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Carol captures breckenridge: life behind the lens

3/4/2021

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photo fanatic brings breckenridge sports to life


• By Robert Wanek Jr.

Night after night, game after game, Carol Colby stands on the Breckenridge sidelines with her camera, capturing thousands of action photos with a skilled touch. She’s no amateur, as her photos have become some of the most iconic pieces of local art over the years, encapsulating legendary moments of culture and competition. From inspiring images of the late Carter Casey, to crystal clear shots of slam dunks on the basketball court, Carol’s camera work rivals that of big news media and longtime professionals. 

Carol estimates she’s been taking sports photos for roughly 25 years. She’s been running her daycare for three decades and the two certainly coincide. When Carol was named the volleyball program’s Fan of the Year in 2016, the Cowgirls’ record-setting assist leader, Brooke Busse, presented her with the award.

“Brooke was our little princess for years,” Colby said. “She was three years old when she started at my daycare. She was pretty special.”

It was a golden moment for the pair, because Carol’s support of Brooke stretched far beyond the court.

“Presenting Carol with the Fan of the Year Award for Cowgirl Volleyball my senior year brought both Carol and I to tears because she was so dang deserving,” Busse said. “Growing up, when we got our sports schedules, I always had to be sure to grab a copy for Carol, and she would be sure to text me making sure I had one for her. She wasn’t going to miss a sporting event, concert, or banquet, regardless the circumstances.”

Unlike journalists that often pop into sporting events and snap a few photos while kicking back and watching the game, Carol has no time for spectating, as she’s constantly clicking away with her trigger finger on the camera.
Carol's sheer volume of photo taking leads to some of the best shots in the business.
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Carol Colby and Brooke Busse pose together after Busse's 1000th career assist.
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Carol enjoys spending time at the lake with her family.
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Rare photo of Carol in her element on a cold and windy day at the Breckenridge track.

“The first word that comes to mind when I think of Carol is “selflessness.” She truly embodies what it means to care for others before herself,” Busse said. “I can truthfully say I wouldn’t be who I am today without that wonderful woman in my life. She literally changed my diapers! Carol has been a pillar in molding my faith, personality, and morals. She has been “behind the lens” ever since I can remember. In fact, as a child she made me a photo book of pictures from my childhood.”

Carol’s connection to the children she cares for, even after they’ve grown up, has been a driving force for her photography and the passion that still motivates her to attend games. 

“With all the daycare kids and their activities, I’m always chasing games,” Colby said. “With hockey, basketball, dance recitals — I stay busy keeping up with all their stuff.”

Carol’s Canon EOS 70D is her “baby,” a fine machine that has captured four section championships, counting Breckenridge volleyball’s abbreviated 2020 campaign. She received the camera as a Christmas gift five years ago and as far as the settings she uses, well that’s a secret.

“I’ve been asked what settings I use to capture my photos, but if you don’t have my camera and it’s not in your hands, it’s hard to tell you exactly what that is.” 

That well-kept secret has paid dividends to the quality of her work. News publications across the region have paled in comparison to the photography content put out by Carol over the years, and we’ve been blessed to use her images in our stories about Breckenridge athletics for the past two seasons. She single-handedly kickstarted our Player of the Game content by bringing awesome shots from the games to Facebook.

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Colby captured this incredible photo on Carter Casey night of the team embracing its native son.
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Carol's photo of this Anthony Conzemius dunk highlights player emotion and fan reaction in the background.
Carol and her husband Wayne “Bozo” Colby grew up together in Foxhome, where they attended school until the eighth grade. Carol transferred to Breckenridge and graduated in 1973. As a self described “Farm Girl,” she wasn’t able to participate in sports growing up, making her coveted role as Breckenridge's photo aficionado even more important.

“I didn’t get to play sports in high school with how busy I was being on a farm. One of my brothers played football and track, but other than that, when you were farming you just didn’t get the chance to do it back then,” Colby said.

The girls basketball program has welcomed Carol to the court with open arms during a shortened 2020 campaign that has seen limited fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a couple of blizzards that rocked the roads. Coach Austin Imdieke, along with Victoria Undem, have been helpful in making sure Carol gets her hands on a ticket to the action.

“Austin told me right away, if you want to go to any of the away games just let me know,” Colby said. “This year has been a little tough with the weather, and I’m not usually one to worry about that, but there were some nights this season where I just didn’t really wanna be on the road by myself.”

Carol was a deserving subject for this story because she provides her media services without a payroll budget. She does the work because she loves the work. Her photos provide motivation, confidence, and lifelong memories for local athletes. Many alumnus look back on their careers through the scope of stories, without any visual semblance of history to remember their glory days. Thanks to Carol’s efforts, today’s player can head to Facebook following the game and view hundreds of pictures instantly. 

“I think we’re all guilty of not closing the yearbook and find ourselves reminiscing on our days as Cowboys and Cowgirls, more than likely through pictures that Carol has posted to Facebook,” Busse said. “Sadly enough, I don’t think I would’ve had any pictures at my high school graduation party if it wasn’t for her!”

Carol is comfortable shooting in venues of all sizes, so of course she was down for the fan bus ride to Minneapolis to cheer the Cowboys on during their historic run of back-to-back state tournament appearances at Williams Arena, better known as “The Barn”. 

“When I rode the school bus down to all the state tournament games, I was very fortunate my daughter was doing daycare with me so it worked out. I’d get home and walk through the door at midnight, those were fun times,” Colby said. 

In Carol’s free time she loves going to the lake with Bozo in the camper she’s had for 40 years. She joked that there’s not many pictures of her basking in the sun, because she’s always the one taking photos. The couple are also die hard NDSU Bison fans, who either attend in person, or watch every game on television. 

While Carol doesn’t see anything special in her way of life as Breckenridge’s unofficial sports photographer, there’s an entire city of fans that appreciate her commitment. Ultimately, that’s just who she is. 

“Many people may not know that Carol’s husband Bozo, daughters Becky and Jenny, and son Travis share many of the same attributes; kindness, generosity, and selflessness,” Busse said. “Bozo and Carol are two people that I’m forever in debt to for loving me as one of their own. Carol taught me empathy, love, pride, confidence, and the list goes on and on.”

​Carol was the Boys Basketball Booster of the Year in 2013-14. She was the All-Sports Booster of the Year in 2016. 


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Saint sue: Breckenridge basketball icon continues to serve

2/24/2021

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Player, coach, educator, and st. mary's stabilizing force


• By Robert Wanek

​Whether it’s her spiked hair or that signature jumpsuit, Sue Smith is a noticeable figure in the Breckenridge community. A vocal coach, a member of the North Dakota State College of Science Hall of Fame, and a veteran educator— Smith has remained an integral part of the sports community for the latter part of three decades. Her sharp contrast between friendly candor and competitive conquest comes at the flip of a switch for the former basketball star, as she continues to put her passion on display for area youth.

“I was once given the nickname Susie Knight,” Smith joked about a comparison to flamboyant coaching legend Bob Knight. “I never really tossed a chair, but I must say I may have done some tumbling acts on the sideline. I did steal the ball from a player one time and shot it at our basket. Not one of my prouder moments but we sure laugh about it now.”

Aside from Sue’s intensity, she’s a caring individual and a role model for area youth. Smith is the athletic director at St. Mary’s Catholic School, which has long been a pipeline for talented Breckenridge basketball players. The program’s most notable names had roots playing for Smith in their early days. Players like Noah Christensen, Nate Lorenz, Joe Terfehr, and Grace Conzemius donned a blue and white Saints uniform under Sue’s tutelage far before they dunked the basketball or won section titles.

