It is tournament time for Volleyball and Football starting next week. This is the schedule for the KROX sports department for the upcoming week. On Monday we head to Karlstad for volleyball, on Tuesday we head to Warroad, on Wednesday we have the UMC Coaches show, on Thursday and Friday we will have high school volleyball playoffs, Saturday we will likely have two high school playoff football games and Saturday and Sunday we take a deep breath!!! It is a fun time of year and the Section 8A, 8 9-man, 8AAA and 6 9-Man semifinals and championships should be great games. The only section we don’t expect to have great semi-finals and championship is 8AA with Barnesville a HEAVY, HEAVY favorite. They haven’t had a close game yet and we don’t expect one in the section tournament…..unless the field conditions are as sloppy as they have been and that might even the playing field.
Good Luck to all teams in the playoffs!!
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The five area section football tournament seeds and brackets have been released. We have all five area sections below –
SECTION 8AA FOOTBALL-
The Section 8AA Football seeds have been announced and they went as expected. The defending Section champion, Barnesville Trojans, is the top seed and will be the HEAVY favorite to win the championship. The only close seed was the fourth and fifth seed with Warroad and Crookston having the same QRF. The teams didn’t play each other and they had the same section record so it went to overall record and Warroad was 4-4 while Crookston was 3-5. The seeds and schedule are below –
SEEDS –
1. Barnesville
2. Pelican Rapids
3. Frazee
4. Warroad
5. Crookston
6. Bagley
7. United North Central
8. Hawley
FOR THE TOURNAMENT BRACKET, CLICK HERE
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SECTION 8A FOOTBALL-
The Section 8A Football seeds were announced Thursday morning and everything went as predicted. Ada-Borup/West, a team that was put into the section a day before the season started will be the top seed. The multi-year defending section champion Mahnomen-Waubun Thunderbirds will be the two seed. The Section 8A semi-finals and championship could be some outstanding games. The team seeds and tournament bracket are below –
SEEDS –
1. Ada-Borup/West
2. Mahnomen/Waubun
3. Polk County West
4. Red Lake County
5. Cass Lake-Bena
6. Fosston
7. Red Lake
FOR THE TOURNAMENT BRACKET, CLICK HERE
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SECTION 8 9-MAN
The Section 8 9-Man Football tournament seeds have been released and there was a lot of movement in the final week of the season. North Central (Northome-Kelliher/Bigfork) ran the table and finished the season 8-0 and earned the top seed. It was extremely tight between the second seed down to the sixth seed. The seeds and tournament bracket are below.
SEEDS –
1. North Central
2. Warren-Alvarado-Oslo
3. Stephen-Argyle
4. Badger/Greenbush-Middle River
5. Kittson County Central
6. Goodridge-Grygla
7. Lake of the Woods
8. Northern Freeze
FOR THE TOURNAMENT BRACKET CLICK HERE
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SECTION 6 9-MAN
The Section 6 9-Man Football tournament seeds have been released and the undefeated Win-E-Mac Patriots will be the top seed. 9-Man newcomer, Fertile-Beltrami, will be the second seed. The seeds and tournament bracket are below.
SEEDS –
1. Win-E-Mac
2. Fertile-Beltrami
3. Blackduck
4. Nevis
5. Park Christian
6. Norman County East/UH
7. Clearbrook-Gonvick
8. Laporte
FOR THE TOURNAMENT BRACKET CLICK HERE
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SECTION 8AAA
The Section 8AAA Football tournament seeds have been released and Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton will be the top seed. The seeds and tournament bracket are below.
SEEDS –
1. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton
2. Pequot Lakes
3. Perham
4. Fergus Falls
5. East Grand Forks
6. Roseau
7. Park Rapids
8. Thief River Falls
FOR THE TOURNAMENT BRACKET CLICK HERE
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Congratulations to the Thief River Falls Prowlers Girls Tennis team on winning the Section 8A Girls Tennis championship. They beat Crookston 5-2 in the semi-finals and beat Perham in the championship 5-2.
