Winter sports will officially be done after this weekend and spring sports can have their first sporting events starting today (Thursday, April 8). Good luck to all the teams playing their first games since 2019.
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The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Baseball team is ranked for the first time in program history (in the D-2 era). UMC is off to a 13-1 start and has been playing some great baseball.
UMC will be hosting Concordia-St. Paul in two double-headers on Saturday (starting at 1:00 p.m.) and Sunday at Noon.
The Golden Eagles have been outstanding on the offensive end. The pitching has been good enough at times and lights out other times.
If you are looking to watch some great baseball and watch a team that plays the game the right way, head out to UMC to watch the games this weekend. If you like baseball, you will enjoy it.
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The Crookston Pirate Girls Basketball team held its end-of-the-year banquet at the Crookston High School commons on Tuesday night. One team honor and several all-conference and state awards were handed out. The award winners are listed and pictured below –
Carla Johnson Most Dedicated player – Emma Borowicz
Team Awards –
The girls broke a school record for steals per game in a season with 17.2, breaking the previous record of 15.3.
The Pirates were third in the state in scoring defense.
Letterwinners – Emma Boll, Emma Borowicz, Bailey Cameron, Jenna Coauette, Madison Hoiland, Hannah Loraas, Ellie Nesseth, Emma Osborn, Amelia Overgaard, Ally Perreault, Hayden Winjum, Abby Borowicz, Libby Salentine, Halle Winjum.
Manager letterwinners – Amanda Schultz, Amber Cymbaluk, Jayden Hulst, Halle Bruggeman
Conference Awards –
Team Champions – Crookston
All-Conference honorable mention – Emma Boll, Abby Borowicz
All-Conference – Hayden Winjum, Halle Winjum, Emma Borowicz
Conference Player of the Year – Emma Borowicz
State Awards –
Academic All-State – Emma Borowicz
All-State Honorable Mention – Emma Borowicz
Class AA All-Star Game selection – Emma Borowicz
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Minnesota State-Mankato Maverick Men’s Hockey Coach, Mike Hastings has won the College Men’s Hockey Coach of the Year award as awarded by CCM and the American Hockey Coaches Association. The award is the second in his career, with the first coming in 2015. Hastings is a Crookston High School graduate and a member of the Crookston High School Hall of Fame.
Hasting’s Mavericks (22-4-1) will play in the NCAA Frozen Four National semi-final game against the St. Cloud State Huskies on Thursday. Hastings has a career record of 236-89-24. Hasting’s winning percentage is the highest among active D-1 Men’s hockey coaches at .711.
If the Mavericks advance to the National Championship game on Saturday, you can hear it on KROX Radio.
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We have a few more local tie-ins to pass along.
Crookston resident and former Thief River Falls High School Principal and Boys Basketball coach Tom Hunt played basketball for Gonzaga back in the day. He played on the Freshman team in the 1968-69 year and played varsity in the 1969-70, 70-71, 71-72 seasons. He averaged almost 10 points per game in his three years and over two rebounds and two assists per game.
Tom is married to Carol (Reitmeier), and they have two children, Carl and Katie (Fee). They have two grandchildren (who also happen to be my niece and nephew) in Crookston with Addie Fee (8th grader) and Kelby Fee (2nd grader), and they both play hockey!! (Tom is #14 in the picture below)
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Brody Lamb of the Dodge County Wildcats is Shawn and Suzie Rezac’s nephew and cousin to Sophia and Samantha Rezac. Dodge County got a gift in the first round when the Class A state tournament favorite, Hermantown, had to quarantine all but three of their players for the first round, and they were forced to play their J.V. team. Dodge County beat Hermantown, finished the game strong in the semi-finals to beat Little Falls, and got beat by Gentry Academy in the state championship.
Lamb committed to the University of Minnesota, and the Gophers coaches want him to get a year of juniors under his belt before coming to the U.
Brody’s dad Jeff Lamb, a 1982 Rochester Mayo grad, played for the Austin Mavericks of the USHL before playing at the University of Denver.
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Stephen High School graduate Craig Smith has left Utah State to take the head coaching job of the Utah Men’s Basketball team.
Smith graduated from Stephen High School and then graduated from UND in 1996 and got his master’s degree from Northern State in 1999.
Smith started his head coaching career at Mayville state (where he started as an assistant for Tim Miles – who is now the head coach at San Jose State) from 2004 to 2007. He then took assistant coaching jobs under Miles at Colorado State and Nebraska from 2007 through 2014.
