Sports

Northern Star: Tim Pokornowski

Former Cloquet three sport all star turned UMD Football defenseman.

DULUTH, Minn.- For as long as he can remember, Tim Pokornowski has been a three sport athlete. But when it came down to his future there was one game that he knew he needed to continue playing. “It was a dream of mine ever since I was a kid to play college football somewhere and it just feels great to…

Former Hawk Jacques Commits to Bulldog Hockey

After spending two seasons in the USHL, Jesse Jacques will play for UMD come the 2019 season.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- Former Hermantown Hawk Jesse Jacques has verbally committed to playing hockey at UMD come the 2019–2020 season. Jacques has spent the last year playing in the USHL for the Green Bay Gamblers putting up 9 goals and 16 assists in 60 games. Jacques will spend one more season in Green Bay before making his way back to Duluth….

Week 2 in the Books for the Bulldogs

So far the team chemistry is visible and strong.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD football just wrapped up week two of preseason. In week one the dogs had an inter-squad scrimmage where coach Wiese had said he really liked what he was seeing in terms of team chemistry. Over the course of week two that seems to only have progressed and hopefully that will carry over into other facets of the game…

Saints Football Holds First Practice of 2018

Head coach Penree is already pleased with his Senior leadership.

DULUTH, Minn.- The College of Saint Scholastica held their first football practice of the season. The Saints are coming off of a 7–3 year, losing a total of 9 seniors at the end of it. But head coach George Penree is confident in this years group of leaders and says they are only looking forward. “Everything that we’ve done has really…

Coaches Corner: Hermantown’s Mike Zagelmayer

This week we talk with the new football coach for Hermantown, Mike Zagelmayer.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we sit down with new Hermantown football coach Mike Zagelmayer, who takes over for longtime coach Daryl Illikainen. Zagelmayer is also the head coach of the Hawks baseball team. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

UMD Men’s Basketball Releases 2018-19 Schedule

The Bulldogs begin their season with an exhibition game against the Golden Gophers.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD released the Men’s basketball schedule for the upcoming season. The season will begin with an exhibition game against the University of Minnesota on November first. This will be the Bulldogs’ first time playing the Golden Gophers since the 2014–15 season. The regular season will begin just 9 days later at home against St. Scholastica. The Bulldog’s begin conference…

Greyhounds Look to Build Momentum Off Last Season

With a large group of returners, Duluth East football is hopeful for the upcoming season.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth East has just finished up their first week of preseason. In the past the Greyhounds have struggled, but they are coming off of a 5–3 season with hopes of only getting better. “Five wins, that’s the most we’ve had in a season in a while. With the sophomores that played last year and the juniors that are now…

Try Canyoneering Up Rivers & Waterfalls!

Active Adventures: Canyoneering On The North Shore With Meteorologist Brittney Merlot

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Canyoneering Through The North Shore Rivers Of Minnesota! Most of us see the beautiful rivers of the north shore from the trails but have you ever wanted to climb into the river and hike upstream? In this week’s active adventures Meteorologist Brittney Merlot takes us upstream, climbing waterfalls through beautiful canyons! Get tips on how to maneuver through…

Huskies Top Dock Spiders, Force Winner-Take-All Game Three

Duluth will host Fond Du Lac Friday night at Wade Stadium for the Northwoods League Championship.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Huskies get four RBIs from Northwoods League MVP Augie Isaacson as they defeat Fond Du Lac 8-1 Thursday night at Wade Stadium. With the win, the Huskies and Dock Spiders will play a winner-take-all Game 3 Friday night in Duluth for the Northwoods League championship. Tony Monroy, Julian Escobedo and General MacArthur each scored twice…

Tom Bang Retires After 41 Seasons as Hermantown Softball Coach

The 67-year-old has been the only head coach in the history of the Hawks softball program.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown softball program was born in 1978, almost 40 years ago. And the founding father of Hawks softball is calling it a career. Tom Bang is retiring as head coach of the Hermantown softball team after 41 seasons. According to athletic director Beth Clark, Bang turned in his resignation letter a few weeks ago, but she…

Northland Natives Return to Brainerd Int’l Speedway

This weekend is the 37th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd.

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend, all eyes will be on the Brainerd International Speedway for the 37th annual NHRA Nationals. Northland natives Greg Anderson and Jason Line will be racing in the Mello Yello series. But more importantly, it’s chance for both racers to win on their home track. “I’d like to win one here. It’s eluded me so far….

Reloaded Rails Ready for Another Deep Playoff Run

The Proctor football team is hoping to continue their winning tradition.

