2024 Spring Sports Preview

PREVIEW

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PEQUOT LAKES

The Pequot Lakes girls golf team is already setting its sights on defending their Class 2A state championship.

The Patriots won last year’s state title with a two-day total score of 651 strokes while Lake City was a close second at 654.

“The 2023 season was exciting and to finish off with a state championship was a dream come true,” said Pequot Lakes coach Savannah Nelson. “I know that starting this year, many of our sights may already be focused (on state), but my goal is to still take the season one day at the time, work hard and focus on making progress.”

Letterwinners include Annie Neva, Genevieve Birkeland, Charlee Sullivan, Bahati Gibbs and Izzy Larson, who was injured during the basketball season.

“We return all of our letterwinners, plus we have three ninth graders moving up the ladder who I’m excited about in Peyton Fischer, Addison Headley and Clarie Oseland,” said Nelson, who is starting her seventh season as coach. “Also, eighth graders Marie Neva, Mia Trumpold and Bella Moroni could also contribute.”

“We have a lot of young talent, and I’m looking forward to giving them the opportunity to play up at the varsity level so we can continue to foster a competitive program.” Savannah

Patriots prepare for new conference

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PEQUOT LAKES — The Pequot Lakes Patriots baseball team will have some familiar faces in their lineup while competing in a new conference this spring as they join the Granite Ridge.

The seven letterwinners for the Patriots include: Clay Erickson, Conner Quale, Ryan Fritz, Brayden Sewall, Griffin Hoffman, Ethan Quale and Owen Krueger. Others who could contribute are Taylor Morris, Brayden Dornseif, Blake Spiczka, Carter Loge and Kyle Kotaska.

“We have some returners with good experience, and some new players who will contribute at different times as we search to fill some spots in the field and on the mound,” said Pequot Lakes coach Jon Kotaska, who is starting his 11th season as head coach. “We will be playing in the Granite Ridge Conference for the first time, and see some new teams.”

Kotaska and his squad are no strangers to Section 7-2A competition, and they know some of the top challengers will be Aitkin, Duluth Marshall and defending state champion Esko. Last spring, the No. 5 seeded Patriots were upset by No. 12 International Falls 7-5 in the opening round of the section playoffs. Pequot Lakes finished 12-9 overall. The Patriots were also 5-5

in their final season playing in the Mid-State Conference. Assistant coaches for Pequot Lakes are Brett Dale, Tom Orsburn and Nate DeChaine. The Patriots were scheduled to open the season Monday, April 8, at Mora,

but the game was rained out. They’ll host Foley on Tuesday, April 9. Pequot Lakes will play Granite Ridge doubleheaders this season against Little Falls, Albany and Milaca. The section playoffs are scheduled to open Tuesday, May 28.

BY PETE MOHS

Michael Dinnel will be looking for players to step up this season after the Tigers were hit with graduation losses coming off a 13-10 overall season.

“We graduated many quality seniors who were a staple of our program for the past few seasons,” said Dinnel, who is starting his seventh season as coach. “There will be a lot of learning and firsts this season as we’ll see who steps up and develops to fill the available spots in our lineup.”

Returning letterwinners for PR-B include: Nigel DeSanto, Konnor King, Chance Abraham, Caden Hamilton, Eli Abraham, Grady Mongan, Dalton Meyers, Owen Dabill, Koal Oberfell, Jonathan Shogren, Ozzy Switajewski and Andrew Volk. Others who could contribute are Brody Mongan, Torin Desmond,William Gould and Reece Trumble.

Last season, the Tigers finished 8-1 in the Northland Conference. PR-B then lost to Sebeka 11-2 in the Section 5A title game. Assistant coaches are Nick Ackerman, Matthew Casperson and Terry Holden.

The Tigers were scheduled to open Monday, April 8, with a doubleheader against Wadena-Deer Creek and Staples-Motley at Staples, but the games were rained out. They were to host Cass Lake-Bena on April 9 and BerthaHewitt-Verndale on April 11.

