Recent content from Ron Haggstrom
Eight Minnesotans to watch in the NCAA women's basketball tournament
Paige Bueckers is one of several players who proudly represents the state of Minnesota in their quests for an NCAA title this year.
![Minnehaha guard Prince Aligbe (10) leapt to grab a rebound as Sierra Canyon forward Terren Frank (15) tried to get his hand on it in the first half. ]](https://chorus.stimg.co/22243301/CHETPRINCE11.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
National No. 1 recruit Holmgren leads Star Tribune players to watch
Chet Holmgren and two of his Minnehaha Academy teammates are on the list. And our list of 10 metro teams includes four from Class 3A and 2A.
Swimming season tested Edina's Duffy even before the pandemic
The standout proved his determination over the past two years after suffering a back injury while strength training over the summer.
Hutchinson's Hanson caps trying season as Metro Girls' Swimmer of the Year
Grace Hanson, who reached her first state meet in 7th grade, couldn't add to her total of 11 state titles because of the pandemic.
The prep life, 2020 style: Those who can play, do
Small and strange in some ways, but as competitive as ever in others: Welcome to the beginning of the fall high school sports season.
Lakeville South girls' soccer to make the most of 'lucky' shot at playing
Lakeville South girls take the field grateful just to play but hopeful for a shot at state.
High school sports begin today, with goal of finishing what gets started
Virtual swim meets — each team in its own pool — are on the horizon for some schools as four sports start practice Monday, 156 days after the pandemic shut down high school sports in March.
Top girls' hoops recruit picks N.C. State over Gophers, others
6-foot-4 center Sophie Hart of Farmington selected the Wolfpack women's basketball team from nearly 20 offers, including one from the Gophers.
Leaving at the top: Cosgriff retires from Hopkins with 62-game streak
The leader of the perennial state power, Brian Cosgriff, is leaving the Hopkins girls' basketball coaching job after directing the Royals to seven state championships during his 21-year tenure.
Minnehaha's Holmgren has U among finalists as his game and fame grows
The 7-foot Minnehaha Academy senior, who is rated the nation's top boys' basketball prospect in the upcoming senior class, has Minnesota among seven colleges that he's considering.
Trail of big victories leads unbeaten Eden Prairie boys' basketball team to top honor
The Eagles, with a core of players who started playing together and impressing as fourth-graders, are the Star Tribune All-Metro Boys' Team of the Year.
Incomparable Paige Bueckers 'enjoyed every second' of final run with Hopkins
Paige Bueckers left with Hopkins on a 62-game winning streak, the second longest in state history. The UConn-bound basketball star is the Star Tribune All-Metro Female Athlete of the Year.
San Diego-bound girls' swimmer Hannah Hintermeister from Richfield wins in the classroom, too
Richfield senior Hannah Hintermeister's hard work and skill earns her the Star Tribune All-Metro Student First Award.
More weary but still enthused, Farmington girls take nothing for granted
"I had so much free time I didn't know what to do with myself," Tigers swimmer Bailey McCuddin said of the pandemic-driven isolation from working out with teammates.
Former Anoka HS pitcher Palmer selected in 3rd round by Toronto
Trent Palmer, a junior at Jacksonville University, tied the program record for strikeouts in a single game with 13 in a complete-game victory over Illinois State on March 6.
Dream realized: Marlins take Gophers pitcher Meyer No. 3 in MLB Draft
Max Meyer, a former high school standout at Woodbury, jumped up the draft board Wednesday. He was the No. 9 overall prospect according to mlb.com.
With phones, without fans, boys' golfers play one last round
Gunnar Broin, who finished with a 5-under-par 67. was medalist in the Senior Showcase at Bunker Hills in Coon Rapids.
First-round stuff: U pitcher Meyer should be among top picks in MLB draft
Max Meyer of Woodbury is ranked No. 9 among prospects by mlb.com, and has talked or interviewed with about half of baseball's 30 teams.
Minnesota PGA offers prep seniors one last 18-hole tournament
A pay-to-play senior golf "showcase'' will be held June 9-10 at Bunker Hills for top prep players whose season was canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mounds View seniors robbed of final swing at baseball state title
Ten Mounds View seniors were expected back this baseball season from a state tournament team last spring.
U's Meyer could be state's highest draft choice since Joe Mauer
Max Meyer hasn't pitched in a game since the pandemic halted the season, but his MLB draft stock continues to soar, thanks in part to a fastball clocked as high as 100 miles per hour.
