2023 Echo Journal Spring Sports Preview

PEQUOTLAKES | PINE-RIVERBACKUS

SPRING SPORTS SEASONS STARTING SLOWLY

By Dan Determan Echo Journal

Players are ready. Coaches and fans are ready. Even your local sports writers are ready.

Mother Nature, on the other hand, is not ready. In fact, she may be far from ready.

The majority of Pine River-Backus and Pequot Lakes spring sports teams began practicing Monday, March 27, and several had games and meets scheduled for this week.

However, with several inches of snow still on the ground — and several more in the forecast — the

girls golf

Patriots and Tigers have been relegated to indoor facilities for their practices for the foreseeable future.

All outdoor sporting events for Pequot Lakes have been postponed at least until Thursday, April 13. For the Tigers, the next thing on the schedule is an outdoor track meet,

baseball game and softball game Tuesday, April 11. Whether the weather will improve by then remains to be seen.

The Echo Journal will try to keep schedules as up to date as possible, but please keep in mind these schedules are subject to — and certainly will — change on

a regular basis.

So enjoy the past few weeks of winter, if that’s something one can possibly do. The weather is sure to turn around eventually, and when it does, the Patriots and Tigers will take the field.

PATRIOTS RETURN LINEUP FROM 3RD PLACE STATE FINISH

By Pete Mohs Echo Journal Pequot Lakes

The Pequot Lakes

Patriots girls’ golf team is excited to start this season after finishing third at last year’s Class 2A state meet in Jordan.

“Our girls are determined and ready to make some big moves after finishing third last year,” said Savannah Nelson, who is starting her sixth season as the Patriots coach. “Our senior captain, Morgan Krieger, is such a great leader, on and off the course. I’m excited to see how she guides the team towards success.”

Other returning

letterwinners are Charlee Sullivan, Annie Neva, Bahati Gibbs and Genevive Birkeland.

“Genevive, who finished fourth individually at state, had been working on her game all winter with a goal of coming back strong.”

Last year as a freshman, Birkeland shot a twoday 120 to place fourth individually. As a junior, Krieger tied for ninth with a 122. Other state participants included: Neva 144, Sullivan 149, Kate Stephens 167 and Gibbs 173. Lake City won the state team title with 491, followed by Fergus Falls 530 and Pequot Lakes 535.

At last year’s Section 6-2A meet, Birkeland tied

Albany’s Abby Thelen for first with a 161 to help the Patriots finish first with 686, followed by Albany with 702. Krieger was third with a 167. Others who could contribute this spring for Pequot Lakes are Izzy Larson, Taylor Max, Alexa Pietig, Clare Oseland

“Izzy is a great athlete and golfer,” Nelson said. “I think our team will be deep this season, which is fun to see as a coach.”

Brenda Helmrichs is assistant coach for the Patriots, who are scheduled to open Tuesday, April 5, at Grand Rapids. The Section 6-2A meet will be June 5-6 at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course in Sartell.

PEQUOT LAKES GIRLS GOLF

April

13 - Pequot Lakes Invitational (Crosswoods) 10 a.m.

25 - Pequot Lakes at Grand Rapids (Pokegama) 10 a.m.

28 - Pequot Lakes at Bemidji Invitational 11 a.m.

May

1 - Pequot Lakes at Sartell (Blackberry Ridge) 11 a.m.

8 - Pequot Lakes at Park Rapids (Headwaters) 9 a.m.

15 - Pequot Lakes at Park Rapids (Mid-State) TBD

17 - Pequot Lakes at Brainerd (Madden’s Classic) 9 a.m.

23 - Pequot Lakes at Detroit Lakes 12:30 p.m.

30 - Pequot Lakes at St. Cloud (Wapicada) Noon

June 5-6 - Pequot Lakes at Section meet (Blackberry Ridge, Sartell), TBD

Dan Determan / Echo Journal

The Patriot girls’ golf team. Front row, from left: Bahati Gibbs, Taylor Max, Charlee Sullivan. Back row: Alexis Pietig, Genevieve Birkeland, Morgan Krieger and Annie Neva. Not pictured: Izzy Larson.

By Pete Mohs Echo Journal

PEQUOT LAKES — The Pequot Lakes Patriots baseball team is looking to improve on last year’s 9-14 record with eight of nine defensive players returning.

“We should have an experienced team,” said Pequot Lakes coach Jon Kotaska. “We will have three experienced pitchers, and we should play solid defense behind them.

“Offensively, we will have to replace our designated hitter and leadoff hitter, but we should be able to fill in for them, and have more quality at bats from the returning players.”

Returning players include: Taevyn Brown, Caden Nelson, Caleb Toftness, Grant Loge, Alex Peterson, Jack Brennan, Clay Erickson, Conner Quale, Griffin Hoffman and Ethan Quale. Other players to watch are River Sommerness, Owen Krueger, Sean Kilpatrick and Colten McGuire.

