BEMIDJI — When Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood started his career more than 20 years ago, he considered himself “just a guy who loved the fire service.”

Since then, his role has blossomed into much more.

On Thursday, he returned to the institution that helped kickstart his career to receive Northwest Technical College’s inaugural Innovation, Mastery, Progress, Achievement, Community and Technology (IMPACT) Award.

“(This award) is presented to a truly remarkable leader in both industries and public service,” NTC Executive Vice President Ketmani Kouanchao noted during the program. “(Sherwood) has dedicated his career to advancing fire service technology, transforming challenges into opportunities and inspiring the next generation of first responders and innovators … His dedication to excellence, leadership and service embodies the very spirit of this award.”

Sherwood was

named fire chief in 2021;

at the time, he had 18 years of fire service under his belt. He holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Bemidji State, a fire service technology certificate from NTC, an associate of applied science degree in fire service technology from the College of Western Idaho and is pursuing a master’s degree in public safety leadership and administration at Arizona State.

He also earned a chief fire officer certification from the Center for Public Safety Excellence, is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Managing Officer Program, and serves as the Region 2 northern representative for the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association.

In addition to his accolades, Sherwood is a writer with work published in the Minnesota Fire Chief and Firehouse magazines. Much of his writing focuses on the importance of mental health practices and work-life balance, values that play a huge factor in Sherwood’s role as a leader and mentor.

“I love the way that Justin’s story ties to what we try to do here at NTC of career expertise, the technical, the work that (he has) done and learned in those spaces,” BSU and NTC President John Hoffman said, “but also the commitments to mental health and holistic health and life beyond the workplace.”

During his acceptance speech, Sherwood took a moment to note the stigma surrounding mental health in the fire service.

“This job is incredibly hard and I guess I get emotional because we put a lot of time into it,” he said. “…Here I am being vulnerable because fire chiefs aren’t supposed to be criers, but I’m probably the most emotional fire chief in the country. But I own it.”

Sherwood recalled the day he was notified that he would receive the award, expressing feelings of gratitude and relief. Looking out into the audience filled with his family, friends and colleagues, he credited his support system for getting him where he is today.

“Regardless of the impostor syndrome, it isn’t about my individual accomplishments or … the types of awards I’m getting, but it is truly about those who support me,” he said. “So I want to say thanks to my mentors and supporters in this room, my colleagues from the city … but most importantly, my family.

“You guys have really supported me even in those seasons that were really hard. So your love, and, I have to note, extreme patience, is what got me here.”

In closing, Sherwood thanked NTC for choosing him as the first-ever recipient of the IMPACT award and noted the symbolism of the item, which he plans to display at his office in the fire hall.

“(This award) will always serve as a strong reminder for me and a powerful motivation to continue leading with purpose, integrity, motivation and dedication, because all we can do is give our best effort,” he said. “When I started this path, (I) wanted to help people, but ultimately be a dreamer and do my best and try to always use my position to advocate for those who couldn’t.”

Madelyn Haasken is the multimedia editor at the Bemidji Pioneer. She is a 2020 graduate of Bemidji State University with a degree in Mass Communication, with minors in writing and design. In her free time, she likes watching hockey, doing crossword puzzles and being outside.

The college hockey transfer portal season is in full swing. For teams in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), whether it’s the 2025 national champion Western Michigan University Broncos or the Miami University RedHawks, the goal is always to improve.

Miami received a few commitments from the portal early in the season. However, there are still some names that can make a difference if head coach Anthony Noreen, recruiting coordinator David Nies and the rest of the Miami coaching staff bring them to Oxford.

Top Targets

1. Walter Zacher – Sophomore forward, Robert Morris University

Miami’s mid-October home-and-home losses against the Robert Morris University Colonials were the first obstacle in a long season of transition into a new era. However, it gave everyone on both teams the chance to face a non-conference opponent with players they would not otherwise see.

One of those players, Walter Zacher, was one of, if not the most, impressive players on the ice. 

Zacher is a product of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), scoring 55 points in 58 games with the Austin Bruins before heading to Robert Morris. After hitting the college scene, the 5-foot-11 sophomore hit the ground running with the Colonials.

In 33 games during his first college season, Zacher scored five goals and tallied 17 assists, good for third on the team in scoring. His production rate stayed the same through his sophomore season, but his five goals jumped to 15, including a four-goal weekend against Miami with a hat trick in the second game.

One of Miami’s biggest struggles last season was converting on scoring opportunities, and bringing in a player who finished with an almost 14% shooting percentage could help improve the team’s paltry 1.85 goals-for per game, the only total in the NCHC below 2.00.

