CHRISTIAN NOBLE
Big Lake • wrestling
In the first three weeks of his senior season, Noble has reached a pair of significant career milestones.
According to Big Lake coach Ryan Prom, that hasn't changed the approach of the top-ranked 126-pounder in Class 2A.
"Christian is the true definition of a student-athlete," Prom said. "He delivers on the mat and in the classroom. He leads by example in both arenas. He is the first student-athlete in Big Lake history to qualify for three individual state tournaments [cross-country, track and field and wrestling], yet you would never know it because of his humility."
Noble, a two-time state champion in wrestling, won three matches last week (each by pin) to improve to 18-0 this season and increase his winning streak to 87 matches. Included were his 100th career pin and 150th career victory.
Two years ago Noble went 40-0 and won the Class 2A 113-pound championship. Last season he went 27-0 and won the 120-pound state title.
GRETE ENGELS
Lakeville North • Nordic skiing
The senior finished first at the seven-team South Suburban-Winona Classic on Tuesday at Hyland Lake Park Reserve. Engels finished the 5-kilometer course in 18 minutes, 38.8 seconds. Engels finished 10th at the state meet last season.
DAVIS ISOM
St. Paul Highland Park Nordic skiing
The junior finished first in a 2.8-kilometer freestyle race Wednesday at Wirth Park, leading the Scots to a first-place finish in a seven-team Twin Cities Nordic Ski conference meet. Isom, who finished 20th at the state meet last season, had a time of 6:29.
TANNER LUDTKE
Lakeville South • hockey
The junior forward had three goals and two assists to lead the Cougars, ranked No. 1 in Class 2A, to an 8-1 South Suburban Conference victory over Shakopee on Thursday. Ludtke, who has committed to play for Nebraska Omaha, leads the Cougars with 14 assists and 19 points.
MAGGIE MALECHA
Northfield • hockey
The senior goaltender had 49 saves — 15 in the third period and nine in overtime — in the Raiders' 1-1 tie with host Maple Grove on Tuesday. Malecha has a .940 save percentage and a 1.68 goals-against average for the Raiders (8-2-1).
KIERA O'ROURKE
Holy Angels • basketball
With her team missing two starters, O'Rourke, a sophomore point guard, had 20 points, 10 assists and four steals in the Stars' 66-36 victory Wednesday at Cretin-Derham Hall. She had 13 points, seven steals and five assists in an 82-64 win Tuesday at Bloomington Jefferson.
SAM RENSCH
Hutchinson • basketball
Rensch, a 6-6 senior, led the Tigers to two victories last week. He scored 24 points in the Tigers' 48-40 victory at Waconia on Tuesday, and on Thursday he scored 22 in the Tigers' 46-41 nonconference victory over Marshall.
JOEL RIPPEL
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