2018 BHS Spring Sports Spotlight

Sports

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B1 Thursday, April 5, 2018

BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL

SPRING SPORTS

SPOTLIGHT

INSIDE

Photo by Jillian Gandsey

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Bemidji High School Sports Spotlight

Thursday, April 5, 2018

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The Bemidji Pioneer

Baseball

Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer

Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School baseball team. In the front row (from left) are Hunter Bjorgaard, Henry Michalicek, Thor Solien, Jarret Hastig, Andrew Thompson and Casey McNamara. In the middle row are Zak Justice, Alex Lazella, Kevin Hogquist, Drew Boen, Bradie Weidemann, Hunter Olson and Sam Goins. In the back row are Matt Johnson, Peter Moen, Matt Fitzgerald, Brendan Kuechenmeister, Otto Grimm, Cole Tatro, Jonny Melhus and Lineas Whiting.

Pioneer file photo

Bemidji High School’s Hunter Olson celebrates with his teammates following his 2-run home run in the second inning of a game against Brainerd in May 2017.

Looking solid overall, Jacks need help on the hill in upcoming season for anyone who can throw strikes and get batters out.

April 12 at East Grand Forks 4:30 p.m.

“Guys will fill into roles, at Eastview 6 p.m.

April 13 and maybe there’s a young April 14 at Maple Grove 11 a.m. guy that might surprise at Alexandria (DH) April 17 4 p.m.

April 19 ROSEAU 4:30 p.m. us, too,” Fogelson said. at Grand Rapids (DH) 4 p.m.

April 23 “There’s lots of young ANDOVER (DH) 11 a.m.

April 28 talent in our program, WARROAD May 1 4:30 p.m. so who knows? It’s wide THIEF RIVER FALLS 4:30 p.m.

May 3 open for any kid that steps May 7 at Brainerd 4:30 p.m. up in our program ninth at Moorhead (DH) 4 p.m.

May 10 WOODEN BAT CLASSIC 2:30 p.m.

May 18 grade on up. There’s going WOODEN BAT CLASSIC 3 p.m.

May 19 to be opportunities, we’ll DETROIT LAKES (DH) 4 p.m.

May 22 just see how that kind of May 29 Section 8-3A Day 1 TBD plays out.”

Section 8-3A Day 2 TBD May 30 With consistent pitching May 31 Section 8-3A Day 3 TBD Section 8-3A Day 4 TBD June 5 and defense, the LumberSection 8-3A Day 5 TBD June 6 jacks expect their offense to produce enough run ing the rubber include support to win a lot of Drew Bowen, Jaret Has- games this spring. tig, Johnny Meehlhause, “I feel like our offense Matt Johnson and Kevin should be pretty strong,” Hogquist, but the BHS Fogelson said. “We’ve got coaches will be looking a lot of guys in the lineup

2018 Schedule

back, so from that standpoint I think there’s a lot of pieces there. We’ve just got to figure out the pitching part. There’s definitely some guys there, they just don’t have a lot of varsity innings for us yet.”

The heart of last year’s order —made up of Grimm, Hunter Olson, Matt Fitzgerald and Brendan Kuechenmeister — is back in its entirety and ready to do some damage to opposing pitching.

As for what the team hopes to accomplish in June, Fogelson said it’s the same as every other year — getting back to the section championship and securing the 8-3A title.

“The first thing is obviously to learn how to play

as a team, and it starts with throwing strikes and playing good defense behind him and then figuring out how to score runs,” Fogelson said. “But as goals for our team, we want to get a high seed for the section tournament and hopefully get some

home playoff games. The goals are similar to any other year in our program: we want to compete for a section title. We’ve been able to do that for quite a few years in a row now, and I think this team has the same type of expectations.”

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By Ryan Pietruszewski rpietruszewski@bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — Following a 19-6 season which ended with a 15-6 Section 8-3A championship loss to Alexandria — their third loss to the Cardinals in two weeks and second of the tournament — the Bemidji High School baseball team is back on the grind this spring in pursuit of a section title.

The team looks strong on both offense and defense, head coach Mike Fogelson said, but the pitching aspect of the game is something in question heading into the season.

