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For Minot girls swimming, family comes first With newborn twins, Hinton weathered the storm for Minot's 2nd straight title run By JOE MELLENBRUCH Staff Writer jmellenbruch@minotdailynews.com Minot High girls swimming coach Dan Hinton was a tired man last fall. He was also enduring the "scariest situation" of his life. On Aug. 15 - more than 11 weeks prior to the initial due date - Hinton's wife, Dana, gave birth to twin boys. Nearly three months premature, the twins - named Davis and Burke - were immediately admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Trinity Hospital, where both remained incubated for the next several weeks. As a new parent, the idea of working a full-time job in light of that reality is unthinkable. Those who've done so surely understand. Just ask Hinton. The girls swimming and diving season began just three days after his children were born. "It was certainly a heck of a way to start the year," said Hinton, who in November led the Majettes to their second consecutive state title. "That whole first weekend was a blur. I certainly am happy that I
prepare as well as I do for the start of the season, because if I hadn't been as prepared for that first day, it would have made things a lot more difficult." The news of the twins' birth came as an initial shock to Minot's staff of assistant coaches. With Hinton and his wife expecting twins, all parties involved expected an early birth. Just not 80 days early. "When he first sent me the message that they's been born, I thought he was kidding, because it was a month or two earlier than what we originally thought," said Jess Kelly, a sixth-year assistant with the Majettes. "It was quite the surprise, but I just said right away when that happened, 'Don't worry about it. We've got this.'" Minot's first practice was conducted on Aug. 18 at Magic City Campus. Soon after, Hinton promptly returned to the pool for his eighth season at the helm, just days removed from the birth of his sons. "He didn't want to miss out on anything if he could help it," Kelly said. "He's definitely one to be there and put in his time, and
Submitted photo
Minot High girls swimming coach Dan Hinton, left, poses with his wife, Dana, and their newborn twins, Davis (left) and Burke (right), on Christmas Eve. Straddled with the stress of his newborn sons being initially hospitalized, Hinton led the Majettes to their second consecutive state title in November, less than two weeks removed from his son Burke's hospital release. show all the girls that they're a priority to him." But splitting time between
work and family wore on Hinton as the season progressed, especially following the release of his
son, Davis, in mid-October. See FAMILY — Page 22
April 8, 2015
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Magicians stun state with second championship By JOE MELLENBRUCH Staff Writer jmellenbruch@minotdailynews.com Minot High's boys hockey team left the Magic City on Wednesday in search its first state title since 1992. Sunday at Maysa Arena, Minot fans welcomed those Magicians with open arms. Along with their championship trophy, of course. To the delight of their cheering faithful, the Magi presented their fanbase with the hardware for which they've so desperately hoped. "One thing we were consistent on all year — and we told the kids at the beginning — we had high expectations coming in," said Minot first-year co-coach John Grubb, named state coach of the year along with colleague Jason Bennett. "With some timely scoring, some timely goaltending, we did it." They sure did. Led by a combined 95 saves from senior goaltender Brey Effertz — the state tournament's most valuable player — the Magicians clipped Grand Forks Central 2-1 on Saturday at Scheels Arena in Fargo to secure their second state championship in school history. Now 2-0 in its last two titlegame appearances, Minot is the only West Region team to boast multiple state championships.
"It's surreal," said Bennett, a ninth-year coach for the Magicians after serving eight years as a varsity assistant. "Even when you're there and you're happy to be in the championship game, your aim is just to get to that stage. “After getting to that game, I think we were less stressed about playing in the championship game than getting to the game itself, because at that point anything can happen."
Big-time Brey
The Magicians were outshot by Central 38-17 during Saturday's title bout. With that information alone, many would have assumed certain defeat for Minot. Thankfully for the Magicians, goalie Brey Effertz picked an opportune time to assume the form of his life. "That was the greatest goaltending I've ever seen at Minot High," Jason Bennett said. "It was pretty amazing." With another 37 saves against the Knights, Effertz finished the year with a state-best 93.1 save percentage along with a 1.71 goalsagainst average. In his final seven games as a high school competitor, he went 6-1-0, capping a 15-win season for Minot's MVP. Saturday's title-clinching victory isn't one he'll forget any time soon. "Hands down the best game of my career," Effertz said. "I'll remem-
Photo by Joe Mellenbruch/Minot Daily News
The Minot High boys hockey team celebrates after winning its second state title with a 2-1 victory over Grand Forks Central at Scheels Arena in Fargo. Minot used stingy defense, great golatending and timely scoring to win the title. ber that one for the rest of my life." Said Bennett: "The first two games of the region tournament,
and then the three games at state, that's as good as he's been in his career. ... He shutout Bottineau, gave
up two to Century, one to Devils Lake, one to South, one to Central. That's pretty damn impressive."
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Minot High’s boys hockey team poses with its state championship trophy and copies of The Minot Daily News during a pep rally at Maysa Arena. The Magicians beat Grand Forks Central 2-1 at Fargo’s Scheels Arena to win their first state title since 1992. A police escort led the team to its home arena, where hundreds of fans awaited the champions’ arrival.
