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Articles by Tor Thorne
5th Down: #1 Kingsford completes perfect regular season & more (10/23/26)
Full highlights and scores from a busy final week of the regular season in high school football. Highlights: #4 Marquette at #1 Kingsford (Game of the Week) #2 Menominee at #5 Bark River-Harris Houghton at Hancock #3 Forest Park at #5 North Central Munising at Ishpeming
Play of the Week: Huskies run hook & ladder to perfection
HOUGHTON, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Our latest My UP Sports and Peninsula Federal Credit Union Play of the Week takes us to Houghton, where the Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech football teams met at Kearly Stadium for the rights to the Miner's Cup. In what turned into a high scoring 56-33 affair, the Huskies came out on top for the 16th straight time, a streak over NMU that dates back to 2009. Among the Huskies scores, it was a touchdown just before halftime that had everyone talking.
5th Down: #2 Flivvers hand #1 Maroons first loss since 2024 & more (10/16/26)
Highlights and scores from Week 8 of high school football in the UP, headlined by our Game of the Week between #1 Menominee and #2 Kingsford. HIGHLIGHTS: #2 Kingsford Flivvers at #1 Menominee Maroons Houghton Gremlins at #3 Negaunee Miners #5 North Central Jets at North Dickinson Nordics
UPSSA High School Football Poll (10/13/26)
The Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association released their latest high school football poll for the 2026 season Tuesday morning. FOOTBALL POLL ELEVEN PLAYER 1. Menominee (6) 7-0 2. Kingsford 7-0 3. Negaunee 4-3 4. Bark River-Harris 6-1 5. Marquette 5-2 Also receiving votes: Calumet (4-3), Iron Mountain (5-2) EIGHT PLAYER 1. Lake Linden-Hubbell (6) 7-0 2. Pickford 6-1 3. Forest Park 5-2 4. St. Ignace 6-1 5. North Central 5-2 Also receiving votes: Ishpeming (5-2)
UPSSA High School Volleyball Poll (10/12/26)
The Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association released their latest high school volleyball poll of the season Monday evening. U.P. Volleyball Poll Division 1-3 1. Calumet (5) 15-9-1 2. Kingsford 15-3-0 3. Negaunee 16-8-0 4. Houghton 10-6-0 5. Gwinn 13-11-3 Others receiving votes: Jeffers (8-4-0) Division 4 1. Hancock (5) 23-2-1 2. Forest Park 27-3-1 3. Baraga 19-1-0 T-4. Lake Linden-Hubbell 12-3-0 T-4. Newberry 16-7-4 Others receiving votes: Cedarville-DeTour (19-4-5)
Play of the Week: Andrew Young shows off hops for Gladstone return TD
GLADSTONE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Our latest Peninsula Federal Credit Union and My UP Sports Play of the Week takes us to Gladstone for a junior varsity matchup between the Braves and the Houghton Gremlins. Heading into last week, the JV Braves were on a roll, sitting at 5-1 with three games left in their season. Looking to move to 6-1, Andrew Young lined up deep to receive the game's opening kickoff for Gladstone and hoping to make some magic happen.
UPSSA High School Football Poll (10/6/26)
FOOTBALL POLL ELEVEN PLAYER 1. Menominee (5) 6-0 2. Kingsford 6-0 3. Calumet 4-2 T-4. Negaunee 4-2 T-4. Bark River-Harris 5-1 EIGHT PLAYER 1. Lake Linden-Hubbell (5) 6-0 2. Pickford 5-1 3. Forest Park 5-1 4. St. Ignace 5-1 5. Norway 4-2 Also receiving votes: Ishpeming 4-2
UPSSA High School Volleyball Poll (10/5/26)
U.P. Volleyball Poll Division 1-3 1. Calumet (4) 13-8-1 2. Kingsford 11-1-0 3. Negaunee 14-8-0 4. Houghton 10-4-0 5. Gwinn 13-9-3 Others receiving votes: Jeffers (7-3-0) Division 4 1. Hancock (4) 16-2-1 2. Forest Park 26-3-1 3. Baraga 17-0-0 T-4. Newberry 15-4-3 T-4. Lake Linden-Hubbell 10-3-0 Others receiving votes: Ishpeming (5-4-1), Cedarville (16-3-5)
Play of the Week: Flivvers reach in bag of tricks for TD pass
HANCOCK, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Our latest My UP Sports and Peninsula Federal Credit Union Play of the Week takes us to the Copper Country, where the Kingsford football team went on the road to take on Hancock. The #2 ranked Flivvers were looking to move to 6-0 on the season with a win over the Bulldogs. Leading 14-0 in the second quarter, the Flivvers were driving in Hancock territory and looking for more. This time, they opted to reach into their bag of tricks.
