Sports

Though Intimidating, Ice Climbing a Safe, Fun Winter Activity

Midwest Mountain Guides teaching beginner courses

DULUTH, Minn.- Outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers at heart, and people just looking for something to do on a Saturday strapped in for a day of ice and mixed climbing at Quarry Park. It was all part of the Duluth Ice & Mixed Fest, hosted by the Duluth Climbers Coalition. “A lot of folks here in the beginner class have never even…

College Hoops: UMD Sweeps SMSU, Keeps Win Streaks Alive

Men win seventh straight, women win third straight

DULUTH, Minn.- Both of UMD’s basketball teams took down NSIC opponent Southwest Minnesota State University in Friday night’s doubleheader at Romano Gymnasium. The #22 UMD men defeated SMSU 70-62 for their seventh win in a row. The Bulldogs trailed at halftime, but they came alive in the second half, outscoring the Mustangs 37-27. Drew Blair led the team with 24…

Top Plays of the Week: 2/9

At number one, St. Scholastica's Taylor Leonard hits Allie Bussey in stride and Bussey will do the rest on the breakaway burrying the backhand in net.

DULUTH, Minn.- This week’s top plays would all come from on the ice. At number three, C-E-C’s Brooke Koski unloads a laser that finds the back of the net in Tuesday’s quarterfinal win over Hibbing/Chisholm. At number two, Duluth Marshall’s Kaenen Smith makes the behind the back save on a Proctor shot. At number one, St. Scholastica’s Taylor Leonard hits…

St. Mary’s Rallies to Take Down CSS Women’s Hockey in OT

Former Mirage standout Reese Heitzman would net the game-winning goal for the Cardinals.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica women’s hockey team would take a 1-0 lead over St. Mary’s on Friday. Sadly, the Cardinals would score two unanswered goals to take the 2 to 1 victory in overtime. Former Mirage standout Reese Heitzman would net the game-winning goal for the Cardinals. The two teams will meet again on Saturday with puck drop at…

Boys Hockey: Roseau Rolls Past Duluth East as Greyhounds Drop 3rd Straight Game

Duluth East (8-14-1) will next play at Rogers on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The woes continued for the Duluth East boys hockey team on Friday as the Greyhounds fell to Roseau 9-2. Kyle Peterson and Noah Teng would be the goal-scorers for the Greyhounds. Duluth East (8-14-1) will next play at Rogers on Saturday. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Cloquet’s Leilani Fonoti to Play College Basketball at Augsburg

Fonoti is currently averaging almost 14 points per game for the Lumberjacks this season.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Cloquet senior forward Leilani Fonoti is set to join Augsburg next winter. Fonoti is currently averaging almost 14 points per game for the Lumberjacks this season. Fonoti and Cloquet are 14-9 overall and are near the top of the Lake Superior Conference standings. Categories: High School, Sports

Prep Basketball: Esko Girls Fall to Pequot Lakes in 7AA Matchup, Denfeld Boys Protect Home Floor

Esko (15-7) will next be in action on the 15th when they host Hermantown. The Hunters (11-10) will next play at Duluth East on February 15th. Tip-off is at 7 PM.

ESKO, Minn.- In a potential Section 7AA tounament preview, the Esko girls basketball team hosted Pequot Lakes on Thursday. Sadly, the contest would go the Patriots way as they head home with the 50 to 40 victory. Esko (15-7) will next be in action on the 15th when they host Hermantown. In other basketball action, the Duluth Denfeld boys earned…

Duluth Showdown Between Marshall, Denfeld Ends in Tie

Hunters snap three-game losing streak

DULUTH, Minn- After losing their last three games, the Duluth Denfeld boys hockey team ended their home schedule with a 2-2 tie against Duluth Marshall. Denfeld scored the first two goals of the game in the second period (goals scored by Cory Backstrum and Nolan Harju). Marshall’s Max Berriford put the Hilltoppers on the board before the end of the…

UMD Women’s Hoops to Celebrate Six Seniors in Weekend Matchup Versus Sioux Falls

Taytum Rhoades, Madelyn Granica, Gus Boyer, Abby Johnson, Taya Hakamaki, and Ella Gilbertson are all preparing for their final stretch as Bulldogs.

