By Tom Mix

NDHSAA Media Specialist

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The 2022-23 school year provided many memorable moments in North Dakota High School Activities Association sponsored sports and activities.

Below is a list of top moments that highlighted the year and a list of teams that celebrated NDHSAA state championships this year. Enjoy!

Avery Bartels (Class B) and Rose Solberg (Class A) earn girls golf medalist honors on the links

The first state championships of the 2022 fall season were the NDHSAA Class B and Class A Girls Golf State Tournaments.

Kindred junior Avery Bartels won her third consecutive Class B girls golf individual state championship shooting a two-day total of 142 at Minot’s Souris Valley Golf Course. 

A week later, Fargo Davies freshman Rose Solberg rallied on the back nine of the final round to win the Class A girls golf individual state title. Solberg’s two-day score of 148 won the tournament by one stroke.

In the team races Oak Grove (Class B) and Bismarck Century (Class A) won state championships.

Grand Forks Red River reclaims the title of Boys Tennis Team Dual State Champions

The Roughriders defeated Minot 4-1 in the championship match of the 2022 NDHSAA Boys Tennis Team Dual State Tournament on Thursday, October 6 at the Cameron Indoor Tennis Center in Minot.

The victory gave Red River its first boys tennis team dual state title since 2016 and its 28th team dual state crown in program history – the most by any program since boys tennis became an NDHSAA-sponsored sport in 1963.

In the individual portion of the state tournament West Fargo Sheyenne senior Ethan Raan won the 2022 NDHSAA individual singles state championship. Evan Panzer and Cole Wilber of Grand Forks Central HS won the 2022 NDHSAA individual doubles state championship.

West Fargo High edges Fargo Davies in double OT to win boys soccer state title

Everything about the 2022 NDHSAA boys soccer state championship match was “golden” for the West Fargo High Packers.

Playing in a state championship match at their home field in front of a large crowd … Golden.

Playing in ideal weather conditions for the biggest match of the 2022 season … Golden.

Junior forward Ibrahim Bangura scoring the game-winning goal with one minute, 18 seconds left to play in the second “Golden Goal” overtime period to win the state championship. … You guessed it … GOLDEN!

West Fargo High defeated defending state champions Fargo Davies 2-1 in double overtime during the 2022 NDHSAA boys soccer state championship match on Saturday, October 8 at Essentia Health Packer Stadium.

The state championship is the Packers’ fifth in program history.

State Cross Country Meet continues to flourish under the two-day format of championships

For the second season, the state cross country meet was held over two days in Jamestown and fans from across the state traveled well to see the state’s top runners take to the course.

In Class B girls competition, Des Lacs-Burlington freshman Brynn Hanson repeated as individual medalist and Rugby earned team state championship honors for the fourth year in a row.

In Class B boys competition, Bowman County earned the sweep winning its third consecutive team state title. Bowman County scored an 18 – one top 5 placer away from a perfect score of 15. The Bulldogs were led by senior standout Austin Wanner who won individual medalist honors racing to a time of 16 minutes five seconds.

In Class A girls competition, Williston won its third straight Class A girls cross country team state championship and were led by Cambree Moss, who finished sixth overall in a time of 19:38. Individual medalist honors in Class A girls went to Watford City senior standout Jaelyn Ogle, who had been state runner up the previous two seasons (2021 and 2020).

In Class A boys competition, Bismarck High senior Brady Korsmo became the 10th different Bismarck High runner to win a Class A boys cross country individual medal in the program’s decorated history while team state championship honors went to Williston. The Coyotes won their seventh Class A boys cross country team state championship in program history and repeated as champions for the first time when the Coyotes won the 1979 and 1980 state titles. Williston scored 46 points and was paced by senior Fynn Krenz who was the individual runner up with a time of 15 minutes, 37 seconds.

DAKOTA BOWL XXX packed plenty of prep football action into one day at FARGODOME

The Dakota Bowl once again featured four NDHSAA Football State Championship Games under one roof.

The action packed day was highlighted by the following:

• Velva/Drake-Anamoose/Garrison defeated Central Cass 22-20 in the 2022 NDHSAA Division 11B football state championship game. Sophomore quarterback Ben Schepp led the Aggies with 228 yards passing and a touchdown. Schepp also led the Aggies in rushing with 80 yards for two touchdowns and also had a key forced fumble/recovery in the fourth quarter that set up the Aggies’ winning drive.

• New Salem-Almont defeated Cavalier 28-26 in overtime during the 2022 NDHSAA Division 9B football state championship game. Senior quarterback Ty Wolding led the Holsteins rushing for 107 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

• Jamestown defeated Fargo North 46-28 in the 2022 NDHSAA Division 11A football state championship game. Jamestown senior quarterback Payton Hochhalter set a new Dakota Bowl Record for touchdowns scored (passing, rushing, receiving) with seven during the 2022 NDHSAA Division 11A football state championship game. Hochhalter passed for three touchdowns, rushed for three touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass in the Blue Jays’ 46-28 win over Fargo North breaking the previous record of six held by several players.

• Fargo Shanley defeated Bismarck Century 48-7 in the 2022 NDHSAA Division 11AA football state championship game. Senior quarterback Michael Rostberg passed for 259 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Deacons. Rostberg also led the Deacons in rushing with 70 yards and two touchdowns.