In 2014, Smith became the head coach of South Dakota until 2018 when he took the head job at Utah State until this season. Now Smith was hired as the head Utah Utes coach on March 27.
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This local tie-in is a little bit of a stretch, but my family has become South Dakota volleyball fans over the past two years. My daughter Alyssa’s boyfriend (Paul Juhnke) has a sister (Elizabeth Juhnke – a sophomore from Lakeville) on the University of South Dakota Coyote Women’s Volleyball team that just won the Summit League championship with a 3-2 victory over Denver on Saturday. Four of the five sets were decided by two points and the fifth set was 19-17. Elizabeth had 23 kills in the match to lead the team.
Now South Dakota will play #25 ranked Missouri in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Volleyball National Championship on Wednesday, April 14 at 11:00 a.m. on ESPN 3. If they win that match they would play Ohio State (#9 seed) on Thursday at 11:00 a.m.
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We have received the Crookston Pirate Boys Tennis roster, and they have 22 boys out in grades 7-12.
Seniors – None
Juniors (8) – Joseph Brule, Evan Christianson, Erik Coauette, Austin Crawford, George French, Jack Garmen, Zach Johnson, Mason Owens
Sophomores (7) – Jack Anderson, Kaleb Armstrong, Elliot Bartrum, Ethan Erdman, Nathan Kelly, Xander Kuchan, Tatum Lubinski
Freshman (1) – Isaac Thomforde
8th graders (1) – Timothy Brule
7th graders (5) – Carter Fee, Gunnar Groven, Connor Maruska, Sam Widseth, Reggie Winjum
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The Minnesota Golden Gopher Men’s Basketball head coach Ben Johnson has announced that one of his assistant coaches will be his old high school head coach, Dave Thorson. Dave was the coach at DeLaSalle High School for 23 years and was a former Gopher Assistant coach from 1990-1994.
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It is all in the genes as Providence Academy Girls Basketball team has advanced to the Minnesota Class AA Girls Basketball championship with a seventh-grader as their top player. Yes, a seventh-grader is leading a team to the state championship and that seventh grader’s name is Maddyn Greenway. She is the daughter of former Minnesota Viking Chad Greenway. Greenway had 16 points to lead her team in the state semi-final.
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The Minnesota Mr. Hockey award was announced this week.
The Minnesota All Sports Alliance announced that Jack Peart from Grand Rapids High School is the recipient of the 37th Annual Mr. Hockey Award given to the outstanding senior high school boys’ hockey player in Minnesota.
Jack Wieneke from Maple Grove High School received The Frank Brimsek Award in recognition of Minnesota’s top senior goaltender.
Henry Boucha was the recipient of the fourth annual Mr. Hockey Ambassador Award, given to an influential leader dedicated to the growth and development of hockey in Minnesota.
The Mr. Hockey Award is selected by a panel of National Hockey League Scouts, Junior Scouts/Coaches, and selected media members from around the state.
Finalists for this year’s award were: Carter Batchelder (Eden Prairie), Cam Boche (Lakeville South), Jackson Hallum (St. Thomas Academy), Kyle Kukkonen (Maple Grove), Luke Levandowski (Rosemount), Luke Mittelstadt (Eden Prairie), Henry Nelson (Maple Grove), Joe Palodichuk (Hill-Murray) and Joey Pierce (Hermantown).
Aksel Reid (Blake) and Alex Timmons (Gentry Academy) were finalists for The Frank Brimsek Award.
Previous Mr. Hockey Award winners are Blake Biondi (2020), Bryce Brodzinski (2019), Sam Walker (2018), Casey Mittelstadt (2017), Riley Tufte (2016), Jake Jaremko (2015), Avery Peterson (2014), Grant Besse (2013), Justin Kloos (2012), Kyle Rau (2011), Nick Bjugstad (2010), Nick Leddy (2009), Aaron Ness (2008), Ryan McDonagh (2007), David Fischer (2006), Brian Lee (2005), Tom Gorowsky (2004), Nate Dey (2003), Gino Guyer (2002), Marty Sertich (2001), Paul Martin (2000), Jeff Taffe (1999), John Pohl (1998), Aaron Miskovich (1997), Dave Spehar (1996), Erik Rasmussen (1995), Mike Crowley (1994), Nick Checco (1993), Brian Bonin (1992), Darby Hendrickson (1991), Joe Dziedzic (1990), Trent Klatt (1989), Larry Olimb (1988), Kris Miller (1987), George Pelawa (1986) and Tom Chorske (1985).