DULUTH, Minn.- Like the UMD men’s team, it’s a similar story for the UMD women’s basketball team this weekend. They’ll look to achieve revenge versus the Mustangs while also pick up another win against the Cougars. Saturday’s game will be special to the team as they salute six seniors. Taytum Rhoades, Madelyn Granica, Gus Boyer, Abby Johnson, Taya Hakamaki, and…

#22 UMD Men’s Basketball Seeks Redemption Against SW Minnesota State

The Mustangs previously took down the Dogs back on their home floor in December, 85 to 72.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s basketball team has been red hot as of late. Winners of their last six and back in the top 25 for the first time since the beginning of January. The Bulldogs have a chance at redemption this weekend when they take on Southwest Minnesota State on Friday. The Mustangs previously took down the Dogs back…

ALS Black Woods Blizzard Tour Does Not “Surrender” to Lack of Snow

25th Anniversary fundraiser adjusts and pushes forward.

Snowmobile trails across the area are closed or have limited amounts of snow, making tough sledding impossible sledding. For some people it is just an inconvenience, but if you are putting together a snowmobile tour fundraiser, it could be a backbreaker. But, not so, say those putting on one of the area’s biggest annual events. Thursday, the Blackwoods Blizzard Tour…

Minnesota Wild’s Bill Guerin Named GM of U.S. 2026 Olympic and 2025 NHL 4-Nations Face-Off Teams

Guerin is in his fifth season as the Wild’s general manager.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- (AP) Minnesota Wild general manager and three-time U.S. Olympian Bill Guerin will be responsible for overseeing the building of the United States teams competing in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament next year and the 2026 Winter Games, USA Hockey announced on Thursday. The hiring of Guerin as GM is a carryover from three years ago, when…

Outdoor Hockey Rinks Struggling To Keep Up This Year

DULUTH, Minn. — The Executive Director of the Duluth Amateur Hockey Association or DAHA is calling it a tough year for outdoor hockey rinks. DAHA has over 70 years of history managing outdoor rinks across the Duluth area. Outdoor rinks are where U8 hockey players spend most of their time practicing and playing. And also, where families go to skate…

Northern Star: AJ Reyelts

Finishing high school career with 1,000+ saves

PROCTOR, Minn.- Last week, Proctor’s AJ Reyelts put himself in rare company for high school goaltenders when he recorded his 1,000th save. “Ever since the Christmas tournament, we’ve been firing,” says Reyelts. “The team feels great. I mean, we’ve been winning a lot, so that’s always fun.” When Reyelts is in front of the net, life is good for the…

Packers Announce Members of Search Committee to Decide on Murphy’s Successor

The search committee will work in conjunction with the search firm Korn Ferry.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers have chosen the members of the selection committee to find a successor to Mark Murphy, who will retire as the team’s president and CEO next year. Murphy is required to retire when he turns 70 in July 2025. Susan Finco, the Packers’ executive committee vice president and lead director, will chair…

Hall of Famer Lindsay Whalen Set to Speak at UWS on April 3rd

Tickets for the April 3rd event are $25 and will go on sale March 1. The event will be held in the Yellowjacket Union Great Room and is open to the public.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A hall of fame women’s basketball player will soon be heading to Superior. Former Minnesota Head Coach and Lynx Guard Lindsay Whalen is set to speak at UWS on April 3rd. Whalen will tip-off the official start of the Cenovus Women in Leadership program. Tickets for the April 3rd event are $25 and will go on sale March…

UMD Football Adds 3 Locals, 32 Seniors Total on National Signing Day

The Bulldogs are coming off a 9-2 season in 2023.

DULUTH, Minn.- Wednesday was the national signing day for the UMD football team and the Bulldogs added 32 new faces to their roster. Three of which are local as Hermantown’s Peyton Menzel, Two Harbors’ Zachary Bentler, and Duluth East’s David Lundstrom made it official with the team. In total, 13 of the freshman are from Minnesota, 18 are from Wisconsin,…

#8 UMD Women’s Hockey Looks to Continue Winning Ways Against St. Thomas

The Bulldogs will look to improve their record of 9-0-1 against the Tommies on Friday at 6:01 PM.

DULUTH, Minn.- The 8th ranked UMD women’s hockey team is back on track after picking up the sweep over Minnesota State this past weekend. The Bulldogs push for home ice in the postseason continues on Friday when they travel to play the Tommies of St. Thomas. UMD is currently two points ahead of St. Cloud State for 4th in the…

Zoo Animals Entertained by Duluth Fire Hoses

Firefighters reuse old hoses to create fun and challenge for the critters.

