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Notable Moments in Warrior Alpine History
History
Warrior Alpine Team HistoryThe Brainerd Warrior Alpine story is a living history built from Brainerd Dispatch archive pages, team rosters, state records, and recovered team sources.
The program's modern story begins with a late-1980s revival under Jim Ruttger, grows through the deep rosters of the 1990s and early 2000s, and reaches major peaks with Section 5 titles, state appearances, the 2014-15 girls state championship, and recent state podium finishes.
Featured Milestones
Sources: Athletics: Godfather of Warrior Alpine skiing to be inducted
1988-90: The modern Warrior Alpine era is rebuiltThe modern Warrior Alpine era traces to a late-1980s revival under Jim Ruttger. Contemporary coverage from January 1990 described Brainerd's boys Alpine/downhill team as the first since 1983 and reported a promising early turnout, with 24 boys and two girls attending workshops.
Notable names: Jim Ruttger
Sources: Athletics: Godfather of Warrior Alpine skiing to be inducted; Smooth skiing: Boys' alpine team rolling
1989-90: First documented race results of the revived eraBy winter 1989-90, the revived Warriors were back in regular competition. Brainerd placed seventh at the Cloquet-Esko Invitational at Mt. Du Lac, then eighth in regional competition. Early documented racers include Joe Taatjes, Brad Busbey/Busby, John Linn, Mike Stachour, Dirk Melby, Nate Pohl, and Nate Ford.
Sources: Alpine skiers seventh; Brainerd downhill skiers 8th at region
1991-92: Boys climb in Section 7A 1992 season preview recapped the previous winter as an important early step: the Warrior boys finished third in Section 7 and sent John Linn to state, while the girls placed sixth in the section.
Sources: Warrior downhill ski team has record
1992-93: Record turnout and a true varsity rosterIn only the fourth season since the program was resurrected, the Warriors had a record 40 varsity skiers: 25 boys and 15 girls. The roster included returning letterwinners on both teams and a large group of other varsity candidates. At Section 7, the Brainerd girls placed sixth and the boys ninth; Sara Sherman finished 14th for the girls, while Jared Kessel and Nate Kline were the top Brainerd boys.
Sources: Warrior downhill ski team has record; Warriors sixth, ninth
1995-96: Mid-90s depth takes shapeBy the 1995-96 preview, Brainerd had a recognizable returning core on both sides. The article highlighted Nicki/Nicole Anderson on the girls side and listed returning boys including Brandon Anderson, Tim Baltz, Paul Esser, Josh Melby, Andy Rangen, Nick Bedard, Matt Clough, Clint Meyer, Brandon Thomas, Adam Beebe, Matt Majka, and Chris Ziebell.
Sources: Alpine ski teams on verge of successful seasons
1996-97: Warriors sweep at homeThe Warriors showed their depth at the Brainerd Invitational, sweeping the boys and girls team competitions. The boys result included Eric Charpentier, Adam Beebe, Clint Meyer, and Chris Ziebell; the girls result included Lexy Zarling, Abby Thuringer, and Stasya Zarling.
Sources: Depth helps Warriors sweep
1997-98: Charpentier and the Warrior girls win racesBrainerd's late-90s momentum continued at the home invite. Eric Charpentier won on the boys side, and the Warrior girls won their race behind names such as Lexy Zarling, Abby Thuringer, Stasya Zarling, Branelle Cibuzar, Emily Hodland, Jessie Berg, and Kellie/Kelli Burton.
Sources: Charpentier, Warrior girls win races
1998-99: Girls make their case among the eliteThe 1998-99 girls team produced one of the strongest documented early-era moments: Stasya Zarling won the Brainerd Invitational and the Warrior girls won the team title. The result also captured Abby Thuringer, Branelle Cibuzar, Katie Majka, Heather Ziebell, Laura Furda, Morgan Klang, and Kellie/Kelli Burton.
Sources: The right course: Girls' alpine skiers should be included in elite class after win
2000-01: A deep roster anchorThe 2000-01 roster is one of the strongest surviving anchors for the early 2000s, listing boys and girls by grade and helping preserve athletes who might not appear in state or varsity-only stories. Brainerd Invitational results also add JV names, reinforcing that the program's story is broader than just state qualifiers.
