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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2021 | BRAINERD DISPATCH
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MALE AREA ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Aitkin junior sees success in return to mat By Conrad Engstrom Brainerd Dispatch After a few seasons not being 100%, Craig Ashton is ready to burst onto the scene in 2021-22. The Aitkin junior turned some heads last week as he captured the Jackhammer Invite heavyweight title Dec. 17-18 at Pequot Lakes High School. “I knew nobody knew Craig,” Aitkin head coach Larry Liljenquist said. “Last year, we were dealing with an injury and he really hasn’t seen the mat in about a year and a half. So he was kind of an unknown and since then his mental toughness has gotten a lot better as far as being a competitor. So I knew we were in a good position and he just went out and wrestled.” During the first day of competition, Ashton breezed to the semifinals. He pinned all three of his Day One opponents in the first period. He pinned Deer River’s Lee Perrington in 23 seconds in the opening round. He followed it up with a 1:47 pin of Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale/Park-
ers Prairie’s Hunter Storm in round two. In the quarterfinals, Ashton dispatched Collin Bruggeman of Thief River Falls in 37 seconds to reach the semifinals. “During the first day I was really going upper body,” Ashton said. “It was really rewarding.” Ashton faced off against Pequot Lakes/Pine River-Backus Road Crew wrestler Riley Peters in the semis the next day. The two battled for nearly the full six minutes, but Ashton got a pin at 5:57 to advance to the Jackhammer Invite finals. “He was a bigger guy, so I couldn’t get much with my upper half,” Ashton said. “So I decided to just wait it out and see what he would do and play defense most of the match and it worked out for me.” Jacob Adrian of Albany would be his opponent in the finals and he featured an opening-round bye, two pins and a 6-2 decision to reach the finals. The finals would go the distance with Ashton getting a 9-4 decision to claim the heavyweight title.
“It felt really good coming off a shoulder injury last year and missing the whole year,” Ashton said. “Then in my ninth-grade year, I missed half the year and I was on varsity by seventh and eighth grade but I was undersized so I would usually go 1-2 or 0-2. So to come here and actually win it felt nice and helped get my confidence back, too.” Liljenquist was happy the last two matches went longer than the first period. “That’s what we need to challenge him,” Liljenquist said. “I really liked that he went six minutes in the finals and we had to wrestle a full match. I wanted to see where his mind was when he got tired and once a guy gets tired in the third period it can level the playing field.” In 2019 as an eighth-grader, Ashton wrestled at 195 for a Gobblers team that went to the state tournament. Ashton won both of his state matches at 195 for the Gobblers including a pin. Liljenquist said Ashton’s preparation has improved since his eighth-grade year. “He is more focused and
ready to wrestle,” he said. “He’s an athletic guy to begin with. It’s just being prepared to go out there for six minutes.” The Jackhammer title can be a springboard for Ashton for the rest of the season. “I think it will be a turning point just due to the fact that people know who he is,” Liljenquist said. “He’s going to get more recognition and people are going to look at him a little bit differently.” Ashton said: “I have more confidence and more trust in my moves. One of my favorite things to do is get double under hooks and just throw kids. That’s not always a go-to with some of the bigger guys, so otherwise, I like to shoot legs. I’ve always been an underdog.” Liljenquist said he’s been good in the wrestling room and has grown as a leader too. “There’s not one day that he’s taken off,” he said. “He’s willing to learn and we have had some alumni come in to roll with him and give him different workout options. He’s done a great job with helping kids off the mat with homework and is doing a great job there.”
CRAIG ASHTON Ź Year: Junior Ź School: Aitkin Ź Sport: Wrestling Ź Position: 285 Ashton pounds Ź Highlights: He won the Jackhammer title at 285. Other notable performances: Basketball: Carsen Turk, Crosby-Ironton, scored 21 points against Virginia. Isaiah Schultz, Staples-Motley, scored 27 points against Holdingford and 20 points against Pillager. Brady Bristow, Pine River-Backus, scored 28 points against Northome/Kelliher and 20 points Upsala. Ethan Poser, Little Falls, scored 21 points against Holdingford. Jordan Oehrlein, Crosby-Ironton, scored 20 points against Pierz. Zach Jones, Pierz, scored 21 points against Crosby-Ironton. Grayson Beard, Pillager, scored 32 points against Staples-Motley. Teshe Loer, Wadena-Deer Creek, scored 21 points against Bertha-Hewitt. Wrestling: Connor Tulenchik, Pine River-Backus, won the Jackhammer title at 170 pounds. Trevor Radunz, Pierz, won the Chisago Lakes title at 145. Jacob LeBlanc, Pierz, won the Chisago Lakes title at 138. Carter Young, Pierz, won the Chisago Lakes title at 106. Hockey: Matt Filippi, Little Falls, scored a hat trick with an assist against Sauk Rapids.
