RICKY FLOYD
Benilde-St. Margaret's • football
When he was in first grade, the junior tailback recalls fifth-graders often challenging him to foot races.
"I'd always win," he said.
That blazing speed — he's been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.34 seconds — has begun paying off in a big way this season.
Last Friday he ran past the St. Louis Park defense for 459 yards and seven touchdowns in a 63-36 victory. He came up just five yards short of the state record of 464 yards, set by DeLaSalle's Alexander Robinson in 2005.
"My [offensive] line did a good job. The holes were wide open and I just ran through team," he said. "But I keep thinking if I would have done one thing on a certain plway or followed a certain block, I would have had enough yards to pass Robinson."
Or if he had played in the fourth quarter. He put up his huge numbers, which included touchdowns on runs of 50, 73, 21, 51, 65, 90 and 50 yards, in just three quarters of play.
"We were aware that he was having a great game," co-coach Pat Krieger said. "But it's a different story if we put him out there and he tears and ACL or breaks a leg. We were ahead by 29. We felt it was time to pull him."
MARIENA HAYDEN
Belle Plaine • volleyball
To celebrate her college commitment to Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV), the junior outside hitter led Belle Plaine, ranked No. 1 in Class 2A, to victories over Southwest Christian (3-1) and Le Sueur-Henderson (3-0) with 53 kills, 19 digs and 5 ace serves.
