SPORTS FEEVER by Chris Fee of KROX Radio – chrisjfee@yahoo.com
Should Caitlin Clark be left off the Team USA Women’s Basketball team for the Paris Olympics this summer?
Yes.
She isn’t good enough YET at that level. She is on a turrible (as Charles Barkley would say) team with turrible teammates, but she still isn’t good enough, strong enough, tough enough……YET. If she gets as good as I think she will be four years from now, she will probably be the captain of the 2028 L.A. Olympic team. But, so far this year, she hasn’t shown she is one of the top 12 players in the WNBA. Imagine a Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers backcourt in L.A. in 2028. I will try to get tickets for the Olympics in what will probably be the hottest ticket that year.
If I was NBC, I wouldn’t be happy with the decision because the move will cost a lot of viewers, but kudos to the committee for making a very hard decision and putting what they felt was the best team on the court.
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The Crookston High School Summer Weight Room will be open at the following times for CHS student-athletes.
(Grade Levels are based on the grade you will be in next school year)
6:30 am – 8:00 am (Monday – Friday) – Grades 10th-12th
8:00 am – 9:30 am (Monday – Friday) – Grades 10th- 12th
10:00 am – 11:00 am (Monday, Tuesday & Thursday) – Grades 7th- 9th
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The Crookston High School Hall of Fame has announced the Class of 2024 inductees –
1974-75 Volleyball Team
This group of 13 young women were the District 31 and Region 8 champions and participated in the first-ever Minnesota State High School Girls Volleyball Tournament. Advancing as the Region 8 Champions and as only one of eight teams to compete at state, they returned home as the first-ever State Volleyball Consolation Champions. Beyond tournament success they finished their regular season play 13-1. Team members are: Lynnette Bakken Griffith, Bonita Erickson Rakoczy, Julie Gumlia Marvel, Paula Hirsh Koeller, Carole Hohman, Terry Lanctot Horgeshimer, Kari Opgrand Hedman, Sue Ross Atkins, Karen Steinbrink Bates, Martha Eickhof Monfried, Dorinda Faul Barker, Sally Westburg Acosta, Manager Deb Gaber and Coach Bette Jacobson Zaffke.
1974-75 Girls Basketball Team
Several of the girls’ volleyball players are also members of this high-achieving team. As the first CHS Girls’ Basketball Team to advance to state in the first ever Minnesota State High School League “Winter” Championship, they advanced to the semi-finals, losing by a last-second basket. Like the volleyball team, prior to the playoffs, they finished their regular season play 13-1. Team members are: Lynnette Bakken Griffith, Bonita Erickson Rakoczy, Julie Gumlia Marvel, Paula Hirsh Koeller, Carole Hohman, Terry Lanctot Horgeshimer, Kari Opgrand Hedman, Sue Ross Atkins, Karen Steinbrink Bates, Nancy Arneson Neal, Darlene Brown Scheving, Kari Roelofs Thompson, Meg Schnabel, Kathy Wimpheimer, Susan Dickel Minsberg, Manager Lynette Krogstad and Coach Lynn Dorn.
Julie Gumlia Marvel
A member of both the volleyball and girls’ basketball teams, Julie was also a very talented golfer. She won the 1971 Minnesota Women’s Match Play Championship at 14 years old, breaking Patty Berg’s record for the youngest winner in state history. Julie also won the 1975 Minnesota State Amateur (at age 18) and earned runner-up three times. In addition, during her high school years, Julie was a two-time Minnesota State Junior Champion. She played collegiately at the University of Minnesota and later Arizona State University, winning numerous collegiate tournaments including being co-champions at the 1978 Big Ten Championship (individual and team title). Her national highlight was winning the 1979 prestigious North-South Amateur.
Throughout her career Julie remained active in athletics and continued her passion for sport supporting her son as a professional baseball player.
Jackie Clemens Lindsay
Another beneficiary of Title IX is Jackie Clemens Lindsay. Prior to moving to Crookston with her husband and daughters, Jackie participated in volleyball, basketball and softball at North Dakota State University in the early 1970’s. Over the last 40 years, Jackie has served the students and athletes of Crookston as a para-educator and volleyball, basketball, and softball coach. Jackie’s four decades of dedication to girls’ athletics positively impacted numerous student-athletes as she was amentor and an exceptional role model.
