Sports

Three St. Scholastica Runners Qualify for Nationals

NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships set for Saturday in Newville, PA

DULUTH, Minn.- Despite not reaching nationals as a team, three St. Scholastica runners will be representing the Saints in the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. Lars Dewall, Calvin Boone and Alli Hendrickson have qualified as individuals following Saturday’s NCAA North Regionals. In the men’s race, Dewall placed sixth while Boone followed his teammate in seventh place. In the women’s…

UWS Men’s Hoops Look Strong in Home-Opening Win Over UW-La Crosse

Four Yellowjackets score 15+ points

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UW-Superior men’s basketball team are now 2-0 to start the season with Friday’s 76-68 win over UW-La Crosse at Mertz Motorelli Gymnasium. J’Vaun Walker led UWS in scoring with 18 points. Meanwhile, Reid Johnson and Josef Fahrenoltz each tallied 17 points while Joey Barker added 16 points, along with a whopping seven steals. As part of the…

UWS Men’s Hockey Drops Fourth-Straight in Home Opener

Yellowjackets back on home ice Saturday night

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UW-Superior men’s hockey team remains winless four games into the 2023-24 season as they were shut out 2-0 against Bethel in their home opener. This marks the first time the Yellowjackets have started 0-4 since the 2017-18 season. UWS went on to finish that season with a 9-15-3 record. This was the first game of a back-to-back,…

Top Play of the Week: 11/10

This week’s top play comes from the girls high school soccer all-star game on Monday.

DULUTH, Minn.- This week’s top play comes from the girls high school soccer all-star game on Monday. Duluth East senior Kendall Wittmers-Graves gets the deep shot to go and even celebrates in style. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

Coaches Corner: Chad Salmela

Named 2023 MIAC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year

DULUTH, Minn.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we hear from St. Scholastica Cross Country Head Coach Chad Salmela as the Saints get ready for NCAA Regionals on Saturday, November 11 in Colfax, Wisconsin. Salmela has been the Saints’ cross country coach since 2016. Before that, he coached CSS’s nordic ski team for 10 seasons. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night…

Esko Football Facing Fellow Unbeaten Team at State

Kickoff at 1 p.m. in Brainerd

ESKO, Minn.- On Saturday, the Esko football team will be in Brainerd to kick off Minnesota’s AAA State Quarterfinals. It’s the same field where Esko lost in last year’s quarters after leading by seven points at halftime. Esko enters Saturday 10-0, which includes last week’s 34-14 win over Pequot Lakes in the Section 7AAA Championship. Their opponents will be Annandale,…

Big First Period Propels #4 North Dakota Past #18 UMD Men’s Hockey

Both teams will meet again on Saturday with puck drop at 6:07 PM.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team would find themselves down early against North Dakota on Friday. Ultimately, it would be enough as the Fighting Hawks took game one 4 to 2. Luke Loheit and Anthony Menghini were the goal-scorers for the Bulldogs. Both teams will meet again on Saturday with puck drop at 6:07 PM. Categories: College, Friday Night…

Breck Spoils Home & Season Opener for Duluth Northern Stars

Ellie Marciniak and Mae McCall would each find the back of the net for Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Northern Stars girls hockey team opened up their season on Friday, unfortunately it didn’t go their way as Breck picked up the 5 to 2 victory. Ellie Marciniak and Mae McCall would each find the back of the net for Duluth. Senior goalie Ella Brisbois reached history in the contest, tallying her 1,000th career save. Duluth…

State Volleyball: Grand Rapids & Ely Bounce Back with Consolation Semifinal Wins

Grand Rapids will next face Monticello on Saturday at 8:30 AM for 5th place. Ely matches up with West Central Area School. That game takes place at 10:30 AM

ST. PAUL, Minn.- Both the Grand Rapids and Ely volleyball teams will compete for a consolation championship on Saturday. The Thunderhawks made that possible when they defeated DeLaSalle 3-1 in the AAA consolation semifinals on Friday. Ely also was able to get it done, topping Badger/Greenbush-Middle River in four sets in the A consolation semifinals. Grand Rapids will next face…

Mountain Iron-Buhl’s State Title Defense Ends in Loss to Nevis

Rangers' lowest-scoring game since 2018

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- The Mountain Iron-Buhl Rangers won’t be repeating as 9-player football state champions this year as they fell to Nevis 12-8 in Thursday’s quarterfinal matchup. The Rangers went scoreless in the first half, despite reaching the red zone twice. They also recovered a fumble on defense that led to a 94-yard return by Evan Anderson, but the would-be…

