212 ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HISTORY

1947 - 1974

BROWNTON

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Tadsen Field

   Tadsen Baseball Field in Brownton is one of the best baseball fields in Minnesota.  Many District 12 and Region 3 tournament games were held in Brownton over the years. It was the finest baseball field in the 212 Conference, District 12 and Region 3.  Tadsen Field, which was built in 1947, also served as the home field for the Brownton High School football program until the early 90’s when Stewart and Brownton combined schools, known as McLeod West.

Conference Standings

Wrestling

Wrestling Families In BHS Wrestling History

Mark (70), Mike (73) and Scott Katzenmeyer (75) won more matches than any other family combination in BHS History with 126 wins.

Jerry (70), Roy (71) and Phil Guerrero (73) won 122 matches in their careers.

Bruce (65), Don (66) and Jim (70) Bartels won 109 in their careers.  Don missed his entire junior year due a broken leg suffered in the last football game of the season.

Myron (63) and Fred Bipes (71) combined for 84 wins in their careers.  They are the only two wrestlers to qualify for the state tournament in BHS history.

Leslie (59), Ralph (60) and Doug Bulau (66) won a total of 76 matches in their careers. Les was the first Brownton wrestler to qualify won the Region 3 wrestling meet in 1959.

THE EARLY YEARS

1948 Basketball

                                                                Front Row: D.Padrnow, D.Schatz, J.Meilke, W.Sanken, J.Englesmeier, R.Kruse, R.Plaiisance, Mgr.M.Timm.
                                                                Middle Row:G.Hagedorn, R.Sommerdorf, W.Schwarze, N.Katzenmeyer, V.Schuft, B.Klopfleisch, J.Peters, D.Kruse, M. Radtke, H.Bruesfoff, G.Hanke, F.Wisdorf.
                                                                Back Row: Coach Olszewski, L.Klitzke, J.Padrnos, O.Kahle,D.Padrnos, K.Peterson, A.Wisdorf, B.Hakes, L.Polzin.

     The 1948 Brownton Bear Basketball Team finished the season with a 16-5 record.  They finished second in the newly formed 212 Conference behind Buffalo Lake.  In the District 12 tournament, they defeated Glencoe 41-34, Renville 55-40 and then lost to arch rival, Hutchinson, 41-44, in the finals of the district.

                                                                     1948 Brownton Cheerleaders: Left to Right: Lois Wehking, Carol Schmidt, Doris Peik, Beverly Gruenwaldt, Marlys Hoof.

1948 Brownton Baseball Team

                                                                  Front Row:R.Koelin, D.Heil, L.West, N.Katzenmeyer, J.Peters, V.Schuft, J.Englesmeier, G.Hagedorn, R.Plaisance.
                                                                  Back Row: D.Schatz, L.Klitzke, M.Timm, J.Padrnos, D.Padrnos, R.Kruse, B.Hakes, L.Polzin, L.Schatz, Coach Al Olsezewski.

The 1949 212 Conference and District 12 Champions taking their “magic potion” in the locker room before the district championship game at Hutchinson. Left to Right: Hank Pederson, Wayne Sanken, Jack Padrnos, Bruce Hakes, Don Padrnos, James Mielke, Neil Katzenmeyer, Jay Peters, LeRoy Klitzke, LeRoy Polzin.  Coach Olezewski is in the background.  The “magic potion” was a honey mixture for added quick energy.

Wayne Sanken (49) (with ball)6’1, 190 pound all around athlete for the Bears in the late 40’s. Sanken led the team in scoring with 292 points,and rebounding in 1949. Freshman Don Padrnos was the 2nd leading scorer on the 1949 team with 224 points.  The 6’2 Padrnos was a five year starter for the Bears.  He was a three year all conference selection.

Coach Al Olszewski came to Brownton High School in the fall of 1947.  He led the Bears to a 66-19 record in his time at BHS.  It has been said that Olszewski revolutionized basketball in the conference when he came to Brownton from Wisconsin with the fast break, and set pattern style of offense.

Henry Pederson (50) was a 6’4 center on the 1949 and 1950 conference championship teams.

Bruce Hakes (49) was an  outstanding all around athlete for BHS in the late 40’s.  He was an all conference HB in football in 1947.

LeRoy Polzin (49) was a key member of the successful teams in the late 40’s. He was an all conference football player in 1947 and 1948.

