Sports

Yellowjackets’ Kaleigh Martinson Earns All-American Honors

The senior captain becomes the 14th All-American in program history.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Wisconsin-Superior forward Kaleigh Martinson has been named to the CCM/AHCA Women’s Division III West All-America First Team. The senior captain becomes the 14th All-American in program history. Martinson led the conference in goals with 26 and was second in points with 36. She was also tied for the lead in short-handed goals in all of Division III….

Coaches Corner: Nick Garramone

For this week's segment, we catch up with the new head coach of the Duluth Marshall baseball team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we talk with Nick Garramone who was recently named the new head coach of the Duluth Marshall baseball team. From 2006 to 2013, Garramone was an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He takes over for Joe Wicklund who stepped down to take the head coaching position at…

Self-Isolation Isn’t Slowing Down Salo’s Showcase

With everyone stuck at home, Luke Salo has found a way to train his athletes from afar.

SAGINAW, Minn. – Luke Salo is one of the top basketball trainers in the Northland. “I had knee surgery, ACL surgery, miniscus surgery. I had shoulder surgery. I kind of had to find ways to keep the game in my life, other than just playing all the time,” Salo said. He currently trains nearly 50 local players for his program:…

Former Hawk Connor Bich Transferring to St. Scholastica

Bich will be transferring after one year at Dakota Wesleyan University.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Former Hermantown basketball standout Connor Bich announced on twitter Thursday night that he will be joining the St. Scholastica men’s basketball team. He’ll be transferring over from Dakota Wesleyan University. In his junior year, Bich helped the Hawks capture the Section 7AAA championship. He followed that with a senior campaign which saw him average nearly 22 points…

Duluth FC Head Coach Sean Morgan Talks Season Cancellation

Morgan talked about the possibility of playing exhibition games in the summer.

DULUTH, Minn. – Thursday, Northland soccer fans were dealt a tough blow as the NPSL announced the cancellation of the 2020 season, ending the year before it started for Duluth FC. Head coach Sean Morgan, who was getting set for his first year leading the Bluegreens, talked about the disappointing news. “To be honest, a lot of people probably had…

UMD’s Scott Perunovich Signs Pro Deal with St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues announced that they have agreed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Hibbing native.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – It has been quite the week for UMD’s Scott Perunovich. He took home three awards from the NCHC, including Player of the Year. And Friday, he’s made a decision regarding his future hockey career. The St. Louis Blues announced that they have agreed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Hibbing native. The 21-year-old was drafted…

MSHSL Optimistic About High School Spring Sports Season

The discussion in the league is about possibly delaying or even narrowing the postseason to create a longer regular season.

DULUTH, Minn. – Wednesday, the MSHSL announced that the spring sports season will continue to be postponed as long as schools are closed. Governor Tim Walz pushed his school closure declaration to May 4th and the league continues to be in lockstep with how the state government decides when it’s safe for students to go back to school. League executive…

UMD’s Scott Perunovich Earns NCHC Player of the Year Award

Perunovich became the ninth Bulldog to be named conference Player of the Year

ST. PAUL, Minn. – UMD junior defenseman Scott Perunovich has been nothing short of spectacular in his time with the Bulldogs. The two-time All-American is one of the best two-way players in the country and Thursday, he added another award to his mantle. Perunovich was named Player of the Year by the NCHC. It is the third major conference award…

UMD’s Richards Named NCHC Top Defensive Forward, Shepard Semi-Finalist for Richter Award

The assistant team captain is the first player to win the award twice, leading the conference with 307 face-off wins.

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD’s Justin Richards won his second straight Defensive Forward Award from the NCHC Wednesday afternoon. The assistant team captain is the first player to win the award twice, leading the conference with 307 face-off wins. Richards was also the only player to score two short-handed goals in conference play and helped the Bulldogs’ penalty kill finish second…

MSHSL Extends Spring Sports Postponement

The press release says that no decisions regarding the cancellation of spring activities have been made at this time.

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. – Wednesday, the Minnesota State High School League announced that all participation in spring activities will remain suspended. According to a press release, the league says the ruling will stay in place until Governor Tim Walz has lifted his school closure declaration, which was extended until May 4th. The suspension includes training, practices, scrimmages and contests. The…

Dreams of Playing Pro Continue for Saints’ Zach Edwards

Edwards went to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater two weeks ago for a Pro Day workout that featured scouts from the Green Bay Packers.

