Sports

Yellowjackets Women’s Soccer Looking to Carry Momentum Into 2019 Season

The UWS women's soccer team will open the regular season in Texas taking on Austin College on Aug. 30.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The UWS women’s soccer team finished last season on an impressive run in the UMAC Tournament. Now, as the Yellowjackets held their first day of practice on Saturday, they are hoping to build on that success and are ready to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke. “We’re no longer the underdogs. People know who we are now…

Coaches Corner: Erik Lofald

For this week's segment, we're chatting with the new head coach of the Duluth Denfeld football team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we hear from Erik Lofald who is the new head coach of the Duluth Denfeld football team. Lofald takes over for longtime Hunters head coach Frank Huie, who retired after nearly four decades with the program. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Saints Football Practice Underway with New Head Coach Mike Heffernan

St. Scholastica will open the 2019 season on September 7 against Mayville State.

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica football team ended 2018 with a 6–4 record under an interim head coach. In December, then-Athletic Director Brian Jamros promoted offensive coordinator Mike Heffernan to head coach. “I’m not sure if it’s hit me yet that I’m actually the head coach, it doesn’t feel that way, but I’m sure there’s plenty more to come,”…

Lots of Talent to Replace for Lumberjacks Football Team

The Lumberjacks will open their season August 30th at home against Two Harbors.

CLOQUET, Minn. – We are already through one week of fall practices which means we are that much closer to the regular season. And we continue with our high school football previews with a team who came inches away from a trip to the state tourney: Cloquet. The Lumberjacks finished their regular season with just one loss, but fell to…

Greyhounds’ Anderson, Jeanette Leaving School for USHL

Charlie Erickson will be the only forward on the team with any varsity experience.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland has always been a hockey factory, always churning out great high school players. But sometimes, the best of the best have to decide between staying in school or playing junior hockey. And Duluth East got a double wammy announcement on Thursday. Greyhounds standouts Logan Anderson and Jacob Jeanette have decided to leave school for the…

Scooting Around Town On A Leaf

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Leaf Scooters Take Over Canal Park

DULUTH, Minn. — In this weeks Active Adventures Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot shows us how the new Leaf scooters work. You’ll see how to download the app, get it set up, where you can and can’t go with them and then she takes to the streets of Canal Park. Randomly going up to people and asking them to take it…

Greyhounds Football Team Eyeing Deep Playoff Run

The Greyhounds are wrapping up their first week of fall camp and Thursday was just their second day in pads.

DULUTH, Minn. – Early on in fall camps for high school football teams, coaches can get a good idea of who spent their summer in the gym and who spent it on the couch. The same can be said about the Duluth East football team. The Greyhounds are wrapping up their first week of fall camp and Thursday was just…

UMD Announces Contract Extension for Head Football Coach Curt Wiese

The deal will keep him on the sidelines through the 2022–2023 season.

DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Duluth has announced a two-year contract extension for head football coach Curt Wiese. The deal will keep him on the sidelines through the 2022–2023 season. Wiese is in his 12th year with the UMD football program and seventh as the head coach. In that time, he has led the Bulldogs to a 63–12…

Lester Park Golf Course Hosts MN Junior Golf’s “Warrior Cup”

58 golfers ages 16 to 19 competed in the final major youth golf tourney in Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lester Park Golf Course hosted the Minnesota Junior PGA Championship, better known as the “Warrior Cup” Wednesday afternoon. It’s high level competition that features the winners of various events from this season’s junior tour. “I’m probably most proud of just seeing all the kids go on to play at D1, D2 and D3 schools with the…

Proctor Football Team’s New Mantra: “I Control Effort”

The Rails won just two games last season one year after making it to the state tournament.

DULUTH, Minn. – We continue with our high school football previews and catch up with a team that’s looking to wash out the bad taste of 2018 and do much better this upcoming season. The Rails won just two games last season one year after making it to the state tournament. So for the seniors, they’ve got one thing on…

Former UWS Standout Ashley Birdsall Signs with Buffalo Beauts

The Duluth native skated for the Yellowjackets from 2008 to 2013.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Former Wisconsin-Superior women’s hockey standout Ashley Birdsall has signed a deal with the Buffalo Beauts of the National Women’s Hockey League. The Duluth native, who is about to complete her ninth year of service with the Minnesota Army National Guard, also spent time with the Minnesota Whitecaps for three seasons before they joined the NWHL. Birdsall had…

UMD Women’s Soccer Picked to Finish Eighth in NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll

The Bulldogs will open their season at home on September 6th against Northern Michigan.

BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The NSIC released their preseason coaches poll for women’s soccer Wednesday morning and UMD locks down the #8 spot on the list. Minnesota State-Mankato, who are ranked #25 in the country, were picked to win the conference. The Bulldogs are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2018 that saw them win just seven matches. Among the…

Timbersports Take Over & Race Top Notch Handmade Saws

GREAT OUTDOORS: Lumberjack World Championships Brings The Best

HAYWARD, Wisc. — Lumberjacks in the Northland are common and the competition between them is said to be strong. In this week’s Great Outdoors, Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot takes us to Lumberjack Bowl where all of the best gathered there to show us what they are made of. “It’s kind of in my blood, I’m a four generation competitor.” said…

Hermantown Football Aims to Repeat 2018 Success

The Hawks won the Section 7AAAA title last season for the first time since 2015.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The defending Section 7AAAA champs are back on the football field, kicking off the first official week of the 2019 season. “We’re very excited to get back at it this year. There’s nothing like high school football in the fall,” Hermantown head coach Mike Zagelmeyer said. The Hawks are coming off their first section title since 2015,…

St. Scholastica Names Franco Bari New Director of Athletics

Bari comes from his alma mater St. Lawrence University in New York.

DULUTH, Minn. – Four months ago, then-CSS athletic director Brian Jamros stepped down from his position after two years with the Saints. And today, CSS announced who will be taking over. Franco Bari will take over effective August 19th. Bari comes from his alma mater St. Lawrence University in New York where he was director of athletics since 2012. He…

Hermantown’s Peter Soumis Commits to UMD Men’s Basketball Team

The Hawks point guard averaged just over 19 points per game during his junior year last season

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown’s Peter Soumis announced on his Twitter account Monday that he has committed to playing college basketball at UMD. The Hawks point guard averaged just over 19 points per game during his junior year last season, helping Hermantown finish with a 16–10 record, including 7–3 within Section 7AAA. Two years ago as a sophomore, Soumis scored 15…

Superior Native Jessica Lindstrom Powers Wisconsin GLO to GWBA Championship

Lindstrom finished with 11 points, 15 rebounds and three steals to take home Finals MVP honors.

OSHKOSH, Wisc. – This past weekend, the Wisconsin GLO defeated the three-time reigning GWBA champions the Flint Monarchs 80–78, thanks in large part to a former Northland basketball star. Superior native Jessica Lindstrom finished with 11 points, 15 rebounds and three steals to take home Finals MVP honors. “It was a team effort at the end of the day and…

UMD Football Team Hold First Fall Practice of 2019

The Bulldogs will open their season at home on September 5th against Minot State.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD football team held their first official practice for the upcoming fall season Monday at Malosky Stadium. And coming off an undefeated regular season, the Bulldogs are extra hype for 2019. “It couldn’t have come sooner. We busted our butts all summer and I know the guys were itching to get our here. I was itching…

NSIC Ranks UMD Volleyball Second in Preseason Coaches Poll

The Bulldogs are tied for second in the preseason coaches poll. UMD shares the #2 spot with Concordia St.-Paul

BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The UMD volleyball team is getting high praise from the NSIC. The Bulldogs are tied for second in the preseason coaches poll. UMD shares the #2 spot with Concordia St.-Paul, while Northern State comes in at the top spot. Emily Balts was named to the list of NSIC Players to Watch for the 2019 season which will…

Meet the Huskies: Max Guzman

For the last Meet the Huskies of the segment, we feature infielder/catcher Max Guzman.

DULUTH, Minn. – Max Guzman came to Duluth a month into the Northwoods League season, looking forward to getting this opportunity. “I got a call from Marcus telling me to come play summer ball. I thought it was a good opportunity, better than staying home, and could come out here, get some live at–bats and just getting ready for the…

Florida Native Alex Williamson Wins 94th Annual Men’s Northland Invite

Alex Williamson has been competing in the Northland Invite since 2012, but captured his first title on Sunday.

