Author: Neil Vierzba

Huskies Re-Sign Former Greyhounds Vos & Cole for Upcoming Season

The Huskies first game is May 27th at the Badlands Big Sticks.

DULUTH, Minn.- Two familiar faces will be back with the Duluth Huskies this summer. The team announced Thursday that they have re-signed former Duluth East Greyhounds Ethan Cole and Joe Vos. Cole just wrapped up his junior season at UMD. In 49 games, he clubbed 10 home runs and had 36 runs batted in for the Bulldogs. Vos, who plays…

St. Scholastica’s Trent Beseth Wins 2024 MIAC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year Award

Beseth is the first Saint to win a major MIAC award since the school joined the conference in 2022.

DULUTH, Minn.- St. Scholastica thrower Trent Beseth has been named the 2024 MIAC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year. He’s the first Saint to win a major MIAC award since the school joined the conference in 2022. Beseth was the champion in the discus throw and would place 2nd in the shot put and 3rd in the hammer throw to…

St. Scholastica Football to Head to Winnipeg for Exhibition Game

The St. Scholastica football team will be heading to Canada for the first time since 2013.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica football team will be heading to Canada for the first time since 2013. The Saints will face the Winnipeg Rifles on Saturday in an exhibition game. Every three years, an NCAA football team is allowed to play an international game. The Rifles are in the Canadian Junior Football League, which is a post high school…

Five UW-Superior Baseball Players Pick Up All-UMAC First-Team Honors

This is the 3rd time Fuguere has made the team and the 2nd for Steiner.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Five UWS baseball players would be named to the All-UMAC first team on Wednesday. They are senior Isaac Fugere, juniors Payton Steiner and Ethan Coady, Sophomore Aiden Pfeifer, and lastly freshman Zach Romans. This is the 3rd time Fuguere has made the team and the 2nd for Steiner. UWS finished the year with an overall record of 22-19,…

UWS Softball Drops NCAA Regional Opener to Central, Faces Elimination Friday

The UWS softball team would make their sixth national tournament appearance in program history on Thursday.

PELLA, Iowa.- The UWS softball team would make their sixth national tournament appearance in program history on Thursday. Unfortunately, the host team Central made it tough for the Yellowjackets as UWS would fall 10-2. UWS was led by Larissa Snyder, who went 3 for 3 with a home run in the contest. Next up is an elimination game against Bethel…

Duluth FC Shuts Out Joy AC 3-0 for Home-Opening Victory

Duluth FC (1-1) will next be in action on Saturday when they host Siouxland United.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth FC was back on their home field on Wednesday, picking up a 3-0 win over Joy Athletic Club. Tyler Limmer led the BlueGreens with two goals in the contest. Felipe Santos had the other goal for the team. Duluth FC (1-1) will next be in action on Saturday when they host Siouxland United. The game is at…

Duluth East Softball Uses Four-Run 2nd Inning to Top Hermantown

Duluth East improves to 4-13 and will next play at Cambridge-Isanti on Friday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth East softball team picked up their 2nd straight win on Wednesday, defeating Hermantown at home 5 to 2. The Greyhounds would put up four runs in the 2nd inning after trailing by one after one inning of play. Duluth East improves to 4-13 and will next play at Cambridge-Isanti on Friday. Meanwhile, Hermantown (4-8) awaits for…

UMD Women’s Hockey Names Van Wieren & Jobst-Smith as Captains for Upcoming Season

Hannah Baskin and Mary Kate O'Brien will serve as alternates.

DULUTH, Minn.- Four months from now the UMD women’s hockey team will be back at it as they prep for the 2024-2025 season. On Wednesday, they would reveal their leaders for the upcoming season. The Bulldogs have named Clara Van Wieren and Nina Jobst-Smith as captains. Hannah Baskin and Mary Kate O’Brien will serve as alternates. Jobst-Smith and Van Wieren…

Harbor Monsters Add Duluth Native Terrance Wenzel to Roster

Wenzel was most recently with the Minnesota Myth in the Arena Football League.

