Sports

Duluth Marshall’s Charlie Kleinschmidt Looks Back on Baseball Career

Senior outfield Charlie Kleinschmidt earned All-Tournament honors on the Hilltoppers' state championship team as a junior.

DULUTH, Minn. – Last year, the Duluth Marshall baseball team captured their first state title in program history. But this year, the Hilltoppers won’t get a chance to try for back to back titles. Senior Charlie Kleinschmidt earned All-Tournament honors on that team as a junior. He says he’s very disappointed to not be able to try for another trip…

Former UMD Hockey Stars to Take Part in Antone Elite Hockey Academy Camp

Former Bulldogs Karson Kuhlman, Scott Perunovich and Nick Wolff will be sharing their knowledge of the game.

DULUTH, Minn. – A star-studded virtual youth hockey camp will be taking place next month. The Antone Elite Hockey Academy is holding a special “Hockey Camp at Home” beginning May 18th. The camp will be done through Zoom and it will focus on stick-handling, off-ice workouts, recovery tips and info on nutrition as well. Plus, several former UMD hockey stars…

NAHL Announces Rescheduled Combine Dates

Blaine, MN will host their combine from July 10th to the 12th.

ADDISON, Tex. – The North American Hockey League has announced the rescheduled dates for their 2020 Combines. Junior Players (2000-2004 birthyears) July 1-2, 2020 – Attleboro, Massachusetts (One of two junior combines for junior-aged players, 2000-2004) July 2-3, 2020 – Rochester, Michigan (One two junior combines for junior-aged players, 2000-2004) 16U and 14U Players (2004-2007 birthyears) July 10-12, 2020 –…

Former Duluth East Hockey Forward Porter Haney Commits to Gustavus Adolphus

He recorded 16 goals and 31 assists in 37 games this past season with the Rochester Grizzlies.

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth East forward Porter Haney announced on Twitter that he has committed to joining the Gustavus Adolphus men’s hockey team. Haney spent the past two seasons playing for the Rochester Grizzlies of the NA3HL before appearing in one game with the Minnesota Wilderness. He recorded 16 goals and 31 assists in 37 games this past season….

Heavy on Wrestling Hit Hard by Pandemic Restrictions

This past weekend was supposed to be their show "Renaissance", which was scheduled to take place at the Clyde Malting Building in Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn. – Professional wrestling has taken a major hit with the inability to have live shows. And that includes our local promotion: Heavy on Wrestling. This past weekend was supposed to be their show “Renaissance”, which was scheduled to take place at the Clyde Malting Building in Duluth. But that had to be cancelled and according to owner Dave…

After Spring Cancellations, DeLeon, Bender Shift Focus to UMD Softball

DeLeon and Bender were linemates on the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton girls hockey team that finished runner-up in the state tournament.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the high school spring sports season officially over, some players now look ahead to playing at the college level. That includes Esko’s Dea DeLeon and Cloquet’s Kiana Bender, who are both taking their talents to UMD. “The team is super, super nice. Everyone and the coaching staff. I love the coaching staff. I think next fall…

Humboldt Crash Survivor Graysen Cameron Commits to Nortland College Men’s Hockey

Two years ago, the 20-year-old suffered a broken back in the 2018 Broncos bus crash that claimed 16 lives and injured 13 others.

ASHLAND, Wis. – Sunday, Humboldt Broncos team captain Graysen Cameron announced he has committed to joining the Northland College men’s hockey team. Two years ago, the 20-year-old suffered a broken back in the 2018 Broncos bus crash that claimed 16 lives and injured 13 others. This past season, Cameron finished with five goals and eight assists in 46 games, helping…

UWS Athletics Discuss Importance of Taking Care of Mental Health During Pandemic

The Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being works with student-athletes year-round, but with the coronavirus pandemic, their work becomes even more important. 

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Now more than ever, taking care of both your physical and mental health is extremely important, something the staff at Wisconsin-Superior is trying to emphasize to their student-athletes. “It shows that we care about our student athletes, their mental well being. We really do care,” Interim Director for Health, Counseling and Well-Being Randy Barker said. In 2018,…

Local Baseball Coaches Discuss MSHSL’s Cancellation of Spring Sports Season

Duluth Denfeld, Duluth Marshall and South Ridge won't have the chance to defend their section titles.

