Prep athletes of the week

Wahlstrom and her fellow seniors were determined to send a message in last week's home meet against Rosemount.

Not only were they set on defeating their biggest South Suburban Conference rivals, they wanted to do it in style.

"They're a great team and one of the best in the conference," Wahlstrom said. "That was one team we really wanted to beat. So we decided that would be a meet where we really came together as a team, with no negativity. Just support."

It paid off with a 100-85 victory in which the Panthers set six pool records.

Wahlstrom was at the center of the big effort, participating in four record-setting victories: the 50 freestyle (24.61 seconds), 100 butterfly (56.27), the 200 medley relay (1:48.54, also a team record) and the 400 freestyle relay (3:35.50).

"This was a great eye-opener for our team," Wahlstrom said. "It showed what we can do when we work hard, put our minds to something and don't underestimate ourselves. This was absolutely one of my all-time favorite meets."

Ali continued a superb season with a comfortable victory Saturday at the Apple Valley Eagle Invite. His winning 5K time of 15:38.8 was more than 22 seconds ahead of the runner-up.

The junior running back is a highly regarded college prospect because of his 4.45 speed. He showed it off with the finest outing of his career in a 38-22 victory over Coon Rapids, rushing for 297 yards on 25 carries (an 11.9-yard average) and five touchdowns.

Eagan won the prestigious Apple Valley Eagle Invitational last Saturday behind the stellar all-around play of the senior outside hitter. She had 60 kills, a kill percentage of .550 and 32 digs. "Her defense was as fabulous as her offense," coach Kathy Gillen said.

The sophomore forward gave Wayzata fits in a 4-1 victory, scoring three goals and assisting on the fourth. Two days later, he scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Hopkins. He leads the Skippers with 12 goals and 10 assists.

The 5-11 senior middle hitter helped the Knights remain undefeated (8-0) in the Eastern Minnesota Athletic Conference and became the first Athlete of the Week from Nova Academy. In two matches she had 29 kills with a .604 kill percentage.

Jim Paulsen