Proud Panthers
MARSHALL — At about five o’clock in the afternoon last Saturday, Clayton and Carla Schilling emerged from the Marshall KFC/A&W’s bathroom stalls with different clothes on.
They’d been on the move since 9 a.m., from Ellsworth to Mankato to Marshall.
They had time to grab a quick bite before speeding off again.
They planned on hitting both Ellsworth and Mankato again the next day.
The Schillings weren’t on the lam or anything, although that’s how it might have looked to an innocent bystander just looking to grab some of Colonel Sanders’ finest on a Saturday afternoon.
No, the Schillings just love to watch their sons play basketball, and those Schilling boys happen to play it well — well enough to send their parents scrambling all over southwest Minnesota and stripping in random restrooms.
“We had to switch our Augustana clothes to our Ellsworth clothes,” Carla explained.
A proud mom and pop sat and watched in Minnesota State - Mankato’s Taylor Center as their son, Cody, scored 20 points for Augustana College in its national tournament victory over New Mexico Highlands.
The parents caught a little bit of the next game, “to see who we were going to play against,” as Carla put it, before heading off for the two-hour drive from Mankato to Marshall to see Casey, their youngest, lead Ellsworth High School past Hills-Beaver Creek and into the the Section 3A finals.
Just another weekend for the Schillings, a name that’s become synonymous with Ellsworth basketball for the past decade.
You know, that town of some 500 people that seems to always make the state tournament? Well, the Panthers (24-5) are one game away from making it there again, thanks in large part to another Schilling.
“It’s just a God-given talent they’ve been blessed to have,” Carla said of her sons’ basketball prowess.
In the early decade it was Curt, who scored more than 2,000 career points, played at Northwestern and now coaches Ellsworth’s girls.
Cody followed, became Minnesota high school’s all-time leading scorer and carried the Panthers to back-to-back state titles.
That left Casey with some pretty big shoes to fill. “Casey said once to me, ‘I don’t think I’ll ever be as good,’” Carla recalled. “I said, ‘Casey, you are your own individual, you do what you can do and try 100 percent.”
Turns out, Casey’s 100 percent is pretty darn good.
A few hours after his brother Cody sparked an Augustana run with a slam dunk, Casey did the same to jumpstart Ellsworth against H-BC.
The gangly, 6-5 sophomore guard picked up a loose ball and started a fast break with a gleam in his eye.The thousand-plus fans crowded into SMSU’s R/A Center knew exactly what was coming next. Casey stuffed home two of his 26 points, and the entire town of Ellsworth erupted.
It had to have been the entire town, because there were definitely more than 500 maroon-and-gold-clad fans jumping around on that side of the gym.
“It must have been, ‘The last one out of town, turn off the lights,’” our own local sports encyclopedia Les Knutson quipped after the game.
A community tends to get behind a team that’s made it to the past four Class A state championship games — even if it means driving an hour-and-a-half through the Minnesota fog to watch it.
Casey Schilling made sure it was worth their while.
He wasn’t done after the dunk.
The next time down, he stopped, popped and let his follow-through linger for a few extra seconds, just to make sure his dead-eye 3-pointer found the back of the net.
Ellsworth got the ball again, and so did Casey. He drew a foul this time and sank the first free-throw before his second one rattled out.
You know you’re a good basketball player when the opposing crowd cheers louder after you miss than after their own team makes a shot.
An iffy call went Ellsworth’s way.
“Wow, his name definitely must be Schilling,” one H-BC fan yelled sarcastically. “He can’t do anything wrong.”
Not quite, but it’s just that he does so many things right.
“They can yell what they want,” Casey said. “You’re not going to make me mad by yelling that stuff, that’s not going to change the game. If anything, it’s going to motivate me to work harder and shut them up.”
Former H-BC student-turned-Patriot-die-hard Chris Luze admitted sheepishly, “We might have seemed like sore sports.”
But, you have understand where H-BC stands in the equation, along with every other Red Rock Conference school that has had to watch Ellsworth cut down the 3A South nets year after year.
It happened again on Saturday, after the Panthers’ 69-54 win (a game that was a lot closer than the score showed).
No wonder the names Ellworth and Schilling bring cringes and shudders.
“This stings a lot,” Luze said as we watched H-BC receive its second-place sub-section medals. “Especially because it’s Ellsworth, you know?”
I do, but probably not as much as H-BC, a school that used to share its football program with Ellsworth (now, the Panthers mix with Edgerton).
The problem was, those Panthers down the road always seemed a little bit more interested in shooting a basketball than tossing the pigskin around.
It shows.
“They didn’t send too many kids over,” said Luze, who played both football and basketball for H-BC until he graduated last year. “I think they all play basketball year-round. … Obviously.”
But H-BC hoops aren’t in too bad a place, either. In fact, the Patriots did something this year that no Red Rock team has accomplished since Ellsworth joined the league — it actually beat the Panthers.
Seasons of frustration evaporated as the H-BC students stormed the floor after the Patriots’ 3-point victory a few weeks ago in Hills.
It showed that, as good as Panther basketball has been, the rest of the Red Rock is catching up with H-BC in the lead.
Saturday night's rematch was as good as advertised, as was the 3A North title game in which undefeated and No. 1-ranked MACCRAY beat Minneota (but not until the final two minutes).
Two weekends ago at the 3A South’s Super Saturday in Worthington, I ran into a Minnesota-scores.net reporter who said that if there was one Class A section to be in Minnesota that day, it was 3A.
“A pretty solid section,” he said.
No kidding.
And atop it stand Ellsworth and 28-0 MACCRAY, which will meet Thursday at the R/A Center for a shot at state.
Soaking it all up, in a gym that will be so packed that you can’t breathe there without stealing someone else’s air, will be the Schillings.
“It’s been fun,” Carla said. “Curt and the ’03 team kind of got it going and it’s been a roll ever since. “It’s been quite a ride.”
Literally, and it’s not over yet. Fast-food fitting rooms be warned.
Posted by: dgsports on 3/15/2010 at 11:41 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
A great experience at state wrestling
I took a moment and just thought.
As one of the last people to leave the 2010 Minnesota State High School League Wrestling Tournament, I took a moment to reflect on my first experience at state.
I thought of what had just transpired. I had watched as Jackson County Central had won a thrilling 32-23 dual against Frazee to win a Class A state title.
