Recent content from Paul Klauda
Star Tribune 2020-21 Fall Metro Players of the Year
They stood out in seasons started amid the pandemic, without the hope of state tournaments, and flourished all the same.
Khalid El-Amin named basketball coach at St. Thomas Academy
The former Minneapolis North star has been an assistant coach and trainer since retiring from a professional career that included mostly playing in Europe.
AMSA 2021: The big list. Star Tribune First Team All-Metro athletes
More than 100 athletes were named to Star Tribune All-Metro first teams this year in team sports. Here's the complete list by sport.
AMSA 2021: Late start, perfect finish: Stillwater synchronized swimming is Star Tribune All-Metro Team Champion
The perennially strong program, after not being able to compete a year ago, won its first state championship since 2003.
AMSA 2021: Eastview dance team has a thing with being the best
The Lightning's high kick and jazz teams repeated as undefeated state champions for the second year in a row, earning distinction as a Star Tribune All-Metro Team Champion.
Star Tribune 2020-21 Spring Metro Players of the Year
The pandemic stole their 2020 season. But when given the chance to play this year, they rose to the top of their sports in the Twin Cities area.
Duluth East hires Steve Pitoscia as boys' hockey head coach
The Greyhounds alum, with 30 years of experience as a player, coach and hockey volunteer, replaces Mike Randolph, who resigned earlier this year after leading the program for 32 years.
Shawn Reid takes Hill-Murray girls' hockey coaching job
The former Blake girls' hockey mentor, who did not coach last season, led the Bears to four Class 1A state titles in a five-season span from 2013-17.
Dream victory earns Nate Stevens honors as Star Tribune Metro Boys' Golfer of the Year
"Winning a state championship is pretty special," the Northfield senior said of his Class 3A victory at Bunkers Hills Golf Club.
![The Star Tribune Girls’ Golfer of the Year Isabella McCauley of Simle stood for a portrait Thursday at the Southview Country Club. ] ANTHONY SOUFFLE](https://chorus.stimg.co/22687225/08_1013235523_01PREP062921.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Dominating season takes rare detour for Star Tribune Metro Girls' Golfer of the Year
Simley's Isabella McCauley, who also won the award in 2019, became the youngest Minnesota girl ever to play in the U.S. Open, held in San Francisco.
Team vibe drives Mounds View's Bjorn Swenson as he excels on the court
The Star Tribune Metro Boys' Tennis Player of the Year for the second time, he hopes to play doubles with his younger brother next season.
Rosemount wins 2A boys', girls' team track and field state titles
A roundup of top performances in events at both meets.
No doubt, no tears: This time, it's Benilde-St. Margaret's over nemesis Prior Lake
The Red Knights, who lost to the Lakers in the last two boys' title games, impressed with a 16-6 victory for the program's first championship in 10 years.
Farmington staves off Park of Cottage Grove rally to win 4A championship
The Wolfpack rallied with four runs in the seventh inning but the Tigers prevailed for a 12-10 victory.
Class 1A wheelchair winner challenged himself in 800
Lewiston-Altura's Peyton Gunnarson won four wheelchair events in all, while records were set in numerous events of the boys' and girls' state meets.
Electric and then some: Mahtomedi routs Grand Rapids for 3A title
A 15-hit Zephyrs' hitting barrage, coupled with 16 walks or hit batters, fueled a 20-3 victory for their second state championship in three seasons.
Prior Lake repeats as girls' lacrosse champions
The top-seeded Lakers trailed early against No. 2 Lakeville South but first-half hat tricks from Payton Bloedow and Mackenzie Salentre keyed a 15-7 victory.
Glencoe-Silver Lake rolls to shutout, 2A championship
A five-run fourth inning by the Panthers broke open a close game and pitcher Drew Hedtke held Belle Plaine to just one hit en route to a 10-0 victory.
