Noah Kuehn, Eagan football
Eagan senior left tackle Noah Kuehn helped quarterback Sam Zenner become a 1,000-yard rusher for the Wildcats football team in 2014.
Eagan finished the regular season with a .500 mark (4-4). It opens Class 6A, Section 3 tournament play at home Friday against Lakeville South.
The 6-6, 300-pound Kuehn also throws the shot put and discus for the track team in the spring.
Here is a closer look at Kuehn:
Q: The best movie I’ve seen in the past year?
A: “Cloud Atlas.” I saw it on HBO and it kind of just blew my mind. It was super interesting and I thought it had a lot of good messages, too.
Q: Three words or phrases my friends or teammates might use to describe me?
A: Driven, funny and (to my disliking) genius.
Q: Three songs I never skip on my iPod are …
A: ... “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy; “One Week” by Weird Al Yankovic; and any song by Alt-J.
Q: What did you work on most prior to the season?
A: I really tried to improve my first-step quickness. I found out that when I was getting beat my junior year, it wasn’t because of bad form or missing my assignment. I simply couldn’t get to the right place fast enough. I can certainly see and feel the difference now. Another thing I still need to work on, as all linemen do, is flexibility and raw strength.
Q: At my first varsity practice, I was …
A: ... in a state of shock and awe. I was amazed how much faster the game was, and this wasn’t even a game. Our coaches intentionally don’t describe the schedule perfectly; firstly, to confuse the young kids, but also to get the older leaders to step up and help those who are lagging behind. I also had a reinvigorated sense of why I loved football. I love being physical and that practice in particular was very physical.
Q: What is your favorite meal prior to a game?
A: Day before: Olive Garden. Day of: Jimmy John’s.
Q: I know I have an edge on an opponent when …
A: ... he gets up and sighs after I pancake him. That and I tend to jaw a lot on the line, and if he falls into that and starts yakking back I can always use that to my advantage.
Q: What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete?
A: Beating Wayzata 17-16 earlier this season. It was a game even our own fans said we could never win. Since the drive was so long, we had a pretty meager fan section. But once we got there, both the offense and defense fired on all cylinders. Also, being an offensive lineman I love that we were able to drive the ball up and down the field just pounding the ball inside.
Q: Name one sport that you wish you could play, and why?
A: I’ve always really wished I could play hockey just because of how physical of a sport it is. I can’t stand up on skates, nevertheless move.
Q: Do you have a secret talent – and if so, what is it?
A: I’m actually a really good trumpet player. Musical talent runs in our family because of my mother. In fact, my sister is a member of the University of Minnesota’s marching band.
Q: In 10 years, I hope I’m …
A: ... either still involved in football at either the collegiate or professional level. If that doesn’t pan out, at a bio-medical engineering firm.
Q: What is the best sports advice you ever received?
A: It’s not always about hitting the ball as hard as you can, it’s about being smart on the court.
RON HAGGSTROM