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FOOTBALL: Lumberjacks attack the season with team speed
Photo courtesy Lifetouch
Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School football team. In the front row (from left) are Antton Smith, Noah Leffelman, Brandon Lussier, Grant Declusin, Randall White, Alex Brundage, Joe Hudson, Nate Golden, Chase Smith, Alex Parsons, Alex Severson, JD Kondos, Cameron Carleton and Sterling Stage. In the second row are Parker Beighley, Nick Mutchler, Isaiah Rintala, Nick Snell, Aaron Hoefer, Matt Arel, Will Falldorf, Trevor Rohder, Vinny Tesch, Alec Meland, Tristin Kindred, Seth Glynn, Jordan Brown and James Williams. In the third row are Jadyn Titoe, Zach Priewe, William Knudson, Isaiah Reid, Isaiah Biehn, Thomas Lueben, Alex Robertson, Tyler Simon, Rhett Seeger, Dylan Ptacek, Zak Justice, Hunter Bjorgaard, Ethan Knowlton, Caleb Staples and Josh Nyberg. In the fourth row are Kade Peterson, Justin Nelson, Tyrese Smith, Mason Valerius, Wyatt Harrom, Alex LaZella, Ryan Turner, Caleb Grant, Reid Colley, Ryan Bieberdorf, Brett Tharaldson, Noah Klinke, Javian Boykin, Anthony Sconce, Sam Pfremmer and unknown. In the fifth row are Jacob Beberg, Colton Hinrichs, Ryan Yang, Colton Jensen, Conrad Robertson, Johnny Melhus, Peyton Edelman, James LaValley, Dylan Black, Justin Cluff, Andrew Gonzales, Clancy Smith, Isaac Klejeski, Cole Milz and Mason Bitker. In the back row are (from left) manager Nash Tietz, assistant coaches Tyler Kondos, Steve Thompson, Kevin Voeller, Jack Aakhus, Bryan Stoffel, Jim McKeon and Brian Murphy, head coach Troy Hendricks, assistant coaches Eric Medberry and Jeff Ostrom, and managers Cody Geiger, Maggie Marcotte, Gracie Fisher and Sarah Bruder. By Ryan Pietruszewski rpietruszewski@bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — A bigger, faster, stronger Lumberjacks football team hit the gridiron in August compared to the one that finished the season 4-6 a year ago. The team attacked this year’s schedule in stride with a convincing 31-7 week one win over Rogers on the road last Thursday, Aug. 30. “This bunch of kids, a lot of these kids were here last year. We have lot of returning guys,” BHS head coach Troy Hendricks said. “Last year we had a
lot of great team chemistry and great team effort, but we didn’t have a lot of skill. This year we’ve got a lot more skill. Now we just need to play with the same kind of intensity and energy as the kids did last year. If we can do that, we feel like we’re headed in the right direction back to where we can be a section contender this coming year.” Just four other teams – Alexandria, Brainerd, Moorhead and Sartell-St. Stephen – are in the Jacks’ way of claiming the Section 8-5A title this year, but it’s a crowded bunch. Bemidji went 1-3 against
section opponents in the regular season last year, falling 41-21 to Moorhead, 47-43 to Brainerd and 59-42 to Alexandria before topping Sartell 49-7. In the first week of sections, the Jacks shut out Sartell 26-0, but dropped the semifinal matchup to Brainerd 28-21. This year, Hendricks hopes to shore up the defense and hold opposing teams to fewer points while sustaining their offensive output. “I think all 11 (defensive) positions are, by and large, faster than they were last year,” he said.
“We love team speed, and defensively we have a lot of kids that can make plays. Now, they have to play together. I think we’ll play faster. We’ll be more aggressive in the way that we call our defense, but it’ll come down to those kids playing as 11, rallying to the football and making plays.” On the offensive side of the ball, Bemidji returns the much-used combination of quarterback Jacob Beberg and receiver Ryan Bieberdorf, who connected for 16 touchdowns through the air last fall, but the team is looking to spread the ball around
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AUG. 30 SEPT. 7 SEPT. 14 SEPT. 21 SEPT. 28 OCT. 5 OCT. 12 OCT. 17 OCT. 23 OCT. 27 NOV. 2
2018 Schedule at Rogers BIG LAKE SAUK RAPIDS-RICE at Moorhead BRAINERD ALEXANDRIA at Sartell at St. Cloud Tech 8-5A Quarterfinals 8-5A Semifinals 8-5A Final
more this year to open up more options. Other passing options this year are Kade Peterson, Colton Jensen, Matt Arel, Zak Justice and Nick Snell, while Caleb Grant will be the main threat out of the backfield with Will Falldorf and Isaiah Reed also earning touches. “Leadership and speed
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are probably the two main things that we have,” Hendricks said of this year’s squad. “We have good team speed this year in all phases, and I like the students, the athletes, the seniors – even some of the sophomores and juniors – displaying quality leadership each and every day at practice.”
