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Majettes basketball announces Jason Schwarz as new head coach

After seven years, Jason Schwarz is back on the saddle.

The Minot High School girls basketball team announced Schwarz as its new head coach on Tuesday, marking his first head coaching gig since 2012. With 15 years of head-coaching experience under Schwarz’s belt, the new hire is set to head the program following the departure of former head coach Bernie Wasser.

“This has been a goal of mine,” Schwarz said. “I always knew that if I wanted to go back into coaching that opportunity would be there at some point…I love the group of kids that we have right now. That’s the primary reason why I went after this position.”

Schwarz began his head coaching career in 1997 when he took over the Lakota High School girls basketball program. After three years with the Raiders, Schwarz accepted a head coaching position with the Lewis & Clark-Berthold girls basketball team.

The new head coach made an immediate impact as he led the team to a regional championship appearance in his first season. Schwarz had the Bombers in the state championship game the following year, where they ultimately fell short of a title.

Schwarz went on to become the head coach of the Kenmare girls basketball team in 2007 and held down the position until 2012. It’s then that he took a break from catching, citing a desire to watch his son go through his high school career as one of the reasons for the decision.

Finally, Schwarz returned to basketball in 2018 when he accepted an assistant coach position with the Minot High School girls basketball team. Now, after one season as the right-hand man, Schwarz will get his shot to run the program.

“Jason (Schwarz) has had experience as head coach previously, and that’s always beneficial,” MHS athletic director Mitch Lunde said. “He has some good, new ideas that he wants to instill…I’m excited to have him head the program.”

Despite finishing last season with a record of 4-18 (4-16 West Region), the Majettes will have the advantage of a veteran roster next season that features six seniors.

Among those soon-to-be seniors are Allie Nelson, who led the team in scoring last season with 14.1 points per game, and Paige Rosencrans, who led the team in assists with 2.6 dishes per contest.

It’s this returning core along with an already-established relationship with the team that creates optimism for Schwarz as he attempts to get the program back on track.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to work with this group right away,” Schwarz said. “The transition is going to be a lot easier for both (myself and the players) since I know the kids, the program and the expectations here.”

Majettes hockey head coach Weylin Wahlstrom announces resignation

Attached to the end of a letter from Minot High School girls hockey head coach Weylin Wahlstrom was a quote from William Arthur Ward.

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”

That wind is taking Wahlstrom in a new direction as of Tuesday. After 17 seasons with the Minot High School girls hockey team, the last seven of which were as the head coach, Wahlstrom announced his resignation in a letter to the media.

The long-time coach for the Majettes cites a desire to continue his career in education as the reason for his decision.

“This was a difficult but necessary decision to grow in my passion in leadership,” Wahlstrom said in the letter. “I have truly appreciated the opportunity to gain many lifelong friendships with players, coaches and numerous people around the state of North Dakota.”

Wahlstrom walks away with a number of accolades to his name.

From a West Region championship in 2012 to a state Coach of the Year selection in 2018, the seven-year head coach played an integral part in the development of the Majettes’ hockey program.

“Weylin (Wahlstrom) has always been a good guy to work with for me,” MHS athletic director Mitch Lunde said. “He’s always been very organized and respected. It’s sad to see good people get out of the coaching business, but I definitely understand it.”

Despite the postseason victories and coaching awards, one memory that sticks with Wahlstrom is his first game on the bench as a member of the Majettes’ coaching staff.

It was back in 2002 when the new hire traveled to Williston with the team for a regular season contest; one he still remembers vividly. Now, 17 years later, Wahlstrom is moving on.

“It’s ironic,” Wahlstrom said. “Every year I always make comments to the girls that they need to realize how quickly each season goes. You have to cherish the process and no just the final product… Now that I’m done with this chapter in my life, I’m looking back on it all. It’s just crazy how quickly it goes.”

Follow the Minot Daily Sports on Twitter @MDN_Sports.

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