PINE RIVER — As the calendar transitions to the middle of October, we are heading to the postseason for many of our fall activities.
It has been great to see our teams competing this fall and having a great deal of success. Winter activities are right around the corner and we look forward to a great start for those seasons as well.
Here are a few highlights of the fall activities season for Pine River-Backus:
The PR-B cross-country team is having a strong season, which continues Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Park Region Conference Meet at Blueberry Pines Golf Course in Menahga.
On Thursday, Oct. 27, the Tigers will compete at the Section 7A cross-country meet at the Cloquet Country Club. At the section meet, the PR-B runners will try to earn a spot at the Minnesota State High School League state cross-country meet Saturday, Nov. 5, at St. Olaf College.
Head coach is Karl Ludeman and assistant coach is Autumn Loge.
The Pine River-Backus football team has a 4-2 record as they have picked up wins over Walker-Hackensack-Akeley, Bagley, Menahga and Lake Park Audubon. Losses were to New York Mills and Red Lake County Central.
The Tigers look to pick up their fifth win of the season when they travel to Red Lake on Thursday, Oct. 13. Postseason play begins Tuesday, Oct. 25.
Head coach is Tom Demars, who is assisted by Rob Johnson, Michael Dinnel, Nate Fischer, Mark Gonnion and Mike Lupella.
The PR-B volleyball team has had a great season with a record of 20-3. Season highlights include Pine River-Backus winning the Rush City Tournament on Aug. 26 and the Bertha-Hewitt Tournament on Oct. 1.
This week PR-B hosted Sebeka on Oct. 11 and travels to Northome on Thursday, Oct. 13. The Tigers will close out the regular season next week before beginning postseason play Friday, Oct. 28.
Head coach is Josh Hirschey, who is assisted by Liz Dahl, Ben Kinser and Nichole Hirschey with Leah Freeman and Chelsea Eveland coaching the junior high teams.
The cast is set for the PR-B fall musical performance of “Robin Hood” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov.18-19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. Jen Anderson is the director.
Cast members are: Arianna Eckman as Beth, Keylah Kendrick as Mother Meg, Skyler Rugroden as Little John, LeeAnn Wynn as Old Widow, Cassin Humphrey as Will Scarlet, Cash Kangas as Robin Hood, Trinity Osman as Friar Tuck, Nesika Bellville as Sheriff of Nottingham, Katelyn Denton as Lady Merle, Adelheid Gregory as Anabel, Arya Compton as Maid Marian, Sophie Lupella as Kaspar, Eleanor Peterson as Sheriff’s Mother, Maren Lindquiet as Salome, Allaura Mandelbaum as the Stranger, Bethany Schultz as Merry Band Member, Daelin Wilkinson as Merry Band Member.
The PR-B robotics team started the fall season and is working toward competition in the fall championships Oct. 28 in Alexandria.
Coaches are Mike Shetka and Andrew Rudlang.
Pine River-Backus High School has been working to bring back a cheer team starting this winter with Teresa Hamp and Karen Goodenough providing the direction for restarting this program.
PR-B third through sixth grade teams have competed in several tournaments this fall. This past weekend Pine River-Backus hosted the following events:
- Third/fourth grade flag football tournament with teams from Pine River-Backus, Pequot Lakes, Pillager and Staples-Motley competing.
- Third/fourth grade volleyball tournament with teams from Pine River-Backus, Pillager, Crosby-Ironton and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley competing.
- Fifth/sixth grade flag football with Pine River-Backus and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley competing.
This past weekend the Pine River-Backus fifth/sixth grade volleyball team competed at the Nevis Tournament.
Upcoming winter sports dates
- Monday, Oct. 24: Dance practice starts.
- Monday, Oct. 31: Girls hockey practice starts.
- Monday, Nov. 14: Girls basketball and boys hockey practice starts.
- Monday, Nov. 21: Boys basketball and wrestling practice starts.
More activities information
For more information and updates on Pine River-Backus activities, feel free to follow our social media pages and websites:
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me via email at
or via phone at 218-587-8029.
Thank you and go Tigers!
Tim Tungseth is the Pine River-Backus School District activities director/youth sports coordinator.
Travis Burnett
A pioneer in the flag football community, Travis helped co-found the Flag Football World Championship Tour, FlagSpin and USA Flag. Featuring 15+ years of content creation for the sport of flag football, creating and managing the largest flag football tournaments on the planet, coaching experience at the youth and adult level as well as an active player with National and World Championship level experience.
