Athletics Archives

April 14, 2025

from Takele Thompson-Nelson ’18

One reason I decided to return to MPA as a coach was that I was asked by fellow teammates who were also leaders and captains, Brendan Connolly ’17 and Cooper Olson ’16. I was eager to join the team, knowing that I would have those two by my side. I returned in hopes of passing on the knowledge and values that were given to me through my time at MPA. I also love basketball!

It means a lot to be able to mentor the next generation. However, those feelings are also partnered with fear. To have people, especially kids, relying on you is a powerful thing. But I know I wouldn’t be put in this position if I wasn’t ready. When coaching, I want to make sure that I’m not just hitting the Xs and Os because life is more complicated than that. In my time here at MPA, my coach is someone I could look up to and who helped guide me through other aspects of life beyond sports. I believe that it is my responsibility to also take that role for my athletes if needed.

My past experience as an MPA athlete has filled me with immense pride for everything related to being a Panther. Every win, loss, or game has an emotional connection for me because that was something I used to be a part of. I believe that being an alum and now a coach has created a strong bond between my passion for the team and the school. I am not just a coach but a previous athlete. This connection has given me my “why,” which is the fuel that has guided me to come to MPA every day with the same passion and love I had when I was a student here.

MPA’s 2025 Athena Award Winner

April 3, 2025

Congratulations to Delaney Cunnington ’25, MPA’s 2025 Athena Award Winner!

This program honors outstanding female high school senior student-athletes based on excellence in individual athletics or participation and accomplishments in team sports. Delaney was a member of soccer, gymnastics, and track and field during her time as a Panther.

During her time competing for MPA, she has racked up numerous accolades, including a state title on the uneven bars in 2024, among others.

Congratulations again, Delaney! The selection for the award was warranted, and we can’t wait to see what you do this track season.

Five Things To Know About MPA From Ford B.

March 13, 2025

Middle School student Ford B. shares five key things about his MPA experience, including discovering passions, finding his place here, and skills he’s built upon.

1. Everyone is super welcoming.

I joined MPA last year for my seventh-grade year. On the first day, I was afraid to make new friends, until my first class, and someone asked me to sit next to them. It instantly made me feel more at ease.

2. You can try new clubs and sports.

I had heard the Nordic team was fun, but I had never done it before. I still gave it a shot, and it’s now one of my favorite things I do. And now I’m in the school play, which I haven’t done before, but I’m giving it a shot.

3. Homework builds strong skills.

Homework here may be different from other schools, but over time, it became easier once I learned to plan out my homework load and do my best not to procrastinate. Read More

March 6, 2025

Registration is open for our annual Summer Panther Sports Camps! Check out our offerings below:

Panther Soccer Camp: June 9-12, 9-11:30 AM
Soccer lovers in grades K-6 can join Mr. Sheehan and the MPA soccer coaches for a fun and challenging week of activities for all abilities! Bring a friend!
Panther Basketball Camp: June 9-12, 12:30-3 PM
MPA’s basketball coach, Chris Hopkins, will run these basketball camps for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The emphasis will be on shooting, ball handling, and fundamentals for all skill levels.
Panther P.E. Summer Camp: June 16-19, 9-11 AM for kindergarten-second grade, 1-3 PM for third through sixth grade
Panther P.E. Camp offers a friendly space for students of all athletic abilities to participate in a mix of some of the students’ favorite P.E. activities and games.

Five Things To Know About MPA From Emily Baker

March 4, 2025

What five things do you need to know about MPA? MPA tenth grader Emily Baker is here to tell you. We’re so happy to see the campus pond and native gardens made her list!

1. Athletic teams are no-cut.

Don’t be afraid to join a team; MPA welcomes all skill levels! Whether you’ve been playing for years or just starting out, there’s a place for you. I’ve made so many amazing friends on the soccer team and have grown so much as a player.

2. Student ambassadors are here to help.

As the Middle School representative on our student ambassador leadership team, I get to help welcome new students and make their transition to MPA as smooth and fun as possible. It’s such a great way to connect with others and make everyone feel at home!

3. We have a lot of school spirit.

MPA is all about lifting each other up. This photo captures the amazing turnout at our last Homecoming soccer game, an early morning match where the community’s energy helped push us to a dub! Read More

Wyatt Srsen ’25 Becomes Boys Basketball All-Time Leading Scorer

February 26, 2025

Congratulations to Wyatt Srsen ’25, MPA’s new all-time leading scorer for boys basketball! Srsen passed the threshold of 1,303 during the Panthers contest versus United Christian Academy on Tuesday, February 25.

