By Tom Mix
NDHSAA Media Specialist

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The 2018-19 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!

DAKOTA BOWL XXVI PLAYED AT FARGODOME

Dakota Bowl XXVI was held November 9, 2018 at the FARGODOME.

Four state champions were crowned:

9-MAN

The Thompson Tommies ended their reign in 9-man football with their second state championship in three seasons.

Thompson defeated New Salem/Glen Ullin 42-28 in the North Dakota High School Activities Association 9-man Division football state championship game during Dakota Bowl XXVI on Friday, November 9 at the FARGODOME.

The Tommies are moving up to Division A in 2019 so this win was a big lift for the program as it prepares for the transition.

Leading the way for the Tommies was senior wide receiver Marcus Hughes who caught seven passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. Hughes also contributed to a balanced Thompson rushing attack carrying the ball 9 times for 34 yards and two touchdowns.

DIVISION A

After a runner-up finish in 2017, the Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich Cardinals football team celebrated a Division A state championship in 2018.

Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich defeated Hillsboro/Central Valley 20-18 in the North Dakota High School Activities Association Division A football state championship game during Dakota Bowl XXVI.

The Cardinals lost to the Burros 16-14 in the 2017 NDHSAA Division A state title game.

Langdon Area/E/M Sophomore quarterback Simon Romfo threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Cardinals. Romfo also rushed for a touchdown in the game. Scoring receiving touchdowns for the Cardinals were junior Sean Gette (47 yards) and sophomore Grant Romfo (1 yard).

DIVISION AA

On its final day competing in Division AA, Fargo Shanley’s football team went out with a state title.

The Deacons defeated Bismarck St. Mary’s 28-21 in the North Dakota High School Activities Association Division AA football state championship game during Dakota Bowl XXVI.

Shanley fell behind 14-0 early, but scored 46 seconds remaining in the second half when senior quarterback Cade Busek ran in a 1-yard keeper to cut St. Mary’s lead in half heading into the break.

The Deacons scored quick to open the third quarter getting a 5-yard touchdown run by senior running back Austin Manuel. After a extra point kick it was 14-14 and all the momentum was with with Shanley.

Shanley kept cruising. Later in the third quarter, Busek ran in another 1-yard keep for a touchdown giving the Deacons the lead. Manuel rumbled to a 42-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to put Shanley up by two scores.

DIVISION AAA

Bismarck High added to an already impressive football trophy case on Friday at the Dakota Bowl.

The Demons defeated Bismarck Century 21-16 in the North Dakota High School Activities Association Division AAA football state championship game during Dakota Bowl XXVI.

It is Bismarck’s eighth football state championship since 1975 when the NDHSAA began organizing and sponsoring state football championship games. The Demons have now won six NDHSAA Division AAA state titles (2001, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2018).

On Friday, the Demons jumped out to a 14-0 lead against their crosstown rivals from Century High School. Bismarck led 14-3 at halftime.

Century had some ups and downs in the third quarter, but managed to pull within five points of the Demons (21-16) when the fourth quarter began. The Patriots got rushing touchdowns from junior quarterback Cade Feeney and senior running back Nathan Kraft. The misstep in the third quarter occurred in between the two Patriot scores when Feeney was picked off by Bismarck High’s Matt Trolliey who ran the interception 30 yards for a touchdown.

The Demons’ defense bent a little in the fourth quarter, but did not break. Century got inside the five-yard line in the closing possession of the game, but a special pass play fell incomplete.

Bismarck was led by senior quarterback Will Madler, who was 17 of 21 passing for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Demons senior wide receiver Joe Jahner caught six passes for 107 yards and a touchdown.

BISMARCK CENTURY FOUR-PEATS IN CLASS A VOLLEYBALL, GIRLS SWIM/DIVE

The Bismarck Century volleyball team accomplished something no other program in the state has done before last fall at the NDHSAA Class A State Tournament.

The Patriots won their fourth consecutive state championship defeating Mandan 3-1 (25-21, 25-23, 24-26, 25-18) in the title match Saturday, November 18 at the Minot State Dome.

In 2017, Century and LaMoure-Litchville/Marion joined Fargo North (1994-96) as the only programs to three-peat in state history. The Patriots now stand alone among the great prep volleyball dynasties in state history.

