Budach Enjoys Relaxed Trip to The Bank; Williamson Lands Award
Owatonna High School senior Noah Budach, along with teammate Zach Mensink, made a return trip to U.S. Bank Stadium last weekend. After winning the state 5A football championship in the November 25 Prep Bowl, the two were part of the south team for the all-star football game on December 9.
Budach scored a touchdown to help the south team start its march toward a 28-14 victory. Blooming Prairie's Mitch Oswald and Triton's Levi Smith were part of the south roster as well.
In other Owatonna football news, junior running back Jason Williamson was just named Minnesota's Gatorade Football Player of the Year winner. In the news release, Gatorade states, "The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Williamson as Minnesota's best high school football player."
Williamson had a record-setting season with 2,323 yards and a total of 44 touchdowns. He will have a chance to select a local or national youth sports organization to receive a $1,000 grant from Gatorade. Williamson can also write an essay for a chance at an additional $10,000 grant for whichever organization he picks.
Mensink announced via twitter that he will attend the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and play football. He will also play in January's Blue-Gray Bowl in Florida.
The OHS athletic department announces that state championship t-shirts are available through The Hat Chic store in downtown Owatonna. You can order shirts online for $10 plus a $2 processing fee.