Written by Marketing & Communications EPIC interns Katie Berthoud ’25, Audrey Broglio ’26, Lucia Hoyt ’25, Raphael Johnson-Nixon ’25, Carolyn Robert ’26, Grace Soderling ’26, Madeline Yacoub ’26 and Bella Yacoub ’25
The Winter 2025 athletics and activities season at Benilde-St. Margaret’s is heating up! Red Knights have conquered their rivals, honed their talents, and supported each other through their struggles. Each team has shown remarkable growth from the previous year and the best is still yet to come.
Knowledge Bowl
Last year, the BSM Knowledge Bowl Team finished their regular season in the top 20 teams with
over 80 in the metro, and they placed 9th in the subregional tournament. This team is on track to
be successful this year yet again. This Knowledge Bowl team competes academically where the
students answer different questions in the subjects of literature, history, math, current events, and
science. When a student knows the answer, they can buzz in. The Knowledge Bowl team is made
to quiz students on general knowledge while competing against other schools. To prepare for
their competitions, the BSM students review different subjects and facts together. They even
practice speed and communication skills. Then, when they go to the competition they use
teamwork to respond to the questions quickly. The team is able to compete in regional, state, and
sometimes national competitions. Overall, the BSM knowledge bowl team is a great way to test
knowledge while being able to compete against other schools while learning new things.
According to Dylan Robert ‘26, “I love being part of the Knowledge Bowl team. It is a great way
to challenge myself, learn new things, and have fun with my teammates. This season has been
awesome!”
Nordic Ski
The Nordic Ski team has had an impressive season so far, with standout performances at many major meets, showcasing their talent and athleticism, despite being a small team. Recently, the team finished with a 13th place at the Mesabi East Invite, one of the largest high school races in the country, consisting of 800+ people. Dylan Casey ‘25 states, “The Nordic Ski team is small, but that makes it perfect for creating an amazing environment for anyone no matter your skill level. We also co-op with DeLaSalle High School, and even though we are historically rivals, we all put that aside creating an extremely strong and tight-knit team.” Earlier in December, the team competed at the MWC Meet at Hyland Hills where the boys varsity team placed fifth, and the girls placed sixth overall. We are so proud of all of the team’s accomplishments so far, and we can’t wait to see what else they achieve as they head into Sections on Monday, Feb. 3.
Math League
The Math League is off to a strong, committed start this season. During their before-school practices, the team works through problems from past competitions, either individually or as a team. The team then goes over the answers and shares the strategies they used. Jonathan McMerty-Brummer ‘25 states, “Personally, I’ve found that Math League has helped me do better in my math classes. It’s also helped out on standardized tests as the difficulty of the questions are quite similar.” Last year, Colton Hilger ‘26 finished fifth in the conference, earning the highest score on the team, while McMerty-Brummer ‘25 placed ninth. We are beyond proud of our students’ commitment to excellence, and we anticipate their continued success in future
competitions.
Boys’ Hockey
The Benilde-St Margaret’s boy’s hockey team has had a wonderfully successful season. The boys have put in so much work to improve, which has paid off. They have had many wins in the regular season so far and are ready to tackle section play and the Minnesota High School League State tournament. Ken Pauly, BSM social studies teacher and boys hockey coach since 1990 has been with the team for 31 seasons, amounting to 600 total game wins in his career. He says his favorite part of the season this year is “that the boys have continued to stay invested and their improvement is demonstrable.”
This season’s three captains are Junior Podein ‘25, AJ Ulrich ‘25, and Cam Kirschner ‘25. They are admirable leaders and have set a positive example for the entire team to keep the season fun and enjoyable. The boys love being on the team and Andrew Hoffman ‘27 says his favorite part of playing hockey is “how much fun we have on and off the ice.” This is his first year playing, but he loves being on the team and playing hockey. Congratulations to the BSM boys hockey team for all you have accomplished this year. BSM wants to continue to cheer on the team as they head into section play and eventually the state tournament.
Girls’ Hockey
As the icy chill of winter settles in, the Benilde-St. Margaret’s girls hockey team has been heating up the rink with one of their most impressive seasons in recent years, with a current record of 16-2-3. Fueled by skill, teamwork, and an unrelenting drive, the Red Knights have been turning heads and setting a new standard of excellence. With thrilling victories, standout performances, and a camaraderie that defines their success, this season has become a testament to their hard work and determination.
In their recent matchup against section rival Edina, the game ended in a hard-fought 0-0 tie. The result was a boost for team morale, keeping them focused without the emotional highs or lows of a win or loss. The team emphasized physicality, staying aggressive, and creating more offensive opportunities, a reflection of their improved chemistry and disciplined approach this season. With a positive locker room atmosphere and a unified focus, the group is showing steady progress as they continue their season.
Captain Bailey Gray ‘25 speaks on the lively dynamic of the team compared to past seasons by stating, “We have a large senior class, so we’ve had three to four years to grow together and build chemistry as a group. We’ve also worked to bring in the younger players and develop the same level of chemistry and a higher standard of discipline compared to past years, naturally reducing mistakes. The locker room has been very positive this season—unlike in the past, where there was a tendency to dwell on negativity.”
As the season nears its final stretch, the BSM girls hockey team has already proven they’re a force to be reckoned with. Whether it’s through their relentless pursuit of victory or their unwavering support for one another, this team has captured the spirit of what it means to be a Red Knight. No matter what the scoreboard reads at the end of the season, one thing is clear: this winter will be remembered as a defining chapter in the history of BSM girls hockey.
Dance Team
The BSM Dance Team has had an amazing season with many wins in both Varsity and JV. Their jazz dance Who I Am is ranked 1st in Class AA and their kick routine Welcome to the Moulin Rouge is ranked 2nd. These routines have consistently ranked in the top 3. “BSM dance team has taught me what it means to be a better person with an even better work ethic. We all come into practice each day ready to work and whenever it gets tiring we are always there to help and encourage and build each other up,” said Ava Edwards ‘26.
Varsity won the Edina invite against many tough competitors and they won the conference championship for the first time in 6 years. “We have also done many fun team bonding activities to make our closest team yet!” said Molly Giertsen ’25, one of the dance team captains. JV has also had a lot of success, winning the JV-only meet hosted here at BSM. Sections start this weekend, Feb. 1-2, at Totino-Grace High School where the team hopes to move on to state with both of their routines.
Wrestling
The BSM wrestling team has had a challenging season so far this winter, but the team’s energy, spirit, and overall camaraderie stands stronger than ever. Every wrestler has been working hard, supporting each other, and giving it their all, both on and off the mat. Junior William Krusemark compares the atmosphere of the wrestling team to a family. Krusemark continues by stating, “Even when things don’t go our way, we stick together and keep pushing to get better.”
With team and individual sections coming up this February, the Red Knights have been putting in extra hours and dedication to prepare accordingly. Practices have been gradually ramping up in intensity, with a focus on sharpening their skills and improving with every opportunity. The entirety of the team, along with our entire BSM community, is eager to and see their progress in action at sections. No matter the outcome of sections, the team has shown incredible dedication, growth, and love for the sport. Good luck at sections, Red Knights!
Boys’ Basketball
With an impressive start of 14-1, the BSM boys basketball team has . They are ranked number 3 in the entire state of Minnesota, regardless of class size. They recently had Channel 5 News come to practice to record their talents for live television. Even with new players, these boys have grown deep connections on and off the court as they are always seen together. The team is led by captains, Jalen Wilson ‘25, Luke Guggenberger ‘25, and Christian Johnson ‘25. Guggenberger ’25 said the team’s chemistry is made from a “great group of seniors who have been working together for a while.”
They have had many highlights this season, but an important one was when the boys beat the DeLaSalle Islanders to win the Christian Brother’s Cup doubleheader. During this game, Jaleel Donley reached 1,000 career points. On Jan. 30, varsity defeated Orono 76-72, paving their way toward sections, where they may face the rival Spartans again in the section finals. We are proud of these Red Knights for their hard work and are excited to wish them good luck as they continue their journey toward state.
Boys’ Swim and Dive
The BSM Boy’s Swim and Dive team has had a season of excitement and fun as they compete in numerous meets, including an overnight meet in Middleton, Wisconsin. This annual out-of-town tournament was one of many opportunities for the team to connect and spend time together, and Sebastian Cerda ‘25, reflected, “It is a great opportunity to bond with the team.” This meet takes place at the beginning of the season, giving the team a chance to connect and learn about each other and their new teammates at the start of the season, setting them up for success and team chemistry for the rest of the season. Also, the team started the season with success in dual meets, which included students having success in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and more.
Although the team competes in some individual and some team events, the team strives to support each other and cheer each other on at each competition. The team’s different events include individual events, relays, and overall team placements, and they have performed well in recent conference meets, representing BSM in almost every race. Additionally, the diving team has seen great success, placing many athletes on the podium following their meets. Sections will begin in the next month, and the state tournament will take place from March 6th to 8th. The boys look forward to continuing the season on a high note as they compete in the second half of their season!
Girls’ Basketball
In the post-Ms. Basketball Olivia Olson ‘24 era, the girls Basketball team had a rocky start to the season but is constantly improving. Currently sitting with a record of 12-5, the team is led by Creighton commit Kendall McGee ’25, who missed last season with an ACL injury, and Seton Hall commit Zahara Bishop ’25, the team’s leading scorer. Notable games include a decisive 79-75 win over Minnehaha Academy on Dec. 27, and a commanding 101-30 win against St. Louis Park High School on Jan.14. The team also secured a significant 99-74 victory over Stewartville High School on Jan.18. As of Jan. 23, 2025, the team holds the #15 spot in Minnesota state rankings and is ranked number 4 in Minnesota Division AAA. Upcoming games will provide further opportunities for the team to showcase their skills and continue their successful season.
“I love that the basketball team not only celebrates and spends time together on the court but also off the court, whether it’s watching Liv play against the Gophers or bowling after practice,” said Bevelyne Rioba ‘26. The team’s success is greatly attributed to these moments that have nothing to do with basketball. With taking down a top-ten Alexandria team, Coach Ellefson has his team’s sights set on a third championship in his third year as head coach. Though the path to a championship at the U of M’s campus will be hard and might include a rematch with number 6 DeLaSalle High School, who BSM played earlier this year ending in loss by way of a down-to-the-wire buzzer beater, Coach Ellefson and his Red Knights believe another championship is well within reach.
