Sports

Hayward Football Opts Out of WIAA Playoffs

Hayward wraps up their season with a 1-4 overall record with their lone victory coming against Lakeland in Week 4.

HAYWARD, Wis. – The Hayward football team is opting out of the WIAA playoffs. This comes after their game this Friday against Merrill was cancelled. That was supposed to be the Hurricanes final game of the season. Hayward wraps up their season with a 1-4 overall record with their lone victory coming against Lakeland in Week 4. Categories: High School,…

Cloquet Volleyball Streaking at Midway Point of Regular Season

The Lumberjacks will be back in action Thursday night at home against undefeated Greenway.

CLOQUET, Minn. – After dropping their first two games of the season, the Cloquet volleyball team are riding a six-match win streak, dropping just three sets in that time frame. The coaching staff credits a focus on what they can control, instead of putting too much time into scouting their opponents. “We’re really working on eliminating our errors and doing…

Great Outdoors: Ice Fishing Season Drawing Closer

Though this week is expected to bring warm temperatures, the cold will eventually come back and anglers and business owners up at Fish Lake are ready for it.

DULUTH, Minn. – Though this week is expected to bring warm temperatures, the cold will eventually come back and anglers and business owners up at Fish Lake are ready for it. “On a good ice fishing year, it’s like a little city out there out on Fish Lake,” says Scott Youngstrom, the owner at the Fredenberg Minno-Ette. The Fredenberg Minno-Ette…

UMD Women’s Hockey Ranked 8th in First Preseason National Poll

The Bulldogs finished last season in the same spot with an 18-12-6 overall record.

DULUTH, Minn. – The USA TODAY/USA Hockey Magazine preaseason poll was released Tuesday afternoon and the UMD women’s hockey team are ranked 8th among all Division I NCAA programs. The Bulldogs finished last season in the same spot with an 18-12-6 overall record. Head coach Maura Crowell will bring back four of the top five scorers from last season, including…

Prep Volleyball: Greenway, Grand Rapids, Duluth Denfeld Pick Up Road Wins

The Raiders, Thunderhawks and Hunters all went on the road and picked up victories on Monday night.

CHISHOLM, Minn. – In a battle between two undefeated teams, the Greenway volleyball team got the best of Chisholm 3-0 Monday night. In other prep volleyball action, Grand Rapids knocked off Virginia 3-1 and Duluth Denfeld got the road win over rivals Duluth East 3-2. Categories: High School, Sports

Hermantown’s Elly Schmitz Commits to Sioux Falls Women’s Basketball Team

Schmitz averaged over 15 points per game as a junior, helping the Hawks capture their first section title since 2006.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown girls basketball forward Elly Schmitz announced on her Twitter account Monday that she has committed to joining the Sioux Falls women’s basketball team. Last season, Schmitz averaged over 15 points per game as a junior, helping the Hawks capture their first section title since 2006. The Cougars are coming off a solid season, winning the NSIC…

Northwestern’s Titus Graden Commits to Upper Iowa Football

Through five games this season, Graden has 12 solo tackles and 21 total and also has a fumble recovery.

MAPLE, Wis. – Northwestern linebacker Titus Graden announced on Twitter on Sunday that he has committed to Upper Iowa of the NSIC. Through five games this season, Graden has 12 solo tackles and 21 total and also has a fumble recovery. Back in May, Graden was invited to the Hawaii Tiki Bowl in Honolulu from Dec. 30 to Jan. 4,…

Two Harbors Football Tops Eveleth-Gilbert for Third Straight Win

Eli Schlangen finished with three rushing touchdowns as the Agates won their third straight.

