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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.