College athletics: Ridgewater has a new athletic coordinator

Aug. 18—WILLMAR — For Tyler Hebrink, it was a natural progression. It's why the baseball coach has accepted the position as athletic coordinator. "I've been here for seven years and I appreciate the opportunity," Hebrink said. "I like being around the athletes. I'm excited for the year." The announcement Monday is effective immediately. He replaces Todd Thorstad, who remains at Ridgewater as a physical education and geography instructor. "Todd's kids are getting older and I know he wants to be a part of their activities," Hebrink said. Hebrink teaches physical education and health in addition to his coaching duties. He led the baseball team to a 19-17 record last spring. The Warriors won their final eight regular-season games to qualify for the Region 13 Tournament. It was their fifth straight post-season appearance under Hebrink. "Warrior athletics has a great group of people committed to continuing to grow and strengthen our programs," said Thorstad in a statement. "Tyler has demonstrated enthusiasm, organizational skills, and dedication to our student-athletes. I am confident the department will continue to thrive under his leadership." Thorstad is also a former Ridgewater coach. As athletics coordinator, Hebrink will run the athletic department, handling scheduling, transportation and the hiring of officials, among other duties. He has been working as a site supervisor for athletic events at Ridgewater. The school has men's and women's basketball, volleyball, wrestling, baseball and softball programs, as well as a co-ed clay target team. Four players from Hebrink's 2026 team will play baseball at four-year colleges in 2026-27. Pitcher Dominic Rose, a right-hander from Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop, is headed to Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, an NCAA Division II school. Joe Liebl, a left-handed pitcher/outfielder from Wabasso, will play for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, an NCAA Division III school. In addition, Blake Morris and Drew Almich will play at Dakota Wesleyan University, an NAIA school in Mitchell, South Dakota. Morris is a third baseman from Dassel-Cokato and Almich is a right-handed pitcher from Yellow Medicine East. Liebl batted .305 with four home runs and 24 RBIs. He had a .433 on-base percentage and .484 slugging percentage. On the mound, he had a 3-2 won-lost record with a 5.65 earned-run average. He struck out 44 in 36-2/3 innings. Rose was 6-1 with a 3.71 ERA. He struck out 56 and walked 20 in 43-2/3 innings. He led the team in innings, wins and strikeouts, averaging 11.54 strikeouts per nine innings. Almich was 1-1 in six innings. Morris batted .319 with three home runs and 24 RBIs. He had a .412 on- base percentage and .483 slugging percentage. Hebrink expects 13 returning players from last season and plans to have 43 players coming in for tryouts this fall. "I'm excited for it," Hebrink said of his new opportunity. "I'm excited to work with the people here and all the athletes for sure."