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Articles by Mark Hvidsten
Section tournament preview: Girls volleyball by the numbers
October 26, 2026 at 3:35 PM Girls volleyball section tournaments begin Monday, with teams playing toward the state tournament Nov. 11-14 at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. Search through our section brackets to find matchups and match times: Reaching new heights Last season, Cleveland reached the Class 1A state tournament for the first time and finished the season with a school-record 27 victories. This year, the Clippers, under coach Dave Nixon, enter the Class 1A Section 2 tournament 27-2.
Section tournament preview: Minnesota girls soccer by the numbers
October 12, 2026 at 1:54 PM The girls soccer postseason begins in earnest this week with section tournaments, playing toward the state finals on Nov. 7 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Stillwater (Class 3A), Mahtomedi (Class 2A) and Providence Academy (Class 1A) are the reigning champions. Stillwater (12-2-2) appears ready for a return to the state tournament.
Section tournament preview: Minnesota boys soccer by the numbers
Section tournament preview: Minnesota boys soccer by the numbers From a 100-goal scorer to the state’s leading scorers and stingiest defenses, here are the numbers shaping the road to the boys soccer state tournament. Tri-City United junior Angel Ruiz Gomez (10) makes a run on the Waseca goal in the first half of a game on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, at Waseca High School. Ruiz Gomez recently became the sixth Minnesota high school player ever to surpass 100 career goals.
Minnesota high school boys cross-country results
October 2, 2026 at 5:33 PM Oct. 1 ZMKW Invitational at Zumbrota Golf Course Teams: Winona 45, Zumbrota-Mazeppa/Kenyon-Wanamingo 68, Pacelli 71, Rochester Century 85, Pine Island 127, Byron 137, Faribault 144.
Minnesota high school girls tennis results
October 2, 2026 at 5:33 PM Oct. 3 Spring Lake Park 7, St. Anthony Village 0 Singles: Saona Sieg, Spring Lake Park, def. Layla Barquero- Raivo 6-0, 6-0; Anna Smolich, Spring Lake Park, def. Annika Anderson 7-6 (4), 6-4; Eden Teshome, Spring Lake Park, def. Eli Jordahl-Redlin 6-1, 6-0; Mallory Major, Spring Lake Park, def. Anna Temple 6-1, 6-1. Doubles: Abigail Nusbaum-Lauren Leet, Spring Lake Park, def. Stella Van Winkle-Therese Pardillo 3-6, 6-4, 11-9; Annabel Harcus-Anna Pho, Spring Lake Park, def.
Minnesota high school girls cross-country results
September 19, 2026 at 4:27 PM Oct. 1 ZMKW Invitational at Zumbrota Golf Course Teams: Byron 40, Rochester Century 62, Winona 75, Goodhue 103, Pine Island 105, Waseca 145, Faribault 194, Zumbrota-Mazeppa/Kenyon-Wanamingo 204. Individual results (5,000 meters) * notes personal best 1, Dayna Baune, Byron, 18:51.6. 2, Hadley Doman, Hayfield, 19:28.3. 3, Isabelle Katwa, Winona, 19:34.2. 4, Alex Raabe, Rochester Century, 19:35.5*.
Minnesota high school girls swimming and diving results for Aug. 29-Sept. 24
September 19, 2026 at 4:27 PM Sept. 24 Wayzata 122, Maple Grove 64 200-yard medley relay: 1, Wayzata (Shay Murphy, Mia Jones, Teagan Murphy, Brooke Huldeen), 1:55.11. 2, Maple Grove (Ali Bakker, Makenna Goldsmith, Mara Kretz, Annaliese Mayer), 1:56.85. 3, Wayzata (Madyson Carr, Madeline Ivory, Izzie Kaplan, Ellie Park), 1:57.58. 200 freestyle: 1, Molly Menning, Maple Grove, 2:01.32. 2, Stella Christensen, Wayzata, 2:03.50. 3, Samantha Nelson, Wayzata, 2:05.29.
