Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Lynx's Whalen Named Western Conference Player of the Week


MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The WNBA today named Minnesota Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, June 22 through Sunday, June 28. The Player of the Week award is Whalen's third with Minnesota and the seventh of her career.

Whalen began her week by contributing 16 points and a game-high six assists in the June 25 victory at Seattle. Ten of her points came in the second quarter and sparked a rally that saw the Lynx erase an 18-point deficit, the largest comeback to win on the road in franchise history. Whalen then led all scorers with 21 points in the June 27 triumph over Phoenix, her 28th 20+ point effort in a Lynx uniform (52nd career) and the third time this year she's been Minnesota's top scorer.

The point guard shot 53.6% from the field during the week and made all six of her free-throw attempts in the two wins, helping the Lynx improve to 7-2 on the season. So far this season, Whalen currently ranks seventh in the WNBA in assists (4.1 apg), fourth in free-throw accuracy (96.8%) and fourth among guards in field-goal accuracy (48.4%). 

Chicago's Elena Delle Donne was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week. 

The Lynx play next on Friday, July 3 at Target Center against the Seattle Storm. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT and the game can be seen on WNBA LiveAccess and heard on BOB 106.1 FM.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

UMC to hold Mark Olsonawski Scholarship Golf Tournament June 25 in Hallock

CROOKSTON, Minn.-  The University of Minnesota Crookston Teambackers will hold the annual Mark Olsonawski Scholarship Golf Tournament sponsored by United Valley Bank of Hallock, Thur. June 25, 2015 at Two River Golf Club in Hallock, Minn.

The tournament will benefit the Mark Olsonawski Endowed Scholarship established at UMC. Last year’s tournament was a major success, bringing in $3,200 towards athletic scholarships for the Golden Eagles. The UMC Teambackers recognize the contribution former UMC football player Mark Olsonawski made during his time as a student-athlete. Olsonawski is a member of the UMC Hall of Fame, inducted in 2004. He was a three-time All-American for Minnesota Crookston and holds multiple records for the Golden Eagles.

The format of the tournament will be a Texas Scramble with registration beginning at 9 a.m. at Two Rivers Golf Club. The tournament will commence at 10 a.m. and will be limited to the first 80 golfers. All teams will play 18 holes. Individuals without a pre-assembled team will be assigned to a team. A cash bar will be available to tournament competitors at the conclusion. Brats will be served on the course and a beverage cart will also be available.

Several businesses are sponsoring contests for the tournament. Crop Insurance Associates of Hallock will sponsor a Closest to the Pin competition. True North Equipment of Kennedy, Minn., will sponsor a longest drive competition. AgCountry Farm Credit Services of Hallock will sponsor a longest putt competition.

In addition, Northstar Genetics of Hallock, AgriSports of Lancaster, Minn., and Norby’s Work Perks of Grand Forks, N.D. will be the Clubhouse Sponsors. Food will be provided by the Farmers Store of Hallock.

Contact Garrett Kollin of UMC Development & Alumni Relations with any questions about the tournament at 218-281-8436.

UMC Baseball Adds Five Student-Athletes to Signing Class



CROOKSTON, Minn.-  The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team announced the addition of five student-athletes to their 2015 signing class. The Golden Eagles have added Esten Beneda (RHP, 6-2 215, Lankin, N.D./Fordville-Lankin H.S.), Skyler Carlson (LHP, 6-1 215, Thompson, N.D./Lake Region State College, Andrew Myer (2B/SS, 5-9 170, Fargo, N.D./Fargo South H.S.), Jeremy Spinner (2B/SS, 5-8 140, Phoenix, Ariz./Dakota College at Bottineau (N.D.) and Anthony Stewart (OF, 5-10 154, Oak Harbor, Wash./Southeast Community College (Neb.). All five have signed either National Letters of Intent or Institutional Letters of Intent to play for the Golden Eagles beginning during the 2016 season.

The five additions to the signing class bring the overall total to 18 incoming players for the Golden Eagles. The Golden Eagles have added eight junior college signees and 10 high school signees. The incoming UMC players will join 25 returnees for the Golden Eagles to give UMC 43 student-athletes heading into their Fall exhibition schedule.