“We graduated a strong senior class of guys that did a lot of our pitching,” Fogelson said. “So the biggest thing to get back to where we were playing in that game again and hopefully have a chance to win – we (have to) replace some guys on the mound and get some young guys in there and throw a lot of strikes.”

Cole Tatro will shoulder some of the load on the hill after a successful legion season last summer, but the rest of the rotation will be filled by committee until players earn consistent turns, according to Fogelson.

Senior Otto Grimm, who is committed to the University of Minnesota, will be key in the middle of the Jacks’ batting order as well as on the mound.

“He’s pitched for us for quite a few years now,” said Fogelson. “He’s going to be pitching in some type of role for us this year, and he’ll be a big part of what we’re doing.”

Other players in line to get some work toe-

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Thursday, April 5, 2018 B3

Track and Field

A new crop of athletes is rising for BHS

By Austin Monteith amonteith@ bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — After hoisting Section 8AA championship trophies in each of the last two seasons, the Bemidji High School boys track and field team will have a younger squad as it goes for a three-peat.

“We have a lot of strengths. We have a lot of good sprinters and jumpers,” Sneide said. “I think this year we’re pretty well-rounded.

“Our weakness is just we’re very young this year because we graduated so many kids, a lot of really top kids last year. But we’re looking forward to see how these younger kids step up.”

The Lumberjacks will miss the presence of accomplished seniors Cody Roder, Isaac Berg and Alex Vollen. Along with Linaes Whiting, the trio comprised Bemidji’s state champion 4x800 relay team last season.

Whiting, now a senior, is playing baseball for the Lumberjacks this spring.

A younger crop of athletes will hope to step into the shoes of those seniors.

“They kind of set the example of hard work and what it takes to be a state

March 27 April 12 April 27 May 1 May 8 May 15 May 21 May 30 June 2 June 8-9

2018 Schedule

Lion’s Invite 2nd place Fergus Falls Invite 4 p.m.

Hamline Elite Meet 4 p.m.

Alexandria Invite 4:30 p.m.

Section True Team (at Brainerd) 3 p.m.

Moorhead Invite 4 p.m.

Bemidji Invite 3 p.m.

Section 8AA Prelims (at Wil mar) 3 p.m.

Section 8AA Finals (at Moorhead) 9:30 a.m.

Class AA State Meet TBA

champion,” Sneide said.

“A lot of the younger kids looked up to them. The work ethic on this team this year is just really good. A lot of kids realize, ‘Hey, it’s going to be tough to be champion.’

“This year I’ve been impressed with how these kids responded so far, even though we have been stuck inside. All their attitudes are good, and as a coach, that’s all you can ask for.”

Junior Ryan Bieberdorf is now an upperclassmen with his sights set on returning to the Class AA state meet. In 2017, Bieberdorf was the lone sophomore in the triple jump event where he finished 11th.

Senior Soren Dybing will be a distance runner to look out for on the team. Senior Calvin Faust, one of Bemidji’s return-

Micah Friez / Bemidji Pioneer

Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School boys track and field team. In the front row (from left) are Keegan Berg, Nathan Vleck, Gage Mostad, Jonathan Williams, Nikita Graves, Brecken Wilcoxen, Owen Hilliard, Tanner Rebischke, Matt Gish, Zach Fouquerel-Skoe, Blaine Sauer and Nathan Alto. In the second row are Ethan Maish, Jordan Brown, Will Knutson, Elias Treuer, Joe Rowland, Nick Snell, Zach Schueller, Noah Hanks, Isiah Rintala, Zach Priewe, Zach Suther and Cale Newby. In the third row are Alan Wouri, Trevor Rohder, Justin Nelson, Matt Arel, Connor Fettig, Will Falldorf, Aidan Helwig, Dylan Ptacek, Joel Lindsey, Calvin Faust and manager Casey Stokes. In the fourth row are assistant coach Ryan Aylesworth, Caleb Grant, Garrisen Fredrickson, James Siems, Noah Paulson, James Branham, Steven Dinneen, Soren Dybing, Sam Schulze and head coach Steve Sneide. In the fifth row are assistant coach Nina Lubarski, Ryan Bieberdorf, Eli Mans, Luc Berard, Tanner Hatfield, Noah Klinke, Gabe Goodwin, Ryan Turner, Gabe Schwarzlander and assistant coach Eli Mullenbach. In the back row are assistant coach Chris Lehman, Sam Hodgson, Cole Matetich, Andrew Gonzales, Conrad Robertson, Alex Matheney, Isaiah Cerven, Riley Berg, Ryan Yang and assistant coach Brian Berntsen. ing sprinters, finished fifth in the 200-meter dash at sections last season. Senior Joel Lindsey was also a place-winner at sections, taking sixth in the long jump.

