Sports - Cottage Grove Journal

Park softball coach Bob Loshek signals to the catcher in a game from 2023. Loshek will step down after coaching Wolfpack softball teams since 2009.

Park hires new head girls swim and dive coach

Will Arnsparger has been hired as the new head coach of the girls swim and dive program at Park High School. He takes over for Amanda Johnson, who resigned from that position this spring after … more

By John Molene | 7/18/24

Park varsity players strike a pose, from right to left: junior Alaina Rislove, senior Carly Slusser, senior Jenna Katlack, ninth grader Veda Weber, senior Sonja Lind and ninth grader Mesa Jameson.

Volleyball camp gets underway

Volleyball season was served up at Park High School Monday with more than 70 young athletes out for the first day of camp. Grades 6 through 8 will attend camp in the morning, with grades 9 to 12 … more

By John Molene | 7/18/24

Caldwell, Stalock win Strawberry 5K crowns

Liam Caldwell finished first in the men’s division and Malia Stalock won the women’s in the 14th annual Strawberry Fest 5K Saturday in Cottage Grove. Caldwell was the overall racer winner … more

By John Molene | 6/26/24

Charlie Brooke pitches late in the game against South St. Paul.

St. Paul Park opens Legion home stand with big win

St. Paul Park Post 98 opened the home season with a rousing win over visiting South St. Paul Thursday in Cottage Grove, winning 13-5. South St. Paul led 4-1 after three innings but Park pushed across … more

By John Molene | 6/19/24

Park High junior Dominic Jenkins, shown here in the section 4x200, finished 10th in the Class AAA 400-meter dash in a time of 49.54 at the state track and field championships.

Jenkins runs into the Park record book

Park High junior Dominic Jenkins finished 10th in the Class AAA 400-meter dash in a time of 49.54 at the 2024 Minnesota State High School track and field championships held at St. Michael-Albertville … more

By John Molene | 6/14/24

Three-sport star senior Ava Reckinger won the covered Athena Award for 2024.

Park's top athletes honored

Park High School honored its best student-athletes in ceremonies June 4 at the high school. Top awards went to Ava Reckinger (Athena Award), Taran Blasy (Apollo Award) and honor athletes Tori … more

By John Molene | 6/14/24

Park junior Madi Brinkman is surrounded by no less than five Woodbury players as she tries to fight her way toward the goal in the second half.

Overtime goal knocks girls lacrosse team out

For the second time in a week, a Park team that was good enough to go to state fell just short. On May 30 it was the Wolfpack softball team that missed the cut. On Wednesday night, it was the Park … more

By John Molene | 6/12/24

Park’s Luke Hatano goes high to make a play at second base against Burnsville.

Hard luck season comes to an end for Wolfpack

The late, great Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi coined the phrase that “football is a game of inches.” That truism could easily be applied to the 2024 Park High baseball season. … more

By John Molene | 6/11/24

Bradley Johnson of the Wolfpack breaks free against a pair of defenders. Johnson had three goals in the game.

Boys lacrosse season comes to an end

Park 9, St. Paul/Two Rivers 6 Park trailed a visiting St. Paul/Two Rivers Ducks team 5-3 at the half, then turned the game completely around after the break to score a 9-6 win May 28 in the first … more

By John Molene | 6/11/24

Park’s Addie Schoen looks for an opening in the St. Paul/Two rivers defense.

Park girls breeze into lacrosse semifinals

After a first-round bye, Park had little trouble overcoming the ninth-seeded St. Paul/Two Rivers Ducks Thursday in a Section 3A girls lacrosse quarterfinals, winning 15-5. Park won its ninth straight … more

By John Molene | 6/11/24

It was a very tough ending for Park’s Wolfpack Thursday, especially the team’s seniors.

Irish end Park's softball run

To borrow an old cliche, it was the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. All in the same afternoon. Park’s 2024 softball season came to an end Thursday in a heartbreaking 9-3 loss to … more

6/11/24

Dominic Jenkins runs the anchor leg in the 4x200. Jenkins qualified for the state meet with a time of 49.54 in the 400 meters.

Jenkins runs to state and into the record books

Junior Dominic Jenkins ran all the way to St. Michael-Albertville and into the Park High record book at the same time to highlight Park’s efforts in the Section 3AAAA track and field meet held … more

By John Molene | 6/11/24

A Youth Archery Camp participant lines up a shot.

Youth Archery Camp registration is open

Beginner and Advanced Archery camp registration is now open. Provided through Cottage Grove Parks and Rec, both programs utilize National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) curriculum. … more

Staff Report | 5/30/24

Wolfpack junior Madi Brinkman looks for an opening against Cretin-Derham Hall. Brinkman has scored 64 goals so far this season, second highest among Minnesota lacrosse players.

Park's Brinkman ready to score more

It was in the late stages of a tight game with Cretin-Derham Hall when an opponent figured out a way to stop Park’s Madi Brinkman. “Just knock her down,” one of the Raiders said to … more

By John Molene | 5/29/24

Bradley Johnson of the Wolfpack closes in on a goal Wednesday.

Lacrosse team wins big to close regular season

Park closed out the regular season with one of its biggest wins of the spring, routing visiting Bloomington Kennedy/Burnsville 15-7 Wednesday in a non-conference boys lacrosse battle. Sophomore … more

By John Molene | 5/29/24

Jensen leads Park golfers

Park’s Maggie Jensen shot her way to all-conference honors Thursday, May 23 in the Suburban East Conference finals at Oak Glen in Stillwater. Jensen, Park’s only senior, capped off her … more

By John Molene | 5/29/24

Park’s Maleah McMorrow (2) brings the ball up field against Woodbury.

Girls lacrosse team ties for another SEC crown

Junior attacker Madi Brinkman scored six goals as Park knocked off conference rival Woodbury 12-8 Tuesday to finish first in the Suburban East Conference for the second consecutive season. Played … more

By John Molene | 5/29/24

Swigart advances to quarterfinals before falling

Park’s top singles player, senior Caleb Swigart, had a strong run in the individual section meet at Two Rivers High School Wednesday before bowing out. “Caleb had a fantastic tournament … more

By John Molene | 5/29/24

Park batter Peyton Moerke (22) watches the seventh-inning drama unfold while teammate Grace Conaway (19) supplies the winning yell.

Wolfpack softball rallies for win over Eastview

When Eastview’s Emily Braaten powered a grand-slam homer over the fence in the third inning to give Eastview an early 5-1 lead Thursday, things didn’t look good for the Park Wolfpack. It … more

By John Molene | 5/29/24

Park’s triple jumpers lead way at SEC meet

Park’s triple jumpers again led the way as the Wolfpack track and field athletes competed in the Suburban East Conference finals Thursday at Forest Lake High School. Eyuel Miftah was third in … more

By John Molene | 5/29/24