Portfolio - Freelance work - Star Tribune - 2017-18 prep sports

Below is Heather's prep sports coverage from the 2017-18 school year, including section and state tournaments, as a freelancer with the Star Tribune.
​​​
Elk River takes it out on Andover: Elk River running game pounds Andover in battle of 5-1 teams
Oct. 14, 2017

The Elks, who saw an 18-game winning streak snapped last week, responded with a 69-point outburst.
Duluth East freshman chases down a quarterfinal win, gets after everything to reach 2A tennis semifinals
​Oct. 27, 2017

Aili Hietala’s specialty — tracking down ‘every darn ball’ — helped her reach the state semifinals.
Champ in a new bracket: Blake's Lainey Axell wins 1A singles tennis title
Oct. 28, 2017

The senior, who was the top seed in the Class 1A tournament, defeated teammate Arlina Shen.
​
North Branch upends Marshall: 2A: North Branch defeats No. 2 seed Marshall in three sets
Nov. 11, 2017

​The Vikings, playing their signature attacking style, advance to play in the Class 2A championship match on Saturday.
Champion Irish end year 36-0: Maple Lake stays undefeated, repeats as Class 2A champion
​Nov. 12, 2017

The Irish, with a three-set win against North Branch, became the second program of the day to defend a state title.
In the deep end: It's all Edina. Edina wins Class 2A girls' swimming and diving title for 15th time
​Nov. 19, 2017
​
Hornets’ 15th state championship and second in a row comes by more than 100 points.
​
Breck collapses, then conquers in OT: Breck back at state after section final OT win
Feb. 16, 2018

Ally Qualley scored the game-winning goal 1:50 into overtime for the Mustangs.
​
EP scores another state berth: Hat trick for Eden Prairie's Langseth sends Eagles back to state
Feb. 17, 2018

Sophomore Syndey Langseth scored all of her team's goals before the second intermission in a shutout against Shakopee.
Eden Prairie breaks through, tops Andover; EP edges Andover in goaltender battle
Feb. 23, 2018 

A goal by Crystalyn Hengler early in the final period broke a scoreless tie and the Eagles advanced with a 2-0 victory.
Smiles grow larger after 8-second heroics: Breck scores 8 seconds into OT to win 1A title
Feb. 25, 2018
​
After Warroad tied the game late, freshman Sadie Lindsay scored the game-winner to give the Mustangs the championship.
Monticello breaks it open late for crown: Monticello heads back to state with victory over North Branch
March 2, 2018

The Moose claimed a 4-1 victory to win the Class 1A, Section 5 championship.
Quick scores fuel Zephyrs over Simley: Mahtomedi takes down Simley with 3-goal minute
March 3, 2018

The Zephyrs skated to a 6-3 victory to win the Class 1A, Section 4 title.
Relay record sets champs' table: Breck/Blake cruises to second consecutive 1A boys' swimming and diving title
March 4, 2018

Breck/Blake on Saturday scored points in each swimming event, winning three.
Minnetonka posts a unique repeat: Minnetonka repeats as Class 2A boys' swimming champion
March 4, 2018 

The Skippers celebrated their first back-to-back state titles since 1996 and 1997.
Class 3A Quarterfinals: Cooper 58, Alexandria 51: Three-point shooting helps lift top seed Cooper past Alexandria
March 15, 2018

The Hawks, playing in their first state tournament, struggled early in the game but a three-pointer before half gave them the lead en route to a 58-51 victory.
DeLaSalle hangs on with late foul shots: Free throws after late foul lift DeLaSalle to another 3A section title over Orono
March 16, 2018

In a game that mirrored last year's section final, the Islanders prevailed again, this time by an 80-78 margin.
Class 2A semifinals: Sauk Centre 54, Northwood Young America 45. Sauk Centre one victory from perfect season, 2A title
March 17, 2018

The Mainstreeters used a 16-2 run in the second half en route to a 54-45 victory over Norwood Young America.
A big reason for big smile: Rochester Mayo's Vile ratchets up tenacity to win 2A boys' tennis title 
​June 9, 2018 
​
Mayo’s Sebastian Vile had his way in this year’s final.