Gym door propped open, rebellious Karvonen never stopped shooting
New York Mills' Janet Karvonen emerged as Minnesota's first post-Title IX star in the 1970s, setting a career scoring record that stood for 17 years and leading her team to three consecutive state championships.
Glatzmaier's 12-inning title game feat for Albany still stands 50 years later
Dick Glatzmaier pitched a 12-inning shutout to win the 1970 championship baseball game, a state record that never will be broken. And his long-distance adventures were only getting started.
No Minnesota high school spring sports until May 4 at earliest
The move came in response to Gov. Tim Walz ordering state residents to stay at home and limit movements outside their homes beyond essential needs for two weeks beginning this weekend.
Blake School extends sports shutdown to May 1; spring coaches hope, wait
The private school, one of the metro area's prominent athletic powers, is believed to be the first in the state to extend its sports program cancellations through April.
'No-win situation' brings tears, laughter to Eden Prairie net-cutting celebration
COVID-19 concerns derail title dreams for many top hoops teams.
After thrill of back-to-back wins, Henning basketball gets a double dose of heartbreak
Neither of Henning's basketball teams got the chance to win a state title.
MSHSL cancels floor hockey tourney, restricts fans at basketball to 90 per team
Starting Friday only 90 school-approved fans can attend girls' basketball state tournament and boys' basketball section games, the league said.
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, Minneota, Cromwell-Wright nd Henning win in Class 1A girls' basketball quarterfinals
Defending champ Minneota also wins as does Cromwell-Wright and Henning.
March mayhem: How about a radical state basketball tournament makeover?
If Minnesota's biggest schools seeded their boys' and girls' basketball postseason without using section play, it could solve a problem of having some of the sweetest match-ups happening before the state tournament.
Forest Lake Nordic ski teams hooked on a family feeling
Eight sets of siblings — 17 skiers in all — help anchor the speedy Ranger boys' and girls' teams, among the favorites to bring home state championships next month.
Rebuilding bridges: Whalen offers U scholarships to 13 state players
Lindsay Whalen is working hard to overcome the lack of interest toward state recruits by her predecessor, Marlene Stollings. The recruiting of a junior from Farmington is an example.
After unbeaten season with state title, Hopkins eyes doing both again
The Royals have a well-known star in UConn recruit Paige Bueckers, but they also have a strong, youthful nucleus.
Butterfly champ Peyton D'Emanuele hopes to dance like a double-winner
Southwest standout swimmer Peyton D'Emanuele is a favorite in two events.
Edina state champion Megan Phillip excels with family diving genes
The senior, whose parents and two older brothers are divers, has her sights set on becoming the second diver in Minnesota history to win four state titles.
Girls' swimming preview: Champs Edina, Visitation to be tested by runners-up Minnetonka, Hutchinson
Expect the Lake Conference, which has dominated the Class 2A girls' swimming and diving state meet, to do the same this fall.Schools from the conference…
Lakeville South raring to pick up where surprising playoff team left off last season
The Cougars are loaded with confidence after riding a five-game winning streak to the Class 6A Prep Bowl semifinals last November.
St. Thomas Academy edges Benilde-St. Margaret's for Class 3A baseball title
Duke Coborn of St. Thomas Academy won a pitchers' duel when an out at home in the sixth preserved his shutout.
Benilde-St. Margaret's overcomes injuries, adversity to have shot at first baseball state title
The turnaround can be traced to a pancake house meeting that helped players open up and overcome a 1-5 start and injuries to six teammates throughout the season.
Monticello, Benilde-St. Margaret's, Austin, St. Thomas Academy win in Class 3A baseball quarterfinals
Reliever Ethan Bosacker held Duluth Denfeld to one hit in 5⅓ innings.
Red Wing seniors cap memorable careers with Class 2A golf titles
Sophia Yoemans, Cecil Belisle win in Class 2A.
Stillwater's Drew Gilbert is the Star Tribune baseball Metro Player of the Year
Drew Gilbert was 7-0 and nearly unhittable for Stillwater this year.
Youthful field, Northfield senior lead the way in 3A girls' golf state tournament
Seven of the eight top finishers are back from last year, including five who are sophomores or younger.
From mound, plate or field, Stillwater duo have champs rolling
Will Frisch, Drew Gilbert lead a Ponies team that hasn't lost a game in more than a year.