The men’s and women’s all-time scoring leaders at Breckenridge High School is a list littered with Smith’s students. What exactly makes St. Mary’s a breeding ground for successful athletes and individuals?

“Working on the basic fundamentals and playing the game the right way,” a simple formula according to Smith, who spoke more of her former athletes than she did of her own pedigree.
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Smith seen taking a jump shot during the early 1980s
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Smith often coaches during youth tournaments at Breckenridge High School. She coaches for both St. Mary's and the public school.
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A letter written to Sue from Brooke Busse.

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A letter written to Sue from Jack Johnson dated 2011.

Smith has been the athletic director at St. Mary’s for over 30 years, and been around the game even longer. The 1981 Breckenridge graduate scored over 1,000 career points at a time where women played with a men’s ball, games were only 32 minutes long, seasons were 18 games, and there was no three-point line.

She went on to dominate at NDSCS, graduating in 1983 after an illustrious career participating in basketball, track and field, tennis and volleyball. Smith was a 2x all-conference selection in basketball and volleyball and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2011. She had been asked several times previously, but felt she should be out of the game for a longer period of time before consideration. Her track and field team also won a region championship during her time at the Wahpeton based college.


Smith was one of North Dakota State University’s first JUCO transfer targets. She spent one redshirt season with the Bison basketball team, before settling down in Breckenridge and starting a family of her own. Sue has five children — Lindsay, Savannah, Ethan, Blaze, and Daymon. All of them have participated in the sport of basketball at some level and have continued to help officiate and work youth events. Sue recently coached a seventh grade game in which her grandson, Jackson, drilled a three-pointer to pull ahead late in a 40-36 double-overtime win. Her coaching counterpart on that junior high team? Noah Christensen, another St. Mary’s product.

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A picture drawn for Sue by Easton Erbes dated 2005.

Smith stressed that the involvement of former players in the program is very important to her.

​“I invite them to come to whatever practices they want. I remember Nate (Lorenz) coming over to my girls practices, shooting on the side, putting the extra time in,” Smith said. “They would be in the gym whenever I open it for them. Anthony and Grace Conzemius, Jude Held, Cooper (Yaggie), Jack Johnson — they come by frequently even when they get to high school. I could go into my phone and there would be texts from Jude looking to get in the gym pretty often.”

Smith usually starts her St. Mary’s students on the court in first grade, where she helps coach through the sixth grade levels alongside people like Timmy Jaehning, Jason Johnson, Bruce Yaggie, and Craig Peterson. She described Bruce as her “extra arm,” someone who helps immensely on the boys side. 

The longtime educator spent a number of years teaching physical education and now serves as a para professional in addition to her role as AD and coach. She has filled in admirably wherever she’s needed over the years as an assistant coach at NDSCS, as well as assistant and head coaching stints at Breckenridge.


As for her Knight-like story, she remembers it very well. Her antics earned her a technical foul from referee Roy King. 
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Sue and Lindsay Smith having fun at the Rotary All-Stars Game.
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Joey Johnson calls Sue the "Best Coach" in this 4th grade writing.

“One of my girls kept dribbling the ball to the right corner. We came out of a timeout, probably the third one I’d called, and she got the ball stolen from her,” Smith recalled. “The defender dribbled up the left sideline and I whacked it out of her hand and shot it at our own hoop. I was more mad because I only hit the rim with the shot than I was about the technical.”

Over the years Sue has noticed an increase in players criticizing officials, something she dissuades her teams from doing.

“I try to teach them not to talk to officials, as hard is that is nowadays,” Smith said. “If I think it’s something that should be questioned that’s my job as the coach to take care of that, and try to keep the kids from talking to officials.”

She believes the rise in player interaction with officials coincides with the 3-on-3 “Call your own foul” era of basketball, where things that weren’t always fouls in that backyard setting, certainly are in school sanctioned hoops. The same could be said for the contrast in calls between AAU and high school league activities.

“In the early years of 3-on-3 you reffed your own games. Coaches could come along but it had to be all player run, no officials,” Smith said. “I remember the Gus Macker tournaments in Fargo, you’d play in the parking lot of West Acres Mall and you’d come out of there with shredded knees. You couldn’t say ‘No blood no foul,’ because there was a lot of blood.”

When Smith coaches or officiates she has a simple fix for the contrast in styles — play with your feet. The disciplined coach instructs players to keep their hands back and work their butts off for defensive stops. Hard work has certainly gotten Smith to this point in her career, and she hopes to steer youth in the same direction.

I’ll leave you with this, a St. Mary’s monthly newsletter from March 2008, where principal Linda Johnson describes Smith’s service with the school.

“Our young athletes worked hard and were committed to their team through dedicated practice and teamwork on the court during games. This doesn’t just happen. It takes a coach who is passionate not only about teaching the fundamentals of each sport, but also the life lessons about how to work as a team, how to accept praise and criticism, how to win or lose with dignity, and how to be respectful to others. Sue Smith, as our athletic director and head coach, has been this driving force. She has a passion for sports and she loves her faith. She brings the mission of our school to the playing floor and our students are better people for having had her as their coach. Thank you, Sue.”
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The breckenridge hogs - true athletes

11/29/2020

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Cowboy linemen allowed only one sack all season

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• By Robert Wanek Jr.

The Breckenridge football team was led into battle all season by ultra-efficient quarterback Cooper Yaggie. The Cowboys won six of those seven battles, on the way to their first section championship win since 2008. However, the war for Section 6A was ultimately won in the trenches, by Yaggie’s senior-laden line — The Hogs. This impressive group of true athletes led by Gavin Johnson, Jonah Christensen, Jared Aamold, Bryant Hasse, Gus Hasbargen, Ben Krump, and Dallen Ernst allowed only one sack all year long. Yes, you read that right — one quarterback sack in 7 games, 61 passing attempts, 28 quarters. As a result, Yaggie posted 14 passing touchdowns to 1 interception, while rushing for 400+ yards behind his beastly brothers. 

“I think what made the line so good was that they were such a tight knit group who all loved each other,” Yaggie said. “They took it personal to keep me protected at all times. I loved every single one of them like a brother and I trusted that everyone on that line would give 100% to give me time while passing or a hole to run through. I’m glad I was able to quarterback behind a line that will go down as one of the best to ever play for Breck.”

Cooper held up his end of a preseason deal he made with his blockers — buying them a meal if they allowed a low number of sacks. It was fitting he rewarded his linemen off the field, since they piled up the pancakes on the field.

Johnson was named the Midwest White District Offensive Lineman of the Year. He and Connor Twidwell will be taking their talents to Minnesota State University Moorhead. Aamold brought some serious fire to the group, spinning the football in celebration after multiple fumble recoveries. After the huge loss of Hasse to injury with two games remaining, Ernst stepped up and used his towering frame to keep pass rushers at bay. Christensen was excellent in pass protection, allowing his quarterback ample time for several deep completions, resulting in a completion rate of 22.3 yards per clip. Hasbargen was a shotgun snapping aficionado, delivering the football with precision to his dangerous quarterback. Krump crushed opponents at the goal line on a number of touchdowns and 2-pt conversions. There was no weak link in the Breckenridge line.

