Bemidji High School stars Boyd and Olson commit to Bemidji State

Linebacker Evan Olson and midfielder Bronwyn Boyd signed letters of intent Wednesday to continue their athletic careers at BSU next fall.

Olson has been a three-year starter for the Lumberjacks grid team making 398 tackles in that span. They included 93 as a sophomre,133 as a junior and 172 (79 solos) last fall when Bemidji gained the state tournament for the first time in eight years.

He also played fullback on offense, carrying 88 times for 392 yards, a 4.48 yards per carry average.

He provided the inside game to Nate McGriff's outside threat in the Jacks attack.

He scored five touchdowns and ran one two point conversion for 32 points.

He will be used as an inside linebacker by the Beavers but will be redshirted next fall.

He is one of a growing number of Jacks to move across town to college hoping to reach the achievements of such recent stars as Eddie Acosta and Ryan Welle.

He is built along the lines of Bob Whelan who starred for four years as an inside line backer for the Beavers in the late 1970's.

Olson also wrestled through his junior year, reaching the state tournament last year.

He cited his familiarity with the Beaver program and his long time association with Head Coach Jeff Tesch as reasons for choosing Bemidji over other schools who had sought his services. He also relished the chance to play at home before his family and friends.

It was a similar pattern for Boyd, the inside midfielder who paced Bemidji in scoring this fall with18 points.

Bemidji reached the .500 mark for the first time in several seasons, ending 9-9-1.

"It's a dream come true to play for BSU," she said. She likewise is familiar with the program and knows both the coaches and players on the Beaver squad. "It was just a comfortable fit," she added.

She will play immediately, probably at her same inside midfield spot.

She follows the recent path of Amy Wallner who had a fine four-year career with the Beavers after graduating from Bemidji High.