July 24 -26 2026
2026 Gopher State Tournament of Champions Welcome Letter
Welcome to the Gopher State Tournament of Champions!
On behalf of Minnesota Youth Athletic Services (MYAS), welcome to the 22nd Annual Gopher State Tournament of Champions (GSTC), one of the premier youth baseball events in the Midwest and a tradition that has become a hallmark of community-based baseball throughout Minnesota and beyond.
This event holds a special place in my heart. In 2005, I had the privilege of helping create the Gopher State Tournament of Champions with a vision of providing youth baseball players, coaches, families, and communities from the Upper Midwest with a first-class championship experience that celebrated competition, sportsmanship, and community pride. Twenty-one years later, it is incredibly rewarding to see that vision continue to thrive and impact thousands of young athletes each summer.
The GSTC is more than a tournament. It is a celebration of community-based youth baseball and the communities that make it possible. From small towns to larger metropolitan associations, teams from across Minnesota, eastern North Dakota, and western Wisconsin come together to represent their programs, their families, and their communities, while competing for the coveted ring.
This year's event carries added significance as MYAS celebrates 35 years of service to youth sports. For more than three decades, MYAS has remained committed to strengthening community-based athletics through leadership, innovation, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to providing a safe, positive, and productive experience for youth through sport. The continued growth and success of the GSTC reflects the strength of that mission and the countless volunteers, coaches, administrators, and community leaders who make community-based youth baseball possible.
What makes the GSTC special is not simply the number of teams or games played. It is the opportunity it provides for young athletes to create moments that last a lifetime, build friendships, learn valuable life lessons, and experience the excitement of championship competition. Long after the final score is forgotten, the moments shared with teammates, coaches, parents, and communities remain.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the association leaders, volunteer coaches, tournament directors, host organizations, umpires, assigners, UIC’s, medical personnel and liaisons, and the members of the MYAS team, whose dedication and hard work make an event of this magnitude possible. Your commitment helps ensure a safe, organized, and memorable experience for every participant.
As we begin another historic GSTC, we encourage players to compete with passion, coaches to lead with integrity, and spectators to model the sportsmanship and respect that youth sports deserve. Our young athletes are watching and learning from all of us.
To every player taking the field over the three weekends of play for the GSTC: embrace the moment, trust your preparation, support your teammates, and represent your community with pride.
Thank you for being part of the 22nd Annual Gopher State Tournament of Champions and for helping continue a tradition that has positively impacted community-based youth baseball for more than two decades.
Good luck to all teams, and let the games begin!
Yours in Baseball,
Dawson N. Blanck MYAS Executive Director
2026
ROSTER INFO
• Input Online roster at https://myasrp.com/pages/home
COACHES
CHECK -IN
• Team Gate Fee ($200) Host organizations are listed in the Facility portion of this Fan Guide
• All teams must check-in prior to the tournament at Tournament HQ
ADMISSIONS
• There are no Admissions for spectators at the GSTC
• The team Gate Fee will be submitted in lieu of admissions and made out to the Host
RULES & PITCH COUNTS
• All teams are responsible to be familiar with the playing and pitch count rules for their age division prior to their first game.
SCHEDULES, MAPS and OTHER TOURNAMENT INFO
All schedules, maps and tournament information can be found at myasrp.com Schedules will be updated throughout the weekend with game scores and bracket advancement.
WEATHER UPDATES / ALERTS
All weather notifications will be posted with the schedules in Register Play.
SEEDING REVEALS
Every Tournament Field, Final Seedings and Pool Placements were determined entirely by the participating Coaches.
Rings at Target Field before a Twins Game!