From hardwood to hardball, Hayfield adds another state title
With a starting lineup stocked with its basketball championship team, the Vikings baseball team rallied for a 7-4 victory over New York Mills to win the Class 1A championship.
Five champions crowned in 3,200-meter races as track and field state meet begins
Jade Rypkena of Nevis won the Class 1A girls' race with a closing kick to win by eight-hundredths of a second.
High school boys' volleyball ends season with Andover on top again
An estimated 400 fans turned out for the finals of a state tournament that lacks official sanction as a high school sport.
Girls' lacrosse: Defending champ Prior Lake set to play Lakeville South for the title
The Lakers dispatched Benilde-St. Margarets with a strong start while the Cougars escaped with a 10-9 victory over Rosemount.
Boys' lacrosse: Benilde-St. Margaret's earns another title game rematch with Prior Lake
The Red Knights defeated Stillwater after Prior Lake's Jack Smith scored to give the Lakers a 10-9 victory against Lakeville North.
Farmington, Park of Cottage Grove set to play for 4A championship
The Tigers defeated Minnetonka while the Wolfpack dispatched with Andover in the semifinals.
Prep baseball semifinals: Stingy Mahtomedi throws blanks again, plus the longest game in state tournament history
The Zephyrs will play Grand Rapids for the Class 3A championship. In 2A, it's Belle Plaine vs. Glencoe-Silver Lake while Hayfield and New York Mills play in Class 1A.
Like her sister, Simley's Reese McCauley wins 3A golf title as freshman
A recap of individual and team winners in all three classes of the girls' and boys' state tournaments.
Benilde-St. Margaret's, Lakeville South, Rosemount and Prior Lake advance to girls' semifinals
The Red Knights defeated perennial state tourney entrant Eden Prairie. Semifinals are Thursday at Stillwater High School.
![Randolph pitcher Morgyn Otte (3) celebrated an out with her teammates during the Class 1A championship game against Browerville Wednesday. ] ANTHONY S](https://chorus.stimg.co/22664172/08_1013185240_03PREP061721.soft.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Tired but tough, Randolph comes through to win first state championship
Becker won the Class 3A title while Le Sueur-Henderson took honors in Class 2A.
Rosemount slugger's big swing brings softball state title to the Irish
Rosemount's Paige Zender hit a grand slam to key the Irish's 5-1 victory against Forest Lake to win the Class 4A championship.
Haley Reeck of Edina is the Star Tribune Girls' Lacrosse Metro Player of the Year
The senior scored 77 goals this season in leading the Hornets to the brink of the state tournament. She was just as influential as a leader to younger players.
Big moments leave no doubt: Paddy Burns is the Star Tribune Boys' Lacrosse Metro Player of the Year
The Red Knights' senior midfielder has the knack for calming those around him, even his coach, while scoring 42 goals and adding 26 assists.
Mounds View's Swenson pulls out special headgear, defends 2A title; Breck sweeps in 1A
Swenson repeated as champion after winning two years ago as a freshman. Breck's Clayton Haberman won the Class 1A singles title and teammates Ishan Nadkarni and Zach Piehl took the doubles crown.
Stillwater advances to third consecutive softball state tournament
The Ponies, top-ranked in Class 4A, jumped to an early lead against Woodbury en route to an 8-5 victory.
![Edina’s Luke Westholder and Otto Schreiner celebrated between doubles sets Wednesday. ] ANTHONY SOUFFLE • anthony.souffle@startribune.com](https://chorus.stimg.co/22651588/08_1013127005_10PREP061021.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Favorites mostly hold serve in state tournament singles, doubles prelims
Semifinals and finals are set for Friday in Class 2A at Prior Lake and Class 1A at St. Cloud Tech.
![Edina High School tennis players celebrated when they realized they’d won the boys Class 2A team tennis championship against Wayzata Wednesday. ] AN](https://chorus.stimg.co/22648797/08_1013127005_21PREP061021.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Edina wins 2A team title in boys' tennis, Breck wins in 1A
The matches were played outside amid the unusual heat wave gripping Minnesota.