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Majettes vault to lucky 13th state title in gymnastics By RYAN HOLMGREN Sports Editor rholmgren@minotdailynews.com Minot High’s gymnastics team couldn’t have asked for a much better start to the state meet. During the team competition Friday evening at Magic City Campus, the Majettes swept all four events by team score en route to winning their 13th state championship in school history. Minot finished with 149.967 points — its best score this season — well ahead of second-place Dickinson (146.833), the two-time defending state champion. Bismarck (142.300), Jamestown (138.267) and Valley City (137.917) rounded out the top five. “It was nice to see them go out with the best team score we’ve had all year,” Minot cocoach Marisa Albertson said. “Seniors just hit it and the girls just rocked all their routines in front of the home crowd.” “Sweet victory,” she added, grinning. Senior Madison Reiter won the all-around portion of the team event with 37.567 points, besting Dickinson’s Acacia Fossum, who finished with 37.317. Majettes junior Hannah Werchau took third place with 37.517, while teammate Savannah Fix cracked the top 10 with 36.283, good for sixth. Reiter also took home top honors in the vault, recording a 9.783. But the event that mattered most — the team competition — brought the biggest smile to Reiter’s face. “It was really exciting to be back on top of the podium for first place after not having the best of years last year and getting second,” Reiter said. “But we’re more consistent this year. Coming into this I knew that we were going to do good. I was positive we’d do
well.” A lack of depth plagued the Majettes the past two years after they had won four straight state titles from 2009-12. This year, Minot’s best quality — thanks to strong all-around talent and a gifted senior class — was its consistency. Entering the state meet, Albertson’s squad averaged over three points more than any other team. But averages can’t win titles. “Gymnastics is a tough sport because it doesn’t matter, you have to hit (your routines),” Albertson said. “And yes, they are loaded with talent this year, but they did have to hit their routines.” And they did. The Majettes were strong in all four events, especially bars, beam and floor, in which they outscored the field by 0.800 points or more in each. “Usually bars and beam is what wins it,” senior Jenna Breuer said. “When we hit that, I’m like, ‘Yup, we’re good.’ ” Said Reiter: “After we had our three huge beam routines — me, Jenna and Hannah — after we hit those I was pretty positive that we pulled past (Dickinson) pretty well.” Beginning at 1 p.m. today, the Majettes will compete in the individual competition. Reiter and Werchau are expected to contend for the all-around title. Winning the team title, Albertson said, takes a load of pressure off Minot heading into the second and final day of the meet. “High school gymnastics is fun because there’s such a team atmosphere so the girls just wanted it big tonight,” she said. “So tomorrow they’ll be a little bit more relaxed. Ryan Holmgren/MDN They’re going to have a little bit more fun.” Ryan Holmgren covers Minot State athlet- Minot High’s gymnastics team poses with the state championship trophy ics and high school sports. Follow him on atop the podium at Magic City Campus. The Majettes won their 13th state Twitter @ryanholmgren. title in dominating fashion.
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Bishop Ryan girls make it three straight titles By Ryan Holmgren Sports Editor rholmgren@minotdailynews.com As the final seconds ticked off the clock at the Minot State Dome on Saturday night, Bishop Ryan solidified its place in history as one of the all-time greatest dynasties - if not the greatest - in North Dakota Class B girls basketball. The Lions' recent four-year run was unprecedented, and likely won't be replicated anytime soon. One hundred seven victories. Eleven state tournament wins. Three state titles. During that stretch, Ryan broke the state record for consecutives wins with 63, besting Larimore's old mark by six. The Lions own an active streak of 83 straight wins against Class B opponents. The school's four state titles all time and three in a row tie Bottineau for the most ever in each category. All of this is well-documented. And the Lions' success stemmed from their focus on sports writers' biggest pet peeve "the little things" - rather than the wins and losses. Time after time, Ryan coach Julie Stewart and her players spouted out every clichin the book. "We're just taking it one game at a time." "We just want to get better every time we step on the floor." "We're focused on working hard in practice and in games. As long
as we give it our all, we'll be satisfied." Journalists hate those types of quotes. They're called coach speak - what a coach often says instead of actually answering the question in an effort to be politically correct. We want players and coaches to tell it like it is and shoot from the hip. But the thing is, the Lions were telling the truth. It wasn't an act. For Ryan's girls basketball program, caring about "the little things" has been the key to its success. The Lions have kept it simple and worried about fine-tuning their 1-3-1 zone and outlet passes rather than listening to what anyone and everyone has to say about their winning streak, chasing more state championships and how they should move up to Class A (which is absurd on many levels, but that's neither here nor there). Yes, Stewart has been blessed with talent, most notably senior forwards Hannah Stewart and Gabbie Bohl along with Anika Rovig, who now plays for Cuesta College in California. Where Julie Stewart has thrived is in getting her team to "buy in" another classic case of coach speak. But it's true, she did exactly that. She kept her best players' noses to the grindstone, right alongside the role players, who contributed what's been asked of
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Bishop Ryan Coach Julie Stewart talks to her team during the state tournament in Minot. them. Former Lions like Laurin Leidholt, Quinn Harmon and Sydney Landsiedel weren't stars. But without those players pulling their
weight, the winning streak doesn't happen and the state titles are a long shot. All-state selections like Stewart, Bohl and Rovig needed them.
Lakota-Edmore senior forward Fallyn Freije is an example of one player with limited help from her See RYAN — Page 13
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Magi cap near-perfect season with first title since 1999 By JOE MELLENBRUCH Staff Writer jmellenbruch@minotdailynews.com The mark of a successful athletic team is never being satisfied with all you’ve already accomplished. Minot High’s boys basketball team is a shining example. Despite winning 22 games this season by at least 10 points — and 15 by at least 20 — the Magicians were always quick to point out their shortcomings, even in light of overwhleming victory. Some call it a perfectionist’s mentality. After Saturday’s win over Century, Minot fans can proudly call it a champion’s mentality. “It's unbelievable,” said Minot coach Dean Winczewski, mere minutes after his team’s title-clinching 61-59 victory over the Patriots at the Fargodome. “What an awesome feeling." Your guys earned it, coach. With all but one starter returning to a squad already brimming with varsity experience, the Magicians kicked off the 2014-15 campaign with the state’s No. 1 ranking and a mountain of expectation for which to aspire. They knew right away that they were capable of accomplishing something special. But they weren’t about to let overconfidence disrupt their path to a Class A title. From their season-opening tipoff against Fargo North in early De-
Al Christianson/Minot Daily News
The Minot boys basketball team celebrates after winning the state championship with a 61-59 victory over Bismarck Century. cember to Saturday’s title-clinching victory, the Magi were ready to work. “That No. 1 ranking is cool, but
it means absolutely nothing,” senior forward Noah Bosh told The Minot Daily News on Dec. 3. “If the target’s on our back then we wel-
come that, but we have to go earn it.” They sure had to earn it Saturday against Century, which lost its
top scorer — forward Dalton Feeney — to a season-ending foot injury less than two weeks before state.
