Joel Rippel
News Assistant
Joel Rippel writes about sports for the Star Tribune.
Latest from Joel Rippel
Wrestling, gymnastics, skiing, and swimming results for Jan. 5-8, 2026
Scores and results for boys and girls wrestling, gymnastics, skiing, and boys swimming from around the state.
January 10, 2026
Wrestling, gymnastics, skiing and swimming results for Jan. 5-8, 2026
Scores and results for boys and girls wrestling, gymnastics, skiing and boys swimming from around the state.
January 10, 2026
U women’s basketball routs Northwestern 79-47
Tori McKinney scored 18 of her 20 points in the first half as the Gophers built a 30-point halftime lead at Williams Arena.
January 9, 2026
Jerry Thomas, MVP of 1956 College World Series with Gophers, dies at 90
Thomas has a handful of single-season and career pitching records at the ‘U.’
January 7, 2026
Olson helps No. 9 Michigan rally past U women’s basketball
The Gophers led by 12 early but went cold late against a Wolverines team led by a former Miss Minnesota Basketball winner.
January 6, 2026
UW-River Falls completes dream season with first Division III title
The Falcons ended the 29-game winning streak of defending champion North Central for the program’s stunning first national title.
January 5, 2026
U rallies down stretch to win at Northwestern 84-78
The Gophers made their free throws and got big contributions from many players for their first victory away from Williams Arena this season.
January 4, 2026
U women's hockey sets program record for goals with 14-2 victory at Sacred Heart
Olympian Abbey Murphy had three goals and four assists as the Gophers broke a program record set in December 2014.
January 3, 2026
Wisconsin-River Falls faces major challenge in NCAA Division III title game
North Central (Ill.) has been in six consecutive Stagg Bowls, winning three championships. It is 82-3 since 2019.
January 3, 2026
U women’s hockey returns to action with shutout at Sacred Heart
Abbey Murphy scored a shorthanded goal on the same day she was named to the U.S. Olympic team again.
January 3, 2026
UW-River Falls' Blaha wins Gagliardi Trophy as D-III’s top player
The senior quarterback from Fridley led D-III in total offense this season, throwing for a single-season record 4,680 yards.
January 3, 2026
Longtime basketball coach and unselfish group of players rewarded with free tacos
Under coach Mike Dreier, who is in his 49th year and is the winningest girls basketball coach in state history, New London-Spicer is having another successful season.
January 1, 2026
