Vote: Who should be SBLive's Minnesota Athlete of the Week? (2/27/2024)

Read through the nominees for the week of Feb. 19-25.

Read through the nominees and cast your vote. Voting will conclude Sunday at 11:59 p.m. and the winner will be announced Monday.

If you would like to make a nomination in a future week, please email athleteoftheweek@scorebooklive.com with “MNHSAW Nomination” in the subject line.

Editor’s Note: Our Athlete of the Week feature and corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes that receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.

---

Minnesota High School Athlete of the Wee nominees

Austin Uecker, New Ulm

Sections are a time for stars to step up on their respective teams, and Uecker did just that for New Ulm. He scored four points on an even two goals and two assists, pushing the Eagles to a 6-3 victory over Mankato East. 

Ryland Rooney, Gentry Academy

Rooney and Gentry Academy were a part of a huge statement game, roaring past Woodbury by a final score of 8-2. Rooney was a surgeon on the ice, scoring five points on a goal and four assists. 

Ryder Betzold, Gentry Academy

While Rooney was the puck general for Gentry, it was Betzold who did most of the goal scoring. The junior forward put up a postseason hat trick, playing a big part in pushing Gentry towards the section semifinals. 

Carson Hauger, Lakeville South

Hauger was on his A-game when his team needed it most, locking down the opposing Owatonna attack to get his team the win. The junior goalie saved all 16 shots that came his way, allowing the Panthers to cruise to a 5-0 win

Eli Tiernan, Buffalo

Scoring an overtime game winner in the postseason is a dream many athletes never get to realize, but Tiernan was able to see it through this past week. Tiernan buried the game winning goal in a 1-1 gridlock, a goal that helped Buffalo punch its ticket to the section finals. 

Brody Dustin, Stillwater

Dustin and the Ponies had a big rivalry game against Mounds View, and were able to handle business without much of a hitch. The forward was electric on the attack, racking up six points on a goal and five assists to get his team the 8-2 victory. 

Joe Bertram, Edina

A goalie who is facing on and off again pressure always has a tough time staying locked in, but Betram knew the stakes were high and played accordingly. Despite Edina being stonewalled on the attack, the Hornets were able to survive thanks to Betram’s 15 saves, an effort that pushed them to a 2-1 victory over Benilde-St. Margaret's. 

Bobby Cowan, Edina

While Bertram was the hero of the game between the pipes, it was Cowan who scored the game winning goal for Edina. With only three minutes to spare in regulation, Cowan buried a puck in the back of the net, a goal that helped the Hornets advance to a section finals. 

John Stout, Minnetonka

Defensemen who can support on the attack are problematic for opposing teams, and Stout was just that guy in Minnetonka’s most recent game against Eden Prairie. The University of Minnesota Duluth commit played excellent defense to go with two assists, allowing the Skippers to advance to a 4-1 victory. 

Gavin Forrest, Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids came into a playoff bout versus Rock Ridge as the underdog, but Forrest and the rest of the team had no issue pulling off the upset. Forrest was brilliant, putting up four points on two goals and two assists to help lift his team to a 6-2 win. 

Rhys Wallin, Wayzata

Wayzata was looking dang near unstoppable in its last bout versus the Academy of Holy Angels, primarily thanks to guys like Wallin. The senior forward scored four points on a goal and three assists, and when the final buzzer sounded, Wayzata was a 7-0 victor. 

Ashton Stoll, Monticello

Monticello’s dream season has continued, and in dramatic fashion at that. Stoll was the hero of the night, scoring the game winning goal in overtime to bring Monticello to a section final with a 3-2 overtime win.

Payton Rolli, Warroad

There were a handful of state champions crowned this past weekend, and Rolli was one of the top performers in the net. The sophomore goalie ended her season in style, saving 18 of the 20 shots that came her way to grant Warroad a 5-2 win and a Class A state title. 

Kaiya Sandy, Warroad

Sandy was a force on the attack for Warroad, and thanks in part to her efforts, the state title was all but clinched before the third period. Sandy scored three points on a goal and two assists, leading the charge for the Warriors to cruise to an easy win and a state championship. 

Reese McConnell, Edina

The Hornets put a stamp on their 24-6-1 season with a state championship and a shutout by star goalie McConnell. The junior saved all 15 shots that came her way, and thanks to this clutch performance, the Hornets were able to win handily. 

Lorelai Nelson, Edina

McConnell was able to hold down the fort in the net, but Nelson was the x-factor when it came to scoring. The sophomore scored two points on a goal and assist, and thanks to this effort, the Hornets were able to win this low scoring affair. 

Lauren Goldsworthy, Minnetonka

Minnetonka has been making a splash all across the Minnesota hockey world this season, and the girls’ team has been no exception. The Skippers ended their stellar season with a third place finish in state, and Goldsworthy the player of the game with a hat trick and an assist. 

Ashlyn Hazlett, Minnetonka

Hazlett was able to champion Minnetonka’s defensive front, shutting down the opposing attack in order to give her team the third place finish. The Bemidji State commit saved 28 of the 31 shots that came her way, stonewalling Andover en route to a 5-3 win. 

Dani Strom, Maple Grove

It may have been in the constellation game, but Storm may have had the best performance of any goalie so far this postseason. She saved 24 of 25 shots that came her way, posting a .960 save percentage to go with a 4-1 win. 

Grace Erickson, Maple Grove

Another skater who had a career day in the postseason, Erickson was excellent, scoring two goals and an assist to boot that lifted her team to a decisive victory. 

Zoe Lopez, Orono

The Class A third place game was an absolute barnburner throughout, but it was Lopez who put the finishing touches on this excellent game. With only a few minutes left in the third period, Lopez notched a goal in the back of the net, clinching the 3-2 victory for Orono. 

Ethan Starstead, Duluth Denfeld

Starstead certainly lived up to his name this past week. The senior had a career game to add to his resume against Princeton, scoring 31 points on an impressive 60 percent shooting. 

Elliot Serreyn, Windom

Windom may have lost a 87-86 heartbreaker to Blue Earth Area, but Serreyn certainly did his part. The freshman center scored 25 points to lead his team, ultimately playing a great game despite the losing effort. 

Jordan Zubich, Mountain Iron Buhl

Zubich is a versatile athlete on all fronts, but the 31 points she scored was the most eye-catching statistic of the night. Aside from that, the senior guard added five assists, three rebounds and a block in what proved to be an excellent night. 

Lauren Bengtson, Cretin-Derham Hall

Bengston was a do-it-all athlete for the Raiders in their last game. In what proved to be a narrow victory over Roseville, Bengston scored 21 points, pulled down nine rebounds and had seven assists to go with four steals, a versatile effort for the star. 

---

Follow SBLive Minnesota on Facebook @sblivemn