SPORTS FEEVER – August 22, 2024 | KROX

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

The Red Lake Warrior High School Football team is getting an experience of a lifetime this week. Coach Nolan Desjarlait and the team were invited to the Nike kickoff classic, where they were flown to Nike headquarters in Oregon. They have been practicing and getting the experience of a lifetime. Red Lake players have met T. J. Houshmandzadeh and will attend a Seattle Seahawks practice and then practice on the field after that.

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The Crookston School District multi-use complex construction continues, and progress is being made. In the last week, the turf installation has started, the scoreboard installation is almost complete, and other noticeable progress has been made.

“Exciting times as most people that have driven by have seen rolls of turf in the parking lot, and those are slim to none left, so most of the turf has been laid, and most of it will be down this evening (Monday), and they will work on finishing the turf,” said Crookston High School Activities Director Nate Lubarski. “It looks gorgeous, and we will do a pre-walkthrough to ensure everything is in the right spot, as far as lines are concerned, softball batter boxes, and other kinds of things. But yeah, it looks gorgeous out here.”

The scoreboard and video board have been installed, and the speaker system and a sign with “Home of the Pirates” at the top will be installed on Tuesday. “They are making their way piece by piece from the bottom to the top, so they are almost up to the top,” said Lubarski. “It’s stunning. It is large, and it will be very fun for our athletes to perform, have the scoreboard on, and have our community come out to watch a game.”

The bathroom and concession stand building is coming along nicely. “They keep plugging away. The plumbers are in there, and they are Tyveking right now on the walls and getting ready to put siding on the outside. Electricians are in there working too,” said Lubarski. “There is a pretty big concrete pour that will go outside the concession stand, which is kind of a small plaza area. I think it will be nice for people to hang out once they get their concessions, so there is a little concrete left to be poured, but they are working on it, and they are working hard for sure.”

The pole vault, long and triple jump, high jump, discus, and shot put areas are all being worked on behind the stands/pressbox and to the north of the field and track. “It looks like they will be pouring the rings for the shot pretty soon, along with the slab for the visitor’s press box,” said Lubarski. “The visitor’s press box won’t go up this year, but we will get the slab poured so we can move some of the bleachers from the soccer field here.”

The big question everybody keeps asking is when will the project be complete. “We are on schedule. We get updates every Wednesday, and I have a feeling this Wednesday will be a pretty good meeting,” said Lubarski. “With all the turf being down and finding out how much time is left on the turf. All the bags of pellets have to go on the turf, and it looks like it is almost done, but it’s not there yet.”

Two of the big things left are completing the bathroom/concessions building and installing the top of the track.

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Crookston School District Activities Director Nate Lubarski has announced the hiring of Reed Olson as the new Pirate Girls Hockey Coach, pending school board approval at its next meeting.

Olson is a 2017 graduate of Grand Forks Red River High School, where he played hockey, baseball, and soccer for the Roughriders. He played club hockey at the University of North Dakota where he graduated with a biology degree in 2021.

Olson is currently working as a Patient Access Coordinator at Rural Psychiatric Associates as he gets hours in with the goal of going to medical school.

He was a volunteer assistant coach for the Grand Forks Bantam A team and looks forward to taking over the helm of the Pirate Girls Hockey program.

Olson said you can expect a hard-working team under his leadership. “The team is going to work hard, and practices will be tough,” said Olson. “We will be more aggressive on the forecheck and try to make the opponent make mistakes and take advantage of that.”

Olson said they are planning to play an even more competitive schedule this year and believe they have the tools to advance to a state tournament this winter.

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PIRATE VOLLEYBALL (32 out 9-12)
Seniors (7) – Emily Bowman, Mackenzie Funk, Naomi Johnson, Carley Knutson, Makenna Kopecky, Joey Nesseth, Dukess Ramirez
Juniors (4) – Jasmine Blow, Jorja Hebert, Emma LaPlante, Rhianna Moore
Sophomores (11) – Madilyn Abrams, Rylee Anderson, Brylee Darco, Adalyn Hanson, Jalejanie Hebert, Jocelyn Johnson, Brea Lessard, Isabel Pahlen, Rebecca Rodriguez, Addisyn Schiller, Allysen Wagner
Freshman (10) – Ella Anderson, Rilynn Aubol, Abigail Bruley, Cadence Corona, Madalyn Hanson, Lundyne Hebert, Makenzie Ness, Leia Parkin, Lana Peterson, Jayde Uttermark

FOOTBALL (28 out 9-12)  (Junior High 7-8 has 31 out)
Seniors (7) – Riley Helgeson, Daniel Jaime, Parker Kelly, Rylan Lubarski, Teagen Lubinski, Hunter Nicholas, Bradyn Peterson
Juniors (10) – Zach Ali, Jose Arriaga, Miles Corneillie, Tate Hamre, Antonio Lamb-Campos, Wyatt Marsyla, Lennon Prudhomme, Masen Reitmeier, Casey Weiland, Marcoz Zapata
Sophomores (3) – Juan Ramirez, Asavior Ramos, Landon Meier
Freshman (8) – Mauricio Arriaga, Kolton Bahrenfuss, Travis Blackbird, Lukas Helgeson, Kyle Huffman, Jaron Knutson, Tucker Lubinski, Cameron Martin

