We have the Section 8A Boys and Section 8A Girls Hockey coaches polls and season previews along with the Section 8A Wrestling preview in this weeks column. Next week we will have the Section 8AA Girls Basketball poll and preview and Section 8AA Wrestling. Two weeks from now, we will have the Section 8AA Boys Basketball coaches poll and preview. We are trying to spread them out as much as possible.
Thanks to all the coaches that have submitted information and their picks. We appreciate it!
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Happy Thanksgiving! I am truly blessed and I am thankful for a lot of things and I will run down my list below –
My dad (Frank “the tank” Fee) and my mother Jeanette Fee – I remember when we were young and we didn’t have ANY money. We were what people call dirt poor. I still remember when I was in elementary school and we didn’t have money to buy milk. It was a tough time and my mom and dad were struggling to make it. Fast forward to me being in high school. My dad and Jerry Dahlberg had run and owned the station for several years and brought it from not making any money (a corporation owned it for a couple years and darn near run it into the ground like most corporations tend to due in the radio industry) and he was able to one of the best radio stations in the area. It was making money and my dad was able to make a decent living. Nobody has worked harder in the industry than Frank and he gave us the best possible life we could have since December 29, 1976 (when I was born). I am grateful for what he and my mom have done for us and I am more than happy to have six years left of payments before I have him paid off in full. If anybody deserves 12 years of payment for what he has done, it is my dad!
My wife – I am lucky to be married to a great woman, a great mom, good cook, and the list can go on. I am a very lucky person and thankful everyday that she was foolish enough to marry me!
My kids – I am lucky to have four great kids that are respectful, kind, volunteers, active and healthy!
KROX Employees – We have great employees at KROX. Without them we aren’t able to do what we do everyday. Any good businesses owner will admit that the employees are the people that make things work and I am grateful for all the great people that work at KROX.
Coaches and A.D.’s – I have the pleasure to work with some of the best coaches and activity directors in the state on a daily basis. They are great people, some pretty good characters and it is an honor to call many of them friends!
KROX Fans – We have the best listeners and website listeners in the world!!
That is a short list of what I am thankful for. I hope you and your family have/had a Happy Thanksgiving and remember the real reason for the holiday…..NFL Football and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. I am joking, it is family!
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Last week I posted an email I received from an angry Mountain Iron-Buhl school board member. I have received a lot of feedback (all positive) and that wasn’t the point of posting the email. I posted it to let people know we get some doozies throughout the year, but that is part of the job. We aren’t elected, but we are still public figures in the community. People know us, they trust us for their news, weather, sports and anything else. That is radio’s sole purpose, to inform and entertain the public. We get emails a couple times a year on somebody that isn’t happy and if they don’t put their name to it, I throw it away. If somebody has a problem with something I, or the station is doing, let me know and I will explain why we do what we do, but I will also look into it and see if we should make a change or adjustment. We are always looking at ways to get better and serve the public better. We are open to any suggestions, but the one I get a few times a year……You carry to much sports. That won’t change. We will continue to do that as long as I am around.
I received one email that said we could use and he is my favorite Minnesota State Highway Patrol, Mike Theis. I appreciated the email and here it is-
Chris—I just read you Sports Feever for this week. I had a few comments.
1-We are lucky to have you and KROX in our community! What other community/region our size (or any size for that matter) can boast of having a radio station that covers the events occurring in our region as well as you guys do! I would say very few.
2-You cover a wide range of events and happenings. Your service to our community is great…..thanks for that.
3-I enjoy listening to the station daily. Whether it be sports, community events, weather or the news KROX does a fantastic job delivering the product to the listeners.
4-Your broadcasting skills are excellent. The color commentary is interesting and it makes the broadcast a pleasure to listen to.
I wanted to let you know KROX and its staff are great. The dedication you provide to the community is second to none. Don’t let some windbag make you think your station is anything but a valuable asset to all of us. I would have waited longer than 48 hours to respond to that fellow as he has no clue what the hell he is talking about in his email to you. Feel free to use my email as a ringing endorsement of you and your station.
Take care Chris……and thanks for what you do!
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I have Golden Gopher Men’s and Women’s Basketball tickets to give away.
We have EVERY game available. Look at the home schedule and if you can go to any of the games let me know at chrisjfee@yahoo.com and give me your address and I can mail them out to you.
We have four tickets to every home game.
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Former Crookston kid, Grant Parrish has signed a letter of intent to wrestle at #1 ranked St. Cloud State next year. He will join a former youth wrestling teammate, Crookston grad Colton Weiland.
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The Crookston Pirate Boys Hockey
team had some scrimmages last weekend and I asked Coach Josh Hardy how they went –
Scrimmages went well. It was nice to play some top-notch competition in EGF and GF Central and see where we stand and what we need to work on going forward. While we do return a lot of guys, including a lot of our scoring, we are pretty raw in a lot of places and need a little coaching up, so it’s nice that we have two full weeks of practice before our first games. The skill is there so it’s just getting guys to understand the system and getting some of those habits back that have made us successful in the past. We have a great competition for the goaltender spot and I think all four guys are going to be pushing each other every day for that starting role.
TheJV or Varsity rosters haven’t been set so Coach Josh Hardy gave us the roster after the first week of practice.
Ben Andringa
Brock Heppner
Eric Delorme
Joseph Doda
Sam Overgaard
Quinn Westlake
Logan Wardner
Jake Anderson
Jade Selzler
Ty Hamre
Noah Kiel
Kaleb Thingelstad
Jack Doda
Trey Christopherson
Gavin Anderson
Mason Laplante
Tanner Janorschke
Jack Ricord
Noah Dragseth
Carter Nelson
Gabe Monteith
Zac Daniels
Keaton Goering
Killian Kuchan
Nick Schulz
Peyton Swanson
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The Crookston Pirate Girls Basketball team had their first scrimmages of the year last weekend and I asked Coach Darrin Zimmerman how it went –
I thought overall our scrimmage went very well. We did some very nice things on the day. We have a very solid rotation and go 3-4 deep into our bench without any drop off in our level of play. We scrimmaged WAO, Bagley, and Roseau and had fun competitive scrimmages with each. Saw some areas we need to improve on, but overall we are playing at a high level early in the season.
The Pirate Girls Basketball roster for 7-12 is below –
| First Name | Last Name | Grade |
| Rachel | Hefta | 12 |
| Kylie | Solheim | 12 |
| Kasey | Cwikla | 11 |
| Danielle | Boyle | 11 |
| Gretchen | Theis | 11 |
| Emma | Boll | 10 |
| Emma | Borowicz | 10 |
| Bailey | Cameron | 9 |
| Jenna | Coauette | 9 |
| Madison | Hoiland | 9 |
| Hannah | Loraas | 9 |
| Ellie | Nesseth | 9 |
| Emma | Osborn | 9 |
| Ally | Perreault | 9 |
| Amelia | Overgaard | 9 |
| Hayden | Winjum | 9 |
| Zara | Baig | 8 |
| Abby | Borowicz | 8 |
| Halle | Bruggeman | 8 |
| Macy | Fee | 8 |
| Megan | Haugen | 8 |
| Ella | Kiel | 8 |
| Jocelyn | Midboe | 8 |
| Alexis | Reinhart | 8 |
| Katelyn | Ringstad | 8 |
| Libby | Salentine | 8 |
| Keona | Arnold | 7 |
| Kristine | Bernd | 7 |
| Katelyn | Christensen | 7 |
| Amelia | Cordova | 7 |
| Calleigh | Fanfulik | 7 |
| Emma | Gunderson | 7 |
| Isabella | Gutierrez | 7 |
| Marissa | Haugen | 7 |
| Makayla | McCollum | 7 |
| Grace | Meiners | 7 |
| Jaden | Newquist | 7 |
| Ava | Oakes | 7 |
| Isabelle | Smith | 7 |
| Frankie | Torvinen | 7 |
| Bailey | Turnwall | 7 |
| Halle | Winjum | 7 |
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The Crookston Pirate Football team officiallywrapped up the season on Sunday night with their end of the year banquet at the Crookston High School commons. The following awards were handed out –
First team All-Section 8AA award- Lukas Meier and Brady Butt
All Section 8AA honorable mention – Blake Fee, Jaden Lubarski, and Brooks Butt
Section 8AA Linebacker of the Year –Lukas Meier
All-District First team -Lukas Meier and Brady Butt
All-District Honorable Mention – Blake Fee and Brooks Butt
Pirate team awards –
Most Improved – Lucas Winger
Senior Award – (All 8 seniors) – Sam Sanchez, Jaden Lubarski, Lukas Meier, Blake Fee, Sam Overgaard, Damian Hodgson, Nick Garmen, Chris Kazmierczak
Brian Zammert Memorial Award (Pirate Spirit Award) – Nick Garmen
Defensive MVP – Lukas Meier
Most Inspirational – Brooks Butt
Hardest Worker – Brooks Butt
Offensive MVP – Leyton Salentine and Brady Butt
Coaches Award – Damian Hodgson
Captains for 2019 – Leyton Salentine, Brady Butt, Quinn Westlake (a fourth will be named in the fall)
Section 8AA All-Academic team (3.75 GPA or higher) – Walker Winjum, Easton Tangquist, Sam Overgaard, Joey Doda, Jaden Lubarski, Cade DeLeon, Karsten Isaacson, Justin Lindgren, Tye Hamre, Quinn Westlake, Libby Salentine (Manager).
