Spring has sprung with new seasons

My Turn

By Sean Pitman

It seems as though a hurricane has just subsided with the State B Boys Basketball Tournament putting a cap on the winter sports season.

More than a month of basketball tournaments should have satisfied the thirst of any hoops fan. And if not, there's always March Madness, with the major colleges taking the court this week.

Watford City did a fine job of representing our region in the State B boys tournament, bringing home a fourth-place finish. While the Wolves were looking to keep an unbeaten season going, they still played well and just as easily could have played for the state title.

Now, it's time for the sports to move outside, with baseball, track, tennis and golf taking over the highlight reels.

Spring training is in full swing in the Major League Baseball ranks, while the Williston State College diamond men have already made a Sun Belt swing with a trip to Arizona.

The Williston boys and girls track and field teams have been practicing and open up with the WDA indoor meet in Minot today, and are set to host the first outdoor meet at Wilkinson Track March 29.

The Williston baseball team also has opened the practice doors and girls tennis and boys golf are soon to follow.

Fans will get a short break to catch their breath and then it's back on the cheering trail.

Twins no more

Minnesota Twins fans are trying to get used to a new Twins team, with a a couple of staples of the team now wearing new uniforms.

Twins former ace, Johan Santana, is now pitching on the hill in New York for the Mets, suddenly making them a front runner for the pennant.

Torii "Spiderman" Hunter, who had been a highlight film in the Twins' centerfield, will now bring his acrobatics to the Los Angeles Angels this season.

The Twins will be hoping Francisco Liriano can return from "Tommy John" surgery and become a dominant force on the hill once again, to fill the void by Santana. However, with an 8.10 ERA in three games this spring, it's still a question mark on how much of his game Liriano will be able to recapture.

In the outfield, the Twins will likely go with a youngster, hoping another All-Star will blossom.

Even though the Twins may have dealt their two best players in the offseason, Twins fans are used to it. And somehow, the Twins always seem to find a way to be competitive, so in that sense probably not that much will change for Minnesota.

Twins fans will be getting a first-hand look at a familiar face in a new uniform when Minnesota hosts the Angels in their home opener March 31.

Hunter will surely be sporting that beaming smile that seems to come as easily as his diving catches.

Mahlen earns honor

Former Williston student Luke Mahlen did more than hit pads at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont., he also hit the books.

Mahlen was one of 48 student-athletes who who earned Frontier Academic All-Conference honors. The awards are given to students who have at least a 3.0 GPA, are sophomores or older and compete in at least half of the varsity contest in their sports.

Gormally makes waves

Carissa Gormally has made quite a splash at the University of North Dakota this season. The former Williston swimmer won two national titles over the weekend, taking both the 50 and 100 freestyle events in the NCAA Div. II National Swimming and Diving Championships in Columbia, Mo.

Gormally was named the Co-Outstanding NCC Female Swimmer of the Year earlier this season.

Gormally wrapped up a tremendous tournament with two national titles, while getting second on the 200 medley relay, third on the 200 free relay, fourth on the 400 medley relay and sixth on the 400 free relay. She is now a 10-time All-American.

Also, former Williston swimmer Allison Maxwell is a two-time All-American, and finished second on the 200 medley relay, fourth on the 400 medley relay and 12th in the 400 individual medley.

Former Williston girls swim coach Cathy Kruse must be beaming with pride, along with current coach Amy (Gormally) Huggins, Carissa's big sister.

It's nice to see Coyotes making a mark once they leave Williston.

Sean Pitman | sports@willistonherald.com