Hermantown Schools

SATURDAY SPORTS EVENTS

1 p.m. -- Girls JV soccer hosts Cloquet, Ugstad Field

1 p.m. -- Girls varsity swimming and diving invitational at Superior

3 p.m. -- Girls varsity soccer vs. Cloquet, Proctor's Egerdahl Field

Senior quarterback Peter Soumis threw for a pair of touchdowns, including a 59-yard strike to Macade Cannon in the fourth quarter, to power host Hermantown past Cloquet 27-12 in a Northeast Red high school football game Friday night at Corey Veech Field.

The Hawks (1-1) will play host to North Branch (1-1) at 7 p.m. Friday.

2019 HAWKS SCHEDULE / RESULTS

August 29 -- at Moose Lake-Willow River, L 26-19

September 6 -- Cloquet, W 27-12

Friday, September 13 -- host North Branch, 7 p.m.

Friday, September 20 -- at Duluth Denfeld, 6 p.m.

Friday, September 27 -- at Grand Rapids, 7 p.m.

Friday, October 4 -- host Duluth East, 7 p.m.

Friday, October 11 -- host Hibbing, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, October 16 -- at Proctor, 7 p.m.

NORTHEAST RED STANDINGS
As of Saturday, September 7

Hermantown 1-1
Grand Rapids 1-1
Cloquet 1-1
North Branch 1-1
Duluth East 1-1
Duluth Denfeld 0-2
Hibbing 0-2
Proctor 0-2

HERMANTOWN SPORTS CALENDAR

Tuesday, September 3

4 p.m. — Girls soccer hosts Duluth Denfeld

4:15 p.m. — Girls tennis at Cloquet

4:30 p.m. — Boys soccer at Hibbing

7 p.m. — Volleyball hosts Duluth East

Thursday, September 5

4 p.m. — Cross country at Superior

4:15 p.m. — Girls tennis at Superior

5 p.m. — Boys soccer hosts Cloquet

5 p.m. — Girls swimming and diving at Proctor

6 p.m. — Girls soccer at Hibbing

7 p.m. — Volleyball at Grand Rapids

Friday, September 6

7 p.m. — Football hosts Cloquet

Hermantown Community Schools photo

Seth Johnson scored two goals, including the game-winner in the second half, and elite netminder Zach Carson recorded five saves to lift Hermantown to a 3-2 road victory against Duluth Marshall in a Lake Superior Conference match Tuesday afternoon.

Hermantown Community Schools Photo

TUESDAY, AUG. 27 HAWKS SPORTS EVENTS

GIRLS TENNIS
10 a.m. — Hermantown at Grand Rapids

VOLLEYBALL
7 p.m. — Hermantown at Esko

BOYS SOCCER
5 p.m. — Hermantown at Duluth Marshall

Hermantown Community Schools photo: Hawks girls tennis, 2019 season

HERMANTOWN ACTIVITITES THIS WEEK

TUESDAY
10 a.m. -- Girls tennis at Grand Rapids
5 p.m. -- Boys soccer at Duluth Marshall
7 p.m. -- Volleyball at Esko

WEDNESDAY
All Day -- High School, Middle School Open House
10 a.m. -- Cross country at Virginia

THURSDAY
2 p.m. -- Boys soccer hosts Proctor
4 p.m. -- Girls soccer hosts Proctor
4 p.m. -- Girls tennis hosts Eveleth-Gilbert
7 p.m. -- Football at Moose Lake

FRIDAY
1 p.m. -- Boys soccer hosts Two Harbors
3 p.m. -- Girls soccer hosts Academy of Holy Angels

SATURDAY
8 a.m.-3 p.m. -- Activities Registration, High School Main Office

SATURDAY RESULTS

Senior netminder Zach Carson stopped all seven shots to lead Hermantown past Chisago Lakes 2-0 in a nonconference high school boys soccer match in Hermantown. Ayden Dowd and David Rutka scored goals for the Hawks.
. .

Hermantown lost to Chisago Lakes 2-0 in a nonconference high school girls home soccer match.

Hermantown Schools Photo: Hawks girls soccer captain Erin Wester.

Hermantown girls soccer coach Scott Larson blew his whistle to begin a players' conditioning drill at the team's second preseason practice Tuesday.

Audio: Larson on his team: https://soundcloud.com/howie-hanson/soccer-coach-20190813-56311

Hermantown Community Schools photo

Hermantown's varsity girls soccer team held its second preseason workout Tuesday morning. Click on the photo for a larger view.

Hermantown Community Schools photo

Hermantown High School varsity girls soccer captains this fall are, from left to right, Erin Wester, Amber Zierden and Brita Birkeland.

Hermantown Community Schools photo

Can you name these former and current Hermantown High golf legends who played a friendly round recently at Enger Park Golf Course, from left to right?

