Local sports shorts

Former Brainerd resident Steve Hall Jr., was named the National Wrestling Alliance Rookie of the Year 2000 at the 52nd annual NWA convention.

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The NWA is the oldest wrestling organization in the world with chapters in Europe, Japan and the United Kingdom. Hall wrestles out of Nashville, which is also the training ground for wrestlers from the WCW. In turn the NWA sends wrestlers to the WCW to do security work and to learn the ropes on TV.

The NWA has sent the 6-foot-3, 247-pound Hall, whose ring name is "Kodiak," to WCW "Monday Nitro and Thunder." It has also has allowed him to go to cities such as Denver, Daytona Beach, Fla., for "Bash at the Beach," Billings, Mont., Charleston, S.C., and Columbus, Ga.

Recently the 21-year-old Minnesota native, son of Steve Hall Sr., operator of Shotgun Red on TNN, did a WWF Showcase in Savannah, Tenn. The NWA is working with the WWF on deals that might give Hall an opportunity to move into national spotlight in the future.

Johanna Olson conference MVP again

Decorah, Iowa -- Johanna Olson, senior cocaptain for the Luther College women's cross country team, has been named the Iowa Athletic Conference most valuable runner for the second consecutive year.

Olson finished more than a minute faster than her nearest competitor in the conference meet with a time of 17:24. Her time set a conference record, breaking Turena Johnson's 1995 mark of 17:56.

Olson helped Luther to the team title with 38 points. Luther's team title also set the conference record for most team titles with seven.

Luther's next competition will be at the Central Regional, hosted by Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, Nov. 11. The top five teams, plus the top five individuals who are not members of qualifying teams, will qualify for the NCAA Division III National Championships. The national meet will be hosted by Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash., on Nov. 18.

For more information on Luther College athletics, check out the Luther College athletic Web site at http://www.luther.edu/~sports.

YMCA indoor soccer leagues to begin

The Brainerd Family YMCA is accepting resignations for youths interested in participating in its indoor soccer league.

The league begins Saturday, Nov. 4 and runs through Saturday, Dec. 16. The league is designed for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Registration materials may be picked up at the YMCA, 602 Oak Street, Brainerd. For more information, contact David at the YMCA at 829-4767.

Peterson to speak to sports boosters club

Central Lakes College volleyball coach Jane Peterson will speak to the Brainerd Sports Boosters Club meeting noon Thursday at the Moose Lodge.

Halfback Adam Hardy, the Warrior Athlete of the Week, will be honored.

Send of in Pillager

A pep fest and send-off is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. in the Pillager High School Gymnasium Friday. The event is open to the community.