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – The Two Harbors football team scored early and often to get the 40-9 home win over Eveleth-Gilbert on Saturday. Eli Schlangen finished with three rushing touchdowns while Clark Nelson, Deacon Bark and Matson Granmo each had a touchdown for the Agates. Two Harbors wins its third straight and will host International Falls on Friday, while Eveleth-Gilbert…

Coaches Corner: Tom Lenarz

For this week's segment, we catch up with the head coach of the Cloquet football team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we hear from Cloquet head football coach Tom Lenarz. Among the topics discussed were the Lumberjacks great start to the season, as well as how he is communicating with his players in an unpredictable season. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Friday Night Frenzy Highlights and Scores for 10/30

Big wins Friday night for Duluth Denfeld, Hermantown, Duluth East and Mesabi East.

DULUTH, Minn. – Senior running back Keyshawn Beckom finished with six touchdowns as the Duluth Denfeld football team knocked off Hibbing 50-20 Friday night at Public Schools Stadium. The win is the first on the season for the Hunters and the first head coaching victory for the Hunters’ Erik Lofald. Here are other scores from across the Northland: MN HIGH…

Bushbaum Runs Wild as South Ridge Knocks Off Cherry to Stay Undefeated

The win keeps the Panthers undefeated on the season as they hand the Tigers their first loss of the season.

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. – Senior running back Connor Bushbaum finished with 347 yards rushing and four touchdowns as South Ridge topped Cherry 32-20 Thursday night at Mountain Iron-Buhl High School. The win keeps the Panthers undefeated on the season as they hand the Tigers their first loss of the season. Categories: High School, Sports

Prep Volleyball: Cloquet Wins Sixth Straight, Proctor Gets Road Sweep

The Lumberjacks knocked off the Hunters, while the Rails swept the Hilltoppers.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Brenna McClarey finished with 13 kills and five blocks as the Cloquet volleyball team took down Duluth Denfeld 3-1 Thursday night. The Lumberjacks also got 11 kills from Ava Carlson and 29 set assists from Emerson Rock, who helped Cloquet win their sixth straight match. In other prep volleyball action, Proctor earned a bounce back win on…

Northwestern Volleyball Falls in D2 Section Semi-Final

The Tigers finish the season with a 5-7 record.

SAINT CROIX FALLS, Wis. – The Cinderella run for the Northwestern volleyball came to an end in the WIAA Division 2 Section Semi-finals as the Tigers were swept by top-seeded St. Croix Falls 3-0 Thursday night. Brynn Erickson led the way with 9 kills and 10 digs, while Kayla Paulsen chipped in with six kills and 10 digs. Northwestern also…

Grand Rapids High School Joins “Mask Up Itasca” Campaign

Recent numbers are showing that the county's case rate is trending downward after a spike earlier this month.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – This month, Grand Rapids High School has joined forces with “Mask Up Itasca”, an initiative started by Itasca County Health and Human Services to promote wearing masks in public places. Thunderhawks football coach Greg Spahn says there was no hesitation from his team to get involved. “The thing with high school athletics is often times that’s…

GNK Invited to TC Running Company’s Cross Country Showcase

The showcase will take place at the Island Pine Golf Course in Atwater.

COLERAINE, Minn. – The TC Running Company based in Eden Prairie is hosting a cross country showcase this weekend. The event is designed to replace the annual state meet, which will not take place this year. Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin will be one of several teams across the state that will take part in the event. “It feels good to have an organization…

Barron-Northwestern Football Game Cancelled

The Tigers were informed that the Golden Bears are no longer participating in the remainder of their football season.

MAPLE, Wis. – The Northwestern football team announced Thursday that their game Friday night against Barron has been cancelled. The Tigers were informed that the Golden Bears are no longer participating in the remainder of their football season. Northwestern will now get set to host Cameron next week. Categories: High School, Sports

Defending Section Champs South Ridge Still Hungry for Success in 2020

The Panthers will be back in action Thursday night against Cherry.

