sports
ECHO JOURNAL’S 2023 FALL
PREVIEW PEQUOTLAKES | PINE-RIVERBACKUS
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.
BRILL LOOKING TO NOTCH HER 100TH WIN AS PATRIOTS COACH Her goal is to continue to grow the program she first coached 20 years ago PINEANDLAKES ECHO JOURNAL PEQUOT LAKES
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indi 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
Brill
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.
August
31 - Pequot Lakes at Perham meet 10 a.m.
September
5 - Foley at Pequot Lakes 4:30 p.m. 7 - Pequot Lakes at Pine City 4:30 p.m. 8 - Glencoe-Silver Lake at Pequot Lakes 4 p.m. 9 - Pequot Lakes at Brainerd tourney 9 a.m.
Although we graduated three strong players, I believe we will be competitive with nine letterwinners. MINDI BRILL
Brill first coached the team for seven years
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 starting in 1997, when she memorable experiences for her players. first came to the Pequot “Like I’ve told them, Lakes School District as a and I told the parents too, teacher. She turned over her head coaching duties it’s not just about playing tennis. It’s about developwhen she was nine ing good people. And they months pregnant with are such wonderful girls her second child at the and nice families,” she end of the 2003 season, said. taking the next 20 years Brill also looks forward off from coaching to raise to getting her 100th win. sons Brendan, Keaton and Landon with her hus- She recalls her career coaching record stood at band, Wade. 91-35, meaning she picked “I just decided at that point it would be difficult up win 92 in her team’s opening match Aug. 17. to be a mom, have a fulltime job and coach on top
12 - Pequot Lakes at Little Falls 4:30 p.m. 14 - Mora at Pequot Lakes 4:30 p.m. 18 - Crosby-Ironton at Pequot Lakes 4 p.m. 19 - Pequot Lakes at Pierz 4:30 p.m. 26 - Aitkin at Pequot Lakes 4:30 p.m. 30 - Pequot Lakes at Conference (Foley) 9 a.m