Sources: Warrior Alpine Ski Roster 2000/2001 Season; Brainerd Invitational boys results; Brainerd Invitational girls results
2005-06: Mid-2000s state lineups rebuild the recordState records and prior research begin to fill the mid-2000s, identifying Warrior girls such as Kaitlyn Ziebell, Ashley Hillstrom, and Taryn Ruttger as part of the state-era story.
2006-07: Boys head to stateThe 2007 boys state preview captured a full state-meet group: senior captains Ryan Ruttger and Scott Agre, juniors Zach Skogen and Tom Lyscio, sophomores Bror Linneroth/Linnerooth and Thomas Ruttger, plus alternates Jacob Morey and Tim Nelson.
Sources: Brainerd Alpine skiing heads to state
2008-09: Girls win Section 5 and place eighth at stateThe 2008-09 girls team was a major milestone: Section 5 champions and eighth at state. Official state results list Taryn Ruttger, Andrea Cibuzar, Katie Hutchison, Savannah Stone, Arianna Cibuzar, and Gina Engel.
Sources: Warriors' Alpine skiing; 2008-2009 MSHSL Yearbook: 2009 Girls' Alpine Skiing state results
2009-10: A 31-skier roster and returning state experienceThe 2009-10 preview described a 31-skier roster with 12 letterwinners. Ryan Weihmueller returned as the boys state meet entrant, Savannah Stone returned from the girls state team, and Justin Wright was highlighted as a contributor with speed.
Sources: Warriors' Alpine skiing
2011-12: A young core emergesThe 2011-12 preview preserved a bridge between eras, with seniors Taylor Finger, Thor Linneroth, and Lars Ohlin alongside a younger boys group that included Gabriel Gibson, Ben Thoele, Garett Lee, Grant Anderson, Kyle Hensel, Calvin Johnson, and Grant Madison.
2014-15: Girls reach the topThe 2014-15 Warrior girls delivered a program-defining season, winning multiple regular-season meets, taking Section 5, and then winning the state championship. Brainerd won the state title by 26 points over Blake, with Alex Stone 13th, Emily Aga 29th, Hannah Moen 34th, Grace McGuire 35th, Ashley Fitterer 42nd, and Payge Fitterer 79th at Giants Ridge.
Sources: Alpine Skiing: Warrior girls capture fourth win of season; Alpine Skiing: Warrior girls dominate again; Brainerd skis to section title; Warrior girls ski to state title
2016-17: Veteran girls, two boys to stateThe Warriors returned to state with a veteran girls contingent of Alex Stone, Grace McGuire, and Payge Fitterer, while Cal Madison and Grant Kosobud represented the boys.
Sources: Alpine Skiing: Warriors sending veteran girls contingent to state
2017-18: Boys keep winningThe 2017-18 boys continued the program's run of competitive depth, with a Dispatch result noting Brainerd's third boys meet win of the season. The same results capture a wide boys and girls lineup, including Nick Krantz, Tristan Elsenpeter, Brandon Neifert, Cal Madison, Grace McGuire, Maddie Pederson, Erin Hoelzel, and Emma Hiebert.
Sources: Alpine Skiing: Brainerd boys win third meet of season
2018-19: Home hill depthThe Warrior girls won the Mount Ski Gull invite, and the detailed varsity/JV results show the size of the modern program: deep girls and boys fields with names stretching from established leaders to younger pipeline skiers.
Sources: Warrior girls win invite at Mount Ski Gull
2019-20: Warriors sweep the openerBrainerd/Pillager/Pequot Lakes opened the 2019-20 season by sweeping team titles. Maddie Kalenberg, Emma Hiebert, Erin Hoelzel, Calia Chaney, Cal Madison, Esten Hiebert, Gavin Hoelzel, and Max Darkow were among the documented leaders.
Sources: Alpine Skiing: Warriors sweep titles in skiing opener
2020-21: Chaney and the Warriors win at Ski GullCalia Chaney helped Brainerd/Pillager/Pequot Lakes win at Mount Ski Gull, and the results show the current generation taking shape with Lauren Kalenberg, Aubrey Wiczek, Teagan Hartwig, Gavin Hoelzel, Sean Baumann, Logan Omberg, Parker Linn, Ethan Hiebert, Jagger Klecatsky, Derek Halbur, and Drew Cline.