“We have a lot of expe-

rienced kids back, but like I said, we have a lot of new kids looking to step up and fill roles,” Sneide said.

The team hopes to progressively get better throughout the year. And if all goes to plan, a few more Lumberjacks will be

headed back to state.

“Obviously our goal is to improve every meet and try to get better by the end of the season, and our goal every year is to try to get some kids to state,” Sneide said. “Other than that we’ll just see. Like I

said, this year I feel like half our team is brand new. There’s a lot of new faces. We have some kids who have never been out before in track and it’ll be interesting to see where we put them.”

Veterans will lead a young Lumberjacks team Fergus Falls Invite 4 p.m.

Hamline Elite Meet 4 p.m.

Alexandria Invite 4:30 p.m.

Section True Team (at Brainerd) 3 p.m.

Moorhead Invite 4 p.m.

Bemidji Invite 3 p.m.

Section 8AA Prelims (at Wil mar) 3 p.m.

Section 8AA Finals (at Moorhead) 9:30 a.m.

Class AA State Meet TBA

“Ciara Cermak is one of the top triple jumpers coming back in the state,” Lehman said.

“We’re expecting some really good things from her.”

Hamrin, a five-time state participant in cross country, will compete in distance races for Bemidji as she looks to add a trip to the state track meet before graduating this year.

Mann, who previously qualified for state as a freshman in 2016 in the 100-meter dash, will continue to be one of the Lumberjacks’ best sprinters this spring as she strides to return to state.

“A lot of those kids that came back from last year are a lot farther ahead or they’re not too far off from where they were last year,” Lehman said. “That was really nice to see from the returners.”

The veteran leadership at

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BEMIDJI — A core group of upperclassmen will guide a young Bemidji High School girls track and field team this spring.

“We’re a really young team this year,” BHS head coach Chris Lehman said.

“We have about 25 freshmen on the team so that’s definitely something that’s a work in progress to see what kind of team that we’re going to be this year.”

The Lumberjacks already have one meet under their belts after finishing sixth at the Lion’s Invitational inside the Gillett Wellness Center on March 27.

“We saw a lot of good things from the upperclassmen from where they were last year compared to where they are now this year,” Lehman said. “A bunch of them have gotten stronger and they kind of know what to expect from us at practice.”

Seniors Ciara Cermak and Sadie Hamrin, and junior Jordan Mann will be among the top returning Lumberjacks.

Cermak nearly qualified for the Class AA state meet last year in the triple jump, and should be a favorite in the event when sections come along in June.

2018Lion’sSchedule Invite 6th place

March 27 April 12 April 27 May 1 May 8 May 15 May 21 May 30 June 2 June 8-9

Micah Friez / Bemidji Pioneer

Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School girls track and field team. In the front row (from left) are Liberty Dickerson, Andrea Norman, Tove Paulson, Alize Saunders, Courtney Baker, Sophia Morin, Jenna Anderson, Kayla Dewitt and Kiana Armstrong. In the second row are Harper Toward, Miranda Port, Danielle LaMoure, Elizabeth Corradi, Katie Alto, Kinley Prestegard, Lily Vleck, Katelyn Moyer, Shanna Eberwine and Kasey Stokes. In the third row are assistant coach Ryan Aylesworth, Erica Winters, Hannah Mueller, Kayleigh Hickman, Lindsey Hildenbrand, Ashley Hofstad, Madeline Simula, Katrina Evenwoll, Ness Peters and assistant coach Eli Muellenbach. In the fourth row are assistant coach Nina Lubarski, Shelby Meyer, Callie Cota, Sunny Werlein, Marryn Willberg, Ciara Cermak, Skilah Hurd, Mai Petermann, Isabelle Meyer and assistant coach Steve Sneide. In the back row are head coach Chris Lehman, Abby Mueller, Sierra Malterud, Clarissa Davidson, Laura Palmer, Sadie Hamrin, Taylor Saiger, Mattie Snyder and assistant coach Bryan Bernsten. the top of the roster will be a valuable asset to the young squad this season.