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BOYS SOCCER: Jacks hold high expectations after section title
Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer
Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School boys soccer team. In the front row (from left) are Blaine Sauer, Aspen Galdamez, Logan Mitchell, Nik Kivi, Will Schwindt, Ethan Mock and Chase Mock. In the second row are manager Will Hubert, Kolden Michalicek, James Siems, Joe Fletcher, JD Bitter, Aidan Helwig, Ben Hess and manager Aftyn Schmidt. In the back row are assistant coach Jeff Mitchell, Silas Hess, Brekt Thorsgard, Chase Fillipi, Josh Jernigan, Quincy Wilson and head coach Rick Toward. By Ryan Pietruszewski rpietruszewski@bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — Following one of the best seasons in program history a year ago, the Bemidji High School boys soccer team returns most of its lineup, and the outlook on this season is not a meek one. “I think the guys are pretty confident in terms of what they’re bringing back, and they know what’s expected,” BHS head coach Rick Toward said. “They know what to do and we’ve got some good leadership from our captains, trying to get to that next step which is, of course, get back to the tournament and then try and win a game.” The Jacks cruised through the Section 8A
tournament last October, going 4-0 with shutout wins over Pelican Rapids (5-0) in the opener, Detroit Lakes (7-0) in the quarterfinal and St. Cloud Cathedral (3-0) in the championship. Sartell-St. Stephen was the only team to muster a goal against Bemidji in the tournament, but the Jacks took the semifinal matchup 3-1. The Bemidji varsity roster consists of six seniors and 12 juniors, and eight out of the 11 starting positions are filled with players with starting experience last year, leaving just three spots to fill. J.D. Bitter will see the bulk of the action at the goalkeeper position, which was left open by the graduation of Adam Laakso. The other two spots, cen-
ter midfield and outside back defender, have more replacement options. A combination of juniors Blaine Sauer, Chase Fillipi and senior James Siems will man the duties at outside back, but Toward said he might slide Siems up to midfield to get Aidan Helwig or Ethan Mock up in the attack to fill the void left by three-time All-Lakes to Prairie Conference honoree Linaes Whiting. The team’s main strength this season, according to Toward, is the attack. “I think we all know we have a pretty strong center midfield with Ben Hess, Aspen (Galdamez) and then Silas (Hess) playing right in front of them,” he said. “We have
a lot of experienced guys coming back even though we’re kind of a younger team. We start six juniors who had varsity starting experience last year, as well as Aspen and James Siems, who are seniors.” Through their first five games, the Jacks outscored their opponents 31-2 on the way to a 5-0 start. Silas Hess leads with nine goals and five assists. Mock has six goals and two assists, Helwig five goals and two assists, Ben Hess four goals and six assists and Galdamez two goals and four assists. The Jacks’ schedule figures to get tougher in the coming weeks, though, with tough section contests coming against Sartell-St. Stephen and St. Cloud Apollo, as well as
AUG. 23 AUG. 25 AUG. 28 AUG. 30 SEPT. 4 SEPT. 6 SEPT. 13 SEPT. 15 SEPT. 18 SEPT. 20 SEPT. 22 SEPT. 25 SEPT. 27 SEPT. 29 OCT. 1 OCT. 6 OCT. 11 OCT. 13 OCT. 16 OCT. 18
2018 Schedule at WHA/CL-B ST. CLOUD CATH. at Detroit Lakes HILLCREST LUTH. at Grand Rapids at Duluth East at Moorhead at Crookston DULUTH DENFELD ST. CLOUD APOLLO at Brainerd at Pelican Rapids MOORHEAD at Sartell E. GRAND FORKS at Hillcrest Luth. 8A Prelims 8A Quarterfinals 8A Semifinals 8A Final
7A opponent Duluth Denfeld and AA foes Moorhead (twice), Brainerd and Duluth East. Ultimately, Bemidji’s goal for this season is the same as it always is: a section title and a fighting chance of making some noise at the Class A state tournament. After an injury-riddled state tournament game last
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year that resulted in a 3-2 overtime loss, the Jacks could see themselves with an even better opportunity this year. “Obviously that’s always the goal, and I think these guys have as good a chance as they’ve ever had to do so,” Toward said. “We need to come together a little bit, figure each other out and stay healthy.”