CULVER, Minn. – During times of increased stress, the human body goes through a fight-or-flight response, a physiological reaction that either prepares our bodies to stay and fight or run away and flee. And whether it’s a change of venue or change in opponent, this year’s high school football season has presented a lot of challenges. But South Ridge has…

Former Bulldog Jared Thomas Traded to ECHL’s Indy Fuel

The Hermantown native joins fellow Bulldog Peter Krieger, who signed with the Fuel last Friday.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Florida Everblades of the ECHL have traded UMD alum Jared Thomas to the Indy Fuel. It was a short stint with the Everblades for Thomas, who signed with the team on September 20th. The Hermantown native joins fellow Bulldog Peter Krieger, who signed with the Fuel last Friday. Categories: Professional Sports, Sports, University of Minnesota –…

Prep Volleyball: Cloquet, Esko Earn Sweeps at Home

The Lumberjacks and Eskomos continued their stellar starts to the season.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Ava Carlson and Brenna McCleary combined for 13 kills as Cloquet earned their fifth win of the season with a home sweep over Moose Lake Tuesday night. In other prep volleyball action, Esko stays undefeated as they top Carlton 3-0. Categories: High School, Sports

Area Team Tops Duluth Team at Boys High School All-Star Soccer Game

Grand Rapids forward Nic Langlois finished with a hat trick and was named All-Star Game MVP.

DULUTH, Minn. – A four-goal second half would be the difference as the Area Team defeated the Duluth Team 6-1 Tuesday night in the 2020 Essentia Health Boys Soccer All-Star Game at Public Schools Stadium. Grand Rapids forward Nic Langlois finished with a hat trick and was named All-Star Game MVP.   Categories: High School, Sports

Minnesota Wilderness Player Tests Positive for COVID-19, Team Announces Schedule Changes

The Wilderness's new home opener will be November 14th against the Minnesota Magicians.

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Minnesota Wilderness have learned that one of their players has tested positive for COVID-19, according to general manager Dave Boitz. That player began showing symptoms this past Saturday following an exhibition game Friday night against Kenai River. Game two of the doubleheader on Saturday was cancelled and since then, no other players on the team tested…

Registration Still Open for RBA’s 3-on-3 POD Play League

The league is open to kids in grades 2nd through 5th and will take place across six weeks.

DULUTH, Minn. -Registration is still open for the Rookie Basketball Associations’s 3-on-3 POD Play League. It’s open to kids in grades 2nd through 5th and will take place across six weeks. But according to RBA coordinator Kris Mallett, this year’s league will understandably look very different. “So the kids will stay in groups of 16 to 20. They’ll play within…

World Championship Boxers Return to Training Site to Thank Local Community

They both trained at the Circle of Discipline Gym in Barnum and Tuesday, they returned to give thanks to the Barnum and Moose Lake communities.

BARNUM, Minn. – Back on August 8th, Minneapolis boxers Jamal “Shango” James and David Morrell Jr. each captured world championship titles on national television. They both trained at the Circle of Discipline Gym in Barnum and Tuesday, they returned to give thanks to the Barnum and Moose Lake communities. James won the WBA interim welterweight crown with a unanimous decision…

East’s Joe Vos, Esko’s Noah Furcht Commit to Kirkwood CC Baseball Team

Vos and Furcht are teammates on the Minnesota Blizzard travel baseball team.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth East’s Joe Vos has committed to joining the Kirkwood Community College baseball team. That is the second Northland commit to join the Eagles, as Esko’s Noah Furcht also committed there about two months ago. It also helps that they are teammates on the Minnesota Blizzard travel baseball team. “I hadn’t even been talking to Kirkwood really….

Prep Volleyball: Virginia Hands Proctor First Loss of Season; Chisholm Stays Unbeaten with Win Over Eveleth-Gilbert

The Blue Devils were victorious at home, while the Bluestreaks picked up a win on the road.

