UNLimited Sports Magazine Fall 2021 Issue 1 by UNLimited Sports

fall

‘21

The Tip-off

The omaha out of the darkness walk on Saturday, Sept. 18 in Omaha. Peter Krenzer photo

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Photo by Peter Krenzer

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The Tip-off

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Coming soon: Magnum Pro Wrestling: A Suicide Prevention Fundraiser ends In A Way no one expected.

Photo by Peter Krenzer

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The Tip-off

Magnum pro wrestling’s suicide prevention event on Saturday, Sept. 18 in Omaha. Peter Krenzer photo

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Photo by Peter Krenzer

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The Tip-off

Magnum pro wrestling’s suicide prevention event on Saturday, Sept. 18 in Omaha. Peter Krenzer photo

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Photo by Peter Krenzer

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Photo by Jessica Blum

UN L i m i t e d S p o rts FALL 2021 J O U R N A L I STS Justin Allen Hugh Anderson Abby Barmore Jessica Blum Jayden Brown Makayla Curtis Nolan Dorn Emma Hastings Samuel Jacobson Jason Kraus Peter Krenzer Sydney Long Matthew Ludwig Daniel Magnuson Jacob Miller Jacob Osborn Andrew Pfeifer Hugh Regester Chase Stubbs Annie Walter DESIGN Jessica Blum CO N TAC T U S: unlimitedsportsne@gmail.com O N T H E W E B: nebraskanewsservice.net/sports https://issuu.com/unlimitedsport3 The best stories in sports that you’ve never heard about before. @Unl_CoJMC‘s first online student-run sports publication.

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LINCOLN 12 UNLimited_10.21

Photo by Jayden Brown

UN Li m i t e d

Sports MAGAZINE

VOL. 03 | ISSUE 01

CO N T E N TS 15

Meet the Fall 2021 team of 20 sports media journalists

Mind, body and spirit: Deb Gray shows how to have a healthy balance | SYDNEY LONG

UNL women’s lacrosse crushes COVID, better on other side | JESSICA BLUM

From one world of football to another for Nouredin Nouili | DANIEL MAGNUSON

Huskers long snapper Cameron Pieper looks to teach on and off the field | MATTHEW LUDWIG

Female Omaha Westside football players compete for love of game | ABBY BARMORE

Despite injury, Thomas Fidone feels mentally ahead of competition | HUGH REGESTER

Nebraska is starting to wrestle like a girl | CHASE STUBBS

Back in action: Huskers men’s lacrosse resumes after 2020 break | JASON KRAUS

Minnesota standout Kennedi Orr and her road to Huskers volleyball | SAM JACOBSON

Recreational softball “never gets old” building community and friendship | NOLAN DORN

Longtime parks and rec employee “keeps the ship running” at events | JACOB OSBORN

Former Husker holds eight-year course best at Firethorn Golf Club | HUGH ANDERSON

Esports club brings students, competitive and casual gamers together | ANNIE WALTER

For Curt Smith, rewarding Saltdogs journey comes to an end | JUSTIN ALLEN

The journey of MMA’s Houston Alexander | JAYDEN BROWN

New Lincoln-based motorcycle shop opens doors | ANDREW PFEIFER

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meet the team Justin Allen senior; sports media & Broadcast majors Hometown: Arlington, Nebraska Dream job: Videography and content creater for a major sports team

Growing up in small town Nebraska, I was born and raised as a Cornhuskers fan and have always been in love with sports. It wasn’t until my junior year in high school that I got interested in video production and was able to work on small livestreams that peaked my interest. I was offered a job at HuskerVision out of high school and it has been an amazing opportunity to gain a lot of hands-on experience in the field.

Hugh AndersoN

senior; sports media major

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska Dream job: Social media content creator for a professional sports team, such as the Chicago Cubs.

I have always found a sense of relief in writing, especially when given the choice of the topic. It allows me to step out of my life and into the shoes of another person. There is something to be said about the ability writers have to change the world. This is what gets me out of bed in the morning. With a laptop or a simple pencil, I contain the power to use my writing skills to make a difference.

Abby Barmore

senior; sports media major

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska Dream job: College football journalist

Growing up in Lincoln, I often felt ashamed of my knowledge of college football and never found another girl who had the same passion for the sport as I did. At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, I became confident in my knowledge and abilities and am proud to be a sports journalist. I want to normalize women being passionate and knowledgeable about sports, especially football.

jessica blum senior; meteorology & sports media majors Hometown: Gretna, Nebraska Dream job: Meteorologist for NASCAR

I want to be able to show future employers what I am truly made of and this class is my best way of doing that. The drive I have to get out of bed every morning comes from the people who count on me being there: my professors, my bosses, my friends. No one has ever double-majored in meteorology and sports media, and I strive to be a pioneer paving the way.

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Jayden Brown

senior; sports media major

Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska Dream job: Basketball, UFC, tennis or football broadcaster/on-air talent

I am a young man from the Northside of Omaha trying to figure out ways to become better at my craft for my future career in the sports industry. As a little one, I literally ate, slept and breathed sports and still do ‘til this day. Being an athlete is what made the decision easier for me to pick my major to stay involved with the sports I played, know and love.

makayla Curtis

senior; sports media/ADPR majors

Hometown: Savannah, Georgia Dream job: Coach or anything involving sports

As a gymnast at Nebraska, I love what I do each and every day and wish I could do it for years to come. Unfortunately, for my sport that’s not an option, so I want to do the next best thing and get involved. I would love to get the attention of girls and women who feel like they don’t belong in a “man’s world.” I find it exhilarating that I am a woman in sport. It’s always cool to see a woman doing whatever she wants.