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VOLLEYBALL: ‘Slow progress’ key for Lumberjacks
Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer
Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School volleyball team. In the front row (from left) are Jenna Anderson, Mikerra Mathews, Emma Muller, Ashley Hofstad, Madi Landowski and Keena Kondos. In the middle row are manager Taryn Baker, Rumer Flatness, Emily Wade, Macy Flatness and manager Emma Huberty. In the back row are head coach Alicia Kriens, Taylor Wade, Kenzie Christianson and assistant coach Travis Haskell. By Ryan Pietruszewski rpietruszewski@bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — With a new head coach steering the ship and a young roster, the Bemidji High School volleyball team has a fresh look on the court this fall while it tries to improve on a 14-14 finish a year ago. “I think we’ll do OK,” head coach Alecia Kriens said. “Our defense looks pretty solid. Our servereceive has done pretty well. Our offense is coming along. We’re very young and we’re short, so we’re trying to quicken up our offense. But I think we’re getting there.” The Lumberjacks went 3-1 against Section 8-3A opponents last season, topping St. Cloud Tech (3-0), Alexandria (3-1) and Brainerd (3-1) while being swept by Moorhead. They then drew Alexandria for their opening section tournament matchup but went down in a 3-2 barnburner at BHS to end the season. This year, the team’s lack of height has shifted the focus to defense and holding opposing hitters to low kill percentages with effective blocking. “Our defense can run down a lot of stuff, so getting those few touches and giving us that opportunity then to make smart shots on our side (is key),” Kriens said. Offensively, this year’s hitters include seniors Rumer Flatness and Kenzie Christianson in the middle and Emma Muller on the outside. “We see little glimpses of some great swings by our girls,” Kriens said. “It’ll take some time, but
they’ll start to go in and I think we’ll be very competitive.” They’re set up by senior Mikerra Mathews, with sophomore Jenna Anderson playing libero on the back line. “I’m very happy,” Kriens said of how players have stepped up this year. “The mental part is the hardest part with younger players. Getting them to not get frustrated when they make mistakes and to move past those things. And with my senior group, they’re very understand-
AUG. 23 AUG. 25 AUG. 28 AUG. 30 SEPT. 4 SEPT. 6 SEPT. 11 SEPT. 18 SEPT. 20 SEPT. 24 SEPT. 28
2018 Schedule at Alexandria vs. Elk River at St. Cloud Tech DETROIT LAKES at Brainerd at Thief River Falls D-G-F ROSEAU GRAND RAPIDS at Perham at STMA Tourney
ing and they are there to pick those girls up and are ready to move on.” The Lumberjacks started the season 2-3 after their first five matches with wins over St. Cloud Tech
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and Detroit Lakes, and losses to Alexandria, Elk River and Brainerd. Bemidji’s competition in the section includes Moorhead, Willmar, Alexandria, and Sauk Rapids-Rice. “This entire season so far, we’ve slowly pro-
SEPT. 29 OCT. 4 OCT. 6 OCT. 9 OCT. 11 OCT. 16 OCT. 20 OCT. 24 OCT. 26 OCT. 30 NOV. 3
at STMA Tourney at Park Rapids at Hopkins Invite MOORHEAD at Grand Rapids DULUTH EAST at Chaska Invite 8-3A First Round 8-3A Quarterfinal 8-3A Semifinal 8-3A Final
gressed,” Kriens said. “I don’t want to put a number on anything. I would like to see us be at our very best come section time. I think we are progressing that way, and that’s good to see. I don’t want to see us peak early. They
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feel like they’ve learned something or accomplished something new every practice, every game, like we’re taking one good step. I expect to be successful and for them to leave happy with how their season went.”