Pete Mohs / Echo Journal

Members of the Pequot Lakes baseball team include, front row from left: Alex Johnson, Kyle Kotaska, Micheal Haar, Zach Drown, Colten Barnes, Lucas Haff, Jobey Tvedt, Luke Laposky, Nick Wallin and Bentin Gladden; middle row, Blake Spiczka, Ethan Quale, Taylor Morris, Caleb Olson, Carter Loge, Trenton Schliek, Dylan Pederson, Zach Thorson, Talan Schliek and Joshua Robeck; back row, Gus BolzAndolshek, Griffin Hoffman, Ryan Fritz, Colten McGuire, Brayden Sewall, Conner Welle, Clay Erickson, Jack Haar, Conner Quale, Owen Krueger and Brady Dornseif.

Echo Journal

PINE RIVER — Pine River-Backus baseball coach

softball

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PINE RIVER — Last season was a “learning year” for the Pine RiverBackus softball team.

This spring we will find out how much the Tigers learned with 11 letterwinners, including all of the starters, back for the orange and black.

“We have a solid senior class with every starter returning,” said Ben Kinser, who is starting his second season with PR-B. “We’re hoping to improve off of a great learning year.”

Those letterwinners include: Ashley Shamp, Tori Koering, Neveah Middendorf, Kaitlyn Rilea, Ariana Burns, Caylei Johnson, Sawyer Tulenchik, Aaliyah Lewis, Mady Knapp, Julie Shogren and Abbi Gilbert. Others who could contribute are Brooklin Mills and

softball

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

LAKES —

PEQUOT

The Pequot Lakes Patriots softball team has just four letterwinners from last year’s squad that advanced to the Class 2A state tournament, but they all played key roles in helping the Patriots finish 24-5 overall.

Those returning players include: senior infielder/outfielder Kelsi Martini, a three-year letterwinner who batted .296 with 25 runs scored and 21 runs batted in; senior outfielder Kessa Eggert, .326 average, 19 runs and 19 RBI; senior outfielder/ pitcher Rian Zutter, .270 average with eight runs and seven RBI; and sophomore pitcher Georgia James, .298 average with 10 runs and 10 RBI.

Last year, Martini was an All-Section 6-2A selection, All-Mid-State Conference and the team’s Golden Glove winner, while Eggert was all-conference, Pequot Lakes’ Most Improved player and Patriot Award winner. “Kelsi (Martini) and Kessa (Eggert) should provide veteran leadership,” said Pequot Lakes coach Bret Sergent, who has 401 career wins in 32 seasons with the Patriots. “Rian (Zutter) and Georgia (James) will also help provide stability as we join the Granite Ridge Conference this year.”

Track and Field

Patriots girls track team has 25 letterwinners

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PEQUOT LAKES —

The Pequot Lakes Patriots girls track and field team has 25 letterwinners returning from a squad that finished fifth at last year’s Section 8-2A meet. “We have a large portion of our team returning, along with a handful of state participants,” said Pequot Lakes coach Jeff Brever. “We will have depth at our middle distance races and are working to build depth in some field events. I’m excited and looking forward to the seniors leading this team, and the opportunities that will present themselves throughout the season.”

The letterwinners include: Calia Chaney, Amelia Davis, Allison Gladen, Lilix Gustafson, Kayla Joyce, Isabel Larson, Hailee Polchow, Haylie Crutcher, Carlie Eggert, Erika English, Olivia Flategraff, Reese Laposky, Ava Merta, Haidyn Sangren, Hannah Sigler, Ashley Slaybaugh, Tatum Christophersen, Presley Crawford, Olivia Den Hartog, Francine Ganley, Emily Held, Sierra Larson, Kyra Rohrbach, Josie Taylor and Chelby Wothe. Last season, Pequot Lakes’ 4x400 girls relay of Gladen, Eggert, Taylor and Chaney finished second at state. Chaney also placed third at state in the 800 run and fifth in the 1,600 run. At the section meet, Chaney won the 800 title and was second in the 1,600 while the girls’ 4x400 finished second. The Patriots’ Amelia Davis won the section

shot put title. Others who could contribute this season for the Patriots are Kaydence Blank, Madilynn Dupree, Sadie McGuire, Daisy Davis, Luisa Hoen, Nellie Georges, Hope Mielke, Lidia Pfeiffer, Payton Nations, Keira Strong and Brooklin Hansen.

Boys track The Pequot Lakes boys track team returns more than 10 letterwinners as they move to the new Granite Ridge Conference this spring.

