PREP SPORTS

Cass Lake-Bena's Aaliyah LaRose, Brandon Brown shoot for memorable experience at state meet

Leo Pomerenke — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 17:35:31 GMT

CASS LAKE – Aaliyah LaRose and Brandon Brown started playing golf four years ago.

Now, they’re heading to the Class A state golf tournament, representing Cass Lake-Bena High ��.

Brown and LaRose both placed fifth in the boys and girls Section 7A Tournaments last week at the Minnesota National Golf Club in McGregor, shooting 168 and 206, respectively, in the two-round event.

To become one of 7A’s elite players is admirable. To do it in a mentally taxing sport without a childhood of practicing is head-turning.

“It's really important for a multitude of reasons,” CLB activities director Caleb Travis said. “For a lot of our students, they don't get that opportunity. … It’s more difficult for an individual golfer to go. The precision, there's more to the game of golf. It's just important for our kids to have those opportunities.”

The two-round state tournament is right around the corner, June 10-11, at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker.

To have two athletes represent Cass Lake-Bena at state is rare, something that the school doesn’t take for granted, athletic director Caleb Travis said. However, it’s becoming the norm for the Panthers, who sent Dominic Fairbanks, Gavin Brown and LaRose to state a year ago.

But each student-athlete is different. For Brandon Brown, the pressure loomed as his Section 7A Tournament went down to the wire.

“All (of) day two was straight pressure,” he said. “The straight mindset, though, that was how to keep my head straight. Played good, ended up having a good outcome. I was pretty excited about that.”

Both Brandon, a senior, and LaRose, a junior, have a lot of similarities.

They both started playing golf four years ago; both had family members who encouraged them to play; and everything started to click for them by their second season.

“My sophomore year, I was shooting pretty low, and that was only my second year,” Brandon said. “Right after that, I saw some potential in it. So I just kind of stuck with it and it worked out.”

Larose got the hang of it her freshman year, then qualified for state the first time as a sophomore.

“I just enjoyed it a lot,” LaRose added. “I think I see growth every year I play.”

A lot of credit goes to Levi Brown, who is also the CLB boys golf head coach.

“He taught me everything that I know,” Brandon said. “He's the reason that I'm going to state and the person that I am today, too. He's not only a coach, but I'd say he’s like a father figure … he's a really good leader.”

LaRose, who is Levi’s niece, praised his coaching style.

“I think he pushes all of his players to be better,” LaRose said. “He sees potential in us, so that's why he pushes us so hard, but in a good way.”

He’s also had a positive influence on the community, trying to get more young kids into golf.

“He's a good community man,” Brandon added. “He started all this younger stuff, so there's a lot of younger golfers out. He kind of spreads the word of golf.”

Mentally, golf is a never-ending challenge. Even the best golfers in the world have frustrating moments where the ball doesn’t go where they wanted. Both Brandon and LaRose have exemplified their mental fortitude in their rise to the upper echelon of Section 7A.

“I'd say the biggest thing for me is staying positive and, you know, just trying to have as much fun as I can while I'm out there,” Brandond left off. “I mean, half of the game basically is mental.”

On Tuesday, they’re going to face their biggest test this spring. While LaRose has been there before, making the state tournament last year, Brown is a rookie on the state-wide stage.

Despite their differing experiences, both of them share the same goal: shoot low and have fun.

“I want to place top 20,” Brown said. “I want to shoot really low (and) have a good outcome to represent my area.”

“I'd say the same thing,” LaRose added. “I do want to do good, but I want to have fun still.”

Regardless of how LaRose and brown finish next week, Travis praised their efforts for getting the opportunity to represent Cass Lake-Bena at state. For the second year in a row, the Panthers are sending multiple golfers to state in a traditionally basketball-centric town.

“We might not make it as a team, but we have really incredible individual student athletes who are going to the highest level at state (Class) A and making an impact,” Travis said. “I think that's really important.”

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Drakes lose to Rebels, bounce back with consolation win over Rabbits in Class A state tournament

Pioneer Staff Report — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 04:42:29 GMT

MANKATO — The Drakes’ historic 2025 season is not over yet.

