Ashley Abrahamson Memorial Tournament Held This Weekend

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June 28

Kerry Rodd-NSO

CLOQUET – The 11th Annual Ashley Abrahamson Memorial softball tournament was held last weekend at Braun Park in Cloquet. In all, 23 teams participated in both the U-12 and U-14 Divisions.

The tournament is held annually in the name of Ashley Abrahamson, who was killed in a car crash along with Tom and Marcia Braun–the namesakes of Braun Park. Ron and Sarah Tondryk have coordinated the tournament every year and this year the tournament involved a record number of teams.

“We appreciate all of the hard work, time, and dedication that Ron and Sarah Tondryk put into this tournament every year,” said Kathy and Jim Abrahamson, the parents of Ashley. “It would not happen without them. It is truly amazing how many girls participate each year.”

While the tournament started under threatening conditions of rain and bad weather, things turned beautiful on Sunday for championship round action. Luckily, all games being played without any cancelations.

Bemidji proved to be the top team at U-14 in the Tier 1 Division by taking first place over Virginia, but the local fans had some things to cheer about when the Cloquet-based Minnesota Blast took home third place. Grand Rapids was the consolation winner.

In the U-14 Tier II Division it was Duluth Swat capturing first place with the Proctor Steam taking second, Esko finishing third and Carlton taking consolation honors.

Northwestern of Maple, Wisconsin was the winner in the U-12 age group with AlBrook/Cherry taking second, Superior third and Carlton the consolation prize.

In the U-12 age group, the winners of the Ashley Award locally were Mikayla Olesiak of AlBrook/Cherry, Ashley Anderson of Carlton, Hazel Erickson from Cloquet and Hermantown’s Meelah Ali.

At the U-14 level, the Ashley Awards locally went to Steph Anderson of Carlton, Shawna Johnson from Esko, Abbey Wangen of the Minnesota Blast based in Cloquet, Alicia Poissant of Proctor and Sawyer’s Faryn Wilson.

The Ashley Award is named in honor of Ashley Abrahamson and exemplifies good sportsmanship and to play the game with honor, integrity and good values.

“What a wonderful way to remember Ashley,” mentioned the Abrahamsons. “Thank you to all who make this possible.”

Kerry Rodd can be reached at kerry@northlandsportsonline.com