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ROSTER
6
F EATURES Hard work and Good Fortune
22
Keely Walker & Akealy Moton
all signs point north
2015 State Soccer Champs Ready for Another Run
BY mark M. Sahli
West fargo’s Throwing Duo
BY Brent Rogness
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Jack’s Corner Amanda Levin
BY Jack Michaels
BY Kayley Erlandson
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Catching the big one
All signs point north: 2015 State soccer champs ready for another run Photography by: Thru Him PHotography
Father and Son Team Up to Topple A Tennis Dynasty
Cover
www.fmsportsview.com Volume 1 No. 2
s ch o l a r at h l e t e s
D-G-F’s Tyler Oberg
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APRIL / MAY 2016
BY adam watts
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catching up Tanner Kretchman
BY Larry Scott
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05 05 13 13 21 21 29 29 41 41
oak grove: Brody Davidson fargo north: olivia Hammerschmidt Sheyenne: bailey hoffner moorhead: nate stich fargo south: cale dunwoody shanley: Ellen Erie park christian: Adrianna Kallis d-G-F: Frannie Mercil west fargo: Alexander Talley davies: Nathaniel Thoreson
The “A” List BY brent rogness
FM SPORTS VIEW is published six times a year by Compass Media, PO Box 9761, Fargo, ND 58106. This is a free publication available in several retail outlets throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area. Also available through subscription at the following rates: One Year (6 issues) $14.00, Two Years (12 issues) $25.00, Three Years (18 issues) $30.00. ©2016 Compass Media. Except for purposes of review, material contained herein may not be reproduced without prior written consent. 218-205-2706 • artwork@fmsportsview.com
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Scholar Athlete > OAK GROVE
GROVERS
Brody Davidson football - hockey - golf Favorite School Subject: Biology Grade Point Average: 3.62 Groups and Organizations: Key Club I Root For: University of Michigan
Notable Academic Accomplishments: 2-time All Region Football, 1-time All Region Golf Pets: Two Hounds, Maize and Murphey In Ten Years...I’ll Be: A dentist.
Scholar Athlete > FARGO NORTH
SPARTANS
Olivia Hammerschmidt track - volleyball Nickname: Liv Favorite School Subject: Anatomy Grade Point Average: 3.65 Groups and Organizations: Yearbook, Jet, F-M Acro Team Notable Academic Accomplishment: A Honor Roll, Student of the Quarter, Invited to FNHS Honor Society
I Root For: Vikings and Bison Pets: Jett and Sumi, Two Dogs In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Teaching in a kindergarten classroom and hopefully coaching.
Tyler Oberg
I
n the world of high school and youth sports, specialization by individual athletes appears to be trending. The type of specialization trending now is by an individual in one particular sport, versus participation in multiple sports. Whether it’s in the classroom, dining room, or practice room, or on the field, one individual within the Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton school system is bucking the one-sport specialization trend. That individual is Tyler Oberg. In fact, there might not be a sport Tyler has not played. And he has not just played them, he has played them very well. Many collegiate coaches will tell you point blank that they are looking for well-rounded athletes. Plenty of football coaches, for instance, will take a multi-sport athlete over a football-only athlete 9 out of 10 times. Their versatility is an asset, and helps to mold them into better overall players.
by Mark M. Sahli • Photography by Friesen Photography
“When you see Tyler that is what you get with Tyler. A calm, cool, collected young man who will give 110 percent effort in any task he is asked to do,” she added. Growing up on a farm with three brothers and sisters, it’s clear where Tyler’s hard work and dedication comes from. He is the third of four siblings. The youngest in the family, a brother, has been able to join Tyler on some of the fields, gyms and schools as a teammate. Donna notes something unique about the Oberg household, given the world we live in, “We have no video games.” She adds, “They did have a Wii at one time, and it was only to be used with active games.” A refreshing concept to say the least, as she and others feel that getting out and doing things or finding things to do is a lost art among so many of today’s youth.
from D-G-F Athletic Director Joseph O’Keefe. About Tyler he says, “He is a leader in everything he does.” Perhaps Oberg’s fellow team members share the same drive and they rub off on each other, as O’Keefe explains that Tyler is part of a very successful and “smart” class of senior athletes attending Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton. O’Keefe is quick to point out that he was especially helpful in Tyler’s success in the wrestling room. He joked that he would go in to the room and “whoop up” on the young man. They both laughed knowing that O’Keefe’s statement might be a bit of a stretch. The conversation continued jokingly between AD and athlete and it was easy to see how coaches and teammates could not help but like Tyler, and his quick wit and no-nonsense attitude.
Tyler Oberg fits that mold to a “T” or maybe an “M” as in, Mike Linebacker.
able to track him down. He helps out in the office during lunch time. The 4.0 grade point average is something that gets thrown around fairly easy, and Tyler Oberg is no stranger to that number. He is a two-time all-state academic athlete in Minnesota. He is also a 2-year member of the National Honor Society. His favorite subject is Physics. In talking with Tyler, he appears not to have any issues with any of his classes. To Tyler, it seems as if he started playing sports as soon as he could walk. Observing him, a person might think that was shortly after coming home from the hospital in a baby carrier. Of all the sports he plays and enjoys, his first and favorite sport is baseball. The D-G-F team’s success last year in baseball would definitely explain that feeling. But Tyler expounded on playing with a cousin who was involved with the Minnesota Gopher organization and an uncle, who he explains, taught him so much about the game. They would always be playing the game or working on their skills during visits to each other’s homes as Tyler was growing up.