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Heartache propels Rugby boys to state hoops title By JOHN DENEGA
point beat down at the hands of FWM a week prior, dealt the Panthers their first regular-season loss in two years. It did not factor in the Panthers’ quest at a district or regional championship, but it served as a wakeup call. “I don’t want to say it was a good loss, but I think it kind of brought us back to reality a bit,” Santjer said. “It taught us that we can’t just step out onto the floor and wins games but that we have to play our best each and every time out on the floor.” Said senior guard Nolan Hovland: “It lit a fire under us.” And did it ever. Rugby defeated its district opponents by and average of 43.1 points per game along with beating other top teams in the state Dunseith and North Star by a combined 41 points. One game that did not come easy or with a gaudy point differential was against a top-five team in Berthold at the Minot Municipal Auditorium on Jan. 31. Both clubs traded blows, with Rugby eventually wearing Berthold down with its size for a 67-58 victory. The Panthers got the upper hand, but the teams met again with much more at stake. Before that rematch, though, Rugby traveled to Fort Totten to take on top-ranked FW-M. The Indians were superior on Feb. 10, building as large as a 19point second-half lead before holding on for a 61-60 win. It was another loss for the Panthers, but
Staff Writer jdenega@minotdailynews.com Rugby entered this basketball season with one goal in mind. On Saturday night, before an announced crowd of 10,921 fans at the Bismarck Event Center, the Panthers accomplished that goal. Rugby returned to the stage where it had come excruciating close to a state championship — losing to Oak Grove in overtime in the 2014 state championship game — and finished the deal by beating No. 1-seeded Four Winds-Minnewaukan 54-40 for the 2015 Class B crown. “Words can’t describe how it feels to win a state championship,” senior guard Tanner Bernhardt said. “Ever since the buzzer sounded last year we wanted nothing more than to win it this year.” It was a long off season for the Panthers. Players were heartbroken, mad, but more importantly, motivated. They wanted to get back to the pinnacle of Class B basketball and complete unfinished business. “They were really focused in the summer, going to tournaments and getting better so that they could get back and win and finish the deal,” Rugby coach Mike Santjer said. Rugby’s journey began with four convincing wins by an average of 36 points. But then just after Christmas, adversity came calling. Beulah, an 0-1 team that had suffered a near 20-
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The Rugby boys basketball team celebrates with its fans after winning the Class B state title with a 54-40 win over Four Winds-Minnewaukan. just like the loss to Beulah it was viewed in a positive light. “Playing Four Winds helped us because we knew their personal and knew what they liked to run going into the state tournament,” Hovland said. The Panthers’ dominance in the regular season translated to the District 11 tournament and culminated in the championship game, when the Panthers held Drake-Anamoose
to five first-half points en route to rolling the Raiders 67-22. Next stop, the Region 6 tournament and a rematch with Berthold in the championship game. Rugby seized a double-digit second-half lead before Berthold senior guard Austin Lee hit a flurry of 3s to help the Bombers climb back in it. Lee had one last look at a potential game-tying 3 in the waning sec-
onds, but it rimmed out and the Panthers advanced to their third consecutive state tournament. The Panthers trek to state was not an easy one. They played numerous top teams. They had tasted the bitterness of defeat. Rugby was as ready as any team in the state tournament. “We were definitely battle tested,” Bernhardt said. And it showed.
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Bishop Ryan’s Maddie Wald (3) drives to the basket during the state championship game against Kindred, left. Above, Rugby’s Noland Hovland celebrates the Panthers’ state title. Right, Minot sophomore Justin Egg (30) goes up for a basket during the Magicians’ semifinal victory over Fargo Davies at the Fargodome.
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Reiter picks herself off the mat, wins state title in vault By RYAN HOLMGREN Sports Editor rholmgren@minotdailynews.com Minot High’s state vault champion picked herself off the mat at Magic City Campus not once, but twice Saturday afternoon. After winning the all-around portion of the state meet’s team competition Friday, Madison Reiter set her sights on claiming the all-around title the following day in the individual competition. Thump. In Reiter’s first event, she suffered a costly fall on the uneven bars that plummeted her score to 8.833 in an event in which she posted a 9.400 the night before. The fall put her down, but not out of the running for the all-around title. Thump. In her second event, Reiter fell on the balance beam and settled for a 9.000 — 0.650 below her score Friday. That fall made it impossible to top Dickinson junior Acacia Fossum’s winning score of 38.667 — tied for the fourth best all-around total in state meet history, and 0.100 better than Reiter’s impressive tally from Friday. But Reiter, named the state’s senior athlete of the year, proved that she’s just as strong mentally and she is physically. “She’s a determined athlete,” Minot co-coach Marisa Albertson said. “She’s got a great work ethic.