I thought of the four individual champions who were crowned a few hours before: JCC’s Bronson Steuber and Cooper Moore, Adrian’s Stephen Loosbrock and Windom/Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin’s Spencer Johnson.
I also thought of Cobra Drake Borsgard and Pipestone Area’s Jon Gorter, who wrestled incredible tournaments but came up just short in their final matches.
With the state championship matches beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, the anticipation could be felt throughout the Xcel Energy Center.
All three championship matches were taking place at the same time, but with Apple Valley running away with the title in Class AAA and Simley winning easily in Class AA, JCC and Frazee became the main attraction.
Despite the early lead by the Huskies, the Hornets slowly climbed their way back in, where for the second time in two days, the dual came down to Jordan Phibbs at heavyweight.
Just like he did against Minneota in the semifinals, Phibbs delivered a big victory.
The heavyweight pinned his opponent in the first period as the Huskies were crowned state champions.
Following the post-match interviews, it was into the media room, located in the bottom level of the Xcel.
A few minutes of work and I was ready to head back to Worthington.
Getting in the elevator to head to the top level, I had a moment to myself, away from the crowds.
Finally reaching the main floor, I found the place to be deserted. I took a look out on the floor, where the mats had already been removed and the boards for the hockey arena were starting to take shape.
I then took a moment and thought of what had transpired.
I first thought of Wednesday afternoon when I was arriving at the arena before the wrestlers took to the mat for the first time.
At that moment, everything was fresh and new. Everyone had the potential to be a state champion. The future was unknown.
Looking at the wrestlers in the first round, it was apparent who was there for the first time. They looked a little more nervous, a little more antsy.
For the seasoned vets, Wednesday was just a step in the process where they were looking to get a quick win and into the next round, advancing ever closer to that coveted state title.
During those four days, I saw tears of defeat, tears of celebration, blood, sweat and in the end, the pure joy of what being a state champion really means.
All of the 27 wrestlers and two teams I went to cover had a good showing, regardless of their outcome.
For some, it was the final tournament in a great and successful career. For others, it was a learning experience that will be used to motivate in the coming years.
But for everyone involved — including myself — the 2010 state wrestling tournament made a lasting impression with memories I will take with me forever.
Posted by: Aaron Hagen on 3/09/2010 at 3:41 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Let the "Madness" begin
There’s just something about this time of year.
As February winds down and the snow (hopefully) starts to thaw, a sports phenomenon spreads throughout the country into every gym, every park and every driveway with a hoop.
Some call it “madness,” but I call it just plain fun.
Get out those brackets, because it’s time for the basketball tournaments, from high schools all the way up through every college level; boys and girls; men and women.
The area’s section girls’ basketball games started last night, only the beginning of a month that’s truly a high school sports fan’s dream — or a high school sports reporter’s, for that matter.
This will be my first postseason in the area, and I’m looking forward to it. The Section 3A girls’ bracket contains 10 teams in our coverage area, so a lot of our focus will be on those matchups. Southwest Christian fought its way to the South bracket’s top seed. The Eagles earned a first-round bye, along with Edgerton, Adrian and Fulda — and if the section games are half as exciting as some of those schools’ regular-season matchups were, it’s going to be an exciting tournament.
State gymnastics also get under way this weekend, and five local athletes will be competing — Tara Svalland from Worthington, and JCC’s Briel Hendricksen, Brandi Sether-Hassing, Morgan Halverson and Sydnee Donnelli.
Don’t forget about wrestling!
The state team competition brackets are already set, with Jackson County Central and Adrian each earning trips in their respective classes. This weekend, the individual sections take place, and most of the action will take place on Saturday at Worthington High School — the designated site for the 3AA individual tournament.
So that’s basketball, gymnastics and wrestling tournaments all taking place on one Saturday. Needless to say, we’re going to be busy. But we wouldn’t want it any other way.
It’s non-stop, do-or-die action, where the price of a ticket to the next round can only be met with a victory. It’s also bittersweet, especially for the athletes and their parents.
The postseason, with all its hope and heartbreak, brings with it a ruthless equation — divided by two with every advancing round.
Very few athletes get to go out with a win. The ones who do are a rarity, and will retain a special place in school history framed in a trophy case, or perhaps hanging from the rafters for the next generation of that school’s athletes to aspire to.
For many, it’s the last time they’ll see their son or daughter suit up and take the court, or the ice, or the mats (hockey tournaments are in full swing as well).
Whether it’s a first-round section matchup or a state championship game, it’s always going to be somebody’s final contest. Emotions usually run high, making it easy to get caught up in the moment.
But I’d ask all fans, parents, athletes and coaches to get caught up in the moment in a positive way.
There’s a saying, “Win with grace, lose with dignity, play with pride.”
Easy to say, a lot tougher to actually do.
Good luck to all the athletes in the upcoming section and state competitions!
Posted by: dgsports on 2/26/2010 at 5:19 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Saturday provides busy sports day
Three towns.
Three games.
One day.
It was a busy day in the life of the Daily Globe sports editor Saturday.
There are many perks to working sports for the Globe, and one of the biggest ones is being able to watch sports.
On Saturday, I had more than my share.
My day started at noon with a boys’ hockey game.
The Trojans were hosting Morris/Benson Area in Worthington’s final home game of the season.
For six seniors, it would be the last time they would skate in the Worthington Ice Arena.
Kyle Hain, Cody Reese, Taylor Wiener, Mitch Benson, Mitch Jensen and Jake VanGrouw each played well for WHS, but the Storm proved too much in a 7-3 victory.
But while the Trojans’ regular season is complete, their season is far from over. Just like last season, WHS is looking to play spoiler as the section tournament rolls around.
Following a quick break, it was time for me to catch the Trojan boys in Fulda.
The Raiders played well, hanging with the Trojans for most of the game. But in the end, Travis Meinders’ 33 points and the inside presence of Jalen Voss and Mitch Weg was too much for the smaller Raiders.
With the snow starting and the road conditions ever-worsening, KWOA sports director Jared Rademacher and I made the journey to Marshall to see the Trojan girls.
I’m glad we went.
The Tigers came out of the gates firing, connecting on six 3-pointers in the first half as they opened up a 44-34 lead at the break.
In true Trojan fashion, WHS didn’t fold. They didn’t panic.
Instead, they put on one of their best performances of the season in the second half.
Marshall made four field goals and scored nine points in the second half.
In part, the Tigers couldn’t make the few open shots they did get.
