High School

Prep Softball: Greenway Hands Proctor First Loss, Hermantown Earns Comeback Win Over Duluth East

The Raiders stayed undefeated with a road win, while the Hawks were victorious on their home field.

PROCTOR, Minn. – In a battle of unbeaten teams, Greenway used a late rally to knock off Proctor 7-5 Wednesday afternoon at Egerdahl Field. The Raiders stay undefeated at 8-0, while the Rails suffer their first loss of the season. In other prep softball action, it was Hermantown getting the home win over Duluth East 11-7. Categories: High School, Sports

Prep Baseball: Esko Stays Unbeaten, Superior Wins Season Opener, Proctor, Hermantown Split Doubleheader

The Eskomos and Spartans are winners at home, while the Rails and Hawks split their doubleheader at Egerdahl Field.

ESKO, Minn. – The Esko baseball team only needed five innings to knock off Two Harbors 12-0 Tuesday afternoon. Cale Haugen had a stellar day, earning the win on the mound while chipping in with three RBI. In other prep baseball action, Superior topped Duluth Denfeld in their season opener, behind four scoreless innings of work and seven strikeouts from…

Esko Softball Stays Undefeated with Home Win Over Two Harbors

The Eskomos improve to 4-0 on the season and will host South Ridge on Thursday.

ESKO, Minn. – The Esko softball team scored early and often as they defeated Two Harbors 24-0 in five innings Tuesday afternoon. Miranda Kelley allowed zero hits in four innings of work while striking out eight batters. The Eskomos improve to 4-0 on the season and will host South Ridge on Thursday. Categories: High School, Sports

Minnesota Vikings Fullback, Duluth Native CJ Ham to Hold 2nd Annual Youth Football Camp

All proceeds will go towards diversity sponsorship opportunities in the city of Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn. – Two years ago, Minnesota Vikings fullback CJ Ham hosted his first youth football camp in his hometown of Duluth. And this summer, the bruising Pro Bowler is bring it back. Ham will be hosting his second annual camp Saturday July 17th. It will be open for kids ages five to 13, but will be capped at the…

Duluth Boys Lacrosse Team Has High Expectations for 2021 Season

The Wolfpack will return to action Thursday against Hermantown/Proctor.

DULUTH, Minn. – This past weekend, the Duluth boys lacrosse team picked up their first win of the season with a shutout victory at Ordean Stadium. The Wolfpack are entering their sixth year as a program with a stacked roster, high expectations and the belief that they can win their ever first section title in 2021. “We have a very…

Northwestern Baseball Motivated Heading Into Spring Season

The Tigers will open the season on Tuesday hosting Barron. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. 

MAPLE, Wis. – Last week, high school spring sports made their return to the state of Wisconsin and now, it’s game week for the Northwestern baseball team, who is hungry to pick up where they left off in 2019. “There’s some nerves, some excitement. We’ve been practicing for weeks now and we’re ready to go,” senior third baseman Brennen Werner…

Proctor Softball Team Enjoying Undefeated Start to the Season

The Rails are 5-0 so far on the season, which includes a pair of shutouts and three games with double-digit runs scored.

PROCTOR, Minn. – High school head coaches are notorious for being perfectionists. You could hit a home run and they’ll still find something you can get better at. The same goes for the Proctor softball team. The Rails are 5-0 so far on the season, which includes a pair of shutouts and three games with double-digit runs scored. And with…

Prep Boys Lacrosse: Duluth Gets Shutout Over Forest Lake, Hermantown/Proctor Drops Season Opener

Colby Larson finished with a hat trick as the Wolfpack picked up their first win of the season.

DULUTH, Minn. – Colby Larson finished with a hat trick as the Duluth boys lacrosse team got the 9-0 win over Forest Lake on Saturday for their first win of the season. Dane Callaway and Tyler Smith finished with two goals each while Gaven Slattery and Peyton Bradbury each scored once. Connor Kiergaard finished with six saves in the shutout….

Prep Baseball: Duluth East Powers Past Duluth Denfeld, Esko Stifles Pequot Lakes

The Greyhounds and Eskomos were winners on Friday afternoon.

