Record-tying scoring night propels LUHS girls’ basketball team to season-opening win

Kristina Ouimette scores 43 points, ties school record

The Lakeland girls’ basketball team got a bit of redemption over Menomonie with a wire-to-wire win in the season opener on Tuesday night. The Thunderbirds defeated the Mustangs 63-44 at Ted Voigt Court in Minocqua. Kristina Ouimette tied a school record with 43 points.

Season preview: New coach leads Mercer girls’ hoops

Tigers fall to Chequamegon in season opener

For the third time in three years, the Mercer girls’ basketball team has a new coach. They’re hoping to boost their way up the Northern Lights Conference standings.

Building a team

Lakeland boys’ basketball, boys’ swim and wrestling begin practices

Three Lakeland teams got their seasons underway with the first day of practice on Monday, including the return of the boys’ swim team.

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Lady Thunderbirds see state success

Olivia Mickle sets two new school records, makes podium twice

The Lakeland Union High School girls’ swim team excelled in a day full of personal bests and school records at state on Friday night. The Thunderbirds finished 17th out of 34 teams with 43 points at the WIAA Division 2 state meet at Waukesha South High School. Olivia Mickle, Avalon Collins, Daryn Smolinski and Kasey Wise represented Lakeland in four different events.

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Lakeland’s Kristina Ouimette, Saylor Timmerman make dreams come true

Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) seniors Kristina Ouimette and Saylor Timmerman have talked about playing sports collegiately for a long time. They finally made it official on Wednesday. Ouimette and Timmerman signed their National Letter of Intents in a National Signing Day ceremony at the LUHS theater. It was a surreal moment for both of them.

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Season preview: Experienced LUHS girls’ basketball team going for it all

With almost everyone back from last year, the 2024-25 Lakeland girls’ basketball season could be one for the history books. “This has the makings to be a very special season,” coach Melissa Ouimette said. “We need everybody to stay healthy and keep their great attitudes … and take every day one day at a time and good things can happen. I really think this is a special group.”

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A new era

Lakeland boys’ hockey seeking to get ‘on the same page’

It’s a different Lakeland boys’ hockey team this year. They looked to get everyone on the same page during the first week of practice.

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Olivia Mickle, Avalon Collins, Daryn Smolinski, Kasey Wise looking for fastest swims

WIAA Division 2 state swim meet tonight in Waukesha

The Lakeland girls’ swim team is sending four athletes to the state meet, the most swimmers they’ve qualified to state since 2020. They’re hoping for a couple personal bests and podium finishes tonight.

Movie Review: ‘We Live in Time’ worth your time

Films can often give me a lot of perspective on life. They make me take an inward look at myself and the life that I live. That’s what happened when I saw the film “We Live in Time.”

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LUHS girls’ basketball prepping for new season

Winter practices are up and running. The Lakeland girls’ basketball team went through some of their routine concepts and learned some things in Monday’s first practice.

Season review: Lakeland boys’ soccer team celebrated two championships

The Lakeland boys’ soccer team’s season, one that included conference and regional championships, was one to remember in 2024.

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Four Lakeland swimmers state bound

Olivia Mickle, Avalon Collins, Daryn Smolinski, Kasey Wise qualify for state

With state on the line, the Lakeland girls’ swim team delivered one of their best meets of the year, advancing four to state in four different events.

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Season review: LUHS football battled for playoff berth amidst injuries

A third straight winning regular season and a trip to the postseason saw the Lakeland football team accomplish a number of their goals this season.

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Season review: Lady T-Bird volleyball soared for success

There were plenty of highlights in the Lakeland volleyball season that led the program to their best season win percentage in many years.

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T-Bird boys’ soccer sees 10 make all-conference teams

Dominic Gironella named co-Offensive Player of the Year, Ihor Myshchyshyn Coach of the Year

Many Thunderbirds were represented with all-conference honors following a season that featured a conference championship. The Lakeland boys’ soccer team was heavily represented when the Great Northern Conference (GNC) released the all-conference teams. They had a total of 10 players make the three teams, including the co-Player of the Year.