The Section 8A Individual Tennis tournament will wrap up today (Thursday) in Fargo and for the second straight tennis season, Crookston has a doubles team play in the semi-finals for the right to play in the championship. The Pirate Boys had it last year and now the girls have it this year.
Catherine Tiedemann and Emma Borowicz (state participants last year) will take on Hayden and Halle Winjum at 9:00 a.m. in Fargo. This is an intriguing matchup. Catherine Tiedemann was playing her best tennis I have seen her play in the team tournament. She can smoke the ball with accuracy and could be the difference-maker in the match. Can Emma battle through the knee pain? How do the Winjum’s do when they are playing their teammates and playing in the biggest match of their careers? I am guessing they will leave it all out on the line (like their mom or uncle Jake did on the tennis court back in the day!).
It sucks to have to battle your teammates, but it is also nice as the Pirate’s doubles dominance in Section 8A continues!
For the SECTION 8A DOUBLES BRACKET – CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE – For the Section 8A Singles bracket
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The Kittson County Central Bearcats received the top seed in the west sub-section and the Fosston Greyhounds are the top team in the east sub-section of the Section 8A Volleyball tournament that will start on Monday, October 21.
The Crookston Pirates received the 11th seed in the west and will play the Northern Freeze in the first round of the tournament on Monday, October 21 in Karlstad. The match will start at 7:00 p.m. The seeds for the teams are listed below –
WEST Subsection-
1. Kittson County Central
2. Sacred Heart
3. Badger-Greenbush-Middle River
4. Stephen-Argyle
5. Lake of the Woods
6. Northern Freeze
7. Goodridge-Grygla
8. Warren-A-O
9. Climax-Fisher
10. Red Lake Falls
11. Crookston
12. Indus
EAST Subsection –
1. Fosston
2. Ada-Borup/West
3. Fertile-Beltrami
4. Mahnomen-Waubun
5. Clearbrook-Gonvick
6. Red Lake County Central
7. Win-E-Mac
8. Blackduck
9. Bagley
10. Northome-Kelliher
11. Cass Lake-Bena
12. Red Lake
13. Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig
FOR THE TOURNAMENT BRACKET, CLICK HERE
I have been getting questions from people all over Northwest Minnesota on my thoughts on the tournament. (Okay two people) Here are my predictions –
The top two in each subsection will make up the final four – KCC, Sacred Heart, Fosston and Ada-Borup/West. With a KCC vs Sacred Heart championship (they cross-bracket). But I will talk out of both sides of my mouth and don’t be surprised if it was an Ada-Borup/West vs Fosston championship. The top four teams are all very good and it will be whoever plays well in the next two weeks!
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Is the Minnesota Golden Gopher Football team for real?? They just might be after a 34-7 home win against Nebraska on Saturday.
Dating back to last season, Minnesota has won eight straight games (Nebraska, Illinois, at Purdue, Georgia Southern, at Fresno State, South Dakota State, vs. Georgia Tech and at Wisconsin), which is tied for the fourth-longest winning streak in the nation. The last time Minnesota won eight straight games was 70 years ago, as the Gophers ended the 1948 season with four straight wins and started the 1949 season with four straight wins.
The Gophers SHOULD win their next two games against Rutgers and Maryland and could be 8-0 with their final four games – hosting Penn State on November 9. At Iowa on November 16. At Northwestern on November 23 and they end the regular season hosting Wisconsin on November 30.
The key to the schedule for the Gophers is no Michigan or Ohio State this year and the main question for all of us fans……..When does Cinderella’s shoe fall off? Penn State? Iowa?? Wisconsin??? All three??? We will see and enjoy the ride the rest of the way.
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Congratulations to Red Lake Falls’ Clara Girdler on recording the 1,000th dig of her career last week.
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2017 Crosby-Ironton grad and current NDSU Football tight end, Noah Gindorff has five catches this year and all five are for touchdowns!!!