CONRAD ENGSTROM may be reached at 218-855-5861 or conrad.engstrom @brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/the_rad34.
FEMALE AREA ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
C-I senior Mya DeCent knows her role each game By Conrad Engstrom Brainerd Dispatch Coming into last week’s game against Pillager, Mya DeCent had been on a cold streak. The Crosby-Ironton senior did not make a shot against Esko, but against Pillager caught fire with a team-high 23 points in a 57-52 win Dec. 14. “With Mya, she’s been a starter since she was in ninth grade, but she had to be a traditional scorer,” C-I head coach Peter Vukelich said. “Her older sister (Tori) was a 1,000point scorer. She played with Lily Peterson and Karli Nixon, all 1,000point scorers on the team. So she never really had to be a scorer at the varsity level yet. It just took her a few games to realize it’s her time to shine.” She followed it with 10 points against Duluth Marshall in the Rangers’
fifth-straight victory. Vukelich has coached DeCent since she was in the eighth grade on the junior varsity. “Old Mya would’ve shied up and not shot as much after doing 0-for14 coming into the Pillager game,” he said. “But she came out firing and hitting and let that confidence ride which was good to see from a senior and leader of this team.” Now a senior captain, Vukelich said her confidence is what has improved the most and is the reason she can bounce back from bad shooting games like she did last week. “She really knows her role well,” Vukelich said. “A few years ago, it was defense and rebounding. And now it’s passing and scoring a little more, too. Just knowing her role each game. Even
ORIGINAL From Page B1
sitting at home playing video games. Instead, he’s part of a perennial state-qualifying program. He’s currently on the junior varsity for both kick and jazz. “It feels crazy,” Korhonen said. “When I heard I made the team, I was ecstatic. I was ready. I just wanted to learn my dance, but I had to wait a couple more months. “It feels amazing. I love my coaches because they’re so nice to me. They’re trying really hard to fit me in because I’m the first boy, especially coach (Terri) Ebinger. She’s just so funny. I’m just grateful for the opportunity and for letting me be on the dance team. I think like three years
in the (Duluth) Marshall game this past weekend, she only had 10 points, but was putting her body everywhere.” C-I’s star is eighth-grader Tori Oehrlein who is currently averaging 25 points and 13.1 rebounds a game. Against Pillager, however, Oehrlein put in just 13 points with DeCent picking up some of the scoring burden from her. “They shut down Tori, so I had to step up,” DeCent said. “I just kept shooting and driving. I was cold coming into the game, but started to get hot.” DeCent also has contributed a team-high 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. She dishes exactly three assists a game to go along with one turnover a game. She’s also swiped 17 steals which is 2.4 per game in the early season.
