Winter Sports Spotlight 2018-2019

www.bemidjipioneer.com

Sports B1 • Thursday, December 6, 2018

BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL

WINTER SPORTS 2018-19 Boys hockey..................................B2 Wrestling ......................................B4 Girls hockey..................................B2 Boys swimming and diving......B4 Gymnastics ...................................B5 Boys basketball...........................B3 Dance team...................................B5 Girls basketball............................B3 Nordic skiing................................B6

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BHS Winter Sports Spotlight

Thursday, December 6, 2018

www. bemidjipioneer.com

The Bemidji Pioneer

BOYS HOCKEY

Endurance, work ethic key for boys hockey season

By Ryan Pietruszewski rpietruszewski @bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI -- Following a season that ended with a 10-16 record and eight losses in its last nine games, the Bemidji High School boys hockey team is focused on getting better as the season progresses this winter.

“I expect it’s going to be a long season. It’s a marathon,” BHS head coach Eric Monsrud said. “We’re going to have to climb the ladder and get better as we get down to the end.

We have high hopes and high expectations, and we always want to strive to be playing for some kind of a championship at some point, so that’s what we’re going to strive to do.”

The Lumberjacks struggled against Section 8AA opponents last year, dropping nine of 10 regular season section games to take the sixth seed into playoffs, where they fell, 4-1, to Brainerd in the first round to end the season.

“It’s all about competing,” said Monsrud. “We need to get our compete level up. We’re in a really tough section and we play in a tough conference.

That conference competes

hard, and we have to do the same thing. We have to match that.”

Leading the Jacks with the captains patches this season are seniors Casey McNamara, Hunter Olson and Andrew Dondelinger.

“It’s a real big honor for me,” McNamara said.

“I’ve been growing up with all these boys ever since I was young playing hockey with them, and for them to see me as a leader, it’s really been a big honor.”

Other seniors include Zak Justice, Broc Waldhausen, Tom Oster and Bjorn Jorgenson.

Jorgenson, along with junior Wyatt Halvorson, transferred from Park Rapids this year in order to play for the Jacks, and both have already contributed on the scoreboard.

Behind a young defensive corps made up of two seniors, two junior and three sophomores, Waldhausen figures to man the crease for most of the time this season.

“Right now, Broc Waldhausen is our senior,” Monsrud said.

“He’s going to be our guy that we’re going to go with to start the season. He’s looking really good, had a great summer and a really good fall. Andrew Johanns

Boys Hockey Schedule

NOV. 27 WARROAD W, 5-1 NOV. 29 at Brainerd L, 9-2 DEC. 4 at Moorhead 6 p.m.

DEC. 6 at Duluth East 7 p.m.

DEC. 11 at Thief River Falls 5:15 p.m.

DEC. 14 ROGERS 7:30 p.m.

DEC. 15 BUFFALO 3 p.m.

DEC. 18 EAST GRAND FORKS 7:30 p.m.

DEC. 20 ROSEAU 6 p.m.

DEC. 27 at Duluth Marshall Tournament TBD DEC. 28 at Duluth Marshall Tournament TBD DEC. 29 at Duluth Marshall Tournament TBD JAN. 3 ST. CLOUD TECH 7:30 p.m.

JAN. 8 CROOKSTON 7:30 p.m.

JAN. 10 at East Grand Forks 7:30 p.m.

JAN. 12 at St. Michael-Albertville 3 p.m.

JAN. 19 GREENWAY 4:30 p.m.

JAN. 25 at Alexandria 7:30 p.m.

JAN. 26 CLOQUET 6:30 p.m.

JAN. 29 MOORHEAD 6 p.m.

JAN. 31 at Roseau 6 p.m.

FEB. 5 GRAND RAPIDS 7:30 p.m.

FEB. 7 at Warroad 7 p.m.

FEB. 9 HERMANTOWN 3:15 p.m.

FEB. 14 THIEF RIVER FALLS 5:15 p.m.

is going to be backing him up. He’s one of our juniors, and he’s right there nipping at his heels.

Our goaltending situation is looking pretty good.”

After the first couple weeks of practice, the team is clicking well as a group, according to Olson.

“I think we’ve just got to focus really hard this year and come as a team,” he said. “I think the chemistry is going really well.

We’ve got a good vibe going. I think we’ve just got to keep that rolling and hopefully it’ll transfer into winning some games this year.”

“It’s been a great atmosphere,” said Monsrud.

“Our team leaders are

Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer

Pictured is the 2018-19 Bemidji High School boys hockey team. In the front row (from left) are Andrew Johanns, Carson Kelm, Broc Waldhausen, Tanner Rebischke and Kyle Martens. In the second row are assistant coach Travis Smith, assistant coach Matt Menne, Andrew Dondelinger, Dylan Perrault, Casey Mcnamara, Tanner Anderson, Grant Declusion, Darius Stamps, Ethan Maish, Chase Mock, Blaine Sauer, head coach Eric Monsrud and assistant coach Pete Stahnke. In the third row are Wyatt Halvorson, Vincent Tesch, Kellen Tharaldson, Nathan Mannausau, Michael Dickinson, Connar Savard, Hunter Marcotte, Zak Justice, Ethan Mock and Gage Mostad. In the back row are Josh Nyberg, Hunter Olson, Tate Hammitt, Cole Matetich, Bjorn Jorgenson, Chase Fillipi, Tom Oster, Braden Grinde, Reid Colley, Lincoln Huerd and Rhett Seeger. Not pictured is Nathan Alto. doing a great job. Kids are following, other kids are stepping up and doing some leadership things.

