DONNY LONGENDYKE
White Bear Lake, wrestling
After making short work of his opponent in the Class 3A heavyweight quarterfinals — his fifth pin in as many state tournament matches to that point — Longendyke did not leave Xcel Energy Center on Friday.
Instead, he hung around his mat, scouting two potential challengers for the heavyweight title he won in 2010.
Good idea, because Longendyke ended up facing both of the wrestlers he was watching and narrowly defeated them for his second consecutive state championship.
He beat Parker Betts of St. Michael-Albertville 3-1 in the semifinals and needed three overtimes to outfight longtime rival Brock Horwath of Stillwater for a 3-2 victory.
Horwath ended Londendyke's 88-match winning streak in the Class 3A, Section 4 final. When they met in the state final, Longendyke got a reversal in the third overtime and held on, allowing Horwath nothing more than a late escape to emerge victorious.
"We're actually pretty close friends," said Longendyke, a University of Nebraska recruit who was the top-ranked heavyweight in the nation earlier this season. "But not when we take the mat. Then it's all about winning."
KYLE BEGIN
Anoka, wrestling
The senior 160-pounder won the hearts of fans at Xcel Energy Center with his emotional, come-from-behind 8-5 victory over Apple Valley's Steven Keogh in the Class 3A individual final.
KATYBETH BIEWEN
Edina, basketball
Biewen had her two best offensive games of the season in the Class 4A, Section 2 playoffs. She had 24 points in an 83-45 rout of Chanhassen and 21 in a 54-46 victory over Bloomington Jefferson.
JENA CHUBA
Orono, basketball
The senior guard recently has elevated her game, averaging 21.5 points over her past six games. Last week she scored 49 points, including a season-high 27, in two 3A, Section 6 playoff games.
MAKENZIE GARIBAY
South St. Paul, basketball
The junior guard posted back-to-back 24-point performances as South St. Paul advanced to the 3A, Section 4 championship game with victories over Como Park and Highland Park.
MIKE GRATZ
Edina, boys' swimming
Gratz was the only four-event champion at the Class 2A meet. He won the 100 and 200-yard freestyles and was on the winning 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams.
JOEY MUNOS
South St. Paul, wrestling
The 125-pound champion in Class 2A finished the season undefeated at 41-0. Munos got stronger as the meet went on, pinning his opponents in the semifinal and championship matches.
-- JIM PAULSEN
