This week we will be honoring two individuals for our Athlete of the Week as Halle Winjum and Emma Gunderson earned a Section 8A Girls Tennis Individual Championship last week to qualify for the Minnesota Class A State Tournament. This is the second season in a row that the Pirates have sent individuals to the State Tournament and both Winjum and Gunderson will be making a return appearance. 
The two juniors were voted the #1 seed in the tournament this year and earned a first round bye before winning their quarterfinal matchup. They faced little resistance in their next two matches as well, winning their semifinal match 6-2, 6-2, and then earning the Section 8A title with another 6-2, 6-2 victory in the championship over Macy Goochey and Mickey Clark of Park Rapids. “It was a great way to finish the week out and it was really cool to have all our teammates there supporting us,” said Winjum. Gunderson would add “It was really exciting, and I was really glad we were able to get all the way through the tournament.”
Winjum was the Pirates #1 singles player this year and was ranked individually in Class A for much of the season. Gunderson bounced around the lineup and was much more familiar playing doubles which according to Winjum helped her a ton because she knew where she needed to be and what Gunderson was always thinking. Both are extremely close off the court as well, as they play basketball together, participate in track & field, are in the Leo Club, and are also on Student Council.
Pirates coach Cody Brekken was also very pleased with their effort during the Section 8A tournament and said their closeness could be a big reason they had so much success. “Even though they hadn’t played together a lot this year, they have great doubles intelligence,” said coach Brekken. “Their athletic ability really showed this weekend, and they handled their nerves great and took care of business all week to earn a trip to State.”
Although the Pirates team season has come to an end, Winjum and Gunderson will compete and try to become the fourth Pirates doubles team to win a State Championship next week. The State Girls Tennis individual tournament will be held on October 27 starting at 10:00 a.m. and will run through Friday. October 28 at Reed-Sweatt Tennis Center in Minneapolis.
HALLE WINJUM
First started playing Tennis – 7 years old
What do you feel is the strongest part of your game – Hustle to return shots
Part of your game that needs work – Backhands
Favorite Tennis Courts away from Crookston – Courts Plus in Fargo or the little Mentor courts
Favorite part of playing doubles with Emma – She is great at encouraging and picking me up
Favorite sport – Basketball
Favorite Tennis player – Carlos Alcaraz most recently
Last movie you’ve seen – Don’t Worry Darling
Favorite TV Show – Ginny & Georgia
Favorite food – Crepes
Something people don’t know about you – Emma and I both used to be in gymnastics together
What music are you listening to – Noah Kahan’s new album
You’re stranded on a deserted island, and you can have ANY three people with you – My brothers Walker and Reggie, and my sister Hayden
Family –
Dad – Chris Winjum (Works at UMC)
Mom – Leah Winjum (Trinity Lutheran Church Youth Director)
Brothers – Walker (Graduated from Crookston in 2020, attends NDSU)
Reggie (Freshman)
Sister – Hayden (Graduated from Crookston last year, attends UND)
EMMA GUNDERSON
First started playing Tennis – 7th Grade
What do you feel is the strongest part of your game – Serving
Part of your game that needs work – Backhands
Favorite Tennis Courts away from Crookston – Courts Plus in Fargo
Favorite part of playing doubles with Halle – We always have a ton of fun playing no matter what
Favorite sport – Tennis
Favorite sport to watch – Football
Last movie you’ve seen – Don’t Worry Darling
Favorite TV Show – Outer Banks
Favorite food – Mac & Cheese
Something people don’t know about you – Halle and I both used to be in gymnastics together
What music are you listening to – A little bit of everything
You’re stranded on a deserted island, and you can have ANY three people with you –Calleigh Fanfulik, my cousin Grace, and my grandpa.
Family –
Dad – Grant Gunderson (Works at Minnkota Power)
Mom – Gina Gunderson (ECFE at Washington School)
Brother – Gunner (Graduated from Crookston last year, studying at Bemidji)
Sister – Evie (Eighth-Grader)