ago boys couldn’t dance.” Korhonen was at home watching an animated show when he was 6. And while he can’t remember what show it was, it sparked his early passion. “I started dancing when I was 6 years old,” Korhonen said. “I was watching this TV show and this guy was doing dance moves and I thought I could do it. I kept on trying. I asked my mom if I could join dance and she thought I was kidding, but I wasn’t. So I joined when I was 6. I’ve been in dance since then and I love it so much.” Kick is Korhonen’s favorite because of its high energy. He likes jazz, but he also loves musical theater. In fifth grade, he had a solo in a musical production and said it was a blast. He also did a jazz solo last season at nationals
BROTHERS From Page B1
watch my game and if I don’t have a game I typically watch his game. We talk hockey a ton and that shows how much we care and how good of a job we want to do. Our relationship has really grown and it’s fun to share a hobby with your brother.” Morgan said he typically refs two to three high school games a week and four to 10 youth hockey games a week. Typically Bronson and Morgan are paired up for two games a week. For their day jobs, Morgan works at Bernick’s and Bronson works at Takedown Gym. Morgan has refereed two state tournaments in his nine years officiating — one girls and one boys. He also worked the U15 National Tournament in Dallas
“The Day One message has been that everyone has to step up,” Vukelich said. “Tori can’t score all the points and honestly I think the best thing for us was our opening loss to Proctor. As we’ve progressed, different girls are taking those big shots for us.” Last season as a junior, DeCent played in 19 games and tallied 116 points (6.1 per game), 95 rebounds (5.0 per game), 32 assists (1.7 per game) with 31 steals (1.6 per game. “Last year, I didn’t have much confidence,” DeCent said. “This year, I have more confidence and in my senior year I know I have to step up when they are stopping Tori.” DeCent appeared in all 28 games as a sophomore and tallied 144 points (5.1 per game), 136 rebounds (4.9 per game) and 47
and placed first. Clough said Korhonen is a performer, who always gives his best and is known for his stage presence. “Our coaching staff could see him making it on Broadway someday and we’re excited that boys finally have a chance to compete,” she said. Broadway is the goal for Korhonen. “I want to go on Broadway,” he said. “I just want to go to New York. I went there when I was in sixth grade, I think, and I loved it there. I went to see “Aladdin” and “Wicked” and I see myself on that stage when I get older.” For now, Korhonen is more than happy to be the first boy on the Warriors. But it’s not without its challenges. There are locker room issues and sometimes his teammates will talk about “girl stuff.”
last year for USA hockey. “You go to all these small rinks and do these big games at small rinks, but you get in front of the Xcel Energy Center and one of the games I had was 19,000 fans for a state semifinal game. It was pretty cool,” Morgan said. Bronson has officiated section finals, but hopes to get to the state tournament this year. Both Bronson and Morgan said they’ve heard their fair share of hecklers from parents and fans. The key is blocking it out of their mind during a game. “That’s part of the game and part of growing and mentoring officials,” Morgan said. “It’s not for everyone and the biggest thing is blocking that out. Sometimes you can’t block it and things need to be done, but there are a lot of crazies out there.” Bronson added: “That’s why I think officiating is tough on the younger officials and it’s tough
steals (1.7 per game). She MYA DECENT also appeared in every Ź Year: game as a freshman and Senior scored 96 points (3.4 per Ź School: game). She’s taken on Crosbya bigger role her senior Ironton season. Ź Sport: “She’s grown one year Basketball at a time,” Vukelich said. Ź “The thing is the girls Highlights: DeCent naturally look up to Mya She scored and she’s a leader in 23 points against Pillager every sport she plays. “She’s a lot of fun and definitely a girl that I can in seventh grade and I play anywhere.” joke around with and in can Other notable performances: the next breath say it’s Basketball: Addison Lorber, Staples-Motley, scored 22 points against Greenway. game time. One of the Ella Janzen, Aitkin, scored 26 points Mille Lacs. mottos I have as a coach against Lyndsey Strohmeier, Pierz, scored 23 is work hard, play hard points against Milaca. Abigail Palm, Aitkin, scored 20 points and she works her tail off against Hinckley-Finlayson Maci Martini, Pequot Lakes, scored 22 when she has to. She’s a points against Albany. Allison Knosalla, Staples-Motley, scored pure joy.” 20 points against Upsala. DeCent plays volleyball Tori Oehrlein, Crosby-Ironton, tallied 23 and 12 rebounds against Duluth Marand softball as well as points shall and 13 points and 15 rebounds against Pillager. basketball. Her favorite Hockey: Kate Stephens, Northern Lakes, recorded 42 saves against Two Rivers. sport is softball. “I’m more of a vocal CONRAD ENGSTROM may be leader,” DeCent said. “I reached at 218-855-5861 or conrad. engstrom@brainerddispatch.com. like softball because I’ve Follow on Twitter at www.twitter. com/the_rad34. played varsity since I was
There are perks to being the only boy, too. During a recent competition, the team had to stay overnight in a hotel. Korhonen got his own room. There he was with two kingsized beds all to himself. When it comes to the dance, however, Korhonen is not a liability. “He’s just been so committed and it’s his forte,” Clough said. “He’s very into it and very good. Louie is an advantage to us because of his charm and stage presence. He’s a performer. He draws you in. He’s very positive and he trains in the offseason so he’s committed. He cares. He has great support from his teammates.” Don’t expect Korhonen to be doing any lifting of his teammates or unique stunts just yet. He laughed and said, “Not really because I’m really
to retain officials and grow areas to actually have games going on. I’ve heard a lot and it is one of those things that as you grow up as an official you tune those things out.” Morgan serves on the board of the Central Lakes Hockey Referee Association and loves seeing younger referees involved. “It’s rewarding to work with younger officials and see them grow,” Morgan said. “Their confidence level when they go on the ice from calling their first penalty to calling their 100th penalty. And just seeing the confidence build.” If anyone is interested in refereeing hockey they can email the Central Lakes Hockey Referee Association at referee@ brainerdhockey.com. CONRAD ENGSTROM may be reached at 218-855-5861 or conrad.engstrom@ brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/the_rad34.
