Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s Laila Edwards honored to be the first Black woman on U.S. hockey team

Published

1 year ago

November 17, 2023

Press Room

Wisconsin’s Laila Edwards honored to be the first Black woman on U.S. hockey team

MADISON – Laila Edwards sat in the locker room last week with a lot of her idols.

Former Wisconsin Badgers star Hilary Knight was there. Two-time Olympic medalists Alex Carpenter and Megan Keller were as well. On the ice, Edwards played on the same line as UW great Abby Roque.

The 6-foot-1 sophomore forward for Wisconsin soaked up her first experience with the U.S. national team. She also made history and drew attention nationwide by becoming the first Black woman to suit up for the U.S senior team.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce doesn’t just give anyone a shoutout, and Blake Bolden, the first Black woman drafted into the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, doesn’t go watch just anyone play.

The New York Times featured Edwards. ESPNW and Essence Magazine posted about her accomplishment on social media.

Those are pretty good bonus prizes for living out a dream.

“It’s an honor. I’m grateful and I take pride in it,” Edwards said. “I’m glad that I can be a role model to girls of color and boys out there.”

Laila Edwards worked her way up the ranks of USA hockey

Edwards played in the second game of the Rivalry Series that pits the United States against Canada. She didn’t record a goal or an assist in the 5-2 win Saturday in Los Angeles.

The moment was one that has been in the making for a couple of years.

Edwards attended the USA Hockey girls U15 development camp four years ago. In 2021 she participated in the USA Hockey girls U18 select player development camp. The next year she was the MVP of the IIHF U18 world championship and was part of the U.S. collegiate select team in 2022.

For the Rivalry Series, Edwards was joined on the roster by UW teammates Britta Curl and Lacey Eden. Seven former Badgers, including Roque, Knight and Sarah Nurse (Canada) played in the series’ first weekend.

“There were a lot of people who reached out,” Edwards said. “It made me feel as if I’m making a difference and I think that is my main goal, especially right now, to make a difference and be a role model … It was really motivating to keep going no matter what.”

Edwards joined her older sister, Chayla, at Wisconsin last season and helped the Badgers win a national championship. This year the sisters have been key players for a team that has been ranked No. 1 all season.

Laila Edwards chose hockey over figure skating

Their father, Robert, introduced them to the sport.

“We did a little bit of figure skating, too,” Edwards said, “but I remember comparing figure skating and hockey and hockey was so much more fun and interactive and a little bit physical even at the age of 3.

“I liked hitting the little rubber disc around. That’s what kept bringing me back to it and I’m glad it did.”

Heading into the Badgers’ series at No. 2 Ohio State on Friday and Saturday, Edwards is fifth on the team in scoring with 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) and is tied for the team lead in plus/minus (+21). The series will be a homecoming of sorts for Edwards, who grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Who knows, the matchup might catch Kelce’s attention. Kelce is also from Cleveland Heights. Edwards said the two attended the same middle school.

After hearing the shoutout, she sent him a thank you note and Kelce responded, saying he would follow her journey.

It was a wow moment in what Edwards described as an overwhelming but satisfying experience.

“But it’s a great thing to be overwhelmed with, so I’m definitely not complaining,” Edwards said. “It’s been a lot. It’s tested my patience, my maturity, but I think it’s been great for my improvement as a person.”

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Wisconsin

What channel is Wisconsin volleyball vs Nebraska on today? Time, TV, streaming, prediction, schedule, standings

Published

7 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

What channel is Wisconsin volleyball vs Nebraska on today? Time, TV, streaming, prediction, schedule, standings

The Wisconsin vs Nebraska doubleheader ends with volleyball taking center stage Saturday night.

After the Badgers-Cornhuskers football teams do battle in the afternoon at Memorial Stadium, the highly ranked volleyball teams square off down the road on campus in Lincoln, Nebraska.

And it doesn’t get any bigger in women’s volleyball than Wisconsin and Nebraska. The Big Ten rivals and national powers will meet for a second time this season with a lot at stake.

Wisconsin (21-5, 15-2 Big Ten), ranked sixth in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association top 25 poll, will look to exact some revenge after Nebraska swept the Badgers earlier this month in Madison. It was Wisconsin’s first and only home loss of the season. A win will also keep the Badgers’ Big Ten title hopes alive.

Nebraska (27-1, 17-0) is on a march toward perfection in the Big Ten and another conference championship. The Cornhuskers, ranked No. 2 nationally, haven’t lost at home this season and are poised for a top seed again in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Here’s how to watch Wisconsin vs Nebraska, part II.

