SPORTS FEEVER by Chris Fee of KROX Radio – chrisjfee@yahoo.com
After all the snow we have received I think I am officially ready for winter sports. But, not until after Saturday as the Fertile-Beltrami Falcons try to win their first ever Football state championship. KROX will have the game on the radio. The game is Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. KROX will have the pre-game show at 9:00 a.m.
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We have posted the latest Crookston Pirate Varsity Winter Sport Schedules. To view the schedules, click the link – Pirate Winter Sports Schedules | KROX
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I have put together the Crookston Pirate Winter Sports rosters that I have so far. They are below –
Crookston Pirate Boys Basketball (33 players out 9-12) –
Seniors (7) – Matthew Contreras, Michael Deng, Jack Everett, Rylan Lubarski, Tyler Michaelson, Hunter Nicholas, Bradyn Peterson
Juniors (8) -Zachariah Ali, Nolan Cassavant, Carter Fee, Gunnar Groven, Jacob Halvorson, Joshua Hesby, Peter Wiersma, Reggie Winjum
Sophomores (7) – Sawyer Anderson, Aiden Delage, Ean Deleon, Landon Meier, Colton Osborn, Xsavior Ramos, Dominic Sanchez
Freshman (11) – Jasper Barstad, Drake Devos, Quinton Fredericks, Jax Fredrick, Cameron Martin, Thomas McEndree, Erik Pruneda, Gavin Reitmeier, Austin Stopa, Samuel Tappe, Evan Wagner
Crookston Pirate Girls Basketball (15 out 9-12)
Seniors (3) – Shayla Azure, Naomi Johnson, Joey Nesseth
Juniors (4) – Chloe Boll, Emelia Hoerner, Halle Nicholas, Lucy Smith
Sophomores (4) – Madilyn Bruggeman, Teagan Fanfulik, Ashlynn LaLonde, Brooklyn Waldal
Freshman (4) – Grace Boll, Nora Groven, Alyssa Johnson, Summer Laundis
Crookston Pirate Boys Hockey (31 out 10-12)
Seniors (13) – David Larson, Conner Hanson, Ryan Street, Brandon Colborn, Riley Benson, Teagen Lubinski, Jack Buhler, Michael Bochow, Weston Benoit, Parker Kelly, Aiden Fisketjon, Joseph Walski, Dylan Thode
Juniors (13) – Jay Reese, Evan Schockman, Greyson Ecker, Tate Hamre, Garrett Fischer, Liam Larson, Gavin Aakhus, Brady Chandler, Isaiah Donarski, Cody Demarais, Wyatt Marsyla, Anton Elbinger, Teegyn Johnson
Sophomores – (5) Grant Funk, Hudson Rick, Jackson Fritsch, Aiden Weiland, Hayden Mercil
Crookston Pirate Girls Hockey (26 out 8-12)
Seniors (5) – Kambelle Freije, Addison Fee, Kaylie Clauson, Parker Strand, Hattie Weiland
Juniors (5) – Ashlyn Bailey, Alexa Bartrum, Ava Martin, Logan Brekken, Emma LaPlante
Sophomores (6) – Aubrey Bartrum, Katie Seaver, Brea Lessard, Lilyan Corneillie, Kira Daniels, Madilyn Abrams
Freshman (7) – Peyton Demarais, Jocelyn Field, Hailey Fritz, Adley Vigness, Shyuh Burnette, Rilynn Aubol, Jensen Stinar
8th Graders (3) – Hadley Verwest, Keely Garrett, Nova Garrett
Crookston Pirate Wrestling (16 out 9-12)
Seniors (2) – Masyn Arguelles, Riley Helgeson
Juniors (7) – Jose Arriaga, Miles Corneillie, Gavyn Hlucny, Antonio Lamb-Campos, Lucas Perala, Isaiah Reyes, Caden Sanders
Sophomores (1) Leonicio Romo
Freshman (6) – Priscilla Gonzalez, Christopher Goodrich, Lukas Helgeson, Kyle Huffman, Jaron Knutson, Gabriel Perala
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The Minnesota State High School League will hold its final fall season championship games this weekend as Football will be played at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. KROX will have the 9-Player Championship game with Fertile-Beltrami taking on Hills-Beaver Creek on Saturday, November 23 at 10:00 a.m. KROX will have a pre-game show at 9:00 AM.
Hills-Beaver Creek is 12-0 on the year and has outscored its opponents an average of 41 to 9 in those games. In the state tournament, they beat Border West 34-14 and Mountain Iron-Buhl 26-20. Fertile-Beltrami is 12-0 on the year and has outscored opponents by an average of 55 to 13. In the state tournament, they beat Cromwell-Wright 48-7 and LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli 60-33. In the two-section tournament games and the two state tournament games, Fertile-Beltrami is averaging 55 points per game!!!