“When I heard that I was voted offensive lineman of the year, that was pretty cool for me because we don’t get a whole lot of credit down in the trenches,” Johnson said. “I would just play and leave it all on the field and it’s cool to see people notice that. There’s no way I would have gotten that (award) without my other linemen. You can’t have only one or two good linemen and win games. They always had my back.”

Head coach Chad Fredericksen had plenty to say about the linemen that carried him to his first section title in 12 years and one season after finishing as runner-up. 

“Tough, dependable, physical, durable, strong, big, competitive,” those were the words the veteran frontman used to describe his pile pushers.

“It didn’t matter who was rotating through, they all helped each other out. They made us tick,” Fredericksen said. “You don’t put up the offensive numbers we did without a great offensive line. You add Daniel (Erlandson) and Connor (Twidwell) to that group and you have something pretty special. It’s hard to imagine not having those guys next year.”

Daniel played fullback for a fearsome rushing attack led by Midwest White District Running Back of the Year Christian Nieto, Wide Receiver of the Year Jacob Vizenor, and James Mertes. Twidwell lined up at tight end, where he caught a pair of touchdowns and ran over opponents with his excellent downfield blocking. Erlandson was widely regarded as Minnesota’s top fullback. In seven games, the Cowboys rushed for 1,878 yards and 25 touchdowns.

“They’re the real dawgs and I wouldn’t trade them for any other line,” Nieto said. “They worked their tails off. None of us backs would have been able to do what we did without them. I’m gonna miss those hogs.”

Aamold, Christensen, and Johnson were all three year starters. That level of experience and earned toughness was crucial to the Cowboys winning the line of scrimmage.

“That made our lives as coaches super easy,” assistant coach Jordan Christensen said. “They always knew what their assignment was and had the physical skills to execute it. It’s not very often that you’ll find a group of linemen as good mentally as they are physically. Overall this group will be one of the best offensive lines to come through Breckenridge.”

In addition to coaching, Christensen also runs the strength program, a role that’s produced an obvious increase in the performance of Cowboy players across the board. 

Breckenridge boasted a lethal return game as well. Johnson and Twidwell did damage in that department, leveling opponents to free Vizenor, Mertes, and Dylan Bernotas for return touchdowns. Against Staples-Motley, Twidwell’s block sent a would-be tackler three yards in the air, springing Bernotas for a punt-return score. While it was typically the A-Team of Alex Martel and Alex Tschakert upending returners, the Breckenridge big boys got dirty on special teams as well. 

Most of the Cowboy line played both sides of the ball, where big plays came in bunches. Hasse tripped up Barnesville’s scrambling Adam Tonsfeldt on a fake punt. Erlandson and Aamold each recovered fumbles inside the 10-yard line just before halftime of the Ottertail Central and Barnesville games. Twidwell showed off his mitts, adding an interception to his multiple receiving scores. With size came great athleticism, a heralded combo for linemen. 

Offensive linemen are often the unsung heroes, the hard hat and lunch pale crew, doing a thankless but vital job. This wasn’t the case with the 2020 Breckenridge Cowboys, as the The Hogs made their mark loud and clear, as a unit and individually. 
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Taking it to the next level with Chad and tracEy desjarlais

11/26/2020

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New location, same attitude for breck-wahp gym owners

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• Photos by Robert Wanek Jr. / Art by Nick Hartling
• By Robert Wanek Jr.

Pure greatness in athletics requires a delicate balance of physical and mental strength. Perpetual work on only one of those aspects, can never be enough to attain one’s full potential. For the towns of Breckenridge and Wahpeton, Next Level Performance serves as a vessel to combine those aspects, providing an innovative gym atmosphere to help our youth soar to superior heights on and off the playing field.

Ran by Chad “Da Bull” Desjarlais and his wife Tracey “Lady Bull” Desjarlais, NLP is a homegrown gym located on Dakota Avenue in Wahpeton. Chad moved to Breckenridge from Jamestown in 1987, playing tailback and linebacker for the Cowboys from 1989-92. His last two years in high school, he was head of the Breckenridge weightlifting program. He played college football at NDSU and one year of Professional Arena Football for the Fargo Freeze. Tracey was a standout soccer and basketball player at Butler High School in Alabama, where her basketball team graced the cover of Wheaties and become one of the first schools to earn an endorsement deal with Nike. She competed collegiately at Snead State and University of Montevallo.


Chad worked extensively with many of the Cowboy football players from this year’s section title team. Some of the standout athletes included Jacob Vizenor, Ben Krump, Daniel Erlandson, Griffin Bosse, Cooper Yaggie, and Gavin Johnson. This was extra special for Desjarlais, as he played football with some of their parents.

“Having guys like Bruce (Yaggie) and Vance (Johnson) come to us and say, ‘You’re the guy we want to train our son,’ that was pretty cool,” Chad said. “Having that trust that I’m the one who will get the most out of them, preparing them not only physically but for the mental demand of what the next level brings in the college locker room, weight room, and playing field — that’s special.”

Tracey noted that she enjoys Chad’s stories of his glory days, jokingly adding, “Because he’s my husband,” but really took an appreciation for the impact he’s making in the community when she began hearing them from others.
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​“One of the coolest things to me when we first moved here was Vance Johnson walking in and telling me a story about Chad, then Chad starts to train his son," Tracey said. "It’s so interesting to me that these men that were older than Chad or the same age have come back around to share these stories and think we are the best place for the job.”

Next Level has served a variety of clients from young hockey players to 80-year-olds working out well into the twilight of their lives. While the gym is all-inclusive, much of the training is geared towards the hardcore athlete looking to continue their sports career and enter unique fields such as body building and mixed martial arts. NLP is home to Golden Glove boxing champion Braydon Olson, champion weight lifters Brandon Thiel and Bailee Heitkamp, and MMA fighters like Wyatt Meyer, Dennis Booke, and Jacob Thiel. Those fighters compete in North Star Combat, ran by president and former UFC star Stephan Bonnar. 

Thiel and Booke have poured their time into the mixed martial arts arena with their personal brand “Elite MMA,” doing so under the radar for the most part. They built a training cage in the back of NLP, equipped with an area for heavy bag and speed bag training as well. 

“Those two are amazing and don’t really get much recognition,” Desjarlais said. “They have full-time jobs, families, and still make time for our fighters and MMA fitness in general. They were really interested in continuing to fight after their high school wrestling careers and they’ve pushed that into instruction for the young guys, competitive guys, and people who just want to get in shape. They have 10-15 members and about four or five who compete.”


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Olson was a prime example of NLP taking an innovative approach to give their athletes other sport options outside of what they’ve previously played. The Desjarlais duo remains open to redirecting your efforts if necessary for recapturing your enjoyment.

​“Braydon was playing college basketball and wasn’t enjoying it, so I said ‘Come here and let me show you the bag.’ He turned into a golden glove boxer. We showed him something totally different,” Tracey said. “Sometimes in life, we’ve been conditioned to tell our kids 'This is what you’re going to do,' so they have a hard time telling their parents that’s not what they want to do. We’re here for you and it’s amazing when I get calls from parents saying, ‘Hey can you talk to my kid?’ and we can help break through to them.”


Noah Remily, a weightlifter with Scoliosis, has metal inserts strung throughout his back. After training with Chad, he entered his first competition and claimed gold. It’s that innate will to push through obstacles that Desjarlais sees in many of his gym members and athletes. It's an ability that he seeks to tap into in order to obtain that next level of performance.
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Chad’s journey into physical fitness started around age 12, when he got into a little bit of trouble and his mother sent him to Coach Larry McDaniel’s summer camp at NDSCS to blow off some steam. Chad’s love for the gym was reinforced in high school by legendary strength coach John Bell, who was lauded by the 1988 Breckenridge state championship football team for his instructional skills in the weight room. 