Lots of heat, no surprises on first day of state boys' tennis matches
With temperatures reaching 95 degrees, favorites Wayzata and Breck sailed through the quarterfinals of the Class 2A and 1A state tournaments being played outside this year.
Minnesota prep championship tennis moves outside, where the game has always been
Prior Lake and St. Cloud Tech high schools will host the boys' state tournaments set to begin Tuesday.
Five Minnesota high school seniors selected for 2020 All-American soccer games
Three girls and two boys were chosen for the games, which will be played Saturday in St. Louis.
Pandemic pulls softball-loving sisters so close they could be Border Battle opponents
COVID-19 wiped out pitcher Maddie Schwartz's 2020 season at Wisconsin, allowing her to return home and grow closer to her four-years-younger sister Sydney. Now she and her Gophers-bound sister could end up facing each other in college.
Changes in big-school prep football scheduling worries some coaches
The plan seeks to improve competitive balance among the 30 biggest programs in the state. But some coaches aren't so sure.
'Full capacity' home crowds for Minnesota United starting with June 23 match
Tickets will go on sale to the general public in early June to significantly expand the number of fans allowed at Allianz Field, the team said.
Simley teenager McCauley set to make Minnesota golf history
At age 17, Isabella McCauley will become the youngest state girls' golfer to play in the U.S. Women's Open next month in San Francisco.
Minnesota minister with Alzheimer's 'lights up' with baseball memories
Retired United Methodist minister cherishes autographs by Hall of Famers.
Proposed Minnesota state tournament for girls' wrestling set for key vote
The plan, which comes as more girls take up wrestling, would let them compete against other girls in the postseason while wrestling with boys' teams throughout the year.
Organizers cancel Minnesota high school football all-star game proposed for June
The game, featuring top seniors from across the state, had been postponed last December amid COVID0-19 concerns.
'Excessive moderation' key for Star Tribune Metro Girls' Nordic Skier of the Year Molly Moening
The St. Paul Highland Park junior took advantage of a lull in school activities last year to bolster her workout regimen, leading to another state title in March.
Family pride helps push Armstrong's Roger Anderson to top metro skiing honor
The Star Tribune's Metro Boys' Nordic Skier of the Year won the state meet after both he and a sister had come close to winning in previous years.
Star Tribune Metro Girls' Alpine Skier of the Year Ava Pihlstrom joins special Blake air
The Bears' junior became the third girls' Alpine skier from her school to win a state individual championship since 2016.
Keeping it simple, winning big: Zach Trotto is the Star Tribune Metro Boys' Alpine Skier of the Year
Prone to overthink his races, the Forest Lake senior overcome a troubled race at the 2020 state meet to win a year later by, in his coach's words, making it look easy.
At the turn, he knew: Charlie Crosby is the Star Tribune Metro Boys' Swimmer of the Year
A state meet record time in the 50 freestyle was one of four first-place finishes for the speedy Breck swimmer.
Dedication, leadership fuel Star Tribune Metro Gymnast of the Year Anna Mielke
The junior took a less-traveled path to gymnastics excellence. This season she was the metro area's top-placing all-round performer in leading her team to the Class 1A state championship.
Team-first toughness: Simley's Bennett Tabor is the Star Tribune Metro Wrestler of the Year
The senior finished the season 33-0, winning his last match with a swollen eye from a fist to the face, and ended his high school career with an 85-match winning streak.
Pandemic leaves scars on metro lacrosse programs
Fewer B-squad and JV teams and even a co-op involving a recent state champion have resulted from what coaches are calling a dearth of 'casual players' after the 2020 season was canceled.
Stillwater softball reunites after teammates make most of lost season
Allison Benning worked on her top-flight pitching. Morgan Wohlers used the down time to play more hockey. Now they and their Ponies teammates are glad to be back in each other's company, playing for their school.
