Story Links COLLEGE PARK, MD — Legendary Maryland field hockey head coach Missy Meharg has signed a contract extension through Dec. 31, 2028, Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics Damon Evans announced Thursday. “Missy is a living legend, having set the standard of excellence for everyone here at Maryland,” Evans said. “The winningest coach across all […]
COLLEGE PARK, MD — Legendary Maryland field hockey head coach Missy Meharg has signed a contract extension through Dec. 31, 2028, Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics Damon Evans announced Thursday. “Missy is a living legend, having set the standard of excellence for everyone here at Maryland,” Evans said. “The winningest coach across all sports in Maryland Athletic history, Missy is an icon in the sport of field hockey and has left an indelible mark on the University of Maryland. We are thrilled to know Missy will continue leading our program for years to come.”Meharg was inducted into the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the University of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. She was inducted into the DC Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. Fifteen of Meharg’s Terps went on to play in the Olympics for their respective countries including five this past summer in the 2024 Olympics. Meharg served as a coach of the 1996 United States Olympics team in Atlanta and also served as a commentator for NBC’s field hockey coverage for the London Olympics in 2012. Meharg is currently a member of the USA Hockey Foundation Trustee.The winningest active head coach in Division I college field hockey by victories and percentage, Meharg is also third all-time in Division I victories with 655. That total is the most by any coach in the history of Maryland sports. Meharg has coached 114 All-America Selections, 175 NFHCA National Academic Squad Selections, 128 All-Conference Selections, 75 All-Big Ten Academic Selections, 229 ACC Academic Honor Roll Selections, 23 Players on the U.S. National Team, 58 NCAA All-Tournament Team Selections, 14 Conference Tournament MVP Selections and 24 Conference Player of the Year Selections. Five Terps have captured the Honda Award as the sport’s player of the year. Meharg came to the University of Maryland as a graduate student and served as an assistant coach to Sue Tyler from 1985-87. Together, they helped the Terrapins top North Carolina for the program’s first-ever NCAA title in 1987. The influence of Meharg is undeniable in the world of field hockey, Currently, 23 NCAA coaches either played under or coached alongside her. Additionally, six highly regarded youth clubs – H20, Field Hockey Life, PA United, Next Level (MD), SoMD Eliminators, Texas Pride, and Windy City – are owned, operated, and directed by former Terps.Meharg, who completed her 37th season as head coach at Maryland this past fall, has led her Terrapin squads to a record of 655-172-9 for a 78.9 winning percentage, 20 Final Fours, 12 NCAA title game appearances and seven NCAA Championships. The nine-time National Coach of the Year has also led the Terrapins to 27 conference titles between their time in the ACC and the Big Ten. “Thank you, to Damon Evans, Libby Ellis and all of Maryland,” Meharg said. “I am deeply honored by your generous offer to extend my contract through 2028. It’s a privilege to continue leading Terps’ Field Hockey and building on the incredible legacy we’ve created together. Here’s to the future… Best of the BEST … GO TERPS.”
Penn State’s Guy Gadowsky to coach NCAA all-star team at Spengler Cup – Grand Forks Herald
GRAND FORKS — Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky will serve as head coach of the NCAA all-star team that will compete in the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland, this December. His assistants will be New Hampshire’s Mike Souza and Niagara’s Jason Lammers. The general manager is Hockey East commissioner Steve Metcalf. “It’s an honor to […]
GRAND FORKS — Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky will serve as head coach of the NCAA all-star team that will compete in the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland, this December.
His assistants will be New Hampshire’s Mike Souza and Niagara’s Jason Lammers.
The general manager is Hockey East commissioner Steve Metcalf.
“It’s an honor to be on the inaugural staff of the U.S. Collegiate Selects and to be competing in such a prestigious tournament,” Gadowsky said. “The Spengler Cup will provide an incredible experience for the players selected and will be great for the continued exposure of college hockey outside of the United States.”
The NCAA all-star team, named the U.S. College Selects, will have 25 players. Each conference will be represented. No freshmen will be on the team.
The competition runs from Dec. 26-31. HC Davos, Team Canada, HC Fribourg-Gotteron, Sparta Praha and IFK Helsinki will compete this year.
This will be the second time an American-based select team has participated in the Spengler Cup. A U.S. squad won the tournament in 1988.
By
Brad Elliott Schlossman
Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald’s circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.
