Athletics Archives

April 18, 2024

Ready to boost your child’s fitness and skills this summer? Look no further than our Panther Speed and Strength Programs and Fitness Foundations, all guided by the expertise of MPA Strength Coach Sean Ryther!

Panther Speed and Strength Programs
Want your child to excel in sports or simply enhance their physical abilities? Our 7-week sessions, running from June 11 to August 1, are designed for incoming grade 9-12 students (Session 1) and incoming grades 6-8 students (Session 2). Held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, these programs focus on agility, speed, endurance, and strength development. Led by Coach Ryther, they provide a supportive and dynamic environment where your child can improve their performance, boost their confidence, and foster a lifelong love for fitness.

Session 1: Incoming 9-12th graders. Register here!
Session 2: Incoming 6-8th graders. Register here!

Fitness Foundations Program
Building a solid fitness foundation is crucial for long-term health. Our 7-week session, also from June 11 to August 1, is tailored for incoming grade 3-5 students. Held on Tuesday and Thursday, this program introduces fundamental movement skills, enhances coordination, and promotes an active lifestyle. Under Coach Ryther’s guidance, your child will engage in fun and age-appropriate activities, setting them on the path to a healthier, happier life. Register here!

See photos from last year here!

Let’s champion the next generation of healthy, active Panthers together! #PantherPride #MPAStrong #YouthFitness

Parents Association News And Events April 18, 2024

April 18, 2024

Get Your MPA Merch
On April 18 and 20 at the track meets, and on May 3 at Panther Party for new MPA families, you’ll be able to purchase these outstanding items.

Track Meet Concessions
The Parents Association is excited to support Athletics as MPA hosts its very own track meets this spring! MPA has not been able to host home track meets because of the condition of our track. Thanks to our generous community, we raised funds, and it was resurfaced last summer! We are hosting two track meets this spring: Varsity on Thursday, April 18 and Middle School on Saturday, April 20.

Please consider donating items for our concessions stand: sport drinks, fruits, and snacks are on the wish list. Athletes need fuel to race! Offering concessions is a standard at other meets and an opportunity to serve everyone in attendance. If you are coming to watch your athlete, we’d appreciate your help staffing the sales tables. Click here to donate items or your time. If you have any questions, please reach out to Christine Larson at 612-251-1156 or clarsonPA@moundsparkacademy.org. Thanks in advance for your support of Panther athletes!

Lower School Parent Quarterly Coffee: Tuesday, April 30, 8-9 AM, Library
Stop by for coffee for a chance to meet and greet before summer break!

Thursday, May 2 In Middle School

5:15 PM Family Dinner, Family Commons
6 PM MS Transition Meetings for Grades 4-8
7 PM MS Vocal Concert

Join us for a MS pre-Concert Family Dinner! Grades 4-8 are invited along with families. We’ll have pizza and flatbreads, salad, and dessert from Sage, including allergy-friendly options. Please RSVP by Venmo: send $5 per person to Molly Oliver, @Molly-Oliver-7 (last four digits 4533). Be sure to note your student/family and any allergies. The deadline for RSVPs is April 27.

Upper School Parent Quarterly Coffee: Friday, May 3, 8-9:30 AM, Porter Conference Room
Joining us will be representatives of Vanke Meisha Academy (VMA), a Chinese international school located in Shenzhen, China with whom MPA has established a formal partnership. Learn more about the partnership between the two schools, share information about MPA through the lens of a parent, and gather details about the education system in China. Coffee and pastries will be served. Read More

MPA Sailing: All Are Welcome, Grades 7-12!

April 4, 2024

Interested in giving the sport a try? The team is welcoming friends of any team member to come out and see what sailing is all about on April 9.

The MPA Sailing team sails out of White Bear Sailing School with and against teams from White Bear Lake, Mahtomedi High School, Stillwater High School, Saint Croix Prep, Mounds View High School, Hill Murray, and Totino-Grace, gaining crucial communication skills and cooperation on the water.

The White Bear Sailing School features three MPA alums in prominent roles as Toby Sullivan ’19 is the waterfront director, Josh Sullivan ’16 is head coach, and Henry Seum ’23 is a summer coach.

Micah Hudock Becomes MPA All-Time Leading Boys Basketball Scorer

March 7, 2024

Micah Hudock ’24 wasn’t sure if he would end up becoming the MPA all-time leading scorer in boys history. After missing time due to injuries, the senior needed to make the most of his opportunities on the court.

“I dealt with a lot of ankle injuries on my first, second, and third year playing on the team,” Micah said.

Overcoming the time missed, he was able to do just that, eclipsing the Panthers record for boys scoring by beating the previous high of 1,256. The previous record was held by Brendan Connolly ’17. Read More

MPA Summer Sports Camps

March 7, 2024

Registration is open for our annual Summer Panther Sports Camps with Volleyball Camps coming soon!

