Greg Hills

       Well folks, there are stats and there are stats and this week I have the most impressive football stat that I have seen in a long, long time. As Aitkin prepares for their semi-final matchup Saturday at Veterans Field, the recent defensive stats for the Gobblers show that they have given up just 7 points in the second quarter and 8 points in the third quarter all season. That means they have outscored their opponents 136-7 in the second and 64-8 in the third while not giving up a point in the first period. That comes down to 252-56 total points during this outstanding season. Let those numbers sink in, I know I had to check and recheck but the numbers simply don't lie. This is a Gobbler defense that just doesn't allow yards or points. MLWR scored the 7 points in the second quarter on a kickoff return and Mesabi East had the 8 points in the third period. Defensive coordinator Greg Hills talked about his group, "We are very solid at D-line, linebacker and secondary. The combination of size, speed and a high football IQ allows us to play an aggressive, attacking style which is what you need to be a dominant defensive team. We also have been real good at adapting on the fly. Overall, we play a very solid TEAM defense."

     We celebrated the life of one of our softball brothers Merrill Holm last Saturday and it was a reunion of sorts for five of us who spent a lot of time playing for the Edgewater Beach and Aitkin Lanes teams. Mark Fowlds is still playing but the other four of us, Tom Bruss, Vern Holm, Dave Domeier and I were done a long time ago, but the memories came flying back as we talked about Merrill and brother Dave Holm who also has passed and several other former players came by as well. The five of us played the longest together however and we had the most to share about and to each other. I realized just how long ago it was that we spent evenings and weekends at the old Woodland Field watching and playing the game we loved. Many of you also played back then and know what I'm talking about. Softball was big back in the 70's and 80's and it will never be the same again. Wouldn't it be great to get together somewhere this winter and invite players to attend. Talk about the stories we could tell and the memories we could share. Think about it, I think it would be a blast.

     The Aitkin JV Gobbler volleyball team won the Great River Conference Tournament Saturday and finished the season at 21-0. That sure bodes well for the program since they lose just three players from this year's team that finished 12-14 in the regular season. 

     Jarred Burman shot the first "300" game at Aitkin Lanes this season last week. He started the night with a 297 then fired his perfecto before finishing with a 193 for a 790 series.  

       Well, folks, the Aitkin Gobblers are on the precipice of ending the regular season unbeaten at 8-0, something that hasn't happened since the Fall of 1956. This is an outstanding team but the team of '56 was pretty good as well. It's time to relive those days of yesteryear when we were all a lot younger and football was already king in Aitkin. First let's take a look at life back in 1956. What were some of the prices back then.

A loaf of bread was 12 cents

A gallon of gas was 22 cents

A postage stamp was 3 cents

A pack of cigs was 23 cents

A steak was 88 cents/lb.

A hamburger at McDonalds was 15 cents

      Well, you get the idea. Let's get to the meet of the subject. Seventy years ago, this month the Aitkin Gobblers completed a feat that hadn't been done in 55 years. They beat St. Cloud Tech 26-7 to complete an unbeaten football season. The Gobblers of 1901 had done that same thing as well. The team of the fall of '56 gave up more than 7 points just once in their eight games and outscored their opponents 172-48 including two shutouts. They had an All-State end who was also a second team All-American and ended up at the University of Minnesota and ultimately in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. His name is Jack Park, and he had lots of help during the '56 season. Aitkin played in two conferences back then, the Central Six and the Mid-State. They featured Park who was All-Conference in both, Gordie Forsberg, Stan Doten, John Galarneault and Ray Midthun were also All-Conference in both. Add to that Vern Nelson who was All-Conference in the Central Six and Terry Mickley who was named to the 2nd team in the C6. Aitkin was 5-0 in the Central Six and 4-0 in the Mid-State. There are not a lot of stats available for the '56 team, but they did amass 1,925 total yards during the season, an average of 240 yards per game. They rushed for 1,503 yards and threw for 422 more. They allowed only 107 yards per game, so they were strong on both sides of the ball. Forsberg was the leading scorer with 52 points while junior Vern Moore had 38 points, and Park had 27 points scored. Forsberg was the leading scorer in the Central Six with his total. Some of the highlights of the season included a 50 yard run with a fumble by Stan Doten against Park Rapids, a 42-yard touchdown run by Forsberg for the only score in a 7-0 win over Staples, a 58-yard touchdown pass from Vern Nelson to Jack Park in the win over St. Cloud Tech and an 18-yard scoring toss from Keith Newstrom to Jerry Carlson in the win over Little Falls. The Gobblers finished the season ranked #7 in the state by Twin Cities writers. Here's a look at their season.

