High School

Superior-Eau Claire North Football Game Cancelled

It's a tough blow for the Spartans, who now only have two home games left on their schedule and were looking for their first win of the season.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Some tough news across the bridge as this Friday’s football game between Superior and Eau Claire North has been cancelled due to a lack players on the Huskies’ team. It’s a tough blow for the Spartans, who now only have two home games left on their schedule and were looking for their first win of the season….

Loaded Senior Class Ready to Lead Duluth East Boys Soccer to Another Successful Season

The Greyhounds will be back in action on Tuesday hosting Mounds View. 

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth East boys soccer team opened the 2021 season on Saturday with a 3-0 shutout of section foes Forest Lake. The Greyhounds made it all the way to the section championship last year and now have the goal of finally getting back to the state. With a long season ahead, shutting out a section opponent in…

Deer River Football’s Tait Kongsjord Commits to UMD

Kongsjord guided the Warriors to a 4-1 shortened season last year and a 7-1 regular season in 2019, on their way to going back to the state tournament. 

DEER RIVER, Minn. – Deer River lineman Tait Kongsjord has committed to joining the UMD football team. The 6’5″ tackle guided the Warriors to a 4-1 shortened season last year and a 7-1 regular season in 2019, on their way to going back to the state tournament. Kongsjord is also a member of the Deer River basketball team, helping them…

Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Boys Soccer Drops Home Contest to Mounds View

The Lumberjacks gave up their first goal of the early season.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys soccer gave up their first goal of the season and then couldn’t get much going offensively, as Mounds View got the 1-0 win over the Lumberjacks. The Lumberjacks (1-1) get back in action on Thursday hosting Mesabi East. Kickoff is set for 4:45 p.m. Categories: High School, Sports

Duluth East Blows Past Forest Lake in Season Opener

DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth East Boys Soccer Team opened their regular season this afternoon at Ordean Stadium against the Forest Lake Rangers. The Greyhounds went up early in the first half with goals from two different seniors, Kai Hoffman and Amma Okoro. Hoffman Scored from a Penalty Kick while Okoro’s came from a breakaway and assist from Jackson Descombaz. The…

Prep Football: Northwestern Tops Rice Lake in First Meeting in 35 Years, Superior Gets Shut Out

Greg Ohman and Tanner Kaufman finished with two touchdowns each as the Tigers improved to 2-0. 

MAPLE, Wis. – The Northwestern football team jumped out to an early lead then hung on late to get the 28-20 win over Rice Lake in the programs’ first meeting in 35 years. Greg Ohman and Tanner Kaufman finished with two touchdowns each as the Tigers improved to 2-0. Meanwhile, Superior struggled to get anything going as SPASH got the…

Prep Girls Soccer: Duluth Denfeld, Marshall, East Drop Home Openers

Alyssa Doyle scored the lone goal for the Hunters while Nina Thorson scored for the Hilltoppers.

DULUTH, Minn. – Leah Hamm made her debut as head coach of her former program, but the Duluth Denfeld girls soccer team couldn’t fight back as North Branch got the 2-1 win. Alyssa Doyle scored the lone goal for the Hunters. In other prep girls soccer action, New Prague defeated Duluth Marshall 4-1, with Nina Thorson scoring the lone goal…

South Ridge Football Ready to Complete Unfinished Business This Fall

The Panthers will open this season at Bigfork on Thursday, Sept. 2. 

CULVER, Minn. – We have one week until the Minnesota high school football season officially gets started and after not getting to end their season the way they had hoped last year, the South Ridge football team is eager to get going. The Panthers bring back a good amount of experience, especially on the line this year. They say they…

Prep Volleyball: Esko, Duluth East, Hermantown Win Season Openers at Home

The Eskomos and Greyhounds gave their new head coaches their first wins in their debuts.

