The Hengstler-Ranweiler Awards are presented annually to the West Central Tribune-area’s outstanding senior male and female three-sport athletes.

The awards are named for Herb Hengstler and Lefty Ranweiler, two long-time Tribune sports editors.

Nominees must have competed in three sports through their senior years and earned all-conference honors in at least two of their sports at some point in their careers.

Athletes who have had a Minnesota State High School League violation are not eligible for the award.

While spring sports were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an athlete’s career numbers were considered along with senior season accolades in the fall and winter seasons.

This year, 15 male athletes were nominated for the 2020 H-R award.

Dawson Miller

FOOTBALL: Playing three seasons, Miller was a team captain during his junior and senior years. With one all-district nod under his belt, Miller finished his career with 24 receptions for 393 yards and six touchdowns as a tight end. He also had 119 total tackles as a linebacker.

BASKETBALL: In his three years as a starter on the wing, Miller rewrote the Falcons’ record books. He finished as ACGC’s all-time leading scorer, pouring in 1,544 career points. Averaging 20.1 points per game, he shot 51 percent from the field, 35 percent from three-point territory and 73 percent from the line. He made more than 500 field goals and 400 free throws. Additionally, he averaged 8.0 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game while drawing 28 charges. He also owns the single-season marks for most points (657), points per game (24.3) and field goals made (233).
BASEBALL: Miller was a two-year starter. For his career, he had a .239 batting average and a .981 fielding percentage as a pitcher, outfielder and first baseman.

“Dawson was a joy to coach,” Falcons head coach Mike Kingery said. “Not only is he a big, strong, athletic player, but he is also a great team leader, very coachable and his teammates like him.”

Jackson Peter

FOOTBALL: In two seasons, Peter did a little bit of everything. He spent time at quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback, kick returner, punt returner and punter. The senior captain was an all-district selection.

“Jackson was the glue that kept our team together,” Jags head coach Chris Moscho said.

BASKETBALL: As the lone senior on a roster hampered with injuries, Peter guided the Jaguars to the Section 5A-West title game.

“Jackson never made excuses or allowed that to be a crutch and that is why he was the perfect person for the job,” BBE head coach Chris Anderson said.

Peter averaged 12.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game as a senior and earned all-conference selection.

BASEBALL: Peter was a tough out. With more than a third of his hits accounting for extra bases, Peter had a .367 batting average in 180 career at-bats. He walked 29 times, scored 54 runs and drove in 44 runs. Half of his RBIs came during his sophomore year when he hit .408. Through 68 2/3 innings on the mound, Peter was 5-5 with three saves and a 1.94 ERA. He fanned 63 batters and allowed 32 walks.

Matthew Tolifson

FOOTBALL: With 114 catches, 1,580 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns, Tolifson holds every wide receiver record at Benson. That distinction falls in the kick return game as well, where his 1,337 return yards and six touchdowns are also the school’s standard. On defense, he played in the secondary and recorded 103 tackles. Starting three of his four years, Tolifson earned two all-district selections.

“One word describes Matthew on the football field: playmaker,” Braves head coach Adam Foslien said. “He had the capability of scoring every time he touched the ball. … His dynamic playmaking skills will be something our team will miss next year. Matthew will leave a lasting positive impact on our football program.”

HOCKEY: Starting each of his three years, Tolifson was a captain in 2019 and 2020. Playing center, wing and defense for Morris/Benson Area, he scored 28 goals and 17 assists.

BASEBALL: Tolifson started all three years, playing short and second, he had a .236 batting average with 17 RBIs, 18 runs scored and 12 stolen bases. He also pitched his junior season, tossing 28 2/3 innings and posting a 2.20 ERA. Additionally, Tolifson lettered one season in golf and made a pair of state appearances in trap shooting.

Matthew Moorse

FOOTBALL: Moorse’s senior season highlighted a three-year football career. The wide receiver hauled in 43 passes for 534 yards and three touchdowns to earn a spot on the all-district team. On the other side of the ball, he collected 27 tackles and an interception. Starting at cornerback during his final two seasons, Moorse helped the Warriors go 26-2 with back-to-back appearances in the Prep Bowl.

BASKETBALL: Playing for three years, starting for two seasons and grabbing all-conference honors once, Moorse averaged 9.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game during his senior season. Additionally, he often guarded the opposition’s best player.