But mostly, the Trojans played stifling defense, causing turnovers and bad decisions on Marshall’s part.
After a slow start — and a 10-point deficit — WHS ran away with a 69-53 victory.
Then, it was time to again brave the roads and snow to retreat back to Worthington.
Leaving Marshall a little after 9:30 p.m., we arrived safe and sound 11:15. A hour trip turned into much, much longer, but my day was complete.
In all, I saw three different sports in three different towns all in a span of 11 hours.
Not a bad way to spend a Saturday.
Posted by: dgsports on 2/15/2010 at 4:26 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Tags: basketball, hockey, sports, trojans
National Signing Day brings 14 players to Minnesota West
Wednesday might as well be a national holiday.
It’s not, officially, but to die-hard college football fans, there isn’t a single more important off-season date than National Signing Day.
The weeks and months leading up to signing day have been full of anticipation. Wednesday, fans had the first glimpse of the future of the programs. Our local colleges aren’t much different.
Signing 14 players on Wednesday, Minnesota West took its first step toward next season.
Taylor Andrews (Blue Earth), Joseph Weispfennig (Buffalo Lake-Hector), Taylor Ovrebo (United South Central), Nathan Bierman (Red Rock Central), Justin Larson (Worthington), Octavio Jimenez (Southwest Star Concept), Josh Steffl (Edgerton), Chace Hulstein (Edgerton), Gregory OTolle (Sibley-Ocheyedan), Jordan Schroeder (WHS), Jeffrey Curtsinger (Bennington, Neb.), Kevin Logan (Lawrence, Kan.), DeCorey Martinez (Topeka, Kan.) and Jonathan Milton (Topeka, Kan.) all signed a letter of intent with West.
Not only did head coach Jeff Linder land a talented class, but a class made up of local talent.
“It’s a huge advantage for anyone that’s close to us,” Linder said. “It saves them so much money. It saved me so much money, and the credit hours aren’t near as much as it is now, and the cost of renting an apartment isn’t what it is now. Those kids that are staying close to home are going to save themselves a lot of money in the long run. That’s the name of the game, especially the way things are going for everybody. Our administration has done a great job of being very competitive.”
While MW is made up entirely of freshmen and sophomores, recruiting seems more important at a junior college.
Bigger colleges can redshirt and develop players. JUCOs need players to make an immediate impact, and Linder believes all 14 can do just that.
Jimenez, who played football for Southwestern United, will look to provide kicking depth for West.
Larson will provide versatility for the Bluejays. He will fit in at either running back or a slot receiver position.
Bierman, who played on both sides of the ball for the Falcons, projects to be a linebacker for the Bluejays.
Steffl, a big, physical lineman, can play either offensive or defensive line for MW.
Hulstein and Ovrebo will give Linder depth and defensive end, while Andrews will see time at either linebacker or fullback.
On the national scene, large colleges are landing top 100 recruits. The big name schools (Florida, Texas, USC) are making impacts, as always, and are landing four- and five-star recruits like it’s going out of style. Even local colleges are looking to improve through recruiting. Minnesota and Iowa again have solid classes, proving just how much talent the Midwest has on the gridiron.
One of the biggest names in the region, Cretin-Derham Hall’s Seantrel Henderson, has signed with the University of Southern California, ending months of speculation.
And while West didn’t sign any five-star recruits on Wednesday, the job done by Linder and his staff gives fans just as much reason to be excited.When football season rolls around in the fall, only a few big-name recruits will even see the field on Saturdays.
But the 14 who are now Bluejays will not only see the field, but will be counted on to lead the 2010 Minnesota West team to what Linder hopes is a very successful year.
Posted by: Aaron Hagen on 2/03/2010 at 11:58 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Tags: football, minnesota west, sports
Barefoot for bare feet
Haiti is a country ravaged by poverty, violence and disease. It’s a place where food, clean water and medicine are scarce -- and that was the case even before the earthquake hit.
Most people there go without basic necessities, so shoes and socks are often an afterthought, especially for children.
Right now, thousands of kids are walking barefoot through the rubble of Port-au-Prince and Jacmel.
So what’s a few hours walking barefoot on a basketball court?
Tonight, the coaches for Worthington and Fulda’s girls’ basketball teams are coaching shoeless in an effort to raise money and footwear for the earthquake victims in Haiti.
“Barefoot for bare feet” is an organized effort by basketball coaches from around the country who are now pacing the sidelines without shoes to help with the relief effort.
Fulda head coach Gregg Slaathaug learned of the project through a story on KELO about South Dakota State men’s head coach Scott Nagy, whose adopted six-year-old daughter Naika is originally from Haiti.
Nagy coached barefoot on Saturday in the Jackrabbits’ game against Oakland (Mich.), and a portion of every ticket sold during the game went toward the cause.
It gave Slaathaug an idea. He and Worthington head coach Eric Lindner decided they could go shoeless in tonight’s Trojan/Raider matchup, too.
“We’re going to coach barefoot, so if we can get people to donate some money at the door, then we’re going to get that money to Coach Nagy so he can get it to his non-profit organization,” Slaathaug said.
Nagy’s story has been picked up by ESPN and sports media outlets across the Midwest. His goal is to collect $30,000 and 2,000 pairs of shoes and distribute them through Samaritan’s Feet, a charitable organization based in Charlotte, N.C.
More than 300 coaches have joined the cause, including La Salle men’s head coach John Giannini and IUPUI men’s coach Ron Hunter, who was the first one to coach barefoot two years ago.
Tonight, our area high school coaches are doing their part. Admission to the game in Worthington will be reduced, so fans will have the chance to give a free-will donation at the door.
It should be a sight to see: Lindner and Slaathaug stomping up and down the bench in their bare feet.
I’ve seen both the Trojans and Raiders play before, so I’ve had the chance to see both coaches in action.
I don’t see Lindner having too much of a problem. He’s usually pretty calm and reserved on the Trojan bench (Of course, you can afford to be more relaxed when your team is cruising along at 11-1).
I’m not so sure about Slaathaug, though. The Raiders’ coach can get pretty intense. Sometimes it seems like he exerts as much energy pacing the sideline as his players do running the court.
“I don’t know, I hope I don’t slip and fall down,” he laughed.
All for a good cause, coach.
If you can’t make it tonight – no problem. To donate $5 to Samaritan’s Feet, text “SHOES” to the number 85944.
For more information, visit the web site www.samaritansfeet.org. My hat’s (and shoes) off to all of the coaches.
