Fargo, ND, WPH Press, 6/5/25
Written by Mark Winkelman
2025 North Dakota State Handball Tournament (March 7-8, 2025)
The 2025 North Dakota State Handball Tournament was a two-day shoot out, as players from California, Manitoba, Minnesota, Virginia, and North Dakota vied to take on Luke Sandy for the Open Championship. While Luke was challenged, he prevailed as the winner. Great handball!
“The final (against Trejo) was good,” Sandy would later say. “Game one was close and my serve got hot late in the second. Tiring match! Bryan never gets tired and we had some long rallies and amazing gets.”
Final: Sandy def Trejo 21-18, 21-19
Thomas Ovemiller was unanimously awarded this year’s F-M Handball Club “Most Improved Player”. While a recent starter, he has demonstrated skills seasoned players take years to develop. Congratulations Thomas!
Full Results from the 2025 North Dakota State Handball Tournament
Open Singles
1st Place: Luke Sandy (Fargo, ND)
2nd Place: Bryan Trejo (Santa Barbara, CA)
Consolation: Carter Kounovsky (Reston, VA)
Open Doubles
1st Place: Andres Cordova/Bryan Trejo (Santa Barbara, CA)
2nd Place: Dave Schiller/Isiah Jones (Circle Pines, MN/Moorhead, MN)
Consolation: Angel Hernandez/Oscar Hernandez (Fargo, ND)
A Singles
1st Place: Eric Momsen (Fargo, ND)
2nd Place: Chuck Bergeson (Fargo, ND)
Consolation: Wallace Michels (St Peter, MN)
A Doubles
1st Place: Dave Reuter/Eric Momsen (Horace, ND/Fargo, ND)
2nd Place: Wallace Michels/Kent Jones (St Peter, MN/Moorhead, MN)
Consolation: Ed Kohut/Jeffrey Kohut (Winnipeg, MB)
60/70’s Singles
1st/2nd Place: Jay Spooner (Fargo, ND) and Merv Deckert (Winnipeg, MB) decided they’d “play later” (let us know who wins guys!)
Consolation: Glenn Solin (Duluth, MN)
60/70’s Doubles
1st Place: Jay Spooner/Merv Deckert (Fargo, ND/Winnipeg, MB)
2nd Place: Kent Jones/Paul Sum (Moorhead, MN/Grand Forks, ND)
Consolation: Dick Reis/Richard Stevens (Fargo, ND)
Handball Players who have Passed On: We lost two fellow handball players recently. Bob Creighton graced the courts for years. While not known for his quickness in his day, he was a very steady player who never raised his voice both on and off the court. Several players paid their respect to Kathleen Creighton at the prayer service. Flowers from the F-M Handball Club were also sent.
Ken Crowell also passed away. He played in the 90’s. You could hear Ken from outside of the court always chatting and laughing. He too will be missed.
10th Annual Steve Kraft Memorial Outdoor One-Wall Handball Tournament: Get ready to play some big ball one-wall handball July 18-19 in Fargo’s beautiful Island Park. In addition to traditionally drawing quality players from North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Manitoba, New York, Virgina, and more states/provinces, this tournament offers a Friday Night Social at Rhombus Guys Pizza (free to players and their guests), a fresh-grilled Saturday picnic lunch (also free to players and their guests), and a Saturday Social (F-M Handball Club pays for beverages) after tournament play is completed. See the attached entry form for more details. Please note that…
- The number of entries will be capped, enter HERE or by email, or by mail as soon as you can!
- Discounts are provided to USHA/CHA members and student/youth players.
- BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM EARLY! This year, the tournament is being held on the same weekend as both the Downtown Fargo Street Fair (July 17-19) and the National USA Wrestling Tournament at the FargoDome (July 12-19)! Players who booked rooms late in past years stayed in Detroit Lakes (45 miles away) or farther because there were no rooms available in Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo.
September 2025:
- Save the date: 49th Annual Rudy Harris Handball Tournament, September 5-6, Fercho YMCA, Fargo, ND – watch future emails for more details and the entry form.
- NEW: Tallcorn Handball Tournament, September 19-20, Wellmark YMCA, Des Moines, IA – watch future emails for more details and the entry form.