DULUTH, Minn. – A six-run fifth inning would prove to be the difference as the Duluth East baseball team topped Duluth Denfeld 8-4 Friday afternoon at Wade Stadium. Senior Joe Vos homered for the Greyhounds while Dean Hudoba picked up his first career varsity win on the mound. In other prep baseball action, Dane Hoffman went the distance and finished…

Prep Softball: Cloquet Knocks Off Hermantown, Moose Lake Earns Road Win Over Duluth Denfeld

The Lumberjacks got the win on their home field, while the Rebels were victorious on the road.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Senior Amanda Paul finished with 10 strikeouts and two RBI as the Cloquet softball team knocked off Hermantown 5-1 Friday afternoon at Braun Park. In other prep softball action, Moose Lake picked up the road win over Duluth Denfeld 10-0 at Swanson Field. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Prep Baseball: Esko, Hermantown Pick Up Road Wins

Home field advantage was not needed Thursday for the Eskomos and Hawks.

DULUTH, Minn. – Senior pitcher Noah Furcht picked up his second win of the season as the Esko baseball team spoiled Opening Day for Duluth East 10-3 Thursday afternoon. In other prep baseball action, Hermantown held on for the 10-9 win over Duluth Denfeld Thursday night at Wade Stadium. Categories: High School, Sports

First Week of Practice Wraps Up for Superior Softball Team

Superior will open their season next Tuesday down in Eau Claire.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Spring practices are in full swing for Wisconsin prep sports teams. The Superior softball team is wrapping up their first week of practice, which involved knocking off a lot of rust following the long layoff due to the pandemic. “A lot of us play club ball so we do have that opportunity. But then a lot don’t….

Minnesota Student-Athletes No Longer Required to Wear Masks During Games, Practices

State health officials are also urging those involved in youth sports to test for COVID-19 on a weekly basis.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – One of the toughest adjustments prep athletes have had to make in the era of COVID has been wearing a mask while playing games. It makes it hard to breathe. You have to keep adjusting it. It’s soaked in sweat by halftime. But now, those situations will be no more. The Minnesota Department of Health announced Thursday…

“Marathon On Ice” Documentary Now Available for Public Viewing

The documentary chronicles the 1996 Class A state semi-finals between Apple Valley and Duluth East

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The movie “Marathon on Ice” is now ready to be viewed by the public. The documentary chronicles the 1996 Class AA state semi-finals between Apple Valley and Duluth East, which is widely considered the greatest high school hockey game of all time. “One of the biggest things about it was that it was five overtimes, but nobody…

Washburn Volleyball Team Wins Division Two State Championship

This is Washburn's second-ever state title with their first coming back in 2000.

WASHBURN, Wis. – What a weekend for the Washburn volleyball team. Not only did they finish their season undefeated, but they also brought home the school’s second-ever state championship. The Castle Guards captured the Division 2 title for the alternate spring season defeating top-seed Brodhead in four sets after winning the state semi-finals in a five-set thriller. Washburn had lost…

Sarah Hurst Leads Duluth Girls Lacrosse to Victory in Head-Coaching Debut

Sarah Hurst was named the hew head coach of the team just a month and a half ago.

DULUTH, Minn. – Last week, the prep girls lacrosse season began for teams all across the Northland. It was also the start of the head coaching career for the leader of the Duluth Wolfpack. Sarah Hurst was named the hew head coach of the team just a month and a half ago. She says she’s been out of the game…

Esko Baseball Tops Eveleth-Gilbert for Second Straight Win

Noah Furcht picked up his first win of the season on the mound while Jax Ochis went 4-for-4 with 3 RBIs. 

ESKO, Minn. – The Esko baseball team used a six-run fifth inning to get the 11-4 home win over Eveleth-Gilbert on Saturday. Noah Furcht picked up his first win of the season on the mound and also hit his first home run of the year. Jax Ochis went 4-for-4 with 3 RBI. Esko improves to 2-0 on the season and…

Superior Football Tops La Crosse Logan in Final Home Game

The Spartans improve to 3-1 on the spring season.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior football team stood tall on defense on Saturday, getting the 13-12 win over La Crosse Logan in their final home game of the spring season. The Spartans improve to 3-1 and are scheduled to play at Sparta on Friday, April 23. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Categories: High School, Sports

Duluth Boys Lacrosse Drops Season Opener to White Bear Lake

Tyler Smith scored twice while Logan Lian and Caleb Keenan each scored once.  

