NDHSAA YEAR IN REVIEW: 2023-24 School Year

By Tom Mix
NDHSAA Media Specialist

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The 2023-24 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) earns fourth career girls golf medal and Anna Huettl (Class A) caps off her prep career with an individual medalist honor

Kindred senior girls golf standout Avery Bartels joined the exclusive 4-time individual state medalist club in September winning the 2023 NDHSAA Class B individual girls golf state championship. In the history of North Dakota high school girls golf, only two players have ever won four individual state medals. Former South Border standout Emily St. Aubin won four consecutive NDHSAA Class B girls golf individual medals from 2016-2019. 

Bartels, a North Dakota State women's golf commit, finished the two-day tournament with a 5-under 139 to secure the final individual medal of her decorated prep golf career. Bartels also won individual medals in 2022, 2021 (Fall) and 2021 (Spring). In the 2021 Spring title – Bartels’ freshman season – she edged St. Aubin, then a senior, in individual stroke play.

Oak Grove won the Class B girls golf team state championship.

A week later in Grand Forks, Class A girls golfers took to the Grand Forks Country Club in hopes of low scores.

In the end Mandan led by their talented senior Anna Huettl that walked away with top awards. The Braves won the team state championship – their first since 1966 and Huettl won individual medalist honors to cap a decorated prep girls golf career. Huettl became the first Mandan player to win individual state medalist honors.

Huettl finished the two-day tournament shooting a 3-under 141. Huettl finished fourth in 2020, fifth in 2021 and tied for fourth in 2022.

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

When Grand Forks Central and Grand Forks Red River meet on a tennis court in October it’s a safe bet the stakes are high.

The Knights and Roughriders met in the championship match of the 2023 NDHSAA Boys Tennis Team Dual State Tournament at Choice Health & Fitness in Grand Forks. After two hours of quality play up and down the dual sheet, it was Central who scored the 3-2 victory over previously undefeated Red River.

The Knights’ victory snapped a 31-dual match winning streak for the Roughriders that dated back to the start of the 2022 season. The team dual state title is Central’s 12th in program history. The team dual championship match came down to the No. 1 doubles matchup. Central’s Jason Ling and Hanson Du defeated the Red River duo of Espen Schneider and Kyedahl Hultberg 6-4, 7-5, which evoked plenty of cheer from the Knights’ bench and the gallery of fans watching on the mezzanine.

The Knights’ other victories in the dual came at No. 1 and No. 2 singles. Evan Panzer defeated Asher Green 6-2, 6-0 at No. 1 singles and Cole Wilber edged Jadon Tang 7-6 (3), 6-1 at No. 2 singles.

Fargo Shanley claims first boys soccer state championship since 2008

A second NDHSAA boys soccer state championship had eluded the Fargo Shanley Deacons for over a decade – until the championship match of the 2023 NDHSAA Boys Soccer State Tournament when the Deacons broke through to give its 2008 trophy a little company.

Shanley scored a 2-1 victory against Bismarck Legacy in the championship match of the 2023 NDHSAA Boys Soccer State Tournament played at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.

Sophomore forward Andrew Schnieder scored the match-winning goal in the 60th minute of play, off a pass from senior defender Peter Noah.

Shanley’s other goal came in the first half when senior forward Andrew Kankelfritz scored off a free kick from 24 yards out.

State Cross Country Meet gets underway despite wintery weather rolling into region week of the races

A late October winter storm rolled into Central North Dakota the week of the 2023 Cross Country State Meet. Despite the snow, the state meet course was ready for action on Saturday, October 28 at Jamestown’s Parkhurst Campground/Pipestem Reservoir. Class B and Class A would need to share the course on Saturday as in previous years, but all four races went off as hundreds of resilient runners attempted to display their talents.

Bowman County (Class B boys and girls) and Bismarck High (Class A boys and girls) swept their divisions of competition grabbing team state titles.

Individually the following runners earned medalist honors in their respective divisions:

• Bowman County sophomore Jonah Njos won Class B boys individual medalist honors racing to a first-place time of 16:11.7 

• Des Lacs-Burlington sophomore Brynn Hanson won her third consecutive Class B girls individual medal racing to a time of 19 minutes, 42.5 seconds.

• Fargo North senior Owen Sondag won Class A boys individual medalist honors finishing with a time of 15 minutes, 52.2 seconds.

• Grand Forks Red River senior Jocelyn Schiller added to her impressive prep sports career resume by winning the Class A girls cross country individual state championship. The three-sport star finished with a time of 19 minutes, 24.3 seconds.

DAKOTA BOWL XXXI 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:

• North Prairie, unseeded as a non-region champion entering the NDHSAA 9-man football playoffs, needed to let their play do all the talking throughout the playoffs. The Cougars’ didn’t let a tough Region loss to New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock early in the season derail their hopes of making a run in the postseason and ultimately a trip to the Dakota Bowl XXXI. North Prairie rattled off nine-consecutive wins to close out the season and the ninth straight win was a 16-8 victory over South Border (9-man No. 3-seed for state playoffs) in the 2023 NDHSAA 9-man football state championship game. Leading the way for North Prairie was senior running back Blake Mattson, who scored both of the Cougars’ touchdowns.

