Thursday night is a busy night on the local sports scene as the Vikings end their preseason against the Tennessee Titans, the Gopher football team hosts their season opener against the New Mexico State Aggies and the St. Louis Park Orioles begin their 2018 football season heading over to the hallowed ground on 88th St. & Queen Ave. Bloomingtton Stadium to face the Kennedy Eagles.
When we last left the Oriole football team on a cold November night in St. Cloud, their spectacular season came to an end in the Class AAAAA quarterfinals with a loss to the Brainerd Warriors. But this is a new season and it also means there will be a new quarterback for St. Louis Park since Johnny Sorenson graduated. He is Aaron Ellingson and the junior did get some playing time last season finishing up for Sorenson. The Orioles will be a young team with only 10 seniors on their roster. One of them is wide receiver Akili Harris. Another will be running back Aaron Sledge. Can the Oriole defense shut down the Eagles?
And speaking of the Eagles, they fell flat last season with a 1-8 record but their numbers are better than last year and they have an experienced quarterback in senior Jeffrey McDonald. There's also a veteran tight end in senior Connor Lynch.Another player to watch for is junior running back Theo Simmons. He is the younger brother of former Kennedy standout Max Simmons. Last season, they allowed more than 40 points in four of their nine games. Can they play tighter defense and show more depth on both sides of the football.
Game time is 7 PM.
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
SLP Oriole Girls Fall to CDH Raiders and Boys Beat St. Anthony Village
The weather was beautiful Wednesday night for a nonconference soccer double header with the St. Louis Park Oriole soccer teams as the girls lost to the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders 3-1 and the boys beat the St. Anthony Village Huskies 2-1.
Leading off the evening was the girls game Paige Peltier scored a goal and an assist to lead the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders to a 3-1 win over the St. Louis Park Orioles.
Nobody erased the scoreless deadlock in the first half though the Orioles came close on Anna Beaton's shot toward an open net that was deflected by the Raiders Molly Igo. St. Louis Park did get the lead in the second half as Dare Kroeten saw that Cretin-Derham Hall goalkeeper Olivia Kalla playing far out of the net so she found an opening and placed the ball in the goal. However, the lead was short-live as the Raiders would clinch the win with three unanswered goals. The first came a minute after Kroeten's goal as Caitlyn Mulcahy's shot took a high bounce over oriole goalkeeper Sophia Romero and entered the goal. Cretin-Derham Hall would take the lead on Paige Goaley's rebound goal after Peltier's shot was saved by Romero. Peltier would wrap up the scoring :16 later.
The Raiders improved their record to 3-0 and travel to White Bear Lake on Thursday, September 6 for a 5 PM game against the Bears. The Orioles fell to 0-3 and host the Minneapolis South Tigers on Tuesday, September 4 at 7 PM.
The August 27 game against the Watertown-Mayer Royals that was postponed due to potentially severe thunderstorms has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 15 at 1 PM. It will follow the boys game against the New Prague Trojans that begins at 11 AM.
Now to the boys game as they celebrated Senior Night with a balanced scoring attack to beat the St. Anthony Village Huskies 2-1.
The first half was devoid of black and white soccer balls crossing the goal line. In the second half, the Orioles struck first on Sam Gage's lined shot from the right side. They would increase their lead to two on David Benjamin's goal off a pass from Lioul Minas. The Huskies would cut the lead to one as Jasper Goldstein would elude an Oriole defender, cut into the center slot and send the ball to the net. It was all St. Anthony Village could do against a strong St. Louis Park defense.
The Orioles improved their record to 1-1-1 and host the Chaska Hawks on Thursday, September 6 at 5 PM. The Huskies fell to 1-1 and head to West St. Paul on Tuesday, September 4 to face the St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders.
At Halftime, 13 St. Louis Park seniors and their parents were recognized. They were Chris Anondson, Cole Beaton, Benjamin, Sam Diamond, Spencer Enright, Leo Finley, Sam Gage, Nels Hoikka, Isaak Kimmel, Zinedine Kroeten, Minas and William Staib.