VIRGINIA, Minn. – The Virginia volleyball team snapped a two-game losing streak as the picked up the home win over Proctor 3-0 Monday night. The loss was the Rails’ first of the season. In other prep volleyball action, Chisholm improved to 4-0 as they got a road sweep over Eveleth-Gilbert 3-0. Categories: High School, Sports

Northwestern Volleyball Team Prepare for Section Semi-Finals

The Tigers will face conference foe St. Croix Falls in the section semi-finals Thursday.

MAPLE, Wis. – The Northwestern volleyball team are still alive in the Division II WIAA tournament after knocking off Barron on Saturday for their first regional title since 2006. It’s been a remarkable turnaround for the Tigers, who dropped their first four matches of the season. But now, they’ve built up a lot of momentum as an impressive underdog in…

Denfeld’s Keegan Chastey Talks Mr. Soccer Nomination

The senior striker is a finalist for the Mr. Soccer award, which is given to the best senior player in the state.

DULUTH, Minn. – After helping the Duluth Denfeld boys soccer team win their third section title in the past five seasons, forward Keegan Chastey may have to make room on his mantle for another award. The senior striker is a finalist for the Mr. Soccer award, which is given to the best senior player in the state. Chastey spoke after…

UMD Men’s Hockey Debut at #3 in First USCHO Poll

The Bulldogs are one of four NCHC teams on the list, including North Dakota, who occupy the top spot.

DULUTH, Minn. – The first Division I U.S. College Hockey Online poll was released Monday and the UMD men’s hockey team debuts at #3. The Bulldogs are one of four NCHC teams on the list, including North Dakota, who occupy the top spot. Dating back to the end of last season, UMD has won five straight games, including nine of…

Former Bulldog Peter Krieger Signs With ECHL’s Indy Fuel

Krieger spent the past season in Sweden with Vasterviks IK where he recorded 12 goals and 10 assists in 52 games.

DULUTH, Minn. – Former UMD forward Peter Krieger has signed a contract with the Indy Fuel, the ECHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, for the upcoming season. Krieger spent the past season in Sweden with Vasterviks IK where he recorded 12 goals and 10 assists in 52 games. Krieger spent two seasons with the Bulldogs, scoring 20 goals and recording…

Girls Swimming and Diving: Mesabi East Wins Section 7A Title, Grand Rapids Repeats as Section 8A Champ

Mesabi East took home the section 7A title with 426.5 points while Grand Rapids won the section 8A title with 535 points.

DULUTH, Minn. – The girls swimming and diving season wrapped up this weekend with section meets happening all over the state. In section 7A, the meet was held at three different pools, Duluth, Mesabi East and Hibbing, with three to four teams competing at each school and the results were put together online to determine the winner. Mesabi East girls…

Duluth Amateur Hockey Association Holds Gear Exchange

There were tables of jerseys, helmets, pads, skates, hockey bags and more in both adult and youth sizes and families could take whatever they need for free.

DULUTH, Minn. – For the past two weeks, Duluth Amateur Hockey Association (DAHA) has been collecting new and used hockey gear and equipment. And on Saturday, the gear exchange took place, letting families and players get the gear they need for the upcoming season. All day, tables were set up outside the Heritage Center for families to look at and…

Northwestern Volleyball Wins First Regional Championship Since 2006

Brynn Erickson and Allison Luoma led the way with 12 kills each while Brinley Tonn recorded 36 assists as the Tigers knocked off top seed Barron in the WIAA Regional Championship

BARRON, Wis. – The #3 seed Northwestern continued its stellar second half of the season, upsetting #1 seed Barron 3-1 (26-24, 25-22, 21-25, 25-21) in the WIAA D2 Regional Championship to win its first regional title since 2006. Brynn Erickson and Allison Luoma led the way with 12 kills each while Brinley Tonn recorded 36 assists. Northwestern improves to 5-6…

Duluth East Boys Soccer Falls in Section 7AA Championship

The Greyhounds finish the season with a 12-2 record. 

