SETH HALVORSEN
Heritage Christian, baseball
The first time Halvorsen stepped to the plate Saturday in the Class 1A state championship game at Target Field, he blasted the first pitch he saw into the left-field seats.
Three at-bats later, after a single to left and a walk, Halvorsen did it again. This time the ball went even farther, landing four rows beyond the 370-foot sign in left center, making him the first high school player to hit two home runs at Target Field since title games were first held at the Twins ballpark in 2010. He finished the game 3-for-3 with four RBI and four runs scored in the Eagles' 8-0 victory over Sleepy Eye.
When he wasn't clubbing mammoth blasts, he was dominant on the mound. Relying on a fastball routinely above 90 miles per hour, Halvorsen struck out 16, scattered five hits and walked two in his shutout.
"Seth was unbelievable," Heritage Christian catcher Taylor Brodersen said. "It's amazing when you can go out with a state championship in your last high school game."
In three tournament games, Halvorsen, who was drafted by the Twins in the 30th round but is planning on playing college ball at the University of Missouri, went 5-for-9 at the plate. He didn't give up a run and recorded 21 strikeouts in nine innings pitched.
AUSTIN JERYLO
Mahtomedi, baseball
The senior pitched a six-hitter in a 5-1 victory over Rocori on Saturday, lifting the Zephyrs to the Class 3A state championship. He added two hits and an RBI in the game. In the quarterfinals, Jerylo picked up a one-inning save in a 3-2 victory over Grand Rapids.
BENJAMIN JUNG
Prior Lake, lacrosse
The junior attackman proved as adept at setting up goals as scoring them in helping the Lakers win the state championship. He had two goals and three assists in Saturday's 10-8 victory over Benilde-St. Margaret's in the finals. He finished with five goals and 10 points in three tournament games.
MOLLY MOYNIHAN
Apple Valley, lacrosse
The senior midfielder provided another weapon to complement Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year Reagan Roelofs in the Eagles' run to the state championship. In three games, Moynihan had nine goals and six assists, picked up four ground balls and had six draw controls.
TRISTAN NELKO
Wayzata, golf
It was quite a week for Nelko. The senior was honored as the 2018 Mr. Minnesota Golf award winner, then went out and shot rounds of 68 and 71 for a total of 139 at Bunker Hills to win the Class 3A championship by four strokes. He has signed play at Nebraska.
KATHRYN VAN ARRAGON
Blaine, golf
Van Arragon, barely 13 and just out of seventh grade, shot a first-round 70 to lead after the first day of the Class 3A girls' state tournament. She withstood the pressure of the second day, shooting a 1-over-par 73 to win the tournament with a two-day score of 1-under 143.
SOPHIA YOEMANS
Red Wing, golf
The Wingers junior was the big story of the Class 2A state meet, setting a meet record with a first-round 63 at the Ridges at Sand Creek. She was nearly as good on Day 2, shooting a 66 to win the meet with a score of 15-under 129.
JIM PAULSEN
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