Leading off the evening was the girls game Paige Peltier scored a goal and an assist to lead the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders to a 3-1 win over the St. Louis Park Orioles.
Nobody erased the scoreless deadlock in the first half though the Orioles came close on Anna Beaton's shot toward an open net that was deflected by the Raiders Molly Igo. St. Louis Park did get the lead in the second half as Dare Kroeten saw that Cretin-Derham Hall goalkeeper Olivia Kalla playing far out of the net so she found an opening and placed the ball in the goal. However, the lead was short-live as the Raiders would clinch the win with three unanswered goals. The first came a minute after Kroeten's goal as Caitlyn Mulcahy's shot took a high bounce over oriole goalkeeper Sophia Romero and entered the goal. Cretin-Derham Hall would take the lead on Paige Goaley's rebound goal after Peltier's shot was saved by Romero. Peltier would wrap up the scoring :16 later.
The Raiders improved their record to 3-0 and travel to White Bear Lake on Thursday, September 6 for a 5 PM game against the Bears. The Orioles fell to 0-3 and host the Minneapolis South Tigers on Tuesday, September 4 at 7 PM.
The August 27 game against the Watertown-Mayer Royals that was postponed due to potentially severe thunderstorms has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 15 at 1 PM. It will follow the boys game against the New Prague Trojans that begins at 11 AM.
Now to the boys game as they celebrated Senior Night with a balanced scoring attack to beat the St. Anthony Village Huskies 2-1.
The first half was devoid of black and white soccer balls crossing the goal line. In the second half, the Orioles struck first on Sam Gage's lined shot from the right side. They would increase their lead to two on David Benjamin's goal off a pass from Lioul Minas. The Huskies would cut the lead to one as Jasper Goldstein would elude an Oriole defender, cut into the center slot and send the ball to the net. It was all St. Anthony Village could do against a strong St. Louis Park defense.
The Orioles improved their record to 1-1-1 and host the Chaska Hawks on Thursday, September 6 at 5 PM. The Huskies fell to 1-1 and head to West St. Paul on Tuesday, September 4 to face the St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders.
At Halftime, 13 St. Louis Park seniors and their parents were recognized. They were Chris Anondson, Cole Beaton, Benjamin, Sam Diamond, Spencer Enright, Leo Finley, Sam Gage, Nels Hoikka, Isaak Kimmel, Zinedine Kroeten, Minas and William Staib.
Saturday, August 25, 2018
SLP Oriole Soccer Teams Tie and Lose Home Opener
On a warm Saturday, the St. Louis Park Oriole soccer teams opened their home season with the boys tying their Section 6AA rivals the Wayzata Trojans 2-2 and the girls coming up shot against the Champlin Park Rebels 1-0.
The first game was a rematch of last season's Section 6AA final as the St. Louis Park Orioles rallied back from a two goal deficit to tie the Wayzata Trojans 2-2.
The Trojans scored the only goal of the first have on Jake Ogle's rebound goal with 3:41 left to lead 1-0.
In the second half, Wayzata would go up by two as Blake eye score from the penalty area. But there would be good news for Oriole fans as Thomas Salamzadeh, who missed a goal on a free kick against a four Trojan wall, connected on a line drive that went into the left side of the net. St. Louis Park would tie the score when Zinedine Kroeten made an inside pass to David Benjamin and he put it past Wayzata goalkeeper Perrin King. That would wrap up the scoring as neither team would change the two to a three on their portion of the scoreboard.
Wayzata improves their record to 1-0-1 and heads to Bloomington on Tuesday, August 28 to face the Jefferson Jaguars at 6 PM. St. Louis Park also has a 1-0-1 record and hosts the St. Cloud Tech Tigers on Monday, August 27 at 5 PM.
Now to the girls home opener Alex Lotts scored the only goal of the game to lead the Champlin Park Rebels to a 1-0 over the St. Louis Park Orioles.
Lotts would score from the center slot 13 minutes into the first half and the Rebels would hold on to the lead since the Orioles couldn't send the game into overtime. They had a golden opportunity in the second half when Ellie Kent attempted a free kick against Champlin Park's five player wall but her shot bounced off the crossbar.
