Ost Sighting

No, in fact I did not die in a horrific accident. I have been pretty busy with work and with getting my life in order over the past week. On top of that, I might have hooked myself up with a stringing job for the Sun next weekend, covering some games at the Legion Baseball tournament in Jamestown.

I'll know more next week, but depending on I might do some not-live blogging or something for the games. I don't have a wireless connection out at Jack Brown, but I could still do a roundup of the games I see or something. Maybe once I get the schedule I can figure something more concrete.

Anyway, expect some info at the start of next week. Until then, enjoy the summer.

Atkins Makes Olympic Field

Derrick Atkins, one of - if not the - greatest runners from my alma matter (Dickinson State), made the Olympics.

Click here if you want to see how he did it.

McQuade Results

Want to know how the McQuade tournaments went? I highly suggest clicking here and reading this roundup from the Bismarck Tribune.

Probably the Biggest Comeback in Recent Memory

When I think of memorable comebacks, New Rockford-Sheyenne ralling to beat Bottineau for the state Class B boys' basketball championship immediately comes to mind. I might have to make a little room for another comeback, though.

Hatton's American Legion baseball team trailed 21-2 on the road after just three innings, but rallied for a win against Hillsboro-Central Valley. To me that is fairly rediculous. I am not alone.

The Herald's Greg DeVillers wrote up a story on the game talking with coaches and KMAV's Dan Keating, who was covering the game. Basically all agreed it was pretty unbelievable.

To get the full rundown on DeVillers' story, click here.

More Good From Schlossman

When it comes to a good Monday pick-me-up, I didn't have to go much further than the Herald's Brad Schlossman.

Schlossman brought all kinds of good stuff talking to and about former UND runner Arjan Gelling. I had no idea who Gelling was, but I was really pumped for him, not only with running, but with him going through his battle with cancer.

Click here to give it a read.

Question and Answer: Weston Dressler

KO - Today we are talking a little shop with former Bismarck Demon and University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux standout Weston Dressler, who is currently in the Canadian Football Leagues' Saskatchewan Roughriders. I certainly appreciate the time Weston, but let's not waste any time talking about me. Let's talk about you.

1. How exciting has the last couple of weeks been with preparing for your first pro preseason game?

WD – The last couple of weeks have been exciting. I’ve learned a lot about the CFL game and I’m just trying to continue learning and improving every day.

2. KO - Talk a little bit about that first game. What was it like going into that kind of atmosphere? Obviously you know how to play the game, but did everything feel brand new?

WD – The first game was very fun. The fans here are amazing and they make the games fun for the players and fans.

3. KO - You didn't record a reception in your first game, but I'm guessing that first experience isn't about stats. Was it more a process of seeing how well you made reads and how quickly you were able adapt to the situations presented? How crazy was it settling under a punt for the first time, getting ready to return it?

WD – I learned a lot from the two pre-season games. The game is different from what I’m used to and those games helped me become more accustomed to it. I’m starting to feel more comfortable on the field now and I just need to focus on continuing to learn the game.

4. KO - Do you have anything in store for the next time you meet up with British Columbia? Don't you guys open the regular season against them?

WD – We actually play Edmonton in our first regular season game this weekend. We play B.C. in week 2. Each week of preparation is a little different studying player and team tendencies.

5. KO - Do you have any pregame rituals that seem to stand out as quirky or a little superstitious?

WD – Nothing out of the ordinary. I usually listen to some music to help keep me relaxed and not get overly excited before the game.

6. KO - Entering a program like Saskatchewan, a team that won the Grey Cup last season and has made the playoffs six years straight, is there quite a bit of pressure to step in and do well? How do you handle that pressure?

WD – Winning the Grey Cup last year the Riders have a pretty good team. This has helped me coming in as I get to play with and learn from some the best players in the league. I’ve always had high expectations for myself and the teams I have played on so the outside pressures don’t bother me too much.

7. KO - What do you see as your role on the team and what do you want your role to be on the team? What kind of work are you putting in to accomplish that?

WD – As an incoming rookie its hard to tell exactly what my role on the team will be. I just want to do anything I can to help the team win. Every week I need to be as prepared as I can both physically and mentally to do that.