In Reiter’s third event, she turned in one of her top floor routines of the season. She leaped and danced and tumbled her way to a 9.783, a mere 0.017 shy of Fossum’s first-place 9.800. But Reiter was just beginning to find her groove. In the final event of her prep career, she flipped and twisted nearly impeccably for a winning score of 9.717 on fault. That helped boost her all-around total to 37.333, good for third place. But more importantly, she became Minot’s first individual event winner since Samantha Huether won the same event in 2011. “I’m really glad that I could at least win the vault after I had started out pretty tough on bars and beam. It didn’t feel so good after I did that,” said Reiter, the Majettes’ first senior athlete of the year since Brooklyn Bender in 2010. “Doing my vault and nailing that was really nice so that I could win vault for my senior year.” Albertson called Reiter’s shot before her vault, saying that, “She’s got this one.” Reiter proved she was bent on finishing her career on a high note, even if it didn’t include an all-around title. With her score, she edged Fossum — who also placed first on beam and bars en route to her fourth career allaround title — by 0.067 points. “It was bittersweet competing in my last competition in this leotard, but I’m really happy that I could end my career with my team — I love my
team — and ending it with a 2015 state championship,” Reiter said. The Majettes rolled Friday to their fifth team championship in seven years. Reiter and junior Hannah Werchau were all-around hopefuls, but neither could accomplish that feat. Werchau finished fourth in the allaround with 36.967 points. Senior Jenna Breuer (36.683) and junior Savannah Fix (36.483) placed seventh and eighth, respectively. Olivia Schoffstall (14th) and Stephanie Huether (18th) also cracked the top 20. “With the bigger skills, it’s tough to go back to back,” Albertson said. “They’re older, they get a little more fatigued. They wanted big day yesterday, and we emphasize the team. If you asked any of them, if they had to pick which day to perform at the top, they would’ve all picked yesterday. It would’ve been a bonus to hit two days in a row but it doesn’t always happen that way.” Breuer was Minot’s top finisher in Beam (second, 9.650) and bars (third, 9.267). But it was Reiter who came through and persevered, winning her first individual state title. Albertson said Reiter’s team never doubted her. “Madison is explosive, she’s a powerhouse,” she said. “She’s fun to watch. ... It came with her last event Ryan Holmgren/MDN after a real rough start. That speaks Minot High senior Madison Reiter scored 9.717 points on to her determination and focus to go vault at Magic City Campus to secure the Majettes’ first indiout as a state champion on the vault.” vidual state title since 2011.
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Rugby senior Heidlebaugh wins Mr. Basketball crown By CHRIS AARHUS For the Minot Daily News sports@minotdailynews.com BISMARCK — When it comes to playing sports, Brad Heidlebaugh doesn't have a preference. As long as it's competition, the Rugby senior is on board. "I like it all," he said. "Football has been a lot of fun, and I've been pretty successful in basketball. It's all fun to me." The 6-foot-4 forward has come out on top many times, and he did it again on Saturday at the Bismarck Event Center, being named Mr. Basketball by garnering 11 of 21 firstplace votes and 79 points. The award is presented annually by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. "To just be nominated is an honor," Heidlebaugh said. "To receive it (is) really a great honor. All three finalists are deserving." Heidlebaugh averaged 20.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals per game to beat out Minot High's Dakota Halvorson and Oak Grove's Carter Kretchman. He is Rugby's first winner. "It's not like it just happened," Rugby coach Mike Santjer said of Heidlebaugh's success. "He's definitely put in a ton of time. He spends a lot of hours in the gym. It's been fun to see him develop over the years." A first-team all-state quarterback last fall and a first-team all-state selection on the basketball court as a
junior, Heidlebaugh stays busy. He was Class B's state runner-up in the triple jump last May. "Whatever he wants to do, he's going to give it his all and be as good as he possibly can," Santjer said. "Some kids make mistakes when they save themselves for one sport. He plays them all very well." Heidlebaugh has been essential in helping the Panthers to their third consecutive Class B state tournament. He has done so with a willingness to play all five positions. "If I'm needed to bring the ball down or go post up and score, I'll do that," Heidlebaugh said. "I just play through my teammates —they deserve all the credit in the world. Without them, I wouldn't be in the situation I'm in." Heidlebaugh is headed to the University of North Dakota on a football scholarship. Coaches have said they'll start him out at quarterback, but he could be moved to wide receiver. "Whatever role you need him to play on the team, he just does it," Santjer said. "For him to accomplish as much as he has in all the sports he plays, that's a testament to the type of person he is." Halvorson, a 5-9 point guard, averaged 17.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game. The Class A state tournament's most valuable player led the Magicians to their first championship since 1999. He received eight first-place votes and 69 points. He is verbally committed to play for Minot State. The 5-8 Kretchman led Oak
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Senior forward Brad Heidlebaugh was named Rugby's first Mr. Basketball Award winner at the Bismarck Event Center. Minot High's Dakota Halvorson and Oak Grove's Carter Kretchman were the other two finalists. Grove back to the Class B state tournament from his point-guard position, with per-game averages of 18.5 points, 6.2 assists, 3.4 rebounds and
2 steals. He was the state tourna- points. ment MVP as a junior, leading the Follow the Minot Daily News Grovers to the championship. He had two first-place votes and 41 sports staff on Twitter @MDN_Sports.