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Minnesota State High School League Board of Directors Meeting Synopsis
Welcome
- The meeting was called to order by Board President Bonnie Spohn Schmaltz.
- Board Member Tom Jerome shared the reflection.
- Amended minutes from the Aug. 6, 2019 Board of Directors meeting were approved.
- Approved the agenda and the Consent Agenda for the board meeting.
- Aaron Berndt of the Minnesota Track Coaches Association addressed the board.
- Craig Anderson of the Minnesota Baseball Coaches Association addressed the board.
Lobbyist Report
- League Lobbyist Roger Aronson shared information regarding student physicals for extra-curricular activities and interest from individuals to add additional screening practices for potential concerns.
- Shared information on the Minnesota Supreme Court’s ruling that determined coaches are not public figures. Support and protection for high school coaches continue to be critical, including good evaluation systems.
- The Legislative Session begins Feb. 11, 2020.
Legal Counsel Report
- Legal Counsel Kevin Beck reported that recently one case was dismissed, and two other cases are pending.
Executive Director’s Report
- Executive Director Erich Martens attended the recent Section 5 meeting in Topeka, Kan. Minnesota is the host state next year for the gathering.
- Shared information on the placement of teams developed through new cooperative sponsorships.
- Shared information and feedback from the nine Fall Area Meetings with a focus on the many responsibilities of the administrators across the state.
- Praised the work of a number of individuals for their quick action as well as the Emergency Action Plan implemented at Kimball High School during a recent medical incident to an official that occurred during a football game.
- Thanked League Staff for assisting member schools and the Board for their support.
- Called on Associate Director Lisa Lissimore to share information about the Minnesota State High School League’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the Class of 2019. The event is Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019 in St. Paul.
Executive Committee Report
- The committee received a technology update from League Assistant Director Laura Mackenthun. As a result, a board workshop will be held Monday, Oct. 14 at 9 a.m. Discussion will follow a presentation.
- A motion was approved to re-assemble an Ad Hoc Committee to review the intent, language, and implementation of the current Cooperative Sponsorship information.
- A request from Cretin-Derham Hall and Amerigo Twin Cities that would grant varsity eligibility for Amerigo students was denied.
- Approved a waiver for schools to schedule one additional game in boys and girls basketball against Harbor City International School in Duluth or Ubah Medical Academy in Hopkins.
- Approved the next Administrative Region Placement Process for the Spring of 2021 in conjunction with the Competitive Section Placement.
- The committee is in discussions on the development of new language for presenting partners.
- The Executive Committee report was approved by voice vote.
Action Items
- 9A, Strategic Directions:
The board approved adoption of the Strategic Directions as outlined by League Staff.
They are as follows:
I. The MSHSL will further define, strengthen and promote the vision, values, and purpose of education-based activities and athletics.
II. Together, the MSHSL Board of Directors and League Staff will further develop and deploy effective policy governance models and practices.
III. The MSHSL will further develop a sustainable financial model that meets the needs of our students and schools and creates a foundation for the growth desired by schools and communities.
IV. The MSHSL will establish the technological systems and structures to support the needs of our students, schools and communities.
- 9B, Spring Activity Advisory Proposals
Speech — The board denied a proposal to add a 14th Category, Program Oral Interpretation, to the Speech State Tournament format.
Track and Field — The board approved adding a third class of track and field. As part of the approved motion, the Minnesota Track Coaches Association will work with League Staff to create an appropriate split of classes. The three-class system will be implemented in the Spring of 2022.
- 9C, Baseball: 20 dates, 24 games
The board denied a request by the Baseball Coaches Association that would allow member schools to play up to 24 contests in 20 dates prior to section play.
- 9D, District Football/Competitive Section Placement Timeline, 2021
The board approved a motion to delay the scheduling of District Football until the Competitive Placement process has been completed. District Football schedules are in place for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. This process will be completed beginning in late May or early June of 2021.
