I want to tell you more about how we produced our report of the best 25 high school athletes in Minnesota of the last 25 years. I’ll go into detail on the criteria we used, and I’ll share more about our No. 1 choice, Joe Mauer.

Criteria to make Top 25

Here were our guidelines:

1. When: The 2000-2001 school year was the start, and one current athlete (Maddyn Greenway) made the list.
2. Varsity: The athletes must have competed successfully for a Minnesota high school. Suni Lee is amazing, but she was never a varsity athlete while at South St. Paul.
3. Championships: Postseason success at the high school level is important. Athletes should have either led their team to a state tournament or done something worthy in the postseason. A state championship was preferred, but the number of titles matters far less. Many great athletes never win one. Joining the club matters most.
4. After high school: Post-high school achievements, such as college and professional careers, were taken into account. If the other parameters are met, worthiness can be augmented by successes elsewhere, such as college championships or individual awards, Olympic medals and professional success.
5. Yes, but: Post-high school success can’t be considered more than high school achievements. Our Top 25 article is about high school achievement. Lindsay Whalen is a legend. She deserves to be in conversations about Minnesota’s all-time best athletes. As a high school athlete, however, she was a leading standout, not the star she became. She was a terrific multi-sport athlete at Hutchinson, but the Tigers girls basketball team couldn’t get through their tough section and didn’t make state during her time there. Football fans looking for Larry Fitzgerald Jr.: similar answer. Future NFL star Fitzgerald was an outstanding high school athlete at Holy Angels, but the high school credentials didn’t match the criteria.
6. Impact: An athlete’s impact on his or her sport was also considered, meaning the national attention they brought to their sport. For example, Paige Bueckers and Chet Holmgren each had videos go viral nationally that significantly elevated their high school profile.
7. All sports: While some sports are more popular from a fan-interest standpoint, having high-level success at any sport is the determining factor. In other words, a tennis player’s achievements were considered equally to those of a hockey player.

More about Mauer

Joe Mauer’s credentials are obvious. I’ll share more beyond the athletic achievements.

I’ve been asked often if I’ve ever talked with Mauer. My reply is always, “Yes, but only a few times.”

But I will never forget one memorable chance to interview Mauer that left an indelible imprint and reflected the humble character of the Minnesota icon.

Cretin-Derham Hall had just defeated Minneapolis North in a section championship basketball game in front of a full house at Concordia of St. Paul’s Gangelhoff Center.

With Mauer as the catalyst (and far and away the game’s best player), the Raiders rallied to beat the Polars to qualify for the state tournament.

When the hubbub died down and the postgame awards ceremony was finished, I went over to interview Mauer. He turned his focus to me, despite a throng of fans offering congratulations.

For about 30 seconds.

The Mauer glanced down. Tugging on his uniform shorts was a 4-year-old girl, looking for some attention from “Uncle Joe.”

Mauer stopped, politely asked me to wait, then picked the little girl up, gave her his undivided attention for a couple of minutes, then lowered her to the floor. She turned and ran back to her parents, glowing.

Mauer then turned back to me and we proceeded into a brief but thoughtful interview. Despite so many distractions, he remembered his commitment. In those few minutes, Mauer made it seem like there was nothing more important than the interview.

When we were done a few minutes later, Mauer smiled, thanked me for my time (shouldn’t it have been the other way around?) and moved on to celebrate.

Thinking about it later, I couldn’t help but be impressed by the maturity and humility Mauer showed. What 18-year-old has that kind of poise? Shows that level of respect? Particularly when his team and their supporters are celebrating around him?

Where does that come from?

I asked Mauer about it recently. He remembers the game. He didn’t recall the interview.

“I think it comes from my parents,” he said. “They set the example. They ingrained in me a sense of respect. If someone takes the time to congratulate you or wants to talk to you, take the time to let them know you appreciate it. And I had a lot of good coaches and good mentors growing up.”

He may not have recalled the encounter. But I did.

He’s the best high school athlete in the last 25 years, and he carried his success with class.