Brute’s Bleat April 13, 2016

Our congratulations to Todd Fuller, a Maple Lake High School graduate and an outstanding wrestler at North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND. Todd was one of twelve athletes named to the 2016 NCAA II Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame on March 10 at Sioux Falls, SD. His parents are David and Kay Fuller, both MLHS graduates and local residents. Dave gave me a copy of Todd’s wrestling bio which was part of the Hall of Fame banquet’s program. It reads as follows:
“Todd Fuller was recruited to wrestle for North Dakota State University by coach Buck Maughan. He was a four-time state qualifier for Maple Lake High School in Minnesota. His high school record was 186-39, placing third twice, and winning a State Championship as a senior (1998). He was also a four-time letter winner in football and baseball and was a four-time, all-conference baseball player.
Todd was a three-time NCAA Division II national champion at 174 pounds for North Dakota State University in 2000, 2001 and 2002, including his selection as the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the 2002 NCAA Division II National Championship. He was a member of back-to-back national championship teams for the Bison in both 2000 and 2001.
A three-time North Central Conference finalist, Fuller won a pair of conference championships in 2000 and 2002. He was a member of the 2001 NCC championship team. He was selected the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association’s Collegiate Male Athlete of the Year in 2001-02 after compiling a 35-4 record, including 14-1 in duals with 11 pins.
Fuller finished his career with a 101-29 record, including a 42-8 in duals and 30 pins. He currently ranks ninth all-time at NDSU with the 101 wins. A two-sport athlete at NDSU, Fuller pitched and played outfield for the Bison baseball team.
Fuller is a co-owner of 3X Gear with teammate and fellow inductee, Steve Saxlund. The 3X Gear company is a screen print and embroidery company that has their own brand of singlets, fight shorts, hoods and quarter zips. He also is co-owner of the Herds and Horns Bar and Grill and is the co-founder and co-director of the Rumble on the Red Wrestling Championship.
Todd and his wife, Katie, live in Fargo, ND. Katie was an all-state basketball player. They have two children, a daughter, Chloe (9), who is a competitive gymnast, and a son, TJ (8), who is involved in wrestling, football and baseball.”
Local Maple Lake Laker baseball fans have enjoyed watching Fuller pitch or play the outfield for the local team and also for the Fargo team since his graduation from NDSU. He was drafted by the Delano Athletics in last year’s State Tournament.
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I was one of the over 3,000 people who attended Lampi Auctions consignment sale Saturday who were out looking for a bargain. I wasn’t successful but others were and it was an interesting couple of hours on a cold morning where the bidding got hot at times. Maybe next time I’ll hang in there longer!
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I ran into Brian Hedman in Buffalo Sunday and he commented he’s seeing quite a number of pheasants (Granite Lake area) which was good to hear. He also commented about seeing three road-kill turkeys. A Buffalo resident commented he saw two groups of roosters and hens off County Road 9 Sunday morning and figures it must be mating time for pheasants. A nice warm nesting season will help boost the numbers, something we didn’t have a year ago. I don’t think the DNR should have caved in on the live-bait issue for Mille Lacs Lake, but I’d like to see only barbless hooks on that lake as a way to cut the kill rate on released Walleyes.