w w w.f msp o rts view. com
VIDEOS, ONLINE-ONLY CONTENT & PAST ARTICLES
ROSTER
F E AT U R E S
4
WERTH ETHIC
Dedication to Details Pays Dividends for Moorhead Hockey Standout
20
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Oak Grove’s Emily Card BY JOY MINION
SIMAN SAYS
28
The Spartans’ Not-So-Secret Weapon
BY MERRIE SUE HOLTAN
HEAVYWEIGHT HONCHO
Decorated West Fargo Wrestler Enters His Final Season BY KAYLEY ERLANDSON
36
CATCHING UP WITH LARRY SCOTT
SIMAN SAYS PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JUSTIN EILER
Phil Moenkedick
COVER
www.fmsportsview.com VOLUME 1 NO. 6
S C H O L A R AT H L E T E S
BY BRENT ROGNESS
12
DEC / JAN 2017
40
JACK’S CORNER Adam Dobmeier
BY JACK MICHAELS
46
11 11 19 19 27 27 35 35 37 37
OAK GROVE: CHRISTIAN LARSON FARGO NORTH: DAN HOLLAAR SHEYENNE: HAYDEN REYNOLDS MOORHEAD: EMILY LEIER FARGO SOUTH: NATALIE SCHALOW SHANLEY: MATTHEW BURD PARK CHRISTIAN: TARYN NELLERMOE D-G-F: LEXIE STEBLETON WEST FARGO: STEPHANIE DULLUM DAVIES: ALEX SKAARE
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
KARA WERTH
F
or Aaron Werth, settling in for the evening at his home along the 15th tee at The Meadows Golf Course in Moorhead wasn’t always an easy task. But that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. And the problem had nothing to do with gregarious teebox banter or wayward long irons. “I don’t know how many countless nights I had to turn the TV up because directly below our living room is the hockey tarp in the basement... hearing thump after thump after thump, for years, for hours on end,” says Aaron.
by Brent Rogness • Photography by Jeremy Petrick Photography
The racket below often came from his fiercely driven daughter Kara, expending her endless fount of energy on a quest toward hockey excellence. Over the course of five years, the hard work has paid off for the Moorhead High School senior, who recently committed to play collegiately at the University of North Dakota next season. While Kara has also played soccer and run track as a Spud, she decided early that she wanted to narrow her most intense focus down to one sport.
6 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
“When I was about 13, I decided I was going to play college hockey and I was going to play Division I,” says Kara. “I pretty much devoted every single day to stick handling, eating healthy - every day - and doing everything I could to become a Division I hockey player.”
While the hard work has always come naturally for Kara, it took her a little while to realize how, where, and when to best apply her skills on the ice.
Part of the discovery process was aided by her high school coach, Emily Sell, a Williston native who played one season at UND, followed by three more at Concordia in Moorhead.
“My coach has helped me realize the more simple I play, the better I am. Even if I don’t show all my skill in one play, it’s okay,” says Kara. “I was actually a late recruit because I didn’t figure out my style of play. I overcomplicated everything. Had I simplified, I think I could have been recruited earlier.”
“I give credit to coach Sell. She was a college player herself,” observes Aaron. “She was really helpful for guidance through this whole process because she’d been there before.”
In Sell’s opinion, it was never a matter of whether Kara could play college hockey, it was a matter of how far she could take her talent and skate with it.
8 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
KARA WERTH I knew from the first time I was on the ice with her that she was a college player,” Sell says. “I just wasn’t sure whether it was Division III or Division I.” Kara’s off-season work in the CCM High Performance program, which Sell coached, vaulted Kara and her college opportunities to new heights. “At the High Performance Festival in the spring (of 2016), you started seeing her turn the corner and become more of a complete player, fitting her skill set into the team game,” says Sell. “That’s when it started becoming apparent we probably had a Division I player on our hands.” After seriously considering offers from East Coast schools such as Brown and Dartmouth, Kara eventually narrowed her choices down to St. Cloud State and UND.
by Brent Rogness • Photography by Jeremy Petrick Photography
Reaching the top level of collegiate athletics in any sport often requires at least one or two specific skill sets that are at an elite level. For Kara, one attribute that stands out is somewhat of a rarity in girls high school hockey. “The big thing, I think everybody recognizes, is her shot,” remarks Sell. “She has one of the hardest shots I’ve ever seen from a girl and she’s able to get it off quickly. She can one-time it pretty effectively.”
The slap shot development was inspired by Kara’s dad. A self-described “park hockey rat,” Aaron didn’t play organized high school hockey but spent countless hours on the outdoor rinks growing up on the north side of Moorhead. Aaron’s affinity toward hockey first rubbed off on Kara’s older brother Calvin, which ultimately made its way to Kara, who at first was just fighting to keep up.
Aaron is always willing to offer wisdom and guidance while walking the fine line of being a father and a practice partner. It was during these times Aaron pushed Kara to develop her signature skill. “It’s kind of like in soccer, (Kara and I) would work on free kicks at the middle school,” says Aaron. “We’d spend time there practicing the ‘big kick.’” “We did the same thing years ago in developing the slap shot. She put in the hours downstairs… It’s a big part of the game,” says Aaron, who helped Kara develop a rubber band system in the basement that allows the puck to kick back to her so she can practice her one-timers. “If you can master that, the change of direction to get a goalie moving across the crease on a one-timer, it opens up a lot of opportunities.”
FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017 9
KARA WERTH
Skills on the Ice, Smarts off the Ice
Kara’s dedication to hockey is only rivaled by her desire to first succeed in the classroom. She’s on pace to graduate at or near the top of her class, noting she particularly enjoys math and science. “I take pride in my academics. My parents always stress academics first, then everything else. I’m hopefully on the road to valedictorian (4.0).” For Aaron and his wife, Darlene, academics have always been the emphasis. “We didn’t really have to push sports,” says Aaron. “We’ve pushed grades and sports was secondary. Kara and my son have been successful that way.”
by Brent Rogness • Photography by Jeremy Petrick Photography
At the same time, Aaron is quick to credit Darlene for keeping academics on track while he embraces the role of the athletic mentor.
Sell recalls a situation at last year’s CCM High Performance Festival that succintly sums up Kara’s stingy commitment to healthy nutrition.
“She’s the one that sits down and makes sure the homework is done,” says Aaron of Darlene. “I’m the one that would be outside working on her free kicks for soccer. Active on my part, and more controlled and structured on my wife’s part.”
“It was one of our player’s birthdays, so I picked up cupcakes. I picked up a raspberry lemonade one and (teammates) were trying to figure out how to get Kara to eat it,” remembers Sell. “She never puts anything into her body that isn’t good.”
While her parents certainly have a role in her success, Werth also credits her ability to excel in multiple sports and within the walls of Moorhead High to a strict attentiveness to nutrition.
The playful prank enjoyed shortlived success.
“I like to cook a lot. I’m a health nut. I like to find different things to make,” says Kara, adding one of her favorites dishes is a kale and spinach stir fry with chicken.
10 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
“We had her going that it was an organic, fruit-based cupcake and she took two bites and realized it was not that,” says Sell, quick to recuse herself by noting it was out of hockey season. “I’m pretty sure (teammate) Marissa Herdt had to eat the rest of it for her.”
Ultimately, while nutrition is certainly an aspect of Kara’s success, Sell points out her championshiplevel leadership and passion for the daily grind of hockey will point her toward success. “She’s very driven to be the best. I think anyone that’s around her wants to keep up,” says Sell. “She’s got that high-achiever mentality.” Let’s just hope the high achiever is able to find a dorm fridge with ample space for spinach and kale. FMSV
Scholar Athlete > OAK GROVE
GROVERS
Christian Larson SOCCER - HOCKEY - BASEBALL - TRAPSHOOTING Nickname: Lars Favorite School Subject: History Grade Point Average: 3.85 Groups and Organizations: PAY Group I Root For: University of North Dakota
Notable Academic Accomplishments: Presidents List, National Honor Society In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Working as a veterinarian; with a family.
Scholar Athlete > FARGO NORTH
SPARTANS
Dan Hollaar FOOTBALL - BASKETBALL - TRACK Nickname: Danny Favorite School Subject: Science Grade Point Average: 3.8 Groups and Organizations: National Honor Society, DECA I Root For: NDSU, Lakers, 49ers
Notable Academic Accomplishments: Placed at State in DECA Pets: Dog - Reese, Cat - Tippy In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Working a job in the engineering field.
FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017 13
SIMAN SEM
by Merrie Sue Holtan • Photography by Justin Eiler
W
hen Siman Sem says, “play ball,” the Fargo North Spartans get moving. And why wouldn’t they? The senior Spartan hoopster is a twotime captain and was an All-Eastern Dakota Conference and All-State pick last season. Fargo North head coach Ted Critchley says last season the 6-foot-4 Sem led the Spartans in all categories. His name was splashed throughout last season’s EDC leaderboards, finishing first in scoring at 21.4 points per game, second in
three-pointers (60), third in steals and seventh in rebounding. His school records include 41 points in a game and eight three-pointers in one game. “Siman may be a once-in-a-lifetime type of player to work with,” says Critchley. “His athleticism speaks for itself, but his passion to play and excitement for others’ success is what truly allows Siman to stand out as a quality player and quality person.” Siman’s introduction to organized sports happened at his Madison Elementary School gym, where he played YMCA youth basketball. He moved on to play middle school ball at Ben Franklin and played in the summer for SYBA, Spartan Youth Basketball. In seventh grade, Siman realized he was tall. His best sports moment, he remembers, was at a seventh grade basketball tournament when he made the game-winning shot. “I grew up playing center,” says Sem, who notes he has been bouncing a ball ever since he can remember. “I was always the tallest kid. But by eighth grade, I learned to move
and handle the ball better. They moved me to point guard. We had a pretty good team at Ben. Didn’t lose much.” Siman dabbled in cross country until fifth grade, but says basketball was the first team sport he played and he “just wanted to do it.” He has developed a philosophy over the years about what makes a good team. “It’s five guys who sacrifice for the better of the team, scoring, rebounding, and diving for the ball,” says Sem, adding, “But they have fun, too.” His Spartan teammates agree that Siman is an unselfish player who is willing to pass the ball around for the good of the team and the game. There have been a string of influential coaches in Siman’s life as well. In formative years at Ben Franklin, he cites Mr. Hoeg and Mrs. Pollard as playing an important role. At North, he began playing under coach Dan Shultis, who transitioned to an administrator role at Discovery in South Fargo before Sem’s junior season.
It’s five guys who sacrifice for the better of the team, scoring, rebounding, and diving for the ball . . . but they have fun, too. Siman and his philosophy on what it takes to make a good team
14 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
SIMAN SEM The vacancy left room for Critchley, a native of Hawley, Minn., to migrate back to the Red River Valley after coaching stops in Blaine, Waseca, and Roseville, Minnesota.
by Merrie Sue Holtan • Photography by Justin Eiler
An accomplished basketball mind in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Critchley is one of only three coaches in the state’s history to lead three different teams to a state tournament appearance. The laurels were left behind when Critchley crossed into Fargo, but he quickly earned the respect of Sem and his teammates.