“He sacrificed his offensive abilities at times to create for others and make the right play,” BOLD head coach Jake Brustuen said. “Matt took a back seat in the headlines to make his team better and do the little things to help us win games.”

Moorse will attend Gustavus Adolphus College to play basketball.

BASEBALL: An important part of BOLD’s Class A state championship team in 2019, Moorse pitched 55 1/3 innings during his four-year career, going 11-0. He also had two saves, 92 strikeouts and a 1.56 ERA.

“Matt didn’t throw the hardest, but Matt was a true pitcher,” Warriors head coach Brian Kingery said. “He knew how to set hitters up, change speeds, had movement on each pitch, and just kept hitters off balance.”

Jordan Sagedahl

FOOTBALL: In his four years as starting quarterback, Sagedahl never lost a regular-season game and led the Warriors to back-to-back trips to the Prep Bowl. Named to the Tribune’s All-Area team three times, Sagedahl completed more than 60 percent of his passes and had a 7-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Overall, he accounted for 136 touchdowns.

BASKETBALL: A three-year captain, Sagedahl poured in 1,560 points. He was selected to the all-conference team three times and twice was a member of the Tribune’s All-Area team. As a senior, Sagedahl averaged 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game as BOLD was Class A’s top-ranked team through much of the season.

“Jordan gave us consistent effort and production every night for the four years he played for us,” Brustuen said.

BASEBALL: As excellent as he was in the fall and winter, Sagedahl saved his best for the spring. In four seasons, Sagedahl had a career .401 batting average as he set the school record for RBIs and doubles. In 98 innings on the mound, the flame-thrower recorded a 12-4 record with 129 strikeouts. His best moment on the bump came during the 2019 Class A state championship, as he recorded a one-hit shutout to help the Warriors capture the crown. He also hit an inside-the-park home run in that game, too.

“Jordan is a true competitor who loves the big moments,” Brian Kingery said.

Sagedahl will continue his baseball career at South Dakota State University.

Will Magaard

CROSS-COUNTRY: Joining the varsity squad as a sophomore, Magaard never missed a race and was named team captain as a senior. He was selected to the all-conference team in 2018 and 2019. With a time under 17 minutes, Magaard won the Minnewaska Invitational by more than 35 seconds.

“Will is one of the most determined athletes I know,” Benson/KMS head coach Samantha VanHeuveln said. “He consistently puts in more than the required effort; he runs extra intervals, does extra weight lifting, and reads books on mental toughness and gaining the mental edge.”

WRESTLING: Magaard enjoyed one of the finest wrestling careers in KMS history. He had a 209-26 record with 545 takedowns, 112 falls and 24 tournament championships. Team captain from his sophomore year on, Magaard was a five-time state entant, winning the state title in 2018 at 106 pounds and taking state runner-up in 2020 at 138 pounds. Additionally, he was an all-state academic first-teamer in 2020.

“Will is very respectful and humble and a true role model,” KMS head coach Wes Haglund said. “He left everything on the mat and never walked off tired.”

TRACK AND FIELD: Lettering two seasons in track, Magaard earned all-conference honors in 2019 in the 4x800-meter relay. He also ran the 400, 800, 1600 and the 4x400 relay.

Logan Graphenteen

FOOTBALL: A Dragons’ captain, Graphenteen put together a record-setting senior campaign. “As a senior, Logan Graphenteen rarely had a moment to get a drink, get coached up or take a break in a game,” Dragons head coach Jim Jackman said.

He caught 24 passes for 771 yards and seven touchdowns. The total yardage and 32.1 yards-per-catch average are school records. He was a regular on special teams and a two-year starter at cornerback, recording 60 tackles and four pass breakups.

BASKETBALL: Averaging 3.4 points per game, Graphenteen found his role on the other end of the floor. While missing most of his junior year due to injury, he was a two-year starter on the wing thanks to his defensive presence and energy.

“Logan Graphenteen is the type of player teams need to be successful,” Dragons head coach Matt Draeger said. “Every team needs an athlete who plays harder than any other player on the court.”

TENNIS: During each of his two years, he was on the No. 1 doubles team. As a junior, he captured all-conference honors with an 18-6 record. His record was 33-20 overall.

