ELK RIVER STAR NEWS SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026 | 29

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Elk River, MN 55330.

State-tested group aims to contend in Section 8-4A and Northwest Suburban Conference

ERIK NELSON Sports Reporter

Many members of Elk River’ s 2026 roster were part of the program’ s 2024 VFW state championship team as freshmen and sophomores, giving the Elks a core with biggame experience.

2025 record: 8-12( lost to Cold Spring in the Section 8-4A playoffs)

Head coach: Josh Juntunen

Key returning players: Pitcher Tommy Olson; first baseman Bennett Masey; outfielders David Mulcahy and Lincoln Trushenski

Important games: April 7 vs. Anoka; April

* Rate reflects $ 100 per per

9 at Champlin Park; April 21 vs. Centennial; April 23 at Rogers; May 5 vs. Andover; May 8 at Moorhead; May 11 at STMA; May 13 vs. Totino-Grace( Strike Out Cancer); May 15 vs. Bemidji; May 20 vs. Monticello

Coach Josh Juntunen’ s expectations for 2026:“ We should have a solid group this year. They have high expectations of themselves. We’ re going to have a successful year. The Northwest Suburban Conference sent a couple teams to the state tournament last year. Day in and day out, it’ s good competition.

“ We have a good shot at winning our section( 8-4A) this year. The guys got a lot of good reps last year. We should be toward the top half of the Northwest

ERIK NELSON Sports Reporter

Zimmerman head coach Chris Riley said he has high expectations for a group that gets along well and shows strong team

FILE PHOTO

The Elks celebrate with gold medals, a traveling plaque and the traveling state championship trophy after winning the 70th Annual Minnesota VFW State Baseball Tournament on Aug. 4, 2024, after defeating Marshall Post 742 11-1 in the championship game at Dick Putz Field in St. Cloud. Several of the Elks are now on the 2026 Elk River High School team and will look to help Elk River end a 12-year state tournament drought.

Suburban Conference as well, if not, hopefully

chemistry.

Last season marked the program’ s first at its new field near the Zimmerman football stadium after more than 20 years at the competing to win it. Both Andover and

previous site. However, fans were unable to use the bleachers, and the dugouts were not fully equipped.

2025 record: 4-17( lost to St. Francis in the Section 5-3A playoffs)

Key returning players:

Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park

• Three Nights in Banff

• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

• Waterton Lakes National Park

• Glacier National Park

• Kootenay National Park

• Banff Gondola- Sulphur Mountain

• 1930’ s Red Jammer Touring Cars

• Going-to-the-Sun Highway

• Banff Area Tour

• Peyto Lake

• Lake MacDonald

• Moraine Lake & Valley of the Ten Peaks

• Lake Louise & Victoria Glacier

• Icefields Parkway

• Athabasca Glacier Ice Explorer

• Prince of Wales Hotel

Wonders of the Blue Danube River Cruise

• Roundtrip Airfare- MSP

• 7 Night Cruise- Outside Cabin

• 20 Meals( 7-B, 6-L & 7-D)

• PWD Tour Director

• Hand Selected Wines, Beer & So??

• Drinks w / Dinners

• Ship Staff

• Baggage Handling at Hotel & Ship

• Int’ l Air Taxes / Fuel / Port Charges

• Wifi Onboard

• Ship Transfers

To RSVP call 952-442-6820 or 1-877-953-8687 Call for more information to be mailed or emailed to you.

Champlin Park made the state tournament last

Thunder return key pitchers as program settles into new home field

Spring Preview

Spring Preview

Senior pitchers Nathan Buermann and Bode Zahler; junior pitcher Hank Olson; junior catcher Eli Martin

Key departures: Santiago Garcia, Joshua Carlson, Gavin Hauth, Carter year. We can compete with about anyone.”

Hartfiel and Danny Hartigan

Important games: April 7 vs. Becker; April 9 vs. Sauk Rapids-Rice; April 10 vs. Princeton; April 13

See ZIMMERMAN | PAGE 32