Competing in its first-ever Class A state tournament, the eighth-seeded Blackduck High �� softball team had a tough draw to open play on Wednesday afternoon. The Drakes took on first-seeded United South Central in the quarterfinals, suffering a 12-0 loss.

However, BHS bounced back in the consolation bracket later that evening. Blackduck secured a 7-4 victory over Wabasso, earning a spot in the consolation finals at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. The Drakes will take on the winner of Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley and Moose Lake/Willow River.

Blackduck never trailed in its win against the Rabbits. McKenzie Bullock blasted an RBI double in the top of the first inning to capture an early 1-0 lead and the Drakes added a couple of runs in the third. Isabel Ziegler singled and advanced to second base on an error by the center fielder, sending Kayleigh Lory home in the process. Lory reached home thanks to a sacrifice fly from Bullock in the next at-bat.

Wabasso put its first run on the board in the bottom of the third, but BHS answered in the fourth. Lory flied out to right field to send Kenzie Landis home, handing the Drakes a 4-1 lead.

The Rabbits collected another run in the bottom of the fourth, but again, Blackduck responded immediately. In the top of the fifth, Bella Bloom reached on a fielder’s choice and Jessa Anderson made it to home plate thanks to an error by the shortstop. Izzy Rudnicki hit a sacrifice fly to right field for an additional run, and BHS entered the bottom of the fifth up 6-2.

Wabasso tallied a pair of runs in the fifth to chip away at the deficit, but the Drakes added a security run in the seventh thanks to a sacrifice fly from Brooklyn Nord. Blackduck shut out the Rabbits in the bottom of the seventh to seal the win.

Starting pitcher Anna Swedberg came away with the win for BHS in the circle. She pitched 3 2/3 innings, giving up eight hits, two runs and three walks while collecting three strikeouts. Bullock closed out the final 3 1/3 innings, earning one strikeout while allowing four hits and two runs.

Blackduck finished with 15 hits, led by Ziegler’s four. Bloom, Bullock, Swedberg and Bailee Nord each finished with two or more hits.

Hits were much harder to come by against United South Central earlier in the day. In fact, the Rebels’ starting pitcher Mariah Anderson tossed a perfect five-inning game against the Drakes, racking up 13 strikeouts while giving up zero hits, zero runs and zero walks.

Swedberg took the loss for BHS in the circle, giving up 11 hits and 12 runs (seven earned) through 4 2/3 innings. She issued four walks and collected eight strikeouts.

United South Central 12, Blackduck 0

BHS 000 00 — 0-0-5

USC 321 06 — 12-11-0

WP: Anderson (5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 13 SO)

LP: Swedberg (4.2 IP, 11 H, 12 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 8 SO)

Blackduck 7, Wabasso 4

BHS 102 120 1 — 7-15-1

WHS 001 120 0 — 4-12-4

WP: Swedberg (3.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO)

LP: Jennings (7.0 IP, 15 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO)

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Photo gallery: Scenes from Bemidji's 2025 track and field invitational

Annalise Braught — Thu, 22 May 2025 19:38:46 GMT

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji High �� track team concluded its regular season with a home invite on Wednesday.

Other participating schools included Grand Rapids and Moorhead.

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Bemidji High ��’s athletic enrollment continues to spike, hurts MSHSL section alignment cause

Jared Rubado — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 20:25:04 GMT

BEMIDJI — There weren’t many surprises when Bemidji High �� athletics administrators were shown the 2025-27 Minnesota State High �� League section realignments on Thursday.

Two years ago, activities director Kristen McRae, along with several BHS coaches, voiced their frustrations about the MSHSL to the Pioneer. This time around, the tensions have simmered.

That’s because there was less hope that the Lumberjacks would move down from the top class in each sport.

Competitive section placements are determined by enrollment and geography — as determined by MSHSL Board policy — with a balanced number of schools in each section at the time of placement. The MSHSL board of directors reviews and approves classifications and competitive section placements for postseason play in MSHSL-sponsored sports activities every two years.

MSHSL enrollment is determined by the school's Minnesota Department of Education enrollment in year one in grades 9 through 12, minus 40% of their educational benefit (free and reduced lunches).

Each school's enrollment number determines what class they are placed in for each sport. Once they are placed in a class, a school is then given a section based on its location.

