Former Gopher Basketball Standout Angie Iverson-Ohnstad to Coach Lakeville South Girls

Lakeville South High School Athletic Director Neil Strader announced on Tuesday that Angie Iverson-Ohnstad will be filling the vacant head coaching position on the Cougar girl’s basketball squad. The position was left empty by Lynn Dahled, who coached the Cougar girls for three years before leaving to pursue other opportunities.

Iverson-Ohnstad attended Owatonna High School where she was a standout athlete. After high school she accepted a full-ride scholarship to the University of Minnesota to play on the Gopher women's team. While she was there, she was a four-year letter winner, team captain for two years, All Big Ten for two years, and Academic All Big Ten for three years. She also led the nation in rebounding during her junior year.

While playing at the University of Minnesota, Iverson-Ohnstad also had the opportunity to learn under coaches Cheryl Littlejohn and Linda Hill-Macdonald. She hopes to bring what she learned under these two coaches to the table as she takes over the head coaching position at South.

“I’ve been able to play under a few different coaches,” Iverson-Ohnstad said. “So I’ve been able to get different perspectives on how to run and not run a team.”

After a successful career as a student athlete, she started her teaching career at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Lakeville, where she has taught sixth, fourth, and is currently teaching third grade.

Soon after she settled into her teaching position, Lakeville North Head Coach Andy Berkvam asked her if she would be interested in coaching. She then spent the next six years under Berkvam and one of the most successful girl’s basketball programs in the state.

“I was able to see what it takes to win at Lakeville North,” Iverson-Ohnstad said. “It’s an all year commitment, not just from November to March.”

After learning what she could at North, she then took some time off to concentrate on family, but still found time to do what she loves by coaching traveling basketball.

Recently, after hearing about the coaching vacancy at South, she took her time making the big decision to go for the position. She didn’t know if she would be able to balance school and family as a coach, but after speaking with Lakeville South Boy’s Head Coach John Sheehan (who also used to coach under Berkvam), her husband, and her father, she realized she was ready to be a head coach. Then, after waiting for a decision, she got the call.

“I was very excited and overwhelmed,” Iverson-Ohnstad said. “I’m excited to work with the girls and see what kind of team we have and what we can do.”

Iverson-Ohnstad met the girls on Friday morning for a pancake breakfast, and watching many of them who are involved in AAU basketball programs. To start, she wants to begin building individual skills and put the girls through a workout program. She also hopes to build up their confidence again after a disappointing season last year, and get to know how every player is going to fit into the mix.

“Getting to know girl’s roles on the team is going to be a big step,” Iverson-Ohnstad said. “Once everyone knows their role, we will have a better chance to be successful.”

Iverson-Ohnstad also looks forward to going up against Berkvam and the rivals from Lakeville North. But the two squads will no longer be meeting in the sectional playoffs, with the Panthers going back to section one.

But that won’t lessen the rivalry between the schools. Iverson-Ohnstad plans on her team bringing their best effort each and every night until the end of the season.

"I’m intense,” Iverson-Ohnstad said. “I’m not much of a yeller or a screamer, but I expect my players to compete on every possession.”