Prep athletes of the week

JAKE HILL

South St. Paul, football

As recently as last year, Hill never believed he would be as good as recently graduated Sam Sura, who reached near-legendary status at South St. Paul as one of the most prolific running backs in school history.

But Hill is making a case to be considered in the same echelon as Sura. The senior rushed for 298 yards on 37 carries and scored two touchdowns Friday as the Packers held off Tartan 24-14 to improve to 5-0 this season.

"Coming into this year I thought it would be hard to play at Sam Sura's level, but I watched him a lot," Hill said. "He taught me just to wait and see what the offensive line does and it's made the game come a lot easier."

Hill made sure to give credit to those responsible for his big game.

"The line was unbelievable," Hill said. "I think I hugged each one of them about 100 times."

Hill has rushed for nearly 1,000 yards through five games. He says he's not surprised the Packers are undefeated, despite having lost some serious talent to graduation.

"I think a lot of people thought we wouldn't be as good this year, but every guy on this team worked hard and has come together," Hill said. "We came out pumped the first week and started flying around and we haven't stopped flying since."

OBSA ALI

Richfield, soccer/cross-country

The junior had a goal and an assist Tuesday in a victory over Tartan. Four days later, he won the Maroon Division at the Roy Griak Invitational, covering the 5K course in a time of 16 minutes, 17 seconds.

LAURA FINN

Delano, tennis

The Tigers' No. 1 singles player improved her record to 22-3 this season and won her fifth Wright County Conference title with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Annandale's Kaytlin Kuefler in the singles final.

OLIVIA PARADISE

Mahtomedi, tennis

Only a seventh-grader, Paradise recently completed a perfect regular season playing No. 2 singles. Paradise -- granddaughter of hockey legend Herb Brooks -- was 17-0, helping the Zephyrs to a No. 2-seed in the upcoming section playoffs.

ASHANTI PAYNE

Cooper, football

The senior halfback averaged an eye- popping 31.1 yards per carry in Friday's 48-26 victory over Fridley. He rushed eight times for 249 yards and scored on touchdowns on runs of 84, 41 and 45 yards.

LAUREN (RED) PUGLISI

Woodbury, diving

Puglisi remained undefeated in six-dive meets this season when she won the Maroon Division one-meter diving at the Maroon and Gold Invitational. Her score of 230.75 points was her best of the year.

ZACK SUNDLY

North Branch, football

The North Branch senior quarterback rushed for 287 yards and four touchdowns (of 83, 32, 7 and 7 yards), and he also caught a touchdown pass as the Vikings outlasted St. Louis Park 42-35 to improve to 2-3 this season.

JIM PAULSEN