Minnesota high school girls volleyball all-star event results
Minnesota high school girls volleyball all-star event results Lakeville South senior Kaelyn Bjorklund named MVP at the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association’s annual event. The 43 juniors, seniors and 2026 graduates who competed in the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association all-star showcase on July 29, 2026, at Mounds View High School.
Minnesota high school girls lacrosse award winners revealed
Where you find one, you will find the other. On the field, on the stat sheet or atop the 2026 Minnesota high school girls lacrosse all-state first team. The high-scoring Orono duo of senior attacker Dylan Collins and junior midfielder Layla Nick are first-team selections for the second year in a row. And this year the pair split the top individual honors, with the Ms. Lacrosse Award going to Collins and the coaches association picking Nick as its 2026 player of the year.
Minnesota high school boys lacrosse season honors announced
In another year, Farmington junior Will Harris might be a Minnesota high school boys lacrosse first-team all-state faceoff specialist. After all, Harris won 80 percent of his 338 draws and helped the Tigers to a 16-0 overall record, a Section 1 championship and the top seed in this week’s state tournament. The honor went to Bloomington Jefferson senior Mason Van Brunt, who stood out among a deep and talented group of faceoff specialists (FOGO).
Girls flag football by the numbers: Digits that detail the state tournament field
From 104 teams, more than twice as many as participated in the inaugural 2025 season of high school girls flag football, 13 teams have emerged to play for the second Minnesota state championship on Monday at TCO Stadium in Eagan. LaCrescent-Hokah, the 2025 runner-up, takes the No. 3 seed into Monday’s four-round state tournament and will play the winner of No. 6 seed Centennial vs. No. 11 seed Waterville-Elysian-Morristown in a 4 p.m. quarterfinal.
Boys lacrosse by the numbers: Digits that detail section tournament matchups and players
The playoffs to make the eight-team field in the Minnesota boys lacrosse state tournament begin this week. The state tournament begins June 9, with the championship game June 13 at White Bear Lake. Click here to view each bracket for all eight boys lacrosse section tournaments. Here are some interesting facts and figures about the teams and players in the section tournaments: 3 As in three unbeaten teams.
Girls lacrosse by the numbers: Digits that detail section tournament matchups and players
The playoffs to make the eight-team field in the Minnesota girls lacrosse state tournament begin this week. The state tournament begins June 9, with the championship game June 13 at White Bear Lake. Click here to view the brackets for all eight girls lacrosse section tournaments. Here are some interesting facts and figures about the teams and players in the section tournaments: Players who can lead their team to state Rochester Century’s Bella Ashton has 88 goals and 100 points.
Legacy Hockey wins two national sports journalism awards
The Legacy Hockey staff recently won two national sports journalism awards as judged by the Associated Press Sports Editors. Legacy.Hockey was honored with a top-10 selection in the Digital Section category in the Class D grouping. Websites are evaluated by both publishing examples and live judging.
Hockey Night: Gentry Academy blanks White Bear Lake
MAPLEWOOD - Defenseman Nate Wilke scored twice in the first period, more than enough scoring for No. 5 seed Gentry Academy as Gavin Grose stopped all 21 shots he faced in a 3-0 victory over No. 3 seed White Bear Lake on Friday in the Section 4AA championship game at Aldrich Arena. The game was the last of the state's 16 section title games (eight each in Class 1A and 2A) to be played and the only game on the schedule Friday night.
St. Cloud Cathedral opens title defense with win
ST. PAUL - Senior forward Joey Gillespie scored twice, including a shorthanded goal in the third period, to lead No. 2 seed St. Cloud Cathedral to a 3-0 victory over No. 7 seed Mahtomedi on Wednesday in a state Class 1A quarterfinal at the Xcel Energy Center. Gillespie’s third-period goal put the defending state champion Zephyrs (19-8-2) ahead 3-0 and came off a feed from linemate John Hirschfeld, who alertly grabbed the rebound of his initial shot and fed a wide-open Gillespie in front.
