Cole Grindberg showed he was more than a scorer when Chanhassen lost talented midfielder Jadon Kerry for five regular season games. Grindberg, a 6-2, 180-pound ace attackman, altered his play to shoulder a bigger role in initiating the offense and keep the Storm on pace. “He’s got a real competitive nature and he’s an athletic beast," Kerry said. "That helps him control games.” Photo by Jerry Holt, Star Tribune • jerry.holt@startribune.com
Five years of elevating his lacrosse game prepared Chanhassen senior Cole Grindberg for unexpected adversity this season.
Grindberg, the Storm’s ace attackman, lost Jadon Kerry, a midfield maestro, for five consecutive games due to injury. Grindberg summoned all of his skills to keep Chanhassen moving toward its first state tournament appearance.
Though the Storm fell one victory short, Grindberg’s great skills and ability to adapt helped make him the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year in boys’ lacrosse.
2017: Noah Lindner, Eastview
2016: Ryan Graff, Bloomington Jefferson
2015: Roman Rohrbach, Lakeville North
2014: Conner Yepsen, Rosemount
2013: Jake Woodring, Eden Prairie