Penn State men’s hockey’s Guy Gadowsky honored to be head coach for U.S. Collegiate Team at Spengler Cup | Penn State Men’s Hockey News
Aug. 14: Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky was officially named the first-ever head coach for the United States Collegiate Select team at the 2025 Spengler Cup, which will be played Dec. 26-31 at Eisstadion Davos in Switzerland. Gadowsky enters his 26th season of collegiate coaching and it’s his first opportunity to coach a national team. […]
Aug. 14: Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky was officially named the first-ever head coach for the United States Collegiate Select team at the 2025 Spengler Cup, which will be played Dec. 26-31 at Eisstadion Davos in Switzerland.
Gadowsky enters his 26th season of collegiate coaching and it’s his first opportunity to coach a national team. When approached by College Hockey Inc. and Hockey East Commissioner Steve Metcalf with the idea, “it was an absolute yes,” from Gadowsky.
“It’s an honor to be a part of the inaugural team for the US collegiate selects,” Gadowsky said. “I think it’d be an honor at any time, let alone the first time. It’s going to be a great experience. It’s wonderful for college hockey. It’s going to be a great experience for all the players involved. It’s going to be a great platform for exposure for all of them.”
The selection process was deliberated on for an extended period of time, and Gadowsky was first aware of the possibility “a few years ago,” he said in a Thursday morning press conference.
As for the rest of the coaching staff, Gadowsky will be assisted by Niagara head coach Jason Lammers and New Hampshire head coach Mike Souza. Gadowsky said that Metcalf knew Souza “really well” and Lammers has “an excellent reputation throughout college hockey.”
“I do know Jason (Lammers). I know he’s a tremendous coach and person,” Gadowky said. “I do know Mike (Souza), and I’ve been incredibly impressed with what I’ve seen and everything I’ve heard about him has been just awesome. (He’s a) very excellent coach, but an awesome person as well. (I’m) very happy with the coaches.”
The team-selection process will be deliberate and carefully executed, with the final roster finalized in November. Gadowsky and his staff want every conference represented and will receive help from NHL scouts.
While the staff consists of a Big Ten, Hockey East and Atlantic Hockey America coach, that leaves three other conferences and Division I independent programs unrepresented, which is where professional scouts will step in and give their opinions.
“We want to make sure that every conference is represented, and that’s number one,” Gadowsky said. “We are going to come up with initial lists prior to the season, probably based on the success (in) college hockey in the past. And then the final roster is going to be finalized in November. I believe we are going to meet in Massachusetts prior to flying out to Davos around December 23. And because the coaches can’t see everybody, we’ve also enlisted the help of a few NHL scouts that see a lot of college hockey, and we’ll take their opinion on players.”
In the Spengler Cup’s 102-year history, 2025 marks the first time college hockey is represented. Specific collegiate teams have participated — Minnesota in 1981 and North Dakota in 1982 — but the entire NCAA has yet to play as a whole.
“It’s an awesome tournament. It’s very well attended and it’s done at a great level. On its own, it’s going to be a very, very good experience,” Gadowsky said.
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Lammers Named Assistant Coach for USCS Spengler Cup Team
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Niagara University men’s hockey coach Jason Lammers was named as an assistant coach for the United States Collegiate Select hockey team in the 2025 Spengler Cup. Lammers will assist Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky and will be joined by University of New Hampshire head coach Mike Souza as the […]
Niagara University men’s hockey coach Jason Lammers was named as an assistant coach for the United States Collegiate Select hockey team in the 2025 Spengler Cup.
Lammers will assist Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky and will be joined by University of New Hampshire head coach Mike Souza as the Selects will be the first team of its kind to participate in the 97th edition of the prestigious international event in Davos, Switzerland, this December.
“We are proud to unveil the coaching staff for this year’s Spengler Cup team,” said USCS GM Steve Metcalf. “Guy Gadowsky will serve as the head coach. His vision for bringing a college team to the prestigious Spengler Cup made him the clear choice to lead this effort,” he added. “Joining Gadowsky behind the bench are coaches Mike Souza and Jason Lammers, who both bring exceptional experience and a shared commitment to showcasing the best of the college game.”
The U.S. Collegiate Select team will be made up of 25 student-athletes from across NCAA men’s ice hockey, with each conference being represented. The competition runs from December 26-31, with the six participating teams playing a minimum of two contests apiece. Along with the Selects, host HC Davos, Team Canada, HC Fribourg-Gotteron, Sparta Praha and IFK Helsinki will be taking part in the 2025 edition.