West Fargo Sheyenne Mustangs girls swimming and diving team win program’s first state title

West Fargo Sheyenne won the 2022 NDHSAA girls swimming & diving team state championship scoring 340 points at the state meet held at the Hulbert Aquatic Center in West Fargo. It had been 10 years since a girls swimming and diving team from the East won an NDHSAA team state championship.

Sheyenne took first in the 200 Yard Medley Relay and 400 Yard Freestyle Relay. Both relays featured the quartet of Brooklyn Keney, Lauren McDonagh, Tierney Howell, and Madee Shea.   

Howell, a University of Houston commit, also won individual state titles in the 50 Yard freestyle (23.80 seconds) and 100 Yard Butterfly (56.39 seconds). Howell ends her prep career with three individual state championships and two relay state titles.

Both NDHSAA Volleyball state title matches go five sets 

The 2022 NDHSAA Volleyball State Tournament was hosted at the Bismarck Event Center for the second consecutive season and the tournament didn’t disappoint fans as both the Class B and Class A state title matches went the distance.

Northern Cass defeated Linton/HMB 3-2 (25-16, 23-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-10) in the 2022 NDHSAA Class B volleyball state championship match played at the Bismarck Event Center. Junior middle hitter Josie Jensen led the Jaguars with 20 kills and 10 blocks.

West Fargo Sheyenne defeated Bismarck Century 3-2 (25-21, 22-25, 25-18, 23-25, 15-8) in the 2022 NDHSAA Class A volleyball state championship match played at the Bismarck Event Center. Senior outside hitter Kailee Waasdorp led the Mustangs with 27 kills.

NDHSAA Board of Directors pass Three Division Basketball Plan

The NDHSAA Board of Directors voted to approve a Three Division Basketball Plan on February 8, 2023 in a 10-0 vote and also approved a subsequent motion regarding the implementation of the Three Division Basketball Plan for the 2023-24 season/school year in a 8-2 vote during a special board meeting in Valley City.

State Wrestling Tournament provides several interesting storylines including the first NDHSAA-sponsored Girls Wrestling Team Dual State Tournament

Bismarck High (Class A Boys), New Salem-Almont (Class B Boys) and Bismarck (Girls) won individual team state championships at the FARGODOME in February during the NDHSAA Wrestling State Tournament.

Lisbon senior Boeden Greenley became just the seventh prep wrestler in state history to win five individual state championships. Greenley won the 2023 Class B Boys 170-pound state championship. He joins Kyle Burwick (Hettinger/Scranton), Erik Loepp (Oakes), Scott Glasser (Bismarck High), Levi Haugen (Bishop Ryan) and Dave Hilliard (Lakota) as five-time state champions. West Fargo High’s Jordan Shearer is the only prep wrestler in state history to win six individual state championships.

In the Team Dual portion of the state tournament, Bismarck High (Class A Boys) and Lisbon Class B Boys) won state titles and for the first time ever, a team dual tournament in the girls division was sponsored. The eight team tournament field for the inaugural girls team dual state tournament was made up of Bismarck High, Bismarck Legacy, Bismarck Century, Minot High, Carrington, Central Cass, Fargo, Grand Forks. Bismarck High defeated Central Cass 60-21 in the Championship Match.

The inaugural girls team dual also featured the state’s first female wrestling officials to officiate at a state wrestling tournament. Jenna Gerhardt of Devils Lake and Dana Henry of Bismarck officiated matches during the girls team dual tournament. Gerhardt, a 2022 Devils Lake graduate, wrestled in the first ever NDHSAA-sponsored Girls Wrestling Individual State Tournament a year ago and won the 105-pound individual state title. Exactly one year later, Gerhardt was back at the FARGODOME officiating matches in the girls team dual tournament.

Boys Hockey state title game is decided in a three overtime thriller

The 2023 NDHSAA Boys Hockey State Tournament Championship game between Fargo South/Shanley and Grand Forks Red River was a thriller.

Three overtime periods were needed to decide a state champion. Eighteen seconds into the third extra period, Fargo South/Shanley senior forward John Lang scored the game-winning goal to give the Bruins the state title by a final tally of 3-2 on Saturday, February 25 at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

The state championship is Fargo South/Shanley’s first as a co-op program. Fargo South won state championships in 1994, 1999 and 2006. 

In overtime, the Roughriders outshot the Bruins 13-7, but Lang’s shot on net was the one shot that found its mark. Earlier, Lang scored at the 4:27 mark of the third period to tie the game 2-2.

In total South/Shanley was outshot 45-30 in the game and the squad relied heavily on its senior goalie Noel Olsonawski who ended the game with 43 saves – 13 of which came in the thrilling overtime period. Olsonawski earned Tournament MVP honors following the game.

Dickinson High continues its gymnastics dynasty

Dickinson won its eighth consecutive NDHSAA Gymnastics team state championship in late February at Jamestown High School and now holds the record for most consecutive team state championships won by a program. Last year, Dickinson High tied Fargo South for the most consecutive team state titles won by a gymnastics program in state history. Fargo South also won seven straight team titles from 1977 to 1983.

