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Jake Epstein

Intern | Newsroom

Jake Epstein is an intern for the Minnesota Star Tribune sports department.

Recent content from Jake Epstein
East Ridge attack Kaden Baron (8), shown during a game against Eden Prairie in the East vs. West Showdown in April, is among the players to keep an ey

High school lacrosse state tournaments: Predictions and players to watch

Meet 10 boys and 10 girls likely to make a difference this week, and see who the Star Tribune's lacrosse writer predicts will win.
Soren Swenson of Mounds View cheers while playing against Aaron Beduhn of Wayzata during the Class 2A boys tennis individual singles championship matc

Mounds View's Soren Swenson wins Class 2A boys tennis singles title; St. Paul Academy sweeps in 1A

Soren Swenson wore the same headband his brother Bjorn wore as a state champion. SPA freshman Winston Arvidson won the title that barely eluded him as an eighth-grader.
Behind Layla Nick, a sophomore and a standout two-way midfielder, Orono is on the precipice of its first state tournament appearance.

High school lacrosse: Orono girls, Hill-Murray boys seek to make history in section tournaments

Here are five storylines to monitor with the Minnesota's boys and girls lacrosse postseason underway
The all-sport list of Class of 2026 standouts include Tori Oerlein of Crosby-Ironton, left, Jayda Wilson from Roseville (center) and Christian Wiggins

Here are the high school juniors Minnesota sports fans should know

These soon-to-be seniors, some of who will sign athletic scholarships in the fall or winter, enter their final seasons with a history of success in sports.
Minnesota's high school graduating Class of 2027 includes swimmer Adalynn Biegler from Monticello, left, Simley wrestler Charli Raymond (center) and b

Here are the high school sophomores Minnesota sports fans should know

From Strib Players of the Year in their respective sports to All-Minnesota team selections, this group of athletes will begin the upcoming school year as experienced stars.
Basketball player Chloe Johnson of Duluth Marshall, left, softball player AnnaBelle Waldoch of Rogers, center, and hockey player Bo Schmidt of St. Clo

Meet the best high school freshman athletes in Minnesota

From basketball to hockey, these ninth-graders have already gained notoriety in their respective sports.
Su Meh of St. Paul Johnson is the All-Minnesota Girls Badminton Player of the Year.

Meet Su Meh of St. Paul Johnson: All-Minnesota Girls Badminton Player of the Year

The senior began the season as the state's top-ranked singles player and ended it as a state champion.
The possession battle is one of lacrosse’s most crucial elements, and Farmington's Will Harris and Rochester Mayo's Evan Strain are two of the state

Learn a key difference between boys and girls lacrosse through two high school specialists

The possession game is a major component of lacrosse. Specialists Will Harris and Evan Strain give insight into the craft.
Minnesota United's Joaquin Pereyra pushes upfield Saturday against Austin at Allianz Field.

Minnesota United and Austin play to a 1-1 draw at Allianz Field

The Loons' Michael Boxall scored in the 16th minute, Austin responded in the 27th.
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier celebrates with Lynx guard Courtney Williams after they defeated the Connecticut Sun with a come-from-behind 76-70 win a

Lynx remain perfect in 2025 after rallying past the Sun

On a comeback led by Napheesa Collier, Minnesota ran its record to 4-0 in the new WNBA season.
Jaylen Rosga is believed to be the first Minnesotan in at least 20 years to start in a Division I women's lacrosse Final Four, where Northwestern play

After 20-year absence, Minnesota has a homegrown player starting in the women's lacrosse Final Four

A year removed from entering the transfer portal, Jaylen Rosga's leap of faith has her on the cusp of lacrosse history with Northwestern University.
Race fans cheer on the horses on opening night at Canterbury Park in Shakopee in 2023.

Canterbury Park season preview: Racing begins at Shakopee track on Saturday

Canterbury Park will host 51 race days for thoroughbreds and quarter horses through Sept. 20, with most weeks operating on a three-day racing schedule. Here's what you need to know for the upcoming season.
St. Paul Johnson's Su Meh returns a shot during her victory Thursday over St. Paul Harding's Gaozhia Vue for the singles state championship in badmint

St. Paul Johnson adds to its record for badminton singles champions, and Edina pair repeats in doubles

The Governors' Su Meh won in three tight sets, and the Hornets' undefeated doubles duo of Sanna Coma and Ivy Peterson cruised to a two-set victory.
Edina's badminton team gathers with the trophy after winning the state championship Wednesday.

