Prep athletes of the week: Wayzata's Cael Swensen sets school wrestling record for wins

The senior 152-pounder was named after Olympic gold medalist, undefeated four-time NCAA champion and current Penn State coach Cael Sanderson

February 10, 2021 at 7:56PM
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Cael Swensen, Wayzata wrestling, sr., 2021 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

CAEL SWENSEN

Wayzata • wrestling

With the first name of Cael, it stood to reason that wrestling success was in his future.

The senior 152-pounder, named after Olympic gold medalist, undefeated four-time NCAA champion and current Penn State coach Cael Sanderson, set the Wayzata school record for career victories with the 198th of his career. That broke the mark set by Weston Droegemueller.

Normally Swensen, the 2020 Class 3A 138-pound champion, likes to extend matches and score points to work on his craft. But he said he made short work of the record-setting match because he knew its magnitude.

"I get a lot of takedowns and work on stuff, but I knew there was going to be an announcement, so I got it over quick.," he said of his 14-second victory. "This was a goal I set as a sixth-grader, so it's pretty awesome to accomplish it."

Swensen said his namesake is his favorite wrestler, followed by David Taylor, who was coached by Sanderson and won two NCAA titles. Swensen even patterns his style after them and leans heavily on the ankle pick, Sanderson's signature move and one also perfected by Taylor.

"That's my best move and their best move," said Swensen, who has signed with South Dakota State. "I try to copy a lot of the things they do."

XAVIER GARCIA

St. Paul Humboldt • basketball

The senior small forward, who transferred from St. Croix Lutheran, helped the Hawks to a 90-64 victory over St. Paul Washington and an 86-71 victory against St. Paul Como Park 86-71. In those two games, he had a combined 42 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists.

DAVIS ISOM

St. Paul Highland Park • Nordic skiing

Leaning heavily on a double-pole technique, the sophomore won a 5K classic-style race at Elm Creek Park in a time of 14 minutes, 7 seconds despite frigid temperatures and strong winds. It was his second victory in two races this season.

JAKE KELLER

Wayzata • hockey

The senior forward left his mark all over the Trojans' score sheets last week. He had a hat trick and added two assists in a 7-1 victory over Buffalo. He posted an identical score line two days later in an 8-2 rout of St. Michael-Albertville.

ALEXIS PRATT

Stillwater • basketball

The 5-5 point guard, often the shortest player on the floor, continues to stand tall for the undefeated Ponies. She had 52 points in victories over White Bear Lake and East Ridge, making seven three-pointers and collecting six assists and six steals.

EMMANUEL SCHMITTER

Eagan • basketball

The 6-3 sophomore guard led the Wildcats to victories over Apple Valley 54-45 and Prior Lake 61-58 (OT), averaging 21.5 points and seven rebounds. His two free throws sent the Prior Lake game to overtime and he later assisted on the game-winning basket.

AUDREY SWANSON

Basketball • basketball

Two fine all-around performances by Swanson, a junior guard, guided the Wildcats to wins over New Prague (80-38) and Jordan (77-47). She averaged 19.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists as Waconia improved to 6-0.

Jim Paulsen

Nominate an athlete: Send an e-mail with supporting information to preps@startribune.com. Include a photo and a link to video of the athlete in action (if possible).

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Xavier Garcia, St. Paul Humboldt basketball, 2020-21 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Davis Isom, St. Paul Highland Park Nordic ski racing, 2020-21 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Jake Keller, Wayzata hockey, sr., 2020-21 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Alexis Pratt of Stillwater played against Roseville. ] LEILA NAVIDI • leila.navidi@startribune.comBACKGROUND INFORMATION: Roseville High School girls basketball played Stillwater High School in Oak Park Heights on Friday, January 29, 2021. Stillwater won the game 77-60. ORG XMIT: MIN2102032138590144 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Emmanuel Schmitter, Eagan basketball, 2021 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Audrey Swanson, Waconia basketball, 2020-21 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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