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Christina Long

Reporting intern | General assignment

Christina Long is a reporting intern at the Star Tribune.

Recent content from Christina Long
Pete Gorton’s mission is to uncover the history and share the story of Negro League pitching great John Wesley Donaldson. Here he held a copy of a p

The untold history of John Donaldson: 400 wins, 5,000 strikeouts, and forced to sleep on the ground

Pete Gorton's research shed a light on Donaldson, one of the top Black pitchers of the 20th century, for now his legacy resides in a basement in New Brighton.
Layshia Clarendon, left, and her Lynx teammates were introduced before a game on July 7.

Lynx guard Clarendon thrives on the court while embracing many roles

The Lynx are on the fast track to the WNBA playoff in large thanks to trailblazing athlete Layshia Clarendon.
World Golf Hall of Famer Juli Inkster, who won the Land O’Lakes Legends Classic on Saturday, shown during the first round Friday.

Juli Inkster wins Land O'Lakes Legends Classic

The Hall of Famer closed with a 67 to win the event at the Meadows at Mystic Lake.
Suni Lee, shown in September 2019, trains at Midwest Gymnastics Center.

Want to be like Suni? Minnesota gymnastics leaders watching for interest spike

Suni Lee is inspiring others after winning three medals, including a gold in the all-around competition and Sunday morning's bronze on the uneven bars.
Twins starting pitcher Minnesota Twins J.A. Happ (33) delivers.

Twins blast seven home runs, but still lose to Tigers 17-14

Ryan Jeffers and Miguel Sano both homer twice, but starter J.A. Happ gives up nine runs to Detroit.
Miguel Sano hit a pair of home runs for the Twins on Wednesday.

Twins' 17-14 loss has a bit of history

It's the first time a team has outhomered an opponent by seven and still lost.

Twins blast seven home runs, but still lose to Tigers 17-14

Delaney Schnell and Jessica Parratto, right, posed with their silver medals Tuesday in Tokyo.

Minnesota parent-coaches celebrate bronze and silver, but get little sleep

Mike and Amy Parratto cheered on star student Regan Smith before rooting their daughter, Jessica, at the Tokyo Olympics — all before swim team practice back home.
Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) celebrated his 2-run home run in the bottom of the first inning against the Texas Rangers.

After talks break down, Buxton insists he wants to stay with Twins

Speaking at Target Field before Monday's game against the Tigers, Byron Buxton said he wanted to stay with the Twins, who selected him No. 2 overall in the 2012 draft.
Minnesota Twins right fielder Max Kepler reacted after he hit an RBI single in the 10th inning that scored Kenta Maeda to win the game. ] JEFF WHEELER

Kepler delivers 10th-inning walkoff single as Twins outlast Tigers

Alex Colome gave up a tying two-run homer in the ninth inning after Taylor Rogers left because of an injury.
Chase Petty made his way to the stage after being selected by the Twins on July 11.

Twins sign first-round pick Chase Petty for $2.5 million

The New Jersey high school standout had committed to play for Florida, but will now start his pro career.
Portland Timbers forward Felipe Mora (9) scored a goal against Minnesota United goalkeeper Tyler Miller (1) in the first half.

Two late goals lift Minnesota United to 2-1 victory over Portland

The Loons squandered one opportunity after another before striking in the 75th and 85 minutes.

Two late goals lift Minnesota United to 2-1 victory over Portland

Apple Valley’s Riptide Swim Club went to Omaha last month to back Regan Smith’s quest to the Tokyo Olympics.

Regan Smith puts her young swim club on the map

The Lakeville swimmer is the first Olympian to come out of Riptide Swim Club since it opened in 2012. She's created quite a fan club.
Portland's Jeremy Ebobisse left his feet to play a ball on Saturday night against Minnesota United FC on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Providence Park in

Gameday preview: Minnesota United vs. Portland

The Loons play the Timbers on Saturday night at Allianz Field.
Minnesota United defender Romain Metanire

Minnesota United's defense nearly intact for Saturday's Portland match

Romain Metanire and Michael Boxall could both be back in the lineup, with the Loons coming off a big win against Seattle.
Minnesota United midfielder Hassani Dotson (31)

Loons ride wave from Seattle win, prepare for rematch with Portland, Chara

The Loons were back at training Tuesday for the first time since their 1-0 victory over Seattle, and the feeling was much different than last week.
AMSA 2021: Record-breaking, award-winning Coon Rapids girls' swimmer tears it up in the classroom, too

