Bryleigh McBride, Freshman | Minot North High School

Softball: A Week of Highs and Lows Shows Team Resilience

The Minot North softball team experienced a mix of disappointment and determination this past week, splitting a hard-fought doubleheader against Bismarck before facing tough competition at the Midseason Madness tournament.

In game one against Bismarck, the Sentinels struggled to find their rhythm both offensively and defensively, falling 5–12. Despite the setback, the team showed incredible resilience and came back with renewed energy in game two. Fueled by strong hitting, aggressive base running, and tighter fielding, the Sentinels dominated the rematch with a commanding 14–4 win. The turnaround showcased the team’s ability to bounce back quickly and adapt under pressure.

However, the momentum didn’t carry over to the Midseason Madness tournament, where Minot North dropped all three games. While the results weren’t what the team hoped for, the experience gained playing high-level competition is expected to benefit the squad going forward. Coaches and players remain confident, emphasizing growth, focus, and team chemistry as they prepare for the remainder of the season.

Girls Soccer: Offensive Explosion in a 14–0 Blowout Over Williston

Minot North girls soccer delivered one of their most dominant performances of the season in a blowout 14–0 victory over Williston. The team came out firing from the opening whistle and never let up, displaying flawless communication, precise passing, and relentless pressure in the attacking third.

Nearly every offensive possession was a threat, with multiple players contributing to the scoring effort. The midfield controlled the tempo, while the defense ensured the ball rarely crossed midfield. The clean sheet win reflects not only the offense’s firepower but also the team’s balanced performance across the field.
This victory builds on the team’s strong season and boosts their confidence heading into a crucial stretch of games.

Track & Field: Six Sentinels Qualify for State

The track & field team continues to shine, with six standout athletes qualifying for the state meet this past week. Congratulations to Malia, Coley, Nola, Treasure, Kiarra, and Brynn for punching their tickets to compete against the best in the state.

Each athlete has put in countless hours of training, and their results speak volumes about their dedication. Whether in sprints, relays, jumps, or throws, these six have consistently risen to the
occasion. Their qualification is not only a personal achievement but also a boost to team morale.

Boys Golf: First Place at Vardon with Standout Individual Performances

Minot North boys golf had an outstanding outing at the Vardon Invitational, securing first place with a total team score of 306. The Sentinels dominated the course, staying composed and consistent under pressure.
Leading the team was Kaden Rostand, who claimed first place individually with an impressive 72, showing poise and precision throughout his round. Walter Langhans followed closely with a 77, finishing sixth, while Teegan Dangel rounded out the top scorers with a 78, earning eighth place.

Their strong showing highlights the depth and talent of the team. With a few more competitions left before postseason play, the Sentinels are shaping up to be strong contenders for regional and state titles.
Despite some tough losses, the overall energy in Minot North athletics remains high. The softball team is hungry to rebound, soccer is riding a wave of momentum, track is sending stars to state, and boys golf continues to dominate the leaderboard.

As spring sports move into the latter half of the season, expect more highlights, more hustle, and more reasons to cheer on the Sentinels.

Minot North Marching Band perform in Bismarck parade

The Minot North Marching Band brought energy, precision, and school pride to the streets of Bismarck last weekend as they performed in the annual Bismarck Band Day Parade. After nearly four months of preparation, their hard work paid off with a polished performance that impressed the crowd and represented Minot North with excellence.

At the heart of their performance was the band’s rendition of Michael Jackson’s iconic hit “Beat It.” The song choice challenged the band musically and rhythmically, pushing every section—especially the drum line—to new levels. Since January, the band has been rehearsing both inside the band room and out on the practice field, focused not just on the music but on marching fundamentals, coordination, and execution.

Preparing for a parade like Bismarck Band Day takes more than just playing a song. The band spent countless hours refining every detail—practicing drill formations, adjusting turn angles, and maintaining step alignment across the block. Marching while playing requires intense focus, especially when the band is moving in formation through city streets lined with cheering spectators.

Band directors emphasized the importance of clean transitions and synchronized visuals, with students putting in time after school and during class to lock everything in. The drum line, a crowd favorite, has been especially focused on perfecting their cadence and timing. Their tight rhythms and dynamic beats set the pace for the rest of the band and helped carry the energy all the way through the parade route.

On parade day, the Minot North Marching Band stepped off with confidence. Wearing full uniforms and marching with pride, they turned heads with their strong sound, crisp lines, and powerful performance of “Beat It.” The music echoed through downtown Bismarck, with the beat carrying all the way down the route as parents, supporters, and parade goers clapped along.

Spectators noted how well the band moved together, with clean angles, sharp turns, and strong projection. It was clear to anyone watching that the band had poured months of effort into getting every detail right.
Marching band is more than just a performance—it’s a team effort built on discipline, cooperation, and school spirit. The Bismarck Band Day performance was a reflection of all those values. From early morning rehearsals to late-night sectionals, the students have supported one another every step of the way.

“Seeing everything come together on parade day made it all worth it,” said one band member. “We’ve worked so hard, and we were proud to represent our school.”

With Bismarck Band Day now behind them, the Minot North Band is looking ahead to graduation. The focus will continue to be on growth, precision, and passion for music.
If their Bismarck performance is any indication, the Minot North Marching Band is well on its way to incredible things.