Winter in Minnesota is not just about the cold; it’s about the heat of competition on the ice, the courts, and the mats. As the winter sports season gears up, here are some standout athletes from various disciplines that you should keep an eye on throughout the season.

Boys Hockey

Jackson Rudh, St. Thomas Academy- Before transferring from Park of Cottage Grove, this standout senior demonstrated his scoring prowess by amassing 30 goals and contributing 21 assists.

Mason West, Edina– Last season, Mason was a key player, skating on the top line for the Hornets, where he made significant contributions on their State Championship run.

Girls Hockey

Mercury Bischoff, Grand Rapids/Greenway- Mercury is having a hot start to the season with 21 goals to date averaging nearly 4 goals a game!

Rhiannon Ashworth, Pine City Area- 8 games in and Rhiannon has 3 games with a hat trick or more. Pine City Area is leading the league in goals scored and Rhiannon is a big reason for that.

Boys Basketball

Chase Thompson, Alexandria- A top multi-sport athlete from Alexandria, committed to Clemson. Chase is someone to keep your eye one this season!

Tommy Ahneman, Cretin Durham Hall- The Notre Dame commit has a massive frame at 6’10” Tommy towers over opponents and takes up a lot of space on defense.

Girls Basketball

Maddyn Greenway, Providence Academy- Maddyn recently revealed her commitment to Kentucky. Many expected the 5’8″ Point Guard to follow in her father’s (Chad Greenway; former Minnesota Viking) footsteps at Iowa, but nonetheless Maddyn takes her own path.

Jordan Ode, Maple Grove- The Michigan State commit’s 6′ frame is a force to recon with and her ball handling and speed don’t offer any relief for opposing teams. Jordan will be fun to watch this season.

Wrestling

John Murphy, STMA- The University of Wyoming commit is a two-time state placer, capturing the Class AAA 189-pound championship in 2024 as a sophomore. As an eighth-grader competing for Big Lake, he placed sixth in Class AA at 170 pounds.

Brad Little, Woodbury- Little is committed to the St Cloud State University. He is a five-time state qualifier and four-time state placer. As a junior in 2024, he earned runner-up honors in Class AAA at 152 pounds. Previously, he placed fifth at 152 pounds as a sophomore, fourth as a freshman, and sixth at 126 pounds as an eighth-grader.

Gymnastics

Dakota Esget, North Branch- She claimed her first Class A all-around championship as a junior in 2024 with a combined score of 37.5750 across four events. Additionally, she secured her second straight title on the uneven bars with a score of 9.4875.

Lauren Hansen, Monticello- Lauren placed 3rd with a four-event combined score of 37.0875 at the 2024 State Tournament as a sophomore. Look for her to take a stride forward in her junior year.

Boys Swim & Dive

Jiarui Xue, Edina- Senior, Xue will be pursuing his third consecutive state title in the 500 Freestyle.

Henry Webb, Breck/Blake- At the 2024 State competition, Webb secured his second consecutive title in the 200 freestyle as a junior with a winning time of 1:37.31.

Dance

While specific names might not always be highlighted, the Wayzata Dance Team won the state title in the Jazz category last year making them a team to watch in the coming year!

Conclusion

As we dive into another epic season, let’s give it up for these athletes who aren’t just repping their schools—they’re inspiring and exciting their communities as well. Whether you’re freezing at the rink, cheering in the gym, or catching your breath by the pool, these players are ready to bring the heat with jaw-dropping moments and plenty of teamwork. So grab your hot cocoa, bundle up, and don’t miss a second—because in Minnesota, winter sports are just getting started.