Brad Salmen


Latest Articles:

Cold shooting dooms DC boys in playoff opener

COKATO – It was not the start to the playoffs the Chargers boys basketball team was hoping for.For the first nine minutes of the game against Rockford, in the first round of the Section 5AA playoffs, DC was … brumal? Hyperborean? Insert your adjective meaning ”colder than ice” here.The Chargers did not score a single point for the first nine... READ MORE >

Zach Pokornowski hired as new Chargers head girls track and field coach

The Dassel-Cokato girls track & field team will have a new head coach this season: veteran assistant coach Zach Pokornowski.Pokornowski, who has been an assistant track & field coach for both the boys and girls teams for 16 years, was officially announced as the girls varsity track & field head coach last week.Pokornowski is a 2001 DCHS graduate, and was... READ MORE >

DCL wrestling team graduates just two starters from young 2023-24 squad

While the season ended with no wrestlers making the state tournament, the Dassel-Cokato/Litchfield wrestling team’s season was a success in that the very young roster steadily improved throughout the campaign.The Charging Dragons will graduate just two starters, and three wrestlers total, from this year’s squad, including Luis Serrato (285), Jacob Decker (160) and Pablo Camacho.The team ended the season as... READ MORE >

Charger girls end season at top-ranked Providence Academy

The DC girls basketball team had their season come to an end in the Section 5AA Quarterfinals Saturday.Two days after defeating #8 seed Blake 63-45 on the road, the #9 seed Chargers traveled to Providence Academy (23-4), the top-ranked team in all of Class AA.The Lions showed why they are regarded as one of the top teams in the entire... READ MORE >

DC boys cruise past Maple Lake; section playoffs begin

The DC boys basketball team ended the regular season with a 75-32 nonconference road victory over Maple Lake Friday.The Chargers finished 15-11 overall for the regular season, 9-5 in the Wright County Conference West (tied for second place).The team was given the #7 seed in Section 5AA.They open(ed) the section playoffs Thursday at home against #10 Rockford.The Rockets (14-13, 6-8... READ MORE >

Season Review: Aho, Anderson make state, Charger gymnasts take second in Section 5A tournament

The DC gymnastics team continued to perform at a high level this season under head coach Alex Halonen.Last season, the Chargers had three state tournament qualifiers for the first time ever, and finished with the highest team score in DC history, with a 136.9.This year, DC once again had a strong showing, as the team had two gymnasts advance to... READ MORE >

Season Review: Young DCL swim team makes big strides

The Dassel-Cokato/Litchfield boys swimming and diving team was a young squad, filled with underclassmen.While the Charging Dragons did not advance anyone to state, head coach Nathan Youngs was thrilled with the strides his team took this season.Season record1-6 in dual meets;3rd in the conference8th at sectionsSeniors/Captains• Zach Muchow: His humor and personality will be missed at meets and at practice.•... READ MORE >

This summer has been a ball

I thought I was done coaching summer ball. For the last six seasons, I’ve coached either my son Lars’, or my son Isaac’s, baseball teams. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve enjoyed it. But it’s a commitment, to say the least. And there’s always that voice in the back of your head telling you you’re not good enough. You’re an amateur.... READ MORE >

What Nitz meant to us: a collection of letters

By Brad Salmen Sports Reporter Below are excerpts from over 70 letters submitted to the Minnesota Baseball Association, in support of Jeff Neutzling being inducted into the Minnesota Baseball Hall of Fame. ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL “Before I was old enough to be a bat boy for the Farming Flames, my father, Elmer, let me observe their games and practices from... READ MORE >

The Hall comes calling: Jeff Neutzling to be inducted into Minnesota Baseball Hall of Fame

By Brad Salmen Sports Reporter This is not the first time that the term “Hall-of-Famer” is attached to Jeff Neutzling’s name. Neutzling, or ‘Nitz’ as he’s known to dang near everyone in the Minnesota baseball community, is already a two-time HOFer. He was inducted into the Albany High School Hall of Fame in 1998, and the North Star League HOF... READ MORE >