“He is a leader in everything he does.” D-G-F Athletic Director Joseph O’Keefe
In the simple words of his mother Donna, “He is a keeper.” He has a never quit attitude; he is a great leader. Even though he might not be a loud cheerleader-type leader, when he leads, he leads by example. “He will not ask anything of any teammate that he knows he cannot do himself,” she said.
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With Tyler returning as a senior, this year’s team could be on the same track for success.
Given his many coaches in a multitude of sports, a summation of Tyler’s talents comes appropriately
Sports administration might not be too far off the mark in Tyler’s future, as the AD’s office was where I was
Tyler also plays football, wrestles, plays pond hockey and summer volleyball at the lake, and although baseball wins out as his “most” favorite sport, he does not fail to men-
Tyler Oberg
by Mark M. Sahli • Photography by Friesen Photography
“He won two baseball world series and has his own outdoor show” says Tyler Oberg about fellow baseball player, and Twin’s great, Kent Hrbek. tion that whatever sport is in season is also his favorite. His hard work has paid off and Oberg has been fortunate to be a part of seven state tournament appearances. Those include three wrestling appearances, another three in football, and one baseball appearance. Individually, Tyler has accumulated many accolades including all-state in football, a sixth place finish at 220 pounds in wrestling this year, the district linebacker award, football MVP and many more. Even with all the accolades he has earned, Tyler was very modest in discussing those awards. Totaling up his athletic letters, twelve is the final tally. Those include five baseball letters, four in wrestling, and three in football. Tossing in the academic letters as a cherry on top, would put Tyler at sixteen letter awards. That is not too shabby a high school career, just as he and O’Keefe have joked. For Tyler, sports participation brings out the best in individuals and teaches them responsibility and accountability. Like most, he enjoys winning and competing, and feels that everyone should compete at some level. He and his family cheer for the Minnesota Gophers, and like any good Minnesotan, sticks with the Minnesota Twins as a favorite pro-
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fessional team. “You have to stick with them through thick and thin” says Oberg. His favorite professional athlete might surprise some. He pulled out a throwback name for someone who is only a senior in high school; that person is Minnesota’s own Kent Hrbek. When he explains why he feels that way about the former first baseman, you get to know Tyler a little bit better and you understand. “He won two baseball world series and has his own outdoor show” says Oberg about Hrbek. The topic of hunting and fishing was just sitting there and was almost as if he could not wait to talk about it. He loves goose hunting and explains he loves to follow them in the spring and back again in the fall. Fall is his favorite time of the year and hunting is a big part of that. Tyler’s plans for fall include playing football at UW-Oshkosh in Wisconsin. He is slated to play Mike Linebacker. This does not put a cap on his plans by any means. After college, Tyler plans to enlist in the Navy. His plans are to be serving in the military ten years from now. If and when he does that and there should be no doubt he will, it would be good if the Navy is able to provide him enough sporting opportunities and challenges to keep him busy. He is more than capable of handling specialization in more than one thing. FMSV
Scholar Athlete > WEST FARGO SHEYENNE
MUSTANGS
Bailey Hoffner Volleyball - basketball - track Nickname: Bailes Favorite School Subject: Anatomy Grade Point Average: 3.70 I Root For: Duke Mens Basketball, NDSU
Notable Academic Accomplishments: AP Student, A Honor Roll In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Somewhere in the medical field.
Scholar Athlete > MOORHEAD
SPUDS
Nate Stich Football - basketball - track Favorite School Subject: Calculus Grade Point Average: 3.75 Notable Academic Accomplishment: Lettered Three Years I Root For: Green Bay Packers
Pets: One Dog, Tundra In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Engineering
Keely Walker & Akealy Moton
G
oofy, funny, encouraging, outgoing. These are just a few of the words that Keely Walker’s teammates use to describe the West Fargo High School senior athlete. “You can take ‘outgoing’ off of my list and put it on hers,” Keely said, pointing to fellow track and field teammate Akealy Moton, “She talks to everyone.” Keely and Akealy spend a lot of time together during the track and field season, practicing with their teammates and pushing each other to perform their best in shotput, discus, and javelin. When asked what their typical practice is like, Akealy joked, “I basically yell at Red [Keely’s nickname] to keep going.”
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It’s immediately obvious that Keely and Akealy are both easygoing and often joke around with each other, which they both say comes along with being on the same team with someone for their entire track and field career. “We spend a lot of time together during track season,” Akealy said. “We’re everywhere together.” Both girls are standout throwers on the West Fargo track and field team who competed and placed in last year’s state track and field meet. While these two athletes live and breathe their field events during the season, they didn’t always harbor such an intense devotion to the sport.
by Kayley Erlandson • Photography by Thru Him Photography
Akealy’s brother Caleb encouraged her to try javelin during her 7th grade year. During her first day at practice, Akealy says she hit the back of her head three times in a row trying to practice her throwing form, but followed Caleb’s brotherly advice: “It’s not that hard, just throw.” Keely was also a 7th grader when she joined track and field, but was initially hesitant to join the team. Since softball takes place during the same time of year as track and field, she could only compete in one sport. “My dad said I could play softball in the summer and made me do track and field to expand my horizons,” Keely said. Her reaction to the news? “I cried,” Keely said.
