Sports & Outdoors

The conditions were nearly perfect in Hayward, Wisconsin this year with temperatures in the teens and 20s and crystal blue skies for the American Birkebeiner Marathon where Two Harbors resident Steve Hagedorn completed his 24th race at age 63. The race course is no picnic, with four major hills that include sharp turns where a pile-up at the bottom is not unusual. The uphills can be dicey too; unless everyone stays in lock-step with everyone else, having your pole stepped on is a definite possibility. “We look like ants, climbing up,” Hagedorn commented. Most of the logjams are in the first half, but he said it’s not all bad, saying, “In a weird way it helps, because you’re focusing so much on not crashing that you don’t worry so much about how far you have to go.” No collisions this year, though “I came close,” said Hagedorn

There are lots of things going on out there across Lake County in terms of youth sports. Please let us know about scores and team photos and any other info you might have. As well, there are miles of ski and snowshoe and hiking trails and for Lake County athletes of all stripes to enjoy so please let us know what shape the trails are in so we can share that with readers.

HIGHLAND By all accounts the week for the Minnesota WILD was a continuation of poor play and a standings setback to be sure. On a one-week Canadian road trip the team went 1-3 with its lone victory in the first game of the trip. The team beat the EDM Oilers by a 7-3 score. That would be the high point of the week though. They traveled to Ottawa and were defeated by the Senators in a 4-3 loss. They played the TOR Maple Leafs last Thursday and lost 3-1 in what may have been the best game of the trip. This game was 2-1 until TOR got an ENG with 42 seconds left on the clock for the 3-1 final. I felt that the WILD played quite well overall and the outcome could have gone either way.

Two Harbors 12U B team captured the District 11 Tournament Championship in Two Harbors. Good Luck at Regions in Cloquet! Silver Bay placed 2nd in the District 11 Playoffs. Good luck at Regions in Cloquet, as well! Photo courtesy of Carey Hogenson

The North Shore Pee Wee B1 team took 2nd in District 11 playoffs. Good luck at Regions in Moose Lake! Photo courtesy of Carey Hogenson .

The Two Harbors girls hoopsters squared off against two top section seeds in game action last week and took two tough losses in the process. “We had two tough games,” said coach Dan Lillegaard.

Ely senior goalie Chase Sandberg is able to clear the puck away from North Shore’s Jake Stadler Saturday in the Storm’s 7-1 Section 7A first round win at Rukavina Arena. Photo courtesy of Brian Rauvola

Front row L to R: Gavin Mortinson, Hunter Kendall, Trent Hamilton, Gage Krull, Ellia Luoma, (behind Ellia) Hans Turnquist, Finn Larson, Jackson Green, Lainey Carlson. Not pictured: Ava Miller, Lucia Metzger, Emmit Miller, Edith Poyhonen, Jasen Smith, Torin Moe. Back row coaches: Dylan Hamilton, Patrick Green, Kyle Krull, Eric Mortinson, Ogie Oglethorpe, Clayton Haus, Vaughn Christiansen. Not pictured: Greg Moe. Photo courtesy of Lola Haus