Sports

by Tom Coombe -

A THROW ACROSS THE DIAMOND for Ely senior Thomas Montana, who also had three hits in Post 248’s Legion playoff victory against Taconite July 27 at Veterans Memorial Field. Photo by Eric Sherman

With opening practices just over two weeks away, Ely Memorial High School has scheduled an all-sports students and parents meeting to get ready for the upcoming season.
The session is set for Monday, Aug. 6 starting at 6 p.m., in the high school gymnasium.
The meeting is open to parents and all students who plan to participate in football, volleyball, cross country, dance team or girls swimming this fall.
Coaches will be invited to address their players with information about first practices, and registration forms will be available to pick up and complete.
Those unable to attend are urged to get in contact with their respective coach to get early-season information.
For more details, contact athletic director Tom Coombe at 235-1025 or Tcoombe@ely.k12.mn.us.

Runs were at a premium Wednesday, as pitching dominated on the opening day of the American Legion Division II Substate Tournament.
Host Ely scored just enough to stay alive, edging Virginia 4-2 in the elimination round after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Esko earlier in the day.
Post 248 had only eight hits in two contests, but none was bigger than Tyler Housey’s second-inning, two-run triple against Virginia.
The hit provided the difference in the ballgame and gave Ely some cushion to fend off a late Virginia rally.
Senior Gage Merhar got the last two outs in the seventh inning for Zach Anderson, who scattered eight hits and fanned seven en route to his fourth win of the summer.
Ely (16-12) still faces a long-road in the double-elimination tournament, starting with Friday’s game against fellow Range contender Taconite.
A win puts Post 248 against either Proctor or Esko later that day, while Pierz and Wadena went unbeaten on the opening day.

2018 ELY LITTLE LEAGUE 11U All-Star team competed in the District tournament in Grand Rapids and were runners up. Front: Max Cochran. Bottom row: Blake Schaller, Hunter Halbakken, Brady Eaton, Noah Anderson
Top row: Jace Huntbatch, Jayden Zemke, Garrett Rohr, Eli Olson, Wyatt Tedrick, Drew Johnson, Alex Merriman
Coaches (left to right): Justin Zemke, Cory Eaton, Derek Johnson.

by Nick Wognum
The road to the state tournament has perhaps never been more difficult for Ely’s American Legion baseball team, at least since it dropped to the Division II level 21 years go.
No longer must Post 248 contend with fellow small-school teams from the Iron Range to advance to state. Instead, regional baseball heavyweights including Proctor and Virginia have entered the fray, and a realignment this year has brought in several teams from outside the area, including defending state champion Pierz and perennial central Minnesota power Mora.
That’s the backdrop for the inaugural Northeast Substate Tournament, hosted by Ely and starting Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Field.
Eight teams, including Post 248, several district foes and at least two teams from beyond traditional district boundaries, will battle it out for the championship and a trip to the state tournament at Pelican Rapids.

Ely has a new Little League champion and tournament play is here for the league’s top players.
The Zup’s Yankees won the local league title, claiming the regular season championship and then downing the Evergreen Indians 5-3 in the July 6 league playoff championship game.
Brecken Sandberg relieved starter Ryan Fenske on the mound and tossed three innings of scoreless relief to get the victory.
In the third-place game, the DQ Dodgers defeated the Northland Market Cards.
All four Ely Little League teams were recognized Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Field during the annual Little League night at the ballpark.
For the Little League, the focus has now turned to out-of-town competition.
Once again this year Ely has entered two teams in Little League baseball tournament play.
Both an 11-and-12-year-old Ely all-star team and a 10-and-11-year-old squad have begun district playoff action in Grand Rapids.

Whether it is your family and friends, visitors or wildlife, discerning readers turn to the locally owned Ely Echo each week. During July, find your photo on the Echo pages and you can become a NEW Echo Subscriber - getting three months FREE home delivery!
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AHEAD OF THE PACK - More than 230 people took part in Wednesday’s Janet Gensler Memorial 4 on the 4th race, including Ely cross country and track coach Jayne Dusich (269) and Ely’s Ann Johnson (294). The event is a fundraiser for Ely’s track teams. More photos in this week’s Ely Echo!

by Tom Coombe -