Sports

Northern Star: Ava Asgaard

For this week's segment, meet one of the Hermantown girls basketball senior captains who led the Hawks to their first state tournament since 2006.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – When senior guard Ava Asgaard first moved to Hermantown, she quickly gelled with the Hawks basketball team. “It’s been a good time. Coming in here, I wasn’t super good friends but basketball definitely brought us a strong bond and we’re like family now,” Asgaard said. “Ava came here in 10th grade and came from Michigan and I…

Hermantown’s Blake Biondi Named 2020 Mr. Hockey Award Winner

Biondi finished with 95 points in his senior season as he led the Hawks to a Class A runner-up finish.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Hermantown senior forward Blake Biondi was named as the winner of the 36th annual Mr. Hockey award, given to the best senior boys hockey player in the state of Minnesota. In his senior season, Biondi finished with 95 points on 47 goals and recorded over 200 points over his three-year career. Biondi joins a long list…

Yellowjackets Hockey Alum Andrew Durham Signs With ECHL Norfolk Admirals

Durham finished his senior year at UWS with 10 goals and 10 assists.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Former Wisconsin-Superior men’s hockey forward Andrew Durham has signed a contract to finish the 2019-20 season with the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL. Durham finished his senior year with 10 goals and 10 assists and recorded 52 points over his three year Yellowjacket carer. Durham is the third Yellowjacket to play in the ECHL and first since…

Wilderness Forward Tyler Watkins Commits to Union College

The Hermantown native currently sits second on the Wilderness with 42 points.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Hermantown alum and current Minnesota Wilderness forward Tyler Watkins announced his commitment to Union College. Watkins is in his second full season with the Wilderness and currently sits second on the team with 42 points. Watkins also recently competed in the NAHL Top Prospects Showcase and recorded two goals. Watkins was a two time state champion at…

Prep Boys Basketball: Eskomos, Hilltoppers, Blue Devils, Pioneers Advance to Section 7AA Semifinals

Esko will play Duluth Marshall and Virginia will play Pierz in the section 7AA semifinals on Wednesday at Romano Gym.

DULUTH, Minn. – Romano Gym was home to the section 7AA quarterfinals on Saturday which saw a few upsets and four teams advance to the semifinals. Top-seed Esko had no trouble with Pequot Lakes, getting the 68-47 win behind 25 points from senior Payton Wefel. The Eskomos will play Duluth Marshall in the semifinals, who pulled off the 56-53 upset…

UMD Women’s Hockey Falls to Wisconsin in WCHA Final Face-Off Semifinals

The Bulldogs end the year 18-12-6.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The No. 8 and 4-seed Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey team battled with No. 2 and 1-seed Wisconsin but was unable to do enough offensively, as the Badgers got the 4-1 win in the WCHA Final Face-Off semifinals. Sydney Brodt scored the lone goal for the Bulldogs to tie the game at 1 midway through the first. The…

UMD Men’s Hockey Sweeps Huskies, Earn No. 2 Seed for NCHC Playoffs

Justin Richards and Koby Bender each scored twice while Dylan Samberg finished with four assists.

DULUTH, Minn. – The No. 5 Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey team took care of business on Saturday night, getting the 6-1 win over St. Cloud State to sweep the series. North Dakota defeated Omaha, making the Bulldogs runner-ups in the conference standings for the third time in four years in giving them the No. 2 seed for the NCHC playoffs….

St. Scholastica Women’s Hockey’s Season Ends in NCHA Slaats Cup Championship

The Saints end the season 15-10-4 (9-4-3 NCHA).

ADRIAN, Mich. – For the second year in a row, the St. Scholastica women’s hockey team battled Adrian in the NCHA Slaats Cup championship game, but once again, Adrian was too much and got the 4-0 win on Saturday to end the Saints’ season. The Saints outshot the Bulldogs 28-22 in the game but were unable to find the back…

Prep Girls Basketball: Cardinals, Hilltoppers, Hawks Learn State Seedings

Cromwell-Wright is the No. 2 seed in Class A while Duluth Marshall and Hermantown are both unseeded in their respective classes.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The girls basketball state tournament gets started next week and on Saturday, teams learned their seedings including three Northland teams. In Class A, Cromwell-Wright earned the No. 2 seed in its third state appearance in program history and first since 2017. The Cardinals will play unseeded Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa on Thursday at the Maturi Pavilion. Tip-off is set for…

Hermantown Boys Fall in Overtime of State Championship Game

Colin Hagstrom would score just over two minutes into overtime to give the Zephyrs the win.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Aaron Pionk would score with 21.2 seconds to send the game into overtime, but Mahtomedi would score less than two minutes in as Hermantown falls to the Zephyrs 3-2 Saturday afternoon in the Class A state championship game. Drew Sams also scored for the Hawks as they finish the season with a 20-4-4 record. Blake Biondi,…

Hilltoppers Girls Basketball Defeats Patriots to Win Section 7AA Title

Grace Kirk finished with 33 points while Gianna Kneepkens finished with 24 as Duluth Marshall is headed to the state tournament for the first time since 2000.