DULUTH, Minn. – Florida native Alex Williamson went two up after the 17th hole, giving him the win over Hermantown native Taylor Sundbom, for the 94th Annual Men’s Northland Invite title. Williamson, who now lives in Texas, has been competing in the invite since 2012 and captured his first title on Sunday. “My grandpa actually has a cabin up in…

Al Sands Settles for Majority Draw Against DeShon Webster

It is the first draw of Sands's boxing career.

HINCKLEY, Minn. – It was a bittersweet night for Duluth native Al Sands who settled for a majority draw in his boxing match against DeShon Webster Friday night at the Grand Casino. Two of the three judges scored the match a draw, while the third gave Sands the edge, rendering the rare decision of majority draw, the first career draw…

Amy Schintz Defeats Daughter for 71st Annual Ladies Arrowhead Championship

Amy Schintz defeated her daughter, Maddy, on the final hole to capture her eighth Arrowhead Championship.

DULUTH, Minn. – The 71st annual Ladies Arrowhead Championship wrapped up on Saturday’s at the Championship match put a mother up against her daughter: seven-time champ Amy Schintz against her daughter, Minnesota State-Mankato golfer Maddy Schintz, at Ridgeview Country Club. The two were tied going into the 18th hole, but Amy was one stroke better than her daughter to clinch…

Coaches Corner: Karson Kuhlman

For this week's segment, we catch up with Esko native Karson Kuhlman.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with former Cloquet-Esko-Carlton and UMD hockey star and current Boston Bruins forward Karson Kuhlman. The Esko native talked about his last year of playing hockey that saw him win an NCAA championship with the Bulldogs, as well as score a goal for the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals. Categories:…

State Tournament Awaits Northwestern Bass Fishing Team

In their first year as a club team, the Tigers are sending six people to the Minnesota State Junior Bass Nation Tournament of Champions.

SOLON SPRINGS, Wisc. – It’s been a year of firsts for the Northwestern bass fishing team. This past summer was their first year as a club program. “Since I had two boys of my own who were in high school, I knew I had the two people that I needed. So I started the process and paperwork and we ended…

Huskies Win Regular Season Home Finale

Although Duluth won, Eau Claire also won on Friday night, officially eliminating the Huskies from playoff contention.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Huskies ended the regular season home slate on a high note, defeating Waterloo 4-3 in their final home game of the regular season. Keaton Carattini was outstanding, throwing six innings, allowing two runs, both unearned, on four hits and struck out 10. Joey Zwak drove in two runs with a single in the seventh inning. Although…

Duluth Native Jesse Walters Wins Pro Boxing Debut, Huffman Settles for Draw

Both Walters and Huffman will be back in action on October 11th for a boxing card in Duluth.

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. – The Jungle Boy Boxing Gym had a great showing Thursday night at the Generation Next show at the MYTH Nightclub in Maplewood. Duluth native Jesse Walters won his debut fight via knockout in the second round. And fellow Dulutian Danny Huffman went the distance in his bout, but settled for a draw, which preserved his undefeated record….

Throwing Axes & Tossing Back Ales Together

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Duluth Experience & Blacklist Artisan Ales Collaboration Tour

DULUTH, Minn. — In this weeks Active Adventures, Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot takes us AXE THROWING, the perfect Northland sport. Currently Blacklist Artisan Ales in Duluth hosts the axe throwing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. They have also paired with Duluth Experience to tie in local brewery tours and tastes as well. Become an axepert and learn all the…

Big Shoes to Fill for Tigers Football Team

The Tigers will open their season August 23rd at Spooner.

MAPLE, Wisc. – The Northwestern football team is wrapping up their first week of practices. And although the team will be loaded with seniors once again, they’ll have big shoes to fill from last year’s squad who finished 11–1, including an undefeated record in the Heart O’ North Conference. “We just learned how our offense and defense needs to be…

Playoff Hopes Take a Hit as Huskies Fall to Bucks

Duluth will play their final home game Friday night.

DULUTH, Minn. – Nico Lima would drive in two runs in the bottom of the first, but Duluth would get blanked the rest of the way as Waterloo gets the win 4-2 Thursday night at Wade Stadium. Schuyler Hill struck out eight batters in four innings of work as the Huskies will play their home finale Friday night. Categories: Northwoods…

Saints Men’s Soccer Team Get Youth Ready for High School Season

This camp is more intense than others as the Saints are preparing the campers for their upcoming high school seasons.