St. Thomas Academy clips Cretin-Derham Hall in double OT
EDINA - Will Dosan scored with 3:15 remaining in the second overtime to lift No. 1 seed St. Thomas Academy to a 4-3 victory over No. 2 seed Cretin-Derham Hall in the Section 3AA championship game Friday night at Braemar Arena. The goal, which came off a scramble in front of the crease, was Dosan's second of the game, 24th of the season and most certainly the most important of his career.
Hockey Night: Stillwater topples Hill-Murray in double OT
MAPLEWOOD - It took a while, but Matthew Volkman completed his hat trick in a most dramatic fashion, scoring 59 seconds into double overtime to lift No. 2 seed Stillwater to a 4-3 victory over No. 1 seed Hill-Murray on Friday in the Section 4AA championship game at Aldrich Arena. Volkman, on a rush with Trey Fredenberg into the Hill-Murray defensive zone, elected to shoot and whistled a high shot over the shoulder of Pioneers goaltender Grayson Hanggi to end it.
Lakeville South keeps hot streak alive, wins Section 1AA title
Hope was perhaps Lakeville North’s biggest weapon on Thursday night in the Section 1AA boys hockey championship game at the Rochester Rec Center. Lakeville South senior forward Brayden Olsen did his best to eliminate that weapon early on, scoring a goal in each of the first two periods as the No. 1-seeded Cougars snuffed out that Panthers’ hope and took home their sixth section championship in seven years with a 5-1 victory.
Hockey Night: Late goals lift Warroad past EGF
EAST GRAND FORKS - Ryan Shaugabay scored twice and Finn Hanson stopped 27 of 28 shots as Warroad topped East Grand Forks 3-1 on Thursday at the East Grand Forks Civic Center in a matchup of the likely top seeds in Section 8A. Shaugabay, a junior forward, scored a power-play goal 10:26 into the second period to put No. 4-1A Warroad (11-4-1) ahead 1-0. Jace Panzer answered for No. 8-1A East Grand Forks (8-7-1) 27 seconds later.
Hockey Night: Grand Rapids works OT to beat Cloquet
GRAND RAPIDS - Seth Carlson scored 3:22 into overtime to lift Grand Rapids past Cloquet/Esko/Carlton 4-3 on Tuesday at Yanmar Arena. No. 13-2A Grand Rapids (12-3-0) trailed 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 but pulled out the victory thanks to Dylan Clafton's goal that tied the score at 3-3 early in the third period and Carlson's winner. Carlson was left unattended in the slot and one-timed a pass for the clinching goal.
Hockey Night: Monticello suffers first loss of the season
ST. CLOUD - Senior forward John Hirschfield scored twice in the first period and St. Cloud Cathedral held on to beat Monticello 2-1 at the Municipal Athletic Complex on Saturday, handing the Moose their first loss of the season. Hirschfeld, a senior forward and key cog on Cathedral's state Class 1A championship team last season, scored both his goals in the second half of the opening period as the No. 6-1A Crusaders (8-6-2) built a 2-0 lead.
Rosemount relies heavily on its Magic Man
Rosemount senior defenseman Josh Toll left Saturday afternoon’s 5-3 victory at Farmington with a couple of zeros on the scoresheet. As in zero goals, zero assists. But Rosemount coach Rick Saintey wasn’t taking that as gospel. “I’d be surprised if he didn’t have any (goals or assists),” Saintey said. “He certainly was on the ice for a few of (the goals).” Don’t fault the Irish coach for being a doubting Thomas.
Hockey Night: Simpson's goals power Shakopee past Eastview
SHAKOPEE - Cooper Simpson scored both Shakopee goals and teammate Aleksi Huson made 35 saves as the Sabers downed South Suburban Conference rival Eastview 2-1 on Tuesday at Shakopee Ice Arena. Simpson, a junior, opened the scoring in the second period and put No. 8-2A Shakopee (10-2-1) ahead 2-0 late in the third. Simpson leads Shakopee with 17 goals and is tops among the Sabers in points with 30. Billy Downs scored the lone goal for No. 20-2A Eastview (6-6-0). Click for boxscore ST.