• For the second time in three seasons, the Kindred football team celebrated an NDHSAA state championship. Kindred defeated Dickinson Trinity 36-7 in the NDHSAA Division A state title game at Dakota Bowl XXXI. Junior quarterback/linebacker Jake Starcevic accounted for three of Kindred’s five scores – two rushing TDs and a interception return for a touchdown. 

• For the first time since 2000, Fargo North celebrated an NDHSAA football state championship. Fargo North defeated Grand Forks Central 31-6 in the 2023 NDHSAA Division AA football state championship game during Dakota Bowl XXXI. Leading the way for the Spartans (12-0) was senior Peder Haugo, who rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Senior quarterback Ethan Welk led the Spartans’ passing attack finishing the game with 119 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown connection was a 53-yard strike to senior tight end Carter Zeller in the first quarter. Welk also had 58 yards rushing.

• Minot High junior wide receiver Kellan Burke, who also handles the team’s kicking duties, had an opportunity Friday evening to deliver the Magicians a victory in an NDHSAA football state title game for the first time since 1980. Burke booted a 20-yard field goal through the uprights in the closing seconds of Minot High’s 38-35 come-for-behind victory over Division AAA, No. 1-seed and previously undefeated Fargo Shanley in the 2023 NDHSAA Division AAA football state championship game during Dakota Bowl XXXI. The walk off winner sent the Minot High bench and fans in a frenzy that seemed to last almost the entire second half. Fargo Shanley led 28-7 in the third quarter, but was out scored 31-7 the remainder of the game.

Bismarck Century girls swimming and diving team reclaims its spot as top team in the state

The NDHSAA Girls Swimming & Diving Team State Championship Trophy returned to the West this fall.

After having its string of seven-consecutive NDHSAA girls swimming and diving team state championships broken in 2022, Bismarck Century returned to the top spot in the team ranks of the sport. Bismarck Century scored 363.5 points to win its 12th team state title in program history.

Leading the way for the Patriots was senior Lauryn Caster, who won 100 Yard Freestyle Individual state title swimming to a time of 52.74 seconds.

Century also won two of the three relay events. Kylie Duchsherer, Madyson Tivis, Abigail Jablonsky, and Aubrey Caster combined to win the 200 Yard Medley Relay state title.  Lauryn Caster, Abigail Jablonsky, Ava Erickson, and Madyson Tivis combined to win the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay.

Minot High junior Haley Conklin won the individual diving state championship with a score of 482.35, which set a new state meet record. The Previous state record was held by Madison Hischer of Fargo Davies (479.95, 2020).

Northern Cass (Class B) & West Fargo Sheyenne (Class A) repeat as state champions on the volleyball court

Playing the program’s third straight NDHSAA Class B volleyball state final, Northern Cass defeated May-Port-CG 3-1 (25-23, 25-14, 21-25, 25-13) in the championship match of the 2023 NDHSAA Class B State Tournament played November 18 at the FARGODOME.

Senior middle hitter Josie Jensen led the Jaguars with 17 kills, a block and an ace serve. She surpassed the 1,000 career kill milestone during the championship match. The state title is the third in program history for the Jaguars (2023, 2022, 2013). Senior Ellie Lucas and junior Haidyn Crockett each added nine kills for the Jaguars.

West Fargo Sheyenne also successfully defended its Class A volleyball state championship at the Fargodome. West Fargo Sheyenne defeated Fargo Shanley 3-1 (25-14, 10-25, 25-17, 25-18) in the championship match of the 2023 NDHSAA Class A Volleyball State Tournament.

The meeting between the Mustangs and the Deacons in the state championship match marked the first All-East Region state final since 2007. The Mustangs used a balanced offensive attack to seal up the repeat. Junior outside hitter Alexa Killoran led the Mustangs with nine kills, two aces, a plock and 21 digs.

Senior Izzy Albrecht and freshman Peyton Saxlund each added seven kills for West Fargo Sheyenne. Sophomore Addi Kill posted five ace serves in the match for the Mustangs. West Fargo Sheyenne has a total of 12 ace serves in the match.

NDHSAA Board of Directors pass Three Division Volleyball Plan for the 2025-26 School Year

The NDHSAA Board of Directors voted to approve the addition of a third division of volleyball for the 2025 season. Guidelines and classifications for the new three-division volleyball format were updated throughout the 2023-24 academic year with final Board approval by June of 2024.

The 2024 Volleyball season will be the final for the current two-division format featuring Class A and Class B.  

Inaugural Season of North Dakota’s newly adopted Three Division Basketball Plan gets underway on courts across the state 

The 2023-24 prep basketball season definitely had a new look to it as it was the first year of the Three-Division Basketball Plan adopted by the NDHSAA after its Board of Directors had approved it on February 8, 2023 for the ensuing school year.

Division B, Division A & Division AA were the new formats for NDHSAA boys and girls basketball programs.

The Three-Division Basketball Plan also brought the new “State Qualifiers” Round of playoffs for the Division B and Division A, which was very popular with fans who were able to watch winner-take all games played between Region Runner Ups and Region Third-Place Teams all vying for one last opportunity to make the state tournament in their respective Divisions of play.

