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High School, Sports

Zagelmayer Gets First Head Coaching Win as Hawks top Rebels

David Cornelius scores twice as Hermantown opens their season with a 27-13.
Sam Ali,

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hawks head coach Mike Zagelmayer gets his first win as a head coach as Hermantown defeated Moose Lake-Willow River 27-13 Thursday night. David Cornelius finished with two rushing touchdowns and Tate Olson threw two TD passes, both to wide receiver Elliot Peterson. Next up for the Hawks is a road match-up against North Branch next Friday. Categories:…
High School, Sports

Bluejackets Score Twice in Second Half to Win Season Opener

Hibbing hands Eveleth-Gilbert its first loss of the season.
Claudia Chakamian,

HIBBING, Minn. – Hibbing hosted Eveleth-Gilbert on Thursday night in its season over, as the Golden Bears entered the game 1-0. Both the Bluejackets and the Golden Bears put touchdowns on the board in the first quarter. Eveleth Gilbert’s Kodi Intihar makes a safety in the second to put the Golden Bears up 10-8 at the half. It was all…
High School, Sports

Faynik Scores Lone Goal as Hunters Blank Hilltoppers

It was a low-scoring affair as Duluth Denfeld topped Duluth Marshall 1-0.
Sam Ali,

DULUTH, Minn. – Jon Faynik scored with less than 13 minutes to go in the first half, and that proved to be the difference as Duluth Denfeld defeated rivals Duluth Marshall 1-0 Wednesday night at Public Schools Stadium. Hunters goalie Eric Gibson finished with six saves in the shutout, which helped Denfeld improve to 2-1. Next up for the Hunters…
High School, Sports

Matt Niskanen To Perform Coin Toss at MIB-Floodwood Game

The Iron Range native will be at the season opener of his alma mater.
Sam Ali,

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. – Iron Range native and Stanley Cup champion Matt Niskanen will do the coin flip this Friday for Mountain Iron–Buhl’s football season opener against Floodwood. Niskanen played quarterback and linebacker for the Rangers. It will be his first trip back to the Iron Range in just over a month when he brought the Stanley Cup to the…
High School, Sports

Lumberjacks Top Eskomos in Battle of Girls Soccer Unbeatens

Cloquet/Carlton handed Esko their first loss of the season.
Sam Ali,

CLOQUET, Minn. – Kendra Kelley scored twice, including her 98th career goal, as Cloquet/Carlton knocked off Esko 3-0 Tuesday night at Bromberg Field. Kianna Bender scored the other goal for the Lumberjacks, who stay undefeated on the season. Next up for Cloquet/Carlton is a match-up on Thursday against Chisago Lakes. Esko will look to bounce back that same night as…
High School, Sports

Lumberjacks Stay Undefeated with Shutout Win

Cloquet/Carlton got another home shutout Monday afternoon against Tartan.
Sam Ali,

CLOQUET, Minn. – In a rain-shortened game, the Cloquet/Carlton girls soccer team knocked off Tartan 7-0 Monday afternoon at Bromberg Field. The Lumberjacks got stellar performances from Kianna Bender and Kendra Kelley. Next up for the team is a rivalry showdown Tuesday at home against the Esko Eskomos. Categories: High School, Sports
High School, Sports

Spartans Look to Stay Hot with 2-0 Start

The Superior football team has scored more than 40 points in both games.
Sam Ali,

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – One team that is turning heads early on in the Wisconsin high school football season is Superior who are sitting pretty at 2–0. Not only have the Spartans won their first two games, they have done it in dominiation fashion, scoring over 40 points against both Oshkosh North and Somerset. Even with early season injury issues, the…
High School, Sports

Denfeld’s Ashley Larson Commits to St. Scholastica

The Hunters ace is not heading too far to play college volleyball.
Sam Ali,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Denfeld volleyball standout Ashley Larson announced on her Twitter account that she has committed to playing at St. Scholastica next season. The senior helped the Hunters go 15–12 last season, including 6–1 in the Lake Superior Confernece. Larson was also an all-conference second team selection. Categories: High School, Sports
High School, Sports

Eveleth-Gilbert Comes Back In Victory Over Academy Force

After being down until the second quarter, the Golden Bears come back to win.
Mariah Janos,

