I honestly have no idea how to start this week’s column. I thought a long time about what I was going to say and I have no words. Everybody’s life has been turned upside down. My wife (a hairdresser) can’t work until at least March 27. My kids won’t go to school until who knows when. We have been extremely busy at work trying to keep up with everything going on with COVID-19 and are getting a ridiculous amount of hits on our website and listeners on our stream. That is our job in radio. We serve the communities we serve and all of us at KROX take that to heart.
We hope to be broadcasting spring sports in April, May, and June. I think most of us are thinking there won’t be any spring high school sports this year. We are hoping…..but it doesn’t look very good right now. If everybody hunkers down and listens….maybe….just maybe….we can get back to some form of normalcy and the kids can play their games.
The people I feel sorry for are the kids that made it to state girls basketball and boys basketball. They reach the ultimate goal and then they can’t finish the tournament or don’t get a chance to play in it. Now the seniors might miss out on their last two months of school and miss out hanging out with their friends, playing their sports, and whatever else. The cool thing is that people have finally figured out this is serious and starting to listen.
I have believed and continue to believe that EVERYTHING HAPPENS for a reason. Trying to figure out the reason is the tough part. The man upstairs has a special plan for everybody and you have to trust in the plan.
Here is what has happened since the last Sports Feever column –
- The Minnesota State High School League announced that the State Girls Basketball tournament was canceled and the Friday and Saturday games weren’t played. The Section boys basketball championships on Friday and the State Boys Basketball tournament was canceled.
- The next day (Friday the 13th), the Minnesota State High School League announced there will be no games/events/contests before April 6. The spring sports teams can continue to practice, but they cannot play games or hold scrimmages.
The past week has been difficult and unprecedented. Canceling state tournament games, college conferences canceling the spring sports season and more.
My heart hurts for all the student-athletes that lost out on section and state tournament games. These kids have worked hard to get to where they are at and had it all taken away from them. I look at a team like Perham Boys Basketball that had a 28-0 record and made it to the Section 8AA championship game with a shot to go back to state. They will likely be the only (or one of the only) teams that have gone undefeated in a season and not won a state championship. The MSHSL had no choice, other than to cancel the games and I don’t think anybody is mad at them for doing what was right for everybody. Even though it sucks, it was a move that had to be done.
The MSHSL made a great decision last week to postpone the start of spring sports events/games/contests. I am hopeful Minnesota doesn’t get hit bad by the Coronavirus and the teams are able to play their games in the final two months of the spring season.
We are all in this together and we will get through this!!!
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I have also been trying to figure out what to carry on the air in the evening and we have some exciting news on what might be coming our way. On Wednesday night we started Classic Minnesota Twins Broadcasts with the 1987 World Series Game 1 game broadcast and will continue to do so until on weeknights at 7:30 p.m.
We are also going to be carrying classic NCAA Men’s basketball games. The schedule is below –
Thursday, March 19 –
6:00 PM – Lakes Area Theatre play
7:00 PM – Classic NCAA Basketball game – 1979 National Championship – Bird vs Magic
Friday, March 20 –
6:00 PM – Lakes Area Theatre play
7:00 PM – Classic NCAA basketball game
Saturday, March 21-
9:00 AM – Coaches Corner from KROX studios
12:30 – Join NCAA Classic basketball games (DH)
Sunday, March 22 –
8:00 AM – Our Saviors Lutheran Church Broadcast
9:00 AM – Trinity Lutheran Church Broadcast
11:00 AM – Classic NCAA Classic Basketball games (DH)
Monday, March 23 –
6:00 PM – Lakes Area Theatre play
7:00 PM Governor Tim Walz State of the State address
Tuesday, March 24 –
6:00 PM Lakes Area Theatre ply
7:00 PM Minnesota Twins Classic – 1987 World Series Game 2
Wednesday, March 25 –
6:00 PM Lakes Area Theatre play
6:30 PM Trinity Lutheran Lenten Service
7:30 PM Classic Minnesota Twins game – 1987 World Series Game 6
Thursday, March 26 –
6:00 PM Lakes Area Theatre play
7:00 PM Classic NCAA basketball game
Friday, March 27 –
7:00 PM Classic NCAA basketball game
Saturday, March 28 –
9:00 AM – Coaches Corner from KROX studios
12:30 – Join NCAA Classic basketball games (DH)
Sunday, March 29 –
8:00 AM – Our Saviors Lutheran Church Broadcast
9:00 AM – Trinity Lutheran Church Broadcast
11:00 AM – Classic NCAA Classic Basketball games (DH)
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I asked UMC Softball Coach Travis Owen on his thoughts on the season and the way it ended –
I also asked UMC Baseball Coach Steve Gust on his thoughts on the season and the way it ended –
Heartbroken is the only way to describe the feeling of our baseball program. Telling our student-athletes that our season was canceled was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do as a coach. The toughest part to comprehend is that we likely will never again be together as a group. The past week has been as emotional as I’ve ever experienced as a coach. We are giving the team some room to ponder everything that was thrown at them. It sounds like the NCAA will grant the seniors (hopefully all of the players) an extra year of eligibility. However, a lot of them graduate in the spring and some already have full-time jobs waiting for them. I do expect several of them to return for another season. They may add another major or minor, or we are hoping to have a graduate program on campus soon so they could attend graduate school while they finish their college careers. It’s nice that we graduate our student-athletes on-time but it can sometimes be negative especially when we do not have graduate programs (at least yet).