“We will be learning a lot about our new opponents with the conference change,” said Brian Homan, who is starting his third season as the Patriots boys head coach. “We always expect to have a quality team, and that expectation is there this year.”

Letterwinners include: seniors Eli Hall (distance events as a state cross country champion), Riley

Peters (throws), Alex Kriesel (sprints), Shane Crowley (distance), Will Taylor (hurdles), Thomas Blomer (sprints) and Nick Holmberg (mid-distance).

“We have other players to watch like Dane Mudgett, and many other young men who have been putting in the work this off-season,” Homan said.

In Section 8-2A team competition last spring, Pequot Lakes boys were sixth while Hall advanced to state in the 3,200 run. Homan adds that Little Falls should be one of the favorites in the Granite Ridge while Alexandria, Detroit Lakes, Willmar and Cold Spring Rocori are some of the top teams in Section 8-2A. Assistant coaches for the Patriots are Dave Guenther, Justin Franke, Clayton Foster, Bud Bjornaraa, Kathy Allen and Chip Taylor. Pequot Lakes opened the season Thursday, April 4, as the Patriots finished second behind host Foley in the girls team standings while the boys were fifth. Pequot Lakes is scheduled to host the Patriot Invitational on Saturday, April 20, and the section meet Wednesday, May 29.

Tom Fraki / Echo Journal

The Pequot Lakes boys track team includes: front row from left, Aaron Barnes, Cooper Bluhm, Tommy Blomer, Bryson Berg, Landen, Brill, Gunner Peters, Logan Happke, Caleb Anderson, Ryder, Schultz, Eli Toftness, Griffen Hannah, Wyatt Hauser, Wyatt Verville, Tade Magnuson and Conner Jansen; back row, Colton Christopherson, Jackson Jorgens, Joe Kosloski, Will Taylor, Alex Kriesel, Eli Hall, Jacob Lane, Ethan Arellano, Justin Sievert, Bode Eggena, Liam Zins, James Johnson, Max Spartz and Nick Holmberg. Not pictured: Riley Peters, Shane Crowley, Cayden Menk, Brak Schramm, Dane Mudgett and Beker Lipke.

Tom Fraki / Echo Journal

The Pequot Lakes girls track team includes: front row from left, Erika English, Hailee Polchow, Nellie Goerges, Kyra Rohrbach, Kaydence Blank, Emily Held, Ashley Slaybaugh, Aubrie Christophersen, Lilix Gustafson, Calia Chaney, Haylie Crutcher, Hannah Haugen and Chelby Wothe; back row, Olivia Flategraff, Francine Ganley, Luisa Hoen, Sadie McGuire, Madi Dupre, Keira Strong, Lidia Pfeiffer, Tatum Christophersen, Ava Merta, Haidyn Sangren, Daisy Davis, Allison Gladen, Reese Laposky, Olivia Den Hartog, Josie Taylor and Carlie Eggert. Not pictured: Kayla Joyce, Presley Crawford, Raegan Graber, Hope Mielke, Max Morsch and Payton Nations.

Track and Field

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PINE RIVER — The Pine River-Backus boys and girls track and field teams should be more competitive this season with added depth.

“We’re excited to have a bunch of new athletes in the program this year at the senior high level, and we also have better numbers this year at the junior high level,” said PR-B boys coach Tom Demars.

“We have about 40 kids combined, which we haven’t had for a long time,” he said. “With the added depth, we’re looking forward to being more competitive as a team and having the ability to get kids into more events and more relays.”

Letterwinners for the PR-B boys, who finished 21st at last year’s Section 6A meet, are Andrew Bueckers, Dahlton Minion, Tate Norman, Mac Reddick, Kolby Walters, William Moore, Isaiah Downie and Zach Minion. Others who could contribute include: Hayden Decent, Eli Vanderark, Owen Ludeman, Sam Phlugshaupt, Noah Abraham, William Adams, Jayce Compton and

Shaunn Reyes. The Tiger girls squad, which is coached by Karl Ludeman, finished 19th at last year’s section meet. PR-B’s 4x100 relay of Ella Dahl, Arya Compton, Ashley Crawford and Alaura Dahl finished fifth at sections.