DULUTH, Minn. – Football season is upon us, but don’t forget that soccer action is right around the corner as well. And some of the best local high school players spent this week with some of the best in the college game. The St. Scholastica men’s soccer team held a special high school prep camp this week up at Saints…

Strong Field Expected for 94th Annual Northland Golf Invitational

After an exciting finish at the Arrowhead Invite two weeks ago, the field is as competitive as it has been in recent memory.

DULUTH, Minn. – The 94th annual Northland Golf Invitational will begin Thursday at the Northland Country Club in Duluth. The fun starts with the qualifying round, followed by the first and second round of match play on Friday, leading up to the championship on Sunday afternoon. And after an exciting finish at the Arrowhead Invite two weeks ago, the field…

Bulldogs Picked to Finish First in NSIC Football Preseason Poll, Larson Named Preseason Offensive POTY

Since the NSIC began divisional play back in 2008, the Bulldogs have won at least a share of all 11 North Division championships.

BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The NSIC preseason football coaches poll was released Wednesday and UMD was picked to win the North Division once again. Since the NSIC began divisional play back in 2008, the Bulldogs have won at least a share of all 11 North Division championships. However, the top overall spot went to Minnesota State-Mankato, who shared the conference title…

Wilderness Promote Jon Vaillancourt to Head Coach

Vaillancourt was brought in back in May as an associate head coach.

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Minnesota Wilderness have announced that assistant coach Jon Vaillancourt has been promoted to head coach of the team. General manager Dave Boitz, who served as head coach this past season, will remain in his role saying in a press release that the team decide “it was best for the organization and our players to have a…

Spartans Football Team Hold First Practice of 2019

Although it was just the first practice, the team is excited to be back together and ready to get to work.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – High school football is officially back in the state of Wisconsin. Practices kicked off this week across the state including for the boys across the bridge. The Superior football team held their first official practice Tuesday afternoon and will have the next few weeks to get ready before the season starts. Although it was just the first…

UWS Hosts Third Mini-Track Meet of the Summer

The final meet of the series will be next Tuesday at the UWS track.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – The University of Wisconsin-Superior Mini-Track Meet began its third week of action Tuesday afternoon. The meet is open to all ages and abilities and includes events like the 100-, 400- and 800-meter dashes, as well as a 5K cross country course. Organizers say it’s a great way to get people outside as the summer season starts to…

Superfan Joe Garson Continues Support for Duluth Huskies

Garson has not missed or been late to a Huskies home game since the team's inception in 2006.

DULUTH, Minn. – Later this week, the Duluth Huskies will play their last two home games of the season. It’s also the final two home games for one Huskies superfan, who has been there with the team through the good times and the bad. Wade Stadium is just as much a home for the Huskies as it is for Joe…

Trans Superior International Yacht Race Commences in Canal Park

Arctos, a boat and crew from Michigan, finished first in the 26th annual race.

DULUTH, Minn. – Boaters from all over ended up in Duluth on Monday as the 26th annual Biennial Trans Superior International Yacht Race ended in Canal Park. The race is the world’s longest freshwater sailboat race and happens every other year. The course is 326 nautical miles, beginning in Whitefish Bay in Michigan and ending right here in Duluth. Arctos,…

Meet the Huskies: Joey Zwak

For this week's segment, we feature a new addition to the Huskies, who grew up and has played his entire baseball career in Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn. – As a Duluth native and Duluth East grad, joining the huskies was a surreal moment for infielder Joey Zwak. “It’s always in the back of your mind, when you come here as a little kid, when you’re 5 or 6 years old, you watch a game with your parents, have a hot dog. It’s like, oh, maybe…

Golfers Raise Money for Military Familes in World’s Largest Golf Outing

Enger Park Golf Course hosted the golf scramble on Sunday, with all funds going to the Fisher House Foundation.

DULUTH, Minn. – Golfers of all ages and skills hit the links Sunday morning at Enger Park Golf Course for a fun, competitive 18 hole scramble all for a good cause. The World’s Largest Golf Outing is the single largest charitable golf event that’s held at over 100 golf courses around the country. The main event takes place on Monday,…

Northwoods League Penalizes Huskies, Removes Five Wins for Roster Violation

The Huskies dropped from first to third place in the Great Plains East division for the second half.

