John’s Journal:

John's Journal Top 10 From 2023-24: A Wrestling Journey From Italy To The X

June 29, 2024 |

John's Journal

Tommaso Costantini is a foreign-exchange student who grew up playing rugby in Italy, and dove right into American high school sports by playing football last fall and wrestling this winter. He was a starting linebacker for the Eagles by the midway point in the season and getting to the state wrestling tournament was another memory that will last a lifetime.

John’s Journal Top 10 From 2023-24: From Omaha To St. Paul, Traveling And Performing

June 28, 2024 |

John's Journal

When Delta Airlines flight 3831 returned to earth at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport a few minutes ahead of schedule, all was well for a group of talented students from St. Michael-Albertville High School.

John’s Journal Top 10 From 2023-24: 80 Years Old And 60-Plus Years Of Officiating

June 27, 2024 |

John's Journal

John Lieser isn’t exactly a Forrest Gump-type character, but the longtime MSHSL football and basketball official has seen a lot in 80 years of life in Minnesota.

John’s Journal Top 10 From 2023-24: Guardian Caps Change Football

June 26, 2024 |

John's Journal

Today we begin revealing the top John's Journal stories from 2023-24, beginning with the Honorable Mention honorees.

John's Journal: One Moment, One Hug, That Meant Everything

June 23, 2024 |

John's Journal

On the final weekend of the 2023-2024 school year, in the ballpark that every baseball-loving kid in Minnesota dreams about, four state champions were decided after a week of weather delays, uncertainty and waiting … waiting … and more waiting.

John's Journal: Remembering Willie, Mickey And The Duke

June 19, 2024 |

John's Journal

I don’t know how many sports books were available at my little hometown library in Graettinger, Iowa, but I do know that I read every one of them, some of them more than once, and my favorites were about great baseball players.

John's Journal: Multi-Sport Athletes Experience Multiple Success Stories

June 14, 2024 |

John's Journal

For busy multi-sport athletes, managing time, sports and school responsibilities is crucial.

John's Journal: Trio Of Siblings Ready To Tee It Up At State Golf

June 9, 2024 |

John's Journal

Three siblings from West Central Area -- Mitchell, Marshall and Miley Dewey -- will play in the Class A state golf tournament.

John's Journal: Irondale’s Hughes Goes Out In Triple Gold Style

June 9, 2024 |

John's Journal

Irondale senior track star Juriad Hughes Jr. added to a high school career that will go down in Minnesota history.

John's Journal: Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Makes History In Two Girls Sports

June 7, 2024 |

John's Journal

Last fall, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton played at the state volleyball tournament for the first time and won a championship. This week, the softball team reached the state tourney for the first time.

John's Journal: Long-Lasting Leadership Keys Mahtomedi Tennis Success

June 6, 2024 |

John's Journal

What Mahtomedi tennis players Sam Rathmanner, Jack Allaben and Brandon Pham have accomplished, nearly in lockstep with each other, is pretty incredible.

John's Journal: Waabi Wagner, Hard-Of-Hearing Infielder, Leads Northome/Kelliher To State Softball

June 3, 2024 |

John's Journal

Northome/Kelliher senior Waabi Wagner is a hard-of-hearing student-athlete who’s been given no choice but to adjust in order to play the sport she loves.

John's Journal: Small-School Athletes Raising The Bar To Big Heights

June 1, 2024 |

John's Journal

Pierce Petersohn of Triton and Sam Snitker of Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland/Southland are heading to the state track meet as the top high jumpers in Minnesota regardless of class.

John's Journal: Aiming For State Titles And An Olympic Berth

May 28, 2024 |

John's Journal

Irondale senior Juriad Hughes Jr., who broke a decades-old state record in the long jump last year and is the state’s fastest runner at 100 and 200 meters this year, has more on his 2024 radar than high school competition.

John's Journal: In Time Of Mourning, The Team Shows Its Support

May 23, 2024 |

John's Journal

Sam Helgestad and his senior classmates will have their graduation ceremony on May 24. His father’s absence will be notable for many reasons. Jake Helgestad, a 1991 New Prague graduate and multi-sport Trojans athlete, was a selfless hero who began serving his country while still in high school.

John's Journal: No Track, No Problem For Fastest Female In Minnesota

May 15, 2024 |

John's Journal

Brynn Bakken is a marvel. She’s a sprinter, a speed merchant, a stick of dynamite, a four-sport farm kid from a small town. And during this 2024 track and field season, she’s the fastest female in Minnesota.
Brynn is not old enough to drive but man oh man does she speed.

John's Journal: The Night The Lights Went Out In Winona

May 9, 2024 |

John's Journal

Those who stayed until the end of the Section 1, Class 2A boys and girls True Team Track and Field meet at Winona’s Paul Giel Field on Tuesday will never forget it.

John's Journal: 13 Inducted Into Bartelma Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame

May 6, 2024 |

John's Journal

Thirteen new members were inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Dave Bartelma Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 4th, in Benson, Minn.

John's Journal: Farmington Softball Celebrates “Randy Day”

May 2, 2024 |

John's Journal

As Farmington assistant softball coach Randy Schmitz battles cancer, the Tigers team honored him with "Randy Day."

John’s Journal: Baseball Across Minnesota Scheduled For May 2-5

April 30, 2024 |

John's Journal

Baseball Across Minnesota, with events scheduled for May 2-5, 2024, is a celebration of the sport’s inclusivity, emphasizing that baseball truly is for everyone.