Despite Keely’s less-than-enthusiastic reaction to the beginning of her track and field career, her uncle was excited to pass on his expertise to his niece. “My uncle won state shot put when he was in high school and he was one of the first people who ended up helping me with my form.” Keely said. Akealy’s family also has a history with track and field – her mother ran a majority of running events and her grandpa was a track and cross country coach. Akealy says that her father is very supportive and gives her good advice when it comes to her athletic career. “He tells me not to worry what other people say and just try to do what I can do to the best of my ability.”
Akealy Moton on her goals for the upcoming season
Keely Walker
Keely Walker & Akealy Moton Flash forward to senior year, and Akealy and Keely both have state medals under their belts and are looking forward to another run this year. At last year’s state meet, the two girls tied for third place in discus, Akealy placed first in shot put and javelin and Keely snagged the third place medal in shot put. “It was all a blur,” Keely said, when asked about her experience at the state competition. Their goals for the upcoming track and field season are to beat their personal records from last year. “I want to improve on distance and form,” Akealy said. “Just improve off of where I left off.” Keely also set personal goals for the upcoming season, but says she and Akealy wants to help prepare their entire team for next year. “I try to cheer my teammates as much as possible. I want to help other people and I want our team as a whole to have more qualifiers. We had three
state qualifiers last year, but no one else placed. As leaders we’re going to have to step up this year and get them there.” Both Keely and Akealy are quick to attribute their success at last year’s state meet to their teammates and the positive environment the team has created together. The throwers on the team regularly bond over food, taking trips to Applebee’s after their weekend meets and partaking in Akealy’s unique snack choices during the meet: cereal, cookies, and different types of sunflower seeds. “I think I feed everyone during meets,” Akealy joked. When asked to describe their team’s dynamic, track and field teammates Alex Talley and Dylan Anthony said that the throwers are very supportive of each another. “We are very encouraging. We have a lot of fun with each other,” said Talley.
by Kayley Erlandson • Photography by Thru Him Photography
“We have the most fun!” Anthony quickly corrected.
to the University of North Dakota (UND).
Keely and Akealy both agreed that the throwers have created a supportive environment for everyone on the team.
“UND has been on my radar for a long time.” Keely said, and talked about her family connections to the university and the college’s quality health programs. She plans to become an orthopedic physician after college and says her passion for the health field was sparked by her positive experience with the trainers at her high school and her work as a student trainer for her high school’s football team.
“We make it better in the end,” Akealy said. “If you’re on a team and you’re not super comfortable with everyone, you won’t want to put in the extra work.” For Akealy and Keely, connecting with their teammates and putting in additional time to improve their performances isn’t a problem. “My dad and I have a saying: champions are made in the off season.” Keely said.
With the upcoming track and field season starting soon and post-high school plans underway, the future looks bright for both Keely and Akealy. FMSV
Both girls have already started making plans for the future. Akealy has her sights set on first place medals for all three field events at the state track and field. Keely plans to compete in track and field at the collegiate level and recently committed
Akealy’s brother on learning to throw the javelin.
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Scholar Athlete > FARGO SOUTH
BRUINS
Cale Dunwoody Football - track Favorite School Subject: History Grade Point Average: 3.47 I Root For: University of North Dakota Hockey Pets: Two Dogs, Mya and Dollie
Notable Academic Accomplishments: A/B Honor Roll Jr. and Sr. Year In Ten Years...I’ll Be: A federal agent in North Dakota.
Scholar Athlete > SHANLEY
DEACONS
Ellen Erie cross country - basketball - track Nickname: El Favorite School Subject: AP Psychology Grade Point Average: 4.08 Groups and Organizations: PAY, Student Ambassadors, Student Council, Tutoring
I Root For: Gophers Pets: 2 Toy Poodles; Josie and Charlie Notable Academic Accomplishments: Presidential Scholar, National Honor Society In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Hopefully a pediatrician and married.
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Fargo North Girls Soccer
F
argo North soccer’s Michelle Crary knows a thing or two about transitions.
Scoring thirty career goals for the NDSU soccer team from 20042007, she was a solid, steady presence during the team’s era of migration to Division I. Today, she enters her third season as coach of the Spartans’ girls soccer squad. The Winnipeg native has constructed an unlikely state champion merely blocks down the road from where she made a name for herself collegiately. Crary has already claimed a North Dakota State High School soccer championship title, and she returns the majority of the contributors from last year’s team to make another run at the crown this spring. The former college standout can’t help but take the field with her players during practice and help push them to the next level. Undoubtedly, there will be more of that in 2016.
