Season preview: Lady T-Bird volleyball relying on its depth
Led by second-year head coach Taylor Bruhl, the Lakeland Union High School volleyball team is as deep as it’s been in a long time.
Season preview: New Mercer volleyball team looking to create own legacy
The fresh season brings new changes for the Mercer volleyball team. They’re entering 2025 with new leadership on and off the court. The Tigers had no problems winning the conference championship for a sixth straight year and a regional championship for a ninth consecutive season in 2024.
Snowhawks sneak in one more win before summer’s end
The Lakeland Tomahawk Snowhawks needed every run they could get to end the season with a win on Monday night. The Snowhawks hung on and defeated WPS Local 420 15-14 in the regular-season finale.
Home opener
Lakeland football welcomes Ashland tonight, 7 p.m.
After an exciting win at Hayward last week, the Lakeland football team plays in its home opener today.
T-Birds fly past Hayward in second half
Lakeland football scores most points in a game since 2021
Three touchdowns by all three football phases were just the start of Lakeland’s explosive season-opening win over Hayward/Lac Courte Oreilles on Friday. The Thunderbirds defeated the Hurricanes 50-23 in Hayward. Lakeland’s 50 points scored were the most in a game since Oct. 8, 2021 when they scored 60 against Ashland.
First taste of competition
LUHS girls’ swim finishes fifth at Fun in the Sun Relays
Warm temperatures and sunshine provided the perfect backdrop for the Lakeland girls’ swim team’s season debut on Thursday. “This is a great meet to get our feet wet and back into the swing of things,” coach Tierney Edwards said. “We get to see a lot of teams and get back to racing, but it’s very low stakes. I tell the girls to just go out there and see what they can do.”
Wausau Newman tops young Lady T-Bird tennis team in season opener
The Lakeland girls’ tennis team opened its season with a tough draw against defending sectional champion Wausau Newman. Wausau Newman defeated Lakeland 5-2 in both teams’ Great Northern Conference opener on Thursday in Minocqua.
Season preview: Lakeland boys’ soccer loaded again
The Lakeland boys’ soccer team believes it has the depth to compete in the Great Northern Conference and beyond. Last year, the Thunderbirds won the conference title with an 8-0-1-1 record and 27 points. They went on to win a WIAA Division 2 regional championship as well.
Season preview: Freshman class bolstering LUHS cross country teams
The Lakeland cross country teams have individuals, freshmen included, that can make some noise in the state. It’s a tale of two teams. While the Lakeland boys have plenty of options this year, the Lakeland girls might not be able to field a team this year. However, the talent is high for both teams as they enter the new season.
The best in the world
Kade Meyer, Team USA win gold medal at Hlinka Gretzky Cup
It’s one thing to represent the United States of America. It’s another to win a gold medal at a big hockey tournament. That’s exactly what one Minocqua native did. Kade Meyer donned the red, white and blue as part of USA’s U18 hockey team during the Hlinka Gretzky Cup Aug. 11-16 in Trenčín, Slovakia and Brno, Czechia.
Dazzle’s Demons get early lead, hang on to snap Snowhawks’ win streak
In one of the biggest rivalries on the schedule, one Snowhawk switched sides and put together a team good enough to beat the locals. Bucketheads/Dazzle’s Demons beat the Snowhawks 20-16 on rainy and misty Monday night in Lake Tomahawk.
Season preview: Lakeland football maximizing their talent
Season kicks off at Hayward tonight, 7 p.m.
With talent across the field, the Lakeland football team is ready to roll for another season that kicks off today. The Thunderbirds have made the playoffs five out of the last six years. However, they haven’t been able to find that elusive postseason victory. Lakeland is hoping this is the year to finally break through.
Competitive tryouts get new LUHS volleyball season underway
Two days of tryouts highlighted the first two days of the Lakeland Union High School volleyball season. It’s the second season for Taylor Bruhl as coach of the Thunderbirds. She’s ready to make this season more effective and efficient.
Lakeland boys’ soccer coming together quickly
The Lakeland boys’ soccer team has finished in the top three of the Great Northern Conference every year since 2021. Strong numbers on the first day suggests that streak could extend.
LUHS cross country shows speed on day one
A new cross county season is underway and even though some of the numbers might be down, the quality is up. The cross country team met up for a short practice on Monday. The boys’ team had plenty of familiar and new faces, including Barrett Eggen, Charlie Ernst and Parker McKinney.
The summer softball finale
Lakeland 14U goes 2-1 in final tournament
One last tournament concluded the summer for the Lakeland 14U softball team last weekend in Rhinelander. Lakeland beat Northland Pines 15-2 in its first game of the Hodag Heist, a round-robin tournament on Saturday. Then, Wittenberg beat the Thunderbirds 10-1. Lakeland finished with a 12-4 win over Northwoods.
