Rice Lake wins ranked matchup
Warriors end game on 17-2 run to edge Lady Thunderbirds
A highly-contested girls’ basketball matchup between two ranked Division 2 teams ended up being a low-scoring affair in Minocqua. Rice Lake defeated Lakeland 51-42 on Tuesday night. The Warriors improved their record to 5-0 on the season.
LUHS boys’ hockey picks up second straight shutout win
Two goals by C.J. Smith gave the Lakeland boys’ hockey team their first road victory of the season. The Thunderbirds beat the Northwest Icemen, Barron Co-op, 2-0 on Tuesday night.
LUHS boys’ hoops victorious on the road
A non-conference road win got the Lakeland boys’ basketball team back on track on Tuesday. The Thunderbirds beat Three Lakes 53-47 for their second win of the season. It was an even game with both teams making 15 2-point field goals and five free throws. In the end, Lakeland made two more triples that made the difference in the game.
Season review: Lakeland girls’ swim team broke records, sent four to state
School records, state appearances and a bigger roster made for a positive Lakeland girls’ swim season. The Thunderbirds finished tied for fourth out of eight teams in the Great Northern Conference (GNC) standings with 16 total conference points, tied with Antigo. Lakeland went 3-4 in conference duals. It was an improvement of two wins compared to last season (1-6).
Tiger boys’ basketball opens season with two losses
The Mercer boys’ basketball team opened their season with two straight losses as the Tigers come together under new coach Anthony Pemble.
Mercer girls’ hoops drops two games
Searching for their first win of the season, the Mercer girls’ basketball team took on two different Northern Lights Conference opponents. First, Solon Springs beat the Tigers 82-37 in Mercer on Friday, Dec. 6. On Tuesday, South Shore beat the Tigers 68-23 at South Shore High School.
Kristina Ouimette scores school-record 45 points
LUHS girls’ basketball wins at Medford
Kristina Ouimette tied a school record with 43 points in the season opener against Menomonie. On Friday, she broke that record, leading the Thunderbirds to their 31st straight conference win. The Lakeland girls’ basketball team beat Medford 74-45 on Friday at Raider Hall in Medford. Kristina Ouimette set a new school record with 45 points in the win.
Thunderbirds shut out Medford in conference opener
Dominic Gironella scores career-high three goals
A hat trick by Dominic Gironella boosted the Lakeland boys’ hockey team to their first conference and shutout win of the season. The Thunderbirds beat Medford 5-0 in their Great Northern Conference (GNC) opener in Minocqua on Thursday.
Turnovers plague Lakeland boys’ basketball team against Medford
The Lakeland boys’ basketball team couldn’t recover from an early deficit in their conference opener on Friday. Medford beat the Thunderbirds 73-57 to open the Great Northern Conference (GNC) slate in Minocqua.
LUHS boys’ wrestling wins two at home
Thunderbirds place fifth in Antigo
The Lakeland boys’ wrestling team got much-needed experience in a home triangular and road invite. The Thunderbirds beat Elcho 66-12 and Florence 59-11 in a home triangular on Thursday. Then, Lakeland finished fifth out of 18 teams with 213.5 points at the John Roberts Scramble in Antigo on Saturday.
Micah Wright takes first place in Antigo
LUHS girls’ wrestling places in top 10 as a team
The Lakeland girls’ wrestling team set out to their own meet on Friday night. They saw positive results, including one champion. The Thunderbirds finished eighth out of 23 teams with 80 points at the Red Robin Girls Invite in Antigo.
Lakeland boys’ swim improves times against Rhinelander
A shorthanded Lakeland boys’ swim team saw improved times in their second meet of the season, first on the road. Rhinelander took down the Thunderbirds by a score of 138-13 on Thursday night.
Solon Springs sweeps Mercer basketball teams
The Mercer basketball teams had a tough time containing Solon Springs in a doubleheader in Mercer on Friday. The Solon Springs girls beat the Tigers 82-37 in the conference opener on Friday. The Mercer boys opened their season on Friday to a 64-17 loss to Solon Springs.
