Metro Athletes of the Week

CASSY LANDBORG

Blaine, hockey

Three months ago, Blaine girls' hockey coach Steve Guider was worried about his goaltending.

"I've been here since Day 1 of this program, and we've had a tremendous string of goalies," he said. "It was hard to get used to seeing the puck go in the net as much as it did."

But Landborg continued to work hard and has improved considerably. She shut out three opponents in eight days, making 14 saves in a 4-0 victory over Anoka on Jan. 5, 21 in 3-0 victory over North Metro last Tuesday and 26 in a 4-0 victory over No. 8, 2A Elk River Saturday.

Her accomplishments seem even more noteworthy considering the sophomore's varsity debut came Dec. 18, a 1-1 tie with Andover.

"Early in the year, she was a little shaky, but lately she's been spectacular," Guider said. "When you watch now, you can just see the confidence level rise, in both her and her teammates."

ALEC AGATE

Hopkins, wrestling

The 160-pound senior improved his record to 18-1 at the Monticello Duals. He pinned all four of his opponents in a total of 6 minutes, 46 seconds. Agate, who also was the top running back for the Royals football team, has 15 pins this season, all but two coming in the first period.

BRITTANY CHAMBERS

Jordan, basketball

The junior guard is as much at home on the hardwood as she is on the volleyball court. She scored 78 points in three games last week as the Jaguars ran their streak of consecutive victories to 13. She is averaging 22.6 points per game and is shooting 51 percent from the field.

COLIN MCCARTY

St. Thomas Academy, wrestling

After beginning the season at 135 pounds, the sophomore has hit his stride since moving down to his more natural 125. He went 6-0 in three meets last week, pinning all six of his opponents. He is 9-1 since moving down in weight.

BRIANNA MASTEY

Becker, basketball

The 6-1 senior outdueled future Gophers teammate Katie Loberg in the Bulldogs' 55-40 victory over Princeton, outscoring Loberg 16-13. Mastey also had 24 points in a victory over Zimmerman and 27 in beating Bloomington Kennedy.

TONY NELSON

Cambridge-Isanti, wrestling

The 215-pound junior was a key figure in a 30-26 victory over St. Michael-Albertville, the Knights' first conference loss since joining the Mississippi 8. Nelson beat No. 1, Class 2A Kyle Schumm 1-0 to secure the victory. He followed up with three victories in the Kiffmeyer Duals in St. Cloud.

NATALIA MERRIFIELD

Bloomington Jefferson, gymnastics

The freshman has turned the heads of many gymnastics observers in her first varsity season. Tuesday, she took first in all four events in a dual-meet victory over Eastview, posting her season-high in the all-around at 38.25.

JORDAN TAYLOR

Benilde-St. Margaret's, basketball

He has a skill set custom fit to play point guard, but the senior can score, too. Last week, the Wisconsin recruit became the leading scorer in school history when he scored 31 points vs. Columbia Heights. In all, Taylor had 84 points in three victories and now has 1,552 career points.

JIM PAULSEN