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“She doesn’t go lightly,” says first team all-stater Molly Sarafolean of Crary’s practice appearances.
by Brent Rogness • Photography by Thru Him Photography
Baarstad’s 2016 co-captain, Lacie Johnson, says respect for her coach started to develop about a decade ago.
“It doesn’t matter what age you are. If you want it, go get it. There’s never a perfect moment.” 2016 co-captain Kalli Baarstad quoting Coach Michelle Crary It’s Crary’s experience that has helped captivate the girls’ attention, as they put faith in her to push them to new boundaries, just as they did last season.
“I remember going to NDSU games and seeing her play when I was younger. When she got here, I listened to exactly what she said,” says Johnson.
“Coach is a confidence builder. We’ve built up a big respect level (for her),” says co-captain Kalli Baarstad. Reciting one of Crary’s main philosophies, “It doesn’t matter what age you are. If you want it, go get it. There’s never a perfect moment.”
In recent seasons, Fargo-area high school athletic success has tilted either to the south or west ends of town. Working with a depleted roster void of 12 outgoing seniors, Crary’s Spartans turned in a 2015 season that shifted some of the balance back to the top of the compass.
“We were a really young team,” remembers Crary of the 2015 North soccer squad. “They continued to learn throughout the season. We had some tough losses. I kept pushing them. We got to state and it started to click.” For the Spartans, the road to a state championship was indeed long, winding, and unexpected. In fact, their journey to a title started with sputtering and smoke before it even left the driveway after a 7-0 seasonopening loss to Davies. “The first time we played Davies we got crushed,” recalls junior midfielder Ruth Hegstad. “After losing to them like that, we got to see how far we had come.” The loss drove Crary to keep the girls focused on the road ahead, while improving daily and not playing outside of themselves. “I am very competitive and I put a lot on myself to push them in a certain direction,” says Crary, who players often refer to as ‘Marty’ (her maiden name is Martinez). “I teach so they understand and play to their
“They continued to learn throughout the season. We had some tough losses. I kept pushing them. We got to state and it started to click.” Coach Crary on the team’s journey to a state championship in 2015
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Fargo North Girls Soccer strengths. You can’t turn a player into something else.” The Spartans gradually picked up momentum, going 2-1-1 in the next two weeks after the Davies loss. This set the stage for a win that both players and Crary point to as a true turning point in their 2015 season: A 2-1 victory over Shanley on April 23, 2015. “The first time we beat Shanley was a big deal,” says Peighten Watson, a junior midfielder/forward who earned a spot on last year’s all-tournament team. Baarstad was the team’s lone captain last season, and her teammates point to her as a quintessential leader on and off the field. “At first we felt a lot of pressure, but having Kalli as a captain really helped,” says Hegstad. “She brought us together.” “She was our rock,” Sarafolean says in praise of Baarstad. As a tandem in captaincy that’s already made an indelible mark on the program, Johnson assisted Baarstad for the first goal of the state championship game. The senior leaders know the importance of their role, but also embrace the qualities the underclassmen bring to the table.
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“Last year I was the only captain. I realized that captain is just a name and everyone has a leadership role,” says Baarstad. On a team loaded with talented and battle-tested juniors, Baarstad looks forward to continuing the teambuilding process on and off the field, picking up right where they left off last year.
by Brent Rogness • Photography by Thru Him Photography
Zander. “After quarterfinals, we went back to the hotel and said, ‘We can do this.’” Sporting cornrows in their hair and covered in faux tattoos, North’s green crop of soccer junkies continued their surprise attack on the state tourney bracket, knocking out Bismarck Century 3-0 in the semifinals before toppling Bismarck High School 3-0 in the title game.
“I’m really excited for proving ourselves. A lot of people say we can’t do it.” Peighton Watson on their quest for another state title in 2016 For example, in the 2015 state quarterfinals, North watched higher-seeded teams, including Davies, stumble while they shut out Minot (another higher seed) to advance to the semifinals. As the bracket started to shift more to their favor, the team made it a point to come together and have fun along the way. “We didn’t feel any pressure. We stayed loose and relaxed,” says junior midfielder/forward Megan
The team recalls other opponents wondering if they were taking the experience seriously enough, especially when noticing things like Johnson’s ‘sleeve’ of SpongeBob Squarepants tattoos. Ultimately, camaraderie triumphed. Having learned to walk the fine line between playing hard and having fun, Johnson plans to make sure the most important team aspects are handled with care.
“We all have our type of leadership we bring to the team, but I want to be a leader that makes sure we stay humble throughout the season, not just expecting to win,” says Johnson. Moving forward, the Spartans are out to show last year’s conquest was no fluke. “I’m really excited for proving ourselves. A lot of people say we can’t do it,” notes Watson. No matter how the season plays out, Baarstad, who is committed to playing at Concordia (Moorhead) next season, knows the future of Spartan soccer has never looked brighter. “They are such hard workers and they’re such caring individuals,” Baarstad says of the underclassmen. “When we leave, we’re leaving the team in really, really good hands.” Hungry for more, the Spartans aim for an Eastern Dakota Conference championship, something they did not accomplish last year. From there, they know anything can happen. As they learned last season, it can be mastered with teamwork, confidence… and perhaps a few more of those SpongeBob tattoos. FMSV
Scholar Athlete > PARK CHRISTIAN
FALCONS
Adrianna Kallis Volleyball - basketball - tennis Nickname: Adry Favorite School Subject: Math Grade Point Average: 4.0 Groups and Organizations: National Honor Society, Bethel Church Volunteer I Root For: Green Bay Packers, Iowa State, NDSU
Notable Academic Accomplishments: State Science Fair, Tri-College Math Participant, Society of Women Engineers Award, Spotlight on Scholarship Award In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Hopefully graduated from a 4-year university, beginning a career and a family.
