TYLER EISCHENS
Anoka • wrestling
He has already won one high school individual state championship and several regional titles. He's got a scholarship to Stanford tucked away.
There's just one more thing the senior wants before he heads off to Palo Alto. "We want a team championship," Eischens said. "I personally believe we have a team that can do it."
The Tornadoes proved that by winning the prestigious Minnesota Christmas Tournament in Rochester over the weekend, outpointing Simley by the narrowest of margins, 175.5 to 175. Apple Valley, the team that defeated Anoka in the Class 3A team finals last March, finished fourth.
Eischens, who hasn't lost a match since his sophomore season, won the 152-pound bracket by pinning his first three foes, then defeating Tyler Wagener of Waconia in the semifinals and Nate Larson of Apple Valley in the finals.
Eischens emphasized his commitment to winning this season by swearing off social media. He logged off Twitter and SnapChat on Thanksgiving and hasn't been back since.
"At first, I found myself opening the app, but I wasn't logged in, so I'd go find something else," he said. "It's fine now. It takes away all the distractions, the stuff people around school and the town."
BEN ALMQUIST
Holy Family • hockey
The senior forward had back-to-back two-goal games to lift the Fire, ranked No. 10 in Class 2A, to victories over No. 18 St. Michael-Albertville (8-0) and Class 1A, No. 9 Delano (4-2). The Wisconsin signee has 10 goals and 18 points for the season for Holy Family.
JAKE BINLEY
Simley • basketball
The senior guard, who last week topped 1,000 points for his career, continued his high-scoring ways with 86 points in three victories for the Spartans, including a career-high 41 points in a 76-65 victory over St Paul Como Park on Saturday.
MADDIE LODER
Orono • basketball
The senior guard scored 95 points in three games as the defending Class 3A champion Spartans went 2-1. She peaked with a career-best 36 points, making 18 of 21 free throws, and 10 rebounds in a 61-59 squeaker over Rogers.
SYDNEY SHEAREN
White Bear Lake • hockey
The Bears have ripped off 10 consecutive victories with Shearen, a junior forward, getting at least two points in all but one of them. Last week she scored both goals as the Bears defeated Forest Lake 2-1 and assisted on both goals as they beat Stillwater 2-1.
RACHEL STEINER
Lakeville North • gymnastics
The Panthers have had four meets this season and Steiner, a sophomore, has won the all-around title in each. Saturday, she led them to the championship at the tough Brainerd Invitational with a meet-winning all-around score of 38.0.
BOBBY STRIGGOW
Orono • wrestling
The senior at 220 pounds has made a recent habit of defeating ranked wrestlers. He beat opponents ranked No. 4 in Class 2A and No. 2 in 1A en route to victory at the Andover Tournament. Thursday he beat Class 2A, No. 2 Steven Hajas of Delano 5-3.
JIM PAULSEN
Nominate an athlete: Send an e-mail with supporting information to preps@startribune.com. Include a photo and a link, if available, to video.
