Mission Valley Mariners seniors look to future
courtesy photo
Mission Valley Mariners Jeremiah Crawford, Bradley PIchler, Kellen Hoyt, TJ Olson, Nick Crawford, Chris Drebes, and Quinn Harlan, from left, are all seniors with the Legion baseball team.
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Four years ago two boys from Polson made a pact to talk their parents into letting them work out with the big guys. Each set of parents listened with secret smiles as each boy repeated “His mom is letting him go.”
The big guy workout was with the Mission Valley Mariners, and the boys were Bradley Pichler and Kellen Hoyt. As Brad was only 14 and Kellen 15, moms and dads were a little apprehensive at first, but warmed up to the idea as the boys jumped with excitement. That first day of workouts the boys put on their best brave face and walked into a barn full of young men, some of them 19 years old. After the workout season was coming to an end and teams were being chosen, both Brad and Kellen got their names called to be Mariners. Mission Valley Mariners, the best of the best.
The very next season they were joined by teammates Quinn Harlan, Nick Crawford, and Chris Drebes. They had all played together throughout the years on various All Star teams and were finally coming together once again. The great thing about the Mariners is they pull from towns throughout the whole valley. Quinn is from Polson, Nick from Arlee, and Chris, Ronan.
Now, in their senior year, they gained two new guys with the addition of Jeremiah Crawford from Plains and TJ Olson, who moved to Polson at the beginning of the season. Although new to the Mariners, they are not strangers. Jeremiah and TJ have also been fellow teammates with the boys throughout their younger years.
All seven kids continued to grow and under the guidance of coach Jami Hanson, became better ball players. Not only did they learn the ropes of the game but also gained integrity and sportsmanship. They learned how to be great citizens and role models. Most of all they became a family.
Lessons they learned while being a part of the Mariners will carry into adulthood. They have all achieved greatness in their own right and owe it all to Coach Hanson. He has been a coach, a mentor, and a shoulder for these boys. Hanson has helped them to excel in more ways than one.
In all of the paths these young men will take and adventures that come their way, they will always have that one day in their Mariner memories they will hold forever, whether it’s that big home run, the shut out they threw, or the giggle they shared on the bus. They will forever hold onto the words of Coach Hanson … “Once a Mariner, always a Mariner.”
TJ Olson – One year with the Mariners. Achieved a full tuition baseball scholarship with Dawson Community College in Glendive.
Jeremiah Crawford – One year with the Mariners. Achieved a full tuition baseball scholarship with Dawson Community College in Glendive.
Quinn Harlan – Three years with the Mariners. Attending Lane Community College in Eugene, Ore. in the fall.
Chris Drebes – Three years with the Mariners. Continuing his studies with college choices undecided.
Nick Crawford – Three years with the Mariners. Achieved a full tuition baseball scholarship with Columbia Basin Community College in Kennewick, Wash.
Kellen Hoyt – Four years with the Mariners. Achieved a full tuition baseball scholarship with Dawson Community College in Glendive, and also serving with the Army National Guard.
Bradley Pichler – Four years with the Mariners. Achieved a full tuition baseball scholarship with Dawson Community College in Glendive.
