Recent content from Jim Paulsen
Eight Minnesota women on what's next in the fight for gender equality in sports
Title IX's 50th anniversary is an opportunity to challenge current thinking and continue the fight for fairness in sports.
Girls' lacrosse: Late goals lift Lakeville South to state title
The Cougars scored three goals over the final eight minutes to secure their first title.
After a quiet start, Fairmont posts a resounding inning and wins the Class 2A title
A seven-run sixth in the championship game against Roseau produced the game's only runs.
Stillwater pieces together baseball's key parts, defeating Farmington for the 4A title
Timely hitting and Austin Buck's pitching made for a winning combination against the defending champion.
State baseball: Farmington uses power, Stillwater wields pitching to win 4A semis
Thursday's victories set up the pairings for championship day Friday at Target Field.
Elk River/St. Michael Albertville pulls off upsets, wins state title in boys' volleyball
The cooperative went into the tournament seeded eighth but beat the top two seeds on the way to the championship.
Baseball state quarterfinals: Maple Grove taps a fresh resource
The Crimson got a boost from pitcher Aiden McMahon, making his way back from injury.
Forest Lake uses late surge to nab Class 4A softball title
Mankato West won the 3A championship, Chatfield won in 2A and Nicollet took 1A.
Softball state tournament: Forest Lake, Brainerd reach Class 4A final
The teams will play for the title Friday at Caswell Park in North Mankato.
Confident Orono wins 2A boys' tennis; SPA tops Breck in 1A
A late-season victory over Wayzata served as the Spartans' launching pad. St. Paul Academy won the 1A title.
Softball state preview: White Bear Lake is back at state after 20 years
The Bears, despite a lack of tournament background, received the top seed in Class 4A.
![Edina’s Matthew Fullerton recorded a point as he played Wayzata’s Collin Beduhn in the boys Class 2A championship singles match. ] ANTHONY SOUFFLE](https://chorus.stimg.co/23613900/croptennis.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Loss doesn't mar Eagan's experience at the boys' tennis state championships
The Wildcats agree their first appearance at the tournament since 2013 is what matters most.
Meet the softball All-Metro squads for 2022
The list starts with 12 of the Twin Cities' best players on the first team.
Chanhassen's Sydney Schwartz is the Star Tribune Metro Softball Player of the Year
The future University of Minnesota player is an ace on the rubber, a threat at the plate and a dancer with no shame.
Chanhassen outlasts Shakopee 11-10 for Class 4A, Section 2 softball title
The Storm used a four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh and final inning to pull out the victory.
Softball field becomes a postseason proving ground for St. Anthony
The Huskies are regular state tournament participants but have been thwarted in their pursuit of a championship.
National Guard duties are priority for captain of Farmington High School softball team
Elizabeth Johnson is a senior first baseman for Farmington and also a graduate of basic training, a high school student with a plan for her future.
Boys' volleyball advocates frustrated after losing sanction bid by one vote
Many administrators were reluctant to give up limited space in facilities that are often in high demand in March and April because of poor spring weather.
Boys' volleyball takes another shot at Minnesota State High School League sanctioning
Two previous attempts were shot down by the MSHSL's Representative Assembly. Here are facts for and against.
Boys' volleyball takes another shot at getting sanctioned by MSHSL
Two previous attempts were shot down by the Minnesota State High School League's Representative Assembly. Here are facts for and against.
Unconventional ending highlights U spring football game
Overtime was ended by a kicking competition between the the teams' two talented kickers.
With 60 D1 football offers, decision nears for Cooper star Howard
Jaxon Howard, one of the most highly coveted prep football players in Minnesota history, is making visits to the Gophers, LSU and Miami before choosing a school.
Cosgriff, architect of Hopkins' girls' basketball rise, to take over as coach at Minnetonka
The coach who led the Royals to seven state championships in 21 seasons will guide another prominent program.
Ex-Hopkins girls' coach Cosgriff taking new job with Minnetonka
The coach who led the Royals to seven state titles in 21 seasons is taking on another prominent program — and one of Hopkins' biggest rivals.
Minnesota High School Basketball Hall of Fame grows by 15
Ziggy Kauls, for 45 years a successful coach, and Tayler Hill, a big-time girls' scorer still deep in the basketball biz, were among inductees in the 2022 class.