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CROSS COUNTRY: Lumberjacks look to make strides By Ryan Pietruszewski rpietruszewski@bemidjipioneer.com BEMIDJI — The Bemidji High School boys and girls cross country teams are back on the trails, roads and golf courses for another season. After a season with two state meet participants from each of the boys and girls teams, the Lumberjacks are looking to improve on the results from 2017. “They’ve done a nice job,” BHS head coach Ryan Aylesworth said. “We had a time trial at the end of our first week, and the times the kids ran overall – looking at the whole team, both boys and girls – they were faster than they were the year before, collectively as a group. So that’s always a good sign when you see that coming. “They’ve been working really hard. A lot of kids put in a good summer of offseason training, so those are all good positive signs for the season to come.” With standout runner Sadie Hamrin graduating from the girls side and the boys graduating Soren Dybing, Linaes Whiting and Sam Hodgson, both teams will see new faces on leaderboards this season.
For the girls, seniors Laura Thompson and Maggie Brown, and juniors Gwen Youso and Kayla DeWitt will lead the way as captains. “Kayla DeWitt and Gwen Youso, they’re kind of the leaders out in the front in the training and stuff, and our other two captains, Laura Thompson and Maggie Brown, also lead from their example and helping at practice and doing the stuff that they all do,” said Aylesworth. Eighth grader Regan DeWitt has also posted impressive times in varsity meets this season, along with junior Shelby Meyer and sophomore Nessa Peters. “They set a team goal at the annual camp that we go to the second week of practice,” Aylesworth said of the girls team. “Their team goal is to improve this season from where they were last year and to all get faster. I think that they can definitely hit that goal and I think if they work hard they are actually going to be able to surprise themselves with their improvement.” On the boys side, the Jacks return last year’s state participant in Riley Berg, who is a senior captain. He finished the state
Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer
Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer
Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School girls cross country team. In the front row (from left) are Kayla DeWitt, Liberty Dickerson, Sophie Morin and Regan DeWitt. In the middle row are Maggie Brown, McKenzie Williams, Nessa Peters, Camille McDermott and Laura Thompson. In the back row are Shelby Meyer, assistant coach Stacey Stang, head coach Ryan Aylesworth, assistant coach Nina Lubarski and Gwen Youso.
Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School boys cross country team. In the front row (from left) are Seth Lindgren, Bryce Kondos, Zac Fouquerel-Skoe, Cale Newby, Josef Lalli, Jaxon Cole and Nathan Alto. In the second row are Owen Potratz, Isaak McDonald, Noah Hanks, Riley Schollett, Gage Mostad, Nick Youso, Derek Young and Jonathan Quandt. In the third row are assistant coach Stacey Stang, Brooks Matetich, Elias Treuer, Paul Louvar, Zach Shueller, James Robinson and race with a time of 16:54.9 little things right. I’m very Brecken Wilcoxen. In the back row are head coach Ryan in 105th place. proud of the work that Aylesworth, Riley Berg, Cole Matetich, Logan Jensen, Joining him are the they’ve done this offsea- Sam Schulze and assistant coach Nina Lubarski. other captains, senior Zac Fouquerel-Skoe and junior Gage Mostad. “Between the three of them, they’ve been at almost every single captains’ practice we’ve had in the summer,” Aylesworth said of the boys captains. “They’ve done a nice job leading, getting things organized, but also leading out in the training and showing up for practices and doing all the
son.” Also on the boys var2018 Schedule sity roster to start the AUG. 27 Shocky Strand Invite G2/B3 season are sophomores AUG. 30 TRF Invite B3/G4 Cale Newby, Ethan Maish, SEPT. 13 Little Falls Invite 4 p.m. Nathan Alto and Nicholas SEPT. 18 Bagley Invite TBD Youso. SEPT. 22 Milaca Invite TBD As a team, the boys finSEPT. 29 Roy Griak Invite TBD ished fourth at sections, a OCT. 4 Perham Invite 4 p.m. feat they aim to beat this OCT. 16 BEMIDJI INVITE 4 p.m. season. OCT. 25 Section 8AA Meet 3:30 p.m. “They’re hoping to improve their section placing from last year,” goal is to get us back to the of what they’re shooting Aylesworth said. “Their state meet, and that’s kind for right now.”
