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National Signing Day brings 14 players to Minnesota West

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Wednesday might as well be a national holiday.

It’s not, officially, but to die-hard college football fans, there isn’t a single more important off-season date than National Signing Day.

The weeks and months leading up to signing day have been full of anticipation. Wednesday, fans had the first glimpse of the future of the programs. Our local colleges aren’t much different.

Signing 14 players on Wednesday, Minnesota West took its first step toward next season.

Taylor Andrews (Blue Earth), Joseph Weispfennig (Buffalo Lake-Hector), Taylor Ovrebo (United South Central), Nathan Bierman (Red Rock Central), Justin Larson (Worthington), Octavio Jimenez (Southwest Star Concept), Josh Steffl (Edgerton), Chace Hulstein (Edgerton), Gregory OTolle (Sibley-Ocheyedan), Jordan Schroeder (WHS), Jeffrey Curtsinger (Bennington, Neb.), Kevin Logan (Lawrence, Kan.), DeCorey Martinez (Topeka, Kan.) and Jonathan Milton (Topeka, Kan.) all signed a letter of intent with West.

Not only did head coach Jeff Linder land a talented class, but a class made up of local talent.

“It’s a huge advantage for anyone that’s close to us,” Linder said. “It saves them so much money. It saved me so much money, and the credit hours aren’t near as much as it is now, and the cost of renting an apartment isn’t what it is now. Those kids that are staying close to home are going to save themselves a lot of money in the long run. That’s the name of the game, especially the way things are going for everybody. Our administration has done a great job of being very competitive.”

While MW is made up entirely of freshmen and sophomores, recruiting seems more important at a junior college.

Bigger colleges can redshirt and develop players. JUCOs need players to make an immediate impact, and Linder believes all 14 can do just that.

Jimenez, who played football for Southwestern United, will look to provide kicking depth for West.

Larson will provide versatility for the Bluejays. He will fit in at either running back or a slot receiver position.

Bierman, who played on both sides of the ball for the Falcons, projects to be a linebacker for the Bluejays.

Steffl, a big, physical lineman, can play either offensive or defensive line for MW.

Hulstein and Ovrebo will give Linder depth and defensive end, while Andrews will see time at either linebacker or fullback.

On the national scene, large colleges are landing top 100 recruits. The big name schools (Florida, Texas, USC) are making impacts, as always, and are landing four- and five-star recruits like it’s going out of style. Even local colleges are looking to improve through recruiting. Minnesota and Iowa again have solid classes, proving just how much talent the Midwest has on the gridiron.

One of the biggest names in the region, Cretin-Derham Hall’s Seantrel Henderson, has signed with the University of Southern California, ending months of speculation.

And while West didn’t sign any five-star recruits on Wednesday, the job done by Linder and his staff gives fans just as much reason to be excited.When football season rolls around in the fall, only a few big-name recruits will even see the field on Saturdays.

But the 14 who are now Bluejays will not only see the field, but will be counted on to lead the 2010 Minnesota West team to what Linder hopes is a very successful year.

Worthington Open to provide quality wrestling

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I remember it like it was yesterday.

About a year ago, I was still settling into my role as the sports editor position and the Minnesota West beat. Having worked under former editor Kevin Kyle for a year, I knew that January meant the Worthington Wrestling Open.

I had heard the stories of the Open, and having done some research before last year’s tournament, I knew I was in for a treat.

It didn’t disappoint.

I watched as a pair of University of Minnesota wrestlers worked their opponents thoroughly. I remember watching as Ryland Geiger breezed through his 197-pound class. Atticus Disney was doing the same at heavyweight, and I couldn’t help but think, were we watching future NCAA, World or Olympic champions?

I watched last year as Geiger won his matches, 20-6, 14-5, and dismantled his final opponent, 20-5. The 197-pounder didn’t want to earn falls; instead, he would give up the escape point only to earn three more for a near fall.

Disney didn’t win by the same margin. Instead, he chose to pin his opponents. He earned two falls on his way to the Open title.

It is again time for the Worthington Open.

Saturday will mark the 21st year of the Open, and again, promises to bring some of the most talented wrestlers from the Midwest.

The Gophers plan to bring a strong contingent of grapplers again this year. Northern Sun conference teams, including Augustana, St. Cloud State, Minnesota State University, Mankato, and Southwest Minnesota State also plan to bring wrestlers on Saturday. Minnesota West will have a good number of competitors as well.

Due to weather and other conflicts, I haven’t had the opportunity to watch the Bluejays yet this season. But with a dual on Friday and the tournament on Saturday, I am looking forward to seeing this year’s MW team take the mat.

Saturday should provide a real treat. Heavyweight Seth McGregor, who is redshirting this season for the Bluejays, will wrestle in the Open against some of the best heavyweights in the region. McGregor has experienced his share of success so far this season at various opens — including a championship at Dakota Wesleyan — and I can’t wait to see him in action.

But while McGregor will be a draw for the hometown team, don’t overlook the rest of the competition. Talking with MW head wrestling coach Bob Purcell, the list of past NCAA champions and Olympians who have wrestled at the Open is lengthy.

