We are t-minus one week away from the first playoff game when girls hockey will begin the first round of the playoffs on Thursday, February 10!!!! Wow, the season has flown by. We have a little over three weeks left in the basketball season before playoffs start and everything else in between. It will be an exciting month and a half and make sure you get out and cheer on your team. If you can’t get out, KROX Radio, the KROX Livestream and all the other fantastic radio stations in NW Minnesota will have almost every playoff game on the radio. So tune in and cheer on your teams.
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This has nothing to do with my column, but thought I would share. It is always nice to hear we are doing things well, especially with someone that hadn’t found our station before.
Hillsboro, ND
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With less than a week left in the girl’s hockey regular season, here is how I believe the Section 8A Girls seeding meeting will go.
1-Warroad 18-3-1 (3-0 in section)
2-Crookston (13-6-1) (7-2 in Section with a split with EGF and a sweep of TRF)
3-Thief River Falls (5-14-2) (3-4 in section, two wins over EGF)
4-East Grand Forks (5-12) (3-3 in section, but two losses to TRF)
5. Detroit Lakes (4-18) (2-4 in section)
6. International Falls (0-18) (0-5 in section)
It was a challenging year for Section 8A girls hockey with two teams with a winning record. Of course, you have one of the top teams in the state with Warroad, and they are the heavy, heavy favorite going into the tourney once again. If my seeding is correct, and the only way it could be different is if one of the coaches messes up on the seeding.
Thursday – February 10
Section 8A Tournament – 1st Round 7:00 PM
#5- Detroit Lakes at #4-East Grand Forks
#6-International Falls at #3-Thief River Falls
Saturday – February 12
Section 8A Tournament – Semi-Finals at East Grand Forks
4:00 PM – East Grand Forks vs #1 seed-Warroad
6:00 PM – Thief River Falls vs #2 seed-Crookston – on KROX Radio and KROX Livestream
Thursday – February 17
Section 8A Tournament – Championship at East Grand Forks
I am guessing this will be Crookston and Warroad. If Crookston is playing, we will broadcast it on KROX Radio and the KROX livestream.
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The latest Minnesota State High School Hockey and basketball polls have been released. To view the polls, click on the following link – https://kroxam.com/minnesota-high-school-polls/
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Several area high school football players signed to play college football on Wednesday, February 2, on National Signing Day.
Jamestown University –
Brooks Butt (Defensive Line) – Crookston
Ozzie Meyer-Rice (Line Backer) – Lancaster
Minnesota State Moorhead –
Nick Haugrud – Offensive Line – (Pelican Rapids)
Micah Herbel – Long snapper – (Fertile-Beltrami)
Justin Littlewolf Jr. – Defensive Line – (Mahnomen-Waubun)
Brady Olson – Tight End – (Thief River Falls)
McKale Pierson – Defensive Back – (Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton)
Bemidji State University –
Caden Bolte – Defensive Back – (Bemidji – son of head coach Brett Bolte)
Gavin Luksik – Tight End – (Bemidji)
Nate Schwinghammer – Defensive End – Bemidji
Jack Twelvetrees – Defensive Line – Bemidji
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Wrestling milestones over the past week –
Ethan Boll (Crookston) – 150 wins
Griffin Lundeen (TRF) – 150 wins
Ethan Bowman (Crookston) – 125 wins
Braxton Volker (Crookston) – 100 wins
Jolson Sargent (TRF) – 50th pin
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Basketball milestones over the past week –
Fosston Greyhounds girls basketball coach Kelly Viken won the 200th game of his career.
Caitlyn Jacobson of Goodridge/Grygla scored the 1,000th point of her career.
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The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball program announced the signing of six student-athletes for the 2022 signing class. The Golden Eagles have signed Blake Gulden (LHP, 6-2 190, Maple Grove, Minn./Century College), Nate Grafsgaard (RHP, 6-0 180, Devils Lake, N.D./Lake Region State College), Mike Hallquist (2B, 5-10 180, Fargo, N.D./Bismarck State College), Caden Headlee (OF/LHP, Fargo, N.D./Bismarck State College), Austin McClure (RHP, 6-0 205, Adelaide, South Australia/Lake Region State), and Christian Norby (OF, 6-3 230, Ashby, Minn./Minnesota State C.T.C.).