small. I’m only 4-foot-8. If I get bigger when I get older I could do some cool lifts, but I’m not big enough, yet.” Korhonen is committed though. He trains year-round. He said his only downtime would be in March, but he’s still exercising and staying in shape to make sure he’s ready for the next adventure. He’s also supportive and hopes others follow him as he follows his dream. “I would say go for it,” Korhonen said. “If you really want to do it, just practice. There are some days you really want to quit because you don’t fit in and you don’t feel like you belong there, but I would just say keep pushing through it because eventually, it will all pay off.” JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at 218-855-5856 or jeremy.millsop@ brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jeremymillsop.
WISHING YOU A
Laurie Hall 326 W. Laurel St. Brainerd, MN (3 blocks South of Walgreens)
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BRAINERD DISPATCH | SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2021
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SPORTS
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SCOREBOARD
BASKETBALL
Dallas at Utah, 9:30 p.m.
FOOTBALL
Professional
NBA Eastern Conference Atlantic W L Pct Brooklyn 21 9 .700 Philadelphia 16 15 .516 Boston 16 16 .500 Toronto 14 15 .483 New York 14 17 .452 Central W L Pct Chicago 19 10 .655 Milwaukee 20 13 .606 Cleveland 19 13 .594 Indiana 13 19 .406 Detroit 5 25 .167 Southeast W L Pct Miami 19 13 .594 Washington 16 15 .516 Charlotte 16 17 .485 Atlanta 14 16 .467 Orlando 7 25 .219 Western Conference Northwest W L Pct Utah 21 9 .700 Denver 15 15 .500 Minnesota 15 16 .484 Portland 13 19 .406 Oklahoma City 11 19 .367 Pacific W L Pct Phoenix 25 5 .833 Golden State 25 6 .806 L.A. Clippers 17 15 .531 L.A. Lakers 16 16 .500 Sacramento 13 20 .394 Southwest W L Pct Memphis 19 13 .594 Dallas 15 15 .500 San Antonio 12 18 .400 New Orleans 11 21 .344 Houston 10 22 .312 Central Saturday’s Games Atlanta at New York, 11 a.m. Boston at Milwaukee, 1:30 p.m. Golden State at Phoenix, 4 p.m. Brooklyn at L.A. Lakers, 7 p.m.
GB — 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.5 GB — 1.0 1.5 7.5 14.5 GB — 2.5 3.5 4.0 12.0 GB — 6.0 6.5 9.0 10.0 GB — .5 9.0 10.0 13.5 GB — 3.0 6.0 8.0 9.0
SANTA From Page B1
from Macalester to those who played for him at Kensington, Slayton, Princeton and Park Center in addition to Brainerd. The event had been postponed a few times due to the ongoing pandemic. But finally, the old ball coach received the recognition he richly deserves. Stolski finished his 58-year career with the second-most victories (389) in Minnesota State High School League football history. He remains the longesttenured head coach in MSHSL football history. Incorporated with Stolski’s recognition was a Warrior football alumni event at the Northern Pacific Center. About 100 former Warriors showed up to reconnect with former teammates and all kinds of memorabilia were auctioned off or for sale.