DULUTH, Minn. – Back in December, St. Scholastica quarterback Zach Edwards received an invite to the FCS Bowl in Florida and played well enough to earn MVP honors. Since then, the St. Paul native has continued to bolster his resume for a shot to play professional football. After training out in New Jersey with former teammate Aaron Olson, Edwards went…

Great Outdoors: Practicing Social Distancing at Jay Cooke

While a majority of businesses are shut down to COVID-19, state parks staying open gives people the chance to get out of the house and enjoy the nicer weather.

ESKO, Minn. –  It’s been one week since a majority of businesses have shut down due to COVID-19, but many state parks have remained open, giving people a chance to get outside. “The sun is shining and social distancing is a little boring, so we thought we’d make it interesting,” Kate Spaulding, who was visiting Jay Cooke with her kids,…

UMD’s Brandon Myer Earns NABC All-American Honors

Myer led the Bulldogs to their best season in over 20 years while being named NSIC Player of the Year.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – UMD’s Brandon Myer earned All-American status from the National Association of Basketball Coaches Tuesday afternoon. The Superior native is the eighth player in program history to earn the distinction and the first since Jason Schneeweis in 2003. Myer led the Bulldogs to their best season in over 20 years while being named NSIC Player of the…

UMD’s Perunovich, Shepard Earn Top Honors from NCHC

This is the second end-of-the-season award for Scott Perunovich.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The UMD men’s hockey team earned two awards from the NCHC as junior Scott Perunovich was named Offensive Defenseman of the Year and senior Hunter Shepard earned Goaltender of the Year honors for the second straight season. Perunovich became the first defenseman in league history to lead in scoring in conference games. The Hibbing native is…

Local Umpires Anxiously Waiting to Hear Fate of High School Spring Sports Season

The fear is that the loss of the entire spring sports season will have long-term effects on the future of umpiring in the Northland.

DULUTH, Minn. – The impact of the coronavirus has been wide-ranging in the world of sports, including teams, players, schools, coaches and even in the media. But here’s another group that is hurting bad: referees, specifically umpires. Schedules have been turned upside-down as local umpires are waiting on the MSHSL’s decision on the fate of the high school spring sports…

Duluth Native Kara Goucher Finally Receives Silver Medal From 2007 World Championships

This is her lone career World Championship medal.

BOULDER, Colo. – Duluth native Kara Goucher received a special package this past weekend: a silver medal. Back in 2007, Goucher finished in third place in the 10K run at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan. Ten years later, a doping investigation disqualified the second place finisher. And now, three years after that decision, Goucher finally gets her silver medal….

UMD’s Brooke Olson Named WBCA All-American

The sophomore is just the fifth Bulldog in program history to earn All-American status since 1988.

ATLANTA, Ga. – Monday, UMD forward Brooke Olson was named an All-American by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. The sophomore is just the fifth Bulldog in program history to earn All-American status since 1988. The distinction is given to ten players in all of Division II. Olson had a stellar second season with UMD, taking home NSIC Player of the…

Cromwell-Wright’s Jeff Gronner, Dave Foster Named Class A Coaches of the Year

Jeff Gronner was named Class A head coach of the year while Dave Foster was named Class A assistant coach of the year.

CROMWELL, Minn. – Cromwell-Wright girls basketball head coach Jeff Gronner was named Class A head coach of the year, while Dave Foster was named Class A assistant coach of the year. The Duo led the Cardinals to a 29-2 record, the second seed in the tournament, and a state quarterfinal win. Gronner and Foster also coach the Cromwell-Wright football team…

Duluth Marshall Head Coach C.J. Osuchukwu Named Class AA Coach of the Year

Osuchukwu led the Hilltoppers to their first state tournament appearance in 20 years and their 25-6 record set a program record for most wins in school history.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Marshall girls basketball head coach C.J. Osuchukwu has been named Class AA state coach of the year. After falling in the section finals last season, Osuchukwu led the Hilltoppers to the state tournament for the first time in 20 years after winning the section 7AA title. The Hilltoppers won their state quarterfinal game for their first…

Fitger’s 5K Postponed to September

The race, which was postponed due to coronavirus concerns, will take place Sept. 12.

DULUTH, Minn. – Grandma’s Marathon announced this weekend that they have postponed the annual Fitger’s 5K Run and Walk due to coronavirus concerns. The event was originally scheduled for April 28 but will now take place on Sept. 12. You can register online through Sept. 10 for $35 for adults and $15 for children ages 6-14. As of now, Grandma’s…

College Recruiting On Hold for Duluth East Baseball Players

Two juniors on the Duluth East baseball team were hoping to use this season to talk with potential college coaches. Now, with the possibility of no spring season, the Greyhounds are putting in the work any way they can.