Hermantown senior-to-be defenseman Drew Sams has stepped up as a respected team leader this off-season.

“I think we have a really skilled, good, fun team -- a group of guys who will continue to play hard for each other,” said Sams, who was slotted with junior Joey Pierce in a top-two defensive pairing in the Lakeview Summer Classic at Mars Lakeview Arena last weekend.

"We’re a fast team that plays hockey the right way. I'm really excited for us this season.”

The 2019-20 Hawks will be led by Mr. Hockey in Minnesota preseason favorite Blake Biondi, a senior forward and Bulldogs recruit, and Sams and Pierce.

Other Hawks players to watch are junior forward Aaron Pionk, an elite sniper, and senior power forward Jack Mathison, who has been spotted bench-pressing a 1973 Volkswagon Beetle all summer.

Does Sams believe the Hawks feel any added pressure to get back to the Class 1A state tournament after losing to Greenway in the Section 7A final a year ago?

“To a man, I think the guys enjoy the heat,” said Sams. “It’s always fun to be looked at as the team to beat. We’re right there knocking at the door every season and nothing will be different this year. St. Cloud Cathedral has a really good team again this year, and they should be right there with us atop Class 1A.”

Hermantown Schools Photo: Man-of-the-hour Drew Sams, who scored two goals to help power Hermantown to a 9-1 victory against Virginia in a Section 7A boys hockey semifinal last season, was interviewed by local television reporters after the game. Blake Biondi also had two goals for the top-ranked Hawks in the game.

ALUMNI IN THE NEWS

Taylor Sundbom, a 2012 graduate of Hermantown High, defeated Matt Mellin 5 and 4 in the Men's Arrowhead Invitational match-play championship at Ridgeview Country Club on Sunday.

TAKE A BOW

Hermantown High juniors-to-be Ethan Lund and Joey Pierce will play for Corner Home Medical (formerly Team North) in the 2019 Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League.

Hermantown Schools Photo: Taylor Sundbom

The Hawks were impressive in the Lakeview Summer Classic high school boys hockey tournament this weekend at Mars Lakeview Arena in Duluth, winning two of three games despite playing without standout senior forward Blake Biondi who is preparing to compete in an elite world junior tournament overseas which begins this week.

Defending Section 7A runner-up Hermantown showcased a strong defensive corp, led by elite junior Joey Pierce who has moved back after skating right wing on the top forward line a year ago. Seniors Drew Sams, Zach Carson and Indio Dowd stood out. Jackson Lucia, Jack Glockle and Brady Rothe will compete for top-six spots.

Up front, Virginia High transfer Zach Kilen and burly Jack Mathison were impressive, along with junior super-sniper Aaron Pionk. Ethan Lund and Aydyn Dowd are also elite forwards to watch.

Senior Jacob Backstrom is the team's No. 1 goaltender.

"We have such a great culture here in Hermantown with our four outdoor rinks, kids skating every day from after school to 10 p.m.," said Mathison. "Having the big crowds cheering us on, from the kids to our grandparents, it's great."

Photos: Senior power forward Jack Mathison inside the Hawks' dressing room before the team's lopsided, running-time victory against defending Section 7A champion Greenway. Jack Glockle sitting next to his duffle bag inside the team's locker room. Hawks coach Patrick Andrews used his phone to read off the line and defensive combinations before the team's tournament opener against Brainerd on Saturday morning. Click on a thumbnail photo for a larger view. Hermantown Schools photos

HERMANTOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ALUMNI IN THE NEWS

Pionk agrees to two-year contract with Jets: https://www.nhl.com/news/neal-pionk-agrees-to-contract-with-winnipeg-jets/c-308221424?tid=281072352

Pionk agrees to two-year contract with Jets Neal Pionk agreed to terms on a two-year, $6 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday. It has an average annual value of $3 million.

HERMANTOWN SPEED & STRENGTH TRAINING PROGRAM

Registration is now open for the summer Hermantown Speed and Strength Training Program.

The program will run Monday-Thursday beginning June 10 and ending on August 1. Registration is open to all students in grades 9-12, 2019-20 school year. Registration forms are due back to the high school office or to Mr. Aker directly by June 7. The cost to participate is $100. Registration forms are available in Mr. Aker's room and the main office of the HS. you have questions, contact the coach, Mr. Aker, Ms. Clark, or Dr. Muenich.
A message from Mr. Aker: "Regardless of what type of student-athlete you are, this program will be highly beneficial to you in a variety of ways. Two sessions are being offered to service as many students as we can with busy work and family schedules during the summer. Speed and strength training is vital to our success at Hermantown moving forward. You will simply be better at what you do as an athlete if you are faster and stronger. Period. You will get out of this program exactly what you put in. I am excited to work with you to make you better!"