The Rebels improved their record to 2-0 and open Northwest Suburban Conference play on Tuesday, August 28 as they host the Park Center Pirates at 5 PM. The Orioles fell to 0-2 and host the Watertown-Mayer Royals on Monday, August 27 at 7 PM.
The first game was a rematch of last season's Section 6AA final as the St. Louis Park Orioles rallied back from a two goal deficit to tie the Wayzata Trojans 2-2.
The Trojans scored the only goal of the first have on Jake Ogle's rebound goal with 3:41 left to lead 1-0.
In the second half, Wayzata would go up by two as Blake eye score from the penalty area. But there would be good news for Oriole fans as Thomas Salamzadeh, who missed a goal on a free kick against a four Trojan wall, connected on a line drive that went into the left side of the net. St. Louis Park would tie the score when Zinedine Kroeten made an inside pass to David Benjamin and he put it past Wayzata goalkeeper Perrin King. That would wrap up the scoring as neither team would change the two to a three on their portion of the scoreboard.
Wayzata improves their record to 1-0-1 and heads to Bloomington on Tuesday, August 28 to face the Jefferson Jaguars at 6 PM. St. Louis Park also has a 1-0-1 record and hosts the St. Cloud Tech Tigers on Monday, August 27 at 5 PM.
Now to the girls home opener Alex Lotts scored the only goal of the game to lead the Champlin Park Rebels to a 1-0 over the St. Louis Park Orioles.
Lotts would score from the center slot 13 minutes into the first half and the Rebels would hold on to the lead since the Orioles couldn't send the game into overtime. They had a golden opportunity in the second half when Ellie Kent attempted a free kick against Champlin Park's five player wall but her shot bounced off the crossbar.
The Rebels improved their record to 2-0 and open Northwest Suburban Conference play on Tuesday, August 28 as they host the Park Center Pirates at 5 PM. The Orioles fell to 0-2 and host the Watertown-Mayer Royals on Monday, August 27 at 7 PM.
Thursday, August 23, 2018
Concentration Debuts 60 Years Ago
Thursday marks the 60th anniversary of the debut of a game show that would become one of daytime television's longest running hits, Concentration.
Originally produced by the production team of Jack Barry and Dan Enright, who also produced two quiz shows that were affected by the quiz show scandals Twenty One and Tic Tac Dough, the show debuted before the pair were blacklisted from TV because they fed answers to the contestants. They eventually sold production rights to NBC, the network that aired the show.
Based on the children's card game of the same name, instead of matching cards, contestants picked two numbers on a 30 trilon game board, each containing a prize, a wild card which was an automatic match, a forfeit one gift or a take one gift. If they matched, the prize would go up on their side of the board. But there was another element to the game. Each trilon contained a portion of a rebus puzzle, comprised of words, pictures and plus signs that spelled out a person, place or phrase. The contestant who solved the puzzle got to keep all the prizes they won and earned the right to face a new challenger.
All of the rebuses designed for the show were done by the show's producer who is still alive at the age of 93, Norm Blumenthal. The former artist created more than 7,300 rebus puzzles without repeating one throughout the show's 14 1/2 year run. He also created the puzzles used for the popular home version that went through 25 editions.
The show's original host was Hugh Downs, who was also Jack Paar's sidekick and announcer on The Tonight Show. Barry hosted a short-lived primetime version of Concentration. There were also several substitute hosts over the years, including the show's original announcer Art James and sportscaster Bill Mazer.
Besides James, Jim Lucas replaced him as the show's announcer when he left to become the host of his first game show Say When. In 1963, Bob Clayton took over the announcing chores and frequently filled in for Downs when he was on vacation or on assignment for the Today Show when he became host in 1962.
In January 1969, when Downs left Concentration to focus on Today, Clayton was promoted to host and long time NBC staff announcer Wayne Howell took his place in the announcer's booth. But NBC had other ideas. The network wanted Johnny Carson's sidekick Ed McMahon to be the new host but he was already hosting Snap Judgement but when that show was cancelled he replaced Clayton. Viewers were unhappy with the switch and that caused a ratings drop. In September, McMahon was let go and Clayton was reinstated as host.
