South Dakota Athletic Director David Herbster has announced a five-year contract with head football coach Bob Nielson. The announcement follows another milestone year for Nielson, who surpassed 200 collegiate victories last season.
 
"Bob is a proven leader who has laid a solid foundation for our program as we build a championship culture," said Herbster. "I look forward to watching his teams push forward throughout these facility enhancements and beyond."
 
When Nielson took the Coyotes to the postseason in 2017, it marked the fifth consecutive program that has reached the playoffs within four years of Nielson taking the helm. South Dakota won its FCS playoff debut and reached the final 16. The team is 16-19 in three seasons under Nielson after combining for 12 wins in the four seasons prior.
 
"I'm excited to be a part of the future of Coyote football," said Nielson. "The University of South Dakota is a great place. It is making a strong commitment to Division I football, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to lead our team to the next level."
 
Nielson is a three-time national coach of the year recipient, a two-time national champion head coach, and was Missouri Valley Football Conference Coach of the Year in 2016. The 2019 campaign will be his 27^th as a head coach. He needed fewer than 300 games to reach 200 wins and stands with a 202-99-1 career record.
 
Nielson grew up in Marion, Iowa, and received his bachelor's degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where he began his coaching career. He was a head coach at Ripon (1989-90), Wartburg (1991-95), UW-Eau Claire (1996-98), Minnesota Duluth (1999-2003, 2008-12), and Western Illinois (2013-15) before arriving in Vermillion. He won Division II national championships with Minnesota Duluth in 2008 and 2010 with undefeated records of 15-0.
 
Nielson and his wife, Terri, have two daughters, Amanda Taylor and Kasey King, and a son, Kyle. He holds a master's degree from UNI. Nielson is a member of the Minnesota Duluth and Linn-Mar High School Athletic Hall of Fames.

Head football coach Steve Heimann is pleased to announce William Sonnemaker as the newest member of the PC football staff. Sonnemaker will take over as the offensive line coach for the Saints football program starting this fall.

"We are very excited to have Coach Sonnemaker join our program as he brings a high level of energy and passion that was felt immediately by the entire program," stated Heimann.  "Having coached at the collegiate, high school, and professional levels, he is an exceptional coach with a very strong resume that will continue to grow the PC football program."

Most recently, Coach Sonnemaker served as the offensive line coach for the Omaha Beef of the Champions Indoor Football (CIF) League, where they produced 1,365 yards rushing this past season.

Prior to coaching in the CIF, Coach Sonnemaker was the defensive coordinator for Holyoke High School in Holyoke, Colorado. He also assumed the roles of offensive and defensive line coach and offensive and run game coordinator for Gateway High School in Aurora, Colorado. Furthermore, Sonnemaker started his collegiate coaching resume at his alma mater, Midland Lutheran College (now Midland University), as the defensive line coach and box coordinator.

Collegiately, Sonnemaker was a four-year starter for Midland before playing professionally indoors for six years. Notably, Sonnemaker was a three-time CIF champion with the Sioux City Bandits and the Omaha Beef.

"I am very excited to be here and hopefully bring a new refreshing view to Presentation College and the football program," explained Sonnemaker. "I believe this place is something special and has a lot of opportunity to give student-athletes a chance to not only further their playing career after high school but more importantly their education.   I am proud to become a part of the Saints family. I would like to thank Vice President for Student Affairs, Bob Schuchardt, and head coach Steve Heimann for giving me this opportunity. Last but not least, I'd like to give a giant thank you to my family, friends, and Samantha Holechek for supporting me on this journey of being a college coach."

Sonnemaker graduated from Midland Lutheran College with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He continued his education at Bellevue University where he graduated with a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership.

Coach Sonnemaker currently resides in Aberdeen.

Former Presentation College head women’s basketball coach Eric Nelson has accepted the women’s head coaching job at fellow NSAA school Dickinson State.  Nelson coached six seasons at Presentation College, compiling a record of 51-113 during that time.  Nelson told media outlets he was forced out at Presentation College when he was let go. 

South Dakota men's basketball head coach Todd Lee  is pleased to announce the final addition to the 2019-20 squad with 6-8 forward Tasos Kamateros.
 