Bismarck High and South Border dominate at NDHSAA State Wrestling Tournament 

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

Bismarck High senior LJ Araujo – a University of Nebraska wrestling signee – became the eighth prep boys wrestler in state history to win five individual state championships. Araujo won the 2024 Class A Boys 172-pound state championship. He joins Boeden Greenley (Lisbon), 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.

Napoleon/Gackle/Streeter junior Alexis Schneider (118 pounds) and Bismarck High freshmen Julia Araujo (130 pounds) each collected their third NDHSAA girls wrestling individual state championship of their prep careers at the 2024 State Tournament. 

In the Team Dual portion of the state tournament, Bismarck High (Class A Boys) and South Border Class B Boys) and Bismarck High (Girls Division) won state championships.

Hockey State Tournament returns to a “Combined Format” with both the Boys and Girls State Tournaments 

After one year of holding “Stand Alone” State Tournaments in separate cities on different weekends, NDHSAA Boys and Girls Hockey returned to a combined State Tournament format in 2024. 

Scheels Arena hosted the 2024 State Tournament and Grand Forks Red River (boys) and Fargo North/South (girls) emerged victorious in their respective state championship games.

Grand Forks Red River broke through for its 20th NDHSAA boys hockey state championship, but in order to do so it needed to get past its crosstown rivals Grand Forks Central – a squad that had been pesky against the Roughriders all season.

After falling behind 2-0 in the title game, the Roughriders scored four unanswered goals to skate to a 4-2 win.

Leading the way for Red River was senior forward Keegan Buckley, who scored two goals in the second period including the go-ahead score at the 12:57 mark of the second. 

The Fargo North/South Spruins girls hockey co-op skated to the program’s third consecutive NDHSAA girls hockey state championship on February 24.

The Spruins defeated Bismarck Century 5-1 in the 2024 state title game. Sophomore defensemen Leah Hoffman got North/South on the scoreboard early, scoring at the 3:31 mark of the first period. Junior forward Ainsley Ness added a goal at the 1:08 mark of the second period to give the Spruins a 2-0 advantage.

Four minutes later, Bismarck Century would score when junior forward Brenna Curl found sophomore linemate Avery Matt for a score.

Unfortunately for the Patriots that was the only opportunity given up by North/South eighth grade goalie Alyssa Jacobsen. Jacobsen finished the game with 12 saves and was named to the All-Tournament Team following the championship after scoring two wins in net for the Spruins during the state tournament amassing 34 total saves and one shutout. 

Dickinson High continues its gymnastics dynasty

Dickinson won its ninth consecutive NDHSAA Gymnastics team state championship on Friday, February 23 at Dickinson High School.

The Midgets scored a team total of 152.801. Runner up honors went to Jamestown. The Blue Jays scored a team total of 144.142.

Dickinson now has won 18 team state championships in program history – the most by a single program in state history.

West Fargo High wins first “out-right” boys swimming & diving state title in program history

West Fargo High won its second overall and first outright NDHSAA boys swimming & diving team state championship on March 2 at the Hulbert Aquatic Center.

The Packers scored 275 points as a team. West Fargo High’s previous state championship came in 2012 when it shared team state title honors with Fargo North.

West Fargo High was led by its underclassmen duo of sophomore Brody Engelstad and freshmen Isaiah Ayers that combined to win four individual state championships and also were members of the Packers’ 400 Yard Freestyle Relay that took first at the state meet.

Engelstad picked up individual state titles in the 50 Yard Freestyle (20.66 seconds) and the 100 Yard Freestyle (45.49).

Ayers won individual state championships in the 200 Yard Freestyle (1:41.22 *new state record*) and the 100 Yard Freestyle (50.98).

Devils Lake wins both Division A Girls and Boys Basketball State Championships

The Division A ranks of the new Three-Division Basketball plan provided for some intriguing matchups throughout the regular season and postseason tournaments.

In the end Devils Lake earned the sweep winning both the Division A girls basketball state title and the Division A boys basketball state championship erasing long title droughts in both programs.

For the first time since 1987, the Devils Lake girls basketball team celebrated a victory in a state championship game. Devils Lake defeated South Prairie/Max 68-53 during the 2024 NDHSAA Division A girls basketball state championship game on March 2 at the Minot State Dome.

Leading the way for the Firebirds was freshmen guard Tylie Brodina who scored 25 points earning her Tournament MVP honors. Junior forward Cabryn Fritel added 13 points and six rebounds for the Firebirds.

The Devils Lake boys basketball team ended an even longer title drought – 99 years – before they enjoyed a state title in March. 

Devils Lake defeated Kindred during the championship game of the 2024 NDHSAA Division A Boys Basketball State Tournament played March 16 at the FARGODOME.

Leading the way for the Firebirds was senior guard Wylee Delorme who scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds enroute to Tournament MVP honors following the game. Junior forwards Joel Nelson and Parker Brodina also finished in double figures scoring 15 and 11 points respectively.

Devils Lake last won a boys basketball state title in 1925 when there was only one class of boys basketball at time. Devils Lake had appeared in seven NDHSAA Class A boys basketball state championship games (1938, 1939, 1957,1965, 1988, 1998 & 1999) since its 1925 state title, but had lost all seven of those state championship games.

