John’s Journal:

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.

John's Journal: With Mason Archibald, Seeing Is Believing

April 23, 2024 |

John's Journal

To see Mason Archibald competing in track and field is a testament to the human spirit, as well as the spirit of a competitive, friendly young man from northern Minnesota.

John's Journal: After 30 Years, Spring Grove's Wade Grinde Steps Down

April 15, 2024 |

John's Journal

Wade Grinde has spent the past 29 years as Spring Grove’s head coach and over that time he guided the Lions to a stellar 566-197 record and two Class 1A state tournament berths.

John's Journal: Robbie Whitney Named Boys Basketball Coach At St. Francis

April 15, 2024 |

John's Journal

Robbie Whitney, who coached the boys basketball team at New Life Academy to state tournaments in 2022 and 2023, has been named head coach at St. Francis, where he graduated in 2016.

John's Journal: 53 Seasons And Cathedral’s Karn Is Going Strong

April 10, 2024 |

John's Journal

For more than five decades, Bob Karn has coached baseball at St. Cloud. He graduated from the school in 1959, joined the faculty in 1969 and became head baseball coach in 1971, when he was 29 years old.

John's Journal: Like Magic, Monticello Girls Track Is Back For More

April 4, 2024 |

John's Journal

They don’t talk about it. They don’t want to brag and they also don’t want to jinx it. But here’s the real deal: The girls track team from Monticello High School has won the last two Class 2A state championships and could make it three in a row this spring.

John’s Journal: A Conversation With Bryce Tesdahl

April 1, 2024 |

John's Journal

Bryce Tesdahl is a grandson of the late Bob McDonald, the Chisholm icon who won more boys basketball games that any coach in Minnesota.

John's Journal: Five Years Later, Henning Hornets Remember Jacob

March 23, 2024 |

John's Journal

The Henning Hornets, making their first trip to state in 53 years, won the 2019 championship while keeping a special teammate with them the whole way.

John’s Journal: It Was A ‘Where Were You When’ Game In Class A

March 22, 2024 |

John's Journal

There’s no “might” and there’s no “probably.” This was one of those epic ballgames that will be mentioned any time future discussions focus on the best games. Period. The screeching crowd, the hustling athletes, the pressure of playing on TV inside The Barn. C’mon.

John's Journal: No Foolin’ Around … Cherry Tigers Mean Business

March 21, 2024 |

John's Journal

The top-seeded Cherry Tigers are playing in the boys state basketball tournament for the third year in a row and their focus is on finally taking a championship trophy with them when they return to the Iron Range.