SPORTS FEEVER – November 23, 2023

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SPORTS FEEVER by Chris Fee of KROX Radio – chrisjfee@yahoo.com

Happy Thanksgiving!!! We start with one of the best TV show episodes ever.

WKRP “As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly” Thanksgiving

— — —

We are sad to report that former Crookston Pirate Boys Hockey Coach Mike Lundby passed away at the age of 72.
He grew up in Riverside Park in Grand Forks and graduated from St. James High School in 1969. Mike then attended UND and proudly played hockey for the Fighting Sioux from 1970-1973.

Mike coached in Crookston, Owatanna, and East Grand Forks. Mike taught social studies and coached hockey, football, and golf. He was the founder of the Greenwave girl’s hockey program and served on many boards, including as President of the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association.

I was fortunate to know Mike and his family well. My dad and Mike were great friends.

He was a great guy and will be missed!

— — —

I was in Warroad on Monday and drove by the football field (the site of Hockey Day Minnesota) and noticed the field was being dug up. I was told they are digging up the field to put the rink for Hockey Day Minnesota in that spot, and in the spring, they are going to redo the track and put artificial turf in. I haven’t confirmed that, but the person who told me would know. So, Hockey Day Minnesota in Warroad will not only give the community a big boost, but it will help football, track, and other student-athletes and the community.

— — —

The 2023 Crookston Hockey Alumni games/scrimmages will be held Saturday, December 23 at the Crookston Sports Center. Johnny Holmes will be back again at the Eagles, and all players in the alumni games get in free.

Alumni from Crookston Central High School, Crookston High School, Cathedral, and the Mount will be back/are invited back to participate in this year’s games. The schedule and info are listed below –

GAME 1 – 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. – 2013 to 2023 alumni……..Odd vs Even
GAME 2 – 4:00 to 5:15 p.m. – 2012 and older alumni………… Odd vs Even
GAME 3 – 5:30-6:45………PIRATE GIRLS vs GIRLS ALUMNI
GAME 4 – 7:00-8:15……….PIRATE BOYS vs PIRATE ALUMNI

Cost – $10.00 (Make checks out to Pirate Hockey)

Social at the Crookston Eagles Club from 9 PM to 1 AM.  Johnny Holmes performing and all alumni game players get in free.

Mail registration forms to
Steve Biermaier
PO Box 496
Crookston, MN  56716
or email steve.biermaierchiro@midconetwork.com

For the registration form CLICK HERE.

— — —

We had the Fertile-Beltrami Football playoff games on KROX Radio again this year, and the listenership was awesome!

In the state quarterfinal game vs Goodridge/Grygla we had 3,010 people listening online, the app, or smart speaker.
In the state semi-final game vs Kingsland we had 3,883 people listening online, the app, or a smart speaker.

We like to think we do a good job covering all the games we do, and we thank everyone for tuning in on the radio or online, the app, or smart speaker!!!

Fertile-Beltrami lost to Kingsland in a great game. They lose two seniors, Caiden Swenby and Derek Sorenson. Those two will be impossible to replace, but the good news……EVERYBODY else comes back next year. There is no doubt that the future is bright and a fourth straight trip to the state semi-finals is within reach IF the players keep putting in the time they have for several years.

— — —

The Crookston Pirate Boys Basketball team has 32 players out this season as of the first day of practice. The roster is listed below-

Seniors (4) – Brannon Tangquist, Isaac Thomforde, Caden Boike, Jaylen Lamb
Juniors (7) – Hunter Nicholas, Tyler Michaelson, Rylan Lubarski, Mathew Contreras, Jack Everett, Michael Deng, Brayden Pederson
Sophomores – (12) Reggie Winjum, Josh Hesby, Carter Fee, Zach Ali, Makoti Weber, Peter Wiersma, Ryker Arnold, Gunnar Groven, Nolan Cassavant, Alex Lamb, Caden Sanders, Jacob Halverson
Freshmen – (9) Aiden Delage, Dominic Sanchez, Ean Deleon, Colton Osborn, Alex Zammert, Austin Lund, Landon Meier, Xsavior Ramos, Ethan Boe

— — —

The Crookston School District still hasn’t officially approved the Winter Sports Coaches. They will do that on Monday, November 27. The “unofficial” coaching list is below.

BOYS BASKETBALL –
Head – Greg Garmen
Assistant – Jason Tangquist
C-Squad – Lon Boike
8th grade – Austin O’Hare
7th grade – Tom Anderson
Volunteer – Kevin Weber

GIRLS BASKETBALL –
Head – Darin Zimmerman
Assistant – Brett Brenden
C-Squad – Kylie Solheim
Junior High – Kamille Meyer

BOYS HOCKEY –
Head – Josh Hardy
Assistant – Connor Morgan
Assistant – Sam Melbye
Assistant – Wyatt Ecklund

GIRLS HOCKEY –
Head – Emily Meyer
Assistant – Amanda Lien
Assistant – Stacy Olson
Volunteer – Andy Fee

WRESTLING –
Head – Dan Rooney
Assistant – Colton Weiland
Assistant – Blake Bergeron
Volunteer/Youth – Dillon McEachran

DANCELINE –
Head – Grace Espinosa
Assistant – Quinn Siegle

SPEECH – Brandon Adams and Kate Mulvey
VARSITY ONE ACT – Beth Carlson
JUNIOR HIGH ONE-ACT – Brandon Adams
FIGURE SKATING – Katie Englestad
KNOWLEDGE BOWL – Katelyn Stegman
JR. HIGH KNOWLEDGE BOWL – Sue Wagner
MATH COUNTS – Dana Louw and Andrea Adrian
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The Thief River Falls Girls Hockey team will host their annual Thanksgiving Girls Hockey Classic this weekend. The schedule is below-