Cade Fehr

FOOTBALL: Lettering three years, Fehr earned three starts at center as an injury replacement toward the end of his junior season. “Cade was ready for the role and stepped right in,” Morris/CA head coach Kevin Pope said.

Leading the offensive and defensive lines as a senior, Fehr was named to the all-district team. He only missed one snap at center last season as the unit shifted the offense to the shotgun formation. Defensively, Fehr picked up 13 solo tackles, 47 assisted tackles, a pair of sacks.

“He picked up right where he left off as a junior and was a leader and stable force for our offensive line,” Pope added. “Defensively, he also stepped up his game as a senior. He was a consistent leader for our team.”

BASKETBALL: A letterwinner for two years, Fehr was a team captain and was an all-conference honorable mention during a senior campaign in which he averaged 5.0 points and 3.1 rebounds as a starter for a 16-11 team.

BASEBALL: Fehr started two seasons at first base, third base and as a pitcher, he had a career batting average of .250 with 11 RBIs.

Jack Riley

FOOTBALL: Pope described Riley as the “quiet heart and soul” of the football team. Riley started two of the three years he lettered at strong safety and running back. He was twice named to the all-district team. Over the course of his career, Riley had 65 solo tackles, 82 assisted tackles and five interceptions. Offensively, he carried the ball 78 times, averaging nearly five yards a touch.

HOCKEY: A two-time all-section honorable mention from the center position, Riley lettered three seasons. He was a captain as a senior and was named an assistant captain and the team’s offensive player of the year as a junior. For his career, Riley racked up 36 goals and 61 assists. “Everytime he laced up his skates, Jack gave his best,” Storm head coach Jeremiah Day said. “Jack made everyone around him better and that earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches.”

BASEBALL: Riley started for two seasons, playing the outfield and second base. He had a .250 batting average with 15 runs scored and seven stolen bases. “He’s a hard worker and has a never-quit attitude,” Tigers head coach Mark Grussing said.

Blake Vagle

FOOTBALL: Helping the Wildcats to a runner-up placement in Section 6AAA as a junior, Vagle played a variety of roles his senior year. He returned kicks (19.3 yards per return) and punts (12 yards per return). Vagle split time in the backfield, but most of his production came as a defensive back. He had 30 solo tackles, 11 assists tackles, and a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown in 2019.

WRESTLING: Vagle won more than 80 percent of his matches through five years. His 155 wins is fifth most in school history. He was a four-time all-conference wrestler, four-time section runner-up and four-time state entrant. Vagle placed a career-best sixth at state in 2020.

“Blake has a competitive spirit,” NLS head coach Matt Bisek said.”He was a great team leader, always trying to help his teammates improve. He spent countless hours outside the practice room working to get better.”

BASEBALL: Lettering three yearsl, Vagle was a two-year starter who played the outfield and second base. He hit .213 during his junior year, but according to co-head coaches Kyle Lieser and Eric Terres, it was his defense, among other things, that made Vagle valuable.

“He has always been willing to adapt his game to his strengths,” the coaches said in a joint statement. “He turned himself into one of the better defensive outfielders in the area.”

Levi Bast

FOOTBALL: Grabbing all-section honors three times, Bast was a game-changing offensive target. Holding every wide receiver record in Paynesville history, he finished his career with 95 catches for 1,732 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns. Bast was a steady presence on defense from his free safety position, collecting 238 tackles, eight interceptions and five fumble recoveries in his three years as a starter. In each of those three years, the Bulldogs reached the state semifinals. “As good of a football player as he is, he is an even better person,” Bulldogs head coach Max Meagher said. “He quietly does his job to an excellent level, consistently.”

BASKETBALL: Through his three seasons on the hardwood, Bast averaged at least seven points every year as the Bulldogs went from a six-win campaign in 2017-18 to 16 wins in 2019-20. As a senior, Bast put up 7.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Those numbers earned him a spot on the all-conference first team, as the Bulldogs were 10-4 in conference play.

BASEBALL: Bast’s consistency continued during the two years Paynesville advanced to state. As a sophomore, he battled .333 with 11 RBIs and 16 runs scored. One year later, Bast pushed his average up to .338 with 18 RBIs and 27 runs scored. Additionally, aided by 18 walks, he had a .480 on-base percentage and stole 16 bases.