“It’s an honor to be on the inaugural staff of the US Collegiate Selects and to be competing in such a prestigious tournament,” said Gadowsky. “The Spengler Cup will provide an incredible experience for the players selected and will be great for the continued exposure of college hockey outside of the United States.”
This will be the second time an American-based select team has taken part in the Spengler Cup, following a U.S. squad that won the tournament in 1988.
For more information on the Spengler Cup, visit www.spenglercup.ch/en.
Gadowsky Selected Head Coach of College Hockey’s Spengler Cup Team : College Hockey News
August 14, 2025 PRINT CHN Staff Report Related Articles New Hampshire Niagara Penn State Penn State’s Guy Gadowsky has been tabbed as head coach of the U.S. Collegiate Selects, which will compete at this year’s Spengler Cup in Switzerland over the holiday break. Selected as assistant coaches were New Hampshire head coach Mike Souza and […]
Penn State’s Guy Gadowsky has been tabbed as head coach of the U.S. Collegiate Selects, which will compete at this year’s Spengler Cup in Switzerland over the holiday break.
Selected as assistant coaches were New Hampshire head coach Mike Souza and Niagara head coach Jason Lammers.
The tournament consists of six teams, including host Davos HC, and is played Dec. 26 to 31. It is the oldest invitational ice hockey tournament, dating back to 1923.
“It’s an honor to be on the inaugural staff of the U.S. Collegiate Selects and to be competing in such a prestigious tournament,” Gadowsky said. “The Spengler Cup will provide an incredible experience for the players selected and will be great for the continued exposure of college hockey outside of the United States.”
Any player currently in college hockey is eligible. Though many of the top-end players will be participating in the World Junior tournament at that time, there are plenty others to choose from.
“(Gadowsky’s) vision for bringing a college team to the prestigious Spengler Cup made him the clear choice to lead this effort,” Steve Metcalf, Hockey East commissioner and general manager for the U.S. Selects, said.
It’s the first time a Select team of current NCAA college players will be represented in the tournament. The U.S. sent a Collegiate Selects team to the 1988 tournament, which it won, but that team was essentially the 1988 U.S. Olympic team, plus other pros like Dave Silk, who was on the 1980 U.S. Olympic team.
Beavers earn 134 D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards for 2024-25
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CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) announced the 2024-25 recipients of the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards Thursday morning. The Academic Achievement Awards, in its 18th year, is a program that recognizes the academic accomplishments of student-athletes at the Division II level in NCAA sponsored sports. […]
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) announced the 2024-25 recipients of the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards Thursday morning. The Academic Achievement Awards, in its 18th year, is a program that recognizes the academic accomplishments of student-athletes at the Division II level in NCAA sponsored sports.
For the first time since inception, there were more than 20,000 student-athletes recognized (22,756) from a record 202 institutions for the 2024-25 Academic Achievement Awards. This year’s totals are the highest in the program’s history.
Historically, 190,032 total student-athletes have been recognized since the inception of the awards program.
To be recognized for the award, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. They must have completed a minimum of two years (four semesters) of college level work at a two-year and/or four-year institution and must have been an active member of an intercollegiate team during the previous academic year.
The Beavers found 134 student-athletes on the list this year. This lineup towers over last year’s number of 90 student-athletes. BSU Football brought in the largest number of honorees at 32, followed by soccer with 18 and track and field at 17.
Baseball (10)
Ben Corradi – Jr.
Connor Donlin – So.
Adrian Falcon – Jr.
Jack Feldman – So.
Matt Greiner – Jr.
Derek Hoffman – Sr.
Bret Inman – So.
Liam McGrath – Sr.
Nolan Reiter – Jr.
Ty Schulte – Sr.
Men’s Basketball (1)
Jobe Jueneman – Jr.
Football (32)
Jaxsen Beck – So.
Ethan Biehn – Jr.
Clayton Birdsall – Sr.
Caden Bolte – Sr.
Tyler Cruchet – So.
Dante Draghicchio – Jr.
Jacob Drietz – Sr.
Ridge Flatness – Sr.
Bryce Gapinski – So.
Arian Garcia – Sr.
Nick Gerlach – Gr.
Uriah Glynn – Sr.
Justin Incaprera – Sr.
Deon Kelson – Jr.
Bill Ketola – Sr.
Koehler Kilty – So.
Conor Kovas – Gr.
Drayton Lehman – Sr.
Grant Lower – So.
Connor Mantelli – Sr.
Bart McAninch – So.
Tarrell McCoy – So.
Sam McGath – Gr.