Hockey Night: Duluth East, Blaine play to OT draw
BLAINE - Duluth East scored three unanswered goals in the final period, including two from Thomas Gunderson and a dramatic penalty shot goal from Noah Teng, as it rallied to a 4-4 overtime tie with Blaine on Saturday night at Fogerty Arena, one of four games in a statewide schedule of 15 that ended in a draw after the extra season. Teng converted his penalty shot attempt with just eight seconds remaining in regulation to force the overtime period.
Hockey Night: Denfeld tops Cloquet in OT to win its Heritage Tournament
DULUTH - Sophomore forward Cory Backstrom scored with 3 minutes left in overtime Friday, his second goal of the game, as Duluth Denfeld beat Cloquet/Esko/Carlton 4-3 to win the championship of the Heritage Holiday Classic at the Heritage Sports Center. The teams traded goals in the first two periods, then Denfeld (8-3-1) took its first lead, at 3-2, midway through the third period on Backstrom's first goal.
Johnny Conlin scores four goals as Mounds View skates past rival Irondale
With a massive bandage on his chin and blood soaked into the front of his white jersey, senior captain Johnny Conlin was in no hurry to remove the Mounds View sweater late Thursday night at TCO Sports Garden in Vadnais Heights. Scoring four goals and leading your team to a heated and thorough victory against an arch rival in a packed and charged house can do that.
Hockey Night: Ely records historic victory
ELY - Deegan Richards scored twice, including the goal that proved to be the game winner, as Ely beat International Falls 3-2 on Tuesday at Ely Ice Arena for what is believed to be the Wolves' first win over the Broncos in a series that dates to the 1950s. Richards, a senior forward who has six goals this season, opened the scoring with 1:33 left in the first period. His winning goal came 39 seconds into the third period and put Ely (6-2-0) ahead 3-1.
Hockey Night: Huson, we have a stalemate
SHAKOPEE - Shakopee goaltender Aleksi Huson stopped a stunning 60 shots as Rogers and the Sabers skated to a 1-1 tie at the Shakopee Ice Center. Shakopee (5-1-1) opened the scoring on a first-period goal by Cooper Siegert. No. 6-2A Rogers answered with a goal by Brandon Swanson midway through the second. Huson, a senior, made 24 stops in the third period and another seven in the overtime session. Aiden Dietrich made 17 saves for the Royals (5-0-1).
Minnetonka ekes out dramatic win over Chanhassen
Just a few weeks into a new hockey season, neither defending Class 2A state champion and top-ranked Minnetonka nor No. 2-2A Chanhassen is a refined product. But a packed Pagel Activity Center and an emotional rematch of the 2023 Class 2A Section 2 championship game that went into a second overtime evoked a late-season playoff atmosphere on Thursday night. It took until the closing seconds of overtime to decide this game.
Class 1A, Section 2 boys championship: Chanhassen hosts Shakopee
Class 1A, Section 2 boys championship: Chanhassen hosts Shakopee By Ryan Williamson, SportsEngine, 06/07/23, 4:00PM CDT Share Vote now for who you think will clinch a berth in the state tournament.
MN Basketball Hub fans: Vote now for the top performer from Feb. 20-25
Top performer candidates Nate Dahl, Buffalo. Feb. 24 is a day Dahl will not soon forget. Going up against a tough Hopkins team, Dahl made his senior night a night to remember. Not only did he pass the 1,000-point mark for his varsity career, he poured in 33 points to help the Bison to a victory against the Royals. Brooks Johnson, Duluth Marshall. Johnson showed this past week he can rack up numbers in both the scoring and rebounding departments. On Feb.
