Miscellaneous

     The Aitkin track and field team of Special Olympians had their Regional Track Meet cancelled due to the weather recently.  These athletes have worked very hard and were disappointed with the unfortunate rain. There will be redemption for these athletes thanks to a Special Olympics event that will be held June 30th from 3:30-6:00pm at the Aitkin track facility. They are asking the community to come out and support them as they compete in their events. If you have never been to an event like this, be assured, you will never be the same again. Mark the date on your calendar and come on out. Awards follow each event.

      The MAC Birdbusters proudly represented their schools, (McGregor, Aitkin and Cromwell) at the USA Clay Target 5-Stand Minnesota State Championships on June 7. The event brought together approximately 70 athletes from eight high school teams across the state to compete in the shotgun shooting discipline. The Birdbusters delivered an impressive performance. Competing for the team were, left to right, Ean Darlow, Mason Guida, Eilee Aho, Brody Johnson, Eagan Aho, Zach Johnson, Dekker Nelson, Tucker Korpi, Gavin Klee and Wyatt Crowther. They were accompanied by coaches Paul Nelson on the left and Kevin White, Sam Nelson and team staff Becky Paquette and Barb Nelson. Senior Wyatt Crowther and 7th grader Eagan Aho both shot 75/100 earning the team high gun honors. That score also secured first place for Eagan in the JV male division, an outstanding accomplishment in his very first year competing. The Birdbusters saw several other individual successes as well. Eilee Aho, also in her first season shot 56/100 to earn 2nd place in the JV female division at State and also took 2nd place in the conference. First year shooter Brody Johnson shot 60/100 to claim 2nd place for novice males and Ean Darlow rounded out the teams award winners, tying for 3rd place in the JV male category. Seniors Tucket Korpi and Wyatt Crowther closed out their high school careers with strong showings, helping lead a younger group of shooters who clearly showed their potential for the future. Coach Paul Nelson knows he is losing two great seniors, "Losing Tucker and Wyatt is a big loss but I'm very excited for the future of this team. Our younger athletes had a very strong showing in this tournament."

       Ella Janzen blew through her sophomore season on the Cyclone softball team with some impressive numbers. The former Gobbler played 43 games and posted career statistics. She hit .415, .487 in the conference, had 49 hits, five doubles, four triples and a homerun. She scored 46 runs and knocked in 30. She added 14 walks and in 136 plate appearances struck out only eight times. She was 19-22 in stolen bases and had a fielding percentage of .947 with seven errors in 133 total chances. She was named to the Region XIIIB softball All-tournament Team along with teammates Jordyn Clapp and Sami Petzel. Ella will play for Mayville State next season. Congratulations Ella on a great season at SCTCC.

       He does it all, he’s there when the teams show up, he makes sure announce table staff show up, he gets the equipment out and he’s there until the lights go off in the gym after a game or match. He is Jason Cline, Activities Director at Aitkin High School. The winter season is about to get underway so let’s check in and see if he’s ready. So what’s new this year. “We get to utilize the new Hudl live cameras for streaming. It’s going to be a great thing for families that can’t make it to the games or events. You will go to the Activities page and click on livestream, that's all there is to it." What’s the toughest part for you in the next few months. “The toughest part as an AD is the long days. I get to the school at about 5:30am to open the weight room. On game night I don’t leave until around 9-9:30.” Has it been hard to find officials this year? “I have lucked out and have a couple associations that like coming here, so it hasn’t been difficult at all, maybe for the lower-level games, that’s a little tougher.” Don't forget crowd control most nights although he's got that down to a perfect system. He loves his job, this I know. It's not always easy but then what is, right. He's just one of the reasons that sports at Aitkin High School is always a great event.