1949 Brownton High School Basketball Program

                                                       Front Row: Glenn Flopfleisch, Don Heil, Stan Lindeman, Richard Plaisance, Harlan Roepke, Charles Sommerdorf, Lylan Neiman, Ron Kaplan. 
                       Second Row: Coach Olszewski, Jay Peters, Don Padrnow, Bruce Hakes, Jack Padrnos, Wayne Sanken, Henry Pederson, LeRoy Klitzke, LeRoy Polzin, James Mielke, Neil Katzenmeyer,
    Third Row: Marlin Radtke, Gale Hagedorn, Ron Sommerdorf, Verlin Schuft, Jerry Englesmeier, Alan Wisdorf, Richard Padros, Dick Kruse, Rueben Drager, Dale Ewald, Clarence Schatz, Adrian Wegner,  Wayne Bluhm.

Neil Katzenmeyer (49) was a key member of the successful athletic teams in the late 40’s.  He was one of the best baseball players in BHS History.

Don Padrnos (52) was a five year starter in basketball for the Bears. The 6’2 Padrnos is one of thirteen players in conference history to make the All-Conference team three times.

Wayne Sanken (49) led the Bears in scoring in football and basketball for two years. At 6’1, 190 pounds, Sanken was one of the dominant athletes in the 212 Conference.

1955 Brownton Basketball Team
Front Row: Billy Bartels, Darrel Radke, Bob Lohrenz, Gary Ribar, Roger Lindeman.
Back Row: Coach Gordon Hakes, Fred Wisdorf, Vern Hahn,  Roger Waller, Del Klabunde, Ron Kaplan.

Bob Lohrenz (55) was one of the premier backs in BHS football history.  At 5’9, 195 pounds he led the conference in scoring his senior year.  Lohrenz went on to Iowa State for a successful football career, and earned a degree in veterinarian medicine.

Billy Bartels (56) was the first Brownton athlete to score over a 1000 points in basketball.  He led the conference in scoring in 1956 and was a two time all conference selection in basketball and all conference pick in football in 1955.  He went on to an outstanding football career at NDSU.

Larry Johnson (59) was one the outstanding linemen in Brownton football history.  Johnson was a two time all conference selection as a center in 1957 and 1958.

                                                                 Brownton High School Cheerleaders 1958: June Karg, Jane Peik, Konnie Rickert, Doreen Matheny, Leaette Lundstrom.

The 1958 Brownton Bear Football Team is regarded as the best football team in BHS history.  The Bears went 7 and 1 for the season.  Their only loss was to the Stewart Gophers, 13-0, in their homecoming game.

Dick Peik running around left end in a game at Sacred Heart in 1957.

1958 Tri Captains with Coach Max West. Larry Johnson (63), Stan Katzenmeyer (64), Dick Peik (62)

 Brownton's famed Single Wing Offense. Line (R to L) Jim Vinar, Frank Loncorich, Marlin Roebke, Les Bulau, Larry Johnson, Lloyd Schmidt, Ken Abram. Back Field: Darrel Streich, Jim Zaske,                      Don Hantge, Dick Peil.

1960 Brownton High School Wrestling Team. (left to right) Shannon Rickert, Sheridian Peterson, Dave Harreman,  Ken Lindaman, Roger Lietz, Ralph Bulau, Gale Ziese, Coach Risting, Gary Bipes, Orlin Loncorich, Unknown, Grant Schuette, Rod Wendlandt, Arlo Lembke.

Left to Right: Dick Peik, 5’9, Ken Abram, 6’3, and Jim Vinar, 6’5.  All three were juniors on the 1958 state tournament basketball team.  All three athletes were key figures on one of the best teams in the history of the 212 Conference. In football, Peik was the first quarterback ever to pass for more than 1000 yards in the conference.  Abram caught a record 34 passes, and Vinar 16 in 1958.

The patented jump shot of Dick Peik (59). Peik was a three time all conference selection in basketball and scored over a 1000 points in his career.  He was the ultimate team player as assists and victories were his main focus throughout his outstanding career.

Marlin Schauer was a 6’6 center and key figure on the 1958 basketball team.  A transfer student from Glencoe High School and thought to be a junior on the 1958 team, Schauer lost his senior year of eligibility because Glencoe high school reported that he played three games on the freshman team in 1956.

Brownton High School's “starting six” are welcomed home in parade after the 1958 state basketball tournament.  Left to Right: Ken Abram, Jim Vinar, Harlan Klitzke, Dick Peik, Bill Kreie, Marlin Schauer.

