Recent content from Jim Paulsen
Prep football reaches the halfway point
There's no question halfway through the regular season that Totino-Grace is the best football team in the metro.
Edina girls' tennis suffers rare second loss this season
Third-ranked Prior Lake's 5-2 victory over the Hornets adds more intrigue to the upcoming state tournament, which has crowned Edina as champions for 19 consecutive years.
On national volleyball stage, Minnesota's star is on the rise
The state has become recognized as a place to find quality volleyball players.
Fall prep sports season heats up with big tournaments
Friday and Saturday will be the busiest days of the fall season so far.
Benilde-St. Margaret's girls' soccer ready to defend title with key players back from injuries
The Benilde-St. Margaret's girls' soccer team is buoyed by two key players back from injuries.
West metro notebook: Final Waconia football play is a keeper for 'Con Man'
Waconia's Connor Holcomb, a junior with Down syndrome, had never stepped on the field until recently.
Lakeville North's defense dominates, Wade Sullivan scores four TDs in win over Burnsville
Wade Sullivan scores four rushing TDs, defense shines in Lakeville North's win over Burnsville
Shifty, tough Wade Sullivan piling up yards for Lakeville North
RB Wade Sullivan gives Lakeville North a dynamic breakaway threat
Wayzata volleyball trio hopes to finish with first state tournament
Close friends Kate Berg, Morgan Baufield and Kenzie Groechel have a final goal in their sights.
Prep volleyball metro-area season story lines
Volleyball's popularity translates into lots of talent as the North Star State churns out collegiate volleyball players
In girls' prep tennis, Edina is still the team to beat
This year marks the 20th anniversary season of the 1997 Edina girls' tennis team that won the first of its current streak of 19 consecutive Class 2A team championships.
West Metro volleyball preview
The south metro gets the hype, but don't sleep on girls' volleyball in the west metro.
Maple Grove survives, then revives to topple rival Osseo
Defense keeps it close in turnover-filled first half to knock off archrival Osseo
Lynx win behind Whalen, take over top spot in WNBA
Coming on the heels of a frustrating 84-80 loss at Connecticut on Friday, it was clear that something had to change.
Despite rising concerns over concussions, this doctor prescribes football
Dr. Uzma Samadani, a neurosurgeon and parent of a player, says a proper approach takes the concern out of the game.
Edina girls' tennis title streak turns 20
The Hornets won the girls' team title in 1997 and every year since then.
Lynx players ready to resume play after Olympic break
It's been more than a month since the Lynx last played a regular-season game. Players say they are not worries about rust - or fatigue in the case of their five Olympians.
Crowd greets Lynx players, coach Reeve in return from Rio Olympics
When the Lynx — players Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles and coach Cheryl Reeve — finally did appear, laden with gold medals, the cheer at MSP International Airport was long and loud.
Fans can meet gold medal-winning Lynx at airport Monday evening
Four players and coach Cheryl Reeve return from Rio this evening, and the Lynx want you there to celebrate.
Mound Westonka football looking to take another step
An 8-1 record last year has the White Hawks and their community excited for a promising 2016 season.
As first practices loom, prep football coaches say game is safer
Football has evolved in recent years because of better education about injuries, increased attention to teaching skills and fundamentals and a desire from coaches and players to hit the ground running.
Concordia-St. Paul gets women's lacrosse started with scholarship players
Mo Dunnigan is the architect of the first Division II college lacrosse program in Minnesota, and the first to offer athletic scholarships
Rave reviews for CHS Field as North wins All-Star Game
Tuesday night was more for recognition of the best the American Association has to offer, much of it with a Minnesota connection, than it was about the final score.
Saints' Harris angling for opportunity at All-Star game
Minnesota's fishing impresses the outfielder, who seeks to make an impression of his own.
Lynx head off into Olympic break after victory over Seattle
The Lynx pulled away to defeated Storm 79-72 for its sixth straight victory, improve to 21-4 and remain a half-game behind Los Angeles for the best record in the WNBA. Up next: A month-long hiatus.