All signees are contingent upon admission to UMC and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Everyone released today has signed their National Letter of Intent prior to release of information.

Esten Beneda (RHP, 6-2 215. Lankin, N.D./Fordville-Lankin H.S.)

Beneda has been a three-time All-Region pick for Park River/Fordville-Lankin H.S. He also competed for the football and basketball teams. As a member of the football team, Beneda was a First Team All-Region selection during his final two seasons. He was named Player of the Game on numerous occasions in all three sports.

Beneda is the son of Jon and Lori and Beneda. He was born March 4, 1997. Beneda plans to major in agricultural business. His aunt Angela Cost was a basketball player at UMC. His uncle, Bryan Malone played baseball for the Golden Eagles. Beneda’s mother Lori played basketball and softball at Valley City State University.

“We are very high on Esten because of his natural ability,” Gust said. “He is a super student-athlete, excelling on the field and in the classroom. He will need some time, but we believe the sky is the limit for Esten.”

Skyler Carlson (LHP, 6-1 215, Thompson, N.D./Lake Region State College

Carlson gives UMC a third left-handed arm for the 2016 season. Carlson played junior college baseball at Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, N.D. As a sophomore, he appeared in eight games with seven starts with 34.1 innings pitched. Carlson had 57 strikeouts on the season and had a 3-3 mark with two complete games. Carlson also hit for Lake Region State, batting .307 with one home run and 22 runs batted in (RBI’s). As a freshman, he appeared in 18.1 innings pitched with four starts with 22 strikeouts and a 5.40 earned runs average (ERA). Carlson was an All-Region II pick at Thompson Public School in 2012 and 2013. As a senior, Carlson hit .447 with 15 runs batted in.

Carlson is the son of Bruce and Peggy Carlson. He was born April 10, 1995 and plans to major in sports and rec management.

“Skyler is just now developing as a pitcher,” Gust said. “He had a good junior college career but we believe he has potential to be even more effective. With further development and maturing, he can be a key piece in building our program.”

Andrew Myer (2B/SS, 5-9 170, Fargo, N.D./Fargo South H.S.)

Myer was an All-Eastern Dakota Conference selection for Fargo South H.S. He is a left-handed hitter and hit .338 last season for the Bruins. Myer also played soccer and hockey. He was named Offensive Player of the Year for Fargo South H.S.

He is the son of Alicia and Gary Myer and was born Jan. 1, 1997. Myer plans to major in business
administration. His brother Anthony Myer played at Valley City State University.

“Andrew has some really good attributes,” Gust said. “He has good defensive skills and hits from the left side, two attributes we’re looking to fill for the upcoming season. He has some improving to do, but he’s the type of student-athlete that can do some good things for us in due time.”

Jeremy Spinner (2B/SS, Phoenix, Ariz./Dakota College at Bottineau (N.D.)

Spinner led the team as a freshman with a .320 batting average with 18 runs scored. He also had 13 runs batted in, with three doubles and three triples. Spinner started 31 games for Dakota College as a freshman. He was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player for his junior college team. In high school, he played four years of baseball for Cortez H.S. He was also on the varsity football team for two seasons.

Spinner is the son of Gary and Kristy Spinner. He was born Jan. 21, 1995. Spinner plans to major in elementary education.

“Jeremy has the desire and passion we are looking for in our program,” Gust said. “He adds some muchneeded depth and will be given an opportunity to help us as we build our program.”

Anthony Stewart (OF, 5-10 154, Oak Harbor, Wash./Southeast C.C. (Neb.)

Stewart played junior college baseball at Southeast C.C. in Beatrice, Neb, where he was an All-Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference pick. Southeast C.C. went 42-21 during the 2015 season, winning the Region XIII Tournament with a 7-2 victory over Dakota County Community College. His team also competed in the North Plains District Tournament. Stewart started 26 games with 10 runs scored and 12 stolen bases as a sophomore. As a freshman, he appeared in 34 games with seven runs scored and nine runs batted in (RBI’s) with six stolen bases.