8. KO - Any older players that have taken you under their wing? I would think all of a sudden being a rookie after gaining a bit of celebrity status while at Bismarck and while at UND would have to be strange getting used to. Any interesting rookie hazing stories?

WD – The veteran players have been real helpful. They understand what it takes to win and on the field they do whatever they can to help the rookies understand the game better. The rookie hazing comes after practice and in meetings. We won’t get into that now, but so far it hasn’t been bad.

9. KO - What does one for for fun outside of football in Saskatchewan?

WD – Honestly during training camp there isn’t much time outside of football and when we do get some free time its spent resting. Now that the season is starting we will have more time. I’ve checked a few golf courses in town and I’m hoping to get out on the links one of these days.

10. KO - Any advice for any high school or college football players that have the dream of playing professional ball?

WD – I have always been a believer in goal setting. Set goals for yourself that you can evaluate on a daily basis. Set short-term goals to help you achieve your long-term goals. Always continue to evaluate your goals. Sometimes they need to be changed, set them higher or sometimes lower from your initial expectations. Most importantly work as hard as you possibly can in everything you do. Get in the habit of always working hard.

KO - Fantasic stuff, and that about wraps it up. Again man, I sure do appreciate the time. Best of luck wherever your adventures take you and take care. Anything else you'd like to add?

WD - I would like to say thank you to everyone in Bismarck, Grand Forks and North Dakota. The support and blessings I have received is truly remarkable and it makes it fun and enjoyable for me. Thank you.

Note: You can keep up with Dressler all season by going to to the Saskatchewan Roughriders website. Click here for a link to Riderville.com.

Minot's Olympic Hopefulls

I caught a bit of the Olympic trials on the Tele over the weekend, and much to my surprise, we have a couple of Olympic hopefulls right here in North Dakota.

Minot's Matt Lowe and Dagny Knutson will both be in the running (technically swimming) for a berth in the Olympics next week.

I have no idea what their odds of making the squad are, or what the swimming situation is this year - guess I'll have to catch it on TV and figure it out with the rest of America.

Chris Bieri, who is hopefully not regretting picking up too many Brewers inhis fantasy baseball draft, from the Minot Daily News handles the story here.

Fargo South to Field 2 Teams

Come the fall of 2010 Fargo South will field a pair of varsity teams in preparation for the opening of Davies High School which is slated to open its sports schedule in 2011.

It creates a bit of an interesting situation coming up for South, as I'm not exactly sure how the teams will be determined or things of that nature. Still, it is going to give kids more of a chance to play sports at the high school level and that is never a bad thing.

One issue created out of this is a possible ramification in which Davies (and/or South I suppose?) may not have the enrollment to warrant playing at the AAA level and may be moved to AA. Couple this with a request to move more sports to three or four divisions, and suddenly that is a whole big ball of wax that I thought was just voted down. Regardless, it appears as though more classes are still being debated.

Big E, Eric Peterson, is on the horn - you know the drill. Click here.

Joe Mays Gets Paid

There is nothing like picking up six figures to play a game, just ask former NDSU linebacker and current Philadelphia Eagle Joe Mays.

Mays signed his first pro contract that might be worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $2.6 million over four years. Tremendous.

Great stuff from Mays, too. In Jeff Kolpack's story in the Forum, Mays was quoted as saying, "It was like signing the Declaration of Independence or something like that." Mays, who graduated from SU in the spring, is still my favorite player to come out of the Bison football program in case you were wondering.

Good stuff from Kolpack throughout. Click here to open the gateway.

Optimist All-Stars Tip Off

The summer all-star games always seem to sneak up on me. I think it is that I get lulled into a false sense of security once all the sports wrap up at the end of May and beginning of June. And then all of a sudden, here is another round of things coming down the pipe when I'm dreaming about summer vacations and stuff.

East and West duke it out for bragging rights and the final chance for many to compete in the sport while for others it is a final time to play in high school.

The Forum's Tom Mix put together a preview taking a look at the Fargo kids that are playing and the roster of both squads is also included. Click here to read it.