Many of us have kicked around in the garage and found that old garden hose that isn’t any good anymore. But what if you’re in the local fire station and it’s fire hose you’re talking about? Well, you take it to the zoo–of course! At least that’s what Duluth firefighters were doing Wednesday. Unique items and play toys–often known in…

Twins Finalize Carlos Santana Contract, Sign Jay Jackson For More Bullpen Depth

The switch-hitting Santana and the Twins agreed to a deal last week, after the 37-year-old split last season with Pittsburgh and Milwaukee.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins finalized their $5.25 million, one-year contract with first baseman Carlos Santana and added to their bullpen Wednesday by signing right-hander Jay Jackson and claiming right-hander Zack Weiss off waivers. Jackson, a late bloomer who had a strong 2023 season with Toronto, got a $1.5 million, one-year contract. The switch-hitting Santana and the Twins agreed…

Proctor Survives Defensive Battle in OT Against Duluth Marshall

Carter, Ross score for Rails

PROCTOR, Minn.- The Proctor boys hockey team has now won five games in a row following Tuesday night’s 2-1 overtime victory over Duluth Marshall at St. Luke’s Sports & Event Center. Ethan Carter scored Proctor’s first goal in the second period before Breckin Ross’s game-winning goal in overtime. For Duluth Marshall, Owen Marsolek scored the Hilltoppers’ lone goal in the…

Girls Hockey: Mirage & C-E-C Secure Spots in 7A Semifinals

The Lumberjacks and Mirage will drop the puck at 11 AM on Saturday in Proctor.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- It was officially playoff time for local girls hockey teams as the Section 7A tournament began on Tuesday. In Hermantown, The Mirage would outshoot North Shore 67 to 6 and defeat the Storm 5-1 to advance to the semifinals on Saturday. They’ll meet Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, who defeated Hibbing/Chisholm 4 to 2 in another quarterfinal contest. The Lumberjacks and Mirage…

Minnesota Wilderness Well Represented at NAHL Top Prospects Tournament

Nash Jacobsma, Nolan Bettens, Alessandro Lurati, Adam Johnson, and Brandt Dubey would all represent the Wilderness on the ice.

PITTSBURGH, Penn.- Six members of the Minnesota Wilderness are away from the team to start the week. But it’s for good reason as they are taking part in the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Nash Jacobsma, Nolan Bettens, Alessandro Lurati, Adam Johnson, and Brandt Dubey are representing the Wilderness on the ice. And on the bench, head coach…

Yellowjackets Track and Field Duo Earn UMAC Weekly Honors

The two will next be in action at the Maday Classic on Saturday.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Two UWS track and field standouts picked up weekly honors in the UMAC for their efforts this past weekend. Cale Newby was a speedster at the Lake Superior Challenge over the weekend. He won the 5K, finishing with a personal best time of 17.42. That mark now places him 4th in the conference. So Newby had the track…

UWS Tennis Sweeps UMAC Player of the Week Awards

Both the men's and women's team will play at Bethel on Saturday.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- UWS men’s and women’s tennis had a duo who took home the UMAC Player of the Week honors. On the women’s side, Brooke Wilfong secured the accolade after picking up her first win of the season this past weekend against Macalester. She had the lone victory for the Yellowjackets. Over on the men’s team, Sharan Kanugovi would get…

Two St. Scholastica Throwers Named MIAC Player of the Week

The two will next be in action at the Maday Classic at UWS on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn.- St. Scholastica Trent Beseth made it a three peat for the MIAC Field Athlete of the Week on Tuesday. At the Lake Superior Challenge, he collected two first-place finishes and broke his own program shot put record with a toss of 16.51 meters. On the women’s squad, Lily Beneke joins him with a Field Athlete of the Week…

Esko Girls Notch Fifth-Straight Win on Road Over Superior

15th win matches last season's win total

SUPERIOR, Wis.- In their final road game of the regular season, the Esko girls basketball team looked at home in Monday’s 63-53 win over Superior. This win marks Esko’s fifth-straight win, matching their longest win streak of the season. With four games remaining in the regular season, Esko has tallied 15 wins, which was their exact win total from last…

St. Scholastica Women’s Hoops Completes Season Sweep of St. Mary’s

CSS (9-11) will travel to play at Bethel on Wednesday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica women’s basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak on Monday, defeating St. Mary’s 77 to 61. CSS was led by Hope Carlson, who had 24 points in the victory. The Saints previously defeated the Cardinals 63-58 back on December 6th. CSS (9-11) will travel to play at Bethel on Wednesday. Categories: College, Sports

UMD’s Matthew Perkins Named NCHC Rookie of the Week for 2nd Time This Season

Perkins would score twice this past weekend in Omaha, making up half of the team's goals in the series.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD freshman forward Matthew Perkins has been named the NCHC Rookie of the Week. Perkins would score twice this past weekend in Omaha, making up half of the team’s goals in the series. Number 34 would also tally an assist in the two-game set. So far this season, Perkins has four goals and eight assists in 25 games….