DULUTH, Minn. – Grace Kirk finished with 33 points as she led the Duluth Marshall girls basketball team past Pequot Lakes 79-63 to win the section 7AA title. Gianna Kneepkens finished with 24 points as the Hilltoppers are headed to the state tournament for the first time since 2000. Duluth Marshall now awaits the class AA seeding which is set…

Coaches Corner: Glen Drexler

For this week's segment, we hear from the head coach of the UWS track and field team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we chat with Wisconsin-Superior track and field head coach Glen Drexler after his men’s team captured their fourth straight UMAC championship. Next up for the Yellowjackets is the final qualifying event for nationals: the Pointer Qualifiers. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

UMD Men’s Hockey Take Down St. Cloud State at Home

A three-goal third period would be the difference as the Bulldogs knocked off the Huskies at Amsoil Arena.

DULUTH, Minn. – Cole Koepke would score twice in the third period as the UMD men’s hockey team knocked off St. Cloud State 4-1 Friday night at Amsoil Arena. Quinn Olson and Kobe Bender also scored for the Bulldogs, while Hunter Shepard finished with 22 saves on the night. UMD will look to sweep the season finale Saturday night with…

Prep Boys Basketball: Tigers, Hawks Advance to Section 7AAA Title Game

Princeton knocked off Grand Rapids while Hermantown held off Hibbing in the semi-finals.

DULUTH, Minn. – The top seeds would prevail as Princeton defeated Grand Rapids 77-66 and Hermantown held off Hibbing 66-58 Friday night in the Section 7AAA semi-finals. The Tigers and Hawks will now faceoff in the section championship game Thursday night at Duluth East High School. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

UMD Women’s Hockey to Meet Wisconsin in Final Faceoff Semi-Finals

Puck drop for Saturday's game at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis is set for 2 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s hockey team have made it to the Final Faceoff of the WCHA playoffs. But they’ll have a tall task in the semi-finals as the Bulldogs will take on Wisconsin, a team they were able to tie with just two weeks ago. “We understand now it’s playoff hockey and it’s a different scenario. This is…

CSS Women’s Hockey Advance to NCHA Slaats Cup Championship Game

The Saints got a shutout win over Lake Forest in the semi-finals.

ADRIAN, Mich. – Rachel Anderson and Greta Nundahl score in the second period and Lexi Thomeczek finished with a 45-save shutout as the St. Scholastica women’s hockey team blanked Lake Forest 2-0 Friday afternoon in the NCHA Slaats Cup Semi-finals. The Saints move on to the championship game Saturday to face Adrian. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. central…

Hermantown Boys Top St. Cloud Cathedral, Advance to State Championship Game

The Hawks are back in the state championship game for the first time since 2017.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Hermantown boys hockey team jumped out to a three-goal lead and were able to hold on until the end as they top St. Cloud Cathedral 6-2 in the Class A state semi-finals Friday afternoon at the Xcel Energy Center. Cole Antcliff, Blake Biondi, Cayden Sunde, Joey Pierce, Ethan Lund and Zach Kilen would score for…

SilverSneakers: Active Older Adults Slide into Exercise at the Superior YMCA

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Superior Family YMCA Hosts 65+ Workout Classes

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — In this weeks Active Adventures Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot heads to a YMCA class with the SilverSneakers! This a group of 65+ year olds working out together to keep their bodies healthy. They focus on stretching, warm ups, exercises, a yoga cool down and more! Increasing flexibility and helping with balance to prevent falls, the class builds…

Cromwell-Wright Girls Dominate MIB to Win Section 7A Championship

The Cardinals snap the Rangers' nine-year streak of section titles.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Cromwell-Wright girls basketball team dominated Mountain Iron-Buhl 68-43 to win the Section 7A championship Thursday night at Romano Gym. Taya Hakamaki led the Cardinals with 28 points to snap the Rangers’ nine-year streak of section titles. Cromwell-Wright now awaits the seeding announcement for the state tournament. Categories: High School, Sports

Hermantown Girls Basketball Win Thriller to Capture Section 7AAA Title

The Hawks won their first section title since 2006.

