The legendary Fred Friedman, a unanimous first-team selection at power forward on my All-YMCA Noontime Basketball Team, on Bulldogs and Gophers hoops – "I very much want both UMD and the U to excel in women’s and men’s basketball. And I want Ben Johnson to succeed. But every season we are signing and playing players that cannot compete in the Big 10 or the Big 46 or whatever the branders are calling it. The state produces more than enough high school players for our colleges to compete but many find the grass greener and warmer in other environs. The Gopher men will have another rough but predictable season. At least Coach Johnson is not screaming row the boat or asking us to contribute to NIL funds as opposed to charities to cure disease or shelter and feed the homeless."
Another local legend, Jerry DeMeo, on the Essentia Duluth Heritage Center honoring 79-year-old local hockey icon Bonnie Shea for her amazing accomplishments in the sport of hockey on Tuesday, Dec. 12 – "Obviously, Bonnie has had a lot of unique accomplishments. Just being the first girl hockey player in Duluth, from the ages of 7 to 15, and being invited to play on the Duluth East boys team are major personal accomplishments. She's been playing for the popular UMD women's club program since she was about 40, now in her 39th season, and she plans on playing until she can't do it anymore."
2024 Saturday Morning at the Races registration underway
Registration has opened for the popular Saturday Morning at the Races series, which provides an opportunity for hundreds of area kids to stay active during the winter months. The Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) and Grandma’s Marathon will partner with three area colleges this winter for the 2024 series, giving help to our region’s children in living healthy and active lifestyles. This year’s full Saturday Morning at the Races schedule is listed below:
January 6 – College of Saint Scholastica (CSS), Burns Wellness Commons – 1200 Kenwood Avenue, Duluth, MN 55811
January 20 – University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), Ward Wells Fieldhouse – 1228 University Drive, Duluth, MN 55812
February 3 – University of Wisconsin Superior (UWS), Marcovich Wellness Center – 1810 Catlin Avenue, Superior, WI 54880
The Saturday Morning at the Races series is free and open to all children ages 14 and under, with adaptive and wheelchair athlete opportunities available at all locations. Last year, the three-event series saw close to 1,000 total participants. Based on age, participating kids will have the opportunity to complete either a 1/8-mile, a 1/4-mile, or a 1/2-mile course, and every child will also receive a T-shirt co-branded with that weekend’s college partner.
Races start each event day 10 a.m., and participants will be separated into different heats based on the number of kids in any specific age group. Ski Hut staff members will also host balance bike races prior to the start of the running event. Those interested in participating are encouraged to sign up in advance online, which they can do HERE. On-site registration will also be available at each event beginning at 9 a.m.
SPORTS NOTEBOOK
Friday Prep Scores
Boys Basketball
Duluth Denfeld 75, Kasson-Mantorville 62
Big Lake 84, Hermantown 74
Boys Hockey
Hermantown 2, Cretin-Derham Hall 1. Hawks 1-0.
Duluth Denfeld 7, Minneapolis 4. Hunters 2-0. Junior forward John Scott has a team-high 7 goals and 12 points.
