Positive Athlete Minnesota is proud to announce the top Minnesota honorees for the 2026 program year.

The top seven designees reflect the seven core qualities of a Positive Athlete:
Optimistic
Puts Team First
Encouraging
Respectful
Admits Imperfections
True Heart for Others
Embraces Service

Here is the list of the 2026 Positive Athletes of the Year:
Girls
• Megan Watson, Burnsville, Soccer
• Eden Wolf, Eagan, Swimming
• Gwynneth Skoogman, Hill Murray, Ice Hockey
• Jaci Jordan, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, Volleyball
• Caylee Kuehne, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Cross Country
• Sydney Klar, Stewartville, Softball
• Bayley Schneider, St Cloud Cathedral, Dance
Boys
• Ryan Christiansen, Apple Valley, Baseball
• Ryan Masters, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, Football
• Grady Evenson, Lakeville South, Swimming
• Troy Pozinski, Maranatha Christian Academy, Power Lifting
• Colby Kuehl, Martin County West, Basketball
• Grady Weinbrenner, Rogers, Wrestling
• James Hansen, St. Paul Central, Soccer

The student-athletes were celebrated in an on-field ceremony before the Minnesota Twins 5-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, May 17.

This recognition highlights the Power of Positivity in youth sports and honors Minnesota student-athletes who lead with character, teamwork, and resilience.

Positive Athlete, Inc. is a national organization that promotes the benefits of positivity to young athletes across the country through awards, scholarships, and special opportunities.

Jaci was nominated by volleyball coach Alex Keilen and Ryan was nominated by football coach Caleb Fiala. The coordinator of the Postive Athlete Great Lakes Region, Zack Phillips, stated that in his 15 years of working with this program, he had never seen a small school district with two winners in the same year, so kudos to Jaci and Ryan for representing LCWM in such a positive manner!
4 months ago, LCWM
Positive Athlete Award winners, Jaci and Ryan, standing in front of the Twins Stadium brass baseball statue.
Good luck to our boys team at the state track tournament tomorrow in Eden Prairie! Coach Burns shared a bit about each athlete at the Pep Fest as the students watched from the cafetorium this morning.
4 months ago, LCWM
coach burns speaking into a mic while the team stands on the stage behind him
coach burns speaking into a mic while the team stands on the stage behind him.
coach burns speaking into a mic while the team stands on the stage behind him.
coach burns speaking into a mic while the team stands on the stage behind him.
coach burns speaking into a mic while the team stands on the stage behind him.
Team member, Ryan masters speaking into a mic while the team stands on the stage behind him.
"LCWM Gives Back" today was a success! Staff and students went to a variety of places and helped pick up sticks, rake yards, move mulch, paint, hang up photos, among other things.
4 months ago, LCWM
Students sitting on a bench in front of the elementary.
Students hanging up a photo on a blank white wall.
Students lined up along a fence with little daycare kids standing next to them at the daycare center in town.
high school kids and little kids scooping mulch from a big pile and little kids pushing toy dump trucks with mulch in the back of them.
Students carrying a big branch
student raking along the back side of a building.
Two students carrying a large branch on a gravel path away from the scout cabin.
Students behind a stick pile holding a rake.
Student carrying a wooden bench with a paintbrush in one hand.
Congratulations to Bridget on her 6th place finish at the state bowling competition yesterday!!
4 months ago, LCWM
student holding bowling ball in the bowling alley smiling at camera

Braxton Dudgeon accomplished a goal at yesterday's home track and field meet breaking the school record in the triple jump. The triple jump is a horizontal jumping event where the running athlete takes off one foot, lands on the same foot(hop), lands on the other foot(step) then lands in the sand pit(jump), usually on both feet. It has been an Olympic track and field event since 1896. Dudgeon leapt 43'4" inches to surpass the previous record of 43'3.5" that was set by Jarret Imlay in 2010.