Panther Soccer Camp: June 10-13, 9-11 AM
Soccer lovers in grades K-6 can join Mr. Sheehan and the MPA soccer coaches for a fun and challenging week of activities for all abilities! Bring a friend! register here >

Panther PE Summer Camp: June 17-20, 9:30-11:30 AM for grades K-2 and 1-3 PM for grades 3-6
Panther PE Camp offers a friendly space for students of all athletic abilities to participate in a mix of some of the students’ favorite PE activities and games. Bring a friend!
K-2 register here >
3-6 register here >

Panther Basketball Camp: July 8-11, 8-9:30 AM for grades K-4 and 9:30-11:30 AM for grades 5-8
MPA’s Head Basketball Coach, Chris Hopkins, will be running these basketball camps for students in grades K-8. The emphasis will be on shooting, ball handling, and fundamentals for all skill levels.
K-4 register here >
5-8 register here >

See all of the incredible summer offerings, including Skyhawks Sports Camps here!

MPA Sailing: All Are Welcome, Grades 7-12!

March 7, 2024

from Parker Ziegler, team captain

The MPA sailing team is genuinely for anyone, from first-time sailors to national competitors. Although we have plenty of practice time (3:30-6:30 PM Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays), we’re about flexibility, not just competition. Although it’s encouraged to attend all the practices and then regattas on Saturdays, it’s not required. “In my first years, I was hesitant about all the practices and had very little experience, but over the years, the sailing team allowed me to find close friendships and improve my sailing skills, and now I can’t wait to get on the water,” said MPA sailor, Alex Bixby ’25. Read More

Delaney Cunnington Wins State Title

February 29, 2024

It was a whirlwind week for MPA’s Delaney Cunnington ’25. After qualifying for the Class AA State Gymnastics Tournament as an individual and also helping the Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha Gymnastics team to a team state berth, the state took notice.

Rightfully so, as Delaney became the 27th individual state champion in MPA history, winning the Class AA individual title on the uneven bars via her score of 9.727 at Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

“I’ve put in a lot of time and a lot of effort, so it’s really fun to see it pay off and feel accomplished about it,” Delaney said.

Before getting to that point, Delaney, the Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha team, and her mother, Carrie, took center stage as the Star Tribune featured all three. Carrie was highlighted for her contribution to the team’s coaching staff. When faced with a lack of coaches, Carrie recruited former Gophers gymnast Jonda Hughes and a former Level 10 club gymnast Anja Mundahl to help fill out the Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha coaching roster.

Delaney did her part to earn the feature, helping recruit a former teammate to join the team previously before helping secure the individual and team state berths. Delaney won the Section 7AA meet’s around title with a career-high 38.2. She also won on the bar, beam, and floor routine during the section meet.

The attention brought some pressure to the gymnastics co-op, with the team preparing for the upcoming state meet. “That pressure shifted into motivation,” Delaney said.

Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha Gymnasts Featured For Strong Season

February 23, 2024

The Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha gymnastics team was featured in the Star Tribune today for its recent success, which includes a berth to the state meet. MPA’s Delaney Cunnington ’25 and her mom, Carrie, both played critical roles in the strong season!

When faced with a lack of coaches, Carrie recruited former Gophers gymnast Jonda Hughes and a former Level 10 club gymnast, Anja Mundahl, to help fill out the Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha coaching roster. Delaney handled the competition side of things, recruiting another top athlete to the team and then winning the all-around title with a career-high 38.2. She also won on the bar, beam, and floor routine during the section meet.

With the people in place to help the program excel, the motto has stayed simple to keep moving forward, Delaney said.

“Give it your all, have fun. That’s kind of it. It’s all we do,”

The state competitions are Friday and Saturday at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Please join us in wishing Delaney and the rest of the Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha team the best of luck this weekend. Go Panthers!

Congratulations MPA Skiers!

February 8, 2024

Three members of the MPA Alpine Ski Team earned All-Conference Awards for their efforts at the IMAC Alpine Conference Championship Meet at Buck Hill. Congratulations to Sidney Lundeen ’27, Henry Schwartz ’25, and Jaclyn L. ’29.

Two members of the MPA Alpine Ski Team earned Honorable Mention All-Conference Awards for their efforts at the IMAC Alpine Conference Championship Meet at Buck Hill. Congratulations to Myah Hoeschen ’27 and Jacob Wyant ’27.

Two members of the MPA Alpine Ski Team qualified for State at the Section 4A Alpine Ski Meet. Congratulations to Jaclyn L. ’29 and Vittorio Bloyer ’24. They will be participating at the State Alpine Meet at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, MN on February 13. Read More

A Spotlight On MPA Athletics

November 27, 2023

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the November 27, 2023 issue of InsideMPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

What factors contribute to a student athlete’s success, both on and off the field? How does a small-by-design school like MPA foster athletes who go on to do incredible things?

A balance between athletics, academics, and the arts is not found at every school. Often students’ priorities conflict and they must choose one passion area over another. MPA students are encouraged to dive deep into many passion areas and the supportive environment makes doing so possible.

When Nate Bander ’09, coach, saw potential in basketball player Yahya Madar ’19 and inspired him to join the track team as a high jumper, a transformation began, and history was made. What might seem like a sports story is so much more.

Through our no-cut policy, low student-teacher ratio, and committed and passionate community, student athletes are known, understood, and seen by their teachers, coaches, and mentors. They receive help when they ask for it. They are fiercely cared for. They are encouraged to take risks and dream big. Click here to hear their story.