Now sitting alone at the top of the MPA boys scoring list, Wyatt took a second to reflect on what the accomplishment signifies to him.

“The scoring record means a lot to me, but it’s just a small fraction of what basketball truly means to me and how it has shaped me as both a player and a leader,” Wyatt said. “It stands as a testament to all the hard work I’ve put in over the past four years. I wouldn’t be here without the support of my family, teammates, and coaches.”

Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha Co-op Takes On State

February 25, 2025

Ending a strong season, the Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha gymnastics team took third place at the Class AA state team competition, held on Friday, February 21, at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul! The team scored 146.25 to earn the bronze medal, just behind state champion Owatonna and runner-up New Prague.

The team wasn’t done there, however, as the following night saw Delaney Cunnington ’25 claim some individual hardware of her own! To cap off her high school career, Delaney’s busy day during the state individual competition was highlighted by a runner-up spot for her floor routine that netted her a score of 9.575!

Delaney’s day, once it was all said and done, contained a fourth-place finish on the beam (9.35), a fifth-place spot for vault (9.525), and 31st on the uneven bars (8.65). The combined scores pushed Delaney to a total of 37.15, good enough for fourth in all-around!

We are beyond proud of the showings turned in by Delaney and the rest of the Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha co-op! The high-level performance of the team matched the representation by the athletes for their respective schools.

Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha Co-op Heads To State

February 20, 2025

The Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha gymnastics co-op is once again returning to the state meet after winning the Section 4AA team title! The team vaulted to the title for the second straight year, holding off the second-place White Bear Lake by a 143.80 to 141.65 margin.

Delaney Cunnington ’25, a reigning state champion on the uneven bars, again starred for the co-op. Delaney sprang to the all-around title for the meet, totaling 38.225 to advance individually to the state meet. The scoring led her to collect first place on bars and floor while claiming second place for beam and vault. The performances also send Delaney to compete individually in all four events.

Marching on to the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul for the state competition, it will be a busy weekend for the co-op. Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha will first compete in the team championships starting at 6 PM on Friday, February 21, followed the next day by individual and all-around championships, again starting at 6 PM.

Good luck to Delaney and the rest of the team! Tickets to the state competition can be bought here.

MPA Alpine, Nordic Skiers Compete At State!

February 18, 2025

Congratulations to the MPA boys Nordic ski team, which took third place as a team during the state meet held at Giants Ridge!

The Panthers were led by Eddie Snider ’25, who paced the pack with a third-place finish in the boys pursuit. Eddie was followed by Eli Andre ’26 (17th), Soren Winikoff ’26 (20th), Max Francois ’28 (104th), and Brennen Schertz ’25 (109th). Ansel Streier ’26 and Carter Short ’27 combined to take 16th in the team sprint.

Representing the girls side of the team, Megan Snider ’27 took home 33rd.

We are so incredibly proud of our Panthers! Earning the placement was a true team effort, reflected in the countless hours and hard work dedicated to the sport. Read More

Coaching Q&A With Nate Bander ’09

February 12, 2025

Why did you decide to return to MPA as a coach?

I returned to MPA as a coach in the fall of 2015 during a time of transition in my life. I was considering looking for a new job and sought direction in reconnecting with folks at MPA, a familiar community full of people who had positively impacted my life. I reached out to former head cross-country coach Dan Ethier to see if the team needed an assistant coach.

Thankfully, they did. I ended up coaching three sports—cross country, basketball, and track and field—and working in admissions and marketing for six years. Deep down, I decided to return to coach at MPA to continue to be part of a community that I knew and loved.

What does it mean to you to have mentored the next generation of students?

Coaching and mentoring the next generation of student-athletes at MPA was the honor of a lifetime. It meant everything to me. I am incredibly proud of creating connections with those students that continue today, more than three years after I coached my last game for the Panthers.

It meant so much to me to mentor/coach the student-athletes on my teams in many different aspects of life, from shooting free throws and practicing handoffs to being a good teammate and developing into a leader. I loved hearing them talk about their classes and seeing how incredibly smart and sophisticated they were. Mentoring these student-athletes meant connecting with them not just through athletics but through academics, leadership, and joy. Read More