GIRLS SOCCER: Jacks ready for another run at 8A title
Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer
Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School girls soccer team. In the front row (from left) are Liberty Dickerson, Sam Hansen, Harper Toward, Halle Solien, Hailey Nelson and Miciah Renn. In the second row are Katie Alto, Elizabeth Corradi, Abigail Kieson, Alli Beard, Kinley Prestegard and Susan Ritter. In the third row are manager Shanna Eberwine, Aliya Berard, Damaris Berg, Rebecca Ritter, Ada Lee, Alexis Paquette and manager Taylor Gooch. In the back row are head coach Logan Larsen, Lindsey Hildenbrand, Emma Dean, Alyse Stone, Jenna Jones and assistant coach Kris VanWilgen-Hammitt. By Ryan Pietruszewski rpietruszewski@bemidjipioneer. com
“They’re looking great. Everyone’s healthy,” he said. “They’ve prepared well in the BEMIDJI — The Bemidji offseason in terms of both High School girls soccer team their touch on the ball and is coming off a dramatic Sec- understanding the game and tion 8A title season that ended their physical fitness.” Last year’s section champiat the state tournament, and head coach Logan Larsen said onship was a 2-1 overtime win the team is ready for another over East Grand Forks to hand run. the Green Wave their only loss
of the season. The Jacks’ state appearance was short-lived afterwards, through, as they ran into the eventual state champions from Mahtomedi and fell 3-0 to finish the season with a 14-6 overall record. A year removed from their historic season, the Lumberjacks return a deep and talented roster. “We have a lot of strong players,” Larsen said. “We have very experienced leaders,
so everyone’s kind of leading the helm in both ability and attitude. Those things coming off a good season helps.” However, the Jacks graduated five all-conference players, including Annah Schussman, Isabelle Morin, Kelly Christopher, Jacie Lalli and Sydney Butler, which leaves offensive and defensive holes in the lineup. “Mostly on the attack side,” Larsen said of where the team needs help this year. “Since we graduated Izzy and Kelly and Annah Schussman. We also lost our starting outside backs, but we had last year a lot of depth in terms of defense, so I think we should be all right there.” Ahead of a large junior class of 13, the Bemidji roster features six seniors this season, including captains Harper Toward, Kinley Prestegard, Alyse Stone and Miciah Renn, as well as all-conference honorable mention goalie Alli Beard and midfielder Elizabeth Corradi. Among players he expects to step up and contribute at a high level, Larsen listed Emma Dean, Lindsey Hildenbrand, Sam Hansen and Aliya Berard, all of whom are juniors. “I think we have a lot of potential,” he said. “It’s just
2018 Schedule AUG. 23 at WHA/CL-B AUG. 25 ST. CLOUD CATH. AUG. 30 DETROIT LAKES SEPT. 4 at E. Grand Forks SEPT. 6 at Cloquet SEPT. 8 at Hillcrest Luth. SEPT. 10 at Crookston SEPT. 13 at Moorhead SEPT. 15 LITTLE FALLS SEPT. 20 E. GRAND FORKS SEPT. 22 at Brainerd SEPT. 25 ST. CLOUD APOLLO SEPT. 27 MOORHEAD SEPT. 29 at Duluth East OCT. 4 at Detroit Lakes OCT. 8 GRAND RAPIDS OCT. 11 8A Prelims OCT. 13 8A Quarterfinals OCT. 16 8A Semifinals OCT. 18 8A Final kind of deciding how to use everyone.” On the way to a potential repeat section title season, the Lumberjacks have to leap over hurdles of East Grand Forks, St. Cloud Apollo, St. Cloud Cathedral and SartellSt. Stephen, along with any dark horse teams that may join the upper ranks of Section 8 this season. “There’s a number of teams that we’ll get to see in the regular season,” said Larsen. “I think Apollo tends to be good. Cathedral had a good section showing last year.
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EGF, of course, was undefeated until sections. Unfortunately we don’t see Sartell, but I think they’ll do well in the section as well. So there’s a number of good teams. We’ll get to see most of them in the regular season.” Also on the Jacks schedule this year are Class AA opponents Moorhead (twice), Brainerd and Duluth East. The team holds a 4-0 record through its first four games after earning wins against Walker-Hackensack-Akeley (13-0), St. Cloud Cathedral (2-1), Detroit Lakes (2-0) and East Grand Forks (4-3).