Lynx to play 2017 home games at Xcel Energy Center
The team will relocate due to the previously announced renovation of Target Center taking place during the summer and early fall of 2017.
Lynx knock chip off Atlanta's shoulder with dominant win
Playing a team-high 33 minutes, 6-6 center Sylvia Fowles was a commanding presence inside against a team known for its rugged play.
Lynx limiting starters' minutes to keep them fresher
The average age of players on the Lynx roster is 29, making Minnesota the oldest team in the league. Maya Moore is the only starter under 30.
America Legion baseball holds lure despite club team growth
The summer mainstay remains popular but faces threats from club teams.
Augustus helps gritty Lynx topple New York 88-70
Seimone Augustus returned after a three-game absence with a knee injury and scored 20 points as the Lynx avenged a recent loss to the Liberty at Target Center.
'No distraction.' Lynx combine taking a stand with winning
Coach Cheryl Reeve and forward Rebekkah Brunson offered an upbeat message of solidarity, despite some criticism they have received, after Thursday's practice.
Lynx crush Dallas with 40-4 run in first half at Target Center
Lindsay Whalen scored a season-high 22 points for Minnesota in the rout.
Lynx players honor shooting victims before Saturday's game
Players wore warm-up T-shirts reading, in part, "Change Starts With Us."
Lynx's Reeve discouraged by team's loss of leads
"We're beating ourselves and that's not us," the coach of the defending WNBA champions said after her team blew its second double-digit lead in eight days. The Lynx play Dallas at home on Saturday.
Maya Moore helps rally Lynx past Sky
She scores 33 as the Lynx edge Chicago with a big fourth quarter.
Sparks gain revenge, hand Lynx first loss of season
For the announced 13,003 fans at Target Center, the Lynx' 94-76 loss to Los Angeles was deflating. For the players, the end of a season-starting winning streak meant little.
Hot-shooting Howard has exceeded Lynx' expectations
Natasha Howard has become a confident forward off the bench for the Lynx, able to spell forward Rebekkah Brunson with very little drop-off in production
Wayzaya trounces Champlin Park 9-1 in 4A baseball
Trojans senior starter went the distance, as teammates made Champlin Park pay for wave of misplays
Baseball calls Wayzata coach back
His young son's cancer treatments put the sport on hiatus, but Wayzata coach has team in state final.
Class 4A baseball semifinals: Wayzata, Champlin Park advance to title game
Late clutch hits by Griffin Schneider, Cody Goedderz propel Trojans into 4A championship game
Baseball state tournament: Class 4A quarterfinals
Wayzata, Woodbury and Champlin Park also moved on.
Champlin Park has every base covered heading into state
Champlin Park is trying to bring home the first team state title in school history.
Girls' state lacrosse: Blake gets defensive to avenge last year's loss
The Bears needed to control the ball late against nemesis Lakeville South to advance.
Plenty of heroes for Chanhassen in 4A softball championship
Three pitchers and a home run by Jessica Bren sparked the Storm over Buffalo for the 4A title.
Mankato West uses rest to its advantage to win 3A title
Scarlets players used a lengthy delay to rest at their nearby homes.
Zumbrota-Mazeppa softball wins school's first state title
Storms put off first-time champion Zumbrota-Mazeppa's coronation.
4A tournament crashers Buffalo, Chanhassen to meet for title
An outfield web gem by Jordan Zrust helped land Buffalo in the big school state softball final against Chanhassen
Minnetonka wins first boys' tennis state title since 1974
Minnetonka boys' tennis coach Dave Stearns said he knew his team was special. Wednesday, it was.
Class 2A softball power Le Sueur-Henderson has unfinished business
Le Sueur-Henderson will lean on ace Carlie Brandt.
Boys' tennis state tournament: Big rallies lift Skippers into semifinals
Minnetonka will next face East Ridge. Mounds View and Rochester Century also advanced.