Scholar Athlete > DILWORTH-GLYNDON-FELTON
REBELS
Frannie Mercil Volleyball - basketball - track Favorite School Subject: Math Grade Point Average: 4.069 Groups and Organizations: National Honor Society, Student Council, Metro Area Student Ambassadors
Notable Academic Accomplishments: A Honor Roll, All-State Academic for Track Pets: One Dog, Mowgli In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Teaching
Jack Michaels is a sports broadcaster and host of the ‘Jack Michaels Show’ on 740 The Fan. Jack is the Sports Director at Midwest Radio Communications in Fargo.
Amanda LEvin
West Fargo > Track & Field
Meet Amanda Levin, former West Fargo High School and current NDSU track and field star. In high school Amanda swept the North Dakota Class A state titles in the sprints as a junior in 2013, winning at 100m, 200m and 400m. As a sophomore, she earned runner-up honors in all three events, and she ran on West Fargo 4x200m relay teams that finished second both years. She placed 5th in the 100m, 7th in the 200m and 8th in the 400m as a senior while recovering from a knee injury and ranks among the top ten performers in North Dakota high school history with her 100m time of 12.05 seconds and her 200m time of 25.14. Now in her sophomore athletic season at NDSU, Amanda is competing in the pentathlon and sprints. Her NDSU team just won their 9th consecutive indoor summit league title.
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Jack Michaels: NDSU has strung so many titles together in Division I track and field, what’s it like being part of a dominant program? Amanda levin: It’s an amazing feeling to be a part of a program that is that dominant. It’s a feeling that never gets old being part of a school that has a winning culture in many different sports. JM: Talk about your preparation competing in a multi-event sport like the pentathlon.
AL: We practice a lot of the events throughout the week, we do some base training which includes running to prepare for the 800m, and a lot of technique goes into it. We practice hurdles, shot put, long jump, high jump. It depends on the week, and what we need to focus on for that next event. JM: Do you have one particular event of those five events that you enjoy the most?
AL: I really like the long jump because it’s something I never got to do in high school and it’s fun to learn and try to get better each and every competition. JM: In high school you were one of the top athletes in the state of North Dakota and had to overcome a devastating knee injury. Talk about overcoming that injury and what you learned about yourself. AL: It definitely was a long road, that’s for sure. It was one that I’m actually kind of glad that I went through because I learned what I am made of. The injury made me work hard and I learned a lot about myself. My faith helped me get through injury. One of my favorite sayings is from the Bible, Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me’, and that helped me get through my injury; knowing that sports doesn’t define me. It was an experience that I had to overcome, but my family, my friends, my coaches really helped me along the way and I’m at NDSU doing well now and even though it was tough, it was definitely worth it. JM: Who do you credit for keeping your drive alive? AL: My faith is very strong, my family pushes me to show me what I’m made of and they never give up on me. I’ve never given up on myself and I’ve had a lot of coaches along the way that believed in me, my teammates have been alongside me, and it’s been a little bit of everyone helping me along the way.
Photos Submitted By Amanda Levin
FM SPORTS VIEW APRIL / MAY 2016 31
jacks corner - amanda levin
JM: At NDSU you’re competing with teammates who are potential Olympians, how much does that help drive you? AL: Oh, it’s amazing. At practice you look up at the walls and the banners, the All-Americans and future Olympians. It’s crazy. You want to be like them, you want to push yourself and that’s why you work so
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hard because you don’t want to let the team down because of all this excellence that you’re surrounded by. JM: I know a proper diet and what you put into your body helps it operate at a high level, but on those ‘cheat days’ what do you like to eat or snack on?
by Jack Michaels
AL: I definitely like my pizza that’s for sure. I also like to go to Kobe’s with my dad, we like our sushi. I’m not too picky, I’ll eat anything. JM: What were your goals as a high school athlete and now in college? Have they changed much? AL: My goals haven’t changed too much, I’m pushing to be the best
that I can be. As a high school athlete and even younger I had always wanted to be a Bison when I grew up. Growing up around the Bison culture is what I wanted. I actually have a picture of me when I was younger in an old Bison jersey. So that’s kind of cool to look back on, and now it’s a reality.
Photos submitted by Amanda Levin JM: What would your advice be to young girls who want to do what you do?
JM: What makes being involved in track and field at the college level so much fun for you?
AL: I would say that you can do anything that you put your mind to with hard work and dedication. I’ve learned lately that patience is key. Don’t push too much, when it’s your time it’ll happen.