DULUTH, Minn. – On Thursday, the MSHSL announced that the spring sports season was canceled. And for three Northland baseball teams, this means they won’t get the opportunity to defend their section titles. “We reached a point where we weren’t really surprised by this, but it really is a heartbreaker to hear it,” new Duluth Denfeld head coach Joe Wicklund…

Coaches Corner: Jen Walter

For this week's segment, we hear from the head coach of the UMD softball team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we chat with UMD softball head coach Jen Walter as she spoke about the sudden cancellation of the college softball season. She also spoke about how she’s keeping busy while in quarantine and what Mandy Matula Day means to the Bulldogs program. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports, University of…

Northland Softball Coaches React to Canceled Season

The three Northland softball teams who made it to state last season discuss what it's like to not defend their section titles.

ESKO, Minn. – On Thursday, the MSHSL announced the cancellation of the spring sports season. And while the announcement is a tough pill to swallow for every team across the Northland, it’s even tougher for the three local softball teams who played in the state tournament last season. “I think they’re mature enough to understand. But do they like it?…

South Ridge’s Kayden Palmi Commits to Northland College Men’s Basketball Team

Palmi helped the Panthers double their win total this past season.

CULVER, Minn. – South Ridge big man Kayden Palmi put pen to paper Friday morning as he signed his National Letter of Intent to join the Northland College men’s basketball team. Palmi helped the Panthers double their win total this past season. The Lumberjacks play in the UMAC so we’ll be seeing Palmi a lot when Northland College visits St….

MSHSL to Award Medals, Trophies to Basketball Teams Effected by Tournament Shutdowns

The boys and girls basketball teams that were still in action before the section and state tournaments were cancelled will be known as "finalists".

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. – After the MSHSL announced the cancellation of the high school spring sports season, the league announced Friday that the boys and girls basketball teams that were still in action before the section and state tournaments were cancelled will be known as “finalists”. Also, the teams will receive trophies and medals from the MSHSL. That includes the…

UMD’s Josh Berlo Talks Possibility of No Fans at Games, Shortened Hockey Season

Berlo says that the athletic department hopes to know in the next month what the fall season will look like.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the coronavirus pandemic officially wiping out whatever was left of spring sports and several summer events being effected, the conversation now becomes will we have sports to watch in the fall, specifically at UMD. The football team has already started preparing for their upcoming season, but across the nation, teams are thinking about the possibility of…

UMD’s Jen Walter Staying Sharp in Quarantine

Walter has been using her free time on social media, jumping on Zoom meetings for coaching camps.

DULUTH, Minn. – While everyone is trying to find different ways to pass the time during self-isolation, UMD softball coach Jen Walter is staying sharp on her knowledge of the game. Walter has been using her free time on social media, jumping on Zoom meetings for coaching camps. She says she could spend hours asking questions and learning from her…

Jenessa Greenly Named New Virginia Volleyball Coach

She started coaching volleyball at her alma mater Mountain Iron-Buhl for six years on the junior varsity and varsity level.

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Virginia High School has hired Jenessa Greenly to be their new volleyball head coach. She had spent the past two seasons with the JV squad. Greenly started coaching volleyball at her alma mater Mountain Iron-Buhl for six years on the junior varsity and varsity level. She also started for the Rangers team in her junior and senior…

MSHSL Officially Cancels Spring Sports Season

The announcement comes on the same day that Governor Tim Walz cancelled the rest of the school year.

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. – The Minnesota State High School League announced Thursday that effectively immediately, all spring sports and activities are cancelled. The announcement comes hours after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz cancelled the rest of the school year, prompting the MSHSL to come to their decision. Here is the official announcement:   Categories: High School, Sports

Cromwell’s Micah Pocernich Commits to Northwestern Men’s Basketball Team

In his final year with the Cardinals, Pocernich became the all-time leading scorer in program history with 1,942 points.

CROMWELL, Wis. – Cromwell-Wright’s Micah Pocernich announced on Twitter Wednesday that he has committed to joining the Northwestern men’s basketball team. In his final year with the Cardinals, Pocernich became the all-time leading scorer in program history with 1,942 points. The Eagles are one of the most successful programs in the UMAC, winning eight of the past ten postseason tournaments….

Northwestern Baseball, Softball Teams Won’t Get Chance to Defend Conference, Regional Titles

Their seasons came to an end with the cancellation of the high school spring sports season.

