Author: Sam Ali

UMD’s Nick Wolff Signs with Boston Bruins

He'll join former UMD captain and Esko native Karson Kuhlman.

DULUTH, Minn. – As the season came to an end for the UMD men’s hockey team, we’ll start to hear about players who will continue their hockey careers in the pros. And Wednesday, we got our first signing. Senior defenseman and team co-captain Nick Wolff has signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins. In 33 games this season,…

IST Gym Transitioning to “Virtual Training” of Athletes

The gym is transitioning to virtual training through social media, videos and online engagement.

DULUTH, Minn. – Beginning Wednesday, gyms across the state will be forced to shut down due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Impact Sports Training Gym in Duluth gave their student-athletes one last chance to get some in-person work before the shut down goes into effect. The gym welcomes high school and college athletes from across the Northland as they were…

Superior Native Mike Carlson Talks Coronavirus Impact on Basketball Overseas

The former Duluth Marshall star spent the past six years playing professional basketball overseas.

DULUTH, Minn. – Six years ago, former Duluth Marshall basketball star Mike Carlson turned an All-American college career into an opportunity to play professionally overseas. But the Superior native had no idea what would lie ahead when the coronavirus began to turn into the pandemic it is today. After four years in Spain, Carlson signed with a team in Italy…

Duluth Marshall Appoints Nick Garramone to Lead Baseball Team

Garramone takes over for Joe Wicklund, who resigned to become the new head coach at Duluth Denfeld.

DULUTH, Minn. – Despite what’s been going on lately, it’s been a solid week for Duluth Marshall sports. Monday, the Hilltoppers announced their new boys hockey head coach. And Tuesday, they’ve found their guy to lead the baseball team. And they didn’t have to go far to find him as Duluth native Nick Garramone is the new head coach of…

UMD’s Hunter Shepard Talks About Sudden End to Bulldogs’ Season

Shepard and the Bulldogs had their season come to an end due to the coronavirus pandemic.

DULUTH, Minn. – Last week, the UMD men’s hockey team was holding their Thursday morning practice, getting set to host Miami of Ohio in the first round of the NCHC playoffs. But shortly after, head coach Scott Sandelin announced to the team that the NCHC had cancelled the entire tournament, including the following week’s Frozen Faceoff in St. Paul. “It’s…

Jasen Wise Named New Head Coach for Duluth Marshall Boys Hockey

Wise has over 20 years of college coaching experience, with his latest stop coming at Concordia University in Wisconsin.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Marshall boys hockey team is coming off a tough year that is certainly not up to their standards. The solution: a change at the top for the Hilltoppers. Monday, Jasen Wise was announced as the new head coach of the Duluth Marshall boys hockey team. Wise has over 20 years of college coaching experience, with…

Vikings Agree to Contract Extension with Duluth Native CJ Ham

The 26-year-old Denfeld alum made his first Pro Bowl last season

DULUTH, Minn. – According to a tweet from his agent, the Minnesota Vikings have signed Duluth native CJ Ham to a three-year extension. The deal is worth over $3 million per year. The 26-year-old Denfeld alum made his first Pro Bowl last season and became an integral part of the Vikings’ run game, which finished sixth in the league. Categories:…

UMAC Cancels Entire Spring Sports Season

The conference deliberated on the decision over the weekend and decided

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference announced Monday afternoon that due to the cornavirus pandemic, they have cancelled all remaining regular season games for the 2020 spring sports season. This includes baseball, softball and men’s and women’s tennis for the College of St. Scholastica, the University of Wisconsin-Superior and Northland College. The cancellation includes all postseason tournaments…

MSHSL Prohibits All Athletic Activities for Spring Sports

This comes just two days after the league proposed limited participation.

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. – The Minnesota State High School League announced Sunday afternoon that there will be no activities or athletics at any member schools from Wednesday, March 18th to Friday, March 27th. This comes after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced that all schools in the state will be closed from March 18th to March 27th. The MSHSL’s decision includes…

Coaches Corner: Sean Morgan

For this week's segment, we hear from the new head coach of Duluth FC.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we chat with the new head coach of Duluth FC Sean Morgan. Morgan is a former Bluegreen and CSS men’s soccer standout. He spoke about his excitement to lead the new era of Duluth FC soccer, as well as the new “Duluth FC Academy” that was established this year. Categories: Coaches Corner,…