“A good coach leads by example,” Siman says. “He/she is someone who can help you improve and help the team give off good energy for the rest of the team to feed off of.” As a freshman, Siman played both junior varsity and varsity. By his sophomore year, he started all but one game. Last year Siman remembers the loss to Fargo South that kept them from the state tournament. He has learned to stay mentally tough in the ups and downs on the court.
“You know it’s hard to switch coaches,” Siman says. “And I’m sure it’s hard for a new coach to come in who doesn’t know us; we don’t know him, and he’s not from Fargo. But we got used to him pretty fast and he has helped us win.”
“Sometimes we win,” Siman says, “and sometimes we lose. I try to keep my mind in check and stay mentally tough. I do this by going through practice drills, keeping my head on straight, and by picking up and helping the other guys.”
16 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
Siman has added summer enrichment, speed, strength and endurance to his play by playing traveling ball with Every Child is Important / ECI. The program provides athletes with the opportunity to play AAU basketball in the spring and summer. The North Dakota players, 13-17 year-old boys, participate in tournaments in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin. “ECI has helped me play faster against better players,” Siman says. “It’s fun playing on the same side with our usual competitors.” Lucas Moormann, an NDSU hoops standout from 2005-2009, now leads the ECI program, as well as serving as an assistant coach at Bismarck Century. He notes Sem’s evolution as a player over the course of three years.
“He was always an aggressive player and would always try to dunk the ball as a freshman,” Moormann recalls. “At first Siman was very quiet, but he became a great leader on the floor. He even told the players to pick up empty water bottles around the bench after the games.” Moormann holds an unquestionable level of regard for Sem, lauding his commitment to the game and drive to excel on the hardwood. “Siman was injured during the summer of his sophomore year, had surgery, and did the rehab to get back to where he was. I can’t remember one trip he missed over the three years, except for the injury. I know he will do great things.”
When Siman was three months old, his family moved from South Sudan to Fargo. His parents Yala and Nahum have four boys and three girls. All the kids (except for the baby) enjoy games of pick-up basketball at the YMCA gym or simply shooting around together. Siman says they get along pretty well except for occasional “sibling brawls.” Siman believes his competitive nature comes from his older brother, Waha, who ran track for North and was a state champion in the 800 meters. “I always wanted to play ball with my brother and his friends,” says Siman, “but they wouldn’t let me. I got a chip on my shoulder
SIMAN SEM because I wanted to be as good as them. So, I said ‘I’ll practice hard and show them.’” Nahum is a soccer fan who also debriefs Siman after basketball games on what he can do better. Siman trusts his dad’s judgment and says he pushes him to practice. “My siblings look up to me,” Siman says, “because I have become a good player. Now I’m trying to help them.”
In the offseason, Siman attends open gym and lifts weights three to four times a week and watches what he eats. However, his game day ritual includes a bag of Skittles, Gatorade, and on occasion some creative socks.
by Merrie Sue Holtan • Photography by Justin Eiler
In school, Siman is a science guy leaning towards chemistry. He likes a teacher who comes in the classroom, says “hi” and tries to get the class interacting rather than lecturing. He hopes to do something in the automotive or construction field. “Siman has always been a positive part of our high school community,” says Travis Christensen, assistant principal and activities coordinator at Fargo North. “He is a good student and very polite. While his personality is reserved, it’s been positive to see him grow into a leadership role in basketball and in class.” Siman would like to tell young athletes to keep working hard and putting in the hours because hard work will come back to you in the future.
“My siblings look up to me . . . because I have become a good player. Now I’m trying to help them.”
18 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
“Sports teaches you hard lessons,” he says. “For a team, there’s always another game to look forward to. Keep your head in the game, and keep moving forward.” Siman looks up to NBA stars LeBron James and James Harden as role models, because they have a positive energy toward teammates and make others better. Siman also believes his future holds college basketball. When he’s just being a ‘kid’ and relaxing, Siman enjoys hanging out with his friends, watching Kentucky’s college basketball games and traveling with his family to visit relatives in Texas and Utah. This year could be North’s year as they have seven seniors on the team. “We have a lot of experience and we
Siman on his family
are a big, strong team and motivated from last year,” Siman says. “Plus I love the fan support from our home school and town.” Sem looks to continue building upon improvements he’s made each year to again stand out as one of the most versatile players in the EDC in 2016-17 campaign. “Every year, Siman has done something to make himself a better player,” says Coach Critchley. “People questioned his three-point shooting as a sophomore, so he went out to make himself one of the top shooters in the conference. This is what he does to make himself better and better.” FMSV
Scholar Athlete > WEST FARGO SHEYENNE
MUSTANGS
Hayden Reynolds FOOTBALL - BASKETBALL - BASEBALL Favorite School Subject: Math Grade Point Average: 3.8 I Root For: NDSU Pets: Three Labs: Rebel, Ruger and Diesel
Groups and Organizations: Summer Baseball (Legion Baseball) In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Being a business owner.
Scholar Athlete > MOORHEAD
SPUDS
Emily Leier SOCCER - BASKETBALL Favorite School Subject: Art Grade Point Average: 3.75 Notable Academic Accomplishments: Academic Letter Winner at Moorhead High I Root For: NDSU, Vikings
Groups and Organizations: Chamber Orchestra, Young Vencentians Service Group, Youth Group Pets: Cat named Oreo In Ten Years...I’ll Be: An elementary school teacher during the school year and a missionary during my summers off.
FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017 19
20 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
EMILY CARD
L
eadership involves hard work, enthusiasm and good communication skills, and Oak Grove senior Emily Card has it all. “Leadership is something you never force on kids. It just comes easy for Emily,” says girls basketball coach Mike Forsberg. She’s learned “to manage the team on the floor and get the team involved - it’s like having an extra coach on the floor. And her
by Joy Minion • Photography by J Style Photography
work ethic, that’s always going to be with her, that’s part of who she is.” Emily is quick to say that she’s learned many of her leadership skills by watching her coaches and past captains, and from being a team captain herself. “My volleyball coach, Julie Vancura, has taught me so much about setting and about volleyball, but also about how to be a good teammate - something she
really stresses. And then my basketball coach, Mike Forsberg, he’s been such a great role model - in sports, school and faith. My track coach, Janice Stoa, has definitely taught me what hard work is and what improvement is. She’s shown me that even when you’re running your race by yourself, it’s still for the team.” Emily passionately supports that team concept. “It’s not just a team, it’s a family…those girls are going to be there for you, no matter what; on the court or off, you have 15 sisters behind you to pick you up when you’re down. Being a good teammate means they count on me to be there and I count on them. We’ve set goals for our seasons, we are here for
a reason, we have a job to do. We have to work together to accomplish our goals.” According to Katy Braaten, assistant varsity volleyball coach, Emily and the other two captains “set the tone for how our season is going to go. They set examples and create experiences for the younger athletes to go through and learn from. It’s awesome!” Why play three sports? According to Emily, “Research shows that playing several sports instead of focusing on just one makes a better athlete.” What is her favorite sport? “It depends on the season! When volleyball starts, I love it, and then when basketball gets going…I really love basketball.” She’s played volleyball since 4th grade. At first, Emily said “I hate volleyball!” When her mom, Charlene, asked why, Emily said, “I couldn’t get the ball over the net. Everyone else could do it, and I got so frustrated!” Her mom encouraged her to “keep trying, it’ll get better.” Emily kept trying, and by the end of that first season, Emily said, “Oh, I just LOVE volleyball!”
22 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
EMILY CARD That perseverance has paid off… Emily plays the position of setter and is co-captain of her team. She is the team leader in assists and has earned numerous awards over the years. Is she happy she stuck with it? “I’m glad…I would have regretted it if I’d quit. This spring I’m hoping I can coach some 4th grade volleyball. I love sports and I love kids, so what better way to put those together?”
by Joy Minion • Photography by J Style Photography
As point guard for her team, Emily works hard to improve her ball-handling skills. She earned a place on the All-Region 1 girls basketball team last year, as well as on the Wild Rice All-Conference team. She has also received numerous Player of the Game awards.
Emily has played basketball most of her life. “I’ve been doing sports since I could walk,” she said. “My dad kind of got me into basketball right away.”
24 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
Coach Forsberg says Emily has become very good at “reading the defense and getting a feel for the game. There’s a lot of times she just calls plays…she’s become very good at that, and I think it’s because we think a lot alike.”
Is coaching basketball in her future? “The past few summers I’ve had the opportunity to help my dad at basketball camp as a volunteer coach, working with kindergarteners to 8th graders. That’s been an awesome experience…it lit a flame in me for coaching. I loved working with the kids, teaching them the fundamentals of the sport, seeing them excited to play.” And then there’s her career in track. “I run the hurdles – mostly the 300 hurdles – I’ve kind of done it all… I used to run in the 4x8, and then we didn’t have enough girls for that, so I was in the 4x2…you name it, I probably ran it.”
How did Emily become so involved in sports? “We’ve always been a sports family,” she answered. “My mom played basketball and was a cheerleader. My dad was a basketball player and he’s the boys’ basketball coach at Oak Grove. He was an assistant coach before that. He also teaches at the South campus. My older brother played sports - I looked up to him and said, ‘I want to do that, too.’” Mom Charlene said, “Emily started playing soccer when she was 4. It was her first sport. We had all our kids do gymnastics when they were little, then take swimming lessons. We’ve always told her practice mat-
ters, you have to work hard…earn your spot, nothing’s given. And there was a time in those early years that she sat on the bench and didn’t play a lot. But she kept playing… there’s something to be said for that teammate who sticks it out. I think it’s her positive attitude that makes her a good leader. She’s just a great example to the team.” Emily has three brothers: Nick, a junior at NDSU; Caleb, a sophomore at Oak Grove; and Cody, a 7th grader at Oak Grove. In the family tradition, they also are active in sports.
Emily has been on the President’s Honor Roll for academics throughout her high school career. Her favorite subjects are AP Chemistry and Spanish. “Summer before last I got to go to Guatemala. I’d love to go to more Latin American countries, and maybe Spain, Bolivia.” When not studying or playing sports, Emily finds time to be in Key Club, National Honor Society, Cass County Youth Commission,
yearbook staff and Student Council. She also teaches Sunday School at Hope Lutheran and sings in the choir. How does she manage all those activities? “Priorities and time management!”