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Season review: LUHS girls’ tennis ‘exceeded’ expectations in historic season

The Lakeland girls’ tennis team had high expectations coming into the 2024 campaign. They ended up having the dream season they envisioned.

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Building endurance

Lakeland Nordic ski team opens season at Minocqua Winter Park

An endurance workout got the Lakeland Nordic ski season underway at Minocqua Winter Park on Monday. “You can’t get the perfect simulation to winter snow skiing, but if you think about it properly on dryland you can at least utilize the muscles that you’re using when you’re skiing,” coach Erich Kern said. “You can get the cardio, and you can get your heart rate up and work those muscles to do the best you can before you have snow so you’re ready when the snow does fall.”

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T-Bird boys’ soccer falls to Shawano in penalty kicks

Teams played to a 1-1 draw in sectional semifinal tilt

On a cold and snowy Halloween night, the Lakeland boys’ soccer team’s season ended with playoff heartbreak. Shawano, the No. 2 seed, beat top-seeded Lakeland 1-1 (5-4 penalty kicks) in a WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinal game in Minocqua.

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Five-set heartache

Mercer volleyball loses in five to Prentice

A Mercer volleyball season full of celebration and joy came to a halting conclusion following a five-set playoff match on Thursday. Two-seeded Prentice beat Mercer, the No. 1 seed, 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 23-25, 25-20, 16-14) in a WIAA Division 5 sectional semifinal game at John “JP” Pierpont Court in Mercer.

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All-conference honors aplenty for Lakeland

Sarah Barton, Ashton Bremer, Olivia Mickle win Player of the Year awards

The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) Thunderbirds fall sports teams were celebrated with a number of postseason honors and awards when the Great Northern Conference released their all-conference teams.

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One final race

Lakeland’s Stella Meza, Ashton Bremer conclude cross country careers at state

Ashton Bremer and Stella Meza, both part of Lakeland’s cross country teams, are prepping for one final run at tomorrow’s state meet. The State Boys and Girls Cross Country Championships take place tomorrow in Wisconsin Rapids. Both Bremer and Meza, seniors, qualified based on individual time at a WIAA Division 2 sectional in Colby last week.

Remembering the 2009 New York Yankees

It’s the 15th anniversary of the New York Yankees’ 27th World Series championship. The Yankees are back in the World Series again. Postseason October baseball is different. The falling leaves, the chilly weather and the stakes at hand. It’s football season, but baseball still has its say.

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Ashton Bremer, Stella Meza advance to state in senior seasons

Lakeland boys finish in third place, miss state as a team

Two Lakeland senior runners punched their tickets to state at a sectional meet on Friday. The Lakeland cross country teams took part in a WIAA Division 2 sectional meet at Colby High School. Ashton Bremer and Stella Meza qualified for state individually based on time.

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Back-to-back regional champions

Thunderbirds beat Medford, Seymour for regional championship

A win is a win. The Lakeland boys’ soccer team survived two tests to bring home a regional title for the second straight season.

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T-Bird football battles, falls to Medford in Level 1 playoff game

Lakeland’s football team outscored Medford in the second half, but it wasn’t enough for an upset victory on Friday night. The top-seeded Raiders beat the eighth-seeded Thunderbirds 28-7 in a WIAA Division 3 Level 1 playoff game in Medford.

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Olivia Mickle delivers two conference championships

LUHS girls’ swim places fourth as a team

The Lakeland girls’ swim team brought home two conference championships, with a number of podium placements, at the Great Northern Conference Meet on Friday. The Thunderbirds placed fourth out of eight teams with 151 points at the GNC Meet in Colby. Olivia Mickle won a conference championship in both the 200 and 500 freestyles.

Tiger volleyball wins ninth straight regional championship

The Mercer volleyball team kept their regional title streak alive with their ninth straight championship. The top-seeded Tigers first beat eighth-seeded South Shore 3-0 (25-17, 25-11, 25-13) in a WIAA Division 5 regional semifinal game in Mercer on Thursday. Mercer then defeated Mellen, the No. 4 seed, 3-0 (25-18, 25-8, 25-9) in a home regional final game on Saturday.