BREAKING SPORTS NEWS

Two Hawks girls track stars qualified for the state meet with elite efforts today at the Section 7AA Championships in Chisago Lakes.

Kellyn Biondi was second in the 100-meters (12.87) and Brita Birkeland second in the 800 (2:18.69).

The Hawks girls team finished sixth, while the Hermantown boys tied for 13th-place with Zimmerman.
Junior righthander Nolan Ruprecht scattered seven hits in six innings to earn the pitching victory as Hermantown remained alive in the double-elimination Section 7AAA baseball tournament with a 2-1 victory over North Branch in Princeton. Reese Fish and Darian Gotz each had two hits for the Hawks, and Brady Baker had a double and an RBI.

Facebook Photo: Kellyn Biondi (left) and Brita Birkeland

SATURDAY SPORTS EVENTS

SECTION 7AAA BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
Hawks vs. North Branch, 12:30 p.m. in Princeton

SECTIONAL BOYS & GIRLS TRACK
Hawks at Chisago Lakes

Hermantown Schools Photo: Hawks baseball, 2019

TAKE A BOW

Hawks standouts Trinity Sundbom and Francesca Otterson have qualified for the Minnesota State Golf Tournament on June 11-12 at the Ridges of Sand Creek in Jordan, Minn.

Several elite Hawks athletes were selected to their sport's respective All-Lake Superior Conference team today:

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

David Cornelius (110 hurdles and high jump)

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

Kellyn Biondi (200)

Brita Birkeland (800)

Allison Anderson (300 hurdles)

Meera Watson, Emma Herstad, Macy Sieger and Kellyn Biondi (400 relay)

Maiah Christianson, Macie Sisson, Anderson, Brita Birkeland (1,600 relay)

Liv Birkeland, Maiah Christianson, Macie Sisson, Brita Birkeland (3,200 relay)

BOYS TENNIS

Ethan Hallgren (first-team)

SOFTBALL

Hannah Mihalik and Gabby Blomdahl (first team) and Lauren Smith and Bryton Kukowski (second team)

Hermantown Schools Photo: David Cornelius (track), Hannah Mihalik (softball)

THURSDAY SPORTS NOTEBOOK

Hermantown will face host Grand Rapids in a Section 7AAA baseball winner's bracket game at 4 p.m. today.

The Hawks are led by shortstop Brady Baker, first baseman Reese Fish, second baseman Elliott Peterson, catcher Darian Gotz and outfielder Rico Rodriguez, all seniors.

Hard-throwing junior righthander Jeb Paczynski is scheduled to start for Hermantown (12-8), which lost to Grand Rapids 5-4 on May 8 at Grand Rapids Legion Field in their only meeting during the regular season.

In other 7AAA games today:
Duluth Denfeld (13-8) at Chisago Lakes (11-10), 7 p.m. (winner's bracket)
Hibbing (3-15) at Cloquet (7-11), 7 p.m. (loser eliminated)
North Branch (1-20) at Princeton (6-15), 7 p.m. (loser eliminated)

Hermantown Schools Photo: Hawks ace Nolan Ruprecht, who recorded the pitching victory in relief in a 11-4 Section 7AAA victory against Cloquet on Tuesday at Terry Egerdahl Field in Proctor.

POST-GAME QUOTES

The mighty Hawks on Tuesday's 11-4, come-from-behind Section 7AAA baseball victory over Cloquet at turfed Egerdahl Field in Proctor:

Coach Mike Z: "That first inning was rough. Cloquet had some check swings that fell in for hits, and you could feel the momentum wasn't going the right way. But we didn't panic. We scored one in the bottom half of the inning and then, you know, just had that nice big inning there. So, hats off to Nolan (Ruprecht) for keeping it where it was, and the guys picked up Darian (Gotz) on the mound. It was a whole team effort. (Thomas) Borash has been stroking the ball really well all spring. I mean, he's really supporting that bottom half of the lineup, giving us a little pop in the seven, eight, and nine spots. We've been hitting the ball pretty well all year. The big thing is, at times we haven't fielded it, but I thought we fielded it pretty well today. (Aaron) Pionk had a couple of nice plays at third base, including the between-hop that we turned two, which was a huge deal. So, as long as we continue to pick the baseball, I think we'll be okay. We’ll need a lot of arms, and guys who can come back after a couple days rest. We’ve got Jeb (Paczynski), Pionk and Gotz, who didn’t throw may pitches in that first inning. In terms of the section, it’s wide open with no one dominant team. Grand Rapids is the No. 1 team for a reason, because they execute well."