Among the special features on Concentration were a salute to the world's nations, a Christmas show featuring children from around the world, an anniversary show and the Challenge of the Champions. The four contestants who won the most games returned to win prizes such as a trip around the world and a trophy known as "The Connie" which was like Rodin's "The Thinker."
For most of its run, Concerntration went up against sitcom reruns on CBS. ABC wasn't much of a factor but it did attempt a talk show hosted by Dick Cavett that ran for 39 weeks. On September 4, 1972, CBS brought back morning game shows for the first time in 10 years and slotted a revival of The Price is Right opposite Concentration. The Bob Barker hosted show cut into Concentration's daytime dominance. To make matters worse, NBC hired a new daytime vice president Lin Bolen who wasn't pleased with the static sets she saw so on March 23, 1973, it was the end of Concentration. the final puzzle used was "You've been more than kind."
There were two revivals of Concentration. The first was hosted by Jack Narz and ran in syndication from 1973 to 1978. The show returned to NBC (in the same 10:30 AM ET period it ran for most of it's run) under the title Classic Concentration with Alex Trebek as host.
Why was Concentration such a success? First of all, it was a very simple game that the home audience could play along as they tried to remember which prizes were under each number and solve the rebus. It was not a big money quiz show, giving away a diverse array of prizes as well as gag prizes such as a wet noodle and a cup of coffee. It was also one of the few shows that stayed the same throughout it's run had some other elements that were used including a home viewer contest in the early 70s. A true post scandal classic, I'll close with the tag line at the end of each episode "Thank you for playing Concentration."
Originally produced by the production team of Jack Barry and Dan Enright, who also produced two quiz shows that were affected by the quiz show scandals Twenty One and Tic Tac Dough, the show debuted before the pair were blacklisted from TV because they fed answers to the contestants. They eventually sold production rights to NBC, the network that aired the show.
Based on the children's card game of the same name, instead of matching cards, contestants picked two numbers on a 30 trilon game board, each containing a prize, a wild card which was an automatic match, a forfeit one gift or a take one gift. If they matched, the prize would go up on their side of the board. But there was another element to the game. Each trilon contained a portion of a rebus puzzle, comprised of words, pictures and plus signs that spelled out a person, place or phrase. The contestant who solved the puzzle got to keep all the prizes they won and earned the right to face a new challenger.
All of the rebuses designed for the show were done by the show's producer who is still alive at the age of 93, Norm Blumenthal. The former artist created more than 7,300 rebus puzzles without repeating one throughout the show's 14 1/2 year run. He also created the puzzles used for the popular home version that went through 25 editions.
The show's original host was Hugh Downs, who was also Jack Paar's sidekick and announcer on The Tonight Show. Barry hosted a short-lived primetime version of Concentration. There were also several substitute hosts over the years, including the show's original announcer Art James and sportscaster Bill Mazer.
Besides James, Jim Lucas replaced him as the show's announcer when he left to become the host of his first game show Say When. In 1963, Bob Clayton took over the announcing chores and frequently filled in for Downs when he was on vacation or on assignment for the Today Show when he became host in 1962.
In January 1969, when Downs left Concentration to focus on Today, Clayton was promoted to host and long time NBC staff announcer Wayne Howell took his place in the announcer's booth. But NBC had other ideas. The network wanted Johnny Carson's sidekick Ed McMahon to be the new host but he was already hosting Snap Judgement but when that show was cancelled he replaced Clayton. Viewers were unhappy with the switch and that caused a ratings drop. In September, McMahon was let go and Clayton was reinstated as host.
Among the special features on Concentration were a salute to the world's nations, a Christmas show featuring children from around the world, an anniversary show and the Challenge of the Champions. The four contestants who won the most games returned to win prizes such as a trip around the world and a trophy known as "The Connie" which was like Rodin's "The Thinker."
