Chad Courrier

Madelyn Malmgren, a senior post at St. James Area, already has five double-doubles in eight games this season. The Saints are 5-3 this season after going 5-22 last season.

Just a few minutes to reflect on all the blessings, personally and professionally, that came this way in 2024.

MANKATO — For all the celebrations, rings and bobbleheads coming from winning a national championship, simply walking into Bresnan Arena, looking up and seeing that championship banner is one of the best perks.

Nick Slater, a senior, is one of the top returning wrestlers for the Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial Area team, being ranked No. 2 in Class A at 189 pounds.

It was such a blessed 2024, and there is great hope for 2025, especially when it comes to the local sports scene.

Kylie Southworth, a sophomore guard, has helped the St. Peter girls basketball team get off to an 8-2 start this season. The Saints are ranked No. 10 in Class AAA

It seems like such a long winter season, but there's really just six weeks left before some high school basketball teams begin playoffs, dreaming of cutting down nets and playing under the big spotlight of the state tournament.

Rylie Hansen, a senior at Mankato East, is having another strong gymnastics season, having won the all-around championship at two meets in the last week.

Back in 1982, a professor at Minnesota State — then Mankato State — echoed what a couple of high-school teachers had told me years before.

Sammy Kann, a senior, will likely soon become the eighth player in Mankato Loyola girls basketball history to reach 1,000 career points.