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24
1:00 PM – Boys JV – TRF vs St. Cloud Cathedral at Ralph
3:00 PM – Boys Varsity – TRF vs St. Cloud Cathedral at Ralph
5:00 PM – Girls Varsity – Crookston vs West Fargo at Ralph
5:00 PM – Girls JV – TRF vs Fergus Falls at the Huck
7:00 PM – Girls Varsity – TRF vs Fergus Falls at Ralph

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25
10:00 AM – Girls Varsity – Crookston vs Fergus Falls at Ralph
NOON – Girls Varsity – Thief River Falls vs West Fargo at Ralph
NOON – Girls JV – Crookston vs Fergus Falls at the Huck

— — —

The 2023 North Star Conference Boys Basketball Jamboree will be held on Saturday, November 25, at the Warren-Alvarado-Oslo High School gymnasium.

VARSITY SCHEDULE – Main Gym
10:00 AM – Northern Freeze vs Stephen-Argyle
10:45 AM – BGMR vs East Grand Forks
11:30 AM – Roseau vs Kittson County Central
12:15 PM – Warren-A-O vs Sacred Heart
1:00 PM – East Grand Forks vs Northern Freeze
1:45 PM – Stephen-Argyle vs BGMR
2:30 PM – Roseau vs Sacred Heart
3:15 PM – Warren-A-O vs Kittson County Central

Admission – Adults $5 and students #3

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The Minnesota High School Football All-Star game will be held on Saturday, December 2, at U.S. Bank Stadium at 1:00 p.m.

Red Lake County Rebel Head Football coach Brian Remick will be one of the coaches for the North team.

North players from the “area” are listed below –
Brayden Staples
(Alexandria)
Ryan Kangas
(Win-E-Mac)
Kyle Mages
(Osakis)
Brody O’Keefe
(Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton)
Mason Carrier
(Detroit Lakes)
Elijah Claussen
(Staples-Motley)
Riley Peters
(Pequot Lakes)
Sawyer Rumohr
(Alexandria)
Josh Dudgeon
(Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton)

— — —

The Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association has announced the team Academic All-State Awards, and many area teams are getting it done in the classroom, too.

NINE-PLAYER GOLD (3.26 GPA and above sophomores – seniors)
Stephen-Argyle
(3.73 GPA – state leader in 9-player)
Fertile-Beltrami
(3.58 GPA – second in state 9-player)
Kittson County Central
(3.31 GPA)

NINE-PLAYER SILVER (3.0 – 3.25 GPA)
Nevis (3.07 GPA)

CLASS A GOLD (3.26 GPA and above)
Ada-Borup-West
(3.35 GPA)
Red Lake County
(3.33 GPA)

CLASS A SILVER (3.0 to 3.25 GPA)
West Central Area (3.16 GPA)

CLASS AA GOLD (3.26 GPA and above)
Barnesville
(3.43 GPA state leader in Class AA)
Hawley
(3.31 GPA)

CLASS AA SILVER (3.0 t0 3.25)
Warroad
(3.18 GPA)
Frazee
(3.15 GPA)

CLASS AAA GOLD (3.26 and above)
Perham
(3.42 GPA – second in the state in Class AAA)
Morris Area
(3.29 GPA)

— — —

The Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association has announced the State All-Academic Individual team. The area individuals are listed below.

NINE-PLAYER –
Caiden Swenby
(Fertile-Beltrami)
Morgan Muir
(Kittson County Central)
Eli Lewis
(Nevis)
Aiden Flaten
(Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal)
Carson Safranski
(Stephen-Argyle)

CLASS A –
Lance Kritzberger
(Ada-Borup-West)

CLASS AA –
Ethan Larson (Barnesville)
Noah Morris
(Park Rapids)
Logan Kvarnlov
(Warroad)

CLASS AAA –
Derek Waldbeser
(Morris)
Gage Aanenson
(Perham)

— — —

The 2023 All-Section 8A Football team has been announced. The team members are listed below –

Mahnomen/Waubun – Mike Weaver, Tanner Stech, Blake McMullen, Brody Lhotka, Jacob Littlewolf
Ada-Borup-West – Lance Kritzberger, Cameron Spaeth, Austin McCraven, Mason Larson
Red Lake County – Brock Seeger, Owen Chervestad, Mason Pahlen
Polk County West – Mike Gapp, Kaven Rohrich, Ryan Sullivan
Bagley – Noah Nelson, Logan Broten
Red Lake – Gerald Kingbird Jr, Micah Brun

— — —

The District 9 West-North Sub-District Football awards have been announced. The sub-district is made up of Fertile-Beltrami, Clearbrook-Gonvick, Kittson County Central, Goodridge/Grygla, Badger/Greenbush-Midlle River, Fosston, Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal, Northern Freeze, Park Christian, Stephen-Argyle, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, and Win-E-Mac. The award winners are below.