In the first week of the season, Fertile-Beltrami beat Border West 60-32, but most of Border West’s points were scored in the fourth quarter when the Falcon starters were out of the game. The Falcons had an amazing performance from senior running back Isaiah Wright, who had 24 carries for 361 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged 15 yards per carry in a State Semi-final game!!!!
Wright has 154 carries for 2,406 yards and 39 touchdowns this season. For his career he has 6,014 yards rushing, 94 rushing td’s and 35 two-point conversions.
Jonah Harstad is having another great season and has carried the ball 122 times for 1,256 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Bryer Strem has 12 interceptions on the season and he also has 25 receptions for 522 yards and 6 touchdowns, 44 carries for 373 yards and 7 touchdowns. Oh…he has also completed 10 of 18 passes for 114 yards with 2 touchdowns and one interception!
Caleb Sather leads the team with 67 tackles, Preston Hanson has 52, Caleb Stoltman has 49 and Jonah Harstad has 47 to lead the team.
Hills-Beaver Creek’s strength is its defense as they held Mountain Iron-Buhl to 20 points in the semifinals. The Patriots on offense were led by Beau Bakken with 90 rushing yards on 27 carries for an average of 3.3 yards per carry. The quarterback, Jamin Metzger was 19 of 23 passing for 143 yards and a touchdown. His top receiving target was Micah Bush with 12 receptions for 115 yards (76 yards after catch). The longest pass of the game was 20 yards for Hills-Beaver Creek.
Mountain Iron-Buhl outgained Hills-Beaver Creek 304 to 263 yards in the game, MIB threw two interceptions in the game and HBC scored 14 points off those turnovers and that was the difference in the game.
With that said. If Fertile-Beltrami takes care of the ball, I am picking the Falcons to win their first state championship in football.
| Tale of the Tape | Fertile-Beltrami | Hills-Beaver Creek |
| Record | 12-0 | 12-0 |
| QRF Rank | 2 | 1 |
| Offensive Points Per game | 54.6 | 40.6 |
| Points allowed per game | 13.4 | 8.8 |
| Finish at state last year | Lost to Kingsland 36-28 in semi-finals | Lost to Kingsland 26-14 in 1st round |
| State Tourney Trip # | 9 times (4th in a row) 1981, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2021 9-Man Runner-up, 2022, 2023, 2024 | 12th (3rd in last 4 years) 1973, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1990 9-Man Champion, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2021, 2023, 2024 |
| State Championships | 0 | 1 |
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The Minnesota Vikings have announced the Minnesota High School Football All-State team, and several area players made a list.
Isaiah Wright (Fertile-Beltrami)
Owen Chervestad (Red Lake County)
Gannon Bolgrean (Barnesville)
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The MINNESOTA PREP BOWL RECORDS for individual and teams are listed below.
INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
MOST YARDS RUSHING: 374, Jordan Suhonen, Cromwell — 2010
MOST RUSHING ATTEMPTS: 49, Christian Vasser, Wayzata – 2019
BEST RUSHING AVERAGE (15+ att.): 15.1, Chase Johnson, LeRoy-Ostrander (18 att.) — 2021
MOST TOUCHDOWNS RUSHING: 5, Jordan Suhonen, Cromwell – 2010; Jason Williamson, Owatonna – 2017; Christian Vasser, Wayzata – 2019; Ryan Meagher, Minneota – 2023
LONGEST RUN FROM SCRIMMAGE: 93, Logan Bunker, Elk River — 2022
MOST YARDS PASSING: 368, Isaac Heard, *Edgerton/Ellsworth — 2011
MOST PASSES ATTEMPTED: 52, Joey Lee, Dawson-Boyd — 2013
MOST PASSES COMPLETED: 27, Joey Lee, Dawson-Boyd — 2013
BEST PASS COMPLETION PCT. (10 or more attempts): .824 (14-17), Jayme Moten – New London-Spicer, 2009
LONGEST PASS COMPLETION: 90 Yards, Charlie Nelson, Perham — 1989
LONGEST PASS RECEPTION: 90 Yards, Jon Toedter, Perham — 1989
MOST PASSES CAUGHT: 12, Michael Lee, Dawson-Boyd — 2013; Marquise Bridges, DeLaSalle, Minneapolis – 2014
