Recent content from David La Vaque
Q&A with Blake School junior Abby Ziehl, a goalie for all seasons
Standing just 5-2 hasn't stopped Ziehl from playing goalie in soccer, hockey and lacrosse. "She is a competitor through and through," one of her coaches said.
Prep football players in Minnesota have new tool to get noticed
Signing Day Sports has a new partnership with Minnesota football coaches that could accelerate its goal of connecting overlooked athletes with college programs.
Ex-Duluth E. hockey coach Randolph takes job at St. Thomas Academy
"I don't think I've been this excited in a long time," said Randolph, who coached at Duluth East for 32 years before resigning last year amid an investigation. "My phone has been going nuts. It's humbling."
Gophers football recruit making his mark in shot put
Tony Nelson of Tracy-Milroy-Balaton broke the shot put record on Friday in the Hamline Elite Meet.
Randolph set to apply after St. Thomas Academy ousts hockey coach
Trent Eigner said he was surprised to learn his contract wasn't being renewed. The team's assistant, longtime Duluth East coach Mike Randolph, said he'll 'probably apply' for the job.
Totino-Grace soars in stretch run to beat DeLaSalle for Class 3A crown
Senior forward Ahjany Lee scored six straight points to fuel late comeback.
Boys' state basketball tournament: Class 4A, 3A title game capsules
Give top seeds Park Center (4A) and Totino-Grace (3A) have an edge in depth and talent, but they'll be facing opponents out to avenge early-season losses.
Class 3A semifinal: Totino-Grace overwhelms Mankato East
The Eagles advance to the first championship game in their program's history.
Class 3A semifinal: DeLaSalle back in familiar territory
The Islanders, located in Minneapolis, have won 12 state championships, their most recent coming in 2019.
Class 3A and 4A girls' basketball: 1 vs. 3 in mirror finals
A look at Saturday's big-school title games
Double OT thriller gives Andover Class 2A state title over Maple Grove
Senior forward Logan Gravink scored at 8:59 of the second overtime period to win the all-important third meeting this season of rising Northwest Suburban Conference powers.
Defensemen Janzig, Hanson bask after their work lifts Hawks to title
Hermantown's Beau Janzig and Ty Hanson faced a challenge in Warroad's Daimon Gardner and Jayson Shaugabay but kept them in check.
Defensemen Beau Janzig and Ty Hanson bask after their work lifts Hermantown to title
The Hawks faced a challenge in Warroad's Daimon Gardner and Jayson Shaugabay, but kept them in check.
Andover knocks off No. 1 seed Hill-Murray to reach Class 2A title game
A day after he scored a winner in double overtime, Gavyn Thoreson got two more goals in the semifinals to lead the Huskies into Saturday's finals against Maple Grove.
X Files: Andover coach Manney, the microphone is yours
Andover coach Mark Manney is establishing himself as the place to go for quotes, for fun, for truth, for humility. He got going Friday night, and he didn't stop until those listening were entertained and informed. That and more from the X.
A grinder positioned among glamor, Warroad's Matt Hard seizes his moment to shine
His overtime goal against Mahtomedi propelled the Warriors into the state final for the first time since 2009.
Maple Grove's Joshua Giuliani finds the shots for a hat trick and the solution for Alex Bump
The senior forward went beyond offense, taking on Prior Lake's standout with words and defensive deeds.
History resoundingly refuses to repeat as Hermantown dispatches Alexandria this time
The No. 1 seed Hawks, who fell to the Cardinals this time of year in 2018, scored seven goals in a row.
A tournament team of its own brings inspiration to all Minneapolis
Despite playing a sport that's almost entirely a South Side pursuit, the hockey players representing the city have crossover appeal. "The name on the jersey is Minneapolis," North High football coach Charles Adams III said.
Names and numbers: facts about teams in the Class 1A boys' hockey state tournament
Regular-season success rates and experience in the postseason range wildly for the schools that qualified.
Class 1A boys' hockey story lines: Joe Dziedzic's hat, Alex Lamont's post and more
The tournament features rematches, second chances, Minneapolis coach's nod to history and his goalie thanking cold, hard steel.
Introducing the 2021-22 boys' hockey All-Metro teams
Spread over three squads, the list hits east, west, north, south, public, private, big class and small class.
Gritty but smooth, Cretin-Derham Hall's Fisher is boys' hockey Metro Player of Year
A senior forward, he made himself more important than his 28 goals and 31 assists by blocking shots, backchecking and being "a different Drew."
