ALEX CROWE
Shakopee • wrestling
While enduring the final, victory-clinching match as his team ended Apple Valley's generation-long (25 years) conference dual meet winning streak, Crowe, a senior 152-pounder (for now), tempered his emotions. A celebration was necessary — the Sabers' 29-28 decision was not about to slip by unappreciated – but this was just one match. No sense in getting carried away.
"It was a statement, a big win for us that shows we're the real deal," said Crowe, who held up his part with a 15-4 victory over Devin Roberts at 152. "But with about 30 seconds left (in Pat Ruhland's 3-1 loss at 220 pounds that preserved a one-point victory), Brent Jones and I went through the team and told them that we didn't want to showboat, we didn't want to seem cocky. We wanted to stay classy. We knew this one victory wasn't the whole season."
But it was another high point in a pretty eventful late fall for Crowe. Less than a month ago he signed a national letter of intent to wrestle for Minnesota next year. Two days after the Apple Valley victory, he won the 152-pound title at the Osseo Ken Droegemueller Invitational, helping Shakopee to the team title.
"Yeah, the last couple of months have been pretty good," he said. "We've just got to keep it going."
CARMEN BACKES
Chisago Lakes • basketball
The junior forward showed she's back in the groove after missing much of last year with an injury. She posted consecutive 29-point games in victories over Mounds View and Superior (Wis.). She topped 1,000 career points in the Mounds View victory.
NICK DAINTY
Andover • hockey
A sophomore forward with a knack for scoring goals, Dainty has made a huge impact in his varsity debut. After going scoreless in the season opener, he notched consecutive hat tricks in victories over Cambridge-Isanti and Osseo.
ELLIE GESS
Bloomington Jefferson • basketball
For the first time since the 2010-2011 season, the Jaguars are 2-0, with much of the credit going to the 5-8 senior guard. Gess, who has committed to Concordia-St. Paul, averaged 20.5 points in victories over Duluth East and Henry Sibley and set a school record for three-pointers.
MARIAH SEXE
East Ridge • basketball
The senior center scored a game-high 15 points to lead East Ridge to a 55-51 victory over Park Center, considered a top five team in Class 4A. Committed to Lehigh, she scored 49 points in three games overall and collected her 1,000th career point.
CALVIN WISHART
Delano • basketball
The 6-2 junior guard appears ready to improve on a breakout sophomore year, opening this season with a triple-double – 25 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists – in a 96-86 victory over Fridley.
HANNA ZAVORAL
St. Paul Blades • hockey
After being held without a goal in the first two games, the senior forward scored 10 goals and added five assists in her next three as the Blades defeated Simley and Eveleth-Gilbert and lost a heartbreaker to Irondale.
JIM PAULSEN
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