- 9E, Wrestling Scrimmage Policy
The board approved a motion to rescind the wrestling scrimmage policy that was passed at the June 3, 2019 board meeting. The previously approved policy had allowed wrestling programs with fewer than 20 registered participants to participate in up to two scrimmages per week.
Discussion Items
- 10A, Debate Rules and Policies
League Staff provided an update on the summary of changes. This will be an Action Item on the agenda of the Dec. 5, 2019 board meeting.
- 10B, Wheelchair Division Rules and Policies
League Staff provided an update on policy language. This will be an Action Item on the agenda of the Dec. 5, 2019 board meeting.
- 10C, Representative Assembly Proposals
Amendment proposals to current bylaws are due by October 15th as part of the Representative Assembly process. Currently, two proposals have been submitted related to enrollment numbers for cooperative sponsorships and the providing of an additional gymnastics meet for large conferences.
- 10D, Tournament Admission 2019-2020
As part of the League’s Strategic Directions, staff is exploring options of charging admission fees or entry fees for state tournaments that currently do not generate any revenue. Exploration and discussion will continue.
Committee Reports
Eligibility Committee
- The minutes of the Eligibility Committee were approved as presented.
Audit/Finance Committee
- The financial statements from July and August of 2019, were approved.
- The State Auditor is performing its annual financial statement audit. The audit report is expected to be ready for the February 4, 2020 board meeting.
Marketing and Communications Committee
- MnPrepPhoto has dissolved its business operations. The League will implement a freelance photographer model to meet photography needs during the 2019-2020 school year.
- League Staff reported that MSHSL Connect, the League’s monthly online newsletter, is posted the first Monday of each month.
- League Staff reported that nearly 300 media organizations have registered with the League’s new electronic media credentials link.
- League Staff reported that work continues to investigate sponsorship opportunities, including an enhanced partnership with School Space Media.
- League Staff announced the launch of two sportsmanship awards: Most Valuable Teammate and the Sportsmanship Challenge.
Education and Leadership Committee
- Technology needs were discussed.
- An update on tech services from outside vendors including Arbiter for officials, golf live scoring, etc., was provided.
- Recommended support of the InSideOut initiative in working with the Minnesota Vikings and the MnIAAA. A motion was made and approved.
Informational
- The next Board of Directors meeting is Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 at the League Office.
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JOKES
“Hey officer, how did the hackers escape?”
“No idea, they just ransomware!”
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A psychiatrist was conducting a group therapy session with four young mothers and their small children.
“You all have obsessions,” he observed.
To the first mother, he said, “You are obsessed with eating. You’ve even named your daughter Candy.”
He turned to the second Mom. “Your obsession is with money. Again, it manifests itself in your child’s name, Penny.”
He turns to the third Mom. “Your obsession is alcohol. This too manifests itself in your child’s name, Brandy.”
At this point, the fourth mother gets up, takes her little boy by the hand and whispers, “Come on, Dick, we’re leaving.”
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A man staggers into an emergency room with two black eyes and a five iron wrapped tightly around his throat. Naturally, the doctor asks him what happened.
Well, it was like this, said the man. I was having a quiet round of golf with my wife, when she sliced her ball into a pasture of cows.
We went to look for it, and while I was rooting around I noticed one of the cows had something white at its rear end. I walked over and lifted up the tail, and sure enough, there was my wife’s golf ball……..stuck right in the middle of the cow’s butt. That’s when I made my mistake.
“What did you do?” asks the doctor.
Well, I lifted the tail and yelled to my wife, “Hey, this looks like yours!”
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How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
****LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST email me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com
Paul Bittner, is playing for the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Bluejacket. Paul didn’t play in a 2-1 loss and 6-3 loss to the Syracuse Crunch. Cleveland will travel to Rochester on Friday and play at Toronto on Saturday and Sunday.
Cade Salentine, is a redshirt Freshman playing football at the University of North Dakota. Cade didn’t play in a 55-22 loss to Idaho State on Saturday. UND will travel to Cal Poly on Saturday.