MSHSL, WIAA Cancel Remainder of Winter Sports Tournaments

This includes the girls basketball state semi-finals, as well as the boys basketball section finals and next week's boys state tournament.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Minnesota State High School League and Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association announced that they both have cancelled the remainder of their winter sports tournaments due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. For Minnesota, this includes any remaining section tournament games for boys basketball, as well as next week’s state tournament, and the girls state tournament which was…

Cromwell Girls Top BBE, Advance to State Semi-Finals

The Cardinals move on to face Henning in the Class A semi-finals.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Senior guard Taya Hakamaki finished with 34 points as the Cromwell-Wright girls basketball team knocked off Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 67-58 in the Class A state quarterfinals. Shaily Hakamaki also scored 15 points while Andrea Pocernich chipped in with 13 points of her own. The Cardinals move on to face Henning in the Class A semi-finals. Tip-off is set for…

Prep Boys Basketball: Hawks, Greyhounds Fall in Section Title Games

Hermantown lost a nail-biter to Princeton while Duluth East couldn't overcome Cambridge-Isanti.

DULUTH, Minn. – Senior guard Peter Soumis would score 37 points, but it wouldn’t be enough as Princeton topped Hermantown 67-64 in the Section 7AAA championship game Thursday night at Duluth East High School. And in the Section 7AAAA title game, Cambridge-Isanti ends Duluth East’s season for the third straight year as the Bluejackets knocked off the Greyhounds 81-73. Categories:…

NCAA Cancels Remaining Winter/Spring Championship Games

This includes the Frozen Faceoff, which was scheduled to take place next month in Detroit.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – NCAA president Mark Emmert has announced that all remaining winter and spring championship games, including the men’s and women’s Final Four basketball tournament as well as the men’s and women’s Frozen Four, have been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. This effectively ends the season for the UMD men’s hockey team as they will not have an…

MSHSL To Limit Fan Attendance at Basketball Tournament Games

The announcement comes in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Minnesota State High School League has announced that the girls basketball state tournaments and boys basketball section playoffs will be played with “limited spectators” beginning on Friday. Attendance will be limited to rostered athletes, coaches, event staff, TV partners, credentialed media, and a limited number of school-approved family members of the participants. Here is the full…

NCHC cancels postseason tournament, including Frozen Faceoff

This includes this weekend's quarterfinal games and next week's Frozen Faceoff.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The National Collegiate Hockey Conference announced Thursday afternoon that they have cancelled their postseason tournament, including next week’s Frozen Faceoff in St. Paul. This comes just one day after the league announced that the tournament will be played with no fan attendance. NCHC Frozen Faceoff ticket refunds are available at point of purchase. Online orders will…

Local Boxers Get Set for Fight Night at Grand Casino

Watson will face Lawrence Subelka while Williams will take on James Barnes.

PROCTOR, Minn. – The Grand Casino in Hinckley will host another great card of boxing action Friday night, which will feature a pair of local fighters. Ryan Watson has had his last two fights there and he says he’s excited to head down there once again. “This fight is going to be huge with Showtime being there and having four…

Duluth Wolfpack’s Jorja Schooler Commits to Missouri Western State Lacrosse

The senior has spent the past two seasons as captain of the Duluth Wolfpack girls lacrosse team.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth East’s Jorja Schooler signed her National Letter of Intent Wednesday to join the Missouri Western State University women’s lacrosse team. The senior has spent the past two seasons as captain of the Duluth Wolfpack girls lacrosse team and is now taking her talents to Saint Joseph, Missouri. “I got to know some of the girls and…

Former Greyhound Will Fisher Commits to CSS Men’s Hockey

The defenseman was with the Greyhounds from 2015 to 2018, recording 15 points in 24 games in his senior year.

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth East standout Will Fisher has committed to joining the St. Scholastica men’s hockey team. Fisher is currently with the Boston Junior Rangers of the EHL and spent some time in the NAHL with the Bismarck Bobcats. The defenseman was with the Greyhounds from 2015 to 2018, recording 15 points in 24 games in his senior…

Top Seed DeLaSalle Too Much for Hermantown Girls Basketball Team

The Hawks will play in the consolation bracket tomorrow afternoon.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Junior Elly Schmitz finished with 16 points, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Hermantown girls basketball team fell to top seed DeLaSalle 85-52 Wednesday morning in the Class AAA state quarterfinals. Senior Ava Asgaard chipped in with 15 points. The Hawks move on to the consolation bracket as they will face Holy Angels Thursday at…

