Recent content from Cassidy Hettesheimer
Dodge County wins Class 1A girls hockey title in overtime, ends Warroad's push for four in a row
A review showed the Wildcats had scored with 1:03 left in overtime, after the Warriors surged in the third period to tie it.
Girls hockey: Statistics that define state tournament week
Detailed analysis of the teams at the state tournament ... through a by-the-numbers point of view.
Holy Family wins in overtime, ends Minnetonka's run of girls hockey state tournament appearances
The Fire had lost to the top-ranked Skippers in the past four section championship games.
Unrivaled rivalries: The 10 most electric high school matchups in Minnesota
Star Tribune readers who double as prep sports fans made their cases for the best grudge matches in the state.
Hockey coach's head injury leads to new calls for stronger helmet requirement
No official policy from the MSHSL regarding helmets exists, but that doesn't preclude individual schools from taking action to minimize risk, officials said.
Signing day: Why three of Minnesota's best swimmers are headed to Missouri
Enrolled at different high schools but teammates on the same swim club, Libby Bakker, Drew Ploof and Annabelle Wentzel often talked about going to college together.
No pins, escapes or falls this time. Prominent wrestling coach is teaching about Instagram reels.
Will Short, leader of Simley's successful wrestling team and also the school's activities director, is guiding a social media experiment that promotes the school's athletics.
Girls hockey: Section tournaments to keep an eye on as postseason kicks off
Many of Minnesota's best teams will meet in the section tournament, with only a few able to skate on to the state tournament.
Benilde-St. Margaret's turns back Orono in boys basketball, soothing a past pain
The Spartans kept the Red Knights from reaching state last season with an improbable, buzzer-beating victory in the Class 3A, Section 6 final.
Hill-Murray's Wilson sisters, a sophomore and a seventh-grader, pursue a big goal
Both Division I prospects, Mya and Ashlee Wilson are working to get their school back to the Class 3A tournament.
High school equestrian and family make sacrifices on path to college scholarship
Minnetonka's Taylor Landstrom spends months in Florida each school year to continue training and competing.
These Minnesota high school skiers thaw themselves after races with dance battles
Tradition began shortly before Ely's girls team won 2017 state title.
Major League Volleyball is coming to Minnesota
On Thursday, Major League Volleyball announced its arrival as the fourth professional volleyball league in the United States, with plans to begin play in January 2026.
Star Tribune reporter wants to know: Which Minnesota high schools have the best sports rivalries?
Writer Cassidy Hettesheimer seeks readers' help in pinpointing the top prep rivals in the state.
Heise scores game-winning goal as Frost defeat Fleet 2-1 in overtime
Minnesota's win vaulted the Frost into first place in the PWHL before Montreal moved one point ahead of them late Wednesday.
Minnesota Aurora hires former assistant Larrick as new head coach
Jen Larrick replaces Colette Montgomery, becoming the Aurora's third head coach as they enter their fourth season.
Among Minnesota's high school Nordic skiers, concern piles up as snow doesn't
Teams might have to deal with extra travel and cost and get more creative if the weather doesn't cooperate.
Knee injury slows Frost star Heise, but not for long
Taylor Heise has one goal and six assists through six Minnesota Frost games and is getting more ice time as her knee heals.
Frost fall to Victoire, hit end of four-game PWHL winning streak
Montreal handed Minnesota its first regulation loss of the season but didn't knock it off the top spot in the standings.
What factors have made the Minnesota Frost so potent to start this season?
The Minnesota Frost are getting production from newcomers and their established vets, with notable improvement on special teams.
Mental health awareness gets the victory as PWHL teams from Minnesota and Ottawa meet
The Frost defeated Ottawa on a night when the Charge's Gabbie Hughes and her Minnesota family made certain a lost teammate and an important cause weren't forgotten.
Minnesota Frost face the Ottawa Charge in first game back from break
The Minnesota Frost are 2-0-1 heading into Thursday night's game against the Ottawa Charge (1-2-1), with the game set to be televised on FanDuel Sports Network.
