DYLLAN LUBBESMEYER

Burnsville • Hockey

Playing varsity minutes for the first time in his career and saddled with a 1-3 record, the junior goalie knew something had to change.

Lubbesmeyer quit listening to his brain, relied on instinct and has turned himself into one of the top goaltenders in the South Suburban Conference.

He has played every minute of the season in goal for the Blaze, leading the team to a 14-2-1 record since its sluggish start. He posted his team-record tying fifth and sixth shutouts of the season last week, boosting his save percentage to a gaudy .924

"I was overthinking things," Lubbesmeyer said. "I was going into the locker room trying to visualize, trying to get focused, doing all of this extra stuff when what I really needed to do was just go out there and play."

Lubbesmeyer's rapid improvement can be traced to more than just a mental adjustment. He spent the entire offseason preparing for this opportunity.

"When everyone else was partying or going to the beach, I was going to bed early, getting up early and training all summer," he said. "I work hard in practice. I've been ready for this."

Kiersten Falck, Blaine hockey, sr., 2013-14

KIERSTEN FALCK

Blaine • Hockey

The Bengals' leading scorer has a reputation for making teammates better. That talent was on display last week as she scored two goals and assisted on six more to lift Blaine to the Northwest Suburban title with 5-1 victories over Anoka and Centennial.

JUSTIN HEROLD-PLAKUT

Woodbury • Wrestling

The senior 152-pounder went 7-0 on the week, leading the Royals to victories in six of seven dual meets. Every time he wins, he increases his school record for victories in a career. He's 31-3 this season and 203-48 for his career.

NICK REIS

Cretin-Derham Hall • Hockey

The second of his two goals, with one minute remaining, lifted the Raiders' to a 4-3 victory over St. Thomas Academy on Tuesday. The junior winger then added a hat trick in an 8-1 rout of Woodbury and scored the lone goal in a 1-1 tie with Mounds View.

CODY SKOG

Cambridge-Isanti • Wrestling

The senior 160-pounder had a 5-0 week, helping the Bluejackets to dual-meet victories over No. 1, 2A Simley and No. 6, 3A Owatonna. He improved to 30-5 and became just the second wrestler in the history of the program to reach 200 victories.

BECKY SMITH

Orono • Hockey

The senior forward signed with Minnesota Duluth to play softball, but she's also a pretty fair hockey player. Last week she had six goals and four assists in victories over Hutchinson, Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato and Holy Family, increasing her team-leading point total to 36.

NAJA WOODS

Mpls. Southwest • Basketball

A 25-point effort in the Lakers' 70-59 victory over St. Paul Highland Park moved the senior guard into the top spot on the schools' career scoring list with 1,575 points. Woods has scored in double figures in each game this season and leads the team with a 22.8-point average.