PROCTOR, Minn. – The Rails football team has won two of the past three section 7AAA titles. One big reason for that is a strong senior class, 21 to be exact, who have now moved on. So now the team is in full rebuild mode for the upcoming season. It’s day three of practice for the Rails, which has a…

CSS Men’s Soccer Heads Across the Pond

The Saints will spend their preseason in England playing in 4 games.

DULUTH, Minn.- The CSS Men’s Soccer team is going to England for a ten day preseason trip. During their time abroad the Saints will be competing against various academies, along with attending professional games and sight seeing. A lot of the trip will also be used to prepare the team for when they return to the States. “I’m excited. It’s…

Esko Football Pushing For State Tournament Run

Losing to Proctor in the 2017 section championship game motivates the Eskomos to do better this year.

ESKO, Minn.- The Eskomos began their day of preseason in the classroom and then took to the field. Last season didn’t end the way they had hoped, falling to proctor in the section championship. But this year their sights are on getting better and making it to State. “We had a lot of momentum last year and I think we’re…

Shea Walters Named New CEC Boys Hockey Coach

The Cloquet School Board approved the new coach on Monday evening.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Last night the Cloquet School Board voted on the pending approval to hire Shea Walters as the new head coach of the boys Cloquet– Esko– Carlton hockey team. Walters will lead the Lumberjacks this upcoming season. The former Hibbing High School star served as an assistant coach for CEC last season and prior to that he was an…

Hermantown Football Begins News Season Under Coach Zagelmeyer

The Hawks are looking forward to a new season under new leadership.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- Hermantown had their first practice of the season bright and early Monday morning. In the off season Hawks head coach Daryl Illikainen stepped down and since then Mike Zagelmeyer has taken his place. It’s a new seaon and the team is welcoming of the new leadership. “We’re looking forward to something new here with Coach Zags. Obviously tradition leaves…

UMD Women’s Soccer Kicks Off 25th Season

The first practice of 2018 was held followed by a media session.

DULUTH, Minn.- The first practice is always high energy and a time for players to get acclimated. But the Bulldogs already are thinking long term. Last season they ended sixth in the NSIC standings and now their main focus is bump themselves up a few spots. “We need to improve offensively. I think we just need to, sounds simple, but score more…

UMD’s Brodt and Rooney Chosen for USA U22 Select Team

The two will join 20 other players in a three game series against Canada.

LAKE PLACID, NY- UMD’s Sydney Brodt and Maddie Rooney have made the USA U22 select team. The two were selected from a group of 75 players who participated in the 2018 usa hockey women’s national festival. Brodt, Rooney and 20 other players will compete in a 3 game series against Canada later this week. Categories: College, Sports, University of Minnesota…

Huskies’ Isaacson Named Northwoods League MVP

The New Prague native is leading the league in six different categories.

DULUTH, Minn.- Huskies second baseman Augie Isaacson has been named Northwoods League MVP. Isaacson was named a mid–season All-Star and recently was selected for the Major League Dreams Showcase for his second summer in a row. At that showcase the Friends University product went 3 for 4. The New Prague native is leading the league in six categories with a .364 batting…

Huskies Staying In Bismark For Round One of Playoffs

Huskies beat the Larks 11-7 in the final game of the regular season and hope to keep the momentum.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Northwoods playoff schedule has been released. The huskies will try to get a second consecutive win over the Bismark Larks in round one. The playoffs are single elimination so if Duluth is unable to pull off a win tomorrow, that will be the end of the road for them. However if they win they will advance to the division…

Bulldogs Have Inter-squad Scrimmage

The scrimmage is a way to introduce the 2018 team to real game situations.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Bulldogs had their first inter-squad scrimmage of the season. This gave the guys a taste of game like situations with a new team. It’s still early and there’s plenty to improve upon but there are some things that head coach Curt Wiese is seeing already that he likes. “We had the opportunity to run the football today…

IceHawks Kick Off Soccer Season With Draw Against Dakota Wesleyan

The women's teams played earlier in the day, DWU winning 7-0 over LSC.

PROCTOR, Minn.- The Lake Superior College Men’s soccer team had their first game of the season against Dakota Wesleyan University, ending in a scoreless draw. Both teams had multiple attempts on goal, but neither one could find the back of the net. The two women’s teams faced each other as well. The Tigers put up 7 goals in the first…

Northland Blitz Fall to Tri City in MPFL Championship

The Blitz put up a good fight however the North Stars proved to be the stronger team on both sides of the ball. 