Hailing from Athens, Greece, Kamateros joins the Coyotes after averaging 15.7 points and 7.8 rebounds for A.E.O Proteas Voulas in the A Eskana League in Greece. He shot 58 percent from the field while connecting on 41 percent of his 3-point field goals attempts.  
 
He played in the 2018 FIBA European Championship for Greece, seeing action in five games and hitting 50 percent of his field goal attempts.
 
Kamateros recently spent time in training camp with the U20 national team in preparation for the U20 FIBA European Championship.
 
The addition of Kamateros brings the 2019-20 class to seven student-athletes. Junior college transfer Ty Chisom along with true freshmen Kruz Perrott-Hunt and Hunter Goodrick are immediately eligible while A.J. Plitzuweit, Kanon Koster and Brady Heiman will sit the season due to NCAA transfer rules.

One time Minnesota Wild and longtime NHL great Matt Cullen announced his retirement from the league Wednesday at the age of 42.  Cullen played 21 seasons in the NHL, originally drafted 35^th overall by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the 1996 NHL draft.  A Virginia Minnesota native, Cullen graduated from Moorhead high school playing hockey and accepted a scholarship to play at St. Cloud State University.  In the NHL he would play for the Ducks, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins.  He won three Stanley Cups in his career including in 2006, 2016 and 2017.  He wraps up his career with 1516 games played, 266 goals scored and 731 points collected. 

12-year NHL veteran and former University of North Dakota hockey great Greg Johnson has passed away at the age of 48.  Johnson died Monday according to the Chronicle Journal in Thunder Bay Ontario, his hometown, but no cause of death was given.  Johnson was a three time Hobey Baker award finalist and remains North Dakota’s all time leading scorer with 272 points, 74 goals and 198 assists, in 155 games with the then Fighting Sioux.  He was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round of the 1989 NHL draft. 

Vice President for Student Affairs and Interim Athletic Director Bob Schuchardt is pleased to announce Steve Heimann as the next head coach of the PC football program. Heimann brings over 13 years of coaching experience from nearly all levels of the game. Heimann becomes the third head coach in program history for the Saints.

"We are excited that Coach Steve Heimann will be leading our football program at Presentation," explained Schuchardt. "His experience and personality will guide our football staff and student-athletes into a program that Presentation and the Aberdeen community will be proud of."

Most recently, Heimann served as the offensive coordinator for Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS – an NAIA school in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.  Heimann guided the Bluejays to a 6-4 record in his first season with the team, which included a 38-21 win against No. 22 Avila University.

"I'd like to thank President Huber and Vice President for Student Affairs Bob Schuchardt for giving me the opportunity to lead the football program at Presentation College," stated Heimann. "The college's mission statement closely aligns with my personal coaching mission and I'm truly excited to get to work with a great group of young men and the coaches here. I hope to keep the momentum going and put a team on the field, in the classroom, and in the community, that resembles principles of hard work and accountability. Go Saints!"

Before taking over as the OC at Hillsboro, Heimann was an offensive analyst at Coastal Carolina University (CCU) in Conway, SC, assisting in the coaching of the wide receivers. CCU is an NCAA Division I FBS school that participates in the Sun Belt Conference.

Prior to that, he was with the Omaha Beef of the CIF (Champions Indoor Football). Heimann started as the special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach, before becoming the head coach. That position came on the heels of his coaching with the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL, where he coached numerous former and current NFL players, including Heisman trophy winners, Troy Smith (Ohio State) and Eric Crouch (Nebraska).

Heimann also coached at Nebraska Wesleyan University (2007-2010 & 2013), Feather River College (2014) and Omaha Creighton Preparatory High school (2015).

Collegiately, Coach Heimann played defensive back for both Bethany College and The University of Nebraska-Omaha. He completed his undergraduate studies at Bellevue University, and then finished his Masters program from Bellevue as well.

Coach Heimann and his wife Rochelle, have three sons – Aiden, Alex and Cohwen.