Duluth East Names Blane Tetreault as New Head Football Coach

Tetreault has had plenty of coaching experience, including stints with St. Thomas and Rowan University.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth East football team has a new head coach. The school announced the hiring of Blane Tetreault as their leader on the gridiron. Tetreault has had plenty of coaching experience, including stints with St. Thomas and Rowan University. During his playing days, he won a state title with Fridley High School. Tetreault will make his debut as…

UMD Women’s Hockey Drops One Spot to #8 in USCHO Poll

The Bulldogs will go back on the road this upcoming weekend for a series with St. Thomas.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s hockey team surprisingly dropped a spot in the latest USCHO Poll. After sweeping Minnesota State this past weekend, UMD goes from number seven to number eight in the country. The Bulldogs will go back on the road this upcoming weekend for a series with St. Thomas. Puck drop for game one is scheduled for Friday…

Team Shuster Wins 2024 U.S. Men’s National Championship

Shuster, along with Chris Plys, Matt Hamilton, John Landsteiner, and Colin Hufman now are qualified for the 2024 World Championships in Switzerland.

DULUTH, Minn.- On Sunday, two Duluth Curling Club-based skips would go head-to-head in the USA Curling National Championship men’s final. In the end, it took a comeback from the 2018 Olympic Gold medalist to decide a winner. Team Shuster would put up a five on the scoreboard in the seventh end to take down Team Dropkin 11 to 6, to…

Minnesota’s Dakotah Lindwurm Qualifies for 2024 Summer Olympics

Finished third in U.S. Trials Marathon

ORLANDO, Fla.- Minnesota native and two-time Grandma’s Marathon winner Dakotah Lindwurm will be running for Team USA in August when she competes in the 2024 Summer Olympics Marathon in Paris. On Saturday, Lindwurm qualified for the Summer Games when she was the third woman to cross the finish line in the U.S. Trials Marathon. Lindwurm won the 2021 and 2022…

Cherry’s Starting Five Built to Win

18-2 record with six regular season games remaining

CHERRY, Minn.- For the third-straight year, the Cherry boys basketball team is on track to compete in the MSHSL State Tournament. At 18-2 overall, the Tigers have certainly earned their stripes. It might have to do with all five of their starters making significant contributions on the court. When it comes to the Cherry Tigers, it’s hard not to think…

UMD Professor Talks on the Impacts of Mild Winters Has on Ice and Water

DULUTH, Minn. — A winter with warm temperatures and minimal snowfall has significant impacts on the environment. We talked to a specialist about how ice and water are affected during mild winters. UMD Professor Jay Austin works at the Large Lake Observatory at the college, he says the northland’s unusually warm temperatures can result in environmental and economic delays. Austin…

Top Plays of the Week: 2/2

At number one, UMD's Danielle Bergen plays a little baseball with the puck as she bats in a goal against Minnesota State on Friday.

DULUTH, Minn.- This week’s top plays come from both on the hardwood and on the ice. At number three, UMD’s Drew Blair gets the steal and the slam in Tuesday’s victory over Minnesota State. At number two, Superior’s Calvin Anderson skies up and gets the poster jam in Friday’s win against Rock Ridge. And lastly at number one, UMD’s Danielle…

UWS Men’s & Women’s Basketball Break Out Brooms Against North Central

J'Vaun Walker had a night to remember for the men's team as he led the team with 36 points.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UWS men’s basketball team extended their win streak to four games on Friday, defeating North Central 72 to 68. J’Vaun Walker had a night to remember as he led the team with 36 points. Before the men’s game, the women’s team would also take down the Rams 68 to 62. Both teams will be back in action…

Hilltoppers Overcome Early Goals, Beat Breck On Home Ice

Thorson scores three, Lindaman adds two

DULUTH, Minn.- Despite giving up two early goals in the first period, the Duluth Marshall girls hockey team was able to pull out a 6-4 victory against Breck at Mars Lakeview Arena Friday night. Following Breck’s two goals to begin the game, Ilsa Lindaman evened the score with two goals of her own in the first period. The Hilltoppers would…

Coaches Corner: CeeJay Schaffner

Schaffner is currently in his 5th season leading the Yellowjackets.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we caught up with UW-Superior head men’s and women’s tennis coach CeeJay Schaffner. Schaffner is currently in his 5th season leading the Yellowjackets. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

UMD Women Shut Out Mavericks, Earn First Win in Three Weeks

Two goals scored by Bergen

DULUTH, Minn.- After a pair of difficult series against the top two teams in the nation, the #7 UMD women’s hockey team got back on track Friday with a 3-0 win over Minnesota State Mankato. Danielle Bergen scored the first goal by batting the puck in midair on a power play. Mannon McMahon would add a second goal in the…

