Five More Simley Athletes to Watch This Fall

Cody Hazelett

Senior Cody Hazelett (6' 3", 205 lbs.) is expected to be a force for the Simley High School Spartans football team this season, regardless of where he lines up.

A third-year starter for the Spartans, Hazelett is listed in the roster as a tight end, but in pre-season practice he listed his positions as quarterback, linebacker and some fullback.

“He’s big, strong and physical,” said Simley High head football coach Rex King.

Hazelett’s preference might be on defense. He estimated he had between 10 and 15 sacks last season.

“I love to hit,” he said. “I like to get in the backfield and get sacks.”

“He runs like a deer,” said King. “I think Cody has a great shot at being a big prospect for a college team.”

Matt Kadrlik

Matt Kadrlik, another senior football player, has started on the Simley High Spartans varsity football team since he was a freshman.

Kadrlik (6', 260 lbs.) is a center and defensive end, and he's going to be the center of attention in the new Simley triple option offense.

He also became a member of the 1,000-pound club with a 420-pound squat, 280-pound power clean and a 300-pound bench.

Kadrlik is looking forward toward helping the Spartans turn the football program around this season.

“Three wins in the last two years is unacceptable,” Kadrlik said. “My goal is to compete every game for sure and give a great effort all the time.”

A champion heavyweight wrestler for the Spartans, Kadrlik was 34-11 with 25 pins last season, including winning a Section 4A title at 285 pounds.

Roda Mena

Junior outside hitter Roda Mena is one of the leaders and a key player on the Simley High School Spartans volleyball team this season.

"She’s one of those who jumps though the roof," said volleyball coach Mark Kaschke. “She’s very quick, very exciting. She’s good on the difficult shots. She can get up and do something with the ball.”

At 5' 7", Mena can’t match many of her frontline opponents in size, but she has the hops and athleticism to compete well.

A two-year starter for the Spartans, Mena is also one of the team’s primary serve receivers. She listed her strengths as hitting, digging and serving.

Mena wants to rack up more kills on the court and help propel the team to the top of the conference.

"We beat North St. Paul my first year," Mena said. "I’d like to make it past the first round of sections. We haven’t done that in a couple of years.”

Joe Fox

Senior boys soccer standout Joe Fox is a key player in a hard-charging Simley High boys soccer team. The eighth-ranked Spartans have already beaten Hastings, Rochester Century and Tartan, and tied Blake.

Fox has played four years of varsity boys soccer for Simley High School, logging action in more than 70 games so far. He’s on track to play in more than 90 games in his high school career, which would be a record at Simley, said boys soccer coach Noel Quinn.

“He’s a top man,” said Quinn. “He’s what Simley soccer is all about.”

Fox is no stranger to winning seasons as part of the Simley soccer program. Last season, Simley went 13-5-5, and 18-2-5 the season before. Fox played on the 2009 conference- and section-winning team that finished third in the state tournament.

Jill Richgels

Soccer star Jill Richgels is off to a fast start in 2011, scoring the 50th goal of her high school career in a 5-4 overtime win over Hastings Aug. 29.

A four-year starter, Richgels has scored 16, 17, and 17 goals the last three seasons, earning all state honors as a junior.

“Jill Richgels has been the scoring leader on our team for the past three seasons,” said girls soccer coach Cassie Husemann. “She is very technical with the ball and is able to deliver a powerful shot with both feet. Jill draws a lot of attention from opposing team's defenders which leaves her teammates open for better chances, which is why she is typically a leader in assists.”

Richgels has verbally committed to continue her soccer career at Creighton University in Nebraska, a Division 1 soccer school, next fall.

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