RHS soccer escapes Medford with win
Rivord scores four times in 4-3 victory
In almost an exact replica of the Sept. 10 meeting — which the Hodags won 2-1 — the Rhinelander High School boys’ soccer team narrowly escaped a comeback by Medford at Raider Field in Medford on Oct. 6. They walked away victorious, but gave up three goals in the final 15 minutes to squeak by 4-3.
Hodag volleyball drops final GNC game to Medford
The Rhinelander High School volleyball team dropped three straight sets to fall to Medford in the final Great Northern Conference game of the regular season on Oct. 6 in Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium.
Mountain bike festival brings crowds to the Northwoods
For its third race of the year, the Rhinelander Northwoods Composite Mountain Bike Team (RNC) hosted the third annual Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League (WICL) Hodag Hustle mountain bike festival at Tesomas Scout Camp in Pine Lake Oct. 3-4.
9 wolves in Price County euthanized due to human safety threats
GLIFWC: No notification ‘damages existing relationships and fractures trust’
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed in a statement Friday, Oct. 2 that nine wolves were euthanized in northern Price County due to human health and safety threats.
RHS volleyball swept by Pines
The Rhinelander High School volleyball team was swept by Northland Pines Thursday, Oct. 1 in Eagle River. The Eagles bested the Hodags 25-19, 25-14, 25-10 in their final GNC home game of the season.
Hodag boys’ soccer ties Mosinee again, falls in PK shootout
The Rhinelander High School boys’ soccer team played to its second consecutive draw after it went scoreless with Mosinee Thursday, Oct. 1. at the Edgewood Park Complex in Mosinee. Rhinelander lost the penalty kick shootout 2-1 to the Indians.
Volleyball grows in Phillips, faces top-ranked Mosinee at home
After traveling to Phillips on Sept. 26, the Rhinelander High School volleyball team hosted Mosinee in Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium Tuesday. The Hodags (11-19, 1-4 GNC) went 2-3 during non-conference play in Phillips, and fell in straight sets to the top-ranked Mosinee Indians Tuesday. Mosinee flaunts the No. 1 spot in the latest Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association Division 2 rankings.
Hodag Musky Challenge satisfies a variety of anglers
The 45th annual Hodag Musky Challenge welcomed 111 boats to Rhinelander area lakes Sept. 25-27. A total of 50 fish were caught, including three that were 45 inches or greater. Kevin Black and Tim Bremer won the challenge this year with three fish caught. Their fish were 39, 36 1/4, and 38 inches.
Hodag Hustle to bring hundreds of mountain bikers to Camp Tesomas this weekend
The Rhinelander Northwoods Composite Mountain Bike Team (RNC) hosts the third annual Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League (WICL) Hodag Hustle mountain bike festival at Tesomas Scout Camp in Pine Lake this weekend. It is also the third race of the year for the team.
RHS volleyball regroups, wins 1 of 3 at Tomahawk invite
After getting swept in straight sets against Lakeland two days prior, the Rhinelander High School volleyball team traveled to Tomahawk Thursday, Sept. 24 in search of a chance to regroup.
RHS cross country strides through the night in Marshfield
The Rhinelander High School cross country team raced under the lights at the Nightfall Classic at RiverEdge Golf Course in Marshfield Friday. The girls’ team took home second out of 10 qualifying Division 2 teams, and the boys placed fourth out of 13 teams.
Hodag boys’ soccer squeaks by Antigo in PKs
In a game it never led until the final shot, the Rhinelander High School boys’ soccer team rallied to take two points from Antigo on Tuesday at Listle Field. The Hodags bested the Red Robins 4-3 in penalty kicks for an extra Great Northern Conference point after the sides played to a 2-2 draw in regulation.
Duck season starts across the north
Wisconsin’s Northern Duck Zone — which includes the region of the state north of highways 10 and 41 — opens tomorrow, Sept. 26. The season starts a week before the Southern Duck Zone, and runs to Nov. 24.
RHS spikers caught in ‘vortex’ in straight set loss at Lakeland
The Rhinelander High School volleyball team fell 3-0 to Lakeland Tuesday night at LUHS in Minocqua.
Verified wolf conflict in Oneida County
Two dogs killed north of the Willow Flowage
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services verified a bear hunting dog and wolf conflict in Minocqua on Sept. 18. The incident occurred north of the Willow Flowage, and resulted in the depredation of two (one male, one female) 11-month-old walker hounds.
Rhinelander volleyball fends off Prentice in five sets
The Hodags maximized their intake of volleyball and then some with an extra-point fourth set en route to a 14-25, 25-21, 25-23, 28-30, 15-10 victory over the Buccaneers.