“My freshman and sophomore year under Coach Bell I was actually the assistant strength coach, before leading the program my junior and senior year,” Chad said. “John (Bell) was an inspiration because he used all of his own funding and formed a powerlifting team from the area that went all over to compete, traveling in his personal RV.”

When COVID-19 came sweeping through the nation, the Desjarlais family was forced to move from their location, causing a sense of uncertainty for a duo that was gaining traction in the community.

“Law enforcement came over and told us the governor was shutting us down,” Tracey said. “We closed our doors just like every other business. We were laying in bed and got a phone call from our landlord telling us we needed to move. We had a really good relationship with the owner so we weren’t expecting a move and we were really devastated and blindsided by it.”

The couple initially scoped out the old Pamida building just west of town for a new location, but ultimately honed in on the vacant Sears building next to Family Dollar.

“I hated it at first. I wanted to go to the old Pamida building but there was way too much work to get started there,” Tracey said. “There was still appliances in the Sears building and I didn’t like the space, but as soon as we walked through the double-doors everything changed. We went from 4,500 square feet to 6,800. This put us right on main street and made a big difference with visibility, too.”

Tracey handled the transition and renovation single-handedly, kicking her husband out of the new space for 45 days until they were allowed to reopen. When Da Bull finally touched down, he was chomping at the bit to get back to work with the NLP Family and reconnect with them as individuals.

"We’re really a family here. Our members will come in not only to talk about lifting and things like that, but about school, relationships, their new job, anything important in their lives. So it’s really a place of counseling too and we take pride in the mental aspect of our gym,” Chad said. 

The gym hosts “Savage Saturdays and Sundays,” where members come home for the weekend and train viciously to attain new personal records. Some of the members do miss the basement at the old facility however, as they could see the ceiling caving in from how heavy they had been lifting upstairs. 

The Desjarlais power couple works as a team to keep operations rolling during these crazy coronavirus times, offering different dynamics to those who walk through the door.

“Tracey does a lot more of the business management part. I’m more into the hardcore individual training,” Chad said. “I always wanted to have a gym that was open for everybody — runners, traditional athletes, lifters, every aspect of sports. Making sure we push people to go to a higher level is huge. When I was coming out of high school, our coaches didn’t really take that second effort to prepare you for what’s to come at the next level. We want our athletes to be prepared if they are serious about playing at that level.”

Chad’s experience playing for the Bison and professionally before blowing out his quadriceps and hip during a powerlifting accident, adds an aura of experience when it comes to the stresses of continuing a sports career. He had dreams of making it to the NFL before realizing his purpose was in preparing younger generations to take the mantle.

“The physical part is the fun part but the mental part needs more understanding,” Chad said. “The coaching is tougher, the locker room dynamic is tougher. Studying, workouts, meetings, a lot of kids don’t understand the level of things they are signing up for.”

Tracey is always willing to lend a hand, or an ear, as an active listener for NLP athletes. 

“Often times I’ll be holding court with our athletes and figuring out why they aren’t playing sports anymore,” Tracey said. “Chad’s grabbing them in a way to find out what they can do to get better and I’m a little more therapeutic. He’s the bull in this house and I’m here to facilitate his and their dreams.”

In the age of hustle and bustle, where the compassionate parts of fitness life get caught up in the “Grind” mentality, Next Level Performance is the family we need. To Chad, it's not just a figurative family, it's a fitness family.

“It’s almost like it’s your own kids going off to college, and it’s emotional when they come back to see how much progress they’ve made and to see them doing things they probably wouldn’t have done if they never walked through these doors.”
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Conzemius country: towering twins leaving mark on breck sports

11/11/2020

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• Photo By Robert Wanek Jr.
• By Robert Wanek Jr.

​On January 27th 2003, Grace and Anthony Conzemius were welcomed to the world. The twin siblings have spent 17 years together in Breckenridge. Now, they enter their senior seasons as highly touted athletes looking to leave their separate marks on the hardwood. Although they bare a striking resemblance to each other, a closer look reveals a uniquely separate brand of basketball and personality that sets them apart.

I took a look at their sibling story and how it’s effected their lives on and off the court.

“There was never a dull moment growing up with Anthony; he’s always kept me on my toes,” Grace said. “Growing up we would make a competition out of almost everything, and we still do. I always remind him that I am three minutes older than him and that I won the first race.”

That joking candor can quickly dive into a competitive battle between the two, but when you’re bonded from birth, it’s all love.

“We were always competitive and able to learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses in everything we do. It’s like we could read each other’s minds — we definitely had that twin instinct,” Anthony said. “Our biggest competition is who can get to the bathroom first in the morning.”


Both athletes are quintessential grinders, go-getters who share the best interest of their respective programs. Grace will give you gaudy numbers on the glass, as she owns the single-season Cowgirls’ rebound record with over 270. Anthony’s shot-blocking skills often set up his teammates for easy baskets on the other end. It’s the hard work that seems like easy work for these towering twins. 

“I may not be the high scorer every game, but I would be the one who steps up with a blocked shot at the right time, or force a key turnover. That’s the real highlight for me,” Anthony said. “It’s a full team effort and that’s what gets me excited.”


Nicknamed “Big Red” because of his skyscraper stature and hue of his hair, Anthony is the 6’8” flamboyant forward Breckenridge desires. He’s been known to celebrate following his improbable three-pointers off the glass. He’s a lively character on the bench as well, motivating his teammates and keeping Breckenridge’s battery charged. There’s certain players who have “The edge,” so to speak, and that’s Tony. 
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Grace and Anthony celebrating their fourth birthday.
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Grace also plays volleyball • Photo by Carol Colby

I □ you Big Red! Anthony Conzemius buries the trifecta w/ a hand in his face! The Breckenridge sophomore has size and athleticism. #BanksOpen□ pic.twitter.com/tCOUyxZJpP

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) January 5, 2019

Breckenridge's Anthony Conzemius is becoming a weapon as his junior season rolls along. He put up 12 pts (6/8 FG), 8 reb, 4 blk against a super talented DGF team. #BigRed

□□ □ pic.twitter.com/B5deapMtLE

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) February 12, 2020

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• Photo by Erica Rezac Photography



​“There isn’t a lot of style to me, but I do like to show my excitement. I like to set the tone of a game, and that seems to motivate others to do the same,” Anthony said. “I’ve always been the type of person, even growing up, who was willing to step up and do the dirty work.”

Grace is more even keeled on the court, showing little emotion in victory or defeat. Even during a junior season in which she averaged a double-double of 11.2 points and 10.1 rebounds, it was done quietly and efficiently at 55% shooting from the field. Grace keeping her nose to the grindstone is something she credits to the support of her mother, Jennifer.

“Since she was an athlete, I could always go to her about sports. She’s taught me hard work and determination, so I’m very grateful for my mother,” Grace said. 

Anthony kept sharp during the coronavirus shutdown by shooting hoops at St. John’s gym where his mother often rebounded for him. Anthony’s biggest inspiration is his father, Clint, a successful businessman and a perennial hard worker decades in the making.

“It’s funny that the person who inspires me most didn’t really push me toward playing basketball at all. Yet, he teaches me how to be the hardest worker in life — not just athletics,” Anthony said. “He ran three businesses when he was just 30 years old and he’s the calmest person I know.”