Second-sacker Elliott Peterson: “Felt good to get it rolling in the playoffs here, and now we’ll see who we get next, Grand Rapids or Hibbing. We got off to a slow start today. Couple bleeders there for Cloquet in the first, but our guys came back strong, battling and getting some timely hits. We picked each other up, and Ruprecht was clutch on the hill. Borash had a couple stand-up doubles and three hits, bringing it here in the playoffs. We burned up Ruprecht today, but we’ve got guys who can throw on Thursday and Saturday. Pitching depth is the same for every team at this time of the season. We need to step up at the plate."

Paul Bunyan-strong Thomas Borash: “Nice getting a couple of doubles. It’s always fun to put a good stroke on the ball. I’m seeing the ball well. Also nice to get three (hits) there, whatever helps the team. We came together after that first inning, played good defense, got some timely hits and benefitted by good relief pitching. If we keep playing like this, we’ll be fine.”

3 STARS

1. Thomas Borash
2. Nolan Ruprecht
3. Brady Baker

Hermantown Schools Photo: Thomas Borash

Hermantown rallied from a 4-0 deficit to defeat Cloquet 11-4 in a Section 7AAA high school playoff game Tuesday at Egerdahl Field in Proctor.

Burly slugger Thomas Borash had three hits for the Hawks, and junior righthander Nolan Ruprecht (pictured) picked up the pitching victory in relief of starter Darian Gotz.

Hermantown Schools Photo

Fourth-seeded Hermantown will play host to No. 5 Cloquet in a Section 7AAA opening-round high school baseball game at 10:45 a.m. today at Terry Egerdahl Field in Proctor.

Other openers today in the double-elimination tourney:
No. 8 Hibbing at No. 1 Grand Rapids
No. 6 Princeton at No. 3 Duluth Denfeld, Wade Stadium
No. 7 North Branch at No. 2 Chisago Lakes

Hermantown Schools Photo

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Monday, May 27 -- Memorial Day, no school

Tuesday, May 28 -- Grade 6 Choir Concert 2 p.m. and Grades 7-8 Choir Concert 5:15 p.m., High School Auditorium

Wednesday, May 29 -- Grade 5 Boulder Lake Field Trip; Hermantown School Board Budget Meeting 5 p.m. and Board Meeting 6 p.m.

Thursday, May 30 -- Grade 5 Boulder Lake Field Trip; Grade 8 Valley Fair Field Trip

Friday, May 31 -- Seniors Final Day of Classes; Grade 5 End of Trimester 3

Monday, June 3 -- High School Choir Concert, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, June 4 -- Middle School Honors Assembly, 8 a.m.-10 a.m.; 5th Grade Track and Field Day, noon-3 p.m.

Sunday, June 9 -- 2019 Hermantown High School graduation, 2 p.m. High School Gym

Monday, June 10 -- Hermantown School Board Meeting, 6 p.m. Board Room

Hermantown Schools Photo

TUESDAY EVENTS

9 a.m. -- Girls sub-section golf, Giants Ridge The Quarry

10 a.m. -- Boys golf sectionals, Giants Ridge The Quarry

2 p.m. -- Grade 6 Choir Concert, High School Auditorium

5:15 p.m. -- Grades 7-8 Choir Concert, High School Auditorium

6 p.m. -- Girls lacrosse sectionals at Anoka

7 p.m. -- Boys lacrosse sectionals host Spring Lake Park

Hermantown Schools Photo

Fourth-seeded Hermantown will play host to No. 5 Cloquet in a Section 7AAA baseball playoff game at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

In other openers in the double-elimination tournament, also Tuesday afternoon:

No. 1 Grand Rapids hosts No. 8 Hibbing

No. 6 Princeton visits No. 3 Duluth Denfeld

No. 2 Chisago Lakes hosts No. 7 North Branch

Hermantown (11-8) defeated Cloquet 2-0 on May 2 at Mettner Field in Cloquet.

The Hawks, who have lost three straight following a seven-game winning streak, are led by senior starters C Darian Gotz, SS Brady Baker, 2B Elliott Peterson, 1B Reese Fish, OF Rico Rodriguez and OF Ben Siljendahl.

Hard-throwing junior Jeb Paczynski is the probable pitching starter for Hermantown against Cloquet. Junior Nolan Ruprecht has also emerged as quality pitcher, and Peterson and Gotz will likely be called upon to pitch in the tournament.

Hermantown Schools Photo: Hawks senior shortstop Brady Baker is one of the elite positional players in the Northland.

HAWKS SPORTS NOTEBOOK

Several Hermantown varsity girls and boys golf standouts today were named All-Lake Superior Conference.

First-team selections include Nicole Nelson, Callie Showwalter, Frankie Otterson and Trinity Sundbom, and Steven Kragseth. Cade Slattengren was named second-team.

Hermantown Community Schools photo: Hawks junior golf standout Steven Kragseth was selected to the six-player All-Lake Superior Conference First Team. Click on the photo for a larger view.