Floor SpeechCeremonial2025-04-02

RECOGNIZING THE NORTH DAKOTA BOYS CLASS A BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS FROM KINDRED HIGH SCHOOL

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On 2025-04-02, Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THE NORTH DAKOTA BOYS CLASS A BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS FROM KINDRED HIGH SCHOOL" in the Senate.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING THE NORTH DAKOTA BOYS CLASS A BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS FROM KINDRED HIGH SCHOOL

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 59 (Wednesday, April 2, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 2, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2139] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ RECOGNIZING THE NORTH DAKOTA BOYS CLASS A BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS FROM KINDRED HIGH SCHOOL Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, high school basketball tournaments are a highlight every March in North Dakota. Athletes, coaches, students, parents, and fans of all ages come together from around the State to make these tournaments unforgettable experiences. This year's boys class A basketball championship on March 22 was an epic game, a rematch of the Kindred Vikings and Devils Lake Firebirds teams that played for the title last year--add to that an unlikely comeback from a 26-point deficit and a Kindred buzzer beater win of 59 to 58. It was even more exciting for my family because Kindred is my hometown, and I lettered all 4 years in Kindred High School sports. Our teams in the late 1970s did not compare to the athletic excellence of the players today. This year, with only one loss the entire season, the Kindred Vikings took home their second boy's basketball championship trophy, having won their first in 2021. They entered the tournament as the No. 1-seeded team and kept their winning streak going up to the final game. Guard Brooks Bakko made the winning point in the last-second tip-in. These 15 talented players all contributed to their successful season by tapping into the strength of each other. They demonstrated teamwork at its finest. This year's players are Brooks Bakko, Gabriel Iverson, Karson Ouse, Jakob Starcevic, Presley Peraza, Izaak Spelhaug, Jackson Schlieman, Kylan Swenson, Gabe Whipple, Eli Maack, Carter Gronwold, Tyler Gronwold, Graham Hesse, Kyle Campbell, and Lukas Starcevic. Scoring leaders for the championship game were forward Karson Ouse with 17 points, Jakob Starcevic with 13, Brooks Bakko with 12, and Presley Peraza with 10. And, Brooks Bakko and Presley Peraza were selected by the State sportscasters and sportswriters to be on the All-State Team. I congratulate the team, as well as Coach Brad Woehl, assistant coaches Brent Plante, Matt Hagen, and Jimmy Hoy, and all the loyal fans on this State championship. A sincere thanks also goes to the Kindred Public School administrators, teachers, staff, and the entire community for the role they play in supporting quality education. This was a championship game we will remember for years. I join all North Dakotans in thanking each and every Kindred Vikings player for inspiring us with your basketball excellence. You continue to show us what can be achieved by combining faith and passion with determination and teamwork. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING THE NORTH DAKOTA BOYS CLASS A BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS FROM KINDRED HIGH SCHOOL Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 59 (Wednesday, April 2, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 2, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2139] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ RECOGNIZING THE NORTH DAKOTA BOYS CLASS A BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS FROM KINDRED HIGH SCHOOL Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, high school basketball tournaments are a highlight every March in North Dakota. Athletes, coaches, students, parents, and fans of all ages come together from around the State to make these tournaments unforgettable experiences. This year's boys class A basketball championship on March 22 was an epic game, a rematch of the Kindred Vikings and Devils Lake Firebirds teams that played for the title last year--add to that an unlikely comeback from a 26-point deficit and a Kindred buzzer beater win of 59 to 58. It was even more exciting for my family because Kindred is my hometown, and I lettered all 4 years in Kindred High School sports. Our teams in the late 1970s did not compare to the athletic excellence of the players today. This year, with only one loss the entire season, the Kindred Vikings took home their second boy's basketball championship trophy, having won their first in 2021. They entered the tournament as the No. 1-seeded team and kept their winning streak going up to the final game. Guard Brooks Bakko made the winning point in the last-second tip-in. These 15 talented players all contributed to their successful season by tapping into the strength of each other. They demonstrated teamwork at its finest. This year's players are Brooks Bakko, Gabriel Iverson, Karson Ouse, Jakob Starcevic, Presley Peraza, Izaak Spelhaug, Jackson Schlieman, Kylan Swenson, Gabe Whipple, Eli Maack, Carter Gronwold, Tyler Gronwold, Graham Hesse, Kyle Campbell, and Lukas Starcevic. Scoring leaders for the championship game were forward Karson Ouse with 17 points, Jakob Starcevic with 13, Brooks Bakko with 12, and Presley Peraza with 10. And, Brooks Bakko and Presley Peraza were selected by the State sportscasters and sportswriters to be on the All-State Team. I congratulate the team, as well as Coach Brad Woehl, assistant coaches Brent Plante, Matt Hagen, and Jimmy Hoy, and all the loyal fans on this State championship. A sincere thanks also goes to the Kindred Public School administrators, teachers, staff, and the entire community for the role they play in supporting quality education. This was a championship game we will remember for years. I join all North Dakotans in thanking each and every Kindred Vikings player for inspiring us with your basketball excellence. You continue to show us what can be achieved by combining faith and passion with determination and teamwork. ____________________