Sub-District MVP’s – Caiden Swenby (Fertile-Beltrami) and Alex Churness (Clearbrook-Gonvick)
Offensive Player of the Year –
Morgan Muir (Kittson County Central)
Defensive Player of the Year –
Blake Rychlock (Goodridge/Grgla)
Offensive Lineman of the Year –
Caleb Stoltman (Fertile-Beltrami)
Defensive Lineman of the Year –
Ty Vig (Kittson County Central)
Special Teams Player of the Year –
Lewis Jones (Goodridge/Grygla)
Coach of the Year –
John Wilebski (Goodridge/Grygla)

ALL-DISTRICT 9 WEST-NORTH SUB-DISTRICT –
Fertile-Beltrami –
Jonah Harstad, Derek Sorenson, Caleb Stoltman, Bryer Strem, Caiden Swenby, Isaiah Wright
Goodridge/Grygla –
Donny Johnsrud, Lewis Jones, Kehan Nelson, Carson Rubischko, Blake Rychlock
Kittson County Central –
Morgan Muir, Jameson Turner, Ty Vig, Dylon Warnke
Park Christian –
Jeremiah Bekkum, Josiah Berge, Andrew Gorman, Dawson Gregg, Skyler Weekley
Stephen-Argyle –
Cooper Clausen, Carsen Safrasnki, Blaine Smith, Dylan Widner
Fosston –
Jakob Manteufel, Tristan Nyland, Jakob Rudie, Aiden Wolfe
Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal –
Aidan Flaten, Ian Jacobson
Warren-Alvarado-Olso –
Kaden Pierce, Quincy Wright
Win-E-Mac –
Braylon Hamre, Ryan Kangas
BGMR –
Treston Nichols
Northern Freeze –
Everett Nelson

ALL-DISTRICT 9 WEST-NORTH SUB-DISTRICT HONORABLE MENTION –
BGMR –
Cole Blazek
Clearbrook-Gonvick –
Collin Crotteau, Trevor Solberg
Fertile-Beltrami –
Jack Leiser
Fosston –
Will Christen, Ethan Gray
Goodridge/Grygla –
Gavin Aune, Chase Manderud
Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal –
Cade Bentley
Northern Freeze –
Nick Longerbone
Stephen-Argyle –
Shay Setterholm
Win-E-Mac –
Cameron Bergman, Bergen Howard

— — —

The 2023 Valley Plains West Football sub-district awards have been announced. The teams in the sub-district are Mahnomen-Waubun, Ada-Borup-West, Red Lake County, Polk County West, Lake Park-Audubon, Bagley, Menahga, and Red Lake.

Player of the Year – Mike Gapp (Polk County West)
Quarterback of the Year –
Austin McCraven (Ada-Borup-West)
Runningback of the Year –
Mike Gapp (PCW)
Receiver of the Year –
Cameron Spaeth (Ada-Borup-West)
Offensive Lineman of the Year – T
ate ose (Mahnomen/Waubun)
Special Teams Player of the Year –
Tanner Stech (Mahnomen/Waubun)
Defensive Back of the Year –
Owen Chervestad (Red Lake County)
Linebacker of the Year –
Lance Kritzberger (Ada-Borup-West)
Defensive Lineman of the Year –
Wyat Simon (Lake Park-Audubon)
Head Coach of the Year –
John Clark Jr. (Mahnomen/Waubun)
Assistant Coach of the Year –
Nate McCraven (Ada-Borup-West)

ALL-DISTRICT TEAM-
Mahnomen/Waubun –
Carter Clark, James Donner, Joe Slette, Tate Ose, Dawson Darco, Lex McDougall
Ada-Borup-West –
Mason Larson, Austin McCraven, Cameron Spaeth, Lance Kritzberger, Wyatt Larson
Red Lake County –
Kegan Schmitz, Brock Seeger, Masen Pahlen, Owen Chervestad
Polk County West –
Kaven Rohrich, Ryan Sullivan, Mike Gapp
Lake Park-Audubon –
Drew Harris, Wyatt Simon
Bagley –
Noah Nelson, Logan Broten
Menahga –
Tom Pietla
Red Lake –
Gerald Kingbird Jr

ALL-DISTRICT HONORABLE MENTION –
Mahnomen-Waubun –
Jacob Littlewolf, Easton Bevins, Dominick Nielsen, Brody Lhotka
Ada-Borup-West –
Charles Scholl, Lucas Mertz, Ames Fassino
Red Lake County –
Brock Knott, Ashtin Fredrickson, John Powers
Polk County West –
John Speicher, Ethan Evitts, Dawson Rohrich
Lake Park-Audubon –
Colby Poegel, Haiden Crow
Bagley –
Zach Thompson, Mason Erickson
Menahga –
Bodie Berttunen, Riley Sunstrom, Micha Brun

ALL-DISTRICT ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM-
Mahnomen/Waubun –
Nick Baker, Brody Lhotka, Hudson McArthur, Carter Clark, Joe Slette, Seth Hlubek, Tyler Schoenborn, Blake McMullen, Tate Houdek, Henry Geray
Ada-Borup-West –
Lance Kritzberger, Sam Melting, Austin McCraven, Connor Nelson, Mason Larson, Wyatt Larson, Brody Menge, Charles Scholl, Luke Jaibet, Tyler Catlett, Joseph Borgen, Lucas Mertz
Red Lake County –
Gunnar Halverson, Luke Peterson, Ben Gullingsrud, Brock Seeger, Ashtin Fredrickson, Brock Knott, Boe Nelson, Will Zavoral, Kaven Rohrich, Ty Torrence, Greg Downs, Parker Bernhoft, Dawson Rohrich, Izic Edwards
Lake Park-Audubon –
Luca Beske, Jackson Kastel, Max North, Ethan Wuollet, Jake Nelson
Bagley –
Shane Thompson, Ian Phrakonkham, Ethan Proulx, Micah Tramm, William Gray, Gage Gray, Thor Choc, Zach Thompson
Menahga –
Nolan McGowan

— — —

The Minnesota High School Volleyball Coaches Association has announced its end-of-the-season awards, and the are listed below.