Aitkin 14-6 Coleraine

Aitkin 13-7 Wadena

Aitkin 32-14 C-I

Aitkin 23-7 Park Rapids

Aitkin 37-7 Little Falls

Aitkin 7-0 Staples

Aitkin 20-0 Brainerd

Aitkin 26-7 St. Cloud Tech     

    Jack Park was probably the most heralded of the players of the fall of '56 and he remembers that season like it was yesterday. "I wish they would have had playoffs back then because we were good and beat some good teams that season. I caught a few passes back then but only because we had a great line and an outstanding quarterback in Vern Nelson. Nobody could block Stan Doten or John Galarneault on defense, and it took more than one person to bring down Gordie Forsberg. We had really good size and good speed and we used it. In addition to Stan and John we counted on Jim MacDonald, Ray Midthun, Terry Mickley, Lennie Anderson, Don Hazelwood, Vern Moore and Rodney Holm. We won all our games because we won the battle of the trenches up front." What about this year's Gobbler team Jack? "Parker Fulton is a strong runner and they mix their running game with the passing game with good receivers. Nolan Dotzler does everything well. They play tough defense especially at the linebacker spot. They should do well in the playoffs."        Gordie Forsberg is very impressed with this year's Gobbler team, "They are very good and they have a great staff. They have Parker Fulton who I understand is an outstanding player on both sides of the ball. I was playing golf this summer and a guy from Crosby said he was going to the Aitkin-C-I game just to watch Fulton, so I knew then he must be pretty good. I hope they win it all. We had a great team as well, in fact the year before we were probably just as good but the first five games of the season, we lost a skill player in every game so that made it tough. In '56 we only allowed seven touchdowns all season. We found out right away that defense wins championships. Back then we spent a few days pre-season at Camp MacDonald up on Waukenabo Lake and it was a bonding time for us, lots of fights but we learned a lot and especially how to play together. We were coached by Elmer Salvog, and he did a great job. Later I learned he had flown 68 bombing missions over Germany in WWII. He never mentioned it at all until much later. His players never knew. One thing that I'm proud of is that about 15 years ago I helped start the 5th and 6th grade program at Rippleside. That's how you build programs, by starting them early. The parent's have kept it going. (now the Sanfords are doing a nice job) The message that us old guys want to convey is that we want you to win it all, we want championships at our school. Learn from the good things and the bad things. We really support you no matter what. The coolest thing that happened to us in '56 was when Gillette Glad, a spokesman for the '01 team that was unbeaten came and talked to us and told us the same thing. We're behind you and hope you win the whole thing. I never forgot that."   

    Jim MacDonald has long been a staple in Aitkin ever since his playing days and come to find out he was a very physical player and a real live "tough guy". Mac filled us in, "I remember the Staples game our senior year, and Gordie scored the only touchdown of the game. I got into a fight and got thrown out of the game. That's all I have to say about that, I have a lot of memories from that season. We opened against a good Coleraine team, and they had Robin Tellor who went on to play at the University of Minnesota. We beat Brainerd and they had Jerry Richardson who was a big, tough running back. Jack Park had a great game that night and after the game Jim Wallace, who wrote for the Brainerd Dispatch said Park caught everything but the cheerleaders against the Warriors. Our starting defense only had 7 points scored against us all season. I think my biggest highlight of the season and favorite memory was blocking for Gordie. He was a great running back and ran over people. It was fun." Jim started a family tradition that has grown through the years. His sons Steve, Scott and Brent were great players and his grandsons and granddaughters for that matter have that MacDonald toughness and all were a joy to watch compete. "I guess they just wanted to follow in my footsteps", Jim remarked. The Gobblers had 17 seniors that fall including Jack Park, Gordie Forsberg, Jack Fossen, Don Hazelwood, Stan Doten, Vern Nelson, Terry Mickley, John Galarneault, Ray Midthun, Verne Butler, Keith Newstrom, David Lee, Jim MacDonald, Harvey Fairchild, Bob Broman, Arlan Johnson and Jack Hill.  