The Midgets scored a team total of 148.9833. Runner up honors went to Bismarck Century. The Patriots scored a team total of 145.4833.

Dickinson now has won 17 team state championships in program history – the most by a single program in state history.

In individual competition, the following gymnasts won state championships: Individual All-Around State Champion: Karina Olson, Valley City; Individual Vault State Champion: Elizabeth Karsky, Dickinson High; Individual Uneven Bars State Champion: Aspen Rodarmel, Dickinson High; Individual Beam State Champion: Karina Olson, Valley City; Individual Floor State Champion: Reygan Strommen, Dickinson High

Fargo North/South defeats Fargo Davies in ‘stand alone’ state tournament

The Fargo North/South Spruins girls hockey co-op skated to the program’s second consecutive NDHSAA girls hockey state championship defeating Fargo Davies 2-0 at MAYSA Arena in Minot. It was the first time in nearly two decades that the girls hockey state tournament wasn’t a combined tournament site with the Boys Hockey State Tournament.

North/South and Davies skated to a 0-0 draw in the first period, but Sophomore Kate McComb got the Spruins on the board with a power-play goal at the 12:23 mark of the second period.

Davies outshot North/South 20-19 in the game and 11-7 in the third period, but was unable to get the equalizer. Instead, North/South junior Anna Nelson scored an empty-net goal at the 16:08 mark of the third period to seal the Spruins’ victory.

North/South Senior goalie Savannah Wuitschick posted 20 saves in the shutout victory in net and earned Tournament MVP honors following the championship game.

Minot High Magicians claim another boys swimming & diving state title

Minot High’s boys swimming and diving team six-peated as NDHSAA state champions during the 2023 state meet held at the Bismarck State College Aquatics Center.

The Magicians scored 331 points at the meet. Minot High was paced by its 200-Yard Medley Relay team comprised of (Carter Larson, Jaxon Reinke, Ryan Hubbard, Paradorn Roongin) finished in a time of 1:36.11, which set a new state meet record.

Central Cass Squirrels win both Class B Girls and Class B Boys Basketball State Championships

The final Class B Basketball state championships of the Two-Division Era of Basketball in North Dakota were both won by Central Cass, which became just the second Class B school to win both the girls and boys state championship in the same school year joining Bishop Ryan who won both the Class B boys and girls state titles during the 1993-1994 school year.

Central Cass defeated Thompson 58-55 in overtime during the championship game of the 2023 NDHSAA Class B girls basketball state tournament played at the Minot State Dome. Central Cass senior Decontee Smith finished the game with 25 points and 17 rebounds. Smith was named State Tournament MVP following the game.

Two weeks later, Central Cass defeated Shiloh Christian 61-44 during the championship game of the 2023 NDHSAA Class B Boys Basketball State Tournament played at the Bismarck Event Center. Junior center Cole Holzer, who finished with 15 points, 14 rebounds and two blocked shots to lead the Squirrels. Central Cass senior guard Sam Kobbervig added 14 points and four assists. Kobbervig was named Tournament MVP following the championship game. 

Jocelyn Schiller powers Grand Forks Red River Roughriders in Class A Girls Basketball state title game

Behind a record setting performance by junior guard Jocelyn Schiller, Grand Forks Red River claimed its first NDHSAA Class A girls basketball state championship since 1988.

The Roughriders, the No. 4 seed from the East Region entering the state tournament defeated Bismarck century 61-48 in the title game played at the Scheels Center in the Sanford Health Athletic Complex (SHAC).

Leading the way for Red River was Schiller, who scored 34 points, which broke the state tournament record for points scored by an individual in a championship game. The previous record was 33 points held by Devils Lake’s Durene Heisler in the 1984 title game vs. Wahpeton. Schiller was 8-for-23 from the field and was 18 of 21 from the free-throw line.

Cassidy O'Halloran added 10 points for the Roughriders. Schiller was voted Tournament MVP.

Fargo North breaks through to win Class A Boys Basketball State Tournament Championship Game

Fargo North, playing in its first state championship game since 2006, defeated Grand Forks Red River 92-83 in the championship game of the 2023 NDHSAA Class A Boys Basketball State Tournament at the Scheels Center in the Sanford Health Athletic Complex (SHAC).

The Spartans were led by junior guard Jeremiah Sem, who scored 28 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the electric finale. Sem was named Tournament MVP following the game.

Jeremiah Sem and his younger brother Matthew Sem combined for 51 points and were joined in double figures by junior Carter Zeller 15 points, 10 rebounds) and Muhoza, who finished with 14 points. The Spartans tied a tournament record for points scored by a single team in a championship game (92 points by Williston in 1968 vs. Grand Forks Red River).

The Spartans and Roughriders’ slugfest full of scoring, big buckets, and momentum shifts fittingly broke the tournament record for most points scored by two teams in the championship game with 175 points. The previous record was Williston (92 points) and Grand Forks Red River (82 points) in 1968.

Bismarck Century’s Logan Nissley wins NDAPSSA Miss Basketball Award

Bismarck Century senior girls basketball standout Logan Nissley was named North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Miss Basketball on Saturday, March 11.

