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.