MOST YARDS PASS RECEPTIONS: 198, (7 passes) Devin Hulsteing, *Edgerton/Ellsworth — 2011
MOST TOUCHDOWNS PASSING: 6, Kirk Midthun, Triton, Dodge Center — 1994
MOST TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS: 4, Judge Gisslen, Triton, Dodge Center — 1994; Bryce Holm, Fairmont – 2011
MOST TOUCHDOWNS (Rushing/Receiving/Passing/Kickoff Return): 6 (0/0/6/0) Kirk Midthun, Triton, Dodge Center – 1994; (1/0/5/0) Owen King, Caledonia – 2017; (5/0/0/1) Jason Williamson, Owatonna – 2017
MOST OFFENSIVE YARDS (Passing/Rushing): 412 (140/272), Chase Johnson, LeRoy-Ostrander — 2021
MOST PASSES INTERCEPTED: 3, Pete Roback, Anoka — 1990; Mark Olsonawski, Kittson Central, Hallock — 1994; Mason Hansen, Cromwell – 1998; Matt Risinger, Minnetonka – 2004; Tyler Drinkall, Rushford-Peterson – 2004; Evan Robertson, Dawson-Boyd – 2011; Dawson Brown, Becker – 2014; Nolan Haag, Eden Valley-Watkins – 2023
MOST PASS INTERCEPTION YARDS: 120, Reece Henrickson, Stephen-Argyle Central (2 interceptions) — 2003
LONGEST KICK-OFF RETURN: 98 Yards, Marcus Binns, Cretin-Derham Hall — 2007
TOTAL YARDS KICKOFF RETURNS: 161, Ethan Roux, Willmar — 2018
LONGEST PUNT RETURN: 93 Yards, Calen Wilson, Mankato West — 1999
TOTAL YARDS PUNT RETURNS: 121 (5 returns), Matt McQuillan, Cretin-Derham Hall — 2005
TOTAL YARDS ALL RETURNS: 197, Brayden Werpy, Fertile-Beltrami — 2021
LONGEST PUNT: 68 Yards, Guy Osterfeld, BOLD, Olivia — 1991
BEST PUNTING AVERAGE (4 or more kicks): 48.4, Ben Reppenhagen, St. Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights – 2019 (5 punts)
LONGEST FIELD GOAL: 43 Yards, Brian Smiddle, Blaine — 1996
MOST UNASSISTED TACKLES: 20, Carter Greguson, Rochester Lourdes – 2016 MOST
UNASSISTED, ASSISTED TACKLES: 24, Martin Prieto, Plainview-Elgin-Millville — 2021
TEAM RECORDS
MOST POINTS (One Team): 70, Triton, Dodge Center — 2006
MOST POINTS (Two Teams): 92, St. Croix Lutheran, West St. Paul (48) vs. New London-Spicer (44) — Class AAA, 2013
FEWEST POINTS (Two Teams) in a title game: 10, Mora (7) vs. Northfield (3) — Class A, 1996
MOST FIRST DOWNS: 34, Stephen-Argyle Central — 2009
MOST RUSHING FIRST DOWNS: 33, Stephen-Argyle Central— 2009
MOST PASSING FIRST DOWNS: 17, *Edgerton/Ellsworth — 2011
MOST YARDS RUSHING: 569, Stephen-Argyle Central — 2009
MOST RUSHING ATTEMPTS: 88, Stephen-Argyle Central — 2009
MOST PASSES COMPLETED: 27, Minneota — 1986; Dawson-Boyd — 2013
MOST PASSES ATTEMPTED: 52, Dawson-Boyd — 2013
MOST YARDS PASSING: 368, *Edgerton/Ellsworth — 2011
BEST PASS COMPLETION PCT.: 1.000 (6-6 for 133 Yds.), Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg — 2008
MOST PASSES INTERCEPTED: 6, Breck School, Golden Valley — 199
MOST OFFENSIVE PLAYS: 94, Stephen-Argyle Central— 2009
MOST TOTAL OFFENSIVE NET YARDS: 616, Stephen-Argyle Central– 2009
MOST AVERAGE YARDS PER PLAY: 13.5, Hutchinson – 2013
MOST FUMBLES: 8, Silver Lake — 1987; St. Croix Lutheran Academy, West St. Paul – 2017
MOST FUMBLES LOST: 5, Jackson — 1985
LONGEST GAME (time): 3:14, St. Thomas Academy vs. Chanhassen — 2023
LONGEST SCORING DRIVE (elapsed time): 9:36, Stillwater (68 yards) — 1984
LONGEST DRIVE FOR SCORE (distance): 99 Yards: (6 plays), Hastings — 1999; (15 plays), Mahtomedi – 2005; (12 plays), Becker – 2005; (8 plays), Mankato West – 2008; (13 plays), Wayzata – 2008; (4 plays), Rochester Lourdes – 2016
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The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle baseball team has announced 16 student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play baseball for the program next year. The Golden Eagles signed 13 from Minnesota and three from North Dakota. The Golden Eagles took care of their doorstep, signing 13 student-athletes from within 160 miles of Crookston. In addition, six student-athletes are from within 35 miles of Crookston, with four signees from Thief River Falls.
