CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL

The Spartans return four state qualifiers and will be competing with Northfield and Faribault for a Section 1AAA championship this season. Panthers coach Joel Messick and JM coach Frank Galvan are also eager to see what the season brings for their improving programs.

The Big Nine Conference race could be wide open this season, but are Century, John Marshall or Mayo going to be able to creep into title contention?

The Spartans, Panthers and Rockets are all enjoying the new gymnastics space at Friedell Middle School and are ready for another season of improvement.

Ryan Langenbrunner, who has daughters who play in the Rochester Youth Hockey Association, has created an online campaign to open discussions about Rochester's high schools forming one combined girls hockey program. Currently, Mayo has its own program and Century and John Marshall are in their third season of a co-op.

Mayo, Century, Lourdes all bring back experience and talent from a year ago and figure to take another step this girls basketball season. And John Marshall might have the most intriguing player of all of them. She's an eighth-grader.

La Crescent-Hokah's Wyatt Farrell, who scored 49 goals last season, and JM's JT Veney, a smooth and tall defenseman, are among the top boys hockey players in southeastern Minnesota this winter.

A quick look at southeastern Minnesota's boys hockey teams for the 2022-23 season.

Mayo's Hannah Hanson, Century's Paige Decker, Zumbrota-Mazeppa's Rylee Nelson and Cannon Falls' Madison Burr lead the veterans on this PB All-Area Volleyball team, while Mabel-Canton's Sahara Morken headlines the youngsters.

Century has best team finish ever at the Class AA state meet, with three earning All-State status, while Mayo senior Natalie Boorjian also has two top-eight finishes.