Stewart is the son of Phillipian and Kelly Stewart. He was born Aug. 30, 1995.

“Anthony’s speed, arm strength and defensive abilities are top notch,” Gust said. “He comes from a great junior college program so we expect him to compete for serious playing time from day one.”

The newcomers join a team who accomplished a lot in Gust’s first season leading the team. The Golden Eagles went 14-36, breaking their overall wins mark of 10 set during the 2012 season. They went 8-26 in league play and broke the conference wins mark, as well for the University, set during the 2003 season.

The Golden Eagles return one of their strongest senior classes in recent history including starters in the field Ryan Haggstrom (1B/RHP, Apple Valley, Minn.), Kenny Perez (DH/IF, Orlando, Fla.), Thomas Kinsella (IF, North Branch, Minn.), Colton Haight (C/OF, Rogers, Minn.) and Dalton Parks (OF, West Valley City, Utah). Haggstrom and Perez led the team in hitting, with Haggstrom hitting .346, while Perez batted .341. Haggstrom was also an ace in the field earning the NSIC Gold Glove at first base with a .995 fielding percentage

UMC’s rotation will also be led by several senior returnees including starters Nolan Wahlberg (RHP, Blaine, Minn.), Jarad Nelson (RHP, Karlstad, Minn.), Luke Thoma (RHP, Little Falls, Minn.) and Trevor Buttermore (RHP, North St. Paul, Minn.). Wahlberg led the team with a 6-4 mark and a 4.53 earned runs average in 77.2 innings pitched.

With the additions, UMC has strengthened several areas including pitching, where the Golden Eagles currently sit at 19 pitchers for the 2016 season. The Golden Eagles had 13 pitchers for the 2015 season. The Golden Eagles have also added depth at several spots including the middle infield, catcher and third base, along with other areas.

2015 Recruiting Class
High School
Nate Albrecht (LHP/1B, 6-1 215, Wahpeton, N.D./Wahpeton H.S.)
Esten Beneda (RHP, 6-2 215, Lankin, N.D./Fordville-Lankin H.S.)
Reed Hjelle (1B, 6-2 195, East Grand Forks, Minn./East Grand Forks H.S.)
Aaron Hollcraft (LHP, 5-11 175, Crookston, Minn./Crookston H.S.)
Andrew Myer (2B/SS, 5-9 170, Fargo, N.D./Fargo South H.S.)
Eric Newman (RHP, 6-3 188, Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo H.S.)
Wyatt Peppel (OF, 6-0 225, Greenbush, Minn./Badger-Middle River-Greenbush H.S.)
Clarke Peterson (C, 5-6 175, East Grand Forks, Minn./East Grand Forks H.S.)
Zach Seipel (C, 6-2 185, Eagan, Minn./Eagan H.S.)
Trevor Seis (3B, 6-0 210, Antigo, Wis./Antigo H.S.)

Junior College
Jason Angelo (2B/SS, 5-10 170, Manteca, Calif./City College of San Francisco)
Jacob Butcher (RHP, 6-0 175, Palmer, Alaska/Blue Mountain College)
Skyler Carlson (LHP, 6-1 215, Thompson, N.D./Lake Region State College)
Zac Carrillo (RHP, 6-1 180, Stockton, Calif./City College of San Francisco
Matthew Dallas (RHP, 6-0 175, Boise, Idaho/Blue Mountain College)
David Olson (C, 6-1 195, Stillwater, Minn./Vermillion C.C.)
Jeremy Spinner (2B/SS, 5-8 140, Phoenix, Ariz./Dakota College at Bottineau)
Anthony Stewart (OF, 5-10 154, Oak Harbor, Wash./Southeast Community College)

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

NDSU/Montana Football Ticket Request Form Open June 15-30



FARGO, N.D. – The Bison Ticket Office will accept ticket requests online June 15-30 for North Dakota State’s season-opening football game at Montana scheduled for 1:30 p.m. MT on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula.
 
Tickets are $70 each (including fees) and will be awarded based on NDSU’s priority points system.  The maximum request per account is four tickets.
 
