As the winter season unwinds at Armstrong High School (AHS) and Cooper High School (CHS), we’re celebrating the dedication, resilience and accomplishments of our student-athletes and activity participants.

From state tournament appearances to section battles, fine arts performances and individual honors, our students represented Robbinsdale Area Schools (Rdale) with pride.

This story will be updated throughout the season as results are finalized.

Debate

The Robbinsdale Debate Team, a combined program representing both schools, competed at the state tournament held Jan. 16-17, 2026. (See our story from Jan. 21.)

Congressional Debate

• CHS senior Lily Plahn captured the State Championship, earning back-to-back titles after also winning in 2025—an extraordinary accomplishment at Minnesota’s highest level of competition.
• AHS senior Alison Wandmacher competed in her third consecutive state tournament and placed fourth overall.
• CHS senior Tessa Lenoch finished sixth in the state, improving on her seventh-place finish in 2025 and continuing a strong upward trajectory in her final season.
• AHS senior Raina Nehreen advanced to the final round and earned finalist honors in the event, capping off an impressive state appearance.

Lincoln-Douglas

• AHS senior Ella Wiltzius advanced to the quarterfinal round, concluding a standout run in one of the tournament’s most rigorous individual formats.

Public Forum and Policy Debate

• No Rdale participants qualified.

All-State and Statewide Honors

Plahn, Lenoch and Wandmacher were recognized by the Minnesota Debate Teachers Association (MDTA) as All-State Debate honorees. This marks the third consecutive All-State selection for Plahn and Wandmacher and the second consecutive selection for Lenoch. Plahn and Wandmacher are among only five students in Minnesota history to earn All-State honors three times.

In addition, MDTA named Nehreen the Student of the Year Runner-Up, an award recognizing all-around excellence in competitive achievement, leadership, community service and team contribution.

One-Act Play

The state One-Act Play Festival was held Feb. 5-6, 2026, at O'Shaughnessy Auditorium, St. Catherine University.

• AHS and CHS competed in the Section 6AA One-Act Play Tournament, held Jan. 21-22 and 31. Neither team advanced to state.

Alpine skiing

The state alpine skiing meet was held Feb. 10, 2026, at Giant’s Ridge Golf and Ski Resort.

• AHS senior Breck Swanson placed fourth at the Section 6 meet for the AHS/CHS co-op, proudly known as the Wings, earning a trip to the state tournament, and went on to finish 11th overall at state.
• The team didn’t advance to state competition this season, and no girls qualified individually.

Nordic skiing

The state meet was held Feb. 11-12, 2026, at Giant's Ridge Golf and Ski Resort.

• AHS junior Anders Decker qualified for the pursuit championship, marking his third consecutive state appearance. He finished 6th overall.
• AHS seniors Olivia Suchy and Naomi Dybvig finished 17th overall at state in the girls sprint relay.
• No teams advanced to state competition this season, and no student-athletes from CHS qualified.

Dance team

The state dance tournament was held Feb. 13-14, 2026, at Target Center (Jazz on Feb. 13; High Kick on Feb. 14).

• In Section 2AAA competition, Armstrong High School finished 11th in both jazz and high kick, while Cooper High School did not field a team this season in Section 2AA.

Girls hockey

The state tournament was held Feb. 18-21, 2026, at Grand Casino Arena and TRIA Rink at Treasure Island Center.

• The AHS/CHS girls hockey co-op, proudly known as the Wings, fell to Wayzata High School in the Section 6AA quarterfinals Feb. 7, and will not compete at state.

Girls Gymnastics

The state tournament was held Feb. 20-21, 2026, at Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

• Neither AHS nor CHS fielded a gymnastics team during the 2025-26 winter season.

Wrestling

The state wrestling tournament was held Feb. 25-28, 2026, at Grand Casino Arena.

• CHS senior Folake Olusesi earned a first-place finish at the Section 5 girls wrestling competition in the 190-pound weight class and will compete at state. She took third at the state tournament, earning All-State honors for the third year.
• AHS junior Andrew Ankeny earned a second-place finish at the Section 5AAA boys wrestling competition in the 145-pound weight class and competed at state. 
• CHS boys wrestling had two students compete at the Section 5AA tournament on Feb. 21, with neither athlete qualifying for state.

Boys swimming and diving

The state swimming and diving competition will take place Feb. 26-28, 2026, at Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center, University of Minnesota.

• In the Section 5AA competition, the AHS/CHS Wings boys swimming and diving team did not have anyone qualify for the state tournament. The team placed 7th overall in their section.

Adapted floor hockey

The state tournament for both the Physical Impairment (PI) and Cognitive Impairment (CI) divisions will be held Feb. 27-28, 2026, at Bloomington Jefferson High School.

• The AHS/CHS co-op adapted team, proudly known as the Robins, did not qualify for the Physical Impairment (PI) or Cognitive Impairment (CI) state tournaments this season.

Boys hockey

The state tournament will be held March 4-7, 2026, at Grand Casino Arena and 3M Arena at Mariucci.

• The AHS/CHS boys hockey co-op, proudly known as the Wings, fell to Edina High School in the Section 6AA tournament on Feb. 19 and will not compete at state.

Girls basketball

The state girls basketball tournament will be held March 11-14 at Williams Arena and Maturi Pavilion, University of Minnesota.

• In the Section 6AAAA competition, the AHS girls basketball team lost to St. Louis Park High School in the quarterfinals on Feb. 25 and will not compete at state.
• In the Section 6AAA competition, the CHS girls basketball team lost to Westonka High School in the first round on Feb. 23 and will not compete at state.

Boys basketball

The state boys basketball tournament will be held March 24-28 at Williams Arena, University of Minnesota, and the Target Center.

• AHS will compete in the Section 6AAAA Tournament, held March 6-March 13, 2026.
• Competing in the Section 6AAA tournament, the CHS boys basketball team lost to Westonka High School in the first round on March 2 and will not compete at state.