Esko-Carlton Boys
Quietly the Esko-Carlton boys golf team has put together an impressive run of golfers in participating in the state tournament. Last year that tradition continued with Jim Stafford, and coaches and players this year would like to keep the impressive run intact.
"On the boys side we lost Jim Stafford, who placed third in the section meet and went on to compete in the state meet," commented coach Mike Rosen. "It was the ninth year in a row that we have sent a competitor to the state tournament.
Returning for the boys will be section qualifier Tyler LeRoux, a junior who finished 13th in the section meet.
"In fact, we are looking to Tyler and other juniors like Scott Lindquist and Jeremy Syrjanen for leadership," mentioned Rosen. "We also expect them to score well for us."
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One key for the Eskomos will be whether underclassmen like Jack Pelletier, Jordan Pederson, Boyd Smith and Dan Granmo can contribute and carry on the tradition that has been put in place by golfers before them.
Most difficult for the golf teams of northern Minnesota will be the fact that all their practices thus far have been inside. Unlike baseball and softball teams who can still get some hitting and fielding in doors, golfers can not get a true and accurate picture of the way the ball will carry until they get outdoors.
"With a little bit of outside practice and dedication, we hopefully will be able to return some individuals to the section and state meets," explained Rosen. "We may be able to advance as a team to the section meet as well."
Pine Journal sports reporter Kerry Rodd can be contacted at: kdrodd@aol.com .
Esko-Carlton Girls
For five years the Esko-Carlton girls soccer team leaned on Michelle Maunu and her leadership. Maunu was a six-time letter winner and advanced to the state tournament five times, but because she has moved on to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota, the mantel will move to other players who will need to provide leadership.
"Returning are seniors Ashley Ojala, who finished 13th in the section meet, and Tia Salo who finished 18th in the section," mentioned coach Mike Rosen. "Other returning girls are Sarah Gustafson, Tierney Bergstedt and Andrea Beaudot."
In a bit of a surprise, the E-C girls had more girls try out this season than boys with about 16 girls trying out for the squad.
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"We have had one outside practice so far, but our entire schedule has been pushed back at least a week and a half because of the late snow," said Rosen. "We have held some inside practices at the golf dome in Hermantown, and many kids have traveled south during spring break this week and next to get in some early season tune ups."
The practices have stressed grip, stance and alignment, many of the very things that are stressed at the professional level.
Like the boys team, the girls team calls the Cloquet Country Club their home course and Rosen and his co-coach Gerry Maunu would like to thank them for the opportunity to use the course again this season.
"In addition to playing in Cloquet we get to play some wonderful courses including the Quarry at Giants Ridge, the Pines, the Preserve and Deacons Lodge in the Brainerd Lakes area," explained Rosen. "We also get to play at Superior National at Lutsen, the Wilderness in Vermilion, Northland Country Club in Duluth and Grand National in Hinckley."
Pine Journal sports reporter Kerry Rodd can be contacted at: kdrodd@aol.com .