Lucas Peterson – So.
Eli Pfeiffer – Jr.
Kale Rich – Jr.
Michael Schurman – Jr.
Zack Seitz – Sr.
Caleb Thinesen – So.
Isaiah Tisdle – So.
Gabe Ward – Sr.
Mitch Wind – So.
Men’s Golf (6)
Caden Lick – Sr.
Riley McGovern – Jr.
Ryan Nelson – Jr.
Logan Schoepp – Sr.
Charlie Williams – Jr.
Rory Wutzke – Sr.
Women’s Basketball (10)
Erin Barrette – Sr.
Beth Bolte – Jr.
Ella Giorgi – Sr.
Ashlynne Guenther – Jr.
Aubrey Heyer – So.
Rachel Koenig – Sr.
Tieryn Plasch – Jr.
Alayna Suprenand – Sr.
Kendra Syverson – Jr.
Sydney White – Sr.
Cross Country (4)
Carmen Lyon – So.
Maggie McCarthy – Sr.
Callie Ressler – Sr.
Sophie Rylance – So.
Soccer (18)
Katrina Barthelt – Sr.
Hannah Bolte – Jr.
Madeline Davey – Sr.
Julia Freed – Jr.
Madisen Fritel – So.
Emma Huelsnitz – Sr.
Grace Kittel – Sr.
Brie Klingbeil – Sr.
Megan Ko – Jr.
Maggie Kramer – So.
Tirzah Lange – Sr.
Briana Stocke – Sr.
Dayna Stocke – So.
Maria Stocke – Sr.
Sydney Sutherland – So.
Ella Wade – Jr.
Breanna Weilert – Jr.
Marielle Wright – So.
Softball (16)
Aubrey Aukerman – Sr.
Morgan Benedict – Sr.
Jenna Burd – Jr.
Aimee Christenson – Sr.
Alexa Christenson – Sr.
Alayna DeGraef – Jr.
Molly Houts – Gr.
Kennedy Joachim – So.
Josie Kappes – Jr.
Maddie Kielsmeier – Sr.
Jackie Larsen – Jr.
Keira Lucero – So.
Payton Prissel – So.
Calleigh Richards – So.
Danica Sarff – Jr.
Mariah Stevenson – Sr.
Tennis (6)
Macy Goochey – Jr.
Jalyn Halverson – So.
Ana Lucía Ibáñez Castro – So.
Julia Lindseth – Jr.
Valesca Rodriguez – So.
Lauren Rutten – Sr.
Track & Field (17)
Elle Bettcher – Jr.
Trista Bilden – So.
Emma Erickson – Sr.
Makenna Frazier – Jr.
Emma Green – So.
Natalee Hoffner – So.
Chloe Knott – Sr.
Zoe Lennon – Jr.
Carmen Lyon – So.
Maggie McCarthy – Sr.
Olivia Olson – Sr.
Mikenna Pattrin – Sr.
Callie Ressler – Sr.
Sophie Rylance – So.
Hailey Selly – Sr.
Reese Turner – So.
Maya Wagner – Jr.
Volleyball (11)
Ava Athman – Jr.
Katie Brandl – So.
Ashley Crowl – Sr.
Grace Hoffard – So.
Ella Kratochvil – Jr.
Anna Paquette – So.
Lily Riese – So.
Lauren Sitter – Sr.
Kylie Struble – Sr.
Emily Wade – Sr.
Jada Wlodarczyk – Sr.
For the full D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award lineup, click here.
For more information on the Bemidji State athletic programs, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on Twitter/X (@BSUBeavers), or like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers).
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men’s hockey in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women’s hockey in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
SPORTS FEEVER by Chris Fee of KROX Radio – chrisjfee@yahoo.com We are in the first week of fall sports practice, and the first fall sporting events begin across the state on Friday with several Girls Tennis playing their first matches of the year. — — — We have participant lists of some of the Crookston […]
SPORTS FEEVER by Chris Fee of KROX Radio – chrisjfee@yahoo.com
We are in the first week of fall sports practice, and the first fall sporting events begin across the state on Friday with several Girls Tennis playing their first matches of the year.
— — —
We have participant lists of some of the Crookston Pirate fall sports teams after the first three days of practice and it looks like numbers for football keep growing, which is fantastic news. All numbers seem to be solid this fall, which is a good sign.