     An interesting quote came from the team after the end of the season. "In order to go through an entire season perfect, you must have a well-knit together outfit with good potential at every position. You must also be fortunate enough to escape an epidemic of injuries." Some things never change do they., that quote could be used for every season. One similarity between the team of '56 and the team of '26 is Greenway or Coleraine as it was once known. The first game of the '56 season was a win over the Raiders, and this week Aitkin will try to finish another unbeaten season against, you guessed it, Greenway. 
  

       Well folks, it has been 11 years this coming Sunday since that fateful day that changed our town forever. This week I fulfill my promise to the Sandberg family that I will honor Steve every year until I'm gone. I made that promise to Kristi after Steve was killed in St. Cloud while on duty October 18, 2015. She is gone now too, and I continue that promise to Cassie. I have talked over the years about dreams, dances, friends and family but this year I will just remind our town about what Steve Sandberg brought to the table every day of his life. As you all know he was my partner at the scoring table for years of basketball at Aitkin when I was the announcer. By the end of the first night, he knew everything there was to know about my family and Barb's as well. He kept that knowledge in his head the rest of his life. All the little oddities and idiosyncrasies, he remembered all of it and I also learned lots about his family as well. We had been friends prior to the basketball games, and I always treasured our time because I knew it was genuine and eventually, we could solve all the problems in the world. Steve was very special because of many things, one of them being that he cared, and I mean for everyone and everything. He knew the importance of service and lived it to the end. He volunteered at the church and was a mentor to many young people over the years. He truly made a difference, but he never sought acknowledgment for it. He just knew someone had to do it and why not me. The word hero is thrown around pretty easily these days, but Steve truly was one. The letters themselves describe him. H is for "humanity" because he was a student of humanity and a person that treated everyone the same no matter what. The letter E means "everyone" because he thought all people had something to offer and give back to the world. R means "regardless" because it didn't matter who you were, he would give his time to make your world better. Finally, O meant "obligation" because he knew that everyone had an obligation to make this world better and he could tell you how you could do exactly that. When Steve left us in 2015 it was one of the biggest losses I personally have suffered over the years. He was not only a good friend, but he was an ambassador for what's right in this world. I've said many times that if we had more people like Steve Sandberg this would be a better place and I believe that. Kristi always told me how she loved what I wrote every year about Steve, and I realized this week that this is the first time they will be able to read this column together in Heaven, and the tears started to well up in my eyes. You don't get to meet many people like Steve and Kristi in your life and when you do you have to appreciate them. Promise kept Cassie and remember, we are always here for you, now and forever!
 

         Well folks, we start this week with the news that former Gobbler of the class of 1959 Art Doten has passed away. Art was one of the best athletes of the 50's at Aitkin High School and excelled in football, basketball and track. He was a member of the 1959 District 24 Championship basketball team. Teammate J. J. Sullivan described Doten as one of the best athletes at Aitkin and an even better human being. He was also selected "Most unforgettable", Biggest Flirt and Class Athlete at Aitkin. Doten went to college at Harvard where he was a track start participating in the hammer and the 35 lb. weight. He earned All-American honors before moving on to the University of Minnesota School of Law. My memories of the Doten's revolved around his dads Phillips 66 station located where the Members Cooperative is now located. I rode my bike up there almost every day as a youngster and would chat with his dad Stan who promised me a job as soon as I was old enough. Art and his brother Stan were in college by then so I figured Stan could use me pumping gas. It didn't come to be, but I remember the family from that point on. Art's younger brother Larry was a friend of mine in school and also as a longtime coach and teacher at McGregor. Condolences to the Doten family.

     Former Gobbler from the class of 1986 Craig Alto was inducted into the University of Morris Hall of Fame last Saturday with his teammates on the 1986 and 87 football teams. The '86 team won the NIC title with a 5-0-1 record, 8-1-1 overall finishing 10th in the nation in the NAIA. They also won the NIC in '87 with a 5-1 record, 7-3 overall. He led the team in receiving in the last three years at Morris and was named to the Parade All-American NAIA team in 1991. He was also a National Qualifier in the 55m during the indoor track season. Alto has had a rocky road at times over the past 30 years but let's all congratulate him for this honor.