Action coming to combat racism around prep sports
Minnesota State High School League officials indicated schools want set rules and consequences and that students themselves could be part of the solution.
Park Center's Braeden Carrington named Mr. Basketball
Carrington, who has signed with the Gophers, led the Pirates to their first Class 4A state title on Saturday.
Park Center gets best of defending state champion Wayzata in Class 4A championship game
The Pirates become third the boys' basketball team of the day to win their first crown.
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.
Too much Tibbits: Wayzata's depth too much for Cretin-Derham Hall
Cretin-Derham Hall coach Jerry Kline Jr. said that Wayzata's late, game-clinching run in the Class 4A semifinals was jnot having an answer for Wayzata junior Hayden Tibbits
Class 4A semifinal: Park Center defense suffocates Eastview
The Pirates, with a collection of offensive standouts, turned in perhaps their best defensive showing of the season against the Lightning.
After back-to-back disappointments, rebuilt Eastview is back at state
A pandemic and an unexpected loss kept the Lightning out of the Class 4A tournament field the past two years. Senior guard Kenji Scales saw to it nothing stopped them this season.
Tre Holloman is Star Tribune Boys' Basketball Metro Player of the Year
The Cretin-Derham Hall point guard will lead the Raiders into the Class 4A state tournament before heading off to Michigan State.
Class 3A and 4A girls' basketball: 1 vs. 3 in mirror finals
A look at Saturday's big-school title games
St. Michael-Albertville's Tessa Johnson ready to show all she learned in a season away
She missed her sophomore year because of a broken femur but returns to the girls' basketball state tournament as a junior and as a more thoughtful player.
Girls' basketball state tournament preview: Story lines range from revenge to redemption
Hopkins has matters to correct in Class 4A, Becker aims for a repeat in 3A, high-scoring youngsters dominate 2A and vengeance is sought in 1A.
Chaska's Heyer is Star Tribune girls' basketball Metro Player of Year
Mallory Heyer and three others from the 2021-22 All-Metro teams form a recruiting class that has sparked optimism for next season at the University of Minnesota.
Half-court game-winner sends Shakopee to girls' state tournament
Shakopee's Kate Cordes hit a shot from just beyond the halfcourt line at the buzzer lift the Sabres over Eden Prairie. Tap for the story and video of the winning shot.
North High wins 143-4 in sections; coach explains what happened
A first-round game of the Class 2A playoffs pitted the No. 1-seeded Polars and their legacy of basketball excellence against a charter school from Hopkins that had played only five games in 2022.
Hopkins perseveres in girls' basketball section final, defeats Wayzata to make state
The Royals began to pull away late in the first half and earned a chance to win the title that got away last season.
Simley's Raymond becomes first girls' state wrestling champ
Edison's Nari Miller cries in triumph; Stillwater's Audrey Rogotzke keeps her end of the deal in a sibling double.
Stillwater's Ryder Rogotzke breaks through for state wrestling title with his 44th pin
Ponies' Hunter Lyden wins his third; Waconia's Max McEnelly flips over three-peat; Lakeville North's Zach Hanson scores.
Lakeville North's Volk brings less hair and the usual dominance to state wrestling
A two-time Class 3A champion, he gave up on the curly locks, powered into the semifinals.
First girls' wrestling state tournament comes with first-time possibilities
The first girls' state meet makes possible something never before conceivable: A sister-brother state championship duo. Meet Audrey and Ryder Rogotzke of Stillwater, who are each seeded No. 1 in their divisions.
St. Michael-Albertville returns to wrestling's peak with authority
A big early lead over Stillwater produced the team's first Class 3A title since 2018 and completed a perfect season.
Class 1A wrestling: Jackson County Central wins title after eight seasons of waiting
The Huskies finished strong in the semifinals and started fast in the the championship match against Royalton/Upsala.
Two-time state wrestling champ McEnelly keeps it simple: 'I love to dominate'
The Waconia junior heads into the wrestling state meet having not lost in more than two years.
Seventy-one years after state title match, opponents meet again
Bruce Williams and Ron Malcolm, who battled for the 138-pound title at the 1951 wrestling state tournament, met recently to rehash the day one changed the course of his life and the other made a decision he regrets but can laugh about now.
Shakopee wrestlers endure a challenge in new section but arrive safely at state
The Sabers will be back to defend their team championship after a close call against Waconia.