          Ken Abram, Marlin Schauer and Bill Kreie battle for the rebound against Willmar in the first game of the 1958 State High School Basketball Tournament before a packed Williams Arena.

1960's

Jerry Mantheny (61) was a two time all conference linebacker for BHS in 1959 and 1960

Ralph Bulau (60) and Sheridan Peterson (60) won conference wrestling championships in 1960.  Coach Darwin Risting started the wrestling program at BHS in 1958.  Leslie Bulau (59), brother of Ralph was the first Brownton wrestler to qualify for the Region 3 meet.

1962 District 12 Champions

                                                                Bat Boys-Billy West and Pat Schmidt.
                                                                First Row: Pete Jensen, Glen Klitzke, Chuck Peik, Gene Ribar, Dave Wendlandt, Roger Roepke, Armon Fischer, Ron Kelm, Ken Koep, Bob Zaske.
                                               2nd Row: Jerry Alsleben, Jim Alsleben, Tom Alsleben, Ron Hahn, Ron Schwarze, Larry Schwarze, Gary Denin, Warren West, Galen Ribar, Dave Henke, Coach Max West.

Dave Wendlandt (62) and Roger Roepke (62) were battery mates since 1956.  Both were two of the outstanding players in area in the early 1960’s.  Both went on to have successful careers at Winona State College and then returned to Brownton to have many outstanding years for the Brownton Bruin amateur baseball team.  Wendlant coached baseball at BHS until 2009.

Chuck Peik (63) was an outstanding baseball player in the area in the early 60’s.  The left handed hitting shortstop went on to Mankato State College and had an outstanding career.  He was elected captain his senior year.  After college he taught and coached at Stewart and Gaylord for many years.

Ron Kelm (63) was an All Conference selection in football and basketball.  The 6’3, 190 pound .Kelm was also a leading hitter and first baseman on the baseball teams.

Glen Klitzke (64) was a 5’9, 185 pound, two time All Conference selection in football in 1962 and 1963

Pete Jensen (65) was one of the most versatile athletes in BHS history. An All Conference football and basketball player, he also excelled in baseball and track.

                                                     The Bartels Boys

Don 66, Bruce 65, and Jim Bartels (70) were outstanding wrestlers in the 1960’s for BHS.  Bruce and Don were conference champions, while younger brother Jim was a three time District 12 champion.  Combined they won 109 matches for BHS.  Don missed his entire junior year due to a broken leg he received in the last football game of the year.  Bruce went on to coach high school wrestling at Annandale High School for many years.  Jim became the CEO of KNUJ Radio Station in New Ulm.

Dave Henke (65) was an outstanding all around athlete and a two time All Conference Basketball selection in 1964 and 1965

1966 Brownton Captains, Allen Schwarze, Buster West and Dale Todnam were All Conference selections in 1966. The 6’1, 210 pound Schwarze was a dominant linemen and two time All Conference selection in the middle 60’s.  West was a two time All-Conference selection in football and basketball and outstanding in baseball and track.

1968 All Conference selections Randy Spaude (69 Brian Schuette (69) and Billy West (70). Spaude was an All Conference  running back. West was an outstanding pass receiver for two years at BHS.  The brother of  Buster West, He was an All Conference football and basketball player for two years.  Schuette was one of the premier athletes in BHS history.  A great all around athlete, he scored over 1000 points in his basketball career.

Wally Hochsprung (69) was an outstanding linemen in the late 60’s.  At 6’1, 185 pounds, he was a All Conference selection in 1967.

Mark Katzenmeyer (70) was one of the outstanding athletes in the area in the late 60’s.  He was a two time All Conference linebacker in football, won more wrestling matches (63) than anyone in BHS history, and in baseball, he is known to be the best hitter ever to come out of Brownton High School.

Lee Hochsprung (70) was a two time All Conference lineman in 1968 and 1969. In wrestling he was a two time Conference Champion and had a 44-19 career record at Brownton High School.

Glen Alsleben (71) was a two time All-Conference football player and ranks 6th  in wreslting with 43 victories.

Fred Bipes (71) ranks 4th in BHS wrestling with 47 wins. Fred and brother Myron (63) are the only wrestlers in Brownton history to advance to the state wrestling tourney.

Dave Knick (74) was a outstanding halfback in the early 70”s and an All Conference selection in 1973.

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