CSS Women’s Hockey Shut Out in Home Opener Against #1 Gustavus

The Saints (0-3) will once again look for their first win on Saturday when they play at Gustavus. Puck drop is at 2 PM.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica women’s hockey would play top ranked Gustavus tough on Thursday, but unfortunately would fall 6-0. The Saints (0-3) will once again look for their first win on Saturday when they play at Gustavus. Puck drop is at 2 PM.   Categories: College, Sports

State Football: Eden Valley-Watkins Too Much for Moose Lake/Willow River in AA Quarterfinals

The Rebels end the season with a 10-2 record.

FOREST LAKE, Minn.- The Moose Lake/Willow River football team made their 3rd straight state tournament appearance on Thursday. Sadly like the other two, they would see their season end as they fell to Eden Valley-Watkins 60 to 0 in the AA quarterfinals. The Rebels end the season with a 10-2 record. Categories: High School, Sports

State Volleyball: Mayer Lutheran Eliminates Ely for 2nd Straight Season

Ely now heads into consolation play and will next have a matchup Friday at 3 PM.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- For the 2nd straight season, the Ely volleyball team was matched up with Mayer Lutheran in the Class A quarterfinals. Sadly for the 2nd straight year, the Crusaders would get the best of the Timberwolves, winning in straight sets. Ely now heads into consolation play and will next have a matchup Friday at 3 PM. Categories: High…

Winter Adventurer and Youth in Action Aim to Inspire Students

Make a Difference Conference Held at the DECC Today

Duluth, Minn. — A backpacker from Duluth spoke to students in Duluth today about how they can impact the environment. Emily Ford is passionate about introducing people to the outdoors in safe and healthy ways. She was the first woman to thru-hike Wisconsin’s 1,200-mile Ice Age Scenic Trail in winter.Youth in Action, a group focused on the positive change young people…

St. Scholastica Men, Women Tip Off Regular Season With Wins

First time since 2007 both CSS teams started season 1-0

DULUTH, Minn.- The college basketball season is underway, and St. Scholastica celebrated with a pair of wins Wednesday at Reif Gym. The CSS men defeated Northland College 84 to 74. The Saints led 39-29 at the half and kept their lead throughout the second half. Kevin Thomas was the Saints’ leading scorer with 13 points. The Hermantown product added nine…

Northern Star: John Bonner

71 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss in 2023 for Grand Rapids alum

DULUTH, Minn.- This Saturday will mark the end of St. Scholastica’s football season. Standing at 2-7 overall, things haven’t gone the Saints’ way this fall, but one of their defensive captains is committed to turning CSS around in 2024. “After each week, we’ve gotta take a look in the mirror and make sure we’re getting better and fixing the mistakes…

Mirage Seniors Graves & Fairchild Officially Sign with Bemidji State

Both players are coming off monster seasons for the Mirage.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- It was signing day for a number of area athletes on Wednesday. That included a senior duo on the Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team. Hannah Graves and Izy Fairchild both signed their letters of intent with Bemidji State Wednesday afternoon. Both players are coming off monster seasons for the Mirage. Graves would tally 35 total points and Fairchild would…

State Volleyball: Detroit Lakes Knocks Grand Rapids Down to Consolation Bracket

Next up for Rapids, they'll play DeLaSalle in consolation play at 9 AM on Friday.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- The Grand Rapids volleyball team made their 3rd straight appearance at state on Wednesday. Unfortunately, the Thunderhawks couldn’t get it done in their AAA quarterfinal matchup against Detroit Lakes, falling in straight sets. Next up for Rapids, they’ll play DeLaSalle in consolation play at 9 AM on Friday. Categories: High School, Sports

Bast Welcomes in Former Team as #18 UMD Clashes with #4 North Dakota

Junior defenseman Luke Bast transferred from North Dakota this past off-season.

DULUTH, Minn.- The 18th ranked UMD men’s hockey team continues their gauntlet of a schedule this weekend when they welcome in 4th ranked North Dakota to AMSOIL Arena. The Bulldogs are coming off a tough home and home series with the Gophers, which resulted in a loss and a tie. UMD is moving forward though as they look to turn…

Port Wing Native Megan Gustafson Joins Spanish National Basketball Team

Gustafson is able to play for the team after gaining nationalization back in June.

