John’s Journal:

John’s Journal: No. 3 From 2022-23/ Female Wrestling Coaches Fill Important Positions

July 7, 2023 |

John's Journal

Some female wrestling coaches are veteran teachers and coaches in other sports, some have children who wrestled, some are young women who have experience as wrestlers on the high school and college levels, and all are enthusiastic about this new opportunity for female athletes.

John’s Journal: No. 4 From 2022-23/ The Sky’s The Limit For Tackle Cancer

July 6, 2023 |

John's Journal

Tackle Cancer began 10 years ago, and by the time all the participating high schools and colleges in Minnesota send in the funds they have collected this fall, the 2022 total will exceed $400,000. In the decade that Tackle Cancer has existed, nearly $3 million has been raised to fight cancer.

John’s Journal: No. 5 From 2022-23/ A Game To Remember … And Forget

July 5, 2023 |

John's Journal

It was a crazy, strange, head-spinning day for the Cardinals. Friday’s game was delayed at halftime because of lightning, then delayed again and again as the strikes continued. Finally, a decision was made to resume the game on Saturday morning. The second half began at 11 a.m. – 16 hours after the first-half kickoff.

John’s Journal: No. 6 From 2022-23/ After 64 State Tournaments, Hal Miller Leaves A Legacy

June 29, 2023 |

John's Journal

As Hal Miller managed an MSHSL state tennis tournament for the 64th and final time before stepping away, he was grateful for all the friends he has made and all the fun he has had. And everyone who knows Hal Miller is beyond grateful to call him a friend.

John’s Journal: No. 7 From 2022-23/ The Best Thing I’ve Seen In A Long, Long Time

June 28, 2023 |

John's Journal

"We’re fierce competitors in the field, but their kids will stop every one of ours in the hallway and say hi, and it's just like it really truly represents the spirit of competition and adapted sports.”

John’s Journal: No. 8 From 2022-23/ Twelve Hours, 420 Miles And Great Baseball Memories

June 27, 2023 |

John's Journal

The Cardinals boarded Cromwell-Wright school bus Number 7 at 10:30 a.m. and drove south for three and a half hours – with a lunch stop in Hinckley -- before arriving in Janesville to meet the Bulldogs of Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton. By the time they arrived home, they had been gone for more than 12 hours.

John’s Journal: No. 9 From 2022-23/ Rock Ridge ‘Brings Tears To My Eyes And A Smile To My Face’

June 26, 2023 |

John's Journal

Rock Ridge is a new school district bringing together students from Virginia and Eveleth-Gilbert. Voters in those communities approved consolidating the two school districts into one as well as building a new high school and two new elementary schools. It’s the first newly consolidated school district in Minnesota in 15 years.

John’s Journal: No. 10 From 2022-23/ Football Means Tradition At Moose Lake-Willow River

June 25, 2023 |

John's Journal

For about as long as anyone can remember, the Moose Lake-Willow River Rebels have been playing football on a spectacular throwback field tucked into a neighborhood on the edge of Willow River, surrounded by pine trees and bathed in tradition and success.

The Best Of John’s Journal From 2022-23: Top 10 Honorable Mention

June 22, 2023 |

John's Journal

Here are five John's Journal stories that just missed out on Top 10 status for 2022-23 but are worthy of being named Honorable Mention.

John’s Journal: Nearly A Decade Of Top 10 Yearly Stories

June 21, 2023 |

John's Journal

A question came to mind as I began putting together this year's Top 10 John's Journal stories: How long have I been doing this? Well, it turns out that we are nearing the 10-year anniversary of this endeavor.

John’s Journal: Northern Minnesota Baseball For The Win

June 16, 2023 |

John's Journal

In a spring sports season that was delayed and delayed and delayed again by snow and cold and generally rotten weather, the last baseball teams standing in Class A (Fosston) and Class 2A (Esko) hail from up north.

John’s Journal: A Pair Of Aces At State Golf? It’s In The Hole

June 15, 2023 |

John's Journal

Neither Claire Kodama nor Mac Harmer saw exactly where their golf ball ended up after bouncing onto the green on par-3 holes during the Class 2A state tournament this week. But the reaction of others was clear: Both had a hole-in-one.

John’s Journal: ‘Time Really Flies’ During 49 Years As A Baseball Coach

June 13, 2023 |

John's Journal

Paul Twenge has coached more games than many coaches have played, coached or seen. Twenge brought a career coaching record of 977-956-11 into the state tournament; that’s 1,945 baseball games.

John’s Journal: Two Sports, Two (Or Three) State Tournaments

June 10, 2023 |

John's Journal

By the time Jared Delich and Jake Bradach returned home Saturday, they were worn out, and deservedly so. The two seniors from Rock Ridge High School had a memorable week competing at the state tournament. Make that two state tournaments. Or three, depending on how you look at it

John’s Journal: Without A Track, Nevis Has A Track Superstar

June 9, 2023 |

John's Journal

Nevis senior Jade Rypkema is in good company. The last Class 1A girl to win three state titles in the 1,600 meters was 2004 Olympian Carrie Tollefson in 1991, 1993 and 1994.

John’s Journal: After 64 State Tournaments, Hal Miller Leaves A Legacy

June 7, 2023 |

John's Journal

Hal Miller is filled with gratitude. As he manages an MSHSL state tennis tournament this week for the 64th and final time before stepping away, he is grateful for all the friends he has made and all the fun he has had.

John’s Journal: The Road To State Softball, And An Eye On 2024

June 6, 2023 |

John's Journal

As Minnesota’s best high school softball teams gather for the state tournament, they all have stories to tell about their path to state. It’s hard to top what the team from Becker High School has been through.

John’s Journal: The Best Thing I’ve Seen In A Long, Long Time

June 3, 2023 |

John's Journal

I absolutely cannot remember ever seeing this happen before … the head coach of the losing team shooting photos of the winning team.

John’s Journal: Two Decades Later, A Record Stands Strong

June 1, 2023 |

John's Journal

Karl Erickson has fond memories of his high school career, and he is sure of one thing: Records are made to be broken. “I know someone will come along and smash it,” he said.

John’s Journal: One Season, Two Sports, A Very Busy Family

May 30, 2023 |

John's Journal

Cyrus and Elijah Jones of Minneapolis Edison are football players in the fall, wrestlers in the winter, and in the spring they are members of the baseball and track and field teams.