Letterwinners include: Alaura Dahl, Camryn Good, Kelsey Bergem, Arya Compton, Mimi Bueckers, River Crawford, Ella Dahl, Callie Norman and Evelyn Peterson. Another athlete who could contribute is Kenzlee Sawyer. Assistant coaches for the Tigers, who are competing in the Northwoods Conference, are Henry Krecklau, Rachel Allen and Liz Dahl. PR-B, which opened the season Thursday, April 4, at Bemidji State University, will compete at the section meet Thursday, May 30, in Pillager.

Travis Grimler / Echo Journal

The Pine River-Backus varsity track team includes: front row from left, Evelynn Peterson, Kenzlee Sawyer, Mildred Bueckers, Ella Dahl, Alaura Dahl, Callie Norman, Arya Compton and Kelsey Bergem; middle row, Noah Abraham, Mac Reddick, William Adams, Zach Minion, River Crawford and Camryn Good; back row, Owen Ludeman, William Moore, Talin Villlnow, Kolby Walters, Isaiah Downie, Andrew Bueckers, Tate Norman, Eli Vanderark, Dahlton Minion, Sam

Patriots have experienced boys golf team

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal PEQUOT LAKES —

The Pequot Lakes Patriots boys golf team is optimistic with seven letterwinners competing this spring from a squad that finished second at the Section 6-2A meet.

Those returning players include: Ethan Thomas, Logan Fogarty, Jerome Martin, Hunter Oelschlager, Michael Oseland, Tollef Birkeland and Finn Fogarty.

Last spring, Birkeland qualified for state after finishing sixth in section play while Thomas tied for seventh and missed advancing to state in a playoff.

“Those players have valuable varsity golf experience, and definitely have the ability to put up quality, competitive scores,” said Steve Stoxen, who is starting his 38th season as golf coach. “Depth should be a strength of this team, and hopefully we maintain that throughout the season,” he said. “Our mental approach, and how we handle diversity on the course, will be key components regarding our team success.”

Last season, the Patriots finished just four strokes behind champion Albany for the section title and a trip to state. Stoxen feels that his veteran squad can be favorites in both section competition, and as newcomers to the Granite Ridge Conference. “Things will be a touch different this year with us joining the Granite

Ridge,” Stoxen said. “We will be playing courses that our players are not familiar with, but I’m sure they will adjust quickly. This team continues to grow mentally with their decision-making on the course, and understand what it takes to put up a good score and play competitive golf.”

Stoxen said his golfers

can find inspiration in the success of recent graduates like Tyler Seeling (playing at Division I South Dakota State University) and Anthony Armstrong (who finished 27th at the Class 2A state meet last season).

“Our current players are fortunate to have alumni golfers like Tyler and Anthony to watch and learn from the past

two seasons,” Stoxen said. “If we are able to trust in our abilities and continually practice our weaknesses, we will have an excellent opportunity for success this season.”

The Patriots, who are scheduled to open Wednesday, April 10, at Mora, will compete in the section meet Wednesday, May 29, at the Cragun’s Resort Legacy course.

BY

left, the Pine River-Backus boys golf team includes Austin Olson, Isaiah Aulie, Ethan Burns, Connor Mink, Gavin Tulenchik and Ethan Pluimer. Travis Grimler/Echo

Tom Fraki / Echo Journal

The Pequot Lakes boys golf team includes: front row from left, Hunter Oeschlager, Logan Fogarty and Ethan Thomas; back row, Tollef Birkeland, Michael Oseland and Jerome Martin. Not pictured: Huck Balmer, Finn Fogarty, Brayden Spiczka and Isaac Peterson.

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PINE RIVER — The Pine River-Backus girls golf team “should be in the mix” to defend its Section 7A title with six returning players with varsity experience.

Those veteran players include: Kassidy Bristow, Ava Hansen, Ayla Richards, Molly Lupella, Lyric Aulie and Jovi Borland. “We graduated two seniors from last year’s state team, but we have a strong core of junior players and promising underclassmen,” said coach Mark Gonnion, who is starting his 31st season as coach. Some of those underclass players

include Aulie, an eighth grader who placed fourth in last year’s section tournament, and Lily Barchus.

Last season, the Tigers finished fifth in their first appearance in the Class A state meet. PR-B qualified for state after winning the Section 7A title.

