News

Lisa Eng-Sarne, a graduate of North High School in North St. Paul, is one of six roller derby team members featured in the sports documentary “Minnesota Mean.” Released in July, the film takes viewers into the rough and tumble world of roller derby and reveals the grit and determination players need to navigate the sport while following their personal dreams.

Rachel Herzog, a graduate of Hill-Murray, was recently named a host and analyst for New Jersey Devils broadcasts by MSG Networks.

Lisa Johnson was recently named the Activities Director at Zimmerman Middle High School.

Steve Techam, the longtime wrestling coach at Verndale and Bertha-Hewitt, is facing his toughest battle after being diagnosed with aplastic anemia in February 2023.

Track and field star Emmanuel Matadi recently participated in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. For the 2009 St. Paul Johnson High School alum it was the last of three appearances for his home country of Liberia.

John Gaub, a graduate of South St. Paul High School, is a unique player when it comes to Town Ball: he pitched in the major leagues.

Rick Engelstad, who grew up in Thief River Falls, recently retired as the Pine City activities director. In addition to serving as a teacher, coach and AD, Engelstad was instrumental in the MSHSL. He served as state tennis tournament director for a number of years and helped develop and implement rules and procedures for state high school tennis.

Sanyu Mwassa and Mariam Elias-Danjuma, 2024 graduates of White Bear Lake Area High School, recently became the first Black women to win in the duo category of the National Speech & Debate Tournament.

Diver Alayna Kennedy, a senior at Austin High School, will compete with the AAU Junior National Team in Rome, Italy on July 24-26. She qualified in the one-meter, three-meter and five-meter platform events.

The Hooker brothers, Amani and Quinton, recently returned to Park Center High School for a second consecutive year to host a duo basketball and football camp. Amani currently plays for the Tennessee Titans and Quinton plays for SIG Strasbourg, a storied team in the French Pro A Basketball League.

Stuart Groskreutz, who has covered high school sports for nearly 30 years, recently received the MSHSL’s 2024 Outstanding Media Service Award. The Litchfield native was also honored with a citation award for meritorious service as he was inducted into the Minnesota Football Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame.

Apple Valley graduate Tyler Kim recently completed his Division III wrestling career at Augsburg University with a national title at 285 pounds. He’s also evidence that everything you get in wrestling is earned, not given.