Video: Norway captures first U.P. Girls Tennis title in school history
Video and post-match reaction from last Thursday's Division II U.P. Girls Tennis Finals in West Ishpeming. The Norway Knights were represented in each of the 8 finals matches at the event, earning 18 total team points to capture their first championship in school history. Full team totals: Norway - 18 West Iron County - 13 Iron Mountain - 11 Ishpeming - 11 Munising - 2 Gwinn - 1 Ironwood - 0
5th Down: UP high school football highlights and scores (10/2/26)
Highlights and finals scores from a jampacked week six of high school football in the UP, headlined by our game of the week between the #4 Norway Knights and Forest Park Trojans. Highlights: #4 Norway at Forest Park #1 Lake Linden-Hubbell at Rapid River Ontonagon at #3 Ishpeming #3 Calumet at Houghton #2 Kingsford at Hancock #4 Negaunee at Westwood
Stephenson's Nolan Strahl earns Week 5 Vertical Raise Player of the Week
STEPHENSON, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - This season, My UP Sports is teaming up with Vertical Raise to spotlight U.P. football players in our Player of the Week Segment. While the quarterbacks, receivers, and running back often take most of the shine, this week our focus is in the trenches. My UP Sports joined U.P. Vertical Raise's Vince Leveille in Menominee County to meet up with the Stephenson Eagles to highlight a member of the offensive line.
5th Down: UP high school football highlights and scores (9/25/26)
Highlights and finals scores from a jampacked week five of high school football in the UP, headlined by our game of the week between the #3 Ishpeming Hematites and Gogebic Miners. Highlights: Gogebic at #3 Ishpeming Ironwood at Munising #2 Kingsford at #3 Calumet Escanaba at Marquette Hancock at #5 Negaunee Westwood at Gladstone
Volleyball highlights: Marquette cruises by Escanaba, Negaunee battles back to beat Gwinn (9/24/26)
Volleyball highlights and scores from Thursday night in the U.P. Highlights: Escanaba at Marquette Gwinn at Negaunee
Lake Linden-Hubbell's Brady Axford earns Week 4 Vertical Raise Player of the Week
LAKE LINDEN, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Each week, My UP Sports is teaming up with Vertical Raise to highlights one U.P. football player whose performance took their team to the next level. This week, we head to the Copper Country to check in with Lake Linden-Hubbell. The Lakes have stormed out to a 4-0 record so far this season, averaging over 50 points per game and holding the number one spot in the latest UPSSA 8-player football rankings.
Copper Island Academy's Vince Heinonen earns Week 3 Vertical Raise Player of the Week
CALUMET, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Each week, My UP Sports is teaming up with Vertical Raise to highlights one UP football player who shined brightly on the gridiron under the Friday night lights. This week, we caught up with the UP's newest varsity football team: Copper Island Academy. After a week one loss, the Eagles have bounced back strongly and are now 2-1 after a 46-38 shootout win over Rogers City last weekend. It's a strong mark for the academy, who are playing their first ever varsity season.
Play of the Week: Kiefer Chouinard grabs pick-six in Maroons victory
WEST ISHPEMING, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Our latest My UP Sports and Peninsula Federal Credit Union Play of the Week takes us to the gridiron for a week three high school football matchup between the Menominee Maroons and Westwood Patriots. The Maroons have picked up where they left off from their state championship run a season ago, and earned the top spot in the first UPSSA 11-player football poll released earlier this week.
Michigan Tech's Keeley Nellis named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week
HOUGHTON, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Michigan Tech junior defensive specialist and libero Keeley Nellis has been named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday. Nellis led the Huskies with 47 digs last weekend, averaging 5.22 digs per set. She tallied 25 digs at Davenport on Friday and 22 in a win at Saginaw Valley State on Saturday. Nellis ranks second in the GLIAC in total digs (179) and fifth in digs per set (4.16). She has hit the 20-dig plateau five times in 2026.