EMILY CARD What about the future? She’s considering Concordia, MSUM and UND. “I’m thinking about going into elementary education or occupational therapy - I know I want to work with kids…I’m passionate about helping kids!” Emily offers this advice to younger athletes: “It’s not always about you, it’s about the team. That can be hard, because as an athlete it’s easy to put your own success over the team’s. But there’s no greater feeling than when your team succeeds together. I hope that’s something that the girls who look up to me or who are on a team with me would see - it’s not about me, it’s about the team.”
by Joy Minion • Photography by J Style Photography
player out there, but she understands what her job is and makes everyone better.” And Coach Forsberg adds, “I would tell Emily not to lose focus on what I always tell the girls: put God first in your life, then family, then school or whatever job, and then their recreational time. It’s priorities.” Emily’s final thoughts? “I’m definitely thankful for the community I’ve been raised in, for my family and for the community of Oak Grove. I’m very blessed to go to such an amazing school. I’m humbled that people look up to me as a leader.” FMSV
Dad Kyle sums it up: “It’s been fun to watch her just be a good leader. As she mentioned, the team should come first, and I remember telling her to be a good teammate. That’s what Emily is, a leadership example…maybe not always the greatest
26 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
Scholar Athlete > FARGO SOUTH
BRUINS
Natalie Schalow CROSS COUNTRY - SOCCER Favorite School Subject: Math Grade Point Average: 3.97 I Root For: NDSU Bison Notable Academic Accomplishments: NDHSAA Distinguished Student from Fargo South (2016), National DECA Qualifier (2015 and 2016)
Pets: Dog named Dobby Groups and Organizations: DECA, Student Council, FCA, FPS Development Board, Bruin Ambassadors, National Honor Society In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Teaching middle or high school math.
Scholar Athlete > SHANLEY
DEACONS
Matthew Burd FOOTBALL - BASKETBALL - BASEBALL Favorite School Subject: Physics Grade Point Average: 4.00 Groups and Organizations: Cass County Youth Commission, St. Joseph’s Church
I Root For: Duke Blue Devils, Green Bay Packers Notable Academic Accomplishments: 34 ACT In Ten Years...I’ll Be: An orthopedic surgeon.
28 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
BRANDON METZ
T
here are a lot of Brandons, but there’s only one “Metz.” Just ask anyone at West Fargo High School, where everyone refers to Brandon Metz by his last name. The senior went undefeated in wrestling during his junior year, winning the North Dakota state championship at the 285 weight class. As a dominant lineman and a star wrestler at West Fargo, Metz is currently spending his time preparing for his upcoming wrestling season.
by Kayley Erlandson • Photography by J Style Photography
Metz started wrestling when he was four years old, and remembers having to face kids 3-4 years older than him. “You don’t realize when you’re young, but when you grow up and you go through life, you realize what wrestling has given you,” Metz said introspectively. “There’s a quote from Dan Gable: Once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy.” Metz is a force to be reckoned with on the mat, and constantly refer-
30 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
ences his personal motto: Go big or go home. “I’m very explosive,” Metz said when asked about his wrestling style, “There’s not a whole lot of mystery behind me. I’m not a very timid wrestler. That’s how I like to live my life.” Metz lived up to his “go big or go home” mantra at last July’s GrecoRoman national tournament. He won a national title in North Dakota Division A for the second year in a row, last year in the cadet divi-
sion (15-16 year olds) and this year in the more competitive junior division (17-18). Metz said that Greco-Roman is one of his favorite wrestling styles to compete in, and is appreciative of the support he received from “Team North Dakota,” the friends and family that came to support him at the tournament. In the first 30 seconds of his final match for the national title, Metz pinned his opponent.
“I hit him with a lateral drop,” Metz said. “After a little bit into the match, he pressured in. I started rolling pretty fast, and the success just came. That goes back to go big or go home. If you work that hard toward your goal, success is something that should come your way.” Metz is a powerhouse on the mat but has also encountered obstacles on the road to victory. “Sophomore year of wrestling, I hit some adversity in my life,” Metz
said. “That January, I had a conversation with my dad. He said: you need to stay true to yourself and do what’s best for you.” Since that conversation with his father, Metz says he can count on one hand how many wrestling matches he’s lost since that day. “The adversity that you face, that is what forms us in our everyday life, not our success.” Metz said. “I look back at that adversity, and I think it’s why my life is so positive now.”
Metz says that his setbacks made him stronger and helped him solidify his “go big or go home” mentality in the training room. He also recognizes the intense sense of discipline that wrestling has instilled in him, with its unique combination as an individual sport and a team sport. “You gotta go in the room, and think, I want to get a little bit better,” Metz said. “That’s how you compete every day. You gotta go all out. Wrestling teaches you selfdedication. You can’t put the blame
BRANDON METZ on someone else. It’s you. When you have success from that, it makes that so much greater. If you did it, it was you.” Metz is quick to credit his parents and his coaches, Kevin Fynboh and Ben Berogan, with the success he’s enjoyed in the sport. He recalls long weekend drives with his father as they drove to out-of-town (and sometimes out-of-state) wrestling tournaments. “My family has given me pretty much everything I ever wanted in life,” Metz said. “My dad saw what the sport had to offer, and he wanted to get me involved with it.”
by Kayley Erlandson • Photography by J Style Photography
Metz recognizes his father as one of his major role models and advocates both on and off the mat. The two would often drive long hours to other towns for practices and tournaments on the weekend, and often spent that time in the car discussing Metz’s upcoming matches. “I’d always ask him: what move do I hit? What do I do if this happens?” Metz laughed and added, “I probably overthought it a lot.” Metz and his longtime teammate Jesse Shearer are serving as co-captains on the wrestling team for their senior year. As one of the leaders on the team, Metz wants to focus on
improving himself and helping the younger wrestlers on the team. “I think you actually learn more when you’re teaching than wrestling,” Metz said. In addition to experiencing a high level of success in both football and wrestling, Metz was recently crowned homecoming king and elected as the senior class president, and he also keeps busy with choir and Philanthropy and Youth (PAY), a group that donates money to nonprofit organizations.
FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017 33
BRANDON METZ
by Kayley Erlandson • Photography by J Style Photography
“I wouldn’t want to change anything right now, to be honest,” Metz said happily. When asked what he was looking to achieve in the upcoming wrestling season, Metz said, “It goes back to the hard work. Just to improve as a wrestler. I won’t say I want to go undefeated. You can’t say that, it’s just the way the sport is. I just want to get better every day. Go into the match with the same mentality. Not overthinking it and staying focused throughout the whole year. You lose focus for one match and you’ll probably lose. That’s just the reality of it all.”
34 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
Metz has committed to North Dakota State in both wrestling and football, although he’ll be classified as a walk-on in football. Metz has been offered a wrestling scholarship and has already established a good relationship with the NDSU coaches and team, and is anticipating a pretty smooth transition into next year’s wrestling season. Metz is looking to enter NDSU as a sociology or psychology major. “I want to help people and make an impact on their lives,” Metz said. “I think that is the best path for me.”
As he looks to the future, Metz is most looking forward to seeing how he grows both as an athlete and a person, because, as he says, “There is always room for improvement.” West Fargo’s wrestling competitions kick off in December, and with Metz’s intense discipline and focused mentality, he is ready to tackle any obstacle, or opponent, in his path. FMSV
Scholar Athlete > PARK CHRISTIAN
FALCONS
Taryn Nellermoe TENNIS - VOLLEYBALL Nickname: T Favorite School Subject: Chemistry, Spanish and English Grade Point Average: 3.9 Groups and Organizations: PAY, Student Council, Chapel Team, MASA, National Honor Society Pets: A dog named Molly and a cat named Jasmin
Notable Academic Accomplishments: Presidential Academic Award, Lettered in Academics, A Honor Roll I Root For: Minnesota Vikings In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Hopefully married doing something with music or working with kids who have special needs.
Scholar Athlete > DILWORTH-GLYNDON-FELTON
REBELS
Lexie Stebleton BASKETBALL - SOFTBALL Favorite School Subject: Biology Grade Point Average: 4.0 Groups and Organizations: Student Council, National Honor Society, PAY, DLC Youth I Root For: FSU or Vikings
Pets: Dog, Sam Notable Academic Accomplishments: Six Year Mathlete, A Honor Roll, Envirothon Attendee In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Working somewhere and have a family.
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 fulltime MSC SID in 1969. Scott was named sports publicist of the NIC as well 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.
by Larry Scott
Scholar Athlete > WEST FARGO
PACKERS
Stephanie Dullum SOFTBALL Nickname: Stephi Favorite School Subject: Anatomy Grade Point Average: 3.25 Groups and Organizations: WF United I Root For: Bison
Notable Academic Accomplishments: Lettered in Academics Pets: Dog, Oreo In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Working somewhere that I like and maybe starting a family.
Scholar Athlete > DAVIES
EAGLES
Alex Skaare CROSS COUNTRY - WRESTLING - TRACK Favorite School Subject: Chemistry Grade Point Average: 3.5 Groups and Organizations: Captains of all my varsity sports I Root For: Broncos, NDSU
Notable Academic Accomplishments: Three Time All Academic for Wrestling, A Honor Roll Pets: Two Dogs, Jetta and Bo In Ten Years...I’ll Be: Living off the land.
PHIL MOENKEDICK
by Larry Scott
COBBERS PIN WRESTLING HOPES ON FORMER NATIONAL CHAMP Phil Moenkedick
T
he wonderful flight that carried a Perham prep star to a prosperous collegiate wrestling career and led to a head coaching post at his alma mater almost never got off the ground. Indeed, sports were always special for Phil Moenkedick, but leaving home, not so much. “We farmed about 300 acres and milked 30 cows a day,” he said. “I would milk from 5:30 till about 7 and head off to school when the chores were done. It wasn’t bad; we never thought we were unlucky. We worked hard but played hard, and sometimes sports got me out of chores; Dad was especially biased towards wrestling. “I was in baseball and wrestling since I was about four or five years old. I played football in seventh and eighth grade and also ran cross country. My older brother, dad and uncles all wrestled, so it was a family thing.” Moenkedick qualified for the Minnesota State High School Championships from eighth grade through his senior season, and placed second in the state meet at 171 pounds as a senior. He began to attract some collegiate attention as a senior, but the lure of farming was still there. “I wasn’t sure about college,” he said. “I thought I might stay on the farm after graduation, but then coach (Clay) Nagel came along. I had committed to him early, but later told him I wasn’t coming. I remember when he showed up at school to recruit me, still in a brace after a recent surgery. I thought if he felt this way about me I was going to wrestle for him.” Moenkedick hit the ground running his first year at Concordia, but admits he may have not been fully ready for the hurdles that lay ahead as a freshman. “I think back how unprepared I was, but once wrestling practice started I was good to go,” he says. “I was fortunate that things clicked early on. The only problem was I cut weight wrong. It caught up with me at the end of the year. Coach ac-
38 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
tually asked me to go up a weight, but I was (too) stubborn. I finished 36-6 and won the region, but by the time I lost I was just waiting for the season to be over.” The first year trials behind him, Moenkedick learned to fully appreciate the student-athlete role. “The next three years were great,” said Moenkedick. “I fell in love with wrestling and didn’t want the season to end.” He moved up to 184 pounds as a sophomore and flourished the remainder of his college career. A real treat was competing at the MIAC meet in his hometown as a senior. “We moved the meet to Perham and got to wrestle in my home gym in front of our home fans one last time, and we beat Augsburg College. That was special.” Moenkedick was a two-time NCAA national champion and three-time All-American. He remains the all-time wins leader in program history and finished 135-10 in his four seasons at Concordia with over 30 wins in three of his four years. He captured NCAA Division III individual championships in 2010 and 2011 and was a three-time NCAA West Region champion. In addition to his dominance on the mat, Moenkedick was also successful in the classroom where he earned Capital One Academic All-District Team honors in his junior and senior seasons and was a three-time Scholar All-American. Moenkedick majored in Health and Physical Education with a 3.50 grade point average. Moenkedick also played baseball at Concordia for coach Bucky Burgau, another product of Perham. After graduation, he returned home and taught and coached at Perham High School before accepting an assistant coaching position at Concordia under head coach Matt Nagel, Clay’s son. When Matt moved to North Dakota State as an assistant Moenkedick was named head coach of the Cobbers last summer, becoming the team’s sixth head coach since 1955.