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GIRLS TENNIS: Opportunities arise for young Jacks squad AUG. 20 AUG. 22 AUG. 23 AUG. 27 AUG. 29 SEPT. 6 SEPT. 7 SEPT. 11 SEPT. 15 SEPT. 18 SEPT. 20 SEPT. 25 SEPT. 27 OCT. 2 OCT. 4 OCT. 5 OCT. 6 OCT. 12 OCT. 13
Photo courtesy Lifetouch
Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School girls tennis team. In the front row (from left) are Rachel Johnsrud, Nettie Kimble, Alyssa Koebke, Taylor Offerdahl, Bethany Chatterton, Allison Hatfield, Tatum Offerdahl, Abigail Lewis, Natalie Bahr, Haley Bahl and Carlie Burgoon. In the middle row are head coach Mark Fodness, Grace Carleton, Aftyn Schmidt, Isabelle Meyer, Katarina Malterud, Paige Anderson, Eva Laituri, Kylen Fenson, Abigail Johnson and assistant coach John Konecne. In the back row are Jade Kraft, Carley Swanson-Garro, Paige Headlee, Lindsey Nelson, Lexi Leitner, Hannah Nelson, Macy Hietala, Savannah Haugen and Mary Beth Mathews. Not pictured is Chloe Hasbargen. By Ryan Pietruszewski rpietruszewski@bemidjipioneer.com
been held back by the fact that there was so much talent ahead of them,” BEMIDJI — The Bemi- BHS head coach Mark Foddji High School girls ten- ness said. “So even though nis team graduated five some of them are sophomores and juniors, they seniors from the team last really don’t have enough season, leaving several match experience playing spots open for newcomers under pressure.” to claim. Through seven matches Last year’s graduates, so far this fall, the Jacks Abbie Kelm, Laura Palmer, are 3-4 with three losses Caitlin McCollum, Denee coming by a 4-3 score. Barrett and Sam Edlund “We’re going to be close were all fixtures in last with a lot of teams,” Fodyear’s lineup whose spots ness said. “It’s going to be are up for grabs for new a battle to win matches. I players to slide into. think the girls overall were “A lot of our girls who doing a good job. It’s just are a little bit older have growing pains.
“... If you flip those three 4-3 losses, which would be easy to do, all of a sudden we’d be talking a little bit different and we’d be (6-1) and we’d be talking about how far ahead of schedule this group is. It’s close.” Freshman Savannah Haugen, who spent most of her time at No. 3 singles last year, is up in the top singles spot this season, with senior captain Taylor Offerdahl transitioning from No. 1 doubles last year to No. 2 singles this year. Freshman Tatum Offerdahl has played most of the third singles matches, with
several players getting chances at No. 4 singles including Carley SwansonGarro, Paige Headlee and Paige Anderson. Junior Hannah Nelson and sophomore Lexi Leitner have nailed down the top spot in doubles, with juniors Bethany Chatterton and Aftyn Schmidt teaming up at No. 2 doubles. At third doubles, Fodness has used several pairs among Chloe Hasbargen, Nettie Kimble, Anderson, Eva Laituri and Kylen Fenson. “I think the key for those players is to see who is able to grow from their
2018 Schedule at Pine City ALEX, TRF EVELETH Pequot/L. Falls G. RAPIDS/EGF at Brainerd HIBBING HOME TRI at Hibbing Invite HOME TRI at Thief River at Grand Rapids at Moorhead Tri at Crookston 8AA North Team 8AA North Indiv. 8AA North Indiv. 8AA Team 8AA Indiv.
experience and be mentally tough,” Fodness said. “Some will be able to do that, and others, we might have to look at putting other players in that spot and seeing if they can do it.” If the matches Bemidji has played so far are any indication, this season is going to be a battle. Fodness expects matches to be close, and in order to flip more of them into the win column, the Jacks need to add consistency and keep making improvements each time out. “All the girls show flashes of being able to win
CAN L, L W, 4-3 L, W L, W 1 p.m. 4 p.m. 10 a.m. 9 a.m. 5 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4 p.m. Noon 4:30 p.m. 10 a.m. 9 a.m. 8 a.m. TBD TBD
those matches,” he said. “But then it’s a matter of, can we do that on a more consistent basis? “... It’s kind of that cliche: two steps forward, one step back. Every time I think we’re making some progress – one of our doubles teams takes a step forward – the next match out we take a small step backwards. So it’s just a matter of the girls keep working and keep a good, positive attitude, and they’ve been great about that. They’re willing to do the work, so we’ll get better.”