Michigan Tech top pick in preseason polls, three named Preseason All-CCHA
UPPER PENINSULA, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Michigan Tech was the top pick in both the coaches' and media CCHA Preseason Polls the league announced on Monday. Max Koskipirtti was named to the Preseason All-CCHA Team by both the coaches and media and was joined by Isaac Gordon and Owen Bartoszkiewicz on the coaches' selections. The Huskies earned 65 points and four first-place votes by the coaches. Bowling Green was second with 62 points and a pair of first-place nods.
NMU's Luca Rosen earns GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - NMU Men's Soccer senior captain Luca Rosen has been named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week, announced by the conference Monday. The forward had a historic afternoon at the NMU Soccer Field on Saturday, scoring four goals in the Wildcats 7-1 win over Jamestown University. Rosen broke numerous NMU men's soccer records on Saturday, most notably becoming the program's record holder for career goals.
5th Down: High school football highlights & scores (9/11/26)
Highlights and scores from a busy night of high school football around the U.P., headlined by the My UP Sports Game of the Week. The 1-1 Iron Mountain Mountaineers were out for revenge after falling to the 2-0 Bark River-Harris Broncos three times in 2025. Other highlights include: Negaunee at Calumet Menominee at Westwood West Iron County at Gwinn
Highlights: Norway hosts Forest Park, North Central in volleyball triangular
U.P. volleyball highlights and scores from Thursday night. Highlights include a trio of matchups from Norway with the Knights hosting Forest Park and North Central. Norway vs North Central Forest Park vs North Central Norway vs Forest Park
My UP Game of the Week: Bark River-Harris at Iron Mountain
IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - The week three high school football schedule features quality matchups around the U.P. Among them is a battle between two playoff teams from a year ago, the 1-1 Iron Mountain Mountaineers and the 2-0 Bark River-Harris Broncos. Prior to 2025, the Broncos program had never taken down the Mountaineers. However, Bark River-Harris defeated Iron Mountain twice in the regular season and once more in the playoffs in their run to the state semifinals last season.
Aspirus Medical Minute: Suicide Prevention Awareness
UPPER PENINSULA, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - September is Suicide Prevention Month, and World Suicide Prevention Day is coming up on Thursday, September 10. Christina Verran joined My UP Morning to tell us more about the topic, discuss warning signs of suicide and how we can support those struggling with mental health. Verran, Supervisor of Nursing, Inpatient and Emergency Services for Aspirus Keweenaw, spoke about the importance of having conversations about mental health.
Negaunee's Kyle Waterman earns Week 1 Vertical Raise Player of the Week
NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - With week one of the high school football season in the books, My UP Sports is excited to bring back our partnership with U.P. Vertical Raise to spotlight a player of the week whose performance stood out amongst the U.P.'s best. For week one, we head to Irontown, where the Negaunee Miners are coming off an opening week matchup with the Marquette Sentinels for the second year in a row.
Volleyball highlights & scores: Negaunee beats Iron Mountain in straight sets
Highlights and scores from high school volleyball Tuesday evening. The Negaunee Miners welcomed in the Iron Mountain Mountaineers for an early season meeting.
Fueled Forward: 2026 Calumet Football Team Preview
CALUMET, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - A consistent force in Copper Country football, the Calumet Copper Kings are back to work after a 7-2 regular season finish. However, a second consecutive first round playoff exit against Kingsley has the team motivated as they prepare for the months ahead. "That one that one stung for our seniors coming back and some of the guys we had on the team last year," said head coach Josh Frantti.
Excellence Expected: 2026 North Central Team Preview
POWERS, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - One of the most dominant football programs in all of Michigan this century, the North Central Jets seek their 12th-consecutive playoff appearance in 2026. A 7-2 regular season finish a year ago culminated in a first round playoff exit against Lake Linden-Hubbell, a mark the Jets will look to improve this season.
Playing Physical: 2026 Escanaba Football Team Preview
ESCANABA, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Excitement is high in Escanaba following a 9-2 finish in 2025 for the Eskymos football team, their first trip to the postseason in five years. After kicking things off with a midnight football practice last week, the Eskymos are ready to hit the ground running. "We have a lot of guys that have a lot of experience under their belts, still," said head coach Bailey Lamb.
Get ready to head back to school with Anchor Church Marquette
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Families across the U.P. are getting ready to head back to school for the fall. While it's an exciting time, it comes with a set of challenges for many, including the financial cost for supplies. Anchor Church Marquette is looking to help ease the burden with their 'Back to School' event this coming weekend, offering supplies at no cost. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 22 at Anchor Church in Marquette, located at 130 W.
