Sports - The Timberjay

Ely’s 4x400 relay runners pose under the marquee at the State Theater in Ely before heading off to the state track meet.

REGIONAL- Ely and North Woods both sent runners to the Class A state championship track and field meet after they turned in qualifying performances last week at the 7A sectional meet at UMD. The Ely … more

David Colburn | 6/6/24

Olson nabs fifth trip to state tourney

MCGREGOR- North Woods golfer Tori Olson nailed down her fifth trip to the state Class A championship tournament on Wednesday, May 29 by finishing second in the two-day 7A sectional tournament at the … more

David Colburn | 6/6/24

After a three-week layoff, Drew Marolt got the start for Ely and lasted into the sixth inning, giving up two runs, just one earned.

Wolves lose heartbreaker in seventh

AURORA- The Ely Timberwolves ran out of playoff magic at the worst possible time on Tuesday, as Deer River scored three runs in their last at-bat to upend the Wolves 5-4 and bounce them out of the … more

David Colburn | 6/6/24

Jerome Debeltz and his wife Mary at the newly dedicated Jerome Debeltz Fields in Ely.

Ely dedicates softball fields to Jerome Debeltz

ELY- The impossible happened this week in Ely. The softball league, elected officials, and city employees of Ely kept a secret, some of them for almost a year. The secret was Ely’s plan to … more

Catie Clark | 6/6/24

Neil and Liz Cheney applaud their daughter River after she signed a letter of intent to play softball for Augsburg University in Minneapolis.

Cheney signs with Augsburg for softball

FIELD TWP- While North Woods senior River Cheney has been a standout three-sport athlete for the Grizzlies, there was never any question that softball was the sport she wanted to keep playing, and … more

David Colburn | 5/31/24

Ely bows out in 11-2 loss to Silver Bay

CLOQUET— Ely’s high school softball season came to an end Tuesday afternoon in the quarter-final round of the Section 7A double elimination tournament. Top-seeded Silver Bay outpaced the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/31/24

North Woods’ Levi Chaulklin takes a big turn rounding third base against Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin.

Grizzlies end regular season with losses

AURORA- The North Woods baseball team closed out its regular season schedule last week with a pair of Thursday losses in games relocated to synthetic turf fields due to weather-related field … more

David Colburn | 5/31/24

The victorious NER-Ely golf team poses with their Section 7A tournament championship plaque on Wednesday.

NER-Ely heads to state tourney after sectional victory

MCGREGOR- The Northeast Range-Ely girls golf team, driven by the strength of three tournament medalists, won the two-day 7A sectional tournament at the Minnesota National Golf Club in McGregor on … more

David Colburn | 5/30/24

Olson nabs fifth trip to state

MCGREGOR- North Woods golfer Tori Olson nailed down her fifth trip to the state Class A championship tournmanet on Wednesday by finishing second in the two-day 7A sectional tournament at the … more

David Colburn | 5/30/24

Ely wins two to advance in tournament

SILVER BAY— Ely returned from its trip to the North Shore on Tuesday with two key post-season wins under its belt and the prospect of home field advantage in the next contest in the Section 7A … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/30/24

Ely’s Molly Brophy looks focused as she takes the handoff from Lydia Schultz in the 4x400 relay event.

Sub-sections wrap-up

AURORA- A host of Ely Timberwolves athletes were set to participate in the 7A sectional meet at UMD on Thursday by turning in qualifying performances at the 7A north subsectional in Aurora last week. … more

David Colburn | 5/30/24

North Woods’ Alex Burckhardt leads the way in the 3200 meters, with fellow Grizzlies runner Kahlil Lightfeather-Spears, right, close behind.

Grizzlies runners, jumper move on to sectionals

AURORA- A number of North Woods track athletes cleared the first hurdle for getting to the state track and field meet last Thursday at the 7A subsectional meet in Aurora by turning in qualifying … more

David Colburn | 5/30/24

Ely track competes at Rock Ridge meet

HIBBING- The Ely boys and girls track squads took part in the Steve Kerzie Invitational track and field meet at Rock Ridge High School last Saturday, with the girls placing third and the boys … more

David Colburn | 5/24/24

The Grizzlies’ Emarie Gibson makes a big splash as she slides into third base during last Thursday’s water-logged game against Cook County.

Grizzlies advance in squeaker

FIELD TWP- The North Woods Grizzlies kept their fans on the edge of their sectional playoff seats on Monday, breaking a tie in their final at-bat to defeat Littlefork-Big Falls 6-5 and advance to the … more

David Colburn | 5/23/24

Senior Hannah Penke tags out a Floodwood runner as she attempts to steal second base.

Ely edges Floodwood in playoff opener

ELY—Last Saturday, Floodwood proved a pushover for the Timberwolves softball squad in a 19-4 Ely rout. But they proved anything but in Monday’s opening round of the Section 7A playoffs as … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/23/24

North Woods senior golfer Tori Olson watches a putt head toward the hole during Friday’s tournament at Vermilion Fairways.

Olson ties for win in home tourney

COOK- In a soggy shootout at the East Range Conference girls golf tournament at Vermilion Fairways last Friday, North Woods’ Tori Olson mastered the slop for a share of the individual title, … more

David Colburn | 5/23/24

Pitching rules as Ely prepares for post season

ELY— Mesabi East pitcher Dakota Kruse fanned an even dozen Ely batters and slammed a two-run homer here on Monday as the Giants dropped the Timberwolves to 8-9 on the season. The 5-1 loss came … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/23/24

Grizzlies compete in Polar League meet

TWO HARBORS—Titles were up for grabs at the Polar League Championship track meet in Two Harbors on May 15, but North Woods tracksters competing with the South Ridge Panthers came home without … more

David Colburn | 5/23/24

NER-Ely girls take second in home golf tournament

ELY- The Northeast Range – Ely girls golf team teed it up on their home course this week and took second in the seven-team East Range Conference tourney on Monday at the Ely Golf Club. Four … more

5/16/24

Mental mistakes plaguing Ely in late season

SOUTH RIDGE— The Timberwolves were heading into this weekend’s annual Veterans Showcase tournament still looking for answers with just ten days to go in the regular season. “The way … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/16/24

Grizzlies compete at Denfield

DULUTH- North Woods tracksters competing with the South Ridge Panthers participated on Friday in the 15-team Matt Kero Memorial Invitational at Duluth Denfield High School. The Panthers finished well … more

5/16/24

Ely’s Zoe MacKenzie zeroes in on home plate as she winds for a pitch.

Sweet revenge for Grizzlies

FIELD TWP- With an eye on avenging an earlier loss this season to the Ely Timberwolves, the North Woods softball team stepped up on Friday to defend their home diamond and send the visitors home on … more

David Colburn | 5/15/24

Udovich wins 400 for Ely at league meet

HIBBING- The Ely boys and girls track squads parted ways last week to compete in separate meets in Chisholm and Hibbing, then got back together on Tuesday to compete at Rock Ridge. IRC championship … more

David Colburn | 5/15/24

North Woods’ Olson hits hot streak, takes first at Ely tourney

ELY- North Woods golfer Tori Olson bagged first place on Monday at the East Range Conference meet in Ely, and placed high on the leaderboards in Virginia and Hibbing last week. The Grizzlies senior … more

David Colburn | 5/15/24

Solid hitting lifts Wolves over Rangers

ELY— A big day at the plate made the difference for the Timberwolves as they pounded out a baker’s dozen to dump the Rangers 13-5. “I thought this was the best we looked all season … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/15/24