ESKO, Minn. – Esko opened the season in a big way, getting the 3-0 win (25-16, 25-13, 25-13) over Cook County to give Pete Stasiuk his first win as the Eskomos head coach. Another new head coach also picked up their first win, Duluth East’s Susan Schmidt led the Greyhounds to a 3-1 over Princeton. The Tigers took the first…

Prep Soccer: Duluth Denfeld Boys, Cloquet-Carlton Girls Drop Season Openers

Simon Davidson and Matt Eklund scored the goals for the Hunters.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Denfeld boys soccer team battled back but couldn’t hang on, as Mahtomedi got the 4-2 win to open the 2021 season. Simon Davidson and Matt Eklund scored the goals for the Hunters. Denfeld will be back in action on Saturday hosting Hill-Murray. Kickoff is set for noon. In prep girls soccer action, Cloquet-Carlton couldn’t find…

Experienced Cloquet-Carlton Girls Soccer Eyeing Another Big Season

This year's team is led by nine seniors with a lot of speed, scoring ability and experience up front as they aim for their third straight section title.

CLOQUET, Minn. – This year’s soccer season officially gets started on Thursday afternoon and the Cloquet-Carlton girls soccer team is entering the season with high expectations and are ready to continue on what they’ve built the past few years. With no state tournament last season, the Lumberjacks dropped just one game and had the unique opportunity to end their season…

Nate Hanson Excited to Lead Hermantown Girls Soccer as Season Opener Approaches

Hanson and the Hawks will open the season Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at North Branch. 

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown girls soccer team will kick off their season on Thursday with Nate Hanson officially taking over the reigns. Hanson has spent the past eight years as an assistant coach and is now excited to be a head coach and to lead this young Hawks program. “He has a lot of soccer knowledge and it’s been…

Duluth Denfeld Football Looking to Continue Building Success in Erik Lofald’s Third Season as Head Coach

The Hunters will open their season next Thursday, Sept. 2, at Esko. 

DULUTH, Minn. – The countdown is on until high school football returns in Minnesota. For Duluth Denfeld, it’s time to turn up the intensity at practice and continue embracing this year’s theme of never quit. It’s a big year for Duluth Denfeld as it’s year three for Erik Lofald as head coach. Last year, the Hunters won their first game…

Denfeld Boys Soccer Looking to Continue Next Man Up Mentality Heading Into Fall Season

The Hunters will have to replace a few key pieces, specifically Mr. Soccer finalist Keegan Chastey, if they want to get back to the state tournament, but feel the foundation they're building within their programs allows them to continue their success

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s officially game week for Minnesota high school soccer teams and after ending the year with a win last season, the Duluth Denfeld boys are ready to get this year started. The Hunters are eyeing another big season but will have to replace a few key pieces, specifically Mr. Soccer finalist Keegan Chastey. But this is nothing…

“Tight-Knit” Senior Class Ready To Lead Esko Football Back to Successful Season

This year's senior class for Esko is a smaller one with just 13 players, but they say it's one of the closest groups they've ever had.

ESKO, Minn. – We’ve officially kicked off the second week of practice for Minnesota High School football and for Esko, they used week one to build their chemistry and are now feeling ready to go. This year’s senior class for Esko is a smaller one with just 13 players, but they say it’s one of the closest groups they’ve ever…

Rock Ridge Football Wraps Up First Week of Practice as New Program

The Wolverines will open its inaugural season Sept. 2 hosting North Woods. 

EVELETH, Minn. – The first week of practice for Minnesota high school football teams is in the books, and it was also the first week of practice ever for the newly consolidated Rock Ridge Wolverines. The Wolverines are in the process of merging the Eveleth-Gilbert and Virginia programs together. This past season, a few teams consolidated and now it’s the…

USA Hockey’s Level 5 Coaches Symposium Welcomes Over 400 Attendees

Topics of discussion include how to be a better passing team, as well as developing a team culture and identity.