In the last two years, BHS saw its MSHSL enrollment number grow from 1,211 to 1,331.

“We are a big school in a small town in a remote location,” McRae said. “Our numbers at the high school are bigger than they’ve ever been in the last couple of years. … There wasn’t any huge shock; it was more what they were going to do with the sections and how they would balance them out.”

On Thursday, McRae witnessed the realignment process for the second time as activities director. She was hired to replace Troy Hendricks in September 2022.

In 2020, Bemidji was widely seen as a 3A school, competing in the second-biggest class the MSHSL offers in most sports, with exceptions to less populated activities like Nordic skiing, hockey, gymnastics, etc.

However, BHS was bumped up to 4A status in 2021. Over the last four years, Bemidji athletics programs have not only seen a step up in competition but also travel and expenses.

The MSHSL does not require schools to play teams in their respective sections during the regular season, meaning if a school like Bemidji wants to play equally-sized competition, the Lumberjacks have to hit the road.

For schools like St. Michael-Albertville, which share multiple sections with Bemidji, it’s easier to fill out a schedule without dipping down several classes to do it.

While Bemidji didn’t change sections in any sport except girls tennis — the MSHSL added a third class to girls tennis — the Jacks’ schedules over the next two years will surely look different.

The MSHSL placed Alexandria in 13 more of Bemidji’s sections. Monticello was newly placed in 11 of them. Sartell and Sauk Rapids-Rice were bumped down a class in almost every sport, while Buffalo was moved to a different section.

Buffalo was a commendable school in terms of its willingness to travel to Bemidji while sharing a section with the Lumberjacks. McRae expects that to stay the same with Monticello.

“Travel-wise, it’s maybe a little bit further, but it’s a pretty easy drive,” McRae said. “Monticello is really good at return trips. … Buffalo has been good about coming here. Maybe a few years back, it was harder to get (section teams) to drive up here. But they’ve been awesome at reciprocating trips recently.”

Bemidji already plays Alexandria in multiple sports, though McRae is seeking more. She noted that Bemidji is currently working on adding Alexandria to its boys soccer schedule. Many programs wait to finalize their schedules for the following season until the placements are revealed.

“Talking with Alexandria, our boys basketball team has played them, and while we for sure want to get one game against them with the boys, we for sure want one for the girls, too,” McRae said. “Some of these schools have to do some restructuring with their current schedule to pick up these new opponents. Monticello reached out already and we will have games against them.”

McRae also said that there was speculation of Bemidji moving to Section 7. Bemidji is in Section 8 for all sports except dance, which only offers four three-class sections.

While some coaches and programs accepted their 4A fate, others held out hope.

The BHS dance team was preparing to appeal being a Class 3A team. However, Bemidji’s enrollment placed dance just outside of the appeal zone.

A school can appeal that a team sport should be in a different class if their enrollment number is within 10% of the class cutoff line. The mark of dance is 1,204, putting the Blue Angels at 10.5% above the line.

“(The MSHSL) draws their line when they make these classes,” McRae said. “We looked at dance, and we were right on the bubble. We were just a little bit above it. But I understand that the MSHSL has a specific criteria that you must meet to apply for an appeal. So when you look at it and think that 10.5% is not that much over 10%, it opens up a can of worms for everybody else trying to wiggle.”

BHS was not eligible to appeal for any individual sport. ��s can only appeal placements for team sports, meaning programs like boys and girls swimming, track and field and cross country don’t get an argument if they are within 10%.

The MSHSL does not factor in travel and expenses for greater Minnesota programs that land outside the appeal zone. McRae said she’s interested in changing that.

“It comes down to changing policies already in place,” McRae said. “It probably can be done, but there’s a process and a procedure to do it correctly. We have to figure out what that is and how to do it correctly.”

In most sports, Bemidji is independent from conference play. Its proximity and size compared to other schools and conferences in northern Minnesota make joining a conference a challenge.

However, there are benefits to being in a conference when it comes to scheduling. If Bemidji gets an invite, it would likely come from the Central Lakes Conference that includes Alexandria, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Rocori, Sartell, Sauk Rapids-Rice, St. Cloud Apollo, St. Cloud Tech and Willmar.