This spring, Gonnion said Park Rapids is one of the favorites in the Northern Pines Conference while the Tigers should be one of the teams competing for the section title. PR-B, which was scheduled to open the season Tuesday, April 16, at Blueberry Pines in Menahga, will play in the section meet Tuesday, May 28, at the Minnesota National course in McGregor.

Travis Grimler / Echo Journal

From left, the Pine River-Backus girls golf team includes Lyric Aulie, Kassidy Bristow, Ava Hansen, Ayla

trap shooting

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PEQUOT LAKES —

The Pequot Lakes clay shooting team has eight senior letterwinners on its roster this spring for co-coaches Scott Larson and Robert Hannahs. “We’re excited to get back in the saddle this spring and bust some clays,” Larson said. “We’re also looking forward to a successful season, and to keep riding the momentum of a great fall season.”

Letterwinners include seniors Brandon Conklin, Clay Erickson, Mavric Franz, Jarrett Freking, Jasper Fuchs, Alaina Kinney, Mathew Melberg and Riley Peters; juniors Landon Glazier, Jack Haar, Eli Johnson, Kullen Lampi, Mason Lundgren, Caleb Olson and Grayson Schmidt; sophomores Carter Erickson, Jayden Fuchs and Jackson Olsen; freshmen Levi Bengtson, Wyatt Borders, Anthony Carvelli, Michael Haar and Jaxon Woodman; and eighth graders Eli Martini and Westen

Moorhouse. Others who could contribute are Hannah Ellstrom, Colten McGuire, Andrew and William Melberg, Dalton and Madelyn Moorhouse, Jake Olsen, Grady Roy, Brak Schramm, Nathan Triebenbach and Tyler Wallin.

Assistant coaches for Pequot Lakes, which competes in the Granite Ridge Conference, are Todd Pelarski, Brett Freking,

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PINE RIVER — The Pine River-Backus clay target team is switching from a club sport to an affiliated program with the school this spring.

Head coach for the PR-B squad is Aaron Wirtz while assistant coaches are Matthew Goodenough, Curtis

Hoefs and Hunter Rice. Team members include seniors Tyler Day, Konnor King and Charles Goodenough; juniors Christopher Low, Eli Abraham, Kolby Walters, Samuel Pflugshaupt, Dominic Sexton, Parker Kelley, Nevada Ehlenfeldt and Samantha Wirtz; sophomores Kaden Butricks, Brodie Holtti, Morgan King and Morgan Bean; freshmen Austin Olsen, Connor Mink, Noah Abraham, Brody Day, Bryce Mick, Aubree Wirtz, Gavin Tulenchik, Eli Shamp and Tanner Keep; eighth graders Bryce Bean, Landon Ashman, Tristen Johnson, Adam Ackerman, Hunter Trujillo, Dawson Dabill and Ethan Bergem;

seventh graders Karsen Petersen and Michael Mick. “We have a wonderful group of kids, and some good shooters,” Coach Wirtz said. “Some of our younger shooters have improved from last year. Some of our eighth and ninth graders are going to make our seniors and juniors work in order to

outshoot them, but that is great to see. We are hoping to take a group of kids to tournaments in Bemidji and Park Rapids.”

The PR-B team will host a fundraiser spaghetti dinner at the Damsite Super Club from 5-8 p.m. Monday, April 22.

Ashley Smith / Echo Journal Correspondent

The Pine River-Backus clay target team includes: front row from left, Bryce Bean, Austin Olsen, Connor Mink, Karsen Petersen, Landon Ashman, Tristen Johnson and Adam Ackerman; middle row, Christopher Low, Kaden Butricks, Noah Abraham, Brodie Holtti, Brody Day, Eli Abraham, Michael Mick, Bryce Mick, Morgan King, Aubree Wirtz, Hunter Trujillo, assistant coach Curtis Hoefs, head coach Aaron Wirtz and assistant coach Matthew Goodenough; back row, Morgan Bean, Gavin Tulenchik, Kolby Walters, Dawson Dabill, Samuel Pflugshaupt, Dominic Sexton, Tyler Day, Konnor King, Eli Shamp, Charles Goodenough and Parker Kelley. Not pictured: Nevada Ehlenfeldt, Samantha Wirtz, Tanner Keep, Ethan Bergem and assistant coach Hunter Rice.