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Local Cross Country Coaches Receive Coach of the Year Honors
Several dedicated cross country coaches from the area have recently been acknowledged for their outstanding contributions, with special recognition going to Jeff Morris and Brett Hanson of Perham. Morris was honored as the Section 8AA Boys’ Coach of the Year, while Hanson earned the distinction of 8AA Boys’ Assistant Coach of the Year. Meanwhile, Travis Hochhalter of Alexandria was named the 8AA Girls’ Coach of the Year, and Nikki Paradis, from the same team, was recognized as the Girls’ Assistant Coach of the Year. In Section 6A, Kenny Miller of Bertha-Hewitt was celebrated as the Boys’ Coach of the Year, and in Section 8A, Nathan Stoa was chosen as the Girls’ Coach of the Year. Edwin Heltunen of United North Central received the Assistant Coach of the Year award in Section 8A. The State Cross Country Meet is scheduled to take place this Saturday at the Les Bolstad Golf Course on the University of Minnesota campus.
Bertha-Hewitt Senior Zane Guderjahn Named Athlete of the Week
Zane Guderjahn, a standout senior on the Bertha-Hewitt Boys Cross Country team, has been named the Olson Oil Company Athlete of the Week. Guderjahn secured this recognition after winning the Section 6A Boys Individual Championship at Long Prairie with an impressive time of 16:37.77. Furthermore, the entire Bertha-Hewitt varsity team displayed their strength by having all seven of their varsity runners finish among the top 22 individuals, ultimately leading them to claim the Section team title with a total of 48 points. Staples-Motley finished as the runner-up with 71 points.
Hillcrest Boys Soccer Team Celebrates Achievements
The Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Boys Soccer Team marked the end of their successful 2023 season with an awards ceremony. The Comets concluded the season with a commendable record of 11-7-1, securing the runner-up position in Section 8A, and finishing in second place in the Lakes to Prairie Conference. Notable awards presented during the ceremony included Team Leadership Awards for Noah Bjorndahl, Matthew Knutson, and Abram Ness. The Hustle Award went to Drew Fischer, and Lincoln Nash was recognized as the Most Improved Player. The All-Conference selections included Zane Holmquist, Fischer, Knutson, Franki Renner, and Ness. Soren Floden and Kian Stender received Honorable Mention All-Conference honors. Furthermore, Ness was honored with a spot on the All-State Team, setting new team records for goals (53) and assists (32) during his impressive varsity career.
Otter Bowlers Sweep Competition in Perham
The Otter varsity bowling team achieved an impressive feat by winning all three matches on Sunday, clinching the regular season title. Simultaneously, Fergus Falls JV Black accomplished a similar feat, securing the top spot in the JV division. The varsity squad started their success with a 5-0 victory over New York Mills, where key players like Kyle Korby, Kaydence Knutson, and Nathaniel Whistleon showcased exceptional performances. In the second match, they continued their dominance by defeating Perham 5-0, with Alayna Price and Nolan Korby playing pivotal roles. The Otter varsity finished the regular season with a remarkable 17-1 record.
In the JV division, Fergus Falls JV Black faced a tough challenge in Bemidji Blue during the second match but eventually secured a thrilling victory. Myia Krensing’s crucial performance in the final frame was a highlight of the match. With a total pin count advantage, they emerged victorious. Fergus Falls JV Maroon had mixed results, while Fergus Falls JV Gold secured two more wins to end their season on a positive note. All these teams are gearing up for the North West Conference Tournament, which will be held at Northern Aire Lanes in Fergus Falls on Sunday, November 5, starting at 11:00 am.
Alexandria Cardinals Secure Shutout Victory Over Bemidji
The Alexandria Cardinals put on a dominant defensive display on Saturday, limiting the Bemidji Lumberjacks to a mere 70 total yards and securing a resounding 39-0 shutout victory in the Section 8AAAAA semifinals. The Cardinals showcased a balanced offensive attack, accumulating 127 passing yards and 139 rushing yards for a total of 266 offensive yards. After a scoreless first quarter, Alexandria took a commanding 16-0 lead into halftime. Key plays included a 3-yard touchdown run by Andrew Paten, a safety recorded by Brayden Staples, and a 25-yard touchdown pass from Chase Thompson to Evan Kludt. The third quarter saw a 34-yard field goal by Daniel Jackson and a second rushing touchdown by Paten. Brody Berg added to the score with a fumble recovery and a 24-yard run to the end zone. Paten led the team with 72 rushing yards, and Kludt led in receiving with 54 yards. The Cardinals will host the Section 8AAAAA championship game against Brainerd on Friday at 7:00 pm.
Pelican Rapids Vikings Advance in Section 8AA Semifinals
In a thrilling Section 8AA semifinal matchup, the Pelican Rapids Vikings secured a commanding 50-21 victory over Park Rapids, thanks to an outstanding performance by Jack Kapenga. Kapenga ran for an impressive 207 yards on 21 carries and scored four touchdowns. The Vikings showcased their dominance with 436 rushing yards and 491 total offensive yards. Timmy Guler also played a crucial role, contributing 79 rushing yards and scoring two touchdowns, in addition to completing 5-of-10 passes for 33 yards. The Vikings had several other key contributors, including Jack Paulson, Mark Kapenga, and Treyvon Benson. On the defensive side, Jack Kapenga led the team with 6 solo tackles and 8 assisted tackles. Sacks were recorded by several players, including Guler, Luke Sjolie, Justin Jacobson, and Channing Russman. Pelican Rapids (9-1) will face the defending Class AA champion Barnesville Trojans (10-0) in the 8AA title game on Friday at 5:30 pm at the Fargodome, seeking to avenge their only loss of the season.