PROCTOR, Minn.- Eveleth-Gilbert defeated Academy Force 33-25. The Golden Bears were down 7-0 until the second quarter. After a touchdown by quarterback Jacob Sickel, Eveleth-Gilbert continued the momentum to take the lead and ultimately win the game. Categories: High School, Sports
High School, Sports

Girls Prep Soccer: Hermantown and Denfeld Both Victorious

Hermantown came back from a 1-0 deficit while Denfeld came out strong and stayed that way.
Mariah Janos,

DULUTH, Minn.- The Denfeld Hunters defeated the Spectrum Sting 7-0. The Hunters put up four goals in the first half, followed by 3 in the second for the shutout victory. Just a town over, Hermantown defeated Chisago Lakes 2-1. The Hawks were down 1-0 at the half but came to life in the second, putting up two goals to take…
Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Prep Boys Soccer: Denfeld Victorious, Hermantown Struggles

Denfeld and Hermantown began their seasons.
Mariah Janos,

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Hunters started their season with a 4-1 win over the Rochester Lourdes Eagles. After being down 1-0 half way through the first, Maison Oliver put up two back to back goals to get the Hunters back on top. In the second half, Jon Faynik would increase the lead scoring two more goals in the second half….
Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Redemption On the Mind of Wrens Football Team

The Wrens are looking to make it back to the section championship and advance to state.
Mariah Janos,

WRENSHALL, Minn.-The Wrenshall high school football team had an impressive 2017 season going 7–1, falling to Cromwell–Wright in the section 5 championship game. But they are using that as motivation to get back to that game this year and get the win this time around. “Everyone just worked as a team and it was all connection. We got all of…
Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Coaches Corner: Derek Parendo

Proctor head football coach Derek Parendo was our guest this week.
Sam Ali,

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we talk with Proctor head football coach Derek Parendo about the upcoming season for the Rails. He also discusses a unique method he uses to allow his players to get to know each other a personal level. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports
Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Prep Girls Soccer: Eskomos Fire Up, Greyhounds Blanked

Esko knocked off Mesabi East in their home opener while Duluth East on offense in their loss.
Sam Ali,

ESKO, Minn. – In girls high school soccer action, Esko put on a show in front of their home crowd with a 6-0 win over Mesabi East. Sydney Hansen scored two goals for the Eskomos. In other action, Duluth East struggled to get any offense going as they fall at home to Rosemount 3-0. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School,…
Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Cromwell-Wright Football Seeks Second Consecutive Section Title

The Cardinals hope to make another deep playoff run and state tournament appearance.
Mariah Janos,

CROMWELL, Minn.- The Cromwell-Wright high school football team is coming off a very successful season. The Cardinals were the 2017 section 5 champions, making it to the quarterfinals of the state tournament. The goal this season to make it happen again using the same simple approach as they did last year. “We took it one game at a time, we’re not…
Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Kelley, Lumberjacks Blast Rangers in Home Opener

Senior Kendra Kelley scores six goals to lead Cloquet/Carlton to a win.
Sam Ali,

CLOQUET, Minn. – Senior forward Kendra Kelley scored less than 30 seconds into the match on a day where she scored five more times to lead Cloquet/Carlton to a win over Forest Lake 8-0 Friday afternoon at Bromberg Field. Kelley would add two penalty kicks to register a hat trick just nine minutes into the match. Kianna Bender and Brenna…
High School, Sports

Prep Boys Soccer: Spartans Victorious While Hilltoppers, Rails Fall on Opening Night

The high school boy's soccer season kicked off across the Northland.
Mariah Janos,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- In high school boy’s soccer Superior got the 2-0 win over Ashland to start their season. The Spartans got on the board early with goals by Maverick Peterson and Sebastian Lane holding that lead until the very end. In other action, Duluth Marshall fell to Benilde-St. Margaret’s 2-0. Proctor took on Legacy Christian Academy. The Rails took a…
High School, Sports

Prep Volleyball: Hawks Top Hilltoppers in Five-Set Thriller

Hermantown would battle back several times to beat Duluth Marshall 3-2.
Sam Ali,

DULUTH, Minn. – In a match that would need five sets to determine a winner, Hermantown gets the road win over Duluth Marshall 3-2 Thursday night. The Hilltoppers will look to rebound next Tuesday as they host Cook County. The Hawks are aiming for a 2-0 start as they will take on Esko that same night in their home opener….
High School, Sports