     Some great bowling scores so far in this young season. Justin Burman shot a 770 last week at Aitkin Lanes. He shot games of 267 and 266 on the way to that fine series. Austin Burton also shot his first series over 700 with a 704 including a 279 game. Kristy Hoge had a big series with a 625 and Linsey Searle shot a 604 so the ladies are also shooting well so far with a month gone in the season.

     The Gobbler football team has two of the premier runners in the area through the first five games of the season. Parker Fulton has 555 yards on 71 carries and Jack Jacobson has 396 yards on 38 carries so that's nearly 1,000 yards between the two running backs. Aitkin has rushed for 1,161 yards on the ground, averaging 7.35 yards per carry. They have scored 19 rushing touchdowns and given up just three on the ground. Aitkin has turned the ball over just three times in the five games, another reason for their great start to the season.   

      Well folks, if you've been at any JH volleyball or basketball game in the last 19 years you know the guy in the picture. He is Rick Gerber, a transplant from Ogilvie where he spent 32 years as a teacher and coach. He is in his 19th season as an official and he still loves it. I've known Rick since my radio days in the 90's and has always been a very cordial and respectful guy, If you get a chance sometime at a JH game tell him how much you appreciate his efforts over the years.

      I will preface this comment by saying I know football is a physical sport but if you were watching USC and Oregon Saturday night you will know what I'm talking about. Dante Moore, quarterback for Oregon was sliding down, giving himself up when Desman Stephens of USC came in and provided a helmet to helmet him on the defenseless quarterback. He was called for targeting and ejected from the game as well he should have. USC has suspended Stephens for one game for celebrating the hit. How long will the college game allow hits like this to be punished with a slap on the hand. I have always been against the helmet to helmet hits and I feel the punishment should be more severe. There is no need for this kind of hit in football or any other game. 

     The Aitkin Gobblers who play their first long road game of the season Friday at Mesabi East have a couple of outstanding defensive stats. First of all, they have not allowed a single point in either the first or third periods of their first four games. In fact, they have only allowed 7 points total in the first half of a all the games put together. That kind of defense allows the offense to get ahead early and put teams away. The Giants will be ready this week, but the Gobblers have a goal and are ready to do anything to keep that goal in sight. The Gobblers beat the Giants 35-14 last season after losing twice to Mesabi East in 2024. This year's seniors have a pretty vivid memory of that year.

     This year the Gobbler volleyball team is just under .500 but they have been in nearly every match and their motto the rest of the season is "We'll get better" and after watching a half dozen matches, I don't doubt that a bit. They work extremely hard in practice and in matches and I think they'll come together at just the right time. They have a great mix of three seniors and a group of underclassmen that share the fire. Hang in there ladies. 

        Well folks, what a great idea I stumbled upon last week and no, it wasn't mine. Last Friday was Tackle Cancer Night at Veterans Field at the game between MLWR and Aitkin. The Aitkin Football Association came up with an idea that featured all the players standing in front of the camera and saying who they were playing for that night. Obviously, it was a relative or someone they knew that was dealing with cancer. It was very emotional and very cool to see the kids facing the situation and dealing with it very well. Nice job to the AFA and the group that came up with this idea. It was well received and nicely done.

     The Gobblers win over the Rebels was their first since 2020 and sets up what will most likely be the Section 7AA title matchup in about six weeks. Nothing is written in stone of course, but these two teams are the best in the section without a doubt. The Rebels have been the section champs for eleventeen years in a row, but this is a major monkey off the Gobblers back to get a victory in the first meeting of the season. It was a battle between two top ten teams in Class AA. It's another section matchup Friday night as Aitkin hosts International Falls. The Broncos are 2-1, winners of two straight after a loss to MLWR and make no mistake they will be ready to play. As Coach Alan Hills noted, "We have to beware of the big game hangover" and keep our eyes ahead." 

     The Gobler volleyball program has three former stars playing college ball this fall and they have all been doing well. Abbey Presto is playing for Minnesota North at Mesabi and has posted some nice stats so far. She has 158 digs, 41 sets, 25 assists, 6 aces and 3 kills at this point of the season. Baylie O'Neil is playing a little closer to home at Central Lakes College and has posted 41 sets, 81 digs, 9 aces, 9 assists and 7 kills. Meanwhile Madyson Burgstaler is playing at Alexandria Tech and she has put up 30 sets, 21 kills, 13 digs and 15 blocks. Nice job ladies!