Section 8A Coach of the Year – Tina Turn (Kittson County Central)
Section 8AA Coach of the Year – Kathleen Rustad (Hawley)

TEAM ACADEMIC AWARDS –

GOLD ACADEMIC AWARDS (3.75 to 4.0 GPA)
Ada-Borup-West
Badger/Greenbush-Middle River
Barnesville
Bemidji
Blackduck
Climax-Fisher
Detroit Lakes
East Grand Forks
Fertile-Beltrami
Frazee
Hawley
Lake Park-Audubon
Menahga
Moorhead
Northern Freeze
Park Christian
Pelican Rapids
Perham
Red Lake Falls
Sacred Heart
Staples-Motley
Thief River Falls
Wadena-Deer Creek
Win-E-Mac

SILVER AWARD (3.5 to 3.74 GPA)
Bagley
Crookston
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton
Fergus Falls
Fosston
Goodridge/Grygla
Kittson County Central
Mahnomen/Waubun
Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal
Nevis
Park Rapids
Red Lake County Central
Stephen-Argyle

— — —

The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Board of Directors approved the addition of the University of Jamestown (UJ) as the league’s 16th full-time member. The Jimmies will become official members of the league on July 1, 2025, pending their acceptance into the NCAA Division II membership process. UJ would participate in 17 of the NSIC’s 18 sponsored sports beginning in the 2025-26 academic year.

“The NSIC is excited to invite the University of Jamestown as the 16th member of the conference starting July 1, 2025,” stated NSIC Commissioner Erin Lind. “Throughout the application process, the strategic work Dr. Peterson and the University of Jamestown engaged in to prepare for the NCAA Division II and NSIC membership transition was evident. The University is well positioned and will be a valuable addition to the conference athletically and academically.”

“The University of Jamestown has strategically developed into a comprehensive institution, including the development of excellent programs and facilities. Concurrently, they have dedicated resources toward the development of competitive athletic programs; for this reason, we feel confident that the University of Jamestown will be a very good addition to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference,” said Dr. Tim Downs, President of Minnesota State University Moorhead and Chair of the NSIC Board of Directors.

Located in Jamestown, North Dakota, UJ currently enrolls 1,289 students in 54 undergraduate programs, three graduate programs, seven accelerated certificates, a doctoral program in Physical Therapy, and a PhD program in Clinical Research.

UJ is expected to file its application with the NCAA by the February 1 deadline and then will officially begin its transition into the conference. With a successful NCAA Division II membership application, UJ will enter a three-year transition period before earning NCAA active membership status. The 2024-25 academic year will be the Jimmies’ last in the NAIA.

During its second year of the provisional period (2025-26), UJ will be included in NSIC team schedules, but the Jimmies will not be eligible for NCAA Championships. In the third year of the transition, UJ will be granted provisional membership in NCAA Division II and will continue to play a NSIC conference schedule but will still not be able to compete in the NCAA Championships.

The Jimmies will gain NCAA Division II active member status in the fall of 2027, as long as all benchmarks are met during the transition process, and will be eligible to compete in the NCAA Championships during the 2027-28 academic year.

— — —

Speaking of the NSIC. The University of Mary is going to have major upgrades to the athletic facilities and looking to move football, soccer, and track back on campus!

Phase II of the University of Mary’s three-phase $272 million Vision 2030 Capital Campaign that launched in 2015 already got off to a tremendous start in February of 2022 following a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase I closed in January of 2019 by surpassing its goal with just over $100 million raised total. Phase II was launched with a $12 million gift from Harold Hamm and Continental Resources, and now through the generosity of others who have come forward with a very significant and generous gift allowing the University of Mary to move forward with plans for a new Athletics Complex on campus.

“In early November we received news about a transformative gift which was the answer to many, many prayers,” announced University of Mary President Monsignor James Shea.

The beginning of Phase II of the Vision 2030 campaign had four pillars and helped establish the new Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences and complete the new Hamm School of Engineering. The final two pillars include plans for an all-new Athletics Complex just east of the fieldhouse that would run parallel with highway 1804 and a Welcome Center on south campus.

Just over a year ago on November 7, 2022, as part of Phase II the University of Mary announced plans for a new Athletics Complex that would bring football, baseball, soccer, and outdoor track competition back to campus for the ultimate student, fan, and scholar-athlete gameday experience.

Meanwhile, the Marauders baseball team will continue to play their home games in town at the beautiful Bismarck Municipal Ballpark sharing it with the baseball community. It is already regarded as one of the best facilities in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and region and is continually updated and renovated with improvements.

— — —

The 2023-24 NSIC All-Sports Standings (Fall) have been released, and nothing really changes year after year. The top teams are always at the top.

