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…
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,…
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
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…
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, 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…
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, 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, 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, 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…
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…
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, 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…
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, 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, 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…
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, 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…
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…
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…
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, 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, 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, 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, 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…
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, 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…
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…
DULUTH, Minn.– The Lakeview Summer Classic continued on Saturday at Mars Lakeview Arena, where the Hilltoppers fell to St. Cloud Cathedral 5-2 in the semi-final game. Hilltoppers down 2-1 in the second period when the crusaders scored, making it a 2-3 game with 15 minutes to play in the second. It didn’t take long for the Hilltoppers to respond with…
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…
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…
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…
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, 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…
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…
DULUTH, Minn. – This week, Duluth Denfeld hockey alum Kade Shea was selected by the Anchorage Wolverines in the 2021 NAHL Entry Draft. Shea says when the pick happened, he received multiple texts from family and friends, as well as his coaches who helped him tremendously through the draft preparation process. “They made phone calls trying to advocate for us….
SILVER BAY, Minn. – This week, Silver Bay’s Ero Wallin has signed his National Letter of Intent to join the St. Cloud State baseball team. Wallin was a beast at the plate for the Mariners in his senior year, leading the state in nearly every offensive category, including batting average, home runs and RBI. “Ever since I was a kid,…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior’s Emma Raye and Haley Zembo have earned all-state honors from the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association. Raye was named to the First Team, while Zembo earned Second Team recognition. As a sophomore, Raye finished with a batting average over .550 to go along with seven home runs and 35 RBI. Zembo, who is also a sophomore,…
DULUTH, Minn. – This week, Duluth Denfeld’s Mary Johnson has committed to joining the Elmhurst University women’s soccer team. Johnson has been the starting varsity goalie for the Hunters for her junior and senior campaigns. And she was busy too, seeing over 50 shots in each season. Johnson is also a member of the Gitchi Gummi soccer club in Duluth….
DULUTH, Minn. – The final session of UMD football team camps wrapped up Wednesday at Malosky Stadium. 20 teams were on campus for this session as they received training from the Bulldogs’ coaching staff and got to scrimmage against one another as well. “Just really cool to play on this field and just get an opportunity to get a chance…
DULUTH, Minn. – The West Duluth Cubs scored two in the bottom of the sixth then held on in the seventh to get the 3-1 win over Grand Rapids for their third straight win. Dane Dzuck hit a solo home run for the Cubs while Joe Udd escaped a bases loaded jam in the seventh to get the save. West…
DULUTH, Minn. – Tuesday, the Enger Park Golf Course hosted their fifth annual junior golf school. The students, ages five to 15, learn everything from swinging mechanics and bunker play, to proper etiquette on the course. Most of the attendees are beginners in the sport. The camp originated out in Washington state with Duluth Golf general manager Mike Bender. So…
DULUTH, Minn. – For the first time in over 30 years, the Duluth East boys hockey team was in search of a new head coach. And after an exhaustive interview process, they have found their man. Former Greyhound Steve Pitoscia has been named the new head coach of the Duluth East boys hockey team. Pitoscia brings over 30 years of…
DULUTH, Minn. – The West Duluth Cubs scored three runs in the third inning on their way to getting the 7-3 win over Proctor in Legion Baseball on Monday night at Wade Stadium. Dane Dzuck struck out three batters over four scoreless innings of relief for the Cubs. West Duluth will be back in action on Tuesday hosting Grand Rapids….
BLAINE, Minn. – This past weekend, the Gitchi Gummi boys 2002 team captured the USA Cup. They would defeat the Elgin All-Stars 3-1 in the championship game after falling to them in group play. Jake Kidd led the way with six goals in the tournament, while Misaki Hirata had four and Dawson Kriske finished with three. This is the first…
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Four Northland girls hockey players are participating in the USA Hockey Girls 15 Player Development Camp this week. Duluth Marshall’s Katrina Thorson and Proctor/Hermantown’s Izy Fairchild, Morgan LaValley and Hannah Graves are all taking part. The camp is for the country’s top girls players born in 2006 who participated in the tryout process. During the camp,…
DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we hear from Greg Cane and Barry Chastey, who serve as coaches for the Gitchi Gummi Soccer Club which is celebrating 30 years in existence in 2021. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Coaches always say that players should always focus more on the name in front of their jersey than the name on the back. Hermantown’s Zam Plante has done a great job representing the Hawks. But next month, the name in front of the jersey will be in red, white and blue. Last week, Plante was named to…
DULUTH, Minn. – Since 1991, the Gitchi Gummi Soccer Club has been the premier organization when it comes to youth players who want to step up their game. And they’ve got a track record that is second to none. The club has seen a recent explosion of talent with 40 teams and over 600 players, as well as their youth…
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – This week, Grand Rapids standout Kodi Miller has committed to joining the Itasca Community College baseball team. Miller was the varsity catcher for the Thunderhawks for the past four years, including his senior campaign where he helped Grand Rapids advance to the state championship game for the first time in over 30 years. This past season,…