DULUTH, Minn. – After pulling off the road upset earlier this week to clinch home field advantage, the Duluth East boys soccer team was unable to keep the momentum going on Saturday, as Centennial got the 3-0 win to claim the Section 7AA Championship. Cal Babiash, Will Miers and Garrett Miers scored for the Cougars. The Greyhounds finish the season…

Coaches Corner: Greg Spahn

For this week's segment, we chat with the head coach of the Grand Rapids football team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with Grand Rapids head football coach Greg Spahn about his team’s undefeated start to the season. Spahn also spoke about the experience of his senior class and what this final season means to them. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Friday Night Frenzy Highlights and Scores for 10/23

Here's all of the action from Friday night including wins from Grand Rapids, Duluth East, Cloquet, Carlton-Wrenshall and South Ridge.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Duluth East football team scored 41 unanswered points as they rallied to defeat Hermantown 41-24. The Greyhounds improve to 2-1 on the season while the Hawks fall to 1-2. Here are some more scores from across the Northland. MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Grand Rapids 55 Duluth Denfeld 12 Cloquet 58 Proctor 13 International Falls 42 Eveleth-Gilbert…

North End Nightmare Returns with Two-Miler Instead of 5K

The event will take place in waves with staggered starts for the runners, similar to the other running events that took place this fall.

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend, grab your favorite costume and head over to Superior for the 2nd annual North End Nightmare run. The event was initially supposed to be a 5K. But due to the pandemic, organizers have shortened it to a two-miler. The event will also take place in waves with staggered starts for the runners, similar to the…

Duluth East’s Rhett McDonald Talks COVID-19 Impact on Grandfather’s Passing

McDonald spoke about how dismissive some people are when they see COVID-19 statistics and say that it's mostly impacting the elderly population.

DULUTH, Minn. – Last week, the Northland lost a legend as longtime Chisholm basketball coach Bob McDonald passed away at the age of 87. His death came almost a month after he had contracted COVID-19 during his stay at an assisted living facility in Hibbing. McDonald’s grandson Rhett talked about the impact the pandemic had on his grandfather and their…

Northwestern’s Andy Lind Coaching Second Generation of Tigers Football Players

For the past 40 years, Lind has coached hundreds of players, including the parents of the seniors he is leading this season.

MAPLE, Wis. – Whether it’s former or current players, people who have worked with Northwestern assistant football coach Andy Lind always use the same word to describe him: motivator. For the past 40 years, Lind has coached hundreds of players, including the parents of the seniors he is leading this season. “This senior bunch is a special group. Harrison Nelson,…

Prep Volleyball: Hermantown, Duluth East Pick Up Wins at Home

The Hawks got the win over the Thunderhawks, while the Greyhounds swept the Hilltoppers.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Addie Peterson and Megan Menzel each finished with nine kills as the Hermantown volleyball team knocked off Grand Rapids at home 3-1. Camryn Slattengren chipped in with 28 digs for the Hawks. The Thunderhawks got a combined 23 kills from Claire Walsh and Braya LaPlant. In other prep volleyball action, Duluth East got a Senior Night win…

Duluth Denfeld Boys Soccer Win Second Section Title in Past Three Years

Keegan Chastey and Skyler Fossum each scored for the Hunters, who won their section title in the past three seasons.

PRINCETON, Minn. – The Duluth Denfeld boys soccer team capped off a remarkable playoff run as the 8th seed with a 2-1 section championship win over Princeton Wednesday night. Keegan Chastey and Skyler Fossum each scored for the Hunters, who won their section title in the past three seasons. They end their season with a 10-4-1 overall record. Categories: High…

Cloquet-Carlton Girls Soccer Blank Duluth Marshall to Win Back-to-Back Section Titles

The Lumberjacks finish with a 13-1-1 overall record to capture their second straight section title.