Sources: Alpine Skiing: Chaney helps Brainerd/Pequot Lakes Warriors win at Ski Gull
2021-22: Eight Warriors ready for stateThe 2022 state preview identified eight Warriors ready for state: boys Gavin Hoelzel, Parker Linn, Esten Hiebert, Sean Baumann, Emmett Johnson, and Logan Omberg, plus girls Lauren Kalenberg and Calia Chaney. The boys qualified as a team for the second straight season, and Chaney and Kalenberg both finished in the top 25 at state to earn All-State honors.
Sources: Alpine Ski: 8 Warriors ready to compete at state; Alpine Ski: Chaney, Kalenberg earn all-state
2022-23: State experience returns on both sidesThe Warriors entered 2022-23 with two returning state skiers from both the boys and girls teams, and the full preview roster by grade gives a strong anchor for the current era. Calia Chaney later finished 11th at the 2023 state alpine meet, earning another All-State finish.
Sources: Alpine Ski: Warriors return 2 state skiers from both boys' and girls' teams; Alpine Ski: Pequot Lakes' Calia Chaney finishes 11th at state meet
2023-24: Girls advance back to stateThe 2023-24 girls advanced to state with a second-place Section 5 finish, then placed third at the state meet, the second-best finish in program history. Calia Chaney placed eighth and Lauren Kalenberg 15th to earn All-State, while Piper Grillo was 31st in her first state appearance.
Sources: Alpine Skiing: Brainerd girls advance to state; Alpine Skiing: Warrior boys ski to 3rd; Alpine Skiing: Warriors record program's 2nd-best finish
2024-25: Depth becomes the storyThe 2024-25 preview framed depth as a major Warrior strength, with rosters running from seniors to seventh-graders. Piper Grillo emerged as the season's lead state story: she won at Detroit Lakes, qualified for state with a fifth-place Section 5 finish, then placed 18th at state to earn All-State. Derek Halbur and Grillo were later named team MVPs.
Sources: Alpine Ski: Warriors hope depth is a strength; Alpine Skiing: Warriors score 2 first-places in DL; Alpine Skiing: Grillo gets green light for state; State Alpine Skiing: Grillo ends sophomore season in style; Alpine Skiing: Halbur, Grillo named MVPs; Alpine Skiing: Grillo helps Minnesota team to 1st
2025-26: The next waveThe 2025-26 preview pointed toward the next wave of Warriors, and the season quickly produced a run of wins. Piper Grillo won at the Brainerd Holiday Invite, Detroit Lakes Open, Breakaway Invite, both Giants Ridge events, and the Central Lakes Cup finale; Reef Sampson won the boys Central Lakes Cup finale. Both Warrior teams won the inaugural season-long Central Lakes Cup titles, and Grillo capped the high-school season by placing third at state.
Sources: Alpine Skiing: Brainerd's Grillo hopes to bring many more to state; Alpine Ski: Grillo, Warrior girls dominate home invite; Alpine Skiing: Grillo skis to another 1st; Alpine Skiing: Grillo, Warrior girls win again; Alpine Skiing: Grillo sweeps at Giants Ridge; Alpine Skiing: Sampson, Grillo lead Warriors to wins; Alpine Skiing: Grillo, Rasinski prepped for state; Alpine Ski: Brainerd's Grillo places 3rd at state
Research note: This history is still being expanded. The earliest revival years, some early-2000s seasons, and JV/non-state results remain active research areas.
The program's modern story begins with a late-1980s revival under Jim Ruttger, grows through the deep rosters of the 1990s and early 2000s, and reaches major peaks with Section 5 titles, state appearances, the 2014-15 girls state championship, and recent state podium finishes.
Featured Milestones
- 2014-15 girls: Section 5 champions and state champions.
- 2008-09 girls: Section 5 champions and eighth at state.
- 2023-24 girls: third at state, the program's second-best state finish.
- 2025-26: Central Lakes Cup titles for both Warrior teams and Piper Grillo third at state.
- Jim Ruttger skied for Brainerd through his 1973 graduation.
- The program had 192 regular-season invitational victories by the 2025 Hall of Fame profile.
Sources: Athletics: Godfather of Warrior Alpine skiing to be inducted
1988-90: The modern Warrior Alpine era is rebuiltThe modern Warrior Alpine era traces to a late-1980s revival under Jim Ruttger. Contemporary coverage from January 1990 described Brainerd's boys Alpine/downhill team as the first since 1983 and reported a promising early turnout, with 24 boys and two girls attending workshops.