DULUTH, Minn.- Just 10 days from now, the Duluth Harbor Monsters will take the field for their first-ever game. And they’ll be doing so with another Duluth native on the team. The Harbor Monsters announced on Tuesday that they have signed former Proctor and Duluth Denfeld product Terrance Wenzel. Wenzel was most recently with the Minnesota Myth in the Arena…

Duluth Denfeld Baseball Walks-Off Against Proctor for 9th Win

The Hunters are now 9-7 on the season and will next play at Cloquet on Wednesday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Denfeld baseball team would earn their 9th win of the season on Tuesday in walk-off fashion against Proctor, 3 to 2. The Hunters are now 9-7 on the season and will next play at Cloquet on Wednesday. Proctor (8-5) will try to bounce back at Grand Rapids on Thursday.   Categories: High School, Sports

UW-Superior’s Leccia & Fish Named to UMAC All-Conference First Team

Both players have been red hot offensively, batting over .370.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- UWS’ Mykenzie Leccia and Indigo Fish are preparing for their first round matchup against Central on Thursday. On Tuesday, they would be recognized by the UMAC conference as both were named to the first team. Both players have been red hot offensively, batting over .370. Five other Yellowjackets would either receive honorable mentions or sportmanship honors. Leccia and…

Two-Run 3rd Inning Helps Proctor Softball Get Past Cloquet

KK Hemming had a two-run single in the bottom of the 3rd to help Proctor pull ahead.

PROCTOR, Minn.- Two of the Lake Superior conference’s best softball teams met up on Tuesday as Proctor hosted Cloquet. After falling behind 1-0 in the first, KK Hemming would drive in two runs in the bottom of the 3rd. Hemming’s two-run single would prove to be the difference maker as the Rails came away with the 2-1 win. Proctor improves…

Three CSS Baseball Players Land On All-MIAC Conference List

This is the largest All-MIAC class for CSS in program history.

DULUTH, Minn.- St. Scholastica had three players land on the All-MIAC conference list on Tuesday. Pitcher Grant Taival and Catcher Kyle Oswald were recognized by the conference for the first time. And senior outfielder and pitcher Jake Schelonka earned MIAC honors for the 2nd straight year. Schelonka and Oswald mashed for the Saints as each had batting averages over .360….

UMD’s Lauren Dixon Recognized By D2CCA for 2nd Straight Year

Dixon was on the D2CCA first team last year.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD senior pitcher Lauren Dixon has been recognized by the D2 Conference Commissioner’s Association for the 2nd year. On Monday, Dixon was named to the 2nd team. The Sobieski native rewrote the pitching record books for the Bulldogs. Dixon holds the records for strikeouts, wins, games completed, starts by a pitcher, and lastly innings pitched. Dixon was on…

Superior Boys Tennis Edges St. Francis for 4th Win of Season

The Spartans will next be in New Richmond on May 18th.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Superior boys tennis team would play St. Francis close on Monday, ultimately defeating the Fighting Saints 4 to 3. The scores are listed below: Singles: No. 1 – Otto Netteberg, St. Francis def. Vinnie Theisen, Superior, 6-0 , 6-2 , -; No. 2 – Dylan Urbaniak, Superior def. Joe Zandlo, St. Francis, 6-2 , 6-0 , -;…

Superior Picks Kristin Riesgraf to Coach Spartan Volleyball Team

The Hibbing native will begin her duties in August and will make her home debut as head coach on August 9th against Duluth Marshall.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Superior high school has a new volleyball coach. The Spartans have hired Kristin Riesgraf to replace Brenda Pluntz. Riesgraf has been an assistant for UW-Superior since 2011. She’s also had two stints leading club teams in Superior. The Hibbing native will begin her duties in August and will make her home debut as head coach on August 9th…

Kale Adams Steps Down After Two Seasons as Northland College’s Cross Country Coach

A search for his replacement is currently ongoing.