Hopkins travels to Buffalo (7 pm)
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MN Basketball Hub fans: Vote now for the top performer from Feb. 13-18
Daniel Freitag, Bloomington Jefferson. The senior guard continues to be one of the state's best scorers as he most recently showed on Feb. 17 when he poured in 48 points against Metro West Conference rival Chaska. Quayvant Douglas, Brooklyn Center. Douglas came ready to play multiple times this week for his squad. It started on Feb. 13 when he scored 35 points against DeLaSalle. A few days later, Douglas took things to another level with a 43-point performance against Minneapolis Henry.
Benilde-St. Margaret's goes toe-to-toe with Chanhassen (7 pm)
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MN Basketball Hub fans: Vote now for the top performer from Feb. 6-11
Top performer candidates Peyton Podany, Anoka. Podany entered elite company on Feb. 8 against Coon Rapids. The Tornado standout tallied a triple-double as he scored 21 points to go along with 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Yaseen Muhammad, Higher Ground Academy. Going up against the High School for Recording Arts on Feb. 10, Muhammad was active on both ends of the floor. He tallied 32 points offensively while being a force on defense with 14 steals as Muhammad tallied a rare points-steals double-double.
Orono leverages experience, resilience in win against Hermantown Original
“It was a great moment to be a part of,” Hagen said. “Coming to Orono, I never thought I would’ve scored 1,000 points. It’s great to be a part of this with my teammates and coaches.” Looking to get back in the game, Hermantown came out in the second half with a different look as the Hawks established a 1-2-2 full-court press. In the opening minutes of the half, Hermantown went on an 8-0 run to erase the halftime deficit and reclaim the lead.
St. Thomas Academy surges past Mahtomedi
Photo gallery: Mahtomedi vs. St. Thomas Academy Kirchner made six three-point baskets. He scored 19 of his career high-tying 28 points in the second half as the Cadets looked more like the high-scoring Mahtomedi machine than the Zephyrs themselves. And he left the St. Thomas Academy gymnasium solid in his conviction. The Cadets’ victory on Tuesday marked another milestone in a long climb back from a disappointing 1-4 start to the season.
MN Basketball Hub fans: Vote now for the top performer from Jan. 30-Feb. 4
Top performer candidates Grayson Okoronkwo, Blake. The Bears got a big game out of Okoronkwo on Jan. 31. He tallied a double-double with 29 points and 14 rebounds in a win against Brooklyn Center. John Pecarich, Brainerd. Pecarich showed his ability to score and his ability to assist on Feb. 3 against St. Cloud Apollo. Pecarich scored 28 points. However, he also dished out 12 assists in a win over the Eagles. Quayvant Douglas, Brooklyn Center. Douglas had quite the week hitting the 30-point mark.
MN Basketball Hub fans: Vote now for the top performer from Jan. 23-28
Top performer candidates Regan Reeder, Anoka. Reeder was attacking the basket with scoring and rebounding on Jan. 24 against Centennial. The Cougar star finished the day with 29 points and 19 rebounds. Nasir Whitlock, DeLaSalle. Going for 40 points against Fridley on Jan. 24 seemed like enough to qualify for this week's top performer. However, Whitlock hit a new high on Jan. 28, pouring in 52 points in a win against Hopkins. Isaac Matti, Hayfield. Matti was a scoring machine on Jan.
St. Thomas Academy tops South St. Paul
St. Thomas Academy tops South St. Paul The Cadets controlled the low-scoring affair against the Packers. Blaze Fugina, SportsEngine01/26/23, 7:15AM CST Share Cadets senior Jack Chamberlain puts up a 3-pointer Thursday against visiting South Saint Paul. Chamberlain's game-high 17 points carried the Cadets to victory, 56-48. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine Gavin Pendergast (4) defends South St. Paul's Jordan Wold (11) during play Jan 26 at St. Thomas Academy.
