Highlights from a Memorable Year: Bemidji High School Teams Shine in 2025-26

BEMIDJI — The 2025-26 athletic season at Bemidji High School was marked by impressive achievements, from state tournament qualifications to record-breaking performances. The Pioneer reflects on some of the standout instances from each team during this exciting year.

The Bemidji High School football team faced a challenging season in 2025, with narrow defeats against Elk River, Buffalo, and Alexandria. However, everything turned around during homecoming on September 26, when the Jacks faced their rivals, Brainerd, in the Battle for Babe's Bell. Rhys Sneide made an explosive impact by scoring two touchdowns of over 50 yards in the first quarter. The game concluded with a decisive 44-14 victory for Bemidji, earning them the bell trophy for the sixth time since its inception in 2018.

In girls soccer, senior Clara Bieber had a memorable Senior Night on September 30 against Crookston, where she returned to her forward position after years as a goalkeeper. Just 49 seconds into the match, she scored a goal following a pass from Miika Novak, helping propel the Jacks to a resounding 7-0 victory over the Pirates.

The boys soccer team encountered a unique challenge against Buffalo on August 28, despite the Bison's undefeated season. Bemidji quickly established a 2-0 lead, but a yellow card led to a penalty kick that required a junior varsity player, Landen Riewer, to step in as goalkeeper. Riewer made a pivotal save that allowed the Jacks to maintain their lead against one of the top teams in the state, ultimately achieving an impressive draw.

The cross country team made headlines on October 23, capturing the Section 8-3A Championship with a low score of 74, edging out Alexandria and Brainerd. This victory marked the team's first state qualification since 2022, culminating in a 14th place finish at the Class 3A championships in Minneapolis, highlighting standout seniors like Triple 'A' winner Tanner Johnson.

In swimming, freshman Finley Zothman made waves by winning the Section 8AA championship in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 24.67 seconds. She also contributed to a strong relay team, qualifying for state by finishing second in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Zothman's impressive performance promises a bright future ahead in her high school swimming career.

Finally, the Bemidji High School volleyball team faced challenges after losing several key seniors. However, on September 30, they celebrated their first win of the season, marking a positive step forward for a young and developing squad.