The 2010 Vancouver Olympics began with a ceremony to remember on February 12th. Athletes from all over the world were welcomed by Native American tribes portraying their heritage through dance. With thousands of athletes in their seats the magic of the Olympic Games started. Music, dance, special effects, and even poetry glorified cultures from every corner of Canada. All of the athletes were affected by the death of the Georgian luge athlete in a training run earlier that day. In his honor a moment of silence spurred emotion in BC Place. The moment of silence was followed by a welcoming speech by the Prime Minister of Canada, and the opening ceremony ended traditionally like all past ceremonies: with the lighting of the Olympic flame. The rumor for weeks before was that Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One”, would have the honor. But after the longest torch relay in history humanitarian and activist Rick Hansen, speed skater Catriona Le May Doan, basketball star Steve Nash, skier Nancy Greene, and hockey star Wayne Gretsky were all a part of the honor. With the five outstanding Canadian athletes in place to give light to the Olympic flame a malfunctioning door held BC Place in suspense for four long minutes. Finally overlooking the only mistake in the night, three of the athletes ignited the symbol of the beginning of the Vancouver Games. “The Great One” then carried the Olympic Flame to an outdoor cauldron for the entire city to see for seventeen days of world competition.

Ely’s Nordic ski team started out the year with one goal in mind, winning their section meet and going to state as a team. Little did they know, they would not only become section champions for both girls and boys, but also move on to a sweeping victory at state. The Ely girls took third place at state, missing second place by only one point. The boy’s team, who had not made it out of sectionals since the sixties, won state.

For Ely, winning state was the classic David and Goliath story. Cross-country skiing is a single division sport, meaning all schools in the state compete with each other. The biggest and smallest schools ski side by side. Ely, with a high school enrolment of 174 students, unquestionably falls into the category of smallest. At state the Ely Timber wolves were going up against schools who’s enrollment was almost larger than the town of Ely’s population. In fact, of the schools represented at state, the one closest in size to Ely’s size--Little Falls--had an enrollment of more than four times more students.

Minnesota baseball fans have a lot to be excited about this year with the excitement of the new Target Field, and the return of the crowd favorite Joe Mauer who signed the fourth largest contract in Major League Baseball history. Twins fans said goodbye to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome last year, with the American League Central Pennant, and are very excited to bring baseball back where it belongs this 2010 season – outside. Everyone is very excited about the new Target Field, including T.C. the Bear, the Twin’s enthusiastic mascot, because we all know that bears belong outside.

As Twins fans welcomed in the new field, they also welcomed a new menu. The Hormel Dome Dog that many have enjoyed in previous years has been replaced by not one, not two, not even three, but four different kinds of hot dogs! Target field will be offering the Dinger Dog, the Twins Big Dog, the Original Twins Dog, and the Dugout Dog courtesy of Schweigert meats. Of course , there is more than just the classic baseball game hot dog. There are a variety of foods available with a Minnesota-focused signature inspired by local restaurants that Minnesota fans love, along with all the classic baseball foods.

129,721 fans attended the Minnesota Boys Hockey Tournament in 2008, this monumental number exemplifies how important hockey is to Minnesota citizens. Long known as the state of hockey, Minnesota is home to over 6,500 high school boys hockey players. Maybe it’s all the ice covering Minnesota in the winter, maybe Minnesota boys have ice flowing through their veins, or maybe the great number of hockey players is just tradition. Whatever may be the cause of so many boy hockey players, winter would not be the same without hockey games across the Iron Range.

Section 7A includes Duluth Central, Duluth Marshall, Virginia, Hibbing, Eveleth-Gilbert, Greenway, International Falls, Ely, Silver Bay, and Two Harbors. Last year Virginia represented Section 7A at the Minnesota State Hockey Tournament and hopes to repeat their section championship this season. This year Virginia has a record of 7-4-2. Led by forward Garrett Hendrickson, the team is ranked 7th in the state. Duluth Marshall and Duluth Central will challenge the Blue Devils for the title and have better records, but do not rank as high in state standings. Roun

The sounds of cowbells pierce the chilly winter air. Enthusiastic voices echo throughout the snow blanketed hills. Your legs are burning, your breath is frosty, and your eyelashes are frozen together. This is Nordic Skiing.

Many kids train year round and the season usually starts with dry land training. Then, around November, we await the first snowfall. Unfortunately, this year, we waited quite a while for those first snowflakes to come down.