Kotaska, who is start-

baseball baseball

ing his 10th season as head coach, believes that Detroit Lakes has a “solid” team and should be a Mid-State Confer-

ence favorite while Duluth Marshall, with “many quality players” returning from last year’s state tournament squad, is the

Section 7-2A favorite. Last season, Pequot Lakes was eliminated by Aitkin 9-1 in the losers bracket of the section

tournament. The Patriots were scheduled to open the season by hosting Upsala-Swanville Monday, April 3.

Veteran Patriots baseball team looking to improve Underclassmen key for Tigers’ baseball success

By Pete Mohs Echo Journal

PINE RIVER — Pine RiverBackus baseball coach Michael Dinnel said he’s “excited to see who steps up” and earns a role on varsity among the many underclassmen on the Tigers roster.

“We have many under-

classmen who could earn a role,” Dinnel said. “We have a senior-laden team with many returning starters, but we will have to earn every victory. Timely hitting and consistent pitching will allow us to compete with anyone.

“We need to be playing our best baseball at the end of the season, and the expectation is

to be in the conversation for a conference and section championship.”

Last season, the secondseeded Tigers were eliminated by Sebeka 6-0 in the West Subsection 5A playoffs. PR-B finished 9-2 in the Northland Conference and 13-6 overall.

Returning letterwinners are Corbin Knapp, Rian Struss,

Irvin Tulenchik, Ryder Compton, Ethan Rugroden, Konnor King, Chance Abraham, Nigel DeSanto, Cash Kangas, Caden Hamilton, Grady Mongan and Eli Abraham. Nick Ackerman is an assistant coach of the Tigers, who were scheduled to open the season at Cass Lake-Bena Tuesday, April 11.

Ashley Smith / Echo Journal Correspondent

The 2023 Tiger baseball team. Front row, from left: Grady Mongan, Ethan Rugroden, Irvin Tulenchik, Chance Abraham, Owen Dabill, Brody Mongan, Torin Desmond, Hudson Good, Jonathan Shogren, Ozzy Switajewski and Eli Abraham. Back row: Koal Oberfell, Rian Struss, Dalten Meyers, Corbin Knapp, Konnor King, Trevor Hurd, Mason Nelson, Nigel DeSanto, Caden Hamilton, Reece Trumble and Andrew Volk. Not pictured: Ryder Compton and Cash Kangas.

Dan Determan / Echo Journal

The 2023 Patriot baseball team. Front row, from left: Jack Brennan, Alex Peterson, Ethan Quale, Clay Krueger, Caden Nelson, Caleb Toftness, Taevyn Brown, Ryan Fritz and Colten Mcguire. Not pictured: Grant Loge and Riggs Magnuson.

Young players will be key for PR-B softball team

By Ashley Smith Echo Journal

PINE RIVER — With only one senior on the roster, the younger athletes will be playing bigger roles this spring for the Pine River-Backus softball team.

“This year’s team is a mix of young talent and older kids with less experience,” said PR-B coach Ben Kinser. “We only have one senior on the team, but we have great potential for the future and expect to learn and grow as much as we can through the season.”

Returning letterwinners are Tori Koering, Debren Popkes, Caylei Johnson, Sawyer Tulenchik and Katlyn Rilea. Others who could contribute: Ariana Burns, Ashley Shamp, Mady Knapp, Julia Shogren and Neveah Middendorf.

Kinser, a new head coach for the Tigers, has experience coaching baseball for 13 years.

“I know I will be learning as well as we transition,” he said. “I look forward to working with this group of young athletes, and seeing them progress and improve.”

Last spring, the Tigers finished 9-10 overall

softball softball

after losing to Sebeka 17-7 in the Section 5A playoffs. PR-B was 6-3

in the Northland Conference. Cassie Meis and Leah

Freeman are assistant coaches for the Tigers, who were scheduled to

open the season hosting Cass Lake-Bena Tuesday, April 11.

Six Patriots have experience in section title games

By Pete Mohs Echo Journal

PEQUOT LAKES — The Pequot Lakes Patriots softball team is optimistic about this season with six seniors who have twice played in Section 6-2A championship games.

“We hope to contend for the Mid-State Conference and section championships,” said coach Bret Sergent.

“Kaitlyn Geschwill, a second team all-state pitcher, who compiled a 13-2 (win-loss) record last year, will handle most of the pitching duties. Pitching and defense will be our constants, and we made great strides offensively throughout last season.”

Other letterwinners include: Maci Martini, Brea Eckes, Macy Jackson, Abi Martin, Quinn Trottier and Kelsi Martini.

“Brea, Abi, Quinn, Maci and Macy are all seniors who were vital to our success last year,” Sergeant said. “Kelsi is a junior who was all-section last year and provided us with versatility as her game progressed. Rian Zutter and Kessa Eggert, also juniors, were members of last year’s varsity and will be counted on to contribute this year.”