Nominations open for Evergreen Award of Marquette County
MARQUETTE COUNTY, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - The Evergreen Award of Marquette County honors individuals whose mentorship and service have made a lasting impact the lives of women and girls in the community. The award has been given out for over a decade, recognizing one man or woman in the area that has reflected those qualities. Nominations are now open for the 2026 Evergreen Award of Marquette County.
Join Team Starlettes for resale fundraiser supporting U.P. Hospice
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Dancing with Our Stars: Marquette County Style is a little under two months away, with seven teams set to battle for first place. Each team is raising funds to support the U.P. Hospice Foundation while working on their moves to compete in the October event. Jessica Brooks, Adrian Francisco, Jamie Weigold, and Miranda Roose of team Starlettes joined My UP Mornings to discuss their upcoming resale fundraiser.
What to know ahead of Marquette Trail 50 ultramarathon
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Over 500 runners will be hitting the trails around Forestville Trailhead early Saturday morning for the 2026 Marquette Trail 50 ultramarathon. Queen City Running Company co-owner Paige Du Bois joined My UP Mornings to share what you need to know ahead of race day.
Connect with fellow creatives at Revolve CC Conference
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - The Revolve Creative Collaboration Conference returns to Marquette for its seventh year later this month, bringing creative people from all backgrounds together for a day of learning and connecting. The conference is headlined by keynote speaker Fabiola Lara and Reggie Williams, and will also a variety of workshops from songwriting to salsa dancing.
My UP Sports Play of the Week: Zoe Woodworth defends UPLGA title
GLADSTONE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - For our latest My UP Sports and Peninsula Federal Credit Union Play of the Week, we head to the UP Ladies Golf Association Championship at the Gladstone Golf Club. A field of the best ladies golfers from around the UP was narrowed down to the final two on the last day of competition. Defending champion Zoe Woodworth went head-to-head with former champion Paxton Johnson.
My UP Sports Play of the Week: Humbert drives in three in tournament rally
ST. CLAIR, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - For our latest My UP Sports and Peninsula Federal Credit Union Play of the Week, we head to the Little League State Tournament, where the Escanaba Major All-Stars took on Georgetown in state semifinals for a spot in the state title game. The game did not start well for Escanaba against the defending state champions, as they fell behind 9-0. However, in the fifth inning, the Escanaba bats came alive as they pulled back within 9-5.
Zoe Woodworth claims UPLGA crown for second-consecutive year
GLADSTONE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - A field of dozens of golfers was narrowed down to four finalists for the 2026 Upper Peninsula Ladies Golf Association Championship. Escanaba native Paxton Johnson and Calumet native Zoe Woodworth were victorious in the Tuesday morning semifinal round, setting the two up to face off in a final round for the championship. Johnson and Woodworth went swing for swing in the final round, battling heavy wind and chilly temperatures.
NMU Men’s Basketball releases 2026-27 schedule
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Northern Michigan men's basketball first-year head coach Keil Ganz has announced the Wildcats' schedule for the 2026-27 season, which will feature a challenging slate highlighted by a lengthy stretch away from Marquette to start the season.
My UP Sports Play of the Week: Hughes's inside the park HR propels Esky to state tournament
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Our latest My UP Sports and Peninsula Federal Credit Union Play of the Week takes us to sectional playoffs in little league softball, as the Escanaba and Marquette Minor All-Stars faced off with a trip to the state tournament on the line. In the best-of-three series, Escanaba took game one and looked to clinch the trip to the state tournament with another victory. Escanaba led 2-0 in the third inning when Emma Hughes stepped up to the plate with a runner on.
Escanaba Major All-Stars Softball punch ticket to state semifinals
Highlights and post game reaction from the Escanaba Major All-Stars Little League Softball team's 11-0 victory over Grosse Pointe Monday in state quarterfinals. Escanaba advances to state semifinals, where they will take on Georgetown Tuesday morning. Video courtesy RRNSports.com.
My UP Sports Play of the Week: Romero sinks eagle putt to win Island Resort Championship
HARRIS, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Our latest My UP Sports and Peninsula Federal Credit Union Play of the Week takes us to the final day of competition at the 2026 Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass. Following the tournament's final round on Sunday, Kaleiya Romero and Liqi Zeng were tied atop the leaderboard at -16, setting up a playoff to take home the top prize. Playing hole 18, Romero was clutch, hitting a strong drive and approach shot to set herself up just feet from the hole.