FIND A PLACE
Professional
NFL American Football Conference East W L T Pct PF PA New England 9 5 0 .643 367 227 Buffalo 8 6 0 .571 394 243 Miami 7 7 0 .500 285 312 N.Y. Jets 3 11 0 .214 250 428 South W L T Pct PF PA Tennessee 9 5 0 .643 337 309 Indianapolis 8 6 0 .571 398 300 Houston 3 11 0 .214 207 372 Jacksonville 2 12 0 .143 196 370 North W L T Pct PF PA Cincinnati 8 6 0 .571 369 303 Baltimore 8 6 0 .571 334 315 Pittsburgh 7 6 1 .536 291 335 Cleveland 7 7 0 .500 292 305 West W L T Pct PF PA Kansas City 10 4 0 .714 385 296 L.A. Chargers 8 6 0 .571 379 370 Denver 7 7 0 .500 285 243 Las Vegas 7 7 0 .500 299 374 National Football Conference East W L T Pct PF PA Dallas 10 4 0 .714 401 293 Philadelphia 7 7 0 .500 364 308 Washington 6 8 0 .429 283 351 N.Y. Giants 4 10 0 .286 238 331 South W L T Pct PF PA Tampa Bay 10 4 0 .714 410 306 New Orleans 7 7 0 .500 313 285 Atlanta 6 8 0 .429 258 384 Carolina 5 9 0 .357 271 313 North W L T Pct PF PA Green Bay 11 3 0 .786 359 302 Minnesota 7 7 0 .500 361 342 Chicago 4 10 0 .286 240 349 Detroit 2 11 1 .179 243 366 West W L T Pct PF PA Arizona 10 4 0 .714 378 284
Freed has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to procure more than $300,000 to renovate and modernize the Warrior Strength Center at BHS. All funds were raised via individual donors, local businesses and organizations. The current strength room will be transformed into a state-of-the-art performance and training center that will elevate the training of Warrior athletes and students while maximizing existing space. The revitalized space will help enhance programming, increase space and utilize cutting-edge equipment. The renovated facility opens Jan. 5, 2022, to BHS students and athletes. Another fall event was a 48th BHS class reunion, the same day as a Staples-Motley Hall of Fame event where I had a chance to reconnect with former Cardinal David Joerger, now assistant coach of the Philadelphia
BOWLING
TV AND RADIO
Saturday, Dec. 25
BASKETBALL: NBA: Atlanta at New York, 11 a.m., ESPN NBA: Boston at Milwaukee, 1:30 p.m., ABC NBA: Golden State at Phoenix, 4 p.m., ABC College men: Diamond Head Classic Third place, 5:30 p.m., ESPN2 NBA: Brooklyn at Los Angeles Lakers, 7 p.m., ABC and ESPN College men: Diamond Head Classic championship, 8 p.m., ESPN2 NBA: Dallas at Utah, 9:30 p.m., ESPN FOOTBALL: College football: Georgia State vs. Ball State, 1:30 p.m., ESPN NFL: Cleveland at Green Bay, 3:30 p.m., FOX
Sunday, Dec. 26
FOOTBALL: NFL: noon, FOX NFL: noon, CBS NFL: 3 p.m., FOX NFL: 3 p.m., CBS NFL: Washington at Dallas, 7:20 p.m., NBC SOCCER: Premier League: Liverpool vs. Leeds United, 6:25 a.m., NBCSN Premier League: Tottenham vs. Crystal Palace, 8:55 a.m., NBCSN and USA Premier League: Brighton vs. Breandford, 1:55 p.m., NBCSN
L.A. Rams San Francisco Seattle
10 4 0 .714 386 303 8 6 0 .571 360 314 5 9 0 .357 282 282
HOCKEY
Professional
NHL Eastern Conference Atlantic Division GP W L OT SO Pts GFGA Tampa Bay 30 20 6 2 2 44 98 80 Toronto 30 20 8 1 1 42 98 76 Florida 29 18 7 2 2 40104 87 Detroit 31 15 13 3 0 33 88104 Boston 26 14 10 1 1 30 71 69 Buffalo 30 10 15 4 1 25 82104 Ottawa 28 9 17 2 0 20 79101 Montreal 31 7 21 3 0 17 67109 Metropolitan Division GP W L OT SO Pts GFGA Carolina 29 21 7 1 0 43 95 62 Washington 31 18 6 6 1 43108 81