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Oconto Falls ends Lakeland volleyball’s season again

The Lakeland volleyball team put pressure on the Panthers late, but Oconto Falls pulled through to win on Thursday night. Top-seeded Oconto Falls defeated ninth-seeded Lakeland 3-1 (25-10, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20) in a WIAA Division 2 regional semifinal game. The Panthers eliminated the Thunderbirds from the postseason for a second straight season.

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Lady Thunderbirds quiet Thunder in upset playoff win

An upset win moved the Lakeland volleyball team on to the next round when they defeated Seymour on the road. The ninth-seeded Thunderbirds beat the eighth-seeded Thunder 3-1 (25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17) in a WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal game on Tuesday. It was Lakeland’s second straight season with a playoff win and first road playoff win since 2020 when they beat Medford in five sets.

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Playoff preview: Going up against the champs

T-Bird football plays conference-champion Medford tonight in playoff game

It’s Lakeland playoff football for the fifth time in six seasons. The Thunderbirds have their hands full going up against top-seeded Medford. The eighth-seeded Thunderbirds (5-4, 3-4 GNC) play the top-seeded Raiders (8-1, 7-0 GNC) in a Division 3, Level 1 playoff game tonight in Medford.

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LUHS girls’ swim prepping for tonight’s GNC Meet

The Lakeland Union High School girls’ swim team had one more dual meet before getting ready for tonight’s Great Northern Conference (GNC) Meet. The Thunderbirds went up against Medford on the road on Thursday, Oct. 17. The Raiders won 106-58.

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Sarah Barton makes a state run, wins first two matches

Alyssa Erickson/Lila Biller lose in third-set tiebreaker

The Lakeland girls’ tennis team put on a strong showing at the WIAA Division 2 Girls’ Tennis Individual Championship with a couple of wins by Sarah Barton.

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Playoff-bound Thunderbirds

Blocked kick helps Lakeland make the playoffs for fifth time in six seasons

Offense, defense and special teams all had their moments in a playoff-clinching road win on Friday night. The Thunderbirds beat Tomahawk 7-6 to become playoff eligible. The Lakeland football team ended up qualifying for the playoffs for the fifth time in six years when the brackets were revealed on Saturday.

Thunderbirds win GNC for first time in three years

Lakeland boys’ soccer begins playoffs on Thursday

A road, shutout victory helped the Lakeland boys’ soccer team clinch their first Great Northern Conference (GNC) title in three years. “I think that a lot of hard work and hopes paid off and say reimbursed in a way,” coach Ihor Myshchyshyn said. “(We) got to (have a) happy ending in a way … which is not always the case. A lot of work, a lot of extra time, a lot of coaching, and it’s all came to a positive ending.”

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Lakeland boys win cross country conference title for third straight year

Lakeland girls finish in fourth place

The Lakeland boys’ cross country team used their depth to help them win their third Great Northern Conference (GNC) title in a row at Northland Pines High School on Saturday.

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LUHS volleyball falls to Stratford in four on Senior Night

Lady T-Birds take on Seymour to open playoffs tonight

The Lakeland volleyball team looked for an upset victory on Senior Night in Minocqua. Non-conference Stratford defeated the Thunderbirds 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-22, 25-20) to conclude the regular season on Thursday.

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Lakeland girls’ swim ends conference dual season with loss to Medford

The Lakeland girls’ swim team had a challenging road conference dual on Thursday to conclude the regular season. Medford beat the Thunderbirds 106-58. The Thunderbirds collected three individual wins, two coming from Olivia Mickle.

Mercer volleyball wins sixth straight conference championship

Senior night and a sixth straight conference title gave the Mercer volleyball team plenty to celebrate in a home match on Thursday. The Tigers beat Bayfield 3-0 (25-11, 25-11, 25-8). Mercer finished 9-0 in the Northern Lights Conference.

