Beyond the Books - October 2025

October 8, 2025

At Cretin-Derham Hall, students have important opportunities to grow, learn and thrive both in the classroom and 'beyond the books!' In fact, 98% of students participate in one or more sports or activities. 

Beyond the Books is our brag book on all of your favorite co-curriculars at CDH: athletics, activities, JROTC, Campus Ministry, and the Arts. This can also be a place for occasional school-wide athletic department updates and current news on some of our activities.

 

ATHLETICS | ACTIVITIES | BAND | CHOIR | JROTC | THEATER

Athletics 

CDH Athletic Office

By Staff

Cretin-Derham Hall will host its Winter Sports Parent/Player Meeting on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 6 pm in the Joe Mauer Field House. All winter sport athletes and their parents are encouraged to attend this important evening, which will begin with a general session for all participants before moving into team-specific breakout meetings. This gathering provides families the opportunity to hear key updates, connect with coaches, and prepare for a successful season ahead.

Girls Basketball

By Tara Gunderson, Head Coach

We are excited with the upcoming basketball season soon approaching! 

**Tryout Information

November 10,11,12
3 - 5:30pm
CDH Fieldhouse

Register through Final Forms - watch for an email soon to register!

Football

By Kim Royston ’06, Head Coach

The Raider Football team continued its impressive season with a 37-7 win over Bloomington Kennedy on October 4, improving to 5-1 on the year. The Raiders have now won five straight games and are averaging over 40 points per game during that stretch.

Running Back Ja’Dale Thompson ’26 was recently recognized as the Star Tribune Athlete of the Week, a well-deserved honor for his outstanding performances leading the CDH offense.

The Raiders have two regular-season games remaining before the playoffs begin. They will host Mahtomedi on Friday, October 10 at 7 pm at the University of St. Thomas, then travel to Elk River on Wednesday, October 15 for a 6 pm kickoff.

CDH is currently ranked #6 in the state, and the team looks to continue its strong play as postseason competition approaches. 

Cross Country

By Chris Babcock, Head Coach

Saturday, October 4, 2025, the girls' cross country team took to the starting line for the last of their regular season races before the start of their championship season, which starts on Tuesday, October 14 at Tanners Brook Golf Course in Forest Lake at the Suburban East Conference meet. Today they were competing in the Simley Invitational against many of the teams they will see in their section 3AA meet on Wednesday, October 22 at Valley View Golf Course in Apple Valley. The Raiders ran tough in the heat and up the infamous "German" hill picking their way through the pack. It was Elisa Nobrega ’28 who led the Raiders through the two mile mark and into the finish line at 5K. Her sister Katie Nobrega ’27 ran 1:28 faster than her time on this course a year ago, showcasing her strength and perseverance in less than ideal conditions.

The boys have been running well with sophomores Joe Steinhoff ’28 and Caleb Fanning ‘28 leading the way. Healthy for the end of the season, Steinhoff is getting in more races than a year ago. He continues to run well around that 20:00 mark. He and Fanning are looking to have break out races in the Suburban East Conference and the Section 3AA meets later this month. Noah Remer ’28 has been running strong in the JV ranks helping newcomers Will Oberpriller ’28, and Brody Quinn ’29 to get their footing in the sport.

The Simley Invitational was a good trial run for both of our teams with the section meet coming up in a little less than three weeks. We are looking forward to seeing how we stack up against the teams in our new section.

Performance Dance

By Georgia Ingwell ’17, Head Coach

This season has been incredible to watch unfold. It’s been amazing to see each dancer find their voice and step into their own. Practices are filled with hard work, plenty of laughs, and a determination to finish the season strong. I couldn’t be prouder of how the team continues to grow, both in their dancing and in who they are. 

Boys Soccer

By Ryan Burke, Assistant Coach

The Raiders remain the only undefeated team in Class AA. They remain tough thanks to their continued effectiveness from their defense who is only giving up 0.58 goals per game. Colin Hafenbrack ’28 has stepped up in midfield while taking on additional responsibilities while captain Billy Cornett ’26 has been out of action in recent games. 

The Raiders have suffered several setbacks with injuries and illness and have still shown they can continue their undefeated streak. Sectional play begins on October 8. Stay tuned as we announce game times and opponents as they become available.

Girls Soccer

By Aileen Guiney, Head Coach

Girls Soccer is excited and ready for the challenge of sections! In the very competitive Suburban East Conference, we face high quality teams every week and our out of conference schedule had us facing up against the top 2A teams in the state. All that to say, we are READY to put our best soccer forward next week. Our focus this year has been on continuous improvement and since our start in August, we have made continuous strides. We have outstanding leadership (as well as great goals and assist production) from our captains: Brynn McCabe ’26, Claire Lyons ’26 and CeCe Larson ’26. But it’s not just on our captains, our entire team is ready to peak and bring our best soccer to sections!

Girls Tennis

By Tim Spika, Head Coach

The 2025 Girls’ Tennis team season ended with a 3-4 loss to Holy Angels in the Section 3AA semifinals. Despite the sudden end, the season was anything but a downer. As tennis participation continues to grow at CDH, the number of players kept on each team also grows. This year we had 18 players on the varsity, 12 being seniors.

