Three athletes from the Willmar Cardinals have recently been recognized with the Central Lakes Conference Performer of the Week honors, showcasing their impressive performances in their respective sports. This week’s standout athletes include boys basketball player Hudson Sjoberg and girls hockey player Bryn Behr. Last week, senior swimmer Samuel Sheets also received the accolade.
Sjoberg, a junior guard/forward, demonstrated his skills by scoring an impressive 32 points and securing 16 rebounds across three victories for his team. Meanwhile, Behr, who plays as a junior goalkeeper, made a remarkable 50 saves during a nail-biting 3-2 victory against River Lakes, contributing significantly to her team’s success.
Basketball Rankings and Team Performance
In addition to individual accolades, the Willmar Cardinals boys basketball team has made a notable leap in the state rankings. According to the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association, the Cardinals are now ranked No. 9 in Class AAA, marking the first time they have entered the poll.
Central Minnesota Christian has also earned recognition, sitting at No. 9 in Class A with an undefeated record of 8-0. Dawson-Boyd, the defending state Class A champion, currently ranks sixth with an 8-1 record, while Montevideo holds the fourth position in Class AA with a record of 7-1.
The complete rankings for this week include:
– **Class AAAA**:
1. Wayzata (10-1)
2. Tartan (7-0)
3. Maple Grove (7-2)
4. Eagan (8-0)
5. Cretin-Derham Hall (7-2)
6. Farmington (7-1)
7. Buffalo (9-0)
8. Moorhead (9-0)
9. Eden Prairie (8-1)
10. Hopkins (6-3)
– **Class AAA**:
1. Richfield (9-0)
2. Totino-Grace (5-2)
3. DeLaSalle (6-2)
4. St. Paul Johnson (6-0)
5. Mahtomedi (6-1)
6. Northfield (8-1)
7. Mankato East (6-3)
8. Becker (6-1)
9. Willmar (8-0)
10. Orono (5-3)
– **Class AA**:
1. Belle Plaine (7-0)
2. Morris/Chokio-Alberta (6-0)
3. Goodhue (9-1)
4. Montevideo (7-1)
5. Holy Family (5-2)
– **Class A**:
1. Henning (7-0)
2. Cherry (9-1)
3. Red Lake County (7-0)
4. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (11-0)
5. Hills-Beaver Creek (6-0)
6. Dawson-Boyd (8-1)
7. Nevis (7-0)
8. Pelican Rapids (8-2)
9. Central Minnesota Christian (8-0)
10. Wabasso (8-0)
Section 6A and Wrestling Milestones
The Willmar Cardinals are also making strides in Section 6A boys hockey, with a current record of 2-1 in section games and 6-3 overall. Senior Gibson Horyza ranks fifth in the section for scoring, with nine goals and 11 assists. His teammate, senior Blake Grimsley, follows closely, tied for seventh with eight goals and 10 assists.
In wrestling, several local athletes achieved significant milestones recently. According to The Guillotine, a statewide wrestling website, notable achievements include:
– Kameron Sather of Dawson-Boyd/Lac qui Parle Valley/Montevideo United achieved his 175th win on December 16.
– Miles Wildman and Max Nygaard each marked their 150th win on December 11 and 13, respectively.
– Others reached milestones of 100 wins and 75 wins throughout December.
College and Future Commitments
In collegiate sports, Mackenzie Knofczynski, a senior volleyball player from the College of St. Benedict, earned a spot on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team for the third consecutive year. As a nursing major, she played a vital role in leading her team to back-to-back MIAC tournament championships and their second NCAA Division III tournament appearance. Knofczynski averaged 0.98 blocks and 1.84 kills per set during the season.
Additionally, Mia Post, a junior at MACCRAY, has committed to play volleyball at the University of Sioux Falls, a NCAA Division II institution. She is the second volleyball player from the West Central Tribune area to announce a commitment from the Class of 2027, joining Willmar’s Ellery DeBoer, who has committed to Michigan State University.
The performance of these athletes highlights the strong sporting culture in Willmar and surrounding areas, showcasing talent at both high school and collegiate levels.
