High School

Proctor Hermantown Swimmers Set for Conference, Sectional Meets

P-H: Two state-qualifying swimmers in 2022

PROCTOR, Minn.- The high school girls swimming and diving season is nearing its end, and swimmers with the Proctor Hermantown is hoping to make some waves before in a pair of crucial upcoming meets. Despite not having a dive team — and practicing in a pool five yards short of regulation — Proctor Hermantown has kept up with their conference…

State Soccer: C-E-C & Duluth Marshall Boys, Cloquet-Carlton Girls See Season’s End

Esko girls soccer is the lone remaining area team at state.

WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn.- The Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys soccer team saw their season come to a close on Wednesday, falling to St. Cloud Tech 2-1 in the AA quarterfinals. Joseph Bailey had the lone goal for the Lumberjacks in regulation. The game would then go to a shootout and the Tigers would outscore the Lumberjacks 4 to 2. In other state…

Prep Volleyball: Hermantown Advances to Section 7AAA Semifinals, Proctor Eliminated in 7AA Tourney

Hermantown will next host Grand Rapids on Monday in the semifinals.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- The Hermantown volleyball team left no doubt on Wednesday, topping Duluth Denfeld in straight sets to open Section 7AAA quarterfinal play. The Hawks were led by Claire Kaups, who had nine kills in the contest. Hermantown will next host Grand Rapids on Monday in the semifinals. In other section volleyball action, Proctor would see their season come to…

Prep Football: Hermantown Shuts Out Rock Ridge to Advance to 7AAAA Semifinals

With the win, the Hawks will next play at Duluth Denfeld in the semifinals.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- The Hermantown football team opened up postseason play on Tuesday with a win as they defeated Rock Ridge 21-0 in the 7AAAA quarterfinals. With the win, the Hawks will next play at Duluth Denfeld in the semifinals. Kickoff is set for 2 PM on Saturday. Categories: High School, Sports

Iowa Wild Sign Former Thunderhawk Gavin Hain to Player Tryout Contract

Hain just wrapped up his five-year college career with the North Dakota Fighting Hawks.

DES MOINES, Iowa.- Former Grand Rapids Thunderhawk Gavin Hain will get a chance to latch on with the Iowa Wild of the AHL. Just last week, Iowa signed Hain to a player tryout contract. Hain just wrapped up his five-year college career with the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. He was set to play for the Iowa Heartlanders of the ECHL…

Bright Future Ahead for Lily Clark, Superior Tennis

Clark: 17-5 singles record in 2023

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The high school girls tennis season may be over in Wisconsin, but the Superior Spartans have a rising star that’s worth keeping an eye on in 2024. Freshman Lily Clark ended the 2023 season as Superior’s number two singles player, compiling a 17-5 record. Clark made the rare jump from middle school to varsity this fall, but she…

Northwestern Cruises Past Elk Mound in Playoff Opener

Seventh-straight Level 1 victory

MAPLE, Wis.- The Northwestern Tigers are headed to the next round of the playoffs after defeating Elk Mound 44-12 Friday. Cooper Lawton scored the Tigers’ first touchdown before Ethan Harms made it a two-score game with a quarterback sneak at the goalline. The Tigers will face Stanley-Boyd on their home turf on Friday, October 27.   Categories: Friday Night Frenzy,…

Duluth East Seniors Shine in Sweep over Hilltoppers

Facing Forest Lake in 7AAAA Sectionals

DULUTH, Minn.- In front of a student section beaming with spirit, the Duluth East volleyball team swept Duluth Marshall on Senior Night. This win (25-22, 25-20, 25-10) puts the Greyhounds at 10-9 while the Hilltoppers are now an even 10-10. Duluth East is set to face Forest Lake in the first round of the 7AAAA Sectional Tournament on Wednesday, October…

Prep Football: Denfeld, Esko Earn Wins; Cloquet, Proctor Fall at Home

Final week of regular season for Minnesota high school football

DULUTH, Minn.- On a rare Wednesday night of high school football, two of the Northland’s top teams wrapped up their regular season with impressive home victories. The Duluth Denfeld Hunters won on the road against Hermantown 31-29, improving to 7-1 overall. Esko cruised past Pine City 61-0, marking their 26th-straight regular season win and putting them at 8-0 in 2023….

