Prep athletes of the week: Shortstop to the pitching rescue for champion Chanhassen softball

One pitcher no longer was available. Another had been pulled after Buffalo, Chanhassen's opponent in the Class 4A championship game, loaded the bases in the final inning with no outs.

So, despite having gone nearly a month since she had pitched due to a freak hand injury, Olson, a junior shortstop, was called upon to protect the Storm's 3-run lead. She did, getting a fly out and striking out the last two batters, earning a well-deserved save as Chanhassen won its first softball state title with a 5-3 victory.

"I live for these situations," Olson said after the victory. "I love the pressure. I knew my teammates had my back in the field behind me, and I'm just so proud of everyone."

Coach Joe Coenen asked Olson one question before bringing her into the game.

"I asked 'Can you do this?' " he said. "She looked at me and said 'Yes.' That was all I needed to hear."

Olson was more than just a one-inning pitcher. In three tournament games, she hit .625 (5-for-8) with five runs scored and two RBI.

The junior ended his high school career by winning the Class 2A singles championship, defeating Wayzata's Nick Beaty 6-1, 6-2 in the finals. Allen, who won all four matches in straight sets, plans to graduate early next year to begin his tennis career at the University of Minnesota.

The senior swept the 100 meter and 200 meter wheelchair sprints at the Class 2A track and field meet for the second consecutive year, winning both in record-setting times: 19.45 in the 100, 35.79 in the 200 meters.

The senior, who also plays for Edina's 19-time state champion girls' tennis team, shot a five-over-par 70-77–147 to win the Class 3A, Section 6 championship at the Ridges at Sand Creek. Hankinson tied for second in the Class 3A state meet a year ago.

The junior completed a wire-to-wire run as the No. 1-ranked player in Class 1A by winning the singles championship with a 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) victory over teammate Jack Barker. It was Ingbar's second individual title, having won a doubles championship as a freshman.

The junior attacker stepped up his game and became an offensive force in the Lakers' run to the Section 6 championship. He had seven goals and 10 assists in three playoff games, including a hat trick in a 13-4 victory over Edina in the finals.

JIM PAULSEN