Michael Hernandez Ruiz

Simley • soccer

You can find Simley forward Michael Hernandez Ruiz all over the soccer field, but the most surprising — and impressive — place to discover him might be in his own team’s 18-yard box.

Opposing coaches have told Spartans head coach David Albornoz as much, including after Simley’s 1-0 season-opening win over Rochester Century.

In the final minute of the game, Hernandez Ruiz had tracked back to defend in front of his own net. Albornoz described the senior captain as “a workhorse.”

“That is priceless,” Albornoz said, “when you have someone who is willing to put his work and effort on the line for the team. Makes my life so much easier.”

Hernandez Ruiz has racked up seven assists for the 4-0 Spartans — a state high, according to early-season stats. The Spartans, tied for No. 2 in the latest Class 2A coaches association rankings, hope to reach state for the first time since 2007.

“We want to come out there and make history for our school,” Hernandez Ruiz said.

Last year, Hernandez Ruiz finished with 11 goals and 19 assists, earning all-state honors alongside fellow captain Elvis Hernandez Paz and serving as the finishing touch on many of his passes.

“Since we started playing together, we just clicked,“ Hernandez Ruiz said. ”Our play styles play well together, very similar … good on the dribble, on the runs."

Cassan Li

Eagan • tennis

Li entered last week as the No. 1-ranked player in the new Class 3A size classification, and for good reason. For the 9-2 Wildcats, Li has yet to drop a set, including in a 7-5, 6-2 win over the No. 2-ranked player in Class 3A, Rochester Mayo’s Malea Diehn.

In her past four matches, Li hasn’t even dropped a game.

“Cassan is such a strong and phenomenal tennis player,” head coach Lisa Johnson said. “She is lethal from the baseline with her powerful groundstrokes, and her level of competition is so high and fun to watch.”

Clayton Salmon

Redwood Valley • cross-country

The Cardinals graduated five seniors who ran in last year’s Class 1A state cross-country race, but Salmon is making sure his team doesn’t miss a step.

A junior, Salmon won last week’s Lake Invitational with a personal-best 5K time of 16 minutes, 36.87 seconds and helped Redwood Valley to a team victory alongside teammate and fellow junior Tyler Robinson, who placed second.

“Clayton has always had a talent for running and has never shied away from putting in hard work to improve,“ head coach Benton Kodet said. ”He has really been drawn to the science of training and nutrition to try to maximize himself even more than he had been already."

Addie Stadden

Blaine • soccer

When Stadden scores, she releases a flurry of goals. A senior forward committed to North Dakota, she netted a hat trick in Blaine’s 6-2 win over Hopkins and a brace in a 4-1 win over Osseo. The Bengals entered the week 3-0.

“Addie is a selfless leader who consistently puts the team first,” head coach Scott Zachmann said. “A strong and composed presence on the field, she is confident on the ball and has the ability to strike it with power and precision.”

Tyshone Jenkins

Minneapolis North • football

In the Polars’ season-opening 45-7 win over Simley, the junior running back — part of a Minneapolis North crew that’s stacked at the skill positions — rushed for 131 yards and three touchdowns.

Jenkins also made three tackles on the other side of the ball, where he plays middle linebacker.

“Tyshone has grown into a leader for us, and his effort makes everyone around him better,” head coach Charles Adams III said. “He’s a big part of our team’s success.”

Keira Friedrich

St. Peter • cross-country

Friedrich was in a league of her own at last week’s Marshall Invite. She finished her 5K in 17:52.00, nearly two minutes ahead of the next-closest runner, teammate Lucia Penner, who finished in 19:38.50 as the Saints placed first in the team standings.

Friedrich, a senior who already held the school’s 5K record, also won the Class 2A 1,600-meter title in the spring.

“Keira has shown steady improvement every season, becoming stronger and more confident as a runner,“ head coach Jeff Portugue said. “Her dedication has not only elevated her own performance but has also inspired other girls in our school to join and get excited about cross-country.”

Madilyn Zwart

Fillmore Central • volleyball

Just three matches into Fillmore Central’s season, sophomore middle hitter Zwart had already racked up a team-high 47 kills, 14 blocks and seven service aces. The undefeated Falcons, ranked No. 3 in Class 1A, hope to repeat as Section 3 champs after making the program’s second trip to state last fall.

“Madilyn is long and explosive with a quick arm, which makes her a great middle. She has a great attitude and work ethic,” head coach Travis Malley said. “She is just a sophomore, so I look forward to everything she brings to the team over the next few years.”

Want to nominate a student-athlete for Athletes of the Week consideration? Email us at varsity@startribune.com.