MARK HALL

Apple Valley • Wrestling

Taking the mat for his Class 3A 170-pound championship match, Hall, a sophomore, had on a singlet that never before had been worn in competition. Shimmering white with an explosion of Apple Valley brown and streaks of gold, it was the wrestling equivalent of a University of Oregon football uniform.

"It's a prototype," Hall said. "We were supposed to all get them, but we only have one."

Fitting, because there's only one Mark Hall. A once-in-a-lifetime blend of strength, speed, balance and agility, with a work ethic and single-mindedness to match, Hall won his fourth state championship Saturday, completing his second consecutive undefeated season. If he continues to win at this rate, he will become the first six-time champion in state history.

"This one was pretty special," he said. "I usually don't get nervous, but this means a lot more than I thought it would."

While Hall is the epitome of calm on the mat, he did admit that there is one thing that he fears more than any opponent.

"Tests. I really get nervous before a test," he said. "I have to listen to the same music to get ready for a test that I do for a match."

COLTER ALLEN

Fridley • Swimming

The versatile senior, who will swim for the University of Iowa, won his first two state titles at the Class 1A meet, taking first place in the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly, pacing the Tigers to a fifth-place finish.

TANNER ALMS

Red Wing • Swimming

The senior distance specialist completed his career with five individual state championships, winning the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle at the Class 1A meet. It was his fourth consecutive victory in the 500.

KENISHA BELL

Bloomington Kennedy • Basketball

The Eagles are streaking, having won 12 of 13 with the senior guard leading the way. She scored 70 points in three victories last week, including a season-high 29 as the Eagles downed Burnsville 79-70.

MADISON GUEBERT

Eastview • Basketball

A first team All-Metro selection in 2013, the junior guard has improved her overall game in 2014. She scored 63 points in two victories last week, with a career-high 37 in a victory over Burnsville. Eastview finished the regular season 25-1.

TAYLOR KOENEN

Shakopee • Basketball

The Sabers clinched the final Missota Conference championship, finishing 12-2 in league play. Their sophomore guard and leading scorer had 71 points in four victories and topped 1,000 points for her career.

tommy thorn

St. Michael-Albertville • Wrestling

With his victory in the 126-pound final at the Class 3A tournament, the senior finished his career with four state titles. His victory made history as the 11th state title for the Thorn family, a state record.

JIM PAULSEN