It’s a great positive vibe right now, and it’s really fun.”

The Jacks’ ultimate goal is a section title in late February, but McNamara said there are a lot of things they need to

accomplish along the way in order to get that far.

“Obviously our main goal is we want to get to that state tournament,” he said. “That’s the big No. 1 goal, but throughout the year, we’re setting little goals out for our team. Because to accomplish that big goal, you have to have a bunch of

little goals.

“We’re just trying to keep our energy level up, play physical, play fast, control the puck. Our key goal right now is to limit our turnovers during our games. So we just want to keep our energy level up and just go from there.

Good things will come from that.”

GIRLS HOCKEY

Jacks rebuild with experienced roster, new head coach

By Ryan Pietruszewski rpietruszewski @bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI -- With an early season schedule littered with talented northern Minnesota teams, the Bemidji High School girls hockey team has had its hands full, but first-year head coach Mike Johnson and the Lumberjacks hope to use the challenging start to improve their own level of play.

The Jacks started 1-5 through their first six games, dropping the first five before picking up their first win, 5-2, over Detroit Lakes on Nov. 30.

Senior captain Maggie Marcotte leads the team with three goals and four points, while Gracie Fisher has two goals and two assists and Lexi Leitner has three goals.

“Maggie Marcotte started out with the team as an eighth grader – it’s her fifth year now,” Johnson said. “She’s one of my senior leaders, but we’ve got this junior class and a lot of them have already played two years, and then we’ve got a sophomore like Lexi Leitner. I think she’s going to get to the point where she’s dominating some games this year.”

Bemidji finished last season with a 5-21 record, ending with a 4-1 loss to Roseau in the first round of the Section 8AA tournament. The team’s wins came against Park Rapids (2), Crookston (2) and Detroit Lakes.

This year, the Jacks are looking to use the experience they gained playing together as a young roster the past couple years and turn it into a few more victories.

“For the most part, these girls are able to find each other,” Johnson said.

“They’re passing, moving the puck and they’re learning to communicate a little better on the ice and call for the puck.

I think you’ll see some good energy, and we’ll see what happens from there.

That’s all you can ask is they put out a full effort, and that’s something we can definitely build on.”

As for Johnson’s coaching style, he said he likes to move players around to play on different line combinations.

“I tend to change lines within a game, usually before the end of the first period,” he said. “I do a lot of changing pieces, trying to generate something. Someone’s on that

Girls Hockey Schedule NOV. 9 NOV. 13

NOV. 15 NOV. 20 NOV. 27 NOV. 30 DEC. 4 DEC. 7

DEC. 11 DEC. 13 DEC. 18 DEC. 21 DEC. 27 DEC. 28 DEC. 29 JAN. 3 JAN. 8 JAN. 11 JAN. 15 JAN. 17 JAN. 22 JAN. 24 JAN. 26 JAN. 29 FEB. 1

at East Grand Forks L, 2-0 at Grand Rapids /Greenway L, 10-2 at Thief River Falls L, 3-0 ROSEAU L, 6-2 at Warroad L, 10-0 at Detroit Lakes W, 5-2 THIEF RIVER FALLS 7:30 p.m.

NORTH WRIGHT COUNTY 7:30 p.m. at Crookston 7 p.m.

PARK RAPIDS 7 p.m. at Moorhead 6 p.m. at Brainerd/Little Falls 7:15 p.m. at Armstrong Tournament TBD at Armstrong Tournament TBD at Armstrong Tournament TBD at Alexandria 5:15 p.m. at International Falls 7 p.m.

RIVER LAKES 7:15 p.m. at Roseau 7:30 p.m.

WOODBURY 7 p.m.

DETROIT LAKES 7:30 p.m.

WARROAD 6:30 p.m.

MOORHEAD 6:30 p.m. at Park Rapids 7 p.m.

CLOQUET 7 p.m.

day, someone’s not. We don’t really have a first line, second line, third line or anything like that. We have different line combinations and then we’ve got people that can plug in. We want to have these interchangeable parts.”

Senior Brooklyn Delap and sophomore Nettie Kimble have split the time between the pipes for the Jacks. Kimble earned the win against Detroit Lakes with a stellar 21-save performance.

“They both fully support one another,” said Johnson. “My observation coming in, their relationship is at a much higher level, like college teams

Austin Monteith | Bemidji Pioneer

Pictured is the 2018-19 Bemidji High School girls hockey team. In the front row (from left) are Nettie Kimble, Clara Cameron, Bella Webb, Kaidyn Vevea, Madyson Nistler and Brooklyn Delap. In the second row are head coach Mike Johnson, assistant coach Laura Carleton, manager Kenzie Jordahl, manager Sierra Arthur, Teriana Melcher, Abbie Lewis, Becca Josefson, Kinsey Younggren, Ariyah Thomas, manager Rylee Bradley, manager Mya Goodfellow and assistant coach Becca Gregg. In the third row are assistant coach Craig Larson, Maggie Marcotte, Grace Carleton, Kiera Nelson, Sara Oster, Meray Eichstadt, Jemma Copiskey, Gracie Fisher, Chloe Hasbargen, Josie Aitkin, Austyn Tobey and assistant coach Neal Holmstrom. In the back row are Eva Latuiri, Marryn Willberg, Annika Nelson, Molly Defatte, Lexi Leitner, Elizabeth Oster, Sarah Bruder, Olivia Johnson and Maddie Hanson. Not pictured is Kendra Willgren. tend to have. For a high school team to have that togetherness for those two truly caring about each other and supporting each other – for me to walk into that as a new coach, it’s like, wow, this is a really nice problem to have.”