MAPLE, Wis. – The WIAA’s cancellation of the high school sports season was not the news student-athletes wanted to hear. It was even more heart-breaking for the Northwestern softball and baseball teams, who had high hopes coming into the season. “They’re sad, disappointed. They feel a little bit robbed of the opportunity to play their senior season. It’s the culminating…

Great Outdoors: Marinas Set to Re-Open

KNIFE RIVER, Minn. – As of Friday the 17th, Governor Tim Walz expanded Minnesota’s essential services allowing some outdoor recreational activities to fall under that category. “The first thing we did was get careful and serious about social distancing in the workplace and then we were preparing to shut down,” Barkers Island General Manager, Eric Thomas says. In Wisconsin, marinas…

Coronavirus Leaves Northland Racing Season Up in the Air

With "Stay-at-Home" orders keeping everyone away from the tracks, local venues have had to change their plans.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – We are just a few weeks out from the start of the Northland stockcar racing season and with “Stay-at-Home” orders keeping everyone away from the tracks, local venues have had to change their plans. In Superior, the Gondik Law Speedway was hit hard by Governor Tony Evers’ order that extends through May 26th. That means all of…

WIAA Officially Cancels High School Spring Sports Season

30 days of summer contact will be allowed for spring coaches if they include seniors.

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Last week, Wisconsin governor Tony Evers announced that schools would be closed for the rest of the school year, all but ending the high school spring sports season. And Tuesday, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association made it official. The WIAA Board of Control voted to cancel all 2020 spring competitions and tournaments. 30 days of summer…

Three-Time National Champion, Superior Native Ross Kennelly Speaks to Spartans Football Team

"You control what you can control and part of that is your attitude," Kennelly said.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior football team are starting to prepare for their upcoming season with Zoom meetings. The Spartans recently had a special guest speaker: North Dakota State long snapper and three-time national champion Ross Kennelly, who is a former Superior football player. “It was also me letting those guys know that I’m in the same boat as they…

City of Duluth Closes Wade Stadium Until July 1st

The Northwoods League is expected to make an announcement about scheduling later this week.

DULUTH, Minn. – Last week, the Northwoods League announced that Opening Day, which was set for May 26th, was postponed with no official date set to begin games. And Monday, the Duluth Huskies were dealt another blow, this time to their home field. Duluth mayor Emily Larson announced that Wade Stadium would be closed to the public until July 1st….

UMD Cheer Teams Hold Virtual Tryouts

The football/competition cheer team will announce their rosters on Monday, while the hockey cheer team will start tryouts this upcoming week.

DULUTH, Minn. – This time of year was supposed to be tryout season for the UMD hockey and football cheerleading teams. But this year, both teams have now had to go virtual. “Bree and myself and a couple others from the team that will be taking leadership positions, they performed and videoed from the front and the back and we…

Golfers Hit the Links for First Time This Season

Northland Country Club was ready to open on Saturday morning after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz lifted the restrictions on outdoor activities.

DULUTH, Minn. – On Friday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced that outdoor activities, including golf courses, were allowed to open, and on Saturday, golfers were eager to hit the links. Northland Country Club was ready to open on Saturday morning and had their driving range and course full of members. The country club has put in place many social distancing…

Coaches Corner: Greg Culver

For this week's segment, we hear from the general manager of the Duluth Huskies.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with Duluth Huskies general manager Greg Culver who talked about the latest news involving the cancellation of Opening Day games by the Northwoods League. Culver also discussed the difficulties of getting ready for the season amid the coronavirus pandemic. Categories: College, Northwoods League, Sports

“Saints By The Second” A Recruiting Success for CSS Football Team

This gives former players a chance to stay involved with the program, even when everyone is in quarantine.

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica football team has found lots of success with their recent “Saints By The Second” recruiting tool. Current and former players post videos on Twitter talking about their experience with the team that gives recruits an inside look into the program. “It’s just a way to verify whatever I’m telling them, whatever coaches are telling…

Opening Day Cancelled for Duluth Huskies

The Huskies were scheduled to open their season on the road against Bismarck.

DULUTH, Minn. – Due to Wisconsin’s extended “Safer at Home” order, the Northwoods League announced that Opening Day, which was set for may 26th, has been cancelled and there’s no information yet on when the season will begin. The Huskies were scheduled to open their season on the road against Bismarck. In a press release, the league says they will…

Biondi, Gotz Become Latest Hawks to Join UMD Men’s Hockey Team

The pair will join Cole Koepke and Jesse Jacques as the Bulldogs will feature four former Hermantown players on their squad.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Former Hermantown hockey stars Blake Biondi and Darian Gotz have been sitting on their verbal college commitments for a few years now. But this week, they each signed their National Letter of Intent to officially join the UMD men’s hockey team. “It’s obviously feels great. It’s been my dream since I was 3 years old. Once I…

Opening Day Still On for Duluth Huskies

One issue will be the federal, state and local orders that would make it tough for teams to travel.