DULUTH, Minn. – Elly Schmitz finished with 17 points as the Hermantown girls basketball team won a close one against Hibbing 45-43 Thursday night in the Section 7AAA championship game. The Hawks capture their first section title since 2006 as they await their seeding assignment for the state tournament. Categories: High School, Sports

Duluth Marshall Girls Basketball Return to Section Title Game

Tip-off for Friday's game against Pequot Lakes is set for 7 p.m at Romano Gym.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Marshall girls basketball team got the win Wednesday night over Esko in the Section 7AA semi-finals to punch their ticket to the section title game for the second straight year. The Hilltoppers will look for better results this time around, which would send them to the state tournament for the first time in 20 years….

UMD Men’s Hockey to Close Out Regular Season Against St. Cloud State

The Bulldogs will play their final series of the regular season at home against the Huskies.

DULUTH, Minn. – And just like that, the UMD men’s hockey season is coming to a close. And what better way to wrap up the regular season than at home against a rival. The Bulldogs will welcome St. Cloud State in their final series of the regular season. UMD wants to forget about the last time they faced the Huskies…

Joe Wicklund Named New Head Coach of Denfeld Baseball Team

Wicklund will join a Hunters team that last season won its first section title in 65 years.

DULUTH, Minn. – Big news in high school baseball as former Duluth Marshall head coach Joe Wicklund has been named the new head coach of the Duluth Denfeld baseball team. Wicklund will be taking over for Cal Fougner who stepped down to take an assistant coaching job at the college level. Wicklund says the reason for this move is wanting…

Prep Girls Basketball: Patriots, Hilltoppers Advance to Section 7AA Title Game

Pequot Lakes topped Virginia, while Duluth Marshall held off Esko in the section semi-finals.

DULUTH, Minn. – In the Section 7AA semi-finals at Romano Gym, Pequot Lakes would take down Virginia 63-49, while Duluth Marshall held off Esko 50-46 Wednesday night. The Patriots and Hilltoppers will face off in the section championship game Friday night. Tip-off at Romano Gym is set for 7 p.m. Categories: High School, Sports

Prep Boys Basketball: Hawks, Greyhounds Win Playoff Openers

Both Hermantown and Duluth East won their first round playoff match-ups Wednesday night.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown and Duluth East boys basketball teams each opened their playoff runs with home wins as the Hawks topped North Branch 87-72 and the Greyhounds blasted Anoka 80-60. Here are the rest of the scores from the section playoffs: SECTION 7AAAA: Blaine 56, Forest Lake 60 Coon Rapids 56, Andover 63 Anoka 60, Duluth East 80…

Biondi’s Hat Trick Pushes Hermantown Boys Past Monticello in Class A Quarterfinals

The Hawks had four different goal-scorers in the blowout win.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Senior forward Blake Biondi would score a hat trick in the first two periods as the Hermantown boys hockey team knocked off Monticello 7-1 Wednesday afternoon in the Class A quarterfinals at the Xcel Energy Center. Zach Kilen would score twice in the third period while Aydyn Dowd and Aaron Pionk also scored to help out…

Hermantown Girls Set to Battle Defending Section Champs Hibbing

Tip-off for Thursday's section title game is set for 7 p.m. at Denfeld High School.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown girls basketball team have justified their top-seed ranking in the Section 7AAA playoffs and are now sitting in the section title game. The Hawks have overcome a lot of adversity since last season, losing several key players to injury either at the start of the season or right before the playoffs. But now, they are…

UMD Women’s Basketball Fall to St. Cloud State in NSIC Finals

The Bulldogs' bid to win back-to-back conference titles was denied by the Huskies.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Sophomore forward Brooke Olson led the way with 23 points, but it wouldn’t be enough as the UMD women’s basketball team fell to St. Cloud State 71-62 in the NSIC tournament championship game Tuesday night at the Sanford Pentagon. Ann Simonet chipped in with 18 points as her and Olson were both named to the all-tournament…

Tigers Boys Basketball Cruise Past Chieftains in WIAA Region Quarterfinals

Northwestern will play Somerset in the regional semifinal on Friday.

MAPLE, Wis. – The Northwestern boys basketball team opened on a 10-0 run and never let up, cruising past Osceola 81-34 in the WIAA region quarterfinals. Jake Brill led the way with 19 points while Andrew Klobucher finished with 13 points. Jagar Stillson, Dayne Evanson and Monte Mayberry all finished with 12 points each. With the win, the Tigers will…

Prep Girls Basketball: Cardinals, Rangers to Meet in Section 7A Title Game

This will be the second year in a row where the two teams meet in the championship game.