Duluth Marshall Boys Soccer Advances to State for First Time Since 2012

The Hilltoppers now await their first round opponent at state as matchups will be announced on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Marshall boys soccer team extended their season on Wednesday, defeating PACT Charter 3-0 in the Section 7A title game. This is the Hilltoppers first section title win since 2012. They now await their first round opponent at state as matchups will be announced on Saturday. Categories: High School, Sports

Grand Rapids to Hire Grant Clafton as Next Boys Head Hockey Coach

It's a reunion of sorts as Clafton was an assistant coach for Rapids in the 2014-2015 season.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- It appears Grand Rapids has circled in on their next head boys hockey coach. Activites Director Dale Christy tweeted out that former Greenway head coach Grant Clafton will be hired as the next head coach of the Thunderhawks, pending school board approval. Clafton coached the Raiders from 2015 to 2019. During that run, Greenway would place 2nd…

Prep Soccer: Lumberjacks girls, boys advance to State

Fifth-straight state appearance for girls, third-straight for boys

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Cloquet/Carlton girls and Cloquet/Esko/Carlton boys opened their new field Tuesday with a pair of Section 7AA Section Final victories. The Cloquet/Carlton girls defeated North Branch 3-0 after losing to the Vikings earlier in the season. Lauren Hughes, Makayla Stirewalt and Mackenzie Lynch each scored goals for the Lumberjacks. This is the fifth-straight year Cloquet/Carlton has qualified for…

Esko Girls Soccer Repeats as Section 7A Champions

This will be Esko's 2nd state tournament appearance in the last 12 years.

ESKO, Minn.- For the 2nd straight year, the Esko girls soccer team is heading to the state tournament. Esko would defeat Duluth Marshall 4-0 in the Section 7A championship on Monday. This will be Esko’s 2nd state tournament appearance in the last 12 years. “It was a continuation of last season. They were able to continue to learn. We knew…

Esko Football’s Joey Antonutti Commits to Valley City State

Antonutti is currently 2nd on the team in tackles with 31 so far this season.

ESKO, Minn.- Another Esko football standout will soon call Valley City State home next year. Senior running back and linebacker Joey Antonutti has announced his commitment to the Vikings. Antonutti is currently 2nd on the team in tackles with 31 so far this season. He’s also tallied 168 rushing yards this season. Just two weeks ago, his teammate Jace Stewart…

Spartans Boys Soccer Ready for Regionals

Facing D.C. Everest on Tuesday

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The postseason has arrived for high school boys soccer in Wisconsin, and the Superior Spartans are eager to make some noise in the first round of WIAA Regionals. On Tuesday, #6 Superior will take on #3 D.C. Everest. The two last played on September 9 when D.C. Everest defeated the Spartans 4-2. “We just need to focus the…

Prep Football: Esko Stays Unbeaten, Denfeld Gets Win #6, Northwestern Clinches Share of Conference Title

Esko will look to close out the regular season unbeaten Wednesday when they host Pine City.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- The Esko football team stayed unbeaten on Friday night, topping Hermantown on the road 41 to 7. Koi Perich would have three touchdowns in the first half to lead Esko. Esko will look to close out the regular season unbeaten Wednesday when they host Pine City. In other prep football action, Duluth Denfeld picked up win number six…

Prep Soccer: C-E-C Boys & Cloquet-Carlton Girls Clinch Spots in 7AA Title Games, East Boys & Denfeld Girls See Seasons End

The section title games will take place on October 17th at either Denfeld or Cloquet.