Season preview: Young LUHS girls’ tennis team ready to make its mark
It’s a new Lakeland girls’ tennis team. After graduating nearly its entire varsity lineup, they’re coming into 2025 in rebuilding mode. The Thunderbirds were senior heavy last year on the way to a second straight Great Northern Conference championship. In addition, they sent graduated seniors Sarah Barton, Lila Biller and Alyssa Erickson to the state meet.
Season preview: Lakeland girls’ swim aiming to be more competitive
With a bigger squad in 2025, the Lakeland girls’ swim team has its sights set on getting back to the upper half of the conference. The Thunderbirds went 3-4 in the Great Northern Conference a year ago. Coach Tierney Edwards cited low numbers as to why Lakeland couldn’t compete in a couple of meets. That might not be the case anymore.
Season review: Lakeland sprinters, throwers, jumpers excelled
From the start to the end of the season, Lakeland Union High School track and field athletes stepped up with big performances, culminating with another trip to La Crosse. The Lakeland girls finished second out of seven teams in the Great Northern Conference with 143 points at the GNC Meet on May 22 in Mosinee. The Lakeland boys tied for fourth with 91 points.
Joey Jurries prepping for World Swim Championships
Joey Jurries has been all around the world for swim. His latest trip takes him to Asia for a big meet. “You can’t imagine how excited we are to see him swim,” coach Robert Garcia said. “That’s really gonna be cool.”
Four in a row
Snowhawks win inaugural matchup with Fricken Restaurants
The Lake Tomahawk snowshoe baseball team stayed in a rhythm with another wire-to-wire win on Monday. The Snowhawks defeated Fricken Restaurants 18-6 in the inaugural matchup between the teams.
Putting together a team
Lakeland girls’ swim team continues to increase in number
Three years ago, Lakeland Union High School’s Olivia Mickle was one of just two swimmers on the high school’s girls’ swim team. She’s got plenty of teammates for her senior season.
The history of pelicans in Wisconsin
Pelicans might not be the first birds that come to mind in Wisconsin, but they’re here — and can be spotted across the state. The American White Pelican is a water bird. It has a giant wingspan (nine feet) and makes it habitat in coasts, shorelines, freshwater and saltwater wetlands, lakes, ponds and rivers.
Starting a new era
LUHS girls’ tennis rebuilding their way back to the top
It’s a new era for Lakeland girls’ tennis. Graduating their entire varsity lineup except for one, a younger team got together on the first day of practice on Tuesday.
Raising the bar
Olivia Wingo’s track and field journey continuing on at Northern Kentucky University
A few Lakeland Union High School student-athletes have gone on to play Division 1 athletics in college. Olivia Wingo is the latest to join.
Season review: T-Bird distance crew excelled
There were plenty of highlights from Lakeland’s track and field teams in 2025. For the distance squad, they had all-conference and state-caliber athletes.
Packer preview: Green Bay due for a deep playoff run
As soon as the calendar turns to August, I always get fired up for football. It won’t be easy, but the Green Bay Packers have the roster to win a playoff game or two.
Jumping into the action
LUHS football hits the ground running on the first day
The first day of football practice brought with it new opportunities, a milestone and a Lakeland team that is ready to roll. The Thunderbirds started their season with practice at IncredibleBank Field in Minocqua. For Dan Barutha, he’s now been the head coach of Lakeland football for a decade.
Running away with it
Snowhawks score season-high 34 runs in rout
Things got out of hand early when the Snowhawks piled on runs in their latest snowshoe baseball victory.
Season review: One for the ages
Lakeland softball made history on the path to state
In a postseason run for the ages, the Lakeland softball team cemented their legacy with a 2025 season that will be remembered for a long time. The Thunderbirds went 21-9 in 30 games played. They placed fourth out of seven teams with a 7-5 record in the Great Northern Conference.
Medal-winning paddlers
Lori Manion, Joannie Morgan find success with Team USA at Dragon Boat World Championships
Two Northwoods natives took on the best of the best in Dragon Boat at last month’s world championships. Lori Manion and Joannie Morgan competed for the United States of America in the 17th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) World Dragon Boat Racing Championships July 14 through 20 in Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany.
Season review: Lakeland golf continued tradition of going to state
The Lakeland golf team might have surpassed expectations with a 2025 season that included everything from a conference title to a state appearance.
Season review: Lady T-Bird girls’ soccer rose to the occasion
The Lakeland girls’ soccer team continued to get better and better as the season progressed, culminating in another conference championship.
Minocqua 89ers split two games to end summer
The 89ers didn’t walk away empty-handed following a win over a familiar opponent at last weekend’s Legion regional tournament in Minocqua.