Notable names: Jim Ruttger
Sources: Athletics: Godfather of Warrior Alpine skiing to be inducted; Smooth skiing: Boys' alpine team rolling
1989-90: First documented race results of the revived eraBy winter 1989-90, the revived Warriors were back in regular competition. Brainerd placed seventh at the Cloquet-Esko Invitational at Mt. Du Lac, then eighth in regional competition. Early documented racers include Joe Taatjes, Brad Busbey/Busby, John Linn, Mike Stachour, Dirk Melby, Nate Pohl, and Nate Ford.
- Team: seventh at the 1990 Cloquet-Esko Invitational.
- Team: eighth in the 1989-90 region meet.
- Individual: Brad Busbey/Busby led Brainerd at Cloquet in 23rd; Joe Taatjes led Brainerd at region in 26th.
Sources: Alpine skiers seventh; Brainerd downhill skiers 8th at region
1991-92: Boys climb in Section 7A 1992 season preview recapped the previous winter as an important early step: the Warrior boys finished third in Section 7 and sent John Linn to state, while the girls placed sixth in the section.
- Boys: third in Section 7.
- Girls: sixth in Section 7.
- State berth: John Linn qualified for state.
Sources: Warrior downhill ski team has record
1992-93: Record turnout and a true varsity rosterIn only the fourth season since the program was resurrected, the Warriors had a record 40 varsity skiers: 25 boys and 15 girls. The roster included returning letterwinners on both teams and a large group of other varsity candidates. At Section 7, the Brainerd girls placed sixth and the boys ninth; Sara Sherman finished 14th for the girls, while Jared Kessel and Nate Kline were the top Brainerd boys.
- Roster: 40 varsity skiers, including 25 boys and 15 girls.
- Section 7: girls sixth, boys ninth.
- Individual: Sara Sherman 14th in Section 7 girls race; Jared Kessel 29th and Nate Kline 30th for Brainerd boys.
Sources: Warrior downhill ski team has record; Warriors sixth, ninth
1995-96: Mid-90s depth takes shapeBy the 1995-96 preview, Brainerd had a recognizable returning core on both sides. The article highlighted Nicki/Nicole Anderson on the girls side and listed returning boys including Brandon Anderson, Tim Baltz, Paul Esser, Josh Melby, Andy Rangen, Nick Bedard, Matt Clough, Clint Meyer, Brandon Thomas, Adam Beebe, Matt Majka, and Chris Ziebell.
- Individual: Nicki/Nicole Anderson was described as the first Warrior girl to win a race since the program's resumption.
- State note from prior research: Andy Rangen was an individual state skier before and again in 1996.
Sources: Alpine ski teams on verge of successful seasons
1996-97: Warriors sweep at homeThe Warriors showed their depth at the Brainerd Invitational, sweeping the boys and girls team competitions. The boys result included Eric Charpentier, Adam Beebe, Clint Meyer, and Chris Ziebell; the girls result included Lexy Zarling, Abby Thuringer, and Stasya Zarling.
- Team win: Brainerd boys won the Brainerd Invitational.
- Team win: Brainerd girls won the Brainerd Invitational.
Sources: Depth helps Warriors sweep
1997-98: Charpentier and the Warrior girls win racesBrainerd's late-90s momentum continued at the home invite. Eric Charpentier won on the boys side, and the Warrior girls won their race behind names such as Lexy Zarling, Abby Thuringer, Stasya Zarling, Branelle Cibuzar, Emily Hodland, Jessie Berg, and Kellie/Kelli Burton.
- Individual win: Eric Charpentier won the boys race at the Brainerd Invitational.
- Team win: Warrior girls won the Brainerd Invitational girls race.
- State note from prior research: Chris Ziebell qualified individually for state in 1998.
Sources: Charpentier, Warrior girls win races
1998-99: Girls make their case among the eliteThe 1998-99 girls team produced one of the strongest documented early-era moments: Stasya Zarling won the Brainerd Invitational and the Warrior girls won the team title. The result also captured Abby Thuringer, Branelle Cibuzar, Katie Majka, Heather Ziebell, Laura Furda, Morgan Klang, and Kellie/Kelli Burton.
- Individual win: Stasya Zarling won the Brainerd Invitational girls race.
