WINONA, Minn. — A Winhawk boosters spokesperson summed up the 2025 choices for the Winona High School sports Hall of Fame this way: “A two-time state runner-up in tennis. One of the best girls hockey players in the state of Minnesota. A three-sport star and scholar. An all-state football player who went on to play in the Big Ten. A two-time state floor hockey champion. And a track and cross-country coach whose impact on his athletes — and his students — still resonates.” To be inducted September 27 on homecoming weekend:
Brian Lipinski (2002): Two-sports: Football and tennis. Qualified for state as an eighth-grader and finished fourth. Section champion as a freshman. Third at state as a sophomore despite a mid-season stress fracture. Back-to-back state runner-up finishes as a junior and senior. Made school’s first and only trip to state team tournament and placed fourth. In football a two-time all-conference defensive back who also played wide receiver and returned punts, At the University of Minnesota, a four-year starter. Professionally, he first served as a tennis pro at the Rochester Athletic Club.
Carly Moran (2014): A varsity starter beginning in seventh grade. six-time Big Nine All-Conference selection, earned All-State Honorable Mention as a junior. Graduated as school’s career leader in goals, assists, and points. In tennis in seventh and eighth grade, played soccer, and a state qualifier for state in track, placing seventh in the 400-meter run. Closed her senior year with softball. Played hockey at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls as a four-year starter. Two-time All-American. Four-time all-Conference pick.2018 conference player of the year. Holds doctorate in physical therapy from St. Scholastica. Now a physical therapist.
Randy Mueller (1975): First-team all–conference honors in football, basketball and baseball. In football led in solo tackles as a junior and senior. In basketball set a school record with 15 field goals in a single game, a mark that stood 36 years. Averaged 18.3 points as a senior. In baseball at third base, hit .321 and led the club in home runs, stolen bases, and runs scored. On VFW Buddies state-championship team. In basketball at Bemidji State led the JV as a freshman. Started three varsity seasons. Among team leaders in scoring, rebounds and steals, often guarding opponents’ top scorers. Career at IBM in Rochester, later in Boca Raton and Indianapolis in sales with advanced computer systems.
John Ruggeberg (1970-2009): Taught social studies and coached track beginning in 1970. And was an assistant track cross country coach. Head cross country coach beginning 2001. His boys and girls teams had .750 winning percentage with 43 individual all-conference winners, 18 all-section winners and 10 all-state awards. His teams won 27 invitational team championships and placed second 20 times. Big 9 and Section 1 cross country coach seven times. Minnesota Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019. Launched school’s nationally recognized Community Service Learning class. Supervised student teachers for Winona State University. Holds a black belt in martial arts.
Scott Sether (1989): A three-sport athlete. A two-way starter in football as a junior and senior, earning All–conference and all-state honors. Team captain. In wrestling, qualified state twice, placed fifth at heavyweight as a senior, and won a freestyle state title. In track and field, he captained the team. Won the Big Nine in the shot put and qualified for state. Played football at the University of Iowa. A starting at defensive tackle as a senior. Voted Alamo Bowl most valuable player by teammates. Played professionally with the Rhein Fire in Düsseldorf and later with St. Paul Pioneers, then coached the Pioneers. Now based in Burnsville as sales director for a medical education company.
Chris Steffen (2005): A varsity hockey player as a seventh grader. His hat trick against Owatonna sent Winona to its first state tournament. All–conference honorable mention as eighth grader. Six straight State appearances. Team undefeated 13–0, then a state championship, third in 2003, runner-up in 2004. A perfect 15–0 senior season. Surpassed 100 career goals and 50 assists. All-State as junior and senior. After graduation, Steffen worked at Menards. With Dick’s Marine since 2018. A certified nursing assistant.