Anthony tested the AAU basketball waters with West Central United this offseason, competing alongside athletes from Perham, Montevideo, Paynesville, Ashby, and Fergus Falls. He hopes the diversity of players on that squad will help him evolve as a basketball player.


"I had to understand how people move differently, run plays differently, and how to support each other no matter which ways we were different. I’ll never forget the experience," Anthony said. "Each guy was unique in their own way and had their own unique talents. I feel honored to have been asked to be a part of their team."

Grace's dominance on the low block may now be paired with an improved shooting touch away from the hoop. As scary as she is around the basket, she hopes her offensive arsenal will stretch the floor much deeper as a senior scorer. 


"I have been shooting more outside shots around the perimeter. I have been improving footwork and finishing at the rim. I've practiced new post moves and footwork. I've worked on many parts of my game to become a more versatile player," Grace said.

While Anthony's improved individual game is a focal point, his team's success remains number one on his 2020 agenda. 

"Our goal is to compete in the Section Championship game and play at our highest level when it comes to playoffs," Anthony said. "My goal is for our team to work together and not worry about any drama going on around us. We can’t allow ourselves to get distracted."

​When asked about her favorite Cowgirl basketball player of all time, Grace pointed to a hard worker and consummate team player --- Lauren Johnson.

"She was a senior when I was a sophomore, and always came to practice with a smile," Grace said. "She was a very hard worker and always hustled for loose balls and sprinted down the court. Lauren and I frequently would stay after practice and get some shots up. She would do anything for the team to make it better and always had a positive attitude."

Anthony's favorite player is Breckenridge's record-setting, and more importantly, example-setting leader --- Noah Christensen.

 
"I look up to him because he’s a great friend and a good person, he has a lot of energy, and he builds people up when they are down," Anthony said. "In a game, he does the dirty work that others don’t want to do. You can’t break him down, because he always gets back up. He has a true winning attitude. That’s what I strive to be."

For these two blooming Breckenridge athletes, reflecting on their childhood is becoming more important in a turbulent year full of twists and turns. After all, high school zooms by in the blink of an eye.


"There are so many memories growing up, it’s hard to choose one," Anthony said. "A lot of our memories have to do with water activities, whether it was hanging out with our friends at the Breck pool or going to the lakes and jumping off the pontoon. We were always outside doing something. As redheads, we had to watch out for sunburns though!"

Being able to laugh and learn, yet compete with tenacity --- That's what makes these twins so special.

Anthony and Grace will continue to use their blessed upbringing to remain positive during an uncertain senior season. After graduation, Grace plans to go into nursing, or a career elsewhere in the health and medicine field. 
Anthony plans to attend college and go into the business field. Both athletes have a desire to play basketball at the next level.

Grace was the 2019 Breck Sports Talk Co-Athlete of the Year. 

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Feigum's fine character drives breckenridge culture

10/25/2020

1 Comment

 

former cowboy goes from the gridiron to the guard

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• Photo by Carol Colby
• Robert Wanek Jr.
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Not long ago, opponents were buckling under the weight of Hunter Feigum’s shoulder pads as the freight train phenom excelled under the lights of Cowboy Field. Now, one of Breckenridge’s fiercest competitors has enlisted in the Army National Guard, ready to tackle more challenges in a life he lives for faith and family. I caught up with the 20-year-old to talk legacy, football, and the future ahead.

​Hunter was a 1,000-yard rusher and 2x section basketball champion, but his signature stamp on the sports community was an unparalleled grit and hustle in every facet of the game. When I coached Feigum during his eighth-grade baseball season, he was a firecracker, a rabid racer on the base paths whose pants were deeply stained with red dirt from sliding head first.

He credited his ambitious style of play to his parents’ unique influences on his mentality.


“My mom (Melissa Kugler) and dad (Cory Feigum) gave me two different aspects that built myself,” Feigum said. “My dad would push me to do my absolute best, after the game we would go out to eat and he would watch game film with me. He would go through the playbook with me, teaching me. The drive comes from my mom.”

Feigum’s mother, Melissa, who lives in Washburn, North Dakota, would travel over four hours to attend his games. That meant everything to the senior superstar.

“She would drive back almost every Friday night. If she’s driving four plus hours, if she’s driving all that way, I can’t not give it my all. I also loved the town aspect, a great community, and I wanted to be known for something.”​
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• Photo by Carol Colby
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• Photo by Carol Colby
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Buckle your chin strap when Hunter Feigum comes down the tracks. Watch some of his best plays of the 2018 season here. The two-way Breckenridge beast is one tough dude on the □ field. #FreightTrainFeigum pic.twitter.com/7JjXK2HfPC

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) November 1, 2018

In the Section 8AA quarterfinals, Hawley's Noah Glad and Breckenridge's Hunter Feigum got tied up on a rebound. They didn't tussle, they embraced in the middle of an intense rivalry game. #MoreThanSports pic.twitter.com/rNvErYGdOr

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) March 23, 2019

Feigum certainly achieved folklore status during two state tournament trips as a basketball player and one as a baseball player. Forging his own path with no handouts was something Hunter took great pride in. He moved to Breckenridge in kindergarten and dedicated his athletic career to a display of honorable hustle. In a small town with a population of 3,500, he proved it’s not where you do it — it’s what you do.

“I had to pave my way for my last name,” Feigum said. “Playing and becoming known in Breckenridge was very, very important to me.”

Aside from his game-clinching steal in section basketball playoffs, or his golden glove performance on the diamond, being a keeper of the culture was something that truly set Hunter apart during his tenure as a Cowboy. He was seen by many as Breckenridge’s beam of light.

“There’s a difference in being a good athlete and being good off the court. Our younger generation comes to the games and it made me so happy when they’d come up to me and wear my pin,” Feigum said. “It’s important to be a really good person off the court. I feel like I’ve been given so much my whole entire life, that I would love to give back to my community and the national guard is one way to do that."

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Hunter with his Mother, Melissa

Hunter Feigum spending time w/ a young fan after posting 17 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals. #CowboyCulture pic.twitter.com/pYcTblvFfj

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) January 11, 2019

Initially, Feigum wanted to enter the Fish and Wildlife field. He also wanted to play college football. While talking with interested programs, none of those schools offered the major he desired. He opted not to play college football and enrolled at South Dakota State University. 

That lasted one year, as Hunter craved the presence of those he grew up with and moved in with his best friends and former teammates Charles Boldingh and Luke Arnhalt. The move took Feigum to Fargo, where he’s now a student at North Dakota State University. 

“I really like that a lot of people from the area go to NDSU. It’s the place to go,” Feigum said. “I can walk around campus and see tons of people from the Heart O’ Lakes Conference. When I went to school in South Dakota, my classmates would walk around and point out to other friends they played against in high school sports, I’d kind of be in the background and wishing I had that.”

While he regrets not pursuing a college sports career, he won't let the opportunity of being a guardsman slip through his fingers. After speaking with classmates Sam Bakken and Nate Phillips, who enlisted, Feigum made the leap. One of the big reasons, along with a $20,000 bonus, is that he can now pay his way through college on the back of his work ethic without living life in regret. The young man may not have a name plate on his back, but he will have one on his chest, and be part of another team. 

Feigum will begin his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood beginning May 26th. The base is located in the famed Missouri Ozarks region. 

Feigum now studies Agricultural Economics, a field with a bountiful amount of jobs that take place outdoors, where Hunter enjoys working and relishes in hunting and fishing often. Ag-Econ makes up roughly 25% of all jobs in the world.