May-Port-CG rolls to a state title at the Division B Girls Basketball State Tournament in Jamestown

An NDHSAA basketball state tournament was played at the Jamestown Civic Center for the first time in nearly two decades and the crowds definitely showed up in full force to watch the inaugural Division B Girls Basketball State Tournament.

The May-Port-CG Patriots earned the No. 1 seed prior to the state tournament and lived up to that status by defeating Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier 55-41 in the state championship game.

Leading the way for the Patriots was senior Raegen Zerface, who scored a team-high 18 points. Senior guard Rylee Satrom added 17 points for the Patriots, who finished the season 26-2. The Patriots’ only other state title in program history was an NDHSAA Class B state championship in 1975, when the co-op was known as Mayville-Portland. The May-Port-CG co-op squad also includes Finley-Sharon, which won a Class B state title 1985.

East Region squads sweep the Division AA Basketball State Tournament as Fargo Davies (Girls) and West Fargo Sheyenne (Boys) each win their respective program’s first state championship.

After building up its girls basketball program for over a decade, Fargo Davies was able to add a “state championship” line to its resume.

Fargo Davies earned its program-defining state title by defeating Bismarck High 64-55 during the 2024 NDHSAA Division AA girls basketball state championship game on March 9 at the Bismarck Event Center.  

The Eagles were led by senior point guard Ashton Safranski who finished the game with 24 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Safranski was named to the All-Tournament team following the game and was also voted Tournament MVP.

Davies led 31-27 at halftime and was able to secure the victory in large part thanks to its ability to contain Bismarck High’s explosive senior duo of Jersey Berg and Paige Breuer. Berg and Breuer had combined for 50-plus points in both of the Demons’ victories in the quarterfinals and semifinals, which propelled Bismarck High to its first appearance in a state title game since 2009. On Saturday, the Eagles held Berg and Breuer to a combined 29 points (Berg with 17 points and Breuer with 12).

Senior guard Karley Franks added 16 points for the Eagles. Franks had played the hero on Friday for the Eagles scoring 43 points and connecting for a single-game state-tournament record 11 3-pointers. Franks finished the tournament with 13 total 3-pointers.

In the Division AA boys state championship, it was an all East Region final as West Fargo Sheyenne locked up with defending state champions Fargo North.

Hours after the Davies girls won their program’s first state title, it was West Fargo Sheyenne’s turn to celebrate its program’s first state championship.

West Fargo Sheyenne defeated defending state champion Fargo North 78-62 in the 2024 NDHSAA Division AA boys basketball state championship game.

The Mustangs were led by senior guard Caleb Duerr who finished with a double-double (19 points and 12 rebounds). Duerr was joined in double figures by Barry Kpeenu (16 points), Tommy Ahneman (14 points) and John Angau (11 points). 

The Mustangs and Spartans were tied 34-34 at halftime. Much of the second half was also tight, but in the final five minutes the Mustangs separated and ultimately secured the championship against a seasoned Spartans squad.

In total, there were 18 different lead changes during the game and the score was tied five different times. North led 59-53 with seven minutes, 32 seconds remaining, but West Fargo Sheyenne would close out the game on a 25-3 run.

Westhope/Newburg defeated No. 1-ranked, No. 1 seeded North Star to claim co-op’s first boys basketball state championship at the inaugural NDHSAA Division B Boys Basketball State Tournament played at the Minot State Dome.

In its second state tournament appearance as a co-op program, the Westhope/Newburg Sioux boys basketball team celebrated a state championship on March 16 at the Minot State Dome.

Westhope/Newburg defeated No. 1-ranked and No. 1-seeded North Star 65-52 in the 2024 NDHSAA Division B boys basketball state championship game.

The Sioux had to weather the storm as its leading scorer Walker Braaten needed to leave the court for much of the third quarter after taking a fall on his back on a drive to the rim. With Braaten out, North Star started to grab some momentum, but it was extinguished later in the third quarter when junior guard Dayton Hawkins connected for back-to-back 3-pointers to restore the Sioux’s double-digit lead entering the fourth quarter up 49-37.

Braaten returned to the game and Westhope/Newburg kept the Bearcats at bay the rest of the way to earn the state title.

Leading the way for the Sioux was junior guard Braden Bailey, who scored 26 points and had five assists. Bailey made five of the 14 3-point baskets that the Sioux made in the game. Braaten added 14 points and Hawkins checked in for 12 points for Westhope/Newburg.

It’s the first state championship for the co-op. Newburg won a NDHSAA Class B boys basketball state championship in 1986.