Requests will be accepted on GoBison.com beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, June 15, through 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 30.  Notifications will be emailed Monday, July 13.  Payments are due Friday, July 31.
 
The game is the second annual “FCS Kickoff” and will be televised live on ESPN.
 
Defending four-time FCS champion North Dakota State defeated Montana, which has seven FCS title game appearances, 22-10 last season in Fargo.  It was the first meeting between the programs since 2003, when NDSU won 25-24 in Missoula.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

MN State Baseball Tournament Preview



            In the 16th year of a three-class format, all three 2014 champions return to defend their titles. New Life Academy of Woodbury is looking for its second consecutive title in Class A. St. Cloud Cathedral is seeking its second consecutive title in Class AA. Mounds View returns in search of a third consecutive championship in Class AAA.
            Five teams qualified for the first time this year: Lewiston-Altura, Brandon-Evansville, and Kimball Area in Class A; Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton in Class AA; and Chanhassen in Class AAA.
            This is the third year that the tournament has been seeded. The eight coaches of the section champions logged onto a special page of the League Web site and each coach ranked the other teams one through seven. The highest and lowest rankings for each team were discarded, leaving five rankings for each team. From those rankings, the teams were seeded one through five. In conference calls with all eight head coaches, League Associate Director Kevin Merkle announced the top five seeds. A representative of the coaches association conducted a blind draw to determine the opponents for the top three seeds. Seeds four and five are automatically paired without a draw.
            The six teams that advance to title games will compete at Target Field in Minneapolis on Saturday, June 13. All three games will be webcast live by GrandStadium on Prep45.com for a fee of $4.97 for the day. The Class A title game will begin at noon, followed by the Class AA championship game at 3 p.m., and the Class AAA title game at 6 p.m.
            The initial rounds of the tournament will be played Thursday and Friday, June 11 and 12, at locations across the state. Class A quarterfinals, championship semifinals and third-place game will be played at the Mini Met in Jordan, and consolation semifinals and consolation championship will be played at Chaska Athletic Park. The Class AA quarterfinals, championship semifinals and third-place game will be played at Dick Putz Field, and consolation semifinals and consolation championship will be played at the adjacent Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud. The Class AAA quarterfinals, championship semifinals and third-place game will be played at CHS Field in St. Paul, and consolation semifinals and consolation championship will be played at Dick Siebert Field on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis.
            Detailed statistics provided by most qualified teams are available on the League’s Web site — www.MSHSL.org — as a Media Guide link under Tournaments > Spring > Baseball.

            Class A Highlights
            (Notes: There is no wireless Internet access nor guaranteed phone lines at Chaska Athletic Park or at the Mini Met in Jordan. New Ulm Cathedral and Springfield were the only two Class A qualifiers to meet this season. They played twice and Springfield won each time: 6-5 and 3-2.)
            (Section 8) Red Lake County (16-9) vs. (No. 1 Seed - Section 1) New Life Academy of Woodbury (19-2) — 10:00 a.m. June 11 at Mini Met, Jordan. Red Lake County, which includes students from Red Lake Falls and Red Lake County Central of Oklee, returns to make it second consecutive and fifth overall appearance under this name. Red Lake Falls made a solo appearance in 1982 and Red Lake County made one in 1994. The Rebels fell in the consolation semifinals in 2014. The defending champions from New Life Academy of Woodbury are making their second consecutive and overall appearance. 
            (No. 5 Seed – Section 1) Lewiston-Altura (15-11) vs. (No. 4 Seed – Section 6) Brandon-Evansville (19-6) — 12:30 p.m. June 11 at Mini Met, Jordan.  The Cardinals of Lewiston-Altura and the Chargers of Brandon-Evansville are both making their debut tournament appearances.
            (Section 5) Kimball Area (13-14) vs. (No. 2 Seed – Section 3) Springfield (21-3) — 3:00 p.m. June 11 at Mini Met, Jordan. The Kimball Area Cubs are making their first tournament appearance. The Tigers of Springfield, who claimed consolation honors last year, are making their second consecutive and ninth overall appearance under this name. They also made one additional appearance as a co-op with Cedar Mountain and Comfrey in 1994.
            (Section 7) Deer River (14-11) vs. (No. 3 Seed – Section 2) New Ulm Cathedral (17-7) — 5:30 p.m. June 11 at Mini Met, Jordan. The Warriors of Deer River return after a three-year absence to make their third appearance. New Ulm Cathedral is making its fourth appearance, but first since 2009. The Greyhounds won one previous championship in 2005. 

