Katie McAlpin enjoyed her prep swimming career at Hastings. Now as the girls' swimming coach, she's using her passion for the sport to help turn the Raiders program into a winner. They recently won their second consecutive Metro East Conference championship.

"Having such a young team this year and losing three of our four state meet kids from last year, it was such an accomplishment to come back and win the conference again this year," McAlpin said.

Last season's conference title was the program's first in 18 years. The Raiders previously competed in the Suburban East Conference.

The Raiders own every conference record with one exception — diving.

Top performances

• Northfield senior Isaac Stadler kicked a school-record five field goals in the Raiders' 15-3 upset of top-seeded Owatonna in the Class 5A, Section 1 football semifinals. He booted four field goals, including the longest in school history from 47 yards, in the second quarter.

• Junior running back Wade Sullivan rushed for 232 yards on 45 carries and two touchdowns in Lakeville North's 42-28 come-from-behind victory over Stillwater in a Class 6A football playoff game.

Quote

"Halle Johnston is a rock in the backcourt for us. She's so steady, a natural leader, and sets the tone for the rest of our team in practice and on the court." — Lakeville South volleyball coach Stephen Willingham on his junior outside hitter after she recorded her 1,000th career dig against Rosemount.

Ron Haggstrom