High school badminton: Top-seeded Edina defeats St. Paul Johnson, completes state championship three-peat

The Hornets knocked off the Governors 4-3 in a rematch of the 2024 title match.
Hollen Thompson, a senior defender on the Park of Cottage Grove girls lacrosse team, practices with her team Tuesday. Thompson was born with one hand

One-handed lacrosse player Hollen Thompson an inspiration on the field

A senior for Park High in Cottage Grove, Thompson anchors one of Minnesota's best teams and will play in college.
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) defends against Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer (61) on Thursday night.

Former lacrosse star carves out unexpected NBA career with Golden State

The Warriors are relying more on Pat Spencer in their series against the Timberwolves.
Star Tribune 2022 Girls Lacrosse Metro Player of the Year Claire Nelson, an Andover grad, now plays for the University of Michigan and is one of rough

Nearly 100 Minnesotans will play in NCAA men's and women's lacrosse tournaments this week

Among the former high school athletes are Benilde-St. Margaret's Mason Wordelman and Mahtomedi's Colin Hagstrom, who play for two-time defending champion Notre Dame.
Kentucky Derby entrant Sandman works out at Churchill Downs on Tuesday in Louisville, Ky.

Kentucky Derby contender Sandman was reared by a legendary Minnesota breeder

This Kentucky Derby will be a reunion for Bob Lothenbach's family, who will be there cheering on Sandman.
Defenders seldom slide off Bloomington Jefferson's Kevin Graff (16) when he quarterbacks his team’s offensive sets, but he makes it a point of empha

Meet Kevin Graff, the youngest in one of MN's most prominent lacrosse families

The 6-4 Bloomington Jefferson senior is arguably the state's best boys player. He'll play for Dartmouth in the fall.
Eagan High School hired former Simley boys hockey head coach Austyn Kryzer to replace Todd Carlson.

Boys hockey: Simley coach to take over at Eagan High

Austyn Kryzer spent 10 seasons at the helm of Simley's program. He is also the Minnesota Hockey U16 Prospects director.
The Timberwolves' Naz Reid looks to pass while being defended by Lakers guard Luka Doncic on Sunday at Target Center.

Wolves' Reid arrives right on time, hitting crucial fourth-quarter shots in Game 4 victory over Lakers

A 32-19 advantage in the final 12 minutes included a three-pointer by the big man that ignited the Target Center crowd.
Vikings running back Aaron Jones said of re-signing with the Vikings: “When I first came in, I said, ‘This place felt like home.’”

Aaron Jones is feeling comfortable with his age, and at Vikings facility

Running back Aaron Jones said Monday that he feels fresher than ever at age 30 and that his decision to re-sign with the Vikings was a "no-brainer."
Mathew Kallberg, a graduate of Prior Lake High School, is one of several Minnesotans on the Rockhurst University men's lacrosse team.

A small Jesuit university in Missouri has become a landing spot for MN lacrosse talent

By 2026, at least 28 Minnesotans will suit up for Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo.
This year, for the first time ever, Gophers freshman sprinter and jumper Precious Opinion saw snow. The 17-year-old was attracted to Minnesota primari

Gophers men's track and field boasts a 17-year-old standout named Precious Opinion

Precious Opinion, a Gophers newcomer from Nigeria, ranks as the Big Ten's top freshman in the long jump (24.9 feet) and triple jump (50.96).
Hopkins senior basketball player Anthony Smith III signs athletic and financial documents Wednesday to play college basketball at the University of No

High school sports: 100 more Minnesota athletes decide college future

As the 2024-25 school year winds down, high school seniors make official their NCAA sport commitments.
East Ridge's Aiden Huseboe (1) contends with Eden Prairie's Adam Thomas during the East vs. West Showdown.

Boys lacrosse: Minnesota's top teams test their skills against each other in East vs. West Showdown

The event at White Bear Lake featured defending state champs and top-ranked programs.
Lakeville South, shown after defeating Prior Lake 12-8 for the girls lacrosse state title last year, remains a team to beat in Minnesota.

Boys and girls high school lacrosse: Here are 10 teams to watch this season

The race for Minnesota's single-classification state titles will be competitive this season.
Stillwater junior goalkeeper Casey Mork, left, and Prior Lake senior defender Madeline Sazama are two of Minnesota's top high school lacrosse players.

High school lacrosse: Meet 20 players to watch this spring

From Division I commits to young phenoms, here are 20 of the state's top boys and girls lacrosse players to monitor in 2025
Typically, a naming rights deal’s value may be impacted by factors beyond prestige and brand value, such as the ability to host concerts or other no

How much could University of Minnesota receive for selling naming rights to Williams Arena?

The Gophers are working with Independent Sports & Entertainment to secure a potential naming rights deal for the venue, affectionately known as "The Barn."