ESKO, Minn.- Both the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys soccer team and Cloquet-Carlton girls soccer team are one step closer to another trip to state. On Thursday, the C-E-C boys held off Duluth Denfeld 2-0 in the section 7AA semifinals. With the win, the Lumberjacks will next host Grand Rapids, who topped Hermantown in the other semifinal game, in the section final. That…

Esko’s Koi Perich Lands On MN Football Honors Super 6 Team

The ceremony for the Super 6 team will take place October 22nd in Minneapolis.

ESKO, Minn.- Esko senior Koi Perich has been making plays all season long and he’s now being honored for his efforts. Perich was named to the Minnesota Football Honors Super 6 Team. At the halfway point of this season, Perich had found the end zone 15 times. Ten were on offense, three were on defense, and two came from special…

Girls Soccer: Duluth Marshall Holds Off Spectrum in 7A Semifinals, to Play Esko in Title Game

The section title game will take place in Esko on October 17th at 6 PM.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Marshall girls soccer team picked up a key section 7A semifinal game on Wednesday, defeating Spectrum 2-1 in the semifinals. The Hilltoppers will next play Esko in the section title game. That game will take place on October 17th in Esko at 6 PM. Categories: High School, Sports

Duluth East Senior Infielder Dylan Cole Commits to UMD

Cole led Duluth East in batting average and doubles hit.

DULUTH, Minn.- Another Duluth East senior will get to play college ball next year. Senior infielder Dylan Cole won’t have to go far as he’ll be joining UMD in the spring of 2025. Cole had no problem getting on base for the Greyhounds last spring. He led East in batting average and doubles hit. Cole was also tied with two…

Prep Soccer: Denfeld Boys & East Girls Advance to Respective Section Semifinals

The Hunter boys will play at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton next. Meanwhile, the East girls will play at Centennial.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Denfeld boys soccer team opened up section tournament play with a win on Tuesday. The Hunters defeated Hibbing/Chisholm five to nothing in the 7AA quarterfinals. Denfeld will next meet up with Cloquet-Esko-Carlton in the semifinals on Thursday. Gametime is at 6:30 pm in Esko. In other soccer action, the Duluth East girls squad would shut out…

Girls Soccer: Esko & Duluth Marshall Secure Spots in Section 7A Semifinals

Both teams will host semifinal games on Wednesday.

  ESKO, Minn.- The Esko girls soccer team is one step closer to state after topping Two Harbors on Monday. Esko would defeat the Agates 14 to 0 to advance to the Section 7A semifinals. Esko will next host Legacy Christian Academy on Wednesday at 4 PM. In other 7A section soccer play, Duluth Marshall shut out Proctor 4-0. The…

Prep Football: Hermantown & Duluth Denfeld Pick Up Road Wins in Week 6

Both the Hunters and Hawks are now 5-1 on the season.

PROCTOR, Minn.- The Duluth Denfeld football team bounced back on Friday, topping Cloquet 40 to 16. The Hunters improve to 5-1 and will next host Rock Ridge on October 13th. Meanwhile, Cloquet (3-3) will play at Grand Rapids on the 13th. In other football action, Hermantown also picked up their 5th win of the season, defeating Duluth East 42 to…

Prep Soccer: Cloquet-Carlton Outlasts Esko, Duluth East Shuts Out Superior

Regular season finale for Cloquet-Carlton and Esko

DULUTH, Minn.- In less-than-ideal conditions, the Cloquet-Carlton girls and Duluth East boys came away with late-season soccer victories on Thursday. The Cloquet-Carlton girls defeated Esko 1-0 at Hilltop Fields. The only goal of the game came from Allie Jones in the first half. The Lumberjacks end their regular season at 10-2-4 overall while Esko enters the postseason with a 10-2-3…

Cloquet’s Carly Johnson Gets 1,000th Career Set Assist in Lumberjacks Win Over Superior