Mackenzie Moe Finding Self-Confidence Through Boxing

16-year-old competing in National Silver Gloves Tournament

DULUTH, Minn.- 16-year-old Mackenzie Moe is currently in Missouri fighting in her second National Silver Gloves Tournament. She’s done a lot of growing up in the ring and has learned a lot about herself through the sport of boxing. “There’s a lot that goes into boxing, not just physically but mentally.” says Moe, who attends Duluth Denfeld High School. “You…

Boys Basketball: Superior Edges Rock Ridge for 14th Victory of Season

Superior improves to 14-4 and will next play at Menomonie on February 6th.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior boys basketball team would host Rock Ridge in a battle of 13 win teams. In the end, the Spartans would pull out the victory 74 to 59. Superior improves to 14-4 and will next play at Menomonie on February 6th. Rock Ridge (13-6) is next at Chisholm on February 6th. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School,…

Duluth Harbor Monsters Hold Open Tryouts In Search for Talented Roster

40 athletes showed up in hopes of making an impression and some were even added to the training camp roster at the conclusion of the tryout.

PROCTOR, Minn.- The Duluth Harbor Monsters are still looking for the players that will make up their roster when they begin play in June. That continued on Friday when the team held their 2nd official tryout at the Rails Indoor Sports Complex in Proctor. 40 athletes showed up in hopes of making an impression and some were even added to…

UMD Goaltender Eve Gascon Lands On HCA Rookie of the Year Watch List

Gascon currently owns a .946 saves percentage, which is the sixth highest in the NCAA.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD goaltender Eve Gascon is up for the HCA Rookie of the Year Award after being named one of the 23 players on the Watch List. Gascon currently owns a .946 saves percentage, which is the sixth highest in the NCAA. She’s also tied for the second most shutouts recorded by a Bulldog freshman goaltender with four. The…

UMD Basketball’s Drew Blair Named to Trevor Hudgins Award Watch List

After trimming down the list in March and April, the winner will be announced on April 8th.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD fifth-year senior Drew Blair has found himself on another award watch list. On Thursday, Blair landed on the Trevor Hudgins Award Top 25 Watch List. Taken into consideration for the award is overall career statistics and achievements, team achievements, awards, and personal character. After trimming down the list in March and April, the winner will be announced…

Wildfire Fighters Wanted: Minnesota DNR

Agency is gearing up for the coming season.

Even with the mild winter, concern over grass and forest fires might seem a ways off. But that is not delaying the Minnesota DNR in looking for additional wildfire fighters. The agency says it is looking to fill two different kinds of positions. One is Smokechasers. No experience is needed and those hired would be trained. The schedules are flexible,…

Warm Weather Forces Park Officials To Suspend Isle Royale Wolf Count For First Time In Decades

(AP) — A stretch of unusually warm weather has forced federal officials to suspend researchers’ annual wolf-moose count in Isle Royale National Park for the first time in more than six decades. Isle Royale is a 134,000-acre (54,200-hectare) island situated in far western Lake Superior between Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Thunder Bay, Canada. The park is a wildlife biologist’s dream…

Boys Hockey: Hermantown Scores Five Unanswered to Snap Losing Skid Against C-E-C

Hermantown (13-6-2) will next play at Moorhead on Saturday.

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Hermantown boys hockey team was back in the win column on Thursday, defeating Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 6 to 1. The two teams would be tied at one after one period of play. After that, it was all Hawks as they scored twice in the 2nd and three times in the 3rd. Hermantown (13-6-2) will next play at Moorhead on…

Prep Basketball: Cherry Boys Down Denfeld, Proctor Girls Entrap East

Christianson's 100th win with Cherry

DULUTH, Minn.- A pair of Duluth high school basketball teams were unable to secure victories on their home courts Thursday night. The Cherry boys improved to 18-2 on the season after defeating Duluth Denfeld 78-41. This marks Cherry Head Coach Jordan Christianson’s 100th win with the Tigers. The Hunters — who are now 9-9 overall — were without leading scorer…

Orioles Land Their Ace, Acquiring All-Star Right-Hander Corbin Burnes from Milwaukee

Burnes, who turned 29 in October, went 10-8 with a 3.39 ERA last year.

MILWAUKEE, Wis.- (AP) The Milwaukee Brewers traded All-Star right-hander Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night for left-hander DL Hall, infield prospect Joey Ortiz and a competitive balance draft pick. It’s a blockbuster for the Orioles, who had a quiet offseason but remained hopeful they could add more pitching as they prepare to defend their AL East championship….