Area notebook: Johnson takes new coaching position;

Cory Johnson of Cannon Falls was recently named the assistant men’s basketball coach at the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D.

Johnson leaves Western Illinois University, where he was an assistant coach and director of basketball operations for two seasons. He began his coaching career at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minn., where coached with Jevin Budde - who is now the head coach at the University of Mary.

Johnson also was an assistant coach at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., for two seasons.

Besides coaching at the college level, Johnson works basketball camps and recently was the assistant director of sketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he helped the franchise prepare for the 2011 draft.

The Cannon Falls graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2007 and his master’s degree in sports management from WIU in 2011.

• Red Wing’s Sam Whitebear is playing soccer in Brazil. He is participating in the Ole’ Cup Tournament with players from around the United States. Whitebear was a 2011 RWHS graduate who will play for Dakota County Technical College in the fall.

• Mark Giorgi of Red Wing will participate in the 108th MGA Amateur Championships July 18-20. The tournament will be held at the White Bear Yacht Club this year.

More than 150 golfers will compete in the tournament. Golfers will play 18 holes on both Monday and Tuesday before cuts will be made and an additional 18 holes will be played Wednesday.

Giorgi, who just finished his sophomore year with Saint John’s University, plays for Red Wing Golf Club.

• Trevor Doden of Red Wing and Sarah Kennedy of Lake City were two of 399 winter and spring athletes recently named to the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference academic all-conference list. To earn the recognition the athletes must have been a sophomore, junior or senior with at least a 3.5 GPA and meet certain qualifications regarding number of events participated in. Doden was a junior men’s hockey player at Augsburg College. Kennedy was a senior women’s tennis player at Saint Mary’s University.

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