White Bear Lake Area High School
Encyclopedia
White Bear Lake Area High School, abbreviated WBLAHS, is a high school in White Bear Lake, Minnesota
. The school was formed by merging White Bear High School and White Bear Lake Mariner High in the 1983-84 school year, and currently consists of two campuses and an alternative learning center. North Campus houses grades nine and ten, while South Campus serves grades eleven and twelve and also contains a special education section separate from the high school. WBLAHS is the only school in the state of Minnesota and one of two in the entire country with grades 9-10 and 11-12 in different buildings.
The South Campus houses a self-contained secondary special education school, operated and owned by Intermediate District 916 North East Metro School District, as well as special education classrooms. This facility was renovated in 2009.
In 2009, the Girls' Basketball team fought their way to the state tournament but lost in the first round, in the 2009-2010 season the bears went undefeated 18-0 in the conference and finished 2nd in the state. So far in the 2010-2011 season the bears have clinched the number one spot in the conference again.
, 6-0. White Bear Lake and Hill Murray
, a local private school, have a long-standing rivalry in hockey. Some consider it amongst the most heated high school rivalries in the nation. In 2011, Hill-Murray was ranked first in the state and the nation entering the section tournament. In a game that will be remembered as one of the greatest in the rivalry, White Bear defeated Hill-Murray 4-3 in front of a capacity crowd to earn it's first state tournament appearance since 2005.
The 1974 White Bear Lake Cross Country team led by coach Joe Tamillo finished second in the state meet.
In 1972 distance runner Dennis Fee broke the two mile run record in Minnesota and thrilled long time outstanding track and field coach Ron Sass with his performances. Sass was the track coach of the year in Minnesota and won at least one state meet as coach of the Bears.
Lyle Helke was a standout coach in White Bear Mariner and White Bear Lake Area High School for twenty year from 1975-2006.
The Mariner Girls Cross Country Team won the State Cross Country Meet in 1977. (WB Press 11/4/77)
The White Bear Mariner Cross Country Girls won Conference and Regions in 1977 for cross country. (WB Press 10/16/77)
The White Bear Mariner Girls won Conference in 1978 for Track. (WB Press 5/78)
Angie King of White Bear Mariner was 10th in the State Cross Country Meet in 1976 under Lyle Helke.
She was a sophomore at the time. (WB Press 11/76)
Kitty Ho was the top runner for Mariner from 1976–77 and was 5th in the State High School Track Meet, 1977. Her best mile was 5:13.
Jane Hammerstrom was 5th in the State Two Mile with 11:24 at the State H.S. Track Finals and set a school record. (WB Press 6/3/78)
Kelly Moss was 2nd in the 800 yards in 1978 with a time of 2:16 at the State High School Track Meet and set a school record. (WB Press 6/2/78)
Mike Gebeke of White Bear Mariner Boys Track Team won the State Track Mile in 4:16 in 1978. Don Glover was his coach.
This information can be verified in White Bear Press from Fall of 1977 to Summer of 1978 and WBL High School Records.
The White Bear Lake 4x200 meter relay has also been a threat in the past. They placed in the State Meet in 2008 (6th), 2009 (1st), and 2010(1st). In 2010 the also set a new all time state record with a time of 1:27.63.
minor league), Jamie Ogden (Minnesota Twins
minor league), Bill Butters
(University of Minnesota
and NHL), Brian Bonin
(1996 Hobey Baker Award
winner and 1992 Minnesota Mr.Hockey award winner), Tony Benshoof
(Olympic luge) Matt Henderson (University of North Dakota
and NHL hockey), Brian Lemay (USA Rugby), Ryan Carter
(NHL 2007 Stanley Cup Winner), Zach Peterson (Kansas City Royals
), Angie Neihart (née Hopkins, NCAA Div II Champion, NCAA Player of the Year and Hall of Fame, Fast Pitch Softball, Augustana College), Gary Rinehart, All-State and NAIA All-American catcher, John Schlecht(Former Minnesota Gopher Great, Former NFL Player with Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers), Jessica Patricelli (National Broomball League (NBL)). Jane Hammerstrom (1978 Sr High School Indoor State Mile Champion - Gold Country Classic: UW Lacrosse, North Carolina Central, Mankato State University, 3000m 10:20) Matt Bennek, 2005 State Discuss Champion(158'9"), Ryan Konrath (University of North Dakota football team 2005 - 2009. 2008; Dale Greenless Memorial Award winner. 2009; Most Valuable Receiver, Bill Ordway Award, Ira Frendberg Award), Matt Stang (2005-2009 Clarinet player)
, Oklahoma!