Grand Forks Red River's Jocelyn Schiller named NDAPSSA's Miss Basketball

Grand Forks Red River senior girls basketball standout Jocelyn Schiller was named North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Miss Basketball on March 22. Schiller averaged 26.5 points and 6.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 5.5 steals per game in her final season with the Roughriders. She is the all-time leading scorer in Grand Forks Red River program history and is the first player from Red River to be honored as a NDAPSSA Miss Basketball Award winner. Schiller helped the Roughriders to the NDHSAA Class A Girls State championship in 2023. Schiller is signed to play NCAA Division I women’s basketball at the University of North Dakota. On February 6, 2024 Schiller scored the 2,000th point of her prep girls basketball career in the Roughriders’ 56-33 Eastern Dakota Conference victory against Fargo North at Fargo North High School. Schiller finished the game with 24 points. She became the seventh Class A/Division AA girls basketball player in state history to surpass 2,000 points.Schiller finished her prep girls basketball career with 2,344 points. Schiller was one of six finalists for the 2024 ND Miss Basketball Award. She was joined by Mataeya Mathern (Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier), Jessica Mogen (Watford City), Ashton Safranski (Fargo Davies), Rylee Satrom (May-Port CG), Maya Vibeto (Our Redeemer's)

Four Winds/Minnewaukan's Deng Deng named NDAPSSA Mr. Basketball

Four Winds/Minnewaukan senior standout Deng Deng was named North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Mr. Basketball on March 22. Joining Deng as finalists for the 2024 ND Mr. Basketball Award were Wylee Delorme (Devils Lake), Bohden Duffield (Bowman County), Dane Hagler (North Star), James Hamilton (Fargo South), Max Musland (LaMoure/Litchville-Marion), Isiah St. Romain (Williston), Carter Zeller (Fargo North). Deng, who is signed to play football at the University of North Dakota, averaged 27.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 3.0 steals per game this season for Four Winds/Minnewaukan.

Drake/Anamoose’s Zack Volson named 2024-25 NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student winner

Zack Volson, a junior at Drake-Anamoose High School, was named the 2024-2025 North Dakota High School Activities Association and Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student. Interviews were held Wednesday, May 1 at Farmers Union Insurance Headquarters in Jamestown.

Martin Bergstedt, of Enderlin High School was chosen runner up. The other finalists interviewed were: Laela Jensen (Hettinger High School), Brooklyn Hager (Rugby High School), Scout Woods (Wahpeton High School) and Sadie Aamodt (Larimore High School)

The six finalists were selected from applications sent in by high school principals from across the state.

West Fargo Horace and Kindred score big team victories in Fine Arts activities

Two NDHSAA member schools showed their range in fine arts competition during the 2023-24 School year.

West Fargo Horace swept the Class A Fine Arts Team state championships winning state titles in Student Congress, Debate, Speech and Plays.

Kindred also swept the Class B Fine Arts team state championships winning state titles in Plays and Speech.

2024 Track & Field State Meet Highlights

The 2024 NDHSAA Track and Field State Meet provided fans three days of action-packed performances.

Some State Meet Highlights included:

• 2024 NDHSAA Class B Boys 4x800 Meter Relay State Champions (Noah Njos, Gavin Lambourn, Jonah Njos, Taylor Wanner) of Bowman County racing to a new Class B Boys state record time of 7:56.82 on Friday.

• 2024 NDHSAA Class B Boys Discus State Champion Riley Sunram of Kindred setting a new North Dakota Boys overall state record & Class B Boys state record with a throw of 196-04. Sunram, a three sport standout for Kindred, signed to play football with the University of Minnesota earlier in the school year.

• 2024 NDHSAA Class A Boys 4x200 Meter Relay State Champions (Jaylen Runnels, Justin Zulu, A'Johntez Moore, Austin Zulu) of Fargo South racing to a new North Dakota Boys overall state record & Class A Boys state record in a time of 1:25.87

• 2024 NDHSAA Class A Boys 400 Meters State Champion Josh Berger, of Bismarck Century setting a new North Dakota Boys overall state record & Class A Boys state record with a time of 47.08.

• 2024 NDHSAA Class A Boys 200 Meters State Champion Jeran McNichols, of Bismarck High setting a new North Dakota Boys overall state record & Class A Boys state record with a time of 21.22.

• 2024 NDHSAA Class B Boys 800 Meters State Champion Taylor Wanner, of Bowman County setting a new North Dakota Class B Boys state record with a time of 1:53.18.

• 2024 NDHSAA Class B Boys 4x100 Meter Relay State Champions (Micah Dutch, Porter Granger, Deng Deng, Connor Knatterud) of New Rockford/Sheyenne setting a new North Dakota Class B Boys state record in a time of 43.32

• 2024 NDHSAA Class B Boys 4x400 Meter Relay State Champions (Bennett Kilwein, Wyatt Grueneich, Mark Lora, Jaran Reinhardt) of Hazen setting a new North Dakota Class B Boys state record with a time of 3:25.80

• Bismarck High won the Class A Boys team state championship with 170 points and the Class A Girls team state championship with 100 points.

• Bowman County won the Class B Boys team state championship with 95 points and the Class B Girls team state championship with 72 points.    

Fargo Shanley breaks through to win Class A Baseball State Championship

Since winning the program’s first ever NDHSAA-sponsored Class A baseball state championship in 2013, Fargo Shanley had advanced to the state final twice in 2021 and 2022 earning runner up honors each of those seasons. In June, the Deacons advanced to the Class A baseball state championship game for the third time in four seasons and would break through defeating Bismarck Legacy 11-6.

Senior middle infielders Thomas Simon (SS) and Landon Meier (2B) fueled the victory for the Deacons. Simon 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI. Meier was 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI.

Kindred/Richland and Dickinson High win softball crowns in the spring

Softball continues to be one of the state’s fastest growing female sports and this spring perennial state title contenders Kindred/Richland (Class B) and Dickinson (Class A) added state championships to their respective trophy cases.

