Bellevue West High School’s spring varsity sports season is just about ready to go as the Thunderbirds prepare to compete in baseball, boys’ and girls’ track & field, boys’ and girls’ soccer, girls’ tennis, and boys’ golf. The following season previews and outlooks were provided by the Bellevue West coaching staffs.
Baseball
- Head Coach: Nick Schumacher
- 1st Season as Head Coach
- Assistant Coaches: Jack Bland, Easton York, Joel Kelpe, Nick Manganaro
- Last Year’s Record: 20-10 (Spring), 30-16-1 (Summer)
Season Outlook: We have a good core of senior leadership and we are returning a lot of players from our summer legion team that made it to state. We will be looking at some of our underclassmen to make some big contributions in the line up. We are a very blue collar team that is willing to put in the work. As good a players as we have on the field, our off-the-field bond and culture is what our team is known for.
We have a Jamboree scrimmage on March 12th vs Prep, and then we kick off our season at home on March 20th vs Norris.
Team Leaders:
- Aiden Ensor – OF (Senior/signed with Wayne State College) –Aiden had a great Junior year and looks to continue to lead this team. He will bat at the top of the lineup and play CF.
- Dominic Berry – SS/2B – (Senior/signed with Midland-Football) – Dom is a speedy middle infielder that we will look to provide a spark to our team. He is an ultimate competitor and teammate on and off the field.
- Dane Sudduth – 1B/3B – (Senior/signed with Benedictine College) – Dane is one of the best pure hitters in the state and will hit in the middle of our lineup. Look for him to be one of the top RBI guys this season.
- Joseph Hartin-Kovy – RHP – (Senior/signed with Doane) – JHK is going to be a guy we rely on heavily this year. His ability to keep hitters off balance is unmatched. He has a 4 pitch mix paired with some crazy windup and stretch moves that make him tough to hit.
- Gage Schaefer – RHP – (Senior) – Gage was our number 1 pitcher last summer and was 6-0 with a 3.06 ERA. We will look to him once again to lead this staff.
- Jayden Ortez – OF/1B (Sophomore) – JO had a great freshmen season that earned him a spot at the top of the lineup. Hard work this offseason has solidified that spot and experience will carry him to new heights.
Girls Track and Field
- Head Coach: Emilia Bradford
- 1st Season as Girls Head Coach
- Assistant Coaches: Danielle Anderson (Long/Triple Jump), Bryan Bell (Throws), Christian Bell (Throws), Jorell Richardson (Asst. Sprints), Nick Allman (JV Sprints), and Katja Martens (Pole Vault)
- Last Season, our girls placed 6th overall at State.
Season Outlook: This is going to be an exciting year for our girls. While we have some incredible, high performing returners, we have an exceptional number of new faces that are ready to rise to the occasion. Last year, we had a smaller girls track & field team, but already we are doubling the participation. These girls are ready to win their events, win meets, and celebrate goals all season long! Our first meet will kickoff on Saturday, March 21st.
Team Leaders:
- Janiyah Willis – Janiyah is a Senior this year, who medaled in the 300m Hurdles, 100m Hurdles, and 4×4 relay at State last year. Her focus, leadership, and energy are unmatched. She is an enthusiastic teammate that plays a key role not only on the track but uplifting her team with words of encouragement every day.
- Tatum Nielson – Tatum is a Senior this year, who medaled in the 800, mile, 2 mile, and 4×4 relay at State last year. She is also committed to Creighton University to compete in their Athletic Program for Cross Country and Track & Field. Tatum’s work ethic is incomparable. The focus on and off the track will show big results as we continue to unfold this year’s season.
Most Improved:
- Elliana Barta – Elli, a short sprints competitor who showed up for herself during the preseason. The dedication she had to improving in the offseason is showing already the first week of practice. She’s stronger, faster, and ready to be a key player in scoring points for the girl’s team.
- Thessica Mba – Thessica, a senior short sprints competitor who made the effort to prepare for her senior track season in the offseason. She is a great example of what being ‘coachable’ means and I am excited for her to take on a bigger role on the track, as well as being a great leader for our younger girls on the team.
Boys Track and Field
- Head Coach: Derrell Bradford
- 2nd Season as Boys Head Coach
- Assistant Coaches: Danielle Anderson (Long/Triple Jump), Bryan Bell (Throws), Christian Bell (Throws), Jorell Richardson (Asst. Sprints), Nick Allman (JV Sprints), and Katja Martens (Pole Vault)
- Last Season: Last year, our boys’ team finished 14th overall at the State Meet. This year we’re even stronger in the sprints, jumps, and relays which will do a lot of the team scoring for us this year.