Perunovich, Shepard, Koepke, Cates Named to All-NCHC First Team

Perunovich becomes the first player in the history of the NCHC to be named to the First Team three straight years

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Four UMD men’s hockey players have landed on the All-NCHC First Team: forwards Noah Cates and Cole Koepke, defenseman Scott Perunovich and goaltender Hunter Shepard. For Perunovich, he becomes the first player in the history of the NCHC to be named to the First Team three straight years and just the second ever at UMD, joining…

Battle-Tested Hermantown Boys To Face Top Seed Princeton in Section Title Game

Tip-off for the game between the Hawks and Tigers is set for 7 p.m. at Duluth East High School.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown boys basketball team are back in the section championship game for the first time in two years. The Hawks have not had an easy road to the title game as they have had to battle back from multiple double-digit deficits, leading up to their championship match-up against top seed Princeton. “I think we just learned…

Boys Hockey Season Wraps Up with All-Star Game

Team White defeated Team Yellow 6-5.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Heritage Center was the place to be Tuesday night for the 21st annual All-Star Hockey Game. The first period ended with a 3-3 tie and in the end, Team White defeated Team Yellow 6-5. Categories: High School, Sports

UMD Women’s Basketball Set for Another NCAA Run

The second-seeded Bulldogs will face the seventh-seeded Tigers Friday on the campus of the University of Central Missouri.

DULUTH, Minn. – Another year, another trip to the NCAA tournament for the UMD women’s basketball team. Thanks to a record-breaking season, the Bulldogs are in great shape to improve on their performance from last season. “It was the first time in however many years and it was all excitement. And this year, I think we know we can make…

First State Tournament Appearance in 20 Years Awaits Marshall Girls Basketball Team

Tip-off for Wednesday's game against New London-Spicer is set for 8 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s crazy to think that the year 2000 was 20 years ago. That was the last time the Duluth Marshall girls basketball team made it to the state tournament. The Hilltoppers are coming off a stellar run in the Section 7AA tournament. But now the focus shifts from celebrating a historic section title win to getting ready…

Ashland High School to Join Heart O’ North Conference

Ashland was previously a part of the Lake Superior Conference, but they would realign and add Grand Rapids.

ASHLAND, Wis. – The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Atheltic Association has approved the conference realignment request for Ashland High School. The Oredockers will now be a part of the Heart O’ North Conference beginning in 2021. Ashland was previously a part of the Lake Superior Conference, but they would realign and add Grand Rapids. The Heart O’ North Conference includes Northwestern and…

UMD’s Haleigh Reindl Returns to Nationals in 800-Meter Run

Reindl comes into the race with the seventh-fastest time among the 19-runner field.

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD’s Haleigh Reindl will represent the Bulldogs at the 2020 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field championships. This will be her second straight trip to nationals after making it last year as a freshman in the 800-meter run. Reindl says that experience was very important for getting in the right mindset this time around. “It does…

Experienced Cromwell Girls Carry #2 Seed into State Tournament

The Cardinals will face Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa in the state quarterfinals on Thursday.

CROMWELL, Minn. – The excitement and jubilation of the section playoffs is over and done with and now, teams are getting set for the state tournament. That includes the Cromwell-Wright girls who come into the Class A tournament as one of the teams to beat. The Cardinals finished the season ranked #1 in QRF, but settled for the #2 seed…

Hermantown Girls Set to Battle Top Seed DeLaSalle in State Tournament

Tip-off for the game is set for Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Maturi Pavilion at the University of Minnesota.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown girls basketball team are getting set for their first trip to the state tournament since 2006. And they will be greeted with a tough task as the Hawks will face top-seeded DeLaSalle. But don’t expect them to back down from a challenging opponent. “We made it this far. We don’t want to relax and think…

Yellowjackets’ CJ Pillath Heading Back to Nationals

Last season, Pillath finish ninth in weight throw, just missing out on All-American status.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Wisconsin-Superior’s CJ Pillath is heading to the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships for the second straight year. The senior will compete in the shot put and weight throw. Pillath enters the meet with the fifth best mark in weight throw and 19th in shot put. The top eight competitors at the meet will earn…

Mark Vichorek Out as Duluth Marshall Boys Hockey Coach

The Hilltoppers struggled this past season, winning just three games while going winless in section play.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Marshall athletic director Kevin Synder has confirmed that Mark Vichorek will not return next season as the team’s boys hockey coach. The Hilltoppers struggled this past season, winning just three games while going winless in section play. Vichorek has spent the year before with the Minnesota Wilderness. No word yet on when a head coaching search…