76ers, and his brother, Blaine, one of the most talented basketball players I ever had the privilege to cover or watch. Prayers for healing go out to David who left the 76ers in November to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments for a form of head and neck cancer. One of last winter’s highlights was the promotion of BHS grad Cole Smith by the Nashville Predators. Smith played in one NHL game last season, then was returned to the minor leagues. This December the Predators again summoned Smith to the NHL due to several players, coaches and staff in COVID-19 protocol. Smith is the third BHS alumnus to play in the NHL. Josh Archibald of the Edmonton Oilers, currently recovering from COVID-19, was the second. Carl Sneep, who starred at Boston College after graduating from BHS, was the first with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Two other former
NY Rangers 30 19 7 3 1 42 86 77 Pittsburgh 30 17 8 1 4 39 91 76 Columbus 28 14 13 0 1 29 91 95 Philadelphia 29 12 12 2 3 29 77 95 New Jersey 30 10 15 1 4 25 82105 NY Islanders 26 8 12 3 3 22 57 77 Western Conference Central Division GP W L OT SO Pts GFGA Minnesota 30 19 9 0 2 40112 92 Nashville 30 19 10 1 0 39 89 79 St. Louis 31 17 9 3 2 39106 85 Colorado 27 17 8 2 0 36115 91 Winnipeg 30 14 11 2 3 33 90 87 Dallas 29 15 12 1 1 32 82 85 Chicago 30 11 15 4 0 26 72 97 Arizona 29 6 21 0 2 14 56109 Pacific Division GP W L OT SO Pts GFGA Vegas 32 20 12 0 0 40114 98 Anaheim 32 17 9 3 3 40103 89 Calgary 28 15 7 6 0 36 87 62 Edmonton 29 18 11 0 0 36101 90 Los Angeles 30 14 11 4 1 33 80 79 San Jose 30 15 14 0 1 31 78 85 Vancouver 31 14 15 1 1 30 81 90 Seattle 30 10 17 2 1 23 84108
Warriors deserve mention. Former Warrior coach and educator, and former state representative, John Ward, is on an incredible health journey. John underwent surgery for esophageal cancer in November. He has been in and out of Mayo Clinic in Rochester undergoing numerous surgeries, procedures and tests. In addition, open-heart surgery possibly looms in the future. Godspeed my friend. He and his family, especially his wife and caregiver, Sally, need our prayers. Steve Nunnink, long-time Brainerd coach and strength and conditioning guru,
Jack’s House
Tues 4:15: Abe LLC/ 37-19, A new You/ 34-22, Prestige Plating/ 33-23, Sportsmans Plg/ 32-24, Stay and Play/ 32-24, Pin Masters/ 28-16, Jacks House/ 27-29, DeChantel Excavating/ 25.5-30.5, Acorn Millworks/ 17.5-38.5 HIGHS: Sam Larson 275/715, Perry Erickson 222/601, John Skarp 211/580, Sue Breitling 208, Caralee Bjerkness 203/536, Ruth Tiedeman 193/495, &ROOHHQ 'XႇQH\ 6U &RႇHHEUHDN Mattson Lumber 76-44, B* Merri/ 75-45, Jacks House/74-46, M and M Express/ 72-48, Dons Angels/ 64-56, Auto Import/ 62-58, Home Choice/ 60-60, Old Farts/ 56-64, Winners trophy/ 55-65, Christ Lutheran/ 54-66, Minn T’s/ 51-69, Advance Auto Parts/ 49-71, 4 Maniacs/ 48-72, Bridge of Harmony/ 44-76 HIGHS: Sonny Klabo 236/623, Frank Welter 222, Darrel Johnson 205/572, -Hႇ 2¶&RQQRU /DXULH 5DPVGHOO 211/558, Marlene Miller 193, Frances Mitchell 513, Caralee Bjerkness 182/490 Wacky Wednesday: Pine River Bakery/ 153-57, Pohl Childrens/ 119-91, Gray Bulls/ 118.5-91.5, Dans Catering/ 117.5-92.5, COG/ 11793, Sheps/ 110-100, Weichert realtors/ 109-101, Steve Boyd Flooring/ 108-102, Mighty Mallards/ 107.5-102.5, The Citiots/ 105-105, Anderson Aire/ 103.5106.5, Greenheck AutoGlass/ 103-107, MixtureWeb.com/ 102.5-107.5, Schroeders Appliance/ 97.5-112.5, Viking Coke/ 95-115, Little Caesers/ 5HG +RW 6WXႇ 7KRVH Guys/ 70-140 HIGHS: cam Larson 264/658, Ryan Churchill 258, Brandon Goettig 257/704, Shane Rhuby 669 Nite Strikers: Central Choice Financial/ 89-31, Home Choice/ 86.5-33.5, Scentsy/ 73-47, Pit Happens/ 67.5-52.5, DeerStand/ 64.5-55.5, Canvas Tech/ 62-58, Happy
died earlier this month. What a Warrior he was. “Squatty Body 2,” his nickname when he was a lineman at the University of North Dakota for his short, stout stature, was in and out of rehab and hospitals for 18 years since suffering a brain aneurysm during the football season opener in 2003.
