Rochester native Thomas Lundwas honored by the Minnesota Wild at a game last week for helping save the life of a man at a Duluth hockey rink.
Lund, who attends school in Duluth, was working at the rink when Rich Mertz, 33, suffered a severe cut on his neck from a skate on Oct. 6. The 21-year-old Lund, who is a trained emergency medical technician, and follow rink employee Aaron Hinnenkampquickly reacted and aided Mertz by applying pressure to the wound until medical assistance arrived.
"There was blood absolutely everywhere," Lund said at the time. "I was terrified at first, but I had to remain calm to help him remain calm. Once he knew we were calm and relaxed, it helped him calm down."
Lund is a 2009 Century grad who played hockey for the Panthers. He and Hinnenkamp were both honored at last Saturday's game by the Wild for their heroic effort in saving Mertz.
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Byron senior Dominic Kiefferhas signed a letter of intent to play men's golf at Division I Colorado State.
Kieffer has been a two-time state qualifier at Byron. He also helped the Bears win a Section 1AA title as a junior as Byron earned a state team berth. As a junior he made the Minnesota Coaches’ Association All-State team and was named to the Minnesota Golf Association’s all-state first team.
In the summer season’s U.S. Boys Junior Championship, he missed the match-play portion by one stroke. In his AJGA’s performances, Kieffer placed fourth in the Duncan McMillan Classic and won the Nebraska Junior by firing a 66 in the final round. He is currently ranked 81st by the National Junior Golf Scoreboard.
"Dominic had a breakout summer," Colorado State coach Jamie Bermelsaid. "He won the AJGA event and I really believe that his best golf is still in front of him. He is a very good student and will be a great asset to the team."
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Spring Grove senior Richell Mehuswas one of the Minnesota state winners of the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. A total of 20 Minnesota student-athletes were among the state semifinalists for the award, which recognizes well-rounded individuals.
Mehus, who plays volleyball for Spring Grove in the fall, was one of just two state winners from Minnesota.
For being honored she receives a sliver medal, Heisman patch and a $50 Wendy's gift card.
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"The leadership award-honorees are well-rounded young men and woman who excel in learning, performing, and leading in the class room, on the field and in the community," the Wendy's High School Heisman Award website announced.
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Two Rochester Community and Technical College volleyball players have been named to the MCAC All-State team.
Sophomore Kat Kueckerof Rochester and freshman Kelly Barnesof Inver Grove Heights were both named to the first team.
Kuecker led the team and Southern Division with 358 kills. She also led RCTC with 37 ace serves. Barnes led the Yellowjackets with 405 digs.
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A total of 13 RCTC football players have been named to the MCAC All-Division first or second team. The Yellowjackets,11-0 and ranked 10th in the nation, had eight players named to the first team and five to the second team.
First-team selections are Caleb Leichtnam(safety, Grand Meadow), Kramer Berg(quarterback, Plymouth), Kevin Klocek(linebacker, Ellendale), BJ Hendrix(cornerback, O'Fallon, Ill.), Johnathan Green(defensive end, Milwaukee), J eff Buchert(safety, Planfield, Conn.), Tyler Daake(punter/kicker, Norfold, Neb.) and Ricky Johnson(offensive line, Rochester JM).
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Second-team members include Tyler Miles(cornerback, Lovejoy, Ga.), Robby Mackesey(defensive end, Cottage Grove, Wis.), Zach Hoppenworth-Pederson(wide receiver, La Crescent), Nick Albano(linebacker, Farmington) and David Schotanus(fullback, Adams).
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Rochester native Dane Fischer, the associate head coach at Bucknell, had about 35 friends and family members attend the team's game on Friday night at the University of Minnesota.
Fischer, a John Marshall grad, has been coaching since 2003 after completing his collegiate career at Division III Ithaca in New York.
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Kingsland senior Nicole Swansonhas signed a letter of intent to play women's basketball with Evangel University of Springfield, Mo.
The Evangel team has been in the top three in the nation among NAIA Division I teams the last five years.
Swanson is a 6-foot-3 center and plans to study biology or pre-med.