Nolan Dorn

senior; sports media major

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska Dream job: Working for a sports team (especially the Boston Red Sox) doing graphic design, videography or social media I get out of bed every morning to try and utilize my creativity to design things that stand out to people. I want to bring stories of those who are unique to the forefront of people’s attentions. So many unique and diverse communities are waiting to have stories told, and many will probably go untold, but I will tell as many as I can.

Emma Hastings

senior; sports media & Broadcast majors

Hometown: Wahoo, Nebraska Dream job: Director of NBC Olympics Primetime

When I was younger, I fell in love with videography. I grew up playing sports, so it was only a matter of time before my passions combined. Junior year, I changed my major from journalism to a double-major in broadcast and sports media. I work for HuskerVision operating replay, creating video content and directing live broadcasts. It took me a long time to figure out, but I know now that live sports production is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

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Sam Jacobson

senior; sports media & ADPR majors

Hometown: Eagan, Minnesota Dream job: NBC Golf Analyst

I would love to get a job out of this class. Everything that this class has taught has given me new skills that I didn’t have before in the world of sports media. Getting inside information and reporting the news in sports has been one of my favorite things to do since high school.

Jason Kraus

senior; sports media & aDPR majors

Hometown: Eagan, Minnesota Dream job: Sports agent

Siince I was a young kid, I have loved sports. I attended the University of NebraskaLincoln partly because of its rich sports history. I am a huge Minnesota Vikings and have suffered many heartbreaks because of this. Working in the sports industry is something I have wanted to do most my life. I hope to gain the confidence in this class to go out and get a job from a college or NFL football team some day.

Peter Krenzer

senior; Sports media major

Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska Dream job: Broadcast analyst for soccer or professional wrestling

I am a complete sports nerd. It has been my biggest passion in life for as long as I can remember. Any job in the sports industry is a dream job to me. I hope to bring readers of UNLimited Sports stories that they will remember. I’m here to leave an impact on others. I love sports, and my hope is that readers, listeners and viewers can recognize that passion in my work.

Sydney Long

senior; sports media major

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska Dream job: Data and analytics for a professional basketball team, specifically the Golden State Warriors.

I hope to get better in writing in this class so I can can diversify my resume. Out of college, I want to work with a college basketball team and learn more about different statistics departments.

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Matthew Ludwig

senior; sports media major

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska Dream job: Social media content creator for the Texas Longhorns

I was born and raised in Lincoln and have been going to sporting events all around the country my entire life. I hope to gain even more knowledge in the sports world and to expand and improve on skills that I will need once I graduate. I love to make an impact on people in my life and outside of my life. You never know what someone may be going through, so I try to be polite to everyone.

Daniel Magnuson

senior; sports media major

Hometown: Dallas, Texas Dream job: Play-by-play announcer for college football and basketball I am the youngest of five kids. I do not really look up to anyone in my life besides my siblings and parents. They are my foundation and helped shape who I am. They taught me how to think for myself. I wake up knowing that I am blessed to be here and can accomplish great things, because my grandfather, Donald Magnuson, and others were doing things that are more dangerous and courageous than anything I have ever done.

Jacob Miller senior; Sports media major Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska Dream job: Play-by-play/color commentator

I am an athletic sports fan who likes to be around the world of sports and one day hope to be broadcasting sports like baseball, hockey and football. What makes me get out of bed every morning is the drive to work in sports while playing hockey at the university and working for my dream job by getting my degree.

Jacob Osborn

senior; Sports media major

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska Dream job: History teacher

I want to tell people’s stories that people may not get to hear -- the little guy, the people who do a lot but go unseen and unrecognized -- that’s my goal. My motivation comes from trying to outdo myself every day and create things that I, along with others, find enjoyable, appealing and unique. I want to try to bring eyes from people who may not have interest in what I create and help build interest through my work.

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andrew Pfeifer senior; sports media & Broadcast majors Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska Dream job: Football commentator

I write mainly sports stories, am a broadcaster for 90.3 KRNU, a reporter for UNLimited Sports and a previous news anchor. With all sports related studies, I have found my true passion.

Hugh Regester

senior; sports media major

Hometown: Council Bluffs, Iowa Dream job: Sports analyst/sports talk show

Not sure what I would do in my life without sports. Everything I do revolves around them whether its in casual conversation, writing a profile or simply enjoying a good game on a Saturday night. I love conversation, so it is easy for me to meet new people and expand my network. Thanks to peope like John Shrader and Jennifer Sheppard, I am confident in my ability to conitue my career, whether it be in a booth or at a press conference

CHase stubbs

senior; sports media major

Hometown: Luana, Iowa Dream job: National recruiting writer for Rivals or 247Sports

I transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the fall of 2019. UNL was my

dream school, but I went to a different university for two years because I was nervous about the distance from my family. I moved here without knowing anyone and can honestly say that taking that leap was the best thing that ever happened to me. Coming here taught me that you can’t get anywhere in life by playing it safe. You have to bet on yourself and take risks to get to where you want to be.

Annie walter

senior; sports media major

Hometown: Norfolk, Nebraska Dream job: Teaching English abroad

Three things drive me: sleeping, eating and making money. However, I also have the desire to see as much of the world I can, which means my pipe dream of being a rich cat lady sits on the back burner. This class has helped me network and plan around deadlines. It has also helped me get out of my comfort zone, which fortunately prevents me from fulfilling my lifelong dream of being an insignificant wallflower.

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Mind, Body and spirit: DEB Gray SHows how to have a healthy Balance Words: Sydney Long It was a rainy humid Saturday morning in Omaha, Nebraska, just hours before the first Husker football game of the 2021 season. Sporting a scarlet Husker volleyball shirt and matching adidas shorts and shoes, Deb Gray unlocks the doors to the gym of her dreams and the job she loves the most. Her business, Figure By Faith, helps people discover how to combine their spiritual and fitness life into a healthy balance, which all started from Gray’s personal experience. “It’s all about your mind, body and spirit and making the whole person and that’s how this business came about,” she said. After winning the Mrs. Nebraska pageant in 2001, Gray was invited to the Miss America pageant where she became the “first” Nebraska titleholder to receive the Physical Fitness Award. She then became the first person to become pregnant while holding the title. “It’s fun to do, it’s fun to see how you can transform your body and how you can stay motivated to do it,” she said. Gray also played volleyball growing up and attended the University of Nebraska

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“It’s fun to do, it’s fun to see how you can transform your body and how you can stay motivated to do it,” -Deb Gray

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Deb Gray at her gym in omaha where she provides both emotional and spiritual support for her fitness clients. Photo by sydney Long among other things, Takahashi said. Athleticism and the love of sports run in Gray’s family. Being a mother of two daughters and a wife is one of her most cherished titles. Both daughters have participated in sports such as basketball, soccer and volleyball. Her youngest daughter, Skylar, 15, stands 5-foot-11 and follows in her mother’s footsteps. Her

Omaha on a volleyball scholarship. She earned her degree in exercise science, which her volleyball coach introduced to her in 1988 as a new degree. After college, Gray began training people and used the connections she gained from college to create and start a business that many people had not seen before. Shinya Takahashi, Ph.D., an associate professor of exercise science at the University of NebraskaLincoln, said the need for personal trainers is becoming more important each year. Even major companies are starting to implement wellness programs for their employees. Of the 133,000 personal trainers nationally, women make up 34.6%. “They try to identify those individuals who need more physical attention and then try to improve their health so that they can increase the productivity at their company,” he said. Personal trainers are certified in CPR and first aid

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husband is a 6-foot-10 and a retired professional basketball player. To further exemplify the levels of athleticism in her family, her oldest daughter, Rylee, a middle blocker and what Gray jokingly described as a “6-foot-4 shorty” received her first scholarship offer at age 13. “The Creighton assistant coach came to one of her volleyball games in 8th grade and said I have never done anything like this before,” Gray said. Now, ranked No. 70 in the nation, Rylee is on the UNL volleyball team in her freshman year. After the birth of her second child, Gray wanted something to challenge herself.

“I have been blessed to be able to be in this position because she cares. Deb has more than just a business, she has a ministry,” - Larry Cochrane

That challenge became figure competitions. After doing a few competitions, she knew she wanted to incorporate her faith into training and helping others. That was the start of Figure

By Faith. She worked all over the state of Nebraska and met clients who would impact her life forever. Larry Cochrane, one of Gray’s most successful clientele, said Gray is like family to him. One thing Cochrane loves the most about Gray as a trainer is her personal interest in all of her clients. Throughout their time of getting to know each other, Cochrane said their relationship flourished on not only a fitness level but also his journey of faith.

Cochrane had gone from being 208 pounds to 162 pounds. He has been able to stay within five pounds of that weight class for nine years. Gray, as a certified spiritual director, brought the saying mind, body and spirit to life for Cochrane. “I have been blessed to be able to be in the position because she cares. Deb has more than just a business, she has a ministry,” he said.

“The emotional support she was providing in our growing friendship just led to me wanting to continue my improvement in my overall fitness. And now it’s

Gray helps guide people in their spiritual journey and become closer to God by sharing text, scripture readings and reflections. Physically, Gray impacts many lives but the more immense impact to Cochrane is emotional.

not just weight, but it’s emotionally and spiritually,” she said.

Gray wanted to make an impact on people’s lives before she became a personal trainer.

Cochrane came to Gray in search of someone who could hold him accountable and keep him on the right track. With the help of Gray, in around eight months,

“A lot of people, even my clientele, battled with who they were,” she said. “That’s when I knew I had to incorporate faith with training.”

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CLUB CRUSHES UNL women’s club lacrosse crushes COVID, better on other side, president says

Words: Jessica Blum

ith sweaty, anxious, headphone-wrapped hands in their pockets, 18 women file out of multiple white Ford university-issued vans on Mizzou’s campus. The sun threatens above on an afternoon full of Tulsa’s royal blue and Missouri’s gold and black. Arm over arm, and fingers pressed against each other’s backs, the UNL women’s lacrosse team hovers over the uncut, dewy grass. Chants echo against the silver bleachers slowly filling with fans. It is just days before a pandemic will sweep the nation. The white solid rubber ball drops to signal the start of the game. Scraping her toes against the sole of her cleats, junior club vice president Ayla Volante lunges forward for possession of a ball that she will not competitively see again for 18 months. This is the last tournament that the team will compete in together until spring of 2022. “We never got to say our parting words,” Volante said. *** Now they are a year and a half deep in tournament drought.

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Historically, women’s lacrosse is popular along the Eastern Seaboard, making up 81% of the 117 Division I schools. Six are in the Midwest, and Nebraska is not one of them. But that’s not stopping a group of UNL coeds from playing the game. “It’s a lot harder to get people to come to practice if there’s nothing you are working toward,” said junior club president, Natalie Underhill. “Whereas now we have a season, so it is a lot easier to bring girls in.” Striking across Lincoln’s Fleming Fields, their sights are set on new members, new fundraisers and new equipment -- all with a scarred president.

New members and equipment That same president is a native of Naperville, Ill. She is still healing from an ankle injury from the end of last season. A scar about six inches long travels up the side of her leg. “It was during practice,” Underhill said. “I stepped one way and then went to go another way, and I broke all three bones.” However, the lacrosse she broke her ankle playing today is not the

same game she played freshman year of high school. “Lacrosse is a growing sport, and even just in the past few years, it’s really grown in the Midwest as a whole,” Underhill said. “The fact that the sport is growing in the state of Nebraska is helping us a lot.” Senior Jimmy Moran, a former two-term president of the UNL men’s club lacrosse team, is one of four coaches for the women’s club, which he knew when it had two members. It took a few recent graduates dusting off their 42-inch sticks to finally make Nebraska feel like home. “My freshman year, they didn’t exist,” Moran said. “It wasn’t really a big thing. Then a couple of the girls in the grade above me -Emily Olsen and Brooke Strenke kicked it into overdrive and built it up quite a bit. We helped them start it out: We split costs for balls, we split costs for apparel. Now, they are on their feet, and they typically have more people at a practice than we do, so it’s like, ‘Hey, slow down.’” In addition, Lincoln has lacrosse leagues and organizations like the Lincoln Liberty Lacrosse, Lincoln Junior Rampage and Lincoln Youth Lacrosse. The Lincoln Youth

COVID Sophomore Isel Spears guards the goal from attackers. She volunteers for this position in practice at times, taking on the role that has a bigger lacrosse mesh than the other sticks. The helmet she wears is also specific to the goalie position in women’s lacrosse whereas the rest of the players wear goggles for protection. Photo by Jessica Blum

“Now, they are on their feet, and they typically have more people at a practice than we do, so it’s like, hey, slow down.” UNLimited_10.21

THe balls used in lacrosse are solid, vulcanized rubber, which makes it stronger by mixing natural and other rubbers. men’s lacrosse typically uses a white ball, and the women’s team typically uses yellow, but if both coaches agree on a color before a game that ball is used. Photo by JEssica Blum

the unl women’s lacrosse club team (above) is running a drill called “numbers.” the players are numbered off and then go and compete in various rounds when the number is called. this simulates game play with defensive, offensive and goalie opportunities to practice. unused equipment sits sprawled across the field. “We got 15 sticks and 20 goggles for about $600, which is really good - it comes out to about $16 a stick and $14 per pair of goggles,” natalie underhill said. Photos by JEssica Blum

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Lacrosse continues to increase its numbers, seeing a jump from 17 to over 100 players in five years.

swooshed boxes taped madly together, containing the fate of their new season.

Both the UNL women’s and men’s club lacrosse teams work with the Lincoln Junior Rampage team, an organization that serves high school and youth programs to spread awareness of the sport. Boys and girls play across three levels of skill based on age and lacrosse familiarity.

“Where a lot of teams may have been struggling before, COVID gave us another year to fundraise,” Volante said. “We were able to get a whole bunch of new equipment and uniforms. It also gave us a free year for students to try out the sport.”

The men’s and women’s club lacrosse teams spend time together facing each other in a tournament or coaching side-byside for a youth team. “We love to work with the men’s team,” Volante said. “It’s like a sister-brother team kind of thing.” After the Rampage reached out to partner with the UNL men’s lacrosse team, the men’s club joined in coaching with the women’s club. “We build partnerships,” Moran said. “We had been coaching, and I saw a group of girls that looked like they didn’t know how to play. Now, Natalie has been talking with them and getting some girls out to help coach, too.” Not only are the men and women working together, but they are coming from states outside Nebraska to do so. Volante practices 417 miles away from her hometown in Bloomington, Minn. But the women’s lacrosse team did not know what was coming on that spring day in Missouri. Filing out of those vans, years after Volante first arrived at UNL, a COVID-stricken season put a stop to their travel plans. In its place came three Amazon-

OLD traditions In these times of transition, lacrosse acts as something to look forward to. Moran said this feeling stretches back to the earlier ages when lacrosse was first played as “the medicine game” or stickball. Villages would come together to play a game that would last several days. Somewhere between 100 and 100,000 people would play in the same game, according to World Lacrosse. “It’s originally a Native American sport,” Moran said. “They used it as a way to heal divisions between tribes, so anyone that plays it gets a therapeutic feeling.” However, the therapeutic feeling today is simple. Being outside, especially in the fall, Underhill said, makes girls want to come to practice at Fleming Fields, the vast green space that backs up to railroad tracks near East Campus. “I know a lot of people talk about wanting to be able to get active

and get out,” Underhill said. “Especially a lot of girls who haven’t played before will come up and say that they are looking to get out. Overall, it helps my wellbeing.” Whether it is escaping an assignment for two evening hours or soaking up some dopamine, energy is released on the grassy turf twice a week. “Being an active person, at the end of a long day, it’s nice to come to lacrosse, run around, shoot balls hard at the goal and get some anger out if that’s what I need that day,” Volante said. There are more identities tied to a team than money. For Volante, the club team allows her to express her athleticism. “It is empowering,” Volante said. “I like to say that I am athletic, and that’s normally a descriptor for men, so it is nice to be a woman in sports.”

WHen coach cannot make practice, underhill (right) and volante (left) lead practices. underhill said that they would not have become president and vice president without the other, both seniors this year. Photo by JEssica Blum

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From one world of football to another for Huskers lineman Nouredin Nouili Nouil Words: Daniel Magnuson

ut of the tunnel and onto the football field runs 18-year-old Nouredin Nouili, a 6-foot-4 behemoth, a long way from his home in Frankfurt, Germany. He ran in awe of the 70,000 roaring Colorado State and Colorado fans as he and his herd of Ram teammates took the field. At the foot of the Rocky Mountains sits Mile High Stadium in Denver. The day is August 30, 2019. The in-state rivals of Colorado and Colorado State are set to clash on the football field. A year ago to that day, Nouredin did not even know Colorado State University existed. But there was no time for him to think. He was running into his first start of his college career. “At the time I didn’t have this tunnel vision thing, where like you just see the field and you just see the players, and to be quite honest with you, I was standing in the huddle, and I could not hear the play, everything was too loud and crazy. I had no idea, and I just went into a pass set, and luckily it was a pass play,” he said. If he would have done something wrong, he said he would have never played again. “But after that first play everything was fine,” he said. “I had tunnel vision. I couldn’t even hear the fans anymore.” For Nouredin, it was a new opportunity to rise to the occasion, which is something in his DNA.

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Soccer is the sport that Nouredin grew up accustomed with in Germany -their football is “futball.”

Nouredin in one of his first games playing for the Colorado State Rams in 2019. Nouili, now 20, had a unique journey in the game of football, and a different perspective as an international student athlete competing in an American sport. In a span of a few years, Nouredin faced many new beginnings and challenges. Nevertheless, he is comfortable with the uncomfortable. Nouredin speaks four languages: German, English, Arabic and French, is majoring in criminology at the University of NebraskaLincoln and plays football along with 20,000 Division I athletes. In 2019, when Nouredin entered his first year of playing college football, he was one of 12 German-born players. In Germany, the sport of American football does not compare to football in America. “We do not have good coaches,” he said. “Our coaches are like Madden (NFL video game) fans.”

Nouredin said.

“I played soccer for 13 years of my life as a goalkeeper,”

Playing soccer and especially playing goalie would eventually help him play football and offensive line. “It makes you more explosive out of your stance, and be able to move a lot quicker than you know most bigger kids are supposed to. As a goalkeeper, you need to be able to be explosive out of your stance and jump in both directions,” he said. As a teenager, Nouredin started by overcoming Osgood Schlatter in his knees, a condition where one will experience pain and swelling beneath the knee joint, and the patellar attaches to the shinbone (tibia). He took a year off from sports in order to rehab. “Back in the day I could barely walk some days, and now it is just not a problem anymore,” he said. When he came back from injury, he did not enjoy soccer as much. He did a bunch of different sports, from tennis to handball, and

eventually found football. Nouredin started playing football when he was 16 in Germany. One year later, in 2018, he found himself moving to America. As a foreign exchange student, he landed at Norris High School in Firth, Nebraska. Nouredin walked into as a 6-foot-3 inch, 275 pound, 17 year old who never lifted weights. “I never worked out before because in Germany it is too expensive to go workout at a gym, the first two weeks were terrible,” he said. He was naturally built for football, learning to play the game 4,700 miles from home. The offensive line coach at Norris High School, David Weber, said at first it was not an easy transition for Nouredin. “In his first game, he is at right tackle and we are going to throw the ball. Two guys blitz on his side, his head goes right, his head goes left and he just stands there. I pulled him and I said, ‘Nouri you gotta block one of them.’ Nouredin said, ‘I was sitting there deciding if I could block two of them.’ I said, ‘You don’t have time, you gotta pick one of them,’” Weber said. As the season went on, Nouredin adapt more to the speed of American high school football. “When it came to football he was great, but it took a little time to get there.” Weber said.

off around the right side and drags guys down the field for a 25-yard gain. I wouldn’t wanna try and tackle him either.”

a lot to learn once he got there. Thankfully, his coach saw his potential and helped him learn a lot about being an offensive lineman.

Nouredin’s life beyond football games includes experiences that people his age don’t often enjoy.

“Workouts felt like I was going to throw up at any time, but over time I got better with that,” he said. “Dave Johnson, who was my offensive line coach there, wanted me to play left tackle at first, because he said it is easier to learn the offense from the outside in, as like left tackle to guard. Because he saw me as a guard, he wanted me at tackle first. So for the first few weeks, I was left tackle, but then they moved me to guard.”

“He has been to parts of the world and has seen all kinds of people and cultures that have helped define who he is,” Weber said. “He is one of those people that you can look at and say, that is a great way to look at life: Every day be happy and everyone is your buddy. Very rarely was he down on himself.” Another thing that helped Nouredin was that he was not the only German on the Norris team. “There were two other German international students on the team and whenever they were homesick they had each other, that was really helpful for them,” Weber said. Nouredin would thrive in his first year of playing American high school football. In his lone season at Norris, he recorded 32 tackles and seven tackles for loss, while also playing offensive line. He caught the eyes of some Division I football programs. Colorado State came calling, and after a visit to Fort Collins, he decided on Colorado State in 2019.

He recalled a time when Nouredin played punter for the Norris Titans.

“It doesn’t surprise me that Nouri has had so much success, not just because he is physically talented but because of his mental ability to do it, too.” Weber said.

“We also had Nouri punting on occasion, because he is a remarkable athlete,” Weber said. “The head coach decides we are going fake the punt and have Nouri run it. He just runs and he takes

As Nouredin entered his third year of playing football, it would be at the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) level. He felt the impact of the Colorado elevation immediately and knew he had

Nouredin said he likes being a flexible player on the offensive line. “Being versatile helps a lot, because if you are good at multiple positions, the opportunity will present itself,” he said. This versatility helped Nouredin, because when the starting left guard messed up in practice, he got his chance. “I took the opportunity to excel basically, and a week and a half later we played Colorado, I was the starting left guard, and that experience was insane,” he said. Nouredin was able to play as a freshman in part because of his newness to the game of football. It is uncommon for offensive lineman to start as freshmen. “I was kind of like a blank page. Kids who have been playing football for years have habits. I came not knowing anything about playing football, my coach could write the first word on the first page of the first book, and that way I could learn a lot quicker, there was nothing to fix really.” Talent combined with his quick UNLimited_10.21

Nouredin made his first start for Nebraska at offensive guard vs Northwestern on Oct. 2. compared to Americans who play it when they are five and six years old to now, and it shows you personally that you learn a lot by being coached a lot better,” he said. “I got to work on my ability and my talent to be able to play here.” “Nebraska is kind of like an odd place in the Midwest,” he said. “There is no professional team, Nebraska needs something, and we got Nebraska football. Also, Nebraska fans are crazy, they are insane.” The latest challenge that Nouredin faced came this past summer while all of his teammates were able to take advantage monetarily of their NIL (name, image, likeness), he was unable to do so due to his student visa. “As an international student, it sucks that I am not able to do anything about it, because it is not really the NCAA,” he said. “It is a federal thing.”

The day that Nouredin signed his letter of intent to attend Colorado State in 2019 learning are why Nouredin started seven games at guard in 2019 for Colorado State. The first game against Colorado helped Nouredin learn a lot, too. Nouredin would go on to start six more games for the Rams. He got injured and missed the next four games, but he played in the last game of 2019 against Boise State. After their final game that season, the coaches had a team meeting and the head coach announced that he was getting released. ”I put my name in the transfer portal, hoping Nebraska would call,” Nouredin said. “I wanted the opportunity to come home, while also keeping my options open.” The door opened for him to come to Lincoln, and he walked on in 2020. Nouredin is entering his fifth year of playing football and his second as a Nebraska Cornhusker where he is happy to be back in Nebraska, which is the state where his American journey began. “Being international gives a new perspective on how to see football as a sport and how different it is

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Nouredin is adamant that he wants to be one of the main individuals starting the movement to give international student athletes equal NIL rights.

“It will probably take the same amount of time, and that is OK. I just want to start the conversation,” he said. “I am a walk-on at Nebraska. Some people in America do not even know Nebraska exists. There are people in the NFL who are international athletes, maybe they could create more engagement and reaction to this issue, so hopefully that will become a thing during this season and this year. Hopefully this starts a conversation.” Nouredin said he could earn an income from his NIL in Germany, but this was not something he had even considered pursuing. “There is hardly any time to do that,” he said. “Right before fall camp, I went back to Germany for 10 days, that was the first time in over three years that I saw my family. I’m not gonna run around and try and find deals, I am gonna spend time with my family that I haven’t seen in so long,” he said.

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Cameron Pieper, a 6-foot 4, 220-pound long snapper for Nebraska, watches the ball go through the field goal post after he snaps it to the kicker. Huskers.com courtesy photo

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Huskers long snapper Cameron Pieper looks to teach on and off the field Words: Matthew Ludwig

Beep, beep, beep. Cameron Pieper rolls over to press snooze on his iPhone like he does every day. Half-awake at 6 a.m., he stretches and takes a deep breath. Cameron, a long snapper for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, envisions the bustling day ahead of him. A schedule consisting of 8:30 a.m. practice, team workouts, three classes, a film session and 7 p.m. position meetings. After all of these responsibilities, Cameron still has to eat dinner, study and try to maintain a social life. “I’m used to it by now,” Cameron said, regarding his daily schedule. “It just comes with what I signed up for. I wouldn’t want it any other way.” To an outsider, this may appear to be a grueling everyday routine. However, Cameron, a junior elementary education major at the University of NebraskaLincoln, is optimistic because each day gives him the opportunity to make a positive impact on someone in his life. Once his football career comes to an end, Cameron plans to teach special education full-time; a passion he discovered as a junior in high school, which still catches people off guard when he tells them. “You don’t usually hear about a lot of people wanting to pursue teaching,” Cameron said. “It’s even rarer for males; they are very scarce as teachers currently. I think it puts a smile on a lot of people’s faces because they don’t get to see that a lot.” More than 700,000 special education educators are employed in the United States, according to Zippia, a career resource guide. Of that, 71.8% are women and 24.6% are men. Nationally, it is even more uncommon for Division I athletes to become teachers as education is not one of the top 10 majors for college football players, according to sportscasting.com. UNLimited_10.21

“I really enjoy teaching, as well as helping out other people,” Cameron said. “That’s how I knew my calling was to become a teacher, I know I can make an immense impact that way.” Yet, as one of over 12,000 Division I athletes playing college football each year, the Lincoln native has found a way to stand out as a walk-on for the Huskers. During Cameron’s junior year at Lincoln Southwest High School, he signed up to be a teacher’s assistant in a special education class. Little did he know, this decision would make more of an impact on him than he could have ever imagined. Terri Pieper, Cameron’s mom, said she saw her sons passion for teaching spark in fourth grade.

“His dad put a football in his hand the day he was born,” Terri said. From playing football at age 6 to high school under the Friday night lights, Cameron carries many memories from his football journey. Most notably, having the entire student section at Lincoln Southwest chant the words… “PIIIIEEPER, PIIIIEEPER, PIIIIEEPER.” *** Cameron committed to Nebraska as a preferred walk-on in October 2017, just like his father, Aaron Pieper, a preferred walk-on safety for Nebraska from 1989 to 1993. Husker football has a rich tradition of walk-ons, with 25 going on to play in the NFL. However, being a walk-on can bring much adversity and doubters.

“Cameron was paired with a student in class who had special needs,” Terri said. “Every year from that point on, he was matched with a special needs student that he would help assist during the school day.”

“It was rough at times,” Cameron said. “During my freshman and sophomore year, I did not play at all. I wanted to quit; it was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Having God on my side and the faith that I have in Him really helped me get through those hard times of adversity.”

Although Cameron’s mom saw teaching as an early possibility for his future career path, Cameron said he had no intention of becoming a teacher at that time in his life.

Cameron never quit and it paid off, starting in the last 15 of 16 games at long snapper for the Huskers. Many of Cameron’s teammates noticed his work ethic and his will to never give up.

“To be honest, I was so young, I had no aspirations of becoming a teacher, I was still in fourth grade,” Cameron said. “In my opinion, signing up to be a teacher’s assistant for that class in high school really established my first true aspirations for becoming a teacher. It is something that I have really fallen in love with.”

“Cam has been able to not only balance the job that college football is, with early morning workouts, consistent commitment all year, as well as trying to become a teacher full time,” Huskers quarterback Adrian Martinez said.

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The beautiful thing about college football and life, Martinez said, is the more you Cameron Pieper snaps the ball to the punter. Huskers.com courtesy photo

“I want the kids to feel like they have someone there for them and that they will be successful in life,” Cameron Pieper said.

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Cameron Pieper always has a smile on his face said Husker safety Marquel Dismuke. “he’s a great person all around.” Huskers.com courtesy photo

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put into it, the more you get out of it. Cameron shows this work ethic every single day, whether it be job-shadowing teachers, interviewing for future jobs, football or school. “He has handled his situation with grace,” Martinez said. “Cam still showed up to work and hasn’t complained about one thing. Even though we may not say it all the time, us teammates notice those small things.” Every day on the field and in the locker room, Cameron said he attempts to bring laughter, passion and encouragement to his teammates. “He always has a smile on his face, he’s a great person all around,” Huskers safety Marquel Dismuke said. “There’s no way you can ever forget about Cameron Pieper. He is going to give you his all when he’s out there, either on the football field or in the classroom.” With mental health becoming more recently a talking point in sports, some experts believe that student-athlete depression is at an “epidemic level,” according to donovanmentalperformance.com. In fact, the rates of mental health concerns for 37,000 college athletes were 150% to 250% higher than those historically reported, according to Mitchell Greene, Ph.D., a clinical and sports psychologist. Student-athletes see each other nearly every single day for months at a time. “As a team, we are very bonded together,” Dismuke said. “We’ve been through a lot, but our passion for one another translates onto the field, you can see how much we fight for one another.” Dismuke said humans are becoming more and more comfortable around their surroundings. “But every day we face trials and tribulations,” he added. “Cam has grown in a major way as a person through his adversity. He’s a walk-on, but he has proved to himself and all of us that he belongs on this team. He keeps a positive mindset about everything.” That positive mentality is what Cameron plans to carry with him to the classroom where he wants every student to have fun, knowing that he will provide the support, character and love they deserve. “I want the kids to feel like they have someone there for them, and that they will be successful in life,” Cameron said. “I also would like for them to know that they’re not limited to anything because of a disability.”

