ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The growing pickleball scene in Elk Grove is taking on a role beyond recreation, supporting a community effort focused on equipping youth with the tools and guidance to make healthy life choices.

Leading that effort is Logan’s Little Warriors, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping children and their families in the greater Sacramento area to build strong foundations for the future.

Through its day camps, workshops and educational programs, the organization teaches youth practical life skills while helping them to build their self-esteem and learn emotional regulation.

Since 2024, an annual pickleball tournament fundraiser at Cosumnes River College has brought the community together in support of the cause. For a $50 entry fee, participants compete in teams for women’s, men’s or mixed doubles divisions.

This year’s tournament, held March 21 to 22, drew players from across the region, all sharing the goal of raising funds to open Logan’s Little Warriors Youth Camp. The future camp will serve youth ages 10 to 14 facing difficult circumstances, offering programs focused on real-world skills such as financial literacy, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and critical thinking.

Participants are pictured competing in the mixed doubles division during Logan’s Little Warriors pickleball tournament held March 21 to 22. Photos courtesy of Logan’s Little Warriors

Proceeds also support current initiatives, including the nonprofit’s first overnight camp for its youth in June.

Logan’s Little Warriors work is rooted in the memory of Logan Hugentobler, the son of founder and director Kerrie Hill, who died from a fentanyl-related overdose.

Hill said her son had overcome years of addiction and remained sober for a decade. By age 40, he had reached a stable and positive point in his life before choosing to use again ahead of a planned vacation.

“My son was the happiest he’d ever been, and he decided, ‘Hey, I’m just going to use one more time,’ and there was a little bit of fentanyl in it, and we lost him,” Hill shared.

Within an hour of learning of his death, Hill said she made the decision to create something meaningful in his honor and help families that are facing similar situations.

That mission became Logan’s Little Warriors, with the aim to provide children with the skills needed to navigate life’s challenges and rely on their own strength rather than other harmful coping mechanisms.

The organization has since grown into a team of community members who share that vision, including vice president Candace De Leon, secretary Kristina Young, treasurer Carolyn McKeand and board member Andrea Garcia, who were all present during the tournament weekend.

 

Pictured from left are Logan’s Little Warriors founder and director Kerrie Hill and vice president Candace De Leon.

“We have a great team of people who have come together and given up some of their invaluable time to keep this mission of helping youth and their families develop these skills that they don’t teach you in school,” De Leon said.

“They don’t teach you how to be resilient; they don’t teach you how to get through hard things … and that you can have the support from other people,” she added.

Their programs teach what they call the “Warrior Way,” emphasizing daily habits such as mindfulness, affirmations, exercise, journaling and goal-setting. Beyond structured curriculum, the nonprofit also fosters community through bonding experiences, including its Rise and Thrive teen summit, as well as group outings such as attending River Cats games.

“It’s about building daily habits so that when life gets tough, you get up in the morning, practice the warrior way and it changes your whole day,” Hill said.

After her son’s passing, Hill told the Elk Grove Citizen that grief initially made it difficult to engage in daily activities. She was eventually encouraged to try pickleball as part of a personal effort to improve her physical and mental well-being.

Through the sport, she connected with other local residents and discovered a strong sense of community both on and off the court.

 

Pickleball players are pictured before a mixed doubles match during the March 21 to 22 tournament hosted by the nonprofit Logan’s Little Warriors at Cosumnes River College.

One of those community members is Eric Noguchi, a regular at Oasis Community Park and a member of the Elk Grove Pickleball Club. Noguchi volunteered his time during the event on March 21, coaching players of all skill levels during the tournament’s pickleball clinic.

He said one of the sport’s greatest strengths is its welcoming nature, especially for newcomers.

“The biggest thing is that you welcome people in because they’re intimidated. It’s hard for them, as individuals, to come out and see all these players,” Noguchi said. “It’s just to promote the pickleball sport and the community itself.”

Several local businesses and organizations stepped up as sponsors this year, including Banner Personal Injury law firm, Selkirk, The Stages of Love, Community Ink Project, Analyn Miller Group, The Harris Team, Golden Sips Mobile Bartending, Courtside Tennis & Pickleball and The Picklr.

Additional community support came from individuals such as Garrett Cole of Dink Daddy, Jim Cox, Mark Slakey, George Potiris and Yumiko Hemlick, as well as Vice Mayor Darren Suen.

To further its efforts and advance the goal of opening its youth camp facility, the organization hosts additional events throughout the year, including an upcoming Tea Party Fundraiser on April 19 and its “Fill the Limo” toy drive and auction held in the fall.

 

Logan’s Little Warriors founder and director Kerrie Hill speaks to participants and attendees during the third annual pickleball tournament on March 22 at Cosumnes River College.

To learn more about Logan’s Little Warriors or to donate toward its mission, visit loganslittlewarriors.org.

Winners of the 2026 pickleball tournament included: Women’s 2.5 Doubles, first Andrea Lucas and Aubrey McKeand; second Corinne Chin and Amanda Ong. Women’s 3.0 Doubles, first Lisa Le and Tu Nguyen; second Sandy Glaeser and Kathy Rudolph; third Perla Magbitang and Marichris Moreno. Women’s 3.5 to 4.0 Doubles, first Mercedes Lagman and Lyn Nguyen; second Hillary White Nash and Burga Pucci; third Leslie Partch and Laura Doran.

Mixed 3.0 Doubles, first Mark Koenig and Lillian Fry; second Catherine Fry and Jordan Trask; third Katelynn Stroth and Perry De Guzman. Mixed 3.5 Doubles, first Darci Gangemi and Ryan Gangemi; second Carolyn George and Jandeep Sachar; third Tami Dokter and Tuan Tes.

Men’s 3.0 Doubles, first Peter Breech and Terry Dubuisson; second Owen Beba and Jacob Bolfango; third Brandon Seibel and Jason Kiefer. Men’s 3.5 Doubles, first Anthony V. and Chris Mitchell; second Patrick Hong and Colin Cowling; third Ethan Bolfango and Matt Wright.

Open Doubles, first Reed Stout and Tim Paras; second Joel Carreon and Mauricio Serrano; third Tiger Pena and Olivia Pena.