Energizing start vaults St. Cloud's Taylar Schaefer to 2A individual gymnastics title
Teammates Reagan Kelley and Anna Mielke of Watertown-Mayer/Mound Westonka finished first and second in Class 1A.
Refusing to wiggle, Wayzata goes big on beam and pulls out a Class 2A gymnastics team victory
Three other teams were positioned to win when the Trojans nailed their final event en route to a state championship.
North Polars community grieves, honors memory of Deshaun Hill
A Minneapolis North boys' basketball game was the setting for remembering the athlete who was shot and killed Wednesday.
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.
South St. Paul boys' basketball rallies, keeps winning after coach's arrest
Matt McCollister resigned in January after he was charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, His team, ranked No. 3 in Class 3A, was undefeated at the time and still hasn't lost.
Twin Cities prep academy thrives in competitive basketball landscape
Minnesota Prep Academy has 26 students who are there to improve their college scholarship chances, while critics question the loss of high school experience.
Hopkins girls' basketball falls short vs. national No. 1 Sidwell Friends
The game, a 12-point loss for the Royals, was the opener of the nationally televised Girls' Basketball Invitational at Hopkins High School, bringing together four of the best teams in the nation.
Expectations — endured and then embraced — no longer weigh on Anoka wrestling star
Being the only son of an icon comes with baggage. As the son of an Olympic medalist, wrestler Eli Paulson knows this. He's spent a lifetime carrying that baggage, and he's learning to carry it well.
South St. Paul boys' basketball coach resigns, plans to plead guilty to fraud
Matt McCollister coached the Packers to a perfect record this season and to 30 wins in their past 32 games.
South St. Paul boys' basketball coach resigns, plans to plead guilty to fraud charges
Matt McCollister coached the Packers to a perfect record this season and to 30 wins in their past 32 games.
When the refs are all women, is girls' basketball a better game?
In addition to making an impact as role models, many players and coaches suggest that women officials call the game differently from men, allowing girls to play more physically.
Wrestling 2021-22 preview: Search for the very best leads to Waconia's Max McEnelly
Also among the angles for the season just beginning: a new girls' state tournament and an old boys' tournament revived.
Gymnastics 2021-22 preview: Because of club comings and goings, surprises are built in
Among teams, there's evidence that Class 1A Watertown-Mayer/Mound-Westonka is the state's best group.
Gymnastics: Because of club comings and goings, surprises are built in
Among teams, there's evidence Class 1A Watertown-Mayer/Mound-Westonka is the state's best.
Wrestling: Search for the very best leads to Waconia's Max McEnelly
Also among the angles for the season just beginning: a new girls' state tournament and an old boys' tournament revived.
Wrestling 2021-22: Search for the very best leads to Waconia's Max McEnelly
Also among the angles for the season just beginning: a new girls' state tournament and an old boys' tournament revived.
Hoops legacy, football fit: Chase Carter signs with Michigan State
The son of former Gophers basketball player Randy Carter figured he'd play his dad's game, but he and Dad agree now on which is his best opportunity.
Hoops legacy, football fit: Minnehaha's Carter signs with Spartans
The son of former Gophers basketball player Randy Carter figured he'd play his dad's game, but he and Dad agree now on which is his best opportunity.
Super Preps 365: Nine state prep football stars have Power 5 plans in place
National Signing Day is Wednesday, when five of the standouts plan to sign with the Gophers. The state's No. 1 recruit, Lucas Heyer of Hill-Murray, is headed elsewhere.
Sarah Shahbaz of Minnetonka is the Girls' Tennis Player of the Year
Her passion rekindled after burnout as a youth, she won the Class 2A singles title and helped with a team championship.
Girls' basketball preview: 5 story lines, 1 dream team, 10 teams to watch
Hopkins is back with all of the players who felt the pain of having their 78-game winning streak ended during last year's state tournament. And a look at some future Gophers who are among the state's elite.
Prep coaches thrilled by addition of shot clock for 2023-24 season
MSHSL board President Tom Jerome of Roseau said about 75 percent of schools favor the change, and it is even more popular among coaches.
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.
Mankato West finishes as a perfect champion, turning away Mahtomedi in Class 5A
The Scarlets reached high expectations by overcoming the Zephyrs' challenge in the title game.
In a late, sudden burst, Lakeville South seizes Class 6A Prep Bowl
A long touchdown run in the fourth quarter broke a tie and some Maple Grove hearts.
