Joel Rippel
News Assistant
Joel Rippel writes about sports for the Star Tribune.
Latest from Joel Rippel
Olson helps No. 9 Michigan rally past U women’s basketball
The Gophers led by 12 early but went cold late against a Wolverines team led by a former Miss Minnesota Basketball winner.
January 6, 2026
UW-River Falls completes dream season with first Division III title
The Falcons ended the 29-game winning streak of defending champion North Central for the program’s stunning first national title.
January 5, 2026
U rallies down stretch to win at Northwestern 84-78
The Gophers made their free throws and got big contributions from many players for their first victory away from Williams Arena this season.
January 4, 2026
U women's hockey sets program record for goals with 14-2 victory at Sacred Heart
Olympian Abbey Murphy had three goals and four assists as the Gophers broke a program record set in December 2014.
January 3, 2026
Wisconsin-River Falls faces major challenge in NCAA Division III title game
North Central (Ill.) has been in six consecutive Stagg Bowls, winning three championships. It is 82-3 since 2019.
January 3, 2026
U women’s hockey returns to action with shutout at Sacred Heart
Abbey Murphy scored a shorthanded goal on the same day she was named to the U.S. Olympic team again.
January 3, 2026
UW-River Falls' Blaha wins Gagliardi Trophy as D-III’s top player
The senior quarterback from Fridley led D-III in total offense this season, throwing for a single-season record 4,680 yards.
January 3, 2026
Longtime basketball coach and unselfish group of players rewarded with free tacos
Under coach Mike Dreier, who is in his 49th year and is the winningest girls basketball coach in state history, New London-Spicer is having another successful season.
January 1, 2026
Gophers men’s basketball team loses Robert Vaihola for remainder of the season
Vaihola started the first five games before being sidelined because of a knee injury that will now require surgery.
January 1, 2026
Strib Varsity Athletes of the Week: Let's recognize big performances by seven standouts
A record-setting diver, skiers, a wrestler and basketball players are the seven student-athletes whose accomplishments stood out.
December 30, 2025
Bobby Durkin scores season-high 19 as Gophers trip Fairleigh Dickinson 60-43 in men’s college basketball
The U has won all eight of its home games as it closed out the non-conference portion of the schedule.
December 30, 2025
Gophers women roll past Indiana 71-48 in Big Ten basketball
Amaya Battle led the way for the U with 20 points in the lopsided road victory.
December 30, 2025