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SECTION 8A BOYS HOCKEY POLL
The Section 8A Boy’s Hockey coaches tend to believe it will be the Big Three again although they are not quite sure who the Big ONE will be! It could be Warroad with some very good young players, or maybe East Grand Forks who to many coaches are loaded including their ‘new coach’ or maybe it will be the defending champion? When people say, Thief River Falls lost almost everybody, their JV wasn’t that good and their Bantam’s weren’t winning, they ALWAYS add, coach Bergland will have them ready for the playoffs in February!!!
That’s the consensus again in a Section 8A Boy’s Hockey Poll conductedby KROX RADIO in Crookston. Warroad took six of the 10 coaches votes as the top dog in Section 8A with many voting for Warroad, but at the same time talking about how deep East Grand Forks appears to be and will be tough to beat! Will Crookston and Detroit Lakes climb another rung in the seeds and slip by the ‘top three’?
Five of the 10 teams will open up this weekend with the other five going the following week. You can find all the Section 8A Boy’s Hockey schedules by going to https://kroxam.com/section_8a_boyhockey2018-19.htm
All of the 10 Section coaches responded to the poll:
1. Warroad (6) 13
2. East Grand Forks (3) 15
3. Thief River Falls (1) 24
4. Crookston 32
5. Detroit Lakes 41
6. Kittson County Central 55
7. Lake of the Woods 58
8. Park Rapids 63
9. Red Lake Falls 68
10. Bagley-Fosston 81
Warroad
The Warriors lost their first six games to start the season last year and ended up 14-6-1 the rest of the way, losing a 6-4 shootout to Thief River Falls in a Section semi-final. Warroad returns two All-Section 8A performers as sophomores last year, Grant Slukynsky (19g-21a) and linemate Owen Meeker (10g-28a). They do lose a couple from their second unit that was expected back with Cameron Skappel (not in school) and Jaron Moyer, a two-year starter who could miss the season because of a football injury. Add graduation which claimed half their roster and they do have some spots to fill up front and also defensively after losing All-Section Max Marvin. Hunter Pelland (1g-6a) and Gage Wilmer (0g-7a) return on the backside. Max Gausen seen seven varsity games last year in goal (1.49ga-92%). The Warriors are not deep with a number lacking varsity experience, but when has that stopped them? Jay Hardwick is in his seventh year coaching his alma mater and at some time this season will pick up his 100th win as a head coach as he’s starting the season with 90 in Hockey Town U.S.A.
East Grand Forks
Scott Koberinski coached East Grand Forks for the past three seasons to a record of 48-32-6. His Green Wave teams played in the Section 8A championship all three years, won it two years ago and lost the consolation championship in the State Tournament! After Coach Koberinski sat down with his Activities Director, which happens to be Scott Koberinski, they decided that being Activities Director and coaching a winter sport put a lot on his plate, so Coach Koberinski handed in his resignation as head boy’s hockey coach to Activities Director Koberinski. A.D. Koberinski didn’t have to go too far to find his hockey replacement! Enter Tyler Palmiscno! Coach Palmiscno was the head coach previous to Koberinski and Palmiscno retired after winning back to back Minnesota State Class A State Tournaments!!! In other words, Koberinski kept the coaching seat warm for Coach Palmiscno and handed off what many would term, a loaded Green Wave team!
All Section 8A center Carter Beck (12g-12a), All-Section 8A center Tanner Mack (6g9a) will lead up front as all three centers are back along with Landon Parker, who as a freshman last year, played only 11 games before he was sidelined the rest of the year with an injury and the ‘phenom’ had 7g-5a in that time. Defensively, only two of the six blueliners return led by big Luke Vonesh (7g-9a) and Josh Nelson (0g-4a) who are two of the better ones in the Section. Goalie Tucker Brown was the starting goalie that played in all the Green Wave games two years ago and led them to State. He lost his job last year to transfer Carter Krier, did play in seven games and now is back and is ready to try and get the Green Wave back to State again with what appears to be a very deep East Grand Forks team!
Thief River Falls
The Prowlers sported the best line in Section 8A last year, one of the top defensemen and an All-Section goalie. They used that talent to win the Section 8A Tournament and go on to take the Consolation Championship at the State Class A Tournament! Thief River Falls lost 47 goals and 43 assists from two on that top line, Aaron Myers and Brady Anderson. Tucker Skime (8g-31a) is the lone holdout back after a terrific sophomore season and he’s back along with three other forwards off the top three lines that include Kaleb Flaagen (2g-5a) and Ethan Janisch (2g-2a). So returning scoring will be an early question mark for Thief River Falls and head coach Tim Bergland in his 12th season as the Prowlers head coach and his alma mater. Defense is what the Prowlers will rely on to start the season with all four returning defensemen back including All-Section 8A Evan Bushy (11g-22a). Bushy has verbally committed to St. Cloud State, where his brother Brendan is a freshman. They lost All-Section 8A goalie for the past two seasons, Nick Corneliusen, to graduation and the youngster that wins the job this season will have no varsity experience. So you lose more than half your scoring and an All-Star goalie, this is just where Coach Bergland excels!!
Crookston
What can Section 8A Coach of the Year Josh Hardy to for an encore? The third year coach led the Pirates to one of their best seasons in a number of years at 15-12 and a season where they beat the ‘Big Three’ (EGF, TRF, Warroad) once during the regular season. First, he’ll have to find a goalie to replace All-Section 8A Cade Salentine. Salentine, who was a red-shirt freshman for the University of North Dakota football team this year, played all 27 games last year with a 2.72 g.a. and 90 save percentage. Crookston had four players returning that scored in double digits last year, three of them return led by senior Eric Delorme (26g-18a), junior Ben Andringa (11g-11a) and senior Brock Heppner (10g-11a). Joey Doda was right there with eight goals. Defensively, the Pirates received a blow when two-year starter, junior Leyton Salentine, blew out his knee in football and is out for the hockey season! Two defensemen are back with a couple years varsity experience, seniors Logan Wardner (2g-7a) and Jake Anderson (0g-4a) plus Noah Kiel, a sophomore up from Bantams should step right in. Crookston is expected to score some goals with a good portion of that side back along with an eighth grader, Jack Doda, who scored like crazy through the park board system. Another Jack, Jack Ricord is the only goalie back that has any varsity experience and that would be a couple periods of varsity play. The senior along with some youngsters will battle that position out!
Detroit Lakes
The Lakers welcome back 11 seniors which certainly lends itself to experience with over half of your squad back. The Lakers did lose three of their top four scorers, but will be led up front by All-Section 8A forward and leading scorer from last season, Trey Seebold (10g-17a) who is now a senior. Jackson Carlblom (10g-10a) and Will Green (12g-7a) will look to add to their totals from last year. Detroit Lakes coach Todd Dwyer is in his fifth season as head coach and he has three defensemen back including Reed Benson (1g-10a), Jackson Fields (6g-13). Blake Itzen played in 17 games as goalie last year (3.11ga) and he will battle last year’s Bantam A goalie, Jack Hines, who led his team to 24 wins last year. Speaking of Bantams, sophomore Jack Green will lead a group looking for varsity spots.
Kittson County Central
Robert Carr is in his eighth year as head coach for Kittson County Central and sitting on 73 career wins as head coach. Will the Bearcats be able to build on those wins for the coach? They do have eight of their nine back at the forward position and three of their four defensemen back, but they are still young! With a good mixture of veterans with youngsters ready to hit varsity, they will be led by Calvin Hanson who led the Bearcats in scoring as a freshman (10g-12a) and Trent Peterson (8g-5a). Josh Rynning (8g-10a) is a solid senior defenseman along with Hayden Henning (5g-8a as a freshman). Opposing coaches are probably saying, ‘finally’ Ben Sugden graduated! Wyatt Olsonawski is heir apparent playing a period of varsity hockey last year as a freshman. How the newcomers will mix with the veterans will go a long ways to how the Bearcats will go.
Lake of the Woods
The Bears have a new head coach. Brent Olson, a 2004 graduate of Lake of the Woods, where he was an excellent player who led Lake of the Woods to a 23-4-1 season, losing in overtime to Warroad in Section championship. Coach Olson went on to play four years at the Air Force Academy!! Lake of the Woods has only six returning off last year’s squad with three top players electing not to go out this season including Kade Chapman (24g-20a)!! Totally, they lost 78% of their scoring from last season, but return seniors Jackson Arpin (15g-36a), McKale Risser (3g-8a) along with junior Blake Ferris (3g-3a). Gunner Ferrier (6g-6a) plays both defense and forward with Griffen Sonstegard (1g-2a) on the blue line. Goaltending will be new as All-Section goalie, Lemuel Carradice played 25 games last year with an outstanding 1.88 goals against with a saves percentage of 92%!. Aidan Tom did get in four games at goalie last year, won them all with a goal against under one and a lofty 95 saves percentage. Coach Olson will need the team playing together to compete and how can they overcome the lack of experience and channel the youthful energy!