The six signees join the nine players the Golden Eagles signed in November. They join Joey Connelly (LHP, 5-9 160, Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie H.S.), Eli Denisen (LHP, 6-0 185, Winona, Minn./Winona H.S.), Joshua Dykhoff (RHP/UT, 6-2 210, Wadena, Minn./Wadena-Deer Creek H.S.), Jack Jahnke (LHP, 6-0 175, Grand Forks, N.D./Grand Forks Central H.S.), Jonah Norman (C/IF, 5-10 165, Winnipeg, Manitoba/St. Paul’s H.S.), Michael Rivera (RHP, 6-01 170, Victoria, Minn./Minnetonka H.S.), Kobe Senn (3B, 5-10 190, Fargo, N.D./Iowa Central C.C.), Danny Wensloff (OF/RHP, 6-1 195, Roseau, Minn./Itasca C.C.), and Isaac Wensloff (RHP/UT, 6-1 185, Roseau, Minn./Roseau H.S.). Senn is already on campus as a mid-year transfer.
Blake Gulden (LHP, 6-2 190, Maple Grove, Minn./Century College)
As a freshman for the Wood Ducks, Gulden went 3-2 with a 6.08 ERA in 23.2 innings pitched. He struck out 18 and walked 15. He pitched three innings of shutout baseball against Mesabi Range C.C. Gulden also picked up wins over Anoka-Ramsey C.C. and Rochester C.T.C.
Nate Grafsgaard (RHP, 6-0 180, Devils Lake, N.D./Lake Region State College)
Grafsgaard is a teammate at Lake Region State with fellow signee Austin McClure. He is coached at Lake Region State by former Golden Eagles Jonathan Lund and Jayden Grover. As a freshman, he posted a 1-0 mark in 13 appearances out of the bullpen with a 6.33 ERA and 25 strikeouts. His win came against Jamestown’s junior varsity squad in 2021.
Mike Hallquist (2B, 5-10 180, Fargo, N.D./Bismarck State College)
Hallquist is teammates at Bismarck State College with fellow signee Caden Headlee. He has been an all-academic performer at the junior college level. He is also an E-sports athlete. As a freshman for the Mystics, he appeared in 37 games and hit .407 with eight home runs, 28 RBIs, had 53 runs scored, and stole five bases. Hallquist went 4-of-5 at Dickinson State University in 2021. He was 3-of-5 in a 21-6 win over Lake Region State College. Hallquist went 4-of-6 in a 16-12 victory over Miles Community College.
Caden Headlee (OF/LHP, Fargo, N.D./Bismarck State College)
Headlee is teammates at Bismarck State College with fellow signee Mike Hallquist. He appeared in 35 games in the field as a freshman. Headlee hit .449 with two home runs, 42 RBIs, 32 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases. He went 4-of-4 in a 14-1 win at Lake Region State College. Headlee was 3-of-3 at the plate in a 24-4 victory over North Dakota State College of Science. He went 3-of-5 in a 16-12 victory over Miles Community College. AS a pitcher, he made two appearances with one strikeout.
Austin McClure (RHP, 6-0 205, Adelaide, South Australia/Lake Region State College)
McClure is teammates at Lake Region State College with Nate Grafsgaard. He has been coached at the junior college level by former Golden Eagles Jonathan Lund and Jayden Grover. In 2021, McClure appeared in 37.2 innings pitched with 47 strikeouts. He made three starts. He appeared in three innings with three strikeouts against the Jamestown junior varsity squad. He was a First Team All-Academic All-American.
Christian Norby (OF, 6-3 230, Ashby, Minn./Minnesota State C.T.C.)
Norby hit .340 during the 2021 season with eight home runs, 28 RBIs, and 21 runs scored. He appeared in 35 games as a sophomore. Norby posted a .448 on-base percentage during the 2021 season. In 2020, Norby played in just eight games with one run scored and one RBI.
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Joe Burrow, the quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, has a chance to be the first NFL football player to become the first player to win the Heisman trophy, a National Championship, and Super Bowl.