Hill-Murray rolls by White Bear Lake, reaches boys' hockey state tournament
The Pioneers defeated the Bears in the section final for the 14th time in 19 meetings since the mid-'80s.
51 Hours of Fury: Bonin family on both sides of Section 4AA title game
Son Brendan is a senior forward for the Hill-Murray Pioneers. Dad Brian ranks as a legend for the White Bear Lake Bears ("My team," he says.) The schools meet tonight in the Section 4AA final.
Boys' hockey: Cretin-Derham Hall turns back Eastview in section final
Marko Belak posted a shutout, and the Raiders will take an 18-game winning streak to Xcel Energy Center.
'We lived up to the hype.' Mpls. public school team makes state for first time since '94
The victorious players left the ice and waded through dozens of Minneapolis youth hockey players, who looked up at them with wide eyes and smiles after the city cooperative beat Delano for the Section 2A title.
Edina's Vivian Jungels is named Ms. Hockey
The senior played on two Class 2A championship teams and had 177 career points — the most by a Hornets defenseman.
Edina's Jungels wins Ms. Hockey Award
Edina defenseman Vivian Jungels played on two Class 2A state championship teams and had 177 career points — the most by a Hornets defenseman.
Andover rallies past Minnetonka, wins 2A girls' title on Kaiser's late goal
The top-rated team in Class 2A all season, the Huskies weren't accustomed to allowing more than two goals or trailing after two periods. They overcame both to finish a 30-0 season.
Minnetonka knocks Edina out of the way in pursuit of the Class 2A state championship
The Skippers cleared a semifinal barrier that had stopped them the past three seasons.
Andover puts in one exceptional minute, rolls over Gentry Academy and into final
The Huskies scored three goals in a burst at the start of the third period.
Mr. Hockey, Frank Brimsek award finalists named for 2022
Ten skaters and three goalies are finalists for the top two individual awards in Minnesota high school hockey.
Minnetonka begins scoring early in quarterfinal, makes an afternoon of it
Victory over Burnsville moves the Skippers into a semifinal against Edina, a familiar opponent.
After time searching, Edina finds the net repeatedly in its quarterfinal victory
Northfield goaltender Maggie Malecha stood strong for nearly a period before the defending champs got rolling.
Defending 1A champion Proctor/Hermantown keeps alive its hope for a repeat
Victory over Albert Lea sends the third-seeded Mirage into the semifinals against No. 2 Orono
Orono girls' hockey starts fast and stays strong, defeats Mankato East in quarterfinals
It began with four goals in the first period and included a hat trick by Iyla Ryskamp.
Girls' hockey tournament is prime connection to Title IX's anniversary
Minnesota was the first state to sanction girls' high school hockey and the 28th annual tournament begins today at the X with the Class 1A quarterfinals.
What's eating at Edina? Girls' hockey state tournament story lines
The defending 2A champion Hornets, Minnetonka's senior goalie and a coaching comeback are among things to watch as the state tournament starts its four-day run.
Meet the 2021-22 Star Tribune All-Metro girls' hockey team
The list runs three teams deep, with college plans for the top dozen players, and stretches across the Twin Cities.
Edina's Vivian Jungels is the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year in girls' hockey
She's a defender with an offensive bent who leads her team in assists. She most certainly is not a goaltender.
Rogers rides a rare No. 1 seed into the boys' hockey section playoffs
A change in assignments means the team stays closer to home for the postseason.
Minnetonka overcomes Holy Family in overtime, advances to girls' hockey state tournament
The Skippers reached state for the fourth consecutive time, dispatching the Fire in the section final a second year in a row.
Burnsville turns deficit into spot in Class 2A girls' hockey tournament
Rosemount scored 24 seconds into the game, and that fired up the Blaze in the section final.
Q&A: For St. Paul Johnson standout, goaltending is a family thing
Surrounded by young hockey teammates, senior goaltender Damian VanDanacker sees plenty of shots. But he doesn't take any at his fellow Governors.
Prep notes: Ms. Hockey banquet again away from usual St. Paul site
Our prep reporters unload their notebooks, including that Olympic gold medalist Karyn Bye Dietz will be the keynote speaker Feb. 27 at Inwood Oaks in Oakdale.
Girls' section hockey: Simley keeps its players, Blaze handles adversity and more
The Spartans, no longer losing players to other programs, are a top seed in section playoffs that begin this week and are hoping for their first-ever trip to state.
Hockey in the city: Minneapolis has a state tournament contender again
The last time a Minneapolis public school team went to the state tournament was 1994. This year's group, comprised of players from around the city, has a 16-4-1 record and is hoping to end that dry spell.