Hunters Will Rely On Experience, Trust This Upcoming Season

Duluth Denfeld have higher expectations for the 2018 season.
Sam Ali,

DULUTH, Minn. – High school athletics is all about turnover. Kids are graduating every year so it’s hard to predict what teams are going to be good. That’s what Duluth Denfeld is banking on this upcoming season. The Hunters won just a single game last season. However, they bring back one of the most experienced teams in the Northland. But…
College, High School, Sports

Thunderhawks Basketball Standout Hannah DeMars Commits to Jamestown College

The Grand Rapids star will join the Jimmies next season in North Dakota.
Sam Ali,

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Grand Rapids basketball standout Hannah Demars announced this week on her Twitter account that she has committed to playing college basketball at Jamestown College in North Dakota. Demars has led the Thunderhawks to the state tournament in the past three seasons, including an upset over #2-ranked Holy Angels this past season in the Class AAA quarterfinals….
High School, Sports

Hilltopper’s Hansen Commits to D1 Baseball

The Duluth Marshall short stop will continue his career at Bradley University.
Mariah Janos,

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth Marshall baseball’s shortstop Peter Hansen has announced his commitment to play division one ball at Bradley University in Illinois. In his junior season alone Hansen had a batting average of .364. His bat got even hotter when the state tournament came around with the fourth highest average on the team batting .455 with a .500 OBP. Categories: High School,…
High School, Sports

Nace Retires As Hunters’ Head Basketball Coach

After 24 years at Duluth Denfeld, Jeff Nace is retiring as both head coach and teacher.
Mariah Janos,

DULUTH, Minn.- After 24 years as Duluth Denfeld’s boys basketball coach, Jeff Nace has retired. In his time at Denfeld, Nace lead the Hunters to six Lake Superior Conference championships while making two appearances in the state tournament back in 2001 and 2004. Nace’s career is ending on a high note, getting his 300th win in his final 2017– 2018 season….
High School, Sports

Lumberjacks Ready to Head Back to State Title Game

Cloquet lost 21 seniors, but are confident in this year's squad.
Sam Ali,

CLOQUET, Minn. – U.S. Bank Stadium is home to the Minnesota High School Football Championships and it’s a place Cloquet wants to return to following their deep run last season. The Lumberjacks suffered their only loss of the season in the title game, making this year’s squad even more hungry for a return to the Twin Cities. The current seniors…
High School, Sports

Rails Host Section 7AA Volleyball Scrimmage

The scrimmage features 14 different teams from across the Northland.
Sam Ali,

PROCTOR, Minn. – For third straight year, Proctor hosted the Section 7AA Volleyball Scrimmage featuring 14 teams from across the Northland. It gives coaches a chance to see their team in live action, as well as allowing the players to finally get on the court in a competitive setting. “It’s really helpful to see where your team is at in…
Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Coaches Corner: Hermantown’s Mike Zagelmayer

This week we talk with the new football coach for Hermantown, Mike Zagelmayer.
Sam Ali,

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we sit down with new Hermantown football coach Mike Zagelmayer, who takes over for longtime coach Daryl Illikainen. Zagelmayer is also the head coach of the Hawks baseball team. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports
Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Greyhounds Look to Build Momentum Off Last Season

With a large group of returners, Duluth East football is hopeful for the upcoming season.
Mariah Janos,

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth East has just finished up their first week of preseason. In the past the Greyhounds have struggled, but they are coming off of a 5–3 season with hopes of only getting better. “Five wins, that’s the most we’ve had in a season in a while. With the sophomores that played last year and the juniors that are now…
High School, Sports

Tom Bang Retires After 41 Seasons as Hermantown Softball Coach

The 67-year-old has been the only head coach in the history of the Hawks softball program.
Sam Ali,

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown softball program was born in 1978, almost 40 years ago. And the founding father of Hawks softball is calling it a career. Tom Bang is retiring as head coach of the Hermantown softball team after 41 seasons. According to athletic director Beth Clark, Bang turned in his resignation letter a few weeks ago, but she…
High School, Sports

Reloaded Rails Ready for Another Deep Playoff Run

The Proctor football team is hoping to continue their winning tradition.
Sam Ali,

PROCTOR, Minn. – The Rails football team has won two of the past three section 7AAA titles. One big reason for that is a strong senior class, 21 to be exact, who have now moved on. So now the team is in full rebuild mode for the upcoming season. It’s day three of practice for the Rails, which has a…
High School, Sports

Esko Football Pushing For State Tournament Run

Losing to Proctor in the 2017 section championship game motivates the Eskomos to do better this year.
Mariah Janos,

