Prep Athletes of the Week: Nordic skier Tim Tzeutschler of St. Paul Highland Park wins for fun now

Tzeutschler skis for fun. He added a serious aspect to his enjoyment following his sophomore season.

“Our coach talked to us after the season about how skiers improve the most during the summer,” Tzeutschler said. “The summer after my sophomore year, I put my head down and went to work.”

The senior won the Twin Cities Conference championship with a time of 22 minutes, 44 seconds over the 8-kilometer course at Theodore Wirth Park.

“This has been a breakthrough year for me,” Tzeutschler said.

Scots coach Brad Moening has witnessed the change firsthand.

“His transformation as an athlete has been very fun to watch,” Moening said. “Tim has improved because of his work ethic. He doesn’t miss workouts, doesn’t make excuses and is always getting it done.”

Tzeutschler’s runner-up finish in the freestyle race at the Giants Ridge Invitational in the second meet of the season provided the springboard.

“Tim is one of the top skiers in the state because he had a dream and made it happen,” Moening said. “He has been consistently performing at a high level all season.”

And to think, it all got started because the team had “cool jackets.”

“My friend was on the team as a seventh-grader and I thought their jackets were cool and wanted to wear one,” Tzeutschler said. “Once I got into the sport I fell in love with it. It’s so fun.”

Ode, a 5-11 junior wing who has committed to Michigan State, has been stellar the past five games for the Crimson (16-3), ranked third in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News. She is averaging 26.2 points per game during that stretch, capped by a career-best 33-point performance in an 86-80 victory over Class 2A, No. 1 Providence Academy. “Jordan is so smooth and makes really difficult shots and situations look easy,” Crimson coach Mark Cook said.

The future Gophers wrestler has his sights set on a fourth state championship. Nelson has run his record to 38-1 this season and is ranked No. 1 at 139 pounds by The Guillotine. “Jack has had a great season and is a big reason for our team’s success so far,” Mound Westonka coach Todd Munsterteiger said. “He works hard to not only get a win but get bonus points for us.” A senior, Nelson owns a career record of 146-18.

Pihlstrom continues to be a model of consistency. The junior was the medalist for the sixth time this season with a time of 44.55 seconds in an Independent Metro Athletic Conference meet at Buck Hill. She won the Giants Ridge Invitational earlier this season. “Vivien is an incredible skier with great tactics,” Bears coach Robbie Massie said. “She almost never gets thrown off her platform.” Pihlstrom finished third in the state meet a year ago.

The Gophers recruit has turned it up a notch heading into the final month of the season. Nevers has seven goals and six assists for 13 points over a four-game stretch for the Hornets. The senior forward has 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points for the Hornets (18-2-1), who are ranked second in Class 2A by Let’s Play Hockey.

Keith is in her initial season on the Cougars squad. The senior is one of the top performers in the state with an top all-around score of 37.7. “Only her first year on the team and she has already cemented herself in the top five for scoring in school history for vault, bars, floor and all-around,” Cougars coach Dusty Rotegard said. “Piper brings energy, work ethic and an unparalleled determination each day.”

The junior guard is doing his best to get the Red Knights (10-8) headed down the right track. Donley had 32 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in an 83-54 victory at Orono and followed with a 29-point, four-rebound, four-assist performance in a 76-73 triumph at Chaska. “Jaleel has been playing well within the system and has been using his unique blend of speed and agility to attack the rim,” Red Knights coach Damian Johnson said.

Nominate an athlete: Send an email with supporting information to preps@startribune.com. Include a photo and a link, if available, to video.