“The senior leaders and the captains are doing a great job just motivating the kids everyday, kind of getting them fired up to

practice and do their best,” Lehman said. “They’re great role models on and off the track.”

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the season.

“The nicest thing with track is it’s an individual sport,” Lehman said. “All we ever stress upon the kids at the meet is to go out and give it their best and try to get a personal record in that

event. You’re competing against other people, but you’re out there just trying to improve on your performances that you’ve done before, and that’s something that we’ve always pressed upon the kids.”

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Bemidji High School Sports Spotlight

Thursday, April 5, 2018

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The Bemidji Pioneer

Softball

Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School softball team. In the back row are head coach Brad Takkunen, assistant coach Deb Stanoch, Evette Morgan, Kenzie Christiansen, Savannah Bakke, assistant coach Tom Strommer and assistant coach Ron Koski. In the middle row are manager Kendra Kehoe, Anikka Takkunen, Makenna Quinn, Brooke Hildenbrand, Gabbi Takkunen and manager Regann Jensen. In the front row are Keena Kondos, Gracie Fisher, Maddie Hanson, Emma Stanoch and Maggie Marcotte.

Photos by Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer

BHS looks to pull pieces together, jump ahead in Section 8-4A

By Ryan Pietruszewski rpietruszewski@ bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — With an abundance of potential entering the 2018 spring softball season, the degree to which the Lumberjacks execute will determine how far they go this year.

After the first few practices in the gym, head coach Brad Takkunen said Bemidji has some uncertainties, but the team has a spark and has a chance to surprise some teams this year after finishing 8-13 last season.

“It’s going to be somewhat unknown, to be honest, for a while,” Takkunen said. “One of the things that I do like, is I like a lot of competitiveness in the team. We’re young, and these kids have shown hunger in the past of wanting to beat teams, wanting to play hard.”

While the most significant question marks early on are both ends of the battery (pitcher and catcher), the Jacks plan

on cushioning the issue by scoring plenty of runs with a solid offense.

“I think we’ve got some pretty good pieces as far as quickness this year,” Takkunen said. “We have a handful of outfielders that, if we can get them... on base, then we have Evette (Morgan) and we have some other young kids that can hit the ball and have hit the ball in the past. Obviously some varsity pitchers are going to overwhelm these kids, but for the most part if we can get some consistency out of these kids, there’s going to be quite a few runs scored this year.”

The Lumberjacks went 1-2 in the section tournament last season, topping Brainerd 8-3 in the first round before losing to Rogers 9-1 and Elk River 8-4 to end their season.

To improve on that, Takkunen keeps his goals simple.

“The reality is that we just focus on trying to be responsible,” he said.

really established where we want to be at the end April 12 at TRF, Detroit Lakes 3 p.m. of the year as a unit, HIBBING 4 p.m.

April 16 so that will be yet to be April 20 at Sauk Rapids-Rice 5 p.m. determined. If the team at Coon Rapids tourney 10 a.m.

April 21 at Cloquet 4:30 p.m.

April 24 plays hard and they don’t DULUTH DENFELD 4 p.m.

April 26 worry about making misApril 28 at Grand Rapids Invite 10 a.m. takes and just play, there’s 4:30 p.m.

VIRGINIA May 1 enough athletic ability May 3 BRAINERD 5 p.m. that we could be vying for May 8 at Moorhead (DH) 4 p.m.

May 11 at Grand Forks Red River (DH) 4:30 p.m. a section crown.