DULUTH, Minn. – “I was really looking forward to this season. This offseason I had a little injury, so I was really, really looking forward to this one,” Duluth East junior catcher/pitcher Ethan Cole said. For most spring athletes, junior year is when you do most of your recruiting for college. With the MSHSL saying no practices or games until…

Coaches Corner: Jasen Wise

For this week's segment, we hear from the new head coach of the Marshall boys hockey team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with Jasen Wise who was named the new head coach of the Duluth Marshall boys hockey team. Wise has over 20 years of college coaching experience, with his latest stop coming at Concordia University in Wisconsin. He is a graduate of International Falls High School and after spending two years…

Cardinals’ Shaily Hakamaki Still Preparing for Potential Spring Sports Season

After her basketball season came to an abrupt end during the state tournament, senior Shaily Hakamaki is hoping the track season doesn't get canceled.

CROMWELL, Minn. – Like most teams across the country, the Cromwell-Wright girls basketball team saw its season come to an abrupt end last week during the state tournament. But now, with the spring sports season still a possibility, senior Shaily Hakamaki is hoping for a happier ending to her high school career. “We came back to the hotel and got…

Former Spartan Jessica Lindstrom Returns Home After Belgium Pro Basketball League Cancels Season

Last month, the corona virus made its way into the country, forcing Lindstrom to start planning a way to get back home.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Last summer, former Superior basketball star Jessica Lindstrom continued her pro career as she signed with a team in Belgium. But last month, the corona virus made its way into the country, forcing Lindstrom to start planning a way to get back home. “It was really prominent when Italy got really bad because they’re so close to…

Saints’ AD Franco Bari Talks Spring Sports Cancellation

St. Scholastica became the latest school to shut down their spring sports season, in accordance to a ruling from the UMAC.

DULUTH, Minn. – Earlier this week, St. Scholastica became the latest school to shut down their spring sports season, in accordance to a ruling from the UMAC. Athletic director Franco Bari talked about how he reacted when the NCAA cancelled all athletic activities. “As soon as I heard that announcement, my heart absolutely broke for our student-athletes, epecially our spring…

Billy Tafs Named New Head Coach of Hermantown Baseball Team

Tafs graduated from Hermantown back in 2003 and would go on to play his college ball at UWS.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Back in December, Mike Zagelmayer stepped down as head coach of the Hermantown baseball team. And this week, the Hawks announced who is taking his spot. Billy Tafs will take over as the new head coach of the Hawks baseball team. He graduated from Hermantown back in 2003 and would go on to play his college ball…

WIAA Postpones High School Spring Sports

The WIAA Board decided to postpone any decision on the spring sports season until a later date.

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control voted to pause spring sports until further notice. That’s according to Travis Wilson of WisSports.net. He added that nothing is cancelled and that a timeline would be dependent on what the state says about school resuming. In a press release, the WIAA Board decided to postpone any decision…

“Pray for Jay” Fundraiser Helps Local Youth Basketball Player

Seventh-grader Jay Nick recently had surgery down in St. Paul for a brain tumor.

DULUTH, Minn. – The local basketball community has come together to support a local youth basketball player. Seventh-grader Jay Nick recently had surgery down in St. Paul for a brain tumor. His family set up a GoFundMe page that has already raised well over $40,000. Duluth East boys basketball coach Rhett McDonald says that illustrates how tightly-knit Northland basketball programs…

Esko Softball Team Stays Busy During Postponement

The Eskomos are waiting on the MSHSL to make a decision on whether or not the spring sports season will be cancelled.

ESKO, Minn. – While high school teams are prohibited from holding organized practices the Esko softball team is putting in work in a creative way. “My dad brought it to my attention this morning. He was like ‘Well do you want to hit?’ And I’m like ‘Where am I supposed to do that?’ He was like ‘Well we can set…

UWS Officially Cancels Spring Sports Season

The athletic department will now have five months to prepare for the fall sports season in hopes that it starts on time.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – This week, the University of Wisconsin-Superior had to make the tough decision and cancel their entire spring sports season. Athletic Director Nick Bursik spoke about making the announcement to the Yellowjackets community. “It’s been tough to navigate. We certainly know these decisions impact a lot of student-athletes and a lot of opportunities, some of which may never…

College Freshman Season Ends for Former Marshall Pitcher Ben Pedersen

Pedersen says he will look into regaining his year of eligibility thanks to a provision announced by the NCAA.