BOYS SOCCER (35 out for 7-12)
Seniors (8) – Michael Bochow, Jack Buhler, Brandon Colborn, Matthew Contreras, Jack Everett, Conner Hanson, Jayden Mulvey, Lincoln Waldal
Juniors (13) – Ryker Arnold, Jace Bruggeman, Nolan Cassavant, Carter Fee, Gunnar Groven, Kahnen Hanson, Jay Reese, Caden Sanders, Makoti Weber, Sam Widseth, Peter Wiersma, Reggie Winjum, Cade Wisk
Sophomores (7) – Aiden Delage, Grant Funk, Aaron Gosse, Ethan Lanctot, Colton Osborn, Aidan Weiland, Alex Zammert
Freshman (3) – John Lisov, Ivan Luckow, Evan Wagner
8^TH Grade (1) – Tyrese Middleton
7^th Grade (3) – Trevor Hassel, Hayden Ricard, Ian Swanson
Manager – Julia Buhler, Mykayla Garcia

GIRLS TENNIS (38 out in 6-12)
Seniors (5) – Paige Abrahamson, Kaylie Clauson, Addie Fee, Mariah Overgaard, Georgia Sanders
Juniors (10) – Madelyn Anderson, Ashlyn Bailey, Chloe Boll, Logan Brekken, Emelia Hoerner, Emma LaPlante, Ava Martin, Taylor Schultz, Lucy Smith, Taylor Wieland.
Sophomores (2) – Avery Matthews, Katie Seaver
Freshman (5) – Grace Boll, Sylvia Christensen, Peyton Demarais, Nora Groven, Alyssa Johnson
8^th graders (7) – Kaylen Bedard, Hamsini Chanda, Eva Gosse, Gianna Lubarski, Catelyn Maruska, Makenna Peterson, Ellie Rowan
7^th graders (7) – Ella Capistran, Brigit Groven, Haddie Halland, Elsie Mathews, Sydnee Overgaard, Lauren Tull, Korynn Uttermark
6^th Graders (2) – Alessandra Kollin, Ruby Martin
Managers (2) – Kendra Brekken, Evelyn Gunderson

GIRLS SOCCER (27 out 6-12)
Seniors (5) – Miryah Epema, Madeline Harbott, Naomi Johnson, Joslyn Wallace, Hattie Weiland
Juniors (3) – Madelyn Knutson, Makayla Tahran, Nashelle Tellez Vasquez
Sophomores (4) – Alicia Bartrum, Aubrey Bartrum, Emily Saucedo, Brooklyn Waldal
Freshman (6) – Allison Abeld, Lilliana Bridgeford, Nevahlee Bruce, Shyuh Burnette, Hailey Fritz, Brittyn Sanders
8^th Graders (3) – Anna Heldstab, Jennika Reese, Kinsley Wangen
7^th Graders (4) – Calianna Donarski, Keira McEndree, Kenya Rodriguez, Lainee Wagner
6^th Graders (2) – Kambree Wangen, Hilary Weber

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The Crookston High School Hall of Fame inducted the Class of 2024 inductees on Saturday, August 17. It was a well-attended ceremony, and some outstanding women deservedly entered the Pirate Hall of Fame.

1974-75 Volleyball Team
This group of 13 young women was the District 31 and Region 8 champions and participated in the first-ever Minnesota State High School Girls Volleyball Tournament, finishing in fifth place. 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. The girls’ basketball team advanced to the semi-finals of the first Minnesota State High School Girls Winter Basketball Championship. Team members are:Lynnette Bakken Griffith, Bonita Erickson Rakoczy, Julie Gumlia Marvel, PaulaHirsh Koeller, Carole Hohman, Terry Lanctot Horgeshimer, Kari Opgrand Hedman, Sue Ross Atkins, Karen Steinbrink Bates, Nancy Arneson Neal, Darlene BrownScheving, Lynette Krogstad, Kari Roelofs Thompson, Meg Schnabel, Kathy Wimpheimer, Susan Dickel Minsberg and Coach Lynn Dorn.

Julie Gumlia Marvel
A member of both the volleyball and girls’ basketball teams, Julie was also a very talented golfer. At 14, she won the 1971 Minnesota Women’s Match Play Championship. Julie qualified for the 1972, 73, and 74 USGA National Junior Championships and continued golfing at the University of Minnesota and Arizona State University after high school, garnering many awards both individually and as a team. Julie remained active in sports in her career and in her free time.

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 1970s. Over the last 40 years, Jackie has served the students and athletes of Crookston as a para-educator and volleyball, basketball, and softball coach.

Kamille Wahlin Meyer
Kamille graduated from Crookston High School in 2008, where she played basketball and track. She was a four-year starter for the Crookston Pirates basketball team and led them to the state tournament in 2006 and 2008, setting many individual and team records. Following high school, Kamille started all four years at the University of Iowa.

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The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s golf team was slated to finish seventh in the annual NSIC Men’s Golf Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

Minnesota State was picked to finish in first place with six first place votes, while Winona State and Concordia-St. Paul round out the top three. The Golden Bears earned two first place votes, while Sioux Falls, who was picked to finish fifth, earned a solo vote.

Sioux Falls senior Mason Weeks was picked as the NSIC Men’s Golf Preseason Golfer of the Year.

Lukas Justesen (Sr., Detroit Lakes, Minn.) was tabbed as the student-athlete to watch for the Golden Eagles. The senior finished last season in a tie for 12^th at the NSIC Tournament and had an average round of 75.6.

The Golden Eagles will open the season on September 9 for a two-day tournament at ‘The Mule’ in Warrensburg, Mo. The Golden Eagles have six fall tournaments.

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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 Sophomore on the University of Wisconsin-Stout Women’s Rugby team.

Grace Fischer is a Sophomore 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 Junior on the Hockey Cheer Team for THE University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Hockey team.

Emma Osborn is a Junior playing basketball at the University of Minnesota Crookston.

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

Aleah Bienek is a Junior 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

Carmen (Kreibich) Johnson is the head Little Falls Volleyball coach.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach at Champlin Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Grand Forks Schools.

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

Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.