Author: Sam Ali

Duluth Marshall’s Gianna Kneepkens Named Gatorade Player of the Year

Kneepkens finished her high school career as the fourth all-time leading scorer in state history.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Marshall’s Gianna Kneepkens is adding another award to her mantle. Thursday, the future Utah Ute was named the 2021 Gatorade Minnesota Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Kneepkens wrapped up her career with the Hilltoppers, scoring a state-record 67 points in her final career game, which allowed her to finish fourth on the all-time scoring list….

Duluth East’s Crystal Kaczmarczyk to Run at Grinnell College

The senior helped her teams advance to state in Nordic Skiing, as well as cross country.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, Duluth East’s Crystal Kaczmarczyk signed her National Letter of Intent to run at Grinnell College in Iowa. The senior helped her teams advance to state in Nordic Skiing, as well as cross country. And so far this spring, her track times rank among the best in the Northland. She was also the captain of both…

Duluth FC Academy Begins Inaugural Season

Thursday night, they will play their first-ever game against Hayward FC. The match will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park Middle School.

DULUTH, Minn. – Since 2015, Duluth FC has entertained soccer fans in the Northland and their popularity only increases with each passing year. And for those who have dreams of suiting up for the Bluegreens, a feeder system has been created to help. This year will see the debut of the Duluth FC Academy team, which is made up mostly…

Former UMD Captain Parker Mackay Joins Former AJHL Team’s Coaching Staff

Mackay helped the Saints win two AJHL championships before coming to Duluth to lead UMD to back-to-back national titles.

IRMA, Alberta – Former UMD men’s hockey captain and two-time national champion Parker Mackay has joined the coaching staff of the Spruce Grove Saints in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Mackay helped the Saints win two AJHL championships before coming to Duluth to lead UMD to back-to-back national titles. He turned pro after college, signing with the Texas Stars of…

2020 Patty Kazmaier Award Winner Elizabeth Giguere to Join UMD Women’s Hockey as Graduate Transfer

The 2020 Patty Kazmaier Award winner is Clarkson's all-time leading scorer.

DULUTH, Minn. – Thanks to the NCAA granting an extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic, the UMD women’s hockey team will be bringing back the vast majority of their roster that made it all the way to the Frozen Four this past season. And as if that wasn’t good news enough, the Bulldogs announced Wednesday that they will…

South Ridge Baseball Tops North Woods in Regular Season Finale

The Panthers wrap up their regular season with a 17-3 record.

CULVER, Minn. – Jaxson Bennett and Austin Josephson finished with two hits each while Aaron Bennett added his second homer of the year as the South Ridge baseball team topped North Woods 11-6 Wednesday afternoon. The Panthers wrap up their regular season with a 17-3 record as they begin the section playoffs on Tuesday. Categories: High School, Sports

Bismarck Sweeps Minnesota Wilderness in First Round of NAHL Playoffs

Zach Michaelis, Will Traeger, Mikol Sarter and Donte Lawson scored for the Wilderness.

CLOQUET, Minn. – In Game 3 of the NAHL playoffs, Bismarck held on to beat the Minnesota Wilderness 5-4 to sweep the series in three games. Zach Michaelis, Will Traeger, Mikol Sarter and Donte Lawson scored for the Wilderness, who wrap up their 2021 season with a 25-27-1-3 overall record. Categories: College, Sports

Grand Rapids Native Jack Peart Named USHL Rookie of the Year

In 24 games, Peart recorded one goal and 14 assists, finishing sixth on the team in points per game.

FARGO, N.D. – Grand Rapids native Jack Peart has been named USHL Rookie of the Year. The 2021 Mr. Hockey Award winner was stellar on the blueline for the Fargo Force, helping his team advance all the way to the USHL Finals, where they fell to the Chicago Steel. In 24 games, Peart recorded one goal and 14 assists, finishing…

Grand Rapids/Greenway Girls Lacrosse Complete Comeback with Double OT Win Over Duluth

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Lightning.

DULUTH, Minn. – After falling in a 5-0 deficit in the first half, the Grand Rapids/Greenway girls lacrosse team rallied in the second half to push the game to double overtime where they earned the 8-7 win Tuesday night at Ordean Stadium. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Lightning. Categories: High School, Sports

Prep Softball: Greenway Rallies Past Esko, South Ridge Blanks Wrenshall

The Raiders knocked off the Eskomos while the Panthers shutout the Wrens.