PORT WING, Wis.- Port Wing native Megan Gustafson continues to become a world traveler while also playing hoops. Most recently with the London Lions, Gustafson has now joined the Spanish National Team. Gustafson is able to play for the team after gaining nationalization back in June. The center has had some success overseas. Just last season, she was the top…

UWS Women’s Soccer Well Represented for End of the Year UMAC Honors

Overall, UWS had nine players who were recognized on the all-conference teams.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UWS women’s soccer team just picked up their 3rd UMAC conference title over the weekend. As a result of their efforts, a number of the players on the team earned UMAC honors. Some of the notables include Brenna Mattson, who was named UMAC Defensive Player of the Year. As the leader of the Yellowjackets backline, Mattson held…

Former Bulldog Katerina Mrazova Signs with PWHL Ottawa

Mrazova joins Gabbie Hughes and Ashton Bell as former Bulldogs on the PWHL Ottawa roster.

DULUTH, Minn.- The third and final former UMD Bulldog has signed her pro contract with PWHL Ottawa. Forward Katerina Mrazova is officially a member of the team, signing a one-year contract. Mrazova suited up for the Bulldogs from 2013 to 2018. In that time span, she accumulated 75 points for UMD. Most recently, she played in the PHF for the…

Scholastica’s Chastey Named All-Conference for 2nd Straight Year, Voth Earns Honorable Mention

Chastey was the team-leader in shots, points, goals, and assists. Voth led the team with two goals and two assists for a total of six points this season.

DULUTH, Minn.- St. Scholastica junior midfielder Keegan Chastey has been named MIAC all-conference for the 2nd straight season. Chastey was the team-leader in shots, points, goals, and assists. Overall, he’s had 19 goals and 16 assists in his Saints career. Over on the women’s side, Tenley Voth was a MIAC honorable mention. Voth led the team with two goals and…

UMD’s Matthew Thiessen Named NCHC Goaltender of The Week

Just this past weekend, Thiessen had 55 saves against Minnesota, including a career-high 47 save performance in Saturday's overtime tie.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD men’s hockey team continues to rack up plenty of NCHC weekly honors and the latest one goes to a first-time winner this season. Matthew Thiessen has been named the NCHC Goaltender of the Week. Just this past weekend, he had 55 saves against Minnesota, including a career-high 47 save performance in Saturday’s overtime tie. This is…

Two Harbors Center Jake Widdes to Play College Football at Gustavus

Widdes anchored the offensive line the last two seasons for the Agates.

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- A Two Harbors football standout announced his college commitment on Monday. Senior center Jake Widdes will suit up for Gustavus Adolphus beginning next fall. Widdes anchored the offensive line the last two seasons for the Agates. Even more of an impressive stat, Widdes just started playing football three years ago. He’s one of the few members of…

Gascon & Hunt Earn Weekly WCHA Honors for UMD Women’s Hockey

Both Hunt and Gascon can rest up this weekend as the UMD women's hockey team enters their bye week.

DULUTH, Minn.- A pair of UMD women’s hockey standouts picked up weekly WCHA honors on Monday. Reece Hunt has been named the WCHA Forward of the Week and Eve Gascon has been named the WCHA Goaltender of the Week. Hunt is coming off a weekend in which she had two goals and three assists in a weekend sweep of St….

NCAA Tournament Matchups Revealed for UWS Soccer Teams

Men to face St. Olaf, women taking on UW-La Crosse

SUPERIOR, Wis.- It’s become a fall tradition of sorts for both of UWS’s soccer teams to win the UMAC and advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The next step is for one of them to make it through the first round, a feat neither team has accomplished since 2019. On Monday, the men’s soccer team learned they will be…

Duluth, Area Soccer Players Shine in All-Star Games

Show-stopping goals and celebrations highlight matches

DULUTH, Minn.- Some of the best high school soccer players in Duluth and the surrounding area had one more night to shine on Monday as part of the Essentia Health All-Star Soccer Games. Below is a roster of each All-Star team: Boys- Team White (Duluth) Camden Rask, Duluth Denfeld Matt Eklund, Duluth Denfeld William Foldesi, Duluth Denfeld Jonah Engebretson, Duluth…

UMD’s Cox Earns NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week Award

Made all six kicks Saturday vs. Concordia St. Paul

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD football team’s reliable kicker is once again getting recognized for his steady play on the field. Curtis Cox has been named the NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week following Saturday’s win against Concordia St. Paul. Cox knocked down both of his field goal attempts, along with all four point-after tries. This is the second time…

