News

     Friday is here and the weekend is upon us. The Aitkin County Fair is winding down with Baja races in front of the grandstand tonight and there are some things going on over the weekend. Aitkin area youth softball teams are in State Tournament action with the 12U team playing in Minnetrista and the 14U and 16U teams in Cloquet. We'll follow their games as their tournaments progress. Meanwhile the Aitkin Steam has a pair of games, hosting the Freeport Black Sox Saturday at 1:30 and then traveling to face the Blue Jays on Sunday also at 1:30. The 5-5 Steam season is starting to wind down as well with a game on July 19th at the Pierz to face the Brewers in the regular season finale.

     Following their performance for the Minnesota Storm 14U wrestling team duals in Indiana, the next day was the Greco-Roman competition and there was Sierra Laffin and Sophie Crain right in the middle of things. Their team finished 3rd out of 20 teams in the competition and Gobbler Coach Greg Hills who explained how the weekend went down. "Sophie and Sierra were able to have an incredible experience representing Team Minnesota at the Womens National duals in Westfield, Indiana. They competed against some of the top wrestlers in the country and made memories that will last a lifetime. Both wrestlers represented their communities and Team Minnesota with pride, and we are excited to watch them grow in the sport of wrestling. A big part of their experience started long before Indiana though. Both girls attend JackPine Savage with Hayden Zillmer and he's helped them lay the foundation of their wrestling skills and mentality." Kristin Weidemann, who coached the girls also had high praise for the Gobblers, "Sophie really found her groove during Greco and quickly established herself as a shot gun starter for our team. The style seemed to come naturally to her and she embraced every challenge that came her way. What stood out most was her ability to stay composed and coachable. Whether it was making adjustments during a mid-match break or bouncing back after a tough sequence, she consistently trusted the process and responded. Having Sophie be in the top of the lineup each dual brought great energy to the team. She set the tone with her effort, confidence and willingness to compete and she proved last week that she belongs on the national stage. Sierra stepped into the lineup out in Westfield and immediately made an impact. She found herself right in the heart of our lineup, in front of her State Champion Adrianna Kunz of Triton and behind her was State place winner Isabelle Jensen of Apple Valley. Competing alongside athletes of that caliber, Sierra never looked out of place. Her biggest moment came in our 7th place free style dual. With our backs against the wall, trailing Illinois 38-36, we bumped her up a weight class and trusted her to deliver. And she answered that call. There was never a doubt in my mind that she could get it done. That's who Sierra is. She embraces challenges, thrives under pressure, and has the incredible ability to reignite her fire when the moment demands it. Some athletes shy away from adversity; Sierra seems to come alive because of it." Great job ladies, Gobbler proud!

      Sophie Crain and Sierra Laffin were both a big part of the first Aitkin Gobbler Girls Wrestling team last winter and they are making news again. They wrestled for the Minnesota Storm 14U Women's National team in Westfield, Indiana this week. Coach Greg Hills fills us in on how they did; "This was an amazing opportunity for these girls to gain some wrestling experience on the national level. Sophie and Sierra helped their team to a 7th place finish out of 29 teams. During the 7th place match Minnesota needed to win the final six matches to win the dual. They won five in a row and Sierra won the 6th with a first period pin to seal the deal 41-38. Great wrestling by two of Aitkin's finest young female wrestlers." Congratulations ladies, Gobbler Proud!

      It's a rainy Friday and the Gobbler baseball game with Greenway has been washed out but we have news on the basketball front. Pending school board approval, Rob Williams will be the head girls' basketball coach in 2026-27.  Williams coached the Gobblers for 13 years and had a record of 236-120 and led Aitkin to a 26-2 record in 2009. He commented on the announcement, "I am extremely grateful and excited to work with this group and program again. I truly believe we have a lot of potential and talent to work with. There is a nice mix of experience and young athletes to make a competitive and potentially deep team. I am looking forward to getting into the gym this summer with these girls to take the next step as a program".

    The Aitkin Gobblers, #6, will open the Section 7AA Softball Tournament on Tuesday against the #11 Two Harbors Agates. A win will put Aitkin into the next round against the winner of #3 Proctor and #14 C-I. The action starts on Tuesday at Proctor with the Rails meeting the Rangers at noon and the Gobblers and Agates playing at 2:00. The winners will meet at 4:00, with both teams moving on in the tournament despite the outcome.

     Former Aitkin Gobbler Ally Ehnstrom needs our help everyone. She was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer recently and is currently undergoing treatment. It's time to "Rally for Ally" and we're going to do just that. Next Tuesday at Woock Field Ally will be honored by throwing out the first pitch prior to the Gobbler game with Pine City. It's called "Small Town, Big Love" and is our chance to help out this outstanding young lady. Let's get some background on Ally's problem from her mom, Jen, "It started on Thanksgiving Day with belly pain that lasted all day and worsened until we ended up in the ER at Riverwood early Friday morning. They found a mass in her lower abdomen. She had a surgery in December to remove it and then another in January to do some biopsies. They found a very rare type of cancer that has spread to five of the seven areas they biopsied. They don't have a normal treatment for this type of cancer since it's only been around since 2021. They held a tumor conference to determine what would be the next step. She has had three chemo infusions and will have three more. She will have a CT scan after chemo is complete to see if there is any growth and then frequently for the next several years. She had to defer starting DO/Med school this July." On Tuesday at 5:00 Ally will throw out the first ball to her fellow baseball teammates. A special "pass the hat" collection will happen that night as well. This is our chance to give back to Ally and her family. There will also be a good will offering meal including hot dog, chips and a cookie as well. Come out and show your support for Ally.