Moenkedick clearly enjoys the landscape of Division III wrestling and the challenges that await. “Because wrestling isn’t an official sport in the MIAC, we are free to schedule who we want and have the opportunity to get in a lot of open tournaments. That gives us the chance to enter our entire team.” He also knows where to direct most of his recruiting attention. “We recruit Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. There are a lot of good wrestlers in Minnesota, but there is a little of recruiting pressure from other schools. We feel if we can get kids on campus the college will sell itself. You need to be honest, but you tell them the opportunity is here. They just have to find the right kind of (college) fit for themselves.” The opportunity to coach at his alma mater was special. “The more I stayed here the more I fell in love with the place,” he said. “I am honored to be able to carry on the tradition that Clay and Matt started,” said Moenkedick. “They taught me what it was like to compete at the highest national level and I look forward to carrying on the tradition of Cobber All-Americans and high caliber student/athletes.” Clay Nagel was there to watch Moenkedick prod his Cobbers to a 21-15 dual meet victory over rival MSU Moorhead in late November, and was not surprised by the success his former pupil has enjoyed. “He’s very smart, and he’s got the heart of a champion.” Moenkedick currently lives in Moorhead with his wife Tara, and two children, and admits balancing time between his private and professional lives is critical. “I try to spend as much time as possible in the summer with my family.” Just another intriguing challenge for the young farmer who got away. FMSV
Photography by Jace Delgado FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017 39
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.
ADAM DOBMEIER
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
A former Fargo South Bruin and North Dakota State basketball player, Adam began playing on the varsity team at Fargo South as a freshman, graduating in 2001. Adam went on to play basketball for Tim Miles at NDSU for four years. Adam currently is the director of corporate development for TMI Hospitality. He and his wife, Abby have a 14-month old daughter, Delaney.
JACK MICHAELS: When basketball season rolls around do you find yourself thinking about those days at Fargo South high school or at NDSU? ADAM DOBMEIER: Oh, for sure. It was such an exciting part of my life for such a long time and for so many years. I definitely get on the website to see how the Bruins are doing, or what young talent is coming up. I also check out the Bison when they’re on TV, or following them on the radio when I can. It’s an exciting time of the year for me. JM: You were moved to the varsity team as a freshman at Fargo South. What was that like to play on the varsity squad at such a young age?
40 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
AD: Getting moved up as a freshman is always a tough experience. You’re so used to playing with the guys your same age and then to play with guys 2, 3 or 4 years older is a different experience. They were bigger, stronger and faster than me. We had a new coach, Mike Hendrickson, and for me it was just about believing in the new strategies and believing in the program and learning the plays. I definitely learned a lot those first couple years at Fargo South. JM: You played with, and against some great competition in high school. What was that like? AD: Yes, we played many different sports together. Basketball, football, baseball, soccer, it didn’t
FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017 41
42 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
JACK’S CORNER - ADAM DOBMEIER
by Jack Michaels
Photo Provided by NDSU Athletics
matter which sport, we knew each other so well. The competition was tough too, Fargo North had a good program, Shanley was solid, and out west Bismarck High really had some great players and teams. I actually ended up playing AAU basketball with a few of the guys from western North Dakota teams. I look back and really enjoyed the competitive spirit of the guys I played with, and the guys I played against. JM: You mentioned AAU or ‘travel ball’. How much do you credit being on those teams as part of your development? AD: Well, that was a big deal for some of us back then. We got a chance to get out of North Dakota and South Dakota and travel the country. We played so many teams with different caliber of players from all over the country. It really opens your eyes and makes you look at yourself as a player and a person and what you need to work on to improve. I would bring those experiences and implement them into my game at Fargo South. Today’s player has so much more exposure because of social media, and more ways to be exposed through radio, television and the internet. JM: What was great about game day as a high school player? AD: Well, you’re thinking about the game all day long and actually all week long. You think about your opponent and what you have to do. It’s definitely a feeling that you can’t replace. JM: Was it a foregone conclusion that North Dakota State was where you were going to play college ball? AD: It was pretty much a no-brainer for me to go to North Dakota State and play for the Bison. I grew up going to all the games and all the camps and that was where I knew I belonged and where I wanted to play. I had guys I played with in AAU and high school that we all were going to play at NDSU. But, due to some things like coaching changes, etc., some of my buddies went elsewhere, but I knew North Dakota State was the right fit for me. JM: You were able to play for the same coach in college, Tim Miles, all four years. What was that consistency like? AD: Yes, I was one of the lucky ones who was able to play for the same high school coach in Mike Hendrickson and college coach for all 4 of my years at NDSU. Coach Miles was great. He was well prepared, always had a great gameplan, and since his days at NDSU he’s moved around a little
but now seems to be enjoying some decent success at Nebraska. I actually was in Lincoln a few months ago for work and coach Miles was able to give me a tour of their facility and it was nice to catch up with him for a day. JM: The Bison now play in a refurbished beautiful new arena. You played in the old Bison Sports Arena, what was that like?
FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017 43
JACK’S CORNER - ADAM DOBMEIER
by Jack Michaels
Photo Provided by NDSU Athletics
AD: I was actually promised when I signed at NDSU that we would have a new arena but obviously that took a little longer than expected. The BSA though was a great place to play. I like to think we had a home court advantage. It was kind of drafty in there, and it wasn’t the newest, nicest facility but we got the job done most nights and it sure got loud in there. It was a great experience.
zero you would be warm one minute and looking for a sweater the next.
JM: Well, here you are years later, you’re married and have a daughter. Do you feel ‘old’?
JM: You played during the years where NDSU went from a Division II school to contemplating moving up and transitioning to Division I. Did you ever think that the Bison would be playing at the Division I level?
JM: You mentioned the BSA was ‘drafty’, how so?
AD: When I signed there was talk of going D-I, and during the transition it was a little difficult. Heck, I don’t think we ever won a Division I game. It was a difficult time but it was a transition that had to happen because look where NDSU is today. It was a smart move.
AD: Yes, I probably waited a little while longer to get married and have a child but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I love every single day and every single second of it. You know, you leave all the basketball memories behind but you look back on them and smile. My dad and I were just talking the other day and looking back and comparing who did what better and in which category… and it looks like he got me in a number of them too.
AD: Well, when they designed (the arena), it was kind of like a big metal box with doors on one end and garage-like doors on the other. Once those opened up it got a little cold. On those chilly North Dakota nights when it was 20-below
44 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017
JM: Who were some of your influences growing up? AD: Well, I used to go to all my dad’s rec league games and tournaments so being around him and all the guys who played basketball was a big influence. I also went to many Bison games and Concordia games and being around as much basketball helped make me want to pursue that sport more. JM: What advice would you give to a young person who wants to do what you did in basketball? AD: Obviously it starts in the classroom. You want to get good grades so you will always be eligible to play. For me it was about hard work
and dedication. There are many sacrifices, you have to spend time in the weight room, obviously spend a lot of time in the gym shooting and honing your skills. You also want to be a good teammate. That’s a characteristic that will help carry you through life. JM: Adam, it was great to catch up with one of the great North Dakota ballplayers. Thanks for your time. AD: Thanks very much Jack. FMSV
FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017 45
ANNA ASTRUP
FARGO NORTH > SWIMMING & DIVING Astrup finished her first-team all-state swimming season in style. The Fargo North junior reached the podium as a state champion in the 100m butterfly, as well as taking home a fourth-place finish in the 200m individual medley (2:13.15) for Talia Butery’s squad. Astrup’s state-title time of 58.46 seconds in the butterfly was also good for a Fargo North school record.
ALLISON ULNESS
MOORHEAD > SOCCER One of the most decorated players in the history of the Moorhead girls soccer program, Ulness was honored as a second-team all-state selection in 2016. Ulness led the Spuds to an 11-6-1 record, falling to St. Michael-Albertville by a score of 2-0 in the state semifinals. Ulness turns the page in her career on the pitch next fall, where she will play collegiately for the Huskers at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
JAKE REINHOLZ
SHANLEY > SOCCER It was a busy autumn for Shanley’s Reinholz, who led the Deacons to a state championship game appearance in soccer, where they fell 2-1 to West Fargo. Reinholz also played kicker for the football team, which advanced to the 2A state semifinals, before losing a final-play-of-the-game heartbreaker to Kindred. Not to be lost in the team accomplishments is the fact that Reinholz took home senior athlete of the year honors on the pitch. His 39 goals led the state and was just four short of the single-season record.
CASEY COSTE
SHEYENNE > VOLLEYBALL In her final game at Sheyenne, Coste reached the 1000 career digs plateau. The All-EDC performer helped the Mustangs to a 25-7 season record, falling just shy of the state tournament after a 3-1 loss to Grand Forks Red River in a state-qualifying match. Coste has committed to play volleyball collegiately at Concordia College in Moorhead, where her father, former MLB catcher Chris Coste, is the head baseball coach.
VICTOR ISAAK
FARGO SOUTH > FOOTBALL Isaak burst onto the scene to make a significant difference to Troy Mattern’s defense in 2016. His 96 tackles (59 solo) were three better than Sheyenne’s Hayden Reynolds to lead the Eastern Dakota Conference. The first-team all-state selection also posted 7 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception for the Bruins, who made it to the quarterfinal round of North Dakota’s 3A playoffs.
CORY DUFFIELD
DAVIES > CROSS COUNTRY A co-captain, all-conference, and all-state performer for the North Dakota Class A state champions, Duffield’s personal-best performance helped propel the Eagles to the team title. The lone senior amongst Davies’ top-five finishers at state, Duffield finished in 16th place, joining Bridget Henne (11th place), Megan Lundstrom (12th), Payton Lane (14th), and Ryleigh Wacha (18th) to claim the collective first-place hardware.
46 FM SPORTS VIEW DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017