Sports

by Tom Coombe
The state champion in the 800 meter run came right out of centerfield.
Instead of chasing fly balls, Luke Olson was being chased by his opponents in track all spring long - all the way up to last weekend’s state meet in St. Paul.
But nobody ever caught the Ely junior, who won the Class A title late Saturday afternoon with a blazing time of 1:55.48.
Olson, an all-state cross country runner who converted from baseball to track this spring, made history in many ways.
Not only did he win a state title in his first year of action, but he is believed to be Ely’s first-ever boys state track champion. Larry Berkner was the closest, finishing second in the 1,600 run in 1975.
Olson, who won the Section 7A title a week earlier, had the top seed entering the state meet and was first after the June 7 preliminaries.
In Saturday’s final, he was bound and determined and didn’t let up.

Connecting for a key hit - Ely’s Tyler Hoousey has been swinging a hot bat for the Wolves. Photo by Joe Bianco

by Tom Coombe -

One baseball season in Ely is winding down while another is set to start.
As the high school baseball playoffs (see related story) continue, the summer baseball season in Ely is moving forward on several fronts.
The Ely Baseball Association will hold its annual parent and volunteer sign-up session Monday, with team practices soon to follow and the first summer baseball tournament of the year on tap next weekend.
Ely’s Junior Legion team will host the ’Zup North Realty Classic, a seven-team, three-day event that opens Friday, June 7, at Veterans Memorial Field.
With the summer season fast approaching, registration continues and culminates Monday.
That’s when summer sign-up wraps up at the EBA session, slated for 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field. All parents are invited to come to return registration forms and sign up for volunteer shifts in the concession stand and ticket booth.

by Tom Coombe -

HURDLING toward the finish line was Kjetil Midttun. Photo by Mark Sauer

by Tom Coombe -

RELAY ANCHOR Luke Olson focused on the finish line as part of a winning Timberwolf relay.

by Tom Coombe -

by Tom Coombe
Ely’s high school softball team may be peaking at exactly the right time.
The Timberwolves have rattled off six straight victories and are heading into this week’s section playoffs with a full head of steam.
Seeding won’t be determined until the weekend, but it’s likely that Ely will be seeded second or third in the north half of Section 7A and host a playoff game at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the high school softball field.
Little more than a week ago, the Wolves were at the .500 mark and had given up runs in bunches, but their pitching settled in and the bats have warmed, leading a streak that has resulted in an 11-5 record.
The biggest win in the stretch was probably the first: a 5-2 upset at Class AA power Eveleth-Gilbert on May 9.
Junior pitching ace Erika Mattson had pinpoint control.
She didn’t walk a batter while going the distance and scattered seven hits, while getting the benefit of solid defense.

by Tom Coombe -

AT THE STICK IT to Cancer hockey tournament held at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine. Money raised went to the Masonic Cancer Center at the U of MN. Ely Chix with Stix won its division and played for #TeamZeke
Team pic: Back left to right. Chris Urbas, Anna Urbas, Tiffany Zemke, Joni Dahl, Jody Popesh, Reena Stage, Jess Edberg. Front left to right: Alyssa Nelson, Sarah Jonas, McKenzie Schreffler, Michelle Wagoner, Edie Evarts. Submitted photo.

by Tom Coombe
After gaining all-state acclaim in cross country, it’s only natural to expect that Luke Olson would have an immediate impact in his first season of high school track.
The Ely junior is living up to that billing and then some, helping lead the Timberwolves’ boys team to a victory at Tuesday’s Two Harbors Invitational, held at Esko.
Olson won the 800 meter run, and did so with a sizzling time of 2:02, and fellow juniors Eric Omerza (triple jump) and Nate Nettifee (400 dash) also came home with first-place finishes.
Overall, Ely piled up 110 points, easily topping runner-up Esko and 12 other schools.
“ There were big performances Tuesday, led by Luke Olson’s 2:02 in the 800,” said Ely Head Coach Will Helms. “ His time is the fastest since Adam Shultz’s section and state times from 13 years ago.”
Tuesday marked Olson’s second time in the 800 event, and he outpaced Esko’s Sam Rengo to get the win.