            Class AA Highlights
            (Section 7) Cloquet (16-4) vs. (No. 1 Seed - Section 6) St. Cloud Cathedral (22-0) — 10:00 a.m. June 11 at Dick Putz Field, St. Cloud. The Lumberjacks of Cloquet are making their fourth appearance, but first since 2010. They did not face any other qualifiers this season. The defending champions from St. Cloud Cathedral return in search of more hardware. They are making their fifth consecutive and 19th overall appearance, and they defeated Minnehaha Academy 7-2 this year. If the Crusaders win, it would be their ninth title. In addition to last year, St. Cloud Cathedral also won in 1977, 1980, 1988, 2001, 2003, 2007, and 2011.
            (No. 5 Seed – Section 2) Glencoe-Silver Lake (20-4) vs. (No. 4 Seed - Section 3) Marshall (23-4) — 12:30 p.m. June 11 at Dick Putz Field, St. Cloud. The Panthers of Glencoe-Silver Lake return for their second consecutive and fifth overall appearance under this name. Glencoe made five additional appearances between 1947 and 1974. The Panthers are looking to improve on last year’s third-place showing. The Tigers of Marshall are making their fourth appearance, but first since 2005. Neither team faced any other tournament qualifiers this year.
            (Section 8) Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton (18-7) vs. (No. 2 Seed - Section 1) Rochester Lourdes (24-0) — 3:00 p.m. June 11 at Dick Putz Field, St. Cloud. The Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Rebels are making their debut appearance. The Eagles of Rochester Lourdes are making their fifth appearance, but first since 2002. They are looking for their third title, having won previously in 1996 and 2002. Neither the Rebels nor the Eagles faced any other Class AA qualifiers this season.
            (Section 5) Providence Academy, Plymouth (17-5) vs. (No. 3 Seed - Section 4) Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis (24-1) — 5:30 p.m. June 11 at Dick Putz Field, St. Cloud. These teams met twice during the regular season with Minnehaha Academy winning both contests, 4-2 and 11-4. Providence Academy is making its second appearance. The Lions made their first in 2011. The Minnehaha Academy Redhawks, who are also making their second appearance, return to tournament action after a one-year absence. In addition to facing Providence Academy, the Redhawks also fell to St. Cloud Cathedral 7-2 during the regular season.
     
            Class AAA Highlights
            (Robbinsdale Armstrong and Anoka were the only two Class AAA qualifiers to meet this season. Robbinsdale Armstrong won that contest 5-4.)
            (Section 1) Northfield (20-4) vs. (No. 1 Seed - Section 5) Mounds View (22-2) — 10:00 a.m. June 11 at CHS Field, St. Paul. The Northfield Raiders are making their fourth appearance, but first since 2002. The two-time defending champions from Mounds View are making their third consecutive and seventh overall appearance.
            (No. 5 Seed – Section 3) Lakeville North (17-7) vs. (No. 4 Seed - Section 7) Anoka (20-5) — 12:30 p.m. June 11 at CHS Field, St. Paul. The Panthers of Lakeville North are making their third consecutive and overall appearance. They placed third in 2014. The Tornadoes of Anoka return for their seventh appearance, but first since 1995.
            (Section 8) St. Michael-Albertville (21-6) vs. (No. 2 Seed - Section 2) Chanhassen (23-4) — 3:00 p.m. June 11 at CHS Field, St. Paul. The Knights of St. Michael-Albertville return to the tournament after a five-year absence. They are in the hunt for their third championship, having won previously in 2000 and 2009. This is St. Michael-Albertville’s fourth appearance overall. The Chanhassen Storm are making their first tournament appearance.
            (Section 6) Robbinsdale Armstrong (16-9) vs. (No. 3 Seed - Section 4) Mahtomedi (21-3) — 5:30 p.m. June 11 at CHS Field, St. Paul.  The Falcons of Robbinsdale Armstrong are returning for their second consecutive and fifth overall appearance. They lost in the consolation semifinals last year. The Mahtomedi Zephyrs, who placed sixth in 2014, are making their second consecutive and overall appearance.

