Athletics Archives

MPA Girls Nordic Ski Wins IMAC Championship

January 29, 2020

Congratulations to the 2019-2020 Girls IMAC Nordic Champions, the MPA Panthers! The MPA Girls Nordic Ski team of seniors Mari Bohacek and Izzy George, juniors Katie Dahiya, Izzy Quam, Eva Benson, and Emma Cohen, freshmen Eleanore Haas, Sophia Spisak, and Margo Nightingale, eighth grader Abby B., and North Heights seventh grader Sienna S. finished first at the Conference Championship Race with a final score of 550.

The Boys Team of senior Henry Snider, juniors Ian Snider, Collin Steinberger, and Peter Manolis, sophomores Isak Nightingale and Grant Steinberger, eighth graders
David S., Eilam D., and Logan M., and seventh graders Eddie S. And Joe W. also put in great effort and finished second behind Minnehaha Academy with a score of 552.

The MPA Nordic Ski program provides students with the opportunity to learn skills necessary to compete successfully. Skiers are encouraged to achieve their maximum potential in practice and in competition–students work hard, have positive attitudes, and are the best teammates they can be. Great job to all of you, Panthers!

Join Us For Open Gym At MPA

January 23, 2020

The Lansing Sports Center will once again be open most Saturday mornings this winter for MPA families and their friends. If you know a family who might be interested in learning more about our school, this would be a great opportunity to welcome them to campus!

Saturday, January 25, 9 AM-12 PM
Saturday, February 1, 9 AM-12 PM
Saturday, February 8, 9 AM-12 PM
Saturday, February 15, 9 AM-12 PM

You are welcome to come and use the track, sports center and fitness center. If you have any questions, please contact the Athletic Office at 651-748-5630.

Spring Sports Registration Is Open

January 9, 2020

Registration for spring sports is now open! Enjoy staying active and competing with fellow Panther teammates this spring with a variety of options including baseball, fastpitch softball, tennis, track & field, and golf. Sign up for your choice here! Go Panthers!

Panther Athletics Winter Break Recap

December 31, 2019

Several MPA athletic teams competed and had outstanding performances over winter break. Go Panthers!

MPA fourth and fifth grade soccer players teamed up and competed in the NSC Holiday Classic 5v5 Soccer Tournament, finishing 2-1 overall in the tournament! The team was coached by Mr. Scinto and Mr. Sheehan.

Congratulations to MPA junior Colin Simonson, sophomore Cullen Moore, and the entire Gentry Academy Stars Hockey Team! The Stars won the Herb Brooks Holiday Classic Silver Bracket Champions title when they defeated SPA 4-3 in the championship game at the Tria Center.

The MPA Boys Basketball Team also took a championship title. Congratulations to our 2019 Kreischer Holiday Tournament Champions! Read More

You’re Invited: Alumni Gatherings

December 10, 2019

December 21, 2019: Alumni Basketball Game
Enjoy getting back on the court with fellow alumni at the Alumni Basketball Game held on December 21, 2019 in the Lansing Center at 1 PM. All MPA alumni are welcomed and encouraged to attend to play or cheer on their former classmates!

December 26, 2019: Alumni Social
This is your chance to return to campus for this year’s winter Alumni Social held on December 26 at 5 PM. The event will include appetizers, beverages and tours of the newly renovated spaces. For questions or to RSVP, please email alumni@moundsparkacademy.org.

January 14, 2020: Alumni Mentorship Program Networking Event
Join in preparing the Class of 2020 for life after MPA in the 2nd Annual Alumni Mentorship Program Networking Event. The event will take place on January 14, 2020 from 8-9:15 AM in the Family Commons. If you are interested in participating or to learn more, please contact Ashley Goetzke, assistant director of development at agoetzke@moundsparkacademy.org for more information.

Discovering Confidence On And Off The Court

December 5, 2019

The following essay is adapted from MPA Class of 2020 member Catherine Moore’s Senior Speech.

