[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 23, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1703-S1704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              RECOGNIZING THE KINDRED HIGH SCHOOL VIKINGS

 Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, my State enjoys many legendary 
sports rivalries. But make no mistake about it, the Class B Boys High 
School Basketball Tournament played every March is, without question, 
North Dakota's premier sporting event. This year, 108 teams began the 
basketball season in 16 districts and 8 regions. The regional champions 
met the third weekend of March to compete for the State title. Every 
year, these games draw the attention of the entire State, along with 
fans from across the Nation, all of whom claim a connection with at 
least one of the competing teams.
  This week, I stand a little taller as a proud 1979 graduate of 
Kindred High School. The Kindred Vikings won their first-ever boys 
basketball State championship title in Minot Saturday night, defeating 
the Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier Rebels 40-34. Their 21-4 season was capped 
with impressive tournament matchups, where the Vikings showcased their 
agility and skill against some of the best basketball players in the 
State. In their semi-final victory against Four Winds-Minnewaukan, 
Kindred's Matthew Pearson sunk six three-pointers to score 18 points, 
as Paul Olson scored 15 points and Jaiden Peraza 10. In the 
championship game, Paul Olson scored 23 points, making 8 of 15 shots 
and 8 rebounds. Paul, Jaiden, and Gavin Keller were the Vikings named 
to the all-tournament team.
  I want to recognize this year's team members: Brock Woehl, Cole 
Campbell, Ethan McKenney, Jeremiah Dockter, Matthew Pearson, Jorgen 
Swensen, Elijah Heinrich, Paul Olson, Maxwell McQuillan, Trey Heinrich, 
Jaiden Peraza, Chase Miller, Gavin Keller, Presley Peraza, and Riley 
Sunram, along with manager Jack Davis and statisticians Rylie Ranking, 
Leah Rolland, and Zoe Sharp.
  As a Kindred High School student athlete who lettered 4 years in 
football, basketball, and track, I realize my high school skills would 
not qualify me to be the ball boy for this year's squad. I congratulate 
the team, as well as Coach Brad Woehl, his assistants Scott Milbrandt, 
Matt Hagen, and Jimmy Hoy, and the hometown fans on winning this 
championship. I join the rest

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of North Dakota in thanking the Kindred Vikings for being an 
inspiration to all of us by demonstrating what can be achieved by 
combining a passion for excellence with determination and 
teamwork.

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