DULUTH EAST May 15 4 p.m. “...A lot of these kids at International Falls 4 p.m.

May 16 have never seen a varat Grand Rapids 4:30 p.m.

May 17 sity pitcher before, so they Section 8-3A Day 1 May 22 TBD need to figure some things TBD May 24 Section 8-3A Day 2 May 29 TBD Section 8-3A Day 3 out. They’ve been sucTBD May 31 Section 8-3A Day 4 cessful through the years, and so now hopefully that “We try to focus on being next step gets them there. committed to each other. And then we need to figure Those are maybe kind of some things out as coacha social goal rather than es and as a team. There’s a specific team goal, but a lot of things that need in my opinion if you can to work out, but in that do those things, then it’s uncertainty I think can going to roll right into our be a lot of positives, too, team goals. We haven’t because kids are hungry.”

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2018 Schedule

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Thursday, April 5, 2018 B5

Golf

BHS girls golf enters season with high goals

By Ryan Pietruszewski rpietruszewski@ bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — Following a third-place finish in the section last season, the Bemidji High School girls golf team is eyeing a finish two spots higher this spring.

“Our two big rivals, Buffalo and Alexandria, they’ve been tough the last two years,” head coach Paul Daman said. “There’s going to be a couple other teams like Brainerd and whatever in the mix, but quite honestly, if our kids play as good as we think they can play, I think that we’re the team to beat.”

Abbie Kelm comes into the season as the Jacks’ lone senior and one of two participants in last year’s state meet. The other, junior Taylor Offerdahl, joins Kelm as a staple in the Bemidji lineup and a leader on the team.

This year, the duo hopes to bring the whole team beyond sections.

“Having one senior like Abbie, she’s a big driver of the bus here,” Daman said.

“She’s going to lead these kids... With her leading us

enough to be in the running for a section title, April 9 Monticello Invite Noon Daman said he wants Irondale Invite 2:30 p.m.

April 16 the top two golfers to be Cragun’s Resort 10 a.m.

April 21 around 80 strokes at each April 25 Alexandria Invite 9:30 a.m. meet and the next two to Bemidji Invite 9 a.m.

April 27 be around 90 for a team Pequot Lakes Invite 1 p.m.

May 1 score of 340 or better. The May 2 Pequot Lakes Invite 9 a.m.

Jacks have an abundance May 4 Pre-Section Meet (at Rocori) TBA of talented golfers to do it, Fergus Falls Invite May 11 TBA according to Daman.

May 12 Staples-Motley Invite 9:30 a.m.

Sophomores Damaris Brainerd Invite 9 a.m.

May 16 Berg and Nicki Son figure May 17 St. Michael-Albertvil e Invite Noon to be regulars in the varsiDetroit Lakes Invite May 22 TBA ty lineup, as well, but the Section 8-3A Meet 9 a.m.

May 29 bottom four spots could be May 30 Section 8-3A Meet 9 a.m. filled by many combinaClass 3A State Meet TBA June 12-13 tions as the season goes along. and some of these other “80 percent of the rest young kids coming up, I of these kids are going to think we’re going to be in be pretty good,” Daman really good shape, assum- said. “It’s just who’s ing we can get some meets going to be good enough under our belt before May to help us. To make the with the snow. top six, we need girls that “Taylor Offerdahl is a can shoot probably in the junior, and she went to low 90s, and to really help the state tournament last us be a good, good golf year as an individual. So team, we need girls that we have two state tourna- can break 90.” ment players coming back, With Kelm at the helm and then we have a whole and a deep roster behind bunch of 11th, 10th and her, the Lumberjacks will ninth graders that have be going into meets ready played some summer golf. to compete with first place And we think we’re going on their mind. to be pretty good.”

“If I have to put 12 kids To achieve scores low out there and tell them,

2018 Schedule

Submitted photo

Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School girls golf team. In the front row (from left) are Nettie Kimble, Emily Burgess, Taylor Offerdahl, Becca Josefson, Emma Alexander, Annika Knudson and Greta Smith. In the middle row are assistant coach Tina Offerdahl, Kylen Fenson, Josibeth Aguilera, Eva Laturi, Ella Olson, Mackenzie Jordahl, Nicki Son and head coach Paul Daman. In the back row are Damaris Berg, Macy Hietala, Taylor Wade, Rylie Jones, Nora Abrahamson, Olivia Johnson and Abbie Kelm.