Last season, the Patriots were defeated by St. Cloud Cathedral 11-2 in the section championship game as Peqout Lakes finished 10-0 in the Mid-State and 22-5 overall.

Geschwill was a co-most valuable player for the Patriots last spring. She also received

the “Golden Glove” award for fielding. Geschwill, Eckes, Maci and Kelsi Martini and Martin were All-Mid-State Conference selections while Geschwill, Morgan Eckes and Kelsi Martini were all-section players. Pequot Lakes earned the Academic Gold Award for having

a team grade-point average of 3.67.

Monica Sergent, Chad Rudbeck and Kenzie Nelson are assistant coaches for the Patriots, who were scheduled to open the season by hosting Foley on Monday, April 3.

Dan Determan / Echo Journal

The 2023 Patriot softball team. Front row, from left: Brea Eckes,Macy Jackson, Maci Martini,Quinn Trottier, Kaitlyn Geschwill and Abi Martin. Middle row: Halie Bengston, June Ruud, Kelsi Martini, Lilah Jeck, Isabelle Hoen, Alex Schmidtke, Kessa Eggert and Rian Zutter. Back row: Avery Gorr, Taryn Tjaden, Georgia James, Avery Amsden, Isabelle Ziesemer, Amelia Christensen, Vannessa Ostrowski and Tatum Schliek.

Ashley Smith / Echo Journal Correspondent

The 2023 Tiger softball team. Front row, from left: Kaitlyn Rilea, Julia Shogren, Debren Popkes, Brooklyn Mills, Sawyer Tulenchik, Ariana Burns and Abby Gilbert. Middle row: Manager Emily Hulke, Neveah Middendorf, Bailey Crimmins, Caylei Johnson, Tori Koering, Morgan King and Shannon Newbold. Back row: Helen Kerbel, Aaliyah Lewis, Molly Bengtson, Maddy Knapp, Ashley Shamp and Avery Trout.

Patriots hope to continue successful tradition at state

By Pete Mohs Echo Journal

PEQUOT LAKES —

The Pequot Lakes Patriots girls and boys track and field teams hope to build on their tradition of advancing individual athletes to the Class 2A state meet.

Last year at state, Calia Chaney won the 800meter title in 2:13.49 and finished third in the 1,600 run in 5:01.29 for the Patriots. Julia Keiffer, Riya Johnson, Josie Taylor and Joselyn Rinio finished fifth for Pequot Lakes in the 4x100 relay and ninth in the 4x200.

“We are returning a large group of younger athletes, including many freshmen,” said girls’ head coach Jeff Brever. “We will be looking for consistent leadership from our upperclassmen to continue to lead our team. We are returning state participants like Calia, Joselyn and Josie, and we have a great core group to build from and will look to continue to improve throughout the season.”

Returning letterwinners include: Veronica Broskovetz, Rinio, Allison Gladen, Kayla Joyce, Hailee Polchow, Emma Flaws, Chaney, Emma Bitzer, Haylie Crutcher, Amelia Davis, Xarlie Eggert, Erika English, Reese Laposky, Ava Merta,

Hannah Sigler, Emily Held and Taylor. Others who could contribute are Ashley Slaybaugh, Isabel Larson, Grace Jordan, Anah Miller and Georgi Thompson.

Chaney was voted the team’s most valuable track athlete, Laposky earned most valuable honors for field events and Taylor was chosen rookie of the year.

At last year’s boys’ state meet, Pequot Lakes graduate Cruz Megazzini finished sixth in the high jump. For the Patriot boys last season, Megazzini was chosen most valuable athlete for both track and field while Kade Mudgett was voted top rookie.

“We have a large group of freshmen boys who are with us this year on varsity so it will be fun to see how they fit into the mix,” said Patriots boys’ head coach Brian Homan. “We have had some guys do some winter indoor meets. We have a great group of young men that work hard.”

Returning letter-winners: Tommy Blomer, Nick Holmberg, Eli Hall, Wyatt Balmer, Kalan Larson, Jack Carr, Riley Peters, Charles Schiessl, Alex Stahnke, Garrett Wichner, Micah loukota, Dane Mudgett, Kade Mudgett, Cooper Bluhm, Jaden Biley, Levi Barnes, Lucas Ganley, Bode Egg-

ena

track and field track and field

At the Section 8-2A meet, Chaney won the 800 and was second in the 1,600 to help the Patriots finish fifth. Charles Schissel won the 110 hurdles to help the Pequot Lakes boys also place fifth. The Pequot Lakes girls and boys were both second at last year’s Mid-State Conference meet.