Kamille Wahlin Meyer
Kamille is a 2008 graduate of Crookston High School where she participated in basketball and track. She was a four-year starter for the basketball Pirates and led them to the state tournament in 2006 and 2008 while setting many individual and team records. Highly touted for her guard play and court leadership, Kamille earned a starting role all four years for the University of Iowa. Believed to be the first Hawkeye freshman to ever record a double-double in her first career start (14 points, 10 assists vs. Michigan on Jan. 26, 2009) Kamille finished her career ranked second in career 3-pointers (230). We know this skill at the University of Iowa is revered.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 17, at Crookston High School. A social hour will start at 1:00 p.m., and the program will begin at 2:00 p.m. Ticket information will be available in early August.
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The Section 8A Baseball Championship turned out to be a great game with an ending that had people talking. Sacred Heart beat Red Lake County on a balk for a 2-1 victory. I talked to people who were at the game who had seen the play live or had seen the video, and it was a balk. Obviously, nobody wants to lose a game on a balk, but Sacred Heart is no stranger to putting opposing pitchers in that predicament. I have been broadcasting Section 8A Baseball tournament games for over 20 years, and over the last handful of years, I have seen Sacred Heart force a balk or steal home on the exact situation. It is exactly why they do it, to catch the opposing pitcher off-guard and force them into a tough spot. It is aggressive, and the other team I have seen put pressure on opposing pitchers over the years with their baserunning.
Sacred Heart will take on Lyle-Pacelli in the first round of the State Class A Baseball tournament.
Sacred Heart is 19-3 on the year, while Lyle-Pacelli is 22-2.
Sacred Heart is making its 10th state tournament appearance, previously making it to state in 2005, 2006, 2018, 2019, and 2022.
Lyle-Pacelli is making its second state tournament appearance after finishing runner-up last year.
I think it will come down to hitting, and whichever team is able to score a few runs will win.
You can hear all the Sacred Heart state games on KROX Radio.
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The Fertile-Beltrami Falcon Boys Golf team won the 2024 Class A Minnesota State Boys Golf Tournament at Pebble Creek Golf Course in Becker.
Fertile-Beltrami shot a first-round 320 and shot a second-round 307 for a 627, which was eight strokes better than runner-up Walker Hackensack-Akeley.
It is the third boys golf state championship in four years (2021, 2022, 2024) for the Falcons. All the results are below –
TEAM SCORES –
1. Fertile-Beltrami – 627
2. Walker-Hackensack-Akeley – 635
3. Legacy Christian Academy – 637
4. Park Christian – 646
5. Fillmore Central – 649
6. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton – 658
7. Dawson-Boyd – 695
8. Lakeview – 701
Fertile-Beltrami individual scores – (place- name- score)
10. Masen Nowacki – 153
18. Derek Sorenson – 157
20. Daniel Ivanov – 158
22. Caiden Swenby – 160
47. Gavin Aakhus – 167
59. Hunter Doyea – 173
Area individual scores – (Place – name – score)
14. Gaven Brown (Cass Lake-Bena) – 156
22. Dominic Fairbanks (Cass Lake-Bena) – 160
41. Blake McMullen (Mahnomen/Waubun) – 165
50. Danyn Janousek (BGMR) – 168
60. James Palmer (Bagley) – 174
62. Ty Grinsteiner (BGMR) – 175
77. Masen Swenson (BGMR) – 183
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The Red Lake Falls Eagle Softball team won the Class A State Softball Consolation Championship last week. They beat Blooming Prairie 9-1 before beating Moose Lake-Willow River 2-0 to win the championship.
Quinnlyn Kenfield and Kylie Klipping were named to the All-Tournament team.
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The 2024 Section 8AA All-Section Team has been announced. The players named to the team are below –
DGF – Autum Leach, Lola Garret, Katie Kittelson, Makayla Bjelland
Wadena-Deer Creek – Jada Dykhoff, Montana Carsten, Jenna Dykhoff
Menahga – Joie Koll, Janelle Hendrickson, Alli Anderson
Hawley – Eagan Hastings, Hannah Stotts, Alex Guderjahn
Thief River Falls – Sophia Kraemer, Carlie Rogalla
Barnesville – Lydia Braton, Macie Pauna
East Grand Forks – Karlee Walsh
Perham – Morgan Smith
Breckenridge – Mia Dodge
Crookston – Emily Bowman
Park Rapids – Allie Rowland
Roseau – Payton Remick
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Gentry Academy Girls Hockey has announced that it will co-op with Tartan and North High School next school year.