PROCTOR, Minn.- The Northland Blitz took on the Tri City North Stars in the MPFL final, falling 26-12. This would be the Northland’s first championship game appearance in program history. The Blitz put up a good fight however the North Stars proved to be the stronger team on both sides of the ball.   Categories: Sports

Coaches Corner: Bruce Plante

We speak with former Hermantown hockey coach Bruce Plante

DULUTH, Minn.- For this week’s Coaches Corner, we sit down with former Hermantown hockey coach Bruce Plante. After spending 28 years with the Hawks and winning 3 State Championships, Plante is being inducted into the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

The Northland Blitz Are Headed to the MPFL Championship

This is the first time in program history, that the team will be making a championship game appearance.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Northland Blitz are headed to the championship for the first time in team history. The Blitz will be taking on the Tri City Northstars in the quest for the MPFL title. All season long the Northland has been winning games with deficits as large as 65–0, which is a testament to both their offense and their defense. The…

Unfinished Business for UMD’s Nate Ricci

The star WR is back after a injury-shortened senior year.

DULUTH, Minn. – Last season during a Week 3 game against Minnesota State-Mankato, UMD wide receiver Nate Ricci broke his collarbone which ended his senior season. “My initial reaction was ‘Oh crap. My career is over.’ Then talking with Coach and talking with the training staff, they said we’ll look into it and see what the options are for redshirt,”…

Agates Looking for a Four-Peat as Conference Champions

Two Harbors is back on the practice field preparing for the upcoming season.

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- Two Harbors Football took to the practice field this week. The Agates are coming off of their third consecutive conference title looking to make it four. In order to make that happen it is all about working as a unit. “We’ve got to really work as a team. I know that’s cliché but we do. And our guys…

Flying Discs Spotted In The Northland, Join the Fun!

How Many Discs Does It Take To Play Disc Golf With Meteorologist Brittney Merlot

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Disc Golfing with Northern Lights Disc Golf at Mont Du Lac! What IS disc golf you ask? Well… it’s much like traditional golf! Instead of a ball and clubs, players use a flying disc or Frisbee®. The sport was formalized in the 1970’s and shares with “ball golf” the object of completing each hole in the fewest throws….

Duluth Native Mandy Kurosky A Player to Watch For UMD Volleyball

Kurosky was a redshirt last year for Northern State University.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD volleyball is on to day two of practice. The Bulldog roster is stacked this season with players ready to bring the team back to the NCAA tournament. One of those players is Duluth native Mandy Kurosky. Kurosky transferred to UMD from Northern State University last year and as overwhelming as the initial move was, her teammates made the…

Tigers Have Their Eyes on Conference Title

Northwestern High is looking to make a deeper playoff run this season.

MAPLE, Wis. – High school football practices are underway and the Northwestern Tigers are preparing for their first game against Ashland next week. The team is excited and ready for the new season as they only graduated four players from last year’s team. The Tigers plan to use that to their advantage. “We’re returning pretty much the same team, just…

New Dugouts from the Twins for Cherry T-Ball Field

The grant was part of the Twins' "Fields For Kids" program.

CHERRY, Minn. – The town of Cherry’s T–ball program has received the gift of a lifetime from the Minnesota Twins organization. The “Fields For Kids” Program provides financial support to improve baseball and softball facilities for the youth in the Upper Midwest and after submitting an application for the grant, the Ron Pittman Ballfields were selected to provide the field…

Spartans Not Concerned with Tough Start to 2018

Superior will start the season with three straight road games beginning next week.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – High school football practices are well underway across the Northland. One team that’s already in week two of practices is Superior High School. The Spartans are coming off a disappointing season with a 3–6 record in 2017. But the vibe is different with this squad and everyone is noticing. “We’ve all been playing a lot longer than…

UMD Volleyball Holds First Practice of 2018

Bulldog Volleyball is back and the team is already looking forward to the NCAA tournament.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD volleyball had their first practice of 2018. After getting picked to finish third in the NSIC preseason poll, the Bulldogs are ready to get things started. UMD is coming off of a successful 2017 season, falling in the regional finals of the NCAA tournament. The Bulldogs are using those emotions to propel them through this time around. “We made…

MSHSL No Longer Reimbursing Schools for State Tourney Expenses

The announcement comes after an increase in venue costs and drop in ticket sales.

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. – The Minnesota State High School League has announced that they will no longer be reimbursing schools for state tournament expenses. The decision was made based on the rise in state tournament venue costs and a drop in ticket sales. In the 2017–18 season, more than 56,000 fewer tickets were sold compared to the year before. This…

Great Outdoors: Fishing With Cops at Chambers Grove

Kids learn more about local police officers and how to fish at the second annual event.