Posted by: dgsports on 1/24/2010 at 11:56 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Worthington Open to provide quality wrestling
I remember it like it was yesterday.
About a year ago, I was still settling into my role as the sports editor position and the Minnesota West beat. Having worked under former editor Kevin Kyle for a year, I knew that January meant the Worthington Wrestling Open.
I had heard the stories of the Open, and having done some research before last year’s tournament, I knew I was in for a treat.
It didn’t disappoint.
I watched as a pair of University of Minnesota wrestlers worked their opponents thoroughly. I remember watching as Ryland Geiger breezed through his 197-pound class. Atticus Disney was doing the same at heavyweight, and I couldn’t help but think, were we watching future NCAA, World or Olympic champions?
I watched last year as Geiger won his matches, 20-6, 14-5, and dismantled his final opponent, 20-5. The 197-pounder didn’t want to earn falls; instead, he would give up the escape point only to earn three more for a near fall.
Disney didn’t win by the same margin. Instead, he chose to pin his opponents. He earned two falls on his way to the Open title.
It is again time for the Worthington Open.
Saturday will mark the 21st year of the Open, and again, promises to bring some of the most talented wrestlers from the Midwest.
The Gophers plan to bring a strong contingent of grapplers again this year. Northern Sun conference teams, including Augustana, St. Cloud State, Minnesota State University, Mankato, and Southwest Minnesota State also plan to bring wrestlers on Saturday. Minnesota West will have a good number of competitors as well.
Due to weather and other conflicts, I haven’t had the opportunity to watch the Bluejays yet this season. But with a dual on Friday and the tournament on Saturday, I am looking forward to seeing this year’s MW team take the mat.
Saturday should provide a real treat. Heavyweight Seth McGregor, who is redshirting this season for the Bluejays, will wrestle in the Open against some of the best heavyweights in the region. McGregor has experienced his share of success so far this season at various opens — including a championship at Dakota Wesleyan — and I can’t wait to see him in action.
But while McGregor will be a draw for the hometown team, don’t overlook the rest of the competition. Talking with MW head wrestling coach Bob Purcell, the list of past NCAA champions and Olympians who have wrestled at the Open is lengthy.
Olympians Tully Thompson and Daniel Cormier have wrestled at the Open. Brock Lesnar, who is a star on the Ultimate Fighting Championship circuit, also competed in Worthington.
With more than 100 wrestlers taking the mat Saturday, a future star may make a splash.
Wednesday, coach Purcell and I sat and talked about years past.
Years from now, people may very well talk about the 2010 Worthington Open. And on Saturday, I’ll be right there, taking in the tradition and the exceptional wrestling this weekend will offer.
Posted by: Aaron on 1/13/2010 at 11:11 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Tags: minnesota west, sports, wrestling
McGwire admits to steroid use
Is anyone surprised?
With Mark McGwire being a person of interest for congress a few years ago, it seemed that his admission was almost a matter of time.
Now, we know the truth.
Mark McGwire, arguably one of the greatest home run hitters of this generation, was cheating.
Years ago, McGwire admitted to the use of Andro, which at the time, wasn't illegal in Major League Baseball. Now it is.
With his pending employment as the Cardinals' hitting coach, McGwire has finally set the record straight. But what now?
Will his place on the all-time home run list be marked with an asterisk? Will he be in the Hall of Fame? Should anyone ever linked to steroids be in the Hall?
I would argue no. Granted, baseball players haven't always been squeaky clean. But in this current day of steroid use, I think no one who is proven to have used roids should be allowed in the Hall.
This would include Alex Rodriguez. No matter how many championships he goes on to win or how many home runs he hits during the remainder of his career, he should never be allowed in the Hall.
McGwire received just a fraction of the percentage needed to be inducted this season, and it's my guess that will only taper off.
Someday, perhaps there will be a Hall that could include Pete Rose, McGwire, Barry Bonds, Rodriguez and whoever else decides to come clean in the next few years.
But for now, keep the Hall clean. Because right now, it looks like that's all that's clean in baseball.
Posted by: Aaron on 1/12/2010 at 3:56 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink
Friendly competition: Meinders, Bucholz combine to score 68 points
Everything was going right for Travis Meinders.
In the second day of the Daily Globe-Trojan Holiday Classic, Worthington’s senior guard was scoring in nearly every way possible.
“I didn’t even know how many I had throughout the whole game,” Meinders said. “I was just playing to win. All I wanted to do was win.”
But for Meinders, his opposition provided a little extra incentive.
Not only were the Trojans vying for their own tournament’s championship, but Meinders was facing a friend on the opposite team — Perham’s Ben Bucholz.
“Me and Ben just go at it,” Meinders said. “Ben is a really good friend of mine. We roomed together at (South Dakota State University), and we just like to go at it and talk back and forth. It was fun.”
And they didn’t disappoint.
The two matched each other shot-for-shot, point-for-point.
In the end of what proved to be epic performances between the two teams and players, Meinders scored more points. But Bucholz came away with the 65-60 victory.
It wasn’t until later when Meinders realized what he had accomplished.
“When I got home that night, I was sitting in the recliner and my mom told me,” Meinders said. “It wasn’t really an exciting reaction because it still hurt from the loss. It didn’t really hit me to the next day.”
When the final buzzer sounded, Meinders had scored 35 points — the third most in Worthington’s history.
“It feels good to be next to all the great athletes who came through Worthington,” Meinders said. “I was just playing the game. I let the game come to me. I did what I had to. But unfortunately, we ended up short.”
Bucholz nearly matched Meinders’ output, scoring 33 points. The two combined to score 68 points that night, more than 50 percent of the game’s scoring.
“He said, ‘I can’t believe you beat me in points, that was my goal,’” Meinders said. “I beat him last year, too.”
Last year, Meinders scored 28 points. Until his 35-point performance, that was his career high.
The all-time WHS mark was Troy Timmons’ 41 points in 1991 against Jackson.
Marty Jorgensen scored 38 against Marshall in 1966 and had two 35-point performances that same year.
Perhaps the only thing that stopped Meinders against Perham was foul trouble. Picking up his third foul in the first half, Meinders was sent to the bench.
“I got that third foul and I looked at (Coach Vorwald) and he was telling (Zach) Houselog or (Mike) Singsaath to come in,” Meinders said. “I was like, ‘No, I’m fine, I’m fine, I can stay in.’ He was like, ‘No, you’re not, you’re coming out.’ It was really frustrating.”
