Teams boost Eggen family

Posted 7/26/02

By GARY LARSON
Mille Lacs County Times

Bryce Eggen wasnít a softball player. He played some baseball at Milaca High School but he made his mark in wrestling, graduating in 1992 as the schoolís first wrestler to reach the 100-wins mark.

However, teams playing in the annual Foreston Fun Days Menís Softball Tournament Saturday and Sunday were thinking about Eggen, who was killed in a highway accident July 13 at the age of 28.

"I knew of Bryce but I didnít really know him," said Wayne Arenkiel, who lives north of Foley near Gilman. "Everyone I talked to who knew him said he was a great guy.

"And, things like that are so sudden and such tragedies. Our team wanted to do something for his children."

Arenkiel manages and plays for the Murphy Chevrolet of Foley team which plays in the Gilman League. Murphy Chevrolet donated $600 to Bryce Eggenís family.

"Our sponsor was great and we decided that if we were fortunate enough to place in the money we would also donate our cash award to the family," said Arenkiel.

The tournament paid cash expense awards to the top three placing teams.

Arenkielís team won the meet in 2001 and placed second in 1999.

On Sunday afternoon, Murphy Chevrolet topped Mr. Jimís of Foley in the championship game to win the $400 first-place award.

Earlier, Arenkiel had approached other teams in the meet about also donating their potential award money to Eggenís family.

Mr. Jimís donated its $275 second-place award and Hy Tech Automotive/Northern Mortgage of Princeton donated its $125 third-place award.

"All the teams were great about it," said Arenkiel.

The tournament director was Ethan Eggen, Bryce Eggenís younger brother.

"What the teams, players and sponsors did was wonderful and greatly appreciated by Bryceís family," said Ethan Eggen. "It was another example of how the area has been so supportive."