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April 8, 2015
Ryan’s Hannah Stewart named Miss Basketball By CHRIS AARHUS For the Minot Daily News sports@minotdailynews.com FARGO — Hannah Stewart has been hanging around the game of basketball since she was little. Still, the 6-foot-3 senior forward from Bishop Ryan is quick to point out that her parents — both basketball coaches — never pushed her into it. âI grew up around basketball, but they would never force me to play a sport that I donát want to play,ã Stewart said. âMy parents trusted me to make my own decisions.ã Stewartás dedication helped the Lions win three straight Class B state championships. On Saturday, she added the Miss Basketball award to her trophy case, garnering 12 of 19 first-place votes and 69 points. The award is presented by the North Dakota Associated Press Sports-casters and Sportswriters Association. âItás definitely an honor,ã said Stewart, Class Bás first Miss Basketball since Kidder Countyás Eli Benz in 2009. âThere have been a lot of great players win it in the past, and itás an honor to be considered among them.ã Stewart is Ryanás first Miss Basketball and only the second finalist in program history, the other being Kara Bailey in 1993. Stewart averaged 19.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.7 steals, 4.6 blocks and 4.3 assists per game. She took a liking to softball when
she was younger, while her mother, Julie, and father, Pete, were college basketball coaches in the state of Washington. And while Hannah was around basketball often, her love of the game was started on her terms. âThatás how we approach all of our kids,ã said Julie, girls basketball coach for Ryan the past four seasons. âWe open the door for them. If you want to work on this, we can help you. “But then it becomes their decision, and then she owns it. When they make that commitment to work and get better, itás really a lot of joy for them.ã Stewart is going for her fourth allstate award this season. She was a first-team selection as a junior and sophomore, and a second-teamer as a freshman. Sheás also a three-time state-tournament MVP. Looking back, Stewart thinks about the growth between her freshman and sophomore seasons that paved the way for her success. âThatás when I really started working in the offseason,ã the University of Iowa commit said. âI lifted a lot, and I really took time to improve my game.ã Other finalists were Lakota-Edmoreás Fallyn Freije, Fargo Daviesá Alexis Klabo and Bishop Ryanás Gabbie Bohl. Freije, a 6-foot forward, averaged 25.3 points, 13.2 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.4 blocks per game. She received five first-place votes and 54 points.
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Bishop Ryan senior Hannah Stewart fires up a jump shot. Stewart was named Miss Basketball for North Dakota on March 14, the first winner for Bishop Ryan. Klabo, a 6-foot-2 forward, was ceived two first-place votes and 39 steals per game. She received nine Class Aás top scorer at 25.5 points per points. points in the voting. game, adding per-game averages of Bohl, a 6-foot-2 forward, averaged Follow the Minot Daily News 8.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. She re- 21 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.9 sports staff on Twitter @MDN_Sports.
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supporting cast. Freije, headed to the University of North Dakota, carried her team to a fifth-place finish over the weekend. On the biggest stage, though, one player isn't enough, and neither is two. Ryan senior guard Maddie Wald progressed well through Julie Stewart's system, and without her quarterfinal performance against Shiloh Christian, the Skyhawks might've had a chance at an upset while Hannah Stewart dealt with foul trouble. Junior guard Sheyenne Schmidt hit four 3-pointers in the championship game against Kindred. "We had to pick our poison," Kindred coach Perry Piatz said. Without that spark, the Vikings would've been level at halftime, needing to beat Ryan only in the second half. Julie Stewart's players know their roles. She's kept it simple for them:?Do your jobs. Focus on the little things. "We just need to take it one game at a time and when the first game starts we need to take it one play at a time and one pass at a time," Hannah Stewart said before the state tournament. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. That laser focus helped the Lions flirt with perfection, losing once in three years. Ryan is a long shot to win a fourth straight state title, and even to make the 2016 state tournament. But the Lions' detractors won't see them fall off the wagon in upcoming years. Beyond the team and individual accolades, there's a plan that's worked time and again. Here's a cliche: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Photo by Ryan Holmgren/Minot Daily News
Bishop Ryan senior point guard Maddie Wald drives to the basket for two points against Shiloh Christian in the Class B State To u r n a m e n t . Bishop Ryan won its third straight state title.
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April 8, 2015
Minot High cheerleaders win state championship GRAND FORKS — Two teams from the Magic City were crowned champions at the North Dakota Cheer Coach Association’s 2014 Fall State Cheer Championships at Red River High School in Grand Forks on Nov. 15. Minot High School and Bishop Ryan High School won first place in their divisions, along with multiple awards. Minot High competed in the Large Varsity Class A division with 24 competitors, finishing first with a score of 251.5, followed by Bismarck Century with 243.5. Minot’s theme was “Bring the Action, Bring the Noise.” Minot’s J’Kobe Wallace won the Class A All-Around Cheerleader award, with teammate Abby Howard placing second. Wallace and Howard performed solo routines with cheer, jumps and tumbling to show their top skills to win the award. Minot’s five-member stunt group placed third. Members of the stunt group were Wallace, Howard, Ciara Lunstad, Emily Stauffer and Cassidy Bockoven. Seniors Hayley and Kaley Walter were awarded the NDCCA Senior Honor Award for their dedication to the sport and their team. The Minot High School Team received the Team Scholar Award for a composite grade point average above 3.2 based on a 4.0 system. Minot High School is coached by Carly Gates and Sarah Magnuson. Gates and Magnuson created, choreographed, and coached the MHS
Submitted photo
Members of the Minot High School cheerleading team are Cindy Deegan, Rebecca Henry, Kayley Walter, Emily Stauffer, Abby Howard, Hayley Walter, Cassidy Bockoven, McKenzie Young, Cassie Welnel, Allison Dean, Makenna Hesch, Jordan Bergeron, Vytalli Klimpel, Faith Amsbury, Taylor Benjamin, Samantha Mongillo, Sydney Smith, Daniela Zafra, Ciara Lunstad, J’Kobe Wallace, Grace Baggett, Karissa Zumbo, Beth Presley and Bridgette Morgan. routine that received the highest score of the day from the judges. Minot High School will begin the winter sports season along with competing at the UCA Spirit of
America Cheer competition in January. The competition will be held at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. Other members of the Minot
High School team include Faith Amsbury, Grace Baggett, Taylor Benjamin, Jordan Bergeron, Allison Dean, Cindy Deegan, Rebecca Henry, Makenna Hesch, Abby
Howard, Vytalli Klimpel, Samantha Mongillo, Bridgette Morgan, Beth Presley, Sydney Smith, Cassie Welnel, McKenzie Young, Daniela Zafra and Karissa Zumbo.
