It never had a favorite player; as a child, every Chicago Cub was a hero. But it was no secret who was the best player. Many say one of the best baseball players ever. In 1958 and 1959, “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks was the first in National League history voted Most Valuable Player in two consecutive seasons. At that time, it seemed to me that distinction usually went to a player on … [Read more...]
Decades of sports, mostly spectating Enjoying the 21st Summer Olympics in Montreal, 1976
Hearing the “Star-Spangled Banner” played while standing on foreign soil was unexpectedly emotional. I had heard the national anthem at sporting events countless times, but for me, it was different at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. That anthem was played 34 times, once for each gold medal. At the 21st modern Olympiad, the United States won the third-most gold … [Read more...]
O’Hare Nearly Breaks 17:00 in Win
He will probably get there this season. He won last year’s 1A Meet in a time of 16:48.7. LARP runner Luke O’Hare did finally tear up yardage he’s yet to blaze a trail on, the Ferndale Golf Course. Matt Kingsbury’s group hosted its first of two meets at Rushford’s estate for golf and the boys squad had no problem winning its third race in as many tries. LARP (21) easily … [Read more...]
Gophers Host First C-C Meet of the Season
In their first cross country event of the year, Chatfield went to Lake City and ran a triangular with the Tigers and Dover-Eyota. On the girls side, the Tigers were the defending Section 1A Champs. Jayna Harstad’s Lady Gophers made a big impression, narrowly winning that triangular 27 to 29. In hosting their first triple of the year with PEM and LFC, Chatfield’s girls again … [Read more...]
Cross Country (9/15)
(B) GMLOS 48, La Crescent/Hokah 23, Cotter 67 (Christian Hjelmen (18:14.2) took third behind LC/H runners Cody Kowalski (17:12.4) and Jack Redman (18:04.7). Cohen Wiste (18:56.7) took sixth for GMLOS. Twenty-three guys competed); (G) GMLOS 58, LC/H 38, Cotter 25 (Rambler 8th grader Sonja Semling (19:38.4) took first, LC/H’s Lydia Rosendahl (19:44.5) second. Cotter had … [Read more...]
Soccer (9/14 – 9/18)
(B) Dover-Eyota 6, Cal/SG/Hou 1 (Again, the Warrior boys gave up an early goal to the visitors, two minutes, 49 seconds into the match. Late in the first half, undefeated D-E (5-0, 5-0 TRC) added a pair of goals within 38 seconds to take a 4-0 lead into intermission. Down 6-0, C/SG/H received a goal from sophomore Austin Meyer to close the scoring with 24 minutes remaining.) … [Read more...]
The Fall Top 50 Countdown (#40 to #36)
The top 50 teams of the fall from 2010-2019 continues. As before, squads from the “Journal 10” - FC, R-P, Chatfield, Kingsland, M-C, Houston, Lanesboro, GM, SG, and L-O, are eligible. Ranking across different years, and involving teams from three different sports, is difficult and thus subject to debate. Ranking is by how far teams made it in the play-offs. Teams 40 down to … [Read more...]
Decades of sports, mostly spectating Most famous football play; I will never forget “not” seeing it
It has been called the “most famous play in college football history.” Surely, it was the most bizarre tackle in all of football history, an official “non-tackle” that interrupted an official 95-yard touchdown run that ended 42 yards away from the goal line. Dubbed ‘the 12th man tackle,” it occurred on a big football stage, a New Year’s Day bowl game, and continued on a … [Read more...]
Knight Runner Stands Out at LFC’s Meet
A year ago at the Section 1A Meet, Kingsland freshman Garrison Hubka was his team’s top runner. He finished 78th in a time of 19:19.1. In his first 5,000-meter run of the year, that time flew by the wayside. The sophomore won his second race in as many tries (17:40), finishing nearly a minute ahead of his nearest competitor. It was a notably quick run for Hubka. Just a … [Read more...]
Gopher Girls Punch Perfect Score
It is a lot easier to do at a three-team meet. Nonetheless, it is still a pretty nice accomplishment. At their second event of the year, Chatfield’s girls posted the cross country perfect score. Jayna Tangen’s Gophers took first, second, third, fourth, and fifth places to easily win the St. Charles Invite. Chatfield had 15 points, the Saints 51, and Schaeffer Academy was … [Read more...]