Despite that large number, the season couldn’t have been more positive, fun and rewarding. The girls produced some amazing tennis all year. Each match was competitive, even against some of the bigger schools in the Suburban East Conference.

The most impressive aspect of this year’s team was their togetherness, bond and support for each other. They were a talented group that was able to blend fun and competitiveness all year. Most importantly, their behavior and attitudes were often praised by opposing coaches and players. On many occasions opposing players told me that the CDH girls were “the nicest girls we have ever played.” The movie nights that the girls had, along with team dinners/get-togethers and our day trip to Duluth added to the positive team spirit. In short, great tennis was played by an amazing group of young women.

It’s young women like the 2025 tennis Raiders that can give anyone confidence that there is real hope for the future of our country and world. Women leaders like we had this year on the tennis team will move our society in a very positive direction. While we’re sad to see the team season end, we’re elated that we had so many positive experiences with so many positive young women. Our individual tournament participants will play in the Section Individual Tournament next week.

Thanks for a fantastic season and good luck to those still playing.

Girls Swim and Dive

By Lisa Thomas, Head Coach

Girls swim and dive is rounding the hallway mark in our season and entering a busy competition stretch! We are at the highpoint of our season for training and looking towards True team Sections, a busy few weeks of dual meets and eager for taper season!  October 9 we honor our seniors at our last dual meet of the season. October 9, 7pm at St. Kate's pool. Our seniors continue to lead with integrity and kindness while balancing coursework, college applications, JROTC commitments, and more.  Please join us on Oct. 9 to honor our class of 2026! 

Girls Volleyball

By Erin Horn, Head Coach

Members of the CDH volleyball program continue to learn and grow every time they step on the court. Our lower levels are drawing closer to the end of their respective seasons with three conference matches remaining over the next two weeks. Varsity suffered a couple tough losses last week, but also knocked off Stillwater, and is currently in a three-way tie for first place in the SEC. They also had a great tournament showing over the weekend, taking 1st place in the Twin Cities Challenge tournament in Burnsville. Varsity is currently ranked 7th in class AAA going into the final weeks of the season. 

 

Activities 

Art Club

By Suzanne Cranston, Moderator

Art Club is starting off with over 40 members this year!

The beautiful thing about this club is, you do NOT have to attend every weekly get-together. You can pop in when your schedule allows it and join in on all the creativity.

This month Art Clubbers are embracing all things October! We're making charm bracelets, spooky vintage painting "re-do" (it's a viral internet crafty thing), re-imagining vintage figurines and painting them in a new style, and starting the Inktober Challenge! 

Art Club meets Mondays afterschool until 4pm

Room MFA102

Women’s Club

By Cheistina DeVos, Moderator

We will start meeting every other Monday during Flex starting on October 13. Anyone interested should reach out to Ms. DeVos at cdevos@c-dh.org.

Fashion Club

By Christina DeVos, Moderator

We will start meeting every other Friday during Flex starting on October 3. Anyone interested should reach out to Ms. DeVos at cdevos@c-dh.org.

Clay Target Team

By Jason Naber, Coach

The CDH Clay Target Team participates in both Trap and Skeet and is active in both fall and spring seasons.  Spring is the primary season for the team that runs from April until the state tournament in June. Fall is typically a smaller roster of kids returning from the previous spring season. The team is comprised of both boys and girls and everyone on the team participates, even in the state tournaments. It truly is a team sport that has been very successful; they have brought home individual, conference and state medals in both Trap and Skeet. The fall season is currently underway; anyone interested in meeting members of the team and seeing the team in action should contact Mr. Anderson. Informational meetings and registration for the spring season will start in February. We garnered great interest at the recent activities fair and are looking to add many new kids to our team this spring. Please see our activity website for more information, and please reach out to Coach Naber or Mr. Anderson. 

Sustainability Club

By Jessie Botello, Moderator

Sustainability Club meets every other Monday in AC-213!  Our next meeting is 10/20!

 

Band

By Teddy Williams, Band Director

Instrumental music groups are hard at work preparing for concerts! Check out the following dates/groups for performance information:

Pit Orchestra 

(performing with CDH Theater's fall musical - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee)

Performance Times (Lillian Theater)

Thursday, 10/23 at 7pm
Friday, 10/24 at 7pm
Saturday, 10/25 at 2pm and 7pm
Sunday, 10/26 at 2pm

Concert Band, Jazz Band, and String Ensemble - Fall Concert

Tuesday, November 11, 7pm in the CDH Lillian Theater

 

Choir

By Delilah Schuster, Choir Director

Fall Choir Concert

Tuesday, November 4, 7pm in the CDH Lillian Theater

 

JROTC

By SGM David Berrisford '81, COL Scrocca, and SFC Thingvold

Theater

By Cullen Wiley '16, Theater Director

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opens October 23! The musical only runs for one weekend, so don't miss your chance to see this hilarious show! It is recommended for 5th grade and up.

• October 23, 7 pm
• October 24, 7 pm
• October 25, 2pm and 7 pm
• October 26 2 pm

 

Childrens Play
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
Show Dates: December 4-14

Winter Black Box Play
The Outsiders
Show Dates: February 20-March 1

Spring Musical
The Little Mermaid
Show Dates: May 1-10