The North Dakota Miss Basketball Award is presented and voted on by members of the the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. The honor is given to the top senior player in the state.

Nissley averaged 21.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in her final season with the Patriots. She played on the varsity squad as a freshman and was a three-year starter for Century. Nissley helped the Patriots to a NDHSAA Class A state championship in 2021 and Class A runner up finishes in 2022 and 2023.

Nissley is signed to play NCAA Division I women’s basketball at the University of Nebraska.

Nissley was one of eight finalists for the 2023 ND Miss Basketball Award. She was joined by Bergan Kinnebrew (Bismarck Century) Decontee Smith (Central Cass), Ellie Braaten (Westhope/Newburg), Miriley Simon (West Fargo High), Halle Crockett (Northern Cass) Hailey Quam (Shiloh Christian), Brenna Stroklund (Kenmare/Bowbells)

Minot High’s Darik Dissette wins NDAPSSA Mr. Basketball Award

Minot High senior standout Darik Dissette was named North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Mr. Basketball on Saturday, March 18.

The North Dakota Mr. Basketball Award is presented and voted on by members of the the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. The honor is given to the top senior player in the state.

Finalists for the 2023 ND Mr. Basketball Award were Dissette, Dickinson’s Alex Dvorak, Powers Lake-Burke Central’s Tyson Enget, Bismarck Century’s Ryan Erikson, Grand Forks Red River’s Zach Kraft and North Border’s Ayden Stainbrook,

Dissette, who is signed to play men’s basketball at North Dakota State University, averaged 27.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game this season for the Magicians. Dissette finished his prep career with 1,754 points, which is the Minot High program record for career scoring.

Napoleon High School’s Teagan Erbele named 2023-24 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student winner

Teagan Erbele, now a senior at Napoleon High School, was named the 2023-2024 North Dakota High School Activities Association and Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student. Interviews were held April 26 at Farmers Union Insurance Headquarters in Jamestown.

Mya Woodbeck, of Bowbells High School was chosen runner up. The other finalists interviewed were: Logan Falk (Hankinson High School), Xzavier Buckmiller (Fargo North High School), Taryn Romfo (Langdon Area High School), Amara Howson (Northwood High School)

The six finalists were selected from applications sent in by high school principals from across the state. The NDHSAA Distinguished Student program was developed to recognize deserving young people who are the “backbone” of interscholastic activities, not necessarily the leader, but the individual whose participation in high school activities strengthens the program for participants, the school and the community. 

State Track 2023 Highlights

The 2023 NDHSAA Track and Field State Meet provided fans three days of action-packed performances.

Some State Meet Highlights included:

• Fargo Davies senior Cece Deebom won four individual events in one day (Class A Girls 100 Meters, 12.07; 100 Meter Hurdles, 14.55; 200 Meters, 24.54 and was the anchor leg of the Eagles’ 4x100 Meter Relay team that won a state championship with a time of 47.97 – a new Class A Girls & Overall Girls State Meet Record. Deebom is committed to run track and field at the University of Nebraska.

• New Rockford-Sheyenne junior won four individual events in one day (Class B Girls 300 Meter Hurdles, 41.48 – a new Class B Girls & Overall Girls State Meet Record; 400 Meters, 56.56; 100 Meter Hurdles, 14.36; and 200 Meters, 23.94 – a new Class B Girls & Overall Girls State Meet Record.

• Ethan Moe, of Williston set a new Class A Boys & Boys Overall State Meet Record in the  Class A Boys 1600 Meter Run with a time of 4:10.08. Moe also set a new Class A Boys & Overall Boys State Meet Record in the 800 Meters with a time of 1:51.98

• Bismarck High’s Class A Boys 4x800 Meter Relay team of Parker Hintz, Dawson Balzer, Tyler Wahl, Austin Wick set a new Class A Boys & Boys Overall State Meet Record with a time of 7:54.38.

• Bowman County’s Class B Boys 4x800 Meter Relay team of ​​Gavin Lambourn, Austin Wanner, Caleb Sarsland, Taylor Wanner set a new Class B Boys State Meet Record with a time of 8:01.90.

• Fargo South’s Class A Boys 4x200 Meter Relay Team of Aiden Bourke, Justin Zulu, A'Johntez Moore, Austin Zulu set a new Class A Boys & Overall Boys State Meet Record with a time of 1:26.75.

•  Bismarck Legacy’s Class A Boys 4x100 Meter Relay Team of Talen Farland, Reece Snow, Evan Hoffer, Nathan Mathern set a new Class A Boys & Overall Boys State Meet Record with a time of 41.79.

• Bismarck Legacy’s Dylan McGlothlin set a new Class A Boys & Overall Boys State Meet Record in the 200 Meters with a time of 21.26

• Brynn Hanson, of Des Lacs/Burlington/Lewis & Clark won three individual state championships sweeping the Class B girls distance events (3200, 1600 and 800 Meter Races)

• Kindred (Class B Boys), Central Cass and Central McLean (Class B Girls), Bismarck Century (Class A Boys) and Fargo Davies (Class A Girls) all won team state championships.     