, Beauty and the Beast
, Urinetown
, West Side Story
, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
. They also have captivated audiences with plays such as Much Ado About Nothing
, 12 Angry Jurors, and Treasure Island
.
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
White Bear Lake is a city in Ramsey and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 23,797 at the 2010 census. The city is located on White Bear Lake, one of the largest lakes in the Minneapolis-St...
. The school was formed by merging White Bear High School and White Bear Lake Mariner High in the 1983-84 school year, and currently consists of two campuses and an alternative learning center. North Campus houses grades nine and ten, while South Campus serves grades eleven and twelve and also contains a special education section separate from the high school. WBLAHS is the only school in the state of Minnesota and one of two in the entire country with grades 9-10 and 11-12 in different buildings.
North Campus
North Campus, the previous White Bear High School, is located in the north side of White Bear Lake, just NW of the downtown and was built in 1964. The school houses students grades 9-10. The campus features some unique architectural design elements, including circular hallways.South Campus
What is now known as South Campus was built in 1972 and opened in the Fall of '73 as White Bear Mariner High School. In contrast to North Campus, South's floor plan was originally open, consisting of only minimal walls between classrooms. In 1983, upon merging with White Bear High School, the building was remodeled to hold grades eleven and twelve, and a more traditional design was achieved by adding interior walls throughout. The building has since been expanded multiple times. In early 90's ten classrooms were added in the southeast corner of the building. A weight room and fitness center was added in 2005. The Mariner Theater stage was renovated in 2010, converting the space from a lecture hall/small stage theater to an acoustic venue worthy of housing White Bear's award winning vocal and instrumental programs.The South Campus houses a self-contained secondary special education school, operated and owned by Intermediate District 916 North East Metro School District, as well as special education classrooms. This facility was renovated in 2009.
Alternative Learning Center
Housed in the former Golfview Elementary, a few blocks away from South Campus, is White Bear Lake's alternative secondary program. This school houses secondary students grades 10 - 12 who are unable to participate in a traditional high school environment, including those who are not achieving to their potential, are parents, or have a day job. The building also contains the Insight program, a curriculum designed for students recovering from drug abuse and addictions.Football
White Bear High School won the Minnesota State Class AA Football Championship in 1976. Coached by Fred Konrath, the team posted a 12-0 record and finished the season with a 14-13 overtime win over Cloquet. The team held opponents to an average of less than one touchdown per game. As the only undefeated large school class (AA) football team in Minnesota, the 1976 Bears received a ranking of No. 17th in the Nation (http://www.hsfdatabase.com/nsns1976.htm). White Bear Lake has developed and maintained a strong tradition of football from its youth leagues through its High School.Basketball
The varsity basketball team won Minnesota state titles in 1984 and 1985, posting identical 26-0 records in both seasons, and beating Minneapolis North High School in both finals. Math teacher and varsity basketball coach Jim Galvin, who had a bald spot on the top of his head, much like a medieval friar, approved the distribution of paper "bald spots" for WBL faithful who donned them as part of their fan gear. Coach Galvin painted "Go Bears" inside his bald spot to show his school spirit during the tournaments. The fifty-two game win streak came to an end in the first game of the 1986 season with a loss to conference rival Woodbury High School.In 2009, the Girls' Basketball team fought their way to the state tournament but lost in the first round, in the 2009-2010 season the bears went undefeated 18-0 in the conference and finished 2nd in the state. So far in the 2010-2011 season the bears have clinched the number one spot in the conference again.