What makes this situation even more frustrating is that we had a team that we felt had unlimited potential. After going 7-3 in Florida, I told my assistant coaches that I felt good about our team in all aspects. I thought we came together as a team and played fundamentally sound baseball. We hit for average and power, ran the bases aggressively, made most of the routine plays defensively, and pitched the ball extremely well. The guys had really bought into team play and what we needed to do to be successful as a team. Our guys had some lofty goals for the season and I thought we were in a position to reach them after our trip to Florida.
I have always said that the reason why I love coaching is that baseball mirrors life in so many ways. It doesn’t seem fair that our season was cut short, but such is life. There are way more important things to worry about right now than the game of baseball. I have to believe that our program will return better than ever.
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The Minnesota High School Boys Basketball Coaches Association has released the 2019-20 Class A and AA Academic All-State basketball team. There were several area players that made the team and they are listed below.
Academic All-State team –
Caden Osborn – Crookston
Jarrett Kujava – Kittson County Central
Bereket Loer – Wadena-Deer Creek
Derek Peterson – Red Lake County
Ethan Olson – Fergus Falls
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The Six Star Boys Basketball conference handed out their postseason awards on Monday, March 16 at their banquet sponsored by Border States Bank.
Teams in the conference are Badger/Greenbush-Middle River, Goodridge/Gryla, Kittson County Central, Northern Freeze, Stephen-Argyle, and Warren-Alvarado-Oslo. The award winners are listed and pictured below –
All-Conference –
BGMR – Adam Benke, Zach Blawat, Kasen Swenson
Goodridge/Grygla – Jordan Coan
Northern Freeze – Keaton Klegstad
Kittson Co. Central – Mitchell Docken, Jarrett Kujava, Kaleb Whitlock
Stephen-Argyle – Jason Lindgren
Warren-A-O – Brandon Miller
Team Champions – Badger/Greenbush-Middle River Gators
Coach of the Year – Kent Christian (BGMR)
Most Oustanding Player – Jarrett Kujava (KCC)
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The following provides further clarification on what is allowed within spring activity participation limitations for Minnesota State High School League member schools following Emergency Executive Order 20-02 issued on March 15, 2020, by Governor Walz.
Effective between March 18 and March 27, the following direction is provided for MSHSL member schools:
Coaches and Directors May Not:
- Have in-person contact with participants.
- Require or suggest groups of participants to gather.
- Suggest or support “captain’s practices” or “open gyms.”
- Provide evaluations or feedback on participants’ performance. (i.e. require participants to submit video of a skill or performance)
- Require participants to take part in individual workouts or skills training, etc. (i.e. journaling, reporting of time spent, submission of results)
- Place undue influence on participants to take part in any individual workouts or skills training.
Coaches and Directors May:
- Connect with participants via technology (i.e. email, Learning Management System, school-approved communication tools).
- Provide optional individual workouts or optional individual skills training via electronic communication.
- Connect with and support participants who are challenged by the changes in their routines and life due to changes caused by COVID-19 limitations and restrictions.
Coaches and Directors Must:
- Include the Activities Administrator on all communication to participants.
School administration at their discretion, may place more restrictive limitations on practice and participation.
As COVID-19 is rapidly evolving, the MSHSL will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as necessary.
Spring sports are officially in season. Therefore, all League rules, policies and bylaws surrounding participation are in effect.
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The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball program announced the addition of Rafael Cartõn (F, 6-7 230, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands/IES El Pilar) to a National Letter of Intent. Carton joins Hunter Lyman (F/C, 6-8 215, West Fargo, N.D./West Fargo H.S.) as signees for the 2020-21 class for the Golden Eagles. “I am very excited to welcome Rafa to the Golden Eagle Basketball Family,” said Head Coach Dan Weisse. “He had his prep school career in Connecticut cut short with a family situation. However, in talking with his Westminster coaches and talking with his father it quickly became apparent that he is the type of guy I wanted in our program. He is energetic, he asks good questions, and is a team-first guy. As a player he can really stretch the floor, he can post up, he is a good passer and has great hands, and he can play multiple big positions. He is also a capable defender and rebounder, those are two things we must improve on as a team. He will be great in the locker room, on the floor, and he’ll be a great ambassador for Golden Eagle athletics. I cannot wait to get him on campus.”
