Youth soccer is a growing sport in the nation and locally. A report from the Montgomery Messanger Sports & Fitness Industry Association says that there are about 4.6 million players, roughly of one-third of all players in the United States, in the 6-12 age group alone. There have been steady increases in the number of players with the exception of the COVID-19 pandemic year of 2020.
The Minnesota Youth Soccer Association has approximately 25,000 players, which range from ages 6 to 19, and 8,000 coaches and administrators.

MANKATO - The No. 2 seed NRHEG girls basketball team used a strong second half to defeat No. 3 seed Tri-City United, 81-55, in the Section 2AA Semifinal game played at MSU-Mankato Monday, March 4.
The Panthers outscored the Titans 44-24 in the second half after leading 37-31 at halftime.
NRHEG twin sisters Quinn VanMaldeghem and Camryn VanMaldeghem combined for 53 points. They scored 34 of their team’s 44 second half points.

With victories over teams the New Prague-TCU-Belle Plaine-Le Sueur Henderson-Jordan co-op floor hockey team faced during the regular season, the Trojans' returned from Coon Rapids High School Saturday evening as undefeated state champions.
After defeating South Suburban, 11-4, Friday evening, Feb. 7, and South Washington County Saturday afternoon, Feb. 8, the Trojans capped off the day winning the championship over Stillwater Area, 11-8. The semifinal win over South Washington County marked the only time all season the Trojans trailed in any of the 11 games they played.

Tri-City United High School's girls' basketball team won its quarterfinals game against the Belle Plaine Tigers in Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, winning 76-55.
Head Coach Don Marcussen said, "The girls really came out fast against the Tigers. Even though we were not hitting many shots from outside, we were aggressive enough on defense to get layups and also get to the free throw line often. Lexi Marcussen and Audrey Vosejpka really ran the floor well and attacked the basket for us tonight."

With one final home game remaining, the New Prague floor hockey team has earned a berth in the state tournament again this year and played for a top seed in the regularseason finale against Dakota United.
At 7-0, the Trojans hosted DU yesterday, Wednesday, Feb. 19. The Trojans’ unblemished record includes a win over their nemesis the past two seasons, LakevilleFarmington-Burnsville. The Blazin’ Cats defeated New Prague in the championship game last year.
The state tournament is March 7-8 at Coon Rapids High School.

After a very successful regular season, the Tri-City United (TCU) girls basketball team has received the No. 3 seed in the Section 2AA Tournament, which starts Monday, Feb. 24.
The Titans will face No. 14 seed, Blue Earth Area. A win, and the Titans would host either Belle Plaine and Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial Thursday, Feb. 27. The Section Semifinals will be played at MSU-Mankato Monday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
TCU had a busy week against some very good teams and finished with one win and a pair of losses.

Scott West, rated 12th in Class AA, ended the team portion of the wrestling season for the Tri-City United (YCU) grapplers.
The Titans split two matches in the Section 2AA Tournament Thursday, defeating Orono, 39-30, and losing in the quarterfinals to Scott West.
TCU won eight matches in their win over Orono. Two of their five losses were forfeits.
Winning by fall were Gage Factor (127) pinning Bennett Williams in 4:32, Nathan Blaschko (152) pinning Daniel Bremer in 60 seconds, and Blake Herman (160) pinning Jacob Rodgers in 1:42.

Recognizing it will face more challenging opponents in the weeks to come, the New Prague floor hockey team has enjoyed victory in its first two games this season.

Two wins in three games last week has evened the Minnesota River boys hockey team’s record at 8-8.
The Bulldogs dropped a 4-3 contest at Mankato East Tuesday, Jan. 14. They rebounded to win two Big South Conference games, both by 9-1 scores. The Bulldogs put up 60 shots in a 9-1 win over Windom Thursday, Jan. 16. They matched that score Saturday with a win over Worthington.
Scoring goals in the loss to East were Kaden Throldahl, Eian O’Keefe, and Riley Kamm. Assists were recorded by Tyler Gogerty, Jack Miller, and Ryker Rehm.