While it may not be a

season where the Jacks expect to contend for a section title in February, this winter is one where they’re looking to be in the win column more often and improve as a team as the season progresses.

“Bottom line, if you go out there with good energy and work hard with a

hard forecheck and you backcheck hard and you play as a team, have quick shifts and just keep that energy level up and trust your teammates, that’s kind of how we’re going to approach this and see where we go from there,” Johnson said.

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BHS Winter Sports Spolight

Thursday, December 6, 2018 B3

BOYS BASKETBALL

Boys basketball looks to climb Section 8-3A ladder

By Ryan Pietruszewski rpietruszewski @bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — With an experienced and talented group of upperclassmen on the court this winter, the Bemidji High School boys basketball team could be ready for a push for a Section 8-3A championship in March.

“I like our team speed.

I like our depth. I like our hustle. I like our defense,” BHS head coach Travis Peterson said. “I think those are going to be our trademarks. I think we’re going to be tough to score on, and I think we’re going to get up and down the court.

“The goal pretty much every year is to win a section title, and I think that’s something the kids see as very realistic this season.

We kind of put it in their court as far as what their goals are. We tell them it’s their team, and we’re there to facilitate an activity for them. They’ve got high expectations.”

The Lumberjacks finished last season with an overall record of 17-9.

After defeating Detroit Lakes, 67-49 in December, the Lakers returned to top the Jacks, 69-66, in the regular season finale and again in the first round of the section playoffs (60-48) to end Bemidji’s season.

This year, senior captains Kade Peterson, Ryan Bieberdorf and Spencer

Boys Basketball Schedule

DEC. 8 DEC. 11 DEC. 15 DEC. 21 DEC. 22

JAN. 5

JAN. 10 JAN. 15 JAN. 17 JAN. 19 JAN. 22 JAN. 24 JAN. 26 JAN. 29 JAN 31 FEB. 2 FEB. 9 FEB. 12 FEB. 16 FEB. 19 FEB. 22 FEB. 23 FEB. 26 FEB. 28

ST. CLOUD APOLLO 2:45 p.m.

LITTLE FALLS 7:15 p.m. at Zimmerman 3 p.m.

BEMIDJI INVITATIONAL 6 p.m.

BEMIDJI INVITATIONAL 12:30 p.m. at Minneapolis Southwest 2:45 p.m.

GRAND RAPIDS 7:30 p.m. at Grand Rapids 7:15 p.m.

PEQUOT LAKES 7:30 p.m. at Alexandria 6:30 p.m. at Willmar 7:30 p.m.

THIEF RIVER FALLS 5:45 p.m.

DETROIT LAKES 1:45 p.m. at Duluth East 7 p.m.

SUPERIOR 7:30 p.m.

HERMANTOWN 2 p.m. at Sartell-St. Stephen 2:30 p.m. at Thief River Falls 6 p.m. at Fergus Falls 3 p.m.

MOORHEAD 7:30 p.m. at Cloquet 7:15 p.m. at Duluth Denfeld 1 p.m.

BRAINERD 7:15 p.m. at Detroit Lakes 7:30 p.m.

Konecne look to lead the team to a better finish.

“I think we’ve got a lot of leadership skills across the board in all grades,” Peterson said. “I really expect our seniors and juniors to carry the load as far as leadership. We have seven seniors on our roster, and we have a really nice junior class that’s had a lot of success.

I think the leadership is going to come from different sources on different nights.”

It all starts for the Lumberjacks at 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, when they host section opponent St. Cloud Apollo, which finished 12-16 a year ago.

Early on, according to Peterson, the key for Bemidji is defense.

“The first couple games we’re looking to compete, and you typically do that with defense,” he said. “We want to get our

Micah Friez | Bemidji Pioneer

Pictured is the 2018-19 Bemidji High School boys basketball team. In the front row (from left) are Nick Snell, Ryan Bieberdorf, Ben Hess, Kade Peterson, Silas Hess and Noah Burgess. In the middle row are manager Cody Rieger, assistant coach Mike Rettinger, assistant coach Steve Thompson, head coach Travis Peterson, assistant coach Rob Mahto, assistant coach Guy Schermerhorn and manager Aaron Bullie. In the back row are Jacob Beberg, Kevin Hogquist, Colten Jensen, Spencer Konecne, Cole Milz, Isaac Burley and Quincy Wilson. defense shored up right away, so we’re definitely focused on that for the first couple games. If we can defend and stay in games, we can iron out some of those offensive things as the season goes on. We want to compete right away, we want to be in the game and we want to be hard to score on.”