RHS tennis vaults into GNC lead with wins at Newman, Merrill
The Rhinelander High School girls’ tennis team vaulted into first place in the Great Northern Conference race with a pair of road victories against Wausau Newman and Merrill on Thursday, Sept. 17.
RHS girls’ tennis finds groove with win over Pacelli
Key Lakeland match looming Sept. 24
The Rhinelander High School girls’ tennis team stayed undefeated in conference duals with a 5-2 victory over Stevens Point Pacelli on Tuesday at the RHS tennis courts.
RHS spikers drop home opener to Antigo
After a non-conference weekend battling in some close sets, the Rhinelander High School volleyball team was back in GNC action against Antigo. The Hodags fell three sets to one against the Red Robins at Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium in Rhinelander on Tuesday.
Hodag boys’ soccer downs Medford
The Rhinelander High School boys’ soccer team picked up its first Great Northern Conference of the season win over Medford on youth night at Mike Webster Stadium Thursday, Sept. 10. They bested the Red Raiders 2-1 and were less than two minutes away from a shutout.
In it to win it
Hodag volleyball downs Tomahawk in 5 sets, claims first GNC victory since 2024
After nearly a two-year hiatus, the Rhinelander High School volleyball squad earned a Great Northern Conference win over Tomahawk Tuesday night at Hatchet Fieldhouse in Tomahawk.
Deer archery and crossbow opens Saturday
The statewide archery and crossbow deer season begins tomorrow, Sept. 12 and concludes Jan. 3, 2027. On the Fall Hunting Forecast webpage distributed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), interim deer program specialist, Derek Johnson, said “the deer herd going into the fall looks to be strong and healthy” for the Northern District.
RHS boys’ soccer drops GNC opener 8-2 to Lakeland
The Rhinelander High School boys’ soccer team showed spurts of life against Lakeland in its Great Northern Conference opener, but ultimately fell 8-2 at IncredibleBank Field in Minocqua Sept. 3.
RNC mountain bike team races to season start
The Rhinelander Northwoods Composite Mountain Bike Team (RNC) welcomes another fall season with five scheduled competitions throughout the state, including one here in Rhinelander. The RNC is comprised of middle school and high school students from Rhinelander, Tomahawk, Lakeland, Northland Pines, Three Lakes, Crandon, and Phelps, the team’s Facebook page says.
Team Preview: RHS Cross country
Hodag harriers look to stride to the top with veteran experience
The Rhinelander High School cross country team looks to benefit from recent youthful years as it starts the 2026 season.
Hodag girls’ tennis wins 3 of 5 in Wausau
The Rhinelander High School girls’ tennis team concluded its opening non-conference slate with a two-day invite at Wausau West High School Aug. 24-25, winning three of its five matches.
Expressions on Boom Lake
The Rhinelander Area Chapter of Let’s Go Fishing is winding down on its summer outings, but a few of those who wanted to squeeze the last bit of summer out of its fishing fun and boating bonanzas did so on Aug. 17 on Boom Lake in Rhinelander.
Team Preview: RHS volleyball
Young Hodag squad preps at scrimmage
After a season filled with numerous types of adversity, the Rhinelander High School volleyball team looks to improve during its 2026 campaign. That process began with a four-match scrimmage at Northland Pines on Saturday.
PHOTOS: Packers continue with training camp prep
The Green Bay Packers continued preparations for the regular season with NFL training camp practice Sunday, Aug. 16 at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon.
Girls’ tennis back in action
The Rhinelander High School girls’ tennis team held its first day of practice at the RHS tennis courts on Monday.
Hodag Challenge 2026 sees jump in shooters
The Hodag Sports Club pulled in shooters from across the midwest and beyond for the 2026 Hodag Challenge July 18 and 19. This years Hodag Challenge marked just the second time Rhinelander individually hosted the event. In the past, the club hosted it with the Wausau Skeet and Trap Club.
Otto reflects on community relationships as a warden in the Northwoods
At the intersection of conversation and dead end roads, there are connections. Connections are what can build trust, and some may say they’re what brings dawn to the duck blind. Long-time Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warden, Tim Otto, has driven down countless roads in nearly 27 years with the department, but one sticky memory boiled to his attention as he underlined the importance of community relationships and connections.
Train locally, compete (inter)nationally
Saoirse Cichy represents the Northwoods on many stages
Earlier this summer, Saoirse Cichy traveled to Lithuania as the youngest member on Team USA Federation of Pankration Athlima (FPA). After she returned to the United States, Cichy went to South Carolina to compete in the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) Youth National Tournament.
Snowhawks edged by Chicago All-Stars
The Lake Tomahawk Snowhawks were defeated 16-9 by the Chicago All-Stars Saturday during their annual Independence Day showdown at Snowshoe Park.
