Sports - The Timberjay

Ely junior Erron Anderson races to first but not in in time for the final out of the game.

AURORA— It’s said all good things must come to an end, and that was the case here last Thursday for an exceptional Ely high school baseball season as the Wolves fell 3-2 to South Ridge in … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/15/22 | 1 comment

Ely junior Joey Bianco rips a hit during Tuesday’s contest with Chisholm.

Back-to-back wins send Ely to finals

AURORA— It was do-or-die for the Timberwolves as they headed into the semi-final round of the Section 7A baseball tournament, played here on Tuesday. Having lost the prior Thursday to Cherry, … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/8/22

Haley Bogdan and Viterbo University bowling coach Jim Socha are all smiles after she recently committed to bowl for the Wisconsin university.

Bogdan commits to bowl for Viterbo U

FIELD TWP- As a young kid, recent North Woods School graduate Haley Bogdan discovered bowling.“I started when I was in third grade,” she said. “I have a fond memory of bringing home … more

David Colburn | 6/8/22

Margie Grahek, later Margie Johnson, poses with her track coach Carol Alstrom back in 1972, when she qualified for the first-ever Minnesota State Girls Track Meet.

A half century of girls running fast

TOWER- “We didn’t have track shoes,” said Margie (Grahek) Johnson, “we just had little white tenners.”But those little white tenners were enough to get this Tower-Soudan … more

Jodi Summit | 6/2/22

Six North Woods golfers will be competing in the Class A state tournament in Becker on June 14-15 after turning in qualifying performances at the Section 7A tourament in Virginia. Members of the qualifying first-place girls team include, from left, Abbigail Shuster, Morgan Burnett, Haley Bogdan, Madison Dantes, and Tori Olson. Davis Kleppe qualified for the boys.

Grizzlies girls golf team headed to state

VIRGINIA- The North Woods girls’ golf team is headed to the state Class A tournament after claiming the Section 7A championship last week on May 25-26 in Virginia.North Woods sophomore Tori … more

David Colburn | 6/1/22

Wolves stun Barnum with seventh inning tourney rally

AURORA— A dramatic seventh-inning rally over Barnum here on Tuesday, left the Timberwolves flying high during the first two games of double elimination in the Section 7A tournament. Ely made it … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/1/22

Grizzlies out of playoffs on a double dose of Silver Bay

CLOQUET- Silver Bay was a double dose of trouble for the North Woods softball team in the 7A sectional tournament, as the Mariners bumped the Grizzlies out of the event with a 9-1 win in their … more

David Colburn | 6/1/22

Ely sophomore pitcher Andrew Marolt winds to deliver during last Thursday’s home contest against Chisholm.

Ely wraps up regular season with a win

DEER RIVER— Freshman Cade Chittum rapped a two-run single in the top of the sixth and notched a save from the mound in the bottom of the seventh as he helped lead Ely to a 7-5 come-from-behind … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/1/22

Timberwolves make quick exit from playoffs

GRAND RAPIDS – The Timberwolves suffered a quick exit from the Section 7A girls softball tournament played here last Thursday, falling first to Cherry and then North Woods in the consolation … more

Keith Vandervort | 6/1/22

North Woods golfers taking tough weather in stride

FIELD TWP- Late melting snow, excessive April rains, and intermittent storms have taken their toll on Minnesota spring sports seasons, but the North Woods boys and girls have taken it all in … more

David Colburn | 5/25/22

Ely’s Charly Flom raps a hit during Tuesday’s playoff tilt.

Wolves rally for playoff win

ELY- An enthusiastic home crowd turned out here to watch the Timberwolves win their opening round contest in the Section 7A softball tournament in dramatic fashion on Tuesday. Ely, seeded seventh, … more

Keith Vandervort | 5/25/22

After fielding a grounder, the Grizzlies' Helen Koch gets ready to throw out a Cook County runner.

Grizzlies obliterate Nighthawks 24-0

FIELD TWP- The North Woods softball team got off to a roaring start in sectional tournament play on Tuesday, obliterating the visiting Northeast Range Nighthawks 24-0.The game was shortened to just … more

David Colburn | 5/25/22

Ely sophomore pitcher Drew Marolt eyes his catcher intently as he winds for a pitch against Carlton in the opening game of the Veteran’s Memorial tournament on Friday.