BOYS SOCCER – 28 out 9-12 and 37 out 6-12 Seniors (13) – Reggie Winjum, Jay Reese, Sam Widseth, Peter Wiersma, Ryker Arnold, Makoti Weber, Carter Fee, Gunnar Groven, Nolan Cassavan, Cade Wisk, Jace Bruggeman, Tony Elbinger, Ian Osland Juniors (10) – Alex Zammert, Grant Funk, Ethan Lanctot, Aaron Gosse, Colton Osborn, Aiden Delage, John Lisov, Ivan Luckow, Evan Wagner, Aiden Wieland Sophomores (5) Ian Swanson, Trevor Hassel, Cam Martin, Tyrese Middleton, Mason Lessard) Freshman – None Eighth graders (1) – Colton Gasper Seventh graders (1) – Hayden Ricard Sixth graders (7) – Jameson Enright, Reace Ault, Tristan Brekken, Jesus Delos Santos, Adam Burnette, Bennett Ricard, Teegan Fritz
GIRLS TENNIS – 24 out in 9-12 and 38 out in 6-12 Seniors (10) – Taylor Wieland, Lucy Smith, Taylor Schulz, Ava Martin, Emma LaPlante, Emelia Hoerner, Logan Brekken, Chloe Boll, Ashlyn Bailey, Madelyn Anderson Juniors (4) – Cecelia Widman, Katie Seaver, Avery Mathews, Evelyn Gunderson Sophomores (6) – Alyssa Johnson, Nora Groven, Teagan Fanfulik, Peyton Demarais, Grace Boll Freshmen (4) – Catelyn Maruska, Eva Gosse, Hamsini Chanda, Kaylen Bedard Eight graders (6) – Korynn Uttermark, Lauren Tull, Elsie Mathews, Haddie Halland, Brigit Groven, Ella Capistran Seventh graders (3) – Ruby Martin, Allessandra Kollin, Cora Jackson Sixth graders (5) – Monroe Shockman, Hayley Reitmeier, Kenlea Osen, Zaelyn Normandin, Bailey Speldrich
We will have the other three teams next week.
Click the link for the Fall Sports Schedules- Pirate Fall Sports Schedules – KROX
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The Crookston High School Hall of Fame invites the community to its annual induction ceremony on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Please join us as we honor the Class of 2025: Beth Carlson, Bryan Boll, Gary Stegman, Kenley Wahlin and Gary Wagner.
There will be a social hour at 1 pm, appetizer buffet at 2 pm and ceremony to follow. Tickets are available at the door, $10 for adults, $5 for students grades 1-12.
— — —
The Crookston Pirate Girls Tennis team will host a Tennis Camp August 27-28 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. The camp is for 2nd – 5th grade boys and girls with a cost of $20. The camp will be at the Crookston High School Tennis Courts. To register, or for more questions, email ginagunderson@isd593.org.
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We were sad to see that Grafton Spoiler Athletic Director Jon Koehmstedt died this past weekend. He drowned while fixing a pontoon motor on Cass Lake. Jon was only 41 years old and gone way too soon. We are thinking about Jon’s family and the Grafton Spoilers at this time.
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The 2025 National Women’s Hockey Festival U18 National team was finalized with a girl with Crookston ties making the team.
Bailey Rupp – daughter of Crookston High School grad Stephanie (Boll) Rupp, who is a member of the Bemidji Lumberjack Girls Hockey team. She also announced a commitment to play hockey at the University of Minnesota Duluth. What a week it was for Bailey!
Making the National team is a huge deal for many reasons, but the entire tryout process helps assist in the evaluation process for the 2026 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team, set to compete in Milan at the Olympic Winter Games. Team USA is also competing in the Collegiate Series against Canada this week (August 13-16) in Lake Placid as well.
All practices and games will take place at the Lake Placid Olympic Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. Nine Minnesota Girls made the team! Other Minnesotans on the roster are – Mia Miller (Dundas) of Nortfield High School Emily Pohl (Woodbury) of Hill-Murray Kateryna Sander (Chanhassen) of Holy Family Catholic Talla Hansen (Wayzata) of Benilde-St. Margarte’s Alaina Gnetz (Woodbury) of Woodbury High School Madelyn Kimbrel (Long Lake) of Orono High School Taylee Manion (Hermantown) of Proctor/Hermantown Addison McLay (Hastings) of Hill-Murray
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The Minnesota Hockey Fall HP team rosters have been announced.
