| Beyond the Bleachers

Prep Softball: Lady Pirates double up Hillcrest Lutheran to end losing streak, 17-7

Posted by Mike Isola

on 05/12/2012 - 5:05am

Verndale, Minn.—Sarah Moenkedick ripped three hits and Jackie Swenson drove in four runs as Verndale snapped an eight-game losing streak with Thursday’s five-inning 17-7 victory over Hillcrest Lutheran.

Brittany Christenson highlighted the Comets’ two-run first with an RBI double, but the Lady Pirates erupted for 10 runs in the bottom of the second to establish control of the game.

Comments: 0

2012 ExCEL winners announced

Posted by Mike Isola

on 03/11/2012 - 4:14pm

Minnesota State High School League honors students for leadership, community service

Macy Hartman of Wadena-Deer Creek was one of three area students receiving ExCEL recognization by the Minnesota State High School League.

Comments: 0

2012 State Boys Hockey: Class A All-Tournament team announced

Posted by Mike Isola

on 03/10/2012 - 3:53pm

St. Paul, Minn.--Following is the 2012 All-Tournament team, presented by Wells Fargo and the Minnesota State High School League. The team was selected by a panel of coaches and media attending the tournament.

Comments: 0

Prep Boys Hockey: State Tournament Preview: Hermantown, Duluth East voted top seeds

Posted by Mike Isola

on 03/05/2012 - 3:53pm

In the sixth year of seeding the qualified teams, Hermantown was chosen No. 1 in Class A and Duluth East was chosen No. 1 in Class AA for the 2012 State Boys’ Hockey Tournament.

The Hawks of Hermantown qualified for the ninth time and are seeking their second state title. The Greyhounds of Duluth East are making their 19th trip to the tournament and are seeking their fourth state title.

Comments: 0

Prep Girls Basketball: State Tournament Preview: All four 2011 champions return to defend titles

Posted by Mike Isola

on 03/01/2012 - 11:22am

Richfield, Hopkins earn top seeds; Eight teams making first appearances

All four teams return to defend their 2011 titles: Maranatha Christian Academy of Brooklyn Park in Class A, Braham in Class AA, DeLaSalle of Minneapolis in Class AAA, and Hopkins in Class AAAA.

Comments: 0

Prep Wrestling: State Tournament Preview:Three teams, 20 individuals return to defend titles; New weight classes to debut (Corrected)

Posted by Mike Isola

on 02/27/2012 - 2:18pm

All three of the 2011 team champions return to defend their respective titles: the Jackson County Central Huskies in Class A; the Simley Spartans in Class AA; and the Apple Valley Eagles in Class AAA. Jackson County Central, which tied Frazee for top honors in 2011, is looking for its third consecutive title. Simley of Inver Grove Heights is looking for its fifth consecutive title and Apple Valley is seeking its seventh consecutive title.

Comments: 0

Prep Gymnastics: State Tournament Preview: Perham, Northfield to defend team titles; Two Class AA individual champions return

Posted by Mike Isola

on 02/20/2012 - 3:36pm

Perham, which is the eight-time defending Class A champion, returns in search of more gold when the 2012 State Girls’ Gymnastics Meet opens at the Sports Pavilion on the University of Minnesota campus on Friday, Feb. 24. Three other qualifying teams also return from last year’s Class A field. In Class AA, five teams, including the two-time defending champions from Northfield, return from the 2011 field.

Comments: 0

Prep Girls Hockey: State Tournament Preview: Warroad, Minnetonka back to defend titles; Detroit Lakes makes first appearance

Posted by Mike Isola

on 02/20/2012 - 11:36am

Six of the eight Class A teams that played last year have qualified again, while in Class AA there are only two teams qualified that played last year. Only one team, Detroit Lakes in Class A, is making a first tournament appearance.

Warroad earned the No. 2 Class A seed for its quest to defend its 2011 title. The No. 1 seed is last year’s third-place finisher, Breck School of Golden Valley.

Comments: 0

MSHSL issues ban after 'The Piggyback Bandit' spotted in Minnesota

Posted by Mike Isola

on 02/10/2012 - 3:23pm

Sherwin Shayegan, aka The Piggyback Bandit

Brooklyn Center, Minn.—The Piggyback Bandit, a 250-pound Seattle man known for jumping on the backs of student-athletes at sporting events was removed from a boys basketball game Thursday night at St

Comments: 0

Top Ten Candidates for 28th Annual Minnesota Minute Men Mr. Hockey Award Announced

Posted by Mike Isola

on 02/09/2012 - 6:09pm