MYSTIC SPORTS SHORTS COMPETING WITH COVID THE BSC MYSTICS ESPORTS TEAM hosted 68 players and 7 high school teams for the 2nd Annual BSC Esports High School Invitational Tourney which was played virtually this year. The Esports team was the only Mystics team with a “normal” season due to its virtual nature – playing in both fall and spring. The Mystics Valorant and Overwatch teams made it to the NJCAAE Quarterfinals before the season ended.
DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, NJCAA MOVED THEIR FALL AND WINTER 2020 SPORTS TO SPRING 2021. This resulted in all five Mystics athletic teams practicing during the same time period, in one gymnasium. While it took a lot of creativity to coordinate weight room schedules and gym time for practices and games, the coaches and players made it work. And they did so with a grateful Mystic spirit.
THE BSC MYSTICS MEN’S & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL TEAMS played their entire schedules, competing each game with full squads, all while undergoing bi-weekly COVID testing. It was their resolve to protect and defend MysticNation that kept them on the court.
THE BSC MYSTICS BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL TEAMS were, almost literally, in a league of their own this year. NJCAA Region 13 is made up of 32 schools from North Dakota, Minnesota, Upper Michigan Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin. Due to COVID, only 11 of the region’s basketball teams and 7 of the region’s volleyball teams had a season this year.
ALTHOUGH THE MYSTICS WERE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THEIR SEASONS, BSC WAS UNABLE TO HOST FANS AT INDOOR SPORTING EVENTS. But just like all the years before, MysticNation still “showed up”– just not in the typical way. Season ticket holders and other Mystic fans purchased life-sized, photo cardboard cutouts of themselves to sit in the stands for every home game. The gym didn’t feel as empty, and the athletes appreciated both the virtual and financial support for their athletic program. Thank you, MysticNation! It wouldn’t have been a season without you.
AFTER COVID ENDED THEIR 2020 SEASON MINUTES AFTER ARRIVING IN ARIZONA FOR A TOURNAMENT LAST MARCH, THE MYSTICS BASEBALL TEAM played their season with a full team of players that were only playing their first innings of college baseball this year due to a pandemic. The team finished the season as Mon-Dak Conference champions and NJCAA Region 13 runner-up.
THIS SPRING DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS BUSTER GILLISS AND ATHLETICS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT DEE BERTSCH BOTH CELEBRATED 30 YEARS AT BSC. The dedication of this dynamic duo is evident every day in all they do for the athletic program, especially the student athletes. When we say they “bleed Mystic green” it’s no joke!
THE MYSTICS WOMEN’S SOFTBALL TEAM was back on the field this spring for the first time since 2017 and was debuting with an all-North Dakota roster. 22