Olympians Tully Thompson and Daniel Cormier have wrestled at the Open. Brock Lesnar, who is a star on the Ultimate Fighting Championship circuit, also competed in Worthington.

With more than 100 wrestlers taking the mat Saturday, a future star may make a splash.

Wednesday, coach Purcell and I sat and talked about years past.

Years from now, people may very well talk about the 2010 Worthington Open. And on Saturday, I’ll be right there, taking in the tradition and the exceptional wrestling this weekend will offer.

The Dome awaits MW baseball team

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The timing couldn’t have been better.

Minutes after one game was cancelled, the Minnesota West baseball team had another opportunity open.

Struggling to compete with cold and wet conditions in the early going of the college baseball season, the Bluejays are heading to a place that is guaranteed to have perfect conditions: the Metrodome.

There’s only one catch.

Minnesota West will open its season Wednesday morning, starting at midnight.

“I think everybody is going to be so excited, it doesn’t matter; they are college kids,” MW head coach Jeff Linder said. “For me it will be, especially if I don’t feel any better.”

The Bluejays are facing Mesabi Range, which was supposed to make the trip to Worthington last weekend.

“We were supposed to start last weekend, but with the weather as questionable as it was as far as temperature, Mesabi Range wasn’t going to come down,” Linder said. “That’s a long ways for ifs.”

With the weather in question, Mesabi Range decided the trip wasn’t worth the 370-mile trip — a journey which would cost thousands of dollars.

Instead, the two will meet halfway, and play as much as they can in four hours.

“We only get four hours, so we’re done regardless at 4 (a.m.),” Linder said. “Then we’re getting on the bus and heading home.”

The team will leave in the early evening Tuesday, and return in time for classes Wednesday morning.

Originally, Minnesota West was trying to schedule a game with Mount Marty. However, Monday, the coaches called and cancelled Tuesday’s game.

It was then that the Dome came calling.

Linder had been trying to find a time to play in the Dome, but up until Monday, he wasn’t having any luck.
“We kept e-mailing them, and e-mailing them and e-mailing them, trying to get any date, and any time,” Linder said.

Monday, things fell into place.

“We were supposed to play Mount Marty (Tuesday), but they cancelled on us; they are planning ahead,” Linder said. “Ironically, when I got done talking with Mount Marty (Monday), 20 minutes later, the Metrodome called.”

The Bluejays will arrive at the Dome sometime around 10:30 p.m., and wait for their turn.
Once the game before theirs is complete, the teams will take a quick warm-up and get to playing.

“It’s going to be exciting,” Linder said. “Some of those guys have never been in the Dome, let alone play on the Dome surface.”

After the Bluejays are done on the field, a set of high school teams will take to the Dome floor.

In preparation for their first game, the Bluejays had to get a practice in on the field. Even though the weather wasn’t idea Monday, Linder and the Bluejays had their first practice outside.

“We have yet to be on a full field as a full team and have a full practice,” Linder said before Monday’s practice. “We could have went (Sunday), but I thought the temperature wasn’t going to be there, so a lot of these guys went home.”

This year’s squad has 19 freshmen and a mere five sophomores, so Wednesday morning’s games will go a long way in helping Linder sort through his lineup.

“We’re tired of being inside and we’re ready to play,” Linder said. “I’ve been doing everything I can to get us somewhere, somehow.”

And while the rest of the world sleeps, the Bluejays will be playing — under a clear sky and in perfect 70 degree temperatures.

Not a bad way to start a season.
 

West coaches showing their support

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Mike Fury wasn’t trying to make a fashion statement.

The Minnesota West women’s basketball coach donned his normal attire of a suit and tie on the sidelines of Saturday’s game.

But his choice of shoes was a little different.

Instead of his normal black dress shoes, Fury was sporting a pair of white Nikes.

“Today as a way to show our support for the fight against cancer, we’re wearing the tennies,” Fury said. “So it’s kind of cool.”

College coaches all across the nation wore tennis shoes Saturday as a part of Coaches vs. Cancer and the Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend.

“We’re doing our little part to show that we’re supporting the fight against cancer for everyone,” Fury said.

Coaches vs. Cancer originated from a concept by Norm Stewart, who is a former coach of the University of Missouri’s men’s basketball program.

He started the program by challenging fans to pledge a dollar amount for every three points made by his team during the season.

The American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches adopted the concept in 1993 and transformed it into a nationwide effort to unite coaches across the county.

Saturday, more than 500 coaches were involved in the cause, and the program has raised nearly $40 million since its inception.

Both Fury and Justin Heckenlaible, MW’s men’s coach, along with the coaching staff from Anoka-Ramsey, took part in showing their support Saturday.

“It was actually kind of nice,” Heckenlaible said. “Coaches are wearing tennis shoes all day (Saturday) — it’s a good cause.”

And, maybe lucky for both the Lady Jays and the Bluejays. MW swept A-R in both games Saturday afternoon.

For more information or to make a donation to the Coaches vs. Cancer cause, visit www.cancer.org/coaches.