Record-breaking 30 straight conference wins
Lady Thunderbirds survive upset-minded Mosinee
It didn’t come easy in the Lakeland girls’ basketball team’s 30th straight conference win on Tuesday over Mosinee. “We hung on and survived,” coach Melissa Ouimette said. “It’s always good to have a win when you didn’t play your best game. There were moments where we were good and even great, and then there were moments that weren’t so great. It’s great that we walked away with this victory tonight, and this is our 30th conference win in a row. Hats off to the girls for accomplishing that.”
T-Bird boys’ hoops earns first win of the year
Lakeland drops two games in Mosinee
The Lakeland boys’ basketball team found mixed results in their first three games of the season. First, the Thunderbirds fell 81-55 to Milwaukee Golda Meir on Friday, Nov. 29 in the Mosinee Turkey Shootout. Then, New London defeated Lakeland 60-37 on Saturday. The Thunderbirds returned to Minocqua to beat Ashland 77-49 in their home debut on Monday.
D.C. Everest tops Lakeland boys’ hockey
The Lakeland boys’ hockey team fell behind again in a home game against D.C. Everest. The Evergreens ended up getting a road win. D.C. Everest beat Lakeland 4-2 on Tuesday at the Lakeland Hawks Ice Arena in Minocqua.
LUHS boys’ swim team makes season debut
T-Birds fall to Shawano/Seymour
The Lakeland boys’ swim team made their long-awaited return to the pool at home on Tuesday. Shawano/Seymour beat Lakeland 81-48 at the Lakeland Union High School pool. “I am very happy with how the meet went,” coach Amie Rein said. “I think the swimmers did a great job. They had great swims, and now we have a starting point of some times to work with.”
Season preview: LUHS girls’ wrestling building up their own team
With over 10 girls signed up, the Lakeland girls’ wrestling program is continuing to build up their own team for 2024-25. “Last year we had five,” coach Adam Bremer said. “(We’ve) already doubled the size of this team.”
Season preview: Tiger boys’ hoops team getting a fresh start with new coach
Wins have been hard to come by for the Mercer boys’ basketball team. They’re hoping a coaching change can spark the team this year. The Tigers have won just three games each of the last two seasons — sweeping the season series against Butternut both years.
Third-period blitz
Lakeland boys’ hockey overcomes two-goal deficit, wins opener over Pacelli
A scoring frenzy in the third period propelled the Lakeland boys’ hockey team to a comeback win in their season opener on Tuesday. The Thunderbirds beat non-conference Pacelli 4-3 at the Lakeland Hawks Ice Arena in Minocqua.
Season preview: Lakeland boys’ swim team returns
After taking a year off, the Lakeland boys’ swim team is back. The Thunderbirds had to cancel their season a year ago because they didn’t have a coach. Lakeland has found a new coach in Amie Rein. She’s ensured that the boys will have a season.
Season preview: T-Bird boys’ wrestling developing young team
It’s a younger, less experienced boys’ wrestling team this season. They want to fill as many weight classes as possible and represent the community in a positive way. “We’re a very young team,” coach Adam Bremer said. “We’re going to try to gain as much mat time and mat experience as we can.”
Season preview: LUHS boys’ basketball a newer team
The T-Bird boys’ basketball team is regrouping after a fourth-place finish in last year’s Great Northern Conference (GNC) standings. It’s year two for coach Jacob Jarvensivu. He’s looking to maximize the potential of his team.
Season review: Lakeland cross country season ended at state
It was another year of state participants, and one conference title, for the Lakeland cross country teams. Coach Gordy Hartzheim called the 2024 season a successful one for the Thunderbirds.
Season review: Mercer volleyball team bids farewell to coach Robyn Schoeneman
The Mercer volleyball team turned in another championship-filled season with conference and regional titles. The Tigers finished 28-9 overall, 9-0 in the Northern Lights Conference. They won their conference championship for the sixth straight season.
Lady Thunderbirds split two games in Beaver Dam
A trip to Beaver Dam challenged the Lakeland girls’ basketball team as they split two non-conference games over the weekend.
Season preview: T-Bird hockey reloading for new year
It’s a little bit of a different team for Lakeland boys’ hockey. Losing 11 players last year, the Thunderbirds are looking at everybody to take the next step forward.
Northland Pines runs by Mercer girls’ hoops in second half
The Mercer girls’ basketball team couldn’t overcome their turnovers and gave up too many extra points in their second loss of the week on Thursday. Northland Pines defeated the Tigers 56-27 in a non-conference game in Mercer.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.