Athletes of the week

THOMAS BOWLIN

Dakota United, adapted soccer

It didn't matter to Bowlin, a sophomore at Eagan High School, that he had been out of the hospital for only four days. His team needed him and he was going to be there.

The Hawks PI Division team had its undefeated season on the line, trailing 1-0 in the final minutes of a game against South Washington County on Oct. 16. Bowlin, who is wheelchair-bound because of spina bifida and had a shunt in his head replaced Oct. 10, came in to play goalie in order to let the Hawks move their goalie up into the offense.

It worked, and the Hawks managed a 1-1 tie. It also sparked a scoring outburst for Bowlin who, back to playing his normal position of forward, scored eight goals and had five assists in two victories last week as the Hawks completed the regular season with a 9-0-1 record.

"I was supposed to be resting," Bowlin said of the Oct. 16th game. "But I didn't want to sit out. I felt like I had to do something to help."I wasn't sure if he would do it, but he said he was OK," Hawks coach Leah Rosen said. "He is such an incredible athlete and just a great, great kid. The team really looks up to him."

EMMA BATES

Elk River, cross-country

The sophomore, who finished 12th in the Class 2A meet last year, won the Section 7 meet with a time of 15:02.3, more than 30 seconds in front of the second-place finisher.

PIETER GAGNON

Mpls. Washburn, cross-country

The senior followed up his Minneapolis Conference title by winning the Class 2A, Section 6 championship. His time of 15:40.9 was less than 5 seconds off the course record at Gale Woods Park in Minnetonka.

JORDYN BURNS

Benilde-St. Margaret's, soccer

The freshman attacker, who is the Red Knights' top finisher, lifted them to a 2-0 victory over Cloquet in the quarterfinals of the Class 1A state tournament with two second-half goals.

MIKE RALLIS

Edina, football

The versatile senior RB was at his all-purpose best last week. In two 5A, Section 6 playoff victories, he rushed for 134 yards, had 141 yards receiving and scored six TDs.

MICHELLE VOLZ

Lakeville North, cross-country

The junior won the 2A, Section 6 championship for the second consecutive season, completing the 4K course at Brooktree GC in a time of 14:58, the only runner to finish in under 15 minutes.

NICK ZWEBER

New Prague, football

The senior RB/LB rushed for 221 yards, scored three TDs and had 10 tackles in a 31-8 victory over Winona and had 75 yards rushing, a TD and 12 tackles in a 33-13 victory over Faribault.

NILTOOLI WILKINS

Burnsville, tennis

Wilkins completed an undefeated senior season with a three-set victory over Minnetonka's Aria Lambert in the Class 2A singles final. Wilkins lost only two matches in three years.

JIM PAULSEN