Hard work works for section champ

A summer of hard work paid a big dividend for the St. Paul Central junior. Now she just has to stay healthy to enjoy it.

She defeated Natalie Phippen of Stillwater 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 to win the Section 4, Class 2A singles championship and advance to the Class 2A state tournament for the third year in a row.

While harboring dreams of a championship, Klass-Warch admits that her state tournament goals are far smaller.

"I just want to win a match, since I haven't won one there before," she said. "Last year I got injured right before the tournament, and two years ago I was injured during it."

Playing an attacking style that is unusual in girls' tennis, Klass-Warch said she feels she's playing well enough to make some noise in the tournament.

"I played a lot of tournaments and tough matches over the summer," she said. "I improved a lot. I'm performing really well right now. Making it to the medal round would be amazing."

Klass-Warch said this might be her last season playing singles. She is giving serious thought to trying to qualify for the tournament in doubles next year with younger sister Zoe.

Edmond rushed seven times for 263 yards (37.5 yards per carry) and three touchdowns, highlighted by a 92-yard run. He added eight tackles as the Beacons posted a 35-24 come-from-behind victory over New Life Academy.

The senior quarterback has been the go-to player for the improved Hawks. In a 44-14 victory over Minneapolis Edison, he rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 156 yards and another score.

Three weeks ago, Knox was toiling away with Ponies' sophomore team. Now, he's a varsity record-holder. The 5-8, 160-pound running back, called to duty because of injuries, had a school-record 48 carries for 280 yards and a touchdown in a 21-14 victory over Hastings.

The senior running back/safety was a force on both sides of the ball in the Cadets' 34-0 rout of South St. Paul. He rushed nine times for 132 yards, caught three passes for 65 yards, scored two touchdowns and made 9 1/2 tackles, three of them for losses.

Known for her scoring touch on the soccer pitch and the hockey rink, the junior midfielder scored five goals in three Section 6, 1A playoff games, including two goals in a 3-1 victory over Orono in the championship game.

Rutscher was the only double individual winner at the Class 2A True Team meet Saturday. She won the 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke and also swam on the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay teams that finished second.