Summit League commissioner Tom Douple has announced the University of Missouri-Kansas City otherwise known as UMKC will return to the Summit League on a full-term basis starting July 1^st 2020.  All 16 Roos’ athletic programs will compete in the conference beginning in the 2020-21 season.  UMKC was a member of the Summit League from 1994 to 2013, but have spent the past seven seasons as a member of the Western Athletic Conference or WAC. 

The South Dakota High School Activities Association has announced the 2019 state high school football championship games will be played at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium on the campus of South Dakota State, rather than its usual location of the DakotaDome in Vermillion.  The decision was approved by the SDHSAA board of directors earlier this week.  The games will also be played over a two day schedule rather than three.  Thursday Nov. 14^th will feature championships 9A, 9AA, 9B, and 11A and Friday will feature championships 11AA, 11B and 11AAA. 

Northern State University introduced its newest boy’s basketball head coach to the media and community at large Tuesday.  Saul Phillips will replace departing head coach Paul Sather who has accepted the head coaching job at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. 

Phillips comes to Aberdeen as a veteran Division I basketball coach, coaching at North Dakota State in Fargo for seven season and most recently, the University of Ohio from 2014 to 2019.

Phillips coming in to the program is aware of its tradition and says he cannot wait to get going…

Phillips connections to the Northern Program are a surprising coincidence.  He was the outgoing graduate assistant at Wayne State, when outgoing Wolves head coach Paul Sather was the GA coming in, as an assistant, he coached against former Wolves head coach Bob Olson, and he was an assistant under former Wolves assistant and NSU alum Tim Miles. According to Phillips, only in the Dakota’s would things work out like that…

Phillips brings with him not just familiarity, but also a winning track record.  He has an overall record of 206-145, has won two Summit League tournament championships, two Summit League regular season championships and was a two time Summit League coach of the year.  Phillips also helped the Bison win a second round NCAA tournament game, upsetting #5 Oklahoma as a #12 seed in the 2014 NCAA tournament. 

Phillips said he doesn’t feel like he can change this program and doesn’t feel change is necessary because of the groundwork laid by people before him.  He hopes instead, members of the community will get to know him as a person and enjoy the energy he brings to his job day in and day out…  

The Minnesota Vikings have come to terms with tight end Kyle Rudolph on a four year contract extension.  The new deal is worth $36 million and will keep Rudolph in Minnesota through 2023.  Rudolph announced the deal on his social media account under a post titled “unfinished business.”  His year cap hit will now be at $7.625 million.  He is 29 years old. 

Aberdeen Wings 2019 NAHL entry draft selections: 

Round 1 8^th overall Jake Sibell G Isanti, Minn.

Round 1 24^th overall Jakob Breault C Acton Vale, Quebec, CAN

Round 3 65^th overall Sebestian Paquette RD Montreal, Quebec, CAN

Round 3 76^th overall Evan Goggins LW Braintree, Mass.

Round 4 102^nd overall Colton Friesen F Winnipeg, MB, CAN

Round 5 128^th overall Fletcher Anderson RW Thunder Bay, ON, CAN

Round 6 154^th overall Jason Ruszkowski F South Setucket, N.Y.

Round 7 180^th overall Noah Kiemel D Colorado Springs, Colo.

Round 8 206^th overall Tyler Leibl F San Diego, Calif.

Round 9 232^nd  overall Tyler Blanchard F San Jose, Calif.

The Brookings Blizzard has announced it will relocate to St. Cloud Minnesota.  The NAHL board of governors approved the relocation Monday.  The team will still go by the Blizzard and still compete in the NAHL’s Central Division.  The Blizzard will also retain head coach Moe Mantha who is entering his third season. 

Northern State head men’s basketball coach Paul Sather announced his resignation from the program Thursday and has been named the new head men’s coach at the University of North Dakota.  He will take over the Fighting Hawks program, replacing coach Brian Jones who stepped down after 13 seasons at UD this year.  Sather has a 162-82 record at Northern over the past nine years.  He was named the NSIC coach of the year the past two seasons and two years ago was a missed buzzer-beater away from winning a Division II National Championship.  Northern athletic director Josh Moon says a nationwide search for Sather’s replacement will begin immediately.    

