SPORTS

O N A S E A S O N I N T E R R U P T E D

From CJ Siewert, sports information director

The night the NBA announced it was suspending its season, I was at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls covering Gustavus women’s hockey in an NCAA opening round tournament game. As I tweeted game updates, I scrolled through my feed reading all the disheartening news, and I realized the hockey game being played in front of me would likely be the last sporting event I would cover in person for quite some time.

The next day, while on the phone with track & field head coach Aaron Lund (in North Carolina preparing four Gustie student-athletes for the Division III Indoor Championships), we both received an email announcing the NCAA was immediately canceling all remaining winter and spring championships. There was a long pause between us, then a quiet goodbye. My heart sunk for his athletes, and the seven swimmers and one gymnast scheduled to compete on the national stage in the coming weeks.

“Seeing the disappointment in my teammates’ and coaches’ eyes was the hardest part,” says Tierney Winter (Sr., Waterville), a contender for All-America status in the mile. Still, “Gustavus track & field is my home away from home; they’re my family. I immediately received support from many teammates and alumni. I was overwhelmed by the amount of people who reassured me that everything would be okay and that the season was without a doubt a success.”

“As a team, we handled this disappointment well because we know we have until next year to prepare and the training can start now,” says swimmer Nolan Larson (Jr., West Des Moines, IA), who was set to swim in the 200 freestyle, 400 free relay, and 800 free relay. “This

Here’s who would have competed at Nationals. Clockwise: Birgen Nelson (Fy., Edina, track), Ellen Hofstede (Fy., Hopkins, swimming), Dutch FrankoDynes (So., Minneapolis, swimming), Annie Corbett (Fy., Brookfield, WI, gymnastics), Taylor Rooney (Jr., Andover, track), Matt Allison (Jr., Grand Rapids, swimming), Andrew Becker (Fy., Northfield, swimming), Erik Small (Fy., Hudson, WI, swimming), Tierney Winter (Sr., Waterville, track), Josh Muntifering (Jr., Buffalo, swimming), Steven Orzolek (So., Darwin, field), Nolan Larson (Jr., West Des Moines, IA, swimming).

definitely fuels the fire for next season. There is motivation that is gained from taking something like this from a studentathlete.”

The gymnastics team also has a bright view on the future. “This is a lot bigger than gymnastics, and sports in general,” says Annie Corbett (Fy., Brookfield, Wis.). “I am very lucky in that I am still only a freshman, and have three more years to try again. Canceling nationals allowed me to put even more focus on school and get back into the gym to prepare for next season.”

The MIAC announced March 13 that the spring sports season was canceled, immediately ending collegiate athletic careers for 34 senior Gustavus studentathletes. To those seniors: Thank you for representing Gustavus with pride and class. Your pursuit of excellence in athletics will no doubt translate to whatever you choose to do in life.

Men’s Basketball

The Gusties finished the season 8-17 overall and 8-12 in the MIAC for eighth place. Jake Guse (So., Waseca) was selected to the MIAC All-Defensive Team after leading the league with 51 blocks, marking the fourth most in a single season in program history, and most since Luke Schmidt ’99 blocked a program record 54 in 1998-99.

Women’s Basketball

The Gusties reached the MIAC playoffs for a conference-record 20th consecutive season after taking fourth place at 13-7. They defeated Hamline in the quarterfinals before losing to Bethel in the semifinals, finishing the year 18-9 overall. Caitlin Rorman (Fy., Blue Earth) and Ava Gonsorowski (Jr., Esko) earned All-Conference. Rorman was also named MIAC and D3hoops.com West Region Rookie of the Year.

Men’s Hockey

The Gusties took fifth in the MIAC with a record of 7-7-2 and were ousted in the first round of the conference playoffs to finish 11-12-3 overall. Caleb Anderson (Jr., Sioux Falls, SD) earned MIAC Player of the Year and Second Team All-America after compiling a league-leading 34 points and 16 goals. Will LeNeave (Jr., Medina) joined Anderson on the AllConference team.

Women’s Hockey

The Gusties claimed their 16th MIAC regular season title after posting 15-1-2 league record, then claimed the program’s 12th MIAC playoff title with a 3-0 win over Augsburg. Coach Mike Carroll earned MIAC Coach of the Year, while Hailey Holland (Fy., Aberdeen, SD), Molly McHugh (Fy., Minnetonka), Kristina Press (So., Cottage Grove), and Kristen Cash (Sr., Roseville) earned AllConference. Holland and McHugh were named All-Rookie, as was Katie McCoy (Fy., Grafton, WI).

Men’s Swimming & Diving

The Gusties captured their second consecutive MIAC championship and 23rd in program history. Jon Carlson was named MIAC Men’s Coach of the Year, while Nolan Larson (Jr., West Des Moines, IA) earned Co-Swimmer of the Year, and Logan Bican (Sr., Monticello) earned Co-Diver of the Year. All-MIAC honorees included Matt Allison (Jr., Grand Rapids), Andrew Becker (Fy., Northfield), Dutch Franko-Dynes (So., Minneapolis), Dane Hudson (Fy., Eden Prairie), Farrque Hussein (So., Fridley), Josh Muntifering (Jr., Buffalo), Erik Small (Fy., Hudson, WI), and Callen Zemek (Fy., Victoria).

Women’s Swimming & Diving

The Gusties took second place at the MIAC Championships. All-MIAC honorees included Ellen Hofstede (Fy., Hopkins), Sophia Steinberg (Jr., Faribault), Abby Yartz (Fy., Bemidji), Madeline Westendorp (Sr., Saint Michael), Alyssa Lokensgard (Sr., Saint Peter), Annika Johns (Fy., Stillwater), Amelia Bjorklund (Jr., Bloomington), and Alyssa Kohorst (Sr., Sauk Centre).

Gymnastics

The team competed in 10 events during the season, culminating with an eighthplace finish at the WIAC/NCGA West Regional. The team set a program record on the beam during a quad at Lindenwood. Annie Corbett (Fy., Brookfield, Wis.) earned two NCGA AllAmerica honors.

Men’s Indoor Track & Field

The Gusties took sixth at the MIAC Indoor Championships. Taylor Rooney (Jr., Andover) won conference titles in the 60-meter hurdles and high jump. Steven Orzolek (So., Darwin) earned All-Conference in the shot put.

Women’s Indoor Track & Field

The Gusties placed fifth at the MIAC Indoor Championships. Tierney Winter (Sr., Waterville) won the mile and then teamed with Haley Anderson (Sr., Eden Prairie), Birgen Nelson (Fy., Edina), and Elizabeth Donnelly (Fy., Langely, WA) to win the distance medley relay. Nelson also earned All-Conference in the 60-meter hurdles.