AL: Being with my teammates and all the memories we have from our trips and continually making new ones, being around the coaches and the overall experience from competing against other people who have the same love of track and field.
JM: It’s quite impressive that there are so many talented athletes competing at the college level from our own backyard and at NDSU.
JM: Thanks for the time Amanda and good luck in your next event.
AL: It’s crazy. Morgan Milbrath runs at NDSU too. She’s a great teammate and even better person, and it’s fun to now be teammates with those that I used to compete against in high school.
FMSV
AL: Thanks Jack.
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david and vic youngs
L
egend has it that Lake Ida near Vergas, Minnesota is home to a giant northern pike named Walter. The elusive fish causes many a headache for anglers on the lake. Two such anglers are father and son duo, Vic and David Youngs. The Youngs have been trying to catch the legendary fish for most of 18-year-old high school senior David’s life. The pursuit of the uncatchable fish has caused so many problems for them that anytime something goes wrong they blame Walter. “We joke that when we have a northern snap our line, it’s always Walter,” David said. Vic says there is nobody who loves fishing more than David. He could spend 24 straight hours in a boat. And he says that even as a kid, David’s fishing talent was undeniable. “He had an absolute knack for catching fish,” Vic said. “I’ve got a video of David that I’m sure we’ll bust out for his graduation, and honestly he puts his line out and: boom, fish. And again: boom, fish. Just constant. He had the touch.”
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by Adam Watts • Photography by Friesen Photography
Even with his “touch,” David and his father have not caught the legendary Walter of Lake Ida. They did, however, finally catch an uncatchable fish last fall -- not in a boat, but on a tennis court. The Fargo South Bruins boys tennis team, featuring David’s playing and Vic’s coaching, won the 2015 North
wearing red and white was cheering for Fargo South. It was great to see that much support for the kids.” This is not the first state championship Vic Youngs has won since taking over as head tennis coach for Fargo South in 1988, but he says it was the most special.
“This was the third state title that I’ve been a part of here at South and they’re all awesome.” VIC Youngs Dakota State High School tennis championship, toppling the 17-year Grand Forks Red River dynasty. Before last fall, Red River had won 17-consecutive state championships and had not lost a match in 15 years.
“This was the third state title that I’ve been a part of here at South and they’re all awesome,” Vic said. “But -- my gosh -- to have your oldest on the team and everybody came up big. It’s a pretty magical year.”
“The state championship is -- my gosh,” Vic Youngs said. “Red River is an unbelievable program, but we knew we had a chance. It’s pretty exciting. The Red River kids are great kids, but anybody who wasn’t
The magic didn’t start at the state championship, though. Fargo South ended Red River’s undefeated streak in the regular season on a night that David and Vic called “crazy,” and “funky.”
With two matches to go and the Bruins trailing 4-3, the contest moved from Fargo South’s home courts to Island Park in Fargo. South’s courts don’t have lights, so Vic Youngs along with Red River head coach Greg LaDouceur decided they would need to move to a court with lights in order to continue. Davis Lawley and Carter Steffes won the final two matches to seal the victory. “I will be able to remember that last point for the rest of my life,” David said. “It was surreal. Even though we had won, we knew that we poked the bear. They wanted to get us back, and they did in the EDC championship, they beat us there 3-2.” As well as sharing the team accomplishments of ending Grand Forks Red River’s undefeated streak and winning the state championship, the Youngs won a pair of individual awards in 2015. Vic Youngs won the North Dakota Tennis Coach of the Year and David won the North Dakota Senior Athlete of the Year. “Winning senior athlete of the year was such a nice honor,” David said. “I’ve got to give it to my teammates. They helped me get better. They encouraged me. Even though tennis
David Youngs
FM SPORTS VIEW APRIL / MAY 2016 37
david and vic youngs is an individual sport, it’s a team sport in high school. Even if you win your match, it doesn’t matter, you have to get five wins.” About his dad, David says,“It was really good to see him win coach of the year because I think he is definitely one of the best coaches in the state. He has actually been nominated for national coach of the year a couple of times. It was especially rewarding my senior year to go out and see him win that award.” Accomplishing what Vic and David Youngs were able to accomplish this year takes a lot of time and effort. They even take the tennis talk to the dinner table where the rest of the family hears about their strategies and possible lineups. Sometimes they have to try to remember that there are other people there too, Vic says.
38 FM SPORTS VIEW APRIL / MAY 2016
by Adam Watts • Photography by Friesen Photography
“We talk about tennis quite a bit off the court,” David said.
and music and student council. It’s great to be well rounded.”
“The rest of the family gets a little tired of it,” Vic said.
“My wife and I enjoy watching him play in band and jazz band every bit as much as competing in sports,” said Vic who played violin at Concordia.