Minnesota Wild General Manager Paul Fenton today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired the rights to defenseman Fedor Gordeev from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a conditional seventh round selection in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The trade is conditional on Gordeev signing a contract with Minnesota prior to June 1, 2019. The seventh round selection was acquired by Minnesota from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for forward Matt Hendricks on Feb. 25, 2019.

Gordeev, 20 (1/27/99), recorded 32 points (7-25=32) and 79 penalty minutes (PIM) in 63 games in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) during the 2018-19 season. The 6-foot-7, 224-pound native of Omsk, Russia, set career highs in assists and points. He notched 19 points (3-16=19) and 49 PIM in 32 games with the Flint Firebirds before being traded to the Guelph Storm in January. Gordeev collected 13 points (4-9=13), 30 PIM and a plus-21 rating in 31 contests with the Storm. He tallied three points (2-1=3) and 21 PIM in 23 playoff games to help Guelph win the OHL playoff championship. Guelph lost to Rouyn-Noranda in the Memorial Cup semifinals.

Gordeev collected 73 points (19-54=73), 232 PIM and 401 shots on goal during four seasons in the OHL with Hamilton, Flint and Guelph (2015-19). He was selected by Toronto in the fifth round (141st overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

South Dakota State will open the 2019 season on the road vs. the University of Minnesota.  Kick off will be August 29^th at 8:00 p.m.  Announced Thursday, the game will be nationally televised on Fox Sports 1.  Its been 10 years since these two teams met, the last time was in 2009 and the Gophers just edged the Jacks with a field goal, winning 16-13. 

The Minnesota Twins have announced plans to retire former Twins great and Minnesota native Joe Mauer’s number in June.  The event will be a weekend long celebration featuring more than 30 Twins alumni including 15 hall-of-famers.  Mauer’s number 7 will be retired officials Saturday June 15^th.   

The Minnesota Timberwolves named Gianluca (jan-LEW-cuh) Pascucci (puhs-coo-chee) as the team’s Assistant General Manager. With the Wolves, Pascucci will lead the team’s pro personnel efforts at all levels, including the NBA, G League and international, and be fully involved with all player personnel matters. 

“I’m excited to bring Gianluca Pascucci to the Timberwolves as our assistant general manager,” said Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas. “I’ve seen firsthand his drive, passion and knowledge of the game. Gianluca offers a diverse perspective from his time as an executive overseas and his experience on multiple professional platforms. He will bring a global perspective on how we will build our team and his experience with developmental programs will be a big asset as we look to fully maximize the Iowa Wolves as a natural extension of the Timberwolves. He will be a phenomenal asset to our franchise and another great partner as we build a world-class organization.”

Pascucci had been director of global scouting for the Brooklyn Nets since 2016. There he helped turn around a 21-win team in 2015-16 to a 42-40 regular season record and the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs this past season.  

“Thank you to Gersson and Glen Taylor for this opportunity to help them build a winning culture with the Timberwolves,” Pascucci said. “I’m looking forward to getting to work as we build the best roster and best basketball staff we possibly can.”

Before joining the Nets, Pascucci spent the previous four years as vice president of player personnel for the Houston Rockets. During his time in Houston, he also served as general manager of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the NBA G League affiliate of the Rockets. This marked Pascucci’s second stint in Houston, as he previously served as the team’s international scout for six seasons (2002-08). 

Prior to rejoining the Rockets, Pascucci spent four years in Italy with Olimpia Milano (2008-12), helping to lead the team to three appearances in the Lega Serie A finals. His most recent role with Olimpia Milano was as general manager and CEO. Pascucci also has more than 12 years of international coaching experience, including serving as an assistant coach with Scavolini Pesaro’s senior team in the Italian A-1 League and Euroleague. The Pesaro, Italy native also spent four years as the team’s scout. 

Pascucci and his wife, Michela, have a daughter, Veronica.

Northern State University head track and field and cross country coach Patrick Heckroth announced his resignation from NSU today, effective June 21. NSU will immediately begin a national search for a new leader of Wolves Track and Field.  

“I want to thank the student-athletes first and foremost, as they welcomed me from the beginning and gave everything they had for the program to be successful,” explained Heckroth. “We had some great success throughout the year, academic and athletic, which is a strong testament to the student-athletes and staff. I appreciate the administration for allowing me to the lead this program over the past year, and representing Northern State University.”

