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Boys and Girls Alpine Skiing State Meet
Home Page Photo The Minnesota State High School League's Boys and Girls Alpine Skiing State Meet is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 15 at Giants Ridge near Biwabik, Minn. Here is a look at the meet:

FAST FACTS
The schedule:

9 a.m. – 9:55 a.m. --- Course inspection
10 a.m. --- First run (Boys will race on the Innsbruck Course and girls on the Helsinki Course)
Noon – 12:55 p.m. --- Course inspection
1 p.m. --- Second run (Boys will race on Helsinki Course and girls on the Innsbruck Course)
2;30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. --- Race tabulation
3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. --- Awards presentation

The courses: The state meet uses a single-pole slalom course
Scoring: The combined times of the two runs determine individual placement. The team score is determined by totaling the points scored by each team's four highest-ranking finishers. The team with the highest number of points shall be declared the winner.
Credentials: A media credential is not required for this event. Check with MSHSL Communications Coordinator Tim Leighton on site with any questions regarding photography restrictions or interviewing policies.
State meet photos: MN Prep Photo is the official photographer of the Minnesota State High School League. Photos will be posted within 14 days of the event at www.MNPrepPhoto.com
Social media: Follow the state meet on the League's Facebook page and on Twitter at @MSHSL and @MSHSLJohn.

2017 STATE MEET PREVIEW

Boys --- A new champion will emerge in the boys' field with the graduation of Eagan's Tommy Anderson, the gold medal winner in 2016. Burnsville senior Jack Lindsay is the highest returning place-winner following his second-place finish to Anderson. Eastview senior Luke Doolittle, the bronze medalist in 2016, didn't qualify for this season's state meet after missing a gate in the section meet. He also missed part of the season with a broken wrist. Also in the field is Northfield senior Elliot Boman, the 2015 individual champion. Edina, the team champion in 2016, is back as well. The Hornets earned a state meet trip with a runner-up finish to Mankato West in Section 6.

Girls --- A new champion will also be crowned in the girls' race. Orono senior Rosie Hust is the highest-placing returner from last year's state meet. She was runner-up to Maddie Dekko of The Blake School by just more than a half second. The Blake School's Nellie Ide, a senior, was third in 2016 and is expected to duel with Hust for the gold medal. Centennial senior Tessa Trettel, who helped lead the Cougars to the Class AA soccer championship in the fall, is also among key skiers to watch. The Blake School has returned with an opportunity to defend its team championship. The Bears qualified for the state meet with a runner-up finish to Minneapolis Southwest in Section 4.

>2016 STATE MEET RECAP

Boys --- Eagan senior Tommy Anderson won the individual gold medal for the first time in three state meet appearances. He finished first in the 88-skier field with a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 7.76 seconds. Burnsville junior Jack Lindsay was runner-up in a time of 1:08.09 and Eastview junior Luke Doolittle was third in 1:09.33. In the team chase, Edina won the championship for the second consecutive season and eighth time since its first crown in 1967. The Hornets finished with 168 points, eight more than runner-up Minnetonka. Hastings was third with 150. Scoring points for Edina were junior Daniel Brunker, sophomore Christopher Reichling, freshman Carl Berghult and sophomore Andrew Shideman.

Girls --- Maddie Dekko, a senior from The Blake School, led after the first run and kept that momentum through the second run en route to winning the individual championship in a time of 1:14.18. Orono junior Rosie Hust was in second place with a time of 1:14.83 and Dekko's teammate, junior Nellie Ide was third in 1:16.93. The individual finishes for Dekko and Hust helped pave the way to a team championship for the Bears, Blake captured the team title with 157 points. It was the fourth state championship for the Bears and first since 1992. Orono was the runner-up in the team title chase with 148 points, followed by Mankato West in third with 141.

      
Advance News Release
Boys and Girls Nordic Skiing State Meet
Home Page Photo The Minnesota State High School League's Boys and Girls Nordic Skiing State Meet is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16 at Giants Ridge near Biwabik, Minn. Here is a look at the meet:

FAST FACTS
The schedule:

10 a.m. --- Boys' 5K freestyle
11:15 a.m. --- Girls' 5K freestyle
2 p.m. --- Boys' 5K classical
3 p.m. --- Girls' 5K classical
Awards ceremony --- Following the final race of the meet
Scoring: The fastest combined time from the two races determines the state pursuit champion. The top four skiers from each team make up the team score. The highest score in Nordic Skiing is awarded a team championship.
Credentials: A media credential is not required for this event. Check with MSHSL Communications Coordinator Tim Leighton on site with any questions regarding photography restrictions or interviewing policies.
State meet photos: MN Prep Photo is the official photographer of the Minnesota State High School League. Photos will be posted within 14 days of the event at www.MNPrepPhoto.com
Social media: Follow the state meet on the League's Facebook page and on Twitter at @MSHSL and @MSHSLJohn.