High Gun awards sent downrange for RHS trap team
The Rhinelander High School trap team capped off its season after 14 athletes competed at the state trap singles event at the Wisconsin Trapshooting Association Homegrounds in Nekoosa on June 19. The team awarded “High Gun” honors to five Hodags at the end of the season, and coach Phil Kriesel highlighted some other bullseyes from the season.
State approves zero doe quota for DMU 116
Youth antlerless harvest still authorized
The Natural Resources Board (NRB) approved the final quotas and season structure for the 2026 deer season on June 24 during a meeting in Black River Falls.
team review: rhs girls’ soccer
Chemistry crosses the field throughout ‘a heck of a year’
The Rhinelander High School girls’ soccer team finished the year with a deep WIAA Division 3 tournament run, finding itself in the sectional final game for the first time since 2018.
Rebels drop a pair of games in Merrill
The Rhinelander Post 7 Rebels lost back-to-back games at Athletic Park in Merrill last Saturday, June 27. The Rebels fell 17-1 in five innings to Northwoods in game one, and 14-5 to host Merrill in game two of the Merrill Legion Post 46 Baseball Tournament.
Team review: RHS baseball
Hodags strike conference title, learn lesson in playoffs
Just over two weeks after securing the outright Great Northern Conference championship for the first time since 2012, the Rhinelander High School baseball team lost their opening playoff contest as 9-seed Bloomer came to town and sneaked past the Hodags, 5-4.
Team Review: RHS softball
Hodag fastpitch finishes another year heading in the right direct
The Rhinelander High School softball team ended the season with an improved record from the two seasons prior, going 10-15 on the year and 4-9 in the Great Northern Conference. Last season, the Hodags went 2-10 in conference and 5-16 overall, while 2024 produced a 1-11 GNC record (1-16 overall).
Early boot not enough for Hodags in sectional final
RICE LAKE — The Rhinelander High School girls’ soccer team came up short of a state tournament birth in a 3-1 WIAA Division 3 sectional final loss to Rice Lake at Pug Lund Field and Dairy State Bank Stadium in Rice Lake on Saturday.
Third time the charm for Hodag girls vs. Lakeland
MINOCQUA — To reach Saturday’s sectional final, the Rhinelander High School girls’ soccer team had to vanquish a very familiar foe.
River News sports editor Mayo, cameraman Mainhardt into Hodag Hall of Fame
With more than half a century of combined sports coverage, longtime Rhinelander community members and River News contributors, Bob Mainhardt and Jeremy Mayo, were inducted into the Rhinelander Athletic Booster Club (ABC) Hodag Hall of Fame at the annual banquet on May 20.
RHS girls’ soccer wins regional championship
Lamers returns in Hodags’ PK win over Ashland
The Rhinelander High School girls’ soccer team won its first WIAA regional championship since 2023 at Mike Webster Stadium on Saturday. The Hodags outlasted Ashland in penalty kicks 4-3 to advance to the sectional semifinal against Lakeland on Thursday.
Bloomer blues
Top-seeded Hodag baseball upset in regional semis
The Rhinelander High School baseball team lost 5-4 in the WIAA regional semifinal to the Bloomer Blackhawks at Stafford Field on June 2. The top-seeded Hodags got off to a shaky start against 9-seed Bloomer and weren’t able to get over the hump after a four-run Bloomer fourth inning.
Top-seeded Hodag baseball to play Bloomer in playoff opener
Postseason run begins with regional rounds today and tomorrow
After finishing 16-2 on the regular season, the Rhinelander High School baseball team got the top seed in the WIAA regional bracket and will play Bloomer at Stafford Field today at 5 p.m.
RHS girls’ soccer starts playoffs with Antigo Thursday night
The Rhinelander High School girls’ soccer team rides a 12-4-0 (10-2-0-0 GNC) regular season record into the postseason that begins on June 4. The Hodags earned the two seed, and will play 7-seed Antigo (2-12-2, 0-10-0-2 GNC) at Mike Webster Stadium on Thursday.
11 late runs spell demise for RHS fastpitch in playoffs
Paulson homers in 12-10 loss to Antigo
The losses in the latter half of the season for the Rhinelander High School softball team nearly all had the same storyline — one inning with errors allowed the opposition to come back or gave them enough of a buffer to hold the Hodags off the rest of the game.
Rhinelander native Wittock last surviving member of historic Wayne State basketball team
To this day, Wayne State University has only won a single National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men’s basketball tournament game, which came in historic fashion in 1956. Rhinelander’s Mark Wittock, 91, witnessed the game first hand as a player on the team.
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