Kindred/Richland defeated Central Cass 6-1 for the program’s fourth Class B softball state championship. Since the Class B division was added in 2012, it was the fifth time Kindred/Richland and Central Cass had locked up in the state final.

The Vikings plated a run in the top of the second inning and added five more runs in the top of the fifth to give them a 6-0 advantage before the Squirrels got on the board with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Junior Cora Johnson (1B) and Senior Braya Mauch (2B) both went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the state championship game.

Dickinson was able to win their state championship on their home field as the Class A softball tournament was played at the Sanford Sports Complex in Dickinson.

The Midgets were able to rally from a 2-0 deficit to earn their program’s third state championship in four seasons.

Dickinson scored four runs in each the fifth and sixth inning to earn the 8-2 victory over Bismarck High.

Senior pitcher Ava Jahner was both effective in the circle and at the plate in the victory. Jahner struck out four in seven inning pitched and also cracked a home run in the game knocking two runs.

Thompson earns the three-peats as Class B Baseball State Tournament champions

Thompson, playing in the program’s seventh Class B state title game in the last nine school years, defeated Grafton 4-3 in the 2024 NDHSAA Class B Baseball State Tournament state title game at Jack Brown Stadium in Jamestown.

The Tommies became the fourth Class B baseball program since 2000 to earn a three-peat joining Cavalier (2002-04), Bishop Ryan (2007-09), and Park River/Fordville/Lankin (2017-19).

Drew Overby (3-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI), Brayden Wolfgram (2-for-4, 2 R), William Welke (3-for-4, 2 RBI), and Brody Gibson (2-for-3) each had multi-hit games for the Tommies.

Thompson jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first two innings, but Grafton rallied for a run in the top of the third and tied the game 3-3 in the fifth. 

Thompson earned the walk-off win in the bottom of the seventh.

Brayden Wolfgram and William Welke both singled to lead off the seventh inning. Brody Gibson reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Jonathan Muhs then connected for a single to right field to bring home Wolfgram with the championship-winning run. 

Fargo Davies defeats Minot High in championship match of the 2024 NDHSAA Girls Soccer State Tournament, snaps Minot’s 70-match streak without a loss.

One of the state’s most impressive streaks of dominance came to an end in early June. The Minot High girls soccer team – sporting a 70-match streak without taking a loss – met Fargo Davies in the 2024 state title match looking to cap off another undefeated season.

It was not meant to be as Fargo Davies scored the 2-1 victory thanks to two goals scored by senior Madison Barnick to give the Eagles’ their fourth girls soccer team state championship in program history.

During Minot’s 70-match streak without a loss the program was 69-0-1 over that span and prior to the loss to the Eagles it’s previous loss came in the 2019 NDHSAA girls soccer state tournament championship match against Fargo Shanley. 

Valley City girls tennis squad captures team dual state title

Valley City won the program’s first out-right team dual state championship in June. The Hi-Liners’ previous state title came in 1971, which was shared with Grand Forks Central. Valley City cruised to the 2024 team dual final with 3-2 wins against Bismarck century in the quarterfinals and Bismarck Legacy in the semifinals. Valley City met defending team dual state champions Minot High in the 2024 team dual final.

The Hi-Liners emerged with the 3-2 victory in the team dual final getting doubles wins from Breck Sufficool and Abby Martineck (No. 1) and Kailee Nielson and Georgia Zaun (No. 2). Valley City also scored a win at No. 1 singles courtesy of Skye Nielson.

Fargo Davies’ Paige McCormick won the 2024 NDHSAA girls individual singles state championship. Alyssa Sommerfeld & Shireen Durrani of West Fargo Sheyenne won the 2024 NDHSAA individual doubles state championship.

Class A & Class B Golfers battle the elements as Grand Forks Red River (Class A) and Oak Grove (Class B) emerge with team titles while Carson Hannestad (Fargo North) & Max Palmer (Bottineau) win individual medals.

A late spring rain storm caused a delay at the Class B Boys Golf State Tournament in Carrington, however the Class A boys golfers were able to play through the sprinkles in Grand Forks.

High winds would be a factor in Grand Forks on Day 2, but once again the golfers played through the elements. Fargo North senior Carson Hannestad shot an even par 144 to win Class A individual medalist honors, winning the tournament by eight strokes. Grand Forks Red River won the Class A team state title by four strokes scoring a team total of 623. 

The remnants of heavy rains caused some holes in Carrington to be unplayable leading to a revised format for the Class B State Tournament. A total of 21 holes were played over two days. High winds also impacted the Class B State Tournament on the final day of play and at times large amounts of dried dust from nearby farming fields whipped across the course. The winds & dust subsided as the day progressed.  

In the end, Bottineau senior Max Palmer shot a 1-over 86 in 21 holes of play to earn Class B medalist honors. Oak Grove scored a 364 to win the Class B team state championship by nine strokes.