Cloquet (22-2) will next host Grand Rapids on October 12th.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Cloquet volleyball senior Carly Johnson had a lot to celebrate on Thursday night. Not only did her team pick up a 3 to 0 win over Superior. She also had her 1,000th career set assist in the victory. Cloquet (22-2) will next host Grand Rapids on October 12th. Superior (14-9) will also next host Grand Rapids. That game…

MSHSL Approves Boys Volleyball as Spring Sport

Back in May, the league officially approved boys volleyball as a sanctioned sport.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- The MSHSL officially approved a spring schedule for boys volleyball on Thursday. Teams will begin play next school year. Back in May, the league officially approved boys volleyball as a sanctioned sport. Minnesota is the 25th state association to sanction the sport. Within the last four years, Floodwood, Cloquet, Hibbing/Chisholm, Grand Rapids and Proctor-Hermantown fielded boys teams….

Esko Football’s Jace Stewart Commits to Valley City State

So far this season, Stewart has seven tackles and one punt return for a touchdown.

ESKO, Minn.- A Esko football standout announced the next step in his playing career on Wednesday. Senior wide receiver and free safety Jace Stewart announced his commitment to Valley City State. So far this season, Stewart has seven tackles and one punt return for a touchdown. On the offensive side, he has one catch for 20 yards and 7 carries…

Northern Star: Sydney Friedrich

Superior senior learned tennis during pandemic

SUPERIOR, Wis.- As the high school girl’s tennis season begins to wrap up, the Superior Spartans will bid farewell to senior Sydney Friedrich, who went an astounding 17-3 during the regular season in singles competition. “I’m sad, but I’m also really happy because I’ve had a great season, and that’s all I can ask for right now.” reflected Friedrich. “This…

Girls Soccer: Esko Shuts Out Duluth Denfeld for 10th Win of Season

Britta Koski would score the lone goal with under seven minutes to go in the first half.

ESKO, Minn.- The Esko girls soccer team earned a gritty win on Tuesday, shutting out Duluth Denfeld 1-0. Britta Koski would score the lone goal with under seven minutes to go in the first half. Esko (10-1-3) will close out the regular season Thursday at Cloquet-Carlton. Duluth Denfeld (8-4-3) finishes their schedule at Grand Rapids on Thursday. Categories: High School,…

Prep Soccer: Superior Boys Extend Win Streak to 3, Hermantown Girls Pick Up Win #4

Superior boys play at Spooner/Shell Lake on Tuesday. Hermantown girls are at Duluth East on Wednesday.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior boys soccer team continued their winning ways on Monday, defeating Proctor at home, 1-0. The Spartans improve to 7-3-3 and will next play at Spooner/Shell Lake on Tuesday. In other soccer action, the Hermantown girls squad would get the best of Proctor 6-1. The Hawks are now 4-6-5 and will close out the regular season on…

Prep Football: Esko, Cloquet, & Northwestern Grab Wins, Duluth Denfeld Drops 1st Game of Season

Esko (5-0) will next play at Hibbing on October 6th.

ESKO, Minn.- The Esko football team added another win to their record on Friday, defeating Two Harbors 32 to 3. It wasn’t always easy though, as Esko led the Agates 7 to 3 at the break. Esko (5-0) will next play at Hibbing on October 6th. Two Harbors (3-2) will return home next weekend to host Rock Ridge. In other…

Top Play of the Week: 9/29

This week’s top play comes from Zak McPhee and Nolan Okstad of Proctor football.

PROCTOR, Minn.- This week’s top play comes from Zak McPhee and Nolan Okstad of Proctor football. The duo would connect on an impressive two-point try in Proctor’s contest against Cloquet on Friday. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Wade Chiodo Steps Down as Grand Rapids Head Boys Hockey Coach

Grand Rapids made it to the section title game twice under his reign.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Wade Chiodo has stepped down as the Grand Rapids head boys hockey coach. Youth Hockey Hub was the first to report the news. Chiodo spent four seasons at the helm. His best year came in 2020 and 2021 when the Thunderhawks went 15-2-1. Overall, Grand Rapids made it to the section title game twice under his reign….