Hermantown Boys Fall in Overtime of State Championship Game

Colin Hagstrom would score just over two minutes into overtime to give the Zephyrs the win.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Aaron Pionk would score with 21.2 seconds to send the game into overtime, but Mahtomedi would score less than two minutes in as Hermantown falls to the Zephyrs 3-2 Saturday afternoon in the Class A state championship game. Drew Sams also scored for the Hawks as they finish the season with a 20-4-4 record. Blake Biondi,…

Coaches Corner: Glen Drexler

For this week's segment, we hear from the head coach of the UWS track and field team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we chat with Wisconsin-Superior track and field head coach Glen Drexler after his men’s team captured their fourth straight UMAC championship. Next up for the Yellowjackets is the final qualifying event for nationals: the Pointer Qualifiers. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

UMD Men’s Hockey Take Down St. Cloud State at Home

A three-goal third period would be the difference as the Bulldogs knocked off the Huskies at Amsoil Arena.

DULUTH, Minn. – Cole Koepke would score twice in the third period as the UMD men’s hockey team knocked off St. Cloud State 4-1 Friday night at Amsoil Arena. Quinn Olson and Kobe Bender also scored for the Bulldogs, while Hunter Shepard finished with 22 saves on the night. UMD will look to sweep the season finale Saturday night with…

Prep Boys Basketball: Tigers, Hawks Advance to Section 7AAA Title Game

Princeton knocked off Grand Rapids while Hermantown held off Hibbing in the semi-finals.

DULUTH, Minn. – The top seeds would prevail as Princeton defeated Grand Rapids 77-66 and Hermantown held off Hibbing 66-58 Friday night in the Section 7AAA semi-finals. The Tigers and Hawks will now faceoff in the section championship game Thursday night at Duluth East High School. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

UMD Women’s Hockey to Meet Wisconsin in Final Faceoff Semi-Finals

Puck drop for Saturday's game at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis is set for 2 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s hockey team have made it to the Final Faceoff of the WCHA playoffs. But they’ll have a tall task in the semi-finals as the Bulldogs will take on Wisconsin, a team they were able to tie with just two weeks ago. “We understand now it’s playoff hockey and it’s a different scenario. This is…

CSS Women’s Hockey Advance to NCHA Slaats Cup Championship Game

The Saints got a shutout win over Lake Forest in the semi-finals.

ADRIAN, Mich. – Rachel Anderson and Greta Nundahl score in the second period and Lexi Thomeczek finished with a 45-save shutout as the St. Scholastica women’s hockey team blanked Lake Forest 2-0 Friday afternoon in the NCHA Slaats Cup Semi-finals. The Saints move on to the championship game Saturday to face Adrian. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. central…

Hermantown Boys Top St. Cloud Cathedral, Advance to State Championship Game

The Hawks are back in the state championship game for the first time since 2017.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Hermantown boys hockey team jumped out to a three-goal lead and were able to hold on until the end as they top St. Cloud Cathedral 6-2 in the Class A state semi-finals Friday afternoon at the Xcel Energy Center. Cole Antcliff, Blake Biondi, Cayden Sunde, Joey Pierce, Ethan Lund and Zach Kilen would score for…

Cromwell-Wright Girls Dominate MIB to Win Section 7A Championship

The Cardinals snap the Rangers' nine-year streak of section titles.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Cromwell-Wright girls basketball team dominated Mountain Iron-Buhl 68-43 to win the Section 7A championship Thursday night at Romano Gym. Taya Hakamaki led the Cardinals with 28 points to snap the Rangers’ nine-year streak of section titles. Cromwell-Wright now awaits the seeding announcement for the state tournament. Categories: High School, Sports

Hermantown Girls Basketball Win Thriller to Capture Section 7AAA Title

The Hawks won their first section title since 2006.

DULUTH, Minn. – Elly Schmitz finished with 17 points as the Hermantown girls basketball team won a close one against Hibbing 45-43 Thursday night in the Section 7AAA championship game. The Hawks capture their first section title since 2006 as they await their seeding assignment for the state tournament. Categories: High School, Sports

Duluth Marshall Girls Basketball Return to Section Title Game

Tip-off for Friday's game against Pequot Lakes is set for 7 p.m at Romano Gym.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Marshall girls basketball team got the win Wednesday night over Esko in the Section 7AA semi-finals to punch their ticket to the section title game for the second straight year. The Hilltoppers will look for better results this time around, which would send them to the state tournament for the first time in 20 years….

