Head Coach:
Eric Niemi--8th season, all at NYM
(138-66).
Assistant Coaches: Doug Salo, Mike Weller, Wayne Weller.
2006-07 Season: The Eagles finished with a 13-5 overall record, 6-0 in dual meets against Park Region Conference teams. NY Mills finished 2nd at the Park Region tournament behind Pequot Lakes/Pine River-Backus.
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2007 Sections: New York Mills was the No. 1 seed and 3-time defending champs of Section 6A. They beat No. 9 Morris in the quarterfinals, 59-16, then beat No. 5 Wadena-Deer Creek, 42-33 in the semifinals. The Eagles lost to Wheaton/Herman-Norcross in the 6A title match, 33-30.
2007 State: Jason Burg, a 2007 senior, finished 2nd at 140 pounds in Class A. Andrew Frost (2008 senior) went 0-1 at heavyweight.
2008 Seniors: Brian Schornack, Mike Dittmann, Jordan Vaughan, Jake Johnson, Brian Fischer, Brendan Frost, Andrew Hendrickx, Andrew Frost.
Get to Know'em: Josh Bernu (so.), Mike Kumpula (jr.), Jordan Novak (so.), Jarrod Norton (so.), Dylan Curtis (so.), Landyn Saewert (so.), Nathan Burg (jr.).
Strengths: The Eagles will be led by a strong group of seniors who have a tradition of winning. They have a pair of returning conference champs: Brendan Frost (Preseason NO. 9, 171) and Andrew Frost (preseason No. 6, HWT), as well as a number of conference runner-ups (Bernu, Novak, Vaughan). Andrew Frost is the only returning State qualifier, but seven return who finished sixth or better at the 7A Individual tournament last year.
Season Outlook: PL/PR-B will be strong again this year and will be tough to beat for the Park Region Conference title. Mills and Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale will have a number of standout individuals. The Eagles will be in a new Section, 6A. The Section will be loaded with good teams, like W/H-N, Barnesville, Otter Tail Central, B-H/V and Wadena-Deer Creek. NY Mills Barnesville and Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale were the only 6A teams receiving votes in the preseason poll, B-H/V was the highest at No. 15.
Coaches Quote: "The wrestlers that returned to our room are a dedicated group with some hard working seniors to lead. If we can break the year down and get our young wrestlers the experience they need while some key individuals hold a 500 record; I don't think you can count us out at the end of the season."
Eric Niemi
