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Brainerd Today
By the People, for the People
Nordic Ski: Brainerd's Baird, Robertson Reach Goals at State Pursuit
Baird finishes 4th, Robertson 13th as Warriors compete at state meet
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
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Brainerd High School's Annelise Baird and Owen Robertson both achieved their goals at the state Nordic ski pursuit meet on Thursday, February 12th. Baird led the classic portion of the race and finished 4th overall to earn All-State honors, while Robertson placed 13th to also earn All-State recognition and lead the Brainerd boys to a 9th place team finish.
Why it matters
Baird and Robertson's strong performances at the state meet cap off impressive high school careers for the two Brainerd seniors. Their success highlights the strength of the Brainerd Nordic ski program, which continues to produce top-level competitors even as the sport grows more competitive across Minnesota.
The details
Baird posted the fastest freestyle time in the morning session, giving her a 12.5-second lead heading into the classic pursuit. Though she couldn't hold on to the top spot, her 4th place finish of 31:50.4 was the 4th best in program history. Robertson moved up from 16th place after the freestyle to finish 13th overall with a time of 28:40.5. The Brainerd boys also saw solid performances from Taite Knapp (45th) and Lee Knapp (49th), while the girls team was led by Maev Storbakken (68th), Brianna Blasing (73rd), Taylor Allen (84th), and Amelia Rademacher (94th).
- Baird posted the fastest freestyle time of 15:24.2 in the morning session.
- Baird held a 12.5-second lead over the pack heading into the classic pursuit.
The players
Annelise Baird
A senior on the Brainerd High School girls' Nordic ski team who finished 4th overall at the state meet to earn All-State honors.
Owen Robertson
A senior on the Brainerd High School boys' Nordic ski team who placed 13th overall at the state meet to earn All-State recognition and lead the Warriors to a 9th place team finish.
Tessa Capelle
The head coach of the Brainerd High School Nordic ski teams.
What they’re saying
“She was super excited to be in that position. She knew she had a chance at having her personal best at state by leading. She went back and worked on her race plan and hydrated and fueled and visited with her teammates. She was just cool and collected the whole time. She's had a lot of practice in high-stakes and high-level competition and I think that really paid off and helped her finish strong.”
— Tessa Capelle, Brainerd Warriors head coach (Brainerd Dispatch)
“His goal was top 15 and he ended up in 13th. He looked really strong at the end. Just an incredible season all around that he's had. He had a great run leading up to his senior year and this season has been really incredible. He hasn't missed a beat and finished strong and met his goal. We're really proud of Owen.”
— Tessa Capelle, Brainerd Warriors head coach (Brainerd Dispatch)
“It was crazy. I had thought about how the skate (freestyle) was going to go a million times. I knew that it was a possibility, but I didn't think it would actually happen. I just let it sink in and said to myself, 'I've started so many pursuits in my life with a No. 1 and this isn't any different.' I just used that mentality to keep my focus. I think that helped me immensely. I didn't want to freak out and waste all of my energy on being stressed and nervous. I just wanted to go out there. I have this incredible opportunity. I have to take it.”
— Annelise Baird (Brainerd Dispatch)
“I knew going into it that it was going to be tough. We were all really close together and those girls, I know them quite well. They're all really good skiers. She actually talked to me. She said, 'Hey Annelise. We're seniors. We have to go.' That was when we were at the top of the last climb and it was all downhill from there.”
— Annelise Baird (Brainerd Dispatch)
The takeaway
Baird and Robertson's strong performances at the state Nordic ski meet showcase the depth and talent of the Brainerd High School program, which continues to produce top-level competitors even as the sport grows more competitive across Minnesota. Their success is a testament to their hard work and the coaching staff's ability to develop young skiers into state-caliber athletes.