With Heckroth’s departure, Director of Athletics Josh Moon announced the promotion of assistant track and field/cross country coach Livia Mahaffie to head men’s and women’s cross country coach, effective immediately. Mahaffie will continue in her role as the lead distance Coach for Wolves track & field. Mahaffie and Assistant Track & Field/Primary Throws Coach Jon Evenson will lead Wolves track and field on an interim basis while the national search is conducted.

“We would like to thank Patrick for his efforts in elevating NSU track and field/cross country,” said Moon. “We know that this was a difficult decision for him and his family, and wish him and his wife Amanda all the best in the future.”

With Livia Mahaffie set to take on new responsibilities, Moon believes the future is bright for Wolves track and field/cross country.

“We are very excited to elevate Livia into the head coach position for Wolves cross country, while she maintains her role as lead distance coach for Wolves track and field. Livia has great energy and is passionate about developing student-athletes, and we think that she will continue to build on our 2019 class and ensure we keep raising the bar for these programs. We are also excited to retain Jon Evenson in his role as throws coach. Jon has done an awesome job developing student-athletes into high-level performers on the national stage, and we look forward to his continued leadership in this area.”

Mahaffie joined the Wolves in the fall of 2018 as an assistant for both the cross country and track and field programs. In her first season, Northern State hosted a successful NSIC Cross Country Championships from Lee Park Golf Course in the fall. From the NSIC Indoor and Outdoor Championships the Wolves distance runners tallied two podium finishes, while the men’s and women’s distance medley relay teams took eighth at the NSIC Indoor Championships.

“I would like to thank university President, Dr. Timothy Downs, Director of Athletics, Josh Moon and Deputy Director of Athletics, Zach Flakus for the incredible opportunity to lead the Wolves cross country program in this new role as head coach,” explained Mahaffie. “I’m grateful for the mentorship of coach Heckroth this past year and all I have learned under his leadership. I’m excited to continue building upon the foundation established and look forward to elevating the program to new heights. Go Wolves!”

Prior to her time at NSU, Mahaffie was the assistant cross country and track and field coach at Loyola University New Orleans, where she coached three NAIA national cross country qualifiers, one NAIA national qualifier in track and field, one NAIA All-American, 12 school record holders, and the SSAC Female Cross Country Freshman Athlete of the Year. The women’s track and field team recorded podium finishes at the SSAC Outdoor Championships taking second in 2017 and third in 2018.

She graduated from the University of North Carolina Pembroke with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science in 2013 and from Seattle University with a Master of Art in Sport Administration and Leadership in 2017.

Mahaffie ran collegiately at UNCP, competing in both cross country and track and field. In 2011, she earned Peach Belt Conference Runner of the Year honors, and went on to win the conference championship in 2012, where she also qualified for the NCAA National Championships. She is the former school record holder in both the 5k and 6k distances. On the track, Mahaffie is a 7-time school record holder and USTFCCCA All-Region recipient.

Evenson is finishing up his seventh season with the track and field programs. He has made seven trips to the NCAA DII national meet and come home with five All-American awards; Yvonne Freeze twice in the discus (’12, ’13), who also owns the school record in that event, Breann Jackson twice in the weight throw (’15, ’16), and Tanner Berg in the weight throw this past season.

“Coach Heckroth did a great job during his time here,” added Evenson. “He will be missed as a coach and a friend. We will learn from what he brought to Northern’s track and field teams and we will grow and prosper in the future from it. I look forward to working with and learning from the next head coach.”

He has also coached five conference champions in the javelin; two-time NSIC champion Alex Webster who, qualified for the NCAA DII national meet in 2014 and owns the current school record, 2016 graduate Devin Olson, who also owns two individual NSIC titles in the javelin, David Murphy, who took home his first conference title in 2016, Michaela Schlecht who earned the honor as a senior in 2017, and Monte Meyerink who brought home top honors in 2018.