No mountains nearby? Elite Hopkins athlete makes Minnesota work for him, whether he's skiing or pedaling.
A state champion Nordic skier and national-level cross-country mountain biker, Logan Drevlow gets by quite well with rolling hills.
Minnesota Frost announce 27-game TV deal with FanDuel Sports Network
The network formerly known as Bally Sports North will televise the rest of the Frost's season, the team announced Monday.
Minnesota Frost rookie Petrie grew up in California, dreaming of a chance like this
Dominique Petrie endured long road trips just to find competitive hockey in California. She eventually landed at Clarkson, scoring a fateful goal against the Gophers and now has three goals in three games with the Minnesota Frost.
High school skiing 2024-25: Meet the skiers and teams likely to get to the finish line first
State champions are back to defend titles in three of the four racing categories.
Prep Athletes of the Week: Senior adds thrill of victory to an emotional day for Champlin Park's boys hockey team
Brent Solomon scored the winner in overtime against Andover in a game that featured a tribute to Max Akerson, a teammate who died of cancer.
Frost get first win of PWHL season in Walter Cup rematch against Boston
Frost rookie Dominique Petrie scored her second goal of the season to clinch a 2-1 road win over the Fleet.
Minnesota Frost build a Czech connection, including third-round draft pick Hymlárová
Frost rookie Klára Hymlárová has joined Czech teammate Denisa Křížová in her "home away from home," heading into her second PWHL game against Boston.
Defending champ Frost open PWHL season with overtime loss to Sirens
Minnesota scored mere seconds into the season, but New York did the same in the extra period.
Minnesota Frost's 26-player roster entering Sunday's season opener
The reigning PWHL champions have 16 returning players, but a host of newcomers have been added to the roster as well.
Gophers' Grote drafted into Pro Volleyball Federation by the Orlando Valkyries
The PVF will begin its second season in January, and that's something Lydia Grote can look forward to after the Gophers' season ends.
Meet seven Prep Bowl players to watch, one from each state title game
We hit the highest points, from Isaiah Wright and his 39 rushing TDs for Nine-Player's Fertile-Beltrami to Dylan Hudgens and his tackling challenge in Minnetonka's Class 6A rematch with Maple Grove.
Minnetonka wins Class 2A girls swimming title; Orono ends Visitation's run in 1A
Minnetonka held off Edina after the teams had a rare tie in the first relay race. Orono ended Visitation's streak of 10 consecutive championships.
Dassel-Cokato 300-pounder lives a lineman's dream: He's a fullback now
Coaches rescued Lars Salmen from a lifetime on the offensive line. "He even caught a touchdown pass this season," his dad said. "He loves it."
Springfield, Minneota will meet again in Class 1A Prep Bowl
A 7-yard rushing touchdown by Springfield running back Gavin Vanderwerf with 1:49 left in the game sealed a win over Mahnomen/Waubun. Minneota rolled over Parkers Prairie 45-0.
![Glass and metal siding outside US Bank Stadium create graphic shapes against the summer sky. ] JIM GEHRZïjames.gehrz@startribune.com (JIM GEHRZ/S](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/PI2OUIUAMXQV5Y646EPZ7G2XLA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Jackson County Central and Staples-Motley reach Class 2A Prep Bowl
Jackson County Central won without injured QB Roman Voss. Staples-Motley benefitted from turnovers and penalties against Chatfield.
Kimball Area savors a trip to state three decades in the making
"Wouldn't it be cool to get to this spot?" coach Clay Anderson had asked from the U.S. Bank Stadium stands in 2023. The 2024 answer from senior Owen Mortenson: "It was just huge for us."
Burnsville volleyball standout makes her Iowa State choice official
Mesaiya Bettis signed a letter of intent in the gym where she has helped the Burnsville program gain traction since emerging as an eighth-grader.
