5 Super Athletes With Ties To St. Michael

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the St. Michael area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

Anna Keefer (Track & Field, Wrestling)

Anna Keefer, a 2017 graduate of St. Michael-Albertville (STMA) High School, was a dominant force in track & field. While competing for the University of North Carolina, she became a multiple-time All-American, ACC Champion, and record holder in several sprinting and jumping events. Keefer set school records in the 100m (11.23), 200m (22.83), and indoor long jump (21-6). She began a professional wrestling career with WWE in 2022, where she currently wrestles under the name Adriana Rizzo.

Jenna Stangler (Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Field)

Jenna Stangler Helgeson was a three-sport athlete at STMA (Class of 2001) who excelled in basketball, volleyball, and track. She was a four-year basketball starter who led the school to a Class AA state championship in 2001 and earning All-State and All-Tournament honors. Helgeson continued her athletic career at Valparaiso University, where she played in two NCAA tournaments and the WNIT. She was a four-year letter winner and earned multiple Mid-Continent Conference honors.

Matt Spaeth (Football)

Former NFL tight end Matt Spaeth played both football and basketball at St. Michael-Albertville, leading the football team to state tournaments in 2000 and 2001. He went on to play at the University of Minnesota, where he was a First-Team All-American, the 2006 John Mackey Award winner, and a key part of the Gophers' bowl runs. Drafted in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Spaeth won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers before moving to the Chicago Bears. He finished his football career with a second Steelers stint and was released in 2016.

Mitch Potter (Football, Track, Wrestling)

A 1999 graduate of STMA, Mitch Potter was a standout in three sports—football, track, and wrestling. In track, he won five state titles and still holds two state records in the 300m hurdles and the 4x400m relay. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he became one of the most decorated track athletes in school history, winning nine Big Ten championships and earning 12 All-American honors. Potter was part of Team USA’s 2003 World Championship 4x400m relay team and won gold at the 2003 Pan American Games. He also qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2004 and 2008.

Tessa Johnson (Basketball)

Tessa Johnson, a McDonald’s All-American and Minnesota Miss Basketball winner, is one of the most talented girls’ basketball players in STMA history. After leading STMA to a Class 4A state championship in 2023, she was named Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year. Johnson currently plays college basketball at the University of South Carolina, where she scored a career-high 19 points in the 2024 NCAA National Championship game as a freshman.

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