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Bishop Ryan captures Class B cheerleading title From Staff Reports sports@minotdailynews.com Bishop Ryan High School won the Class B Division at the North Dakota Cheer Coach Association’s 2014 Fall State Cheer Championships at Red River High School in Grand Forks on Nov. 15 with 238 points, followed by Rugby High School with 206 points. The Ryan team, coached by Kayla Leintz and assisted by Hannah Kramer, continued the competition by winning the Class B Stunt Group, the Team Scholar Award, and also won the Class B Jump-off with Ryan senior McKenzie Leintz in an exciting final round of two jumpers. Members of the Bishop Ryan team are Leintz, Kelsi Halverson, Brooke Bachmeier, Megan Hardy, Bridgette Lutton and Eleni Garbrandt. Follow the Minot Daily News sports staff on Twitter @MDN_sports. Submitted photo
Members of the Bishop Ryan High School cheerleading team are, from left, assistant coach Hannah Kramer, Kelsi Halvorson, Brooke Bachmeier, Megan Hardy, McKenzie Leintz, Bridgette Lutton, Eleni Garbrandt and head coach Kayla Leintz.
CONGRATULATIONS
on bringing the “Magic” back to Minot!
We’re so proud of your hard work this season!
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April 8, 2015
HOME of CHAMPIONS
Rugby cheer team clinches winter state championship By BRYCE BERGINSKI Pierce County Tribune When it comes to being judged by difficulty, creativity, technique and execution, for cheerleaders stunting at the state competition every aspect is crucial. "It takes focus, determination and trust to be a successful stunting team," said senior Rugby cheerleader Helen Johnson. For the Rugby cheer team, 13 girls — including Johnson and freshmen Alissa Volk, Aimee York, Corinna Bell and Brianna Leier — were in two pyramids, doing as many stunts as they could in one minute. Johnson said that in practicing their stunts, communication between every one of them is crucial. "If one group doesn't go up, it can affect the outcome of the stunt as a whole," Johnson said. "By doing stunts that rely so much on every individual, we risk the stunt failing due to miscommunication or we risk not showcasing a certain part of the pyramid — which can affect scoring. "(The pyramids) were nailed at competition because we trusted each other and we knew that we were all going to do our individual parts because of the countless number of times we performed the stunt at practice," Johnson said. The stunt team took second place. With that, Leier advancing to the second round of the jump-off competition and freshman Haylee
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Members of the Rugby cheerleading team pose for a photo after winning the state championship. Miron taking second in the allaround (one minute of cheering, jumps and tumbling) event, the cheer team was able to take a first place finish out of 11 teams in the winter competition last weekend at Bismarck High School. Head coach Deanne Nelson couldn't be more proud of her squad. "They had a busy winter with cheering and didn't have time to put
this routine together until a week before," Nelson said. "They worked extremely hard and it paid off." According to Nelson, Johnson and fellow senior cheerleader Alyssa Mattern help come up with routines, which the squad as a whole then tweaks out of safety or if something doesn't work. Johnson said that coming up with a routine starts by experimenting with different stunts during
practice. Once they are confident with the stunts, the squad showcases them at games. The squad then combines the stunts into a competition routine. The team competes in the fall and winter and does a different routine for each competition. "We (Nelson and assistant coaches Ashley Stricker and Paige Brossart) always tell the girls, 'No
matter what happens, be proud because you came up with (the routine) on your own'," Nelson said. For Nelson and company, competition is the icing on the cake for a season of cheerleading. "Cheering for the team comes first, competition is second. We tell them that from day one and they all understand and agree," Nelson said. "We don't cheer to compete, we compete because we cheer."
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Minot cheerleaders dominate state competition
Submitted photos
Minot High’s Emily Stauffer, left, performs a stunt during the state cheerleading competition. Above, Bishop Ryan competes as a team.