Area players making the HP teams are below –
HP 18U Boys Fall League – Finn Paulsen – Moorhead Alex Tortorice – Moorhead Hudson Pettit – Detroit Lakes Brady Steffen – Moorhead Seamus Campbell – Moorhead Conner Copeland – Moorhead George Arnold – Moorhead Quinn Niemi – Bemidji Syler Sullivan – Moorhead Will Arnold – Moorhead Griffin Dewar – Bemidji
HP 16U Boys – Levi Westby – Warroad Richard Rogers – Warroad Samuel Hard – Warroad Cal Mattfield – Bemidji Wyatt Cordts – East Grand Forks Aiden Graber – Bemidji
The 16U Boys USHL Roster – Samuel Hard – Warroad Wyatt Cordts – East Grand Forks Richard Rogers – Warroad
HP 16U Girls – Naomi Johnson – Bemidji AJ Brateng – Thief River Falls
HP 15O Boys – Maddox Gregoire – Moorhead Ryan Clauson – East Grand Forks Grady Huotari – Moorhead Gunnar Schock – Moorhead Ethan Neville – Roseau Mason Deraney – Detroit Lakes Finneghan Hnry – Park Rapids Noah Peterson – Moorhead Joel Prokop – Bemidji Wyatt Samuelson – Hallock Brennen Vannett – Moorhead Brendan Simmons – Roseau
HP 14U Boys – Jay Boeke – Detroit Lakes Tate Bergeson – Moorhead Jaxson Wakefield – East Grand Forks Carter Ziegler – Roseau Brock Stauss – East Grand Forks Mason Auger – East Grand Forks Kipton Preteau – Roseau Sam Schlauderaff – Detroit Lakes Rhett Walter – East Grand Forks Jace Magner – East Grand Forks Landen Gurskis – Moorhead Brekken Grabow – Detroit Lakes Ryker Sant – Bemidji Sawyer Reierson – Bemidji Dylan Elliot – Moorhead
HP 14U Girls – Bella Folden – East Grand Forks Ava Dufault – Moorhead Rylie Hagen – Moorhead Ella Mae Swanberg – Bemidji Maddie Burtsfield – Moorhead Ava Corrington – Bemidji Svea Grafstrom – Warroad Kaylie Glas – Brainerd Maddie Graves – Moorhead Anna Herman – Moorhead Arella Lee – Moorhead Callie Malkowski – Bemidji Sophia Voeltz – Moorhead Rylee Hagen – Roseau
HP Boys 13O – Levin Vandevelde – Moorhead Hudson Johnson – East Grand Forks Kane Kallhoff – Moorhead Wyatt Hunter – Detroit Lakes Cullen Schulz – East Grand Forks Ezra Riskey – East Grand Forks Henrik Mack – East Grand Forks Brad Lind – East Gran Forks Jack Emmerich – Moorhead Cooper Hanson – Thief River Falls Ethan Smith – Warroad Easton Gurskis – Moorhead Phil Marvin – Warroad Boden Ferrie – Moorhead Jake Janecke – East Grand Forks Connor Turner – Moorhead Maveryk Holtman – East Grand Forks
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The Region 8A postseason competition calendar has been released. It is below.
2025-26 Region 8A Calendar of Events As of August 7, 2025
Activity
Event
Date(s)
Site
Time
Notes
Fall
Football
Section 1/4
10/21/25
High Seed
6:00 PM
Includes Section 8A, Section 8 9-person, and Section 6 9-person
Individual Semis and Finals and True Second if needed
Fall
Team Up
All Region Event
11/25/25
Bemidji
TBA
Winter
AAA
All Region Event
2/4/26
Mahnomen
12:00 noon
Shooting Star Casino
Winter
One Act Play
SS 29 Contest
TBD
TBD
One Act Play
SS 30 Contest
TBD
TBD
One Act Play
SS 31 Contest
TBD
TBD
One Act Play
SS 32 Contest
TBD
TBD
One Act Play
Section 8A Contest
1/31/26
TBD
TBA
Spring
Speech
Sub Section 29 Meet
3/30/26 **
Blackduck
TBD
Speech
Sub Section 30 Meet
3/31/26 **
DGF
TBD
Speech
Sub Section 31 Meet
TBD
TRF
TBD
Speech
Section Meet
4/14/26
Fosston
TBD
All
SS29 Music
Solo Contest
11/5/25 **
TBD
TBD
SS29 Music
Ensemble Contest
2/25/26 **
TBD
TBD
SS29 Music
Large Group Band and Choir
4/15/26
BSU
TBD
All
SS30 Music
Fall Directors Meeting
9/17/25
Mahnomen
8:30 a.m.
