Bemidji High School Athletes Qualify for State Track Meet

BEMIDJI — Two events will showcase Bemidji High School's talent at the Class 3A state track and field meet. Caleb Knott earned his spot by finishing second in the 800-meter race with a time of 1:59.67 during the Section 8-3A finals held in St. Michael. Additionally, the girls' 4x800-meter relay team, comprising Liv Thompson, Chloe Derby, Mya Thompson, and Claire Story, secured their state qualification by placing fourth with a time of 9:27.44, which exceeded the state qualifying standard.

Other athletes from BHS concluded their seasons on a positive note. In a reshuffled 4x100 relay, Vinny Nelson, Rhys Sneide, Henry McCrady, and Brendin Martinka finished third with a time of 43.40 seconds. Sneide also placed eighth in the long jump with a mark of 20-09.5, while teammate Jayden Bondy achieved 21-00 to secure sixth place. William Ames recorded a 10th-place finish in the 1600-meter race, clocking in at 4:42.41. Finley Zothman took fourth in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 48.23, and Samantha Cox finished fifth in the discus throw with a distance of 34-06.75.

Naomi Johnson wrapped up her season by competing in two finals, finishing sixth in the 200 meters at 26.08 seconds and eighth in the 100 meters at 12.85 seconds. Chloe Derby added to BHS's results with a sixth-place finish in the 800 meters, completing the race in 2:26.39.

In the Section 8A championships held in Mahnomen, area athletes also qualified for state in seven events. Brydin Daniel from Bagley/Fosston placed second in both the 100 and 200-meter races, recording times of 11.12 and 22.30 seconds, respectively. William Strandberg secured second in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 42.21 seconds. The Flyers' 4x400 relay team, featuring Ethan Proulx, Gage Gray, Strandberg, and Daniel, finished as runners-up with a time of 3:30.41. Trenton Frazier achieved the area's second section title in the discus with a throw of 153-09, while Hanna Fonder took second in the 800 meters at 2:24.40.

Northome/Kelliher/Blackduck will send two athletes to the state meet, with Allison Lundin winning the Section 8A title in the 800 meters at 2:22.93, and Taylor Henry finishing second in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.81 seconds. The state tournaments are scheduled to take place from June 4-6 at St. Michael-Albertville High School.