Bryce Tesdahl leaving East Ridge, to take over as Minnetonka boys' basketball coach
He coached the Raptors to a fourth-place finish in March in their first state tournament appearance and has led teams to 20 or more wins in his last four seasons.
Hopkins top girls' basketball recruit Bueckers headed to UConn
The nation's No. 1-ranked girls' basketball player in the class of 2020 said Monday on social media that she will play for the Huskies.
Henning wins first state title and players remember a late teammate to the end
Henning was inspired by a teammate who had died.
Henning routs Spring Grove in Class 1A boys' basketball semifinals
The Hornets surged in the first half and turned game into rout.
Low-percentage three pointer enables North Woods to beat Ada-Borup in boys' basketball semifinals
Cade Goggleye made it from tough angle with 1.5 ticks left.
Heritage Christian, Goodhue, Menahga and Minneota win in Class 1A girls' basketball quarterfinals
Heritage Christian raced to quick 15-point lead and then weathered every comeback bid by Ada-Borup/Norman County West for a 67-59 victory Thursday afternoon in the…
Roseau sisters combine for 70 points in one-point win
Katie and Kacie Borowicz of the Rams had 70 points combined.
Eastview gets early leads and hold it, beating Forest Lake in girls' basketball
Eastview built an early nine-point lead against Forest Lake
Paige Bueckers of Hopkins is the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year
Royals junior's accolades still missing a 4A crown.
Healthy again, Lakeville South's Lauren Geary hoping to finish prep Alpine ski career on top
Becca Divine, Lauren Geary have been competing since fourth grade.
Prep athletes of the week: SMB's Jalen Suggs saves the best for the biggest game
Jalen Suggs did it all in leading SMB to a state championship.
High school swimming champs step back from school competition to move forward
Four defending Minnesota girls' swimming state title winners are training with club teams this fall, motivated by a desire for more intense training and competition tied to goals after high school.
Hutchinson girls' swimmers set for another shot at 1A champ Visitation
Two Tigers stars lead special group with state team title hopes.
Shakopee volleyball color codes all speak the same language
Team communication will be critical as senior Rachel Kilkelly, a Gophers recruit, leads the Sabers to what they hope will be a state tournament berth.
After living the dream, what do high school sports stars do for a senior year encore?
After two plays for the ages, what's next for those who helped pull them off?
Unbeaten and outstanding: South metro sports year in review
The year of the unbeatens highlight an outstanding 2017-18 school year south of the Minnesota River.
Mahtomedi takes care of unfinished business with school's first state baseball title
Mahtomedi's seniors had been 0-for-3 at state.
Twins draft pick Seth Halvorsen dominates field to lead Heritage Christian Academy to state title
Twins draft pick did it all for Heritage Christian.
Mahtomedi, Rocori advance to 3A baseball final
Passed ball in seventh puts Zephyrs in final vs. Rocori.
Baseball state tournament: Class 3A quarterfinals
Closer Austin Jerylo got out of a runner on third and no outs jam in the ninth.
Red Wing's Sophia Yoemans wins 2A golf title with state tournament record 15-under
Red Wing junior has record-breaking two days; teammate finishes in second place.
Tightened schedule shifts strategy for state baseball tournament
Managing pitching staffs will be a tournament key.
Lakeville North's Nick Juaire left his streaky swing behind to win Metro Player of the Year
Already a polished catcher, a change to Nick Juaire's swing added more consistency and pop
Red Wing golfer shoots record 63 in opening round of Class 2A golf
Minutes after Leah Herzog set a state record, Sophia Yoemans shattered it.
Buffalo girls' golfing sisters lead team to fourth state tournament
Heading to state contest, golfers are unfazed by underdog status.
Apple Valley seniors leave lasting impression in girls' lacrosse
Eagles have made huge strides in girls' lacrosse.
Lakeville North's Welch intense and talkative on golf course
Lakeville North's Megan Welch has placed fifth and second in 3A state meets.
Prep catchers shine in role that draws few volunteers
Lakeville North senior Nick Juaire headlines a list of six catchers who have either signed letters of intent or verbally committed to play Division I baseball.
Prior Lake opens lacrosse season with five wins
The high-scoring Lakers ween't included among the "teams to watch" this season and have come out with a vengeance.
Hastings golfer Nick Dittrich makes every swing count
Nick Dittrich doesn't take practice swings. "It's all about tempo,'' he says.
