Next week at Eagan Civic Arena, hockey fans will have a chance to see an Olympic team before the Olympics.

The U.S. Women's National Team will play the Eagan High School boys squad in an exhibition game at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8.

There are five native Minnesotans on the 23-player national team roster, including Natalie Darwitz, whose No. 20 has been retired by the Eagan girls hockey program. The majority of players on the current national team roster will make up the U.S. team for the Olympics in Feb. 2010 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

It's not unusual for the women's national team to play men's or boys teams. The national squad also is scheduled to play the Hopkins High boys varsity on Saturday, Dec. 5. When the U.S. team's residency program was operating at the National Sports Center in Blaine, it competed in a local men's league.

The other Minnesota natives on the national team roster are Rachel Drazan of Orono, Angie Keseley of St. Louis Park, Gigi Marvin of Warroad and Jenny Potter of Edina.

Darwitz, who is a virtual lock to make the Olympic roster, has been the national team captain since 2007. She played for the U.S. in the 2002 and 2006 Olympics.

A limited number of $10 general admission tickets for the Dec. 8 game will be available at the door. VIP tickets, which include a pregame meal, free refreshments and reserved seating, cost $35.

Two Sun-Current area players - Zach Vraa of Rosemount and Zach Zenner of Eagan - are among 10 finalists for the Mr. Football Award, presented by the Minnesota High School Football Association.

Vraa, a 6-foot-2 senior, had more than 800 receiving yards and caught 12 touchdown passes for an Irish team that reached the Class 5A, Section 3 championship game.

Zenner began and ended the season at running back for Eagan, but also played six games at quarterback when the Wildcats' starter was injured. He rushed for 1,181 yards - averaging 8.9 yards carry - and 14 touchdowns. He also threw for 465 yards and two scores and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

The Wildcats finished 5-5 but were within a missed two-point conversion of knocking off Cretin-Derham Hall in the Class 5A, Section 4 semifinals.

The Mr. Football winner will be named at a banquet at noon Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Louis Park.

Burnsville senior Tori Dixon was one of 24 players named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association High School All-America first team.

Dixon led the state in kills and helped Burnsville finish third in the state Class 3A tournament.

The 24 members of the All-America first team will be invited to the Under Armour All-America match and skills competition Dec. 20 in Tampa, Fla.

Erik Okeson, a 1999 graduate of Lakeville High School and a standout defensive end for the Panthers football team, donated $5,000 to the Lakeville North program.

Okeson opened Okeson Optimal Chiropractic in Lakeville two years ago. The donation was used to pay for upgrades helmets, shoulder pads, and a state playoff football banquet for the 2009 team.

The banquet was held Nov. 12 at Crystal Lake Golf Course; Lakeville North played in the Class 5A quarterfinals the next day.

Players from Lakeville's three state championship teams spoke at the banquet. Todd Dwire represented the 1988 team, Jason Albrecht spoke on behalf of the 1992 team and Brock Stimson represented the 2003 squad.

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