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Bemidji Today
By the People, for the People
Bemidji Track and Field Shines at Otter Invitational
Lumberjacks claim first place in boys competition, third in girls
Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:56am
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The Bemidji High School track and field teams' strong showing at the Otter Invitational signals their potential for a successful season ahead.Bemidji TodayThe Bemidji High School track and field teams had a strong showing at the Otter Invitational in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on Friday. The boys team took first place out of five teams with 157 points, while the girls finished third in a six-team competition with 98 points. Several Lumberjacks recorded top-3 finishes in individual and relay events.
Why it matters
This early-season meet provided the Bemidji athletes their first opportunity to compete outdoors this year, giving them valuable experience and momentum heading into the heart of the season. The Lumberjacks' performance demonstrates the depth and talent of their track and field programs, which have consistently been among the best in the region.
The details
On the girls' side, sophomore Naomi Johnson had another standout day, taking second place in both the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. She also teamed up with Kaia Christopher, Shylee Campbell and Aliyah Manaa for a second-place finish in the 4x100 relay. Finley Zothman was the runner-up in the 100-meter hurdles, while Claire Story led a trio of Bemidji runners who finished in the top five of the 3200-meter run. In the field events, Julia Barry placed third in the long jump and Samantha Cox took second in the shot put.
- The Otter Invitational took place on Friday, April 11, 2026.
The players
Naomi Johnson
A sophomore sprinter for the Bemidji High School track and field team.
Finley Zothman
A Bemidji High School athlete who finished second in the 100-meter hurdles.
Claire Story
A Bemidji High School distance runner who placed second in the 3200-meter run.
Taylen Schermerhorn
A Bemidji High School sprinter who won the 100-meter and 200-meter dash events.
Austin Heim
A Bemidji High School athlete who won the pole vault competition.
What’s next
The Bemidji track and field teams will look to build on their strong performances at the Otter Invitational as they continue their season and prepare for upcoming conference and section meets.
The takeaway
Bemidji's track and field programs demonstrated their depth and talent at the Otter Invitational, with the boys team claiming first place and the girls finishing third against stiff competition. This early-season success sets the Lumberjacks up well for the remainder of the season as they aim to contend for conference and section titles.
