Claire Christianson Named Star Tribune Athlete of the Week
Stillwater swimmer Claire Christianson and six other Minnesota high school athletes earned the Star Tribune honor.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Swimming
Seven high school athletes were named Star Tribune Varsity Athletes of the Week. Stillwater swimmer Claire Christianson, the top-ranked individual swimmer in Class 2A, set school records this season in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights standout performances in Minnesota high school sports as teams head into state tournaments. Christianson enters the state swimming meet on Nov. 20 as a favorite in multiple individual events and relays.
Christianson's school-record 2:03.08 in the 200 individual medley and 54.76 in the 100 backstroke were set this season, with her season-best 200 IM posted at the State True Team Meet on Oct. 17. Her performances rank her as the top individual swimmer in Class 2A heading into the state meet.
The players
Claire Christianson
A Stillwater swimmer who is the top-ranked individual swimmer in Class 2A and holds school records in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke.
Sophia Boberg
A goalkeeper for Mahtomedi's girls soccer team who previously trained with the program's two Division I goalkeepers, Harlow Berger and Jacque Worden.
The details
Seven high school athletes were honored as Star Tribune Varsity Athletes of the Week. Mahtomedi's girls soccer team advanced in the Class 2A, Section 4 tournament and plays in state semifinals Thursday, while goalkeeper Sophia Boberg posted a 2-0 shutout of Mankato East in the state quarterfinals.
Timeline
Oct. 17: Christianson posted her season-best 200 individual medley at the State True Team Meet.
Thursday: Mahtomedi's girls soccer team plays in the state tournament semifinals.
Nov. 20: The state swimming meet, where Christianson is expected to contend for multiple individual and relay titles.
Season Trajectory
Christianson's record-setting season places her among the strongest Class 2A swimmers heading into the state championship, which runs under the Minnesota State High School League's tournament structure. Her performances and the girls soccer team's tournament run show how individual and team results are shaping the closing stretch of the fall high school season.
Christianson's standing as the top-ranked Class 2A individual swimmer makes her a key name to track in individual events and relays at the state meet. Fantasy-style tracking of high school swimming is limited, but her season-best and school-record times give families and fans concrete benchmarks to follow through the Nov. 20 meet.
The takeaway
Recognition like the Star Tribune Athlete of the Week award spotlights student-athletes whose season-long work produces school records and state-level rankings. Following local high school swimming through the state meet offers a clear view of how these results are earned.
What happens next
Christianson and other state qualifiers compete at the state swimming meet on Nov. 20.
Further reading
Explore more Minnesota swimming coverage for context on state-level competition.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Startribune.