Park Rapids
Panthers head coach Derek Ricke greeted 10 seniors back at his second year as head coach. They should be led by Carter Opheim (6g-10a), Nolan Pederson (9g-2a) and Brent Pinoniemi (5g-4a) for scoring to start the season. They do have three of their four defensemen back including Tom Melvin (5g-1a). Coach Ricke will be searching for a goalie as four-year starter, Austin Jerger has graduated. Senior Brendan Kruchowski saw action in four games last year and they are hoping he can step in and not miss a beat in goal. The Panthers lost a couple starters who both moved to Bemidji, Bjorn Jorgenson (10g-8a) and Wyatt Halvorson (8g-8a) moved to Bemidji.
Red Lake Falls
Trevor Page graduated from Red Lake Falls Layfayette High School and for a decade now has been coaching his alma mater. For those 10 years he has battled numbers being the smallest school in the State of Minnesota that is playing hockey. (Kittson County Central is the second smallest by about 10 students when you add in the co-ops for the two teams). The Eagles lost only two off last year’s squad to graduation and hoping the experience will ramp up their scoring from 39 goals last year in 25 games! Fred Landman (16g-6a) had almost half their goals as a sophomore and Hunter Schmitz (9g-3a) is another veteran who should be counted on in his senior year. Defensively, Hunter Pahlen (1g-3a) and Logan Klipping (3g-1a) are returning on the blue line in front of junior goalie Brenden Larson who has played every minute in goal the last two seasons after season some action as an eighth grader! Red Lake Falls youth programs have been having some success and over the next few years will be feeding the Eagles high school program including a few moving up from Bantams this year in sophomores Zac Kennett and Nathan Huot plus Andrew Johnson has moved up to give Larson competition in goal. Coach Page likes the hard work his team is putting in and the great leaders he has on and off the ice!
Bagley-Fosston
The Flyers lost three off last year’s team and return the only player who scored in double digits last season, Griffin Brovold (22g-7a) who is now a senior. Brovold leads the way with what should be a very good first unit for Bagley-Fosston’s second year head coach Alex Jesness. Tanner Levin (5g-6a) will complement Brovold up front. Defensively, Bagley-Fosston has Jacy Benson (4g-2a) and Parker Gray (2g-3a) patrolling the back side again. Jakob Dukek played in goal for 17 games last year as an eighth grader and will battle Brycen Olson who along with four others have moved up from the youth program. These youngsters will see a lot of minutes for a young Flyer team that doesn’t have a lot of depth, so they have to stay healthy.
All-Section 8A players returning
Forward
Grant Slukynsky – Warroad
Eric Delorme – Crookston
Carter Beck – East Grand Forks
Trey Seebold – Detroit Lakes
Owen Meeker – Warroad
Tanner Mack – East Grand Forks
Defense
Evan Bushy – Thief River Falls
Goalies
None
Former Section 8A players still playing hockey (that we know of)
NHL
Brock Nelson – Warroad (New York Islanders)
T. J. Oshie – Warroad (Washington)
Tucker Poolman – East Grand Forks (Winnipeg)
Alex Lyon – Lake of the Woods (Philadelphia)
AHL (Heart Beat Away)
Paul Bittner – Crookston (Cleveland)
Zane McIntyre – Thief River Falls (Providence) (has played for Boston Bruins)
ECHL
Gage Ausmus – East Grand Forks (Utah)
WHL
Jared Bethune – Warroad (Prince George)
Division I College
Ethan Johnson – Thief River Falls (Mercyhurst)
Taylor Brierley – East Grand Forks (Union)
Kobe Roth – Warroad (Minnesota-Duluth)
Colton Poolman – East Grand Forks (North Dakota)
Dixon Bowen – East Grand Forks (North Dakota)
Luke Jaycox – Warroad (St. Cloud State)
Brendan Bushy – Thief River Falls (St. Cloud State)
Grant Loven – East Grand Forks (Northern Michigan)
Canadian College
Jared Bethune – Warroad (Queens University in Kingston, Ontario)
Division III College
Michael Johnson – Thief River Falls (Concordia College-Moorhead)
Beau Wilmer – Warroad (Concordia College-Moorhead)
Eddie Eades – East Grand Forks (Concordia College-Moorhead)
Luke Krause – Lake of the Woods (Concordia College-Moorhead
Brady Heppner – Crookston (St. John’s)
Jon Richards – Detroit Lakes (Wisconsin-Eau Claire)
Ryan Bittner – Crookston (Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
Junior Leagues
Casey Kallock – East Grand Forks (Minot-NAHL)
Aaron Myers – Thief River Falls (Minnesota Wilderness-NAHL)
Nathan Poolman – Lake of the Woods (Minnesota Wilderness-NAHL)
Coby Stauss – East Grand Forks (Winnipeg Blues-Manitoba JHL)
Parker Orchard – Warroad (Cape Cod – NA3HL)
Braden Shea – East Grand Forks (Dryden-Manitoba Junior)
Kip Knutson – Warroad (Minnesota Iron Rangers-SIJHL)
Nick Corneliusen – Thief River Falls (Minnesota Iron Rangers-SIJHL)
Carter Pelland – Warroad (Thief River Falls Norskies – SIJHL)
Nolen Bushee – Red Lake Falls (Thief River Falls Norskies – SIJHL)
Bailey Schmitz – Red Lake Falls (Thief River Falls Norskies – SIJHL)
Grand Boldt – Detroit Lakes (Estevan – Saskatchewan Junior Hockey)
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SECTION 8A GIRL’S HOCKEY COACHES POLL
- Warroad – 5 (5)
- Thief River Falls – 10 (1)
- East Grand Forks – 12
- Detroit Lakes – 21
- Park Rapids – 23
- Crookston – 24
Warroad – Coach David “Izzy” Marvin (12th Season)
The Warriors enter the 2018-19 season as the clear favorites in Section 8A and one of the top teams in the state. Last year, Warroad won the Section 8A Championship 4- 1 over East Grand Forks in Warroad. Warroad entered last year’s State Tournament as the top seed and dispatched New Ulm 5-0 in the quarterfinals before beating Alexandria 7-1 in the semifinals. The Warriors season ended in heart-breaking fashion with a 3-2 loss against Breck in the State championship game as Warroad ended the year 24-4-2. It’s not as if this program needs extra-motivation when its already established a state championship or bust culture, but I’m sure the returning players are keen to rectify how last season ended. Warroad does have to replace All-State forward Madison Oelkers who now plays NCAA Division I hockey at Minnesota State where she already has 4 points through 10 games as a true freshman.
Top returners – senior goaltender Quinn Kuntz (15-2-0, 0.77 GAA, .960 save %); sophomore forward Genevieve Hendrickson (16-54-70); junior forward Hannah Corneliusen (42-20-62); sophomore forward Abbey Hardwick (11-26-37); junior forward Marlie Johnston (11-24-35); junior forward Julianna Teske (10-18-28); senior forward McKenzie Oelkers (9-13-22); senior defenseman Kaitlyn Koltowski (Wisconsin commit, 15-22-38); sophomore defenseman Karlie Meeker (5-23-28)
Season preview– (Provided by Coach Marvin) – “We have a lot of depth. We should be pretty quick. Lots of playoff experience”
Thief River Falls – Coach Brett Johnson (2nd Season)
The Prowlers earned the #2 seed and a first-round bye in last season’s Section 8A Tournament before falling to the East Grand Forks Green Wave 5-2 in the semifinals wrapping up TRF’s season with a 17-7-2 record. Thief River Falls does have to replace All-State defender Tessa Jorde, who is now playing NCAA Division III hockey at Wisconsin Superior.
Top returners – Sophomore goaltender Gabriella Steele (9-3-1); Senior goaltender Faith Porter (8-3-1); All-State honorable mention junior defenseman Khloe Lund (7-17-24); All-State honorable mention, and the team’s top point-getter in each of the past two years, Shelby Breiland (25-17-42)
Season preview– (Provided by Coach Johnson) – “Thief River Falls will be strong defensively returning both starting goaltenders from last season (Gabriella Steele, So. and Faith Porter, Sr.) We will also return the majority of our D core led by Junior Khloe Lund (JR). (Katie Nelson, Lexi Huot, and Haylie Rogalla). On the offensive side, the Prowlers return back to back season point leader Shelby Breiland (So.) and Senior Hannah Magnusson (Sr.) to lead the offense.”