2. Chase Clark – Junior goaltender, American International College

The first and only goaltender in my top five is Chase Clark from American International College (AIC), a program transitioning from Division I to Division II ahead of the 2025-26 season. 

Clark is a Williamsville, New York, native and was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft. He is a behemoth in net, standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 218 pounds. 

The 23-year-old has an NCAA title to his name, which he won in his freshman year while playing for the Quinnipiac University Bobcats. He then transferred to the Sacred Heart University Pioneers in Atlantic Hockey America before transferring again to AIC, where he finished with a 2.80 goals-against average and .913 save percentage in 25 games last season.

Clark has a history with Noreen and Nies, albeit a brief one, as he played 10 games when the duo coached with Tri-City. The 10 games were spread from 2020-22. 

In 2020-21, he played only three games, posting a 3.03 goals-against average and .899 save percentage. His production improved drastically in the seven games he played for the team in 2021-22, finishing his time with the Storm that season with a 2.51 goals-against average and .915 save percentage.

He then moved on from Tri-City in favor of the Muskegon Lumberjacks, where his production dipped again. 

Clark’s career to this point has been marked by movement, which could be a red flag for the Miami coaching staff. However, having a previous record with him could also be a key to bringing him to Oxford and further unlocking his potential at the college level.

3. Alex Zetterberg – Freshman forward, Boston University

Finding young players to build a foundation for a program is key, especially for a coaching staff like Miami’s. There are still young players in the portal who could find many opportunities with the RedHawks that they couldn’t find for one reason or another with their previous program, including 19-year-old Alex Zetterberg.

Zetterberg is an undersized Swedish forward, standing at 5-foot-8 and weighing just over 160 pounds, but he can make teams pay with his elusiveness, and he did at times during his freshman season at Boston University. He posted five goals and three assists for eight points in 29 games. He also scored 11 points in three games at the U-19 international competitions for his native Sweden throughout the season.

While Zetterberg is still a young player, he has experience playing against some of the best teams in the country. The Hockey East conference is one of the strongest in college hockey, and that experience can help him if he decides to move to the NCHC.

Additionally, with the way Noreen and his staff want to play the game against powerhouse NCHC teams—a fast, puck possession-based game that relies on predictability for teammates and unpredictability for opponents—a player like Zetterberg could be a great fit as a dynamic forward with clear offensive potential.

Zetterberg’s profile has plenty of upsides that would make him a perfect fit for Miami. Despite being on the smaller side physically, his skill set could make him one of the most impactful players on the RedHawks roster.

4. Tristan Lemyre – Junior forward, Western Michigan University

The Broncos won their first national championship in school history this season following an impressive 34-7-1 (19-4-1 in conference) season. They defeated Boston University in the Frozen Four final game.

Lemyre played his first two college hockey seasons with the University of Denver, followed by time in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, where he scored 13 points in 41 games. This past season, he set career highs in goals and assists with six and eight, respectively, totaling 14 points in 42 games. 

When constructing a roster and forming a culture, winning is always the end goal. That’s what Lemyre has done with two different programs. He isn’t a player who has scored lots of points at the college level, but bringing in players who know how to win, especially from programs in the NCHC, could help advance the marquee of Miami hockey and the culture being formed within the program.

5. Tanner Komzak – Sophomore defenseman, University of North Dakota

The first and only defenseman to crack my top five is one that former University of North Dakota head coach Brad Berry used sparingly while at the helm. Still, he could be a valuable contributor to Miami’s younger squad on the backend if Noreen and company decide to pick him up.

Tanner Komzak has played only 21 college games,  four as a freshman and 17 as a sophomore,  and has not registered a point during his two seasons with the Fighting Hawks. However, going back to his days in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, there is proof in the pudding that he can start posting better offensive numbers. In 60 games played with the Whitecourt Wolverines, Komzak posted 52 points and seven in nine playoff games.

The 6-foot-4 defender was primarily a healthy scratch or a seventh defenseman last season, playing very few minutes in every contest he suited up for. His highest total was just under 10 minutes against Minnesota State at the beginning of the season in October. 

Komzak would not receive much playing time in 2025-26 if he stuck with the Fighting Hawks, but the RedHawks could give him a chance to play considerable minutes next season. Not only is he a large presence, but if Noreen’s system can help unlock some of the offensive talent teams saw from him in junior hockey, it could be one of the biggest steals in the portal.