Other than the captains, the other seniors on this year’s squad are Jacob Beberg, Kevin Hogquist,

Noah Burgess and Cole Milz, while the juniors include Quincy Wilson, Ben Hess, Silas Hess, Isaac Burley, Nick Snell and Colten Jensen.

“We have a lot more varsity game experience coming into this season than we did last season, which is nice,” coach Peterson said. “We’ve got a nice bunch of seniors now and juniors, as well, so we’re going to have a little depth and we’re

looking forward to it.”

Down the stretch this year, Peterson said he likes the team’s chances of making a run and being in the section final with a shot at playing in the state tournament.

“I think their potential is definitely there to contend for the section, without a doubt,” he said.

“They’ve got the skills, and if they can come together as a team and everybody commit to their

roles and work hard, work together, they can definitely achieve that. That’s definitely a possibility. But I think as far as our coaching staff’s goal, what we have for expectations, is that they work hard. Work hard every day in practice and work hard every day in games. If they do that, I think good things are going to happen.”

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Bemidji girls basketball hopeful for breakout year

By Micah Friez mfriez@bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — The Bemidji High School girls basketball team is back at full strength this year.

The Lumberjacks bring back nearly 60 percent of their scoring from last season, and they’re adding senior Rumer Flatness back into the fold after she missed the 2017-18 season with a torn ACL. “Rumer kind of takes care of a lot of our scoring,” BHS head coach Steve Schreiber said. “(Playing without her) gave us experience. The more experience you get, the better you’re going to be. A lot of girls played a lot of minutes that they probably didn’t expect to play.”

The rest of the Lumberjacks stepped up to assume larger roles in 2017-18, including returners Katie Alto (9.3 points per game) Mackenzie Nicklason (6.8) and Allison Beard (6.0).

It culminated in a 9-18 record, which ended with a second-round playoff loss to Alexandria in the Section 8AAA Tournament. This season, if Bemidji wants to compete with the Cardinals and other top teams in the section, the work ethic will need to show itself.

“We’re a group of girls that have played a lot of basketball. We’re not very big, but we’re very quick,” said Schreiber, who noted less of an emphasis on X’s and O’s so far. “We want to be able to run up and down the court. We’ve done a lot of high-energy, high-pace drills, working on things like finishing and finishing through contact. … I’ve been able to lay off specific offensive stuff right now because I feel like these girls have played so much for me already.”

Girls Basketball Schedule

NOV. 27 NOV. 29 DEC. 4 DEC. 8 DEC. 15 DEC. 18 DEC. 20 DEC. 22 DEC. 27 JAN. 4 JAN. 5

JAN. 11 JAN. 15 JAN. 18 JAN. 19 JAN. 22 JAN. 28 FEB. 2

FEB. 8 FEB. 9 FEB. 12 FEB. 16

at Thief River Falls W, 70-50 at Fergus Falls L, 85-63 HIBBING 7:30 p.m.

GRAND RAPIDS 7:15 p.m.

PRINCETON 2:30 p.m.

DETROIT LAKES 7:30 p.m.

THIEF RIVER FALLS 7:30 p.m. at Chisago Lakes Area 2 p.m. at Irondale Tournament TBA SAUK RAPIDS-RICE 7:15 p.m. vs. Minneapolis Southwest (in Perham) 1:15 p.m. at Brainerd 7:15 p.m.

LITTLE FALLS 7:15 p.m. at Orono 7 p.m. at Hopkins 12:30 p.m. at Grand Rapids 7:15 p.m. at Alexandria 7:15 p.m.

SARTELLST. STEPHEN 7:15 p.m. at Detroit Lakes 7:30 p.m.

CROOKSTON 2:30 p.m.

HERMANTOWN 6:30 p.m.

CLOQUET 3 p.m.

Alongside Beard, Flatness and Nicklason, Rebecca Matheney rounds out the senior class for BHS. But now that the Lumberjacks are adding back Flatness, who averaged 12.1 points and 7.8 rebounds as a sophomore, they’ll once more have to discover who they are.

“At this point in the year, we’re having to, again, find a new identity,” Schreiber said. “With Rumer back — these girls have played without her for the past year — it’s just a matter of getting that feel and reminder of, ‘Oh yeah, this is what Rumer brings to the table. She gives us the opportunity to do things a little differently.’ It’ll be a little bit of a feel-out process early on.”

And the Chaos Group — a five-player rotation of younger girls meant to force turnovers during short, high-energy stints on the floor — may make its return again after first being made famous in 2016-17.

“It’ll be a little different, but it’ll be kind of similar principles as what we had a couple years ago. It was fun for us to be able to run that.

We had a lot of young girls

get a lot of playing time that way. We just want to be a little bit more unpredictable with it this year.”

But the core, as per usual for Schreiber, starts with the seniors.

“We have Rumer and Allison Beard and Mackenzie Nicklason who have played a lot of basketball.

They’re going to be the ones who we lean heavily on,” Schreiber said. “I’ve always been a coach who believes that you lean heavily on your seniors, and your seniors will dictate how successful you are.

“Those three, they love basketball. That’s what they do. I think we’ll go as far as they take us this year.”

The Lumberjacks will be back on their home court at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, to host Grand Rapids at the BHS Gymnasium.