East Grand Forks – Coach Brian Larson (1st Season)
The East Grand Forks Green Wave finished last year as the Section 8A runners-up after topping Crookston 6-1 in the tournament quarterfinals and upsetting second-seeded Thief River Falls 5-2, before falling to eventual State runner-up Warroad 4-1 in Warroad ending the year with an 18-9-1 record. The Green Wave graduated All-State goaltender McKenzie Whalen, who is now playing for NCAA Division III Wisconsin-Superior, along with all-state forward Cynthia Loven, who scored a team-high 31 goals last season.
Top returners – senior forward Madison McDonald (13-17-30); junior forward Kylie Stauss (8-13-21);freshman defenseman Cassidy Mack (4-7-11); senior defenseman Maddison Lubinksi (3-6-9); senior goaltender Megan Birkholz (4-0-0, 0.75 GAA, .951 save %)
Season preview– (Provided by Coach Larson) – “We will be trying to fit the new girls in with the returners to make a competitive team. we lost 11 seniors off last year’s team so it’s going to take some time for the new girls to adjust but once they do I think will be fine. we will be a team that works hard each game we will need to play well defensively and try to get as much scoring as we can with the team we have.”
Detroit Lakes – Coach Scott Piepkorn (1st Season)
The Lakers fell at home in the first round of the Section 8A Tournament last season against Park Rapids 5-4 finishing the year with an 8-17-0 record.
Top returners – senior forward Karrigan Hallisey (11-10-21); junior forward Abby King (10-7-17); junior forward Madyson Melgard (7-6-13); senior defenseman Payton Carlblom (5-12-17)
Season preview– (Provided by Coach Piepkorn) – “Looking at senior leadership to improve on last year’s effort, and to make a run in the very strong section 8A.”
Park Rapids – Coach Rachel Landquist (1st Season)
The Panthers upset Detroit Lakes 5-4 in the first round of last year’s Section 8A Tournament before losing 15-0 to Warroad in the semifinals at Warroad. Park Rapids was 4-22-0 last season.
Top returners – Senior forward Alexa Kennedy (8-4-12); Senior goaltender Kylee Pachel
Season preview– (Provided by Athletic Director Jeremy Nordick) – “The Panthers are led by 4 Seniors that have had plenty of experience over the years. After those 4 Seniors, they are very young. With a mixture of 7/8th graders and two Sophomores. I think it will take some time for them to gel under new Head Coach Rachel Landquist, but the girls are working very hard. I believe they will continue to improve throughout the year and surprise some teams at the end.”
Crookston – Coach Tim Moe (1st Season returning as HC, 6th season total)
The Pirates graduated just one senior from last year’s team, but Brelee Jobe leaves some big skates to fill in net after facing 1,069 shots last season as Crookston’s goaltender. The Pirates went (5-21-0) last season but show great improvement over the year. After opening last season with a 10-0 loss at East Grand Forks, Crookston dropped their first-round game in the Section 8A tournament at East Grand Forks just 6-1 and will look to build off the growth of their young nucleus that returns for 2018-19.
Top returners – Sophomores Catherine Tiedemann (14-10-24) and Mackenze Epema (9-12-21)
Season preview– (Provided by Coach Moe) – “Crookston should improve on their 5-21 record from last year. Only losing our goalie to graduation and returning everyone else including leading scorers Catherine Tiedemann 14-10-24, and Mackenze Epema 9-12-21. Along with a plethora of now 9th graders who got a lot of experience last year and are now a year older and stronger. Adding in 4 girls from Mayville, ND coming off an outstanding Volleyball season hopefully bringing more of a winning mentality with them. Two of them are returning Juniors Breck Fugleberg, and Taylor Garrett who will join Catherine Tiedemann and Mackenze Epema in being great leaders on the team and Sophomores coming over for the first time Center Nora Peterson and Goalie Grace Koshney who we are hoping for great things from them.”
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SECTION 8A WRESTLING PREVIEW
The preview is put together by Roger Mischke of Mat Rats-
MAT RATS SECTION 8A PREVIEW 2018-2019
FAVORITES: FRAZEE HORNETS and the BADGER/GREENBUSHMIDDLE RIVER GATORS
DARK HORSES: FOSSTON-BAGLEY BROWLERS and the UNITED NORTH CENTRAL WARRIORS
FRAZEE HORNETS
Head Coach: Clay Nagel
Enrollment: 208
Conference: Heart O’Lakes
24-8 Overall
Section 8 Champions
Class A State Runner Ups
14 Section Placers/10 Section Placers/Four State Placers
First Place: Wahpeton “Dan Unruh” Invite: 313 Pts. 14 Placers
First Place: Brainerd “Paul Bunyan” Invite: 202 Pts. 12 Placers
Second Place: Bemidji “Rick Lee” Duals: 5-1
Second Place: Heart O’Lakes Conference: 218 Pts. 14 Placers
The Hornets of Frazee have back from 24-8 dual meet campaign and Class A runner up honors, six section place winners, including four state qualifiers, of which won state honors. They will also return six with a wide range experience. They should make a challenge to defend their section honors. Luke Tweeton (39-10 @ 220) earned fourth place state honors, Kaden Hiemenz (34-15 @ 132), Brett Graham (29-10 @ 182) and Gabe Drewes (29-15 @ 195) were state qualifiers. Look for them to be their key leaders thru out the season. They did graduate eight section place winners, including six state qualifiers, three of which earned state honors
Returning Wrestlers:
Luke Tweeton 11th 39-10 2nd Sec./4th State/AC
Kaden Hiemenz 10th 34-15 1st Section/AC
Brett Graham 11th 29-10 1st Section/AC
Gabe Drewes 12th 29-15 2nd Section/AC
Anthony Malikwoski 12th 29-1
Ricky Roforth 12th 18-28 6th Section
Christian Carlson 10th 14-27 5th Section
Lucas Valstad 11th 12-14
Mason Newling 11th 7-11
Howard Solem 10th 4-2
Coleton Borah 11th 6-4
Brock Barlund 10th 5-2
Jake Nagel 8th 3-8
Graduates:
Tanner Schermerhorn 45-6 1st Sec./4th State/AC (159-22 Career)
Mitchael Miller 46-4 1st Sec./5th State/AC (107-31 Career
Tanner Eischens 38-8 1st Section/AC (144-39 Career)
Landon Byer 33-14 2nd Section/AC (79-29 Career)
Hudson Hiemenz 31-15 2nd Section/AC (60-41 Career)
Tanner Tappe 28-6 1st Sec./2nd State (77-40 Career)
Logan Wacker 15-18 4th Section (48-50 Career)
Carter Shipman 24-21 3rd Section (25-21 Career)
GREENBUSH/BADGER/MIDDLE RIVER GATORS
Head Coach: Todd Bergeron
Enrollment: 116 Greenbush/Middle River/61 Badger
Conference: Independent
16-9 Overall Duals
Section 8A Runner Ups
Eleven Section Placers/Seven State Qualifiers/Two State Placers
Third Place: Cass Lake “Big Bear” Invite” 135.5 Pts 6 Placers
First Place: Larimore, ND Invite: 202.5 Pts. 10 Placers
Third Place: WDC “Dennis Kaatz” Invite: 165.5 Pts. 8 Placers
Second Place TRF “US Army, Mn National Guard: 149 Pts. 9 Placers
The Gators of Badger/Greenbush-Middle River should make a strong challenge for section honors. They have back from their 16-9 dual meet campaign, nine section place winners, including six state qualifiers, two earned medals and seven with experience. They will have eight back with 20 wins plus, this should give them one of the better balanced teams in the state. Owen Novacek (44-5 @ 138) earned fourth place honors, Dominik Vacura (30-7 @ 220) earned sixth place honors, Tony Olson (24-17 @ 106) Joe Dezelar (24-17) and Caleb Vacura (10-16) were state qualifiers. Andy Dostal (31-13), Avery Augustson (23-16, Brandon Pries (21-16) should be their key leader thru out the season
Returning Wrestlers:
Owen Novacek 12th 44-5 2nd Sec./4th State
Dominik Vacura 10th 30-7 1st Sec./6th State
Andy Dostal 11th 31-13 3rd Section
Zach Evans 11th 29-13 2nd Section
Joe Deselar 11th 24-17 1st Section
Tony Olson 10th 24-17 2nd Section
Avery Augustson 12th 23-16 3rd Section
Brandon Pries 12th 21-16
Garrett Underberg 10th 13-14 Injured
Caleb Vacura 9th 10-16 2nd Section
Jacob Bergsnev 11th 6-19
Brogan Beito 8th 4-8
Colton Gust 11th 3-2
Ethan Waage 9th 3-5 5th Section
Derrick Corneluisen 12th 2-6
Dawson Beito 10th 1-1
Graduates:
Bryce Bergeron 32-12 1st Section (109-56 Career)
Tyler Isane 27-12 Injured (56-52 Career)
Austin Maustad 8-18 5th Section
FOSSTON-BAGLEY PROWLERS
Head Coach: Pat Wolfe
Enrollment: 177 Fosston/247 Bagley
Conference: North Star
17-7 Overall Duals 3-2 North Star
Final Four Section 8A
Twelve Section Placers/Three State Qualifiers/One State Placer
First Place: LPA “Terry Teiken” Invite: 205.5 Pts. 13 Placers
Fourth Place: FB “Alfred Olson Memorial” Invite: 148 Pts. 9 Placers
First Place: Mayville Portland “Patriot” Duals 3-0
Third Place: WHAN “Wolf Pack” Invite: 145 Pts. 8 Placers
The Brawlers should make a strong challenge not only for a top four spot in this dual meet campaign, but possibly for section honors. They have back from their 17-7 dual meet campaign, eight section place winners, including two state qualifiers and eight with a wide range of experience. Carter Sorenson (33-9 @ 126), Teigen Hextell (23-15 @ 170), Jacob Lomen (33-10), Henry Burrack (26-10) and Christian Schmidt (25-19) should be their key leaders thru out the season. Look for this young team to make great strides of improvement over the course of the season. They did graduate five including four section place winners, of which one was a state qualifier and he earned state honors.