Honorable mentions: Brett Bamber (junior defenseman, AIC), Tyriq Outen (freshman goaltender, Long Island University)

@jjmid04

middleje@miamioh.edu

LOS ANGELES – Senior Omar Morales of UCLA Men’s Golf has been selected the Student-Athlete of the Week for competitions held between April 22-28.
 
The Bruin golfer secured his third career medal, finishing in first place at the 2025 Big Ten Championships over the weekend at Baltimore Country Club. Morales became the first UCLA player to medal at the conference tournament since Daniel Im won the individual title at the 2006 Pac-10 Championship. Morales shot 7-under 203 over the three-day tournament as the Bruins captured their first conference title since 2006 (UCLA defeated Illinois by one stroke). Morales finished with round scores of 66-67-70, defeating the second-place competitor by three strokes (Oregon’s Greyson Leach). Morales helped UCLA capture the conference’s automatic berth to next month’s NCAA Championships.
 
Morales secures his first-career UCLA student-athlete of the week award.
 
Also Nominated
Roch Cholowsky, Baseball; Emon van Loben Sels, M. Tennis
 
Previous Winners
Aug. 21 – Bridgette Marin-Valencia, W. Soccer; Aug. 28 – Lilly Reale, W. Soccer; Sept. 4 – Cheridyn Leverette, W. Volleyball; Sept. 11 – Ryder Dodd, M. Water Polo; Sept. 18 – Bode Brinkema, M. Water Polo; Sept. 25 – Sofia Cook, W. Soccer; Oct. 2 – Pablo Ereño, M. Golf; Oct. 9 – Quincy McMahon, W. Soccer; Oct. 16 – Jose Contell, M. Soccer; Oct. 23 – Ethan Garbers, Football; Oct. 30 – Grayce Olson, W. Volleyball; Nov. 6 – Carson Schwesinger, Football; Nov. 13 – Quincy McMahon, W. Soccer; Nov. 20 –  Maggie Boyd/Sally Perez, Beach Volleyball; Nov. 27 – Lauren Betts, W. Basketball; Dec. 4 – Carson Schwesinger, Football; Dec. 11 – Ryder Dodd, M. Water Polo; Dec. 18 – Tyler Bilodeau, M. Basketball; Dec. 24 – Kiki Rice, W. Basketball; Jan. 1 – Eric Dailey Jr., M. Basketball; Jan. 8 – Lauren Betts, W. Basketball; Jan. 15 – Jordan Chiles, Gymnastics; Jan. 22 – Lauren Betts, W. Basketball; Jan. 29 – Aday Mara, M. Basketball; Feb. 5 – Jordan Chiles, Gymnastics; Feb. 12 – Taylor Tinsley, Softball; Feb. 19 – Mulivai Levu – Baseball; Feb. 26 – Lauren Betts, W. Basketball; March 5 – Jordan Chiles, Gymnastics; March 12 – Lauren Betts, W. Basketball; March 19 – Jordan Woolery, Softball; March 26 – Chae Campbell, Gymnastics; April 2 – Lauren Betts, W. Basketball; April 9 – Megan Grant, Softball; April 16 – Megan Grant, Softball; April 23 – Jordan Chiles, Gymnastics

By: Dan Richeal

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.—The Dartmouth women’s rugby team played pool play on Friday at the CRAA 7s National Championship. The Big Green opened the day with a 42-5 win over LIU. Dartmouth then improved to 2-0 with a 44-7 win over Penn State. The Big Green closed out the day with a 19-10 win over Davenport.

The Big Green came out of the gates strong as they took an early 5-0 lead on a try. Less than a minute later LIU tied the game at five, it would be the final try for the Sharks. The Big Green jumped out to a 24-5 lead at halftime. Dartmouth continued to pour it on in the second half and closed out the match with a 42-5 lead to open pool play 1-0.

Dartmouth jumped out to an early lead against the Nittany Lions as Annie Henrich notched a try about a minute into the match. Paola Arredondo Almeida doubled the Dartmouth lead about two minutes later as she made it a 10-0 game. Sadie Williams was the next member of the Big Green to find the try zone as she made it 15-0 with about 90 seconds remaining in the opening half. With less than a minute in the first half, Arredondo Almeida sprinted into the try zone to make it a 20-0 Dartmouth lead at halftime. Jordis Lomu battled her way into the try zone less than a minute into the second half. About a minute later, Cassie Depner powered her way into the try zone to make it 30-0 Dartmouth. Asialeata Meni went on a long run around the 11 minute mark of the game after taking a quick pass from Lomu. Meni fought off multiple defenders as she found the try zone. The Big Green hit the conversion to make it 37-0. The Big Green found the try zone once more with about a minute left in the game as Depner scored her second try of the game to it make it 44-0. Penn State scored once as  they made it a 44-7 final score.