Wayzata's Drew Berkland seeks baseball jewel of state title triple crown
A junior who has committed verbally to the Gophers, Berkland helped the Trojans win a basketball title this month and was on the 2019 Class 6A football championship team.
Holmgren adds Mr. Basketball to senior year honors
Minnehaha Academy becomes the first school to produce back-to-back winners of the award since Hopkins in 2011 and 2012.
Saturday tourney notebook: Former Fulda coach gets new view as Hayfield dad
From the last day at Target Center: Lance Johnson joins lofty company, Waseca goes overnight, Black officiating crew makes history and another honor for Chet Holmgren.
Wayzata wins first boys' basketball championship since 1959
The veteran Trojans, with four players scoring in double figures, pulled away in the second half en route to a 75-61 victory over Cretin-Derham Hall.
Minnehaha Academy wins fourth state title in last four tries
Led by Chet Holmgren and brothers Hercy and Mercy Miller, the Redhawks raced to an 80-29 victory over Alexandria to win the Class 3A state title.
![Peyton Hemp, Andover at Sunday March 14, 2021 In Edina, MN.] Jerry Holt •Jerry.Holt@startribune.com](https://chorus.stimg.co/22435295/08_1012630221_04PREP033021.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Andover's Peyton Hemp named Ms. Hockey
Minnetonka's Brynn DuLac earned the Senior Goalie of the Year award
Clutch shot gives Waseca 2A championship
Senior guard Ryan Dufault's pull-up baseline jump shot in the final seconds gave the Bluejays a 51-49 victory over Caledonia
Hot-shooting Hayfield holds on to win first basketball state championship
The Vikings, led by senior Ethan Slaathaug's 20 points, escaped with a 61-60 victory over Hancock in the Class 1A title game.
Friday tourney notebook: Two best teams, with stars, met in Class 3A final
From the boys' and girls' tournaments, respect from old teammates now coaching at Wayzata and Shakopee, an early 2A girls' favorite next year, and southwestern Minnesota's title town.
Chaska staves off Rosemount to earn 4A championship
A layup by Kaylee Van Eps in the final seconds gave the Hawks a 45-43 victory in a hard-fought defensive battle from the outset.
Becker finishes off Marshall, completes journey to 3A championship
The Bulldogs, 70-58 victors over previously undefeated Tigers, prevailed a year after their appearance in the 2020 title game was denied by the pandemic.
Albany wins 2A championship with strong finish against Providence Academy
South Dakota State recruit Paige Meyer keyed a 17-5 run over a four-minute stretch late in the second half to propel the Huskies to a 57-43 victory.
Who wins the boys' basketball championships on Saturday?
The Star Tribune's Ron Haggstrom sizes up each of the four classes and delivers a prediction for each.
Minneota holds off furious comeback to win Class 1A championship
The Vikings held off Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa for a 48-45 victory to finish the season undefeated.
Basketball tourney notebook: Hopkins' Maya Nnaji blames herself for streak-ending loss
Also from the girls' and boys' tournaments: Richfield's bond with a superfan, Chaska reloads, Minnehaha injury update and Providence ties to the pros.
Wayzata dominates Shakopee to earn 4A championship game berth
Junior Drew Berkland keyed a fast start that triggered a 22-point lead at halftime and the Trojans cruised to a 72-43 victory.
Cretin-Derham Hall reaches 4A title game with victory over Maple Grove
The Raiders' defense held the Crimson to just 16 points in the first half, opening up a lead they never lost en route to a 54-42 victory.
Girls' basketball championship games offer challenges we're not backing down from
A look at the matchups on Friday in all four classes, and predictions on who will leave with the gold medals.
Minnehaha Academy rolls past DeLaSalle
Led by Chet Holmgren's 25 points and with 10 players scoring, the Redhawks controlled the game throughout en route to a 79-58 victory.