But once he got back in the game, Meinders picked up right where he left off.
“It wasn’t really too much different,” Meinders said. “I might have had a few more shots, but they were all falling. It just felt good. Everything felt good that night. The flow was there, the rhythm was there, it just came right off my hand really nice.”
On one occasion, Bucholz connected on a 3. Meinders then came down the floor and matched his friend with a 3 of his own.
“I told Ben that he better step it up a little bit more on defense if he was going to stop me,” Meinders said. “We were just jawing back and forth. But it was fun.
“Too bad he wasn’t a guard so we could actually guard each other. But he’s pretty good.”
Meinders first met Bucholz during AAU basketball. But then a South Dakota State basketball camp brought the two closer together. Since then, the two have kept up.
“We keep texting each other throughout the season,” Meinders said. “We text a lot and talk quite a bit, actually.”
But despite all the talking, the Daily Globe-Trojan Holiday Classic provides the two an opportunity to play against each other.
“I think its pretty fun,” Meinders said. “We get pretty competitive on the floor. We like to compete against each other.”
And compete they did. But scoring points isn’t something new for Meinders. So far this season, he has averaged 22 points per game, and is only 14 from scoring his 1,000th career point.
With colleges calling on both players, neither have made their decision yet.
“We only play against each other this one time, that’s it,” Meinders said. “We were talking about college. He hasn’t decided where he wants to go yet, either. He’s like, ‘We should go to the same school and play together.’ It could be a possibility.”
But before Meinders takes his game to the next level, he still has some unfinished business with the Trojans. Tasting defeat for the first time this season, WHS will now look to recover against conference foe Pipestone Area Tuesday.
“We definitely need that throughout the season,” Meinders said. “Last year when we played Mankato West, we got beat by 20. You need that. You need a measuring stick to see where you’re at. Then you need to improve from that game and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Posted by: Aaron Hagen on 1/05/2010 at 4:01 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Tags: basketball, prep, trojans
Fulfilling my New Year's resolution...just in time
It’s that time of year again — the time when everyone looks to make New Year’s resolutions.
I, too, made a resolution last year, although it wasn’t around the first of the year.
On my trip to Notre Dame last April, I made a decision. In a year’s time, I wanted to attend as many major sporting events I possibly could.
Last week, I crossed another off my list.
Growing up in Iowa, where we don’t have a professional football team, we have to find one on our own. Some choose the Bears due to our proximity to Chicago. Others choose the Vikings. But me, I had to be different. Right around the time when I was young and impressionable, the Buffalo Bills were the dominant team.
Of course, the Bills lost four consecutive Super Bowls, but there was something mesmerizing about Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed and the list goes on and on. But also being a Chicago Cubs fan (thanks to all their games being televised on WGN), I knew I was destined for a life of sports despair.
But last weekend, I had a rare opportunity.
Finding another Bills fan in Worthington (the third I have ever known), we had talked that if Buffalo ever came close, we would do anything to attend the game.
Anxiously anticipating the release of the 2009 NFL schedule, we had planned and plotted our trip. To our excitement, we found the Bills were making a trip to Kansas City. Sure, it wasn’t as close as Minneapolis, but we also knew the Bills would have a better chance of victory.
Last weekend, all of our talking, planning and scheduling finally came to fruition.
Leaving Saturday morning, three of us embarked on a journey to Kansas City, where the 4-8 Buffalo Bills would face the 3-9 Kansas City Chiefs. Hardly the game of the week, but in my mind, it might as well have been the Super Bowl.
We arrived in KC Saturday evening, where we met with one of my college friends, who coincidently enough now works for the Chiefs.
After a bite to eat at a fine barbeque establishment, we were off to bed, with the game looming just ahead.
Arriving at the game two hours early, we took a quick walk around historic Arrowhead Stadium. Then, it was time to go in for the game.
But we weren’t going in a ticket gate. Instead, we were heading through the player’s parking lot, through the tunnel and onto the field.
Walking in with my friend an hour before the game was slated to begin, the four of us came out of the tunnel, looking directly onto the grass turf.
A few feet away, the Bills were warming up. On the other end of the stadium, the Chiefs were going through their pregame routine.
For the next hour, we walked around like kids in a candy store. I took enough photos to fill the memory card on both my camera and my phone. Just a few feet from Terrell Owens, we heard the outspoken receiver yell back and forth with fans sitting behind us.
Walking behind the Buffalo bench, we journeyed to the other side of the field to watch the Chiefs players. Wearing Buffalo hats, my friend and I were even the subject of ridicule from young Chiefs fans. We could only laugh.
But then it was time to find our seats and watch the game. It was what we expected — a good game between two bad teams. In a game where both teams battled to the wire, the Bills were victorious, 16-10.
Then it was time to fight the traffic and make the long trip back to Worthington.
Since my trip to ND, I have attended a college football game, a PGA Major Championship, a professional baseball game, a NASCAR race and now, a professional football game.
Last on my list are professional hockey and basketball games. Wild and Wolves, here I come.
Posted by: dgsports on 12/21/2009 at 11:30 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
What if LeBron played football? (And 24 other guys who should)
A few months ago, NBA superstar LeBron James loaded the talk-show airwaves when he said he had the goods to play in the NFL, perhaps even helping out his home-town Browns. The crazy thing was, there weren’t many people who disagreed.
It got the Daily Globe sports department thinking, what if we could form a football team out of non-professional football players? Could we find 24 players that would at least give, say, the Detroit Lions a run for their money? We thought it might be possible.
Here’s the list we came up with, position by position. Disagree? Feel free to add your own suggestions below.
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Joe Mauer, MLB catcher, Minnesota Twins (6-foot-5, 225 pounds, Age 26)
Mauer, a product of Minnesota’s own Cretin Durham-Hall, was actually the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year in 2000. He had a full-ride scholarship to play quarterback at Florida St., but opted to play baseball instead. We can’t think of anyone better to direct our offense than the American League MVP, whose decision-making skills are unparalleled while covering home plate for the Twins.
Running Back: Carl Crawford, MLB outfielder, Tampa Bay Rays (6-2, 215, 26)
Crawford, much like Mauer, had just as bright of a future on the gridiron as he did on the diamond. The speedster originally signed a letter of intent to play option quarterback for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He was so good, former coach Frank Solich said, that he might have beaten out Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch for the starting job. He has the quickness to play running back, as evidenced by his six stolen bases in a single game against the Red Sox in May – an MLB record.