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth boys lacrosse team battled early but couldn’t hang on late in their season opener, as White Bear Lake got the 9-4 road win. Tyler Smith scored twice while Logan Lian and Caleb Keenan each scored once. Duluth will look for its first win of the season on Tuesday hosting Grand Rapids. Categories: High School, Sports

Superior’s Ava Rue Suits Up for Freshman Football Team

Rue plays slotback and cornerback for the Spartans, who will host La Crosse Logan on Saturday at noon in the final home game of the spring season.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Choosing to play football was an easy decision for freshman Ava Rue, so much so that she decided to try out for the Superior ninth grade team instead of playing softball. “In 7th grade my friends were talking about it and it sounded like fun so I decided to join so I did in eighth grade. I’d…

Duluth Marshall Baseball Tops Two Harbors for Garramone’s First Coaching Victory

The Duluth Marshall baseball team built an early lead and held on to it until the end.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Marshall baseball team built an early lead and held on to it until the end as they got their first win of the season over Two Harbors 15-5 in five innings Friday night at Wade Stadium. It was also the first career head coaching victory for head coach Nick Garramone. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High…

Prep Softball: Cloquet, Hermantown Pick Up Bounce-Back Wins

It was a great day on the diamond for the Lumberjacks and the Hawks.

DULUTH, Minn. – In prep softball action, Cloquet would hold off a late rally from Duluth East as the Lumberjacks hold on for the win 16-10 Friday afternoon at Ordean Field. Brenna McClarey, Dana Jones, Brynn Martin, Roena Diver and Justice Paro had multiple hits for the Lumberjacks. In other action, it was Hermantown squeaking by Cambridge-Isanti 9-7. Categories: Friday…

GNK’s Geno Uhrbom Commits to University of North Dakota

Ehrbom wrapped up his prep career winning the Section 7A championship for the fourth straight year.

NASHWAUK, Minn. – Greenway-Nashwauk/Keewatin’s Geno Uhrbom has signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his running career at the University of North Dakota. He will compete in cross country and track for the Fighting Hawks. Uhrbom is a two-time cross country state champion and is also the defending state champ in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs. Ehrbom wrapped…

Hindermann, Duluth Denfeld Baseball Walk Off at Home Against Grand Rapids

It is the second straight game the Hunters win in walk-off fashion as they start their season 2-0.

DULUTH, Minn. – Owen Hindermann would hit an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth, scoring Andy Larson as the Duluth Denfeld baseball team knocked off Grand Rapids 4-3 Thursday afternoon at Wade Stadium. It is the second straight game the Hunters win in walk-off fashion as they start their season 2-0. Categories: High School, Sports

Hibbing Baseball Outlasts Duluth Marshall in 12-Inning Thriller

The Bluejackets rallied from a four-run deficit in the seventh inning to push the game to extras, where they would eventually pick up the road win.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Hibbing baseball team got two inside-the-park home runs in the top of the 12th inning as they top Duluth Marshall in extras 12-10 Wednesday night at Wade Stadium. The Bluejackets rallied from a four-run deficit in the seventh inning to push the game to extras, where they would eventually pick up the road win. Categories: High…

Duluth Marshall’s Declan Hutchinson Commits to St. Michael’s Nordic Ski Team

Hutchinson says he will major in bio-chemistry.

DULUTH, Minn. – The state of Vermont is home to two things: Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and Bernie Sanders. It also has some great ski slopes, which was a great selling point for a local high school Nordic skier. Wednesday, Duluth Marshall’s Declan Hutchinson signed his National Letter of Intent to join the St. Michael’s Nordic ski team. It…

Proctor/Hermantown’s Alyssa Watkins Commits to Bemidji State Women’s Hockey

Watkins will join teammate Ella Anick, who committed to Bemidji State back in the fall.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Before the start of the Class A girls hockey tournament, Proctor/Hermantown’s Alyssa Watkins had no offers to play Division I hockey, despite being 15th in the entire state in total points scored. Then after scoring seven goals in the playoffs, including the overtime game-winner that gave the Mirage their first-ever state title, Watkins is now set to…

Duluth Marshall’s Gianna Kneepkens Named Top-5 Finalist for Ms. Basketball Award

The winner will be announced at the Minnesota High School All-Star Game on April 24th.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Marshall’s Gianna Kneepkens has been named a finalist for the Ms. Basketball Award, which is given to the best senior basketball player in the state of Minnesota. The Utah commit wrapped up her career with the Hilltoppers scoring a state-record 67 points in her final career game, which allowed her to finish fifth on the all-time…

Prep Softball: Proctor, Duluth East Win Home Openers

The Rails also got the 10-0 win over Two Harbors earlier in the day to improve to 3-0 on the season, while the Greyhounds used a 15-run first inning to win their season opener.