Overall standings (Men and Women combined)
1. Augustana (announced several years ago they are going D-1) 58.5
2. MSU-Mankato 54.5
3. UM-Duluth 50.5
4. Northern State 45
5. Wayne State 41
6. Winona State 40
7. Mary 38.5
8. Sioux Falls 36
9. Bemidji State 34
10. Concordia-St. Paul 33
11. St. Cloud State 30
12. MSU-Moorhead 29
13. Southwest MN State 27
14. Minot State 21
15. UM-Crookston 9

MEN’S Standings –
1. Augustana 28
2. UM-Duluth 23
3. MSU-Mankato 21
4. MSU-Moorhead 19
5. Sioux Falls 14
6. Northern State 13
7. Wayne State 12
8. Winona State 11
9. Mary 11
10. Bemidji State 11
11. Concordia-St. Paul 9
12. Minot State 6
13. Southwest Minnesota State 4
14. UM-Crookston 2
15. St. Cloud State 0

WOMEN’S Standings 
1. MSU-Mankato 33.5
2. Northern State 32
3. Augustana 30.5
4. St. Cloud State 30
T5. Winona State 29
T5. Wayne State 29
7. UM-Duluth 27.5
8. Mary 27.5
9. Concordia-St. Paul 24
T10. Southwest Minnesota State 23
T10. Bemidji State 23
12. Sioux Falls 22
13. Minot State 15
14. MSU-Moorhead 10
15. UM-Crookston 7

— — —

The Crookston Pirate Winter Sports Schedules are available on our website. Click on the link below –

CROOKSTON PIRATE WINTER SPORTS SCHEDULES – KROX (kroxam.com)

— — —

Crookston Park and Recreation and the Crookston Wrestling Club is offering a Free Wrestling Clinic on Monday, November 27 and Wednesday, November 29 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the CHS Wrestling room. This clinic is for Pre-K through grade 6.

— — —

JOKES

A guy walks into a bar and sees a sign hanging over the bar that reads –
Cheese Sandwich – $1.50
Chicken Sandwich – $2.50
Handjobs – $10

Checking his wallet while walking up to the bar, he walks up to the beautiful blonde working behind the bar.  The bartender asks the man if she could help him. He responds yes and asks if she is the one that gives the handjobs. She says yes, I am. The man replies…..well, go wash your hands, I want a cheese sandwich.

— — —

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

Halle Bruggeman is a freshman on the University of Wisconsin-Stout Women’s Tennis team.

Grace Fischer is a freshman on the Concordia College (Moorhead) Women’s Golf team.

Ethan Boll is a Freshman on the University of North Dakota Football team.

Breanna Kressin is a Sophomore on the Hockey Cheer Team for THE University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Hockey team.

Emma Osborn is a Sophomore playing basketball at Northland Technical and Community College in Thief River Falls.

Jacey Larson is a Sophomore playing hockey at Dakota College at Bottineau.

Aleah Bienek is a Sophomore playing hockey at Trine University in Indiana.

Elise Tangquist is the Head Girls Golf Coach at Horace High School in Fargo, ND..

Kaleb Thingelstad is a junior playing golf at Kansas Wesleyan.

Joslynn Leach is a sophomore playing golf at Concordia College in Moorhead. The Cobbers wrapped up the Fall season.

Brady Butt is a Junior playing football at the University of Jamestown.

Ty Hamre is playing football at Bemidji State University.

Aleece Durbin is a Junior on the University of North Dakota Womens Track and Field team.

Elizabeth Erdman is a coach for the Moorhead Red Dragon swim team.

Crookston School District Coaches
Todd Miner
is a Pirate Football assistant coach.
Ben Parkin
is the head Pirate Baseball Coach.
Emily Meyer
is the Pirate head girls hockey coach and softball assistant coach.
Jeremy Lubinski
is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Boll
is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach
Sarah Reese
is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach and assistant girls golf coach
Jeff Perreault
is the Pirate Girls Golf head coach
Wes Hanson is the Pirate Wrestling Head Coach and assistant boys golf coach
Kevin Weber is a Pirate Boys Basketball volunteer assistant coach
Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Sam Melbye is the Pirate Boys J.V. Hockey coach
Chris Dufault is a youth wrestling Coach
Colton Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach

Non-Crookston High School coaching/Admin/etc

Tim Desrosier is an Assistant Coach for Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Pony Boys Basketball

Pat Wolfe is the head wrestling coach for Fosston/Bagley.

Austin Sommerfeld is an Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communication at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.

Collin Reynolds is the head baseball coach for the University of Colorado Buffalo Club Baseball team.

Trent Stahlecker is a School Security Specialist & he works for the Brevard Public Schools, Florida.

Cody Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach at Proctor/Hermantown.

Josh Edlund is the head football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.

Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach at Champlin Park

Jeff Olson is the Head Wrestling Coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.

Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.

Katy (Westrom) Horgen is the Head Boys Tennis coach at Monticello High School.

Matt Harris is an Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Marty Bratrud is the Superintendent and High School Principal at Westhope High School.

Gordie Haug is an assistant football coach at the University of Wyoming.

Mike Hastings is the Wisconsin Badgers Men’s head Hockey coach.

Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Grand Forks Schools.

Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football, volleyball, and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for Bison media relations.

Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College.

Chris Myrold is the Director and Fitness at Mission Ranch and Fitness in Camel, California.

Kyle Buchmeier
is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis

Ben Andringa is serving our country in the Army and is now a Ranger.

Jarrett Butenhoff is serving our country with the U.S. Navy.

Joshua Butenhoff is serving our country on a Submarine with the Pacific Fleet with the US Navy.

Peter Cournia is a 2002 Crookston High School Graduate and a grad of West Point and currently serving in the U.S. Army.

Erik Ellingson is serving our country with the U.S. Air Force at Minot.

Philip Kujawa class of 2004, from Crookston High School. He is an Army recruiter in Rochester.

Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome

That’s it for this week. Thanks for the comments, and if you have anything to add or share, please e-mail chrisjfee@yahoo.com or call. Thanks for reading and listening to KROX RADIO and kroxam.com.

 

The post SPORTS FEEVER – November 23, 2023 appeared first on KROX.