Fullback: Brock Lesnar, MMA fighter (6-3, 265, 32)
It’s true that the national champion wrestler turned WWE star turned mixed-martial arts standout tried out for the Vikings once, and ended up being a late cut. But he tried out as a defensive lineman, which he was the first to admit was his downfall. His aggression is more suited for a fullback, where he can flat out pancake linebackers (assuming he gets over his recent bout with mono that’s kept him from fighting for the past few months).
Wide Receiver: Jeff Samardzija, MLB pitcher, Chicago Cubs (6-5, 220, 24)
It wasn’t too long ago that Samardzija was catching passes from Brady Quinn as an NCAA All-American receiver for Notre Dame. Samardzija shined on the football field, and there’s no doubt he would have been a top-tier draft pick had he decided to stick with it.
Wide Receiver: Dwyane Wade, NBA guard, Miami Heat (6-4, 210, 27)
Wade chose between football and basketball when he was just a junior in high school, and the high-flying guard chose hoops, deciding to follow in his older brother’s footsteps. He has always said that football was his first love, though. With the Olympian and NBA champion’s size and hops, Wade would have had scouts salivating.
Wide Reciever, Kick Returner: Usain Bolt, Olympic sprinter, Jamaica (6-5, 210, 23)
It doesn’t hurt being the fastest man who ever lived. But what makes Bolt truly a freak is his NFL frame. The guy looks like he could take a few hits. His 9.58-second, 100-meter dash translates to a sub-4 second forty-yard dash, even with pads on. It’s doubtful anyone would be running him down anytime soon.
Tight End/Defensive End: LeBron James, NBA forward, Cleveland Cavaliers (6-8, 250, 24)
No surprise here. James was, after all, the reason why we started this list. He was an all-state wide receiver at St. Vincent/St. Mary’s high school in Ohio, along with being the top prep basketball player in the country for consecutive years. He’s so athletic that we’ll play him both ways, as a linebacker and a defensive end/linebacker type.
Offensive Tackle: Glen “Big Baby” Davis, NBA forward, Boston Celtics (6-9, 300, 23)
“Big Baby,” 6 foot 9 and weighing in at 300 pounds, looks more like a lineman than a basketball star. He played several different positions while starring for his high-school football team, including fullback and defensive end. With the footwork he displays in the post, we think he’d be best suited protecting Mauer’s blind side.
Guard: Cole Konrad, NCAA Champion wrestler, Minnesota (6-3, 315, 25)
Konrad is a two-time, NCAA heavyweight champion for the Gophers. At 6-foot-3, 315-pounds, he’d be in the same mold as Stephen Neal, another NCAA champion wrestler who had no previous football experience, but turned into a perennial Pro-Bowl guard for the New England Patriots. Two years ago, Konrad impressed the New York Jets in a mini-camp, but decided to pursue a spot on the U.S. Olympic team instead. He also performed well at a Vikings mini camp earlier this year, but he remains unsigned and is currently a graduate student at the U.
Center: Steve Mocco, NCAA Champion wrestler, Oklahoma St. (6-0, 275, 27)
Don’t mention Mocco’s name in Iowa. After winning a national title in 2003, the Hawkeye turncoat transferred to rival Oklahoma St., where he won another heavyweight title in 2005. In 2006, however, Konrad beat him three times. Mocco is such an athlete that during his senior year, the U.S. Olympian tried out for OSU’s football team even though he had no gridiron experience. He made the team as a defensive tackle, and even earned playing time.
Guard: Asashoryu Akinori, champion sumo-wrestler, Mongolia (6-0, 330, 29)
Arguably the best sumo-wrestler in the world, Akinori would hold his own in the trenches. As Gene Hackman quipped in the movie “The Replacements” when his assistant coach asked him what a sumo-wrestler was doing at football tryouts, Hackman said, “He’s an expert at pushing people around. That’s what pass blocking is, remember?”
Tackle: Jai Lewis, international basketball player, Philippines (6-7, 292, 26)
The roly-poly Lewis is best known for leading George Mason’s basketball team to its miracle Final Four run in 2006. He was big, he had footwork and he could move the floor. Those skills tempted the New York Giants to sign him as an undrafted free agent, but instead of playing football, Lewis decided to take the hoops route.
DEFENSE
End: Dwight Howard, NBA forward, Orlando Magic (6-11, 265, 24)
Aside from James, Howard might be the most athletic basketball player in the world. Few athletes are talented enough to win the slam-dunk competition at his size, but that’s exactly what Howard did. For opposing quarterbacks, it would be pretty difficult to throw with a 6-foot-11 obstacle standing in the way.
Tackle: Mariusz Pudzianowski, Strongman competitor, Poland (6-1, 313, 32)
He’s won the “World’s strongest man” competition five times, so that in itself warrants him being the stalwart on our defensive line. Consider this, though: Pudzianowski also plays rugby in Poland where his coach is quoted as saying, “He was immensely invaluable especially in the scrums, where thanks to his strength and power we were able to push the opponent back 20 meters.”
End: Wladimir Klitschko, heavyweight boxer, Ukraine (6-6, 245, 33)
Klitschko is the currently the best heavyweight boxer in the world, holding the IBF, WBO, IBO and Ring Magazine world titles. All he has to do is turn his forcefulness in the ring into intensity on the gridiron.
Linebacker: Elijah Dukes, MLB outfielder, Washington Nationals (6-1, 250, 25)
One of baseball’s bad boys, Dukes was a four-star rated linebacker who signed a letter of intent to play for North Carolina St. Dukes’s anger problems have made him infamous, but the football field would be the perfect place for his fury.
Linebacker: Richie McCaw, rugby star, New Zealand (6-1, 230, 28)
The International Rugby Board selected McCaw as its player of the year in 2009, meaning he’s arguably the best rugby player in the world. As an open-side flanker for New Zealand, it’s McCaw’s job to read opposing offenses and chase after backs. Sounds a little bit like a middle linebacker.
Linebacker: Kimbo Slice, MMA fighter, Miami, Fla. (6-2, 235, 35)
He gained fame through his underground street fights that spread throughout the Internet, but Slice, whose actual name is Kevin Ferguson, was an All-Dade County football player at Miami Palmetto High School. Before he could pursue is football dreams, Hurricane Andrew hit Miami in 1992 and left Ferguson homeless. He eventually attended the University of Miami, but didn’t play football there.