Returning Wrestlers:
Carter Sorenson 10th 33-9 2nd Section/AC
Jacob Lomen 11th 33-10 3rd Section/AC
Henry Burrack 11th 26-10 3rd Section/AC
Christian Schmidt 12th 25-19 5th Section
Teigen Hextell 12th 23-15 2nd Section/AC
Alex Munter 11th 17-13 4th Section
Dane Schoenborn 10th 11-13
Keegan Senger 9th 11-25
Tyler Maruska 12th 6-11
Kaden Kappedal 12th 6-23 5th Section
Evan Chalich 10th 6-9 6th Section
Noah Hanson 12th 3-7
Kaden Sanford 8th 3-5
Gabe Berry 12th 2-1
Camden Daniel 11th 1-3
Graduates:
Jake Ubert 38-5 1st Sec./4th State/AC (148 Wins School)
Brayden Sorenson 29-17 3rd Section/AC (98 Wins)
Alex Wolfe 30-16 5th Section
Cole Olson 26-17 3rd Section/AC (86 Wins)
Nick Anderson 10-5
UNITED NORTH CENTRAL WARRIORS
Head Coach: Jacob Oyster
Enrollment: 189 Menagha/120 Sebeka
Conference: Park Region
7-15 Overall 3-2 Park Region
Eight Section Placers/One State Qualifiers
First Place: Crookston “Rod Olson” Invite;151 Pts. 11 Placers
Sixth Place: WDC “Dennis Kaatz Memorial” Invite: 113 Pts 7 Placers
Seven Place: Park Region Conference: 81 PTs. 7 Placers
Twenty-Third Cass Lake “Big Bear” Invite: 38 Pts. 3 Placers
Sixteenth Place: Bemidji “Rick Lee” Duals:
The Warriors should make a challenge for a top four spot in this dual meet campaign. They have back from their 7-15 dual meet campaign, seven section place winners and nine with a wide range of experience. Jared Seibert (32-9), Isaac Tellers (19-12) and Ethan Hendrickson (20-9) should be their key leaders thru out the season. They did graduate three last spring, including one state qualifier.
Returning Wrestlers:
Jared Seibert 12th 32-9 3rd Section/AC
Ethan Hendrickson 9th 20-9 3rd Section
Isaac Tellers 12th 19-12 3rd Section
Gator Bettin 12th 17-20
Eion Ness 9th 16-19
Brock Kako 12th 13-23 4th Section
Hank Tellers 8th 12-15
Dakota Meech 10th 12-25 5th Section
Ethan Trout 11th 11-23 5th Section
Torrey Carlson 9th 6-19
Hunter Skaro 10th 2-5
Tucker Holmer 11th 3-6
Mason Bradley 12th 2-3
Gabe Hendrickson 8th 2-2
Dominick Fuller 10th 1-2
Dylan Rasmussan 9th 1-14
Graduates:
Toby Hintzman 33-4 1st Section/AC (116-74 Career)
Bridger Bettin 12-8
Cade LaCoe 5-9 (43-59 Career)
CROOKSTON PIRATES
Head Coach: Wes Hanson
Enrollment: 286
Conference: North Star
12-5 Overall Duals
Ten Section Placers/Three State Qualifiers/One State Placer
Fifth Place: Wahpeton “Dan Unruh” Invite” 110 Pts. 7 Placers
Second Place: Crookston “Rod Olson” Invite: 150 Pts. 9 Placers
First Place: Mahmoman “Cougar” Duals
Fifth Place Fertile “Northwest” Invite: 105 Pts. 8 Placers
Third Place: Grand Rapids “Skip Nalan” Invite: 163.5 Pts. 9 Placers
Tenth Place: TRF “Arm Forces/National Guard” Invite:
The Pirates have back from their 12-5 season, five section place winners, including two state qualifiers, including a place winner and five with experience. Lukas Meier (36-9 @ 145) earned fifth place state honors and Zach Brown (37-6 @ 106) a state qualifier. They did graduate six last spring, including five section place winners, one was a state qualifier.
Returning Wrestlers:
Zach Brown 10th 37-6 1st Section/AC
Lukas Meier 12th 36-9 2nd Sec./5th State/AC
Damian Hodgson 12th 26-13 3rd Section/AC
Cameron Weiland 10th 23-16 4th Section
Ethan Boll 8th 21-12
Nolan Dans 10th 18-24 6th Section
Cameron Hulst 11th 14-13
Braxton Volker 8th 6-18
Ethan Bowman 8th 3-2
Andrew Macgregor 10th 1-4
Graduates:
Colton Weiland 28-8 1st Section/AC (145-68 Career)
Jake Wagner 28-17 3rd Section/AC (67-59 Career)
Luke Trandem 22-24 4th Section
Collin Leckie 11-20 6th Section
Luis Argueta 7-14 6th Section
Jake Davidson 3-11
ROSEAU RAMS
Head Coach: Aaron Rose
Enrollment: 305
Conference: North Star
Dual Meet Records Unknown
Fifth Place: FB “Alfred Olson Memorial” Invite: 110 Pts. 7 Placers
Fifth Place: Crookston “Rodd Olson” Invite: 125.5 Pts. 8 Placers
Seventh Place: Central Cass “Letterman” Invite: 135.5 Pts. 7 Placers
Seventh Place: TRF “Army Forces/National Guard” Invite: 97.5 Pts 5 Placers
Sixth Place: Fertile “Northwest” Invite: 94 Pts. 8 Placers
The Rams have back seven section place winners, including a state qualifier, that earned state honors and four with experience. Chandler Mooney (43-3 @ 145) earned third place honors and Ben Olson (30-8), Race Knochenmus (24-12), Dale Grindahl (25-14), Brodie Wensloff (26-18) and Sawyer Klatt (21-11) should be their key leaders
Returning Wrestlers:
Chandler Mooney 12th 43-3 1st Sec./3rd State
Ben Olson 10th 30-8
Brodie Wensloff 12th 26-18 4th Section
Dale Grindahl 12th 25-14 4th Section
Race Knochennus 10th 24-12 4th Section
Sawyer Klatt 11th 21-11 5th Section
Conner Eidsmoe 10th 16-17
Owen Gross 12th 7-17 6th Section
Kyle Bliss 12th 2-15
Brutus Grindahl 11th 1-7 6th Section
Bodee Hovda 8th 1-2
Graduates:
Riley Eidsmoe 15-8 2nd Section (115-63 Career)
Hunter Ziska 9-20 4th Section
Owen Gross 5-14
FERTILE/BELTRAMI FALCONS
Head Coach: Chad Hitchen
Enrollment: 124
Conference: North Star
5-10 Overall Duals
Six Section Placers/One State Qualifier
Eight Place: Fertile “Northwest” Invite: 61 Pts. 5 Placers
Sixth Place: FB “Alfred Olson Memorial” Invite: 62 Pts. 4 Placers
Sixth Place: Barnesville “Trojans” Invite: 83 Pts. 6 Placers
Sixth Place: Larimore, ND Invite: 72 Pts. 4 Placers
The Falcons will have back four section place winners, including one state qualifier and twelve with a wide range of experience. This young team should continue to make strides of improvement thru out the course of the season. Look for them to improve on their dual meet numbers from last season. Hunter Hitchen, Daunte Yost and Alex Smith should be their key leaders thru out the season.
