Scoping It Out

With the summer sporting activities nearing an end, it’s time to begin thinking about what lies around the corner.

A number of Coyotes have been prominent in the news these days and we’ll pass along some of those details as they unfold.

Brent Qvale, about to begin his senior season in a Coyote football uniform, is among the top recruits being sought to fill out grid rosters for major Division I colleges.

As of this report we have learned Qvale has given a verbal commitment to play for Division I University of Nebraska in the fall of 2009.

Over the summer Qvale, along with his parents Sanford and Carol, took to the road and made a trip to grid camps at Nebraska, Iowa State and Wisconsin, while a planned stop at the University of Iowa was flooded out.

Standing in at 6-7 and 300 pounds, Qvale is being touted as a key recruit by several major programs.

Qvale has been spending the needed time in the weight room as he prepares for the upcoming prep season with the home opener slated against the Eagles of Sidney, Mont.

MORE FAMILY ROAD TIME

With word confirmed that Qvale will be lending his talent to the “Big Red” football program, this will give Carol and Sanford Qvale two Division I athletes to follow.

Brent’s older brother Brian, standing in at 6-11, returns to the University of Montana where he begins his sophomore season with the Grizzlies.

We’ll keep an eye on these young man and pass along details as they become available.

With Brent verbally committing to play football in Nebraska, that means Carol and Sanford will be logging additional miles.

Brian was a major recruit in the sport of basketball, with the family going through the same routine with Brent.

HENNESSY AT MONTANA STATE

At the same time we can’t forget about former Coyote and WSC Teton James Hennessy who returns to the lineup of the men’s basketball program at Montana State University.

It will be fun to see the former Coyotes Qvale and Hennessy clash on the Division I level.

JANGULA AND BONDY

Williston product and college fullback Tyler Jangula, should have a major impact in the plans at North Dakota State University this fall as the Bison have been tabbed to win the Missouri Valley Football Conference crown.
The Bison picked up 289 points and 13 first-place votes from coaches, media and sports information directors, in a recent poll.

Meanwhile we can tell you former Coyote Kyle Bondy is also expected to fill a key role as a lineman for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux as they make the swing to the Division I level.

It’s always fun to keep tabs on former Coyotes and area athletes.

You can click on the “Scope Links” of the college teams on our home page.

IHMELS AT IOWA STATE

Another website you will want to click on the “Scope Links” is Iowa State University with former Coyote standout Corey Ihmels heading up the track and cross country programs.

At the same time Jory Zunich is a member of the ISU men’s cross country program.

We will attempt to pass on details on this program as well.

RICHTER TO PLAY BASEBALL AT JAMESTOWN

After a successful career on the baseball diamond, along with tending to business in the classroom, Williston athlete Doug Richter has inked a pact to further his baseball career at Jamestown College.

A key member of the state Class A baseball champions, Richer earned All-West Region honors in baseball and was honorable mention in football last season for the Coyotes.

He hit .384 with three home runs in wood-bat play during the spring while in his role as the team’s catcher.

Tom Hager, head coach of the Jimmies, was quoted as saying, “Doug is a quality individual and we are very happy that he has chosen to be a part of the Jimmie tradition here at Jamestown College.”

He went on to say, “He has experienced success both on the field and in the classroom, and we expect that he will be a great addition to the Jimmie baseball program.”

Richter is the son of Debbie and Dave Richter of Williston.

CAGE COACHING CHANGE

With the Williston High School athletic programs already seeking a number of coaches to fill positions word was released Wednesday that Cody Austreim has tendered her resignation effective immediately as the head girls basketball coach at Williston High School.

However, she will retain her teaching position as she pursues her Masters degree.

SCOPING IT OUT ON KEYZ 660

Earlier we were able to provide a live report regarding the Minnesota Vikings just prior to the pre-season opener against the Seattle Seahawk during our weekly “Scoping It Out” segment on News Radio KEYZ 660.

Keep an ear to 660 as we will try to add reports from the Vikings in the near future.

We had the pleasure of attending college in Mankato, many years ago, while making numerous visits to the Vikings’ camp to check out the action, along with covering the Vikes for numerous seasons.

Stay tuned.

VIKES TO TANGLE WITH PACKERS

It’s time to get your recliners in position once again.

Believe it or not, the Minnesota Vikings are ready to open the regular season with play Monday Night against Green Bay.

A total of four pre-season clashes are now behind them and it’s time for real action on the gridiron.

Having covered some 1, 500 miles over the past few days we had the opportunity to host our radio show “Scoping It Out” on the road with stops in Bismarck and Minot.

While in Bismarck a visit to the Heritage Center offered a unique look at that center which is a must-see for everybody.

John Hoganson, the state paleontologist, was our guest telling us about the big find “Dakota.”

A stop in Minot led to a great tour of the Scandinavian Heritage Park, with Bob as our tour guide, while the air time belonged to Wendy Howe.

Howe, executive director of the Minot Convention & Visitors Bureau briefed us on the many activities in that city, along with the opening night of the ND State Fair.

The annual parade was impressive, with nearly 250 units.

Williston had a few representatives, but the door is open for a lot more.

Tune in News Radio 660 KEYZ AM at 4:45 p.m. CDT on Friday to learn more.

You never know who will be the next guest, to join a list including the likes of Gov. John Hoeven, Sec. of Agriculture Ed Schafer, Miss North Dakota and Dave St. Peter of the Minnesota Twins, to name a few.

Since 1963 residents of Williston have had an opportunity to view the “Butterfly Bank.”

Early Monday morning that unique structure, which served as a downtown drive-up station for American State Bank & Trust Co., met with the wrecking ball.

Bank officials indicated the facility, which was constructed in 1963, had served ASBT well but it was time to move on.

A modern facility was constructed in the rear parking lot of the downtown main branch and once that went into operation it was only a matter of time until the wings would be clipped.

We’ll tell you more about this exciting piece of architecture in a future post.

Opening night of the 2008 ND State Fair allowed an opportunity to enjoy many of the tasty delights offered up by numerous vendors, while dodging heckling carnies.

The opening night (July 18) proved to be on the final leg of a 1,500 mile journey that took us from the home base to the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Over a period of nine days we were able to enjoy freedom from those pesky mosquitoes, only to return and while unloading our vehicle the door was open to many of those skeeters to get in their licks.

If have stories, photos, or videos you’d like to share, feel free to contact me.