Photo Credit: Kari Paul

4 months ago, LCWM
student running and leaping the triple jump run.
student running and leaping the triple jump run.
Student landing in the sand pit with sand flying.
Good luck to our state bowlers tomorrow!
4 months ago, LCWM
students in two rows sitting and standing in front of a stage
students lined up in two lines while bowling students walk through the middle of them
students lined up in two lines while bowling students walk through the middle of them.
students lined up in two lines while bowling students walk through the middle of them.
students lined up on the front of an auditorium stage while one person is holding the mic, talking about the bowling season
Carynn, who has been helping out at the preschool this semester for her work study, got an amazing surprise send off from our elementary this morning! She, and the rest of the team, head up to the State Bowling Competition tomorrow morning! More photos from the send off at the high school to come later!
4 months ago, LCWM
Carynn is walking out of the building high fiving a bunch of students standing outside of the school.
Students holding tassles and signs that say good luck at state.
Students holding tassles and signs that say good luck at state.
Carynn is walking out of the building high fiving a bunch of students standing outside of the school.
Carynn is walking out of the building high fiving a bunch of students standing outside of the school.
Students holding tassles and signs that say good luck at state.
Carynn is walking out of the building high fiving a bunch of students standing outside of the school.
Juniors and Sophomores, in Civics and US History, got to go to the Share the Road Presentation put on by the American Trucker Association here at the school today. During this presentation, the students got to see the blind spots that semis have and hear some helpful hints about driving safely around semis. All of the students got the chance to climb in the semi to experience the blind spots for themselves.
4 months ago, LCWM
Student sitting in the driver seat of a semi to experience the blindspots like a semi driver does.
Straight on view from in front of the semi. A student is sitting in the driver seat of a semi to experience the blindspots like a semi driver does while people stand on either side of the semi.
Students lined up outside of a semi, learning about semi blindspots.
Student sitting in the driver seat of a semi to experience the blindspots like a semi driver does.
Student sitting in the driver seat of a semi to experience the blindspots like a semi driver does.
Students lined up outside of a semi, learning about semi blindspots.
Happy Principal's Day! Thanks for all you do for our students Mr. Beert and Mr. Thofson!
5 months ago, LCWM
Principals Day photos saying thank you for all you do for our students.
The Class of 2027 would like to invite you to the 2026 "Golden Hour" prom grand march on May 9 at 5:30 pm.

Please note, doors will not open until 5:00 pm!
5 months ago, LCWM
Prom grand march invitation. May 9, 5:30 pm
Congratulations to Drew Turgeon for breaking his own LCWM school record at last night’s Dewey Escher Invitational in Lake Crystal! Drew originally set the record last year and surpassed it with a throw of 180' 2". Congratulations, Drew!
5 months ago, LCWM
Drew Turgeon throwing discus in the cage.
And now an update from State Speech: Unfortunately, Ryan did not make it to finals. However, he still had a fantastic season and - as a sophomore - still has two more years with us. We are so proud of Ryan and his achievements. Congrats! Another thing to celebrate: The Minnesota Speech Coaches Association (MSCA) has released the names of 127 speech competitors, representing 48 different high schools, who have earned a spot on the 2026 MSCA All-State Speech Team. Senior Captain, Ceiliah Slama, has been named to this prestigious team! To qualify for All-State, speakers must attain a set of milestones established by the MSCA. Those qualifications include being a senior in high school and documented excellence in competition, including at least one appearance at the MSHSL State Speech Tournament. Congratulations to Ceiliah on her hard work over her career on the team!
5 months ago, LCWM
student with state speech shirt on in a parking lot
certificate
Our Academic Decathlon, team who has been competing in San Diego, CA this week has had a good showing so far! Three music medals: Phena bronze, Karl silver, and Reese gold! More results to come!
5 months ago, LCWM
students lined up smiling at camera
students lined up smiling at camera
two students buried in sand
Tomorrow, the LCWM Speech Team will be sending Ryan to the Class A State Speech Tournament at Park Center High School!