The Tri-City United (TCU) wrestling team split two duals during their home triangular Thursday, Jan. 16 in Montgomery.
The Titans defeated a depleted Le Sueur-Henderson squad, 57-17 and lost a 43-23 match to Redwood Valley.
In the win over the Giants, the Titans received six forfeits and one default. Winning matches were Owen Delander (107 pounds) with a fall in 1:45 over Kain Romano, Nathan Blaschko (152) with a fall in 4:10 over Isaac Holloway, and Maxxis Ross (160) with a 14-9 decision over Luke Miller.

Tri-City United (TCU) sophomore Trista Gessler won the girls 118 pound weight class at the Big South Conference Championships held Saturday, Jan. 11 at Jackson County Central.
Gessler, rated 6th in Class AA at 118 pounds, pinned two opponents before decisioning Bernie Rock of Luverne, 13-8. Rock is a two-time State runner-up and the loss to Gessler was her first this season.
Also earning All-Big South Conference honors were junior Griffin Lemieux and sophomore Tucker Skluzacek.
Skluzacek placed 2nd at 133 pounds and Lemieux placed 3rd at 121 pounds.

Tri-City United weightlifters returned home from Lakeville with three 1st place spots on varsity — all girls.
Head Coach Andrew Meier said, “I thought it was a great meet for us! We had a lot of PR's from all athletes which is always fun to see and the goal for every meet we go too. The meet was one of the largest in Minnesota history with over 240 lifters and a lot of good competition for everyone. I'm very proud of all of the TCU lifters and how they have worked and competed this year! Hoping to continue the momentum for the next meet in Burnsville on Jan. 31st.”

Last week was one of the toughest for the Tri-City United (TCU) girls basketball team.
They faced two teams who were near the top of their respective divisions in the Big South Conference.
The Titans were up to the battle, winning both games. TCU defeated Fairmont, 59-41, Tuesday, jan. 9. They also defeated defending Section Champion St. Peter, 76-61, Friday, Jan. 10.
TCU is now 6-1 in the East Division of the Big South Conference and are 10-1 overall, winning their last 10 games.

After starting the season with two straight losses, the Tri-City United girls basketball team now has a healthy team and has won their last five games.
Three of those wins occurred last week, with victories over St. James (67-55) on Dec. 10, Jackson County Central (61-51) Dec. 13 in Mapleton, and Maple River (51-38) Oct. 14 in Mapleton.
The Titans are now 2-1 in the Big South Conference East Division and 5-2 overall. They will play at Blue Earth Area Friday, Dec. 20.

The Tri-City United (TCU) boys basketball team opened their 2024-2025 season with three straight losses.
Belle Plaine downed the Titans, 73-51, Tuesday, Dec. 3. Norwood-Young America (NYA) defeated the Titans, 71-25, Thursday, Dec. 5. Friday, Dec. 6 Waseca came to Montgomery and downed the Titans, 86-16.
In the loss to Belle Plaine, Theodore Schatz scored 19 points, hitting 7-of-14 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line.
Jaylen Nhem added nine points and eight rebounds. Dylan Fink scored eight points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Montgomery’s 29th Annual No Tap Battle of the Bars Bowling Tournament, held Saturday, Nov. 23, at Pla Mor Lanes, was won by the Happy Hour Bar team consisting of Char Napper, Jeff Winship, Steph Brockway, Timmy Karstens, Andy Gillard and Colton Hintz. They scored 4,644 with a 414 handicap.
The Brass Rail team took second honors, with 124 pins short of Happy Hour’s.
The card run that followed the tournament was won by the Monty Bar team.
Four perfect 300 games were bowled by Dan Bosacker, Dan Skluzacek, Barry Popp and Andy Gillard and tied high scores for men.