PROCTOR, Minn. -The Proctor softball team returned home in a big way on Saturday, getting the 6-2 win over Grand Rapids. The Rails also got the 10-0 win over Two Harbors earlier in the day to improve to 3-0 on the season. In other prep softball action, Duluth East scored 15 runs in the first inning to get the 17-1…

Former Denfeld Standout Keegan Chastey to Play Under Dad Barry on St. Scholstica Men’s Soccer Team

Barry Chastey has been coaching his son Keegan for the past decade and now gets one more chance at it this semester, as the Denfeld standout will suit up for the Saints this spring.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Denfeld soccer alum Keegan Chastey has been cheering on the Saints since he first started playing soccer. “I’ve been up here watching the games, especially the playoffs, ever since I was maybe four years old. To be a part of the team instead of just a fan, it’s a good feeling,” Keegan said. After guiding the…

Duluth East’s Aili Hietala Signs NLI to Join University of Montana Tennis Team

She played six years as the #1 singles for the Greyhounds and will look to carry over her success to the college level.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth East’s Aili Hietala dominated the competition in her high school tennis career, finishing with a 145-18 overall record. And now she’s taking her talents to the Big Sky Country. Monday, Hietala signed her National Letter of Intent to play Division I tennis at the University of Montana. She played six years as the #1 singles for…

Six Hermantown Hockey Players to Take Part in Frozen Four

Koepke, Jacques, Sandelin and Aamodt were all teammates at Hermantown when the Hawks won their first of back to back state titles in 2016.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Thursday’s Frozen Four will feature a lot of representation from the state of Minnesota. Nearly 40% of the players are from the state of hockey, more than the other 49 states combined. And the largest local group comes from Hermantown. Six former Hawks are taking part in the Frozen Four: UMD’s Cole Koepke, Jesse Jacques, Blake Biondi…

Longtime Assistant Coach Tyler Korby to Lead Cloquet Softball Team

The Lumberjacks will open the season next Monday at Esko.

CLOQUET, Minn. – The defending Section 7AAA champs Cloquet are back on the field, but with a new leader in the dugout. Longtime assistant coach Tyler Korby is now the head coach for the Lumberjacks. He is also the club director for the Minnesota Blast travel softball team. And that means he’s already very familiar with many of his players….

Grand Rapids’ Hayden DeMars Leads Team Yellow Over Team White in Boys Hockey All-Star Game

Grand Rapids forward Hayden DeMars would finish with four goals and take home MVP honors.

DULUTH, Minn. – Grand Rapids forward Hayden DeMars would finish with four goals and take home MVP honors as Team Yellow defeated Team White 7-5 in the 34th annual Essentia All Star Boys Hockey Game. Joey Pierce, Logan Dushkin and Tom Nemanich also scored for Team Yellow, who also got five assists from Braeden Holcomb. Team White were led by…

Hermantown’s Joey Pierce Back on the Ice for Minnesota Wilderness

Pierce's teammates Aaron Pionk and Zam Plante will also skate for the Wilderness for the rest of the NAHL season.

CLOQUET, Minn. – After a heart-breaking end to his high school career, Hermantown hockey captain Joey Pierce has laced up the skates again and is now playing junior hockey with the Minnesota Wilderness. The UMD commit joined the team last week and plans to finish out the season with them. Pierce has played for the Wilderness before and is excited…

Proctor, Hermantown Cities Proclaim Thursday “Proctor/Hermantown Mirage State Champions Day”

The two communities will honor the team after their thrilling state title win this past weekend, which was their first in program history.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The cities of Proctor and Hermantown announced this week that this Thursday, April 8th will be proclaimed “Proctor/Hermantown Mirage State Champions Day”. The two communities will honor the team after its thrilling state title win this past weekend, which was the first in program history. As of now, there is not an event of some kind planned…

MIB Girls Basketball Lose Nail-Biter in Class A State Semi-Finals

Freshman Jordan Zubich finished with 14 points while Ava Butler chipped in with 12 for the Rangers

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Abby Hennen would knock down a free throw with 2.1 seconds left in the game that gave Minneota the 54-53 win over Mountain Iron-Buhl in the Class A girls basketball semi-finals Tuesday afternoon at the Target Center. Freshman Jordan Zubich finished with 14 points while Ava Butler chipped in with 12 for the Rangers, who finish their…

Northland Boys Hockey Season to Culminate in All-Star Game

Puck drop from the Heritage Center is set for 7:15 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – Tuesday night, the Northland boys hockey season will come to an end with the annual Essentia All-Star hockey game. 34 players will take part in the event, with Eveleth-Gilbert’s Jeff Torrel and Hermantown’s Patrick Andrews serving as head coaches. And for the seniors, it will be the final game of their high school careers. “Last game of…

Game Week Finally Arrives for Esko Softball Team

The Eskomos will be in their first action since they won the section title back in May of 2019.