MN Basketball Hub fans: Vote now for the top performer from Jan. 16-21
Zach Blawat, Badger-Greenbush-Middle River. Blawat made a difference for his team in a number of ways on Jan. 16 against Lake of the Woods. Besides tallying 24 points, he also grabbed 13 rebounds and was active on the defensive end with four steals. Kole Hanson, Holy Family. Going up against a tough foe like Minnehaha Academy, Hanson brought his A game. The Fire's leading scorer showed out with a 44-point performance against the Red Hawks. Lewis Wolbert, Milaca.
Hopkins set to face Lake Conference opponent Minnetonka
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Meet the Star Tribune 2022 All-Metro volleyball teams
The Star Tribune’s 2022 All-Metro volleyball team, from left, are Carly Gilk, Avery Bolles, Stella Swenson, Kaia Caffee, Olivia Swenson, Sydney Jaynes and Kate Thibault. Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune FIRST TEAM AVERY BOLLES, ANDOVER Senior, 5-11, outside hitter/defensive specialist College: Colorado A versatile six-rotation stalwart who brings value from the front or the back row.
MN Boys' Soccer Hub fans: Vote now for the top performer from Sept. 26-Oct. 1
Denzel Majwega, Duluth Marshall. Majwega's week would've been exemplary just based on a four-goal, four-assist performance against North Lakes Academy on Sept. 30. However, the Hilltopper scorer took things to another level a day later against Robbinsdale Cooper. He tallied another four goals and an assist in a miraculous 7-6 win over the Hawks. Jackson Baker, Holy Family. The Fire keeper fanned the flames of the Mound Westonka attack on Sept. 27.
Chaska gets key victory over Chanhassen
Photo Gallery: Chaska vs. Chanhasssen Chanhassen found some success early on against the Hawks, ranked No. 7 in the Sept. 11 Class 4A coaches’ poll. The two teams traded points early. Soon after, the Chaska offense found its groove thanks in big part to senior setter Katrina Thompson. She got the ball moving quickly with 28 assists and got it out to a myriad of hitters who were able to get kills. “We were passing really well,” Thompson said. “I was able to run a really nice offense tonight.
State tournament preview: White Bear Lake, back after 20 years, garners respect
White Bear Lake had not qualified for the softball state tournament since 2002 until winning the Class 4A, Section 4 title with a 6-5 victory over Stillwater last Thursday. The Bears (21-3) lack the pedigree of others in the state tournament, but they are getting noticed. Led by All-Metro pitcher Chloe Barber, their success this season earned them the No. 1 seed in the Class 4A bracket, and they will play unseeded Lakeville South (14-10) in the quarterfinals.
The softball field becomes a postseason proving ground for St. Anthony
It would have been easy for the St. Anthony softball team to lean into the simple motivation, taking a “we’ve been wronged” stance. After all, two years ago the Huskies had a team poised to make a postseason splash, but the season was cancelled because of COVID-19. Last year they qualified for the Class 3A state tournament at Caswell Park in North Mankato, but changes to the format, again COVID-related, left them dissatisfied.
State tournament storylines: Returning champions are looking for more
Wayzata’s Spencer Hall (23) and Drew Berkland (15) pressure Minneapolis South’s Jerome Williams Jr. in the Class 4A, Section 6 championship game on March 15. (Jerry Holt, Star Tribune) CLASS 4A Title defense Defending state champion Wayzata is back despite losing a lot of talent from last year’s squad. The No. 3-ranked Trojans (25-4) by Minnesota Basketball News are riding a 14-game winning streak. One of their four setbacks came at the hands of No. 1-ranked Park Center, 66-62 back in December.
The final score: 143-4. Larry McKenzie tells what led to his North Polars’ blowout win
Minneapolis North coach Larry McKenzie said he took steps to limit ugliness in a 143-4 blowout Thursday. Photo by ANTHONY SOUFFLE, Star Tribune Minneapolis North coach Larry McKenzie didn’t want to play Thursday’s game. For this reason: Minneapolis North 143, Ubah Medical Academy 4. A first-round game of the Class 2A, Section 4 playoffs pitted the No. 1-seeded Polars and their legacy of basketball excellence against a charter school from Hopkins that had played only five games in 2022.
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