Former Storm athletes have big winter college seasons Nelson claims 4th national championship for St. Cloud State University dance team

BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER

It was a wildly successful winter sports season for several former Sauk Rapids-Rice High School graduates in their collegiate athletic endeavors, highlighted by a threetime national champion.

Erin Nelson, a 2020 SRRHS graduate, was a part of the St. Cloud State University dance team that won their fourth consecutive national championship in the Gameday Performance division Jan. 17 in Orlando, Florida. Nelson has been a part of the last three title-winning squads. She also was part of the pom division national title team in 2021.

This season, the Huskies also placed second in the pom division and were third in jazz at nationals.

“The past three years have been some of my most rewarding years as an athlete,” Nelson said. “I have gotten to know some of my best friends and the most motivating coaches through the SCSU dance team and that makes the whole experience so much more meaningful.”

Nelson already is excited for next season.

“Every year we have big goals, so we work tirelessly in and out of practice to improve our technique, stamina and strength so we can be as prepared as possible when it comes time to take the nationals oor in January,” Nelson said. “We always make it a priority to dance for ourselves and make ourselves proud, and this year we did just that.”

The Grabinski brothers – Jack and Eli – also completed big years for St. John’s University in diving. Jack, a senior, was a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion in both 1- and 3-meter diving while sophomore Eli was second in 1-meter and third in 3-meter.

Jack Grabinski went on to place seventh at the NCAA Central Regional Diving championships in the 3-meter competition, missing out on a nationals bid by one place. Eli Grabinski was MIAC 1- and 3-meter champion his freshman year.

Anna Lucas, a junior swimmer at Missouri State University, also had a massive year, winning four Missouri Valley Conference championships.

Here is a roundup of former Storm winter sports athletes: Dance team

Allyson Carstensen-Boe (Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Class of 2021), Minnesota State University, Moorhead – Carstensen-Boe, daugh- ter of Bob and Brenda Carstensen-Boe, completed her rst season dancing with the Dragons dance team.

Erin Nelson (SRRHS 2020), St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud – Nelson, daughter of Robert and LeeAnn Nelson, has been a part of three straight national championship teams in the arena performance category for the Huskies, who have won four consecutive titles in that division.

Womens hockey

Morgan Cromwell (Sartell 2021), College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph – Cromwell, daughter of Jason Cromwell and Suzan Opgrand-Cromwell, played in 21 games, scoring one goal and adding four assists for the Blazers. She has played in 26 career games.

Chloe Stockinger (SRRHS 2020), Augsburg College, Minneapolis – Goaltender Stockinger played in 21 games, compiling a 12-7-2 record with a .924 save percentage and 1.85 goals against average for the

Auggies. The daughter of Leon and Shelly Stockinger, she had 13 starts in 2021-22 with .892 save percentage and four starts in 2020-21 with a .879 save percentage.

Lauren Wensel (Sartell 2021), Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois – Wensel, daughter of Shawn and Pam Wensel, scored nine goals with ve assists in 28 games played for the Foresters.

Rachel Wieland (Sartell 2021), Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota –Wieland, daughter of Henry and Aimee Wieland, scored two goals this season for the Gusties, who won the NCAA Division III championship. It was the rst time an MIAC team has claimed a title in womens hockey.

Mens basketball

Josh Schloe (SRRHS 2020), Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Schloe, son of Eric and Lorianne Schloe, averaged 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds per game for the Kohawks, who nished 16-13.

Mens swimming and diving

Thomas Daniels (SRRHS 2020), University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, Wisconsin – Daniels, son of Mike and Virginia Daniels, is a three-year competitor in the buttery and freestyle events for the Pointers.

Elijah Grabinski (SRRHS 2021), St. John’s University, Collegeville – Elijah Grabinski, son of Michael and Jessica Grabinski, placed second in the MIAC championships in the 1-meter diving competition and placed third in the 3-meter diving event. He went on to place seventh at the NCAA Central Regional championships Feb. 25 at the University of Chicago. He was 2022 MIAC Diver of the Year after winning both the 1- and 3-meter competitions.

Jack Grabinski (SRRHS 2019), St. John’s University, Collegeville – Jack Grabinski, son of Michael and Jessica Grabinski, won the MIAC championships in both 1- and 3-meter diving competitions, helping the Johnnies to a second-place nish as a team. He went on to place sixth at the NCAA Central Regional championships Feb. 25 at the University of Chicago, missing out on advancing to the national nals by one spot.

Jack Christoferson (SRRHS 2022), Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter –Christoferson, son of Tim and Kristy Christoferson,

College athletes

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