“Conferences have been a discussion for Bemidji athletics since at least 2010 and probably earlier,” McRae said. “It’s still a topic. I’ll be honest, we are in a district that has to look very closely at finances and budgets and what we can afford. I’d love to see Bemidji in a conference. I think lots of people would. You’d get stability in scheduling and give opportunities for kids to win athletic and academic awards.”

Despite the logistical challenges of playing prep sports at Bemidji High ��, McRae is continuously impressed with Lumberjack athletes for not only their willingness to abide by their demanding schedule but also their ability to perform in the classroom.

“I get emotional talking about it,” McRae said. “If you saw our team GPAs, considering how much time we spend on the road. It would blow your socks off. Our kids excel in all realms. When you think about this whole situation, it sucks the wind out of your sails a little bit. But they just pick it up and go. … We do the best with what we got in our means and ability, and these kids just keep lacing up their shoes and step out on the court.”

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Minnesota high school hockey goalie's senior picture is tribute to late Grandpa

Kevin Wallevand — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:12 GMT

HALLOCK, Minn. — When Jameson Turner of Hallock looks back at his storied high school hockey career at Kittson County Central, there will be a lot to cover.

Like the night when he broke the record for "career saves" in the Minnesota State High �� League with more than 2,100 career saves.

"It goes right to the pad of Turner," the sports announcer for Crookston radio station KROX said during the recent game between Kittson County Central and Crookston.

There's no getting around it, Jameson Turner has left a mark on Minnesota hockey this season.

But the senior is celebrating more than a state record for goalie saves. He might also have the best senior picture around, with Jameson on the left and Jameson's late grandfather, Kim, also a goalie from Hallock, pictured on the right.

"He has the old pads on and everything , so he looks really sick," Jameson said of his grandfather, Kim.

Loren Younggren of Younggren Photography was well aware that Jameson's grandfather played hockey in Hallock back in the 70s.

"And it is just amazing how their styles are so similar. They were both so calm and smooth, and could predict where the puck was going. It's just fun to watch Jameson because it is like watching his grandpa," Younggren said.

And so Younggren started experimenting with composing a picture that included both Grandfather Kim and Grandson Jameson.

"He definitely has 70s hockey hair, yes," Younggren said, laughing.

"I hit this one and it was like, 'That's it,' ... That's the one I need to go with," Younggren added.

Jameson said he feels the photo is perfect.

"I wasn't sure how it would turn out. I had seen the original picture of my grandpa and I thought, 'This will be cool to try and match it up.' Loren said he was going to try and make it look good and it looks way better than I thought it could've," Jameson said.

Grandpa Kim died shortly after Jameson was born. But this picture has a lifetime of impact now on the family. Two goalies forever connected in the locker room.

"When I put the two together, it looked like they were having a conversation. It just clicked," Younggren said.

The two just seemed to meet again. Both holding a can of pop, ready to tell the tale of the puck.

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Pioneer Sports Editor Jared Rubado receives 2025 Kwame McDonald Media Award

Pioneer Staff Report — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 21:14:29 GMT

ST. PAUL — Bemidji Pioneer Sports Editor Jared Rubado has been named a 2025 National Girls and Women in Sports Day-Minnesota honoree by receiving the Kwame McDonald Media Award.

"Kwame McDonald was a civil rights activist and pioneer in covering womens sports," according to the NGWSD website. "This award is presented to members of the media or Minnesota media outlets that have consistently provided coverage that both promotes and supports girls and womens sports."

National Girls and Women in Sports Day is organized by the Minnesota Coalition of Women in Athletic Leadership, a volunteer group whose mission is to advocate for Title IX by celebrating and commemorating Minnesota individuals and organizations that inspire the participation of girls and women in sports.

Rubado was recognized for his award during the 2025 National Girls and Women in Sports Day-Minnesota ceremony held on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul.

A livestream of the event is available for replay at ngwsd-mn.com. Rubado's introduction and acceptance speech begins at the 58-minute mark.

"A good sports story doesn’t just focus on points scored and final results," Rubado's nomination reads. "The real story goes far beyond what happened on the court or the track, to who helped their team win and how they got there.