Junior Lauren Ware led the Patriots with 27 kills. Century sophomore outside hitter Julia Fitterer added 13 kills and 19 digs for the Patriots. In addition to the 2018 title match win against Mandan, Century’s string of titles includes title match wins over Jamestown (2017), Bismarck High (2016) and Fargo Shanley (2015).

The Patriots also achieved a four-peat in girls swimming and diving.

The Patriots won the 2018 NDHSAA team state title scoring 400 team points during the state meet held Saturday, November 10 at the Hulbert Aquatic Center in West Fargo. Century took first in seven of the 12 events on the final day of the state meet.

Sophomore Lexi Duchsherer won the 50 and 100 yard freestyle events and was a member of the Patriots 200 Freestyle and Medley relay teams that took first place.

Duchsherer broke a state record in the 50 freestyle turning in a time of 23.31 seconds. The previous record was held by Courtney Funk of Minot (23.36 seconds) set in 2011.

The Century 200 Freestyle Relay team comprised of Duchsherer, Sarah Dorrheim, Paige Keller, Carly Palmer (pictured below) also broke a state record during the finals. The team’s time was 1:37.38 breaking the previous record held by Minot (1:38.21) set in 2013.

HETTINGER/SCRANTON’S KYLE BURWICK EARNS 5TH INDIVIDUAL WRESTLING TITLE

Hettinger/Scranton senior Kyle Burwick wrapped up his prep wrestling career with another individual championship on Saturday at the FARGODOME.

Burwick scored a tech fall over Chandler Nagel of Linton/HMB in the 126-pound Class B championship match at the 2019 North Dakota High School Activities Association State Wrestling Tournament.

Burwick, a University of Wisconsin signee, finished his season 54-0. He became just the sixth prep wrestler in state history to win five or more individual state titles.

Other highlights from the state wrestling tournament included Dickinson becoming the first team other than Bismarck High and West Fargo High to win a Class A Team Dual State Championship. Bismarck High won its second straight Class A Team Individual State Championship. Lisbon won the Class B Team Dual State Championship and its third consecutive Class B Team Individual State Championship.

GRAND FORKS CENTRAL, BISMARCK DEFEND HOCKEY TITLES

A pair of repeats Grand Forks Central (Boys, 3-peat), Bismarck (Girls, 5-peat) highlighted the 2019 NDHSAA State Hockey Tournament held at Scheels Arena in Fargo.

Central junior forward William Lawson-Body scored two goals in the third period to help the Knights to a 3-1 win over Fargo Davies in the boys title game.

The Knights finished the season 25-0-0. The only other boys hockey teams to complete an undefeated season are Grand Forks Central (2017), Grand Forks Red River (2016) and Grand Forks Central (1967). Central has now won 28 state championships in program history.

Overtime was needed to decide the 2019 NDHSAA Girls Hockey State Championship. Bismarck defeated Fargo North/South/Shanley/Oak Grove 2-1 to clinch its fifth straight state title.

One minute, 19 seconds into overtime freshman forward Cameron Schmidt scored the game-winner for Bismarck.

CLASS B GIRLS BASKETBALL A HIT AT ‘THE BETTY’

The 2019 NDHSAA Class B Girls Basketball State Tournament was hosted at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Grand Forks for the first time. The venue is exclusively a basketball arena and proved to be a perfect fit for the Class B Girls Basketball State Tournament.

The tournament field included Tenton, Hettinger-Scranton, Rugby, Shiloh Christian, Langdon Area/Edmore-Munich, Kidder County, Thompson and Kindred.

An announced crowd of 3,387 fans watched the championship session on Saturday, March 2 – a new facility attendance record for Betty Engelstad Arena.

Kindred defeated Rugby 49-47 in the championship game. It is Kindred’s second state championship in three seasons.

CENTURY GIRLS HOOPS GO BACK-TO-BACK IN CLASS A

The Bismarck Century girls basketball team completed an undefeated season and won its second straight North Dakota High School Activities Activities Association Class A state championship on Saturday, March 9.

The No. 1-ranked Patriots defeated No. 3-ranked Devils Lake 69-61 in the championship game at the Bismarck Event Center.