DULUTH, Minn. – Three weeks ago, Missouri freshman pitcher and Duluth native Ben Pedersen extended his scoreless innings streak to 5.1 with a clean three outs in relief. What the former Duluth Marshall star didn’t know was that would be his final inning of work for his freshman year due to the corona virus pandemic. “Our team was on a…

UMD’s Nick Wolff Signs with Boston Bruins

He'll join former UMD captain and Esko native Karson Kuhlman.

DULUTH, Minn. – As the season came to an end for the UMD men’s hockey team, we’ll start to hear about players who will continue their hockey careers in the pros. And Wednesday, we got our first signing. Senior defenseman and team co-captain Nick Wolff has signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins. In 33 games this season,…

IST Gym Transitioning to “Virtual Training” of Athletes

The gym is transitioning to virtual training through social media, videos and online engagement.

DULUTH, Minn. – Beginning Wednesday, gyms across the state will be forced to shut down due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Impact Sports Training Gym in Duluth gave their student-athletes one last chance to get some in-person work before the shut down goes into effect. The gym welcomes high school and college athletes from across the Northland as they were…

Great Outdoors: Northlanders Enjoy The Sun

DULUTH, Minn. –  “Spend a couple days up here in Duluth and enjoy the surrounding area,” Champlin Resident, Jared Galligan says. That’s just what Jared Galligan and his family were able to do for a weekend while his children are on spring break. “They love this area. They always loving climbing on the rocks. Swimming at the hotel pools,” Galligan…

Superior Native Mike Carlson Talks Coronavirus Impact on Basketball Overseas

The former Duluth Marshall star spent the past six years playing professional basketball overseas.

DULUTH, Minn. – Six years ago, former Duluth Marshall basketball star Mike Carlson turned an All-American college career into an opportunity to play professionally overseas. But the Superior native had no idea what would lie ahead when the coronavirus began to turn into the pandemic it is today. After four years in Spain, Carlson signed with a team in Italy…

9Round Duluth Deals With Temporary Closure Due to Coronavirus

All gyms in Minnesota were forced to close by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, impacting many local gyms including 9Round Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn. – As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, all gyms are now temporarily closed in Minnesota, as Governor Tim Walz said on Monday. This impacts many local gyms, including 9Round Duluth, that specializes in kickboxing. 9Round worked to stay open for as long as possible, upping their cleaning schedule, the give athletes and members the safest experience possible. “Being that…

Duluth Marshall Appoints Nick Garramone to Lead Baseball Team

Garramone takes over for Joe Wicklund, who resigned to become the new head coach at Duluth Denfeld.

DULUTH, Minn. – Despite what’s been going on lately, it’s been a solid week for Duluth Marshall sports. Monday, the Hilltoppers announced their new boys hockey head coach. And Tuesday, they’ve found their guy to lead the baseball team. And they didn’t have to go far to find him as Duluth native Nick Garramone is the new head coach of…

Six-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady Leaving Patriots

(AP) – Tom Brady is poised to leave the New England Patriots. Brady posted on social media “my football journey will take place elsewhere.” LOVE YOU PATS NATION pic.twitter.com/lxSQZmnjPL — Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 17, 2020 The comments by the 42-year-old quarterback were the first to indicate he would leave the franchise he’s led to six Super Bowl titles and…

UMD’s Hunter Shepard Talks About Sudden End to Bulldogs’ Season

Shepard and the Bulldogs had their season come to an end due to the coronavirus pandemic.

DULUTH, Minn. – Last week, the UMD men’s hockey team was holding their Thursday morning practice, getting set to host Miami of Ohio in the first round of the NCHC playoffs. But shortly after, head coach Scott Sandelin announced to the team that the NCHC had cancelled the entire tournament, including the following week’s Frozen Faceoff in St. Paul. “It’s…

Jasen Wise Named New Head Coach for Duluth Marshall Boys Hockey

Wise has over 20 years of college coaching experience, with his latest stop coming at Concordia University in Wisconsin.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Marshall boys hockey team is coming off a tough year that is certainly not up to their standards. The solution: a change at the top for the Hilltoppers. Monday, Jasen Wise was announced as the new head coach of the Duluth Marshall boys hockey team. Wise has over 20 years of college coaching experience, with…

