East Metro Boys Soccer Player of the Year: Highland Park’s Tenzing Walker

Highland Park beat Minneapolis Edison 1-0 this season, with senior midfielder Tenzing Walker scoring the lone goal for the Scots.

Yet that score wasn’t the play of the game. Not in Scots coach Aron Romo’s mind.

Walker was moved back to defense – a salve for what wasn’t a strength for the Scots. But on one play, Walker was playing up on the attack.

Highland Park didn’t score. Minneapolis Edison countered. It was off to the races for the Tommies on a breakaway. But they didn’t score, either.

Because Walker sprinted what Romo estimates was roughly 60 yards and took the ball away.

“I mean, there’s other guys who were a lot closer (to the attacker) at the time, but he made that effort, and it helped us big time to get that win,” Romo said. “It just shows his want to compete.”

Walked is Highland Park’s all-time leading goal scorer, with 33 tallies for his career to go with 22 assists. But it’s his competitive nature that makes him the 2024 East Metro boys soccer Player of the Year – and so much more.

Walker was also named the Class 2A Minnesota Mr. Soccer award winner this year, becoming the first in St. Paul City Conference history to receive the honor.

“It feels amazing, and I think that it’s just the start for St. Paul Public Schools and the start for Highland Parks’ boys soccer program,” Walker said. “Because now we’ve shown that we have talent and we can produce players that have that type of talent. So I think that, all together, it’s just a plus for the program, a plus for people around us and a plus for St. Paul. Now we’re on the board.”

Even while receiving an individual honor, Walker was thinking about how his achievement could help others. Frankly, that’s what fuels his competitiveness, as well.

“I think it comes from my drive to do good,” Walker said. “My parents are a really big influence to do the best I can. They put a ton of work into making the environment great for me, so it drives me to be good for myself and for others. I think I’m just a very people person, and I like everyone else succeeding, as well as myself.”

He has certainly achieved those missions at Highland Park. The Scots finished second in the City Conference this season. A year ago, they reached the section semifinals for the first time ever after Walker scored three goals in a tight quarterfinal victory. A captain since his sophomore season, Walker is the rising tide that has lifted boats. Walker said his leadership is what has grown most during his prep career.

“When it comes down to it, obviously I have fun with the team, and I have an amazing time with the people around me during soccer. But I think on the field, when I’m playing, leadership comes into a role,” he said. “I love taking control of a game, and that’s when I play my best game is when I take control and I be that person that can control a game and control my team so we can get the best result.”

He’ll do that from whatever position is necessary. In the past, Walker was asked to play on the back line to shore up the defense. This season, he suggested it himself. Walker takes pride in the versatility of his game and noted the team success is his primary focus.

“Just because I think that the way that we will win stuff and the way everyone gets shown best is when everyone performs for each other, not just themselves,” Walker said. “So I think that me stepping into a different role was just simply to help the team. If we struggle in the back, I’ll step in the back. And if we struggle in the front, I’ll step in the front. It’s more to just help each other.”

Walker also believes part of his leadership was born out of his past experience in taekwondo. He spent eight years in the sport, competing at the highest international levels for his age group before finally giving it up to put all of his focus into soccer.

He has put in countless hours of individual work and has now risen to the top of this game. Walker has earned All-America status and will play in an All-America game in December. From there, who knows? He noted he started his recruitment process a little late, but is receiving ample interest from universities and has the hope to play Division-I soccer.

“He can help any program,” Romo said. “He has the ability to step in and do well.”

Boys

Elijah Fearing, senior attacker, Woodbury – Tallied 16 goals and 10 assists while leading the Royals to state.

Jack Filhart, senior defender, Two Rivers – Anchored defense that lifted Warriors to conference title, section finals.

Olin Franzwa, senior midfielder, Woodbury – Integral part of core that put Royals in three straight state tournaments.

Blake Prouty, senior midfielder, Eagan – Mr. Soccer finalist has Eagan in the Class 3A state semifinals.

Ethan Schaack, senior attacker, Hastings – Scored 22 goals this season for the Raiders.