Returning Wresters:
Hunter Hitchen 11th 21-16 2nd Section
Daunte Yost 10th 22-14 4th Section
Alex Smith 12th 18-9
Levi Qualley 9th 11-14 6th Section
Damian Sudvangen 11th 11-20 5th Section
Seth Lavalier 9th 4-4
Gabe Horgeshimer 11th 4-13
Izaah Bennefeld 11th 4-6
Hunter Bjerk 11th 3-2
Justin Boit 12th 4-19
Jude Olson 9th 2-8
Wesley Romberg 8th 3-2
Ivan Nephew 11th 3-4
Alex Haas 8th 2-1
Micah Tollefson 11th 3-0
Jasper Olson 11th 3-0
Graduates:
Ross Hamre 20-16 4th Section
RED LAKE COUNTY CENTRAL MUSTANGS
Head Coach: Kyle Dudycha
Enrollment: 87
Conference: North Star
Dual Meet Records Unknown
Ninth Place: FB “Alfred Olson Memorial” Invite: 48 Pts. 5 Placers
Eleventh Place: Crookston “Rod Olson” Invite: 43 Pts. 5 Placers
Ninth Place: Fertile “Northwest” Invite: 46 Pts. 4 Placers
Returning Wrestlers:
Damon Ferguson 8th 17-9 4th Section
Tristyn Ferguson 10th 13-13 4th Section
George Duden 10th 12-17 5th Section
Paul DeHate 9th 8-20
Gunnar Sundeen 8th 2-15
Oscar Duden 8th 1-15
Graduates:
Nick Pahlen 12-5 3rd Section
Bryce Bergerson 1-14
MAHNOMEN-WAUBUN COUGERS
Head Coach: John Short
Enrollment: 113 Mahnomen/108 Waubun
Conference: Independent
Dual Meet Records Unknown
Seventh Place: LPA “Terry Teiken” Invite: 72 Pts. 6 Placer
Tent Place: Crookston “Rod Olson” Invite: 44 Pts. 6 Placers
Returning Wrestlers:
Adam Syverson 12th 23-17 4th Section
Chase Dorman 12th 18-19 4th Section
Garret Eiynck 10th 15-20 5th Section
Will Olson 9th 13-24 6th Section
Kris Cukla 8th 12-17 6th Section
Shae Yates 11th 6-17
Blake Gerey 9th 5-19
Graduates:
Nick Podlak 26-15 2nd Section
Sam Olson 25-12 3rd Section
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The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Volleyball program will be heading to Costa Rica to play some matches next fall. I asked UMC Volleyball Coach Sarah Rauen to tell us more about the trip and how it came about –
Our Costa Rica trip has been a couple of years in the making. I have done an international tour with a previous team, so when I arrived at Crookston it was in the back of my mind as a possibility. Once I started working with our players and seeing how hard they worked on and off the court, I realized they would be able to put in the work required to do the fundraising for a trip somewhere. The team knew they were raising money and that the money would go towards items for them – clothing, maybe a fall tournament in California, but we did not start thinking about Costa Rica as a destination until we added Meli Rodriguez to our team this summer. Meli has been a great addition to our team, and she joined a class of very hard working players that will be seniors next fall. Once I realized we would be able to take a trip before their senior year I started looking into possible destinations, keeping Costa Rica in mind as a top possibility. I was able to work out the details, and after talking with Steph we decided to make it happen. I asked Meli what she thought of taking the team to her home country, and she was extremely excited, and needless to say so was the rest of the team! While we are in Costa Rica we will play three games against their local and National team, do community service work and do some sightseeing across the country. We are very excited for the trip, and cannot wait to represent the University of Minnesota Crookston in Costa Rica!
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We have received the schedule for the Girls Basketball Heart O’ Lakes Day on February 2 at the Fargo Civic Auditorium.
10:00 EGF VS. Breckenridge
11:45 Wadena DC VS. DGF
1:30 Roseau VS. Barnesville
3:15 Staples-Motley VS. Perham
5:00 Mahnomen-Waubun VS. Hawley
6:45 Crookston VS. Pelican Rapids
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Seven state championships are at stake on Friday, Nov. 23 and Saturday, Nov. 24 when the Minnesota State High School League’s Prep Bowl Championship Games will be held at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis.
Spring Grove in Class Nine-Man; Caledonia in Class AA, Owatonna in Class AAAAA and Eden Prairie in Class AAAAAA are the defending champions in their respective enrollment classifications that return to the title games. Here is a look at the two-day Prep Bowl XXXVII:
Schedule:
Friday, Nov. 23
Class Nine-Man
Spring Grove (13-0) vs. Mountain Lake Area (12-0), 10 a.m.
Class AA
Caledonia (12-0) vs. Barnesville (11-2), 1 p.m.
Class AAAA
SMB (12-0) vs. Willmar (11-1), 4 p.m.
Class AAAAAA
Eden Prairie (10-1) vs. Lakeville North (12-0), 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 24
Class A
BOLD, Olivia (13-0) vs. Mahnomen/Waubun (12-0), 10 a.m.
Class AAA
Rochester Lourdes (13-0) vs. Fairmont (11-1), 1 p.m.
Class AAAAA
Owatonna (12-0) vs. St. Thomas Academy (12-0), 4 p.m.
Tickets Adult Student
Prep Bowl (per session) $16 $10
Official ball: Spalding-Alpha
2018 Prep Bowl XXXVII Preview
Friday’s games
Class Nine-Man: Spring Grove (13-0) vs. Mountain Lake Area (12-0), 10 a.m.
Spring Grove is the defending Class Nine-Man champion. The Lions advanced to the Prep Bowl championship game following a 27-26 victory over Russell-Tyler-Ruthton in the quarterfinals and a 48-12 win over Cromwell-Wright in the semifinals. Senior quarterback Alex Folz accounted for seven touchdowns in Spring Grove’s semifinal victory. He ran for 85 yards and threw for 368. If Spring Grove repeats as the Class Nine-Man champion, it will be the sixth consecutive title for a team from Section 1. Mountain Lake Area defeated Verndale 23-6 in the quarterfinals and rolled to a 42-8 victory over Mountain Iron-Buhl. Junior quarterback Abraham Stoesz paced the Wolverines with a touchdown on the ground and through the air. Mountain Lake was the 1980 Class C runner-up and the Class A runner-up in 2002.
Class AA: Caledonia (12-0) vs. Barnesville (11-2), 1 p.m.
On the way to the Prep Bowl championship game, Caledonia defeated New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva 41-0 in the quarterfinals and then topped Paynesville Area 40-6 in the semifinals. Junior quarterback Noah King threw for a touchdown and ran for another three in the semifinal victory that extended Caledonia’s winning streak to 53 consecutive games. The Warriors are no stranger to the championship game. They are the three-time defending Class AA champion and have won eight titles overall. Barnesville zipped past Moose Lake/Willow River 40-0 in the quarterfinals and then defeated Minneapolis North 34-20 in the semifinals. The Trojans rushed for 368 yards against the Polars. Barnesville is looking for its first state championship. It was the Class B runner-up in 1978 and the Class A runner-up in 2010.
Class AAAA: SMB (12-0) vs. Willmar (11-1), 4 p.m.
St. Paul Academy/Minnehaha Academy/Blake, in its fourth year as a co-op, is making its state tournament debut. The Wolfpack defeated Delano 14-7 in the quarterfinals and then topped Waseca 23-15 in the semifinals. Senior running back Siegel Howard and junior quarterback Jalen Suggs are SMB/s primary playmakers. Willmar romped past Hermantown 44-0 in the quarterfinals and then rolled past St. Paul Johnson, 62-0, in the semifinals. Senior quarterback Drey Dirksen has passed for more than 2,200 yards and rushed for nearly 1,200. Willmar’s last championship game appearance was a runner-up finish in the Class A title game in 1973.
Class AAAAAA: Eden Prairie (10-1) vs. Lakeville North (12-0), 7 p.m.
Eden Prairie is in a state championship game for the 14th time since 1996. The Eagles got there with a 15-13 victory over Minnetonka in the quarterfinals which was a rematch of the Class AAAAAA title game in 2017. In the semifinals, the Eagles defeated Blaine 34-14 behind two touchdowns from senior Nic Krueger. In 13 state championship game appearances, the Eagles have won 11 times. Lakeville North defeated Eden Prairie 14-0 in Week 2 this season. The Panthers forged a second meeting with a 35-8 victory over St. Michael-Albertville in the quarterfinals and then a 35-13 win over Lakeville South in the semifinals. Senior running back Brian Curtis, Jr., powered the Panthers in the semifinals with 214 rushing yards and a touchdown. Teammate RaJa Nelson, a junior wide receiver and back, scored three touchdowns. As Lakeville North, the Panthers were the Class AAAAAA runner-up to Eden Prairie in 2012. As Lakeville, the program was the Class A champion in 1988, the Class AA champion in 1992 and the Class AAAAA champion in 2003.
Saturday’s games
Class A: BOLD, Olivia (13-0) vs. Mahnomen/Waubun (12-0), 10 a.m.
BOLD has rolled into the championship game with two convincing victories. The Warriors raced past Ottertail Central, 50-6, in the quarterfinals, and then, zipped past Blooming Prairie, 37-7 in the semifinal. During the Prep Bowl Era, BOLD was the Class B champion in 1990 and ‘91, respectively. A season later, BOLD was the Class B runner-up. They have also had two Class AA runner-up finishes in 1998 and 2014. Mahnomen/Waubun has outscored the opposition 80-0 en route to the 14th appearance in a state championship game. The team, in its first season with the “Thunderbirds” nickname, blanked Deer River 42-0 in the quarterfinals and then shutout Springfield, 38-0. The most recent championships came in 2012 and 2013 with Class A crowns.