Hockey
A perennial powerhouse in hockey, WBLAHS has never won a first-round game in the State High School Hockey Tournament either as WBL HS or its current iteration, a streak that as of a loss in the first round of the 2011 tournament stood at 0-18. WBLAHS did take the consolation championship in 1990, 1994, 2003 and 2005. Mariner HS did advance to the 1982 Minnesota State Hockey Championship game where they were beaten by Edina High SchoolEdina High School
Edina High School is a three-year public high school located in Edina, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The school was founded in 1949 and is the main high school in the Edina School District....
, 6-0. White Bear Lake and Hill Murray
Hill-Murray School
Hill-Murray School is a coeducational private Catholic school serving grades 7-12. It is located on a site in Maplewood, Minnesota, a suburb of Saint Paul. Located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, it was established in 1971 through the consolidation of Archbishop...
, a local private school, have a long-standing rivalry in hockey. Some consider it amongst the most heated high school rivalries in the nation. In 2011, Hill-Murray was ranked first in the state and the nation entering the section tournament. In a game that will be remembered as one of the greatest in the rivalry, White Bear defeated Hill-Murray 4-3 in front of a capacity crowd to earn it's first state tournament appearance since 2005.
Golf
The Boys Golf team has also won the 1971, 2000 and 2004 State Championship with Grant Lissick (2000) and Andy Paulson (2004) winning the individual titles. The 2004 State Championship came with the distinction that all of the players hailed from public (rather than private) courses.Archery
The White Bear Lake Archery team has won the state tournament for Minnesota in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. They are considered one of the best high school teams in the country.Track and Cross Country
The 1975 Mariner Boys Track & Field team won the State Track & Field Meet held at St. Cloud Apollo High School.The 1974 White Bear Lake Cross Country team led by coach Joe Tamillo finished second in the state meet.
In 1972 distance runner Dennis Fee broke the two mile run record in Minnesota and thrilled long time outstanding track and field coach Ron Sass with his performances. Sass was the track coach of the year in Minnesota and won at least one state meet as coach of the Bears.
Lyle Helke was a standout coach in White Bear Mariner and White Bear Lake Area High School for twenty year from 1975-2006.
The Mariner Girls Cross Country Team won the State Cross Country Meet in 1977. (WB Press 11/4/77)
The White Bear Mariner Cross Country Girls won Conference and Regions in 1977 for cross country. (WB Press 10/16/77)
The White Bear Mariner Girls won Conference in 1978 for Track. (WB Press 5/78)
Angie King of White Bear Mariner was 10th in the State Cross Country Meet in 1976 under Lyle Helke.
She was a sophomore at the time. (WB Press 11/76)
Kitty Ho was the top runner for Mariner from 1976–77 and was 5th in the State High School Track Meet, 1977. Her best mile was 5:13.
Jane Hammerstrom was 5th in the State Two Mile with 11:24 at the State H.S. Track Finals and set a school record. (WB Press 6/3/78)
Kelly Moss was 2nd in the 800 yards in 1978 with a time of 2:16 at the State High School Track Meet and set a school record. (WB Press 6/2/78)
Mike Gebeke of White Bear Mariner Boys Track Team won the State Track Mile in 4:16 in 1978. Don Glover was his coach.
This information can be verified in White Bear Press from Fall of 1977 to Summer of 1978 and WBL High School Records.
The White Bear Lake 4x200 meter relay has also been a threat in the past. They placed in the State Meet in 2008 (6th), 2009 (1st), and 2010(1st). In 2010 the also set a new all time state record with a time of 1:27.63.
Notable athletes
Other notable athletes include: Maggie Meyer (2012 Olympic hopeful in swimming), Joe Regnier (NDSU basketball hall of fame), Larry Ogden (Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
minor league), Jamie Ogden (Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
minor league), Bill Butters
Bill Butters
William Joseph Butters is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 217 games in the World Hockey Association and 72 games in the National Hockey League...