I have been at MPA since kindergarten and during my time here, I have done and been many different things. In the early years, my aspirations ranged from being a veterinarian—a job that many regular people would think is a good life goal—to astronaut—again, a good job, though harder to get there, but still fairly normal … to finally … a mermaid. Clearly, my interests would wander, changing with whatever creative thought passed through my head. Luckily, MPA gave me a place to explore my less realistic, yet aspirational side. I don’t know about doing right, but I definitely dreamed big.

My afterschool interests varied, too. I tried soccer and swimming, joined basketball and played volleyball. I loved everything about sports … especially the competitiveness. I enjoyed being physical and loved my will to win. I engaged in as many sports as possible. Eventually, however, it was volleyball that caught my attention and gave me an anchor and a steady focus. In many ways, some of the most important lessons I have learned have come from being on a volleyball team, whether that was here at MPA or on a club team. Read More

Meet MPA Physical Education Teacher Rich Harris

November 19, 2019

How many years have you been at MPA?
This is my first year.

What do you love about MPA?
The community, small classes, the work ethic of the students, and the lunch!

How does MPA inspire students who dream big and do right?
MPA consistently promotes this motto. It encourages its students to always look at the big picture and to always think their dream is achievable. MPA models doing the right thing and this rubs off on the students and community as a whole.

If you have worked at another school, how has your experience at MPA been different?
These students genuinely care for and support one another.

What would you tell a parent considering MPA?
That if you want your child to be encouraged to try new things and always feel supported, then MPA is for them. If they want more individual attention from teachers, then MPA is for them. If they want the child to be in an environment that is kind and loving, then MPA is for them. MPA also has the technology and the classes to prepare their child for adulthood in today’s world. Read More

Thank You From Coach Kunze-Hoeg

November 14, 2019

by Jeff Kunze-Hoeg, MPA Varsity Volleyball Coach

I want to thank the entire MPA family for your overwhelming support of the MPA volleyball program this season–especially at the 4A Section Final where we beat New Life Academy to advance to the State Tournament for the first time in school history. The cheering was electric and there is no doubt that it helped push our team to victory. Winning that match will be a long-time memory for us. I was blown away, not only by the number of students in the stands, but the number of MPA faculty and families who took time out of their weekend to show their Panther Pride at Kennedy High School. Read More

Thank You To The Entire Panther Community!

November 7, 2019

Thank you for your incredible support of the MPA Girls Varsity Volleyball Team as they advanced to the State Tournament for the first time in school history! We are so proud of our athletes, our fans, and our entire Panther community. It was a day to remember as five buses full of students departed campus for the Xcel Energy Center and other students gathered in the Family Commons to watch the livestream. The Panther Pride across all grades was palpable and truly represented how our community comes together to support one another. It was a great day to be a Panther! See photos of the electric energy from today here!

State Championship

November 2, 2019

On a cold, blustery day, you all ran outstanding performances at the always challenging state championship.

Margo and Katie were first up. The plan was to run a patient first mile and try to pass a lot of runners during the second and third miles. Margo ran a little quicker during the first mile than she had intended, but she held her place during the second mile. She picked it up a little during her third mile, passing 23 runners. She finished in 39th place in 19:55, her best performance at the state meet in her three appearances.

Katie hit her goal time for the mile split almost exactly, doing 6:19. She slowed during her second mile, but did hold onto her position. She picked it up a little bit during the third mile and passed a couple of runners. She finished in 21:01 in 114th place, improving on her time and place from last year.

Henry was next up. It wasn’t any warmer, but the starting pace was hot! The leader went through his first mile in 4:41! Henry kept his cool and hit his first mile in 4:59, almost exactly as planned. He passed 11 runners during his second mile, moving up to 10th place. He maintained his pace and held onto his position during his third mile to finish in 10th place, earning a medal and all state honors.

This was a nice finish to the season for all of you. But for Henry and Katie, to run well in a season where they faced a great deal of adversity and dealt with serious injuries is really a credit to their persistence.

With this race, we bid farewell to seniors Henry and our manager Grace. Thanks to both of you for all your contributions to our team over the years!

Results for the girls and boys are available at Wayzata Results.