Underclassmen Shine in Local Sports

As always, there are plenty of standout athletes populating the list. But this week, an “honorable mention” is warranted for Vince Varpness, who was recently named the new football coach. To learn more about Varpness, see his . And continue reading below for this week’s top local athletes:

Michael Cork, junior, St. Louis Park Nordic skiing

After qualifying for the state tournament as a sophomore last year, Cork set pretty high expectations for his junior year. But so far, so good: Last Friday, Cork with a time that was a full minute better than his nearest competitor. Next up for Cork is the Section 6 championship race, which is on Wednesday, and possibly a return to state on Feb. 17.

Isaiah Zierden, junior, Benilde-St. Margaret’s boys basketball

Like Cork, Zierden is another athlete that set a high bar during his sophomore year. That’s because he averaged 16.1 points per game last year to lead the Red Knights, a team that made it to the Class 3A state quarterfinals. Zierden has kept it up this year, and on Saturday he scored 30 points in a 84-52 thrashing of North Branch. The Red Knights are now 13-3 overall and a perfect 8-0 in the North Suburban Conference, putting them alone in first place.

Grant Besse, sophomore, Benilde-St. Margaret’s boys hockey

Besse is currently doing exactly what Zierden and Cork did last year, as the Red Knights sophomore is having a breakout season. He is second on the team in points and leading in goals. It certainly doesn’t hurt to score five goals in one game, which is exactly what Besse did on Tuesday in an 8-1 win over Chisago Lakes. Earlier this season, Besse told St. Louis Park Patch that he took an unofficial trip to Wisconsin, and has heard from Harvard, Notre Dame and Michigan Tech. If he keeps up this type of performance, the recruiting will only intensify over his next two years in high school.

Marquealis Edwards, senior, St. Louis Park boys basketball

Edwards is making his last year as an Oriole one to remember. On Saturday, he scored 18 points in a 66-45 win over Spring Lake Park. Then on Tuesday, he scored 22, as the Orioles knocked off St. Paul Highland Park, 86-74. Edwards has been a big reason that St. Louis Park has had such a strong season, currently sitting in second place in the North Suburban Conference with an 8-1 record. The Orioles are 11-6 overall.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s girls hockey team

It’s hard to pick just one athlete out of this bunch, especially when the team wrapped up at least a share of the conference title on Thursday night.  To show just how balanced this Red Knights squad is, five players tallied goals in the 6-0 defeat of Spring Lake Park. Now 20-2 overall and 10-0 in the North Suburban, the Red Knights could clinch the conference crown outright if they beat Irondale on Saturday.

While we here at St. Louis Park Patch enjoy writing about these sports stars, we really want to hear who you think should be recognized. Know of a local Amateur All-Star at the youth, high school or college ranks? We’d love to hear about them! Please send written submissions (including the player’s name, year in school, position, team and accomplishment) to local editor Michael Rose.