UMC had the following sign – Asher Blaine (RHP, 6-1 200, Frazee), Alex Blume (SS, 6-1 190, Perham), Cameron Dean (OF/1B, 6-2 210, Maple Grove/Holy Family Catholic H.S.), Ashton Detloff (LHP, 6-3 210, Perham), Noah Gonzales (C, 5-8 175, Thief River Falls), Braylon Hamre (SS/RHP, 5-10 170, McIntosh/Win-E-Mac), Jaxon Hams (RHP, 6-2 180, Thief River Falls), Jack Hansen (OF, 5-7 160, Mankato East H.S.), Noah Jensen (1B, 6-3 250, Glenwood/Minnewaska Area H.S.), Elias Leach (OF/1B/LHP, 6-5 210, Plymouth/Wayzata H.S.), Bodhi Mossestad (RHP/OF, 6-5 175, Thief River Falls), Drew Odenbach (RHP, 6-7 210, Thompson, N.D.), Thomas Schumacher (IF/OF, 5-8 165, Thompson, N.D.), Tori Uhlich (5-11 175, Wahpeton, N.D./North Dakota State College of Science), Eli Wensloff (OF/RHP, 6-2 205, Roseau), and Gannon Zutz (RHP/SS, 6-3 171, Thief River Falls).
“It would be an understatement to say that we are ecstatic with this signing class,” said Head Coach Steve Gust. “We were able to sign most of our top recruits including ones at pivotal positions. Pitching was of utmost importance to us, and I believe this group of pitchers has a chance to excel over the course of the next four years. We also like the athleticism up and down our board. It’s just a group of all-around athletes who have a combination of speed, power and size, along with other elite tools. More importantly, they are all good students with their priorities in order. We feel this class will compliment the returning players. It’s a good feeling knowing our program will be in good shape for the next several years.”
Asher Blaine (RHP, 6-1 200, Frazee, Minn./Frazee-Vergas H.S.)
Blaine is a two-time Heart O’ Lakes All-Conference selection, and a two-time All-Conference Honorable Mention selection. He had 19.5 strikeouts per nine innings last season. He earned the Minnesota Teammate of the Year Award. He is a multiple time Spotlight on Scholarship recipient. He is a three-sport athlete in high school, and earned All-Conference accolades in all three.
He is the son of Tyler and Amy Blaine. Blaine plans to major in business at Minnesota Crookston. Both of his grandfathers played football and baseball at Concordia College. His father Tyler played football at Itasca Community College.
“Asher is a typical student-athlete that we like to recruit at Minnesota Crookston,” Gust remarked. “He has great integrity, gets it done in the classroom, and has great tools. We feel like he has flown under the radar as a pitcher. He has what it takes to excel on the mound, and is only going to get better.”
Alex Blume (SS, 6-1 190, Perham, Minn./Perham H.S.)
Blume is an All-State, All-Conference, and All-Section performer for the Perham baseball team. He was named to the All-Tournament team at state. In football, he was First Team All-District and First Team All-Section. He is a National Honor Society member. He lived in Perham when he was younger, and moved to Williston, N.D., when he was six. He transferred back to Perham to finish high school. Blume hit .400 in 2024, with a 1.116 OPS. He had 41 runs scored, and 19 RBIs.
His uncle Josh played baseball at College of St. Scholastica. Blume’s cousin Noah Rooney plays baseball for the University of Minnesota. He is the son of Bryan and Mackenzie Blume. Blume plans to major in business.
“Alex is a great athlete, competitor and winner,” said Head Coach Steve Gust. “He moved to Perham a year ago and helped them to another state tournament appearance. We believe Alex will develop into an all-around great middle infielder.”
Cameron Dean (OF/1B, 6-2 210, Maple Grove, Minn./Holy Family Catholic H.S.)
Dean has earned three varsity letters and is an Honor Roll student. He is an All-Conference performer. Dean served as hockey and baseball captain. He had the third highest slugging percentage in Holy Family history as a junior. Dean hit .400, with an .800 slugging percentage, and a .545 on-base percentage, with three home runs. Also earned Honorable Mention All-Conference. He volunteers at homeless shelters once a month.