ESKO, Minn. – The Greenway softball team rallied late to pick up the road win over Esko 7-6 Tuesday afternoon. The Raiders stay undefeated as they improve to 19-0 on the season. In other prep softball action, South Ridge picks up their second straight shutout as they blank Wrenshall 13-0. Categories: High School, Sports

Hibbing Baseball Pick Up Road Win over Cloquet

The Bluejackets snap a four-game skid while the Lumberjacks extend their losing streak to four straight.

CLOQUET, Minn. – A six-run fourth inning would be the difference as the Hibbing baseball team earned a home win over Cloquet 12-2 in five innings Tuesday afternoon at Mettner Field. The Bluejackets snap a four-game skid while the Lumberjacks extend their losing streak to four straight. Categories: High School, Sports

Registration Open for Starks Academy’s Timberwolves & Lynx Basketball Camp

The camp is offered for all kids ages seven to 14, whether they are new to the game or looking to sharpen their skills.

DULUTH, Minn. – With summer right around the corner, many sports camps will be making their return after the pandemic wiped out most of them last year. That includes Starks Academy, who will once again partner up with some special guests. This summer, Starks Academy will host the 2021 Northland Timberwolves and Lynx Camp. It will take place August 2nd…

Proctor/Hermantown Girls Hockey Host “Skate With The Champions” Event

The Mirage say events like this help continue to grow the popularity of girls hockey in the Northland.

PROCTOR, Minn. – About two months ago, the Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team captured its first state title in program history. And Monday night, the Mirage finally got a chance to celebrate the historic win with their fans. The team hosted a special “Skate With The Champions” event on their home ice at the St. Luke’s Sports and Event Center. Fans…

Prep Baseball: Home Wins for South Ridge, Superior, Duluth East, Duluth Denfeld

It was a great start to the week for the Panthers, Spartans, Greyhounds and Hunters.

CULVER, Minn. – In an inter-section match-up, the South Ridge baseball team needed just five innings to knock off Duluth Marshall 17-5 Monday afternoon. In other prep baseball action, Superior topped Cloquet 6-2, Duluth East walked off on Grand Rapids 9-8 and Duluth Denfeld won a fog-shortened game over Greenway 9-3 in five innings. Categories: High School, Sports

Duluth Boys Lacrosse Drop Home Finale to Irondale

Tyler Smith led the way with two goals as the Wolfpack will wrap up their regular season Wednesday night at Grand  Rapids.

DULUTH, Minn. – A late rally would fall short for the Duluth boys lacrosse team as they dropped their home finale to Irondale 8-6 Monday night at Ordean Stadium. Tyler Smith led the way with two goals as the Wolfpack will wrap up their regular season Wednesday night at Grand  Rapids. Categories: High School, Sports

St. Scholastica’s Olivia Howe Earns All-American Honors

This past season, Howe broke several program records, including hits, batting average and slugging percentage.

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Scholastica’s Olivia Howe earned Third Team All-American honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. The junior becomes the fourth Saint in program history to earn All-American accolades, which includes head coach Rilee Dawson. This past season, Howe broke several program records, including hits, batting average and slugging percentage. And prior to the start of the NCAA…

Six Northlanders Named to MSHSBCA All-Star Series

The action will take place June 25th down in Chaska.

CHASKA, Minn. – The Northland will have six players represented next month at the Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Series. Duluth East’s Joe Voss and Ethan Cole, Esko’s Noah Furcht, Grand Rapids’ Kodi Miller, Denfeld’s Joe Udd and Silver Bay’s Ero Wallin were all named to the North team. The action will take place June 25th down…

UMD Men’s Hockey Releases Schedule for 2021-2022 Season

The Bulldogs will open things up with a home-and-home series October 8th against Bemidji State.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, the UMD men’s hockey team released their schedule for the upcoming season. The Bulldogs will open things up with a home-and-home series October 8th against Bemidji State. The regular season will end at home against St. Cloud State on March 4th. For the full schedule, click here. Categories: College, Sports, University of Minnesota – Duluth

Wilderness Fall at Home to Aberdeen

Will Traeger scored the lone goal on the night.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Will Traeger scored the lone goal on the night as the Minnesota Wilderness dropped a home contest to Aberdeen 7-1 Friday night at the Northwoods Credit Union Arena.   Categories: College, Sports

Duluth Boys Lacrosse Top Grand Rapids for Fourth Straight Win

The Wolfpack has now won fourth straight as they improve to 4-1 on the season.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth boys lacrosse team used an early lead to stay ahead of Grand Rapids until the end as the Wolfpack top the Thunderhawks 9-3 Friday night at Ordean Stadium. Duluth has now won fourth straight as they improve to 4-1 on the season. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Proctor Baseball Rallies for Home Win over Crosby-Ironton

The Rails pick up their second straight win as they improve to 5-4 on the season.