Greyhounds Head Coach Steve Pitoscia Named New Wilderness Assistant Coach

Pitoscia will still remain as the head boys hockey coach at East and will balance the two gigs throughout the season.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Duluth East head boys hockey coach Steve Pitoscia has added another job responsibility for the fall and winter. Pitoscia, who is also Director of Player Development for the Minnesota Wilderness, is now the team’s new assistant coach. Pitoscia will still remain as the head boys hockey coach at East and will balance the two gigs throughout the season….

Girls Soccer: Cloquet/Carlton & Marshall Play to 2-2 Tie, Esko Earns 9th Win of Season

Esko hasn't lost a game since September 7th.

DULUTH, Minn.- The top two girls soccer teams in the Lake Superior conference would clash on Thursday. Ultimately, Cloquet-Carlton and Duluth Marshall would play to a 2-2 tie. The Lumberjacks (9-2-3) will next host Hermantown on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers (7-2-4) will host Two Harbors on October 5th. In other girls soccer action, Esko would top Hermantown on their home…

Superior Volleyball Overcomes Proctor in Tight Battle

Spartans' fourth-straight victory

SUPERIOR, Wis.- In a back-and-forth battle against the Proctor Rails, the Superior volleyball team prevailed in four sets, notching their fourth-straight victory. Superior’s winning streak began on September 16th in a 2-1 victory over Colfax in the Hudson Invite. The Spartans would go on to collect home victories against Hermantown (3-2) and Hibbing (3-0). Superior will get the rest of…

Northern Star: Denzel Majwega

Duluth Marshall senior leads team in goals

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Marshall boys soccer team has been climbing atop their competition in through the month of September, but when you watch Denzel Majwega move downfield with the ball, there’s not much of a secret behind their success. “He’s very slippery, right?” smiled Mike Sengbush, the head coach of the Hilltoppers. “His skill allows him to kind of…

Baseball Commitments: Esko’s Marciulionis to St. John’s, East’s Lind to Augustana

Both Marciulionis and Lind are entering their final prep seasons.

ESKO, Minn.- A pair of local area baseball standouts made their college commitments on Tuesday. Esko’s Dylan Marciulionis is heading to Collegeville to play for the Johnnies of St. John’s. Marciulionis went 5-0 this past spring with 51 strikeouts. He also was the winning pitcher in the double AA title game going seven innings with nine strikeouts. In Duluth, Greyhounds…

Prep Volleyball: Cloquet & Grand Rapids Earn Straight Set Victories

The Lumberjacks (16-1) will next host Duluth Denfeld on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Thunderhawks (12-5) return home Thursday to host Duluth Marshall.

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Cloquet volleyball team continued their winning ways on Tuesday, topping Esko in straight sets. Ava Carlson led the team with 15 kills in the contest. The Lumberjacks (16-1) will next host Duluth Denfeld on Thursday. In other volleyball action, Grand Rapids would defeat Proctor in three sets. The Thunderhawks (12-5) return home Thursday to host Duluth Marshall….

Duluth East Girls Soccer Extends Win Streak to Four Games

The Greyhounds haven't lost a game since September 9th.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth East girls soccer was victorius again on Monday, topping Proctor at home, 3 to 0. The Greyhounds haven’t lost a game since September 9th. Duluth East (7-3-2) will next host Cambridge-Isanti on Wednesday. Proctor (2-10) will look to get back on track on Tuesday when they host Two Harbors. Categories: High School, Sports

Proctor Spoils Two Harbors Senior Night With Sweep

Rails' first win in two weeks

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- After losing their last two games, the Proctor Rails got back on track Monday night with a three-set sweep against Two Harbors on the Agates’ senior night. This win puts the Rails at 10-7 overall. They’ll have a tougher test on Tuesday when they host Grand Rapids (10-5.) Two Harbors has now dropped to 7-9 overall. The…

Prep Football: Esko & Denfeld Improve to 4-0, Hermantown & Cloquet Earn “Home” Wins

Esko improves to 4-0 and will next host Two Harbors on September 29th.