He is the son of Rich and Dana Dean. Dean plans to major in either health sciences or business administration at Minnesota Crookston. His dad Rich Dean played baseball at Mayville State University. His mom Dana Dean played volleyball and basketball at Mayville State. Both of his parents are in the Hall of Fame at Mayville State. His brother Dylan Dean is a commit for the University of Maine hockey team.
“I had the pleasure of coaching with Cameron’s dad at the University of North Dakota,” Gust said. “He comes from a great baseball family that excelled in several sports. Cam is just touching the surface with what he is capable of doing on the field. He has a chance to hit at a very high level. I expect to see big development from him from day one.”
Ashton Detloff (LHP, 6-3 210, Perham, Minn./Perham H.S.)
Detloff was a 2024 All-State performer. He was the Heart O’ Lakes Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2023 and 2024. He was a 2024 and 2024 All-Section performer. He was an All-Heart O’ Lakes Conference honoree. Detloff pitched 55.1 innings last season, with a 1.27 ERA, with 70 strikeouts, and an 8-2 mark. In 2023, he had a 1.67 ERA, with a 7-1 mark, and 64 strikeouts. He hit .354 as a junior, with 23 RBIs, and 13 runs scored.
He is the son of Paul and Tammy Detloff. Detloff plans to major in business at Minnesota Crookston. His dad Paul Detloff played football at Minnesota Crookston. His dad was an All-NSIC First Team pick in 2001.
“We have watched Ashton pitch for one of the state’s top programs for the last several years,” Gust stated. “He is a competitor and a proven winner. Left-handed pitching is always a priority for us. Ashton checks all the boxes we look for in a pitcher.”
Noah Gonzales (C, 5-8 175, Thief River Falls/Lincoln H.S.)
Gonzales was a 2024 All-Section 8AA selection at Thief River Falls Lincoln H.S. He was also a 2023 All-Section 8AA pick.He was named to the 2022, 2023, 2024 Dakminn Prospects. In 2022, Gonzales was named to the Perfect Game Sophomore Select Invitational All-Tournament Team. He hit .422 as a junior, and led the team with 18 RBIs. Gonzales hit .435 as a sophomore.
He is the son of Xavier and Jackie Gonzales. Gonzales plans to major in marketing at Minnesota Crookston. His dad Xavier Gonzales was an athlete at East Los Angeles College.
“Noah has an elite passion for the game and desire to do whatever it takes to be successful,” Gust said. “He is a workhorse behind the plate and has some natural ability. With some size and explosiveness, we feel good about him developing into an all-around great catcher.
Braylon Hamre (SS/RHP, 5-10 170, McIntosh, Minn./Win-E-Mac H.S.)
Hamre has been an All-Conference selection at Win-E-Mac High School. He was named All-Pine to Prairie Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2024.
He is the son of Tanya and Erik Hamre. Hamre plans to major in wildlife management at Minnesota Crookston. His brother Kobe Hamre played football at the University of Jamestown.
“Braylon has found ways to be successful both in the classroom and on the field,” Gust stated. “He has been a great athlete at Win-E-Mac for the past few years. We are hoping he can continue to move forward with his abilities after dedicating himself to year-round baseball.”
Jaxon Hams (RHP, 6-2 180, Thief River Falls, Minn./Lincoln H.S.)
Hams is the highest-ever rated player from Prep Baseball Report to sign with Minnesota Crookston. He was ranked as the No. 18 overall player, and ninth in his position. He has played football, baseball, and hockey for Thief River Falls Lincoln H.S.
He is the son of Jon and Lisa Hams. Hams plans to major in agribusiness at Minnesota Crookston. His uncle Jarod Reierson played baseball at Northland Community and Technical College. His aunt Natasha Reierson is a former assistant athletic director at Minnesota Crookston. His grandpa is a veteran with a Purple Heart and has a cattle farm.
“He obviously has some elite tools as a pitcher,” Gust said. “His arm speed is as good as anyone in the state, and is just a good all-around athlete. He must continue to develop, but he has the potential to be an elite pitcher at our level.”
Jack Hansen (OF, 5-7 160, Mankato, Minn./Mankato East H.S.)
Hansen hit .333 as a junior at Mankato East High School. He had a .969 OPS, with four doubles, two triples, 14 RBIs, and nine stolen bases. In 2024 for his fall ball team, Pine Tar Academy, hit .286, with a .407 on-base percentage, and .784 slugging percentage. Hansen scored 17 runs, and had 11 stolen bases.
He is the son of Brian and Kate Hansen. Hansen plans to major in exercise science and wellness. His mom Kate was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2022. She is now cancer free, and is his hero, he brings the motto “I can do hard things” to his daily life.