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HOME of CHAMPIONS
April 8, 2015
Consecutive upsets lift Magi football to Dakota Bowl By DAVID RUPKALVIS Editor drupkalvis@minotdailynews.com As a journalist, I grew up on the sideline at high school football games. My first job was as a sports reporter in southern Arizona, and I covered two high schools with average football teams. While I loved covering football, I never covered a team that made the playoffs. So I understand how difficult it is to make the playoffs, much less find a way to win once there. After I moved to Texas, I also began to understand how a good football team can engross the whole community. I watched as Smithson Valley reached the state championship game only to lose on a last-second field goal to the No. 1 ranked team in the state. A few years later, after my son began to play, I watched as Graham had a season to remember, winning three playoff games where they were the underdog to reach the state title game. Graham also lost, but only after pushing the three-time defending champs to the brink. With a minute left, Graham scored to close within one and tried a trick play for a two-point conversion that failed. The heartbreak that day was only mirrored by the pride I felt for a group of teens who worked together to overcome immense odds. I never imagined I would find the same thing when I came to Minot. Heck midway through the year, the Magicians dropped a 50-14 decision to Bismarck, the unaninimous No. 1 team in the state. But after that game, something happened. Minot began playing its game. It wasnát
high-flying, it wasnát fancy, but it was the epitome of football. Strong defense, a good running game, few mistakes and the occassional big play led Minot on a strong run as the season ended. In the regular season finale, Minot gave a hint of what was to come with a 15-0 win over Dickinson. There was little flashy in the game. But a strong team defense and an offense that made just enough big plays led to the win. In the postseason, Minot was the underdog every game. In the playoff opener against West Fargo, the Magicians did what they do best. They used a stifling defense and a strong running attack to take a 24-8 victory. But the fun was supposed to end there. In the semifinals, the big, bad Bismarck Demons were waiting. Bismarck was undefeated and had a string of seven straight seasons in the Dakota Bowl. Oh, and the same team beat Minot by 36 points just a few weeks earlier. While the pundits gave Minot almost no chance, the Magicians believed. And on a cold night under the stars, Minot not only beat Bismarck, the Magicians beat them up. The Minot defense swarmed the Bismarck running game, made one huge interception and kept the Demons in check all night. Offensively, Minot did exactly what it had to do. No mistakes, a few big plays and scores when they got in the red zone. By the end of the night, a new champion emerged from the west as Minot won 22-7. In the Dakota Bowl, Minot met its match. But even in defeat, the Magicians never quit. And even in the loss, they laid a foundation that can be built on for years to come. After watching these Magicians stun the football world in 2014, I have high hopes and higher expectations next year. Letás go Magicians.
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Minot running back Karter Gorney runs for a first down during Minot’s 15-0 win over Dickinson on Oct. 24.
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Minot has another solid season, places second at state By JOHN DENEGA Staff Writer jdenega@minotdailynews.com
everyone with his hard work and dedication all year long.ã Kovich was not the only Magician to have a banner year. Fellow seniors Jeremy Evans and Jordan funk, who were named second team all state, swam in championship heats at the state tournament finishing their careers on a high note as well. âThe 17 seniors made for a special season,ã Solper said. They led with great leadership all year.ã Sophomore Gerald Brown, who was named to the all-state team, won several races in duals and invitational, all culminating in a two second place finished at the state meet in the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke. âThe current junior class is small but they, and the sophomore class which includes Brown, will step up and fill the shoes that the 17 seniors left,ã Solper said. On the diving side Minot was arguably the strongest team in the state placing three divers in the top eight. Sophomore Cole Armagost placed third while seniors Kody Strole and senior Kao Jenne took sixth and seventh, respectively. The Magicians lose a lot from a special team, but the future is bright with a slew of young competitive swimmers and divers.
Minot high boys swim team entered the state swim meet with eyes on its first state championship since 2011. The Magicians were fresh off defeating their biggest competitor, Century, in the West Region meet and appeared poised to complete that same feat a week later at the state meet. It wasnát meant to be. Minot may have come a few points short of a state title, but one meet does not define a season. âWe had an enjoyable and successful season,ã Minot coach Jake Solper said. âWe were competitive and swam with a lot of intensity all year. âIt was nice to bring the WDA trophy home. You always shoot for a state title, but there are different ways to measure success and we were competitive with the state champions, Bismarck Century.ã The Magicians were led by senior captain Justin Kovich ä the senior athlete of the year ä who claimed his second consecutive state title in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle. âIt is not a common occurrence to have a two-time state champion on your team,ã Solper said. âWe reJohn Denega covers high school ally appreciated everything he did. sports and general assignments. He made our relays really compet- Follow him on Twitter @Johnitive and more than that motivated Denega_MDN.
Photo by Joe Mellenbruch/Minot Daily News
Minot senior Justin Kovich is all smiles after reaching the wall first to win his second straight state title in the 50-meter sprint.
Congratulations to all the teams on a job well done in 2014/15! Good luck, and we look forward to watching you next season! Velva and Minot www.verendrye.com 1-800-472-2141
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HOME of CHAMPIONS
April 8, 2015
Minot State hockey makes a splash on national stage By JOE MELLENBRUCH Staff Writer jmellenbruch @minotdailynews.com It's championship or bust for Minot State's men's hockey team. That's according to MSU coach Wade Regier, who two weeks ago led the Beavers to their second ACHA national semifinal appearance in three years. More often than not, final-four qualifiers are experience-laden teams, squads suddenly burdended with the offseason task of replacing veteran talent. But that won't be a concern for Minot State, which is slated to return nearly 80 percent of its roster for the 2015-16 season. And the Beavers are setting the bar high. "It's going to be a huge expectation for us to win a national title," Regier said, "and not to be cocky in how I say this, but honestly our expectation is to not lose a single game next year. With the talent that we have and the experience coming back from last year, we're looking for some guys to take huge steps forward. "Winning a championship going to be our expectation next season, without a doubt." Minot State's goals are lofty, but that wasn't exactly the case six months ago. With 10 freshman on a roster already wanting for upper-class expeJoe Mellenbruch/MDN rience, Regier's early-season focus Minot State junior forward Dwight Lee looks toward the net during a home series against Illinois. Lee is one of 20 players See NATIONAL — Page 21
slated to return for the Beavers this fall.