DULUTH, Minn. – Over 400 coaches from all levels came together for the 2021 Level 6 Coaches Symposium, which is hosted by USA Hockey. The four-day symposium features several guest speakers, including coaches from the AHL and NHL. Organizers say it’s a way to celebrate coaches all over the country who care about the game and want to give back,…

Prep Football: Northwestern Dominates Ashland, Superior Falls to Ellsworth

The Tigers got the road win over the Oredockers, while the Spartans struggled at home against the Panthers.

MAPLE, Wis. – Greg Ohman found the endzone twice as the Northwestern football team knocked off Ashland 42-7 Friday night at Oredocker Stadium. In other prep football action, Superior dropped their season opener at home to Ellsworth 50-22. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Numbers Not An Issue for Cloquet Football Team

Cloquet will battle Proctor in Week One on Friday, September 3rd.

CLOQUET, Minn. – We are just two weeks away from the start of the high school football season in the state of Minnesota. And one team that will be making noise once again is Cloquet. The Lumberjacks were able to host their offseason programs over the summer. But it’s not just the players who have to get ready. The coaching…

Pete Stasiuk Leading New Era of Esko Volleyball

The Eskomos will open their season next Thursday against Cook County.

ESKO, Minn. – High school volleyball teams are back in the gym. That includes Esko, who have a new head coach. Pete Stasiuk takes over for Desiree DeLeon, who retired back in January. He comes over from Duluth Denfeld and so far, it’s been an eventful week to start fall practices. “First few days, we’re really focusing on skills. Understanding…

Proctor Seniors Excited for Final Year with Rails Football Team

The five seniors on their team is the smallest group in program history.

PROCTOR, Minn. – The Proctor football is halfway through their first week of fall practices. The Rails will lean heavily on their seniors going into this upcoming season. The five seniors on their team is the smallest group in program history. But even with the added pressure, they are taking the challenge head on. “That’s forced a lot of us…

Duluth Marshall Joins Two Harbors For Football Co-Op

The Hilltoppers folded their program back in 2015 and now have five players traveling to Two Harbors this fall to play as Agates.

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – Duluth Marshall folded their football program back in 2015, but that all changed this week as the Hilltoppers are back thanks to the help of another Northland team. Duluth Marshall will join Two Harbors as they will compete as a co-op. The team will still be known as the Two Harbors Agates and continue to play…

Superior’s Don Dembroski Retires as Head Baseball Coach

In 22 seasons, Dembroski led the Spartans to seven conference titles and 240 career wins.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Longtime Superior baseball coach Don Dembroski is retiring after 23 years with the program and 22 as the head coach. In that time, he led the Spartans to seven conference titles and 240 career wins. Athletic director Ella Olson says Dembroski will still continue teaching within the school district. Categories: High School, Sports

Duluth Denfeld Hires Three New Head Coaches for Fall Season

Cienna "CJ" Strother, Elizabeth Peterson and Leah Hamm will lead their respective programs this fall.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Denfeld has hired three new head coaches for the upcoming fall season. Cienna “CJ” Strother will be the new head coach of the volleyball team as Pete Stasiuk left to coach at Esko. Elizabeth Peterson will take over the girls swimming program after spending time as an assistant at Duluth East, as well as the Lake…

Hermantown Football Opens First Day of Practice With Annual Hawk Olympics

The Hawks open the 2021 season on Sept. 3 hosting Moose Lake/Willow River. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. 

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Things feel normal again in Northern Minnesota as high school football practices are officially underway. “It’s good to be back out here and on time. It was definitely easier to get after it and get to work knowing that we’ll have a season. Last year we never knew if the season was going to happen so it…

Grand Rapids Post 1720 Wins VFW State Title

The Thunderhawks dropped the first game of state to Sartell, then won seven straight games in four days to capture their second VFW state title. 

