A couple of classy kids

They come from different backgrounds -- one attends a mid-sized public school on the outskirts of the metropolitan area, the other a prestigious prep school in the heart of the western suburbs -- but together they represent the same thing: Athletic and academic achievement are not mutually exclusive. Blake's Margaret Chute and Cambridge-Isanti's Tony Nelson are the Star Tribune's 2009 Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

Chute has played on three state championship teams at Blake, carries an A average and will bring her widely varied interests (she speaks fluent French, is a painter and has a growing interest in theater arts) to Harvard.

Nelson, a straight-A student, is one of the state's top wrestlers. He won the Class 3A 215-pound championship last winter (he finished the season 47-0) and went on to win a national championship at the same weight. He's also an All-Metro selection as a football linebacker.

Staff writer Jim Paulsen talked to the winners about academics, sports and the high school experience in general.

GPA: Final grades have not been posted, but Chute had a 3.92 GPA in March.

Academic awards: All-State Academic, hockey; member of Blake Cum Laude Society; Blake Harvard Trophy winner; Athena Award winner.

Hockey: Captain; four-time All-Tri-Metro Conference selection; two-time all-state selection; participated on two Class 1A state championship teams (2007 and '09). Cross-country: Captain, two years; four-time All-Tri-Metro Conference selection; six-time state Class 1A meet participant (best finish: 13th, 2007). Lacrosse: Captain, 2009; two-time all-state selection; member of 2008 state champions.

College: Will attend Harvard and play hockey.

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Balancing academics with athletics: "I've been a three-sport athlete since eighth grade. As school work got harder and harder, sports seemed to benefit me more. The more difficult school got, the more I wanted to get out on the field. It was always a benefit to get away from the books for a while."

Making sacrifices: "In the spring, seniors get to design a senior program for the last three weeks of the school year. A lot of my friends used the time to travel and see other parts of the world. But I couldn't leave the lacrosse team while we were still in the running for a state championship. So I missed an immersion opportunity."

The payoff: "I am a hockey player, so that gave me a huge advantage in the admission process to college. It opened doors for me. I had a much easier time applying for college than some of my friends."

Staying grounded through sports: "I'm always surprised when people want to talk to me about athletics. Although they've been really important in my life, sports have always been the constant. What has been more remarkable has been the different and varied things that have come along. New experiences and friendships, things I've tried. Those are what has helped shape me. Sports were always more of a pillar. Something to come back to."

A reason for participation: "When I joined the cross-country team in seventh grade. The team is co-ed and the entire team practiced together. Through forced interaction, I got to experience students of all ages. It was a really neat experience."

Personal philosophy: "Kids know more than they think they do and that it's imperative that they share what they know. Together, there is so much knowledge and experience that, when it's pooled, so much can be accomplished."

GPA: 4.0

Academic awards: National Honor Society; All-State Academic, wrestling.

Football: Two-time All-Mississippi 8 Conference selection; All-Metro linebacker, 2008; Coaches Association All-Star football game selection. Wrestling: 141-18 career record; 47-0 record and the Class 3A 215-pound state championship as a senior; national 215-pound champion at the National High School Coaches Association championships in Virginia Beach, Va. Golf: Captain, 2009.

College: Will attend Minnesota on a wrestling scholarship.

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Balancing academics with athletics: "I've always put academics ahead of athletics. I feel that sports are a big part of your life for only a little while. Your grades and what you do in school are what is going to follow you and get you farther in life. But I've always loved sports. So I put in the extra time to be good in both."

Making sacrifices: "If there's one thing I think I've missed out on, it's sleep. I get up earlier than most kids to do weight-lifting before I go to school. Then after school, I have practice and then homework. I'm not always free at night to do things like hang out with friends. I don't have that extra window to do what I want."

The payoff: "When I went searching for a college, it really helped having that grade-point average. The college recruiters look at that and at what you've accomplished and think that's you're a good person and a smart guy. They think 'Hey, we want this guy.' "

Some things don't come easy: "I'd say that some of the writing classes I've had to take have been the hardest. Writing is one of my weaker points. Some classes can be kind of a breeze, but I took a college-level writing class that was pretty hard. I spent some late nights writing papers and stories. I was glad that the class was over, but it was a challenge and I felt really good about putting the time and effort into it and getting an A."

Best athletic memory: "Winning the national championship this year was pretty big. I knew I was pretty good, but I thought a national championship was kind of a reach."

Setting an example: "I looked up to the older kids when I was a young athlete. I don't want to sound arrogant, but there are kids who see me as a role model. I see kids follow what I do. I think that's fine. I'm glad they have someone to look up to."

Personal philosophy: "Having success takes hard work. If you put in the time and the effort, things will work out."