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Micah Friez | Bemidji Pioneer

Pictured is the 2018-19 Bemidji High School girls basketball team. In the front row (from left) are Emily Peterson, Ashley Hofstad, Lindsey Hildenbrand, Jenna Jones, Jody Pemberton, Emma Neubeck and Katie Alto. In the middle row are manager Emma Huberty, assistant coach Morgan Beattie, Rumer Flatness, Macy Flatness, Allison Beard, Jackie Johnson, head coach Steve Schreiber and manager Koree Johnson. In the back row are Rebecca Matheney, Mackenzie Nicklason, Rylie Jones, Emily Wade and Taylor Wade.

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B4

BHS Winter Sports Spotlight

Thursday, December 6, 2018

www. bemidjipioneer.com

The Bemidji Pioneer

WRESTLING

Ryan Pietruszewski | Bemidji Pioneer

Pictured is the 2018-19 Bemidji High School wrestling team. In the front row (from left) are Noah Leffelman, Logan Willard, Esi Lotsu, Natalie Bahr, Alli Howard, Alli Lilliquist, Kennedy Smith, Carlie Burgoon, JD Kondos and Coy Olsen. In the second row are head coach Rance Bahr, Alan Wuori, Chance Hinrichs, Dane Jorgensen, Owen Seitz, Cale Newby, Seth Newby, Darren Roth, Haaken Vaughn, Robby Strand, Joe Hudson, Nate Golden, Bryce Golden. In the third row are Nicholas Mutchler, Thade Osborn, Brecken Wilcoxen, Dylan Cleveland, Ryan Kipka, Alex Lazella, Caleb Bahr, Aidan Helwig, Dylan Headbird, Nic Geiger, Nikita Uvarov, Eric Lamoure, Chase Smith and assistant coach Brian Solum. In the back row are Colton Hinrichs, Michael Johnson, Jason Gorski, Tyrese Smith, Peter Moen, Kaleb Beam, Darren Yeung, Nate Schwinghammer, Jared Frenzle, Codie Desrosier, Isaac Klejeski, Clay Olsen and assistant coach Byron Willard.

Wrestling team seeks section title

By Ryan Pietruszewski rpietruszewski @bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — On the heels of a season finishing 20-11 with a 31-30 loss to Willmar in the Section 8-3A championship, the Bemidji High School wrestling team is hungry to get another shot at state tournament berth.

“I think it was motivation,” BHS head coach Rance Bahr said. “Obviously it was disappointing to lose by one point in the section final. I thought we improved a lot through the

year. We wrestled very, very well. It was a good match for us, and I think it was motivation for this year to improve.”

Led by senior captains Bryce Golden, Nate Golden, Alan Wuori and Chance Hinrichs, the Lumberjacks have returned to the wrestling room with their mission in mind.

“Our goal as a team is to get into the state finals come March, and we’re looking forward to that opportunity,” said Bahr, who earned the Section 8-3A Coach of the Year award last season.

“There’s going to be some bumps along the way — we have a very, very tough schedule — and the key will be being healthy and having everyone available when that time comes.”

Six of the seven Bemidji wrestlers who appeared as individuals in the state tournament last year are all back this season. Those include Seth Newby, Jon Solum, Nate Golden, Hinrichs, Peter Moen, and Kaleb Beam. Hunter Schoenborn was the lone graduate of the bunch.

In the section tournament, every Lumberjack

wrestler placed fifth or higher in his respective weight class.

“We have some pretty high aspirations, coaches and wrestlers, Bahr said.

“Some disappointment in some kids who didn’t return back out, but all of the section placewinners and all of the state entrants returned. We’re always going to put a solid lineup out. Early in the season, we’re going to struggle a little bit. Everyone is kind of stacked up at the same two, three, four weights.

Unfortunately we’re going to have some

forfeits and things until everyone’s able to spread out, but that’s the way it is. It’s December, and we’ll worry about those things come February.”

Bemidji opened its season Nov. 30 with a firstplace finish at the Melrose Early Bird Tournament, racking up 178 team points to finish ahead of second-place Sartell-St. Stephen (164).

The Jacks’ next competition comes at 5 p.m today at a triangular in Perham.

Wrestling Schedule

NOV. 30 DEC. 6 DEC. 7 DEC. 8 DEC. 11 DEC. 13

DEC. 15 DEC. 21 DEC. 27

DEC. 28

JAN. 4 JAN. 8 JAN. 11 JAN. 12 JAN. 15 JAN 19

JAN 25 JAN 29 FEB. 1

FEB. 8

FEB. 16

FEB. 23

at Melrose Tournament 1st Place at Perham Triangular 5 p.m. at Brainerd Invitational 4:30 p.m. at Brainerd Invitational 10:30 a.m. at Detroit Lakes 6 p.m.

GRAND RAPIDS, SARTELL 5 p.m. at Anoka Tournament 9 a.m. at Simley 5 p.m. at Rumble on the Red (Fargodome) TBD at Rumble on the Red (Fargodome) TBD at Cambridge-Isanti 4 p.m. at BGMR 7:30 p.m.

RICK LEE INVITATIONAL 10 a.m.

RICK LEE INVITATIONAL 10 a.m. at Pine-River Backus 5 p.m. at Thief River Falls Tournament 10 a.m.

ANOKA, WILLMAR 5 p.m. at Brainerd 7 p.m.