DULUTH, Minn. -The Northwoods League announced on Saturday morning that the Duluth Huskies violated a roster rule, which has changed their second half record and the Great Plains East Division Standings. The Huskies had their last five wins removed, but the wins will not change to loses. All other statistics will be the same, except for wins loses and saves…

Annual Art Von Memorial Tournament Brings 47 Youth Baseball Teams to Duluth

The tournament is in honor of Duluth native Art Von, who brought youth baseball to the area decades ago.

DULUTH, Minn. – Baseball players and fans from across the state came to the Northland as one of Minnesota’s oldest youth baseball tournaments returned to Duluth this weekend for the 25th annual Art Von Memorial Tournament. The tournament started on Friday and wraps up on Sunday, and features 47 teams playing in five different divisions ages 10 through 14. The…

Coaches Corner: Al Sands and Mike McKean

For this week's segment, we talk boxing with the "Haitian Temptation" Al Sands.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we’re talking with local pro boxer Al Sands about his upcoming fight next Friday at the Grand Casino in Hinckley. We also spoke with his trainer Mike McKean about what they learned from Sands’ bouts overseas. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, Professional Sports, Sports

UMD Women’s Hockey Team Hosts Summer Youth Camp

It is the first time the camp was held at Amsoil Arena.

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend, some of the brightest and best youth girls hockey players will get to learn from some of the best in the game at UMD. The Bulldogs women’s hockey team held their annual summer camp at Amsoil Arena. The girls came from all over the country, including seven different states and a even few from Canada….

Duluth Native CJ Ham Ready for Year Four with Vikings

With Kevin Stefanski being promoted to offensive coordinator and a healthy batch of weapons, Ham believes this will be a good year for the Vikings.

EAGAN, Minn. – Vikings training camp is well underway and Duluth native CJ Ham is looking forward to his fourth season in the purple and gold. After being an undrafted free agent and spending most of his rookie season on the practice squad, the Denfeld alum has found himself in a comfortable spot for his fourth year. Ham saw playing…

Huskies Sweep Express, Stay in Control of Playoff Hopes

Nico Lima scored four runs while Collin Hopkins drove in four in Duluth's win.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Huskies used another big night at the plate to sweep a pivotal series against the Eau Claire Express, who won the Great Plains East first half division, winning Friday’s game 12-7. Nico Lima went 4-for-5 with four runs scored while Collin Hopkins went 3-for-4 and drove in four runs. Ricky Reynoso was strong on the mound,…

YOHO! Boom Running in the Lumberjack World Championships

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Last Year Brittney Merlot Log Rolled, Now She Attempts Boom Running For The First Time!

HAYWARD, Wisc. — In this weeks Active Adventures, Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot is boom running at the Lumberjack World Championships semifinals. She’s never done it before and will make her first attempt this morning on LIVE TV! Ellie Davenport, offers her words of wisdom as she has been a pro log roller and boom runner since she was 15 years…

Born to Box: Jesse Walters Gets Set for Pro Debut

Walters will make his pro debut next Friday against Mark Slyter from Kansas.

DULUTH, Minn. – For 18-year-old Jesse Walters, you could say he was born with boxing gloves on his hands. “Basically I was already introduced to it when I was two weeks old. I went to one of Zach’s first fights,” said Walters. “Shortly after he was born, they brought him and said, “Meet little Jesse!” I’m all sweaty coming out…

Huskies Pick Up Big Win Over Express

Duluth's win extends its lead to a game and a half for the second half division title.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Huskies extended their lead in the Great Plains East division on Thursday, defeating the Eau Claire Express 9-1, taking a one and a half game lead over La Crosse for the second half title. The Huskies used a five run third inning to seal the win over the Express. Noah Marcelo hit a bases clearing…

Superior Native Amy Flessert to Compete in Swimming World Championships

Amy Flessert will compete in five events during the FINA World Masters Championships later this month.

DULUTH, Minn. – Superior native Amy Flessert will be competing later this month in the FINA World Masters Championships in Gwangju, South Korea. This is Flessert’s third time competing at worlds, when she traveled to Montreal in 2014 and Budapest, Hungary in 2017 and she’s known since then that she wanted another chance at worlds. “I grew up in a…