Leading the way for Century was 6-foot-5 junior forward Lauren Ware who scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to earn tournament most valuable player honors.

Century senior and ND Miss Basketball finalist Lilly Keplin added 20 points for the Patriots. Century has now won six NDHSAA Class A girls basketball state championships (2019, 2018, 2013, 2012, 2010, 1990).

JAMESTOWN BLUE JAYS BOYS BASKETBALL COMPLETES UNDEFEATED SEASON

History was made at the Bismarck Event Center on Saturday, March 9.

The Jamestown boys basketball team became the fourth known Class A boys basketball program ever to go undefeated in a season on its way to a North Dakota High School Activities Association state championship.

The Blue Jays defeated Fargo Davies 66-49 in the Class A boys basketball state championship game. The victory capped a 27-0 season making Jamestown the first Class A boys team to go unblemished since Fargo North in 2002. Fargo South (1989) and Wahpeton (1941) are the only other known programs to have gone undefeated.

Six-foot-7 senior forward Mason Walters powered the Blue Jays’ run at the state tournament. In the title game, Walters finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds earning tournament most valuable player honors. Junior guard Boden Skunberg added 23 points for Jamestown.

The state championship is Jamestown’s first since 1993.

THOMPSON BOYS BASKETBALL WIN B TITLE IN FIRST EVER TRIP TO STATE

Saturday night’s North Dakota High School Activities Association Class B boys basketball state championship featured two teams – Thompson and Shiloh Christian – that had never played in a title game.

The Thompson Tommies, who were also making their first ever appearance at the state tournament, joined the historic ranks of Class B boys champions with a 57-47 overtime victory over the Skyhawks at the Minot State Dome. The attendance of the Championship session was 6,839 fans on Saturday, March 16. Total three day attendance for the 2019 NDHSAA Class B Boys Basketball State Tournament was 30,824.

Thompson (26-1) trailed 37-35 entering the fourth quarter. The game was tied 45-45 at the end of regulation.

Thompson was led by Hayden Overby who scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Cadyn Schwabe added 15 points for the Tommies.

THREE PITCHERS RECORD PERFECT GAMES DURING REGULAR SEASON

Ray senior pitcher Trevor Hayes tossed a five-inning perfect game to help the Jays to a 13-0 win over Stanley on Tuesday, April 16 in Ray, N.D. Hayes retired all 15 batters in order and of the 15 putouts, 10 were strikeouts.

A week later on the east side of the state another pitcher threw a perfect game. Grafton senior right-hander Brady Gunderson on his 18th birthday – Tuesday, April 23 – retired all 21 batters he faced on 78 pitches during the Spoilers’ 3-0 win over Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich.

A third perfect game was thrown May 14. Mandan senior Evan Arenz tossed a perfect game in a 10-0 win over Watford City.

SOUTH BORDER SOPH. EMILY ST. AUBIN WINS FOURTH INDIVIDUAL GOLF MEDAL

South Border girls golf standout Emily St. Aubin added to her growing collection of individual state championships on Wednesday, May 29 during the 2019 North Dakota High School Activities Association Class B State Tournament at Cross Roads Golf Course.

St. Aubin, a sophomore, successfully defended her individual medalist crown shooting a two-day total of 154 strokes (10-over) to win her fourth consecutive state championship. St. Aubin becomes the first high school girls golfer in state history to win four NDHSAA-sponsored individual state golf championships. Laura Kraft of Jamestown won three-straight Class A girls titles from 2008-2010. Sara Berglund of Hazen won three Class B girls individual state titles (1997, 2000, 2001).

St. Aubin’s previous titles came in 2016 (seventh grade at Cross Roads Golf Course), 2017 (eighth grade at Tom O’Leary Golf Course in Bismarck) and 2018 (freshman at Dakota Winds Golf Course in Hankinson).

PARK RIVER/FORDVILLE-LANKIN 3-PEATS IN BASEBALL

Park River/Fordville-Lankin and Thompson met in the North Dakota High School Activities Association Class B Baseball Championship Game for the third straight season on Saturday, June 1.

Entering the third meeting, the Aggies held a 2-0 advantage in title game matchups and Saturday’s final would belong to the defending state champions as well.

Park River/Fordville-Lankin defeated Thompson 9-8 in eight innings at Newman Outdoor Field.

It was a see-saw game the two squads have become to be known for the last several years at state. The Aggies jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Thompson would answer big with a five-run third inning. In the bottom of the third, Park River/F-L tied the game 5-5 and took a 8-5 lead plating three runs in the fourth inning.

Thompson would cut the deficit to 8-6 in the sixth. Down to their final at-bats in the seventh, Thompson would put together a rally and force extra innings.

Park River/F-L senior Adam Zavalney led off the bottom of the eighth with a sharp single and later scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly by senior Bryce Wood.

Adam Zavalney was 4-for-4 with a walk, 3 RBIs and four runs scored. Wood was 4-for-5 with 3 RBIs.

NDHSAA ADMIN ASSISTANT SUE CARLSRUD ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Sue Carlsrud, an Administrative Assistant at the North Dakota High School Activities Association, began working at the NDHSAA on June 6, 1976. Carlsrud announced her retirement during the 2018-19 school year and will wrap up her tenure at the NDHSAA office later this summer.

Carlsrud’s tenure at the NDHSAA has spanned five Executive Directors (Frank Smith, Bruce Anderson, Bob King, Sherm Sylling and current Executive Director Matt Fetsch).

Carlsrud is among 12 individuals selected to receive National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Citations later this summer at the NFHS Summer Meeting in Indianapolis.

OTHER MOMENTS OF NOTE:

– Big Year for State’s top distance runners: This year’s individual cross country cross country winners were: Isaac Huber, Edgeley/Kulm (Class B Boys); Sean Korsmo, Bismarck High (Class A Boys); Reagan Baesler, Hillsboro/Central Valley (Class B Girls) and Meghan Ford, Jamestown (Class A Girls).

In addition to the cross country title, Isaac Huber won Class B Boys state titles in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters at the NDHSAA State Track and Field Meet in May. His time in the 1,600 meters (4:17.58) was a new Class B Boys state record.

Sean Korsmo also won Class A Boys state titles in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters at state track.

Thompson’s Lana Krack finished runner up to Baesler in cross country. At state track, Krack dominated the Class B girls distance races taking first in the 1,600, 3,200 and 800 meters.

Meghan Ford also won Class A Girls 1,600 and 3,200 meter championships at the state track meet.

– West Fargo Jumper Nsengiyumva Corode sets new record in Triple Jump: Nsengiyumva Corode of West Fargo High took first place in both the Class A Boys triple and long jump at the state track and field meet.

Corode’s win in the triple jump was a big Day 1 Highlight of the meet as he shattered the overall and Class A Boys state record in the event. His jump of 48 feet, 5 inches broke the previous record of 46-9 held by Mike Backes of Grand Forks Red River set in 1998.

– Century Girls 4x400 Meter Relay Sets New Record: Another overall state record fell at the NDHSAA State Track Meet. In one of the final races of the meet, Bismarck Century’s 4x400 Meter relay comprised of Leah Herbel, Gracie Grinsteiner, Emily Goldade and Erin Palmer took first in the event with a time of 3:58.40 - a new Class A Girls and overall state record. The previous overall record was 4:00.08 (Mandan, 2003).

– Red River's Shelby Frank wins A Girls Discus for fourth consecutive year: Grand Forks Red River junior throwing standout won her fourth straight NDHSAA Class A girls discus state championship in May during the state track and field meet. Frank won with a throw of 154-11. She also won the Class A girls shot put state title. Frank has also been successful on the national level. Last July, Frank won the discus title in the age 15-16 division for the second straight year at the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics in Greensboro, North Carolina.

– Class B Softball held at NDSU’s Tharaldson Park: In the fall of 2018, NDSU’s new turfed softball diamond was officially dedicated and named Tharaldson Park. In the spring, the NDHSAA Class B Softball State Tournament was hosted at the facility and received excellent reviews.

Central Cass won its second consecutive state title defeating Kindred/Richland 6-2 in the state championship game on June 1.

– Jamestown’s Mason Walters wins NDAPSSA Mr. Basketball Award: Jamestown’s Mason Walters was named North Dakota’s Mr. Basketball on Saturday, March 16 following the Class B boys basketball state championship game at the Minot State Dome.