A Lisbon N.D. native, Evenson was a 3-time All-State performer in the discus and javelin. He then threw collegiately at Northern State. During his four years throwing for the Wolves, Evenson racked up three individual conference titles and two NCAA DII national provisional qualifying marks in the javelin. He was also a conference place winner in the discus and the shot put for the Wolves.

NSU finished with their highest finishes in a number of years at the NSIC Outdoor Championships in 2019, with both the men and women’s teams finishing sixth, with two NSIC Champions in the women’s pole vault and women’s 400m hurdles and four overall all-conference performers.

Presentaiton College has announced the addtion of Nicole Bullock to the coaching staff.  She will serve as the women's head basketball coach.  

Bullock replaces Eric Nelson who was forced to resign at the end of the season.  

Bullock comes to Aberdeen from Irondale High School in New Brighton, Minnesota.  She has spent the past three seasons as the school's head coach.

Bullock is a native of Sac City Iowa.  

Presentation College head volleyball coach Chelsey Albrecht announced the signing of 12 student-athletes to join the PC volleyball program this fall. The 12 include Ashley Alfonso, Mykcel Sprung, Cassidy Keller, Stevie Fremouw, Allie Sommerville, Leah Aigner, Carter Crispin, Katelyn Kotas, Katelyn Johansen, Alexis Begger and sisters, Andrea and Erin Jorgenson. The class features six transfers and six freshman from seven different states.

"We are excited to welcome our 2019 fall recruits to Presentation," explained Albrecht. "We are excited for them to arrive on campus and we look forward to this recruiting class helping our team towards success for our upcoming season."

Ashley Alfonso – Outside Hitter – 5-9 – Pueblo, Colorado – Transfer

Ashley Alfonso is a 5-foot-9, outside hitter out of Pueblo South High School. She is a three-time letter winner and a team captain for the Colts under head coach Greg Clark. In her two years as a starter, Alfonso earned All-Conference Honor Mention during her junior season and All-Conference First-Team during her senior campaign. She also was fourth in the state of Colorado in total kills during this past season. Alfonso is also a decorated athlete in the basketball and track teams at her high school. Most recently, Alfonso finished her associates degree at Otero Junior College in which her team was ranked 19^th in the nation. Alfonso will have two years of eligibility remaining. Ashley is the daughter of Don and Alisa Alfonso and plans to major in Nursing.

Mykcel Sprung – Middle Hitter/Right Side – 6-2 – Florence, South Dakota – Freshman

Mykcel Sprung is a 6-foot-2, middle hitter/ride side out of Florence High School. She is a three-time letter winner and three year starter for the Falcons under head coaches Tyler Grassel and Heather Dearing. Mykcel earned back-to-back All-Conference honors during her junior and senior campaigns and was named Falcon Rookie of the Year and Most Improved by her peers. She is also a decorated athlete in basketball as she slated Second-Team All-Conference honors, Defensive MVP and team captain during her senior year. She was also a part of the 2016-17 District 1B championship team and was voted the Falcon '6^th Man' award. Mykcel is also active in community outreach and was a 4-H character All-Star. She is the daughter of Tim and Lisa Sprung and plans to major in Nursing.

Cassidy Keller – Defensive Specialist – 5-0 – Canistota, South Dakota - Freshman

Cassidy Keller is a 5-foot, defensive specialist out of Canistota High School. She is a four-time letter winner for the Hawks under head coach Rebecca Smith. The three-year starter guided her team to a 22-8 finish – good for a conference championship – during her senior year. During her career with the Hawks, Keller dug her way into the 1,000 dig club with 1,633 digs and 148 aces. She is also a three-time All-Conference selection and is actively involved in basketball, track, golf, and is a cheerleader for the basketball and football teams. The two-time captain is also heavily involved in FBLA and FCCLA community service and was a vacation bible school mentor. She is the daughter of Chad and Mandy Keller and plans to major in Nursing.

Stevie Fremouw – Defensive Specialist – 5-7 – Park Forest, Illinois - Transfer

Stevie Fremouw is a 5-foot-7, defensive specialist out of Rich East High School. She is a four-year starter and three-time captain for the Rockets under head coach Viramontes. During her time at REHS, she was named Rich East MVP during her junior year and was a national qualifier in cross-country and track. After REHS, Stevie went on to play at Iowa Central Community College and was named captain this past season. She is the daughter of Lisa Fremouw and Jeff Chalmere and plans to major in Nursing.