     The bowling season is underway at Aitkin Lanes and the first week saw some big-time scores. Austin Burton shot a 704 including a 279, Kristy Hoge shot her first "600", a 625 with a 223 game and Linsey Searle had a 604 with a 237 game. It looks like it's going to be a great year, and we'll look for many more big games and series as the season moves ahead.   

      Well folks, it isn't very often that you run into two Gobbler legends in the span of 15 minutes but that's what happened to me last Friday when I was having a tire checked downtown. First, it was J.J. Sullivan, one of the stars of the 1959 Gobbler basketball team that won the District 24 Championship. We had a chat about some of his teammates who have passed away over the years, and I am familiar with that team that included Alvin Buss, Art Doten, Wally Peterson, LeRoy Boyd and Rich Fannemel among others that hoisted the trophy nearly 70 years ago. They lost in the Region final to Hawley 53-51 keeping them out of the State Tournament. Bill Connor coached that outstanding team. Minutes later another Gobbler rolled in, and it was a guy I have known for a long time as well. Mike Reem was a great athlete at Aitkin and was a member of the 1970 Gobbler team that captured the District title as well. He went on to play at MSUM and was a four-year letterwinner as a linebacker and captain of the 1973 team. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. He also has coached at Aitkin for many years in various positions and will return to the basketball court in November as Assistant to Rob Williams of the Gobbler girls' program. We talk often about the state of athletics these days and sometimes about the old days as well. Both of these former Gobblers have seen a lot in their days and know so much about athletes and sports. It's always fun to talk with knowledgeable people and these two have seen a lot. Like I said you never know who you might run into on any given day.  Life is fun isn't it!

     The Gobbler football team takes on Moose Lake/Willow River Friday at Veterans Field, and this shapes up to be one of the biggest games of the season. The winner most likely has the inside track to the Section title and look for this one to be a good one. The Rebels are 2-0 after victories over International Falls 26-0 and Braham 13-2. Gobbler coach Alan Hills knows this is a big one, "They are a good team again this season and they are a hurdle we have to get over. They are about the same size we are, so I don't think there is any advantage to either team in that respect. They are super run-heavy so they like to grind it out like we do. We have to come ready to play." The two teams met twice last season, and the Rebels handed Aitkin their only two losses of the year so there is a lot riding on this one. The Gobblers have a lot of players who remember those two games, and they will be ready to be sure. Gametime at the "Vet" is 7pm.   

      Well folks, the school year is underway for all area districts and although sports has already started it's always exciting to see the kids back in school for another year. It brings a new crew of seniors to the forefront as we follow them on their final months of high school. Welcome back everyone and enjoy these days because it goes by in a hurry.

     As many of you know we have a bear living in our house. We decided that a new dog would be a companion for Barb on my many nights at the field or gym during the school year and we couldn't resist rescuing the little Pomeranian mix that we found at the Babinski Foundation. He is already loved and will be a nice addition to our household. He is a senior dog being 9 years old, but we weren't up for raising another puppy and Bear will fit in nicely.

     The Gobbler football team will host Mora Friday night at Veterans Field in the home opener. Game time is 7:00. The two teams met last year with the Gobblers winning 48-0. This week's game will honor all Veterans, Firefighters and Law Enforcement with free admission. It is awesome that the Gobblers take an opportunity every year to do this on a special night. This year it falls on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 so it has extra meaning this season. 

     The Gobbler volleyball team also has their home opener this week as they host Pine City Thursday night. The Dragons had Aitkins number last season but this years team looks ready to take on anybody. Aitkin will also be in the Barb Neprud Tournament in C-I Saturday.

     You have a chance to see everybody at home this week. The ACI tennis team will host Mora Thursday at the Don Hagestuen Tennis Center. 

     The bowling season at Aitkin Lanes is a little over a week away from getting started. It should be another year of big scores at the Lanes, and you'll be able to check the scores at a new place this year. The Aitkin Bowling Association page on Facebook. 

     I am proud to say that in a few weeks I will be completing my 49th year of writing this column in the Aitkin Independent Age. I am so happy that you have trusted me over the years to give you the information you need about our athletes on a weekly basis.    