Rafael Carton (F, 6-7 230, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands/IES El Pilar)
Carton competed earlier this season at Westminster School, a prep school in Simsbury, Conn. He averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and 1.5 blocks per game for the Martlets. Carton started all the games he played in for Westminster School. In addition, he won a Canarian Championship in 2019. He played tennis until he was 14, and has been playing basketball since the age of four. “I chose Minnesota Crookston because of the relationship I developed with Coach Weisse and the connection both of us felt from the first moment we talked,” said Carton. “The first impression is really important and Coach Weisse made me feel wanted from the start. I had other Division II and two Division I programs interested in me, but the connection I felt with the coaching staff at Minnesota Crookston was the best fit for me. I believe one of the key attributes I bring to the team is my energy, whether I am playing, working out, or on the bench I have the same energy and am looking to encourage and lift up the team. On the court, I can help the team out with my three-point shooting, my ability to find the open guy for an easy bucket, and my rebounding ability. I am excited to be a Golden Eagle and to continue to improve my game under the coaching staff.”
His full name is Rafael Carton Charfolé. He was born March 17, 2000. His parents are Manuel Carton and Marta Charfolé. Carton plans to major in Business and Sports and Rec Management. His uncle won a Padel Championship and competes for the Madrid Padel National Team, where the team has won two-consecutive Championships. Padel is a racquet sport that is most popular in Mexico, Argentina, Spain, and Andorra. In addition, his mother Marta Charfolé was a professional ballet dancer at the Classical National Ballet of Spain from 1984-90, and is now a well-known ballet teacher in the Canary Islands.
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The Crookston Pirate Boys Track and Field team has 28 boys out in 7-12th grade. The team roster as of March 12 is below.
Seniors – (7)
Ben Andringa, Tai Baig, Josh Bernia, Ben Brantner, Jacob Brunelle, Ty Hamre, Caden Osborn
Juniors (8)
Breyden Dembiczak, Gregorio Gonzales, Karsten Isaacson, Noah Kiel, Andrew MacGregor, Gabe Montieth, Easton Tangquist, Cameron Weiland
Sophomores (4)
George French, Eli Pruneda, Sam Stewart, Brady Wisk
Freshman (2)
Thor Harbott, Omar Pettithomme
Eighth graders (4)
Caden Boike, Aaron Dehoyos, Javen Lund, Evin Trudeau
Seventh graders (3)
Rylan Lubarski, Lionel Luna, Ryan Street
Managers (5)
Emma Borowicz, Gunner Hooper, Jocelyn Brekken, Sam Sanders, Rylee Solheim
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The Crookston Pirate Girls Track and Field team has 56 girls out in 7-12th grade. As usual, the senior and junior classes are small and the rest of the classes are large. The roster as of March 12 is below-
Seniors – (4)
Morgan Coauette, Katherine Geist, Audrey Harbott, Karly Ostenberg
Juniors – (4)
Linnea French, Savannah Meine, Ella Weber, Anke Wiersma
Sophomores – (15)
Mckayla Brown, Madison Hoiland, Olivia Huck, Breanna Kressin, Jacey Larson, Hannah Loraas, Ava Lopez, Mallorie Sundeen, Emma Osborn, Claire Oman, Amelia Overgaard, Angelica Perala, Ally Perreault, Amanda Schultz, Hayden Winjum
Freshman (7)
Abby Borowicz, Megan Haugen, Hannah Leckie, Kailee Magsam, Libby Salentine, Katelynn Schulz, Carly Thode
Eighth Graders (14)
Katelyn Christensen, Amelia Cordova, Calleigh Fanfulik, Emma Gunderson, Marissa Haugen, Madison Lindtwed, Makayla Mccollum, Jayden Newquist, Jasmine Perala, Johnna Porter, Isabelle Smith, Cassie Solheim, Bailey Turnwall, Halle Winjum.
Seventh graders (12)
Stephanie Balboa, Ava Edwards, Miryah Epema, Maddie Harbott, Naomi Johnson, Joey Nesseth, Naomi Olson, Mariah Overgaard, Kianna Simpkins, Grace Smith, Linda Torres, Tessa Weber
Managers (4)
Heather Visness, Jayden Hulst, Gabrille Corrales, Kaleb Stolpa
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JOKES-
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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 for the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Bluejacket.
Brady Heppner, is playing hockey for the Roanoke Raildogs in the SPHL.
Aleece Durbin, is a Sophomore on the University of North Dakota Women’s Track and Field team.
Brita Fagerlund, is a Junior on the University of Jamestown Jimmy Women’s Track team.
Ben Trostad is a sophomore member of the University of Minnesota Crookston golf team.
Isaac Westlake, is a Senior on the Winona State Warrior Men’s Golf team.
Elise Tangquist, is a Junior golfer for the University of Northwestern in St. Paul.
Mason LaPlante, a freshman, is playing soccer at the University of Jamestown.
Rachel Hefta, a freshman, is playing volleyball at Hastings College in Nebraska.
Cade Salentine is a redshirt Freshman playing football at the University of North Dakota.
Nick Garmen, is a freshman playing basketball and tennis at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Thea Oman, a freshman, is swimming at St. Ben’s.
Crookston School District Coaches –
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 the 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
Blake Fee is an assistant 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.
Justin Johnson is an assistant softball coach at the University of Minnesota Crookston.
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 a Director of Athletics at the British International School of Houston.
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