DULUTH, Minn. – Local police officers took the opportunity to get outside and bond with kids, hoping to build relationships and bridge the gap between the two. Several Duluth police officers met up about 20 kids at Chambers Grove on Monday for the second annual Hooked on Fishing event. “What better way to interact with the kids, bond with the…

First Practice A Success for UMD Football

The Bulldogs wrapped their first practice of 2018 Tuesday morning at Malosky Stadium.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD football team held their first practice for the 2018 season Tuesday morning at Malosky Stadium. No pads for Day One as the team just tries to get their feet under them as they step on Griggs Field for the first time as a team since the spring. And the hype is real as the Bulldogs…

Local Hockey Community Reacts to Plante’s HOF Induction

Plante's son Derek and former Hawks player Adam Krause send congrats to the newly-minted Hall of Famer.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, former Hermantown hockey coach Bruce Plante was named a member of the Minnesota State High School Coaches Hall of Fame Class of 2018. It’s a big moment for Plante’s son Derek, who had a successful career at UMD, as well as winning a Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999. And although his dad…

UMD Volleyball Picked to Finish 3rd in NSIC Poll

The Bulldogs are aiming for their first NSIC title since 2014.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD volleyball team was picked to finish third in the NSIC preseason coaches poll. The Bulldogs will be looking for their 25th conference title this upcoming season and their first since 2014. But it will be tough when you play in the same conference as Concordia St. Paul who are the defending Division II national champs….

Blitz to Host Northstars in MPFL Championship Game

The game will be held at Egerdahl Field in Proctor on Saturday night.

DULUTH, Minn. – The MPFL championship game will be played right in our backyard. The Northland Blitz will host the Tri–city Northstars Saturday August 11th at Egerdahl Field in Proctor. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. It will be the first championship appearance for the Blitz and their first time facing the Northstars this season. Categories: Professional Sports, Sports

Huskies Taking Part in Major League Dreams Showcase

The event allows players to show their skills in front of MLB scouts.

DULUTH, Minn. – Six Duluth Huskies are in action at the 2018 Major League Dreams Showcase. The annual Showcase will consist of a double-header featuring the top players from the Northwoods League who were selected by a panel of Major League Baseball Scouts. The players will participate in a day of workouts in front of scouts which will be followed…

Contract Not Renewed For Former CEC Hockey Coach Smalley

This comes five days after Smalley rescinded his resignation as head coach of the boys hockey team.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Cloquet superintendent Mike Cary announced that the school board voted to not renew the contract of Kevin Smalley as the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys hockey coach. Two weeks ago, Smalley resigned as head coach of the team after one season. But this past Thursday, Smalley rescinded his resignation. However, the board decided to go in a different direction and…

Bruce Plante to be Inducted into MHCA Hall of Fame

The former Hermantown coach won three state title for the Hawks.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Minnesota High School Coaches Association has announced that Bruce Plante will be a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2018. Plante retired back in 2017 after leading Hermantown to their second straight Class A state title and their third in school history. In 28 seasons as Hawks head coach, Plante won 547 games and…

Huskies Top Express in Home Finale

Duluth defeated Eau Claire 6-2 Sunday afternoon at Wade Stadium.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Huskies defeated the Eau Claire Express 6-2 Sunday afternoon for the last home game of the summer. The Huskies finished the season with a 27-9 record at home. The key to Sunday’s victory was playing small ball and capitalizing on Eau Claire’s errors. Jack Corbell was on the mound for the Huskies, going seven innings only allowing…

Northland Blitz to Take On Tri City Northstars in Championship Game

The Blitz defeated the Mudd Dawgs 18-16 to advance to MFPL Championship.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Northland Blitz are headed to the MFPL Championship after defeating the Minnesota Mudd Dawgs 18–16. The Blitz knew going into the semi-finals that it would not be easy as two of the Northland’s only three losses this season were to the Dawgs. The Blitz will take on the Tri City Northstars whom they have yet to face this…

Krenzen To Join Sioux City Musketeers This Season

Hilltoppers' defenseman Nolan Krenzen taking his game to the next level.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth Marshall defenseman Nolan Krenzen has made the decision to head to the USHL for the upcoming season with the Sioux City Musketeers. In his final season with the Hilltoppers, Krenzen put up 26 points in the regular season with 11 goals and 15 assists. Categories: High School, Sports

Huskies Come Up Short in Loss to Eau Claire

Huskies come back in the bottom of the 8th not enough.

  DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Huskies fall short 10-9 to the Eau Claire Express in game one of the Huskies’ last home series of the summer. After being down 3-1 in the bottom of the second, the Huskies were able to tie up the game. But the Express offense was a force, putting up a total of 10 runs. Duluth…