2017 STATE MEET PREVIEW

Boys --- A new champion will be crowned in the boys' field following the graduation of two-time champion Zak Ketterson of Bloomington Jefferson. Eagan senior Patrick Acton, who was runner-up to Ketterson in 2016, has qualified for another shot at the gold medal. So has Spring Lake Park/St. Anthony senior Xavier Mansfield, who was third in last season's pursuit chase. Eagan senior Ryan Steger and Mounds View senior Mark Ousdigian, both top-10 finishers in last year's field are among other skiers to watch. Minneapolis Southwest, the Section 2 champion, has returned and will attempt to defend its title.

Girls --- The girls' field will also have a new individual champion. St. Paul Highland Park senior Erin Moening is the highest returning place-winner from last season's state meet following a runner-up finish to Margie Freed of Eastview. She is expected to duel Cloquet-Esko-Carlton senior Anja Maijala, who was 20 seconds behind Moening in last season's state meet. Other contenders are expected to include Hopkins senior Renae Anderson, Mesabi East senior Anna Johnson and Cloquet-Esko-Carlton senior Erika Fox. Robbinsdale Armstrong, the reigning team champion, won the Section 6 titleto qualify for the state meet.

2016 STATE MEET RECAP

Boys --- Bloomington Jefferson senior Zak Ketterson won his second pursuit state championship with two dominant performances, including a course-record time of 13:29 in the 5K freestyle. After blazing to a win in the 5K classical, his combined time was 27:53.4 en route to capturing his second pursuit championship to go with the one he won as a sophomore. Eagan junior Patrick Acton was the runner-up in 28:58.7. Spring Lake Park junior Xavier Mansfield was third in 28:59. Minneapolis Southwest was the team champion with 377 points. Scoring points for the Lakers were juniors William Kerker and Adlai Sinker, sophomore Torsten Brinkema and senior Conlan Olson. It was just the third Nordic Skiing or Cross Country skiing championship for a Minneapolis City Conference school. The others were won by Minneapolis North in 1942 and '60.

Girls --- Senior Margie Freed of Eastview, Apple Valley, improved on a third-place finish as a junior by winning the pursuit championship in a two-race combined time of 32:44.6. Freed had a 25-second head start in the 5K classical race on the strength of her powerful performance in the 5K freestyle earlier in the day. St. Paul Highland Park junior Erin Moening was runner-up in a time of 32:59.4. Anja Maijala, a junior from Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, was third in 33:19. Robbinsdale Armstrong won the team championship with 414 points. Scoring points for the Falcons were senior Hannah Rudd, junior Dorothy Anderson, and freshmen Lucinda Anderson and Mae Barnes. Wayzata, the three-time defending state champion, was second with 398 points, and Stillwater was third with 370.      
Advance News Release
State Girls’ Dance Team Tournament
The State Girls' Dance Team Tournament is scheduled for February 17-18 at Target Center in Minneapolis. Here is a look at the tournament:

FAST FACTS
The schedule:
Jazz Competition, Friday, February 17, and High Kick Competition, Saturday, February 18.
Schedule is the same for both days:

Class A Qualifying Competition – 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Class A Finalists Announced – 1:15 p.m.
Class AA and AAA Qualifying Competition – 2:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Class AA and AAA Finalists Announced – 4:30 p.m.
Class A Finals and Awards – 5:30 p.m.
Class AA and AAA Finals and Awards – 7:15 p.m.
Webcast: Daily finals will be webcast live on Prep45.grandstadium.tv for a charge of $9.95. A two-day pass is also available for $16.97. After the tournament, individual titles will be available for a charge of $2.97 for three-day access.
Tickets: $14 adults, $9 students.
Ticket Box Offices open: 10:00 a.m. each morning.