The North Dakota Mr. Basketball Award is presented and voted on by members of the the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

Walters helped lead Jamestown to a 27-0 record this winter and a 2019 NDHSAA Class A boys basketball state championship. Jamestown defeated Fargo Davies 66-49 in the Class A title game on March 9 at the Bismarck Event Center.

Walters averaged a double-double this season with 21.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.

Other finalists for the 2019 ND Mr. Basketball Award were Bismarck Century’s Treyton Mattern, Fargo Davies’ Braeton Motschenbacher, West Fargo’s Luke Lennon, Grafton’s Dalton Albrecht and Bishop Ryan’s Ben Bohl.

Members of the NDAPSSA determine the finalists for the annual award given to the state’s top senior high school boys basketball player.

A 5-3-1 points system is used to decide the winner with each NDAPSSA member voting for their top three choices.

– Mandan’s Megan Zander win NDAPSSA Miss Basketball Award: Mandan senior Megan Zander has been voted the 2019 North Dakota Miss Basketball Award recipient as voted on by members of the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

Zander, a 6-foot forward, is committed to play basketball at the University of North Dakota. As a junior, Zander helped Mandan to an appearance in the 2018 NDHSAA Class A girls basketball state championship game.

Zander is a two-time all-state first team selection (sophomore and junior seasons). She averaged 19.3 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game as a senior helping the Braves to a fifth-place finish at the 2019 NDHSAA Class A girls basketball state tournament.

Members of the NDAPSSA determine the finalists for the annual award given to the state’s top senior high school girls basketball player. A 5-3-1 points system is used to decide the winner with each NDAPSSA member voting for their top three choices.

Other finalists were Bismarck Century’s Lilly Keplin and West Fargo Sheyenne’s Maggie Manson.

– Several other programs repeat as NDHSAA State Champions: Complete list of repeat champions not previously mentioned in 2018-19 NDHSAA Season Review.

Class A Baseball: Bismarck Century
Class B Boys Cross Country: New Town
Class A Girls Cross Country: Fargo Davies
Class B Girls Cross Country: Hillsboro/Central Valley
Class B Boys Golf: Kindred
Class A Boys Golf: Grand Forks Red River
Boys Swimming and Diving: Minot
Class A Boys Track and Field: Bismarck Century
Class A Girls Track and Field: Fargo Davies
Gymnastics: Dickinson
Debate: Fargo Davies
Class A Speech: Valley City

COMPLETE 2018-19 TEAM STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP

Class B Baseball: Park River/Fordville-Lankin
Class A Baseball: Bismarck Century
Class B Softball: Central Cass
Class A Softball: West Fargo High
Class B Boys Basketball: Thompson
Class A Boys Basketball: Jamestown
Class B Girls Basketball: Kindred
Class A Girls Basketball: Bismarck Century
Class A Boys Cross Country: Williston
Class B Boys Cross Country: New Town
Class A Girls Cross Country: Fargo Davies
Class B Girls Cross Country: Hillsboro/Central Valley
Division AAA Football: Bismarck High
Division AA Football: Fargo Shanley
Division A Football: Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich
9-man Football: Thompson
Class B Boys Golf: Kindred
Class A Boys Golf: Grand Forks Red River
Class B Girls Golf: Kindred
Class A Girls Golf: Bismarck Century
Boys Hockey: Grand Forks Central
Girls Hockey: Bismarck Blizzard
Boys Soccer: West Fargo
Girls Soccer: Fargo Shanley
Boys Swimming and Diving: Minot
Girls Swimming and Diving: Bismarck Century
Boys Tennis: Grand Forks Central
Girls Tennis: West Fargo Sheyenne
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: Rugby
Class A Wrestling (Team Dual): Dickinson
Class B Wrestling (Team Dual): Lisbon
Class A Wrestling (Team Individual): Bismarck High
Class B Wrestling (Team Individual): Lisbon
Gymnastics: Dickinson
Class A Volleyball: Bismarck Century
Class B Volleyball: Thompson
Debate: Fargo Davies
Class B Plays: Stanley
Class A Plays: Bismarck Century
Class B Speech: Richardton-Taylor
Class A Speech: Valley City
Student Congress: Fargo North