ESKO, Minn. – Practices continue this week for prep softball teams. And for many teams like Esko, it’s also game week. The Eskomos will be in their first action since they won the section title back in May of 2019. And because of spring break last week, Monday was the first time the entire team practiced together. “It’s really exciting….

Grand Rapids Defenseman Jack Peart Wins 2021 Mr. Hockey Award

Peart scored 11 goals and recorded 24 assists in his senior campaign, helping Grand Rapids make it to the section title game.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Grand Rapids defenseman Jack Peart has won the Mr. Hockey award, given to the best senior hockey player in the state of Minnesota. He is the first defenseman to win the award in 12 years and the first Thunderhawk winner since 2014 when Avery Peterson took home the honor. Peart scored 11 goals and recorded 24…

Alyssa Watkins Scores OT Game-Winner to Give Proctor/Hermantown First-Ever State Title

Senior forward Alyssa Watkins scored the game-winning goal in double overtime

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Senior forward Alyssa Watkins scored the game-winning goal in double overtime as the Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team defeated Gentry Academy 3-2 in the Class A state championship game. Aurora Opsahl and Izy Fairchild also scored for the Mirage, who captured their first state title in program history. Attached video includes postgame comments from head coach Emma…

MIB Girls Basketball Prepares for Return to State Semifinals

The class A state semifinal between Minneota and Mountain Iron-Buhl is Tuesday, April 6 at the Target Center. Tipoff is set for noon. 

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. – The Mountain Iron-Buhl girls basketball team stuck with it the entire way and only led for the final 17 seconds of their state quarterfinal game, but it was enough to get the job done as they’re now heading back to familiar territory: the class A state semifinals. “It will feel like home,” junior forward Jacie Kvas…

Duluth Denfeld Softball Team Dedicating Season to Late Coach Dick Swanson

For the first time in decades, Denfeld will take the field without their longtime head coach Dick Swanson, who passed away back in August.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, practices got underway for prep softball teams, including Duluth Denfeld. But this year, the Hunters will begin the season without a very special member of their program. For the first time in decades, Denfeld will take the field without their longtime head coach Dick Swanson, who passed away back in August. Nikki Jensen will take…

Proctor/Hermantown Girls Hockey Take Down Warroad, Advance to State Championship Game

The Mirage advance to the state championship game for the first time in program history.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Freshman Hannah Graves finished with two goals as the Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team defeated Warroad 3-1 in the Class A state semi-finals at the Xcel Energy Center. Senior Alyssa Watkins also scored her sixth goal of the tournament, while junior Abby Pajari finished with 31 saves. The Mirage advance to the state championship game for the…

Duluth Marshall’s Gianna Kneepkens Scores State-Record 67 Points in Final High School Game

Kneepkens wraps up her high school career with 3,702 points, which will sit in the #5 spot on the all-time scoring list.

DULUTH, Minn. – Tuesday, the Duluth Marshall girls basketball team suffered a heart-breaking loss in the state quarterfinals. It was the final game in the high school career for Gianna Kneepkens and she went out with a bang. Kneepkens finished with a career-high 67 points, which is also a new prep girls state record for most points scored in a…

Hermantown JV Hockey Team Receives Outpouring of Support After State Quarterfinals

The support included an exchange of mutual respect on Twitter between Zam Plante and Dodge County's Brody Lamb.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – After their loss in the state quarterfinals Tuesday night, the Hermantown JV hockey team has received an outpouring of support all over social media, including from former Hawk and current UMD Bulldog Blake Biondi, as well as an exchange of mutual respect on Twitter between Zam Plante and Dodge County’s Brody Lamb. Categories: High School, Sports

Prep Boys Baskeball: Duluth East, Hibbing, MLWR, Deer River Fall in State Quarterfinals

The season came to an end for the Greyhounds, Bluejackets, Rebels and Warriors.

OSSEO, Minn. – In the Class AAAA state quarterfinals, the Duluth East boys basketball team struggled in the second half as they fell to Wayzata 78-69. In other quarterfinals action, DeLaSalle defeated Hibbing 92-72 in Class AAA, Minneapolis North knocked off Moose Lake-Willow River 71-40 in Class AA, and in Class A it was Badger/Greenbush-Middle River over Deer River 58-52….