Class AAA: Rochester Lourdes (13-0) vs. Fairmont (11-1), 1 p.m.
Rochester Lourdes advanced to the Prep Bowl championship game with a 24-0 victory over Jordan in the quarterfinals, and that was followed by a 25-20 win over defending champion, Pierz, in the semifinal. In the semifinal victory, the Eagles took the lead for good when senior running back Andrew Peine scored on a 1-yard run with 2:50 remaining in regulation. Rochester Lourdes is a three-time Class AAA champion with crowns in 2010, 2014 and 2016. In 1979, the Eagles were the Class A champs. Fairmont is looking to win the school’s first championship in 10 state tournament trips. The Cardinals opened with a 27-21 victory over Cannon Falls in the quarterfinals, and, followed with a 29-14 win over Perham in the semifinals. Senior running back Jordan Wolter rushed for 199 yards and scored a TD in the semifinal win. Fairmont’s lone loss this season was a 45-28 setback to Jordan in Week 2.
Class AAAAA: Owatonna (12-0) vs. St. Thomas Academy (12-0), 4 p.m.
Owatonna is in pursuit of its second consecutive Class AAAAA championship. The Huskies are on the threshold following a 42-37 victory over Chaska in the quarterfinals and a 39-8 win over Elk River in a rematch of the 2017 Class AAAAA championship game. Senior running back Jason Williamson, a University of Minnesota recruit, has rushed for nearly 2,900 yards and scored 44 touchdowns. Owatonna was also the Class AAAAA champion in 2013, the final Prep Bowl season at the Metrodome. St. Thomas Academy earned a berth in the title game following a 35-14 victory over Tartan in the quarterfinals and a 33-21 win over Bemidji in the semifinals. Senior running back Brendan McFadden led the way in the semifinals with 211 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The Cadets are looking for their first state title since they won the Class A crown in 1975. STA was the Class AAAA runner-up in 2000 and 2006, and the Class AAAAA runner-up in 2015.
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The University of Minnesota Crookston
Golden Eagle softball program announced the addition of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. The Golden Eagles have signed Alina Avalos (RHP/1B, Riverside, Calif./Martin Luther King, Jr. H.S.), Gabriella Blomdahl (OF, Duluth, Minn./Hermantown H.S.), Taylor Brunn (2B/OF, Little Canada, Minn./Concordia Academy), Ella Eibensteiner (SS/2B, North Oaks, Minn./Totino-Grace H.S.), Alyssa Stillman (2B/SS, Hortonville, Wis./Hortonville H.S.), and Dana Zarn (3B, Winnipeg, Manitoba/J.H. Bruns Collegiate).
The 2019-20 class is the first signing class for first-year Head Coach Travis Owen, who came to Minnesota Crookston from the University of Northern Colorado, where he was an assistant coach for the NCAA Division I program. The player bios are below
Alina Avalos (RHP/1B, 5-9, Riverside, Calif./Martin Luther King, Jr. H.S.)
Avalos competed at pitcher and first base for Martin Luther King, Jr. High School. She earned the California State Tournament Champion Outstanding Pitcher Award. In addition, Avalos was named King High School Outstanding Defensive Player. She earned the Housley Tournament Champion Winning Pitcher, and was the USSA Best of the West Tournament Champion Winning Pitcher. Avalos competes on the club level for So Cal Athletics.
“Alina is a dual-threat pitcher and power hitter,” Owen said. “In the circle, she is able to keep hitters off balance with her movement pitches and nasty change-up. And in the batter’s box she has the ability to hit the ball hard for extra bases, which will be a valuable addition to our team’s slugging. Alina has the drive to make a difference and her attitude and outlook are strengths that will contribute right away to our team’s confidence in being able to beat any team in our conference.”
She is the daughter of Juan and Mary Avalos. She was born Feb. 3, 2001. Avalos plans to major in business administration and marketing at Minnesota Crookston.
Gabriella Blomdahl (OF, 5-5, Duluth, Minn./Hermantown H.S.)
Blomdahl was a Second Team All-Lake Superior Conference selection for softball. She also earned all-conference accolades for soccer, where she served as team captain. “Gabby was one of the first recruits I had watched and right away I liked her scrappiness and focus in the box,” Owen said. “She has both speed and short game, but also has been adding some pop which will keep defenses guessing. Her athleticism allows her to get to lots of balls in the outfield, or play second base, if needed. She is passionate and driven and will fit in well within our program as a leader.”
She is the daughter of Toni and Jared Blomdahl. Blomdahl was born Oct. 26, 2001. She plans to major in elementary education at Minnesota Crookston.
Taylor Brunn (2B/OF, 5-8, Little Canada, Minn./Concordia Academy)
Brunn was a four-time all-conference selection for softball at Concordia Academy. She was also a four-time all-section pick. Brunn earned All-State honors last season at Concordia Academy. She also played volleyball in high school. Brunn was named all-conference honorable mention. In addition, she was All-State Honorable Mention for Concordia Academy. Brunn was named to the Wells Fargo All-Tournament Team.
“Taylor is a competitor in the box who has speed and is overall just a tough out,” Owen said. “Defensively she covers ground extremely well in the outfield and has the versatility to play middle infield if needed. “She has great enthusiasm and positivity and will be an immediate benefit to our program’s culture- on and off the field.”
She is the daughter of Aimee and Andy Brunn. Brunn is undecided on her major. She was born Jan. 18, 2001. Brunn’s uncle Marcus Boog played baseball at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Ella Eibensteiner (SS/2B, 5-8, North Oaks, Minn./Totino-Grace H.S.)
Eibensteiner was named All-Northwest Suburban Conference in softball and hockey. Eibensteiner played club softball for the Minnesota Force. “Ella is someone who can play anywhere in the infield and has top notch athleticism and a rocket arm,” Owen said. “In the batter’s box she is a slugger which is rare among SS/2B. Ella’s focus is second to none and her work ethic will immediately help push our team to get better.”
She is the daughter of Jen and Keith Eibensteiner. Eibensteiner plans to major in exercise science and wellness at Minnesota Crookston. She was born Jan. 5, 2001.
Alyssa Stillman (2B/SS, 5-7, Hortonville, Wis./Hortonville H.S.)
Stillman hit .386 with four doubles, two triples, four home runs and 16 RBIs for Hortonville High School as a junior. In club softball, she hit .403 with seven doubles, three triples, three home runs and 23 RBIs in 2018 for the Midwest Glory. In the fall of 2017, Stillman hit .518 with four doubles, two triples, two home runs and 10 RBIs for the Midwest Glory. As a sophomore at Hortonville, Stillman posted a .428 batting average with five home runs and 27 RBIs. In 2017 for the Wisconsin Bandits, she hit .421.
“Alyssa is a straight-up athlete who is coachable and has a high ceiling,” Owen said. “She is a line drive hitter with speed, a good arm, and her range at middle infield can also be utilized in the outfield. She is a positive hard worker, who will fit in right away to the team atmosphere we are looking to continue building.”
She is the daughter of Jeff and Lisa Stillman. Stillman plans to major in health sciences. She was born May 26, 2001.
Dana Zarn (3B, 5-7, Winnipeg, Manitoba/J.H. Bruns Collegiate)
Zarn has received one goal and three silver medals at the provincial level in the past four years playing with the Manitoba Thunder. Last season, she hit .389 for the Manitoba Thunder. Zarn had 61 hits and 45 runs scored with a .548 slugging percentage.
“Dana is a strong, corner infielder who has a great glove and hands defensively,” Owen said. “At the plate, she has gap-to-gap power and the ability to hit the ball hard. I believe her ceiling is also very high in that she has excellent focus on constant improvement and high coachability. She will be an immediate great addition to our team’s culture.”
She is the daughter of Jeff and Alison Zarn. Zarn plans to major in exercise science at Minnesota Crookston. She was born Nov. 20, 2001. Zarn has been on the honor roll since her freshman year of high school.
Minnesota Crookston opens their 2019 season Feb. 9 at the MSU Dome in Minot, N.D., with games against Black Hills State University and Minot State. The Golden Eagles are looking to improve on a 6-40 mark from the 2018 campaign.
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University of North Dakota Head Football Coach Bubba Schweigert announced changes to his offensive coaching staff Monday. Offensive coordinator Paul Rudolph and offensive line coach Luke Knauf—both in their fifth season with the program—will not have their contracts renewed for next season. “I’d like to thank both Paul Rudolph and Luke Knauf for their time in our program,” Schweigert said. “There are always tough decisions because they involve families. But, I felt a change was needed in the program at this time. When I was hired, I made a commitment to doing what was in the best interests for North Dakota Football and the University of North Dakota.
North Dakota finished the season 6-5, just outside a playoff berth in the 24-team FCS field.