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“LACE ‘EM UP” BASKETBALL CAMP
Make plans now to attend the 27th annual “Lace ‘em Up” basketball camp to be held in Red Lake Falls high school at the Robert Matzke Gym from June 6-10, 2022
The camp is open to any boys or girls who are currently in grades K-11. The camp is set up to run from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 for grades 6-11 each morning, and from 12:00 noon until 3:30 p.m. for grades K-6. The cost of the camp is $70 with a maximum cost per family of $100. If you register before May 22ND , you will also receive a camp T-shirt. After May 22, ALL SINGLE REGISTRATION FEES WILL BE $80 AND THE MAXIMUM COST PER FAMILY WILL BE $120, DUE TO CAMP PREPARATION AND AWARD ORDERS.
NOTE: by request, 6th graders may come in the morning, afternoon, or both for one price.
Cut on the dotted line and return the following to: Steve Philion, 518 Champagne Ave., Red Lake Falls, MN 56750. (cell: 218-686-3608) (home: 218-253-2499). E-mail: sphilion@rlfedu.org
Make checks payable to: Steve Philion
If anyone needs help with the cost of the camp, let Mr. Philion know as we have people who have offered to cover costs for kids that need financial help.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Name____________________________________
Grade in 2021-2022________________(GRADE JUST COMPLETED)
I was a 6th grader this year and would like to come: (circle one)
MORNING AFTERNOON BOTH
T-shirt sizes: Please circle one:
Youth sizes: EXTRA SMALL SMALL MEDIUM LARGE
Adult sizes: SMALL MEDIUM LARGE X-LARGE XX-LARGE
Address:_______________________________________________________
MALE____________ FEMALE___________
I, the parent of the above student agree to allow my child to participate in the 2022 “Lace ‘em Up” basketball camp in Red Lake Falls. I also understand that the camp director, the City of RLF, and the RLF school district are not responsible for any injuries, accidents, or COVID that my child might incur.
SIGNATURE OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN:_______________________________________
Emergency cell number of parent or guardian:_______________________________
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JOKES
On a rural road a state trooper pulled this farmer over and said: “Sir, do you realize your wife fell out of the car several miles back?” To which the farmer replied: “Thank God, I thought I had gone deaf!”
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A hillbilly was making his first visit to a hospital where his teenage son was about to have an operation. Watching the doctor’s every move, he asked, “What’s that?” The doctor explained, “This is an anesthetic. After he gets this he won’t know a thing.”
“Save your time, Doc,” exclaimed the man. “He don’t know nothing now.”
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The strong young man at the construction site was bragging that he could outdo anyone in a feat of strength. He made a special case of making fun of one of the older workmen. After several minutes, the older worker had had enough.
“Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is,” he said. “I will bet a week’s wages that I can haul something in a wheelbarrow over to that outbuilding that you won’t be able to wheel back.”
“You’re on, old man,” the young man bragged replied. “Let’s see what you got.”
The old man reached out and grabbed the wheelbarrow by the handles. Then, nodding to the young man, he said, “All right. Get in.”
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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
Emma Borowicz is a freshman running track at Minnesota State Mankato.
Ben Trostad is a senior playing Men’s Golf at UMC.
Kaleb Thingelstad is a freshman playing golf at Kansas Wesleyan University. KWU is done for the fall season.
Joslynn Leach is a freshman playing golf at Concordia College in Moorhead. The Cobbers wrapped up the Fall season.
Brady Butt is a sophomore playing football at the University of Jamestown.
Rachel Hefta, is a junior playing volleyball at Hastings College in Nebraska.
Ty Hamre is playing football at Bemidji State University.
Paul Bittner is playing professional hockey in Sweden. He is the only American playing for Mora IK of the Allsvenskan league.
Gretchen Theis is a sophomore at NDSU on the Equestrian team.
Kate MacGregor is a senior swimming at Minnesota State Moorhead.
Aleece Durbin, is a Junior on the University of North Dakota Women’s Track and Field team.
Nick Garmen is a junior playing tennis at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Crookston School District Coaches –
Emily Meyer is the Pirate head girls hockey coach and softball assistant coach.
Lacia Hanson is the Junior High softball coach.
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Cody Brekken is the Crookston Community Pool Supervisor
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming 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 –
Collin Reynolds is the head baseball coach for the University of Colorado Buffalo Club Baseball team.
Trent Stahlecker is a School Security Specialist & he works for the Brevard Public Schools, Florida
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.
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 the Director and Fitness at Mission Ranch and Fitness in Camel, California.
Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis
Ben Andringa is serving our country with the Army in New York.
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.
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.