Brandon Valley Journal

Jill Meier/BV Journal 

Tony Kellenberger comforts his daughter, Ava, following the Lady Lynx’s one-point loss in the AA state finals.

Jill Meier/BV Journal 

Hilary Behrens and teammates celebrate their Summit League title earlier this month, which earned the Jackrabbits an automatic berth to the NCAA Division I National basketball tournament.

Jill Meier/BV Journal 

Elijah Schunke capped off an undefeated season with his first state title at 215 pounds.

Tom A. Savage/BV Journal 

Brandon Valley’s Hudson Parliament lifts a state record 650 pounds in the Squat on Saturday at the state powerlifting championships at Sioux Falls Jefferson.

It was all about the percussion section Saturday in the Activities Center at Brandon Valley High School at the Minnesota Percussion Association-hosted event. The bleachers were filled with indoor percussion fans, who enjoyed nearly 20 different groups, including Brandon Valley Indoor (at left), performing “The Cave”, plus a number of ensembles, middle, high school and college percussion groups. BVI will perform “The Cave” at the All-District Percussion Night on Tuesday, April 8. The public is invited.

Photos courtesy of Rachel Winters Photography

2025 Middle School All State Band was held on March 7-8 in Mitchell, where Brandon Valley was represented by 39 student musicians in grades 6-8. In addition, Leah Preheim, McKenzie Raaen, Will Dunlap and Mackenzie Pederson was recognized with the three-year SDMEA All-State Member Award. Pictured are Leah Preheim (8), Olivia Percy (8), Emma Hotz (7), Peyton Beatch (6), Kenzie Kaschmitter (8), Annie Callies (7), Aiden Aaker (8), Thomas Goembel (8), Sam Binkard (7), Luke Miller (7), Logan Hills (8), Miles Wixon (7), Kate Hernandez (8), Jackson VanRiper (6), Lincoln Feldkamp (7), Kinnick Ring (8), Adyson Crawford (8), Ryah Schleis (8), Kamryn Entzel (8), Elliana Schaeffer (7), Ariana Bosma-Harms (8), Sophia Schaeffer (7), Brynleigh Taschner (8), Harper Anderson (7), Averie DeNet (7), Mariah Urban (7), McKenzie Raaen (8), Will Dunlap (8), Kambri Oliver (8), Asher Josephsen (7), Lola Peterson (8), Mackenzie Pederson (8), Caleb Hsu (6), Gavin Buseman (6), Ashton Grimmius (8), Maxwell Kirkeby (8), Asher Spahr (8), Eva Bertsch (7) and Camden Calhoun (8), Directors Laura Schenk (BVIS), Maximus Outland (BVMS) and (not pictured) Devon Melillo (BVMS).

Photo courtesy of Jen McKeown 

Tom A. Savage/BV Journal 

The zone markings (above) on the ice in the new Brandon Valley Hockey Association indoor arena at Aspen Park were placed last week. The view (at left) of the new Brandon Valley Hockey Association’s indoor arena at Aspen Park from Highway 11. The BVHS will unveil the new rink this weekend when the host a Puck N Pond tournament Saturday and Sunday. The public is encouraged to come and check out the new rink and to watch some local youth hockey in action. The indoor arena has been years in the making. Fundraising for the facility began in 2018 and continues still today.

Jill Meier/BV Journal 

Lynx junior Briggs Knutson is all smiles as he takes his turn at snipping a strand of the net following Brandon Valley’s SoDak 16 win over Pierre on Saturday.

Jill Meier/BV Journal 

Brandon Valley Indoor last performed for the hometown crowd in 2023 before departing for Dayton Ohio to the WGI Championships. BVI returns this year with their show, “The Cave.”