Why four Minnesota volleyball recruits are flocking to the same Division I college, nearly 1,000 miles away
Prior Lake's Elli Tufto, Northfield's Teagan Jaynes, Sauk Rapids-Rice's Lauren Schloe and Cambridge-Isanti's Alice Steman have committed to play for Montana State next year, where former Gophers coaches and married couple Matt and Jen Houk lead the program.
10 stars ready to sign: these prep standouts will commit this week
Seniors are set to sign with colleges starting Wednesday across Minnesota, and here are 10 notable commitments to know.
Lakeville South steadies itself in final set, defeats Champlin Park for Class 4A volleyball title
Lakeville South won the first two sets before Champlin Park determinedly evened matters in a matchup of two teams that dominated all season.
On-the-rise Hawley hits the peak, tops Southwest Christian for Class 2A volleyball title
The Nuggets won the championship on their second trip to the tournament, after finishing third in 2021.
Alexandria, Marshall advance to play for Class 3A volleyball championship ... plus other semifinals results
Alexandria sank undefeated Delano in the semifinals. Mayer Lutheran won its 1A semifinal to head to its fourth consecutive state title game. In Class 2A, Hawley and Southwest Christian pulled off upsets.
West Central Area celebrates a Class 1A volleyball state tournament victory and a senior's delayed milestone; Albany returns loudly in Class 2A
Other Class 1A quarterfinal winners were Mayer Lutheran, Minneota and Fillmore Central. In Class 2A, Southwest Christian, Hawley and Chatfield also advanced.
Undersized Roseville advances to volleyball semifinal against top seed Lakeville South
The Raiders, without a 6-footer on the roster, defeated fourth-seeded St. Michael-Albertville. The top three Class 6A seeds all won.
High school volleyball: Seven players to watch at the state tournament
The quarterfinals, semifinals and finals in four classes take place at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul beginning Wednesday, with championship matches Saturday.
Apple Valley girls volleyball goes from rebuilding mode to state-title hopefuls
In their first trip to Xcel Energy Center since 2001, the Eagles are the eighth seed in Class 4A and slated to face No. 1 Lakeville South in Wednesday's state quarterfinals.
All-Minnesota: The Star Tribune's list of the state's best in girls volleyball
From the Twin Cities to greater Minnesota, the Minnesota Star Tribune picks the 25 top volleyball players in the state this year.
Champlin Park's Gilk named Star Tribune's All-Minnesota Girls Volleyball Player of the Year
Carly Gilk, a 6-2 outside hitter and Gophers commit, leads the Rebels in kills and digs and helped secure the team's place in this week's Class 4A tournament at Xcel Energy Center.
Boys Soccer: Holy Angels takes control early, wins 2A title over Totino-Grace
It's the Stars first title since 2019, before soccer expanded from two size classifications to three, moving Holy Angels up from Class 1A to 2A.
St. Paul Academy wins third boys soccer state championship in a row
The Eagles defeated Rochester Lourdes in the Class 1A final. Only Edina, at the turn of the century, won three boys titles in a row.
Boys soccer: Eagan beats Maple Grove in OT to claim 3A state title
After a scoreless first half, each team's three second-half goals — all six scored in a span of twenty minutes — forced overtime, which Eagan won thanks to sophomore forward Zayan Oliyath's game winner.
Boys Soccer: Sondag's overtime goal sends Eagan to 3A title game against Maple Grove
Eagan became the first team to beat undefeated and top-seeded Minneapolis Washburn this year, defeating the Millers 1-0 in the semifinals. Maple Grove beat Andover, 3-1, to complete the matchup for Friday's state championship.
Girls soccer: Wayzata, Edina among teams advancing to state championship game
The Trojans defeated Eagan 5-0 and Edina beat East Ridge 3-1 in the Class 3A semifinals Tuesday at U.S. Bank Stadium to move on to Friday's title game. Holy Angels and Mahtomedi will meet in the 2A final; Southwest Christian and Providence Academy square off in the 1A championship game.
Maple Grove's Frank Miller named Star Tribune's All-Minnesota Boys Soccer Player of the Year
The Northwest Suburban Conference's Player of the Year and standout defender was tasked with defending All-State forwards across the Twin Cities.
