SAM BRANCALE Eden Prairie, wrestling
You wouldn't think there's much a 103-pound high school sophomore could do to stand out at a school as big and successful as Eden Prairie.
But then, Sam Brancale is not your garden variety sophomore.
He completed an undefeated season (39-0) with a 7-2 victory over Nick Scheffert of Owatonna in the Class 3A final, marking only the fourth time Eden Prairie has had an individual state champion and the first since 1998, when Nick Ledin and Dave Redinius won championships.
His success, Brancale admitted, has translated into a higher profile at the state's largest high school.
"Yeah, I get recognized a little bit more," Brancale said Friday, moments after winning his semifinal match. "It's kind of nice. When you win, people notice you."
Not that attention is his motive. Brancale is dedicated to improving himself. Winning championships and getting noticed are just the rewards.
"I'm just doing what I do," he said. "It's all about hard work. It you work hard enough, good things happen."
BROOKE BROWN Chaska, basketball
The Hawks will play for the Section 2, 4A championship this week thanks to a pair of great games from the senior guard. She had 20 points and seven steals in a victory over Shakopee and a season-high 29 points in a victory over No. 5, Class 4A Eden Prairie.
TURNER ECKSTROM Red Wing, diving
Eckstrom became a three-time state champion when he won the Class 1A one-meter diving championship Saturday, his third consecutive championship. His score of 532.70 tied the all-time state meet record set in 1997 by Dan Croaston of Champlin Park.
ANNESSA HICKS St. Paul Humboldt, basketball
The senior guard and Miss Basketball finalist certainly shows up much bigger than her 5-2 frame suggests. Last week she scored 48 points in two victories as the Hawks advanced to Section 4, Class 1A semifinals.
DREW JOHNSON Edina, swimming
The Hornets won their third consecutive Class 2A team title behind four first-place finishes from Johnson. He won the 100- and 200-yard freestyles, swam leadoff on the winning 200 freestyle relay team and anchored the state meet record-setting 400 freestyle relay team.
ELLIE WESSLING Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, basketball
The senior forward provided the lion's share of the offense for the Lakers in two section playoff victories. She scored 31 points in a 62-41 victory over Glencoe-Silver Lake and had 27 points in a 38-38 overtime victory over Providence Academy.
NICK TOURVILLE Benilde-St. Margaret's, wrestling
The senior completed a strong run through the state tournament by winning the Class 2A 152-pound championship, defeating Simley's Micah Barnes 3-2 in the final. Barnes was the only wrestler to score a point on Tourville during the tournament.
JIM PAULSEN