Feigum’s sportsmanship was always on display, notably in the 2018 section basketball semifinals against Hawley. He scrambled to corral a rebound and got tangled up with an extremely stocky Noah Glad. They didn’t tussle, instead they embraced in the midst of a tense rivalry game for a hug, before continuing to battle to the buzzer. It’s that fine line between knocking your helmet off on the field and shaking your hand after the whistle that embodies Feigum’s legacy. 

He became friends with many of his opponents over the years, transcending the competitive side of sports into an unlikely brotherhood.

“Ever since you’re little, you go to tournaments and you just see familiar faces. You get a little older and the game means a little more, less of the fun and more of the competitive wanting to win,” Feigum said. “Noah and I would go hangout. It started sophomore year after we played, we’d link up on social media congratulating each other. That sparked me to become really good friends with Chase Libak and Noah.”

Those friendships never took Feigum’s eye off the prize, but it made sports less of a job and more of a wholesome experience for the lunch pale and hard hat style athlete. 

“I just knew I was playing against some good guys, so even though it’s competitive you get to go out and have fun,” Feigum said. 

As one of the most passionate players to ever grace the halls of Breckenridge High School, Hunter doubled down on his appreciation for the game, reminding this year’s football seniors to remain present where their feet are, cherishing each moment that remains before looking too far ahead.

“Any athlete can say that it goes by too fast, but these guys almost lost their season because of the pandemic,” Feigum said. “Cherish every play because once high school sports is done, there’s nothing even remotely close to it. Nothing.”

Feigum was the 2018 Carter Casey Sportsperson of the Year. 
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Just Do It: The David Hieserich Story

10/14/2020

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• By Robert Wanek Jr.

​Cruising down the street on his three-wheel bicycle, David Hieserich smiles and waves to cars passing by, soaking up the sunshine through his radiant attitude. The Breckenridge teen brightens my day by yelling “Bert!”, as I zoom by on my moped. He’s a beacon of bravery, seemingly unfazed by the Cerebral Palsy he’s dealt with since birth, appreciative of the opportunity to pedal past obstacles in his way.

​Cerebral Palsy is a rare condition which affects less than 200,000 children per year. The disease manifests itself in different ways, one of which is rigid limbs and abnormal movements of the arms and legs. This becomes extremely apparent when David starts running, an activity the 20-year-old does at least twice a week. 

​"I love running because it just puts me in a zone, you know, where nothing else matters," Hieserich said.

​Michael Randall convinced David to join cross country as a sophomore, where they both spent two years on the team. Striding through the open course, his knees are inverted while the bottom half of his legs bow out during what appears to be a painful motion. However, Dave feels free and fortunate, viewing his ability to jog as a blessing. It doesn’t matter where he finishes in a crowded field of runners, it matters that he continues to place one foot in front of the other. He's never lost a race, because he's not afraid to turn the key on life and keep going. Michael, along with Hunter Feigum, was also instrumental in Dave's desire to become the Breckenridge football manager for two seasons.

"David will give the shirt off his back just to make sure that you have one," Feigum said. "I don't know many guys who have the heart and dedication like David does. It could be 28 degrees and you know that Dave will be on the sidelines!"

Feigum and David became close friends while living across the street from each other, sharing a religious faith that helped them both in their daily lives. They have matching crosses tattooed on their forearms. 

"Dave is one of the most religious people I know, and I respect him gratefully for that," Feigum said. "He's a blessing from God and he shows me that every day. I don't think there was a day we weren't over at each other's house and I can't thank God enough for giving me a brother that I never had."

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David with Hunter Feigum
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• Photo by Carol Colby
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• Photo by Stacee Marohl-Manock

Dave Hieserich named BHS Booster of the Year. Also awarded @BreckSportsTalk Fan of the Year! Such a positive young man □

Congrats Dave! pic.twitter.com/U9syAqUShG

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) February 16, 2019

David was adopted by Dan and Laurie Hieserich from South Africa at eight months old, he's been in Breck ever since. He's taken the opportunity to fully immerse himself in the city's culture, never shying from the spotlight.

"I'm an outgoing, positive personality," Hieserich said. "I'm not one to just sit back and be that quiet guy, I'm always willing to be engaged. I'm eager to participate and I think everybody should be. You have to get yourself out there, it doesn't matter what it is that you're doing."

David's time as Breckenridge's baseball manager was a joy for everyone involved. David’s fastball doesn’t reach the plate, it’s not scorching at 80 miles per hour like his peers, but keeping the pitch count for his teammates and providing laughter on the bus ride home was a wholesome contribution to everyone around him.

“Nobody loved being part of the baseball team more than David. He was the ultimate Cowboy and still is,” Breckenridge coach Kevin Hiedeman said. "He’s extremely thoughtful, the first guy to wish you a happy birthday or happy new year. His enthusiasm is contagious and that made him an important part of our team.”

David was named Breck Sports Talk’s 2018 Fan of the Year. He was also chosen as Booster of the Year by the Breckenridge Backcourt Club. I had the privilege of driving Dave to the section basketball playoffs at Concordia College that year, where he stood front row in the student section, using his small frame to scream louder than anyone else for his hometown team. Throughout the years, Dave has hardly missed a game, with ride-share offers rolling in from local families.

"I wasn't expecting to get a ride for every game, I give credit to all the other people," Hieserich said. "Sometimes I didn't even ask for rides, but I already knew I was going to a game. I didn't care where it was, it was already lined up."

I remember going to open gym 10 years ago, where Dave would be shooting layups by himself, staying active per his usual regimen. He would join the shooting line, attempting to earn his spot in 5-on-5 games with the other kids. Although the shots were always short, Dave's effort was not. He just kept going.

"One of the big things I've always believed is just keep doing what you're doing and then some," Hieserich said. "When you've come so far, you don't want to lose what you've gained."

David's life goal is to return to school and study to become a social worker.

I wrote this story simply to reflect on and appreciate the impact David has had on Breckenridge school and sports, it's student body, and outer community. He's a real one, and we are better off for it.

David thanked his family, Hunter Feigum, The Manock Family, and all of his teammates for their unwavering support.
​

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• Photo by Tara Klostreich

Even in the rough times...GOD IS GOOD!!□□

— David Hieserich (@davehieserich14) October 10, 2018

God is just like cheese curds, I can't get enough. I always want more

— David Hieserich (@davehieserich14) September 9, 2019

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• Photo by Lindsay Smith

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• Photo by Carol Colby
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Video visions: Werner uses sports to overcome eye disease

10/13/2020

6 Comments

 
• By Robert Wanek Jr.

Following the bounce of the basketball, Tanner Werner’s steady hand pans through the paint, tilting upward to capture an alley-oop dunk as Noah Christensen sways from the rim. The shot is centered perfectly in the frame of Werner’s Sony Handycam, one of many videos taken by the Breckenridge native who suffers from Stargardt disease.

Stargardt disease is characterized by macular degeneration that begins in childhood, adolescence or adulthood, resulting in progressive loss of vision. Experts estimate that about 1 in 10,000 people have Stargardt disease. It’s a genetic disease that currently has no treatment or cure.


Tanner’s stepmother, Jolynn Werner, first noticed there was something wrong with Tanner’s vision at age six during a backyard batting practice session.

“I was throwing whiffle balls to Tanner and his brother, Jarrett, when I realized that the way Tanner held his head in the batter’s box was unique,” Jolynn said. “When I tried to correct his chin placement, he couldn’t hit a lick. But when I let him go back to his unique form, he was able to really whollop the ball.”