Andover tops Warroad in battle of No. 1-ranked girls' hockey teams
Dave Marvin, whose Warroad team holds the No. 1 rank in Class 1A, said his team benefited from seeing a tough 2A opponent
A rare pair: Nightingale siblings succeed on Nordic trail, Alpine hill
Isak and Margo Nightingale of Mounds Park Academy compete in each of the skiing divisions offered by the Minnesota State High School League, and they do it well.
Hill-Murray's top goalie off team, 'no longer a student' at school
Senior Nick Erickson's last game was a Jan. 6 victory at Tartan. He entered the season as the Pioneers' No. 1 goaltender after posting a 14-2 record as a junior.
Marvin family's teachings go beyond hockey, and message is heard far from Warroad
The Max Foundation, established after Max Marvin died by suicide, is spreading the word on helping young people with their mental health.
Heyer calling: Hill-Murray star heads to Stanford as state's top recruit
Wednesday's ceremony did not signal the start of Lucas Heyer's college football journey. His began more than a month ago when his team lost in the state playoffs.
Resilient, respected Alvarez makes way from Columbia Heights to U
Spencer Alvarez is believed to be the first Columbia Heights athlete to join a Big Ten football program since the 1980s. His journey hasn't been without setbacks.
Nick Gilles of Minnetonka is the Boys' Cross-Country Runner of the Year
A near miss in track and field taught him a lesson about "running to win" that led to a state championship.
Ali Weimer of St. Michael-Albertville is the Girls' Cross-Country Runner of the Year
A senior, she broke through a barrier, posted the best times of her life and won a state championship.
Boys' hockey preview: 5 story lines, 1 dream team, 10 players to watch
The top offseason storyline? Cretin-Derham Hall, loaded on the top line, carries great expectations for the 2021-22 season.
Prep Bowl notes: Lakeville South offense suits its quarterback to a Power-T
Camden Dean indicates he doesn't miss the passing stats as much as he likes winning the state title.
Second-half drives propel Dassel-Cokato past Plainview-Elgin-Millville in Class 3A
Chargers running back Eli Gillman rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns.
Hutchinson piles on the power in winning Class 4A Prep Bowl, its sixth state title
The Tigers overwhelmed Kasson-Mantorville with their running game, winning 42-14
Coaches' routes converge at the top in Class 6A football title game
Either Maple Grove's Matt Lombardi or Lakeville South's Ben Burk will secure his school's first state title.
Meet the 2021 All-Metro football first team defense
Here are the top defensive players in Twin Cities area prep football, including the All-Metro second team.
Class 5A semifinal: Mankato West earns shot at fifth state title with 42-7 victory over Rogers
Ryan Haley fueled the Scarlets with three second-quarter touchdowns in the final semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Class 3A semifinal: Plainview-Elgin-Millville advances with 28-6 victory over Annandale
The Bulldogs return to the Prep Bowl for the first time since winning it all in 2002.
Class 5A semifinal: Mahtomedi topples Cooper 34-7 to advance to Prep Bowl
The Zephyrs scored on three consecutive first-half possessions as the Hawks struggled to keep pace.
Class 6A semifinal: No. 1 Lakeville South takes advantage of takeaways in 40-14 rout of St. Michael-Albertville
The Cougars turned fumble recoveries into touchdowns early on and rolled from there to stay undefeated.
Father-daughter duo leads Blaine's swimming and diving excellence
Head coach Kristen Luedtke and her father Dave, an assistant, built the Bengals into a consistent state meet-caliber program.
Prep football state semifinal staff picks: Class 1A, 3A and 5A
Football state tournament semifinal action continues Friday and Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Prep football state semifinal staff picks: Nine-Man, Class 2A, Class 4A, Class 6A
Breaking down four classes of prep football action at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Girls' hockey preview: 5 story lines, 1 dream team, 10 players to watch
The biggest story in the offseason? The already powerful Minnetonka Skippers made major roster moves, including some key transfers.
Class 5A quarterfinals: Mankato West beats St. Thomas Academy 21-14
Getting to the semifinals required the Scarlets to stop St. Thomas Academy twice in the fourth quarter.
Top-ranked Lakeville South fends off Shakopee 42-28 in Class 6A quarterfinals
The Cougars got the go-ahead score from running back Josh Jacobson midway through the fourth quarter.
6A football: Maple Grove's big plays lead to 31-12 victory over Woodbury
Crimson senior running back Derrick Jameson ran for touchdowns of 59 and 74 yards.