DULUTH, Minn. – In the Section 7A semi-finals at Romano Gym, the Cromwell-Wright girls basketball team defeated Chisholm 81-23 and Mountain Iron-Buhl used a strong second half to take down Cherry 60-46. The Cardinals and Rangers move on to the finals in a rematch of last year’s section title game. Tip-off for the game is set for 7:30 p.m. on…

UMD Women’s Basketball Team Advance to NSIC Tournament Finals

The Bulldogs return to the NSIC championship game for the second straight year.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Sophomore forward Brooke Olson led all scorers with 29 points as the UMD women’s basketball team knocked off Minnesota State-Mankato 80-77 Monday night in the NSIC tournament semi-final at the Sanford Pentagon. Ann Simonet chipped in with 16 points, while Sarah Grow and Payton Kahl each scored 10. The Bulldogs move on to face St. Cloud…

Hawks Boys Hockey Set for Return to State Tournament

Hermantown will play Monticello on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. in the class A quarterfinals.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – For the past year, the Hermantown boys hockey team has been on a united pursuit to return to the state tournament. But after defeating Duluth Denfeld to win the section 7A title last week to officially punch their ticket back to the Xcel Energy Center, this journey is just getting started. “This is the best time of…

UMD Men’s Basketball Fall to Mankato in NSIC Semi-Finals

The Bulldogs struggled to get a run going in the second half of the game.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Senior forward Brandon Myer finished with 30 points and 11 rebounds, but it wouldn’t be enough as the UMD men’s basketball team fall to Minnesota State-Mankato 79-73 Monday afternoon at the Sanford Pentagon. Alex Illikainen chipped in with 29 points, with 21 coming in the first half. But the Bulldogs didn’t have any other players score…

Local Sled Dog Injured at U.P. Race

The dog belongs to Stoney Creek Kennels in Tofte, MN.

TOFTE, Minn. – A local sled dog needs your help. Stoney Creek Kennels, owned by Rita and Bill Wehseler, competed in the Copper Dog 150 race this past weekend in the U.P. One of their dogs, Porky, broke his leg and now Rita, who came in second place tn the Beargrease Half-Marathon, is reaching out for some help. If you…

Northern Star: Payton Wefel

For this week's segment, meet one of the seniors on the Esko basketball team who's hoping to lead his team back to the state tournament.

ESKO, Minn. – After star senior guard Trevor Spindler suffered a season-ending injury just a few games in to the 2019 season, the Esko boys basketball team turned to fellow senior guard Payton Wefel to step up. “He was a huge part of our team, being the guy we go to when we need a point and just that leader…

UMD Women’s Hockey Takes Down Bemidji State to Advance to WCHA Final Face-Off

Anna Klein, Sydney Brodt, Mannon McMahon and Kylie Hanley all scored for the Bulldogs.

DULUTH, Minn. – Unlike the first two games, no overtime was needed on Sunday afternoon as the No. 9 Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey team scored three goals in the first seven minutes of the second period to get the 4-1 win over Bemidji State to win the series and advance to the WCHA Final Face-Off. Anna Klein gave the Bulldogs…

Bulldogs Women’s Basketball Tops Wolves to Advance to NSIC Tournament Semifinals

Ann Simonet finished with a career-high 28 points as the UMD women held off Northern State in the NSIC quarterfinals.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Junior guard Ann Simonet finished with a career-high 28 points as the No. 1 seed Minnesota Duluth women’s basketball team held off Northern State 79-71 on Sunday afternoon in the NSIC Tournament quarterfinals. Simonet also chipped in with eight rebounds while Brooke Olson finished with 16 points and Payton Kahl finished with nine points. The Bulldogs…

Prep Girls Basketball: Hilltoppers, Blue Devils Advance in Section 7AA; Hawks, Bluejackets to Meet in Section 7AAA Final

Duluth Marshall, Virginia, Hermantown and Hibbing are all advancing in their respective section playoffs.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown was home to the section 7AA girls basketball quarterfinals on Saturday which saw Virginia pull off a huge upset, hanging on in the final seconds to take down the defending section champions Proctor 59-57. In a quarterfinal game between two of the top teams in class AA, Grace Kirk scored 30 points as Duluth Marshall got…

Rice Lake Boys Hockey Defeats Hayward for WIAA D2 Section Title

Cole Asp and Blake Loder scored the two goals for the Hurricanes. 

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Hayward boys hockey team battled back in the first period, scoring two goals in the final 70 seconds to make it a one-goal game, but Rice Lake would prove to be too much, getting the 7-2 win. Cole Asp and Blake Loder scored the two goals for the Hurricanes. Rice Lake scored the first two goals,…

UMD Women’s Hockey Falls in Four Overtimes to Bemidji State in WCHA Quarterfinals Game Two

The game was the longest ever in UMD program history and longest in WCHA postseason history.

