Dorene Ingalls (right) is holding newborn son Jonathan Delbert, while Doug Ingalls is with their three-year-old son, Jackson Emery in this photograph taken January 6, 2006. The St. Ignace News 2006 Fall Sports Preview is dedicated to a coach who has gone through adversity during the last eight months, but continues to be positive and upbeat.

Life can take many turns, whether they are good or bad, but it also forces individuals to continue with their life. Coach Dorene Ingalls' life has changed dramatically during this past year with the birth of her second son, Jonathan, and her right leg was paralyzed. Passion for the game of basketball, courage, and drive to continue on with a reasonable amount of stability in one's life have driven the eight-year coach at LaSalle High School. Coach Ingalls' personality hasn't changed throughout her years of coaching the Saints varsity squad. During her winning days that included two state championships, one runner up, one semifinal appearance, a string of more than 60 victories in the Straits Area Conference, or a losing season, her positive attitude stays unchanged.

She loves the game of basketball and the girls she has coached through the years, as each player has been special to her, whether they were starters or role players.

During the triathlon event that Ingalls participated in, she displayed courage and passion for competing in athletic events. (See story at right.)

Krista Clement, former Miss Basketball in the State of Michigan, played for four years under Coach Ingalls and said that her coach motivated her during the recent triathlon.

"I was thinking that I couldn't do the bicycle run, but after watching Dorene compete in the swimming it gave me a boost of energy and I quit feeling sorry for myself and biked the 56 miles," Clement said.

Randi Johnson, who was scheduled to compete in the triathlon, but had to step down after accepting the assistant coaching position at Gannon University and was replaced by her older sister, Lani Fettig, had this to say about Coach Ingalls:

"She is an amazing person with a great heart," said Johnson. "No other coach could top her as a true motivator. She brought the chemistry to the teams in St. Ignace. She understood people, especially girls. We, as a team, wanted to be successful for each other, school, and community, but more so for coach."

"I'm pleased to see that she is going to continue to coach, she means a lot to the Saints program, school, and community," added Johnson.

"It's hard to put into words about Dorene, but she has been an influence on my life from my elementary years to today," said Laura Peterson, co-captain on the 2003 team with Krista Clement. "She is interested in my life and me as a person, even though she is not my coach on the floor anymore. She cares about you as a person and has touched many lives." Peterson played one year of basketball at Finlandia before changing to volleyball last year and has three years of eligibility remaining to compete on the Lions volleyball squad, coached by Victoria Heunink.

We welcome three new coaches to the fall preview that includes one cross country coach and two girls basketball coaches in the area. The three programs have been successful, and with the new faces, will continue in a positive matter.

Holly Brown, former St. Ignace standout in track and field, who holds the school long jump record, low hurdles mark, and is part of the record setting 1600-meter relay foursome, will take over the Saints cross country program, as Diane Huskey stepped down as coach after five years.

Sonja Duncan is not new to the girl's varsity coaching ranks, as she coached five years with Rudyard and two seasons at Pickford before taking over for veteran coach Tom Wilson, who resigned after 23 years on the Cedarville bench.

Jerry Derusha will begin in his first varsity coaching assignment at Engadine, replacing Joel Schultz, who accepted a position at Bark River-Harris.

This will be another exciting year on the hardwood, gridiron, golf, and cross country courses.

The preview includes the St. Ignace Saints girls basketball, football, cross country, golf, cheerleaders, and band programs, Cedarville Trojans girls basketball, football, cross country, and cheerleaders, Engadine girls basketball and football, Pickford girls basketball and football, DeTour girls basketball, Mackinaw City girls basketball, Rudyard girls basketball and football, and Brimley girls basketball and football.

The Straits Area Conference (SAC) for football includes St. Ignace, Rudyard, Newberry, Sault High, and Cheboygan, and Rogers City is part of the SAC for the remaining athletic events. The Chiefs will be the team to beat for the championship.

Division 8 (Class D) football in the Upper Peninsula will take on a major change as the Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference (EUPC) and Wolverine Conference (WC) will combine forces to form the Mid-Eastern Football Conference (MEFC).

Cheboygan, semifinalist in Class B last year, will be the team to beat in the SAC girls basketball league while Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, Rudyard, Newberry, and Rogers City will also battle for the conference title.

The strength in the EUPC girls basketball comes from Engadine, semifinalist in Class D, Cedarville, and Pickford as the trio has strong returnees, while DeTour and Brimley will have a say for the league crown.

In the Northern Lakes Conference, Mackinaw City will be in a rebuilding year after graduating four players and welcoming just two returning varsity candidates.

Cedarville could have another strong showing at the cross country finals in Houghton, with the Lady Trojans defending their crown.

This is my 20th anniversary of covering girl's basketball, 19 for football, and 26 overall including golf tournaments in the early days. Without the help of the entire staff of The St. Ignace News, the sports preview would not be possible. Thanks to Wes and Mary Maurer, Wendy Colegrove, Dawn Huskey, Ellen Paquin, Sherry Cece, Debbie Sterk, Lisa Zyble, Ryan Schlehuber, Steve Underwood, Amy Polk, Tammy Matson, David Movalson, Paul Gingras, Karen Gould, Stacy Massaway, Rick Caldwell, and Joe Mielke.

Thanks to all the coaches and athletic directors for their support to this preview and during the upcoming season. Good luck to all the teams.