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Growing up in this modern world, reports of violence from far & near have sadly become old-hat. This past week included one different from all others as the Fargo PD was reportedly targeted by a gunman.
In the post-9/11 world I don't use this word lightly but it was the first known act of terrorism in our slice of the Prairie.
The malicious act took the life of 23 year-old Jake Wallin while officers Andrew Dotas & Tyler Hawes were also wounded.
It's as far outside the purview of this entity as it gets but for the second Sunday in a row, a matter of mortality could not be ignored.
To all those who stand for the rest of the citizenry, thank you!
God bless you & be with you!
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Even in mid-July there continued to be developments from between the lines of competition.
Most notably, Cade Feeney was selected by Boston in the 13th round of the draft, the 13th Bison baseball player to be able to say that! Feeney's battery-mate, Carson Jacobs, was subsequently signed by the Chicago Sox after the draft. Former WF pitcher Ryan Bourassa also inked a deal to join Atlanta's minor league operation.
Feeney & Jacobs may be joined on the journey through the ranks a few years from now by Parker Puetz as he was named a Freshman All-American!
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Some of the youngsters who aspire to one day also reach that level made their own news as the Fargo Little League team again punched it's ticket to the Midwest Regional in Indianapolis! It's trending toward being an annual occurrence but with the yearly turnover of the roster is no-less-special of an achievement!
Tournament advancement also applied to D/G/F's Legion team as they made the MN sub-state championship via a win over Frazee. In the final they faced Wadena, winning 8 - 3. Barnesville also kept it season going with a trifecta of Ws in tournament play.
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The baseball news didn't end there as the Birds were pegged for participation in the first-ever Baseball Champions League, comprised of four champions from different leagues across the continent.
The reigning champs are yet again looking up at Kansas City in the standings but unlikely last season, are several games back of KC without a cushion between second & third place. It's possible the experience will spark them in their title defense but it seems just as possible that the extra travel will be detrimental.
Time will tell on that, but either way, it has the makings of an exciting opportunity for the players.
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A bit of scheduling news also came out for the NDSU men's basketball team as they have a November date in Omaha with Greg McDermott.
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It will be early in his college run but that game could be an opportunity for Darik Dissette to show what he's capable of, as he did Monday/Tuesday during the last vestige of the 22/23 high school season - along with many of his future opponents in the Summit.
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Last but certainly not least, former NDSU football defensive coordinator David Braun was named the interim head coach for Northwestern following the dismissal of Pat Fitzgerald. The odds are stacked against him of getting the job beyond the upcoming season but it's not impossible and will be invaluable experience as he continues to climb the coaching ladder.
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So yeah, there were plenty of significant developments. It would be wonderful if the latest sunset serves as a kibosh on the two-week-trend of tragedy in the Fargo area.
It seems fitting to end with a section from a book named for expression of grief:
"...this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”" Lamentations 3:21-24
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