DULUTH, Minn. – Opening Day is still a go for the Northwoods League, including the Duluth Huskies. General manager Greg Culver says that can change at any time, especially with what happens with the delayed start for the pros. “If MLB decides they’re going to go July 1st with four weeks of spring training and kicking the season off August…

WIAA to Decide Fate of Spring Sports Season Next Week Amid School Shutdown Announcement

With Governor Tony Evers cancelling the rest of the school year, that all but ends the spring sports season.

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – High school student athletes in Wisconsin have been waiting for the past month to find out if the spring sports season will be taking place. And Thursday, they received some clarity, but not the good news they had expected. With Governor Tony Evers cancelling the rest of the school year, that all but ends the spring…

Grandma’s Marathon Winner Boniface Kongin Stranded After Race Cancellation

As an elite runner, he relies on winning races to provide for himself and his family back home.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the cancellation of Grandma’s Marathon, it has left last year’s winner Boniface Kongin stranded in Duluth and in a dire financial situation. The man known affectionately as “Bones” recently returned to Duluth after having to drop out of the Los Angeles Marathon due to an injury. And now because of the coronavirus, he can’t return to…

Duluth Native, Vikings Fullback CJ Ham Talks Contract Extension, Quarantine Life

The Denfeld alum is currently in self-isolation like everyone else as he awaits news on the upcoming season.

DULUTH, Minn. – The coronavirus quarantine has impacted people from all walks of life. It doesn’t matter if you’re a high school baseball player, a college hockey player or a professional football player like Duluth native CJ Ham. The Vikings fullback is currently in self-isolation like everyone else as he awaits news on the upcoming season. Ham spoke about the…

Northland Bikers Get Ready to Ride

DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth’s Lakewalk has been a busy place lately with more and more bikers showing up to ride. As the weather warms up, a lot of people in the Northland are anxious to get out and ride their bikes. Biking can be a great way for people to get around, lower stress, and get some exercise. The Lakewalk has…

Tamara Moore Talks History-Making Hire with Norsemen Men’s Basketball Team

As the former Minnesota Lynx guard becomes the first female to lead a men's college basketball program, she wants to make sure she won't be the last.

VIRGINIA, Minn. – This past weekend, Mesabi Range College made history as they hired Tamara Moore to be the new head coach of their men’s basketball team. As a player, she’s a former winner of the Miss Minnesota Basketball Award, a former University of Wisconsin women’s basketball star and spent six seasons in the WNBA. She’s also experienced on the…

Cloquet Native Westin Michaud Signs with AHL’s Manitoba Moose

The Moose are the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets who are home to Hermantown natives Neal Pionk and Dylan Samberg.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Universtiy of North Dakota forward Westin Michaud has signed with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. The Cloquet native was tied for the team lead in goals with 16 and added 12 assists to help the Fighting Hawks capture the Penrose Cup as the top team in the NCHC. Michaud spent the first three years of his…

Perunovich Receives High Praise from UMD’s Former Hobey Baker Winners

Both Bill Watson and Jack Connolly say that the fact that Perunovich is a local player makes this honor that much more special to the program.

DULUTH, Minn. – This past weekend, UMD’s Scott Perunovich became the sixth Bulldog ever to win the Hobey Baker Award. We spoke with two of the other five winners, Bill Watson and Jack Connolly, who say that the Hibbing native has left a strong legacy at UMD. “There is nothing that he hasn’t accomplished as an individual player. But more…

Former Coaches Not Surprised by Perunovich’s Hobey Baker Win

Scott Sandelin and Todd Versich had high praise for a player that each of them got to coach.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland is still buzzing after the announcement that UMD defenseman and Hibbing native Scott Perunovich was named the 2020 Hobey Baker Award winner. We spoke with Bulldogs head coach Scott Sandelin to get his reaction to the big news. “I think the people that have seen him play know what kind of player he is. He…

Former WNBA Player Tamara Moore Named New Head Coach of Mesabi Range Men’s Basketball Team

Moore returns to her homestate where she was named Miss Minnesota Basketball in 1998.

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Saturday, Mesabi Range College announced that former Minnesota Lynx guard Tamara Moore has been named the new head coach of the men’s basketball team, becoming the first female ever hired to run a men’s basketball program. Moore was named Miss Minnesota Basketball back in 1998, helping Minneapolis North High School go undefeated and win a state championship….

Scott Perunovich Wins Hobey Baker Award

The Hibbing native is the sixth UMD men's hockey player to win the award.

