Boys' track
The Pequot Lakes boys’ track and field team has a nice mix of 15 letterwinners, plus a group of sophomores and freshmen who are making their varsity debuts this year since last spring was canceled due to COVID-19.
“We graduated a group of seniors last year, but we have two new grades of athletes stepping in,” said Pequot Lakes boys’ coach Dave Guenther. “So it will be exciting to work with new people.”
Letterwinners include: Jesse Clausen, Caleb Davis, Bryce Fabian, Lucas Ganley, Eli Hall, Tyler Hidde, Caleb Hill, Logan Hill, Ethan Johnson, Steve Maschoff, Charles Schiessl, Garrett Griffin, Cruz Megazzini, Vini Sposito and Isaak Geroy.
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Others who could contribute are Levi Barnes, Shane Crowley, Paxton Goddard, Cullen Keifer, Kalan Larson, Garrett Wichner, Wolfgang Yetzer, Jaiden Biley, Alex Stahnke and Alex Kriesel.
Guenther said that the Patriots expect to have a smaller roster this spring.
“We have a lot of track veterans that are not returning,” Guenther said. “I feel bad for them, but I’m here to spend time with the kids who really want to be here.”
The coach added that his athletes are excited to be back after missing the 2020 season.
“I feel that after you have something taken away from you, and then you get it back, you learn to appreciate what you had even more,” Guenther said. “That sums it up best for being able to have a track season this year.”
The Patriots are scheduled to open the season by hosting Nevis, Staples-Motley and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley on Friday, April 16. The True Team Section meet is Tuesday, May 4, at a location to be determined. The Mid-State Conference boys’ meet will be Tuesday, May 11, at Detroit Lakes while the Subsection 6A meet is Thursday, May 20, at Pequot Lakes.
Assistant coaches are Brian Homan, Bud Bjornarra, Kathy Allen, Pat Pfeiffer, Jana Lueck, Chip Taylor and Jeremiah Duvall.
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Girls’ track
The Pequot Lakes Patriots girls’ track and field team returns 15 athletes who lettered in 2019, but were forced to sit out last year when the MSHSL spring sports season was canceled due to COVID-19.
Those letterwinners are Lydia Hubbard, Carly Chaney, Megan Buffington, Calia Chaney, Lilix Gustafson, Emma Flaws, Joselyn Rinio, Riya Johnston, Sheena James, Brittany Joyce, Allison Gladen, Julia Keiffer, Sonja Palmer, Kelsey Polchow and Sydnie Wgeishofski.
“After not having a competitive season last year, the girls’ team returns a core group led by seniors Lydia (Hubbard), Sheena (James) and Megan (Buffington),” Pequot Lakes coach Jeff Brever said. “Essentially, we have two new grades coming in - last year’s freshman and this year’s freshman class.”
At the Section 6A meet in 2019, the 4x800 relay of Hubbard, Kenzie Lampi, and Cassidy and Carly Chaney finished first while the Patriots’ 4x400 relay of Marjana Ganley, Hubbard and Cassidy and Carly Chaney were second. Finishing third at sections were Carly Chaney (800), Caila Chaney (1,600) and Hubbard (high jump).
Others who could contribute are Trinity Bailles, Maria Bance, Veronica Broskovetz, Amelia Davis, Brooklyn Diederich, Kayla Joyce, Lily Labarre, Isabel Larson and Taylor Max.
“We are looking to start the season setting expectations, routines, and bringing energy and excitement to practice,” Brever said, who is assisted by Desera Engholm. “We are excited to be able to compete this year, and make the best of the opportunity.”
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The Patriots are scheduled to open the season by hosting Nevis, Staples-Motley and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley on Friday, April 16. The True Team Section meet is Tuesday, May 4, at a location to be determined. The Mid-State Conference girls’ meet will be Thursday, May 13, at Crosby-Ironton while the Subsection 6A meet is Thursday, May 20, at Pequot Lakes.
