Rivalry History: Bears and Mustangs Share Unique Cameraderie

Century-long competition provides memories

Kate Rekas | Opinions Editor

It often seems as though Breck and Blake have always been known as rivals. The Breck School was founded in 1886, fourteen years before its rival was established in 1900. While we often like to think we are far different from Breck, and overall better, both schools were founded with similar missions and principles. Breck was founded as an Episcopal school to educate children of local immigrant farmers, and it has since evolved into the respected private school it is now, continuing the tradition of Episcopal chapel assemblies with all students in attendance.

Top: The Bears and the Mustangs face off in a 2002 rivalry game. A notable Bears player was Isaac Anderson ‘06, who went on to play Division One College Football at UW-Madison.

Bottom: The score from that game, a 64-13 blowout victory.

Similarly, Blake was founded with the intention of educating children in accordance with Christianity, but unlike Breck, all religiosity tied to the school was ended in 1974.

The similarities between the schools is what has always seemed to fuel competition. The school’s offering of smaller class sizes and advertised “rigorous” academics to create a college prep environment make it inevitable that the two institutions are pitted against one another, both academically and athletically.

Boys soccer has been one of the most electric sports between the schools because the teams have been so evenly matched, as have boys and girls tennis. Recently, winter sport athletes have dominated the Breck competition with boys and girls hockey, alpine skiing, and boys basketball all having recent wins against the Mustangs.

The schools compete in academics as well, and students often look to Niche, a school ranking website, to see the rankings for best private schools in Minnesota to try to settle the constant debate over who is actually the best. The truth is, no matter the ranking, both institutions help foster accomplished induviduals who are pre- pared to attend university. The rivalry is still plenty alive, but it isn’t mean-spirited. There is the occasional “Buck Freck” sign at a hockey game, but it’s truly all in good fun and in celebration of a good game, no matter the winner. In addition to the rivalry pushing the two schools and their students to do their best, there is simultaneously a sense of camaraderie between students, as they share similar school experiences and often get to face off with each other in athletic or academic competitions.