Feb. 18: Here's What's Happening

One-Act play recap

The state festival was held late last week in a virtual format and everything went perfectly.

The two Class A schools whose performances were cited for “starred performances” were: Belle Plaine and Fillmore Central. The other participating Class A schools were Central Minnesota Christian, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Milaca, Hawley, Rock Ridge and Bagley.

The two Class AA productions that earned “starred” ratings were: St. Michael-Albertville and Alexandria. Other schools participating in the Class AA festival were Rochester Mayo, Prior Lake, Irondale, Holy Angels and North Branch. Congrats to all.

Media alert

I got a call from a media friend who has heard rumors about media attendance at state tournaments. Let’s shed some light on that, under the realization that everything is different in the age of Covid. As we know, the winter state tournaments are going to be very different than the same tournaments a year ago, before Covid struck. There will be limited spectators, and in some cases no spectators, and the media also will be limited. All the policies are still being finalized, so what I know today could change. But here are some key points for the media to be aware of: There will be no in-person interviews at state tournaments; radio stations who have covered teams all season will be allowed to broadcast that team’s games with one person on site; photographers may not be allowed, replaced by pool photographers hired by the MSHSL who will make photos available to newspapers and web sites. Media will be encouraged to watch games on TV or via streaming, with postgame interviews held virtually. This is the standard right now in college and pro sports, and I know our fellow media professionals understand that with the health and safety of everyone -- including those in the media -- the absolute top priority, things will be different.

Roundup of good stuff

--The limit on spectators at sporting events has been raised from 150 to 250 people. And today the governor announced that all middle school and high schools can opt to bring students back for hybrid or in-person learning as soon as Feb. 22, and all schools should offer it by March 8. More signs that we’re headed in the right direction.

--Congrats to Henning’s @EllieDague on scoring her 2000th career point in an 81-31 win over Wadena.

--Voters in the Lakeview school district in Cottonwood in southwest Minnesota passed both questions of a facilities bond referendum. The second question, which passed 293-270 *a 23-vote margin), includes installing turf on the football field, lights on the baseball/softball fields and resurfacing the track. That’s a big step for a rural school with an enrollment of 170.

--New Prague High School announced the hiring of Greg Sayuk as girls volleyball head coach. For 16 years he was coach at Southwest Christian High School in Chaska where he had a career record of 334-171, took three teams to state and won a state championship in 2013. That’s a big hire.

--Congratulations to last week'sMost Valuable Teammate, Willie Wilson of Minneapolis North High School. MVT is sponsored by @WellsFargo

--Byron wrestling coach Ryan Radke got his 250^th career win when the Bears defeated Cannon Falls and Stewartville on Tuesday. … a few days before that, according to a great Twitter post from our friend Scott McCready in St. Charles: “We hosted wrestling today. Byron was staged in our library while awaiting their turn in the gym. This is how they left it...spotless and every chair was pushed in. Thank you, much appreciated.”