Eventually they discovered why. With Stargardt disease, the central vision is affected first and it continues to slowly and progressively deteriorate its way to the outer vision area. Tanner has adapted incredibly well to his condition as an athlete. On the basketball court, he will tilt his head to the side to better see the hoop while swooshing shots from the perimeter. It appears that Tanner is looking into the passing lane, but as defenders go to swipe the ball, he uses his peripheral vision to quickly cross over and evade the steal.

“I enjoy playing basketball a lot because it’s one of those sports that can be played with others in a game or on your own to gain improvement,” Werner said. “In the last few years I’ve had to stick with playing the sport on my own.  As the years have gone by with my eye condition, it has stopped me from being able to competitively play the game that I loved playing so much with others."

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Photo by Carol Colby • Tanner at the Concordia Fieldhouse during the Section 8AA basketball championship.

We often hear that unfortunate things happen to those who are strong enough to handle them. That’s the case with Tanner, but quitting competitive basketball was an emotionally difficult decision for the strong post player.

“Its come to a point in my life where it got too hard for me to see the game at the fast pace it demands,” Werner said. “I’m not one to shed many tears, but for the game that I really loved and played for the majority of my life, it has multiple times brought me to tears knowing that my eye condition has taken that ability away from me. But life goes on and I have those memories to hold onto that I enjoy so much thinking back on.”

Amazingly, Werner’s diagnosis has not stopped him from becoming an established videographer.

“Filming has helped me enjoy sports from the media side by helping student athletes and others capture memories that they can hold onto forever,” Werner said. “As a fan of sports, it’s helped me see the game better by being able to stand closer to the action and being able to better understand what’s going on in the game.”

Tanner’s basketball IQ is through the roof. His ability to break down developing plays in his mind has made his camera work an excellent asset to Breck Sports Talk.

“It amazes me how well he understands the game of football and the game of basketball,” Jolynn said. “Despite his vision issues, he has a real sense for where the play will be taking place and, thus, that is where he fixates his filming. For someone who has a hard time reading the scoreboard, he does amazing work with videography.”

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• Photo by Jennifer Koppelman Berg
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• Photo by Tina Koppelman Stevens

Stevin Lipp's crafty backdoor cut leads to a punishing two-hand dunk. □ by Tanner Werner. #spacejamsteve #wayupwednesday pic.twitter.com/BfySVNwEea

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) January 25, 2017

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Tanner had a photo of his eye taken and tattooed onto his forearm by Nathan Froehlich with the letters "STGD" for Stargardt disease.
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Werner pictured at the FargoDome prior to the Section 6A football championship.

Get up for #GAMEDAY. Today we honor the dedication & perseverance that has brought our young men to this 6A □ title game.

Let's ride out boys! □

□: Tanner Werner pic.twitter.com/2n2G85FLW1

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) November 1, 2019

Yaggie + Christensen = BUCKETS

Breckenridge's junior duo has been on □ lately, combining for 93 points the past two games. @CooperYaggie - 18.6 pts, 3.4 reb@JonahChristens6 - 15.4 pts, 9.6 reb

□ Tanner Werner pic.twitter.com/gjBeqfqlGT

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) February 10, 2020

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Tanner Werner pictured with Robert Wanek Jr. and Stanley Cup Champion Matt Cullen.

Werner was a senior starter for Breckenridge’s high school football team, also throwing discus and shot put for the track and field squad. He spent two years playing city league basketball as a highly intelligent player who specialized in ball screens and boxing out would-be rebounders. Werner recently bowled a 244 scratch game in league competition at Terrace Lanes. When it comes to athletics, Tanner doubles down on his strengths instead of dwelling on his inabilities.

“As a senior, I’m not sure we had a harder worker on the team. Tanner never made excuses and never felt sorry for himself with his limitations,” Breckenridge football coach Chad Fredericksen said.

The ultimate team player, Tanner only asked for one thing — a chance.

“Getting that equal opportunity to play the sport of football made me very appreciative of everyone who has supported my desire to play the sport I loved most,” Werner said.

Bringing Tanner into the fold with Breck Sports Talk as a videographer was a no-brainer because of his high character and personal generosity. Fredericksen noticed these qualities on and off the football field during Tanner’s playing time as well.

“Even before he started playing for us he helped out as a ball boy and manager. He was always willing to do whatever we asked to help out the team,” Fredericksen said. “Tanner continues to give back to the team and does a great job with video highlights. We are very lucky to have him so involved!”

Having to work hard for everything he’s earned in life, football was no exception for the gritty lineman. The gridiron trenches weren’t much different from Tanner’s daily life and he seemed to embrace those battles.

“As Tanner started to get older, he started to get larger. He worked hard in the weight room and eventually moved from backfield positions to line positions,” Fredericksen said. “He started on the defensive line for us and had a great senior year.”

Sports isn’t just a hobby for Werner, it’s a lifestyle. The 25 year old participates in a wide variety of athletics and outdoor activities.

“I love to hunt and fish,” Werner noted. “ I’m thankful for my stepdad, Jesse, who has helped me since day one to figure out ways I can achieve what it takes to do both, and actually being there with me all the way through to share those experiences.”

Tanner’s advice to others suffering from eye disease is not a script of sorrow, but an example of strength and humility in the face of life’s challenges.

“My advice to those with this disease is to first accept the disease, because that will make you more open to yourself and others,” Werner said. “It will give others a better understanding of what you’re going through every day by just talking about it and raising different questions. Others will help you figure out the way you need to go about problems in your life, so you don’t feel so alone going through a lifelong condition.”

Throughout Tanner’s yearly visits at the University of Minnesota, doctors have informed him that his disease has progressed but has been mostly stable for the last 10 years. Doctors have been following research studies and hope that one day stem cells may be a viable treatment or cure for Stargardt disease, an ailment that has had an impact on so many.

“I do hope a cure can happen in the near future, so I can get that opportunity to see what I’ve never been able to see before,” Werner said.

For now, Tanner will continue reaching thousands of viewers with his professional sports highlights. Although he sees differently than his counterparts on the playing field, Werner’s video vision is an inspirational story for us all.

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Nieto Nation: midwest move has Chris Nieto thriving in breckenridge backfield

10/11/2020

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• Photos and videos by Robert Wanek Jr. and Tanner Werner

• By Robert Wanek Jr. 

Junior tailback Christian Nieto hits the gas pedal and turns up the sideline, chants ring out in the background as Breckenridge's student section screams "Nieto Nation." The former Adrian, Michigan, Maple has found a home in Cowboy Country as part of a lethal Breckenridge backfield. Here's his story of a midwest move and a transition ever so smooth. 

Nieto moved here prior to his sophomore year. His mother, Leslie Coronado, wanted to move closer to her family, notably her sister Jennifer Sanchez, who currently has two sons (Aidan and Alex) competing in Breckenridge athletics. Leslie and Chris agreed that Breckenridge was also a safer community for him to finish his education and sports career.

"We didn't come from the greatest neighborhood," Nieto said. "She (Leslie) felt the move was best and I wanted the same." 


According to FBI crime data, the chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Adrian is 1-in-33, higher than 88% of Michigan's cities and towns.

Chris first connected with his teammates when former Breckenridge Basketball coach Arly Ohm invited him to play in a junior varsity tournament during a week-long summer visit. It was there that he met some of his future football comrades. 