West Fargo Sheyenne earn three-peats in Class A Baseball and Class A Boys Golf

The Mustangs had a nice spring going back to back to back in two sports. West Fargo Sheyenne defeated Fargo North 3-2 in the championship game of the 2023 NDHSAA Class A Baseball State Tournament played at Young Field in West Fargo. West Fargo Sheyenne sophomore Tate Herrmann connected for a 2-run, pinch hit single in the bottom of the fourth to help the Mustangs to their third consecutive state championship. 

West Fargo Sheyenne won the 2023 NDHSAA Class A boys golf team state championship played at Heart River Golf Course in Dickinson finishing with a team score of 579 to win the tournament by 28 strokes. The Mustangs were led by senior Nate Peyerl who repeated as individual state medalist. Peyerl finished the tournament scoring a 5-under 139 and became the first Class A boys golfer to repeat as individual medalist since Fargo South’s Ben Freeman won back-to-back individual state titles in 2006 and 2007. Andrew Wilhelm, Aiden Knodel and Quinn Breidenbach also earned All-State honors for West Fargo Sheyenne.

Beulah and Dickinson High win softball crowns in the spring

The No. 1-seeded Beulah Miners lived up to that distinction at the 2023 NDHSAA Class B Softball State Tournament. Beulah defeated Thompson 5-3 in the state championship game on Saturday, June 3 at Minot’s South Hill Softball Complex to earn the program’s first ever state title.

The Miners were led by battery mates senior pitcher Taylor Christensen and seventh grade catcher Ellianah Weidner. Christensen tossed a complete game striking out 11 batters for the Miners. Christensen struck out a total of 39 batters during the three-day tournament. Weidner took care of things in the batter’s box for the Miners going 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

In the Class A ranks, Dickinson High defeated Minot High 2-1 in the 2023 NDHSAA Class A softball state championship game played at Tharaldon Park in Fargo. The Midgets fell behind 1-0 after the first inning, but would tie the game in the fifth inning and plate the go-ahead and winning run in the top of the sixth to secure their second state championship in three seasons with the other coming in 2021.

Seventh grader Gabriella Sobolik was 2-for-3 at the plate for the Midgets and scored a run.

Junior pitcher Ava Jahner paced Dickinson High in the field recording 11 strikeouts in the complete-game effort. Jahner finished the tournament with 28 strikeouts.

Thompson repeats as Class B Baseball State Tournament champions

Thompson, playing in the program’s sixth Class B state title game in the last eight school years, defeated LaMoure-Litchville/Marion 9-0 in the 2023 NDHSAA Class B Baseball State Tournament state title game at Corbett Field in Minot.

The state championship matchup with the Loboes was a rematch of the 2022 Class B final that the Tommies won, making Saturday’s victory the final thread to stitch up the repeat.

Thompson, No. 1 seeded entering the state tournament, received a stellar outing on the pitching mound by senior Reece Berberich who tossed a complete-game shutout allowing just three hits and striking out five batters.

A seven run second inning helped propel the Tommies to an early lead and from there they never looked back. At the plate, the Tommies were led by senior right fielder Shawn O'Hearn who was 3-for-4 with three RBI, a run scored and a stolen base. Junior catcher Brayden Wolfgram and sophomore designated hitter William Welke each added two hits a piece for Thompson.

Minot High girls soccer extends winning streak, three-peats as state champs

Minot High defeated Fargo Davies 4-1 in the state championship match of the 2023 NDHSAA Girls Soccer State Tournament and extended its winning streak to 51 matches.

During this span of 51 matches without a loss Minot High has gone 50-0-1 (16-0-0 in 2021, 17-0-0 in 2022 and 17-0-1 in 2023) and now has the distinction of being one of only two program’s in state history to have ever three-peated as state champions joining Bismarck Century who won three-straight titles from 2001-2003.

Minot High is now in the midst of a full-fledged dynasty with the three-peat and unbeaten streak. The last time Minot High lost a girl soccer match was to Fargo Shanley in the 2019 NDHSAA girls soccer state championship match. 

Leading the way for the Magi was junior forward Maicee Burke who scored a hat trick in the title game scoring goals in the seventh, 47th and 73rd minutes of play. Burke also had a hat trick in the 2022 state title match.

Minot High girls tennis wins girls tennis team dual state title

The Minot High girls tennis team completed an undefeated team dual season during the 2023 NDHSAA Team Dual State Tournament played at Choice Health & Fitness in Grand Forks. 

Minot High scored a 4-1 victory against Bismarck Legacy to secure the program’s seventh team dual state championship in program history and first since 2018.

Minot High picked up wins in both doubles matches of the team dual with Legacy. Sienna Ronning and Grace Olson scored a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 1 Doubles. Minot High’s No. 2 Doubles combo of Lila Olson and Sabryn Ronning scored a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory. Minot High also received singles wins from Kyllie Fettig (No. 2 Singles) and Sidney Ressler (No. 3 Singles) to secure the state championship.

In Individual Singles and Doubles play, Mandan’s Sophia Felderman took home the Individual Singles state championship and the combo of Breck Sufficool & Abigail Martineck from Valley City won the Individual Doubles state title.