Bulldogs Finish Preseason Slate With Convincing Win Over Bethel

Regular season begins Saturday at Thomas More

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s basketball team is now turning its attention to the regular season after defeating Bethel University 78-32 in Monday’s preseason finale. Madelyn Granica scored 14 points for the Bulldogs while knocking down 70% of her shots. UMD’s regular season begins on Saturday, November 11th when they take on Thomas More on the road. They’ll have to…

UMD Men’s Hockey Honor Johnson With Pre-Game Tribute

Funeral Set for Monday

DULUTH, Minn.- One week after the tragic on-ice accident resulting in the death of Adam Johnson, the UMD Men’s hockey team honored their former player before their first game since his passing. At AMSOIL Arena, the team held a seven-second moment of silence, as well as a final stick salute and a tribute video highlighting Johnson’s time with the Bulldogs….

‘It Feels Amazing Every Time’ UWS Women’s Soccer Wins Third-Straight UMAC Title

Advancing to NCAA Division III Tournament

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UW-Superior women’s soccer team have captured their third consecutive UMAC Championship, defeating Northwestern (Minn.) 3-0 at NBC Spartan Sports Complex on Saturday. Despite outshooting the Wolves 8-1 in the first half, the Yellow Jackets were scoreless at halftime. “I told them at the end of the day, we were working hard, but we needed to calm down…

UMD Women Outshoot Tommies, Improve to 7-2

UMD men fall to Gophers at Mariucci

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD women’s hockey team has captured their fifth-straight win, defeating St. Thomas 3-1 on Friday. The Bulldogs got off to a 2-0 start in the first period while outshooting the Tommies 21-10. UMD and St. Thomas will square off again Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the UMD men fell on the road to the Minnesota Gophers 3-1. They’ll have…

Top Plays: 11/3

McMahon scores on breakaway, Sleen slips away for 66

DULUTH, Minn.- This week’s top plays feature a pair of impressive scores from a college captain and a high school footballer. At number two, UMD’s Mannon McMahon scored a goal unassisted on a breakaway in the first period against St. Thomas. The Bulldogs women’s hockey team would go on to win 3-1. At number one, Hermantown’s Martin Sleen dodged tacklers…

Coaches Corner: Rich McKenna

McKenna is entering his 8th season at the helm for the Yellowjackets.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- In this week’s Coaches Corner, we caught up with UW-Superior head men’s hockey coach, Rich McKenna. McKenna is entering his 8th season at the helm for the Yellowjackets. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

Prep Football: Hermantown, Deer River, & Northwestern See Season’s End

One team that did punch their ticket to state on Friday was Mountain Iron-Buhl. The Rangers are heading to state for the 6th straight year.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Hermantown football team wasn’t able to return the favor to North Branch on Friday, falling to the Vikings 28 to 21 in the Section 7AAAA title game. This is the 2nd straight season the Vikings have advanced to the state tournament. Weirdly enough, both of the contests that Hermantown and North Branch met up this season, ended…

UWS Men’s Hockey Mixing Old Faces with Plenty of New to Start 2023 Season

UWS welcomed in 13 new players to their roster this off-season.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The UWS men’s hockey team is coming off a year in which they made a deep WIAC tournament run. The Yellowjackets however have wiped the slate clean and are focused on having a big year this season. The first two games of the season should be somewhat of a telling point for UWS. Just this past Saturday, they…

Healey & Giguere Ink PWHL Deals Before Training Camp Begins

Training camp for PWHL clubs begin on November 15th.

DULUTH, Minn.- Training camp for PWHL clubs are quickly approaching and two more former UMD hockey standouts signed their first PWHL deals. Patty Kazmaier award winner Elizabeth Giguere is officially heading to the Big Apple on a one-year deal. Giguere skated for UMD for one season and would tally 62 points. Over in Beantown, Jess Healey is officially a member…

Minnesota Firearm Deer Hunting Season Opener This Saturday

MINNESOTA — This Saturday is the Minnesota Firearms Deer Hunting Season Opener. Here in Northeast Minnesota, hunters can expect deer populations to be down after a harsh winter last year, making deer harder to find. For those of you planning to head out this weekend, the DNR suggests you have a thorough plan in place, not only where you will…

Adam Johnson’s Aunt Speaks Out; Public Funeral To Be Held At Hibbing Hockey Arena

HIBBING, Minn. (FOX21/FOX 9) – After his tragic death on the ice, funeral plans have now been set for hockey star Adam Johnson in Hibbing. Johnson, who was a hometown hockey hero before playing for Duluth and later in the NHL, was killed last weekend after his neck was slashed by another player’s skate. Johnson was playing in the United…