VS AUG 10th 6:40PM
Wayzata
Minnetonka Cloquet
Chanhassen Grey
Blaine Fargo 61’s Red
Delano
Fargo 61’s Blue
Hermantown
Eau Claire A’ s
Goodview
Wayzata Blue
Minnetonka
Brainerd
Mankato
Minnetonka White
Cold
St. Charles
Wayzata Gold
Lyle Pacelli
Shoreview Wayzata Springfield
Minnetonka Blue
Minnetonka
Lake Elmo Wayzata
Wayzata
Goodview
Spring Lake Park Highland Gold
Elk River
East Ridge
Esko
BOLD
Lake Elmo West Fargo Sluggers
St. Paul Highland Chanhassen
Lakeville North
Armstrong Cooper
2019 (12AA)
Albert Lea
2018 (14/15A)
Andover
2021 (12AA) 2022 (10AA, 11AA)
Atwater
2021 (12A)
Big Willow 2023 (10A)
Blaine
2024 (13AAA)
Bloomington
2020 (12A)
BOLD
2019 (12A) 2025 (13A)
Brainerd-Baxter
2023 (10AA)
Buffalo
2018 (9U)
Centennial
2021 (15AAA)
Chanhassen
2017 (12AAA)
2019 (14AAA)
2024 (12A) 2025 (15AAA)
Chatfield
2022 (12A)
Cloquet
2024 (12AA)
Delano
2021 (10AA)
2022 (19AA) 2024 (13A)
East Ridge
2019 (13AA)
2020 (14AAA) 2021 (9U) 2022 (10AAA, 12AA, 10A)
Eastview 2023 (14/15A)
PAST CHAMPIONS
Eden Prairie
2018 (11AA) 2023 (15AAA)
Eden Valley-Watkins 2021 (14/15A)
Edina
2019 (15AAA)
2021 (10AAA, 15AA) 2022 (9AAA, 11AAA)
Elk River
2019 (15AAA) 2024 (11AAA) 2025 (12AAA)
Esko
2024 (11A)
2025 (13AA)
Eau Claire
2024 (15AAA)
Fargo
2024 (13AA, 14AAA)
Farmington
2017 (10A) 2022 (14AAA) 2023 (15AA)
Grand Rapids
2019 (11AA)
Goodview
2024 (15AA) 2025 (11A)
Hastings
2018 (12AAA)
Hermantown
2024 (14AA)
Hopkins
2017 (14AA)
Hutchinson 2019 (14AA)
Jordan
2019 (13A)
Lake Elmo
2018 (11AAA, 15AAA)
2020 (9U)
2021 (12AAA, 13AA, 14AAA
2024 (9AAA)
2025 (10AAA, 14AAA)
LCWN Knights
2021 (10A)
Lyle Pacelli 2023 (13AA)
Mankato
2019 (10AAA)
2021 (13AAA)
2022 (12AAA, 13A) 2023 (11A)
2025 (11AA)
Miesville
2022 (14/15A)
Minnetonka
2018 (13A, 15AA)
2020 (10AAA, 11A)
2022 (13AA) 2023 (9AAA, 11A)
2024 (10AAA, 12AAA)
2025 (9AAA, 9AA, 10AA)
Minneapolis Millers
2021 (11AAA)
New Richmond
2019 (10AA)
Northrup
2018 (13AA)
Oakdale
2021 (13A)
OMGAA
2019 (12AAA)
Orono
2018 (10AA) 2020 (10A)
Plainview
2019 (15AA)
Prior Lake
2017 (14AAA, 15AA, 13AA)
2018 (12A) 2021 (11AA)
Proctor
2022 (11A)
Randolph 2017 (14/15A)
Red Wing
2017 (12AA)
River Falls 2017 (11AA)
Rochester
2018 (11A) 2019 (9U
Rogers-Otsego 2017 (12A)
Rosemount
2022 (13AAA) 2023 (10AAA)
Roseville 2017 (13AAA)
Sartell
2022 (14AA) 2024 (9AA)
Shoreview 2023 (11AAA, 13A)
Somerset 2018 (10A)
South St. Paul 2017 (11A)
Spring Lake Park 2023 (9AA) 2025 (12AA)
Springfield 2023 (14AA)
St. Anthony 2020 (11AA)
St. Charles
2021 (11A) 2023 (12AA)
PAST CHAMPIONS
STMA
2017 (9U) 2018 (10AAA, 14AA, 14AAA) 2019 (11AAA)
St. Paul Highland 2025 (12A, 15AA)
Totino-Grace 2017 (15AAA)
Waconia 2024 (10A)
Wayzata
2017 (10AA, 11AAA, 10AAA, 15AAA) 2018 (13AAA) 2019 (10A, 11A) 2020 (11AAA, 12AA, 13AA)
2021 (14AA) 2022 (15AA, 15AAA) 2023 (12A, 14AAA) 2024 (11AA, 14/15A) 2025 (10A, 11AAA)
West Fargo 2023 (13AAA) 2024 (10AA) 2025 (14AA)
White Bear Lake 2020 (13AAA)
Woodbury
2017 (13A) 2019 (14/15A)
Youth Sports Done Right
501(c)3
To Protect and Serve community-based, parent-volunteer youth sports organizations throughout the state of Minnesota
Organization
Multi-Sport Organization In the State of Minnesota ESTABLISHED In 1991 OVER 150,000 Participants Annually 200+ YEARS Combined Staff Experience
What We Do
EVENT & LEAGUE
ADMINISTRATION
Over 300 events in multiple sports while providing support and administration services to groups outside the scope of the MYAS.