Class B Boys Golf individual medalist race comes down to final hole, Central Cass win team title

The NDHSAA Class B golf individual medalist race came down to the final hole at Bois De Sioux Golf Course in Wahpeton. Entering the 36th hole of the tournament, Northern Cass senior Aidan Hall and South Border senior Zach St. Aubin were deadlocked at 6-over par for the tournament. Hall and St. Aubin entered Wednesday tied for the lead at even par through 18 holes played.

On the 35th hole of the tournament, Hall would score a birdie and St. Aubin would score par and return the players to a tie entering the final hole.

The final hole of the tournament would be played on Bois De Sioux’s Hole 9. St. Aubin would double bogey the hole and dropped to a tie for third place. Hall wasn’t off the hook, however. Bowman County Karsen Kulseth, playing in the same group as Hall and St. Aubin was only a shot behind the leaders entering the final hole of the tournament. Kulseth eagled the final hole to put him at 7-over for the tournament and in turn put the pressure on Hall to score a par on the final hole or face the possibility of playoff. Hall’s approach shot on the final hole landed on a steep ridge overlooking the green. Hall chipped onto the green and needed to make his putt to save par and win the tournament, which he did for a 6-over 148. Kulseth finished second one shot off the lead (149).

In the team race, Central Cass scored 623 to win the tournament team state title by 33 strokes. The Squirrels were led by junior Cole Holzer, who finished tied with St. Aubin for third place with a 8-over 150.

OTHER MOMENTS OF NOTE:

– West Fargo Horace Hawks start to take flight: On August 19, West Fargo Horace played its first high school football game as a varsity program on the road against Fargo North High School. Horace, without any seniors was defeated 56-7 by a mighty Spartans squad that would eventually finish the 2022 season as Division 11A runners up, but there were some big “program firsts” for the Hawks. Junior running back Xavier Burrow notched the Hawks’ first ever first down conversion late in the first quarter. Junior fullback Dylan Johnson scored the first varsity touchdown in Horace Hawks history running in a four-yard score with 11 minutes, six seconds remaining in the second quarter. Sophomore kicker Alex Perez got the Hawks’ first big special teams victory adding a successful point-after kick following Johnson’s touchdown run. In the Fine Arts, Horace proved to be very competitive winning the Student Congress team state championship in November, sharing the State Debate team state title with Fargo Davies in February and winning the Class A Plays contest in April.

 

– Drake High School grad Cordell Volson makes first NFL start and helps Cincinnati Bengals to AFC Championship Game: Cordell Volson, a 2016 Drake High School graduate, started at left guard for the Cincinnati Bengals in his professional football debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Volson would start all of the Bengals’ 16 regular season games and would also start in the team’s three playoff games including the AFC Championship against the eventual Super Bowl Championships Kansas City Chiefs. 

– Hankinson High grad Cody Mauch gets invite to NFL Combine and is drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft: After wrapping up a stellar collegiate football career playing offensive lineman for North Dakota State, 2017 Hankinson High School graduate Cody Mauch shined at the Reece’s Senior Bowl in February earning him an invite to the 2023 NFL Combine. By the time the NFL Draft neared Mauch was getting some big buzz as a potential late-first round draft pick. On April 28, Mauch was drafted in the second round (48th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mauch signed his rookie contract with the Buccaneers in July prior to training camp starting.

– 2020 Bismarck Century graduate Cade Feeney gets named called at 2023 MLB Draft: Cade Feeney, a 2020 Bismarck Century High School graduate and collegiate baseball standout at North Dakota State University, was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 13th Round (388th overall selection) of the 2023 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft held in Seattle, Washington.

– With a team loaded with former North Dakota prep volleyball standouts, the University of Jamestown wins NAIA Women’s Volleyball National Championship: No. 2-ranked University of Jamestown defeated No. 4-ranked Corban (Ore.) 3-2 ( 25-21, 21-25, 25-27, 25-22, 15-13) in the 2022 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Volleyball National Championship Match on December 6 played in Sioux City, Iowa. The Jimmies’ roster featured nine players who played high school Volleyball in North Dakota. The nine former North Dakota prep volleyball players who celebrated a national championship on Tuesday included: Rachel Schiele (Jamestown High School), Anna Holen (LaMoure High School), Ellie Holen (LaMoure High School), Lexi Olson (Langdon Area High School), Kadyn Mehring (Carrington High School), Averi Beyer (Fargo Davies High School), Kalli Hegerle (West Fargo High School), Megan Moser (Medina High School) and Grace Hegerle (Jamestown High School). #NDHSAA #NDpreps

– West Fargo High grad Matt Strahm inks a two-year deal with National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies: Matt Strahm, a 2010 West Fargo High graduate, and the Philadelphia Phillies finalized a two-year, 15 million dollar contract in early December. Strahm, a left-handed pitcher, had previously played with the Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and Kansas City Royals. Thus far in the 2023 MLB season, Strahm is 6-3 with a 3.65 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 61 ⅔ innings pitched.