For most of its run, Concerntration went up against sitcom reruns on CBS. ABC wasn't much of a factor but it did attempt a talk show hosted by Dick Cavett that ran for 39 weeks. On September 4, 1972, CBS brought back morning game shows for the first time in 10 years and slotted a revival of The Price is Right opposite Concentration. The Bob Barker hosted show cut into Concentration's daytime dominance. To make matters worse, NBC hired a new daytime vice president Lin Bolen who wasn't pleased with the static sets she saw so on March 23, 1973, it was the end of Concentration. the final puzzle used was "You've been more than kind."
There were two revivals of Concentration. The first was hosted by Jack Narz and ran in syndication from 1973 to 1978. The show returned to NBC (in the same 10:30 AM ET period it ran for most of it's run) under the title Classic Concentration with Alex Trebek as host.
Why was Concentration such a success? First of all, it was a very simple game that the home audience could play along as they tried to remember which prizes were under each number and solve the rebus. It was not a big money quiz show, giving away a diverse array of prizes as well as gag prizes such as a wet noodle and a cup of coffee. It was also one of the few shows that stayed the same throughout it's run had some other elements that were used including a home viewer contest in the early 70s. A true post scandal classic, I'll close with the tag line at the end of each episode "Thank you for playing Concentration."
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
2018 SLP Soccer Preview
While thousands of Minnesotans flock to Falcon Heights Thursday for the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair, it is also the opening day for both St. Louis Park soccer teams as they travel to Hopkins to face the Royals. Here's a preview of both the boys and girls teams.
What a difference a year made for the Oriole boys team last season. In 2016, St. Louis Park won only three games, the lowest in head coach Chato's reign leading the Orioles. Last season, the Orioles increased their win total to 11 and advanced to the Section 6AA championship game, losing to the eventual state Class AA champion Wayzata Trojans. The good news is they will open their home season with a rematch against the Trojans on Saturday August 25 at 4 PM. St. Louis Park is led by seniors Zinedine Kroeten, Ben Klepfer and Nicolas Beaton. There will be a new goalkeeper this season for the Orioles since Will Phelan graduated and that means Leo Finley will patrol the Oriole goal. Can St. Louis Park survive a tough non conference schedule that also includes a September 28 home game against Eden Prairie and reclaim a share of the Metro West Conference title?
On the girls side, veteran head coach Benji Kent has a young team that fields six seniors, including his daughter Ellie. But there are 11 juniors that could help improve on last season's 10-5-2 record that ended in a loss to the Minneapolis Washburn Millers in the Section 6AA semifinals. Other seniors to watch for include co-captains Rachel Young and Anna Jennissen and also Sophia Davenport. A couple of juniors worth watching are co-captain Ava Bishop and Aliviah McClinton, who is also a member of the Oriole girls lacrosse team in the spring. One factor that might hinder St. Louis Park is the lack of goalkeeping experience since the new netminder is a freshman, Sophia Romero. She will gain valuable experience, especially in the opener against Hopkins and she could be the key to another 10+ win season. The girls also have their home opener on the 25th, hosting the Champlin Park Rebels in a 6 PM game.
That's a preview of the Oriole soccer teams. Let the games begin Thursday.
What a difference a year made for the Oriole boys team last season. In 2016, St. Louis Park won only three games, the lowest in head coach Chato's reign leading the Orioles. Last season, the Orioles increased their win total to 11 and advanced to the Section 6AA championship game, losing to the eventual state Class AA champion Wayzata Trojans. The good news is they will open their home season with a rematch against the Trojans on Saturday August 25 at 4 PM. St. Louis Park is led by seniors Zinedine Kroeten, Ben Klepfer and Nicolas Beaton. There will be a new goalkeeper this season for the Orioles since Will Phelan graduated and that means Leo Finley will patrol the Oriole goal. Can St. Louis Park survive a tough non conference schedule that also includes a September 28 home game against Eden Prairie and reclaim a share of the Metro West Conference title?
