LUCAS JESKE
St. Michael-Albertville • wrestling
The plan was for Jeske, a senior and the 2015 Class 3A 152-pound champion, to wrestle at 160 pounds this season. Problem is, he normally weighs closer to 180 pounds. Losing 20 pounds was not an appealing proposition. "I hate cutting weight," he said.
Instead, he's wrestling at 182 pounds. So far, it's worked out. He improved to 15-0 last week with five victories to win his weight class at the Minnesota Christmas Tournament in Rochester. The Knights outpointed runner-up Apple Valley 224-203 to win the team title.
Winning his first Christmas Tournament championship means Jeske can cross off a second goal for this season. He has already verbally accepted a scholarship offer to Minnesota.
Jesks credits a second-place finish at 160 pounds at the U.S. Junior Nationals in Fargo last summer for an improved mental approach this season.
"My goal was to win — no one ever says their goal is to take third place or whatever — but, looking back, making it that far was a big accomplishment for me," he said. "It's made me better in knowing where and when to attack and how to get those attacks."
JACK DAHLGREN
Chanhassen • swimming
The sophomore had a perfect week, winning all 12 of his events last week as the co-op StormHawks defeated Edina, Wayzata and Cooper. In the process, he set school records in the 50 freestyle (22.30), 100 freestyle (47.73), 100 backstroke (53.88) and 100 butterfly (52.47).
MARK HALL
Apple Valley • wrestling
The senior won his sixth Minnesota Chrismas Tournament championship by winning the 170-pound title. Hall defeated his first three opponents by fall and defeated Farmington's Taylor Venz 14-5 in the finals. Hewas selected as the meet's outstanding wrestler.
MEGAN HAUG
Edina • gymnastics
The junior, a newcomer to Edina gymnastics, has made quite an impact already. The Hornets just completed a stretch of three meets in six days with Haug winning nine of the 12 events in which she competed and taking first place in the all-around competition in all three.
PAETYN LEVIS
Rogers • hockey
The sophomore forward continued her high-scoring ways as the Royals won twice. She tallied two goals and an assist as they defeated North Wright County 3-1. She scored her fourth hat trick of the season to lead them past Alexandria 4-1. Levis has a team-leading 20 goals in12 games.
RACHEL RANKE
Eastview • basketball
Eastview has emerged as the top team in Class 4A with Ranke, a junior guard who has commited to Kansas State, providing the scoring punch. She had 24 points in an 81-52 rout of Lakeville North, and 20 points and 11 rebounds in a 67-49 victory over Apple Valley.
Odell WILSON IV
Minneapolis North • basketball
The 6-foot-5 sophomore center has had double-doubles in each of his last three games. He had 17 points and 10 rebounds in a victory over Edison, 27 points and 12 rebounds in a victory over Roosevelt, and 30 points and 13 rebounds in a 100-87 loss to Pebblebrook, Ga.
JIM PAULSEN
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