PROCTOR, Minn. – The Proctor baseball team battled back from an early deficit and scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth as they held on for the 6-4 win over Crosby-Ironton Friday afternoon at Egerdahl Field. The Rails pick up their second straight win as they improve to 5-4 on the season. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School,…

Duluth Denfeld Softball Team Earns Walk-Off Win over Duluth East in Extras

Lindsay Johnson led the Hunters, going 4 for 4 with one double

DULUTH, Minn. – In a game that need one extra inning, the Duluth Denfeld softball team defeated Duluth East 6-5 in eight innings at Swanson Field. Lindsay Johnson led the Hunters, going 4 for 4 with one double, while Eleisa Boles and Hanna Hovland combining for five hits on the day. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Proctor/Hermantown’s McKenzie Gunderson Commits to Hamline Women’s Hockey

The senior defender helped the Mirage capture their first ever state title in the Class A tournament.

PROCTOR, Minn. – Friday afternoon, Proctor/Hermantown’s McKenzie Gunderson announced on Twitter that she has committed to joining the Hamline women’s hockey team. The senior defender helped the Mirage capture their first ever state title in the Class A tournament. This past season, she finished with two goals and six assists in 21 games. Categories: College, High School, Sports

UWS Men’s Soccer to Host Bethany Lutheran in UMAC Title Game

The UMAC men's soccer championship game will take place Saturday at 1 p.m. at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – After a decade of UMAC men’s soccer dominated by St. Scholastica, UW-Superior has now taken the torch as the team to beat every year, including in the modified 2021 season. The Yellowjackets ran the table in the regular season with a perfect 8-0 conference record. Only one team has been able to score on them and that’s…

St. Scholastica, UW-Superior Women’s Soccer Teams to Meet in UMAC Title Game

The UMAC championship game will take place Saturday at 4 p.m. at Saints Field in Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend, the UMAC women’s soccer championship game will be a Bridge Battle as St. Scholastica and UW-Superior will go head-to-head as the top two seeds in the conference battle it out one more time on the pitch. For the top seed St. Scholastica women’s soccer team, this season has been one of utter domination. The Saints…

Superior Trailblazers Pool League Hosts Second Annual Tournament

The event recognizes the top eight players from the season.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Top Hat Tavern was the place to be Thursday night for the second annual Superior Trailblazers Pool League tournament. The event recognizes the top eight players from the season, and this year’s installment features a special cause. Local pool player Jim Dalton was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 so the league decided to raise funds to help…

Registration Still Open for Boost Hockey Training’s Girls Summer Camp

The camp is broken up into different age groups and features on-ice and off-ice training.

DULUTH, Minn. – Believe it or not, we are just a couple weeks away from summer and with that comes various summer hockey camps, including one focused specifically on developing the future stars of girls hockey. Boost Hockey Training camp is heading into its second year under lead instructor Amanda Boulier, who is also the head coach of the Duluth…

Northlanders Power UWS Men’s Golf Team to Nationals

The Yellowjackets golf team features three golfers from Duluth and two from Eveleth.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UW-Superior men’s golf team is wrapping up their final week of practice before they head out to nationals. In just their sixth year as a program, the Yellowjackets have captured three straight UMAC championships, led by a group of Northland golfers. “Ryan and I have been going to school since elementary school when we grew up….

UWS Men’s Soccer Advance to UMAC Championship Game

The Yellowjackets move on to the conference championship game Saturday where they will host Bethany Lutheran

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The UW-Superior men’s soccer team got goals from Archie Gjerdrum and Blake Perry as they blanked Northland College 2-0 Wednesday night in the UMAC semi-finals. The Yellowjackets move on to the conference championship game Saturday where they will host Bethany Lutheran, who defeated St. Scholastica in the other semi-final match. Categories: College, Sports

Hibbing’s Haley Hawkinson Signs NLI for UMD Women’s Basketball Team

This past season, Hawkinson became just the seventh player in program history to score 1,000 career points at Hibbing.