AITKIN, MOORHEAD, ST. CLOUD TECH 5 p.m.

DGF. FOREST LAKE, ROCORI 5 p.m. at Section Team Tournament (Alexandria) 11 a.m. at Section Individual Tournament (Rocori) 9:45 a.m.

BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING

Photo courtesy of LifeTouch

Pictured is the 2018-19 Bemidji High School boys swimming and diving team. In the front row (from left) are Aiden Wolf, Braden Olson, Moses Son, Sunny Charakuru, Jaxon Leindecker, Walker Erickson and Teddy Sollom. In the middle row are David Forte, Pau Mesegue, Al Goodwin, Max Brown, Aiden Saari, Kade Black, Nicky Haubrich and Kolden Michalicek. In the back row are Sam Hendricks, Luke Yartz, Brekt Thorsgard, Ben Dockendorf, Jon Berglund, Brooks Matetich, Riley Berg, Freddie Petrowske and Toby Glen.

Boys swimmers leaning on experience

By Micah Friez mfriez@bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — Added experience will be welcome for the Bemidji High School boys swimming and diving team this year.

“A bunch of the guys who came in and were new last year are back this year,” BHS co-head coach Kristen McRae said. “If

you look at them in the water, they are a lot more experienced.”

The Lumberjacks have filled up 27 roster spots this year, comprised of 14 seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and five freshmen among the high school ranks. Eighth grader Walker Erickson and seventh grader Moses Son

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have also landed on the varsity roster, adding to a group that has a greater understanding of how to reach success.

“They have a better idea of the strokes, how workouts are run and how to train,” McRae said. “We have a lot more knowledge in the water this year, as a whole, than we did last year. And they’re going to be good.”

Among the returners, senior Sam Hendricks comes back after placing fifth in the consolation finals heat of the 500 free at the state meet a year ago.

“We’ve got some talent and leadership coming back with Luke Yartz and Sam Hendricks,” McRae

said. “(We have) leadership and experience when we head into meets. There are no surprises for these guys coming back. They know what to expect, they know what it looks like out there and they know what it takes.”

Elsewhere for BHS, both Aiden Saari and Brekt Thorsgard return to the diving board with experience. The same goes for Hendricks, Yartz, Jonathan Berglund and Al Goodwin in the pool, while others around them will look to make a splash, as well.

The 14 seniors who headline the team are David Forte, Kade Black, Lorenzo Copeto, Nicky Haubrich, Pau Mesegue, Riley Berg, Teddy Sol-

lom, Toby Glen, Xavier Michael-Young, Hendricks, Yartz, Berglund, Thorsgard and Goodwin.

The season has started quickly on the Lumberjacks, as they head to Brainerd today for a meet just days after first diving into the pool.

“As a team, we’re pretty much brand new in the water. We just started one week ago,” McRae said.

“They know that time is limited, it’s a short season. Our events are short.

They’re training fast and they’ve started to train and swim faster earlier than they’ve ever been able to in the past.”

The season begins at 6 p.m. tonight in Brainerd.

And while the Lumber-

Boys Swimming and Diving Schedule

DEC. 6 DEC. 11 DEC. 14 DEC. 18 DEC. 27 JAN. 5

JAN. 11 JAN. 15 JAN. 19

JAN. 25 JAN. 31 FEB. 2 FEB. 22 FEB. 23

at Brainerd 6 p.m.

THIEF RIVER FALLS 6 p.m. at Park Rapids Area 6 p.m.

DETROIT LAKES 6 p.m. at Brainerd Invite 12 p.m. at West Fargo (N.D.) Invite 10:30 a.m.

BEMIDJI INVITE 5 p.m. at Thief River Falls 5:30 p.m.

Section 5A True Team (at Sartell) 10 a.m.

GRAND RAPIDS 5 p.m.

PARK RAPIDS AREA 6 p.m. at Park Rapids Invite TBD 5A Meet (Sartell) 5 p.m.

5A Meet (Sartell) 10 a.m.

jacks took sixth last year at the Section 5A meet, they’re looking to take the next step forward this season.

“As far as this year, we’re looking to move up. I think we can crack top four,” McRae said.

“They’re going to be good.

In general, they’re solid. … I think they’re very excited.”

The Bemidji Pioneer

www.bemidjipioneer.com

BHS Winter Sports Spotlight

Thursday, December 6, 2018 B5

GYMNASTICS

Gymnastics team to field talent-laden roster Lundquist, Offerdahl return with state meet under their belts

By Austin Monteith amonteith @bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — The Bemidji High School gymnastics team has a roster loaded with veteran gymnasts who will hope to make their impression on Section 8AA this season.

“They are looking really, really strong,” said head coach Briana Fleischhacker. “Honestly, this is one of the strongest starts that I have seen in a season yet. I’m very excited to see what we have to come.”

The Lumberjacks return all but two gymnasts from last year’s team. The team may only have two seniors (Elizabeth Corradi and Kaitlyn Tennysen) and no juniors, but there is talent throughout the lineup.

With an even mix of gymnasts across classes, the team has more depth than usual.

“It’s really hard to tell who is going to come out and shine this year because we just have a lot more depth than we’ve had in the past,” Fleischhacker said. “But we’re returning everybody we have from last year, minus our two seniors that we graduated.

It’s hard to know.”