Celebrate Pioneer Days with the Negaunee Public Library
NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Pioneer Days begin Friday in Negaunee, running through July 11 with events and celebrations around the community. The Negaunee Public Library will be taking part in the fun with its annual Book Signing and Book Sale events. Library Director Jessica Holman joined My UP Mornings to share details on the upcoming events. The Regional Author Book Signing will take place Wednesday, July 8 from 4-6 p.m. at the Negaunee Public Library.
My UP Sports Play of the Week: Escanaba Focus 8U walk-off tournament winner
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Our latest My UP Sports and Peninsula Federal Credit Union Play of the Week takes us back to the second annual Chaos on the Riptide Youth Softball Tournament, where the Escanaba Focus 8U team sought their first ever tournament victory. Trailing 6-4 heading into their final at-bat, the team remained determined not to give up, as they came back to tie the game 6-6.
My UP Sports Play of the Week: Arnt's throw home helps seal all-star win
ESCANABA, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - The latest My UP Sports and Peninsula Federal Credit Union Play of the Week takes us to Escanaba, where Team Michigan and Team Superior faced off in the second annual U.P. High School Baseball All-Star Game. In the eighth inning, Team Superior clung to a 7-6 lead over Team Michigan, as Michigan threatened to score with a man on second base. After Trevor Thorbahn sent a grounder up the middle, Michigan opted to send the runner, Desi Gleason, home.
Team My UP competes to support Special Olympics
NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - The second annual Co-Ed Special Olympics Charity Softball Tournament was held in Negaunee over the weekend. Nearly a dozen team competed to help raise money for Special Olympics Michigan Area 36. With one practice under their belt, Team My UP took the field with visions of glory on the diamond. While My UP's tournament run came to a close on Saturday, Team Subway battled back through the losers' bracket to capture the tourney championship.
My UP Sports Player Spotlight: Negaunee's Rachel Niskanen returns to Sweetgrass
HARRIS, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Negaunee native and current Central Michigan student Rachel Niskanen just wrapped up her third year as a member of the Chippewa Women's Golf Team, a year that included her best 18-hole finish to date. “College golf is great. Super busy. I love it,” said Niskanen. “I wouldn't change anything for the world. Definitely lots of ups and downs. I did have a PR in the spring, so that was nice. I've never actually shot under par before, so, shot a 69. That was really fun.
Join the Lake Superior Cleanup June 16th in Marquette
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - Great Lakes Great Responsibility (GLGR), a marine debris cleanup group, is headed to Marquette next week. The Lake Superior Cleanup event is the fifth and final stop on GLGR's Great Lakes Cleanup Road Trip. The cleanup is part of the group's goal to remove 1 million pieces of debris from the Great Lakes.
Highlights: Northern Michigan girls best Wisconsin in 2026 Kiwanis Border Bash
Highlights and post game reaction from the 2026 Kiwanis Classic Border Bash girls basketball game between all-star teams from Northern Michigan and Northern Wisconsin. It was team Northern Michigan avenging their 2025 loss to beat Wisconsin 121-108. Ishpeming's Jenessa Eagle was MVP, pouring in 27 points. In the boys matchup that followed, Northern Wisconsin had a late charge in the fourth quarter to pull away from Northern Michigan, winning 123-82.
My UP Sports Play of the Week: Kirschner vaults to U.P. Finals Record
KINGSFORD, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - The latest My UP Sports and Peninsula Federal Credit Union Play of the Week takes us to the Upper Peninsula Track & Field Finals over the weekend in Kingsford. In the field, Rudyard freshman Melissa Kirschner represented the Bulldogs in Division II pole vault. After clearing heights ranging from 6'6" to 8'6", Kirschner captured first place in the event.
Media Day starts countdown to Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass
HARRIS, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) - The Island Resort Championship returns to Harris this June, as top-tier talent in women’s professional golf competes at Sweetgrass. The championship continues to make a meaningful impact on the community both on and off the course, supporting local nonprofits while providing entertainment for fans of all ages. On Tuesday, the Island Resort & Casino held its annual Media Day ahead of the tournament, officially kicking off the countdown to the return of the Epson Tour.
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