DULUTH, Minn. – For the second night in a row, the WCHA quarterfinal game between No. 9 Minnesota Duluth and Bemidji State needed overtime, but this one would need four overtimes as the Beavers get the 2-1 win to take the second game of the series. The game marks the longest game ever in UMD program history and longest in…

UMD Men’s Hockey Uses Big Second Period to Sweep Colorado College

Justin Richards, Nick Swaney, Luke Loheit, Noah Cates, Quinn Olson and Jade Miller all scored for the Bulldogs while Hunter Shepard finished with 27 saves. 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The No. 5 Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey team scored four goals in the second period to get the 6-1 win over Colorado College and sweep its final road series of the regular season. Justin Richards, Nick Swaney, Luke Loheit, Noah Cates, Quinn Olson and Jade Miller all scored for the Bulldogs while Hunter Shepard finished with…

Yellowjackets Women’s Basketball Falls to Vikings in UMAC Title Game

The Wisconsin-Superior women's basketball team's season ends at the hands of Bethany Lutheran for the second year in a row.

MANKATO, Minn. – For the second year in a row, the Wisconsin-Superior women’s basketball team was unable to contain Bethany Lutheran in the UMAC title game, as the Vikings held on late for the 64-58 win to end the Yellowjackets’ season. Mackenzie Kmecik led the Yellowjackets with 14 points while Emily Carpenter finished with 11 points. Eva Reinertsen, in her…

Saints Men’s Basketball Season Ends in UMAC Title Game

St. Scholastica ends the season 15-13 (10-6 UMAC). 

MANKATO, Minn. – The St. Scholastica men’s basketball team led by six at the half and led early for most of the second half, but Bethany Lutheran battled back and took the lead late to get the 92-82 win to clinch the UMAC championship and end the Saints’ season. Jack Silgen led the Saints with 22 points and 10 rebounds,…

Hermantown Boys Hockey Earns No. 3 Seed in Class A State Tournament

The Hawks will play the Monticello Moose on Wednesday in the quarterfinals, marking the third straight state tournament these two teams will play each other.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – With all section finals in the books, the brackets and seedings for class A and AA were released on Saturday morning. After a one year hiatus, Hermantown earned the No. 3 seed after winning the section 7A title on Wednesday. Hermantown will open the state tournament on Wednesday against unseeded Monticello in the quarterfinals. Puck drop at…

UMD Men’s Hockey Take Down Colorado College

The Bulldogs would double up CC with a big road win.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Four different goal-scorers would find the back of the net as the UMD men’s hockey team knocked off Colorado College 4-2 Friday night at the Broadmoor World Arena. Cole Koepke, Tanner Laderoute, Dylan Samberg and Scott Perunovich all scored for the Bulldogs as they go for the series sweep Saturday night. Categories: College, Sports, University of…

Tigers Girls Basketball Advance to Section Semi-Finals

Northwestern will host Bloomer in the section semi-finals on Saturday.

MAPLE, Wis. – The Northwestern girls basketball team continued to dominate on Friday night, getting the 67-39 win over Saint Croix Central in the second round of the playoffs. The Tigers, who won the Heart O’North Conference for the first time in 21 years, will return to action on Saturday hosting Bloomer in the section semi-finals. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy,…

UMD Women’s Hockey Needs Overtime to Dispatch Bemidji State

The Bulldogs opened the playoffs with a thrilling 2-1 overtime win at home.

DULUTH, Minn. – Maggie Flaherty would score her first goal of the season in overtime as the UMD women’s hockey team got the win over Bemidji State 2-1 in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. Gabbie Hughes would score the other goal for the Bulldogs while Maddie Rooney finished with 19 saves on the night. UMD will look for…

Prep Boys Basketball: Eskomos, Greyhounds, Lumberjacks End Regular Season with Wins

Esko and Duluth East would pick up wins at home, while Cloquet got the road win over Proctor.

ESKO, Minn. – In the final night of the regular season for boys basketball, Esko defeated Virginia 84-65. The Eskomos got 33 points from James LaGarde, while the Blue Devils’ Jayden Bernard led all scorers with 36 points. In other action, Duluth East got the rivalry home win over Duluth Denfeld 98-64 and Cloquet got the road win over Proctor…

Coaches Corner: Proctor Girls Basketball

For this week's segment, we hear from the Proctor girls basketball team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we chat with the Proctor girls basketball team, including head coach Matt Solberg and seniors Liz Frase and Morgan Nylund. The Rails are getting set to defend their section crown beginning this weekend. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports