A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
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The Cloquet football team didn't disappoint a large homecoming crowd Friday as they pounded out a 49-0 win over Proctor. "We came out and did what we were supposed to do against a team that is trying to rebuild their program," said Cloquet coach Jeff Ojanen. It took until there was 2:42 remaining in the first quarter before the 'Jacks were able to get on the scoreboard - but the 65-yard touchdown scamper by Aiden Nelson opened the floodgates. Soccer player Max Sundquist would find himself... Full story
The Cloquet boys and girls cross country teams are slowly and quietly building towards sectionals. The Lumberjacks boys return two runners who made the state meet last season. They hope to see an even greater number make it to State this fall. "For the boys team, we return the entire team except one runner," said Cloquet coach Chandra Allen. "Andrew Shepherd and Evan Rothamel both made it to state last year for us in cross country." With 25 boys out for the team, Allen is blessed with a large...
The Esko girls soccer team is regarded as one of the top Section 7A teams every year, and this season is no exception. Esko entered Monday's game against Duluth Denfeld with a gaudy 10 wins and only three losses, at the hands of some of the top teams in the area. Esko dominated play against Denfeld, but was unable to get a ball into the net and settled for a 0-0 tie against the Hunters. "We had a ton of opportunities," said Esko coach Sharon Lahti. "We had so many shots, but their goaltender pla... Full story
A year ago, Barnum football coach Rob Minkkinen had a feeling his Bombers would be a good football team. This year? Minkkinen knew they had some unproven talent, but after four games even he is surprised by the 4-0 squad. "We lost a big and talented group of players last year," Minkkinen said. "The group this year has waited for their chance to play and they've spent a ton of time in the weight room and in practice. They are ready to show what they can do." After picking up a close win in their... Full story
It was senior night for CEC tennis Monday. First-year coach Emily Hallgren welcomed parents and fans of the 10 seniors who enjoyed their day in the sun in Cloquet with an impressive 5-2 win over Superior. "It was a fun night because we were able to get all 10 seniors in the matches tonight," Hallgren said. "It was so special. Each senior was introduced with parents and then we read a memory from each of them and also some advice to younger players." Following a ceremony introducing the seniors,... Full story
The Cloquet/Carlton girls soccer team has been on an impressive run this early season. Entering Saturday's game against North Branch, the Lumberjacks had recorded eight straight shutouts and made it nine with a 3-0 win. Cloquet/Carlton topped off its week with another shutout - this time on the road at Grand Rapids for a 3-0 win Monday. Following the two wins, the 'Jacks are now 11-1 with 10 shutout victories. "We're really in rarified air," said Lumberjacks head coach Dustin Randall. "What's... Full story
Entering Tuesday's night volleyball match, Cloquet and Esko were on opposite ends of season records. Esko entered the game with a record of 13-2 while the Lumberjacks came in with a 6-8 record and a much younger team than the team that had made it to the section title match the last few seasons. In the end, it was Esko that came away with an impressive 25-11, 25-12, 25-18 home win. "I was a little surprised at the scores, but when we are on our game we are a pretty good team," said Esko coach... Full story
Three years ago, Carlton and Wrenshall combined for high school football and played their first season as a junior varsity team. Head coach Brent Pokornowski has been working on a five-year plan to slowly bring the Raptors football program along so that they can compete on Friday nights. "Our first year we had 22 players, and last year we had 36 players," Pokornowski said. "This season we are up to 46 athletes. We are slowly trying to build a program with numbers that can come out and compete... Full story
Kerry Rodd [email protected] A third-quarter explosion helped lead the Cloquet football team to its first win of the season Friday on the night the new Members Cooperative Credit Union Stadium was dedicated. The Lumberjacks scored 34 unanswered points - and put together a three touchdowns in the third quarter - to throttle previously unbeaten Duluth East, 47-22. "Our offensive line play was really good," said Cloquet head coach Jeff Ojanen. "The kids responded really well all week and did... Full story
In her third season as coach of the Fond du Lac Ojibwe School volleyball team, Larissa Littlewolf has a record 21 girls out for the team. She is starting to see the fruits of her labor. "It is so much fun to build a program," said Littlewolf. "I work full-time and I couldn't imagine not coaching this year and building this team. We have some ninth-graders who are growing so fast and killing it. You can just see their confidence growing every game." The Ogichidaag played their first home game of... Full story
The official grand opening of the Members Cooperative Credit Union Stadium and athletic complex was held Friday night prior to the Cloquet vs. Duluth East football game. School officials, the school board and MCCU representatives joined in a ribbing cutting ceremony before the game, and giveaways were in abundance in celebration of the occasion. A lot of work went on behind the scenes to get the project done, and as with anything of this magnitude, everything had to come together at the right...
Entering this season, the Cloquet volleyball team had three straight runs to the Section 7AAA finals, finishing as runner-up each time. If the Lumberjacks are going to the championship game this year, they will do so with a much younger and unproven line up. "We graduated five seniors from last year's team," said coach Heidi Anderson, whose team blanked Moose Lake/Willow River at home on Tuesday. All five of Cloquet's graduated seniors started for at least two seasons with Ava Carlson, one of th... Full story
The Cromwell/Wright football team picked up its second win of the season Friday by throttling Hill City/Northland 60-8. For the second straight week the nine-man team had strong individual and team performances. "I was very happy with how we performed on both sides of the ball, but especially offensively," said Cards head coach Jeff Gronner. "Our offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage and our backs were able to do a lot of damage on the edge." Cromwell/Wright led 20-0 after the first... Full story
After graduating six seniors from last year's team, the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton girls swim team is hoping to reload and have another successful season. "Returning powerhouse seniors are captains Julia Peterson, and Amy Schwoch along with Rilee Durovec in diving," said CEC head coach Rachel Peterson. The Lumberjacks also have a strong group of juniors led by Nattie Butler. Freyja Lopez is a newer addition to the team, but is already making waves as a returning junior. "Rounding out our juniors are... Full story
The Cloquet football team opened the season at home on a beautiful night last Friday against a strong Two Harbors squad. The Agates dominated the first half. The young hometown team mounted a comeback in the second half but ultimately lost 37-14 to their opponents. "Two Harbors did some things that we weren't expecting out of them from what they've traditionally done in the past," said Cloquet head coach Jeff Ojanen. Two Harbors features one of the top athletes in the area in all-purpose player...
An early season volleyball matchup between neighboring towns is always exciting. It was no different Aug. 30 when Barnum and Moose Lake/Willow River did battle in Moose Lake. In the end, the Bombers overcame a slow start in the first game to notch a 3-1 road win. "Moose Lake/Willow River came out flying in that first game," said Barnum coach Amanda Nordstrom. "It's always a big rivalry game when we meet them, and they were ready." The Rebels took Game 1 by a 25-16 score. "We came out and our...
Duluth East gained an early advantage in Thursday's game against Esko and held on for a 24-14 season opener for both teams in Esko. It was the first regular season loss for Esko since 2020, and a dramatic reversal from past matchups with East. Esko dominated the Greyhounds the past three seasons, scoring an average of 57 points each game in outscoring them 172-6. It was a whirlwind night for the Esko program, but its coach is hopeful for a return to the norm. "For the most part, as...
Neighboring rivals Cloquet and Esko did battle for the first time at the Members Cooperative Credit Union athletic complex Tuesday in Cloquet. It was a wild 1-0 win for the Lumberjacks. "I really believe these are two of the better teams in the area," said Esko coach Sharon Lahti. "You know every year it is going to be a battle, and it was again tonight." Esko came into Tuesday night's fray with a 2-0 record, with wins over Cambridge-Isanti and Proctor. The Lumberjacks sported a 1-1 record with... Full story
The Cloquet-Esko-Carlton girls tennis team has a new head coach and an early season schedule that has them jumping into the proverbial frying pan. The Lumberjacks had a 4-3 record after just the first week of the season. "We have a lot of girls out who played last year, and we have a lot of seniors," said first-year coach Emily Hallgren. "Some of those seniors are new, but many of them have some varsity playing time from the last year or two." CEC opened the season on Aug. 19 at Mora, where... Full story
1No one knows exactly when the annual Chub Lake cross country meet started, but everyone is in agreement that it was a long time ago and it remains a fun kickoff to the season for area teams. "I know Jerry Zimney was one of the guys who originally started the meet, but what year, we have no idea," said Esko cross country coach Jerimy Hallsten. At 10 a.m. Aug. 22, the tradition continued. Hallsten is the main organizer of the event that is about as laid back as it could possibly be. "We don't... Full story
Car racing has been a part of the Carlton County Fair in Barnum for as long as most people can remember. This past week, the tradition continued as nearly 6,000 fans watched local drivers compete for $40,000 in prize money. "I've been either involved with the fair or coming to the fair for a long time and these events draw many people who might otherwise not attend the fair," said Steve Loucks, president of the Carlton County Fair Association. According to Loucks, more than 150 drivers...
The road from Cloquet youth player to Division I college hockey, professional hockey, and now coaching, has been a fun one for former Lumberjack hockey player Westin Michaud. Last week it was announced that Michaud was named head coach and general manager of the Ice Bats, an Austin, Texas, team in the North American Tier III Hockey League. "After I decided to hang up the skates, I was contacted by seven or eight different junior teams," Michaud said. "I was offered a bunch of assistant jobs, but... Full story
The Esko Sports Alliance held its sixth Hall of Fame induction ceremonies Saturday with three new members being inducted in ceremonies at Esko High School. "This was a real solid class of athletes," said Steve Knutson, president of the Esko Sports Alliance. "Our inductees are some very special athletes and coaches, and we are very proud of welcoming them into the hall of fame." Joining the hall this year are longtime football coach Bob Peterson, former three-star athlete 1976 graduate Kevin... Full story
The final step in becoming an Eagle Scout - the highest rank for Scouts - is to do a project that will make a difference in the community. Bryce Sweere came up with a unique idea for his final project this summer: A skinny bike course in Cloquet's Pine Valley Recreation Area. Mountain bikers call wooden features on a trail "skinnies," but the Esko senior-to-be built a criss-crossing course of four different features. His efforts will give people something completely new in the popular biking...
The Arrowhead Girls Fastpitch League wound up the season last week with Barnum winning the championship in the U16/U18 Division. Barnum picked up four wins on the way to the title with a team composed entirely of U16 players. "We're a U16 team that includes a lot of our high school varsity softball players," said Barnum coach Dustin Collelo. "A couple of years ago this same group won U14 Gold Division in the summer league, so they are really progressing as a group nicely." The opening game of... Full story