ASHLAND, Wis.- Northland College’s Kale Adams has stepped down after two seasons as the men’s and women’s head cross country coach. He’s helped the program grow in that time, going from just two runners to 18 runners. He also coached a 2023 All-Conference member in Ben Thompson. A search for his replacement is currently ongoing. Categories: College, Sports

Mike Randolph Set to Lead Northern Lakes Boys Hockey Next Winter

The former Greyhound spent the last three seasons at St. Thomas Academy.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former Duluth East hockey coach Mike Randolph has found his next gig. Pending school board approval, Randolph is set to lead Northern Lakes boys hockey next winter. The school confirmed the news with FOX 21. “The Pequot Lakes School District is excited to announce the hiring of Mike Randolph as the next Northern Lakes Boys Hockey Head Coach,…

Haugen Earns 300th Career Win for Esko Baseball, Marshall Blanks Roseau

Finn Furcht for Esko and Tanner Carlson for Duluth Marshall would each have complete game shutouts. Furcht threw a no-hitter as well.

ESKO, Minn.- Esko baseball head coach Ben Haugen celebrated a milestone in Friday’s 10-0 win over Roseau. Haugen would pick up his 300th career victory in the contest. Esko was led by Finn Furcht, who tossed a complete game no-hitter. Esko improves to 13-0 on the season and will next play at Rock Ridge on Monday. In other prep baseball…

Top Plays of the Week: 5/10

At number one, Hermatown/Proctor's Dane Callaway is known for making saves on the ice. But, on the lacrosse field he scores goals including the nifty jump shot.

DULUTH, Minn.- This week’s top plays would come from the baseball diamond and on the lacrosse field. At number three, Hermantown’s Cam Lukovsky lays out in center field to rob a Duluth East batter of a base hit. At number two, Rock Ridge’s Tate Uhan snags the grounder on the bounce, gets it to Caz Carlson who completes the big-time…

Hermantown/Proctor Unable to Hold Off Wayzata as Stealth Drop 2nd Straight Game

The Stealth (7-3) will next play at Hopkins/St. Louis Park on May 14th.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- The Hermantown/Proctor boys lacrosse team faced a tall test on Friday against Wayzata. Ultimately, they would be unable to hold off the Trojans as they fell 13 to 5. The Stealth (7-3) will next play at Hopkins/St. Louis Park on May 14th. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Northland College Names Olaf Kirsten New Women’s Soccer Head Coach

Olaf Kirsten returns to the school after previously leading the men's and women's teams back in 2010 through 2016.

ASHLAND, Wis.- Northland College has a new women’s soccer head coach and he’s very familiar with the program. Olaf Kirsten returns to the school after previously leading the men’s and women’s teams back in 2010 through 2016. Kirsten was also a member of the original men’s varsity program that began in 1982. He was inducted into the Northland College Athletic…

UWS Baseball & Softball Advance to UMAC Championship Games

Both teams picked up semifinal wins on Friday with the baseball team beating Crown and the softball team besting Bethany Lutheran.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Both the UW-Superior baseball and softball teams will compete for the UMAC championship on Saturday. The lady Yellowjackets began the day by upsetting top seeded Bethany Lutheran, 5-4 in the semifinals. UWS will next face either Bethany Lutheran or Northwestern on Saturday. First pitch is at noon. As for the baseball team, they would shut out Crown on…

Marshall Baseball Tops Rock Ridge in 7AA Quarterfinal Rematch, Hermantown Earns 2nd Straight Victory

Rock Ridge previously defeated Duluth Marshall 3-2 in the Section 7AA quarterfinals last year.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Marshall baseball team earned revenge on Thursday, defeating Rock Ridge 9 to 2. Rock Ridge previously defeated Duluth Marshall 3-2 in the Section 7AA quarterfinals last year. The Hilltoppers improve to 6-2 and will next host Roseau on Friday. As for the Wolverines, they’ll next be in action on Monday, hosting Esko. In other prep baseball…

