RICKY FLOYD

Benilde-St. Margaret's • football

When he was in first grade, the junior tailback recalls fifth-graders often challenging him to foot races.

"I'd always win," he said.

That blazing speed — he's been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.34 seconds — has begun paying off in a big way this season.

Last Friday he ran past the St. Louis Park defense for 459 yards and seven touchdowns in a 63-36 victory. He came up just five yards short of the state record of 464 yards, set by DeLaSalle's Alexander Robinson in 2005.

"My [offensive] line did a good job. The holes were wide open and I just ran through team," he said. "But I keep thinking if I would have done one thing on a certain plway or followed a certain block, I would have had enough yards to pass Robinson."

Or if he had played in the fourth quarter. He put up his huge numbers, which included touchdowns on runs of 50, 73, 21, 51, 65, 90 and 50 yards, in just three quarters of play.

"We were aware that he was having a great game," co-coach Pat Krieger said. "But it's a different story if we put him out there and he tears and ACL or breaks a leg. We were ahead by 29. We felt it was time to pull him."

MARIENA HAYDEN

Belle Plaine • volleyball

To celebrate her college commitment to Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV), the junior outside hitter led Belle Plaine, ranked No. 1 in Class 2A, to victories over Southwest Christian (3-1) and Le Sueur-Henderson (3-0) with 53 kills, 19 digs and 5 ace serves.

JADE KING

Eagan • soccer

The senior forward was an unstoppable force for the Class 2A, No. 1-ranked Wildcats in their 7-0 victory over Lakeville South on Thursday. She scored a career-high five goals and had two assists, giving her a team-leading 12 goals and 9 assists.

ANASTASIA KORZENOWSKI

Shakopee • cross-country

The junior won for the third time this season, taking first place at the Metro Invitational Saturday at Round Lake Park in Eden Prairie. The victory can just nine days after winning the Bauman/Rovn Invite at Gale Woods Farm in Minnetrista.

DAN PIETRUSZEWSKI

South St. Paul • football

The senior quarterback guided the Packers to a victory over rival St. Thomas Academy for the second consecutive season. He rushed 15 times for 132 yards and completed 7 of 11 passes for 196 yards and three TDs.

LAURA SNYDER

Blaine • volleyball

Behind the leadership of the junior setter/right-side hitter, the Bengals pulled out tight, five-set victories over Maple Grove and Elk River. She had 39 set assists, 32 kills, a .413 hitting efficiency, 18 digs and 7 blocks.

LAURYN SOBASKY

St. Croix Lutheran • volleyball

The junior setter/hitter had a triple-double0— 17 kills, 13 assists and 10 digs — in a five-set victory over Forest Lake and 9 kills and 11 assist, topping 1,000 assists for her career, in a victory over Columbia Heights.

JIM PAULSEN

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