Snowhawks make it back-to-back wins
A rare low-scoring game saw the Snowhawks win back-to-back games for the first time this summer. The Snowhawks beat Black Bear Bar 13-6 on Monday at Snowshoe Park in Lake Tomahawk.
A once-in-a-lifetime day
Jack Rubo cards 66, ties course record following first round of State Amateur
Jack Rubo, Lakeland Union High School Class of 2024 graduate, led the Thunderbirds to a golf state title last year. Most recently, he tied a course record at the State Amateur.
Regional rout
Medford shuts out 89ers at regional tournament
Medford took the lead early and never relinquished it in the Minocqua Post 89 Legion baseball team’s first tournament game on Thursday. Medford beat the 89ers 11-0 in six innings at the Wisconsin American Legion Baseball Association Class AA Region 2 Tournament at Minocqua Park Complex.
Season review: Lakeland boys’ tennis saved their best for last
The Lakeland boys’ tennis team built their way up as the season went on, culminating in top individual and team performances. The Thunderbirds finished second out of five teams in the Great Northern Conference with 64 total points. They went 2-2 in conference dual meets and 17-11 in conference dual matches, finishing third in the GNC in both categories. By scoring 30 points in the conference tournament, the Thunderbirds vaulted their way to second place.
Back in business
Snowhawks crush Lakeland Times to get back in win column
I missed playing snowshoe baseball last year due to a rainout. The Lakeland Times put together a team once again in a game that was an absolute blast. The Snowhawks defeated the Times 21-11 on Monday in Lake Tomahawk.
Runners-up in Tomahawk
Lakeland 14U softball team shows how bright the future is
Lakeland’s 14U softball team came close to winning a tournament in Tomahawk last weekend. The Thunderbirds went 3-2 in five games played and took second place in their 14U age bracket at the Rod Timm Memorial Girls’ Fast Pitch Tournament in Tomahawk Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20.
Errors plague Northern Wisconsin Thunder softball team
Thunder get walk-off win over Marshfield
A new softball team called the Northern Wisconsin Thunder have played in a few tournaments this summer. They looked to play their best at a tournament in Tomahawk last weekend. The Thunder went 1-3 in four games played in the U16/U18 age group at the Rod Timm Memorial Girls’ Fast Pitch Tournament Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20 in Tomahawk.
First win of the summer
89ers top Tomahawk before regional tournament
Right before the Legion tournament started, the 89ers picked up their first win of the summer on Monday. The Minocqua Post 89 Legion baseball team beat Tomahawk 7-1 at the Minocqua Park Complex.
Tennis tradition
Local tennis group staying strong for 30 years and counting
One might see the Lakeland Union High School tennis courts busy in the morning. For a number of locals in the community, tennis is more than just a way to exercise. For over 30 years, locals have come to play tennis on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m. It started with Jerry Sikora.
Late rally not enough for 89er baseball
Unusually colder temperatures in July set the stage for the Minocqua Post 89 Legion baseball team’s latest game. Northwoods Legion defeated the 89ers 8-3 in Eagle River on Wednesday.
Season review: Lakeland baseball faded down the stretch
The Lakeland baseball team found it hard to win games late in the season in a wide-open race for the conference title. The Thunderbirds went 6-14 this season. They went 4-8 in the Great Northern Conference, tied with Antigo for last place in the standings. In conference games, Lakeland averaged 4.7 runs scored per game (tied for fifth in GNC) and allowed 7.8 runs (sixth in GNC).
Zimmy’s zips past ‘Hawks in ninth
One inning separated Zimmy’s All-Stars from the Snowhawks in a high-scoring affair. Zimmy’s All-Stars defeated the Snowhawks 22-16 on Monday night in Lake Tomahawk.
T-Bird boys’ basketball wins final two summer league games
Shots were falling for the Lakeland Union High School boys’ basketball team as they picked up two wins on Tuesday night. The Thunderbirds beat Marathon 48-45 and Merrill 68-32 in two summer league basketball games at Wausau East High School.
Rebels shut out 89ers
A clean game by Rhinelander helped them overtake the 89ers in five innings on Monday. The Rebels beat the Minocqua Post 89 Legion baseball team 10-0 at the Minocqua Park Complex.
Representing Team USA
Island City’s Lori Manion competing in World Dragon Boat Championships in Germany
Lori Manion has raced for the Island City Dragon Boat team. Now she’s taking her talents overseas for the United States of America. Manion is currently competing in the 17th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany. The championships started yesterday and continue through Sunday, July 20.
Lakeland’s Drew Warren helps team win Midwest tournament
Drew Warren stood out as one of Lakeland Union High School baseball’s standout players this past spring. Last month, he helped his travel team win a big tournament. Warren, who will be a junior this year at LUHS, is playing for Elite Baseball Training this summer. They won the Primetime Baseball High School Midwest World Series that took place June 26-29 in Illinois.
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