Prep Football: Esko Rolls Past Pequot Lakes for 3rd Consecutive Section 7AAA Title

Esko will hear who their opponent will be at state this upcoming weekend.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Esko football team added another Section 7AAA trophy to their collection on Thursday, defeating Pequot Lakes 34-14 in the title game. Esko now heads to the state tournament for the 3rd straight year. This will be the 15th time in program history Esko has made it to state. Esko will hear who their opponent will be at…

Prep Volleyball: Grand Rapids Repeats as Section 7AAA Champions for 3rd Straight Year

The Thunderhawks made that possible when they defeated Cloquet 3-0 in the Section 7AAA title game on Thursday.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- The Grand Rapids volleyball team will make their way to St. Paul next week for the state tournament. The Thunderhawks made that possible when they defeated Cloquet 3-0 in the Section 7AAA title game on Thursday. The scores were 25-16, 25-22, and 27-25. Grand Rapids will wait to hear who their next opponent will be at State. Cloquet…

Former UMD Defender Ashton Bell Officially Signs Pro Deal with PWHL Ottawa

Bell's the 2nd Bulldog to sign with Ottawa this week, joining Gabbie Hughes.

DULUTH, Minn.- Another day and another former Bulldog signing with her PWHL squad. Defender Ashton Bell has signed a three-year contract with PWHL Ottawa. Bell was taken by the team with the 38th overall pick in the PWHL draft in September. Just this past season, she tallied 33 points in 39 games of action. Bell’s the 2nd Bulldog to sign…

Northern Star: Kyra Johnson

Esko senior to play for Gustavus Adolphus

ESKO, Minn.- Esko’s class of 2024 has produced several students who will go on to play college athletics. That includes Kyra Johnson, who will play volleyball for Gustavus Adolphus next fall. Johnson hasn’t been shy of sharing her admiration for both volleyball and her Esko teammates. “This season has been so much fun with all of them,” she says while…

Prep Volleyball: Esko Advances to Section 7AA Title Game, I-Falls Eliminated in Semifinals

Esko will next play Rush City in the section title game on Saturday.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- The Esko volleyball team picked up the upset victory on Wednesday, topping Mesabi East 3-1 in the Section 7AA semifinals. Esko will next play Rush City in the title game, who swept International Falls in the other semifinal game on Wednesday. The Section 7AA title game will take place Saturday at 6 PM at Hermantown High School. Categories:…

With Adam Johnson On Mind, UMD Men’s Hockey to Renew Rivalry with Minnesota

The Bulldogs plan to honor Johnson Saturday before their contest against Minnesota with a moment of silence, video tribute, and stick salute.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s been a tough week for the UMD men’s hockey team as they continue to mourn the loss of former forward Adam Johnson. The Bulldogs plan to honor Johnson Saturday before their contest against Minnesota with a moment of silence, video tribute, and stick salute. They will also wear helmet decals with Johnson’s initials on it. Many of…

UMD Women’s Hockey Aims to Extend Unbeaten Streak Against St. Thomas

UMD will look to make it five straight games without a loss as well as extend their overall record to 8-0-1 against the Tommies.

DULUTH, Minn.- Like the men’s team, the UMD women’s hockey team will also be honoring Johnson as they begin a two game series with St. Thomas on Friday. The Bulldogs have caught a bit of a hot streak as they are currently riding a four game unbeaten streak. UMD will look to make it five as well as extend their…

St. Scholastica Names Kallee Wilkins as New Head Softball Coach

Wilkins replaces Rilee Dawson, who stepped down after eight seasons.

DULUTH, Minn.- St. Scholastica has a new head coach as Kallee Wilkins becomes the 7th head coach in program history. Wilkins comes from Sul Ross University, where she was the assistant softball and volleyball coach the last two years. Prior to that, she was an assistant at Northeast Texas Community College. Wilkins replaces Rilee Dawson, who stepped down after eight…

Adam Johnson’s Death: Neck Guard Sales Rise; NHL Tribute Video; Panthers Set Up GoFundMe

WARROAD, Minn. — Neck guards for hockey players are selling out in some Minnesota stores after the death of professional hockey player and Hibbing native Adam Johnson over the weekend. Video of the game in Sheffield, England showed Johnson suffering a serious neck injury from a skate after colliding with another player. After Johnson’s death, British hockey officials announced neck…