AUSTIN, Minn. – The Grand Rapids Post 1720 team won the VFW state championship on Sunday with a 4-2 win over Elk River and a 2-0 win earlier in the day. Myles Gunderson pitched the complete game shutout in game one, then Kyle Henke gave up two runs in the first then threw six shutout innings in the second game…

Regular Season Rapidly Approaching for Northwood/Solon Springs Football Team

The Evergreens were one of many teams that were able to play last fall, but it was a season filled with cancellations and postponements.

MINONG, Wis. – The regular season is just two weeks away for Wisconsin high school football. And that means practice gets more intense, including for Northwood/Solon Springs. The Evergreens were one of many teams that were able to play last fall, but it was a season filled with cancellations and postponements. In fact, the team would go on to play…

Hermantown’s Ty Hanson Commits to UMD Men’s Hockey

The soon-to-be junior scored nine goals and 20 assists during his sophomore campaign.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown defenseman Ty Hanson announced on Twitter Wednesday that he has committed to joining the UMD men’s hockey team. The soon-to-be junior scored nine goals and 20 assists during his sophomore campaign. He is the third Hermantown player to commit to UMD, joining Joey Pierce and Zam Plante, and they will join current Bulldogs Jesse Jacques, Blake…

Tony DeLeon Resigns as Athletic Director at South Ridge High School

DeLeon has been with the Panthers since 2012 and in that time, several programs experienced success, including multiple state tournament appearances.

CULVER, Minn. – Monday, Tony DeLeon resigned as the athletic director at South Ridge High School. DeLeon has been with the Panthers since 2012 and in that time, several programs experienced success. The football team won back-to-back section titles, softball won their first section title in 2019 and baseball had three appearances in the Class A state tournament. South Ridge…

Hibbing’s Ayden McDonald Commits to Augustana Men’s Basketball

McDonald is Hibbing's all-time leading scorer and holds the record for most career assists.

HIBBING, Minn. – Hibbing basketball star Ayden McDonald has committed to joining the Augustana men’s basketball team. In his junior season, McDonald led the Bluejackets with 18 points, 11 assists and six rebounds per game. He guided Hibbing to a 16-4 overall record and to their first state tournament since 1989. McDonald, coached by his dad Joel, became the program’s…

Superior’s Rick Kennelly to be Inducted into WFCA Hall of Fame

Kennelly is just the third spartan coach to be inducted, joining Larry Hoff and Tom Mestelle.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Rick Kennelly is the definition of a Spartan for life. He graduated from Superior High School, played on the football team and then coached there for 40 years. And after retiring this past spring, Kennelly will be inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association. “Coach DeMeyer’s nominated me a few times and…

State Tournament Awaits Hermantown VFW Baseball Team

Hermantown will open up against Owatonna next Thursday.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown VFW baseball team is getting set for the state tournament next week. The Hawks are coming off a thrilling come-from-behind win during the district tournament. And that momentum could be key as they’ll battle some stiff competition. “We were kind of struggling going into the playoffs. We started out as the 5th seed. And that…

Superior Football Team Ready for Quick Turnaround from Alternate Spring Season

Superior will open their season August 20th on the road against Ellsworth.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – While most teams haven’t played a game in nearly a year, the Superior football team were in action just three months ago as part of the WIAA’s alternate spring season. The Spartans finished with a 5-1 record and they’re hoping that positive momentum will carry over into this fall so there are no issues with the quick…

Proctor Junior Legion Baseball Team Gets Set for State Tournament

The Junior Legion baseball tournament will take place in Montevideo. Proctor will open up Friday at 3 p.m. against Caledonia.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Proctor Junior Legion baseball team is getting set for the state tournament this upcoming weekend. The Rails defeated Esko in the Northeast Substate Region behind some stellar pitching. And now, they’ll take on the best teams in the state in their first year as a program. “I think it’s crazy. I never really thought this would…

Fall Practices Begin for Highly Motivated Northwestern Football Team

The Tigers kick off the 2021 season on the road at Ashland in a matchup that hasn't happened in years. Kickoff on August 20 is set for 7:00 p.m. 