Eagan hires Hanson as football coach over ex-Gopher Foggie
Ben Hanson, formerly an assistant at St. Thomas Academy, was introduced to the team on Tuesday.
Boys' tennis state tournament preview: Last title shot drives Shakopee's Allen
Top-ranked junior preparing for next phase of tennis career heading into state tournament.
Star Tribune softball Metro Player of the Year: Katelyn Kemmetmuller, Rogers
Katelyn Kemmetmueller's pitching, hitting and fielding add up to excellence
Edina boys' tennis drought appears to be over
A senior-heavy boys' tennis team appears to have regained its state tournament foothold.
Wayzata, Minnetonka, Maple Grove lead charge into baseball playoffs
The march to the baseball state tournament includes top west-metro teams in three classes.
Is Foggie a candidate? School district says it's moving forward to hire Eagan football coach
Former Gopher Rickey Foggie says he still wants the job after saying he felt forced to turn it down, but it's not clear if the school district considers him in the running.
Ex-Gophers QB Foggie will fight for Eagan job
The former Gophers quarterback said he would contest the request for him to resign.
More prep sports head for postseason
Rather than the typical look at the week ahead, it seems like a good time to reflect on high school sports that have ended their regular seasons.
St. Paul Saints load up with Minnesota talent
Nine players with Minnesota ties give a local flavor to the 2016 St. Paul Saints roster. The season opens Thursday night at CHS Field.
Lakeville North's Reuvers gives commitment to Wisconsin
The 6-10 junior forward drew 25 Division I offers, including one from Minnesota, in recruiting that intensified while he played in the high school state tournament.
Week ahead in preps: Spring state tournaments are upon us
Last week's fall-like cold stretch served as a sharp reminder of the brevity of the spring sports season. We've barely had the chance to bask in spring warmth and already the postseason, in a few sports at least, is upon us.
Waterloo, Iowa, saw the makings of a natural leader in Gophers AD
Mark Coyle has plenty of fans in Hawkeye country.
Youthful Blake boys' tennis aims for record-tying fourth team title
The boys' tennis team, with five starters in ninth grade or below, has title hopes again.
Saints, coming off record-setting baseball season, hold first workout
While a cloud of doubt remained stubbornly in place over the denizen of Minneapolis’ Target Field, a much brighter outlook could be found across…
Some softball coaches are making a pitch for change
Prep softball coaches weigh barring players from playing on clubs during the high school season.
Standout prep contests coming at the right time
With the state's pro teams finished for the season or out of town, good weather and good games make this a good week for high school sports.
Osseo's new football coach brings grit, work ethic to defending champs
Augsburg alum Ryan Stockhaus is the new football coach for the Class 6A defending champs.
Big high school meets in track, boys' golf coming up
Two of the biggest events of the spring season are on tap this week: the Hamline Elite Track and Field Meet and Tri-State Invitational boys' golf tournament.
Nimble Orono lacrosse player Leischow set for Duke next year
Orono's nimble Blake Leischow to play next year at lacrosse hotbed Duke.
Family's suit challenges Minnesota H.S. league's eligibility rules
Appeals, hearings and sometimes reversals can all be part of the league's process for determining eligibility for athletes. A court hearing looms later this week.
Minnesota's first Miss Basketball was a pioneer without knowing it
When Laura Gardner Stromgren became the first Miss Basketball, it wasn't such a big deal.
One last salute to west metro winter prep champions
Before the sports stage turns to spring, one last peek at some winter season winners
Legislative auditor approves examination of High School League
The request, made by state Rep. Bob Dettmer in early February, is expected to focus on student eligibility, a topic that draws considerable public attention.
Minnetonka stops rival Hopkins for Class 4A title
Balanced Skippers outlast Lake rival Hopkins, capture first state championship
Hopkins, Minnetonka advance to Class 4A title game
The Royals beat Eastview in a rematch between the teams in the 2015 final.
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