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Sixth conference sweep

Lady Thunderbirds win 3-0 over Northland Pines, finish 6-6 in the GNC

Momentum can be a powerful ally in sports. The Lakeland volleyball team had won four of their last five matches after winning their conference finale on Tuesday. The Thunderbirds beat Northland Pines 3-0 (25-10, 25-23, 25-17) at the Lakeland Union High School fieldhouse in Minocqua.

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Elimination game

Winner of tonight’s Lakeland vs. Tomahawk football game becomes playoff eligible

It all comes down to one game. It’s win and potentially in for Lakeland in a road matchup against Tomahawk. The Thunderbirds (4-4, 2-4 GNC) travel to Tomahawk to take on the Hatchets (3-5, 2-4 GNC) at 7 p.m. tonight. The winner of tonight’s game becomes playoff eligible. A loss would be season-ending.

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Lakeland girls’ swim edges Merrill in close dual

The Lakeland girls’ swim team took on Merrill in a rare, non-conference dual meet on Tuesday in Minocqua. The Thunderbirds beat the Bluejays 81-79.

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Sarah Barton, Lila Biller, Alyssa Erickson, Sierra Wallace win individual sectional titles

Lakeland finishes runner-up as a team

Every point and win matters. The Lakeland girls’ tennis team’s quest for a sectional championship came down to the final matches. On the way, four Thunderbirds won individual sectional titles.

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Thunderbirds fall to Wausau East

The Lakeland football team didn’t have enough consistency in all three phases in a wire-to-wire loss to Wausau East on Friday night. The Lumberjacks beat the Thunderbirds 24-15 in Minocqua. It was the first matchup between the two teams as Great Northern Conference opponents.

LUHS boys’ soccer shuts out two more opponents

The Lakeland boys’ soccer team inched closer to a conference championship with a win over Medford on Thursday night in Minocqua. The Thunderbirds beat the Raiders 5-0. On Saturday, Lakeland took down non-conference Rice Lake 2-0 on the road.

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Lady Thunderbirds outlast Rib Lake in five sets

LUHS volleyball goes 2-1 at GNC Meet

A fifth-set victory gave Lakeland a little momentum into heading the final conference meet of the season. The Thunderbirds beat non-conference Rib Lake 3-2 (24-26, 25-13, 30-28, 20-25, 16-14) on the road on Thursday. The second Great Northern Conference (GNC) Meet took place in Medford on Saturday. Lakeland fell to Medford in four sets before sweeping both Rhinelander and Tomahawk.

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Tiger volleyball edges Mellen in matchup of conference’s best

A matchup of undefeated teams in the Northern Lights Conference set the stage for a prime time contest in Mercer on Thursday. The Tigers beat Mellen 3-1 (25-16, 21-25, 25-17, 25-11) to take sole possession of first place in the conference. Mercer also beat Lac Courte Oreilles 3-0 (25-7, 25-12, 25-16) on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

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Thunderbirds set new personal records (PRs) in Tomahawk

Minus some of their top runners, the Lakeland cross country teams did the best they could with who they had on Saturday. The Thunderbirds competed in the Hatchet Invite in Tomahawk. Both the Lakeland boys and girls didn’t qualify for team points due to low numbers.

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One step closer

Lakeland girls’ tennis advances eight to sectional meet

The Lakeland girls’ tennis team took another step toward making it to state as a team with a strong showing at subsectionals.

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T-Bird boys’ soccer shuts out Rhinelander

As they continue to march through the conference season, the T-Bird boys’ soccer team shut out another opponent on Tuesday. The Thunderbirds beat Rhinelander 5-0 on the road to earn the season sweep. Marshall Holmquist and Dominic Gironella led the way with all five goals.

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Lady T-Birds show no quit

LUHS volleyball battles back, falls to Mosinee in four sets

Going up against the top team in the Great Northern Conference (GNC), the Lakeland volleyball team played till the final point on Tuesday. Mosinee (9-0 GNC) beat the Thunderbirds 3-1 (25-15, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22).

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