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A bunch of the area coaches who know John
Keller (Fosston) are going to host a basketball camp in Fosston on Saturday, December 8 for the Candy Keller Family. Candy is battling cancer and the treatment has been spendy so a bunch of area coaches are chipping in to help raise some money for John and Candy Keller and family.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8
9-10am grades 3-6
10:30-12noon grades 7-12
*Forms can be brought that day with the $20
Email Ryan Hanlon the names of student or students and their grades so we can have an idea of how many will be here.
Register: kellercamp18@gmail.com
**WE ASK ALL WHO ARE COMING TO WEAR THEIR SCHOOL/TEAM CLOTHES
Click here for the registration form/flyer
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It is that time of year where the Crookston Huff and Puff over 50 Hockey Tournament is taking registrations! Scott Kleven, dropped off the following information.
What – Over 50 Hockey Tourney (50 by December 31, 2018)
When – Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2, 2018
Where – Crookston Sports Center
Cost – $60 ($5 goes to a local charity)
Format – Teams will be assigned from registrations. No team registrations allowed (3 game guarantee)
Game format – Two 22 minute stop time halves Round Robin format (4 teams)
Social/pizza buffet – Free pizza buffet at IC Muggs/Mugoos on Saturday after second round games. Sports Bar is located near all motels. Video replay of games will be shown on big screen TV’s during buffet.
Registration deadline is Sunday, November 25 2018
Contact Person – Heath Hanson (218-289-3291)
907 South Washington
Crookston, MN 56716
heath5023@yahoo.com
REGISTRATION INFORMATION-
Name ___________________________ Phone__________________________
Address ________________________________ City/State_______________________ Zip____________
Email__________________________________
Position Preference ___________ Level played: Rec Hockey High School College (circle one)
Motel Information-
AmericInn (218-281-7800) Crookston Inn (218-281-5210) Golf Terrace Motel (218-281-2626) Cobblestone Inn (218-470-1111)
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JOKES (Do you have any good jokes – email them to chrisjfee@yahoo.com and I will put them in the feever
A store that sells new husbands has opened in New York City , where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates : You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the value of the products increase as the shopper ascends the flights. The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building! So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.
On the first floor the sign on the door reads : Floor 1 – These men Have Jobs. She is intrigued, but continues to the second floor, where the sign reads : Floor 2 – These men Have Jobs and Love Kids. “That’s nice,” she thinks, “butI want more.” So she continues upward. The third floor sign reads : Floor 3 – These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, and are Extremely Good Looking.”Wow,” she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads:Floor 4 – These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Good Looking and Help With Housework.”Oh, mercy me!” she exclaims, “I can hardly stand it!” Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads:Floor 5 – These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Gorgeous, Help with Housework, and Have a Strong Romantic Streak. She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor, where the sign reads:Floor 6 – You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband store.
PLEASE NOTE: To avoid gender bias charges, the store’s owner opened a New Wives store just across the street. The first floor has wives that love sex. The second floor has wives that love sex, and have money, and like beer. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors
have never been visited.
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At Friday night services, Morris went to his friend Irving and said, “Irving, I need a favor. I’m sleeping with the rabbi’s wife.
Can you hold him in temple for an hour after services for me?”
Irving was not very fond of the idea, but being Morris’s lifelong friend, he reluctantly agreed.
After services, he struck up a conversation with the rabbi asking him all sorts of stupid questions in an effort to keep him occupied.
After some time, the wise rabbi became suspicious and asked, “Irving what are you really up to with all this?”
Irving, filled with feelings of guilt and remorse, confessed to the rabbi, “I’m sorry Rabbi, my friend Morris is sleeping with your wife right now and asked me to keep you occupied.“
The wise rabbi smiled and putting a brotherly hand on Irving’s shoulder, said, “Irving, I think you’d better hurry home. My wife died two years ago!”
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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 *****
Paul Bittner,will start the season with the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Bluejacket. Paul had four shots on goal in a 6-1 loss on Friday and he had three shots on goal in a 5-2 victory over the Hershey Bears on Saturday. Cleveland will host Toronto on Friday, travel to Toronto on Sunday and host Toronto on Wednesday.
Marietta Geist, a Junior on the Carleton College Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field teams. Marietta finished 111th out of 279 runners at the NCAA Division III National Championships in Winneconne, Wisconsin at Lake Breeze Golf Club. Carleton finished 10th place as a team. The meet wrapped up the cross country season for the Knights.
Haley Roed, a Junior swimming at Minnesota State Moorhead. MSUM is off until November 30 and December 1 when they host the Dragon-Cobber Invite in West Fargo.
Kate MacGregor, a Freshman swimming at Minnesota State Moorhead. MSUM is off until November 30 and December 1 when they host the Dragon-Cobber Invite in West Fargo.
Ryan Bittner, is a Senior playing hockey for the #1 ranked University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Ryan had a plus-one rating in a 5-2 victory over Marian University on Friday and had the game tying goal late in the third period to force a 1-1 tie with #4 ranked St. Norbert College on Saturday. The Pointers will host Nichols College on Friday and will play either St. Thomas or Utica College on Saturday.
Brady Heppner, is a Junior playing hockey at St. Johns University in Collegeville. Brady had an assist, eight shots on goal and six penalty minutes in a 5-2 victory on Saturday and he added another assist and one shot on goal in a 4-0 victory over St. Olaf on Sunday. St. Johns will host Concordia (Wis) on Friday and Marian on Saturday.
Aaron Hollcraft, is a Senior playing basketball and baseball for the UMC Golden Eagles. Aaron played four minutes and had two points, one rebound and an assist in a 84-54 victory over Valley City State on Saturday and he played five minutes, scored four points (4 of 4 from the free throw line) in a 94-65 win over Concordia Moorhead on Sunday. The Golden Eagles are in Puerto Rico for three games over Thanksgiving break and will travel to Bemidji State on December 1 to start the NSIC season.
Colton Weiland, is a freshman wrestling for #1 ranked St. Cloud State. Colton is listed at 149 pounds. Colton was injured in practice and didn’t wrestle in a 36-9 dual win over #21 ranked Chadron State College and he didn’t wrestle in the Concordia College Ginaker Open on Saturday. The Huskies will travel to Southwest Minnesota State on Thursday, November 29.
Bailey Folkers, is a freshman on the University of Wisconsin-Superior women’s basketball team. Bailey didn’t play in a 72-71 victory over Carthage College on Friday and she played two minutes and didn’t score in a 74-57 victory over St. Norbert on Saturday. Bailey didn’t play in a 79-63 loss at Augsburg on Monday. The Yellowjackets will travel to Bemidji State on Monday and host Saint Benedict on Wednesday.
Brita Fagerlund, is a Sophomore on the University of Jamestown Jimmy Women’s Track team. The season will start in December.
Ally Tiedemann, a Freshman playing tennis at University of Minnesota Duluth. The season starts in January.
Bobby Tiedemann, is a Junior on the St. Mary’s University Men’s Tennis team in Winona. St. Mary’s will host Martin Luther College on Friday, January 25, 2019.
Mason Wang, is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire track team
Amanda Trandem, is a Sophomore on the University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Softball team.
Ben Trostad, a Freshman playing golf at the University of Minnesota Crookston. UMC is off until the spring.
Ethan Magsam, a Freshman playing golf at the University of Minnesota Crookston. UMC is off until the spring.
Elise Tangquist, is a Sophomore golfer for the University of Northwestern in St. Paul. Northwestern is done until the spring.
Isaac Westlake, a Junior playing golf for the Winona State Warriors.
Cade Salentine, is a redshirt Freshman playing football at the University of North Dakota.
Crookston School District Coaches –
Brody Davidson is an Assistant Pirate Football coach.
Tyler Brekken is a Pirate C team football coach and junior high Pirate Softball coach
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Bollis the head Pirate Girls Track head coach and assistant volleyball coach
Sarah Reeseis the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Shelly Erdmann is the Assistant Girls Soccer coach.
Cody Brekken is the Assistant Pirate Girls Tennis coach, Pirate Boys Tennis coach and Crookston Community Pool Supervisor
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach
Mitch Bakken is the head Pirate Baseball coach.
Justin Johnson is the Pirate Junior Varsity Baseball coach.
Brock Hanson is the Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant coach.
Jeff Perreaultis the Pirate Girls Golf head coach
Wes Hanson is the Pirate Wrestling Head Coach and assistant boys golf coach
Wade Hanson is the 8th grade boys basketball coach
Travis Ross is the 7th grade boys basketball 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 an Assistant Wrestling Coach
Nate Merten is an Assistant Wrestling Coach
Non Crookston High 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.
Todd Kreibich, is the Coach and General Manager for the Minnesota Iron Rangers Junior Hockey team our of Hoyt Lakes.
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
Erika Wheelhouse is serving in the Peace Corp in the Philippines.
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.
Alan Mart, 2009 Crookston High School graduate, is currently serving his country for the US Army as a Cavalry Scout in Afghanistan.
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 Central is stationed at Hohnfels in Germany for the next 2 or 3 years.
Scott Riopelle is head of Crookston Parks and Recreation
Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome
