2025 Girls High School Preview: Section 8AA

Section 8AA

Teams in the Section
Alexandria, Bemidji, Brainerd, Buffalo, Elk River, Moorhead, Rogers, St Michael-Albertville

2024 Section Champion – Brainerd – 340.5
2024 Section Runner Up – St Michael-Albertville – 334

Notable Graduates

• Mya Tautges (Brainerd) – 50 Free (1st sections/1^st State), 100 Free (1st sections/3^rd State)
• Lillian Van Heel (St. Michael-Albertville) – 200 IM (1st sections/2md State), 100 Back (1st sections/1^st State)
• Madeline Tillmann (St. Michael-Albertville) – 200 IM (4th sections), 100 Fly (3rd sections)
• Julia Robinson (St. Michael-Albertville) – Diving (1st sections/10^th State)
• Kennedy Clements (St. Michael-Albertville) – Diving (2nd sections/14^th State)
• Hailey Riley (St. Michael-Albertville) – 100 Fly (1st sections/15^th State), 100 Breast (3rd sections/9^th State)
• Avery Larson (Buffalo) – 200 IM (6th sections), 100 Breast (6th sections)
• Kennedy Olson (Bemidji) – Diving (4th sections/16^th State)
• Kyleigh Craig (Rogers) – 100 Free (7th sections)
• Jenna Brendemuhl (Moorhead) – 100 Back (8th sections)
• Rayna Holm (Alexandria) – 200 Free (1^st Section 8a), 100 Free (4^th Section 8a)
• Hayden Underwood (Alexandria) – 100 Breast (6^th Section 8a)
• Grace Urke (Alexandria) – 200 IM (1^st Section 8a), 100 Back (1^st Section 8a)

Section Outlook

Section 8AA will look quite a bit different with Sartell-St. Stephen and Sauk Rapids-Rice departing for Class A and Alexandria moving in from Class A.  The section also graduated a couple of the states top swimmers in 50 Free State Champion Mya Tautges and 100 Back State Champion Lily Van Heel.

Brainerd is led by junior Aralyn Marcelo, who finished 4th in the 200 Free and 5th in the 500. Junior Avery Duerr added a 2nd in the 100 Breast and 3rd in the 200 IM. Sophomore Allie Reilley placed 7th in the 500 Free, and freshman Emme Murray added points in the 100 Back. Freshman Lily Larson and junior Kaia Iske scored in the 100 Fly.

St. Michael-Albertville will again be in the mix behind junior Addison Thompson-Klimpke, who swept both the 200 and 500 freestyles. Freshman Kate Walz added a win in the 100 Breast, giving STMA power in both distance and stroke events.

Moorhead brings back a deep group led by sophomore Macy Roaldson, who was top-4 in both the 200 and 100 freestyles. Sophomore Matilda Bergeson placed 5th in the 200 IM and 6th in the 500 Free. Juniors Madisen Schue and Amani Hebert return strong in the 50 Free, 100 Fly, and 100 Fly respectively, while junior Olivia Roaldson took 3rd in the 100 Back. Sophomore Kaycee Hansen and junior Hailey Beck will anchor a deep diving crew.

Buffalo features junior Adi Anderson, who placed 7th in the 200 and 3rd in the 500 Free. Junior Emily Larson was 5th in the 100 Breast and 5th in the 100 Fly, and will lead a group of versatile returners across mid-distance and stroke.  Larson scored some state points for the Bison with a 13^th place finish in the 100 Breast.

Rogers returns junior Emerson Pakter, who placed 8th in the 200 IM, and brings back a strong freestyle sprinter in junior Kyleigh Craig, who took 7th in the 100 Free.

Elk River will be a diving powerhouse again, returning three scorers: juniors Hailey Beck (5th), Madilyn Tucker (7th), and Alyssa Fleahman (8th). Sophomore Sophia Gilbertson adds versatility with a 2nd in the 500 Free and 5th in the 100 Breast.

Bemidji returns freshman Finley Zothman, who placed 4th in the 50 Free. She’ll be the key to Bemidji’s scoring potential heading into the new season.

Alexandria returns a strong roster of scorers from the Section 8A meet for 2025. Addy Erickson, now a junior, placed 4th in the 200 free and 2nd in the 500 free. Hannah Hoff returns for her junior season after placing 6th in the 200 IM and 2nd in the 100 back, while fellow junior Cora Bumgarner was 7th in the IM and 100 fly. Olivia Jensen, a junior, scored in both distance events, placing 3rd in the 200 free and 5th in the 500. Allison Boe added depth with top-16 finishes, and teammates Brynnley Zeithamer and Mae Denne contributed strong sprint and IM performances.