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The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team had five student-athletes named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team.
The Golden Eagles were represented by: Mitch Goodwin (Sr., Prior Lake), Teddy Giefer (Sr., Courtland), Sawyer Satrom (So., Portland, N.D.), Brody Sorenson (Sr., Grand Forks, N.D.), and Jake Osowski (Sr., East Grand Forks).
The five honorees are the first Golden Eagles to receive CSC Academic All-District honors since Jesse Jennings in 2015.
Goodwin finished his career at Minnesota Crookston with a 3.58 GPA. He earned his marketing degree from UMC in May. Goodwin started 51 games at shortstop as a sophomore. He hit .264, with 37 runs scored, 12 doubles, two triples, six home runs, and 36 RBIs.
Giefer posted a 3.87 GPA. He received his natural resources degree in May. Giefer was an All-NSIC First Team selection in 2024. He hit .353, with 37 runs scored, 14 doubles, eight home runs, and 52 RBIs. Giefer earned the NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction award.
Satrom had a 3.88 GPA in agricultural business. Satrom started 51 games at third base last season. He was an All-NSIC Defensive Team selection. Satrom hit .326, with 43 runs scored, seven doubles, one triple, two home runs, and 26 RBIs.
Sorenson finished his career with a 3.88 GPA in exercise science and wellness. He earned back-to-back All-NSIC Second Team nods. Sorenson was an NSIC Honor Student-Athlete in 2024. He earned the NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction award. Sorenson went 7-1 as a senior, with a 4.48 ERA in 72.1 innings pitched. He struck out 69, and walked 11. Sorenson earned his degree in May 2024.
Osowski had a 3.55 GPA in exercise science and wellness. He was an All-NSIC Second Team honoree in 2024. Osowski is the winningest pitcher in Minnesota Crookston history. He went 9-1 as a senior, with a 4.14 ERA in 76 innings pitched. Osowski struck out 67, and walked 23. He earned his degree in May 2024.
Osowski, Sorenson, and Giefer meet the criteria to move on to the CSC Academic All-America ballot. Results will be released July 2.
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The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s golf team and head coach Brad Heppner announced the signing of Marc Bofarull Ballesté (Barcelona, Spain).
The Golden Eagles add Bofarull Ballesté to an already solid roster that includes Layton Bartley (Sr., Fargo, N.D.), Carson Shultis (Jr., Fargo, N.D.), Lukas Justesen (Sr., Detroit Lakes) and Connor Czirjak (So., Calgary, Alberta).
Bofarull Ballesté was a standout for the Warriors in 2023-24 and was named to the First Team All-Conference in the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference, being the first Warrior since 2017 to garner that honor. Bofarull Ballesté finished eighth individually at the WHAC Conference Championships.
Bofarull Ballesté is the son of Francis Ballesté and Jordi Bofarull. He was named to the Dean’s List in the fall of 2023.
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The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball team is holding a Development Camp for grades 3-8 July 17-19 at Lysaker Gymnasium. The cost of the camp is $100. It will run from 1-3 p.m. If you are interested in registering for the camp please visit mensbasketball.umcsportscamps.com. For any questions please contact Assistant Coach Tim Lubke at lubke008@umn.edu.
Campers will receive instruction from the Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball staff. The camp will help with skill development for kids going into grades 3-8. It is catered to both boys and girls interested in participating.
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JOKES
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How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
****LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST. Email me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com
Emilee Tate is a freshman playing Softball at Northland Community and Technical College.
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
Emilee Tate is the Pirate 7th grade volleyball coach.
Todd Miner is a Pirate Football assistant coach.
Ben Parkin is the head Pirate Baseball 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
Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Sam Melbye is the Pirate Boys J.V. Hockey coach
Chris Dufault is a youth wrestling Coach
Non-Crookston High School coaching/Admin/etc
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.
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