Devine, Paulsen nominated for ExCEL award

Park High juniors Allison Devine and Ben Paulsen have been nominated to represent the school for the MSHSL ExCEL award.

ExCEL – Excellence in Community, Education, and Leadership – is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, show leadership qualities, volunteer in their communities, and are model citizens.

Park’s female recipient this year is Alli Devine. A two-time captain in cross country and a letter winner in track and field. Devine in school participates in band, National Honor Society, Key Club, Student Council, FCA, and Link Crew. She is also very involved in the community, volunteering at the local senior center, summer camp and organizing a local food drive. Devine has taken many IB and PSEO classes and has a GPA of 4.1.

Paulsen is Park’s male award winner. A three-sport letter winner in cross country, Nordic skiing, and track and field. Paulsen served as a captain in two of his sports and earned All-State Academic honors in Nordic skiing. Paulsen is also in the orchestra, National Honor Society and Student Council. Outside of school, he volunteers with Special Olympics and with his church. He is a Full IB Diploma Candidate and has a 4.3 GPA.

Girls basketball team goes 1-2 on the week

Host Roseville took down the visiting Park Wolfpack in Suburban East Conference girls basketball Friday night, winning 49-40.

Olivia Czarnota led Park with 14 points. Ramsey Nelson and Graycie Smith scored 8 each.

The loss dropped Park to 0-4 in conference play and 2-5 on the season. Roseville improved its record to 5-2 and 2-2 in the SEC.

Park 61, Apple Valley 43

The Wolfpack stopped a four-game losing streak with an 18-point non-conference win over visiting Apple Valley Thursday.

Park improved to 2-4 overall. Apple Valley fell to 1-5 on the season.

The Wolfpack got a very balanced scoring attack Thursday, with Olivia Czarnota scoring 15, Graycie Smith 13, Raimee Ashfaq 12 and Tea Alvarenga 10. Eight Park players scored.

Park led 38-21 at the half, then edged Apple Valley 23-22 after intermission.

Stillwater 39, Park 32

The host Ponies won the first half 17-10 and that was enough to carry them to victory over visiting Park Tuesday in Suburban East Conference girls hockey.

It was Park’s fourth straight loss after a season-opening win.

Graycie Smith scored almost half of the Wolfpack’s points, totaling 14 for the game. Tea Alvarenga added 9 points.

Park hosts White Bear Lake (2-4, 1-3) Wednesday, then entertains Mounds View (4-4, 1-3) on Friday, both games at 7 p.m. The Wolfpack are then off for the Christmas break until a home date against Hastings on Jan. 3.

Charpentier paces swim and dive team

Damion Charpentier won two events and swam on two winning relay teams to lead the Park Wolfpack in a dual swim and dive meet Thursday at White Bear Lake.

Charpentier won the 200-yard IM (2:15.25) and the 100-yard butterfly (59.09).

Park’s 200-yard medley relay team of Ethan Cole, Paul Wallace, Charpentier and Lalee Yang finished first in 1:50.50. The Wolfpack foursome of Yang, Charpentier, Cole and Wallace won the 400-yardf freestyle relay in a time of 3:49.26.

Wallace took first in the 50-yard freestyle (25.92). Cole won the 100-yard freestyle (52.34) and was second in the backstroke (1:02.01).

Park’s divers went 1-2-3 with Ethyn Schilling winning (228.65), John Jaso second (200.35) and Carter Darling third (180.75).

Will Mann was third in the 200-yard freestyle (2:15.21), Gage Davis was fourth in the 500-yard freestyle (6:54.82). Park’s 200-yard freestyle relay team of Tyler Cracauer, Connor Racine, Zachary Wood and John Selix finished third (1:52.91). Kaleb Morisette was third in the breaststroke (1:42.40).

White Bear Lake edged Park for the team title, 97-87.

Park hosts Cretin-Derham Hall Thursday at Cottage Grove Middle School, starting at 6 p.m.