FUNDRAISING
Every MYAS event is utilized as a fundraiser for local youth sports organizations. Over 2.5 million raised every year.
LEADERSHIP
Our own “Best Practices” allow the MYAS to support and guide the future of youth sports in Minnesota.
2026 Gopher State Tournament of Champions
Stats as of: 7/22/2026
SETH HALVORSEN MLB Debut:
Heritage Christian Academy 9/20/2024 Currently: MLB | Los Angeles Dodgers
2026
CONNOR NORBY
Debut: Brooklyn Park 6/3/2024
Currently: AAA | Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
Current 2026 MiLB Stats:
SAM HENTGES
Debut:
Mounds View High School 4/20/2021
Currently: MLB | San Francisco Giants
Current 2026 MLB Stats: W-L: 1-2 ERA: 1.80 K’s: 23 WHIP: 1.55
CALEB THIELBAR
Debut: Randolph High School 5/20/2013
Currently: MLB | Chicago Cubs
Current 2026 MLB Stats: W-L: 2-2 ERA: 4.34 K
BRANDON WILLIAMSON
Debut: Martin County West High School 5/16/2023 Currently: MLB | Cincinnati Reds (60-IL)
Current 2026 MLB Stats: W-L: 2-3 ERA: 6.11 K’s: 19 WHIP: 1.64
JAKE IRVIN
Debut: Bloomington Jefferson High School 5/3/2023
Currently: MLB | Washington Nationals (Rehab)
Current 2026 MLB Stats: W-L: 2-4 ERA: 5.23 K’s: 58 WHIP: 1.35
2026 Gopher State Tournament of Champions
Stats as of: 7/22/2026
MICHAEL BUSCH MLB Debut:
Simley High School 4/23/2023
Currently: MLB | Chicago Cubs
Current 2026 MLB Stats:
AVG: .244 HR: 13 RBI: 54 OPS: .775
MATT WALLNER MLB Debut: Forest Lake High School 9/17/2022
Currently: AAA | St. Paul Saints
Current 2026 MiLB Stats:
AVG: .269 HR: 15 RBI: 45 OPS: .904
ISAAC COLLINS
Debut:
Maple Grove High School 9/8/2024
Currently: MLB | Kansas City Royals
Current 2026 MLB Stats:
AVG: .247 HR: 5 RBI: 32 OPS: .715
MAX MEYER MLB Debut: Woodbury High School 7/16/2022
Currently: MLB | Miami Marlins (15-IL)
Current 2026 MLB Stats: W-L: 9-1 ERA: 2.68 K’s: 121 WHIP: 1.14
LOUIE VARLAND MLB Debut: North St. Paul High School 9/7/2022
Currently: MLB | Toronto Blue Jays
Current 2026 MLB Stats: W-L: 3-3 ERA: 1.08 K’s: 68 WHIP: 0.96
JOEY GERBER
MLB Debut: Wayzata High School 8/4/2020
Currently: AAA | Syracuse Mets
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 1-2 ERA: 7.76 K’s: 26 WHIP: 1.54
2026 Gopher State Tournament of Champions
Stats as of: 7/22/2026
ADAM MAZUR
Woodbury High School 6/4/2024
Currently: MLB | Miami Marlins (60-IL)
Career MLB Stats: W-L: 1-7 ERA: 6.22 K’s: 41 WHIP: 1.66
GUS VARLAND
North St. Paul High School
Currently: AAA | Rochester Red Wings
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 1-1 ERA: 4.50 K’s: 10 WHIP: 1.67
DREW
GILBERT
3/30/2023
Stillwater High School 8/8/2025
Currently: MLB | San Francisco Giants
Current 2026 MLB Stats: AVG: .228 HR: 4 RBI: 21 OPS: .661
SAM CARLSON
Burnsville High School
Currently: AAA | Sugar Land Space Cowboys
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 4-1 ERA: 3.90 K’s: 34 WHIP: 1.27
DYLAN TEBRAKE
ROCORI High School
Currently: AA | Harrisburg Senators (60-IL)
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 0-0 ERA: 0.00 K’s: 5 WHIP: 1.00
RYAN LAMBERT
Minnetonka High School
Currently: AAA | Syracuse Mets (7-IL)
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 3-1 ERA: 6.35 K’s: 30 WHIP: 1.72