Ben Trostad, is a sophomore member of the University of Minnesota Crookston golf team. Ben shot a 77, 78, and 81 for a three round total of 236 to finish 73rd place at the St. Joseph, Missouri for the Holiday Inn Express Classic October 7 and 8. The Golden Eagles will be off until the spring.
Isaac Westlake, is a Senior on the Winona State Warrior Men’s Golf team. Isaac didn’t play in the Holiday In Express tournament in St. Joseph, Missouri. Winona State is done until the spring.
Elise Tangquist, is a Junior golfer for the University of Northwestern in St. Paul.
Mason LaPlante, a freshman, is playing soccer at the University of Jamestown. Mason didn’t play in wins over Mount Marty, Providence College and Dakota Weslyan. Jamestown will Midland this week.
Rachel Hefta, a freshman, is playing volleyball at Hastings College in Nebraska. Rachel is playing on the J.V. team. The varsity team is 8-12 on the year.
Thea Oman, a freshman, is swimming at St. Ben’s. Thea finished 15th in the 100 IM, 21st in the 100 Freestyle, 26th in the 100 Breaststroke, 26th in the 100 Backstroke, 49th in the 100 Butterfly at St. Kates Pentathlon on October 11. St. Ben’s will be off until October 26.
Ally Tiedemann, a Sophomore, is playing tennis at the University of Minnesota Duluth. The season will start in February.
Aleece Durbin, is a Sophomore on the University of North Dakota Women’s Track and Field team.
Brita Fagerlund, is a Junior on the University of Jamestown Jimmy Women’s Track team.
Brady Heppner, is a Senior, playing hockey at St. Johns University in Collegeville.
Nick Garmen, is a freshman playing basketball and tennis at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Crookston School District Coaches –
Brody Davidson is an Assistant Pirate Football coach.
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach and assistant volleyball coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Cody Brekken is the Head Pirate Girls and Boys Tennis coach and Crookston Community Pool Supervisor
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach
Mitch Bakken is the head Pirate Baseball coach.
Brock Hanson is the Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant coach.
Jeff Perreault is the Pirate Girls Golf head coach
Wes Hanson is the Pirate Wrestling Head Coach and assistant boys golf coach
Wade Hanson is the 8th 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 coaching –
Kaylee Desrosier is a softball coach for Fargo Davies Middle School.
Justin Johnson is an assistant softball coach at the University of Minnesota Crookston.
Josh Edlund is an assistant football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.
Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach in Champlin Park
Jeff Olson is Head Wrestling coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.
Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.
Carmen (Kreibich) Johnson, is Head Volleyball coach at Little Falls High School.
Katy Westrom, is Head Girls Tennis Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Monticello High School.
Matt Harris, is a Director of Athletics at the British International School of Houston.
Marty Bratrud is the Superintendent and High School Principal at Westhope High School.
Gordie Haug is an assistant football coach at the University of Wyoming
Mike Hastings is the Minnesota State Mankato Men’s head Hockey coach
Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Thief River Falls High School
Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football and volleyball and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for the Bison media relations
Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College
Chris Myrold is a Tennis Pro on Nevis Island in the West Indies
Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis
Jarrett Butenhoff is serving our country with the U.S. Navy
Joshua Butenhoff is serving our country on a Submarine with the Pacific Fleet with the US Navy.
Peter Cournia is a 2002 Crookston High School Graduate and also a grad of West Point and is currently is serving in the U.S. Army.
Erik Ellingson is serving our country with the U.S. Air Force at Minot.
Philip Kujawa class of 2004 from Crookston High School. He is an Army recruiter in Rochester.
Scott Riopelle is head of Crookston Parks and Recreation
Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome
That’s it for this week. Thanks for the comments and if you have anything to add or share, please e-mail chrisjfee@yahoo.com or call. Thanks for reading and listening to KROX RADIO and kroxam.com