– Three prep hoopsters surpass 2,000 point career scoring milestone: On January 30, Shiloh Christian senior guard Hailey Quam scored the 2,000th point of her prep girls basketball career during the Skyhawks’ 60-20 Class B, Region 5 victory over Center-Stanton at Shiloh Christian High School. A day later, Northern Cass senior guard Halle Crockett scored the 2,000th point of her prep girls basketball career during a 86-55 Class B, Region 1 win over Lisbon at Northern Cass High School. On March 9, North Prairie senior guard Mitchell Leas scored the 2,000th point of his prep boys basketball career during the Cougars’ 63-55 loss to Four Winds/Minnewaukan in the third-place game of the 2023 NDHSAA Class B, Region 4 Boys Basketball Tournament played at Devils Lake High School.

– Linton/HMB’s Dan Carr earns a big coaching milestone: Longtime Linton/HMB boys basketball head coach Dan Carr won his 800th career game as a prep boys basketball coach. The milestone victory came on March 6 when Carr’s Linton/HMB Lions defeated LaMoure-Litchville/Marion 51-50 in overtime during the quarterfinals of the 2023 NDHSAA Class B, Region 3 Boys basketball Tournament played at the Jamestown Civic Center.

– Two Volleyball Coaches surpass 800 coaching victories: Two prep volleyball coaches – Kenmare’s Tim Wallstrum and Thompson’s Lisa Strand – both picked up their 800th high school volleyball career coaching wins in the fall of 2022. Both Wallstrum and Strand guided their squads to the 2022 NDHSAA Volleyball State Tournament played in Bismarck.   

– 2007 Fargo South grad Tom Hoge continues to shine as a pro golfer: On March 11, Tom Hoge, a 2007 Fargo South graduate, set the new course record at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass with a bogey-free, 10-under 62, besting the 63 shared by nine players. Hoge was tied for seventh for the tournament event after Saturday’s record-setting round. A month later, Hoge played in the Masters for the second time in his pro career. Hoge won the 2023 Masters’ Par Three Contest championship scoring a six-under 21 during the annual nine-hole event held at the famed Augusta National Golf Course. During the Masters Tournament, Hoge was was 4-over through 36 holes and missed the Day 2 cut.

– 2020 Devils Lake High School graduate Grant Nelson has big year with the Bison, participates in NBA Combine and ultimately decides to continue collegiate career at Alabama: On January 27, Grant Nelson, a 2020 Devils Lake High School graduate and standout men’s basketball player at NDSU, scored a career-high 36 points in NDSU’s 91-75 Summit League victory over the University of North Dakota at the Scheels Center in Fargo. It was just a sign of bigger things to come for Nelson. On March 6, Nelson set a new Summit League Men’s Basketball Tournament record for rebounds in a single game with 22 rebounds in North Dakota State’s 89-79 win over South Dakota State in the Summit League semifinals played at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls. Nelson averaged 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during the 2022-23 season for the Bison and was named to the was named to the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-District VI Team, which includes every Division I school in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. In April, Nelson declared for the 2023 NBA Draft and participated in the NBA Combine in May, but ultimately decided to return to the collegiate men’s basketball ranks transferring to Alabama in late June.

– 2018 West Fargo High graduate Franek wins a Big 12 individual wrestling title, earns All-American status: Franek, a four-time NDHSAA Class A individual prep wrestling champion at West Fargo High School, won the 157-pound Big 12 individual wrestling championship competing for North Dakota State University during the 2023 Big 12 Wrestling Tournament hosted at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At the NCAA National Tournament, Franek finished fourth in the 157-pound weight class during the 2023 NCAA Division I National Wrestling Tournament hosted at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Franek went 5-2 at the national tournament.

– 2019 Jamestown High School graduate Mason Walters earns NAIA National Player of the Year Honor: On March 21, Mason Walters, a 2019 Jamestown High School graduate and standout forward for the University of Jamestown’s men’s basketball team, was named National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Player of the Year in men’s basketball. Walters finished the year averaging 26.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game as Jamestown (27-7) advanced to the NAIA National Round of 16 for the third consecutive season. During his collegiate men’s basketball career at the University of Jamestown, Walters posted 70 career double-doubles. Walters scored 20-plus points in 30 of 34 games during his senior season. Walters finished his men’s basketball career at the University of Jamestown with 2,662 career points and 1,239 rebounds.

– 1992 Jamestown High School graduate Darin Erstad has Jersey Retired at Nebraska: Darin Erstad, a 1992 Jamestown High School graduate, had his “No. 17” University of Nebraska baseball jersey retired by the school during a pregame ceremony prior to the Cornhuskers’ Big 10 baseball series opener against Illinois at Hawks Field at Haymarket Field in Lincoln, Neb. Erstad was honored alongside Alex Gordon and Shane Komine as the first players to have their collegiate baseball jersey numbers retired by the Cornhuskers. Erstad played for the Huskers from 1993 to 1995 and finished his collegiate career with 261 hits, 46 doubles, 41 home runs and 182 RBIs.

– 2020 Fargo Davies graduate Tyler Kleven makes NHL Debut: Tyler Kleven, a 2020 Fargo Davies High School graduate, made his National Hockey league (NHL) Debut with the Ottawa Senators. Kleven had three shots on goal and recorded one assist in the Senators’ 5-4 overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Prior to making his NHL Debut, Kleven played collegiately at the University of North Dakota from 2020-2023.