Cornerback: Nate Robinson, NBA guard, New York Knicks (5-9, 180, 25)
They call him “Kryptonate,” because of his 43.5-inch vertical jump, which has enabled Robinson to win slam dunk competitions despite his small stature. Robinson played both basketball and football at the University of Washington, where he made the game-winning interception against rival Washington St. in 2002.
Cornerback: Allen Iverson, NBA guard, Philadelphia 76ers (6-0, 180, 34)
As long as he’s willing to “practice,” Iverson can have a spot on our team. Iverson quarterbacked Bethel high school to a state football championship in Virginia. He was considered one of the country’s top dual-threat quarterback/defensive back prospects, but he decided to play basketball at Georgetown for John Thompson.
Free Safety: Jeff Francoeur, MLB outfielder, Atlanta Braves (6-4, 220, 25)
Francoeur was a Top 100 football prospect coming out of high school, but the lofty baseball paychecks were enough to lure him away from the gridiron. Francoeur once said if he had to choose a profession besides being a professional baseball player, he’d like to be a high-school football coach.
Strong Safety: Georges St. Pierre, MMA fighter, Canada (5-9, 170, 28)
A strong safety’s job is to hit, and few people in the world do that better than St. Pierre, who consistently sits atop the world’s MMA rankings. A specialist in jiu-jitsu, karate and kick-boxing, St. Pierre is such an athlete that he is even considering trying out for Canada’s Olympic wrestling team.
Kicker: David Beckham, MLS midfielder, Los Angeles Galaxy (6-0, 170, 34)
For someone who can find the corner of the net from 50 yards away, splitting the uprights with a slightly more ovular ball couldn’t be that hard, could it? It’d be a shame not to put him on this team. After all, who else can “bend it like Beckham?”
Punter: Darin Erstad, MLB free agent (6-2, 215,35)
You know Erstad was a glue-type, do-it-all player for the Los Angeles Angels. But what you might not know was that Erstad was also the punter on the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ 1994 National Championship squad, averaging 42.5-yards per punt that year.
Posted by: dgsports on 12/12/2009 at 1:24 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Noon ball to return
Ever since I was a little kid growing up in a small Iowa community, I knew my place in sports.
That is on the sidelines.
With a notepad.
And a camera.
Sure, I spent many hours honing my skills in practice and playing in games, but at a young age, I knew that my sports knowledge and expertise would better serve society in the written word and not by performing.
I had what I consider good high school career at Newell-Fonda High School. I was a varsity golfer. I played varsity baseball, and I was part of a basketball team that finished second in Class 1A in 2003. If it wasn’t for a solid Boyden-Hull team and a poor shooting effort on our part, we might have finished undefeated and brought home a state championship.
But short of a couple months on the baseball team at Wartburg College, playing sports wasn’t getting me anywhere. And I knew that.
While my dreams of earning millions at the professional level died years ago, one thing that never will is my competitive nature. Whether it’s a friendly board game with my parents during Thanksgiving, or an intense game of NCAA football with Daily Globe sports reporter Michael Brauer, I always want to win and be the best.
I have again found another competitive outlet.
The YMCA is in the process of beginning noon basketball at the new facility on the campus of Minnesota West Community and Technical College.
Since I first became a member at the YMCA, I had been hearing rumors of the competitive games that took place during the noon hour. But these games seemed to have faded away. Former reporter Matt Huss and I were regularly around the Y during the noon hour, only to find our hopes of a game turned into a one-on-one effort.
But led by the efforts of Jason Gerdes and CJ Nelson, noon basketball is making a comeback. Monday produced enough for a three-on-three game, but Wednesday was purely a game of one-on-one. Hopefully, tomorrow will see an increase. Perhaps a full five-on-five full-court game will ensue.
The plan is for a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule with players arriving around noon and playing for as long as possible.
With the hours that are required to cover sports, I will be a regular contributor to these games, and hopefully I won’t be alone.
Posted by: Aaron Hagen on 12/03/2009 at 2:18 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Nothin' like a little fall flag football
As a little kid, during recess I could most likely be found rounding the bases playing kickball or running the ball in a little game of touch football.
While the rest of the girls in my class sat on the swings or played on the monkey bars, I’d be on the other end of the playground competing with the boys.
On Saturday, I got to relive the days of my childhood as a couple of my friends came together for a game of flag football. Flags and all, we gathered on the still-dewy field of a Savage middle school and took advantage of the nice weather and played some ball.
As one of two girls playing, I was immediately intimidated by the guys we were playing with. I only knew a couple of them previous to the game, but I was looking forward to a little friendly competition. (Not to mention some form of exercise other than the treadmill I’ve been bored with lately.)We split into two teams and, donning the yellow flags, I felt confident in my team of relatively tall and bearded boys.
Our team started off with the ball, and quickly began our passing plays, attempting to near the first-down marker. After a few sloppy plays and embarrassing throws, our quarterback connected for a first down. Somehow we eventually found ourselves in the end zone and scored. It was great, miraculous really.
As the green team huddled with the ball to plan their play, our team decided on man-to-man defense and I nervously prepared to keep an eye on the green team’s girl. I thought to myself that she would probably be of nearly-equal playing ability to me, and realized quite quickly that I was very wrong.
This girl was tiny and quick and played as though she had a lot of flag football experience, even roller derby maybe. With the speed of a sprinter and the agility of a pro, she caught the ball and began to zig and zag, protecting the ball and her flags as I attempted to predict her next zig with no success. She even stiff-armed me in a little defense herself and next thing I knew, I was flat on the ground with a failed attempt at a diving flag grasp.
Thankfully, one of my teammates stopped her a few yards down the field, but as I stood up with dirty palms I realized I had my work cut out for me with this girl. Actually, I would have preferred to be assigned to one of the larger (and presumably slower) guys on the green team.
One thing I knew for sure: We needed better play formations on our own offense. Well, at least some sort of offensive organization.The green team scored a touchdown and we were tied at one apiece.
Our team was back with the ball and we huddled with intentions of planning a spectacular play formation. OK, so maybe we were simply attempting to plan where we would all set up to receive, but I would like to think we were executing Brett Favre-like plays. Far fetched, I know.
As we huddled, one of the guys started spouting off play ideas and code names that sounded practically French to me. What ever happened to “Blue 42” and “hut hut” like my elementary playground days? I was assigned to an inside starting position and told to cross after a 10-yard run along the right sideline in order to make the wedge.
