On Nov. 6 Pine River-Backus athletes were recognized for their accomplishments and hard work at the fall sports banquet.
Activities director Randy Schwegel opened the evening by thanking the Pine River-Backus Booster Club for its hard work. He also expressed his thanks to the Pine River Journal and the Brainerd Daily Dispatch for the coverage the teams received.
Schwegel went on to thank the football chain gang, press box workers, volunteer coaches, Parker Williams for filming the games, and the girls who worked on the football team's sideline crew: Cate Zebroski, Lexi Hansen, Grace Lemberg, Hannah Lemberg, Kendra Hamilton and Molly Porta.
"We finished 3-6 for the season," Schwegel said. "We had a lot of injuries, and could have maybe won a couple more games with everyone healthy. The homecoming loss to Lake of the Woods was probably the best game that we played all season."
Glen Abbott was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player and Mitchell Kline received the Most Valuable Defensive Player award. Jimmy Ryba was named the Rookie of the Year, the Most Improved Player award was given to Aaron Kottschade, the Little Big Man award went to Blake Demars and Ben Kline was named the Most Inspirational Player.
Abbott and Mitchell Kline were both named to the Northern Plains Conference all-conference team and the Section 8AA all-section team. Ben Kline, Andy Davidson and Levi Allen received all-conference honorable mentions.
Other players who lettered included Russell Burgoyne, Michelle Dickson, Jordan Farmer, Jake Sepin, Byron Stark, Derek Sonenstahl, Billy Erickson, Jordan Stockman, Dylan DeLong, Brian Plantz, Jacob Joy and Adam Barstow.
"Our team was very young and inexperienced," said first-year volleyball coach Chelsea Eveland. "We finished 15-10 for the season and were the Northwoods Conference runner-up."
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BoyÕs Cross Counry Award Winners
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Co-captain Katie Wangberg reached the 1,000 set assist mark as a sophomore to receive the team's Most Valuable Player award. The Rookie of the Year award went to Emalee Arends, the Leading Hitter award was given to Crysta Christensen, Scarlett Rudlang was given the Most Valuable Defensive Player award and Hannah Zaske was named the Most Improved Player.
Wangberg, Christensen and Kendra Hamilton were named to the all-conference team. Rudlang and co-captain Trisha Mongan received all-conference honorable mentions.
Other letter winners included Tiffany Smith, Castona Rodriguez, Monica Hamilton, Kelsey Kline, Rachel Kline and Nikki Tulenchik.
"The top-10 finishers at the section meet qualify for state," boys' cross country coach Gregg Ehlert commented. "Travis Wheeler finished an incredible 17th place, so we have some runners with a shot for next year."
Jacob Weber received the Most Valuable Junior High Runner award, Nick Kline was named Most Improved runner and Patrick Rudlang was given the Most Points award. Co-captains Travis Wheeler, Sam Hedberg and Joe Smith all received the Most Valuable Runner award.
Wheeler finished fourth at the Birch Tree Conference meet and was named to the all-conference team. Hedberg was ninth at the conference meet to earn an all-conference honorable mention.
Other runners earning letters included Chris Rudlang and Devon Holley.
"We had some challenges at the beginning of the season," said coach Jim Machacek, "but by the end of the season these girls really came together as a team. This year we were able to run a full varsity team every meet of the season."
Sarah Rudlang was named the Most Valuable Junior High runner, Jade Holley was the Most Improved Runner, captain Kayla Peltier received the Most Dedicated Runner award, Lydia Krecklau was given the Most Points award and Kira Taylor was named the Most Valuable runner. A special "Bad Break" award was given to Kaylynn Carner who broke her arm midway through the season.
Other runners who received letters included Nichole McCoy, Ashley Kennedy, Franciscka Ellestad, Kristle Peltier, Monica Volz, Rachel Weber, Cassie Sechser and Caity Daudt.