On the girls side, veteran head coach Benji Kent has a young team that fields six seniors, including his daughter Ellie. But there are 11 juniors that could help improve on last season's 10-5-2 record that ended in a loss to the Minneapolis Washburn Millers in the Section 6AA semifinals. Other seniors to watch for include co-captains Rachel Young and Anna Jennissen and also Sophia Davenport. A couple of juniors worth watching are co-captain Ava Bishop and Aliviah McClinton, who is also a member of the Oriole girls lacrosse team in the spring. One factor that might hinder St. Louis Park is the lack of goalkeeping experience since the new netminder is a freshman, Sophia Romero. She will gain valuable experience, especially in the opener against Hopkins and she could be the key to another 10+ win season. The girls also have their home opener on the 25th, hosting the Champlin Park Rebels in a 6 PM game.
That's a preview of the Oriole soccer teams. Let the games begin Thursday.
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Out With a Bang
One of Minnesota's longest serving girls softball coaches is stepping down.
Tom Bang, who has been the head coach at Hermantown since 1978 is retiring after 41 years leading the Hawks girls softball program.
Under Bang's leadership, Hermantown has been to the state tournament a record 23 times.and won three state titles. He has also led the Hawks to six straight trips to Caswell Park in North Mankato from 2000 to 2005.
In 41 years leading the Hawks, Bang has compiled a winning percentage of .749 with a record of 710-237.
Bang is the third long serving coach at the Twin Ports area school to step down after a long and successful career. Bruce Plante, who led the boys hockey team for 28 years and numerous trips to downtown St. Paul, retired in 2017. Recently, Daryl Illikainen stepped down after 21 years leading the Hawks football program.
As for who will replace Bang, the best possible candidate is long time assistant coach Laurie Larson. She graduated from Hermantown in 1994 and was a member of the 1991 state title team her freshman year.
Next spring there will be new blood leading one of northern Minnesota's successful girls softball programs.
Tom Bang, who has been the head coach at Hermantown since 1978 is retiring after 41 years leading the Hawks girls softball program.
Under Bang's leadership, Hermantown has been to the state tournament a record 23 times.and won three state titles. He has also led the Hawks to six straight trips to Caswell Park in North Mankato from 2000 to 2005.
In 41 years leading the Hawks, Bang has compiled a winning percentage of .749 with a record of 710-237.
Bang is the third long serving coach at the Twin Ports area school to step down after a long and successful career. Bruce Plante, who led the boys hockey team for 28 years and numerous trips to downtown St. Paul, retired in 2017. Recently, Daryl Illikainen stepped down after 21 years leading the Hawks football program.
As for who will replace Bang, the best possible candidate is long time assistant coach Laurie Larson. She graduated from Hermantown in 1994 and was a member of the 1991 state title team her freshman year.
Next spring there will be new blood leading one of northern Minnesota's successful girls softball programs.
Monday, August 13, 2018
Practice Opens for Fall Sports in 90 Degree Heat
Though the temperature in much of Minnesota was in the 90s, it didn't stop high school athletic teams throughout Minnesota from beginning fall sports practice on Monday.
Football, soccer, volleyball, girls tennis, girls swimming and cross country starting preparing for their upcoming seasons, even at St. Louis Park and Benilde-St. Margaret's. Here are the opening dates for St. Louis Park's fall sports teams.
The Oriole football team begins its season on the road Thursday, August 30 against the Bloomington Kennedy Eagles at 7 PM at Bloomington Stadium. Their home opener is Friday, September 7 against the Richfield Spartans in another 7 PM start.
The boys and girls soccer teams also begin their season on the road Thursday, August 23 as they head to Hopkins to face the Royals. The girls get underway at 5 PM and the boys at 7 PM. Both teams home opener takes place on Saturday, August 24th with the boys hosting the Wayzata Trojans at 4 PM and the girls hosting the Champlin Park Rebels at 6 PM.
Also on August 23 is the girls volleyball season opener as the Orioles host the Minneapolis Washburn Millers at 7 PM. It's also the same date the girls swimming and diving teams open their season when they head to Chanhassen to participate in the Metro West Conference meet at 6 PM at Pioneer Ridge Middle School.
The girls tennis team will be the first Oriole athletic team out of the starting gate on Tuesday, August 21 as they host the Breck Mustangs at 3:30 PM.
And the boys and girls cross country teams open their season heading down Highway 3 to run in the Rosemount Invitational. The girls run at 10:50 AM and the boys at 11:15 AM.