ESKO, Minn.- In a rematch of last year’s Section 7AAA title game, Esko would leave no doubt as they topped Pequot Lakes 60 to 0 on Friday. Esko improves to 4-0 and will next host Two Harbors on September 29th. Speaking of 4-0 teams, Duluth Denfeld took down crosstown rival Duluth East, 27 to 14 to remain unbeaten. Over in…

Prep Soccer: Duluth East Girls, Boys Win At Home Over Denfeld

Girls earn second-straight shutout, boys capture first home victory

DULUTH Minn.- The Duluth East soccer teams successfully defended their home turf Thursday night with both the girls and boys taking down Duluth Denfeld. In the first game of the doubleheader, the Duluth East girls won 1-0 over the Hunters. The game’s lone goal came in the 10th minute when a corner kick from Kaysa Skoglund set up a header…

Prep Volleyball: Hermantown Bounces Back with Straight Set Victory over Denfeld

The Hawks improve to 7-1 and will next play at Pine City on September 25th.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Hermantown volleyball team was back in the win column on Thursday, defeating Duluth Denfeld in straight sets. The scores were 25-9, 25-8, and 25-15. The Hawks improve to 7-1 and will next play at Pine City on September 25th. Meanwhile, Duluth Denfeld (4-12) will play Brainerd at Duluth East on Saturday. Categories: High School, Sports

Northern Star: Jared Schultz

Named Lakeland East 8-Player OPOY in 2022

MINONG, Wis.-Over the past decade, 8-player football has grown in Wisconsin, and so have the high school athletes lacing up on Friday nights. Take Northwood-Solon Springs quarterback Jared Schultz, who was last season’s Lakeland East 8-player offensive player of the year as a sophomore. On homecoming night last week, Schultz stole the show with five touchdowns, including a 75-yard score…

Esko’s Isaak Sertich to Play College Football at MSU-Mankato

Sertich has one touchdown and eight tackles for Esko so far this season.

ESKO, Minn.- Another Esko football standout will play college ball next fall. Isaak Sertich announced his commitment to Minnesota State-Mankato on Monday. Sertich, who plays wide receiver and linebacker, made the announcement via his own personal Twitter account. So far this season, Sertich has suited up in three games for Esko. He’s hauled in one touchdown offensively. On the defensive…

Prep Soccer: Cloquet-Carlton Girls, Duluth Marshall Boys Earn Conference Wins

Lumberjacks shut out Hunters, Hilltoppers rally in Hermantown

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Cloquet-Carlton girls soccer team once again proved why they’re the top squad in the Lake Superior Conference, defeating Duluth Denfeld 3-0 on Monday. Kiley Issendorf scored the Lumberjacks’ first goal, which was her sixth of the season. Later in the first half, Addison Sandman added to Cloquet-Carlton’s lead off a penalty kick. Cloquet-Carlton has had recent success…

Coaches Corner: Jerimy Hallsten

ESKO, Minn.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we stopped by Esko to catch up with cross country head coach Jerimy Hallsten, who’s in his 11th season at the helm. On Tuesday, Esko will race in the John Woodbury CC Invitational at the Norwood Golf Course in Lake Nebagamon. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Top Plays of the Week 9/15

Proctor's opening drive ends with 62-yard score

DULUTH, Minn.- This week’s top plays both come from deep throws, but with differing results. At number two, Northwestern’s Boden Teal made a diving interception after boxing out a Cameron receiver. At number one, Proctor’s Zak McPhee aired it out to Dane Oman, who beat his defender along the sideline and let his feet do the rest for the 62-yard…