Campers/ 59-61, Fireshack/ 58-62, NMS Photography/ 57.5-62.5, Frandsen Bank/ 56.5-63.5, VFW Post 1647/ 38.5-81.5 HIGHS: Russ Kiker 232, Cody Taylor 229/636 Steve Warta 223/593, Ron Majersky 223, Tori Decent 217/526, Nicole Smude 200, Stephanie Winegarner 512, Colleen Wroolie 192, Amber Schultz 497 Fun Friday: Whatever/ 37-15, Having Fun/ 32-20, R We Having fun yet/ 31-21, Yoda Girls/ 28-24, Who Cares/ 26-26 HIGHS: Sue Volkmuth 174/485, Lynn Jacobsen 157, Gloria Thomas 438, Ginger Almer 152/419 Fri Nite Mixers: Brd Lakes Cakes/ 190-170, AutoSmith/ 189.5-170.5, MTC/ 185.5-171.5, Greenheck AutoGlass/ 172.5-187.5, LTFF/ 163.5-196.5, Select Life Chiropractic/ 38.5-33.5 HIGHS: Cam Larson 250/704, Kevin Pederson 216/590, John Skarp 214/587, Laurie Ramsdell 191/533, Miranda Bassett 181, Amie Ramsdell 181/530, Lydia Orlando 452 Jacks Jr Leagues: Preps: Triple Rollers/ 38-10, Silent Thunder/ 2919, The Johnson Boyz/ 27-21 HIGHS: Bryton Fields 97/290, Corbin Churchill 85/214, Blake Randall 218, Dixon Randall 79, Gracie Randall 32/88 Juniors: Minnesota Strikes/ 69-27, Team 1/ 57-39, Vice Squad/ 45-51, Ballbarians/ 42-54, Team 6/ 41-55, Team 2/ 34-62 HIGHS: Teaghan Fields 137/383, Kalob Obert 127/342, Reid Randall 101/270, Sawyer Colgrove 270, Kayty Warta 158/453, Aubrey Johnson 155/348, Sophia Kujava 140/406 Majors: Team 4/ 59-37, Yeetboi/ 48-48, Team 1/ 46-50, Team 3/ 39-57 HIGHS: Asher Borle 196/489, Jackson Kretzman 138/314, Cooper Colgrove 315, Adam Johnson 132, Brittani Weston 161/385, McKinzie McCoy 100/255, Alexis Johnson 75/198
Steve’s wife, Randi, was a rock by his side, caring for him all these years. She deserves a medal. She’s a true Warrior. I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. And may we get through this pandemic. Mike Bialka, Sports Santa, can be followed on Twitter at www. twitter.com/mikebialka.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2021 | BRAINERD DISPATCH
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Keys to late-season archery success on pressured ground
I
t was the morning of Dec. 13 and I had set up before light in one of my favorite bow hunting locations in a funnel just off of a good bedding area in Minnesota. This spot is within really thick brush on a narrow ridge system with a field in the Conservation Reserve Program ERIC below me and MORKEN agriculture Outdoors fields up Editor top. Deer are feeding in that top field, so the idea was that I could catch one coming back to bed through that funnel. It’s been a great spot in the past during times of low hunting pressure before gun season, but this morning was the third straight sit where I did not see a deer. That definitely can be the case at this time of year. Deer have been pressured through archery season, regular firearms and now muzzleloader season. In Minnesota, that’s a lot of activity in the woods with such a strong deer hunting tradition in the state. There was a good bit of muzzleloader hunting going on around me through that final weekend on Dec. 12. I sat in my truck after that fruitless morning and went back and forth on what my move should be for that evening sit. I decided to text a neighbor who I know muzzleloader hunts on the adjacent woods to the east. He and other members of his hunting party had not been down there for a week. Perfect. I have bowhunted the late season every year for about 16 years now in Minnesota, and finding areas that have had limited pressure this time of year is rule No. 1 for me if I can find it. I went out early that afternoon on the eastern