Season Outlook: I’m looking forward to seeing how well our athletes compete as a team. Last spring we finished team runner-up at the A-3 district meet in North Platte. All offseason I have been preaching that we want more this year. Runner-up is amazing, but let’s go be champions this time around. Our relays will be some of the fastest there is in the state of Nebraska this year.
Bellevue West is known statewide for being great at basketball and football, but those same athletes who make those teams great are now looking to put the track and field team on that same level. We have elite sprinters, jumpers, and throwers that are ready to show the State what we’ve been working on.
Our first indoor meet is March 21st at the College of Saint Mary’s. Our first outdoor meet will be April 2nd at Bellevue East High School.
Team Leaders:
- Breu Van Briesen – A senior who is a two time State Qualifier in the 100 Meters and ran a leg on our 4×100 relay that placed 8th at State last year. He is someone that gives 100% on every rep, drill, and lift that we do. Breu is not only a leader on our team, he is a leader in our school. Breu is a member of the Bellevue West Student Council, Senior Senate, and was voted Homecoming King this past fall.
- Jerimiah Price – A junior who placed 7th in the 400 Meters and ran a leg on our 4×400 relay that placed 4th at the State Meet last year. He is the hardest worker on our team and the energy he brings to practice everyday makes others want to be better. He leads by example with everything we do and others follow suit.
Most Improved:
- Kahlee Smith – A senior who ran a leg on our 4×400 relay that placed 4th at the State Meet last year. He went from JV one year to being on one of the best 4×400 relays in the state the next year. Once Kahlee bought in to our program his times continued to lower. This year he’s looking to make some noise in his individual events.
- Judson Gregory – A junior who runs the 1600 meters and runs a leg on our 4×800 relay. Judson has grown mentally and physically from last year and this year he’s looking to run even faster. Judson often leads the boys distance group in practice and his dedication to the track and school is something that is admired. He will be someone we depend on in the mid-distance events this year.
Girls Soccer
- Head Coach: Alan Carr
- 4th Season as Head Coach
- Assistant Coaches: Tobias Maertzke, Jayda Noble, Baylee Tex
- Last Year’s Record: 19-2 – Metro Champions, state semi-finalist
Season Outlook: Most of our starters are returning and we should have another good year. Our first match is on March 19th at 7pm – at home vs. Elkhorn South.
Team Leaders:
- Yirah Sears – broke numerous school records last year – forward – one of the top goal scorers in the state last year
- Maddy Morgia – Team captain , midfielder, senior
Most Improved:
- Josie Ryan – was a big part of our success last year as a freshman, excited to watch her perform again
Boys Golf
- Head Coach: Rick Mintken
- 4th Season as Head Coach
- Assistant Coaches: Dane Bacon
Season Outlook: I’m looking forward to seeing improvement from the players, hopefully have some good competition for spots, and hopefully field a quality team.
The season tees off on March 25th at Benson Golf Course.
Team Leaders: Andrew Thomas (Jr), Jacob Pearson (Sr) Adam Williams (Sr) Chase Contreras (Jr) – these kids have been in the program for 3-4 years, know what is expected, high quality individuals in the classroom and outside of the classroom. They should be competing for varsity spots this year
Most Improved: Kellen Pentico (S0) Andrew Thomas (Jr) – Kellen played varsity last year as a freshman and gained some valuable experience, he has the physical ability, but last year helped with his mental side and looking forward to seeing him put it all together this year. Andrew came on strong at the end of last season, has worked on his game during the off season and I am looking forward to seeing what he can do this year!
Girls Tennis
- Head Coach: Stattin Yates
- 2nd Season as Head Coach
- Assistant Coach: Mitchell Porter
- Last Year: Finished 6th in the State Duals Championships and 11th in the State Tournament.
Season Outlook: We have a young core of players who will add depth to our team. We love the support of the community and invite you to check out our schedule and attend any match you are able to. Bellevue West will be starting youth tennis camps this summer and sign up info will be available soon.
The 2026 season begins on March 24th at Marian.
Team Leaders: Senior Angela Berger and Junior Tory Adams bring energy and consistency to the team.
Most Improved: Chloe Mischke and Hope Keith, who cracked the varsity lineup as freshmen last year, are looking to make a big splash as sophomores.