Polacsek’s Big Night Helps Wolfpack Boys Pick Up Road Win Against Stealth

Duluth was led by Gabe Polacsek, who had four goals in the first quarter.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- The Duluth Wolfpack boys lacrosse team picked up their 2nd straight win on Thursday, defeating the Hermantown/Proctor Stealth 15 to 9. Duluth was led by Gabe Polacsek, who had four goals in the first quarter. The Wolfpack improve to 6-3 and will next host Wayzata on Saturday. Hermantown/Proctor (7-2) will also play Wayzata next. That game is scheduled…

UWS Tennis Freshman Maya Haupt Wins UMAC Rookie & Player of the Year, Schaffner Named Coach of the Year

In total, the men's and women's teams would have 13 players honored by the conference.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- UWS tennis freshman Maya Haupt finished off her debut season with some hardware. On Wednesday, she was named the UMAC rookie and player of the year. She would go 17-7 in singles action, leading the team in wins. Haupt also had a 10-match winning streak during the season. Head Coach Ceejay Schaffner was named UMAC Coach of the…

Duluth East Boys Tennis Protects Home Court Against Hibbing

East would take three out of four singles matchups and two out of the three doubles matchups.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth East boys tennis team picked up their 10th win of the season on Wednesday, defeating Hibbing 5 to 2. East would take three out of four singles matchups and two out of the three doubles matchups. The Greyhounds (10-11) will next play Mahtomedi on May 10th. Hibbing (9-5) will play Grand Rapids and Thief River Falls…

Superior’s Emma Raye Named to Big Ten All-Freshman & All-Defensive Teams

In 43 games played this season, she has 29 hits, 10 of which were home runs.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Superior native and current Northwestern catcher Emma Raye landed on two Big Ten teams on Wednesday afternoon. Raye was named to the All-Freshman team as well as the All-Defensive team. In 43 games played this season, she has 29 hits, 10 of which were home runs. Defensively, Raye threw out 12 base runners. She and the Wildcats will…

Duluth Native Terrance Wenzel Shines for Minnesota Myth of AFL

In the first two contests, Wenzel has four interceptions, three of which have been returned back for touchdowns.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.- The Minnesota Myth of the Arena Football League has already two games under their belt. Leading the charge for the team is none other than a Duluth native. Former Proctor and Duluth Denfeld product Terrance Wenzel is making a name for himself. In the first two contests, he has four interceptions, three of which have been returned back…

UWS Men’s & Women’s Track & Field Well Recognized By UMAC Conference for Postseason Awards

Between the two teams, 17 players received postseason awards from the conference.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UWS men’s track team received plenty of postseason awards. Senior Nate Ohman was named the UMAC Field Athlete of the Meet, after he picked up three titles in the shot put, discus, and hammer throw. The Yellowjacket coaching staff would be awarded UMAC Coaching Staff of the Year. The recognition didn’t stop there as a whopping 13…

Stealth Handle C-E-C in Battle of Boys Lacrosse Heavyweights

After the contest was 5-4 in favor of the Stealth at the half, Hermantown/Proctor would outscore C-E-C 8 to 1 in the 2nd half.

ESKO, Minn.- The Hermantown/Proctor boys lacrosse team would hand Cloquet-Esko-Carlton their first loss of the season on Tuesday, 13 to 5. After the contest was 5-4 in favor of the Stealth at the half, Hermantown/Proctor would outscore C-E-C 8 to 1 in the 2nd half. The Stealth (7-1) will next host Duluth on Thursday. Meanwhile, C-E-C (7-1) will try to…

Nine Local Hockey Standouts Selected in USHL Draft

Three were drafted in Phase 1 on Monday.

DULUTH, Minn.- Plenty of locals heard their named called at the USHL Draft. On Monday, Marshall goaltender Kaenan Smith was the first Northlander to be selected as he was taken by Sioux Falls in the 4th round. Two rounds later, Tri-City would pick Hibbing/Chisholm’s Jackson Strukel and then in the 7th round Des Moines grabbed Grand Rapids forward Nathan Garski….