TEAM DETAILS
Jazz: All three Jazz champions return to defend their 2016 titles: Frazee in Class A, Totino-Grace of Fridley in Class AA, and Eastview of Apple Valley in Class AAA. If Frazee wins this year, it would be the second overall title for the Fly Girls. The Totino-Grace E'gals are looking for their ninth Jazz title and the Eastview Lightning are looking for their fourth championship. All 18 finalists from 2016 return to compete in the 2017 tournament.
Class A Qualifiers: (Section 1) St. Charles and Zumbrota-Mazeppa; (Section 2) PACT Charter School, which includes students from St. Billiart Academy Home School of Coon Rapids, and Randolph; (Section 3) BOLD of Olivia, Yellow Medicine East of Granite Falls, Worthington, and Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd; (Section 4) Frazee, Aitkin, Marshall School of Duluth, and Crosby-Ironton.
Class AA Qualifiers: (Section 1) South St. Paul, Faribault, which includes students from Bethlehem Academy of Faribault, and Simley of Inver Grove Heights; (Section 2) Totino-Grace of Fridley and Benilde-St. Margaret's of St. Louis Park; (Section 3) Mound Westonka, Marshall, Orono, and Rockford; (Section 4) Sartell-St. Stephen, Rocori of Cold Spring, and Sauk Rapids-Rice.
Class AAA Qualifiers: (Section 1) Eastview of Apple Valley, Lakeville North, and Prior Lake; (Section 2) Maple Grove, Wayzata, and Edina; (Section 3) Mounds View, Centennial of Circle Pines, and Spring Lake Park; (Section 4) Brainerd, which includes students from Pillager, Anoka, and St. Cloud Tech.

High Kick: All three of the 2016 champions will try to defend their titles in the High Kick category: Aitkin in Class A, Totino-Grace of Fridley in Class A, and Eastview of Apple Valley in Class AAA. If Aitkin wins, it would be the fourth consecutive crown for the All Starz and their ninth overall. Totino-Grace is seeking its sixth High Kick title and Eastview is in the hunt for its 10th crown. Of the 2016 finalists, 17 return to compete in the High Kick category.
Class A Qualifiers: (Section 1) St. Charles, Lake City, and Zumbrota-Mazeppa; (Section 2) Cannon Falls and Randolph; (Section 3) Montevideo, Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd, BOLD of Olivia, and Yellow Medicine East of Granite Falls; (Section 4) Frazee, Aitkin, and Crosby-Ironton.
Class AA Qualifiers: (Section 1) Faribault, which includes students from Bethlehem Academy of Faribault, Austin, and, Simley of Inver Grove Heights; (Section 2) Totino-Grace of Fridley, Benilde-St. Margaret's of St. Louis Park, and Chisago Lakes of Lindstrom; (Section 3) Mound Westonka, Hutchinson, and Orono; (Section 4) Sartell-St. Stephen, Rocori of Cold Spring, and St. Cloud Cathedral, which includes students from St. Cloud Christian School.
Class AAA Qualifiers: (Section 1) Eastview of Apple Valley, Lakeville South, Lakeville North; (Section 2) Wayzata, Chaska, and Edina; (Section 3) Henry Sibley of Mendota Heights, Spring Lake Park, and Centennial of Circle Pines; (Section 4) Brainerd, which includes students from Pillager, Anoka, and St. Cloud Tech.


2016 STATE TOURNAMENT RECAP
Jazz: Three new champions emerged at the 2016 state tournament. Frazee sent the defending champions from Marshall School of Duluth to a fourth-place finish in Class A. The victory also marked the first Jazz championship for the Frazee Fly Girls. In Class AA, the E'gals of Totino-Grace of Fridley captured their eighth Jazz crown after upsetting the two-time defending champions from Benilde-St. Margaret's of St. Louis Park. The Eastview Lightning broke Maple Grove's hold on the Class AAA championship and claimed their third Jazz title.
High Kick: Aitkin was the only team to successfully defend its title at the 2016 tournament. The All Starz earned their third consecutive title and their eighth overall. Totino-Grace and Eastview won the Class AA and Class AAA championships, respectively. It was the fifth title for the E'gals and the ninth for the Lightning.
      


