Athletes of the week

ROB ANKENY

Benilde-St. Margaret's, hockey

The senior goalie is a living, skating testament to perseverance.

At the start of the season, Ankeny was told the he would be, at best, the Red Knights' third-string goalie. But starter Mike Shibrowski left to play junior hockey in December and Jacob Meyers broke a finger last week.

Thrust into the starting role, Ankeny made the best of his opportunity, making 37 saves in a 3-2 overtime victory over 2008 Class 2A champion Hill-Murray and following that up with a 17-save shutout in a 5-0 victory over Totino-Grace.

"It's kind of funny how it all worked out," Ankeny said. "In the beginning, I was just happy to be a part of this team, even if it was just as a practice goalie."

"It was kind of surreal. One day, I'm just the practice guy, and the next, I'm stuck in there against the defending state champs."

He wasn't about to let his moment slip away from him. He had confidence he could play the Pioneers tough, having beaten them last year.

"I knew this was my last big shot and I just wanted to make the most of it," Ankeny said. "It was so much fun to get the chance and just go out and play with no pressure."

CHRISTY HAMMOND

Roseville, gymnastics

The Raiders senior quietly has been putting up some impressive scores. Her 38.5 in the all-around against Stillwater last week is the second-best in the metro so far this season.

CARTER KELLY

Edina, swimming

Kelly won the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke in a dual-meet victory over Wayzata and won the same two events in Edina's Class 2A True Team meet victory Saturday.

LINDSEY JOHNSON

St. Louis Park, Nordic skiing

The senior took first place at the 12-team Twin Cities Conference meet, skiing the Baker Park course in a combined 32 minutes, 28 seconds to help the Orioles to the team championship.

TREY SCOTT

Spring Lake Park, basketball

The senior guard lived up to his first name in an 85-81 loss to Cooper, scoring 29 points while hitting a team-record nine three pointers. Scott also scored 29 in a victory over St. Louis Park.

EMILY KAUS

Eastview, basketball

Kaus' value to the Lightning is not measured in sheer numbers. She averages nearly nine points and a team-leading 12 rebounds per game as the Lightning has won seven of its past eight games.

MATT ZAGER

Shakopee, basketball

January has been a month of milestones for the senior swingman. He scored his 1,000th career point Jan. 9, and last week, he set a school record with a 50-point performance in a 72-51 victory over Farmington.

JENNA WOELFEL

Annandale, gymnastics

She won the all-around in a victory over Maple Lake and at the Buffalo Invitational, both times scoring higher than 37. The senior has won the all-around in all but one meet this season.

JIM PAULSEN