MAPLE, Wis. – Last year was a weird one for everyone, especially for the Northwestern football team as the Tigers lost a regular season game for the first time in years and didn’t win the Heart O’North Conference title. Now, these young Tigers are extra motivated to get back to their normal standard. “There’s only one conference champion right, you…

Twin Ports Gymnastics Talk Team USA Success at the Olympics

The most popular USA gymnast is of course St. Paul native Suni Lee, who captured a gold medal last week.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Olympics are well underway and Team USA’s gymnastics squad has already racked up five medals, including two gold. Twin Ports Gymnastics has been following the action too, especially with three Minnesota natives representing the state in Tokyo. “It’s very impressive and it’s very exciting. It really gives these athletes here motivation. And it’s nice that it’s…

Hermantown’s Zam Plante Commits to UMD Men’s Hockey Team

Plante joins a long list of Hawks to become Bulldogs and will also follow in his dad Derek's footsteps who played for the Bulldogs in the 90s and is now the associate head coach.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown hockey star Zam Plante has announced his verbal committment to joining the UMD men’s hockey team. Plante joins a long list of former Hawks to become Bulldogs, including currently Darian Gotz, Blake Biondi and Jesse Jacques. He will also follow in his dad Derek’s footsteps, who played for the Bulldogs in the 90s and is now…

Moose Lake/Willow River’s Natalie Mikrot Commits to Minnesota Crookston Women’s Basketball

Mikrot became Moose Lake/Willow River's all-time leading scorer for both boys and girls in just her junior season.

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – Moose Lake/Willow River’s Natalie Mikrot announced her commitment to the University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball team. This past season, Mikrot led the Rebels to an 8-11 overall record with a team-leading 23.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. She also became Moose Lake/Willow River’s all-time leading scorer for both boys and girls in just her…

Proctor Junior Legion Baseball Advances to State Tournament

The Rails went 4-0 in the Northeast Substate Region tournament, capping it off with a 6-4 win over Esko

PROCTOR, Minn. – The Proctor Junior Legion baseball team has punched their ticket to the American Legion Junior State Tournament. The Rails went 4-0 in the Northeast Substate Region tournament, capping it off with a 6-4 win over Esko. It’s the first time a Proctor team has gone to legion state since 2017. Nick Terhaar pitched 6 and 2/3 innings…

Duluth East’s Charlie Sutherland Selected to USA Baseball Midwest All-Region 16U Team

The USA Baseball National Team Identification Series provides athletes with the opportunity to compete for national team and National Team Development Program events. Sutherlands and the rest of the selectees will compete for the Champions Cup August 11-15 in Cary, North Carolina.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth East baseball’s Charlie Sutherland has been selected to the USA Baseball Midwest All-Region 16U Team. Selectees will head to Cary, North Carolina to compete in the USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS) Champions Cup August 11-15. Then, a minimum of 72 players will be invited to USA Baseball National Team and National Team Development Program…

Encompass Expos 14U Baseball Team Finishes Summer Season Ranked #1 in the Country

The team finished with a 30-1-9 overall record and is ranked #1 in the country by the United States Specialty Sports Association.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland was, is and forever will be known as an area that loves its hockey. But a local youth baseball team might be changing that perception to get more kids off the ice and onto the diamond. The Encompass Expos 14U baseball team just wrapped up their summer season and it was one to remember. The…

Proctor Baseball Looking to Raise Money for New Batting Cage

So far, they've already raised nearly half of their target amount.

