Men’s Hockey makes fifth appearance in NCAA Tournament
The BSU men’s ice hockey program earned a spot in the 2021 NCAA Ice Hockey Championships, marking its fifth appearance in the tournament since the team moved to the NCAA Division I level in 1999-2000 and its first since 2010. At 16-10-3 overall, the Beavers drew No. 4 University of Wisconsin (20-9-1) in the tournament’s East Regional, played in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Behind two goals from captain Ethan Somoza and a goal and an assist from Brendan Harris, the Beavers defeated Wisconsin, 6-3, to advance to the regional semifinal. There, they fell to eventual national champion University of Massachusetts, 3-0. The Beavers finished the season winning seven of their last 10 games and capped an 11-week run in the national polls earning a No. 10 billing.
[aesop_parallax img=”https://www.bemidjistate.edu/magazine/wp-content/uploads/sites/137/2021/07/38053L.jpeg” parallaxbg=”on” captionposition=”bottom-left” lightbox=”off” floater=”off” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”none” overlay_revealfx=”off”]
Forty-two Beavers make NSIC academic list
Bemidji State landed 42 student-athletes on the 2020 Fall Academic All-NSIC Team. Members of the all-academic team must have maintained a 3.20 GPA, are members of a varsity traveling team and have reached sophomore athletic and academic status. The Beavers’ soccer team led the way with 20-of-23 eligible players making the list. In addition, 22 student-athletes were also recognized with NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence distinction for carrying a GPA of 3.60 or higher.
Bellew steps away from the diamond
Tim Bellew, who has spent the last 16 years as head coach of the BSU baseball team while juggling various duties within the department, will move into an administrative role with BSU Athletics. Bellew completes his reign as the Beavers’ bench boss second in wins (228), games coached (719) and seasons coached (15), while he is just the second coach in BSU history to earn the NSIC Coach of the Year honor (2013). Bellew will be replaced by former Beaver letter winner Matt Ellinghuysen (2010-13), who has served as an assistant for six seasons.
Bemidji State announces 2021 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees
Bemidji State will induct eight individuals and one outstanding team into its Athletic Hall of Fame on October 30, 2021. The Bemidji State Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes alumni, former coaches, administrators and others who have excelled and brought acclaim to the university through their accomplishments. More information about the inductees is available at bsualumni.org/AHOF.
2021 BSU Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
• Mike Alexander – 1982-86 (Men’s Hockey)
• Amber Fryklund – 2000-03 (Women’s Hockey)
• Joel Olander – 1977-81 (Swimming and diving)
• Cristy Risberg – 1993-96 (Track & Field)
• Matt Wellumson – 1981, 1983, 1985-86 (Football)
Alumni Coaching Achievement Award
• Jerry Lano ‘74
BSU Coaches Hall of Fame Inductee
• Craig Hougan (Track & Field
1978-79, 1990-2015)
BSU Athletic Team Inductee
• 2000 Men’s Indoor Track & Field Team
John S. Glas Honorary Letter Winner
• Frederick Baker ‘61
Bemidji State sweeps WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year awards
The Bemidji State hockey programs each landed the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s top academic award. Seniors Mak Langei of the women’s team and Zach Driscoll of the men’s team were selected Student-Athlete of the Year by their respective league’s faculty athletic representatives and head coaches based on academic excellence, contribution to the team’s success on the ice and community involvement.
Historic women’s basketball season ends in NSIC Tournament
BSU women’s basketball, guided by NSIC Coach of the Year Chelsea DeVille, saw a COVID-shortened 2020-21 season turn into one of the program’s best in decades. The team’s 10-6 record marked BSU’s first winning season since 1994-95, and a first-round NSIC Tournament victory saw the Beavers reach the conference semifinals for the first time since 2004. Following the season, sophomore Rachael Heittola earned First-Team All-NSIC North Division honors, while senior guard Brooklyn Bachmann was a second-team selection.
Carrasco ends track & field career with second All-America honor
Senior thrower Zoe Carrasco finished her BSU career at the 2021 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Grand Valley, Michigan. Her 11th-place finish in the hammer throw earned her Second-Team All-America honors, her second All-America award of the year and third of her career. In March, she earned first-team indoor All-America honors after a fourth-place finish in the shot put. Carrasco finished her career with BSU records in the hammer throw and shot put.