Scholastica’s Wells Patten Named MIAC Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year

Patten helped lead the Saints to their 2nd straight playoff berth and to a 3rd place finish, their highest ever in the conference.

DULUTH, Minn.- Some end of the year honors for both the St. Scholastica men’s and women’s tennis teams. Wells Patten, who is the head coach of both teams, was named the MIAC Steve Wilkinson Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year. He helped lead the Saints to their 2nd straight playoff berth and to a 3rd place finish, their highest ever…

Aaron Blanchard Steps Down After One Season as Northland Women’s Soccer Coach

Before he was the head coach, Blanchard was an assistant at the college for three years for both the men's and the women's squads.

ASHLAND, Wis.- Northland College is in search of a new women’s soccer head coach after Aaron Blanchard has stepped down. Blanchard would lead the Lumberjills for just one season. During that time, the team picked up two wins. Before he was the head coach, he was an assistant at the college for three years for both the men’s and the…

UW-Superior Introduces Bre Simon as New Head Women’s Hockey Coach

Simon replaces Dan Laughlin, who retired after 21 years as head coach and 23 with the program.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A new era of UW-Superior women’s hockey began on Tuesday as the school introduced Bre Simon as the 6th head coach in program history. Simon comes to Superior after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Elmira College. She also has experience at the high school level, coaching at Gentry Academy for two seasons. Simon…

Big 2nd Inning Lifts Superior Softball Past Hermantown

The Spartans (7-4) would put up nine runs in the 2nd inning.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- The Superior softball team was back in the win column on Monday, defeating Hermantown on the road 16 to 0. The Spartans (7-4) would put up nine runs in the 2nd inning. They’ll next be in action on Tuesday at Duluth Denfeld. Meanwhile, Hermantown (3-4) will try to bounce back at Rock Ridge also on Tuesday. Categories: High…

Hermantown/Proctor Girls Lacrosse Hands Duluth Marshall 1st Loss

Hermantown/Proctor improves to 2-5 and will be at Superior on Thursday.

PROCTOR, Minn.- The Duluth Marshall girls lacrosse team suffered their first defeat on Monday, falling to Hermantown/Proctor 9 to 8. Hermantown/Proctor would rally after being down 7-2 at the half. The Hilltoppers fall to 3-1 and will next play at Coon Rapids on Thursday. Hermantown/Proctor improves to 2-5 and will be at Superior also on Thursday. Categories: High School, Sports

Dominic James Named Captain of UMD Men’s Hockey for 2024-2025 Season

James would play in two games in 2023 before suffering a season- ending injury.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team has announced their captain for the upcoming season. After serving as an alternate captain this past year, Dominic James has been picked to don the “C”. James would play in two games in 2023 before suffering a season-ending injury. The year prior, he compiled 28 points in 35 games, which was the 2nd…

Marshall’s Owen Marsolek to Play College Baseball at Western Kentucky

Just this past season, Marsolek would hurl 92 strikeouts in 44 innings of work.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth Marshall junior pitcher and outfielder Owen Marsolek won’t have to worry about learning a new nickname when he begins playing his college ball. On Saturday, the Hilltopper announced his commitment to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, a Division one program out of the USA conference. Just this past season, Marsolek would hurl 92 strikeouts in 44 innings of…

UMD Volleyball Releases Schedule for Upcoming Season

UMD's home opener is September 21st against Concordia-St. Paul.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD volleyball has released their schedule for the upcoming season. The Bulldogs campaign begins September 6th, when they take part in the Texas A&M Kingsville Invitational. UMD will play four games in Texas, beginning with a contest against Missouri Southern. The Bulldogs will play nine games on the road to begin the year before finally having their home…

Ben Kluzak Resigns as Head Coach of Northland College Women’s Basketball Team

Former assistant coach Corey Sackman will serve as the interim head coach for the team going forward.

