North Dakota
Frank Matus, Zach Peterson elected to leadership positions on North Dakota Unmanned Autonomous Systems Council
GRAND FORKS — Frank Matus and Zach Peterson have been elected to leadership positions on the executive team of the North Dakota Unmanned Autonomous Systems Council.
Matus, director of UAS integration strategy and Airspace Mobility Solutions, Americas, has been named chair of the executive team. Peterson, director of business development at Vigilant Aerospace Systems, has been named vice chair.
Matus will bring decades of experience in aviation systems and digital infrastructure to the council, according to a release. His leadership will help “drive forward the council’s mission to advocate for cutting-edge policies, partnerships and solutions that benefit North Dakota’s UAS industry,” according to the release.
“Frank Matus is a visionary leader whose expertise in digital aviation and commitment to innovation will guide the council into an exciting new chapter,” said Matt Dunlevy, president of the NDUASC, in a statement.
“It’s an honor to serve as Chair of the NDUASC,” Matus said in a statement. “North Dakota has become a beacon of innovation in the UAS sector, and I look forward to working with the Council’s members to further enhance its leadership in this transformative industry.”
Peterson has been instrumental in advancing Vigilant Aerospace Systems’ safety and autonomous capabilities, the release said. In his role, he will foster partnerships, expand opportunities and support the council’s efforts to strengthen North Dakota’s UAS ecosystem.
“With Zach Peterson’s proven operational leadership and deep industry knowledge as Vice Chair, we are positioned to build on North Dakota’s reputation as a global hub for UAS advancement,” Dunlevy said in a statement. “Their combined leadership will inspire collaboration and progress across the UAS community.”
“I am thrilled to take on the role of Vice Chair,” Peterson said. “The NDUASC is uniquely positioned to lead the future of UAS innovation, and I’m eager to contribute to its mission of shaping a robust and thriving industry.”
The NDUASC is an interest group that advocates for policies to support North Dakota’s UAS ecosystem, including workforce development and innovation in the UAS industry.
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North Dakota
North Dakota voters to decide single-subject requirement for future constitutional amendments on June 9
BRECKENRIDGE — Coaches, teammates, friends and family gathered in the south parking lot of Breckenridge High School for another state tournament sendoff.
Corbin Abner Lee / Wahpeton Daily News
This year, it was Troy Berndt taking the ceremonial convertible ride. He is headed to St. Michael-Albertville High School for the Minnesota Class A State Track and Field Meet on June 4-6.
Corbin Abner Lee / Wahpeton Daily News
He will be running in the third heat of the 400-meter prelims, scheduled for 4:52 p.m. June 4. There are seven athletes in each heat, 21 total, and nine will advance to the finals at 6:20 p.m. June 5.
The top two finishers in each heat advance, along with the next three best times. Berndt’s personal best time of 50.67 has him seeded 13th, but the 10th-, 11th- and 12th-seeded runners are less than five hundredths of a second ahead of him. The eighth- and ninth-seeded runners are also close, at 50.33 and 50.39, respectively.
Berndt dropped nearly seven-tenths of a second from his previous personal best at the Section 6A West Subsection Meet on May 21, running 51.35, and shaved another 0.68 seconds off at the Section 6A Championships on May 28 with a time of 50.67. If he keeps lowering his time, he will have a shot at reaching the podium against the best runners in Class A.
Corbin Abner Lee / Wahpeton Daily News
Results and photos will be available online immediately following the race June 4 and in the June 10 print edition of the Wahpeton Daily News.
Corbin Lee is a sports reporter for the Wahpeton Daily News and Richland County News-Monitor. Corbin can be reached by calling (701) 291-3551 or emailing corbin.lee@wahpetondailynews.com.
On this day in 1971, Rugby repeated as North Dakota’s high school sand greens golf champion behind medalist Dwight Stempson’s winning performance.
Here is the complete story as it appeared in the paper that day:
Rugby Repeats As Sand Greens Golf Champion
RUGBY, N. D. — Rugby repeated as North Dakota high school sand greens golf champion here Wednesday, posting a four-man total of 293 strokes for 18 holes.
Led by medalist Dwight Stempson’s medalist 36-35 — 71, the Panthers were eight strokes ahead of runnerup Stanley, which had a 301. Following were Garrison 311, Beulah 315, Leeds 322, Ashley 323, Bottineau 328, Pembina 329, Tioga 332, Parshall 341 and Hettinger 342.
Stempson and teammate Bruce Carlson each had one-under par 71s, but Carlson was unable to be at the regional and wasn’t qualified for individual honors.
Rounding out the Rugby totals were Delwin Wilson 40-37 — 77 and Dennett Hutchinson 35-39 — 74. Gary Kirchoffner, 41-39 — 80, was Rugby’s fifth entrant with the best four-of-five scores counted.
Runnerup Stanley was led by Steve Springan’s 34-38 — 72 and Joe Springan’s 36-38 — 74. Their two-man total of 146 strokes was good enough for the doubles title. Two strokes back with a 148 was the duo of Stempson and Wilson. Stan Saathoff and Mike Stepina of Garrison each had 76s for a 152 total and the Ashley combo of Steve Maier (76) and Dave Kretschmar (78) was fourth with a 154.
Stempson was the driving contest winner with a distance of 280 yards. Chris Knutson of Garrison headed the pitch and putt competition.
Kate Almquist is the social media manager for InForum. After working as an intern, she joined The Forum full time starting in January 2022. Readers can reach her at kalmquist@forumcomm.com.
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