SS30 Music
JH Festival
11/3/25
Mahnomen
TBD
NOT A REGION 8A EVENT
SS30 Music
Solo Contest
1/26/26
Fertile Beltrami
TBD
SS30 Music
Ensemble Contest
3/10/26
Waubun
TBD
SS30 Music
Large Group Contest
3/25/26
Ada-B-W
TBD
SS30 Music
Honors Concert
4/24/26
Fosston
TBD
NOT A REGION 8A EVENT
All
SS31 Music
Vocal Solo/Ensemble Contest
2/11/26
EGF
TBD
SS31 Music
Inst Solo/Ensemble Contest
3/18/26
EGF
TBD
SS31 Music
Large Group Band/Choir/Orch
4/8/26
Crookston
TBD
All
SS32 Music
Solo Contest
11/19/25
KCC-Hallock
TBD
SS32 Music
Large Group Band Contest
2/25/26
Roseau
TBD
In conjunction with Large Group Choir
SS32 Music
Large Group Choir Contest
2/25/26
Roseau
TBD
In conjunction with Large Group Band
SS32 Music
Ensemble Contest
3/31/26
Stephen
TBD
Spring
Visual Arts
West Sub Section Contest
3/25/26
Warroad
TBD
Visual Arts
East Sub Section Contest
4/1/26
BSU
TBD
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The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s and women’s cross country programs signed the biggest classes in program history, as they look to continue their upward trajectory as a program since launching the sport in 2019. The Golden Eagles have signed 11 newcomers for the men’s and women’s cross country teams.
Bennett Allred (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Prairie H.S.) Allred was a three-time state qualifier at Cedar Rapids Prairie High School. He was a two-time All-Mississippi Valley Conference selection, and earned Second Team All-State honors in 4A as a senior. He is a two-time State qualifier, and was named to the Elite Team for all classes in 2024.
Kohen Holcomb (Marshall/Marshall H.S.) Holcomb helped lead Marshall High School to a State Championship in 2024, and a third-place finish in 2023. He earned All-Big South Conference accolades in 2024. Holcomb also guided Marshall to Conference Championships in 2023 and 2024.
Aaden Nauman (Windom/University of Sioux Falls) Nauman competed as a freshman for the University of Sioux Falls. He finished the NSIC Championship in 67th place with a time of 26:01.8, which was a personal record in the 8K for Nauman. He was a three-time All-Conference selection at Windom High School, and earned All-State accolades in cross country in 2023.
Brayden Paulsen (Little Falls/Little Falls H.S.) Paulsen notched a personal record of 17:57.9 in the 5000 meters at the Little Falls Lucky Lindy as a senior. He tallied a record as a junior in the 5000 meters of 18:05.3, showing great improvement his senior year. In track, he notched a personal record in the 3200 of 10:45.14. Paulsen earned All-Conference Honorable Mention accolades.
Jonathan Roth (Sioux Falls, S.D./West Central H.S.) Roth earned Second Team All-Conference accolades. He placed 10th in Class A as an individual in South Dakota. Roth is a two-time Trojan Award winner for his character, and is an Academic All-State pick. Roth had a 4.1 GPA, and is a member of the National Honors Society.
Abby Borgerding (Northfield/Northfield H.S.) Borgerding helped her high school squad to a Section Title and a State Tournament appearance in 2023. She served as the cross country captain for Northfield High School. Borgerding notched a personal record of 20:58. She was a member of the cross country team for six seasons.
Amber Collins (Deer Creek/Wadena-Deer Creek H.S.) Collins was named All-Conference from 2019-24 at Wadena-Deer Creek High School. She was a State Tournament participant from 2020-24. Collins finished 47th at the Class A State Tournament as a senior, for her best-ever finish. She clocked in at 19:37 in the 5000 meters.
Rivyn DiPadova (Soldiers Grove, Wis./Viroqua H.S.) DiPadova was an individual State Tournament qualifier in 2023. She was a two-time Coulee Conference First team selection in 2023 and 2024. DiPadova earned All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2022. She has a personal record of 19:56 in the 5000 meters, the third-fastest time in school history.
Annelise Offerdahl (Circle Pines/Centennial H.S.) Offerdahl made the State Tournament as a runner in 2023 for Centennial High School. She was a 2022 State Tournament alternate. She earned All-Northwest Suburban Conference honors in 2022 and 2023. Offerdahl was a cross country captain in 2024.
