Prep athletes of the week: Joe Klecker of Hopkins does something big

Going into Friday's Howard Wood Relays in Sioux Falls, S.D., Klecker had a feeling that he was on the verge of something big in the 3,200-meter run.

"I have a really good friend from Sioux Falls [Will Lauer], and we talked about going out fast before the race," Klecker said. "I knew the fastest time in the nation so far was 8:52. I thought I could get 8:50."

He did, running the fastest 3,200 meters by a high schooler this season with a time of 8:50.1.

"I had previously run a 4:25 miles — which is an 8:50 pace — and that felt pretty easy," the senior said. "I was pretty happy when I crossed that line, but what was going through my mind was how much room there was for improvement."

The race came one week after Klecker won the 1,600 at the Hamline Elite Meet in a state-best time of 4:10.51. "That was a big victory, too, but I felt like I ran better in Sioux Falls," he said.

Now all that's left for the University of Colorado recruit is to win a state championship, which has eluded him thus far.

"That's my biggest goal," he said. "I haven't gotten one yet."

The senior pitcher went 6-0 last week and led the Lightning to the championship of the Eastview Great 8 Tournament. She pitched 37 innings, gave up 19 hits and three runs and struck out 45, improving her record to 12-3 on the season.

The senior won the Crimson Invitational at Maple Grove Tuesday when he threw the discus 191 feet, 11 inches, a personal best and the fourth-best throw in the nation this year. He also won the shot put with a throw of more than 51 feet. He has signed with Marquette.

The Raiders won three times last week with Huebner, a senior second baseman, lighting the way offensively. He went 8-for-12 (.667) with a home run, three doubles and four singles. He scored four runs, drove in four and played flawlessly in the field with nine putouts.

SAM PLOHASZ

After losing their first seven games, the Huskies have rebounded with six victories in seven games, including three last week. In four games overall, the senior shortstop went 11-for-15, doubled three times, tripled once, drove in six runs and scored three.

JIM PAULSEN