HIBBING, Minn. – This week, Hibbing’s Haley Hawkinson signed her National Letter of Intent to join the UMD women’s basketball team. Hawkinson says she’s glad she waited for the right opportunity and now, she has a chance to play college basketball right in her own backyard. “It was kind of big for me, but it was really big for my…

MSHSL Set to Vote on Sanctioning Boys High School Volleyball

More than 1400 student-athletes have been participating since 2018, including teams like Proctor-Hermantown.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Prep boys volleyball is starting to gain some popularity in state of Minnesota and in the Northland. It’s not a varsity sport yet, but next week, the MSHSL could change that. The league will vote next week on whether or not to sanction boys high school volleyball. More than 1400 student-athletes have been participating since 2018, including…

UWS, CSS Women’s Soccer Teams Advance to UMAC Title Game

The Saints will host the Yellowjackets on Saturday.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Wednesday, the UW-Superior and St. Scholastica women’s soccer teams punched their tickets to this Saturday’s UMAC title game. The Yellowjackets got goals from Niya Wilson and Annah Schussman as they defeated Minnesota Morris 2-1 to advance to their second-ever conference title game. The Saints got all their scoring from Morgan Friday as they beat Northwestern 5-1 as…

St. Scholastica Baseball’s Matt Tautges Hits First Cycle for Saints in 21 Years

Even more remarkable, the home run was the first of his college career.

DULUTH, Minn. – Baseball is filled with some very rare feats. A triple play, an immaculate inning, and of course there’s hitting for the cycle, when a batter records a single, double, triple and a home run in the same game. Tuesday, St. Scholastica’s Matt Tautges decided to make some history for his team in a doubleheader at North Central….

UMD Baseball Stun Minnesota Crookston in Doubleheader Sweep

The bats would get hot and stay hot for the UMD baseball team as the Bulldogs swept Minnesota Crookston.

DULUTH, Minn. – The bats would get hot and stay hot for the UMD baseball team as the Bulldogs swept Minnesota Crookston Wednesday afternoon at Bulldog Park. In Game 1, Henry George led off the game with a solo home run as UMD topped Crookston 9-8 in nine innings. And in Game 2, the Bulldogs jumped out to an early…

Proctor Softball Wins Pitcher’s Duel Against Hermantown

Maddy Walsh was the winning pitcher for the Rails, who improve to 7-1 on the season.

PROCTOR, Minn. – Junior Preslie Annala singled in Payton Rodberg in the bottom of sixth inning for the only run of the game as the Proctor softball team defeated Hermantown 1-0 at Egerdahl Field. Maddy Walsh was the winning pitcher for the Rails, who improve to 7-1 on the season. Categories: High School, Sports

Proctor/Hermantown Mirage to Host “Skate with the Champions” Event

Fans will have a chance to skate, visit and take pictures with the players, as well as the Class A state championship trophy.

PROCTOR, Minn. – Last month, the Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team captured their first-ever state championship in program history. Due to the pandemic, the celebration had to be a little low key. But later this month, fans will have an opportunity to skate with the champions. The Mirage will be hosting a special event Monday, May 24th at the St. Luke’s…

Northland College Baseball Splits Doubleheader with UW-Superior

It was a big day for NC's Adrian Bethel, who homered in each game for the Lumberjacks.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – After falling 14-4 in eight innings in Game 1, the Northland College baseball team bounced back to win Game 2 over UW-Superior 9-5 Tuesday afternoon at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex. It was a big day for NC’s Adrian Bethel, who homered in each game for the Lumberjacks. Categories: College, Sports

Yellowjackets’ Scott Wilson, Eric Watson Sign with Duluth FC

A pair of Yellowjackets will suit up for the Bluegreens this upcoming season.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, Duluth FC continued to add local talent to their roster for this upcoming season. The Bluegreens have officially signed current UWS defender Scott Wilson and former UWS standout Eric Watson. Wilson has captained the Yellowjackets this season to another UMAC title. Watson graduated from UWS last year and is the program’s all time leader in…

Former Bulldog, Thunderhawk Hunter Shepard Dazzles in AHL Debut

Shepard finished with 28 saves in a shutout win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

HERSHEY, Pa. – It has been quite a journey in the pros so far for former UMD goalie Hunter Shepard. After an abrupt end to his college career last year, the Cohasset native signed a pro deal with the Hershey Bears, the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals. And after starting his career in the ECHL with the South Carolina…

CSS Softball Drop Non-Conference Doubleheader Against Gustavus Adolphus

In Game 2, Olivia Howe's home run in the first inning would be CSS's only run of the game as they lost 6-1.

