Sports

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…

UMD Women’s Basketball Discusses NCAA Tournament Cancellation, End of Season

The Bulldogs were set to take on Fort Hayes State in the region quarterfinals on Friday.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s basketball team was supposed to start the NCAA DII basketball tournament Friday afternoon, but after a morning practice on Thursday, the NCAA announced that all winter and spring tournament across all divisions were canceled, ending the Bulldogs season and sending them home. The Bulldogs, who were wrapping up one of the most successful regular…

Fun Run With A Covered Upper Lip

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Mustache March Run 5k

DULUTH, Minn. — In this weeks Active Adventures we are running on Duluth’s Lake Walk in style! Grow out you own mustache or slap on a fake one and walk or run a 5k with friends. This event takes place on Saturday March 21st at 5pm by the Fitger’s stairs on the lake walk. You can preregister by clicking HERE…

MSHSL, WIAA Cancel Remainder of Winter Sports Tournaments

This includes the girls basketball state semi-finals, as well as the boys basketball section finals and next week's boys state tournament.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Minnesota State High School League and Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association announced that they both have cancelled the remainder of their winter sports tournaments due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. For Minnesota, this includes any remaining section tournament games for boys basketball, as well as next week’s state tournament, and the girls state tournament which was…

Cromwell Girls Top BBE, Advance to State Semi-Finals

The Cardinals move on to face Henning in the Class A semi-finals.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Senior guard Taya Hakamaki finished with 34 points as the Cromwell-Wright girls basketball team knocked off Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 67-58 in the Class A state quarterfinals. Shaily Hakamaki also scored 15 points while Andrea Pocernich chipped in with 13 points of her own. The Cardinals move on to face Henning in the Class A semi-finals. Tip-off is set for…

Prep Boys Basketball: Hawks, Greyhounds Fall in Section Title Games

Hermantown lost a nail-biter to Princeton while Duluth East couldn't overcome Cambridge-Isanti.

DULUTH, Minn. – Senior guard Peter Soumis would score 37 points, but it wouldn’t be enough as Princeton topped Hermantown 67-64 in the Section 7AAA championship game Thursday night at Duluth East High School. And in the Section 7AAAA title game, Cambridge-Isanti ends Duluth East’s season for the third straight year as the Bluejackets knocked off the Greyhounds 81-73. Categories:…

NCAA Cancels Remaining Winter/Spring Championship Games

This includes the Frozen Faceoff, which was scheduled to take place next month in Detroit.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – NCAA president Mark Emmert has announced that all remaining winter and spring championship games, including the men’s and women’s Final Four basketball tournament as well as the men’s and women’s Frozen Four, have been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. This effectively ends the season for the UMD men’s hockey team as they will not have an…

MSHSL To Limit Fan Attendance at Basketball Tournament Games

The announcement comes in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Minnesota State High School League has announced that the girls basketball state tournaments and boys basketball section playoffs will be played with “limited spectators” beginning on Friday. Attendance will be limited to rostered athletes, coaches, event staff, TV partners, credentialed media, and a limited number of school-approved family members of the participants. Here is the full…

NCHC cancels postseason tournament, including Frozen Faceoff

This includes this weekend's quarterfinal games and next week's Frozen Faceoff.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The National Collegiate Hockey Conference announced Thursday afternoon that they have cancelled their postseason tournament, including next week’s Frozen Faceoff in St. Paul. This comes just one day after the league announced that the tournament will be played with no fan attendance. NCHC Frozen Faceoff ticket refunds are available at point of purchase. Online orders will…

UMD Men’s Hockey Quarterfinal Series Versus Miami to be Closed to the Public Amid COVID-19 Concerns

All NCHC quarterfinal series taking place this weekend will be closed to the public.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The NCHC has announced that all four quarterfinal series taking place this weekend, including the UMD  men’s hockey game against Miami (OH) at AMSOIL Arena, will be closed to the public. Only student-athletes, coaches, event and team staff, credentialed media and student-athlete family members will be permitted to attend. This comes on the wake of the…

Local Boxers Get Set for Fight Night at Grand Casino

Watson will face Lawrence Subelka while Williams will take on James Barnes.