- Team win: Warrior girls won the Brainerd Invitational team title.
- State note from prior research: Heather Ziebell was part of the 1999 girls state team.
Sources: The right course: Girls' alpine skiers should be included in elite class after win
2000-01: A deep roster anchorThe 2000-01 roster is one of the strongest surviving anchors for the early 2000s, listing boys and girls by grade and helping preserve athletes who might not appear in state or varsity-only stories. Brainerd Invitational results also add JV names, reinforcing that the program's story is broader than just state qualifiers.
- Roster anchor: full boys/girls roster by grade survives for 2000-01.
- Depth note: Brainerd Invitational results include JV athletes in addition to varsity racers.
Sources: Warrior Alpine Ski Roster 2000/2001 Season; Brainerd Invitational boys results; Brainerd Invitational girls results
2005-06: Mid-2000s state lineups rebuild the recordState records and prior research begin to fill the mid-2000s, identifying Warrior girls such as Kaitlyn Ziebell, Ashley Hillstrom, and Taryn Ruttger as part of the state-era story.
- State note: Kaitlyn Ziebell and Ashley Hillstrom are tied to the 2006 girls state-era record.
- State note: Taryn Ruttger appears in state records beginning as a freshman in 2006.
2006-07: Boys head to stateThe 2007 boys state preview captured a full state-meet group: senior captains Ryan Ruttger and Scott Agre, juniors Zach Skogen and Tom Lyscio, sophomores Bror Linneroth/Linnerooth and Thomas Ruttger, plus alternates Jacob Morey and Tim Nelson.
- State berth: Brainerd boys qualified a full state-meet group in 2007.
- Captains/state lineup: Ryan Ruttger and Scott Agre were senior captains; Scott Agre was also an individual state qualifier.
- Alternates: Jacob Morey and Tim Nelson.
Sources: Brainerd Alpine skiing heads to state
2008-09: Girls win Section 5 and place eighth at stateThe 2008-09 girls team was a major milestone: Section 5 champions and eighth at state. Official state results list Taryn Ruttger, Andrea Cibuzar, Katie Hutchison, Savannah Stone, Arianna Cibuzar, and Gina Engel.
- Team: Section 5 champions.
- State: eighth at the girls state meet.
- State lineup: Taryn Ruttger, Andrea Cibuzar, Katie Hutchison, Savannah Stone, Arianna Cibuzar, Gina Engel.
Sources: Warriors' Alpine skiing; 2008-2009 MSHSL Yearbook: 2009 Girls' Alpine Skiing state results
2009-10: A 31-skier roster and returning state experienceThe 2009-10 preview described a 31-skier roster with 12 letterwinners. Ryan Weihmueller returned as the boys state meet entrant, Savannah Stone returned from the girls state team, and Justin Wright was highlighted as a contributor with speed.
- Roster: 31 skiers and 12 letterwinners reported in the preview.
- Returning state experience: Ryan Weihmueller for boys, Savannah Stone from the girls state team.
Sources: Warriors' Alpine skiing
2011-12: A young core emergesThe 2011-12 preview preserved a bridge between eras, with seniors Taylor Finger, Thor Linneroth, and Lars Ohlin alongside a younger boys group that included Gabriel Gibson, Ben Thoele, Garett Lee, Grant Anderson, Kyle Hensel, Calvin Johnson, and Grant Madison.
- Roster/preview bridge: seniors Taylor Finger, Thor Linneroth, and Lars Ohlin appeared with a young boys group that later connects into mid-2010s results.
2014-15: Girls reach the topThe 2014-15 Warrior girls delivered a program-defining season, winning multiple regular-season meets, taking Section 5, and then winning the state championship. Brainerd won the state title by 26 points over Blake, with Alex Stone 13th, Emily Aga 29th, Hannah Moen 34th, Grace McGuire 35th, Ashley Fitterer 42nd, and Payge Fitterer 79th at Giants Ridge.
- Team: Section 5 champions.
- State: girls state champions, Brainerd 164, Blake 138.
- State placers: Alex Stone 13th, Emily Aga 29th, Hannah Moen 34th, Grace McGuire 35th, Ashley Fitterer 42nd, Payge Fitterer 79th.
- Regular season: girls won multiple meets, including a fourth win of the season at Annandale and a dominant Brainerd Invite.
Sources: Alpine Skiing: Warrior girls capture fourth win of season; Alpine Skiing: Warrior girls dominate again; Brainerd skis to section title; Warrior girls ski to state title
2016-17: Veteran girls, two boys to stateThe Warriors returned to state with a veteran girls contingent of Alex Stone, Grace McGuire, and Payge Fitterer, while Cal Madison and Grant Kosobud represented the boys.
- State berth: Alex Stone, Grace McGuire, and Payge Fitterer qualified for the girls.
- State berth: Cal Madison and Grant Kosobud qualified for the boys.
Sources: Alpine Skiing: Warriors sending veteran girls contingent to state
2017-18: Boys keep winningThe 2017-18 boys continued the program's run of competitive depth, with a Dispatch result noting Brainerd's third boys meet win of the season. The same results capture a wide boys and girls lineup, including Nick Krantz, Tristan Elsenpeter, Brandon Neifert, Cal Madison, Grace McGuire, Maddie Pederson, Erin Hoelzel, and Emma Hiebert.
- Team win: Dispatch coverage described this as the Brainerd boys' third meet win of the season.
- Depth note: the result documented broad boys and girls lineups.
Sources: Alpine Skiing: Brainerd boys win third meet of season
2018-19: Home hill depthThe Warrior girls won the Mount Ski Gull invite, and the detailed varsity/JV results show the size of the modern program: deep girls and boys fields with names stretching from established leaders to younger pipeline skiers.
- Team win: Warrior girls won the Mount Ski Gull invite.
- Depth note: varsity and JV result boxes documented a large modern program.
Sources: Warrior girls win invite at Mount Ski Gull
2019-20: Warriors sweep the openerBrainerd/Pillager/Pequot Lakes opened the 2019-20 season by sweeping team titles. Maddie Kalenberg, Emma Hiebert, Erin Hoelzel, Calia Chaney, Cal Madison, Esten Hiebert, Gavin Hoelzel, and Max Darkow were among the documented leaders.
- Team sweep: Brainerd/Pillager/Pequot Lakes swept the season-opening team titles.
- Result leaders included Maddie Kalenberg and Cal Madison.
Sources: Alpine Skiing: Warriors sweep titles in skiing opener
2020-21: Chaney and the Warriors win at Ski GullCalia Chaney helped Brainerd/Pillager/Pequot Lakes win at Mount Ski Gull, and the results show the current generation taking shape with Lauren Kalenberg, Aubrey Wiczek, Teagan Hartwig, Gavin Hoelzel, Sean Baumann, Logan Omberg, Parker Linn, Ethan Hiebert, Jagger Klecatsky, Derek Halbur, and Drew Cline.
- Team win: Brainerd/Pillager/Pequot Lakes won at Mount Ski Gull.
- Individual lead: Calia Chaney led the girls result in the cited coverage.
Sources: Alpine Skiing: Chaney helps Brainerd/Pequot Lakes Warriors win at Ski Gull
2021-22: Eight Warriors ready for stateThe 2022 state preview identified eight Warriors ready for state: boys Gavin Hoelzel, Parker Linn, Esten Hiebert, Sean Baumann, Emmett Johnson, and Logan Omberg, plus girls Lauren Kalenberg and Calia Chaney. The boys qualified as a team for the second straight season, and Chaney and Kalenberg both finished in the top 25 at state to earn All-State honors.
- State berth: boys qualified as a team for the second straight season.
- Section 5 boys: Gavin Hoelzel ninth, Esten Hiebert 15th, Sean Baumann 18th, Parker Linn 19th.
- State girls: Calia Chaney 23rd and Lauren Kalenberg 24th, both All-State.
- Prior state note: boys had placed sixth as a team at the previous state meet.
Sources: Alpine Ski: 8 Warriors ready to compete at state; Alpine Ski: Chaney, Kalenberg earn all-state
2022-23: State experience returns on both sidesThe Warriors entered 2022-23 with two returning state skiers from both the boys and girls teams, and the full preview roster by grade gives a strong anchor for the current era. Calia Chaney later finished 11th at the 2023 state alpine meet, earning another All-State finish.
- Preview: two returning state skiers from both the boys and girls teams.
- State: Calia Chaney placed 11th at the 2023 state alpine meet.
- All-State: Chaney earned All-State for a second straight year.
