ADAM NELSON
Elk River • football
Elk River coach Steve Hamilton couldn't resist getting in a playful dig.
In the news conference after the Elks' 51-40 victory in the Class 5A semifinals, Nelson, a junior running back, was asked if there was ever a worry that the team might occasionally score too fast, putting the defense in a bind.
"The only thing he needs to worry about is holding on to the ball," Hamilton said with a smirk.
It was a reference to the lone mistake Nelson made all game when he was stripped of the ball at the end of a 66-yard run. Other than that, Nelson had spent the evening making the U.S. Bank Stadium turf his personal track. He finished the game with 302 yards rushing and scored touchdowns on runs of 39, 32 and 80 yards, pacing Elk River to a mind-boggling 700 rushing yards in the game.
"I don't worry about scoring too fast," said Nelson, brushing off his coach's comment with a grin. "I just give the credit to the linemen. What they do lets us do our thing and do our job."
The team rushing yardage came a week after the Elks amassed 576 rushing yards in their quarterfinal victory over Andover, leading Nelson to make an astute observation. "We'd be good fantasy running backs," he said.
ANNA KRUESEL
Blake • hockey
The senior goalie has been on point all season, backstopping the Bears to a 5-0 start. Last week she stopped 48 of 50 shots she faced and posted two shutouts, giving her three shutouts in her last four games.
MADISON POTTER
Blake • swimming
For the second season in a row, the junior swept the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly at the Class 1A state meet. Potter won the 200 IM in a time of 2:03.76 and the butterfly in 54.63, the meet's top time in the event.
ISABELLE STADDEN
Blaine • swimming
Stadden, a sophomore, set the only new individual record at the Class 2A state meet, winning the 200 individual medley in 2:00.49. She also placed first in the 100 backstroke in a time of 52.78.
PHILIP WORZIE
Park Center • adapted soccer
The junior's remarkable scoring abilities paced the Pirates to their third consecutive state title in the cognitively impaired division. In three victories, Park Center outscored its opponents 38-10, with Worzie scoring 20 goals.
JIM PAULSEN
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