Wisconsin volleyball vs Nebraska time today

Date: Saturday, Nov. 23
Time: 7 p.m.

What channel is Wisconsin volleyball vs Nebraska on today? TV, live stream

How can I listen to Wisconsin volleyball vs Nebraska on the radio?

Wisconsin vs Nebraska volleyball prediction

As winners of its last six matches, Wisconsin has found its groove. The Badgers showed their fight in rallying for a wild five-set win over Minnesota earlier this week and before that gave Penn State its first Big Ten loss of the season last Saturday.

Can UW now give Nebraska its first conference loss? The Cornhuskers might just be too good in 2024 and will avoid the upset. Nebraska has won 24 straight matches since its lone defeat on Sept. 3, and with another victory it’ll get closer to a second straight Big Ten championship. Few Big Ten teams have even come close to beating Nebraska this season. The Cornhuskers have 13 sweeps in their 17 conference victories.

One of those 3-0 match wins came against Wisconsin three weeks ago. Kelly Sheffield’s team won’t be swept again, but the Cornhuskers will outlast the Badgers in a hard-fought five-set match before a sold-out crowd at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Wisconsin volleyball schedule

Wednesday, Nov. 27, 7:30 p.m. CT, vs. Ohio State
Saturday, Nov. 30, 8 p.m. CT, vs. Michigan State

After its showdown against Nebraska, the Badgers return home for their final two matches of the regular season. And Wisconsin will be the heavy favorite against both Ohio State and Michigan State, two teams well under .500 in the Big Ten. Fans will get to see seniors Carly Anderson, CC Crawford, Devyn Robinson, Sarah Franklin, Anna Smrek and Julia Orzol play at the UW Field House one last time before the NCAA Tournament.

Big Ten volleyball standings

Nebraska (27-1 overall, 17-0 Big Ten)
Penn State (26-2, 16-1)
Wisconsin (21-5, 15-2)
Purdue (22-6, 13-4)
Oregon (20-6, 12-5)
USC (19-8, 11-6)
Illinois (18-9, 10-7)
Minnesota (17-10, 10-7)
Washington (19-7, 9-7)
Michigan (17-11, 7-10)
UCLA (12-13, 6-10)
Indiana (12-14, 5-11)
Ohio State (12-14, 5-11)
Maryland (13-15, 4-13)
Michigan State (11-17, 4-13)
Iowa (10-19, 4-13)
Northwestern (5-20, 3-14)
Rutgers (5-23, 0-17)

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Wisconsin

How much does a Thanksgiving meal cost in Wisconsin this year?

Published

15 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

How much does a Thanksgiving meal cost in Wisconsin this year?

What will Wisconsin Thanksgiving dinner cost?

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation said a traditional Thanksgiving meal will cost less this year than last.

MILWAUKEE – Some good news for Wisconsinites this year: According to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, the traditional Thanksgiving meal will cost 2% less than last year.

According to the WFBF’s survey, the price tag for a typical Thanksgiving meal in Wisconsin is $57.61 this year. The survey tabulated the total cost at $58.86 a year ago.

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That meal includes turkey, green beans, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and more.

For comparison, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s survey of the same items showed a 5% decrease from 2023 with prices nationally at $58.08 this year.

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Wisconsin

Minnesota leading nation in voter turnout, with Wisconsin still counting votes

Published

23 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Minnesota leading nation in voter turnout, with Wisconsin still counting votes

Wisconsin man accused of faking his death, and more headlines

04:09

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota will once again be one of the top states in the country for voter turnout.

The State Canvassing Board said 3,272,414 Minnesotans cast ballots in the 2024 general election, which is 76.41% of eligible voters in Minnesota.

According to the University of Florida, that’s the highest turnout rate in the country right now. Wisconsin, which is currently ranked second with a 76.37% turnout rate, is still working to certify its election results.

The turnout rate for Minnesota this election is slightly lower than the 2020 election, in which 79.96% of eligible voters in Minnesota voted.

On Thursday, the board certified the election results of contests for president, vice president, U.S. senate and the U.S. House of Representatives for Minnesota.

The board also approved plans for Monday’s recount in the race for Minnesota House District 14B and noted the publicly funded recount that took place Thursday in Scott County for House District 54A.

After all recounts are complete, the board will meet and certify the results of the two house races.

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