OTHER MOMENTS OF NOTE:

– Hankinson High grad Cody Mauch makes first NFL start, helps Buccaneers to NFL Playoffs: After being drafted in the second round (48th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2023 NFL Draft, 2017 Hankinson High School graduate Cody Mauch didn’t take long to make an immediate impact on the Buccaneers’ offensive line. Mauch was named a starter in early August during training camp and made his first start in the NFL on September 10 at right guard in the Buccaneers’ season opener against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Tampa Bay defeated Minnesota 20-17. Mauch made 17 starts for the Buccaneers during the regular season and helped the team to the playoffs where he made two starts before Tampa Bay lost to the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

– 2010 West Fargo High graduate Matt Strahm shines in 2023 MLB Postseason, signs extension with Phillies in offseason and pitches in 2024 MLB All-Star Game: Matt Strahm, a 2010 West Fargo High graduate, got the final three outs of the ninth inning in Game 4 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) on October 12 to send the Philadelphia Phillies to the 2023 National League Championship Series (NLCS). During the 2023 regular season, Strahm made 10 starts for the Phillies, but transitioned to a relief pitching role as the season progressed. Strahm finished the regular season 9-5 with a 3.29 earned run average in 87 ⅔ innings pitched. He struckout 108 batters in his 56 appearances and recorded two saves. Ultimately the Phillies lost to the Arizona Diamondback in the NLCS, but Strahm spun his success into a solid offseason that saw the Phillies sign him to a one-year contract extension that keeps him with the team through the 2025 season. The extension may be one of the more savvy signings for the Phillies in recent years as Strahm earned All-Star honors in 2024. Strahm recorded a strikeout in a ⅓ of an inning pitched during the 2024 All-Star Game played July 16 in Texas. Thus far in the 2024 season, Strahm is 4-1 with a 2.41 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched for the Phillies who sport one of the best records in Major League Baseball.

– 2023 Bismarck Century graduate Logan Nissley helps Nebraska to big regular season victory over ranked, Caitlin Clark-led Iowa Squad: Iowa women’s basketball superstar Caitlin Clark may have drawn the sell out crowd at Nebraska’s Pinnacle Bank Arena on February 11 in her quest to break the NCAA Division I women’s basketball career scoring record but the Huskers – with the help of their freshman guard Logan Nissley – stole the show. Nissley, a 2023 Bismarck Century graduate, scored 15 points off the bench to help Nebraska defeat No. 2-ranked Iowa 82-79. The game was also nationally televised. Nissley, who won the NDAPSSA Miss Basketball Award a year ago, made three 3-pointers in the game and also had seven rebounds.

– 2014 Minot High graduate Mason Morelli scores goal in his NHL debut: A player making a debut in the National Hockey League is special enough, but for 2014 Minot High graduate Mason Morelli took the excitement level to new levels as he scored a goal in his first NHL game. Morelli, a left winger for the Las Vegas Golden Knights, was called up from the team’s AHL affiliate – the Henderson Silver Knights – to fill out a lineup that has been filled with injuries. The Golden Knights defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-0 on February 19 at the SAP Center in San Jose. Morelli played a big part in the Golden Knights’ victory as he also assisted on the Knights’ fourth goal of the game in the second period. Morelli’s goal came at the 19 minute, 12 second mark of the first period and gave the Golden Knights a 3-0 lead. Morelli is the first player from Minot to play in the National Hockey League.

– 2018 West Fargo High graduate Jared Franek (Iowa Wrestling) earns NCAA Division I All-American honors: For the second consecutive year, Jared Franek earned All-American honors at the NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling National Tournament with an eighth-place finish at 157-pounds. Franek transferred from North Dakota State to Iowa prior to the 2023-24 season and finished the season with a 27-3 record with the Hawkeyes. He also finished his collegiate career with a 92-20 record.   

– Three former North Dakota prep girls basketball standouts help their teams earn a spot in the 2024 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball National Tournament: Logan Nissley – a 2023 Century graduate (Nebraska), Lauren Ware – a 2020 Bismarck Century graduate (Texas A&M), and Gabrielle Jung – a 2019 Dickinson High School graduate (Eastern Washington) all were part of their respective team’s berths into the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball National Tournament this past March.

– Three former ND boys basketball standouts Grant Nelson, Joe Hurlburt & Gus Hurlburt participate in NCAA Div. I Men's Basketball National Tournament: Grant Nelson – a 2020 Devils Lake High School graduate (Alabama), Joe Hurlburt – a 2022 Enderlin High School graduate (Colorado) and Gus Hurlburt – a 2022 Enderlin High School graduate (Northwestern) all were part of their respective team’s berths into the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Tournament this past March.

– 2020 Devils Lake graduate Grant Nelson helps lead Alabama to NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four: “North Dakota Stand Up!” was the rallying cry as national television audiences watched Alabama senior Grant Nelson bring a little North Dakota flavor to the Division I NCAA National Men’s basketball Tournament this past March. Nelson’s breakout game came against North Carolina in the Sweet 16. Nelson, 1 2020 Devils Lake High School graduate, led the No. 4-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide to a 89-87 win over No. 1 seed North Carolina in the Semifinals of the West Regional. Nelson finished the game with 24 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. Nelson converted a go-ahead 3-point play with 38 seconds and blocked North Carolina’s RJ Davis’ attempt at a tying layup on the Tar Heels’ ensuing possession. Nelson scored eight points and grabbed seven rebounds to help the University of Alabama to a 89-82 win over Clemson in the West Regional championship game to help guide Alabama to its first ever trip to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four. Alabama’s amazing run would come to an end in the National Semifinals, as the Tide would fall to eventual national champions UConn 86-72. Nelson was named to the 2024 NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team and finished the 2023-24 season averaging 11.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 blocks per game.