Whew! What? English please?
I can run, and I can catch (kind of) but I have no idea what cross, post, wedge and wing right even means. I just need to be told where to stand before the “snap,” and where the quarterback prefers I end up in hopes of catching a pass.
OK now I probably just sound like a typical girl who doesn’t know anything about football, but in all honesty I enjoy watching football and I like playing football, but this was my first time attempting actual play formations. And once I actually knew what I was expected to do, I even caught the ball a few times. Not to mention I had a 20 yard run stopped just two yards short of our end zone. I was proud of that play, the highlight of the game for me. The not so great part of that game was running into my own teammate (who I guarantee weighed at least 250 pounds) in a collision as we both attempted to steal the flags of our opponent flying down the field. I caught my breath, determined to look tough, and continued on with defense.
After two hours of intense and non-stop flag football, I walked off the field with muddy knees, dirt in my fingernails, and my ponytail in a disarray. Unfortunately, my team also walked away with the loss. However, I avoided all catastrophic situations and hopefully proved to the boys that girls can play football, too.
Getting in my car after the game the only thing I could think about was how much fun I had enjoying the beautiful weather and a little pigskin with some new friends. Minus the fact that I could barely move Sunday, and every muscle in my body aches as though I did a thousand squats, I can say the dirt and discomfort was well worth the fun and experience.
I was even invited back for next Saturday’s flag football game. I guess I should probably polish up on my play calling and run formations so that I can avoid collisions and embarrassment at all costs. Maybe even a little team victory is in store for me.
Posted by: Ashley Peterson on 11/22/2009 at 11:12 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Adrian, Luverne cross paths again
It’s amazing how history repeats itself.
Now in my third year with the Daily Globe, this season has reminded me of the first fall I spent as a sports reporter. What was really special for me that fall was the ability to watch the Adrian and Luverne football teams.
Today, I will again have an opportunity to watch the Dragons and the Cardinals in the state playoffs. Just like my first year in the area, the two teams’ paths have crossed. Two years ago, Adrian drew Mankato Loyola in the first round of the state playoffs and with a 25-14 victory was headed to the Metrodome. Meanwhile, a night later, Luverne was facing Triton, the team that had defeated the Cardinals 70-21 a year before in the state finals.
Behind a Sebastian Sousa Soares field goal, Luverne advanced as the two Section 3 schools continued their march. Adrian drew Cook County in the state semifinals, and with a 21-0 victory, was heading to the finals.
Later that day, Luverne matched their southwestern Minnesota counterpart, defeating Pierz in overtime. In that game, Zach Olson intercepted a pass to secure the Cardinals trip back to the state finals.
In Prep Bowl tradition, games are one right after another during the day. Adrian went first. Goodhue was too good on that day, winning, 28-7. Then, it was Luverne’s turn. In a defensive battle, Caledonia edged the Cardinals, 14-7.
But what was amazing was the support and respect from both sides. These are two teams who never play. Adrian, in Class A, and Luverne, in Class AA, are separated by 15 miles. But coaches, fans and players have respect for the other program.
“I think (Todd) Oye does a good job over there and has an excellent coaching staff,” Adrian head coach Randy Strand said. “He has kids that like playing football. They had a super group of seniors last year that played a lot of football over their careers for them. I think that has kind of rubbed off on what team he has now. They are used to being where they are and they can get things done.”
Added Oye: “Adrian has quite a team, they’ve done very well. I think it was in 2007 the last time they made it, and we know them well. We’ve shared practice dome facilities with them and obviously, our kids know each other.”
But what makes it special for both communities is the ability to root for the other squad. During the state championship game two years ago, Adrian fans stayed to cheer for the Cardinals. Luverne fans came early to cheer for the Dragons. It was amazing to see how well blue and red went together.
Even last Friday at the section finals at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, I saw Luverne fans come early to watch and cheer for Adrian.
Today, fans will have that same opportunity. With the Dragons’ kickoff slated for 10:30 a.m. and the Cardinals scheduled to go at 1 p.m., fans from both schools could stay and watch some good football.
“I’m sure fans will head out early knowing that we’re up there playing,” Strand said. “I know a couple years ago when we were in the dome together, we hung around and watched them play. I think the support is good that way, too.” I
f both teams continue to win, they will again play on the same day. Adrian would play at 10:15 a.m. Friday, while Luverne would play at 5:45 p.m. in the Dome.
If both teams win again, Adrian and Luverne will once again cross paths. The Class A final is slated for Nov. 27 at 1 p.m. The Class AA final will follow.
And if history is any indication, both communities will have a chance to cheer for each other one more time.
Posted by: dgsports on 11/14/2009 at 12:40 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
You know you run cross country...
This one is for all the cross county addicts out there — you know who you are.
I love every sport, which sort of comes with the territory when you’re a sports reporter.
But cross country will forever be one of the most misunderstood sports of all time, at least for all of those who have never tried it.
It’s like “Guitar Hero”. You just don’t understand what the big deal is, until you try it for yourself. Once you start, though, you’re hooked.
There’s more to it than just pressing orange, blue, yellow, green and red, right?
Well, there’s more to cross country than just putting one foot in front of the other … it’s putting one foot in front of the other repeatedly for a really, really long time!
And only a cross county parent knows what its like to drive two hours so they can see their kid run by twice — if they’re lucky!
Since all of the high school runners in Minnesota are either done for the season or toning it down because it’s pre-state week, maybe they’ll have some extra time to appreciate this.
I know I did, when I ran (no pun intended) across this list on the Internet: You know you run cross country when…
You run farther each week than your bus drives to and from the meet.
You’re proud when a team scores four times more points than you.
You can really tell a quality port-a-john when you see one.
Your coach won’t give you a ride home.
You can cover 18 holes at the local country club without any clubs.
The worse you do, the more playing time you get.
You own spandex in more than one color.
You actually like watching “Chariots of Fire”.
You wore spikes during the P.E. mile run.
Your calves are bigger than your biceps.
That’s only a few of them. Feel free to add to the list.
Good luck to the Jackson County Central boys, the Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin girls, both Adrian teams, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton’s Jeremy Hoflock, Luverne’s Anna Tofteland and Worthington’s Mubarik Musa and O.J. Ojullu this weekend at the Minnesota state cross country meet!
Posted by: Michael Brauer on 11/04/2009 at 3:58 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
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