Looking at the Benilde-St. Margaret's fall sports openers, the football team will also be on the road on the 30th when they make the trip down Highway 5 to face the Waconia Wildcats at 7 PM. Their home opener is also on Friday, September 7 as they host the Orono Spartans at the same start time of 7 PM.
The boys and girls soccer teams begin their season on the 23rd. The boys head up to the Twin Ports to face the Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers at 4 PM.Their home opener is Tuesday, August 28 against the Eden Prairie Eagles at 7 PM. As for the girls, they host the Breck Mustangs at 7 PM.
The Red Knight girls swimming and diving teams will also participate in the Metro West Meet in Chanhassen on the 23rd. The girls volleyball team heads to Minneapolis Washburn to face the Millers on Tuesday, August 28 at 7 PM. Two days later on the 30th, they have their home opener against the Waconia Wildcats, also a 7 PM start.
The girls tennis team opens their season on the 23rd with a 9 AM meet at Wayzata and the boys and girls cross country teams head west to Maple Lake on the 31st for a 9 AM meet.
Whether or not it's hot, the fall sports season is inching closer to the starting line.
Football, soccer, volleyball, girls tennis, girls swimming and cross country starting preparing for their upcoming seasons, even at St. Louis Park and Benilde-St. Margaret's. Here are the opening dates for St. Louis Park's fall sports teams.
The Oriole football team begins its season on the road Thursday, August 30 against the Bloomington Kennedy Eagles at 7 PM at Bloomington Stadium. Their home opener is Friday, September 7 against the Richfield Spartans in another 7 PM start.
The boys and girls soccer teams also begin their season on the road Thursday, August 23 as they head to Hopkins to face the Royals. The girls get underway at 5 PM and the boys at 7 PM. Both teams home opener takes place on Saturday, August 24th with the boys hosting the Wayzata Trojans at 4 PM and the girls hosting the Champlin Park Rebels at 6 PM.
Also on August 23 is the girls volleyball season opener as the Orioles host the Minneapolis Washburn Millers at 7 PM. It's also the same date the girls swimming and diving teams open their season when they head to Chanhassen to participate in the Metro West Conference meet at 6 PM at Pioneer Ridge Middle School.
The girls tennis team will be the first Oriole athletic team out of the starting gate on Tuesday, August 21 as they host the Breck Mustangs at 3:30 PM.
And the boys and girls cross country teams open their season heading down Highway 3 to run in the Rosemount Invitational. The girls run at 10:50 AM and the boys at 11:15 AM.
Looking at the Benilde-St. Margaret's fall sports openers, the football team will also be on the road on the 30th when they make the trip down Highway 5 to face the Waconia Wildcats at 7 PM. Their home opener is also on Friday, September 7 as they host the Orono Spartans at the same start time of 7 PM.
The boys and girls soccer teams begin their season on the 23rd. The boys head up to the Twin Ports to face the Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers at 4 PM.Their home opener is Tuesday, August 28 against the Eden Prairie Eagles at 7 PM. As for the girls, they host the Breck Mustangs at 7 PM.
The Red Knight girls swimming and diving teams will also participate in the Metro West Meet in Chanhassen on the 23rd. The girls volleyball team heads to Minneapolis Washburn to face the Millers on Tuesday, August 28 at 7 PM. Two days later on the 30th, they have their home opener against the Waconia Wildcats, also a 7 PM start.
The girls tennis team opens their season on the 23rd with a 9 AM meet at Wayzata and the boys and girls cross country teams head west to Maple Lake on the 31st for a 9 AM meet.
Whether or not it's hot, the fall sports season is inching closer to the starting line.
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Richfield to Leave Metro West Conference for Tri-Metro
The upcoming school year will be the last for the Richfield Spartans in the Metro West Conference since they will be moving to the Tri-Metro Conference the following season.