New Boys Basketball Award Named For Bob McDonald
Posted by John Millea(jmillea@mshsl.org)- Updated 2/13/2017 8:18:22 PM

February 13, 2017

Press Release: Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association

Subject: Announcement of the Establishment of the McDonald Award

The Minnesota Boys Basketball Coaches Association is proud and honored to announce the establishment of the McDonald Award. This award will be presented annually to the outstanding Senior Basketball Player of the Year beginning with the 2017-18 basketball season.

The award is named in honor of Bob McDonald, a legend and icon in Chisholm, the state of Minnesota, and the nation for his accomplishments as a coach and his commitment to educating students. Coach McDonald served 59 years as a high school basketball coach. Coach McDonald led his teams to 1,012 victories, the only coach in Minnesota hoops history and one of 13 in the nation to accomplish this many wins. He was also known for instilling the values of hard work, teamwork, a strong moral code, and high academic expectations for the students he served on the court and in the classroom. Bob is a member of the MBCA Hall of Fame, the MSHSL Hall of Fame, and the National High School Hall of Fame.

The Award, patterned after the Wooden Award, will include, but not be limited to, qualifications such as exhibiting strength of character, both on and off the court; contributing to team effort ; excelling on both offense and defense; and performance over the course of the entire season. Tentative plans are that the selection committee will include retired and/or Hall of Fame coaches representing geographic locations of the State (NW, NE, SW,SE) and Metropolitan (NW, NE, SW, SE, Minneapolis, St. Paul) areas.

The the establishment of the award is also designed to focus attention on the positive aspects of basketball and the role coaches play in the lives of all the student-athletes they represent and serve. In moving forward, it is the goal of the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association that the McDonald Award will be widely viewed as the top award that a senior high school basketball player in Minnesota can receive.



Guest Submission: "I Hope I Can Become A Coach Like Him"
Posted by John Millea(jmillea@mshsl.org)- Updated 2/12/2017 3:31:40 PM

The following was sent to me by Matt Gunderson, assistant boys basketball coach at Ogilvie High School. It says a lot about what's truly important in high school athletics and activities.

Our team is hardworking but after having four players leave our team during the year we have had to piece things together. Og...


More of John's Journal


Why Do I Coach?
To positively impact the students who participate on our teams, we must start with and identify our coaching purpose. In doing so, we purposefully identify the road we want to take, to get to the place we want to be, instead of
ending up down an unintentional path, wondering how we got there.

We spend a considerable amount of time on the technical and tactical aspects of the sports we coach, but there is so much more to consider. Joe Ehrmann, author of InSideOut Coaching, states, "Coaching shouldn't start with the X's and O's but with the Y's. This WHY should be a clear and concise statement defining the impact we are trying to make in our players' lives. WHY directs the expenditures of our time, energy, and effort and provides a final destination. Answering the question ‘Why do I coach?' can help a coach identify selfish agendas and develop a purpose that transcends personal, vocational, financial, or ego-driven needs. WHY prompts us to answer the questions of when and how to use the power of coaching to affect players for their lifetime."

Read More about Why We Play and how to redefine your focus as a coach, parent, and spectator.
      

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John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
44m ago
Just like Grandpa.

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
2h ago
MN Boys Basketball Coaches Association announces new "McDonald Award" for top senior player in state. @MN_BCAfacebook.com/mshsl.org/

MSHSL 2h ago
February 13, 2017Press Release: Minnesota Basketball Coaches AssociationSubject: Announcement of the Establishment of the McDonald AwardThe Minnesota Boys Basketball Coaches Association is proud and honored to announce the establishment of the McDonald Award. This award will be presented annually to the outstanding Senior Basketball Player of the Year beginning with the 2017-18 basketball season.The award is named in honor of Bob McDonald, a legend and icon in Chisholm, the state of Minnesota, and the nation for his accomplishments as a coach and his commitment to educating students. Coach McDonald served 59 years as a high school basketball coach. Coach McDonald led his teams to 1,012 victories, the only coach in Minnesota hoops history and one of 13 in the nation to accomplish this many wins. He was also known for instilling the values of hard work, teamwork, a strong moral code, and high academic expectations for the students he served on the court and in the classroom. Bob is a member of the MBCA Hall of Fame, the MSHSL Hall of Fame, and the National High School Hall of Fame.The Award, patterned after the Wooden Award, will include, but not be limited to, qualifications such as exhibiting strength of character, both on and off the court; contributing to team effort ; excelling on both offense and defense; and performance over the course of the entire season. Tentative plans are that the selection committee will include retired and/or Hall of Fame coaches representing geographic locations of the State (NW, NE, SW,SE) and Metropolitan (NW, NE, SW, SE, Minneapolis, St. Paul) areas.The the establishment of the award is also designed to focus attention on the positive aspects of basketball and the role coaches play in the lives of all the student-athletes they represent and serve. In moving forward, it is the goal of the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association that the McDonald Award will be widely viewed as the top award that a senior high school basketball player in Minnesota can receive.

