Osseo Area Schools’ 2026 Athena Award winners

Three Osseo Area Schools athletes are chosen each spring as Athena Award winners, which recognizes outstanding senior female student-athletes from Twin Cities high schools. 

April Watson - Maple Grove Senior High School (MGSH)

April Watson participates in cross country, track and hockey at MGSH. In cross country, Watson is a school record holder and five-time letter winner. In track and field, Watson is a five time state qualifier. She was the state runner up in the 4x8 relay in 2025, broke a school record in the 4x8 relay, was all-state in 2023, section champion in ninth and 10th grade, a member of the All-American 4xmile relay at Nike Nationals and is a four-time letter winner. Watson has also participated in hockey since sophomore year and is a two-time letter winner. Next year, Watson will continue competing in cross country and track and field at North Dakota State University. 

Nora Arneson - Osseo Senior High School (OSH)

Nora Arneson is a three sport athlete, playing soccer, hockey and lacrosse. She is a four-time varsity letter earner for all three sports. In soccer, Arneson earned all-conference honors and received an all-district honorable mention recognition from CCX Media her freshman year. In hockey, she was voted Most Improved in seventh grade. In lacrosse, Arneson received the Most Spirited award freshman year and earned all-conference honorable mention her junior year. Arneson plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls this fall, where she will play both lacrosse and soccer. She plans to major in neuroscience. 

Claire Nelson - Park Center Senior High School (PCSH)

Claire Nelson participated in volleyball, gymnastics and track and field during her high school career at PCSH. She has served as a captain of each of these teams and has earned a varsity letter in all three. Nelson was named all-conference honorable mention in gymnastics and track and field, and she qualified for the state meet as a triple jumper during her junior year track and field season. Nelson will attend St. Cloud State University this fall, where she has earned a partial scholarship for track and field. Nelson plans to major in exercise science with a focus on physical therapy.