BULLETIN BOARD-NOVEMBER 23, 2023

bulletinboard391366

The Golden Link Senior Center will be closed today and Friday, November 24, in observance of Thanksgiving.

The Crookston Eagles Club will be closed today in observance of Thanksgiving.

City Hall will be closed today and Friday, November 23 and 24, in observance of Thanksgiving.

Garbage Collection for today and tomorrow, November 23 and 24, will be collected on Monday, November 27, in observance of Thanksgiving.

The Polk County Transfer Station will be closed today.  The Transfer Station will be open from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, November 24.

The Annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner will be held today at the Cathedral Dining Room located at 702 Summit Avenue in Crookston.  Drive-through take-out meals will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In-house buffet-style serving will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Please call 218-281-5727 to reserve your traditional Thanksgiving meal. There is no charge for the meal.

The Freedom Christian Academy will host a Thanksgiving Dinner today from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 505 Ward Avenue in Erskine. It’s a free-will donation. Please R.S.V.P. at 218-687-3733 or text 218-280-3137.

The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo on Friday, November 24, starting at 6:30 p.m. This will be a $1,000 must-go jackpot. There will be horse races between games, and the kitchen will serve baskets.

The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo on Saturday, November 25, starting at 2:00 p.m.

The Crookston Home-Delivered meals will be provided by Ag Country Farm Credit Services, Brost Chevrolet, the Crookston Public Library, and Valley Plains Equipment through Friday, December 1.

The Golden Link Senior Center will have NAPS on Monday, November 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by a Lion’s Club meeting with lunch at 12:00 p.m.

The Community Christmas Food Basket Committee is once again helping those Crookston individuals and families who are in need this holiday season. They will be offering a gift card to Hugo’s to purchase food items.  November 27 through December 8, individuals and families can call 218-289-9644 between 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 to register for a Hugo’s gift card. Only 1 gift card per family and address will be given. All gift cards will be mailed out before Christmas.

The Golden Link Senior Center will have a Sit, Stand, and Dance Class on Monday, November 27, starting at 2:00 p.m.

The E.C.F.E. Grandparents Night will be Monday, November 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Washington School. Grandparents or special adult friends are invited to join children ages birth to kindergarten entrance for an evening of particular time together.

Crookston Parks and Recreation and the Crookston Wrestling Club are offering a Free Wrestling Clinic on Monday, November 27, and Wednesday, November 29, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the CHS Wrestling room. This clinic is for Pre-K through grade 6.

The Golden Link Senior Center will have Pinochle and Recycled Cards group on Tuesday, November 28, beginning at 1:00 p.m., followed by SAIL starting at 2:30 p.m.

The Golden Link Senior Center will have Men’s Cards group on Wednesday, November 29, starting at 8:00 a.m., followed by Cribbage at 10:00 a.m.

The Fisher American Legion will have Wednesday Burger Night on Wednesday, November 29.

The Golden Link Senior Center will have SAIL on Thursday, November 30, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

All ages are invited to attend Crookston’s Winter Wonderland event on Thursday, November 30. It starts at 4:00 p.m. in Downtown Crookston, you can get your stockings filled at local businesses and see live reindeer beginning at 5:00 p.m. The lighting of the tree will take place at 6:45 p.m. by the Crookston Rotary. There will also be a free family Christmas movie showing at Grand Theatre beginning at 7:00 p.m. Every event on this day is free.

Historic Crookston’s Winter Wonderland will be on Thursday, November 30. Santa’s Elves will be at Crookston Businesses from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Bring your stockings and get them filled with treats, crafts, and gifts. There will be cookie decorating, Christmas cards, letters to Santa, ornament decorating, S’mores, hot cocoa, and more. From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., there will be live reindeer at the Synergy Center parking lot, sponsored by Bremer Bank and American Crystal Sugar. The lighting of the tree will be 6:45 p.m. by the Crookston Rotary at the Main Street Courtyard. If you have questions, call or text Hallie at 289-4297 or Brian at 289-4831.

The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woods Society will host the inaugural Conservation Banquet on Friday, December 1, at the Crookston Eagles Club from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Proceeds will go toward the conservation of forest wildlife and support for the local chapter.

Garden Valley Technologies Customer Appreciation Day will be Saturday, December 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Erskine

Bygland Lutheran Church will have a Lutefisk and Meatball Dinner Bazaar and Bake Sale on Sunday, December 3, with serving from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost is $20 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. Bygland Lutheran Church is located 8 miles south of East Grand Forks on Highway 220.

Bells of Praise’s 40th Anniversary Celebration Concert will be held Sunday, December 3, at 3:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Crookston. Also performing: Area Women’s Chorus.

The 2023 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will stop in Plummer at the Main Railway crossing on Central Avenue on December 14 at 6:00 p.m. with a performance by professional musicians at 6:15. The CPKC makes a donation at each stop and encourages attendees to donate cash or a non-perishable food donation if they are able.

Tri-Valley Transportation will provide bus transportation to the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train on Thursday, December 14, with stops in Mahnomen at 4:20 PM, Plummer at 6:00 PM, and Thief River Falls at 7:30 PM. The cost is $2 round-trip for riders in Mahnomen, Plummer, and Thief River Falls and $5 round-trip for riders from the other locations. Reserve your ride by Wednesday, December 13, at noon by calling Tri-Valley Transportation at 800-201-3432.

