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Shakopee winter sports season: wrestling, hockey and basketball lead banner year
Summary
The board heard winter athletics highlights March 24. Coaches reported a strong year across programs: wrestling posted a 28–2 record with conference and section championships; boys hockey reached state for the first time in 20 years; and the Seabers boys basketball team advanced to state.
The Shakopee Public School District board heard a roundup of winter athletics successes March 24, with coaches reporting conference and section championships, multiple state qualifiers and several individual achievements.
Athletics Director Matt Hanson introduced coaches and coaches provided highlights from each program. "It's been a really great year for us. The support from Shakopee was amazing," wrestling coach Alex Van Krevlin said as he reviewed the team's results. Van Krevlin said the team finished 28–2, won conference and section championships, placed in national duels, and recorded multiple all‑conference placers; the squad also earned a team‑GPA gold award for a team average at or above 3.5.
Boys hockey coaches told the board the program reached the state tournament for the first time in 20 years and for the first time as a Class AA school; the season included an undefeated conference run and the program’s longest postseason advance. The coach described the season as “the best season we’ve ever had in program history” and credited players and community partners for the accomplishment.
Boys basketball head coach Jake Donovan recapped a deep run to the state tournament, noting a long midseason win streak and a section final that reached the state stage. "We won 16 or 17 games in a row," Donovan said, and later emphasized the continuity among senior players: the program’s starters have played together for much of their youth careers.
Other highlights the board heard: one swimmer (Charlie Cutts) qualified for the Class AA state meet and earned individual points for the team; Nordic skiing and alpine skiing reported participation increases through the district’s coop with Burnsville; adaptive floor hockey completed its third season of inclusive play; dance and gymnastics programs posted improved placements and all‑state recognitions; and girls hockey posted a rebound season and participated in community events such as Hockey Day at the Minnesota Valley Fair (community partner SMSC designed custom jerseys for the event).
Hanson and the coaches credited broad community support — parents, public safety partners and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) among others — for enabling large events and postseason travel. The report was informational; the board took no formal action on athletics.
