a birth in the state tournament,” said Dodger head coach Bruce Hartley.

The Dodgers return four starters including returning first team all-stater Mitch Eslick and other returning starter Matt Halverson.

Senior reserves from a year ago Zach Edwards and Andrew Mitchell are looking to step into the starting lineup. “Our seniors, Matt, Mitch, Zach, and Drew will have to be our leaders this year.”

A strong junior class that went 18-3 as sophomores are looking to step in and be contributors on varsity.

Reid Branderhorst will step into the starting line-up. Wade Martin and Nick Peters will be key contributors off the bench. Eric Niesen, Nate Vorrie, Jordan O’Brion and Jamie O’Brien will also look to step in when needed.

This is Hartley’s second year at the helm for the Dodgers and he expects nothing but improvement, “The first year went fairly smoothly since I had been in the system and knew the players. Having one year experience will help me because I know the teams and what they tend to do.”

Girls’ Basketball

Replacing all-state performer Morgan Paulson won’t be an easy task but the Dodger girls have a host of players who are looking to do just that.

Morgan Brown, the first team all-conference performer, will lead the Dodgers. Brown was the leading scorer a year ago with an average of 8.1 points per game but is expected to pick up the slack this year.

Kendra Gansz, a two-year starter, is the staple down low. “Morgan and Brooke are scorers and Kendra will be our rebounding force,” said Dodger Head Coach Kim Vaughn. India Shivers, a starter a year ago will again be the point guard. Forward Baileigh O’Brien, Brooke Carlson and 6’2” Jen Pieper will all be contributors down low. The guard spot will see a host of competition as Senior Whitney Lloyd, Juniors Britney Carlson, Kendra Crooks, Molly Eslick, and Martha Stover.

Sophomores that will look to contribute at the guard spot and will suit varsity will be Ashley Vratny, Mackenzie Lennon and Courtney Vaughn.

It won’t be an easy task for the Dodgers though as they are playing in a talent rich CIML Iowa Conference.

“Valley and Ames will be extremely tough this year. Valley has four starters returning with a good inside and outside game. Ames also returns three starters,” said Vaughn.

Wrestling

The wrestling team is welcoming a new coach, but is looking to keep the same success.

Head Coach Bobby Thompson will come back to his old stomping grounds where he was a member of the1980 state championship team. Thompson was a three-year coach at Humblodt before reaching Fort Dodge.

“It’s been a very easy transition here, because I am very familiar with the philosophy here,” said Thompson of his switch to Senior High.

The Dodgers are two time defending CIML Iowa Conference Champs but the task won’t be an easy one this year as the Dodgers will need to replace several standout wrestlers.

Seven of the ten state qualifiers from a year ago are lost; returning for Fort Dodge are three year state qualifiers Grant Ruge and Riley Lindner.

Ruge finished fifth last year and enters the year as the number two wrestler in 125 pounds. Lindner is the third ranked wrestler and 160 pounds and finished third place a year ago.

The other state participant was Ryan Halverson who was sixth at 119 pounds a year ago. “Our three top dogs will probably be near the top of their weight classes in our conference,” Thompson said.

Others returning with varsity experience will be Jake Coleman, Myles Albee, Travis Summers, Mitch Bruss and Matt Springer.

Thompson has also been pleased with his three senior captains of Bruss, Ruge and Lindner, “We may be a little inexperienced this year, but our senior captains have done a great job in practice so far.”

Swimming

The Dodger swimming team will be led by four returning state veterans in Blake Cavanagh, Alex Chiang, Matt Gronbach and Matt O’Connell.

These four and senior a year ago, Brian Ruge, participated in the medley and freestyle relays at state last year.

Other senior letter winners for the Dodgers are Chase Eastwood, Matt Foreman, Matt Hall, Jonathon Nekvinda, and underclassmen Matt McCormack, Taylor Getting and Luke Winge.