CONTINUING ANNOUNCEMENTS

The RiverView Auxiliary is holding a Mitten Drive in the form of a Mitten Tree now through November 30. The Mitten Tree is located in front of the Limited Addition Gift Shop at RiverView Health. All are invited to “trim” the tree with donations of new children’s winter mittens, gloves, and hats. Please, no scarves. The mittens, gloves, and hats received will be distributed in early December to area schools and given to children who need them. RiverView Health Auxiliary thanks you for your support in warming hearts and hands this season through this important service project.

Cobblestone Hotel and Suites in Crookston will have a Mitten Tree in support of Crookston Family Services through December 30 in loving memory of Kim Samuelson of R.B.J.’s local restaurant. There will be hats, gloves, and scarves for all ages, one item per person.

As the Crookston Care and Share expands, its women’s dormitories are in need of twin bed frames, dressers, lamps, and end tables. Donate: call 218-281-2644.

The Crookston Squadron Civil Air Patrol meets every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Call 218-281-3954 for more information.

Highland Elementary School is looking for new or used winter gloves and snow pants in sizes 8, 9, and 10. If you are interested in donating or have any questions, call 218-281-5600.

Parents of children are invited to register their children for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program provides one book every month to your child from when you enroll until they turn five for FREE. The program is managed by Crookston Public School, and you can register at www.ImaginationLibrary.com.

The Crookston Care and Share is now accepting donations of Women’s, Men’s, and children’s clothing, toiletries, and other everyday items. Donations may be dropped off at the Care and Share Center at 220 East Third Street or call 281-2644. The Donation Room is open to the public on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Fridays from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

RiverView Health Auxiliary will be holding a Mitten Drive in the form of a Mitten Tree through November 30.  The Mitten Tree will be located in front of the Limited Addition Gift Shop at RiverView Health.  The public is invited to “trim” the tree with their donations of new children’s winter mittens, gloves, or hats. Please, no scarves. The mittens, gloves, and hats received will be distributed in early December to the area schools and given to children who need them. RiverView Health Auxiliary thanks you for your support in warming hearts and hands this season through this important service project.

The Crookston Public Library’s Books & Brews Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 6:30 p.m. at Drafts Sports Bar and Grill. They will discuss books and enjoy beverages. Appetizers are provided by the Friends of the Crookston Public Library; participants are responsible for the cost of their food and drinks. All are welcome.

The Crookston Public Library’s Reading by the Red Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 6:30 p.m. They will discuss books and enjoy beverages.

The Crookston Public Library will have StoryTime every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The Golden Link is serving noon lunch Monday through Friday.  All are welcome to dine in between the hours of 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Crookston Friends of the Library meet on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

The Crookston Library Board meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:15 p.m.

The Cove Youth Center in Crookston is open Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Students and parents should call ahead to check the availability of the youth center at 218-470-0149.

The Crookston Care and Share Center’s Donation and New Hope Food Shelf will be open every Monday and Wednesday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and every Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. For more information or to donate, call 218-277-0000.

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ARREST/FIRE REPORT-NOVEMBER 23

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The Northwest Regional Correction Center reported the arrest of the following-

Kevin Richard Vanderplaats, 44, of Mahnomen, for a traffic violation (failure of lights to be displayed on vehicle).

Teejay Ignacio Alvarez, 28, of Fosston, for domestic assault and intent to inflict bodily harm to another.

Devon Bradley Benke, 28, of Middle River, for fourth-degree assault to a peace officer.

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ARREST/FIRE REPORT-NOVEMBER 23

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The Northwest Regional Correction Center reported the arrest of the following-

Kevin Richard Vanderplaats, 44, of Mahnomen, for a traffic violation (failure of lights to be displayed on vehicle).

Teejay Ignacio Alvarez, 28, of Fosston, for domestic assault and intent to inflict bodily harm to another.

Devon Bradley Benke, 28, of Middle River, for fourth-degree assault to a peace officer.

The post ARREST/FIRE REPORT-NOVEMBER 23 appeared first on KROX.

2023 ALL-SECTION 8A FOOTBALL TEAM ANNOUNCED

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The 2023 All-Section 8A Football team has been announced. The team members are listed below –

Mahnomen/Waubun – Mike Weaver, Tanner Stech, Blake McMullen, Brody Lhotka, Jacob Littlewolf
Ada-Borup-West –
Lance Kritzberger, Cameron Spaeth, Austin McCraven, Mason Larson
Red Lake County –
Brock Seeger, Owen Chervestad, Mason Pahlen
Polk County West –
Mike Gapp, Kaven Rohrich, Ryan Sullivan
Bagley –
Noah Nelson, Logan Broten
Red Lake –
Gerald Kingbird Jr, Micah Brun

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NEW MINNESOTA STATE FLAG NARROWED DOWN TO SIX FINALISTS

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The State Emblems Redesign Commission has selected six designs as the basis for the next Minnesota state flag and five designs as the basis for the next state seal. The designs may be modified, including changes to shapes and colors.

Minnesota state flag finalists are F29, F944, F1154, F1435, F1953, and F2100. They are pictured below.

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Minnesota state seal finalists are S2, S6, S27, S147, and S224. They are pictured below.

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The State Emblems Redesign Commission website will be updated shortly to collect input from Minnesotans. The final designs will be made into flags and printed images of seals. The Commission will select the final designs next month.

The State Emblems Redesign Commission was established in the 2023 legislative session to develop and adopt a new design for the official state seal and a new design for the official state flag no later than January 1, 2024.

Designers of the final entries must be contacted prior to releasing their names. Due to the holiday, this process will not take place until next week.

As outlined in state legislation, the Minnesota Historical Society is providing administrative support to the State Emblems Redesign Commission.