Vasiti Turagavou got the Big Green on the board just 45 seconds into the game. She took the ball and faked a pair of passes before sprinting through the Davenport line and into the try zone. Henrich knocked the conversion through the uprights to give Dartmouth a 7-0 lead. Just over two minutes later, the Big Green made it 12-0 as Katelyn Walker powered into the try zone. The 12-0 lead held until just over two minutes into the second half as Davenport found the try zone. The Panthers took advantage of a Big Green turnover and made it a 12-10 game with about two minutes remaining. As time was set to expire Arredondo Almeida sprinted into the try zone to increase the Dartmouth lead. Jordynn LeBeau hit the conversion to close out the game.

It is the third straight season that Dartmouth has won all three games of pool play at the CRAA Nationals 7s Championship.

The Big Green seek a 7s National Championship on Saturday. The first quarterfinal is slated to start at 9:22 AM on Saturday morning. Semifinal matches will start at 2 PM with the final being at 4:56 PM. All matches are streamed for free on ‘The Rugby Network’.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The UCLA women’s tennis team rolled to a 4-0 win against Harvard in NCAA Championship first-round action Friday at the MTSU Tennis Complex.

The Bruins (17-8) were led by their front-court singles trio of Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer, Kimmi Hance and Elise Wagle, which registered three 6-1, 6-2 victories. Hance clinched the overall win. UCLA was also able to seize the doubles point, with seniors Hance and Wagle also contributing there. The Ivy League champion Crimson finished its season with a 15-9 record.

The Bruins next face host and 15th-seeded Vanderbilt in Saturday’s second round. First serve from Middle Tennessee State University, which is hosting outdoor competition while weather permits, is scheduled for 12 p.m. PT. The Commodores beat Xavier 4-0 Friday.

The 14th-ranked pair of Hance/Wagle broke the serve of Holly Fisher/Kavra Karra twice en route to a 6-2 victory on Court 1. A tightly-contested match on Court 2 saw Rachel Arbitman/Angel You of Harvard earn the first break for a 4-3 advantage, but No. 11 Olivia Center/Kate Fakih answered by taking the final three games to clinch.

UCLA ultimately claimed five singles first sets, with the displays on Courts 1-3 finishing the fastest. Similar second sets followed on those courts, with No. 62 Wagle downing Charlotte Owensby on Court 3 to begin the run. Wagle has won nine consecutive singles decisions dating back to March 23.

Moments later, No. 31 Lutkemeyer finished off Fischer with a 6-1, 6-2 display on Court 1. Then, seconds after that, No. 93 Hance delivered the deciding point opposite Stephanie Yakoff on Court 2.

 

One more time … 6-1, 6-2.

Hance clinches on Court 2 and the Bruins are on to the #NCAATennis second round!#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/kNfY1E7Djz

— UCLA Women’s Tennis (@uclawtennis) May 2, 2025

Friday’s performance marked the sixth time the Bruins registered wins across its top three singles courts this season. They are 5-1 in those matches.

Tennis Match Results

Harvard vs UCLA

5/2/2025 at Murfreesboro, TN

(MTSU Tennis Complex)

#17 UCLA 4, #73 Harvard 0

Singles competition

1. #31 Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer (UCLA) def. Holly Fischer (HARV) 6-1, 6-2

2. #93 Kimmi Hance (UCLA) def. Stephanie Yakoff (HARV) 6-1, 6-2

3. #62 Elise Wagle (UCLA) def. Charlotte Owensby (HARV) 6-1, 6-2

4. #39 Kate Fakih (UCLA) vs. Kate Kim (HARV) 7-5, 2-2, unfinished

5. Ahmani Guichard (UCLA) vs. Maxi Duncan (HARV) 6-4, 2-4, unfinished

6. Olivia Center (UCLA) vs. Kavya Karra (HARV) 4-6, 0-5, unfinished

Doubles competition

1. #14 Kimmi Hance/Elise Wagle (UCLA) def. Holly Fischer/Kavya Karra (HARV) 6-2

2. #11 Olivia Center/Kate Fakih (UCLA) def. Rachel Arbitman/Angel You (HARV) 6-4

3. Ahmani Guichard/Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer (UCLA) vs. Natalie Block/Stephanie Yakoff (HARV) 5-4, unfinished

Match Notes:

Harvard 15-9; National ranking #73

UCLA 17-8; National ranking #17

Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (3,1,2)