DULUTH, Minn. – Katie Turner scored the lone goal in the first half and the defense did their job in the second as the Cloquet-Carlton girls soccer team defeated Duluth Marshall 1-0 in the Section 7A championship game Wednesday night at Public Schools Stadium. The Lumberjacks finish with a 13-1-1 overall record to capture their second straight section title. Categories:…

Duluth Superintendent John Magas Clarifies Comments on Potential High School Sports Shutdown

Magas says he hopes that if a shutdown is required, there could be some flexibility when it comes to athletics.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth high school sports community is awaiting a decision to be made on the future of their seasons. That’s due to the fact that COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the Northland. Duluth superintendent John Maga spoke about the issue during Tuesday night’s school board meeting and while he’s all for keeping sports going it’s…

Great Outdoors: Into the Wild Artography Gallery Opening in Aurora

Aaron Jordahl started taking pictures around 10 years ago and got so good that people started requesting portraits and prints.

AURORA, Minn. – Minnesota’s natural beauty is no secret and photographer Aaron Jordahl is using that beauty to open his own art gallery called Into the Wild Artography in downtown Aurora. “Everybody dreams about being an artist when they grow up I’m trying to make that dream a reality,” says Jordahl. Jordahl and his camera can be found most often…

Duluth Student-Athletes, Parents Hold “Let Them Play” Rally

The group says they feel like they've done a good job within their respective teams of preventing the spread of COVID-19, so the possible shutdown seems unfair.

DULUTH, Minn. – Last week, the Duluth School District sent out an e-mail to parents and students, preparing them for a possible shutdown for high school sports due to an increase in COVID-19 cases tn the local community. And with a decision looming from the St. Louis County Health Department, the athletes are making sure their voices are being heard….

Cloquet Football Defense Causing Havoc During 2-0 Start

The Lumberjacks will be back in action Friday night as they travel to Proctor to take on the Rails.

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Cloquet football team has been on an absolute tear to start the season. The Lumberjacks are 2-0, thanks to a 76-22 win over Hibbing on Friday night. And while the offense might get all the attention, a lot of credit needs to go to the defense, which has been creating havoc, especially in the trenches. “It…

Marshall’s Maren Friday, Denfeld’s Keegan Chastey Finalists for Ms., Mr. Soccer Award

The winners will be announced next Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Marshall’s Maren Friday has been named a finalist for the Ms. Soccer Award for Class A and Duluth Denfeld’s Keegan Chastey is a finalist for the Mr. Soccer Award for Class A. The awards are given to the state’s top senior players this season. In 13 games, Friday recorded 24 goals and nine assists, including five…

Boston Bruins Re-Sign Former UMD Captain Karson Kuhlman

The 25-year-old appeared in 25 games last season, recording one goal and five assists.

BOSTON, Mass. – The Boston Bruins announced Tuesday that have re-signed former UMD men’s hockey captain Karson Kuhlman to a two-year contract. The 25-year-old appeared in 25 games last season, recording one goal and five assists. The Esko native also skated in five playoff games for Boston in the NHL’s Toronto bubble. Kuhlman originally signed with the Bruins back in…

UMD Men’s Hockey Players Talk Announced Start for NCHC Regular Season

Starting this week, practices now have a defined purpose with the start of the NCHC season just six weeks away.

DULUTH, Minn. – The NCHC announced Friday that the first part of their regular season will take place in a pod at the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Baxter Arena. So college hockey is officially back on and that means the UMD men’s hockey team will begin their title defense that was cut short back in March. The Bulldogs have been…

Prep Boys Soccer: Duluth Denfeld Advance to 7A Final; Duluth East to Host 7AA Title Game

The Hunters and Greyhounds will be playing in their respective section championship games.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Denfeld boys soccer team shutout Grand Rapids 5-0 Monday night in the Section 7A semi-finals. Xavier Decker scored twice for the Hunters, while Simon Davidson, Joe Eklund and Keegan Chastey also scored for Denfeld who move on to face Princeton in the Section 7A championship. In other prep boys soccer action, Duluth East double up…