Ryan is a sophomore and this will be his second time attending the State Tournament. He will be competing in Creative Expression, with his original script: "Writer's Block". We wish him a congratulations and good luck!!
5 months ago, LCWM
Ryan standing in the bleachers at a school with a white wall behind him, holding his blue medal to show he moved on to the state tournament.
Ryan and his sister, Aherly, seated in chairs in a school gym, smiling at the camera.
Mr. Colvin's Ag 8 class learned about poultry handling today and it went really well!!

5 months ago, LCWM
Student holding chicken in classroom.
Student holding chicken in classroom.
Student holding chicken in classroom.
Student holding chicken in classroom.
Student holding chicken in classroom.
group of students holding two chickens in classroom.
Student holding chicken in classroom.
Congratulations to these students for earning 17th out of 46 teams at the National LifeSmarts competition in Orlando, FL last week!

LifeSmarts provides real-world education for students who learn about core consumer topics and develop critical thinking skills. Participants focus on five key topic areas: consumer rights and responsibilities, the environment, health and safety, personal finance, and technology. The goal of LifeSmarts is to create consumer savvy young people who will be well equipped for adult life in today’s complex, global marketplace. (Taken from lifesmart.org/about-us/)
5 months ago, LCWM
Students posing in between white pillars with lush green around them on a tile floor.
students on stage, sitting at a table, competing wearing blue shirts and medals with their names in front of them on the table.
students on stage, sitting at a table, competing wearing blue shirts and medals with their names in front of them on the table.
Students posing somberly holding a sign that says MN in front of a Lifesmarts backdrop.
students on stage, sitting at a table, competing wearing blue shirts and medals with their names in front of them on the table.
Students in a pyramid on the floor holding a MN sign in front of a backdrop that says lifesmarts all over it.
Students posing in front of a flower garden with pink flowers and green grass behind them. They're smiling and looking at the camera.
Good luck to our two teams who are competing at state FFA today! In Nursery and Landscape we have Grace, Sydney, Chase and Wyatt and in Best Informed Greenhand we have Carter and Riddick.

Good luck to both teams!!
5 months ago, LCWM
two boys in their official FFA dress standing in front of a tree at the MN State Fairgrounds prepared for their competition.
Six students standing on a concrete pad with the sun shining behind them in their official FFA dress.

Five LCWM students participated in the 52nd Annual Minnesota State University Math Competition on Wednesday. The exam consists of advanced questions from algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

Participants: Nettie, Sophie, Ryan, Wesley, and Ceiliah.

LCWM's top scorer was Ryan. Congratulations!

5 months ago, LCWM
Students lined up against the wall holding thumbs up after the math competition.
This week we have been celebrating our paraprofessionals in honor of National Paraprofessional Day (which is today)!

Please join us in thanking all of our wonderful paraprofessionals for all they do!!
6 months ago, LCWM
National Paraprofessional appreciation day. April 3, 2026. Children count with you and teachers count on you! Thank you for all you do!
LCWM junior Levi Freyberg broke the school record in the pole vault soaring 14’6”, surpassing the record of 14’4” set by Logan Stock in 2017. Stock went on to compete collegiately for the Washburn Ichabods, a Division II school in Topeka, Kansas. Stock placed 7th in the Decathlon at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships earning All- American Honors in 2021. Stock is currently listed on several top ten lists at Washburn, including 7th in the 110 HH, 15.06; 6th in the HJ, 6’8”; 8th in the LJ, 23’5.5”; 6th in javelin 170’2”; and Stock is the School Record Holder for the Ichabods in the Decathlon, scoring 7085 pts. Freyberg has also competed in Sprints, LJ, TJ, HJ, Discus and Hurdles for the Knights. With nearly two full seasons still ahead, it will be fun to see what height Freyberg can take the pole vault record to.
6 months ago, LCWM
Coach Jackson Nesmoe standing with Levi, school record breaker.