HIBBING, Minn. – UMD junior defenseman Scott Perunovich is the 2020 Hobey Baker Award Winner, edging out North Dakota forward Jordan Kawaguchi and Maine goaltender Jeremy Swayman. Perunovich, a Hibbing native, was named NCHC Player of the Year after leading the league in scoring, the first defenseman to do so. He also became the first player in league history to…

UMD Men’s Basketball to Hold Virtual Skills Camp

Over the next four weeks, five 30 minute pre-recorded videos will be released of the Bulldog coaching staff walking participants through different drills.

DULUTH, Minn. – Starting Monday, the UMD men’s basketball team will be holding a virtual skills camp. Over the next four weeks, five 30 minute pre-recorded videos will be released of the coaching staff walking participants through different drills. With gyms shut down, these workouts were designed to be done with little space and equipment needed. While the Bulldogs currently…

Four Bulldogs Attain All-American Status

Scott Perunovich, Noah Cates, Cole Koepke and Hunter Shepard were all named American Hockey Coaches Association All-Americans for the 2019-20 season.

DULUTH, Minn. – Four UMD men’s hockey players, defenseman Scott Perunovich, goaltender Hunter Shepard, and forward Cole Koepke and Noah Cates were named American Hockey Coaches Association All-Americans for the 2019-20 season. Perunovich, was also named Hobey Baker Award winner on Saturday night, has received this honor three times, while this is Shepard’s second selection. Perunovich was a first-time (West)…

Grandma’s Marathon Offers Virtual Race for 2020

23rd Veteran is hosting a free, virtual training event to help keep people motivated and reaching their goals for Grandma's Marathon.

DULUTH, Minn. – Although Grandma’s Marathon 2020 is canceled due to the coronavirus, the organization still wants to honor those runners for their accomplishments and keep them motivated. Grandma’s Marathon will have a virtual race for the full marathon, the Garry Bjorklund half and the William A. Irvin 5K. Starting May 4 through July 31, runners can run their race…

St. Scholastica Women’s Hockey Coach Navigates Coronavirus Pandemic

The two-time national champion at UMD had a life-saving liver transplant five years ago and now has to take extra precautions as coronavirus continues to spread.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the sports world still shut down, many athletes and coaches are adjusting to a new normal. But for one St. Scholastica assistant coach, the coronavirus makes things a little tougher. St. Scholastica women’s hockey assistant coach Julianne Vasichek had just wrapped up her first season in her new role when the coronavirus paused the sports world….

Coaches Corner: Proctor Rails

For this week's segment, we hear from the Rails and how they got involved with the Be the Light MN movement.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we chat with Proctor athletic director Dan Stauber and senior Ben Harnell. The pair spoke about the state of high school sports in the Northland, as well as how they got involved with the “Be the Light MN” social media movement. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Hermantown Native, Winnipeg Defenseman Neal Pionk Talks Quarantine Life

Pionk added that he knows it's going to be a while until he goes back to Winnipeg so in the meantime, he's staying in game shape.

DULUTH, Minn. – Four weeks ago, the NHL announced it would be suspending play immediately due to the coronavirus pandemic. That left many players, including Winnipeg defenseman and Hermantown native Neal Pionk, scrambling for answers in a situation that no one was prepared for. “It was a time of the unknown. Usually in a world where you know things, you’re…

NAHL Draft Moved to July 21st

This also means that pre-draft camps will be moved as well, but will remain in their same locations.

CLOQUET, Minn. – The NAHL announced Friday it has moved the day of their draft to July 21st. This also means that pre-draft camps will be moved as well, but will remain in their same locations. The Superior, Colorado camp will now take place starting June 26th. The Trenton, Michigan camp has been moved to July 10th. The Minnkota camp…

Remembering the UMD Men’s Hockey Team’s 2011 National Championship

The Bulldogs knocked off Michigan 3-2, thanks to Kyle Schmidt's overtime goal and iconic celebration.

DULUTH, Minn. – Nine years ago on April 9th, the UMD men’s hockey team won their first national championship in program history. Let’s step into a time machine and relive that magic night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul as the Bulldogs knocked off Michigan 3-2, thanks to Kyle Schmidt’s overtime goal and iconic celebration. Categories: College, Sports,…

CSS Athletics Honoring Senior Student-Athletes

The Saints are giving their athletes one last chance to remember their college careers.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, the UMAC is honoring senior student-athletes from the spring sports season. St. Scholastica is also doing the same on their social media accounts to give their athletes one last chance to remember their college careers. “The feedback I’ve gotten, and even going now into the winter sports and hearing back from some of them, that…