John’s Journal:

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.

John’s Journal: After 87 Years, Fresh History For Farmington

March 20, 2024 |

John's Journal

Eighty-seven years after their first trip to state, the Farmington boys basketball team made fresh by winning the Section 1 championship and advancing to the Class 4A state tournament with a sterling record of 23-6.

John's Journal: Memories, Brand New Or Decades Old, Are Everything

March 16, 2024 |

John's Journal

“I was really bummed that I couldn’t make their games, and it’s been a while since they made it to state. The community was so great when I played in Fosston and you never forget that.”

John's Journal: Thousands Of Reasons To Celebrate For Goodhue

March 15, 2024 |

John's Journal

When Goodhue's Elisabeth Gadient scored in the second half of the state semifinals, the Wildcats fans were ready. It seemed like almost everyone in the crowd immediately held up identical signs with a simple message: “2000”

John's Journal: After 46 Years, Coach Lien Makes It To State

March 14, 2024 |

John's Journal

Coaching lifer Jim Lien realized a dream this week when the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley girls basketball team qualified for the state tournament for the first time.

John's Journal: The Legendary Carlie Wagner Is Back In The Game

March 13, 2024 |

John's Journal

Carlie Wagner was back at the girls state basketball tournament on Wednesday and she walked around with the biggest smile in town. Anybody who saw her play at state a decade ago remembers the small-town superstar from New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva for her smile as well as her tremendous basketball skills.

John’s Journal: The Biggest Statement At The State Hockey Tournament

March 9, 2024 |

John's Journal

Among the great traditions at the Minnesota state high school hockey tournaments are the televised pregame introductions. One by one, players skate from the end line to the blue line as a TV camera documents their arrival. It’s very common to hear those kids look into the lens and say things like “Hi Mom” or “Hi Grandma.”