ESKO, Minn.- The Eskomos began their day of preseason in the classroom and then took to the field. Last season didn’t end the way they had hoped, falling to proctor in the section championship. But this year their sights are on getting better and making it to State. “We had a lot of momentum last year and I think we’re…
High School, Sports

Shea Walters Named New CEC Boys Hockey Coach

The Cloquet School Board approved the new coach on Monday evening.
Mariah Janos,

CLOQUET, Minn.- Last night the Cloquet School Board voted on the pending approval to hire Shea Walters as the new head coach of the boys Cloquet– Esko– Carlton hockey team. Walters will lead the Lumberjacks this upcoming season. The former Hibbing High School star served as an assistant coach for CEC last season and prior to that he was an…
High School, Sports

Hermantown Football Begins News Season Under Coach Zagelmeyer

The Hawks are looking forward to a new season under new leadership.
Mariah Janos,

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- Hermantown had their first practice of the season bright and early Monday morning. In the off season Hawks head coach Daryl Illikainen stepped down and since then Mike Zagelmeyer has taken his place. It’s a new seaon and the team is welcoming of the new leadership. “We’re looking forward to something new here with Coach Zags. Obviously tradition leaves…
Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Coaches Corner: Bruce Plante

We speak with former Hermantown hockey coach Bruce Plante
Mariah Janos,

DULUTH, Minn.- For this week’s Coaches Corner, we sit down with former Hermantown hockey coach Bruce Plante. After spending 28 years with the Hawks and winning 3 State Championships, Plante is being inducted into the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports
High School, Sports

Agates Looking for a Four-Peat as Conference Champions

Two Harbors is back on the practice field preparing for the upcoming season.
Mariah Janos,

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- Two Harbors Football took to the practice field this week. The Agates are coming off of their third consecutive conference title looking to make it four. In order to make that happen it is all about working as a unit. “We’ve got to really work as a team. I know that’s cliché but we do. And our guys…
High School, Sports

Tigers Have Their Eyes on Conference Title

Northwestern High is looking to make a deeper playoff run this season.
Mariah Janos,

MAPLE, Wis. – High school football practices are underway and the Northwestern Tigers are preparing for their first game against Ashland next week. The team is excited and ready for the new season as they only graduated four players from last year’s team. The Tigers plan to use that to their advantage. “We’re returning pretty much the same team, just…
High School, Sports

Spartans Not Concerned with Tough Start to 2018

Superior will start the season with three straight road games beginning next week.
Sam Ali,

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – High school football practices are well underway across the Northland. One team that’s already in week two of practices is Superior High School. The Spartans are coming off a disappointing season with a 3–6 record in 2017. But the vibe is different with this squad and everyone is noticing. “We’ve all been playing a lot longer than…
High School, Sports

MSHSL No Longer Reimbursing Schools for State Tourney Expenses

The announcement comes after an increase in venue costs and drop in ticket sales.
Sam Ali,

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. – The Minnesota State High School League has announced that they will no longer be reimbursing schools for state tournament expenses. The decision was made based on the rise in state tournament venue costs and a drop in ticket sales. In the 2017–18 season, more than 56,000 fewer tickets were sold compared to the year before. This…
High School, Sports

Local Hockey Community Reacts to Plante’s HOF Induction

Plante's son Derek and former Hawks player Adam Krause send congrats to the newly-minted Hall of Famer.
Sam Ali,

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, former Hermantown hockey coach Bruce Plante was named a member of the Minnesota State High School Coaches Hall of Fame Class of 2018. It’s a big moment for Plante’s son Derek, who had a successful career at UMD, as well as winning a Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999. And although his dad…
High School, Sports

Contract Not Renewed For Former CEC Hockey Coach Smalley

This comes five days after Smalley rescinded his resignation as head coach of the boys hockey team.
Sam Ali,

CLOQUET, Minn. – Cloquet superintendent Mike Cary announced that the school board voted to not renew the contract of Kevin Smalley as the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys hockey coach. Two weeks ago, Smalley resigned as head coach of the team after one season. But this past Thursday, Smalley rescinded his resignation. However, the board decided to go in a different direction and…
High School, Sports