“Jack is a mix of talent, grit, passion and desire,” Gust remarked. “His speed plays at our level, but what separates Jack is his energy and desire to succeed. In some way, shape or form, he will have an impact on our program.”
Noah Jensen (1B, 6-3 250, Glenwood, Minn./Minnewaska Area H.S.)
Jensen was a 2023 and 2024 All-West Central Conference selection. He was the Minnewaska Area H.S. Best Offensive Player in 2023 and 2024. He was All-Section 3-AAA in 2024. Jensen broke the school record for most home runs in a season with eight in 2024. He broke the school’s career home run mark with 11. He is the son of Patia and Lance Jensen. Jensen plans to major in exercise science and wellness at Minnesota Crookston. His uncle Eric Jensen played football at Willmar Community College. His aunt Mariah Heieie was a soccer player at Minnesota Crookston 2011-13. His uncle Shane Monjeau played men’s basketball at Minnesota Crookston 2010-12.
“Noah comes from another good baseball program with good coaches,” said Head Coach Steve Gust. “He has a presence to him that we like. Not only does he have a big physical frame, but he swings the bat with elite speed and power. We feel he is one of the best power hitters in the state. We look for him to have a big senior season before he arrives on campus.”
Elias Leach (OF/1B/LHP, 6-5 210, Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata H.S.)
Leach was the 15-U Gopher State Championship MVP. He earned the Pine Tar Academy Silver Slugger Award. In 2024, Leach hit .351, with five doubles, one triple, three home runs, and 17 RBIs. He scored 20 runs, and had a .471 on-base percentage.
He is the son of Jeff and Jasmine Leach. His grandpa played football at Winona State University, and his uncle played basketball at Augustana University.
“I liked Elias the minute I saw him on the field,” Gust said. “After his visit, we liked him even more. He is a great kid with a tremendous upside on the field. His size and athleticism stand out to me. He has a chance to be a great hitter and he is talented enough to contribute as a left-handed pitcher for us.”
Bodhi Mossestad (RHP/OF, 6-5 175, Thief River Falls, Minn./Lincoln H.S.)
Mossestad was an All-Section performer for Thief River Falls Lincoln H.S. He led the team in strikeouts with 66. He is one of four signees from Thief River Falls Lincoln H.S., joining Jaxon Hams, Noah Gonzales, and Gannon Zutz. He is a multi-sport athlete.
He is the son of Dale and Taya Mossestad. His dad Dale Mossestad played football at the University of Jamestown.
“Bodhi has everything we look for in a pitcher – size, strength, arm speed, spin rate, and he is a strike thrower,” Gust stated. “He is also a good student that has his priorities in order. We anticipate Bodhi making an immediate impact and only get better from there.”
Drew Odenbach (RHP, 6-7 210, Thompson, N.D./Thompson H.S.)
Odenbach helped lead Thompson High School to a North Dakota Class B State Championship. He helped his legion team to the North Dakota American Legion Class B State Championship in 2023 and 2024. Odenbach was an All-Region pick, and Second Team All-State performer. In 2024, he had a high school ERA for Thompson of 1.56. He joins his high school teammate Thomas Schumacher as a signee for the Golden Eagles.
He is the son of Matt and Danielle Odenbach. Odenbach plans to major in agronomy at Minnesota Crookston. His brother Clay Odenbach played baseball for South Dakota State University. His brother Kyle Odenbach plays baseball at Minnesota Crookston.
“Drew comes from an elite program and a great baseball family,” Gust said. “He has the tools to make an immediate impact and develop into an elite pitcher. We are ecstatic to have a proven winner and a pitcher with so much potential.”
Thomas Schumacher (IF/OF, 5-8 165, Thompson, N.D./Thompson H.S.)
Schumacher was an All-Region selection twice. He is a one-time All-Region Honorable Mention pick for Thompson High School. He helped lead Thompson High School to a North Dakota Class B State Championship. Schumacher is a three-time North Dakota American Legion Class B State Champion. As a junior, he hit .402, with a .544 on-base percentage. He was the 2023 Class B Legion State Championship MVP. He joins high school teammate Drew Odenbach as a signee for the Golden Eagles.
He is the son of Mike and Nina Schumacher. Schumacher has a 3.8 cumulative GPA. Schumacher plans to major in agronomy at Minnesota Crookston.
“Tommy has been on our radar for the last several years,” Gust stated. “He comes from a great program and is a winner. He has some great athleticism but what makes him special is his toughness and grittiness. He just finds ways to win and develop on the field.”