– 2006 Williston High School graduate Tyler Liffrig officiates 2023 NCAA Men’s Hockey national Championship Game: Tyler Liffrig, a 2006 Williston High School graduate and registered NDHSAA hockey official, officiated the 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey National Championship Game. Liffrig served as a linesman during the national championship between the University of Minnesota and Quinnipiac at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay. Quinnipiac won the game 3-2 in overtime.

– 2018 Bismarck St. Mary’s graduate Britta Curl adds to her hockey trophy case: Britta Curl celebrated another NCAA Division I women’s hockey national championship with the University of Wisconsin in March. Curl, a 2018 Bismarck St. Mary’s High School graduate, helped the Badgers to a 1-0 win over Ohio State in the 2023 NCAA Division I women’s hockey national championship game played Sunday, March 19 at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth, Minn. Curl, Wisconsin’s captain, recorded one shot on net during the title game. During the 2022-23 season Curl scored 19 goals (tied for the team lead) and added 23 assists. She was second on the team in total scoring with 42 points. In April, Curl helped the United States to a 6-3 win over Canada in the Gold Medal Game of the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championships played at the CAA Centre in Brampton, Ontario.

– Longtime Bismarck St. Mary’s football coach Dan Smrekar announces retirement: Smrekar posted a 295-168 career record in 45 years of coaching at St. Mary’s HS. He won 14 region titles and eight NDHSAA football state championships during his tenure with the Saints.

– 2020 Grand Forks Red River graduate Shelby Frank places in discus at USA Nationals: Former Grand Forks Red River girls track and field standout Shelby Frank finished fifth in the discus at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships held in Eugene Oregon on July 9. Frank threw 185 feet, 7 inches on her first attempt at the national championships in Eugene and qualified to be on the USA Track and Field U23 Team. Frank, a member of the University of Minnesota women’s track and field team, won her first career Big Ten Championship in the weight throw this season with a throw of 24.14 meters.

– Former NDHSAA Assistant Director Dave Carlsrud inducted into National High School Hall of Fame: Former NDHSAA Assistant Director Dave Carlsrud of Valley City, N.D., was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame during the 104th National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Summer Meeting hosted in Seattle, Washington. Carlsrud is the 10th National High School Hall of Fame inductee from North Dakota joining Sid Cichy (1984), Jack Brown (1993), Phil Jackson (1994), Dick Schindler (1999), Del Gab (2003), Jerry Popp (2005), Sheryl Solberg (2014), Robert Littlefield (2021) and Jeff Risk (2022).

– 2016 Bismarck High grad Brayden Thomas makes NFL Debut: Brayden Thomas, a 2016 Bismarck High graduate, made his National Football League debut playing with the Los Angeles Rams. Thomas, who was a two time NDHSCA All-State defensive lineman for the Demons, played four defensive snaps and 14 snaps on special teams in the Rams 51-14 win over the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

– Former Bruins standout and MLB World Champion Chris Coste earns managerial honor: Chris Coste, a 1991 Fargo South graduate and manager of the Fargo Moorhead-RedHawks baseball team, was named Manager of the Year in the American Association independent baseball league. Coste managed the RedHawks to a 64-36 record during the 2022 regular season.

COMPLETE 2022-23 TEAM STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP

Class B Baseball: Thompson

Class A Baseball: West Fargo Sheyenne

Class B Softball: Beulah

Class A Softball: Dickinson

Class B Boys Basketball: Central Cass

Class A Boys Basketball: Fargo North

Class B Girls Basketball: Central Cass

Class A Girls Basketball: Grand Forks Red River

Class A Boys Cross Country: Williston

Class B Boys Cross Country: Bowman County

Class A Girls Cross Country: Williston

Class B Girls Cross Country: Rugby

Division 11AA Football: Fargo Shanley

Division 11A Football: Jamestown

Division 11B Football: Velva

Division 9B Football: New Salem/Almont

Class B Boys Golf: Central Cass

Class A Boys Golf: West Fargo Sheyenne

Class B Girls Golf: Oak Grove

Class A Girls Golf: Bismarck Century

Boys Hockey: Fargo South/Shanley

Girls Hockey: Fargo North/South

Boys Soccer: West Fargo High

Girls Soccer: Minot High

Boys Swimming and Diving: Minot High

Girls Swimming and Diving: West Fargo Sheyenne

Boys Tennis: Grand Forks Red River

Girls Tennis: Minot High

Class A Boys Track and Field: Bismarck Century

Class B Boys Track and Field: Kindred

Class A Girls Track and Field: Fargo Davies

Class B Girls Track and Field: Central Cass and Central McLean

Class A Wrestling (Team Dual): Bismarck High

Class B Wrestling (Team Dual): Lisbon

Class A Wrestling (Team Individual): Bismarck High

Class B Wrestling (Team Individual): New Salem/Almont

Girls Wrestling (Team Dual): Bismarck High
Girls Wrestling (Team Individual): Bismarck High

Gymnastics: Dickinson High

Class A Volleyball: West Fargo Sheyenne

Class B Volleyball: Northern Cass

Debate: Fargo Davies and West Fargo Horace

Class B Plays: Shiloh Christian

Class A Plays: West Fargo Horace

Class B Speech: Enderlin

Class A Speech: Valley City

Student Congress: West Fargo Horace