Though tennis talk dominates dinner table discussion in the Youngs household, David prides himself on being a well-rounded individual. He is the student council president and participates in Knowledge Bowl, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and band, where he plays trombone. He earned a trombone scholarship to his father’s alma mater Concordia College in Moorhead, where he will also play tennis. “I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned from my parents,” David said. “Try everything. If it sounds interesting, try it. I think being well rounded has given me a lot of opportunities and it has helped me make a lot of friends both in sports
David is following in his father’s footsteps by playing tennis and music at Concordia and he may be following in his father’s footsteps by coaching at Fargo South next year. Vic says he may bring David on as a volunteer assistant coach in the fall. David is looking forward to helping the Bruins try to defend their state championship and to see the game through the eyes of a coach. “I’m excited to see tennis from a different perspective,” David said. “I’ve grown up with it. I remember back before I played, I remember going up to watch a state
tournament. High school tennis has always been a really big part of my life. I want it to stay that way, even though I’m not playing.” It looks like Vic, David, and the Bruins tennis team will be getting back in the boat to chase down more uncatchable fish. FMSV
David Youngs
Tanner Kretchman Photo by MSUM Athletics
W
hen the Dragons gathered for the beginning of the preseason drills last fall there was mixture of hope and doubt. Staging a suitable encore for the most remarkable season in Minnesota State University Moorhead history was a tall order, indeed, and while most of the Dragon basketball faithful dreamed another special season was within reach, they were united in their belief that finding a trusty replacement for departed AllAmerican guard Jordan Riewer was impossible. After all, Riewer had willed the Dragons to the NSIC North title, a 35-4 finish and a first ever trip to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. Surely a drop off awaited.
Not so fast.
A native of Alexandria, Minn., Larry Scott spent 40 years as Sports Information Director at Minnesota State University Moorhead before retiring in 2009. A 1963 graduate of Alexandria High School, Scott received a BS degree in English from Moorhead State in 1967 and was appointed the first full-time MSC SID in 1969. Scott was named sports publicist of the NIC in 1970. Scott filled a three-year term (1984-87) as a college division representative on the Board of Directors of the College Sports Information Directors of America. Scott was presented the Ike Pearson award as NAIA SID of the Year in 1990 and inducted into the Dragon Hall of Fame in 1988, the CoSIDA Hall of Fame in 1991 and the NSIC Hall of Fame in 2015. Scott won 107 national awards for athletic publications, including 25 “Best in the Nation� certificates and is an adjunct professor in the MSU Moorhead Mass Communications department. A member of the MSUM football broadcast team, Scott has worked 501 consecutive Dragon football games since 1967 40 FM SPORTS VIEW APRIL / MAY 2016
by Larry Scott
Scholar Athlete > WEST FARGO
PACKERS
Alexander Talley football - basketball - track & Field Nickname: Talley Favorite School Subject: Physics Grade Point Average: 3.87 Groups and Organizations: National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Business Leaders of America
I Root For: NDSU and the Vikings Notable Academic Accomplishments: Lettered for 3 years in Academics, made Honor Roll every year, student of the month for two different months. In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Being a civil engineer and owning a house.
Scholar Athlete > DAVIES
EAGLES
Nathaniel Thoreson Tennis Nickname: Nate Favorite School Subject: Economics and History Grade Point Average: 4.11 Notable Academic Accomplishments: Nominee for Presidential Scholarship, Academic Letter for 4 Years
Groups and Organizations: Speech, Debate, Student Congress, Tennis, Econ Challenge, Academic Knowledge Bowl, Student Council, National Honor Society I Root For: UND Hockey, Chicago Bears In Ten Years...I’ll Be: A lawyer in business law, beginning a political career.
Catching up / Tanner Kretchman Tanner Kretchman was there to fill the void and keep the Dragons championship crew on track. Expected to fill a backup role as a sophomore, he quickly won the respect and trust of the Dragon coaching staff and was entrusted with starting duties at point guard, Riewer’s old stand. The Fargo, ND product would not disappoint.
game. He was also saluted with AllNSIC first team honors, joining fellow Dragon Isaac Sevlie.
MSU Moorhead logged another impressive season last winter, repeating as NSIC North Champs, finishing 30-6 overall and advancing to the NCAA Division II regionals. An Accounting major, Kretchman put up some good numbers. He played in all 36 games as a sophomore and averaged 14.1 points per game, 5.8 assists and a mere 1.5 turnovers a
Kretchman was actively recruited by several Division II schools, including members of the NSIC, and offered a chance to walk on at North Dakota State. Instead, he directed his attention across the Red River, and found there was much to like. “I loved the way the program was running with a lot of success, what the coaches were doing and the style
Photo by MSUM Athletics
That Tanner Kretchman became a certified college basketball standout is no surprise to those who know the
former Fargo Davies High School star well. The fact that it happened so quickly is the wonder of it all.
42 SPORTS VIEW JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016
by Larry Scott
of play, the open offense with lots of ball screens.” “When we recruited Tanner it was somewhat frustrating because people kept asking if he was big enough,” head coach Chad Walthall said. “I would just respond with I’m not sure if he is, but I certainly know he is good enough. I am not surprised by his recent success. One reason is, he is highly competitive and plays with a chip on his shoulder which I always look for in a PG,
Catching up / Tanner Kretchman
by Larry Scott
but also a high achiever who is a winner. These are qualities a point guard in our program must have.” Kretchman readily admits he faced a sizeable learning curve when he left Davies High School. “You have to adjust to the speed and physicality of the (college) game. Getting your shot off, and getting that separation between you and the defender. Last year was perfect for me; I got to learn from Jordan; that was good for me.” Kretchman noted.