Two Bemidji gymnasts qualified for state last winter and they’re both among the team’s youngest members.

Tatum Offerdahl took 21st in the state on the uneven bars as an eighth grader, while Lauren Lundquist finished 43rd in the floor exercise at the state meet as a freshman.

“We’re really excited to see what they have to

Micah Friez | Bemidji Pioneer

Pictured is the 2018-19 Bemidji High School gymnastics team. Sitting in the front row (from left) are Chloe Workman, Sophie Morin, Kaleigh Buck and Kylie Evenwoll. Kneeling in the second row are Lauren Berg, Tatum Offerdahl, Makenna Brown and Leah Lucas. Standing in the back row are Kaitlyn Tennysen, Elizabeth Corradi, head coach Briana Fleischhacker, spotter Danny Schmidt, assistant coach Amy Carey, Madysen Schmidt and Lauren Lundquist. offer,” Fleischhacker said.

“But we also have some other girls who came really, really close who have a chance at going again.”

There is no lack of potential when it comes to who’s going to emerge as the team top gymnasts.

“Honestly, it’s anybody’s game right now what we’re seeing from practice,” Fleischhacker said. “We’re not sure who our top varsity girls are going to be at this point because there’s a lot of them.”

Corradi will serve as the team’s captain this year as the senior helps guide the squad in her final season.

The Lumberjacks have strength in numbers, as well as good team chemistry.

“Our strength this season is actually probably our numbers compared to the last couple of seasons because we have a little bit bigger numbers,” Fleischhacker said. “And the fact that this team really is exactly that. They act as a team, they do things together outside of practice. They hang out, they’re friends. And that’s so important for them to be successful.”

The gymnasts enter the season with plenty of time spent training.

“A lot of our girls are coming back and have the skillset that they need already,” Fleischhacker said. “And it’s just a matter of doing those skills that we’ve been competing with the last couple years, but just cleaning them up, which is a lot easier than getting a bunch of brandnew skills.”

The event that Fleischhacker said the Lumberjacks need to improve on most is one that is near and dear to the coach.

“Our weakness this year — which it pains me to say because it’s my favorite event to coach — our biggest weakness this year

and last year has been bars,” Fleischhacker said.

“We’re just going to need to pick up our slack and try and make the best out of it that we can. Bars was always a really strong event for us for a few years, but the last couple years we’ve been lacking a little bit more. So that’s definitely the area we want to try to develop the most over the next couple months.”

The goal for the Lumberjacks is not just qualifying gymnasts to state, but also shaping them into good people.

“Our goal this year is always just continuing

Gymnastics Schedule

DEC. 7 DEC. 11 DEC. 21 JAN. 5 JAN. 12 JAN. 18 JAN. 24 JAN. 31 FEB. 2 FEB. 7 FEB. 16

at Park Rapids 6:30 p.m. at Brainerd 6 p.m.

LONG PRAIRIE 6 p.m. at Princeton Invite 12:15 p.m. at Moorhead Invite 11 a.m.

FARGO DAVIES, SOUTH 5 p.m.

DETROIT LAKES 6 p.m. at Perham 6 p.m. at Detroit Lakes 2 p.m.

PARK RAPIDS 6 p.m.

8AA Meet (Brainerd) noon

to build,” Fleischhacker said. “Building character is the number one goal for us. Aside from that, we of course want to send more girls to state, which is always a fun and awesome experience.”

The Lumberjacks opens their season Friday, Dec. 7, in an away meet against Park Rapids at 6:30 p.m.

DANCE

Micah Friez | Bemidji Pioneer

Dance team welcomes back seasoned squad Pioneer Staff Report sports@bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — The Bemidji High School dance team will return to competition this winter.

The Lumberjacks return an experienced group of veteran dancers for the 2018-19 schedule.

Six seniors return to this season’s squad, as well as

six juniors, for a total of 12 upperclassmen who will lend their experience to the team.

Also on the squad are three sophomores, five freshmen and four eighth graders.

Varsity captains are seniors Kasey Stokes and Kia Cerven, and junior Calista Liapis.

Junior varsity captains are juniors Allison Declusion and Nevaeh Ophus, and sophomore Madison Huber.

A total of six meets are on the docket for the Lumberjacks this winter.

The team opens the season at the Fridley Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 8, before concluding the reg-

Dance Schedule

DEC. 8 DEC. 15 JAN. 5 JAN. 10 JAN. 12 JAN. 26 FEB. 2

at Fridley Invite at Melrose Invite at Alexandria Invite at Duluth East Invite at Rocori Invite at Monticello Invite 4-3A Meet (Forest Lake)

TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD noon

ular season at the Monticello Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 26. The Section 4-3A meet is set for Feb. 2 in Forest Lake.

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Pictured is the 2018-19 Bemidji High School dance team. In the front row (from left) are Madison Huber, Chantel Christofferson, Avery DeLap, Tayah King and Kasey Stokes. In the second row are Aren Steever, Maggie Metson, Nevaeh Ophus, Kia Cerven, Aubrie Smith, Hailey Jerdee and Calista Liapis. In the third row are JV coach Mariah Moen, Allison Declusion, Gabby Johnson, Hayley Hackborth, Jordyn Cave, Samantha Krueger, Molly Monsrud and assistant varsity coach Amanda Everhart. In the back row are assistant JV coach Michelle Anderson, Tori Warne, Ciara Reller, Stephanie Mattson, Ella Baumgartner, Tessa Large and varsity coach Krista Grover.