Grady Fuchs

FOOTBALL: Impactful on both sides of the ball, Fuchs was a key contributor to multiple Bulldogs state teams. As a linebacker, he had 177 career tackles, three sacks, four interceptions and nine fumble recoveries. Offensively, he produced one of the finest single seasons in Paynesville history during his senior campaign. Accounting for 39 total touchdowns, Fuchs threw for more than 2,000 yards and added another 857 on the ground. “He is as fierce a competitor as they come,” Meagher said.

BASKETBALL: As Fuchs’ numbers went up from his junior year to his senior year, so did Paynesville’s performance. Fuchs averaged 7.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game during his junior campaign as the Bulldogs finished 11-13. His senior year, he bumped up his averages (10.0-5.0-2.4) and helped Paynesville register a 16-12 record.

BASEBALL: After limited playing time as a sophomore, Fuchs was a force as junior, guiding the Bulldogs to a 23-3 record and a third-place finish in the Class AA state tournament. He notched a .410 batting average with 19 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Fuchs was even better on the mound, amassing a 9-1 record with 93 strikeouts and a 0.85 ERA.. He was selected to the all-section and all-state teams. He plays at St. Cloud Technical & Community College next year.

Jack Howard

FOOTBALL: Leading the Jaguars to their first state appearance in school history, Howard was one of the most prolific passers in the area during his senior year, completing nearly 60 percent of his passes for 2,749 yards and 36 touchdowns. He also added another five scores on the ground en route to a spot on the Tribune’s All-Area Honorable Mention. Howard produced 80 careerl touchdowns.

WRESTLING: Accumulating a 73-53 mark during his four years, Howard earned fourth place at sections in 2018 and took third in 2019 and 2020. In his last two seasons, Howard was a team captain. During his senior year, he was named the team’s MVP and led Quad County in pins.

BASEBALL: Howard lettered five years, more than any other sport. He was a four-year starter and played five positions. Howard had a .232 batting average in 155 at-bats, driving in 35 runs and scoring 42 times. On the mound, he had a 6-8 record with 2.71 ERA and 106 career strikeouts. In 2018, Howard was selected to the all-conference and All-Section 3A teams.

Ashton Gregory

FOOTBALL: Lettering for three years, Gregory was a starter for each of the last two seasons. He was a starting linebacker for a team that advanced to the Prep Bowl in 2018. During his senior season, Gregory returned to the middle of the defense while also starting five games at quarterback. “Ashton was absolutely one of the best kids to coach,” Willmar head coach Jon Konold said. “His work ethic and desire to be the best were unmatched by many.” Gregory finished his career with 91 tackles on defense and eight total touchdowns on offense.

HOCKEY: Gregory was a two-year captain. Playing as a forward, he finished second in points as a junior and was third during his senior season. “Aside from being one of our top skaters through his high-school career, he is the truest of leaders both on and off the ice,” Willmar head coach Jamie Hagen said. “He is respected by both his teammates and coaches.”

BASEBALL: Playing primarily third base, the three-year letterwinner was a key contributor to the Cardinals’ state tournament team in 2018 and section runner-up squad in 2019. Gregory was selected as Willmar High School’s Lions Award winner, given to the best male and female athlete.

Carter Sneller

FOOTBALL: Starting all three years, Sneller played a variety of positions, from safety and outside linebacker to running back. He was most productive at wide receiver and tight end. Sneller snagged 42 receptions for 686 yards and seven touchdowns in his career. Defensively, he finished with 43 tackles, three interceptions and a touchdown.

BASKETBALL: Sneller missed 13 games on the hardwood due to a wrist injury in his junior year. That season is sandwiched between campaigns where he led the Sting in scoring and made the All-Camden South team. A guard, he averaged 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals his senior season.

BASEBALL: Starting the last two springs, Sneller finished his career with a .340 batting average, three triples, 29 runs scored and 12 stolen bases. Sting head coach Trevor Schulte described his senior as a “strong-armed center fielder who took away a lot of hits (and) a catalyst at the top of the order who could cause problems for the opposition with his aggressive base-running.”

Wednesday: Girls nominees

Thursday: Boys nominees

Friday: 2020 H-R Girls winner

Saturday: 2020 H-R Boys winner