Kretchman admits he is not a finished product. “I’ll spend a lot of time in the weight room this summer, and there will also be open gym twice a week.” While another prosperous season expired in early March with a loss to MSU Mankato at the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional in Sioux Falls, SD, Kretchman and his mates are already plotting a rewarding encore for next winter.
“I think it’s more of the same next year,” he said. “That’s what we are gunning for every year, making those tournament runs. We would also like to get the NISC Tournament Championship. Kretchman understands replacing a tested senior group will be difficult, but he has his eye on the future. “We have some very talented redshirts and we’re expecting a lot out of them.” “The next two years for Tanner will be a little different from the stand
point of just not making good plays for our team on the court, but he will now direct more, and lead his team and peers on and off the floor about expectations and the non-negotiables of the program and what makes us successful. This will be very important,” said Walthall. Kretchman, who averaged 33 minutes a game during the season, played the entire 40 minutes in the closing games with Augustana College and MSU Mankato.
FM SPORTS VIEW APRIL / MAY 2016 43
Catching up / Tanner Kretchman
by Larry Scott
“I could feel it the next day,” he admitted. He reached a personal high-water mark of 27 points in the loss to MSU Mankato, but that didn’t erase the pain. “We didn’t play up to our potential, but we were still in the game. The game of basketball can be funny; the bounces don’t always go your way.” Kretchman hit the ground running as a freshman and helped the Dragons finish 35-4 and reach the NCAA Division II Elite 8 for first time in school history. He appeared in all 39 games and averaged 3.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game as the primary backup to PG Jordan Riewer. He scored in double figures four times, including a season-high 16 points in NSIC tournament championships against Augustana and had a freshman-high six assists in a win over Alaska. Prior to joining the Dragon basketball family, he enjoyed an outstanding career at Fargo Davies High School, and the Upper Midwest took notice. He was named North Dakota Mr. Basketball in 2014 and the 2014 Eastern Dakota Conference Player of the Year. He led Davies to a ND State Championship, including scoring 32 points in the state title game and was named to the All-Tournament team. A first-team all-state selection as a senior, he finished with 1,943 career points. He averaged a whopping 29.2 points, 5.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game as a senior with 74 three-pointers. Kretchman knows balancing athletics and academics can be tricky at time. “It’s sometimes difficult. In season, basketball is a full time job. What is really good is that our teachers are really flexible, if you communicate with them. The road trips might be the hardest thing for academics. I study a little on the road, but I’m more focused on the games.” “I want to get my GPA, but what I really want to do is become a college coach. It comes from coach Walthall and also my dad. When I was young, he was the coach at Central Cass. He was the one that got me into the game. He pretty much gave up his coaching career to coach me and my brother.” FMSV
Photo by Alecs Peters / Dragon Athletics 44 FM SPORTS VIEW APRIL / MAY 2016
Lauren rotunda
Shanley > basketball A finalist for North Dakota Miss Basketball this season, Rotunda scored 20 points and hauled in 13 rebounds to help Shanley to an overtime win over Bismarck Century in the North Dakota Class A State Championship game. Teammate Sarah Jacobson scored 31 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 7 assists as the Deacons finished out a perfect season and currently hold a 70-game winning streak.
Riley giauque
Fargo South-Shanley > hockey Giauque, a senior, finished his decorated career on the ice with 25 goals and 31 assists for the South-Shanley boys in 2015-16, good for third on the season’s state scoring list. Stone Sandoval of West Fargo finished sixth on the list with 54 points, while Giauque’s teammate Luke Sandy came in seventh with 53.
Bryce burnside
davies > wrestling In his final season on the mat, Burnside claimed a state championship in North Dakota’s 152-pound class with a victory by decision over Creighton Rudolph of Minto. A two-time captain at Davies, Burnside was one of two finalists for East Region Outstanding Senior Wrestler, finishing the 2015-16 campaign with a sparkling 35-1 record.
Sam Haiby
Moorhead > basketball Haiby, a sophomore at Moorhead, eclipsed 1000 career points this season. She averaged 20.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5 assists per game while shooting 38 percent from 3-point range. Defensively, she also was a force, averaging 3.5 steals per game for Jed Carlson’s Spuds, who finished the 2015-16 campaign with a 14-13 record.
Josh downey
west fargo > basketball coach In his first season at the helm, Downey led the West Fargo boys basketball team to an Eastern Dakota Conference regular season championship. The Packers also advanced to the state championship game where they fell to Minot 65-59 in overtime. Downey, a former first-team all-conference hoopster at Concordia, finished the season with a 23-4 overall record and was honored as EDC Coach of the Year.
fargo north > swimming & Diving coach Richard Fisher A mainstay of the Spartans’ swimming and diving program since the 1989-90 season, Fisher was named Eastern Dakota Conference and North Dakota State Coach of the Year for the third time in his career (1990 and 2010 previously). He has coached a total of 50 state champions (individual and relay) in his time at North, where he also serves as a social studies teacher.
46 FM SPORTS VIEW APRIL / MAY 2016