The Patriots were scheduled to open the outdoor season by hosting the Pequot Lakes Invitational Tuesday, April 4. Pequot Lakes will

host the Mid-State Conference meet on Tuesday, May 16. The Patriot girls and boys both finished second at last year’s conference meet.

Assistant coaches for Pequot Lakes are Dave Guenther, Justin Frankie, Clayton Foster, Bud Bjornaraa, Kathy Allen and Chip Taylor.

Tigers combine for 16 letterwinners in track

By Pete Mohs Echo Journal

PINE RIVER — The Pine River-Backus boys and girls track and field teams combined have 16 letterwinners returning this spring. The boys head coach is Tom Demars while the girls head coach is Karl Lundeman.

“We have a small group of hard working athletes this season,” Demars said. “There’s no doubt that we will be improving, and hope to have some individuals who will place in the section meet.”

Letterwinners include: seniors Hunter Norman, Jacob Schnoor, Ashlee Crawford; juniors Andrew Bueckers, Alaura Dahl, Camryn Good; sophomores Dahlton Minion, Tate Norman, Josiah Sechser, Kelsey Bergem and Ava Depazes; freshmen Ella Dahl, Callie Norman, River Craw-

ford, Mimi Bueckers; and eighth grader Evelyn Peterson. Newcomers who could

contribute are sophomores Arya Compton, Koby Walters and Mac Reddick.

Assistant coaches are Henry Krecklau and Liz Dahl. The Tigers were sched-

uled to open the outdoor season at the Pequot Lakes Invitational Tuesday, April 4.

Ashley Smith / Echo Journal Correspondent

Kelli Engstrom / Kelli Engstrom Photography

Kelli Engstrom / Kelli Engstrom Photography

Patriot golfers aim to build off state appearance

By Dan Determan Echo Journal

PEQUOT LAKES — The Pequot Lakes Patriots boys’ golf team would like to build off of last year’s seventh place team finish at the Class 2A state meet. But they will need to succeed without graduate Tyler Seeling, who finished 18th at state last spring to earn all-state honors.

“Last year was nice, simply because we actually made the state tournament and we had a good leader in Tyler,” Patriots coach Steve Stoxen said of Seeling. “That is going to be hard to replace this year. To replace the guy that’s shooting 72 or lower pretty much every round, but the thing about this team that is going to be good is that we have a lot of depth.”

Other top Pequot Lakes golfers at state were Anthony Armstrong 159, Cooper Johnson 162, Tollef Birkeland 173, Michael Oseland 176 and Logan Fogarty 181.

boys golf trap shooting

“I think we have six to eight players that can maybe get in the range of 84 or lower,” Stoxen said. “If you can get depth in a golf team, only counting four shots, that is going to help a lot.”

“You have to have the mental part along with athletic ability. Right now, what we are going to be working on is basically the mental part of the game – being able to recover from a big number and understand that you are not going to go out there and hit it perfectly every time.”

Stoxen said he expects Armstrong to be the team leader this year, averaging around 76 per round, but after that the team is “kind of wide open” and he expects big things from Birkeland, whom Stoxen referred to as “a pleasant surprise” last season when he was a seventh grader.

At last year’s state meet in Jordan, Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa was first with 616 while the Patriots finished with 646. At last year’s Sec-

tion 6-2A meet, Seeling finished second by one stroke, but helped the Patriots finish first with 640 while St. Cloud Cathedral was a close second with 641.

“I think the section will be really competitive,” Stoxen said, “but I also think that our kids will be ready for it at that time - if we get outside.”

Stoxen added that he appreciates the local courses allowing the athletes to practice for free.

The Patriots are scheduled to open by hosting an invitational Wednesday, April 19, at The Pines at Grand View Resort.

Pequot Lakes team has 9 letterwinners

PEQUOT LAKES — The Pequot Lakes Patriots boys and girls trap shooting team returns nine letterwinners this spring.

Those letterwinners include: Avery Larson, Ethan Weik, Isaac Fjeseth, Christopher Hankins, Alinia Kinney, Maverick Franz,

Brandon Conklin, Jack Haar and Michael Kale Young.

Others who could contribute: Jaxon Woodman, Lilli Young, Jas-

per Fuchs, Jayden Fuchs, Noah Laporte, Clay and Carter Erickson, Riley Peters and Eli Martini.

“The coaching staff is excited for the com-

ing season,” said Scott Larson, who is starting his third season as head coach. “We have a solid core of shooters regardless of

grade level.” Assistant coaches are Robert Hannahs, Josh Trepl, Brett Freking and Tod Pelarski.

Dan Determan / Echo Journal

The 2023 Pequot Lakes boys’ golf team. Front row, from left: Isaac Peterson, Jerome Martin and Hunter Oelschlager. Back row: Brayden Spiczka, Anthony Armstrong, Finn Fogarty and Ethan Thomas. Not pictured: Tollef Birkeland, Logan Fogarty and Michael Oseland.

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