GIRLS SWIMMING: Jacks go for 8 straight section titles BEMIDJI — This season, the Bemidji High School girls swimming and diving team will look to go 8-for-8 in Section 8A. The Lumberjacks captured an astounding seventh straight section title last November at the 8A meet. While the team has become younger, a veteran core remains at the heart of the lineup. A seasoned senior class returns that features Paige Andersen, Abby Yartz, Claudia Vincent, Gabbi Takkunen, Alli Howard, Sarah Pollock, Sara Oster and Elizabeth Corradi. “They’ve been there, done that for years,” said co-head coach Woody Leindecker. “They’re silent leaders at practice. The rest of the team follows what they do.” Nearly all of those seniors have section meet experience, including Takkunen, who is back after a year absence due to injury. Takkunen was a state qualifier during her most recent season in 2016. “She was a big contributor her sophomore year,” Leindecker said. “We’re glad to have her back with Paige. They kind of all came up together long ago.” Five Lumberjacks who competed at state last year will return with their eyes set on making it back to the University of Minnesota’s aquatic center. Vincent, Andersen and Yartz, as well as junior Laura Davis and sophomore Miranda Port, all qualified for the 2017 state meet in Minneapolis. Yartz, Andersen, Howard and Vincent will serve as the team’s captains. Bemidji has completed two meets so far this season, taking seventh at the Willmar Invite and falling in a dual meet at Brainerd. The team will keep making adjustments with the section meet in mind. “We’re moving kids around now the last two meets,” Leindecker said, “and we’re going to continue to do that like we do every year to find who would be best when we’re swimming in November.” Leindecker will officially serve as co-head coach with Kristen McRae for the girls and boys swim
teams. In years past, Leindecker had been the girls head coach, and McRae the boys, while also being each other’s assistants. The longtime coach said it will be business as usual. “That’s pretty much what it’s been our whole career,” Leindecker said. “I’ve been the boys head coach, I’ve been the girls head coach. She’s been the girls head coach when we first started in the 90s, and I was her assistant. We flipped-flopped boys (and) girls. “... This is something good. It allows for more
AUG. 24 AUG. 28 SEPT. 11 SEPT. 15 SEPT. 18 SEPT. 25 SEPT. 29 OCT. 4 OCT. 6 OCT. 23 OCT. 26 NOV. 9-10
flexibility for us and the swimmers. It’s nothing new, it’s just a title. We always do the same thing. We work well together and we’re always on the same page.” Not much will change about the approach the Lumberjacks take in the pool, and that should surprise no one. “Historically, we’ve been on a good run lately, and we’re not going to change what we’re doing,” Leindecker said. Photo courtesy Lifetouch “We’re swimming for Pictured is the 2018 Bemidji High School girls swimming and diving team. In the front November.”
row (from left) are Abby Leitz, Lauren Lundquist, Miranda Port, Alli Howard and Emily Burgess. In the second row are Tianna Ness, Halii Melcher, Riley McCarthy, Ellie Hoover, Demi Fisher, Danielle Lamoure and Abby Termont. In the third row are Alli Declusin, Amber Korbel, Abby Yartz, Gabbi Takkunen, Sarah Pollock, Kayleigh Hickman, Nicki Son and Sara Oster. In the back row are Maddy Schmidt, Emily Vincent, Laura Davis, Paige Andersen, Sophie Jones, Claudia Vincent and Marlee Bieber.
2018 Schedule at Willmar Invite 7th at Brainerd L, 126.5-59.5 PERHAM, TRF 6 p.m. at West Fargo Invite 10 a.m. WARROAD 6 p.m. PARK RAPIDS 6 p.m. BEMIDJI INVITE 9 a.m. at Moorhead 6 p.m. Section True Team (Warroad) 1 p.m. DETROIT LAKES 6 p.m. DULUTH EAST 5 p.m. Section 8A Meet TBD
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