The decision was made on the basis that it was very difficult to compete with conference powers Benilde-St. Margaret's, Bloomington Jefferson and Chaska. Declining enrollment has also been a factor as well as participation numbers. Case in point. Last season, Richfield dropped their boys hockey program which had a number of successful seasons in the past but due to declining numbers, the program came to a close and partnered with Southwest Christian of Chaska. On the girls side, Richfield is in a co-op with its city and future Tri-Metro rival the Holy Angels Stars.
In addition to Holy Angels, Richfield will also be joining Columbia Heights, DeLaSalle, Fridley, Brooklyn Center, Visitation, St. Agnes, St. Croix Lutheran, St. Anthony Village and Concordia Academy. Those schools have similar enrollments to Richfield.
Will the Tri-Metro be the right fit for the maroon and white school on the corner of 70th St. & Harriet Ave.? First they have to through a final season of Metro West action and district football that begins August 31 against a Tri-Metro opponent, the DeLaSalle Islanders.
The decision was made on the basis that it was very difficult to compete with conference powers Benilde-St. Margaret's, Bloomington Jefferson and Chaska. Declining enrollment has also been a factor as well as participation numbers. Case in point. Last season, Richfield dropped their boys hockey program which had a number of successful seasons in the past but due to declining numbers, the program came to a close and partnered with Southwest Christian of Chaska. On the girls side, Richfield is in a co-op with its city and future Tri-Metro rival the Holy Angels Stars.
In addition to Holy Angels, Richfield will also be joining Columbia Heights, DeLaSalle, Fridley, Brooklyn Center, Visitation, St. Agnes, St. Croix Lutheran, St. Anthony Village and Concordia Academy. Those schools have similar enrollments to Richfield.
Will the Tri-Metro be the right fit for the maroon and white school on the corner of 70th St. & Harriet Ave.? First they have to through a final season of Metro West action and district football that begins August 31 against a Tri-Metro opponent, the DeLaSalle Islanders.
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Two Years Ago, HSGN Joins Blogosphere
Wednesday marks the second anniversary of the day HSGN joined the blogosphere, rising from the ashes of examiner.com that went out of business in July of 2016.
Though the last few months have been light, due to the end of the high school sports season and the author of this blog recovering from a broken wrist suffered February 27, HSGN will be back in full force this month as it continues to write about high school sports and game shows.
And on the subject of game shows, there will be a new game show coming to the Twin Cities August 6, as Fox 9+ will be one of several Fox owned stations that will be testing a show hosted by Meredith Viera 25 Words or Less. It's based on a popular party game that's been sold in stores for years. Can it be successful and eventually be released to the rest of the nation?
On the high school sports scene. The new Vikings training facility TCO Performance Center will be hosting several high school football games this fall. The first will take place September 28 as the Farmington Tigers face the Eagan Wildcats. If you plan on attending the game, you'll likely hear the familiar voice of Dave Giles at the public address microphone. In addition to his work announcing various state tournaments, Giles during the school year is the voice for many Eagan Wildcats sporting events.
But before the Tigers and the Wildcats meet in Eagan September 28, fall sports practice gets underway on August 13. More on the opening day of practice and the first games for St. Louis Park's fall sports teams will be coming up this month.
Though the last few months have been light, due to the end of the high school sports season and the author of this blog recovering from a broken wrist suffered February 27, HSGN will be back in full force this month as it continues to write about high school sports and game shows.
And on the subject of game shows, there will be a new game show coming to the Twin Cities August 6, as Fox 9+ will be one of several Fox owned stations that will be testing a show hosted by Meredith Viera 25 Words or Less. It's based on a popular party game that's been sold in stores for years. Can it be successful and eventually be released to the rest of the nation?
On the high school sports scene. The new Vikings training facility TCO Performance Center will be hosting several high school football games this fall. The first will take place September 28 as the Farmington Tigers face the Eagan Wildcats. If you plan on attending the game, you'll likely hear the familiar voice of Dave Giles at the public address microphone. In addition to his work announcing various state tournaments, Giles during the school year is the voice for many Eagan Wildcats sporting events.
But before the Tigers and the Wildcats meet in Eagan September 28, fall sports practice gets underway on August 13. More on the opening day of practice and the first games for St. Louis Park's fall sports teams will be coming up this month.
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