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B6

Thursday, December 6, 2018

BHS Winter Sports Spotlight

www. bemidjipioneer.com

The Bemidji Pioneer

NORDIC SKIING

Girls skiers hope depth leads Jacks to another state berth Young Bemidji boys team looks to gain experience

By Austin Monteith amonteith @bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — The Bemidji High School Nordic skiing teams have had plenty enough snow to practice on in recent weeks to prepare for their upcoming 2018-19 season.

“We’ve been skiing ever since the first day (of practice),” head coach Mark Walters said.

“We’ve been on snow every single day with the exception of being in the weight rooms. We’re getting some good snow time, and they’re starting to look pretty cohesive out there.”

For the girls, they will be hitting the trails with hopes of claiming a third consecutive trip to state as a team, where Bemidji placed 14th last season.

The experience will come in handy for the six state skiers returning this season. Sadie Hamrin is the only member of the state contingent to graduate last year.

“The experience alone and just the confidence that it builds, it just seems to trickle down to the rest of the squad,” Walters said.

The girls team is the more experienced of the two, returning five seniors and two juniors in an experienced upper class.

Gwen Youso, Kinley Prestegard, Sara Pollock, Alyse Stone, Shanna Eberwine, Maggie Brown, Demi Fisher and Damaris Berg will look to lead the Lumberjacks back to Giants Ridge for another state meet appearance. With the exception of Brown and Eberwine, each upperclassmen raced in last February’s state meet.

“That’s kind of our strong suit this year is

the returning talent on the girls side,” Walters said. “There’s going to be a little building on the boys side.”

Zac Fouquerel-Skoe is the lone senior on the boys squad, though the team does contain five juniors. The senior joins Nick Youso, Logan Jensen, Riley Schollett and Nathan Vleck, who return to the lineup after competing together at sections last winter.

Soren Dybing qualified for state as an individual last season, but graduated following the season, meaning the new crop of boys skiers will wait to see who rises to the top.

“We’re definitely going to have to look for some of the kids to kind of step it up a notch and fill in some of the gaps there,” Walters said.

The goal is clear for the girls.

“Most certainly on the girls side it’s returning to state as a team,” Walters said. “That is our expectation and hope there.”

For a young boys team, Walters said he wants to see progress with each week as the season goes on.

“They want to do well at sections,” Walters said. “Again, being on the building side, you’re just going to have to play this year out kind of meet by meet. If they go for one of the top two positions teamwise at sections, win, lose or draw, you’re going to have some individuals that will make it to state for sure.”

The Lumberjacks’ first meet is scheduled for today, Dec. 6, at the Grand Rapids Invitational hosted

by Mount Itasca Winter Sports Center in Coleraine. The first event is set for 11 a.m. with the final event slated for 1:30 p.m.

Micah Friez | Bemidji Pioneer

Pictured is the 2018-19 Bemidji High School girls Nordic skiing team. In the front row are Lily Krona, Shanna Eberwine, Kinley Prestegard, Kate Martin and Miciah Renn. In the second row are Demi Fisher, Maggie Brown, Madeline Simula, Isabelle Meyer, Camille McDermott, Abigail Starkenburg and Ella Martin. In the third row are Nile Fayette, Cora Geerdes, Mary Beth Mathews, Damaris Berg, Sara Pollock and Anna Renn. In the fourth row are head coach Mark Walters, Adeline Kelly, Peyton Oelrich, Franziska Timmermann, Alexa Zylka, Alyse Stone, Gwendoline Youso, Claudia Vincent and assistant coach Nina Lubarski.

Micah Friez | Bemidji Pioneer

Pictured is the 2018-19 Bemidji High School boys Nordic skiing team. In the front row are Seth Lindgren, Bryce Kondos, Zac Fouquerel-Skoe, John McNallan, Ethan Pollock and Daniel Roberts. In the middle row are Nick Youso, Alonzo Alverez, Isaak McDonald, Nathan Vleck, Treyton Pearson, Cameron Carleton and Jackson Cole. In the back row are head coach Mark Walters, Daniel Headlee, Hayden Hommes, Kyle Dahl, Brent Nistler, Logan Jensen, Riley Schollette and assistant coach Nina Lubarski.

Nordic Skiing Schedule DEC. 6 DEC. 11 DEC. 15 DEC. 19 DEC. 20 DEC. 22 DEC. 29 JAN. 5 JAN. 10 JAN. 15 JAN. 19 JAN. 24 JAN. 29 FEB. 2 FEB. 5

at Grand Rapids Invite 11 a.m. at Detroit Lakes Invite 10:30 a.m.

MONTEBELLO RELAY 10 a.m. at Grand Rapids Invite TBD at Fergus Falls Invite 1 p.m. at Mora Invite TBD at Brainerd Invite 10 a.m. at Mesabi East Invite 10 a.m. at Detroit Lakes Invite TBD at Alexandria Invite TBD BEMIDJI INVITE TBD at Little Falls Invite 10 a.m. at Moorhead Invite 2 p.m. at Brainerd Invite TBD 8A Meet (Little Falls) 10 a.m.

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