Breck coach Steve Persian’s sudden resignation last Tuesday drapes the dynasty program in turmoil and uncertainty, but the three-time defending Class 1A state champion Mustangs’ roster remains one of the most talent-laden in the state.
Breck (6-5-0) will need all of its firepower in its showdown with Warroad, which has appeared in the last five state tournaments (losing title games to Breck in 2018 and 2019) and, going further back, won state championships in 2010 and 2011.
Persian served as co-head coach while winning a state title in his first season at Breck in 2018-19, and won a second straight championship last season. Breck lost 4-0 to Benilde-St. Margaret’s, ranked No. 4 in the Class 2A coaches' poll from Feb. 24, that same Tuesday after Persian confirmed earlier in the day he “as well as the majority of the staff” had left the program.
The loss was the third in four games for the No. 5-1A Mustangs, who feature four University of Minnesota recruits in seniors Sadie Lindsay and Emily Zumwinkle, and sophomores Elly Klepinger and Ava Lindsay.
Warroad (10-1-0) has just one Division I commit in senior Genevieve Hendrickson (Franklin Pierce), but the scoring superstar they call “Geno” is in the thick of the race for the state scoring title with 42 points, seven behind Luverne’s Kamryn Van Batavia. Sophomore Tayla Hendrickson is also among the state scoring leaders with 31 points for the No. 2-1A Warriors.