Sources: Alpine Ski: Warriors return 2 state skiers from both boys' and girls' teams; Alpine Ski: Pequot Lakes' Calia Chaney finishes 11th at state meet
2023-24: Girls advance back to stateThe 2023-24 girls advanced to state with a second-place Section 5 finish, then placed third at the state meet, the second-best finish in program history. Calia Chaney placed eighth and Lauren Kalenberg 15th to earn All-State, while Piper Grillo was 31st in her first state appearance.
- Section 5 girls: second place, advancing the team to state.
- Section 5 individuals: Calia Chaney fifth, Lauren Kalenberg ninth, Piper Grillo 13th, Sophia Blanck 18th.
- State: girls placed third, described as the second-best finish in program history.
- All-State: Calia Chaney eighth and Lauren Kalenberg 15th.
- State team included Calia Chaney, Lauren Kalenberg, Piper Grillo, Aubrey Wiczek, Ceceyla Rasinski, and Sophia Blanck.
Sources: Alpine Skiing: Brainerd girls advance to state; Alpine Skiing: Warrior boys ski to 3rd; Alpine Skiing: Warriors record program's 2nd-best finish
2024-25: Depth becomes the storyThe 2024-25 preview framed depth as a major Warrior strength, with rosters running from seniors to seventh-graders. Piper Grillo emerged as the season's lead state story: she won at Detroit Lakes, qualified for state with a fifth-place Section 5 finish, then placed 18th at state to earn All-State. Derek Halbur and Grillo were later named team MVPs.
- Preview: girls returned three skiers from the 2024 third-place state team.
- Detroit Lakes Invite: Piper Grillo won and Brainerd girls placed first; Reef Sampson was third and Brainerd boys also placed first.
- Section 5: Grillo placed fifth and advanced individually; Brainerd girls placed sixth.
- State: Grillo placed 18th and earned All-State.
- Awards: Derek Halbur and Piper Grillo were named team MVPs.
- Postseason: Grillo helped Team Minnesota win the 2025 Western High School Nationals.
Sources: Alpine Ski: Warriors hope depth is a strength; Alpine Skiing: Warriors score 2 first-places in DL; Alpine Skiing: Grillo gets green light for state; State Alpine Skiing: Grillo ends sophomore season in style; Alpine Skiing: Halbur, Grillo named MVPs; Alpine Skiing: Grillo helps Minnesota team to 1st
2025-26: The next waveThe 2025-26 preview pointed toward the next wave of Warriors, and the season quickly produced a run of wins. Piper Grillo won at the Brainerd Holiday Invite, Detroit Lakes Open, Breakaway Invite, both Giants Ridge events, and the Central Lakes Cup finale; Reef Sampson won the boys Central Lakes Cup finale. Both Warrior teams won the inaugural season-long Central Lakes Cup titles, and Grillo capped the high-school season by placing third at state.
- Brainerd Holiday Invite: Grillo won and Brainerd girls placed first with a top-three sweep by Grillo, Cece Rasinski, and Clara Anderson.
- Detroit Lakes Open: Grillo won, Reef Sampson and Cece Rasinski placed second, and Brainerd swept team titles.
- Breakaway Invite: Grillo won and Brainerd girls placed first.
- Giants Ridge: Grillo won the Sunrise and Sunset events; Brainerd girls won the Sunrise team title.
- Central Lakes Cup finale: Reef Sampson and Piper Grillo won individually; both Brainerd teams won the meet and the inaugural season-long cup titles.
- State berth: Grillo qualified by placing third in Section 5; Cece Rasinski qualified for her first individual state trip and second overall.
- State: Grillo placed third in 1:16.09 and earned All-State; Rasinski also competed at state.
Sources: Alpine Skiing: Brainerd's Grillo hopes to bring many more to state; Alpine Ski: Grillo, Warrior girls dominate home invite; Alpine Skiing: Grillo skis to another 1st; Alpine Skiing: Grillo, Warrior girls win again; Alpine Skiing: Grillo sweeps at Giants Ridge; Alpine Skiing: Sampson, Grillo lead Warriors to wins; Alpine Skiing: Grillo, Rasinski prepped for state; Alpine Ski: Brainerd's Grillo places 3rd at state
Research note: This history is still being expanded. The earliest revival years, some early-2000s seasons, and JV/non-state results remain active research areas.