Tori Uhlich (OF, 5-11 175, Wahpeton, N.D./North Dakota State College of Science)
Uhlich hit .423 as a freshman at North Dakota State College of Science, with 18 RBIs, and a .534 on-base percentage. He holds 11 NDSCS baseball records. He had a 1.088 OPS, and 45 stolen bases for the Wildcats. He was the Wahpeton High School Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. Uhlich was an EDC First Team All-Conference selection in 2022. He was Wahpeton High School’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. He was a MonDak First Team All-Conference selection at NDSCS in 2024.
He is the son of Will and Barbara Uhlich. Uhlich is planning to major in business at Minnesota Crookston.
“We are very fortunate to get another student-athlete from a great Wahpeton program,” Gust said. “Tori has developed tremendously both on and off the field since high school. He is a great defensive outfielder, has elite speed and quickness, and finds ways to get on base as a hitter. The potential is there for him to be an all-around special player.”
Eli Wensloff (OF/RHP, 6-2 205, Roseau, Minn./Roseau H.S.)
Wensloff hit .320 in 2024, with a .874 OPS. He helped Roseau High School to a 2022 State AA Runner-Up finish. Wensloff has played football, baseball and hockey for Roseau High School.
He is the son of Todd and Leslie Wensloff. His brothers Isaac and Aaron both play baseball at Minnesota Crookston. His cousin Danny Wensloff also plays for the Golden Eagles. His dad Todd Wensloff played baseball at the University of North Dakota.
“The entire Wensloff family has given so much to our baseball program,” Gust said. “We have been lucky enough to have several families entrust us with developing more than one of their children, and the Wensloff family is no exception. He will have to work extremely hard and continue to develop, but we feel Eli has what it takes to be successful at this level.”
Gannon Zutz (RHP/SS, 6-3 171, Thief River Falls, Minn./Lincoln H.S.)
Zutz was an All-Section selection as a sophomore. He was an All-Conference selection for basketball. Zutz has been a team captain for baseball, basketball, and football. For his club team, he pitched 39.2 innings, with four wins, and 63 strikeouts. Zutz was a Junior Legion All Star. He is one four signees from Thief River Falls Lincoln High School joining Jaxon Hams, Bodhi Mossestad, and Noah Gonzales.
He is the son of Shane and Mya Zutz. Zutz plans to major in business management. His Father Shane Zutz played at Northland Community and Technical College. His dad also coached the high school team from 1998-09, leading them to state in 2009.
“Gannon is another good athlete, hard worker, and competitor,” Gust stated. “More impressive is that he is a team-first player and will do whatever it takes for the team to be successful. We aren’t sure right now if he projects as a pitcher or a position player, but wherever we use him he will work hard to develop.”
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How good is the Northern Sun Conference in Volleyball?
They have five of the top nine ranked teams in the Central Region in D-2 Volleyball.
1. St. Cloud State (24-2)
3. Concordia-St. Paul (21-5)
7. Southwest MN State (23-4)
8. Wayne State (22-6)
9. Northern State (20-6)
Concordia-St. Paul beat Bemidji State and UMC last weekend and dropped from #2 to #3 in the rankings.
— — —
American International College announced it will downgrade from Division 1 hockey to Division II. Why would a college drop from D-1 to D2 in hockey when they don’t have a tournament in D-2 hockey? There was a Division II NCAA Tournament from 1978 to 1984 and 1993 to 1999. There hasn’t been one since.
The hockey budget at AIC is currently around $1.7 million, and recent changes to the NCAA landscape, including limiting roster size/scholarships from 18 to 26 per the House vs. NCAA ruling, would likely raise the price tag. The team typically carries 32-33 players, which means a lot of them are paying tuition, so limiting the roster size to 26 will be an income hit. One can assume that was a factor in downgrading the program.
This move will likely save upwards of $1 million.
This is bad news for AIC, but could be good news for UMC! With the change of NIL, the roster size/scholarships limits could force other programs that are Division II to drop. I don’t see that happening anywhere in Minnesota except for Bemidji State at this time and that is solely for financial reasons. The campus has had to make cuts after students left and never came back after COVID.
A perfect scenario, with the University of Mary, Minot State, UMC, Jamestown, and others that have club hockey and no Division 1 hockey could possibly work on forming a D-2 conference instead of club hockey if more teams look at the route. Things over the next five years will be interesting, that is for sure. Teams dropping from D-1 to D-2 will happen more because of the new NCAA, which isn’t good for the little guys like UND, NDSU, and others.
— — —
JOKES
Two men arrive at the Pearly Gates at about the same time, both wanting to know if they will be admitted to heaven. St. Peter asks the first man his name, where he is from, and what he did in life.
The man answers that he is John Smith and that he was a taxi driver in New York City.