Allie Sommerville – Defensive Specialist – 5-3 – Powell, Wyoming – Freshman

Allie Sommerville is a 5-foot-3, defensive specialist out of Powell High School. She is a two-time letter winner for the Panthers and was a starter during her junior and senior campaigns. She was also named a captain for her team during her senior year. She is the daughter of Billy and Ronnie Sommerville and plans to major in Radiologic Technology.

Leah Aigner – Middle Hitter/Ride Side – 5-11 – Shepherd, Montana – Transfer

Leah Aigner is a 5-foot-11, middle hitter/right side out of Shepherd High School. She is a three-time letter winner for the Fillies under head coach Chase Soennichsen. The three-year starter and senior captain then took her talents to Miles Community College after her high school graduation and guided her team to a 12-win season. She was named team captain for both years in a Miles City uniform and graduated with an associate's degree in arts. She is the daughter of Todd and Jenny Aigner and plans to major in Human Services.

Carter Crispin – Outside Hitter – 5-7 – Missouri Valley, Iowa - Freshman

Carter Crispin in a 5-foot-7, outside hitter out of Missouri Valley High School. She is a four-year letter winner and three-year starter for the Lady Reds under head coaches Kris Miller and Josie Esser. During her career at MVHS, Crispin complied 675 kills and 857 digs and earned All-Conference honors during her final three seasons. She was also a three-time Omaha World Herald All-Area selection and named to the Nonpareil All-Area Volleyball Team during her final three seasons with the Lady Reds. She helped her team to 84 wins during her four-year career at Missouri Valley. Crispin is also an active member in the softball, basketball and track teams at MVHS in which she garnered multiple All-Conference honors and holds the 4x200 school record in track. She is the daughter of Bruce and Kim Crispin and plans to major in Nursing.

Katelyn Kotas – Defensive Specialist – 5-5 – Emery, South Dakota - Freshman

Katelyn Kotas is a 5-foot-5, defensive specialist out of Bridgewater-Emery High School. She is a four-year letter winner and three-time starter for the Huskies under head coach Mary Ernster. During her career, she joined the 1,000 dig club with 1,459 total digs. The two-year captain guided her team to a 22-7 overall record during her senior campaign and earned All-Conference honors the past three seasons. She is also a member of the basketball and track teams at BEHS. Kotas is also an active role model in the community and her school as she is involved in FFA, FCCLA. HOSA, Student Council, 4-H, National Honor Society, Band, Yearbook, and School Play. She is the daughter of Angel Eddy and Greg Kotas and plans to major in Nursing.

Katelyn Johansen – Setter – 5-6 – Dolton, South Dakota – Freshman

Katelyn Johansen is a 5-foot-6, setter out of Marion High School. She is a four-year letter winner for the Bearcats under head coach Jennifer Pankratz. The three-year starter complied 393 assists, 32 aces, and 275 digs during her senior season. She is also active in basketball and track at MHS and is the daughter of Kara Johansen and Jason Johansen. Katelyn plans to major in Nursing.

Alexis Begger – Middle Hitter – 6-0 – Wilbaux, Montana – Transfer

Alexis Begger is a 6-foot, middle hitter out of Wilbaux High School. She is a four-time letter winner and two-year starter for the Longhorns under head coach Tiffany Llewellyn. During her four-year career, Begger has guided her team to three conference and district championships and was named to the All-Conference teams during her junior and senior seasons. Begger also landed All-State honors during her senior campaign and was a four-time Academic All-Conference recipient. After her four-year career with the Longhorns, Begger attended Dawson Community College in Glendive, Montana. She was a two-year starter and captain for the Buccaneers under head coach Dina Fritz. During her two-year stint at DCC, Begger was named All-Conference and All-Region both seasons and was an Academic All-Conference recipient during her freshman year. Furthermore, Begger was ranked 14^th in the nation in NJCAA in solo blocks with 69 during her senior campaign. Off the court, Begger complied over 150 community service hours while at Dawson and earned the Montana Athletes in Service honor for her efforts. She is the daughter of Curt and Patti Begger and plans to major in Business.