"I'd say Jonah (Christensen) welcomed me in right away, and guys like Sebastian (Anderson) and Junior (Perez)," Nieto said. 

Chris decided to make the stay permanent and wasted no time carving out a prominent role once he became acquainted with coach Chad Fredericksen's offense.

"He's the best coach I've ever had," Nieto said of Fredericksen. "He puts everything he has into the team and I'm grateful to know a guy like him. He really loves his players."


Fredericksen's trust in Nieto was apparent, as he deployed the shifty back for three touchdowns in Breckenridge's first win over Ottertail Central in over a decade. The junior was electric in the 35-8 blowout.

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Nieto was named Breck Sports Talk's 2019 Newcomer of the Year.
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Chris also plays basketball, where he earned a more consistent role as his junior year went on.

The stocky speedster rushed for over 700 yards and seven scores as a junior, teaming up with Jacob Vizenor, Jack Aigner, and Daniel Erlandson in a backfield that amassed over 2,000 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns. However, Nieto was quick to give all the glory to the bulldozers up front.

"Without my offensive line I'm nothing. They are basically our whole offense," Nieto said. "Especially my junior year, they are the real dawgs in this picture and deserve the spotlight." ​

When it comes to Nieto's personal strengths, he attributes his success to the mental side of being a tailback. ​

​"I think I can read the holes well, processing things quickly and making fast decisions with my IQ," Nieto said.

​Nieto's nose for the endzone showed up big time in 2019 during week three at Staples-Motley when he scored twice in a tight 20-14 loss. His conversion on 3rd & 10 late in the contest nearly brought Breckenridge back for the win. That was a preview of what was to come, as Nieto brutalized defenses all season long. He also scored Breckenridge's first touchdown of the Section 6A semifinal game at the FargoDome. 

Breckenridge lost that game 44-16, leaving a sour taste for the now standout senior. Fast forward to 2020, and Nieto is chomping at the bit for another shot at a section title. 

"I'd like to make it back to the championship, that's what we all want," Nieto said. "It was a great atmosphere to play in."

In comparing his time in Adrian to his tenure at Breckenridge, Nieto pointed out the Cowboys' strong winning tradition. The Maples hadn't won a game in three seasons when Nieto moved to Minnesota.

"You could tell they were really bonded," Nieto said of Breckenridge. "Playing together for years like that, they were really built up together in a strong way."
​
Nieto's off to a bold start in the shortened 2020 campaign with a 10 carry, 95 yard, and two touchdown performance at Ottertail Central. After his first score, he pointed to the sky to honor his recently deceased Grandma, Olga Nieto.

"I play for all my family," Nieto said. "Some of them are coming up from Michigan for our first home game and, even though they can't get in, they plan to watch from outside the fence."

​
One thing is clear, Nieto Nation has taken hold not only in Breckenridge, but across the Heart O' Lakes and into his former home of Adrian.
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Nieto pictured on the steps of the old Breckenridge City Hall entrance.

Breck played a complete □game en route to a 35-8 win at OTC. Vizenor's return, Nieto's three scores, and a stout D-line were key factors.

✅303 Rush Yards
✅160 Total YDS Allowed
✅146.8 QB Rating (@CooperYaggie) pic.twitter.com/dnLW8UXRL8

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) September 21, 2019
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Nieto is dedicating his senior season to his grandma Olga, as written on his white cleats.

Chris Nieto is what you get when you use the juke stick on Madden 2012 ? #NietoNation

I ? you blocking on that tuddy @ben_krump pic.twitter.com/NtAruKFJ7Y

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) October 10, 2020

Chris Nieto has that BURST ⚡️ highlights of the junior's first season in Breckenridge. #NietoNation□ pic.twitter.com/gGfc1MqYDd

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) January 12, 2020

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Chris and his mother Leslie.

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Quentin's Quest to Become A Cowboy

9/1/2017

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Photo: Carol Colby
• Robert Wanek Jr. 

Nine touches through two games. That's how Quentin Hemmah's sophomore season began for the Tri-State Tigers following a violation of training rules policy. 


31 carries for 224 yards in the next contest, 37 totes for 231 in another, and the backfield vision began to shine. Quentin amassed 1,120 all purpose yards over six games, carrying a prideful load for a 1-7 team. 

Quentin averaged 111 yards per game despite his team being outscored 318-68. He scored eight of the team's 12 touchdowns.

"When he came back after serving his suspension, he provided a much needed spark for our offense, allowing us to finish a difficult season on a positive note," Tri- State coach Steven Schiltz said. 

That was before "Q" missed his entire junior season with off the field issues. Losing the sanctuary of football.

Misdemeanor mistakes sent Quentin on his way out of school in Campbell to a detention center in Duluth, 237 miles away. He was faced with a choice; Trust the process and grow, or become a spectator to the game of football. 

Hemmah quietly completed his requirements with a firm focus on academics and an equal eye on returning to play.

Hemmah's older brothers played junior-high football at Breckenridge, but neither logged a varsity snap. His cousin, Seth Moore, played four years of tailback for Tri-State. 

One year removed from the gridiron things became clear. Quentin wanted to come home and be a Cowboy. 

He moved back to his Breckenridge home this past summer to begin his senior year at Breckenridge High School. Anxious to play football, feeling the freedom just blocks away from the tower lights of Cowboy field. 

Hemmah narrowly avoided transfer restrictions and, despite his shaky circumstances, was allowed a sacred second chance at football. The decision came just days before Breck's first game. 

"I've always wanted to play Cowboy football and I'm glad I get to play my senior year for Breck," Hemmah said. "The hardest part was being away from home, missing my family and friends a lot. It's great to be out there playing with these guys."

One of those friends, Darian Clark, is a senior Defensive End for Breckenridge. Clark had high praise for Hemmah's leadership as a first-year player. One who switched from nine-man to 11-man football. 

"He came in unexpected," Clark said. "We didn't get to see him at Campbell, but everybody knew he had talent, it was just where we could apply it. He's never negative, always lifting guys up, always one more rep, one more play. His leadership helps a lot as one of the older guys on the team."

Hemmah has lead blocked for a number of Tommy Hiedeman's gashing runs. His senior counterpart has over 600 yards through four games, while Hemmah has churned out 175 yards on 23 touches (7.6 ypc).

"He's not only a great athlete but an unselfish one too," Cowboy coach Chad Fredericksen said.  "He has done a great job carrying the ball but more impressive, to me, is his down field blocking that has allowed others to spring plays for big gains. He works hard, does what is asked of him and never complains."

Back in the saddle again

Breckenridge was bottled up by West Central Area in a 14-6 opening loss. Quentin entered the backfield in week two at Pelican Rapids. His first carry went for 12 yards through the trenches. His biggest rush came when he carried the entire Viking pile to the five-yard line late in the fourth quarter.

Week three Welcomed Roseau to town. Early in the first quarter, Tommy Hiedeman tossed a reverse sweep to Hemmah, who casually coasted to a 38-yd touchdown run. He also broke off a 25-yd score to start the fourth, finishing the day with 72 yards on 3 touches.  

Three games remain for Quentin and the Cowboys, as his final ride will soon be finished. One thing is for certain, "Q" is enjoying the present and leaving the past, in the past.

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Photo: Paul Viger
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Photo: Paul Viger
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Photo: Scott Marthaler
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Photo: Carol Colby
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Photo: Robert Wanek
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Photo: Robert Wanek

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    Robert Wanek JR.

    BST Founder/Director

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