Prior to 2011, Nick Krueger attended school at Providence Academy but played baseball for a cooperative team that sent players from Providence to nearby Heritage Academy.
He enjoyed playing for the Heritage/Providence Eagles, but he could never shake the idea that it was time for Providence to set out on its own.
With Krueger as a driving force, the Lions established their own team this spring -- opening eyes in the process by winning their section and advancing to the Class 1A state tournament, which begins Thursday.
Staff writer Jim Paulsen talked with Krueger, a senior pitcher who has thrown a no-hitter and a perfect game this season, about the Lions' swift transition from new team to state championship contender.
Q Your school athletic director, Kurt Jaeger, said you were instrumental in establishing the baseball team. How much did you do?
A I just brought it up a couple of times. I really had a great time playing with the co-op, but it was time to test the waters. A lot of people -- parents and the baseball board and the school itself -- pushed hard.
Q What made you think that?
A We had a lot of good players and Providence had come a long way. It seemed like it was time to have our own team. We always wanted to play for our own school and have "Lions" on our jerseys instead of "Eagles."