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
5h ago
So if anybody got 13 roses instead of a dozen, send one over.

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
5h ago
Agreed, great email alerts and prompt delivery. @BethMillea loves the roses from @proflowersCS but she only got 11 instead of a dozen...

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
9h ago
(you're)

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
10h ago
Thursday at @GiantsRidge / Nordic ski state championships.
mshsl.org/mshsl/upload/M

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
10h ago
Wednesday at @GiantsRidge / Alpine ski state championships. mshsl.org/mshsl/upload/M

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
1d ago
"I Hope I Can Become A Coach Like Him." Inspiring guest submission on John's Journal.
mshsl.org/mshsl/johnsjou

MSHSL 1d ago
The letter below was sent to the MSHSL's John Millea by Matt Gunderson, assistant boys basketball coach at Ogilvie High School. It says a lot about what's truly important in high school athletics and activities...Our team is hardworking but after having four players leave our team during the year we have had to piece things together. Ogilvie is a very small school where winning isn't a huge thing so when losses mount frustration can become a very real situation.On our recent to trip to Kimball for a boys basketball game on Friday, Feb. 10, we knew we were going to have our hands full with a very good Cubs team that was near the top of our section (5A). The bus got there an hour early prior to the JV game so we had plenty of time to shoot and relax.While the team was shooting around my four-year-old son was with me and he was dribbling a big varsity-sized ball on the baseline when the Kimball head coach, Jay Klein, came up to him and handed him a smaller ball. It was one that you would get from a carnival for playing a game; my son's eyes lit up at the sight of a new ball. Coach Klein didn't have to do that but he did out of the goodness of his heart.The junior varsity game went to Kimball 60-38 with both teams battling a close second half that saw Kimball outscore Ogilvie only 24-23 after having a 36-15 halftime lead. Following the JV game, Mr. Klein approached me and gave me very positive comments about the team just by his observation of watching the game.The varsity game was a bit more one-sided with Kimball winning 91-31. Only having 14 players on the roster (9-12 grade), we don't have the manpower to compete with most teams for a full game. Fatigue sets in as our rotation contains a core of six players (three seniors and three juniors). After those six we go to our JV players, who aren't on a varsity level but due to lack of numbers are learning on the fly and working hard doing it.Now to the reason I'm sending this email. Coach Klein of Kimball came into our locker room after the game and spoke to our players. He gave an example of the Kimball football team, which hasn't won a game in four years. The way he talked to the players, he has a very sportsmanship-like attitude and cares more about the lives of the students than the game of basketball. As I continue my coaching career I hope I can become a coach like him because a coach like him is what every team needs. No matter if you're undefeated or haven't won a game, a coach who teaches life lessons that help players become better men first and ballplayers second is very important.Our head coach in Ogilvie has been trying to teach our kids about life as the year has gone on, and now hearing it from another coach I hope the words we say in practice and in games begin to sink in. Again, big thank you to Coach Klein for everything that he did. He didn't have to do any of it but he did anyway. Matt Gunderson
Assistant Boys Basketball Coach
Ogilvie High School

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
2d ago
is not involved in any of these awards. In most sports, coaches association handles these. Probably time for @MN_BCA to do so.

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
2d ago
Everybody wins in Alexandria.

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
2d ago
Boooooo.

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
3d ago
I demand that everyone I know in the Phoenix area attend this event. C'mon! Weird saw music!

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
3d ago
Congratulations to Class 1A one-act play entrants; four receive "starred peformances." mshsl.org/mshsl/news/17_

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
3d ago
Congratulations to Class 2A one-act play entrants; four receive "starred peformances." mshsl.org/mshsl/upload/M

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
3d ago
East Central High School performing "Second Star to the Right" at state one-act play festival.

John Millea
@MSHSLjohn
3d ago
East Central cast ready to take the stage at state one-act play festival.



 


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