DULUTH, Minn. – In their final games of the regular season, the St. Scholastica softball team were swept at home by Gustavus Adolphus Monday afternoon at Kenwood Field. In Game 1, the Saints rallied twice before falling short in nine innings 5-4. And in Game 2, Olivia Howe’s home run in the first inning would be CSS’s only run of…

Prep Softball: Hermantown, Proctor Winners at Home

Home field advantage would be the difference for the Hawks and the Rails.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown softball team only needed five innings to take down Duluth Marshall 18-0 Monday afternoon at Rose Road Field. In other prep softball action, Proctor battled back from an early deficit to get the home win over Hibbing 5-2 at Egerdahl Field. Categories: High School, Sports

Duluth FC Sign Denfeld, CSS Standout Keegan Chastey

The Denfeld alum wrapped up his high school career as the Hunters' all-time leader in goals and assists.

DULUTH, Minn. – Monday, Duluth FC announced that they have signed Duluth native Keegan Chastey for this upcoming season. The Denfeld alum wrapped up his high school career as the Hunters’ all-time leader in goals and assists. He is currently playing at St. Scholastica under his father, head coach Barry Chastey. And he is tied for first on the team…

Esko’s Brenna Stark Commits to Jamestown Volleyball

Stark was a three-year starter on the varsity squad with 1,025 career set assists.

ESKO, Minn. – Monday, Esko’s Brenna Stark has signed her National Letter of Intent to play volleyball at the University of Jamestown. Stark was a three-year starter on the varsity squad with 1,025 career set assists. She was also a standout player on the Eskomos basketball team. Categories: College, High School, Sports

Superior Names Kory Deadrick New Head Coach of Boys Basketball Team

Deadrick spent this past season as an assistant under his former head coach Mike Devney at Duluth Denfeld.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Former Esko star Kory Deadrick has been named the new head coach of the Superior boys basketball team. Deadrick spent this past season as an assistant under his former head coach Mike Devney at Duluth Denfeld. Before that, he was the head coach for the Proctor boys for one season. Deadrick takes over for jake smith, who…

Chad Persons Named New Head Coach for Grand Rapids Boys Basketball Team

He'll be taking over for longtime Rapids coach Dan Elhard, who stepped down before the start of this past season

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Monday, Grand Rapids announced that they are promoting Chad Persons to become the new head coach of the boys basketball team. Persons had been coaching the JV squad since 2012 and before that, he led the Thunderhawks girls JV team from 2005 to 2011. He’ll be taking over for longtime Rapids coach Dan Elhard, who stepped…

Hibbing’s Parker Maki Signs NLI for Bemidji State Men’s Basketball

The big man averaged nearly 13 points and 8 rebounds per game this past season

HIBBING, Minn. – Monday, Hibbing’s Parker Maki signed his National Letter of Intent to join the Bemidji State men’s basketball team. Maki committed to the Beavers back in December. The big man averaged nearly 13 points and 8 rebounds per game this past season, helping the Bluejackets advance to the state tournament for the first time since 1989. Categories: College,…

Proctor/Hermantown’s Vivi Helquist Commits to Curry College

Helquist appeared in 18 games this past season, helping the Mirage captured their first state title in program history.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Proctor/Hermantown’s Vivi Helquist has committed to joining the Curry college women’s hockey team. The school is located in Milton, MA. Helquist appeared in 18 games this past season, helping the Mirage captured their first state title in program history. The senior netminder finished the year with 86 saves and a .935 save percentage. Categories: College, High School,…

Duluth Boxer Jesse Walters Returns to the Ring Next Month

Walters will head to Alabama in late May for his fourth pro fight.

DULUTH, Minn. – For the first time in over a year, local boxer Jesse Walters of Jungle Gym will lace up his gloves for his next professional fight. Walters will head to Alabama in late May for his fourth pro fight. And while he’s excited to get back in the ring, it will be a bit more of a challenge…