He's called games at pro football, hockey and basketball venues. After more than 2,700 games called, Action Jack called his first game at an MLB stadium to complete the cycle. It was a top 10 moment for the longtime Red Wing radio broadcaster.
Yesterday I was informed by RiverTown Multimedia it was my last day at the Republican Eagle.
My job feels incomplete because of how abrupt this was. I have many good memories though. I saw a lot of good athletes and fantastic plays.
Thanks everyone. It was a treat.
A nice moment and solid gesture by Perham head coach Dave Cresap (in grey). He and his team watched as Lake City received their third-place medals. As soon as LC head coach Greg Berge was called forth, Cresap immediately walked up to center court to congratulate Berge on the win.
Section 1A BBB Final: No. 6 Goodhue 47, No. 1 Blooming Prairie 44
Here's how the final 10.2 seconds played out. Wildcat's magic ride carries on to state.
Next week, I will be returning to Red Wing as the sports editor for the Republican Eagle.
I'm very thankful for the people that made this happen and for the people that allowed me to freelance this last year.
I feel blessed to be back. Can't wait to get started.
Just watching Natalie Bremer shoot the basketball is impressive, especially after trying it myself. I rebounded for the Lake City senior and talked with her about the season, her career, college basketball and her love for the game.
Red Wing's Nora Hanson won the Big 9 championship girls race. Absolutely cooked everyone. Time of 18:49.33. That's a PR for her. Only one under 19 minutes.
Dayne Wojcik had one of those senior playmaking games a player dreams of. Goodhue's big man was a big force in the paint, tying the game in the final minute and an integral part of the Wildcat's semifinal win.
Aaron Johnson continues to impress others as his comeback keeps getting better and more rewarding. The Red Wing Aces starter threw a 2-hit shutout as the team began Class C play Friday night.
Lillie Sonju is having another All-State worthy season. Her play on the ball 1-on-1 and vision on the field makes her incredibly tough to guard. She's also allowing for a smooth transition for some younger forwards.
Lake City freshman Justin Wohlers found his shot last night. While he didn't lead the team in points, he did contribute in all facets of the Tiger's game plan in a quarterfinal win.
From last night: "I think at the end of the season, that'll be something that'll hit me like, 'wow, I actually did that.'" - Natalie Bremer on becoming Lake City's all-time leading scorer.
Here at Target Field, Red Wing will face Owatonna following the conclusion of today's Twins game. Action Jack will be on the radio call with Race Roth. After over 2,700 games called, it's a first for Jack to call a game from an MLB stadium.
Scoring on a transition layup in the final minute of the first half, Lake City's Natalie Bremer surpassed 2,307 career points. She now has scored more points than any Tiger basketball player in the school's history.
Jaden Shones said it was a heckuva run. His class grew into a state title contender. In their senior year, they gave Breck "it's best challenge of the season." Lake City is your 2023-24 Class AA runner-up.
Four games were played Saturday at The Ath. The Aces were involved in three of them. Brodie Smith's walk-off single capped an emotionally and physically exhausting day of Region 5C baseball in which the Aces needed to win each game to advance to state.
From freshman role player to conference player of the year as a senior. Justin Wohlers put together a great basketball career for Lake City. A lot to be proud of for the team and himself as he reflected on everything that has happened in four years.
I'm sure many of the players on the roster watched Goodhue in past tournaments and wished it were them one day. The 2023-24 Goodhue Wildcats your Class A GBB state champions. They're likely to inspire the next wave of girls wanting to achieve this moment.
Elisabeth Gadient could defend, pass and shoot from anywhere. Her accolades are numerous. The ability to continually shock those who watched her play is why the Goodhue star is the Republican Eagle/Cannon Falls Beacon GBB area Player of the Year.
On Wednesday, Red Wing's Reid Hartmann made his commitment official, signing with Augustana for baseball. The senior catcher, a three-sport athlete this year, sat down to discuss all the thinking, studying he does to be one of the best catchers in SE MN.
Had the chance to sit down with the Gadient family and get a look at some of the behind the scenes of their livestreaming of Goodhue sports. It's benefited the community and Elisabeth Gadient, who uses it as another tool to improve her game.
Just watched Lake City sophomore Noah Wallerich eagle the par-4 10th at The Jewel. 366 yards from the white tees. Drive ended no more than 6 feet from the cup.
So apparently if your last name is Wallerich, you shred courses.
Freshman Nora Hanson improved on her time and placing from last year's state meet. She was 13th (19:07.22). Teammate Annika Johnson was 90th (20:51.57) in her first time at the Class AA state meet.
We've got the All-Area girls basketball teams here. Combined with the Cannon Falls Beacon coverage area, plenty of talent. Couple All-State players and some great rebounders mostly fill out the teams.
A Winger is someone who goes out and inspires. They take what they learned from school, family and friends and encourage others to become better people.
In the words of Jimmy Chalmers, he was just being a Winger for 30+ years as football equipment manager
Lake City girls golf team advances to state. They won the Section 1AA meet by *clears throat* 89 strokes. Jordana Windhorst Knudsen led the meet with a two-round score of 155.
Red Wing took second place. They'll send Bri Novak and Bailie Roschen to state.
A few Republican Eagle coverage area stars on these lists.
Class AA All-State HM
Natalie Bremer - Lake City
Ali Hunstad - Zumbrota-Mazeppa
Class AAA All-State
Kyli Nelson - Red Wing
"Man is that kid fast." - Every referee at some point watching Ashten Quade outrun every defender.
