SPORTS
Athletics UPDATE By Max Christensen III With an absence of most fall sports from the 2020-21 calendar, Snow College Athletics looked very different this year. However, the spring athletics season was full of activity and success, with teams playing in national championship tournaments and the national finals. With a very talented roster, Snow College Volleyball finished with a great 26-3 record. The Lady Badgers ended their season at the NJCAA National Championship Tournament, where they ultimately lost 3-1 to Iowa Western Community College in the finals. “The word I would use for this season would be ‘phenomenal,’” said Head Coach Jeff Reynolds. “It was a longer season with a lot of distractions, and the girls stayed focused from August to May. That was phenomenal.” They finished ranked No. 2 in the nation. The program will see a new coach next season, as Reynolds heads to Lander University in South Carolina. The football team had one of the best seasons in school history. They ran the table with an undefeated regular season, The volleyball team had a 26-3 record and played in the championship game at the national finals.
giving them a chance to play for the national championship. They ended up losing just 29-27 to Hutchinson Community College. “The word of the season is ‘exciting,’” said Zac Erekson, first-year head coach. “From COVID testing, to winning games, to going to the national championship, there was never a dull moment.” The team dealt with COVID-19 a lot, having people out every week except the first and last weeks of the season. The team finished ranked No. 2 in the nation. They look to return with a lot of talent in the fall. Finishing at 10-4-1 under the direction of Charles Long, another first-year head coach, the men's soccer team completed a competitive season this spring. The team also made history by becoming the first men's soccer team in school history to get a bid into the NJCAA National Tournament. They eventually lost to Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), the 2021 national champions. Coach Long summarized the season with the words “hard work.” “With injuries affecting us, we had hard-working guys who needed to step up,” he said. When asked how they became the first men’s team to reach nationals, defender Takum Hepworth said, “The mindset. The boys were willing to put the team first. Everyone came to practice every day to work … Our coach played a big part too.” The team finished ranked No. 5 in the nation. The women’s soccer team went 12-4 on the year and reached the semifinals of the National Tournament. They, like the men, lost to the eventual national champion, Tyler Community College. “’Bonding’ is the best word I can use for this season. The girls were a family, and they learned how to play under extreme pressure situations,” said Long, who also coaches the women's team. Midfielder Alaina Pestana echoed that thought by saying, “The bond that [we] had with each other was a huge impact that influenced our success. I call those girls my sisters, and we ride for each other.” The team finished ranked No. 4 in the nation. The softball team finished the season with an overall record of 17-30. They always played with a lot of heart and also had to overcome the adversity of health issues and other challenges. “One word to describe our season is ‘memorable,’” said
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