Previous Frank Brimsek Award winners are Hudson Hodges (2020), Charlie Glockner (2019), Atticus Kelly (2018), Jake Begley (2017), Nick Althaus (2016), Dyllan Lubbesmeyer (2015), Hunter Shepard (2014), David Zevnik (2013), Michael Bitzer (2012), Alex Lyon (2011), Zane Gothberg (2010), Casey O’Connor (2009), Joe Phillippi (2008), Reid Ellingson (2007), Austin Lee (2006), Alec Richards (2005), Matt Lundin (2004), Jon Anderson (2003), Josh Johnson (2002), Eric Aarnio (2001), Jake Brant (2000), Adam Laaksonen (1999), Adam Coole (1998), Kyle Kolquist (1997), Karl Goehring (1996) and Todd Kelzenberg (1995).
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The North Border Boys Basketball Conference announced its all-conference awards. Members of the conference include Warroad, Badger/Greenbush-Middle River, Northern Freeze, Roseau, Goodridge/Grygla, and Lake of the Woods.
All-CONFERENCE –
Warroad – Cole Spenst, Evan Grover, Dylan Fox, Virgil Laznicka, Kyle Thompson
BGMR – Adam Benke, Kasen Swenson, Kobey Dallager
Northern Freeze – Jaacks Spilde, Keaton Klegstad
Roseau – Jed Dunham
Goodridge/Grygla – Riley Manderud
HONORABLE MENTION-
Roseau – David Nelson, Steele Walsh
Goodridge/Grygla – Lewis Jones, Jordan Coan
Lake of the Woods – Wyatt Shaw
BGMR – Zach Blawat
Northern Freeze – Braxton Boe
Conference Champion – Warroad
Conference MVP – Dylan Fox (Warroad)
Conference Coach of the year – Kent Christian (BGMR)
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The Heart O’ Lakes Girls Basketball all-conference awards have been announced –
All-Conference –
Barnesville – Abby John, Lauren Halverson
Breckenridge – Grace Conzemius, Jude Held, Carcie Materi
Frazee – Annika Reierson
Hawley – Anna Steer, Kylie Crabtree, Kaylie Crabtree
Pelican Rapids – Greta Tollefson, Anna Stephenson, Morgan Korf
Perham – Katie Johnson, Sydney Anderson, Grayce Mickelson, Stella Raser
All-Conference Honorable Mention –
Barnesville – Lexi Bolgrean, Emily Bredman, Emily Smith
Breckenridge – Camryn Kaehler
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton – Gabbee Tucker
Frazee – Madison Starry
Hawley – Abby Rux, Morgan Ames
Perham – Mya Morris, Willow Thiel
Most Valuable player – Greta Tollefson (Pelican Rapids)
Coach of the Year – Brian Korf (Pelican Rapids)
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The University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball team announced the signing of Alex Page (6-0, Grand Forks Red River) Lily Orazem (5-9, Onamia/Central Lakes College) to a National Letter of Intent. Orazem has four years of eligibility to compete for the Golden Eagles after graduating in 2020.
Lily Orazem (G, 5-9, Onamia, Minn./Central Lakes College)
Orazem is in the Top 50 all-time for scoring in Minnesota girl’s basketball history. She was the Great River Conference MVP for the 2019-20 season. Orazem is a four-time All-Great River Conference selection. She scored 2,595 career points and 1,000 rebounds. Orazem has six scoring and rebounding records at Onamia H.S. She was a three-time captain. She attended Central Lakes College for the 2020-21 school year but did not play basketball.
Orazem is the daughter of Bob and Lynn Orazem. Orazem plans to major in elementary education at UMC. She has four younger siblings Brook, Anne, Bo, and Luke. Orazem also played volleyball and track in high school.
Alex Page (F, 6-0, Grand Forks, N.D./Red River H.S.)
Page has helped Red River H.S. to a 19-4 mark during the 2020-21 season. The Roughriders won the first round of the East Region Tournament over Valley City H.S. March 2 as Page went 9-of-18 from the field with a game-high 22 points. Page helped lead the Roughriders to first place in the EDC during the regular season with an 18-2 mark. She has scored in double figures in 21 of the 23 Red River H.S. games. Page was a North Dakota Class A All-State First Team pick in volleyball. She was a Class A All-state Second Team selection in volleyball as a junior.
Page plans to major in health sciences (pre-med) at UMC. She is the daughter of Kristy and Allan Page. Her mother Kristy Page played basketball at UND-Lake Region (now Lake Region State College), where she was an All-Conference basketball player and a Second Team NJCAA All-American.