ASHLAND, Wis.- Ben Kluzak has stepped down after just one season as the head coach of the Northland College women’s basketball team. This was Kluzak’s 2nd stint in Ashland after previously being a men’s assistant back in the 2021-2022 season. In his lone season, the Lumberjills failed to make the UMAC playoffs. Former assistant coach Corey Sackman will serve as…

John Scott & Christian Houser Latest to Join Wilderness NA3HL Team

They join C-E-C forward Ryan Jones as local players on the roster.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Duluth East defenseman Christian Houser and Duluth Denfeld forward John Scott both inked tenders with the NA3HL Minnesota Wilderness team over the weekend. They’re the latest local talents on the team after Minnesota would pick C-E-C forward Ryan Jones in the NA3HL draft last week. Just this past year, Houser skated in 26 games for the Greyhounds, totaling…

Hermantown’s River Freeman Signs Tender with Minnesota Wilderness

Just this past season, Freeman had his best year with the Hawks, tallying 22 goals and 27 assists.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- A current Hermantown Hawk will soon be suiting up for the Minnesota Wilderness. Forward River Freeman signed a tender with the club out of Cloquet. Just this past season, Freeman had his best year with the Hawks, tallying 22 goals and 27 assists. The year prior, he would have just 13 goals and 14 assists. Number 23 played…

Boys Lacrosse: Duluth Drops Home Contest to Hill-Murray, Grand Rapids Earns 1st Win of Season

The Thunderhawks will next host Brainerd on May 8th.

DULUTH, Minn.- A battle of two four win teams would happen in boys lacrosse on Friday. Ultimately, Hill-Murray would stand tall as they took down Duluth, 12 to 5. Duluth falls to 4-2 on the year and will next host Rosemount on Saturday. In other boys lacrosse action, Grand Rapids picked up their first win of the season, defeating Superior…

Top Plays of the Week: 5/3

At number one, Hermantown/Proctor's Kale Smith goes behind his back to pull off the goal against St. Paul.

PROCTOR, Minn.- Both of this week’s top plays would come on the lacrosse field. At number two, Grand Rapids’ Owen Stark with the sidearm of a shot and laser to the back of the net. At number one, Hermantown/Proctor’s Kale Smith goes behind his back to pull off the goal against St. Paul. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

UMD Baseball Settles for Split with UMary to Begin Final Regular Season Series

Brayden Buttweiler had a no-hitter through five innings for the Bulldogs in game one.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD baseball team began their regular season series on Friday, facing UMary in a doubleheader. UMD (17-31) would start off strong in game one by taking the 4 to 1 victory. Brayden Buttweiler had a no-hitter through five innings for the Bulldogs. He’d end up going 6 1/3 innings with two hits. In game two, UMary would…

UMD Softball Blanks Minot State to Make Return to NSIC Championship Game

The Bulldogs will next face Augustana on Saturday in a rematch of last year's championship game. First pitch is at noon.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.- The UMD softball team is heading back to the NSIC championship game on Saturday. UMD made that possible after shutting out Minot State 2-0 in the semifinals on Friday. Julia Gronholz would have an RBI single in the bottom of the 3rd. Then one inning later, Elle Potts clubbed her 5th home run of the season. In…

UMD Softball Edges Winona State for Spot in NSIC Tournament Semifinals

UMD will next face Minot State in the semifinals. First pitch is at 2:30 on Friday.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.- The UMD softball team achieved revenge on Thursday, defeating Winona State 4 to 3 in the NSIC tournament quarterfinals. The Warriors previously beat the Bulldogs twice in the regular season. UMD was led by Julia Gronholz, who had one home run and three runs batted in. In the circle, Lauren Dixon would go seven innings and strike…

Stealth Boys Lacrosse Off to Best Start in Program History

The Stealth have already surpassed last season's win total of five.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- Just last season, the Hermantown/Proctor boys lacrosse team didn’t even get to six wins. Fast forward to this year and the team is off to their best start in program history at 6-0. A big reason for the team’s success has been their depth. The Stealth have a program-high 49 players, 13 of which are seniors on the…