Local sports shorts

COLLEGEVILLE -- St. John's University recently announced that Jason Johnson of Brainerd and Chris Howe have been hired as assistant men's hockey coaches for the 2003-04 season.

Johnson is a 1997 graduate of SJU and played on two MIAC championship and NCAA tournament hockey teams. In 95 career games as a forward, Johnson had 27 goals and 59 points. Johnson, a graduate of Brainerd High School, was head coach of the SJU junior varsity team in 1998-99.

Since 1999, Johnson has been assistant boy's hockey coach and a first-grade teacher at St. Michael-Albertville. He received his master's degree in education from Hamline in 2003.

Tailgate party Oct. 11 at CLC

The Central Lakes College Alumni Association will host its first tailgate party outside the gymnasium entrance Oct. 11.

The 11:30 a.m. event features brats, potato salad, chips, refreshments and recognition for current and former faculty and staff.

Hundreds of invitations are being sent to alumni in hopes of supporting the Raider volleyball team, which plays Mesabi Range at noon, and the CLC football team, which plays Minnesota West at 1:30 p.m.

Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Oct. 1 to 855-8242.

Girls' JV soccer team triumphs

The Brainerd Warriors junior varsity girls' soccer team recorded its seventh shutout of the year by defeating St. Cloud Apollo 2-0 Thursday night.

It was Apollo's first loss of the season. Scoring goals for Brainerd were Jenny Beckerleg and Megan Zillmer. Melissa Hanson had three saves in goal. The Warriors are 7-0 and host St. Cloud Tech on Monday.

Sophomores beat Bemidji

The Brainerd Warriors sophomore football team ran its record to 2-1 with a 38-12 victory over the Bemidji Lumberjacks Thursday.

The Warriors rolled up 478 total yards while their defense held the Lumberjacks to 156.

Scoring touchdowns for the Warriors were Riley Cullinane, James Strand, John Haberman, David Beilke and Mike Baker.

Scoring on conversion runs were Strand, Cullinane (2) and Josh Westphal.

The Warriors travel to St. Cloud Apollo 5 p.m. Thursday.

Dolphin swim team meeting Monday

An informational meeting for parents of prospective members of the Brainerd YMCA Dolphin swim team is scheduled from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the YMCA.

The Dolphins will begin practice Oct. 6. The team is a competitive swim program for boys and girls ages 5 and up Swimmers should be competent in at least one competitive stroke.

Practices are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Meets are on Saturdays. The season lasts from October through February.

For more information, contact Jane at the YMCA at 829-4767.

Turena, Johanna compete in race

Turena Johnson of Brainerd and Johanna Olson of Wadena, both former national champions in cross country and track at Luther College, competed in the USA 20-Kilometer Championships road race Sept. 1 at New Haven, Conn.

Johnson finished fifth with a time of 1 hour, 9 minutes, 4 seconds. Olson was 11th at 1:11.53. The winner was Olympian Marla Runyan at 1:05.52.