Vikings Agree to Contract Extension with Duluth Native CJ Ham

The 26-year-old Denfeld alum made his first Pro Bowl last season

DULUTH, Minn. – According to a tweet from his agent, the Minnesota Vikings have signed Duluth native CJ Ham to a three-year extension. The deal is worth over $3 million per year. The 26-year-old Denfeld alum made his first Pro Bowl last season and became an integral part of the Vikings’ run game, which finished sixth in the league. Categories:…

NSIC Suspends All Athletic Activities, Cancels Spring Championships

This ruling ends the seasons for the UMD softball, baseball, women's tennis and men's and women's track and field teams.

BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Board of Directors voted unanimously over the weekend to suspend all athletic activities. They also voted to cancel the spring conference competition and championships due to growing coronavirus concerns. The NSIC also said in a statement that there is still a suspension of all countable athletically related activities and the conference will…

UMAC Cancels Entire Spring Sports Season

The conference deliberated on the decision over the weekend and decided

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference announced Monday afternoon that due to the cornavirus pandemic, they have cancelled all remaining regular season games for the 2020 spring sports season. This includes baseball, softball and men’s and women’s tennis for the College of St. Scholastica, the University of Wisconsin-Superior and Northland College. The cancellation includes all postseason tournaments…

Northern Star: Tyler Watkins

For this week's segment, meet the assistant captain on the Wilderness who stepped it up in his second season.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Hermantown alum Tyler Watkins knew he wanted the chance to play junior hockey close to home. “For me, getting to stay close to my family, watching my sister grow up through high school and just being close to home and everything, staying close,” Watkins said. Watkins is one of eight Northland hockey players on the Wilderness this…

Wilderness Forward Bram Scheerer Commits to Union College

Scheerer has registered 14 goals for 34 points so far this season, which ranks third on the team.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Minnesota Wilderness forward Bram Scheerer announced on Twitter that he has committed to Union College. Scheerer will be joining Wilderness teammate Tyler Watkins, who committed to Union last week. Scheerer is currently third on the Wilderness with 14 goals for 34 points this season. Scheerer is in his first season with the Wilderness after spending some time…

Former Bluejacket Jarrett Lee Commits to UMD Men’s Hockey

Lee has spent the past two seasons at Northern Michigan University.

HIBBING, Minn. – Former Hibbing/Chisholm hockey player Jarrett Lee announced on Twitter over the weekend that he has committed to the UMD men’s hockey team. Lee was previously at Northern Michigan University before leaving earlier this season, and has since played 19 games with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. During those 19 games, Lee tallied eight goals and…

MSHSL Prohibits All Athletic Activities for Spring Sports

This comes just two days after the league proposed limited participation.

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. – The Minnesota State High School League announced Sunday afternoon that there will be no activities or athletics at any member schools from Wednesday, March 18th to Friday, March 27th. This comes after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced that all schools in the state will be closed from March 18th to March 27th. The MSHSL’s decision includes…

Cardinals Girls Basketball Welcomed Home After Canceled State Tournament

Family and friends came out to celebrate another successful season for Cromwell-Wright, despite not getting to finish out the state tournament.

CROMWELL, Minn. – After the MSHSL canceled the remainder of the girls basketball state tournament, Cromwell-Wright returned home on Saturday morning to a crowd of fans and family members. Cromwell-Wright was set to play Henning on Friday in the semifinals, and a win would have sent them to the class A championship on Saturday. While the outcome was disappointing and…

Coaches Corner: Sean Morgan

For this week's segment, we hear from the new head coach of Duluth FC.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we chat with the new head coach of Duluth FC Sean Morgan. Morgan is a former Bluegreen and CSS men’s soccer standout. He spoke about his excitement to lead the new era of Duluth FC soccer, as well as the new “Duluth FC Academy” that was established this year. Categories: Coaches Corner,…

Eskomos Boys, Hilltoppers Girls React to State Basketball Tournament Cancellations

Esko was set to play in the section 7AA final while Duluth Marshall was set to play in the Class AA semifinals on Friday night.

ESKO, Minn. – The MSHSL announced on Friday morning that the remainder of the girls basketball state tournament and the boys basketball section playoffs and upcoming state tournament would be canceled, effective immediately. The Duluth Marshall girls were one of two Northland teams left in the state basketball tournament. The Hilltoppers won their quarterfinal game on Wednesday to win their…