WSHS to induct six into Hall of Fame

A two-time state runner-up in tennis. One of the best girls hockey players in the state of Minnesota. A three-sport star and scholar. An all-state football player who went on to play in the Big Ten. A two-time state floor hockey champion. And a track and cross country coach whose impact on his athletes — and his students — still resonates today.

Those are the six individuals who comprise the Winona Senior High School Hall of Fame Class of 2025. 

Brian Lipinski, Carly Moran, Randy Mueller, Scott Sether, Chris Steffen and John Ruggeberg will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at a ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 at Winona Senior High School. 

The six Hall of Famers will be honored at the Homecoming parade and football game the night before. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at WSHS, and the game against Byron kicks off at 7 p.m. at Paul Giel Field.

Brian Lipinski (2002)

Brian Lipinski was a two-sport standout in football and tennis. 

Playing varsity alongside his brother Mike (No. 1 singles) while Brian held the No. 2 spot, he qualified for state as an eighth-grader and finished fourth after taking the eventual champion to three sets. 

Lipinski’s tennis career was marked by resilience and steady ascent: section champion as a freshman; third at state as a sophomore despite a mid-season stress fracture, and back-to-back state runner-up finishes as a junior and senior. He also helped deliver a signature team milestone — WSHS’s first and only trip to the MSHSL state team tournament, where the Winhawks placed fourth.

As a football player, Lipinski was a two-time all-conference defensive back who also played wide receiver and returned punts.

After graduation, Lipinski played for the University of Minnesota, earning a spot as a four-year starter and ultimately a full scholarship under head coach Dave Geatz. Professionally, he first served as a tennis pro at the Rochester Athletic Club. He and his wife, Jessica, live in Rochester with their sons, Griffin and Henry.

Carly Moran (2014)

Carly Moran was a record-setting, multi-sport Winhawk best known for hockey. A varsity starter beginning in seventh grade, she became a six-time Big Nine All-Conference selection, earned All-State Honorable Mention as a junior, and graduated as Winona High’s career leader in goals, assists, and points. By the end of her prep career, she ranked among Minnesota’s top ten all-time in all three categories.

Beyond the rink, Moran excelled across seasons: standout tennis player in seventh and eighth grade, key contributor in soccer, and a state qualifier in track — placing seventh in the 400-meter run — before closing her senior year with softball. Coaches praised her rare blend of drive, coachability, and humility, noting she elevated every team she joined.

Moran continued her hockey career at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls as a four-year starter, two-time All-American, four-time WIAC All-Conference pick, and the 2018 WIAC Player of the Year. She helped the Falcons reach two Frozen Fours (finishing third and second) and graduated among the program’s top four in goals, assists and points. She later earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from St. Scholastica and now works as a physical therapist.

Randy Mueller (1975)

Randy Mueller was a rare three-sport star and scholar. He earned first-team All–Big Nine honors in football, basketball, and baseball. On the gridiron he led the Winhawks in solo tackles as both a junior and senior. On the court he set a school record with 15 field goals in a game vs. Rochester John Marshall (a mark that stood 36 years) and averaged 18.3 points as a senior. On the diamond he was team MVP at third base, hitting .321 and leading the club in home runs, stolen bases, and runs scored. He was also part of the VFW Buddies state-championship baseball team that formed the core of Winona High’s 1973 State Tournament squad.

A leader in the classroom as well, Mueller represented Winona High as a Boys State delegate and was a two-year National Honor Society member. He credits outstanding coaches and teammates for elevating his game across seasons.

After graduation, Mueller accepted a basketball scholarship to Bemidji State, led the JV in scoring as a freshman, and then started three varsity seasons — ranking among team leaders in scoring, rebounds and steals, often guarding opponents’ top scorers. He began a career with IBM in Rochester, later transferring to Boca Raton and Indianapolis to work in sales and implementation of advanced computer systems. He and his wife, Linda, raised three sons: Alan, (Augsburg football letterwinner), Peter (2006 NHL first-round pick, No. 8 overall), and Timothy (Winona State graduate with honors).