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NATIONAL Continued from Page 20
wasn't quite as ambitious. "When you bring in a big recruiting class of 10 guys, there's certainly going to be a learning curve, especially early on in the year," Regier said. "But for our guys, we really put things together midway through the season, and as we approached the end of the year, we had a belief as a program that we could go that far at the national tournment if we played our style of hockey. "At the beginning, I was certainly not going to write a guarantee that we'd go far in the tournament. But toward the end of the year, I was telling people that we had a legitimate shot of going deep, certainly getting to the final four and then letting the chips fall as they come." The Beavers accomplished the latter of those goals with consecutive comeback victories over No. 16 Davenport and No. 11 Liberty, including a 5-4 overtime victory over the Panthers at IMB Arena in Strongville, Ohio. Minot State eventually ran into second-ranked Central Oklahoma - the eventual champion - against which the Beavers were winless in three games this season. Of the 26 non-goaltenders on MSU's roster this season, 18 registered at least 10 points. Eight were freshmen, and all but two return for the Beavers this fall. That's an exciting notion for Minot State, which is positioned to remain one of the nation's top ACHA contenders, particularly in light of Arizona State's move to the Division I ranks. This season was about implementing a new group of players, getting them to buy into the MSU hockey culture. To the tune of another final-four appearance, the Beavers were quite successful in that regard. Now it's time to build on that progress, Regier said. Most of MSU's players have at least two seasons of eligibility still to play. "We get everybody back," Regier said. "Our expectation is to be winning a national championship next year and even for the next two seasons. All of our key guys are coming back. Five of our top six scorers are coming back. These freshman are coming with an extra year of experience at the college level. ... It's an exciting time for our team." Joe Mellenbruch covers Minot High sports, the Minot Minotauros and Minot State men's hockey. Follow him on Twitter @Mellenbruch_MDN.
Joe Mellenbruch/MDN
Despite a roster well over 50-percent occupied by underclassmen, Minot State's men's hockey team notched its second ACHA Division I semifinal appearance in three years this season. The Beavers already have high hopes for 2016. With 22 players intent on returning this fall, MSU will be aiming for its second national championship and first since its inaugural title in 2012.
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With Burke in need of further hospitalization, the Hintons were suddenly split between two locations - their home, and the hospital - for a month-long balancing act. "That made it much more challenging," Hinton said. "Once he came home, it was great to have one of the little guys home, but then we had another kind of normal to get used to. We had a baby at home and another baby in the NICU, so one of us had to stay home, one of us had to go to the NICU to watch over the other one, hold the other one, feed the other one. It kind of put a strain on life in general, and then when you add swimming into the mix - which is something I've always been very passionate about, and those girls are certainly a part of my family that's when it all really hits you, and it wears you out." Thankfully for him, the Minot High community had his back. Enduring a daily struggle for normalcy, the Hintons welcomed any gesture of kindness with appreciation and graditude. "I think the main thing you want is for the employee or coach to know that they're supported, that they shouldn't have to worry about too many different things," said Mitch Lunde, Minot's second-year activities director. "We want them to take care of things on the personal side first, and we'll try and take care of some of the other things on our end." Said Hinton: "I just want to
Photo by Joe Mellenbruch/Minot Daily News
The Minot girls swimming and diving team celebrates after winning its second straight Class A state championship. thank everybody that supported us, and not only the swimming parents that went out of their way for us. There were so many other people that were there just as helping hands: people that made din-
ner for us, the people who did so many things to help, things that may have seemed small at the time but meant the world to us. Even just a phone call or a message on social media, those kept us going,
and certainly the strength of our boys is what really got us through." Majettes lock up 2nd straight championship Months removed from his last
decent night's sleep, Hinton was admittedly exhausted as his Majettes began preparation for the season's final stretch. See STATE — Page 23
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HOME of CHAMPIONS until we got to the 200 free relay." Shortly after 1-meter diving - the fifth event of the meet - Minot trailed the Packers by 10 points with seven races to go. At that point, the Majettes were still searching for their first win. Three events later, they found it. A victory clinched an anchor-leg comeback from Minot junior Emily Hamel, whose 50-yard split was the fastest of the competition by nearly a full second, the Majettes stole a dramatic win in the 200-yard freestyle relay to reclaim the lead with four races remaining. Minot never relinquished that advantage, rewarding Hinton's exhausting season with the perfect conclusion. "It was absolutely the icing on the cake," said Kelly, who also spent the fall pursuing her master's degree in cirriculum and instruction. "It was very rewarding, especially with all the hard work combined to the other things going on in our personal lives. It was just wonderful to still be able to come out on top." As for the Hintons, the twins are perfectly healthy. At seven months, both have grown over a foot since birth, and both are approaching 20 pounds. "They're probably going to end up being a couple of big dudes, which I'm excited about," Hinton said. "My concern has been and will always be the health of my family, and we've been blessed to have that."
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On Nov. 5 - two days after the twins' initial due date and two days prior to the West Region meet - the Hintons received fantastic news. Their son, Burke, was finally ready to come home after nearly four months of hospitalization. "The Trinity NICU staff was amazing," Hinton said. "I can't say enough about the work they did with our boys, and how they actually limited our stress level, just assuring us that everything was going to be OK and that the boys were healthy." With that peace of mind, Hinton was overwhelmed by relief. But he was still tired, and readying his Minot competitors for another championship run. The Majettes secured their second consecutive region title just three days after Burke's hospital release. A week later at the Bismarck State College Aquatic and Wellness Center, they locked up their second state championship in as many seasons and 24th in school history. Despite winning the meet by 26 points over runner-up West Fargo 15 points better than Minot's winning margin in 2013 - Hinton described it as the "most stressful" state meet with which he's ever been involved. "It's just because of the way the meet played out," he said. "Two years ago, we got the lead a little bit Photo by Joe Mellenbruch/Minot Daily News Joe Mellenbruch covers Minot quicker, and we got it to a point High sports, the Minot Minotauros Minot’s Francesca Walker-Rozo powers her way down the pool during the West Region where I could see how things were going to play out as the meet wore and general assignments. Follow him Meet at Magic City Campus. Minot won its second consecutive state title and 24th in school on. This year, we didn't have the lead on Twitter @Mellenbruch_MDN. history, topping West Fargo by 26 points.