The Austin Girls 12 and Under "B" team have come a long way in anew short years.

Tuesday, March 20, 2001

The Austin Girls 12 and Under "B" team have come a long way in anew short years. In the 1998-1999 season, their record was 25 losses and a win.

Time, talent and determination changed these statistics to a impassive district record of 14-1-1. Their overall record is 29-5-2

They won districts and went on to the regional championships held in Faribault on March 2-4. Austin dominated throughout the tournament. Their toughest opposition came from Owatonna and Albert Lea. Both of these teams also are from the Fourth District. The Fifth District includes Wilmar, Buffalo, Cold Springs and Hutchinson.

Each team played three games. Austin’s second game was against Owatonna, which ended in a score of 2-1. As the girls filed out of the locker room, their faces showed mixed emotion. They were excited to have won and to be on their way to the championship game but they also were upset. In the final minutes of their game against Owatonna, one of their key players had been injured. Taylor Jenkins suffered a broken arm and would not be playing in the championship game. Players parents and coaches alike were concerned about the manner in which Taylor was injured and also for the team.

Team captains Amy Snyder, Kristin Faber and Jenna Knudtson stressed that the team would have to work harder.

In the final game against Albert Lea, both teams were going full force but Austin had an edge. At the end of the first period, the score was tied at 1-1. Austin picked up the pace and took the lead. The score at the end of the second period was 4-2. Emotion ran high throughout the third period. They held on to their lead and the game ended with the first-place trophy being presented to Austin.

All four coaches – Mark Knudtson, Tony Klapperick, Mark Jenkins and Derek Larson - stated that the girls had worked hard for the win and they were excited about how far they had come as a team.

Many of these girls make up for the lack of ice time in the regular season by playing on spring leagues, summer leagues and attending hockey camps in the off-season. Their hard work definitely paid off. They are now District 4 Regional Champions. Because "B" teams don’t go to state, this is the highest title possible.