Bruce Plante to be Inducted into MHCA Hall of Fame

The former Hermantown coach won three state title for the Hawks.
Sam Ali,

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Minnesota High School Coaches Association has announced that Bruce Plante will be a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2018. Plante retired back in 2017 after leading Hermantown to their second straight Class A state title and their third in school history. In 28 seasons as Hawks head coach, Plante won 547 games and…
High School, Sports

Krenzen To Join Sioux City Musketeers This Season

Hilltoppers' defenseman Nolan Krenzen taking his game to the next level.
Mariah Janos,

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth Marshall defenseman Nolan Krenzen has made the decision to head to the USHL for the upcoming season with the Sioux City Musketeers. In his final season with the Hilltoppers, Krenzen put up 26 points in the regular season with 11 goals and 15 assists. Categories: High School, Sports
High School, Sports

First Annual Superior Spartan Football Champions Camp

Superior High School football team looks to bridge the gap between athletics and special needs students.
Mariah Janos,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior High School football team worked to bridge the gap between athletics and special needs students by hosting the first annual Superior Spartan Football Champions Camp. The camp is designed for kids with disabilities to get the chance to participate in a sport that they normally would not be able to do. “We’ve got seven stations set…
High School, Sports

Duluth Lacrosse Hosts First Annual Lax at the Lake Tournament

The tournament served as a fundraiser for the Duluth high school lacrosse program.
Mariah Janos,

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth lacrosse hosted their first annual Lax at the Lake tournament. The event serves as a fundraiser for the Duluth lacrosse program, hosting a total of eight teams spanning from Duluth all the way down to the Twin Cities. On the first day of the tournament teams participated in pool play to determine where in the bracket they…
College, High School, Sports

Saints Football Hosts Elite One Day Camp

The camp focuses on the essential fundamentals of the game.
Mariah Janos,

DULUTH, Minn.- CSS football held their annual Elite One Day Camp. The program combines both on field drills with in classroom film study to teach essential football fundamentals while giving the campers an opportunity to learn about the Saints’ championship football program. “We get about 20–25 kids. We’re able to give them really detailed coaching and techniques like that. Then we…
College, High School, Sports

Wilderness Forward Altmann Commits to Williams College

Former Greyhound taking his talents to the East Coast to play Division III Hockey.
Mariah Janos,

CLOQUET, Minn.- Duluth East alum and Minnesota Wilderness forward Nick Altmann is taking his talents to the East Coast. The former Greyhound has committed to playing Divison III hockey in the NESCAC conference at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The Duluth native finished up his NAHL career with 23 goals and 33 assists for 56 points in 146 regular season games….
High School, Sports

Young Golfers Compete on Minnesota Junior Golf Tour

The tour made a stop at Duluth's Enger Park Golf Course on Tuesday.
Sam Ali,

DULUTH, Minn. – It was Day Two of the Minnesota Junior Golf Tour’s stop in Duluth. Monday, 50 of the best young golfers in the state competed at the Lester Park Golf Course. And Tuesday, they moved to Enger Park. Here are the final results from Tuesday’s action. Boys 7 to 9 years old: Bennett MacKenzie, Eagan MN Jackson White,…
High School, Sports

Zagelmeyer Named New Head Coach of Hermantown Football

The former assistant will take over for longtime coach Daryl Illikainen.
Sam Ali,

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – One month ago, the Hermantown football team was without a head coach as Daryl Illikainen stepped down after 21 years on the sidelines. But now the Hawks have their guy, and they didn’t have to go far to find him. Monday night the Hermantown Board of Education voted unanimously to hire Mike Zagelmeyer as the new head…
High School, Sports

Kevin Smalley Resigns as CEC Boys Hockey Coach

Kevin Smalley led the team to a 17-8-1 record in his one season as head coach.
Claudia Chakamian,

DULUTH, Minn. – Kevin Smalley has resigned as head coach of the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys hockey team, the school district confirmed on Thursday. This comes one year after Smalley took over the Lumberjacks program after longtime bench boss Dave Esse stepped down after 18 years. In his lone season with the Lumberjacks, he led the team to a 17–8–1 record, falling…
High School, Sports

PGA Junior Championship Continues for Local Golfers

The latest stop on the tour was the Nemadji Golf Course in Superior.
Sam Ali,

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – The PGA Junior League Championship continued its season on Tuesday at the Nemadji Golf Course in Superior. 80 of the brightest golfers from ages 9 to 13 competed as teams which lessens the pressure of trying to get the best score. “It’s not like ‘Hey I’m going to meet you at 9 o’clock in the morning to…