‘Here’s the deal. We’re going to play 72 holes of golf and the top four are coming with me,’ they get it,” Daman said. “And they get the stress that goes with that, and they

get the thrill that goes with it.

“Right now, we are just lucky to have the number of girls we do that are just buying in,” Daman said.

“And it’s early yet, but

there’s a good vibe here.

Good kids that want to work. (Practicing indoors is) not the most exciting thing in the world, but they’re here and they’re doing it.”

BHS boys golf team features plenty of youth April 13 April 19 April 20 April 21 April 24 April 28 May 1 May 4 May 7 May 10 May 12 May 18 May 19 May 23 May 24 May 29 May 30 June 12-13

2018 Schedule

Detroit Lakes Invite 1 p.m.

Pequot Lakes Invite 1 p.m.

Pequot Lakes Invite 10 a.m.

Perham Invite 10 a.m.

Detroit Lakes Invite 9 a.m.

Staples-Motley Invite 9:30 a.m.

Detroit Lakes Invite 1 p.m.

Pre-Section Meet (at Rocori) 2 p.m.

Bemidji Invite 9 a.m.

1 p.m.

St. Cloud Tech Invite Roseau Invite 9:30 a.m. vs. Detroit Lakes (at Bemidji) 11 a.m. vs. Detroit Lakes (at Park Rapids) TBA Brainerd Invite TBA Brainerd Invite 9 a.m.

10 a.m.

Section 8-3A Meet Section 8-3A Meet TBA Class 3A State Meet TBA

have in the past.”

Matt Allen, Bemidji’s lone state tournament participant last season, has graduated but that doesn’t mean that expectations are down this year.

“We’ve got some really dedicated kids,” Knudson

said. “We’ve got kids that are just really excited to be out there and playing and I think are willing to work harder than a lot of other teams. And hopefully that’ll pay off.”

The 24-member team has grown younger over the offseason with only about four or five seniors on the squad and around 10 freshmen, according to Knudson.

“The biggest difference in the fact that we’re a younger team is that usually in years past the seniors would have played a lot more varsity events,” Knudson said.

“This year’s group of seniors haven’t played a ton of varsity events. I think they’re excited and ready to play, but they’ve got some catching up to do in terms of some of the other

schools’ senior players.”

The team did not fare well enough in the first day of the Section 8-3A tournament last season to advance to the second day, a feat that remains the primary goal BHS looks to achieve this year.

“Every year our main goal is to do well enough the first day of sections to make it to the second day so that we’re part of the conversation,” Knudson said. “At that point you never know.” “... And of course, I’ve talked to a lot of the kids individually. Their goals range anywhere from I want to improve my score to a certain number, to three or four kids wanting to try to vie to make the state tournament.”

The team’s first tournament is scheduled for

Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School boys golf team. In the back row (from left) are Sam Trego, Tristan Hamann, Dylan Hinners, Andrew Bergland, Jackson Sturk, Braden Grinde and David Forte. In the middle row are head coach Seth Knudson, Hunter Marcotte, Riley Fenson, Blake Bergerson, Nick Gall, Michael Tews, Seth Bakke and assistant coach Ann Bowman. In the front row are Croix Golden, Bryce Golden, Jordan Anderson, Andrew Johanns, Noah Burgess, Ethan Mock and Chase Mock.

April 13 in Detroit Lakes, though whether the Lumberjacks play or not is up to Mother Nature.

“Right now I’m worried about all of our tournaments in April,” Knudson said.

In the meantime, the

golfers will continue to grind away practicing indoors until spring arrives for good.

“I can’t wait to get outside and actually see where the kids are at,” Knudson said.

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By Austin Monteith amonteith@ bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — The weather has not been too kind to the Bemidji High School boys golf team this spring.

Such is the life of a golfer in northern Minnesota.

