For St. Clair senior Austin Ward, sports have never been just about playing the game—they have been about rewriting the record books. As one of the most exceptional dual-sport athletes to wear the Spartan and Cyclone jerseys, Ward’s high school career culminated in a series of historic milestones on both the football field and the basketball court. Pairing a relentless work ethic with a humble, team-first attitude, Ward has left an indelible mark on St. Clair athletics.
Much like his standout classmate Brooklyn Meng, Ward achieved rare milestone feats across two different athletic departments during his senior year, proving himself a master of both the turf and the timber.
On the football field, Ward was a lethal, dynamic weapon for the Saint Clair/Loyola Spartans. Serving as the team’s star wide receiver, he cemented his place in school history on September 26th in dramatic fashion. With a spectacular 30-yard snag to move the chains against Blooming Prairie, Ward recorded his 61st career reception, surpassing Simon Morgan to become the Spartans’ all-time receptions leader.
He finished his career with 65 receptions—a number that only tells part of the story. As a constant dual threat, Ward was just as dangerous lining up in the slot or taking handoffs out of the backfield as a tailback, making the radio call of an “Austin Ward touchdown” a familiar soundtrack for Spartan fans. His stellar senior campaign earned him a well-deserved nomination to the prestigious Mankato All-City football team in 2026.
Yet, as spectacular as he was on the outdoor turf, Ward was equally dominant on the indoor timber of the hardwood.
As a primary offensive engine for the Cyclones basketball team, Ward terrorized opposing defenses with aggressive drives to the basket, while also developing into a lethal threat from beyond the arc. During the final stretch of his senior year, Ward went on an absolute tear. He poured in 29 points against Minnesota Valley Lutheran (MVL), followed by back-to-back 30-point performances against two of the section’s powerhouse programs, Glencoe-Silver Lake and Maple River.
The crowning achievement of his basketball career arrived on February 6th against Le Sueur Henderson, when Ward crossed the legendary 1,000-point milestone, becoming only the 10th male player in St. Clair history to join the exclusive club.
“Hitting 1,000 points was a really good goal to hit,” Ward reflected. “It was something I had wanted to achieve for a long time. That last scoring burst at the end of the season meant a lot to get that record.”
Ward’s offensive dominance paved the way for a postseason to remember. He helped lead the Cyclones to a thrilling first-round playoff upset over the MVL Chargers—a team they had beaten just days earlier in the regular-season finale—to clinch the program’s first playoff victory in many seasons. For his efforts, Ward was named to the All-Conference team and selected as the Cyclones’ Most Valuable Player (MVP).
While his athletic accomplishments are legendary, Ward’s leadership skills were forged years earlier. He attributes much of his growth to the mentors he shared the court and field with as an underclassman. “My favorite memory from my high school years was playing as a sophomore with the older guys like Jacob Schimek and Dylan Blount,” Ward shared. “They showed me how to be a leader and helped me a lot along the way.”
That leadership translated directly to the classroom. A consistent honor roll student, Ward proved that academic excellence goes hand-in-hand with athletic success, earning the Gold and Silver team academic award in football, as well as the silver academic award in basketball. Beyond sports—which also included playing some baseball—he spent several years as an active member of the St. Clair FFA chapter.
Academically, Ward’s affinity for the “timber” extended into the classroom, where he found himself drawn to hands-on learning and practical skills. He counts history—specifically the World War era—as a favorite subject, and highly enjoyed working with Mr. Anderson in math and construction classes.
Looking back at his journey, Ward has some simple, heartfelt advice for the hesitant freshman version of himself: “Enjoy every moment here. It goes by so fast, so give it everything you’ve got.”
With graduation just around the corner, Ward is ready to trade his jerseys for a toolset. Having grown up working on a farm, he has always had a passion for physical, hands-on labor. This fall, he will attend South Central College (SCC) to study diesel mechanics. After completing the two-year program, he plans to immediately jump into the workforce.
Though he is excited to start his career, leaving the tight-knit St. Clair community will be bittersweet. “I’m going to miss hanging out with my buddies the most,” Ward said. “Traveling on the bus with my teammates created so many memories that I’ll cherish forever.”
Before he takes his final walk across the graduation stage, Ward wants to ensure those who stood by him know how much they are appreciated. “I want to thank my parents, Tara and Mike, so much,” he said. “And thank you to all of my family and friends who pushed me and supported me along the way.”
Congratulations, Austin, on a historic and unforgettable career at St. Clair. Your community is incredibly proud of your legacy on the field, the court, and in the classroom, and we wish you the very best as you build your future!