Morgan Shaw (Redmond, Ore./Willamette University) Shaw was a First Team All-Northwest Conference pick for Willamette University in 2024. She finished seventh at the Northwest Conference Championships in 2024. Shaw won the 1,500 meters for Willamette track and field at the Linfield Open in 2024. She was the top finisher for Willamette at the NCAA West Regional, finishing the 6000 meters in 22:48.2.
Natalie Wood (Big Timber, Mont./Montana State University) Wood spent two seasons at Montana State University, redshirting one. She had a personal best of 22:27 in the 6000 meters. Wood notched a personal best of 19:03 in the 5000 meters. She is her high school record holder in the 1600, 3200, and 5000. Wood was the Montana State Track Champion in the 1600 and 3200, and was State runner-up in cross country twice. She is a seven-time State Champion, and helped her high school to two State Championships in track and field.
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JOKES
A man and his wife attended a dinner party at the home of their friends. Near the end of the meal, the wife reprimanded her husband. “That’s the third time you’ve gone for dessert,” she scolded. “The hostess must think you’re selfish and an absolute pig.” “I don’t think so,” he said. “I’ve been telling her it’s for you.”
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With all the new technology regarding fertility, an 88-year-old woman was able to give birth to a baby recently.
When she was discharged from the hospital and went home, various relatives came to visit. “May we see the new baby?” one of them asked.
“Not yet,” said the mother. “I’ll make coffee and we can visit for a while first.”
Another half hour passed before another relative asked, “May we see the new baby now?”
“No, not yet,” said the mother.
A while later and again the guests asked, “May we see the baby now?”
“No, not yet,” replied the mother.
Growing impatient, they asked, “Well, when can we see the baby?”
“When it cries!” she told them.
“When it cries?” they gasped. “Why do we have to wait until it cries?”
“Because, I forgot where I put it.”
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A devoted wife had spent her lifetime taking care of her husband. Now he had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months, yet she stayed by his bedside every single day. When he came to senses, he motioned for her to come near him. As she sat by him, he said, “You know what? You have been with me all through the bad times. When I got fired, you were there to support me. When my business failed, you were there. When I got shot, you were by my side. When we lost the house, you gave me support. When my health started failing, you were still by my side. You know what?” “What dear?” she asks gently. “I think you bring me bad luck.”
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A girl was given a tea set for her second birthday. It became one of her favorite toys, and when her mother went away for a few weeks to care for her sick aunt, the toddler loved to make her father a little cup of tea, which was just water really, while he was engrossed watching the news on TV. He sipped each “cup of tea” he was brought and lavished generous praise on the taste, leaving the little girl immensely proud.
Eventually the mother returned home and the father couldn’t wait to show her how his little princess had been looking after him. On cue, the girl took him his “cup of tea” and he sipped it before praising it to the heavens.
The mother watched him drink it and said: “Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get water is the toilet?”
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How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere? ****LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST. Email me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com
Paul Bittner is an assistant coach on the University of Wisconsin-Superior Men’s Hockey team.
Reese Swanson is a freshman playing hockey at St. Olaf.
Carter Coauette is a freshman playing football at Minot State.
Isabelle Smith is a freshman playing Tennis at Concordia College.
Isaac Thomforde is a freshman playing Tennis at Northwestern College in St. Paul.
Emilee Tate is a Sophomore playing Softball at Northland Community and Technical College.
Halle Bruggeman is a Sophomore on the University of Wisconsin-Stout Women’s Rugby team.
Ethan Boll is a Sophomore 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.
Jacey Larson is a Junior playing hockey at Dakota College at Bottineau.
Aleah Bienek is a Senior playing hockey at Trine University in Indiana.
Ty Hamre is Senior playing football at Bemidji State University.
Elizabeth Erdman is a coach for the Moorhead Red Dragon swim team.
Crookston School District Coaches Blake Bergeron is the head Pirate Wrestling Coach. Ben Parkin is the head Pirate Baseball Coach. Jason Cassavant is a Jr. High Baseball Coach Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach Marley Melbye is an assistant girls golf coach Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach Ben Trostad is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach Ethan Magsam is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach Chris Dufault is a youth wrestling Coach
Non-Crookston High School coaching/Admin/etc
Elise Tangquist is the Head Girls Golf Coach at Horace High School in Fargo, ND.
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 North Dakota.
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
Jaren Bailey is serving our country and is currently in the Marines’ Boot Camp.
Ben Andringa is serving our country in the Army and is now a Ranger.
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.