Golf season is fast approaching and the Lumberjacks have been hard at work practicing indoors.

Croix Golden and Dylan Hinners received significant playing time last year and will return this season, as will David Forte who played in a number of tournaments. Golden will serve as team captain for 2018.

“We had a number of seniors though last year,” BHS head coach Seth Knudson said. “We’ll be younger this year than we

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Sports

Thursday, April 5, 2018

www. bemidjipioneer.com

The Bemidji Pioneer

Tennis

Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer

Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School boys tennis team. In the front row (from left) are Carson Porter, Caden Crowson, Logan Mitchell, Cody Hendricks, Louis Saxton, Bailey Harris, Nic Buffo and Tiernen Atteberry. In the middle row are Laurits Homen, Luke Hess, Kolden Michalicek, Quincy Wilson, Silas Hess, Ben Hess and Michael Dickinson. In the back row are head coach Mark Fodness, James Palmer, Nick Palmer, Spencer Konecne, Jonah Fuhrman, Logan Jensen, Wyatt Harrom and Eric Guida.

Jacks set to take step in wide open section

By Ryan Pietruszewski rpietruszewski@bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — In a competitive Section 8 in Class AA, the Bemidji High School boys tennis team hopes to make its move and compete for the title this season.

“We have a lot of experience coming back,” head coach Mark Fodness said. “We’ve been playing young kids for awhile, and now they’re not so young anymore.”

Leading the pack at first singles will be junior Spencer Konecne, who made strides with a successful section tournament last spring and improved his overall athleticism during basketball season.

“I think Spencer is poised to have a really good year this year,” Fodness said. “You can see in basketball the progress he’s made physically, and I think that’s going to translate really well onto the tennis courts. “...I thought we did well

April 5 April 9 April 10 April 17 April 20 April 23 April 24 April 27 May 1 May 3 May 8 May 11 May 14 May 15 May 17 May 21 May 22 May 25 May 26

2018 Schedule GR, CROOKSTON at Grand Rapids at Crookston PERHAM TRIANGULAR at Moorhead Triangular BRAINERD at TRF Triangular at Detroit Lakes at Crookston Triangular DL, EGF at Alexandria Triangular CROOKSTON, GR MOORHEAD THIEF RIVER FALLS Section 8AA Team Section 8AA Individual Section 8AA Team Finals Section 8AA Individual Finals

8 a.m.

4 p.m.

4 p.m.

4 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

1 p.m.

4 p.m.

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4 p.m.

10 a.m.

Noon 4 p.m.

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overall as a team last year.

We didn’t advance far in the tournament, but our biggest success was seeing Spencer advance in the individual tournament. He got to the semis in the section (tournament) for singles. If you look at Section 8AA, that’s a good accomplishment. But I think he’s capable of doing even better this year.”

Konecne and Luke Hess will split the captains’ duties on this year’s

squad, with Hess coming back after missing his junior season due to injury.

“Luke was out last year with a leg injury, and he’s back at full strength and I think everybody’s excited to see what he can do when we get back on the courts,” said Fodness.

“That’s a big plus getting him back.”

On the doubles side, a senior pairing of Nick Palmer and Cody Hendricks and a sophomore pairing of Ben Hess and Kolden Michalicek are back after playing together last season. The other spots in singles and doubles are vacancies from last year’s graduates, which will provide opportunities for new players to fill in.

“Some of the kids who have been kept out of the lineup by more experienced players — (Silas) Hess, Bailey Harris, kids like that — they’re going to get a good look this year and see what they can do in a more full-time role,”

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Fodness said.

Section 8AA is up for the taking, according to Fodness, and he said the Jacks are looking to be in the mix.

“I think we are going to be really competitive,” he said. “The section is

really tough. St. Cloud Tech is kind of the perennial favorite. Brainerd has a really strong team this year — one of the strongest teams they’ve had for a long time. And Wilmar has an extremely talented group coming back.

So these three teams for sure are going to be tough, and then you put in two or three others that are right up there. So it’s not an easy path, but at the same time, this is one of the more talented teams we’ve had for awhile.”