St. Cloud's Molly Burkstrand named Star Tribune's All-Minnesota Girls Soccer Player of the Year
Burkstrand scored 62 goals this season, the most in Minnesota history for girls soccer, and cracked 100 career goals, the first player to do so in St. Cloud Tech history.
All-Minnesota: The Star Tribune's list of the state's best in girls soccer
From the Twin Cities to St. Cloud and other parts of Minnesota, we picked our 25 top girls soccer players in the state this year.
All-Minnesota: The Star Tribune's selection of the state's best in boys soccer
From the Twin Cities to Rochester and other parts of Minnesota, we compiled a list of 25 top boys soccer players in the state this year.
High School Soccer: Seven players to keep an eye on at the state final four at U.S. Bank Stadium
The state semifinals and finals in Class 3A, 2A and 1A take place at the downtown stadium Tuesday and Wednesday, with championship matches Friday.
Rochester Lourdes boys soccer blanks unseeded Fridley
Fridley's turnaround season comes to an end as tournament regular Rochester Lourdes makes another trip to the state semifinals.
Minneapolis Washburn shuts out Bemidji in boys soccer state tournament quarterfinal
Millers advance in Class 3A; Edina girls rout Duluth East 5-0 to advance; St. Charles/Lewiston-Altura girls get a measure of revenge over St. Paul Academy in overtime.
Two soccer state quarterfinals are settled in the final seconds
East Ridge reached the Class 3A girls semifinals on a goal with nine seconds left against Maple Grove. Maple Grove's boys team remained undefeated with a victory over Rochester Mayo on a goal with 15 seconds to play.
Back in the state tournament, Southwest Christian girls soccer take a new approach
At the start of the season, each player received a printed card detailing the team's 12 core values. The value that reflects this season most? Details may seem small, but add up to a big effect.
Here are four section tournaments to watch closely as girls volleyball state tournaments draw near
Lakeville South and Lakeville North both compete for the Class 4A, Section 1 title, meaning only one can advance to the state tournament. The crosstown rivals met once already in early October, with South winning 3-1.
High school sports: Mr. Soccer, Ms. Soccer awardees announced
The 2024 Mr. and Ms. Soccer award goes to the top senior in each class as voted upon by coaches.
Is Bridget Carleton the Lynx's Naz Reid?
Carleton made two free throws with two seconds left to lift the Lynx past the Liberty in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals.
Lynx give it all in WNBA Finals Game 4
Center Alanna Smith gave the Lynx the effort they needed to be the Liberty on Friday night in the WNBA Finals, forcing a Game 5.
Minnetonka boys, Edina girls soccer teams qualify for state out of a section final doubleheader
The matchup was Skippers vs. Hornets in both genders. The Minnetonka boys avenged their only loss; the Edina girls looked ready to defend their state title.
Boys soccer: Mankato East advances to Class 2A tournament with overtime goal
Junior forward Carson Stenzel scores three minutes into overtime, giving Mankato East a 1-0 win over Marshall at New Prague in the Section 2 final.
WNBA Finals preview: Schedule, TV information, key players, story lines
The Lynx hit the road looking to become the first team to win five WNBA championships, while the top-seeded New York Liberty chase their first title.
Here's six section tournaments to watch closely as boys and girls soccer state finals draw near
Staff writer Cassidy Hettesheimer breaks down which teams could emerge, or be eliminated, in the section tournament.
Meet the high school sports announcer running gameday productions for all of Elk River
Despite not yet graduating from high school, Lucas Dahlberg has been running the show in Elk River since he was a freshman.
Meet the high-scoring trios — and one quartet — on six Minnesota soccer teams
Many of the state's top-ranked boys and girls soccer teams have a common trait — they each have multiple players that can carry the scoring load.
From London, with deep love for 'football,' to Minneapolis
State soccer title aspirations exist at Blake in part because of Sabina Peterson Rajalingam, once a newcomer and now a leader.