      Well folks, on Friday, woodiessportzone.com will start its 3rd year and what a first two years it has been. We started out with the idea that we would give as many athletes as possible from grades 7-12 the accolades and publicity they deserve. Today as then, that mission hasn't changed but we've done even more. We've provided results and pictures from summer youth baseball and softball as well as the Steam and college athletes as well. I have never had a job that I have enjoyed more than this one. Speaking regularly with coaches and players has been a treat. They have been so receptive over the first two years, and they understand the importance of what we are doing. Parents have been supportive too, allowing me access to their athletes to make their stories even more interesting. Pictures always make a story better and I have some of the best behind the camera helping me in that department. I also must thank my many sponsors who also understand the mission and help keep the website going. I want to remind coaches and parents that today and always I will treat your athletes with the utmost respect and always put them in the forefront. This website is "athlete driven". Without them there is no website so as we enter year three, I promise you that the mission will never change, Aitkin Gobbler athletes will continue to get the coverage they so richly deserve and my appreciation for the athletes, coaches and parents will not waver. Thank you!!

      Well folks, we lost another local who at one point kept the Aitkin Stags together year after year singlehandedly. Yes, I'm talking about Keith Nentl who passed away last week. The former Gobbler/Stags athlete who during his baseball days was affectionately called "Bombo" was probably known by more people as the longtime owner and operator of Aitkin Dairy. Keith was always a baseball fan though from our days on the sawdust pile and a bowler who once claimed I didn't like him because he cost us the title in an adult/junior bowling league back in the day. I also remember him as the little kid that I sent home crying one day after telling him the insect repellent in my room was something that would make all the hair on his head go away. He never forgave me for that trick, but we remained friends for his lifetime. He is the second 1974 graduate to pass away in the last three weeks and he will long be remembered in Aitkin. I treasure the fact that Keith and I were two of Bill Clines best friends and the day he passed, both of us visited him at Rivers Edge. Family members told me that he had waited for Keith and I to visit one last time before letting go. Rest easy Keith, we'll keep amateur baseball going in Aitkin to honor your service.

     The Gobbler football team will open their season Friday at the John Davies Field in Crosby-Ironton at 7pm. Aitkin has had the Rangers number in the past few years but will face a formidable foe this week as the two teams battle again for the "Stump". It has resided here for quite a few years with the last Ranger win in the series being in 2018. Aitkin won both matchups last season, 14-12 and then 42-14 in the playoffs.      

      Well folks, in any athletic program it's always good to have consistency and if you're looking for that at Aitkin High School, look no further than Jen Waldorf. "Waldo" has led the girls tennis program since 2001 and the boys program since 2012. She has worked hard to teach her players the game of tennis and how to be competitive. She has done so with many young players over the years and although she has lost players to other sports along the way, (who hasn't), she always has her athletes best interest in mind as she goes about her daily chores on the court. Early on she had a couple of people who have helped her find her way and one of them was Joe Walz, "It was always great to work with such a great coach/teacher. Jen understands how to teach the skills and strategy the tennis kids need along with the good sportsmanship always exhibited by Aitkin tennis." She had another fan in Cindy Walz, "Jen's organizational skills, encouragement for her players, knowledge of the game and the skills needed to play make her a great coach. She truly cares about her teams and the players individually as she teaches life skills and good values through competition." I have had the opportunity to work with Jen over the years, and she has always made herself available to talk about her team and her players. She has seen a lot over the decades of coaching tennis, and she is a very respected coach and mentor. She was a State Champion at Virginia High School back in the 90's and brought that competitive spirit and knowledge to Aitkin and we are so happy she did. They still talk about her up on the range, here's what Jim Prittenen, one of her former coaches had to say, "I remember Jen as being a hard-working player who loved to move around the court which made her an excellent doubles player and my goodness, she was COMPETITIVE" Over the years Jen has taken a number of players to the State Tournament starting with Kelsey Klucas in 2007 and 2008.  The doubles team of Allie Carlson and Alice Browning in 2008, Carlson and new partner Kaitlyn Davies advanced in 2009, Claire Browning went to State in 2012 along with doubles team members Dan Klucas and Alex Anderson and then in 2021 James Much made it to the State Tourney.

     .Jen Waldorf has never lost that drive to be better and the tennis program is so happy that she continues to be the leader they need.