This year, BSM has had many freshman athletes stand out both on and off on the field and the court, some even leading their Red Knight teams to victory. Athletes, such as girls’ soccer player Aida Parker, football player Dajohn Yarborough, and girls’ hockey player Talla Hansen, have made a significant impact on their teams. The impact these athletes have had led to multiple state runs and championships for the fall sports athletics and are going to help bring success during the winter season.
The first freshman is girls’ hockey player, Talla Hansen. Hansen previously attended Breakaway Academy, a hockey development school located in Edina, MN. Before her time at BSM, she won the Sue Jarvi Youth Hockey Hub Player of the Year with her Wayzata U15A team. This year, she has already racked up an impressive 20 points in 15 games.
She felt very nervous coming into her first varsity season, but she is also excited for what is to come this season. She felt Breakaway prepared her on and off the ice for high school academics and athletics. The ice time at Breakaway is co-ed, so skating with boys who were very competitive helped imitate the speed of varsity hockey. “One way that really helped [prepare] me was going to Breakaway and skating with all the boys,” Hansen said.
[I just tried to be] a team player and when I get the minutes I do just making the most out of it and hyping everyone up and making them feel good
— Aida Parker
Another significant leader from the freshman class is Benilde-St. Margaret’s girls soccer state champion, Aida Parker. Parker had an outstanding first season with 8 goals and 1 assist. She was prepared for her first varsity season by playing club soccer year-round and knew this would help her. She was focused more on using her talent when she got minutes and being a team player. “[I just tried to be] a team player and when I get the minutes I do just making the most out of it and hyping everyone up and making them feel good,” Parker said.
Dajohn Yarborough, varsity football player, helped lead his team to their first state tournament appearance since 2016. Despite his injury halfway through the season, he led the Red Knights to a strong start. Before coming to BSM, he prepared himself for his first varsity season by working hard in the weight room. While dealing with his injury, his role on the team changed from a playmaker to someone on the sideline helping to “spark” the team. “It felt good… I was nervous [coming into my first season at BSM],” Yarborough said.