St. Peter looks through his book, then gives the man a luxurious silken robe and a golden staff, and bids him welcome into heaven for his eternal reward.
St. Peter then asks the second man the same questions. He replies that his name is Thomas O’Malley, and that he was a Catholic priest in Chicago. St. Peter looks in his book, then gives him a cotton robe and a wooden staff, and bids him to enter into heaven for his eternal reward.
Father O’Malley says, Wait a minute! Why did that taxi driver get a silken robe and golden staff while I, a Catholic Priest and a man of God, got a cotton robe and wooden staff?
St. Peter told him that the rewards in heaven are based on results, and while Father O’Malley preached, people slept, but while John Smith drove, people prayed!
— —
A man and a woman who have never met before find themselves in the same sleeping carriage of a train. After the initial embarrassment they both go to sleep, the man on the top bunk, the woman on the lower.
In the middle of the night the man leans over, wakes the woman and says, “I’m sorry to bother you, but I’m awfully cold and I was wondering if you could possibly get me another blanket?”
The woman leans out and, with a glint in her eye, says, ” I have a better idea, just for tonight, let’s make pretend that we’re married.”
The man says happily, “OK!” AWESOME!”
The woman says, “GOOD ….get your own darn blanket!!!”
— —
At the Sunday morning church service, the minister asked if anyone in the congregation would like to express praise for answered prayers.
A lady stood and walked to the podium. She said, “I have a Praise.
Two months ago, my husband, Tom, had a terrible bicycle crash and his scrotum was completely crushed. The pain was terrible and the doctors didn’t know if they could help him.”
You could hear a muffled gasp from all the men in the congregation as they imagined the pain that poor Tom must have experienced.
“Tom was unable to hold me or the children,” she went on, “and every movement caused him terrible pain. We prayed as the doctors performed a very delicate operation, which lasted for over five hours, and it turned out they were able to piece together the crushed remnants of Tom’s scrotum, and wrap wire around it to hold it in place.”
Again, the men in the congregation were unnerved and squirmed uncomfortably as they imagined the horrible surgery that was performed on Tom.
“Now,” she announced in a quavering voice, “thank the Lord, after six weeks, Tom is now out of the hospital and the doctors say that with time, his scrotum should recover completely.”
All the men sighed with relief.
The minister rose and tentatively asked if anyone else had something to say. A man stood up and walked slowly to the podium.
He said, “I’m Tom.”
The entire congregation held its breath. “I just want to tell my wife that the word is sternum.”
— — —
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
Reese Swanson is a freshman playing hockey at St. Olaf.
Carter Coauette is a freshman playing football at Minot State.
Isabelle Smith is a freshman playing Tennis at Concordia College.
Isaac Thomforde is a freshman playing Tennis at Northwestern College in St. Paul.
Emilee Tate is a Sophomore playing Softball at Northland Community and Technical College.
Halle Bruggeman is a Sophomore on the University of Wisconsin-Stout Women’s Rugby team.
Ethan Boll is a Red-shirt Freshman on the University of North Dakota Football team.
Breanna Kressin is a Junior on the Hockey Cheer Team for THE University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Hockey team.
Jacey Larson is a Sophomore playing hockey at Dakota College at Bottineau.
Aleah Bienek is a Junior playing hockey at Trine University in Indiana.
Joslynn Leach is a Senior playing golf at Concordia College in Moorhead. The Cobbers wrapped up the Fall season.
Brady Butt is a Senior playing football at the University of Jamestown.
Brooks Butt is a Junior playing football at the University of Jamestown.
Ty Hamre is redshirt Junior playing football at Bemidji State University.
Elizabeth Erdman is a coach for the Moorhead Red Dragon swim team.
Crookston School District Coaches
Ben Parkin is the head Pirate Baseball Coach.
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Marley Melbye is an assistant girls golf coach
Jeff Perreault is the Pirate Girls Golf head 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
Non-Crookston High School coaching/Admin/etc
Elise Tangquist is the Head Girls Golf Coach at Horace High School in Fargo, ND.
Carmen (Kreibich) Johnson is the head Little Falls Volleyball coach.
Tim Desrosier is an Assistant Coach for Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Pony Boys Basketball
Pat Wolfe is the head wrestling coach for Fosston/Bagley.
Austin Sommerfeld is an Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communication at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.
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.
Josh Edlund is the head football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.
Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach at Champlin Park
Jeff Olson is the Head Wrestling Coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.
Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.
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 Wisconsin Badgers Men’s head Hockey coach.
Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Grand Forks Schools.
Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football, volleyball, and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for 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 in the Army and is now a Ranger.
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 a grad of West Point and currently serving in the U.S. Army.
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.