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JOKES
A man calls home to his wife and says, “Honey I have been asked to go fishing at a big lake up in Canada with my boss and several of his friends. We’ll be gone for a week. This is a good opportunity for me to get that promotion I’ve been wanting, so would you please pack me enough clothes for a week and set out my rod and tackle box. We’re leaving from the office and I will swing by the house to pick my things up. Oh! And please pack my new blue silk pajamas.”
The wife thinks this sounds a little fishy but being a good wife she does exactly what her husband asked. The following weekend he comes home a little tired but otherwise looking good.
The wife welcomes him home and asks if he caught many fish. He says, “Yes! Lots of Walleye, some Bluegill, and a few Pike. But why didn’t you pack my new blue silk pajamas like I asked you to do?”
The wife replies; “I did, they were in your tackle box.”
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I went to the shop the other day. I was only in there for about 5 minutes and when I came out, there was a traffic officer writing a parking ticket for over-running the meter.
So I went up to him and said, “Come on, how about giving a man a break?”
He ignored me and continued writing the ticket.
So I called him a pencil-necked Nazi. He glared at me and started writing another ticket for also having parked partially on the pavement!!
So I called him a pig. He finished the second ticket and put it on the car with the first. Then he started writing a third ticket!!
This went on for about 20 minutes and the more I abused him, the more tickets he wrote. I didn’t care.
My car was parked around the corner…
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How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
****LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST email me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com
Paul Bittner is playing professional hockey in Sweden for Vasby IK of the HockeyAllsvenskan league.
Aleece Durbin, is a Junior on the University of North Dakota Women’s Track and Field team.
Ben Trostad is playing Club Hockey at UMC.
Ty Hamre is playing Club Hockey at UMC.
Brandon Boetcher is playing Club Hockey at UMC.
Brady Butt is a freshman playing football at the University of Jamestown.
Brita Fagerlund, is a Senior on the University of Jamestown Jimmy Women’s Track team.
Rachel Hefta, a Sophomore, is playing volleyball at Hastings College in Nebraska.
Nick Garmen is a sophomore playing tennis at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Thea Oman, a sophomore, is swimming at St. Ben’s.
Crookston School District Coaches –
Emily Meyer is a girls hockey and softball assistant coach.
Lacia Hanson is the Junior High softball coach.
Carrie Clauson is a Junior High girls tennis coach.
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach and assistant volleyball coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Cody Brekken is the Head Pirate Girls and Boys Tennis coach and Crookston Community Pool Supervisor
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach
Mitch Bakken is the head Pirate Baseball coach.
Brock Hanson is a Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant coach.
Ben Halos is a Pirate Baseball assistant coach.
Alex LaFrance is a Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant coach.
Jeff Perreault is the Pirate Girls Golf head coach
Wes Hanson is the Pirate Wrestling Head Coach and assistant boys golf coach
Kevin Weber is a Pirate Boys Basketball volunteer assistant coach
Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Sam Melbye is the Pirate Boys J.V. Hockey coach
Chris Dufault is a youth wrestling Coach
Colton Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach
Non-Crookston High School coaching –
Cody Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach at Proctor/Hermantown
Kaylee Desrosier is a softball coach for Fargo Davies Middle School.
Josh Edlund is an assistant football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.
Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach in Champlin Park
Jeff Olson is Head Wrestling coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.
Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.
Carmen (Kreibich) Johnson, is Head Volleyball coach at Little Falls High School.
Katy Westrom, is Head Girls Tennis Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Monticello High School.
Matt Harris, is an Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Marty Bratrud is the Superintendent and High School Principal at Westhope High School.
Gordie Haug is an assistant football coach at the University of Wyoming
Mike Hastings is the Minnesota State Mankato Men’s head Hockey coach
Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Thief River Falls High School
Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football and volleyball and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for the Bison media relations
Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College
Chris Myrold is a Tennis Pro on Nevis Island in the West Indies
Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis
Jarrett Butenhoff is serving our country with the U.S. Navy
Joshua Butenhoff is serving our country on a Submarine with the Pacific Fleet with the US Navy.
Peter Cournia is a 2002 Crookston High School Graduate and also a grad of West Point and is currently is serving in the U.S. Army.
Erik Ellingson is serving our country with the U.S. Air Force at Minot.
Philip Kujawa class of 2004 from Crookston High School. He is an Army recruiter in Rochester.
Scott Riopelle is head of Crookston Parks and Recreation
Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome
That’s it for this week. Thanks for the comments and if you have anything to add or share, please e-mail chrisjfee@yahoo.com or call. Thanks for reading and listening to KROX RADIO and kroxam.com