UMD Men’s Hockey to Close Out Regular Season Against St. Cloud State

The Bulldogs will play their final series of the regular season at home against the Huskies.

DULUTH, Minn. – And just like that, the UMD men’s hockey season is coming to a close. And what better way to wrap up the regular season than at home against a rival. The Bulldogs will welcome St. Cloud State in their final series of the regular season. UMD wants to forget about the last time they faced the Huskies…

Joe Wicklund Named New Head Coach of Denfeld Baseball Team

Wicklund will join a Hunters team that last season won its first section title in 65 years.

DULUTH, Minn. – Big news in high school baseball as former Duluth Marshall head coach Joe Wicklund has been named the new head coach of the Duluth Denfeld baseball team. Wicklund will be taking over for Cal Fougner who stepped down to take an assistant coaching job at the college level. Wicklund says the reason for this move is wanting…

Prep Girls Basketball: Patriots, Hilltoppers Advance to Section 7AA Title Game

Pequot Lakes topped Virginia, while Duluth Marshall held off Esko in the section semi-finals.

DULUTH, Minn. – In the Section 7AA semi-finals at Romano Gym, Pequot Lakes would take down Virginia 63-49, while Duluth Marshall held off Esko 50-46 Wednesday night. The Patriots and Hilltoppers will face off in the section championship game Friday night. Tip-off at Romano Gym is set for 7 p.m. Categories: High School, Sports

Prep Boys Basketball: Hawks, Greyhounds Win Playoff Openers

Both Hermantown and Duluth East won their first round playoff match-ups Wednesday night.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown and Duluth East boys basketball teams each opened their playoff runs with home wins as the Hawks topped North Branch 87-72 and the Greyhounds blasted Anoka 80-60. Here are the rest of the scores from the section playoffs: SECTION 7AAAA: Blaine 56, Forest Lake 60 Coon Rapids 56, Andover 63 Anoka 60, Duluth East 80…

Biondi’s Hat Trick Pushes Hermantown Boys Past Monticello in Class A Quarterfinals

The Hawks had four different goal-scorers in the blowout win.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Senior forward Blake Biondi would score a hat trick in the first two periods as the Hermantown boys hockey team knocked off Monticello 7-1 Wednesday afternoon in the Class A quarterfinals at the Xcel Energy Center. Zach Kilen would score twice in the third period while Aydyn Dowd and Aaron Pionk also scored to help out…

Hermantown Girls Set to Battle Defending Section Champs Hibbing

Tip-off for Thursday's section title game is set for 7 p.m. at Denfeld High School.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown girls basketball team have justified their top-seed ranking in the Section 7AAA playoffs and are now sitting in the section title game. The Hawks have overcome a lot of adversity since last season, losing several key players to injury either at the start of the season or right before the playoffs. But now, they are…

UMD Women’s Basketball Fall to St. Cloud State in NSIC Finals

The Bulldogs' bid to win back-to-back conference titles was denied by the Huskies.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Sophomore forward Brooke Olson led the way with 23 points, but it wouldn’t be enough as the UMD women’s basketball team fell to St. Cloud State 71-62 in the NSIC tournament championship game Tuesday night at the Sanford Pentagon. Ann Simonet chipped in with 18 points as her and Olson were both named to the all-tournament…

Prep Girls Basketball: Cardinals, Rangers to Meet in Section 7A Title Game

This will be the second year in a row where the two teams meet in the championship game.

DULUTH, Minn. – In the Section 7A semi-finals at Romano Gym, the Cromwell-Wright girls basketball team defeated Chisholm 81-23 and Mountain Iron-Buhl used a strong second half to take down Cherry 60-46. The Cardinals and Rangers move on to the finals in a rematch of last year’s section title game. Tip-off for the game is set for 7:30 p.m. on…

UMD Women’s Basketball Team Advance to NSIC Tournament Finals

The Bulldogs return to the NSIC championship game for the second straight year.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Sophomore forward Brooke Olson led all scorers with 29 points as the UMD women’s basketball team knocked off Minnesota State-Mankato 80-77 Monday night in the NSIC tournament semi-final at the Sanford Pentagon. Ann Simonet chipped in with 16 points, while Sarah Grow and Payton Kahl each scored 10. The Bulldogs move on to face St. Cloud…