Andrea Jorgenson – Outside Hitter – 5-8 – Leeds, North Dakota - Transfer

Andrea Jorgenson is a 5-foot-8, outside hitter out of Leeds High School. Impressively, she is a six-time letter winner for the Wildcats under head coaches Doyle Scwhanke/Katie Marshall. The six-year starter and two-time captain complied an impressive stat line with 1,924 kills, 1,409 digs and 123 aces during her career with the Wildcats. She also earned All-District honors five times and All-Region during her final three years. Andrea also participated in basketball and track and field. Jorgenson shot her way into the 1,000 point club and was a two-time All-District and All-Region selection. She was also a ND state qualifier in the triple jump and was a part of the North Dakota Class B Track Championship team. After LHS, Andrea went off to college at Lake Region State College and Bismarck State College. During her three-years as a college volleyball player, she complied 508 kills and 447 digs. She is the daughter of Steve and Geri Jorgenson and plans to major in Nursing. She will have one year left of eligibility and is joining her sister, Erin to Presentation, in the fall.

Erin Jorgenson – Outside Hitter/Right Side – 5-9 – Leeds, North Dakota - Transfer

Erin Jorgenson is a 5-foot-9, outside hitter/right side out of Leeds High School. She is a four-time letter winner and two-year starter for the Wildcats under head coach Katie Marshall. During her career with the Wildcats, Jorgenson complied 768 kills and 919 digs and was named captain during her senior campaign. For her efforts, she was named an All-Region selection during her junior and senior seasons. After LHS, Jorgenson went off to play at Lake Region State College and complied 231 kills and 267 digs before graduating with an associates of science degree this May. She is the daughter of Steve and Geri Jorgenson and will join her sister, Andrea, in the fall. She plans to major in Nursing.

The Minnesota Timberwolves has announced interim head coach Ryan Saunders will be retains as the full-fledged head coach next season. He will be the youngest head coach in the NBA at 33-years-old and the first millennial to hold that job.  Saunders took over on an interim basis during the 2018-19 season after the firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau and during that time he went 17-25.  Players unabashedly endorsed his leadership according to the Associated Press.  This was one of the first big decisions made by new president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas.  Saunders in the son of former Wolves head coach, the late Flip Saunders. 

The Minnesota Vikings have come to terms with Garrett Bradbury, the team’s first round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.  Bradbury is a center from North Carolina State who the Vikings selected 18^th overall.  With the signing of Bradbury, the Vikings have just one of their 12 draft picks left unsigned from the 2019 draft.  That player is seventh round long snapper Austin Cutting.  Cutting played for the Air Force and has two years of military service required, complicating his NFL career.

The Vikings also successfully renegotiated linebacker Eric Kendrick’s contract to help the team get under the salary cap and sign the team’s draft picks. 

The annual NBA draft lottery took place last night from Chicago.  14 teams had a shot at the top overall pick.  The Minnesota Timberwolves ended up drawing the 11^th overall pick, one pick worse than their record placed them at 10^th overall. 

The follwing is the 2019 NBA draft order: 

1. New Orleans 
2. Memphis
3. New York         
4. Los Angeles Lakers     
5. Cleveland
6. Phoenix           
7. Chicago
8. Atlanta 
9. Washington
10. Atlanta (from Dallas)
11. Minnesota
12. Charlotte         
13. Miami 
14. Boston (from Sacramento via Philadelphia)

The Aberdeen Wings defeated the Fairbanks Ice Dogs last night in Blaine Minnesota to win the franchises first ever Robertson Cup national championship.  The game was one-game only winner take all.  Scoring for Aberdeen in the win included John Sladic and Joe Strada.   Wings goaltender Matt Vernon was awarded the Robertson Cup Most Valuable Player Award.  In the championship game, Vernon managed 27 of 28 saves to seal victory.  The Wings become the 17^th franchise to win the Robertson Cup since it was first awarded in the 1970s. 

Following the victory, the NAHL released the Robertson Cup All-tournament team which featured Aberdeen Wings forward Jonathan Bendorf and goaltender Matt Vernon.