The first big doe walked broadside to me and gave what I thought was a chance to draw my bow when she put her head down. Two of the other deer I was not watching caught my movement and spooked, causing her to throw her head up and run off with them. At full draw now, I gathered myself and saw that the other big doe in the group had not moved. She was quartered toward me, giving me a shot opportunity at about 20 yards. Shooting the heavy arrow and broadhead combination that I do, I put the pin right on that front shoulder to make sure I didn’t hit too far back. The arrow penetrated through and took out lungs and the bottom of the heart for a quick kill. Another group of five more does and yearlings came into the woods that night before dark. A night like this during the late season where I see 15-20 antlerless deer is not uncommon in most areas of Minnesota I hunt where doeto-buck ratios heavily favor Gary Morken the does. Eric Morken with a doe he shot with his bow during an evening hunt on Dec. 13 in Minnesota. It was It can be difficult getting SDUW RI D KXQW ZKHUH 0RUNHQ VDZ PRUH WKDQ DQWOHUOHVV GHHU DIWHU ¿QGLQJ DQ DUHD RI WKH SURSHUW\ eyes on a mature buck this that had not seen as much hunting pressure through the last weekend of the muzzleloader season. time of year. Many have ,W WRRN VRPH WULDO DQG HUURU DQG FKHFNLQJ LQ ZLWK QHLJKERUV DV RWKHU SDUWV RI WKH SURSHUW\ 0RUNHQ already been shot, and the KDG KXQWHG RQ WKUHH SULRU VLWV KDV \LHOGHG QR GHHU VLJKWLQJV ones that have not are not spending a bunch of time on border of the property in a all over in the flat bottom a grassy opening near the their feet in daylight. low area along the river so I of open timber. One spot in property border about 150 What late December does had time to read sign in the particular had a few trails yards away. A long line of offer for archers is a chance snow and set up. I don’t know intersecting and then track does and yearlings were to see a lot of antlerless exactly where deer bed down leading off of those trails on their feet and heading deer in the final days of the here because I can’t scout where deer were spending toward the timber I was set season with most of the the neighboring property. time browsing. up in. hunting pressure now out There must be some fantastic This seemed to be the A group of eight took a of the woods for a couple of thermal cover there because central hub of where much trail further east of me into weeks. this area always holds deer of the movement met. I the woods and ended up too If you are still looking for a late season. set up in the middle of all far behind me. They worked doe this late season, find the Where I can hunt is a that activity with my scent their way up the steep ridge food (whether that’s natural transition area between that blowing away from where I onto that top field to feed. browse or a more common bedding and a picked corn expected deer to come from. In that grassy open area primary food source like corn field up top where they feed. A yearling buck was the just off of the woods were or soybeans), understand There’s good natural browse first deer to show up. He four more deer. They took a the bedding, read the sign in down here that deer feed on nibbled on some twigs and trail straight south of me into the snow and set up. It can before hitting the corn. slowly made his way out the woods and did exactly make for some of the more The sign in the snow was from underneath my stand. what the track in the snow enjoyable hunts of the year as good as it always seems I noticed more movement indicated they would by with the woods to yourself to be in December. There now coming from the thicker moving right into my shooting and whitetails bunched up in were trail systems leading cover that transitions to opening 15 yards away. big groups.
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