Brainerd High School Senior Competes for Team USA in Biathlon World Championships

Annelise Baird brings back international experience after representing the U.S. in Germany.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Brainerd High School senior Annelise Baird recently competed for Team USA in the Youth and Junior World Biathlon Championships in Arber, Germany. Baird led off for the U.S. in the youth women's 3x6-kilometer relay, using extra rounds in both the prone and standing shooting stages. While the U.S. team finished 14th, Norway won the event. Baird's best individual finish was 25th in the 9-kilometer mass start race, where she missed several targets. She also competed in the 6-kilometer sprint, finishing 38th overall.

Why it matters

Baird's participation in the World Biathlon Championships showcases the talent and dedication of young athletes from the Brainerd area who are competing at the highest levels of their sport internationally. Her experience will help prepare her for upcoming Junior National Nordic Races and other high-level competitions.

The details

In the 3x6-kilometer relay, Baird used one extra round in each of the prone and standing shooting stages, leaving the range in 13th place. The U.S. team finished 14th overall. In her best individual event, the 9-kilometer mass start, Baird missed several targets but still finished as the top American in 25th place. Earlier in the week, she finished 38th in the 6-kilometer sprint, missing one shot in each of the prone and standing stages.

  • Baird led off for Team USA in the youth women's 3x6-kilometer relay on Sunday, March 8.
  • In the 9-kilometer mass start race, Baird competed on Friday, March 6.
  • Baird raced in the 6-kilometer sprint on Wednesday, March 4.

The players

Annelise Baird

A senior at Brainerd High School who has been competing for Team USA in the Youth and Junior World Biathlon Championships in Arber, Germany.

Noor Erickson

Baird's teammate on the U.S. relay team, who used four extra bullets and tagged out in 12th place.

Rowan Tanguay

The final skier on the U.S. relay team, who used six extra rounds and needed two penalty loops to finish in 14th place.

Michaela Strakova

The winner of the 6-kilometer sprint race, finishing 2:36 ahead of Baird.

Becky Abeyta

The contributor of the photos of Baird competing in Germany.

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What’s next

Next up for Baird is a return to the United States to rest for three of the four Junior National Nordic Races in Cable, Wisconsin, starting next week.

The takeaway

Baird's performance at the World Biathlon Championships demonstrates the talent and dedication of young athletes from the Brainerd area who are competing at the highest levels internationally. Her experience will help prepare her for upcoming high-level competitions.