Wolves edge Broncos to improve to 12-4

INTERNATIONAL FALLS— Ely bounced back from its Monday loss to Rock Ridge, on the strength of a four-run first inning to edge the Broncos here, 7-6. The Wolves had plenty of help from the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/25/22

The Grizzlies' Louie Panichi winds for a pitch.

Grizzlies down ‘Hawks

SOUDAN- The air carried a chill and the skies were mostly cloudy on Monday, but the North Woods Grizzlies heated up in the latter part of Monday’s game against Northeast Range to claim an 11-6 … more

David Colburn | 5/18/22

Ely’s Gunnar Hart slides in safe at second during a steal attempt against Littlefork-Big Falls on Monday.

T-wolves win streak extends to seven

ELY— Senior pitcher Mason Davis tossed a no-hitter on Monday as the Timberwolves won their seventh straight to improve to 8-3 on the season. Davis fanned 11 Littlefork batters as Ely blanked … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/18/22

Grizzlies smash Chisholm in rebound from season’s first loss

FIELD TWP- The perfect season record for the North Woods softball team gained its first blemish with a loss Monday to Mesabi East, but the Grizzlies came roaring back on Tuesday to demolish Chisholm … more

David Colburn | 5/18/22

Grizzlies pitcher Evelyn Brodeen winds during last Friday’s contest with Ely.

Grizzlies edge Timberwolves 5-4

ELY—On Friday, the undefeated Grizzlies put the hurt to Ely for the second time this season, even as the Timberwolves bared their teeth in a hard-fought 5-4 contest. North Woods pitcher Evelyn … more

Keith Vandervort | 5/18/22

Wolves go 1-2 for the week

ELY – The Timberwolves batters came out swinging against the Nighthawks in the first game of a doubleheader on Monday, putting on their best performance of the week. Kate Coughlin had three … more

Keith Vandervort | 5/18/22

Ely’s Kate Coughlin slides safely into second base during Tuesday’s contest with the Spartans.

Ely girls improve to 7-2 in week’s action

ELY – The Timberwolves softball team won two of three on the road late last week and brought their 6-1 record home this week where they lost to International Falls on Monday and beat … more

Keith Vandervort | 5/11/22 | 1 comment

As teammate Karah Scofield backs up the play, the Grizzlies’ Skyler Yernatich tags out a stealing Ely baserunner.

North Woods routs Ely in 13-0 shutout

FIELD TWP- The North Woods softball team wasted little time putting the visiting Timberwolves on notice last Friday that they would defend their diamond tooth and nail. The Grizzlies did exactly … more

David Colburn | 5/11/22

Ely’s Joey Bianco starts to slide into second base during a successful steal attempt against MI-B last Thursday.

T-Wolves hit their stride

GRAND MARAIS— The long road trip to the shore didn’t slow the Timberwolves this past Saturday, as they downed Cook County 5-2 for their third straight win in as many days to improve their … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/11/22

Grizzlies notch first victories

FIELD TWP- A young North Woods baseball team struggling but playing well at times through an 0-5 losing streak finally cashed in its first big win of the season last week, then followed it up with … more

David Colburn | 5/11/22

Ely senior pitcher Mason Davis winds during last Friday’s game with North Woods.

Wolves blank Grizzlies

ELY— The Timberwolves’ senior pitcher Mason Davis put on a star performance during Ely’s home opener last Friday as he struck out eight and held North Woods to just two hits on … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/4/22

The Grizzlies’ Helen Koch and Skyler Yernatich celebrate after Yernatich drove home the game-winning run against MI-B.

Grizzlies collect two road wins

FIELD TWP- With the weather finally cooperating a bit, the North Woods softball team stayed perfect on the season by collecting road wins at Mt. Iron-Buhl and Floodwood this week.The Grizzlies played … more

David Colburn | 5/4/22

Ely’s Kate Coughlin slides safe into second on a steal attempt during last Thursday’s contest with Deer River.

Wolves rack up three straight home wins

ELY – The Timberwolves softball team improved to 4-0 on the season on Tuesday after notching their third straight home victory against Mesabi East. It was the second straight nail-biter for … more

Keith Vandervort | 5/4/22