Monday, June 8, 2015

2015 PTP Girls Softball All-Conference Team





Marye Carlson                                     Bagley                                     12
Kara Sonstelie                                     East Polk                                 12
Tara Viken                                          East Polk                                 12
Shelby Duckstad                                 Fertile-Beltrami                       12
Cheyanne Nelson                                LP-A                                       12
Jessie Swegarden                                LP-A                                       12
Alexis Heisler                                      Mahnomen-Waubun               11
Caitlin McArthur                                Mahnomen-Waubun               11                   
Lexi Merkens                                      Norman County                      12
Lexi Nelson                                         Norman County                      11
Haley Poehler                                      Norman County                      12
Jessica Gall                                          NCE-UH                                 11
Laurel Hoseth                                     NCE-UH                                 11
Tatum Lundin                                     NCE-UH                                 12
Rana Opsahl                                        NCE-UH                                 12       
Brittney Bray                                      RLCC                                     12
                                                                                   
Honorable Mention
                                   
Courtney Fultz                                    Bagley                                     12
Riley Thoma                                        Bagley                                     12
Jaclyn Revere                                      LP-A                                       12
Molly Sommerville                              LP-A                                       12                     
Lydia Klemetson                                NCE-UH                                 11
Alayna Klemetson                              NCE-UH                                 11
Kaitlyn Haugen                                   Mahnomen-Waubun               11
Vanessa Spry                                      Mahnoment-Waubun              10
Gracie Johnson                                    Norman County                      11
Emma Kroshus                                    Norman County                      10
                       
                                   
Most Valuable Player
             
Rana Opsahl                -           NCE-UH


Coach of the Year

Steve Radniecki          -           NCE - UH

2015 PTP Baseball All-Conference Team





Jordan Loiland                        Bagley                                     12
Benjamin Thoma                     Bagley                                     10
Aaron Arneson                        Fosston                                    12
Jesse Sather                             Fosston                                    10                               
Michael Vohnoutka                Lake Park – Audubon             10                               
Kody Lefebvre                       Mahnomen - Waubun             11
Matt Lee                                 NCE-UH                                 12       
Dustin Beliles                          Norman County                      10
Lucas Lindell                          Norman County                      11       
Michael Kolness                      Norman County                      11
Ryan Olson                             Norman County                      12
Jordan Spaeth                         Waubun-Mahnomen               12
Cole Thompson                       Waubun-Mahnomen               12                               
Travis Kaster                           Win-E-Mac                             12
Jake Knutson                          Win-E-Mac                             12                   
Chase Svalen                           Win-E-Mac                             12
Zac Tradewell                         Win-E-Mac                             12
                                                                                   

Honorable Mention

Tyler Godin                             Bagley                                     12
Colton Adams                         Bagley                                     12
DeForrest Nelson                    NCE-UH                                 12       
Dalton Jorgensen                    Norman County                      12
David Skari                             Norman County                      12
Maverick Gunufson                Fertile-Beltrami                       12
Mason Pierce                           Fertile-Beltrami                       10
Blake Abeldgaard                   Fosston                                    12                   
Dalton Agnes                          Fosston                                    10
Kory Jacobson                        Fosston                                    12                   
Tim Brekken                           Lake Park- Audubon              12
Hunter Erickson                      Lake Park – Audubon             12                               
Justin Bellefeuille                    Waubun-Mahnomen               11
Jacob Haugo                           Waubun-Mahnomen               12
Alec Kiecker                           Win-E-Mac                             10
Austin Tadman                       Win-E-Mac                             12                                                                     
                                   
Most Valuable Player

Zac Tradewell             -           Win-E-Mac

Coach of the Year
Mike Gullingsrud        -           Norman County