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CROOKSTON HIGH SCHOOL FFA BRINGS HOME MORE AWARDS

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The Crookston High School FFA had Region 1 Leadership Development events at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls last week and had a lot of success.

The Conduct of Chapter Meetings team finished first place to make it back-to-back Region 1 champs and are qualified for the state competition. In this event, students complete a demonstration on how to use assigned parliamentary rules in a meeting properly. They also take a written test on the merits of the permissible motions. 

Addisyn Schiller took 4th in Employment Skills. In this contest, members write up a mock job description for a position they would currently be able to apply for. They submit a resume, cover letter, and job application before completing a mock interview. 

Hope Alexander placed 10th in Prepared Public Speaking. Members write a speech about a topic in agriculture and present their address to judges.  The Crookston FFA also had members try out Extemporaneous Public Speaking, where members draw a topic and have 30 minutes to research and give a speech.

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CLIMAX-FISHER VOLLEYBALL HANDS OUT TEAM AND CONFERENCE AWARDS

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The Climax-Fisher Knight Volleyball team handed out its end-of-season awards.

Co-MVP: Peyton Hoffman and Sophia Nesvig
Co-Defensive: Ella Paulsrud and Halle Reitmeier
Offensive MVP: Peyton Hoffman 
Hustle Award: Lucy Paulsrud
Best Teammate: Cambree Solheim
Rookie of the Year: Kinley Korynta 
Most Improved: Claire Erickson
Ace Knight Award: Meah Marshall

Stat Awards:
Most Kills: Peyton Hoffman (343)
Most Assist: Sophia Nesvig (315) 
Most Blocks: Peyton Hoffman (96) 
Most Digs: Ella Paulsrud (369) 
Most Aces: Sophia Nesvig (49) 
Best Serving Percentage: Lucy Paulsrud (96%)
Best Hitting Percentage: Peyton Hoffman (.208%)

ALL-CONFERENCE AWARDS-
All Conference: Peyton Hoffman and Halle Reitmeier 
All Conference Honorable Mention: Ella Paulsrud and Sophia Nesvig

Academic All-State: 
Ella Paulsrud, Ava Larson, Halle Reitmeier, Sophia Nesvig and Cambree Solheim. 

Letter Winners: Ava Larson, Halle Reitmeier, Meah Marshall, Sarah Thoreson, Ella Paulsrud, Cambree Solheim, Sophia Nesvig, Isabelle Reed, Danika Motl, Claire Erickson, Lucy Paulsrud, Peyton Hoffman, and Kinley Korynta. 

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Israel government votes to approve deal for hostage release; short cease fire

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The Israeli government said in a statement late Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government have approved a deal for the release of some of the hostages held by Hamas. The news came after Netanyahu convened his war cabinet to discuss the deal following recent negotiations.

The statement read: “The Government of Israel is obligated to return home all of the hostages. Tonight, the Government has approved the outline of the first stage of achieving this goal, according to which at least 50 hostages – women and children – will be released over four days, during which a pause in the fighting will be held. The release of every additional ten hostages will result in one additional day in the pause.”

CBS News confirmed that the proposed deal, brokered by the U.S. and Qatar, would allow for an initial group of 50 hostages held by Hamas to be released in phases during pauses in the fighting in Gaza. The proposed deal will include a limited pause in the fighting for four or five days, and during the pauses, overheard surveillance will be halted.

Netanyahu said President Biden had joined the effort to improve the outline of the deal: “In recent days, I have spoken with our friend, U.S. President Joe Biden, and I requested his intervention in order to improve the outline that will be presented to you. Indeed, it has been improved to include more hostages and at a lower cost. These talks have been productive. President Biden joined in the effort and I thank him for it.”

The Israeli government said that along with the IDF and Israel’s security services, they would continue the war in order to return home all of the hostages and “complete the elimination of Hamas and ensure that there will be no new threat to the State of Israel from Gaza.”

Editorial credit: BERK CAN / Shutterstock.com

Gunman dead after shooting at Ohio Walmart leaves 4 wounded

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Four people were shot Monday night at a Walmart in Beavercreek, Ohio, by a man who walked in and started firing, before turning the gun on himself. Police said the gunman entered the store at about 8:30 p.m. Monday wielding a Hi-Point 45-caliber Carbine long gun. He shot an undetermined number of rounds, leaving injured victims throughout the building, before turning the weapon on himself, authorities said.

The shooting at the Walmart in Beavercreek injured three women and one man. Police said three of the victims are in critical condition and the fourth victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries, in an update Tuesday morning. Authorities declined to release the identities of the victims, including their races. FBI Cincinnati Field Office Assistant Special Agent Zrinka Dilber said the FBI is looking at the shooter’s background and motivation. and asked the public to assist the FBI by calling and providing any tips

Beavercreek Mayor Bob Stone said during a Tuesday news conference: “Tragedy struck our beloved community Monday evening, and, in the face of adversity, the strength of our community shines through.” Walmart said it was working closely with investigators to try to determine why the shooter, identified as 20-year-old Benjamin Charles Jones, of Dayton, opened fire. Walmart said in a statement: “We’re heartbroken by what’s happened at our Beavercreek, Ohio, store. This remains a developing situation, and we’re working closely with investigators on the scene.”

It was the second shooting in 24 hours to take place at a store operated by the retail giant. On Sunday night in Alaska, a man shot and killed a woman before fatally shooting himself outside a Walmart in Anchorage, Alaska. Police in Anchorage said Tuesday it was a domestic-violence related crime.

Editorial credit: Scott Cornell / Shutterstock.com