(University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
and NHL), Brian Bonin
Brian Bonin
Brian Raymond Bonin is a former professional ice hockey center. He was drafted in the ninth round, 211th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft....
(1996 Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
winner and 1992 Minnesota Mr.Hockey award winner), Tony Benshoof
Tony Benshoof
Tony Benshoof is an American luger from White Bear Lake, Minnesota who has been competing since 1990...
(Olympic luge) Matt Henderson (University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
and NHL hockey), Brian Lemay (USA Rugby), Ryan Carter
Ryan Carter
Ryan Michael Carter is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
(NHL 2007 Stanley Cup Winner), Zach Peterson (Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
), Angie Neihart (née Hopkins, NCAA Div II Champion, NCAA Player of the Year and Hall of Fame, Fast Pitch Softball, Augustana College), Gary Rinehart, All-State and NAIA All-American catcher, John Schlecht(Former Minnesota Gopher Great, Former NFL Player with Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers), Jessica Patricelli (National Broomball League (NBL)). Jane Hammerstrom (1978 Sr High School Indoor State Mile Champion - Gold Country Classic: UW Lacrosse, North Carolina Central, Mankato State University, 3000m 10:20) Matt Bennek, 2005 State Discuss Champion(158'9"), Ryan Konrath (University of North Dakota football team 2005 - 2009. 2008; Dale Greenless Memorial Award winner. 2009; Most Valuable Receiver, Bill Ordway Award, Ira Frendberg Award), Matt Stang (2005-2009 Clarinet player)
Theater
White Bear Lake has a state-renown theater program. The program involves White Bear Lake High School students of all grades in musicals and plays. From their award-winning shows, their talent is considered one of the best in the state. In recent years, White Bear Lake has featured such musicals as GreaseGrease
Grease may refer to:* Grease , a type of industrial lubricant* Yellow grease, in rendering, used frying oils, or lower-quality grades of tallow...
, Oklahoma!
Oklahoma!
Oklahoma! is the first musical written by composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs. Set in Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906, it tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance...
, Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast is a traditional fairy tale. The first published version of the fairy tale was a rendition by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, published in La jeune américaine, et les contes marins in 1740...
, Urinetown
Urinetown
Urinetown: The Musical is a satirical comedy musical, with music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Hollmann and Greg Kotis, and book by Kotis. It satirizes the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, and municipal politics...
, West Side Story
West Side Story
West Side Story is an American musical with a script by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreographed by Jerome Robbins...
, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, based on Shepherd Mead's 1952 book of the same name....
. They also have captivated audiences with plays such as Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy written by William Shakespeare about two pairs of lovers, Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero....
, 12 Angry Jurors, and Treasure Island
Treasure Island
Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "pirates and buried gold". First published as a book on May 23, 1883, it was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881–82 under the title Treasure Island; or, the...
.
Other activities
- As of 2006, White Bear Lake has the third ranked classic debate team in Minnesota.
- White Bear's 2007 mock trialMock trialA Mock Trial is an act or imitation trial. It is similar to a moot court, but mock trials simulate lower-court trials, while moot court simulates appellate court hearings. Attorneys preparing for a real trial might use a mock trial consisting of volunteers as role players to test theories or...
team finished second in the state, going 8-0 through regional and state tournament competition but losing their first match in the state championship round. - The White Bear Lake Mock Trial team took second in state in 2008.
- The White Bear Lake boys Cross Country team finally won their first conference championship on October 10, 2008. The girls team came in second.
- Taco Salad is served on every Thursday.
- Big Daddy's Pizza is served on every Friday.
- The White Bear Lake Bowling Team won the state title in 2005, led by co-captains Steven Hodgson and Jeff Lunda, who were on Minnesota's top 75 High School Bowlers list that same season. White Bear Lake also posted a state championship in 2008. It had two top 6 athletes in the state in 2009, being Neil Cooley and Austin Jahnke.
- White Bear Lakes archery team won the state tournament in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.