– 2022 Kindred graduate Abby Duchscherer puts together a solid year playing softball at the University of Alabama: There was no sophomore slump for Abby Duchscherer playing collegiate softball at the University of Alabama. The former Kindred three-sport star started 46 games for the Crimson Tide, who qualified for the NCAA Division I Women’s Softball College World Series. Duchscherer finished the 2024 season with .257 batting average with 35 hits, 30 RBI and six home runs. 

– 2018 Bismarck St. Mary’s graduate Britta Curl wraps up collegiate women’s hockey career, gets drafted in Professional Women’s Hockey League: Britta Curl captained the University of Wisconsin women’s team and finished the 2023-24 season with 62 points (22 goals and 40 assists). Curl helped the Badgers to the 2024 NCAA Women’s Hockey National Championship game as the team earned national runner up honors after a 1-0 loss to Ohio State. In Curl’s six seasons in the Wisconsin program, the Badgers won three national championships (2019, 2021 and 2023). Following her stellar collegiate career, Curl was drafted by Minnesota in the second round (ninth overall selection) of the 2024 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Draft held June 10, 2024 in St. Paul.

– Several former North Dakota High School graduates compete in Olympic Trials: In June, two former Bismarck Century girls swimming standouts – Carly Palmer, a 2019 Bismarck Century graduate, and Erin Palmer, a 2022 Bismarck Century graduate competed in the 2024 Swimming U.S. Olympic Team Trials held in Indianapolis. Joining the Palmers in a quest to earn a spot to compete for the United States during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris was 2020 Grand Forks Red River graduate Shelby Frank, a former girls track and field standout for the Roughriders. Frank was the only woman to qualify for both the discus and hammer throw at the 2024 Track and Field U.S. Olympic Trials held in Eugene, Ore. Though ultimately unsuccessful in making the Team USA Olympic Roster, the trio of former North Dakota High School athletes represented the state well. 

– Two North Dakota High School students to compete at U.S. National Paralympic Track and Field Team Trials: Isabelle Hogness – a senior at West Fargo Horace High School – and Sam Winter – a recent high school graduate who competed in track and field for Des-Lacs Burlington/Berthold competed in the U.S. National Paralympic Track and Field Team Trials held in late July in Miramar, FL.

NDHSAA and Forum Communications Company reach five-year agreements on NDHSAA’s Tier I & Tier II Television Contracts: On April 30, The NDHSAA Board of Directors approved a contract with Forum Communications Company for television broadcast rights for NDHSAA’s Tier I events (Dakota Bowl Football State Championships, Boys & Girls State Hockey, Division A & B Girls Basketball State Tournaments, Division A & B Boys Basketball State Tournaments, and the Division AA Boys and Girls Basketball Tournaments). The five-year agreement covers NDHSAA’s Tier I television broadcasts through the 2028-29 school year. On June 11, The NDHSAA Board of Directors approved a contract with Forum Communications Company for television broadcast rights of NDHSAA’s Tier II events through the 2028-29 School Year.

COMPLETE 2023-24 TEAM STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP

Class B Baseball: Thompson
Class A Baseball: Fargo Shanley
Class B Softball: Kindred
Class A Softball: Dickinson
Division B Girls Basketball: May-Port-CG
Division A Girls Basketball: Devils Lake
Division AA Girls Basketball: Fargo Davies
Division AA Boys Basketball: West Fargo Sheyenne
Division B Boys Basketball: Westhope/Newburg
Division A Boys Basketball: Devils Lake
Class A Boys Cross Country: Bismarck High
Class B Boys Cross Country: Bowman County
Class A Girls Cross Country: Bismarck High
Class B Girls Cross Country: Bowman County
Division AAA Football: Minot High
Division AA Football: Fargo North
Division A Football: Kindred
Division 9-Man Football: North Prairie
Class B Boys Golf: Oak Grove
Class A Boys Golf: Grand Forks Red River
Class B Girls Golf: Oak Grove
Class A Girls Golf: Mandan
Boys Hockey: Grand Forks Red River
Girls Hockey: Fargo North/South
Boys Soccer: Fargo Shanley
Girls Soccer: Fargo Davies
Boys Swimming and Diving: West Fargo High
Girls Swimming and Diving: Bismarck Century
Boys Tennis: Grand Forks Central
Girls Tennis: Valley City
Class A Boys Track and Field: Bismarck High
Class B Boys Track and Field: Bowman County
Class A Girls Track and Field: Bismarck High
Class B Girls Track and Field: Bowman County
Class A Wrestling (Team Dual): Bismarck High
Class B Wrestling (Team Dual): South Border
Class A Wrestling (Team Individual): Bismarck High
Class B Wrestling (Team Individual): South Border
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: West Fargo Horace
Class B Plays: Kindred
Class A Plays: West Fargo Horace
Class B Speech: Kindred
Class A Speech: West Fargo Horace
Student Congress: West Fargo Horace