Former assistant to guide Hornet soccer program[Using blank template.]
Former assistant to guide Hornet soccer program
By Matt Heilman
Last Updated: July 24, 2014

A familiar face is taking the reins of the Valley Center High School soccer program. Last week, Steen Danielsen, an assistant coach for the boys' and girls' teams the past two seasons, was named as head coach for both teams. Danielsen will also be more involved with the district this year as a full-time seventh-grade social studies teacher at Valley Center Middle School.

Familiarity also returns with Brian Heinz, who is back for his third year working with Danielsen as an assistant coach. Heinz, a former goalkeeper and 2001 graduate of VCHS, returns to coach the junior varsity teams this year. Heinz is now the only assistant for the boys' and girls' soccer teams at VCHS.

Danielsen is taking over the program from former VCHS coach Jeff Burger, who stepped down this spring following the 2014 girls' season.

Danielson's position is one of just two changes among Valley Center High School head coaches for 2014-15.

Holly Rutter will take over as head coach of the volleyball team this fall. Rutter, who was an assistant at Southwestern College in Winfield and at Butler Community College in El Dorado, replaces Bryan Otte, who stepped down after six seasons. Assisting Rutter will be Jessica Johnson, Kyrie McKee and Kaitlin Woellhof.

In other fall sports, Caleb Smith returns as head coach of the high school football team, starting his second season at the helm, Mike McCormick will again coach the girls' golf team, Dean Schulz will coach the girls' tennis squad and Lonnie Thiessen will coach cross country. Assisting Smith will be Chad Baalman, Nick Barnes, Dallas Boone, Tyler Dunham, Jeff Sells, Jordan Echer, Ryan Rubia and Coby Babb. Assisting McCormick will be Trent Woodcock. Assisting Schulz will be Matt Klusener. Assisting Thiessen will be Amber Russell.

In winter sports, John Wetig will begin his fourth year as head coach of the boys' basketball team, while Daniel Smith (though he resigned as a teacher) will stay on as head coach of the girls' basketball squad in his sixth season. The district almost lost Brian Shelton as head coach of the wrestling team, but the beloved coach decided to stay for his 18th season. Assisting Wetig will be Trent Preheim, Tyler Francis and Blake Peniston. Smith's assistants will be Chris Edwards, Taylor Harrison and Baalman. Wrestling assistants will be Jeremy LeDuc, Benjamin Armstrong and Nick Barnes.

In the spring, Nick Barnes (not the same as the wrestling assistant) will enter his second year as head coach of the baseball team, and Corey Jones will take the field again to coach the softball team in his 10th season. Schulz will coach the boys' tennis team and McCormick will coach the golf team. Caleb Smith will return to coach the track team for his second year. Baseball assistant will be Jordan Foland, and two others have yet to be named. Assisting Jones will be Danny Park, Dave Friess and McKee. Klusener will assist the tennis team, and Jon Graham will assist the golf team. Track assistants are Jayson Artaz, Russell, Terry Orr and Woellhof.

At the middle school level, Trent Preheim returns as head coach of the football program, Anne Gunden will resume her job as head coach of the volleyball program, Lee Owens returns as head coach of the cross country team and Edwards will again coach girls' tennis. In the winter, Josh Lee will be the new head coach of the boys' basketball program, Laura Jordan will return as head coach of girls' basketball and Jones will return as head coach of wrestling. In the spring, Sells will return as head coach of the track squad and Rob Glenn will take over as head coach of the boys' tennis team.