Athletes of the week: Wrestler does his best to honor his grandpa

WESTON DROEGEMUELLER

Wayzata, wrestling

The Wayzata wrestler holds his family's name in the highest regard.

Droegemueller, a senior wrestling at 145 pounds, opened the year by being named the most valuable wrestler for the second consecutive year at the Ken Droegemueller Memorial Invitational. The Osseo tournament is named after his grandfather.

"It's a little more important of a tournament since it's named after my grandpa," Droegemueller said. "I still try to treat it just like any other tournament."

In the tournament, Droegemueller won the most falls in the least amount of time. He is Class 3A's fourth-ranked wrestler in his weight class.

The five-time state tournament entrant is 5-0 this season. In his most recent match, Droegemueller defeated sixth-ranked Austin Jordan of Stillwater 10-2.

"My main focus is on state," Droegemueller said. "I want to win a state title."

MADISON DEAN

Jordan, basketball

The junior guard is off to a fast start. In the Jaguars' first three games, Dean had 33 points and eight rebounds in a 69-35 victory over Glencoe- Silver Lake; 33 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in an 81-23 rout of Breck , and 29 points and 21 rebounds in a 63-58 triumph over Watertown-Mayer.

SPENCER NAAS

Benilde-St. Margaret's,

hockey

Naas netted four second-period goals, lifting the Class 2A top-ranked Red Knights past No. 6 Burnsville 7-4 in a nonconference matchup. The junior forward also had one goal in each of the Red Knights' other two games. He was a 40-goal scorer in his sophomore season.

JOHN VEIL

Blake, basketball

Bears coach Sean Kruger is comfortable with the ball in Veil's hands. He scored a game-high 22 points, including a three-pointer at the buzzer, as the Bears edged Chaska 61-60. "He wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line, and he is going to make a play for us," Kruger said. He was also one of five players in double figures in a 100-85 triumph over Lakeview Christian.

ALEX WITTINGER

Delano, basketball

The sophomore forward has been instrumental in helping the Tigers to a 4-1 record the first two weeks of the season. She had 24 points, 20 rebounds and two blocked shots in an 80-75 double-OT victory over Big Lake. Wittinger has registered three consecutive double-doubles.

DUSTIN WEINMANN

Irondale, wrestling

Weinmann won all six of his matches, four with pins and one by technical fall, at 132 pounds to raise his season record to a perfect 9-0. He won the Maple Grove tournament by beating Ty Griffin of Rockford, the Class 2A champion at 120 pounds a year ago.

ALLYSON HARRIS

Northfield, basketball

The 6-3 center was dominant in the paint for the Raiders in a pair of victories. The senior had 21 points, 14 rebounds, six blocked shots and four assists in a 53-45 victory over Albert Lea and followed it up with 29 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots in a 55-43 triumph at Owatonna.

ERICA POWER

Apple Valley, hockey

Power capped off an outstanding week in spectacular fashion. She scored two goals in a 38-second span late in the third period, then assisted on the game-winning goal in overtime as Apple Valley rallied for a 5-4 victory over Prior Lake. Earlier in the week, the junior center scored in overtime in a 3-2 upset over Edina, the No. 3-ranked team in Class 2A. The Eagles scored 10 times in three one-goal games during the week, and Power had nine points (five goals and four assists).

RON HAGGSTROM