AMSA 2021: Record-breaking, award-winning Coon Rapids girls' swimmer tears it up in the classroom, too

Megan Schultze, a National Merit Scholar when she's not in the pool, is the winner of the Star Tribune All-Metro Sports Student First Award.
Anthony Edwards

Wolves bringing Edwards back to Minnesota for injury evaluation

Coach Chris Finch said Anthony Edwards would be here later this week to be "properly assessed" after getting hurt during a practice in Las Vegas.
AMSA 2021: After his mom died, Eastview player did what she would have wanted

AMSA 2021: After his mom died, Eastview player did what she would have wanted

'I just flourished,'' said Henry Shannon III. recipient of the Star Tribune All-Metro Sports Courage in Competition Award. His route from B team to varsity to Division II scholarship player is uncommon.
AMSA 2021: Edina's Murphy brought race issues to the forefront

AMSA 2021: Edina's Murphy brought race issues to the forefront

Motivated by reading stories of players at schools around the country being barred from speaking out, Edina's Allie Murphy decided to bring the movement to her basketball team. Her efforts earned Murphy the Star Tribune All-Metro Sports Difference Maker Award.
Trevor Larnach

Twins' rookie corps steps in because of injuries, and make the most of it

The Twins on Friday started three rookies in 23-year-old right fielder Alex Kirilloff, 24-year-old left fielder Trevor Larnach and 23-year-old catcher Ben Rortvedt.
Akil Baddoo (60), Tigers, left, tries to steal second base as Kenta Maeda (18), Twins, throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers.

High socks, high marks: Maeda's second straight strong start helps Twins beat Tigers

Kenta Maeda's wardrobe on Friday functioned fine, with with five more scoreless innings at Target Field leading the way for a second consecutive Twins win over Detroit.

Kenta Maeda's second straight strong start helps Twins beat Tigers 4-2

Kenta Maeda's wardrobe on Friday functioned fine, with with five more scoreless innings at Target Field leading the way for a second consecutive Twins win over Detroit.
Twins third baseman Luis Arraez (2) sprinted down the first base line after he connected with the ball for a double in the first inning.

Pineda struggles in return, Lynn foils former teammates as White Sox trip Twins

Michael Pineda, back from the IL, gave up 12 hits, the most he's allowed in his 10 big-league seasons, in a 6-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox at Target Field.
Minnesota Twins' Josh Donaldson beats the tag by Kansas City Royals second baseman Hanser Alberto after hitting a double during the first inning of a

Injured Twins third baseman Donaldson nearing return

Josh Donaldson has missed four games because of a hamstring strain.

Lance Lynn foils former teammates as White Sox trip Twins 6-1

Michael Pineda, back from the IL, gave up 12 hits, the most he's allowed in his 10 big-league seasons, in a 6-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox at Target Field.
Michael Pineda

Michael Pineda activated, Griffin Jax sent to St. Paul as Twins face White Sox

The teams meet at noon with former Twin Lance Lynn pitching for Chicago
Ramón Ábila takes a penalty against San Jose Earthquakes in the second half. Ábila’s shot was initially blocked, but he scored on the rebound.

Minnesota United FC extends unbeaten streak with a draw against San Jose

The run reached seven games with the help of reserves, who scored both Loons goals.
Franco Fragapane, (7) Minnesota United, hits the ball wide during the second half against San Jose Earthquakes at Allianz Field on Saturday, July 3, 2

Jukka Raitala and Robin Lod return to Minnesota United from Finland

Raitala started at right back, while Lod was not available.
Song Yang, Metro Badminton Player of the Year, posed for a portrait outside Johnson High School in St. Paul. ] LEILA NAVIDI • leila.navidi@startribu

Badminton passion rekindled, St. Paul Johnson's Song Yang reaches the top

The Star Tribune Metro Badminton Player of the Year nearly quit the sport amid the pandemic, then led her school to the team championship and won the singles title.
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Saturday, May 22, 2021, in

Twins-White Sox series preview

The Twins (33-43), 11-8 in their past 19 games, are 16-20 in road games.
Former Gophers soccer player Maddie Castro shot to sink Andrea Yoch into the dunk tank at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. On Sunday, Yoch was announced

Women's soccer coming with 'pre-professional' team, women-led ownership group

With her experience as a former Minnesota United executive, team president Andrea Yoch believes Minnesota will embrace a team in the new 'W League.'