2026 Gopher State Tournament of Champions
Stats as of: 7/22/2026
RYAN OCH
Chanhassen High School
Currently: AA | San Antonio Missions (7-IL)
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 3-1 ERA: 4.91 K’s: 31 WHIP: 1.55
BRETT BATEMAN
Mounds View High School
Currently: AAA | Iowa Cubs
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: AVG: .308 HR: 3 RBI: 31 OPS: .852
ETHAN BOSACKER
Monticello High School
Currently: AAA | Omaha Storm Chasers
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 2-2 ERA: 5.17 K’s: 36 WHIP: 1.62
NATE PETERSON
Lakeville North High School
Currently: AA | Chattanooga Lookouts
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 4-3 ERA: 4.06 K’s: 51 WHIP: 1.47
JOHN KLEIN
Osseo High School 5/2/2026
Currently: AAA | St. Paul Saints
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 2-4 ERA: 6.10 K’s: 67 WHIP: 1.47
AUSTIN MURR
Stillwater High School
Currently: AA | Reading Fightin Phils (7-IL)
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: AVG: .311 HR: 7 RBI: 25 OPS: .918
2026 Gopher State Tournament of Champions
Stats as of: 7/22/2026
NICK ALTERMATT
Wabasso High School
Currently: AA | Birmingham Barons
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 1-1 ERA: 3.03 K’s: 42 WHIP: 1.29
MAX CARLSON
Burnsville High School
Currently: AA | Portland Sea Dogs
Current 2026 MiLB Stats:
-L: 3-2 ERA: 5.30 K’s: 61
MAC HORVATH
Rochester Century High School
Currently: AA | Montgomery Biscuits
Current 2026 MiLB Stats:
AVG: .248 HR: 5 RBI: 29 OPS: .669
ETHAN LANTHIER
Northfield High School
Currently: A | St. Lucie Mets
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 0-3 ERA: 8.53 K’s: 14 WHIP: 1.66
JUSTIN LOER
Lakeville South High School
Currently: A+ | Spokane Indians
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 2-3 ERA: 5.16 K’s: 47 WHIP: 1.41
TUCKER NOVOTNY
Park of Cottage Grove
Currently: A+ | Lansing Lugnuts
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 2-2 ERA: 5.80 K’s: 38 WHIP: 1.63
2026 Gopher State Tournament of Champions
Stats as of: 7/22/2026
EVAN SHAW
Fridley High School
Currently: AA | Tulsa Drillers
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 2-1 ERA: 4.84 K’s: 39 WHIP: 1.48
BRANDT THOMPSON
Eden Prairie High School
Currently: AA | Springfield Cardinals
Current 2026 MiLB Stats:
3-3
ZACH THORNTON
Winona
Currently: MLB | New York Mets
Current 2026 MLB Stats: W-L: 1-1 ERA: 1.93 K’s: 17 WHIP: 0.86
CONNOR WIETGREFE
Prior Lake High School
Currently: AAA | Indianapolis Indians
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 7-3 ERA: 3.33 K’s: 89 WHIP: 1.18
DERRICK SMITH
White Bear Lake High School
Currently: A | Fresno Grizzlies (Full Season-IL)
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 1-0 ERA: 13.50 K’s: 6 WHIP: 2.40
JOEY DANIELSON
Eden Prairie HS
Currently: AA | Frisco RoughRiders
Current 2026 MiLB Stats: W-L: 3-3 ERA: 3.21 K’s: 38 WHIP: 1.25
Mankato - Community Athletic Fields/Rosa Parks
14AA DIVISION
14AA DIVISION
Rochester - Roy Watson Youth Sports Complex
Rochester - Pine Island High School
Rochester - Byron Middle School
GOOD LUCK