Bemidji Tops Last Chance Invite, Scores 570 Ahead of Section 8AA

Bemidji topped the Last Chance Invite at the Bemidji High School pool, scoring 570 points to finish 52 points ahead of Moorhead’s 518. The meet served as the Lumberjacks’ regular-season finale and their final competitive tune-up before Section 8AA in Brainerd on Feb. 20-21.

The team-wide victory reflected balanced contributions across strokes and events. Bemidji picked up five event wins, according to local coverage, though the report did not enumerate which exact five events comprised that total. Swimcloud meet listings show strong individual performances as well, including senior Tanner Johnson, junior William Lohse and senior Daniel Scherling among the meet’s top scorers.

Johnson returned to competition after missing Bemidji’s previous two meets while dealing with a cough and dizziness. Though still not at full strength, he won multiple events, including first in the 200 freestyle, and is credited on Swimcloud with three golds and one silver. Reflecting on the purpose of the Last Chance Invite, Johnson said, “If the times are there, great. But really, it's just all about preparation for sections. We all went into it, we wanted to lay it on the line. ... We just want to be as prepared as possible.” On his own performance after illness he added, “It wasn't where I wanted it to be, but honestly, for being sick, I'm not too disappointed for it. I think myself and the rest of the guys who have maybe struggled with a little bit of illness here and there, I think we’re all just going to be ready when the big day comes.”

Other individual highlights included William Lohse, who won the 100-yard butterfly in 55.85 and placed second in the 50 freestyle in 23.06. Daniel Scherling won the 100 breaststroke in 1:02.40, which Bemidji identified as the team’s best event of the day with three Jacks finishing in the top four: Scherling first, Hunter Anderson second in 1:06.35 and Abraham Benson fourth in 1:10.02. Kyle Yoder placed third in the 100 free in 53.18, Caleb Knott fifth in 54.22, and Winkle finished fifth in the 100 back in 1:01.57. Bemidji’s lone diver, Crockett Puschinsky, scored 301 points for second in diving.

Swimcloud’s high-point listings also highlighted Moorhead’s Sahan Nagodavithana with top times including a 22.20 in the 50-yard free and a 53.90 in the 100-yard back. The Swimcloud meet page carries a QR code to view live results without an app for anyone wanting full event-by-event detail.

Beyond the scoreboard, the meet underscored health and readiness as practical concerns for student-athletes. Several Bemidji swimmers acknowledged recent illness, and coaches, school medical staff and families will be watching recovery and training loads in the weeks before sections. For the community, the result offers momentum and local pride heading into Brainerd, but also a reminder that supporting athlete health and equitable access to care can be as important as timing starts in the pool. Photos from the meet are credited to Leo Pomerenke.