"Rubado puts the focus on the who and the why with each and every one of the individuals or teams he covers. He makes sure that the spotlight shines on all the right people and the right moments so that everyone understands just how important they are, especially when it comes to the growth of girls and womens sports."

Rubado graduated from Augustana University in December 2018 with degrees in journalism and sports management.

He has since worked in various sports reporting and editor roles at several Forum Communications newspapers, including the Brainerd Dispatch, the Alexandria Echo Press and Detroit Lakes Tribune before beginning his current role at the Pioneer in January 2023.

"Rubado uses the power of words to lift up the female coaches, athletes and administrators in his coverage area, and share their stories with the community around them," the nomination continues. "Thanks to his passion for sports equity and journalism, all athletes in Bemidji and beyond know that their story and accomplishments will be acknowledged and celebrated."

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Photo gallery: Scenes from the 2025 Rick Lee Invitational

Madelyn Haasken — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 20:10:29 GMT

BEMIDJI — Hundreds of wrestlers convened at the Sanford Center on Friday and Saturday to compete in the annual Rick Lee Invitational.

Wrestlers from more than 30 schools throughout Minnesota and North Dakota were represented throughout the weekend of matches.

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Bemidji High ��, Middle �� to hold potato bar fundraiser

Pioneer Staff Report — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 16:32:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji High �� and Bemidji Middle �� activities departments will hold a potato bar fundraiser during the boys and girls doubleheader basketball games on Saturday, Feb. 1.

The event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Bemidji High �� commons, 2900 Division St. W.

Tickets for the potato bar are $10 and available at the BHS and BMS activities offices as well as from a number of coaches.

According to a release, funds raised will go to the Lumberjack Field Improvement Project, which is a component fund of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation.

The goal of the project is to improve athletic fields and practice areas by building a new competitive soccer field, updating soccer practice fields and building additional softball fields. This year, the project created a new jumps area for track and field.

For more information, contact Andrea Vaghn, dean of students and activities at Bemidji Middle ��, at andra_vaughn@isd31.net.

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Brady Riley scores twice, Bemidji beats Moorhead in hectic second half

Pioneer Staff Report — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 03:19:59 GMT

BEMIDJI – After a scoreless 40 minutes, it was a busy second half for the Bemidji High �� boys soccer team.

The Lumberjacks scored four times in the final 40 minutes to seal a 4-1 home victory against Moorhead.

Isaac Stone broke the scoreless tie at the 52nd minute to give Bemidji a one-goal lead. However, eight minutes later, Romeo Kromah Quiah notched a game-tying goal for the Spuds.

Then, Brady Riley took over.

Riley scored an unassisted goal at the 72nd minute to put BHS back on top by a goal. Less than two minutes later, he knocked in a header to give the Jacks a two-goal lead.

Reed Johnson iced the game for Bemidji just three minutes later, scoring on a free kick to extend the lead to 4-1.

Bemidji 4, Moorhead 1

BEM 0 4 – 4

MOR 0 1 – 1

Bemidji – Stone ‘52 (Schmitt), Riley ‘72, Riley ‘74 (Huseby), Johnson ‘77.

Moorhead – Quiah ‘60 (Selman).

Saves – Heuer (BHS) 2; Beljulji (MOR) 6.

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Moorhead hands Bemidji 1st loss in 4 sets

Pioneer Staff Report — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 02:31:47 GMT

MOORHEAD – The Bemidji High �� volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season Thursday evening, losing to Moorhead 3-1 on the road.

The Spuds bested the Lumberjacks in four sets, with wins of 25-21, 25-13 and 25-22. Bemidji won the third set 25-12.

Mollie Rupp earned a team-high 14 kills and a 0.234 hitting percentage in the loss. Norah Jacobson's six kills were good for second-most on the team.

Margie Anderson, who tallied four kills, finished with a 0.267 hitting percentage, the highest on the team. She also led Bemidji in assists with 22.

Sammy Nistler, Jordan Pemberton and Franny Mamugay all notched double-digit dig totals, finishing with 14, 13 and 11, respectively.

Moorhead 3, Bemidji 1

BEM 21 13 25 22 – 1

MOR 25 25 12 25 – 3

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