The Lumberjacks made a statement at Detroit Lakes on Thursday, walking away with an impressive 12 first-place finishes in a dominant track and field performance. It was a day to remember for Bemidji High School, as both the boys' and girls' teams showcased their depth and talent across sprints, distance events, relays, and field competitions.
On the boys' side, Taylen Schermerhorn set the tone early, claiming victory in the 200-meter with a time of 23.64, while Henry McCrady followed closely in third at 24.19. The Jacks then flexed their muscle in the 400-meter, sweeping the top three spots—Caleb Knott led the charge at 51.48, with Schermerhorn (51.65) and Kyle Millar (53.62) rounding out the podium. Distance running was equally impressive: William Ames (4:42.66) and Tanner Johnson (4:47.36) went 1-2 in the 1600-meter, while Ryland Olson powered through the 110-meter hurdles in 20.11 seconds for another win.
Relays were a highlight, with three victories fueling the team's momentum. The 4x200 squad of Noah Wilson, Vinny Nelson, Rhys Sneide, and Schermerhorn clocked in at 1:34.13, while the 4x400 team of Johnson, Ames, Blake Dewitt, and Mac Buchan finished in 3:44.11. In the field, Austin Heim soared to second in pole vault at 11 feet, and Bondy matched that placement in long jump at 20 feet 5 inches. Sneide added a third-place finish in triple jump (39 feet 9.5 inches).
The girls' team matched the boys' energy with several standout performances. Naomi Johnson kicked things off with a win in the 200-meter (27.14), while Chloe Derby dominated the 1600-meter (5:34.59) and Abigail Olson secured third (5:55.26). Claire Story took top honors in the 3200-meter at 12:21.90, with Olson close behind in second. Finley Zothman impressed in the 300-meter hurdles, crossing the line first in 52.18.
Relay success continued for the girls, as the 4x400 team of Derby, Mya Thompson, Hannah Quinn, and Alivia Thompson posted a winning time of 4:16.81. The 4x800 squad of Lillian Millar, Ivy Blumenshein, Adeline Runningen, and Quinn also struck gold at 11:47.19. Other notable finishes included Johnson's second in the 100-meter (13.12), Alivia Thompson's second in the 400-meter (1:03.25), and Zothman's second in the 100-meter hurdles (17.82) plus a third in triple jump (31 feet 6.75 inches).
With 12 first-place finishes and a deep roster of top-three performances, the Lumberjacks are proving they have the speed, endurance, and versatility to compete at a high level this season. Whether you're hitting the track or the field, gear up like a champion—because these Jacks are just getting started.