Quade has been a star for the Ellsworth Panthers. He scored four times in a Level 1 game last night, the second time he's scored four TDs this season.
Lake City's Hunter Lorenson has always loved the next obstacle. He thrives on facing tough teams/defenders. In talking with Lorenson, he expressed his gratitude to his teammates, coaches and the LC community for the opportunity to get those challenges.
"Nobody thought we could get 10 wins in a season."
Lake City remained proud of accomplishments despite low outside expectations surrounding the team. Tigers were a semifinal win away from making their first section final since 2018.
I dropped off flowers to be given to my Grandma. She lives in assisted living and hasn't been allowed to leave her room because of COVID-19. She called right away this morning to thank me, then proceeded to talk about her favorite subject... The weather.
I think I did alright.
From last night: "I had two bad shooting nights. I came into this one really positive, wanting to have a good comeback. It went very well." - Lorenson on his 27 pt, 10 steal performance.
Was cool to see Gadient reach 2,000 career points. Just the second to do so for Goodhue GBB.
"It's amazing. I saw the whole community come and show their support."
Lake City goes back-to-back in Class AA girls golf. Stellar performances from the entire team. Ella Matzke ends with a 117 to lead LC. She was second among individuals.
Others:
Emma Berge, 123
Jordana Windhorst Knudsen, 123
Brooke Bee, 128
Kaitlin Schmidt, 139
Mattie Mears, 142
Red Wing's Nora Hanson is the runner-up in the Big 9 girls championship. Time of 19:14.1. It's the second time in three years she's finished 2nd and three consecutive years of finishing top 2.
Girls Basketball final: Goodhue 76, Kasson-Mantorville 74 OT
Goodhue's Joslyn Carlson hit the game-tying 3 to send the game to overtime. Carlson wins it in OT with layup at the buzzer.
Turned into a late night, but the girls got through 9 holes in the second round. Lake City won the Class AA title. Back-to-back champs. All four Tiger scorers were in the top-20. Basically a masterclass in golfing from April to June for this group.
Team defense and rising to even further heights has Gooodhue back in the section final. Their latest victory, just another example of underclassmen stepping up.
Seniors Kate Opsahl and Lexie Lodermeier each expressed how happy they were with the improved performances of their teammates.
While starting to name eveyone on the team, Opsahl stopped and said the team had so many contribute, it wouldn't be fair to name just one or two.
Red Wing's Reese Tripp realized he can compete at the next level and continue his baseball journey in college after facing some 2022 MLB Draft prospects in Florida. Now, he's excited to have found a place to play at Bemidji State.
Aaron Johnson threw his best and longest outing of the season. Marcus Walm delivered in the sixth and the Aces move on to the Region 5C championship. They also secured a spot at state.
From last night: Lake City was unconscious at the free-throw line. Jacey Majerus was 10-for-10. She and Natalie Bremer each fouled out, but the Tigers gritted their way to an overtime win.
Goodhue trailed again at halftime. Trailed for most of the second half. Finally got a lead with just over 3 minutes to go. The recap of another Wildcat comeback.
Goodhue will face Spring Grove in the Section 1A final.
Quite the line to get some autographs from the Red Wing girls basketball team.
I always enjoy seeing this excitement from the youth for the high school programs in this community.
Lake City doesn't see many teams that match their physical strength the way Pelican Rapids did. The Tigers got themselves out of a late deficit, then powered past the Vikings in OT with whatever energy they had left.
Taylor Heise's name and number now hangs from the rafters at Prairie Island Arena. Her two assistant coaches Mike Boyle, Dan Anderson have shared some words on her time here in Red Wing. The girls team hasn't left the ice. Mayo is also off to the side watching.
Lola Christianson was all over the court for Goodhue. Came in and immediately had a few steals, couple rebounds and six points. The freshman led a defense that allowed single digits in the second half of a Section 1A QF.
Region 5C Championship: Red Wing Aces 9, Cannon Falls Bears 2
Aces earn No. 1 seed out of the region. Marcus Walm with two massive doubles to lead the offense. A trio of Ben Kuehni, Spencer Schroeder, Brady Schroeder hold Bears to 2 runs on 9 hits.
From last night: The Wildcats had its offense working well again for a second straight game. Sophomore Elisabeth Gadient took over the end of the first half in an impressive shooting display as Goodhue cruised to a section quarterfinal win.
Region 5C playoffs: Red Wing 3, Hastings 2
Aces are going back to the state tournament. They do have one more game to determine seeding against Cannon Falls on Friday.
Section 1AA QF girls soccer: Red Wing 6, Austin 0
Wingers playing some of their best soccer at the moment. Camille DeSutter continues her point streak. Hat trick and two assists for Lillie Sonju.
The 12-seeded Red Wing girls have defeated the fifth seed Stewartville 2-1 in a shootout in the second round of the Section 1A playoffs.
Cadence Thorson again came up in a big spot for RW. Had the tying goal in second half.
A few boys scores are still coming in, but Red Wing's John Ahrens and Lake City's Braxton Berlin ended their first of two rounds at Class AA state. Ahrens shot an 80 and Berlin shot a 79.
The two also clearly coordinated outfits.
Could you imagine a 7-game series between these two teams? It'd be appointment viewing.
If you missed it, here's the recap on the second meeting of the season between Lake City and Goodhue.
If I could have everyone's attention. Watch this throw by Justin Wohlers in full screen. This is the kind of thing you attempt in a backyard game of two-hand touch with the relatives.