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Powerhouse Team
Photo by Haley Davis Captain Michael Zajac passed the puck during a section game.
By Kenzie Markland Sports Editor The end of the boys’ hockey season finished quickly after their exciting appearance in the state tournament. The team ended up placing second in the consolation bracket. Twelve of the players are seniors and are leaving this year, and four of those twelve have committed to playing for colleges next year: Michael Zajac has committed to Princeton, Eli May has signed with
Minnesota State, and Will Merchant and Sam Wolfe will be playing for the University of Maine. These prestigious schools are welcoming some great players. Will Merchant explained, “I chose Maine because it was a really good fit for me. I really liked the school and the hockey program.” Sam Wolfe said, “I liked the tradition of their hockey.” The boys had great success throughout the entire year. During the regular
Eagan Independent | Tuesday, March 20, 2012 season, they had twenty-one wins, three losses, and one tie, placing Eagan at the top of the South Suburban Conference. During sections, they won all three games, giving them the privilege to advance to State. Wolfe admitted, “The best part of the season was beating Hastings to go to State.” In the first round of State, Eagan lost to Moorhead in a disappointing 4-0 game, allowing Moorhead to advance on to the next round while Eagan dropped to the consolation bracket. Merchant said, “Even though State went okay, it wasn’t what we wanted. But it was still great to be there again.” Once the boys played the consolation game at Mariucci Arena, they finally got their rhythm back. In the first game they won 4-1 against Maple Grove, but unfortunately in the consolation championship game they lost 1-4 to the number-one seeded Duluth East. Eagan was proud to announce two Mr. Hockey Finalists this year: Michael Zajac and Will Merchant. This was the first year for Eagan to boast a nomination for Mr. Hockey – let alone two. However, the Mr. Hockey title was awarded to Lakeville South’s Justin Kloos. Next year, the returning team will continue their hard work and commitment. The boys hope to make it to state for the third year in a row.
Kicking it to state
Swimming in State
By Kenzie Markland Sports Editor The boys swimming team excelled at state and placed in many events. The team sent six swimming events and three divers to the tournament; this was the first time that all three relays qualified to advance on to state in seven years. However, due to an unfortunate officiating discrepancy, one relay team was disqualified at the last minute and only two relays ended up advancing to the State tournament. The swim team finished with a record of 5-4. Senior captain Andy Knutson said,
Photo by Rachel Larson
“The best team to beat is Rosemount.” Unfortunately, this year Eagan lost to Rosemount 73-111. Eagan also lost to Lakeville North, Lakeville South, and Prior Lake, but won in the meets against Kennedy, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Jefferson, and Eastview. Senior captain Connor Benson stated, “When we qualified for State was the best moment this
By Grace Hinton Sports Writer Eagan’s Dance Team finished an exhilarating season by participating in the state tournament a few weeks ago. This year, the team placed 11th in Jazz and 11th in Kick. Junior captain Claire Dolney stated, “The season went very well and we were successful. We grew really close as a team, which helped us to perform better.” Captain Maddie Reding explained, “Our biggest achievement this year was qualifying for state in jazz and kick. The team hasn’t
gone to state in both for over four years, so we were really excited to make it.” The team put in a lot of effort for the chance to dance at state. Junior Emily Schmidt stated that the coaches worked the girls really hard, but she went on to say, “Even though it’s tough at the time, our hard work pays off in the long run.” In addition to the hours of practice, Dolney expressed that the team “had creative choreographers, which helped to make more unique dances.” The team was successful in qualifying for state for the
Submitted Photo
first time in four years, and they plan to continue practicing throughout the spring and summer. Reding explained, “By keeping our strength, technique, and endurance up in the off-season, we hope to start the 2012-13 season from where we left off.”
Coach of the Year for the South Suburban Conference. This is a competitive award, and Carlson was well-deserving based on her team’s placement in sections and state. With many returning swimmers next year, next season is promising to look as good as this season.
High hopes for next year By Grace Hinton Sports Writer
Varisty Jazz performing at State “Glam”.
year.” At the tournament, the team finished seventeenth overall. Junior Bill Leighton placed eleventh in the 50m with a time of 22:10. The relay team that competed in the 200-yard freestyle placed thirteenth, and the team included senior Andy Knutson, juniors Bill Leighton and Ian Pugh, and freshman Sam Zenner. The diving portion of the swimming team sent two divers to state. Junior Keith Krawza placed seventh and sophomore Toby Heller placed tenth. At sections, Eagan divers placed third, fourth, fifth, and eighth. The diving coach, Amy Carlson, was elected Dive
next year we will go through less of the “growing pains” we went through this season.” The girls’ basketball sea- Though the past season son recently came to an end, was difficult at times, the posleaving many Wildcats feeling sibility of a much better year a bit disapahead leaves pointed. With the team eight wins and with high eighteen losses hopes. Munin the regular dahl also season, the explained, girls struggled “I’m looking through a forward to rocky year. seeing how Howkids develop ever, on the this off-seabright side, son; lookCoach Mundahl Senior Jessica Hart pulls up for a ing forward stated, “A lot of jump shot at the key. to seeing Photo by Johanna Iversen juniors, sophowhich girls mores, and an 8th grader got commit and show that Eagan valuable varsity experience. Basketball means someMost of the players that were thing to them. I enjoy being in my top ten rotations are around these girls because returning next season. Knowthey bring positive energy to ing younger players earned our team and a strong work playing time and improved ethic, which will be one of our this season gives those return- strengths next season. You ers a positive outlook on next can’t coach work ethic!” season. They will be back and more experienced. I believe