SPORTS

Kate Holtan ’22 shot past longtime record holder Val (Flom) Ashland ’86 in Gustavus career kills this season.

KILLING IT

Having her fourth season of volleyball cancelled in the fall of 2020 due to the pandemic and a truncated spring season, shortened even more because of strict COVID-19 protocols, Kate Holtan (Sr., Rochester) saw the opportunity to return for a full season this fall as a blessing.

“Ultimately, my love for the sport and respect for the Gustavus volleyball program were my leading motivations to return,” Holtan says.

The decision has paid o in more ways than one.

A three-time AVCA All-America honorable mention selection, Holtan tallied her 1,000th career dig this season, joining Katie Olstad (1992–94) as the only two players in program history to record 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. Holtan is the top attacking outside hitter in the MIAC this year, leading the league in total kills, and has shot past Val Flom (1983–86) as the school record holder in career kills.

The individual milestones have refl ected in the team’s success as well. Holtan plays a key part in the Gusties sitting at the top of the conference standings and ranked in the AVCA Top25 poll. “I’m very grateful to have been part of such great teams that opened up the opportunity for me to reach these accomplishments,” Holtan says. “Our team defi nitely has made it an emphasis to climb back to the top of the conference this year. We focus on taking the season one game at a time, but we do recognize our potential and hope to make a great run as we approach playo s.”

Along with her admiration for the sport and the Gustie volleyball program, Holtan’s decision to return for a fi fth year was supported through her holistic experience at the College. “I love so many things about being a Gustie,” Holtan.

2021 Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees

EIGHT OF THE NINE members of the Gustavus Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2021 have been inducted for their accomplishments as student-athletes, while one was inducted as a coach.

Beth DeLaRosby (Two

Harbors), was a fi ve-time All-American, highlighted by a third-place fi nish in the 50 free at the 2004 NCAA meet. She led the women’s swimming & diving team to two MIAC championships in 2002 and 2004 and was an eight-time MIAC event champion.

Doug Espenson (Mankato), led the men’s basketball team to two MIAC championships and four appearances at the NCAA tournament, including a runner-up fi nish in 2003. Espenson, a shooting guard, earned NABC All-America honors, was named the 2004–05 MIAC MVP, and ranks 12th in program history with 1,281 career points.

Tara Houlihan Whiting (Sioux

Falls, SD), won consecutive NCAA titles in women’s tennis doubles in 2005 and 2006 with partner Lyndsey Palen Crossley, and was a fi ve-time All-American. She won 145 career singles and doubles matches. She also was an All-Conference volleyball player and graduated with a record 1,226 digs.

Bobby Kroog

(Bloomington), is the only threetime All-American in Gustavus men’s soccer history and was the 2005 MIAC Player of the Year. Kroog, a midfi elder, guided the Gusties to two MIAC championships and three NCAA tournament appearances, including a national runner-up fi nish in 2005.

Audrey Lenoch (Pine Island), earned three All-America honors at three di erent positions for Gustavus softball. Lenoch, an infi elder, earned AllConference honors all four seasons and ranks in the program’s top-fi ve in nearly every o ensive statistical

category.

Lyndsey Palen Crossley

(Rochester), won consecutive NCAA titles in women’s tennis doubles in 2005 and 2006 with partner Tara Houlihan Whiting, and was a fourtime All-American. She earned the 2006 Arthur Ashe Award and Chris Evert Award, and won 156 career singles and doubles matches. Amanda Parker (Ames, IA) was a two-time national champion gymnast (2004 all-around and vault), nine-time All-American, and three-time CoSIDA Academic All-American. She won the 2002 Honda Award as the Division III female athlete of the year in gymnastics as well as the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship in 2005.

Ben Sherer (Bismarck,

N.D.) earned three CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, three AllConference selections, and was the 2004 MIAC Baseball Player of the Year. Sherer, a fi rst baseman, ranks in the program’s top-10 in nearly every o ensive statistical category after playing in 156

career games.

Tom Thorkelson (Granite Falls)

coached 54 All-Americans and fi ve national champions in throwing events since 1985. He was track & fi eld head coach from 1999–2009 and capped his tenure with a sixth-place fi nish at the 2009 women’s national meet. He continues to serve as the Gustavus throws coach.