John Ruggeberg (1970-2009)

John Ruggeberg came to Winona Senior High School to teach social studies and coach track in 1970. Over the next 39 years, he left a legacy that is still being felt to this day. 

Ruggeberg served as an assistant to Hall of Fame coach Jim Flim in track from 1970-1994 and cross country from 1980-2000. He followed Flim as head cross country coach beginning in 2001. 

His teams emphasized courtesy, humility, integrity, self-control, perseverance and gratitude. During his nine-year tenure as head coach, the boys and girls team had a .750 winning percentage with 43 individual all-conference winners, 18 all-section winners and 10 all-state awards. His teams won 27 invitational team championships and placed second 20 times. 

Ruggeberg felt blessed to have hard working and fun-loving athletes come through the program with Winona sending an individual and/or a team to state every year, including two-time state champion Garrett Heath, state champ Elliot Heath, state runner-up Claire Guidinger, and three-time all-stater Jon-Michael Brandt. Seven athletes went on to compete in Division I programs with many more competing at the DII or DIII level, several serving as team captains, and a good number going on to be cross country coaches. Ruggeberg was named Big 9 and Section 1 cross country coach of the year in multiple years for both boys and girls and was inducted into the Minnesota Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019. 

Beyond coaching, Ruggeberg taught sociology and launched Winona High’s nationally recognized Community Service Learning class. He later supervised student teachers for Winona State University. John and his wife, Janet, have been married 55 years and have a daughter, Jennifer, son-in-law Scott, and two grandchildren. He enjoys snowboarding, traveling, restoring classic cars, and he holds a black belt in martial arts.

Scott Sether (1989)

Scott Sether turned a nudge from future brother-in-law Mike Beer into a standout three-sport career. At Winona Senior High he was a two-way starter in football as a junior and senior, earning All–Big Nine and All-State honors and serving as captain. On the mat he captained wrestling, qualified for state twice, placed fifth at heavyweight as a senior, and won a freestyle state title. In track and field he captained the team, won the Big Nine in the shot put, and qualified for state. An all-around leader, he was also class president and was named Teen Magazine’s “Athlete of the Year.”

Sether accepted a full football scholarship to the University of Iowa, earning significant snaps as a sophomore and junior before starting at defensive tackle as a senior and being voted Alamo Bowl MVP by his teammates. After graduating with a degree in Interdepartmental Business Studies, he played professionally with the Rhein Fire in Düsseldorf (World League) and later with the St. Paul Pioneers, earning All-American honors both seasons before moving into coaching with the Pioneers.

Now based in Burnsville, Sether is Director of Sales for a medical education company. He’s also given back locally as an assistant football coach and head wrestling coach at Burnsville — highlighted by the chance to coach his son, Zack — while crediting his family, coaches, and Athletes in Action for shaping his commitment to faith, family, and giving your best every day.

Chris Steffen (2005) 

Chris Steffen was a cornerstone of Winhawk floor hockey from the moment he cracked varsity as a seventh grader, netting a hat trick in the section final vs. Owatonna to send Winona to its first-ever State Tournament. He earned All–Big Nine Honorable Mention as an eighth grader and helped the program make six straight State appearances, setting the tone with relentless effort and leadership.

Team success defined his run: an undefeated 13–0 season capped by a State Championship, followed by third place (2003) and runner-up (2004) finishes, and then a perfect 15–0 senior season to claim the 2005 State title. Individually, Steffen surpassed 100 career goals and 50 assists, and was named All-State as both a junior and senior. Coaches praised his “first in, last out” work ethic and year-round commitment, crediting him with raising teammates’ standards.

After graduation, Steffen worked at Menards (2006–2018) and has been with Dick’s Marine since 2018. He also serves as a certified nursing assistant for his sister, Marina, reflecting the same dedication he showed on the court. Steffen is quick to credit coaches Chuck Schollmeier, Bart Meath, Bob Urness, Rod Schwarz and Jim Yahnke — as well as his extended family — for unwavering support throughout his career.