PROCTOR, Minn. – Proctor High School is looking to raise money for a new batting cage. Organizers say it would be used by the Rails baseball and softball teams during the high school season and their summer youth programs, as well as any other teams locally who want to get some swings in. “It helps you run a better practice…

Twin Ports Summer Jam Wraps Up in Cloquet

It allows schools to see new teams and get some final competition in before summer wraps up and they get ready for the upcoming season.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Cloquet was the place to be this week for some high school basketball action at the 6th annual Twin Ports Summer Jam. The tournament was hosted by Duluth East and featured several local teams including Cloquet, Superior and Esko. It allows schools to see new teams and get some final competition in before summer wraps up and…

Grand Rapids Star Jack Peart Stays Close to Home After Being Drafted by Minnesota Wild

The former Thunderhawk heard his name called by the hometown Minnesota Wild in the second round with pick no. 54.

ST. Paul, Minn.– The NHL draft wrapped up this weekend and it was a special day for Grand Rapids native and 2021 Mr. Hockey winner Jack Peart. The former Thunderhawk heard his name called by the hometown Minnesota Wild in the second round with pick no. 54. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play for the Minnesota Wild…

Grand Rapids Native Jack Peart Taken by Hometown Minnesota Wild in Second Round of NHL Draft

Grand Rapids alumni and 2021 Mr. Hockey winner Jack Peart has been selected by the Minnesota Wild with the second round of the NHL Draft.

ST. PAUL, Minn.– Grand Rapids alumni and 2021 Mr. Hockey winner Jack Peart has been selected by the Minnesota Wild with the second round of the NHL Draft at pick no. 54. The defenseman scored 11 goals and recorded 24 assists in his senior campaign helping the Thunderhawks make it to the section title game. Along with winning the USHL…

Former Duluth East Boy’s Hockey Coach Mike Randolph Takes Assistant Coaching Job at St. Thomas Academy

Former Duluth East Head Coach Mike Randolph will be back on the sidelines again but this time as an assistant coach for the St. Thomas Academy Cadets for the upcoming season.

DULUTH, Minn.– Former Duluth East Head Coach Mike Randolph will be back on the sidelines again but this time as an assistant coach for the St. Thomas Academy Cadets for the upcoming season. The former Greyhounds Boys Hockey coach recorded 658 career coaching victories ranking third all-time in state history in his 32 seasons as head coach. He was inducted…

Spartans Girl’s Hockey Team Hosts Hockey Jamboree

Superior was joined by Hayward, North Shore, and Moose Lake High Schools at the Superior Ice Arena Friday.

SUPERIOR, Wis.– The Superior Girl’s Hockey team hosted a hockey jamboree Friday. Superior was joined by Hayward, North Shore, and Moose Lake High Schools at the Superior Ice Arena Friday. Games started at 9 a.m. and are continuing into Friday night. Spartans Head Coach Doug Trentor says that after practicing as a team all week, summer activities like this are…

Esko’s Miranda Kelley Commits to St. Scholastica Softball

At the plate, Kelley hit .381 this season for the Eskomos with 10 RBI while striking out 47 batters with a 3.97 ERA in the circle.

ESKO, Minn. – Former Esko softball pitcher and utility player Miranda Kelley has committed to joining the St. Scholastica softball team this upcoming season. At the plate, Kelley hit .381 with a .480 on-base percentage. She tallied 16 base hits with 10 RBI while scoring 11 times. In the circle, Kelley went 2-3 over 47 2/3 innings pitched. She gave…

Lakeview Summer Classic Hockey Tournament Set to Return to Mars Lakeview Arena Next Weekend

Duluth Marshall will open the tournament on Friday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. against Hutchinson, while Hermantown will open things up against Benilde-St. Margaret's on Saturday, July 24 at 10:45 a.m. All games will take place at Mars Lakeview Arena. 

DULUTH, Minn. – There’s nothing quite like hockey in the summer, especially in the Northland. And next weekend, teams from all over the state will be at Mars Lakeview Arena as the annual Lakeview Summer Classic returns. “It’s like Christmas in July,” Duluth Marshall senior goaltender Sam Anderson said. “This kind of signals the start of next season,” Duluth Marshall…