1. Tyler Henderson, Chisago Lakes: Tyler Henderson of Chisago Lakes struck out twice in a recent 17-5 win over Columbia Heights. He also tied a state record with four home runs in one game in the win. Henderson, who was hitting .553 heading into this week, had nine RBI in the big win. He has five home runs on the season and is fourth in the Twin Cities in batting average.
2. Rochester John Marshall: The Rochester John Marshall baseball team won the Big 9 Conference title Tuesday, defeating Austin 6-2 to clinch. JM, the No. 1-ranked team in AAA heading into the week, was led in this game by Derek Hovick and Joe Moen. Hovick had three hits in three at bats and pitched five innings to earn the win. Joe Moen also had three hits, including a home run, two RBI, and four runs scored. Jordan Stokes added a stolen base, and Andrew Nelson had two hits and a stolen base in the win for the state’s top-ranked team.
3. Sara DuPaul, Spring Lake Park: Spring Lake Park defeated Tartan 8-0 Wednesday as pitcher Sara DuPaul struck out seven en route to her 13th shutout of the season. SLP is 17-2 on the season and ranked No. 7 in the Metro. DuPaul gets it done at the plate with a .508 batting average. She is 17-2 with 173 strikeouts and a 0.47 ERA this season.
4. Pure Power: Two players who have found their home run swing this spring are Ryan Abrahamson of Tartan and Dylan Thomas of Lakeville North. Abrahamson, a 6-foot-4 shortstop who has signed with the University of Minnesota, has a state-leading nine home runs, while Thomas has eight. Abrahamson leads the Metro with 32 RBI for the Titans, who are on top of the Classic Suburban Conference with a 12-1 record (14-1 overall). Thomas’ power and offense has also been a big reason why North claimed the Lake Conference Title, clinching Wednesday night with a 3-2 win over Jefferson. In that game Ben Fretiag hit a three-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh to give North the win and the Conference crown. Freitag was 3-for-4 in the win.
5. Cameron Boy, Jordan: One of the top track athletes this spring is speedster Cameron Boy of Jordan. Boy has a Metro-leading time of 10.3 in the 100-meter dash, and a Metro-leading time of 21.70 in the 200-meter dash.
6. Harding Dynasty: It might not be one of the more well-publicized high school sports, but the accomplishments are still amazing for the St. Paul Harding badminton team. Harding won its fourth straight state title with a 5-2 win over rival St. Paul Johnson in the state finals. The Knights have won 77 of 78 matches. Harding seniors Stephanie King and Alana Yang have been on all four state title teams.
7. Roseville Track and Field: Mounds View had won 12 consecutive Class 3A, Section 6 True Team track and field meets, until it was defeated by Roseville recently. The Raiders were led by Tony Kablan, who won three events and finished third in another, totaling 94 points to lead the Raiders to the section title. Other standouts for Roseville this season include 400-meter dash standout Charles Amoloja, and 800/1,600-meter run star John Holt.
8. Rosemount Golf: Rosemount has won two tournaments, finished second once and third in another heading into this week. Sam Reber, who shot a 74 to lead the Irish at the Northfield Invitational, is among the key contributors. The Irish are looking strong heading into the Lake Conference Invite and upcoming sectional play.
9. Paige Stratiori, Duluth Denfield: Duluth Denfeld’s Paige Stratioti won the 200- and 400-meter runs and was a member of the first-place finishing 4x100-meter relay team Tuesday at the Lake Superior Conference track and field meet.