PROCTOR, Minn. – The Grand Casino in Hinckley will host another great card of boxing action Friday night, which will feature a pair of local fighters. Ryan Watson has had his last two fights there and he says he’s excited to head down there once again. “This fight is going to be huge with Showtime being there and having four…

Hilltoppers Girls Basketball Upsets No. 3 Wildcats in Class AA Quarterfinals

Duluth Marshall will play Providence Academy in the Class AA semifinals on Friday at 8:00 p.m. at Williams Arena.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Duluth Marshall girls basketball team used a big second half to upset the No. 3 seed New London-Spicer 60-56 in the class AA quarterfinals. Gianna Kneepkens finished with 26 points while Grace Kirk chipped in with 25 points. The Hilltoppers now advance to the class AA semifinals on Friday. Duluth Marshall will take on unseeded Providence…

Eskomos Boys Basketball to Face Pioneers in Section 7AA Final

Esko and Pierz will play for a trip to state on Friday at Romano Gym. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – Esko and Duluth Marshall would battle the entire way and force overtime, but in the end the Eskomos hung on for the 67-64 win in the section 7AA semifinal. In the other semifinal, Pierz started off strong and dominated the rest of the way to get the 88-60 win over Virginia. The Eskomos and Pioneers will face…

Greyhounds Boys Basketball to Meet Rivals Bluejackets in Section Title Game

Tip-off between Duluth East and Cambridge-Isanti is set for 7:00 p.m. at Elk River High School.

DULUTH, Minn. – The section 7AAAA boys basketball championship will take place on Thursday night, pitting Duluth East against arch rivals Cambridge-Isanti. The Bluejackets have ended the Greyhounds’ season the past two years, but that face has not crossed the mind of this year’s squad. “With Cambridge it’s always, everyone’s expecting it to be a great game and it’s obviously…

NBA Suspends Season ‘Until Further Notice’ Due to Utah Jazz Player with Coronavirus

Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19

The Spalding NBA official game ball is seen before an NBA basketball game between an NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (Matt Patterson via AP) MIAMI (AP) – The NBA has suspended its season “until further notice” after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came…

Duluth Wolfpack’s Jorja Schooler Commits to Missouri Western State Lacrosse

The senior has spent the past two seasons as captain of the Duluth Wolfpack girls lacrosse team.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth East’s Jorja Schooler signed her National Letter of Intent Wednesday to join the Missouri Western State University women’s lacrosse team. The senior has spent the past two seasons as captain of the Duluth Wolfpack girls lacrosse team and is now taking her talents to Saint Joseph, Missouri. “I got to know some of the girls and…

Former Greyhound Will Fisher Commits to CSS Men’s Hockey

The defenseman was with the Greyhounds from 2015 to 2018, recording 15 points in 24 games in his senior year.

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth East standout Will Fisher has committed to joining the St. Scholastica men’s hockey team. Fisher is currently with the Boston Junior Rangers of the EHL and spent some time in the NAHL with the Bismarck Bobcats. The defenseman was with the Greyhounds from 2015 to 2018, recording 15 points in 24 games in his senior…

Top Seed DeLaSalle Too Much for Hermantown Girls Basketball Team

The Hawks will play in the consolation bracket tomorrow afternoon.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Junior Elly Schmitz finished with 16 points, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Hermantown girls basketball team fell to top seed DeLaSalle 85-52 Wednesday morning in the Class AAA state quarterfinals. Senior Ava Asgaard chipped in with 15 points. The Hawks move on to the consolation bracket as they will face Holy Angels Thursday at…

Perunovich, Shepard, Koepke, Cates Named to All-NCHC First Team

Perunovich becomes the first player in the history of the NCHC to be named to the First Team three straight years

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Four UMD men’s hockey players have landed on the All-NCHC First Team: forwards Noah Cates and Cole Koepke, defenseman Scott Perunovich and goaltender Hunter Shepard. For Perunovich, he becomes the first player in the history of the NCHC to be named to the First Team three straight years and just the second ever at UMD, joining…

Battle-Tested Hermantown Boys To Face Top Seed Princeton in Section Title Game

Tip-off for the game between the Hawks and Tigers is set for 7 p.m. at Duluth East High School.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown boys basketball team are back in the section championship game for the first time in two years. The Hawks have not had an easy road to the title game as they have had to battle back from multiple double-digit deficits, leading up to their championship match-up against top seed Princeton. “I think we just learned…

Boys Hockey Season Wraps Up with All-Star Game

Team White defeated Team Yellow 6-5.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Heritage Center was the place to be Tuesday night for the 21st annual All-Star Hockey Game. The first period ended with a 3-3 tie and in the end, Team White defeated Team Yellow 6-5. Categories: High School, Sports

UMD Women’s Basketball Set for Another NCAA Run

The second-seeded Bulldogs will face the seventh-seeded Tigers Friday on the campus of the University of Central Missouri.

DULUTH, Minn. – Another year, another trip to the NCAA tournament for the UMD women’s basketball team. Thanks to a record-breaking season, the Bulldogs are in great shape to improve on their performance from last season. “It was the first time in however many years and it was all excitement. And this year, I think we know we can make…