2023 Echo Journal Fall Sports Preview

PINEANDLAKES

ECHO JOURNAL

PEQUOT LAKES

Mindi Brill has returned as Pequot Lakes Patriots tennis coach this season after a 20-year hiatus, and she hopes to continue to grow the program and take a team to state.

Last fall, the Patriots finished 18-7 overall and second in Section 7A behind Rock Ridge. Pequot Lakes was 6-0 in Mid-State Conference matches to win its ninth straight conference title.

“Although we graduated three strong players, I believe we will be competitive with nine letterwinners,” Brill said. “The girls have put in a lot of work over the summer, so I’m confident that we will do well.”

Brill added that the Patriots should be a topthree contender as they join the Granite Ridge

Conference.

“We also have a chance to be a section favorite, along with Foley and Pine City,” she said.

Returning letterwinners include: seniors Ellie Ouradnik (who began the season with a 56-6 record), Allyson Yahn (53 career wins), Aubrey Wiczek (43 wins), Kessa Eggert, Eva Mumm and Kayla Joyce; juniors Carlie Eggert and Jenna Stoerzinger; and sophomore Nikki Crocker.

Last year, Ouradnik teamed with Peyton Mudgett in reaching the section quarterfinals. All six of the Patriots section participants advanced to the second round.

Assistant coaches are Chad Rudbeck and Dan VanBlaricom while middle level coaches are Sean Bengtson and Deanne Trottier. Brill first coached the team for seven years

starting in 1997, when she first came to the Pequot Lakes School District as a teacher. She turned over her head coaching duties when she was nine months pregnant with her second child at the end of the 2003 season, taking the next 20 years off from coaching to raise sons Brendan, Keaton and Landon with her husband, Wade.

“I just decided at that point it would be difficult to be a mom, have a fulltime job and coach on top

of it,” she said. “And Monica (Sergent) was my assistant at the time, and her girls (Kayla and Megan Lenz) were coming up and I knew that the program would be in good hands with her.”

As fate would have it, Sergent left coaching last year after 20 seasons as head coach.

Besides taking a team to state, Brill’s other goals this season are to continue to grow the program and to provide memorable experiences for her players.

“Like I’ve told them, and I told the parents too, it’s not just about playing tennis. It’s about developing good people. And they are such wonderful girls and nice families,” she said.

Brill also looks forward to getting her 100th win. She recalls her career coaching record stood at 91-35, meaning she picked up win 92 in her team’s opening match Aug. 17

Kelli Engstrom / Kelli Engstrom Photography

The Pequot Lakes tennis team, shown in August 2023, includes, front row from left: Eva Mumm, Ellie Wolthuizen , Kenzi Quam, Kessa Eggert, Aubrey Wiczek, Shelby Balmer, Kayla Joyce , Allyson Yahn, Ellie Ouradnik and Noor Ellingsgard. Middle row: Cassidy Wick, Isabelle Ziesemer, Jenna Stoerzinger, Carlie Eggert, Samantha Sesin, Dana Balmer, Mandy Malecha, Becca Polchow, Francine Ganley, Olivia Flategraff and Nikki Crocker. Back Row: Kallie Ebnet, Brianna Howe, Sophie Biley, Katya Ellstrom, Sierra Larson , Kendall Gallaway, Claire Oseland, Keira Strong, Sadie McGuire, Rebekah Deemer, Bailey Westerman, Mairin Kennedy and Emme Sullivan.

Engstrom Photography

Pequot Lakes football team members include, front row from left: Cody Harper, Ben Westerman, Sutton Sullivan, Micah Loukota, Samson Rothwell, Nic Foster, Connar Johnson, Luke Schlagel, Ethan Arellano, Bryson Berg, Jackson Olsen, Logan Happke, Jacob Sievert, Bryce Scully and Braden Wallin. Second row: Manager Landon Walsten, Manager Dane Olsen, Bryar Nordby, Logan Verville, Griffin Hoffman, David Austin, Joe Kosloski, Will Taylor, Payton Scott, Paxton Goddard, Alex Kriesel, Riley Peters, Clay Erickson, Brandon Dixon, Tommy Blomer, Sean Kilpatrick, Thomas Hansen, Jarrett Freking, John Paul Elsenpeter, Dane Mudgett, Coach Bill Magnuson and Coach Nate DeChaine. Third row: Kamrin Hulke, Landen Brill, Jack Haar, Aaron Clark, Michael Oseland, Tyler Mulholland, Ben Broskovetz, Connor Welle, Jacob Lane, Jackson Jorgens, Colton Christopherson, Tristan Schoeb, Toby Hoffard, Aaron Barnes, Coy Gist, Becker Lipke, Carter Erickson, Jackson Wait-Learned, Coach Kirk Loge and Coach Blaine Kriesel. Back row: Coach Adam Buffington, Coach Preston Peters, Coach Brian Homan, Coach Justin Franke. Missing: Manager Wyatt Brown, Coach Cale Wolf and Coach James Brennan.

PEQUOT LAKES FOOTBALL HOPES TO BUILD ON 2022 SUCCESS

Patriots are in a realigned district with new rivalries

BY PETE MOHS

Echo Journal

PEQUOT LAKES

The Pequot Lakes Patriots football team hopes to build on its success after turning its program around last season — winning seven more games than the prior year.

After finishing 1-8 in 2021, the Patriots improved to 8-3 after losing to top-seeded Esko in the Section 7-3A championship game.

“We lost in the section final against a talented Esko team,” said Pequot

BILL MAGNUSON

Lakes head coach Bill Magnuson, whose team defeated Aitkin and Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin in last year’s playoffs.

“With eight starters returning, we look to get

back to the section final and change the results of last year.”

Magnuson, starting his 25th season as a head coach, is also excited about the season because of a recent Minnesota State High School League realignment of district football teams. The Patriots will no longer be competing against familiar foes such as DilworthGlyndon-Felton, Perham and Detroit Lakes.

The Patriots will build new rivalries against teams from the Northeast District, such as Esko, Mora, Two Harbors, Proctor and Grand Rapids.

Magnuson added that

August

September

Esko, Mora and Pierz are section favorites.

Returning starters include: Riley Peters, Jacob Lane, Paxton Goddard, Dane Mudgett, Alex Kreisel, Clay Erickson, Bryar Nordby and J.P. Elsenpeter.

October

Besides the returning starters, players to watch are seniors Tommy Blomer, Logan Verville, Joe Kosloski, Griffin Hoffman and Jarrett Freking; juniors Landen Brill, Jackson Jorgens, Kamrin Hulke, Aaron

Clark, Micah Loukota and Ethan Arellano; and sophomores Sutton Sullivan, Samson Rothwell and Ben Westerman. Assistant coaches are Justin Franke, Brian Homan, Kirk Loge, Preston Peters, Blaine Kreisel, Adam Buffington, Nate DeChane, James Brennan and Cale Wolf. Pequot Lakes is scheduled to open Thursday, Aug. 31, at North Branch. Pete Mohs, Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Journal publisher, may be reached at 218-855-5855 or pete. mohs@brainerddispatch. com. Follow him on Facebook.

The Pine River-Backus

front

from

FISCHER IS NEW PR-B HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

He succeeds longtime coach Demars

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PINE RIVER

The Pine RiverBackus Tigers football team will have a new head coach this season as Nate Fischer replaces long-time coach Tom Demars.

But Fischer is no stranger to the football program as he served as Demars’s assistant coach the past two seasons.

“This will be my third

season at Pine River-Backus,” said Fischer, whose squad is scheduled to open the season by hosting Upsala at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31. “Prior to PR-B, I was at a handful of other schools. I coached and taught at Staples-Motley for three years, and before that I coached two years at Carlton High School near Duluth. I got my football coaching start back in 2014 at the College of St. Scholastica.”

Fischer had been part of the Tigers’ success the past two years with 15 total wins.

“The Tigers are coming off two solid seasons as they finished 7-3 last fall and 8-2 in 2021,” he said. “We lost a plethora of seniors, but we return a

I coached and taught at Staples-Motley for three years, and before that I coached two years at Carlton High School near Duluth. I got my football coaching start back in 2014 at the College of St. Scholastica.

number of players who have logged significant minutes the past two years, and will look to continue their upward trend in 2023.”

Returning letterwinners are Chance Abraham, Brady Ruhl, Ethan Lodge, Nevada Ehlenfeldt, Eli Abraham, Dalten Meyers, Austin Degrote and Koal

Oberfell. Others who could contribute are Tyler Day, Andrew Volk, Owen Dabill and Adrian Schrupp.

Last year, No. 3 Ottertail Central defeated No. 2 Pine River-Backus 27-6 in the section 6A semifinals. The Tigers had defeated Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 37-13 in the quarterfi-

nals.

Five PR-B players were members of the All-Northwest South District team. They included Corbin Knapp, Irvin Tulenchik, Rian Struss, Chance Abraham and Trey Tuchtenhagen. Ethan Lodge, Konnor King and Eli Abraham were honorable mention.

The Tigers finished 5-1 overall last season in the Mid-Northwest Central District.

PR-B assistant coaches are Rob Johnson, Mike Dinnel and Erik Vetsch.

Pete Mohs, Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Journal publisher, may be reached at 218-855-5855 or pete. mohs@brainerddispatch. com. Follow him on Facebook.

With eight starters returning, we look to get back to the section final and change the results of last year.

Kelli Engstrom / Kelli

Travis Grimler / Echo Journal

football team includes,

row

left: Austin Degrote, Ethan Lodge, Brady Ruhl, Tyler Day, Chance Abraham and Nevada Ehlenfeldt. Second row: Torin Desmond, Beau Burrell, Karson Crawford, Kaleb Shamp, Owen Dabill, Koal Oberfell, Eli Abraham, Kolby Walters and Dalten Meyers. Third row: Gavin Tulenchik, Logan Tymenski, Easton Wynn, Alex Crannell, Andrew Volk, Noah Abraham, Shaunn Reyes, Grady Ratz and Brody Day. Fourth row: Adrian Schrupp, William Gould, William Moore, Brody Mongan, Scott Scovel, Blake Hoplin, Gabe Diers and Jay Rahm. Fifth row: Coach Mike Dinnel, Coach Nate Fischer, Coach Erik Vetsch and Coach Rob Johnson. Not pictured: Konnor King.

Tigers hope to build on state appearance

Coach says team should have a solid season

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PINE RIVER

The Pine River-Backus

Tigers volleyball team is optimistic as it returns 16 letterwinners from last year’s Class A state qualifying team.

“We feel like the core of the team did everything they could this summer to put our team in a good position to have a solid season,” said coach Josh Hirschey, who has 194 coaching wins in nine seasons. “The kids will have to accept their roles in order for us to reach our potential as a unit.”

The returning letterwinners include: Ariana Burns, Maegan Irish, Brianna Hanneken, Raena Hanneken, Alaura Dahl, Ella Dahl, Ayla Richards, Kaitlyn Rilea, Kassidy Bristow, Averie Sawyer, Maddy Knapp, Caylei Johnson, Ashley Shamp, Mimi Bueckers, Heidi Kline and Abby Gilbert.

“We hope that a difficult schedule helps prepare us for the postseason,” Hirschey said. “Our goal in terms of on court performance is to once again be a factor in the Section 5A playoffs, but we really just focus on one practice and one game at a time.”

The Tigers, who were scheduled to open the season Aug. 25 at the Rush City tournament, finished 6-1 in the Northland

September

7 - Clearbrook-Gonvick at Pine River-Backus 7:15

p.m.

12 - Verndale at Pine River-Backus 7:15 p.m.

14 - Pine River-Backus at Crosby-Ironton 7:15 p.m.

16- Pine River-Backus at Crosby-Ironton tourney 9 a.m.

19 - Pine River-Backus at Cass Lake-Bena 7:15 p.m.

Conference and 27-6 overall last season. They advanced to state by

21 - Blackduck at Pine River-Backus 7:15 p.m.

26 - Pine River-Backus at Bemidji 7:15 p.m.

28 - Northome-Kelliher at Pine River-Backus 7:15

sweeping Verndale and Braham and then defeating Mille Lacs 3-1 in the

section final. At the state tournament, the Tigers lost to

Our goal in terms of on court performance is to once again be a factor in the Section 5A playoffs, but we really just focus on one practice and one game at a time.

JOSH HIRSCHEY

Ely 3-1 in the Class A state consolation semifinals and Mable-Canton 3-0 in the quarterfinals.

Assistant coaches are Liz Dahl, Ben Kinser, Leah Freeman, Jordan Ackerman and Nicole

Hirschey. Pete Mohs, Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Journal publisher, may be reached at 218-855-5855 or pete. mohs@brainerddispatch. com. Follow him on Facebook.

Ashley Smith / Echo Journal Correspondent

The Pine River-Backus volleyball team includes, front row: Kayla Rilea, Reina Hanneken, Alaura Dahl, Ella Dahl, Caylei Johnson, Ayla Richards, Khia Lewis. Middle row: Lily Barchus, Aubrey Wirtz, Avery Sawyer, Kaitlin Rilea, Abigail Gilbert, Autumn Burns and Leah Eveland. Back row: Callie Norman, Cassidy Bristow, Brianna Hanneken, Ashley Shamp, Maegan Irish, Mimi Buekers, Maddie Knapp, Ariana Burns, Heidi Kline and Ava Burns.

CHRIS GANLEY

Patriots return after state runner-up finish

Team must fill openings due to seniors graduating

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PEQUOT LAKES

The Pequot Lakes

Patriots volleyball team is working hard as they return from the best finish in program history — finishing as Class 2A state runners-up in 2022.

“The girls did some hard work over the summer to continue to improve,” said head coach Chris Ganley, whose team finished 29-5 overall last season. “We will have room to grow as we will be filling significant openings due to graduation, but the girls are willing to put in the work.”

Last season, Pequot Lakes was runner-up to Cannon Falls at the Class 2A state tournament. The Patriots had swept Barnesville 3-0 in the quarterfinals and then blanked Concordia Academy 3-0 in the semifinals.

The Patriots advanced to state for the second time in three seasons after defeating St. Cloud Cathedral 3-1 in the Section 7-2A championship match. Pequot Lakes had defeated Wadena-Deer Creek 3-2 in the semifinals and swept Holding-

ford 3-0 in the quarterfinals.

Returning letterwinners include: Grace Hoffard, Ella Kratochvil, Charlee Sullivan, Kelsi Martini, Isabelle Larson, Aubrey Larson, Lauren Schultz, Reese Laposky, June Ruud, Alexa Pietig and Presley Crawford. Hoffard and Kratochvil and graduate Abi Martin were selected to the alltournament team at state.

Pequot Lakes also won the Mid-State Conference title with an unbeaten record last fall. This year

the team will be competing in the Granite Ridge Conference. Assistant coaches are Jenna Anderson, Kendra Johnson and Maddy Stahl.

The Patriots were scheduled to open the season Tuesday, Aug. 29, at Wadena-Deer Creek.

Pete Mohs, Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Journal publisher, may be reached at 218-855-5855 or pete. mohs@brainerddispatch. com. Follow him on Facebook.

We will have room to grow as we will be filling significant openings due to graduation, but the girls are willing to put in the work.

Kelli Engstrom / Kelli Engstrom Photography

Pequot Lakes volleyball team members include, front row from left: Hailey Bengstrom, Reese Laposky, Aubrey Larson, Kelsi Martini, Charlie Sullivan, Presley Crawford and Josie Taylor. Back row: Alex Schmitkey, Isabel Larson, Ella Kratochvil, Grace Hoffard, Alexa Pietig, Lauren Schultz, June Ruud and Amilia Davis.

All-state runners return for Patriots

Five senior girls return to program that is in a new conference

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PEQUOT

LAKES

The Pequot Lakes

Patriots return talented runners this season, including seniors

Calia Chaney and Eli Hall, who both earned allstate honors last year at the Class 2A state meet.

Last year, Chaney earned all-state honors after finishing 10th at the Class 2A state meet with a time of 18:44.1 while Hall captured all-state honors by finishing 13th in 16:13.9.

This fall, Chaney is among five senior girls returning for Pequot Lakes as the cross-country program moves to the Granite Ridge Conference and Section 7-2A.

“The (five seniors) return many leadership qualities, and have been positive and encouraging towards each other,” said Jeff Brever, the Patriots’

head cross-country coach.

“At practice they have been working hard to achieve their goals.”

Letterwinners on the girls’ team besides Chaney include: Emma Flaws, Lilix Gustafson, Hailee Polchow, Rian Zutter, Erika English, Emma Bitzer and Emily Held. Others who could contribute are Kyra Rohrbach and Kaydence Blank.

Letterwinners for the boys besides Hall include: Shane Crowley, Eli Toftness, James Johnson, Liam Zins, John Christianson and Gus McKenna. Others who could contribute are Connor Jansen and Brak Schramm.

“Eli (Hall) and Shane (Crowley) have displayed senior leadership this summer and early fall season by getting the team together for runs with aspirations of improving their section team finish from last year,” Brever said. “I’m excited to see how much everyone has improved with their commitment to get better during the offseason. If they stay healthy and keep improving, we should have a strong season.”

At last year’s Section 8-2A meet, Chaney triumphed with a schoolrecord finish to help the Patriots place sixth while

Hall placed second to help the Pequot Lakes boys finish fourth. Chaney also won the individual title to help the Patriots win the MidState Conference title while Hall also triumphed as the Pequot Lakes boys finished third. Hall set a school record with a 16:07.6 time last October in Alexandria. That time topped the old record of 16:14 set by current Patriot assistant coach Clayton Foster.

Assistant coaches for the Patriots, who opened the season Aug. 26 at Perham, are Clayton Foster and Autumn Thull. Pete Mohs, Brainerd Dispatch

and Echo Journal publisher, may be reached at 218855-5855 or pete.mohs@ brainerddispatch.com. Follow him on Facebook.

Kelli Engstrom / Kelli Engstrom Photography

Pequot Lakes cross-country team members include, front row from left: Emma Bitzer, Kaydence Blank, Rian Zutter, Calia Chaney, Lilix Gustafson, Hailee Polchow, Emma Flaws, Erika English, Emily Held and Kyra Rohrbach. Back row: James Johnson, Shane Crowley, Brak Schramm, Eli Hall, Liam Zins, Connor Jansen and Eli Toftness.

Pine River-Backus teams to feature new faces

September

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PINE RIVER

The Pine River-Backus

Tigers boys and girls

cross-country teams will have some new faces on second-year head coach Karl Ludeman’s squad this fall.

“Since last year, we have had two runners graduate, and two shifted to other sports,” said Ludeman, whose squad was scheduled to open the season Monday, Aug. 28, at StaplesMotley.

“So we are a relatively young group with just one senior,” he said. “We do have six new runners in our program, and hope to gain a couple more once school starts. Our preseason training is off to a great start and we’re all excited to build on last year’s successes.”

Returning boys include:

Andrew Bueckers, Reece Trumble and Dennis Rahm. Returning girls are River Crawford, Kelsey Bergem, Evelynn Peterson and Kenzlee Sawyer.

Others who could con-

1 - Pine River-Backus at Brainerd 10 a.m. 5 - Wadena-Deer Creek at Pine River-Backus

at Staples-Motley 4 p.m.

5 - Pine

tribute for the Tigers are Dalton Minion and William Adams with the boys; and Arya Compton with the girls.

Last season, the PR-B boys finished sixth and the girls seventh at the Park Region Conference meet. At the Section 7A meet, Peterson finished 28th as the Tiger girls were 12th while the PR-B boys placed ninth.

PR-B assistant coach is Sidney Lodge.

Ashley Smith / Echo Journal Correspondent Pine River-Backus cross-country team members include, front row from left: Kalie Trout, Kelsey Bergem, River Crawford, Arya Compton, Reese Trumble, Dahlton Minion, Andrew Bueckers, Owen Ludeman, Coach Karl Ludeman. Back row: Lyric Aulie, Cora Lindquist, Kenzlee Sawyer, Evelynn Peterson, Jayce Compton, Dean Wynn, William Adams. Not shown: Jovi Borland, Tana Borland, Dennis Rahm. Not pictured Assistant Coach Sydney Lodge.