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Ponytail power

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The Omaha Westside players get up, smack each other on the shoulder pads and helmets and prepare for the next play. Freshman Piper Zatechka lines back up with her hands on her knees and her ponytail bouncing between the No. 33 on the back of her jersey. She’s ready for whatever comes next. After playing football for three years, she’s used to this look. In fact, she said she likes it. “It kind of gives me an ego boost,” said the middle linebacker and fullback. “Just them knowing that they’re going against a girl and that there’s a girl who’s competing on the same level as them, that feels good.” Zatechka isn’t the only female in Westside’s football program.

Omaha Westside’s Piper Zatechka (No. 3) and her teammates

female OMaha westside football players compete for love of game Words: Abby Barmore The Omaha North running back halls himself upright, his eyes widen, his face in shock at what he sees looking back at him through the facemask. He looks around to see if his teammates noticed what just happened.

Junior Erin Mardi, a wide receiver on the junior varsity football team, said she is proud her skills and movements don’t make it obvious she is a girl. “A lot of the times they’re pretty neutral about it,” Mardi said. “There are a couple of times they’ll be like ‘What? That’s a girl?’ but I haven’t gotten a lot of negativity from other teams.” Females playing football is an upward moving trend across the country for all ages as the number of females playing high school football increased from 1,249 in 2009 to 2,404 in 2019, according to statista. com. An estimated 4,000 women play tackle football in organized leagues in the United States, according to American Football International. When Jennifer Welter became the first female added to an NFL team’s coaching staff in 2015, assistant coaches like Katie Sowers, Jennifer

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Westside Middle linebacker Piper Zatechka (No. 33) fights to reach the ball carrier. King, Lori Locust and more are proving females can be successful in the sport. In college football, Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller became the first woman to score a point in a Power 5 football game in 2020. For the love of the game When Zatechka was in sixth grade, a stack of flyers on her teacher’s desk for the Jr. Warriors football team catch her eye. When she asked her teacher for a flyer, the teacher said there was only enough for the boys. Zatechka got her hands on an extra flyer anyway and announced to her parents that she would be playing football in seventh grade. They weren’t surprised. But taking up football meant she would have to quit the other sports on her schedule: volleyball, club swimming and dance. Her teacher rejecting the request for a flyer because of her gender determined when Piper would start playing, not if, according to her father, Rob Zatechka. “I don’t want to say she felt like she had something to prove, but I think it was something that she’d always had this interest in and that galvanized that interest,” Rob said. Her mother, Jennifer Zatechka, said she wasn’t surprised by her daughter’s willingness to venture where not many girls had gone. “Her sixth-grade report was on Ruth Bader Ginsburg and she’s

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watched the Ruth Bader Ginsburg story multiple times,” Jennifer said. “So the whole idea of ‘judge me not by my gender, but by what I can do’ was definitely her mantra from probably fourth grade on.” Football is a large part of the Zatechka family. Rob played for Nebraska from 1990 to 1994, winning a national championship as co-team captain in his last season. Ryan, Piper’s older brother, plays at Westside on the varsity team. Piper’s uncle, Jon, played football at Nebraska and his son, Isaac, is currently on the Missouri football team. So Piper, who Rob said was his child with the most interest, had many resources to answer her questions about football, and when Piper decided she wanted to wear football pads, it was her choice. “It wasn’t because of my dad or my brother,” she said. “It was something that, in my mind, it just sparked and I wanted to try it. But they have definitely helped me along the way.” *** Unlike Zatechka, Mardi is the first

in her family to play football. She started playing tackle nine years ago at age 8 and hasn’t looked back since. Omaha Westside’s Erin Mardi playing for the Jr. Warriors. Photo courtesy of Erin Mardi When it came to playing in high school, she didn’t do it to make a statement. She wanted to continue playing the game she loves, Mardi said. She had a lot of support from her teammates, friends and the Jr. Warriors’ coaching staff. “I’ve had a lot of support. Coach (Garet) Moravec, he’s our kicking coach and our mental health coach,” Mardi said. “He’s been so supportive.” She said Moravec told her, “We can’t wait for you to come up and play.” Mardi said his excitement confirmed her desire to join the team. “I had a whole bunch of friends that were continuing to play. It was like ‘I’m sticking along with the ride.’ I love the sport, and I want to go as far as I can,” she said. Westside Head Coach Brett

Froendt said most players decide before freshman year if they want to keep playing tackle football, an increasingly physical game. The physicality did not matter to Mardi.

“When the team’s around, she’s with us and she’s always been a part of us,” Brett Froendt said of mardi.

“Erin’s never had that thought process,” said the head coach of 28 years. “She just always wanted to play football, and she’s all in every day.” Not the first Along with the men in Zatechka’s life, her mother also helped her learn the game. “We’d be at football games, and I would line up the M&M’s, and the blue ones are the guards, and the reds are the tackles. We did a couple of plays using colored M&M’s,” said Jennifer, who started learning more about football when she met Rob in college. But Mardi was not the first female to play football at Westside. In the early 2000s, Kristen Casey became the first female to kick an extra point in Nebraska Class A football. In Omaha, the Millard United Sports Girl’s NFL flag football league allows females from third to 12th grades on the team. Currently, 66 of the 1,400 participants in the YMCA of Greater Omaha’s flag football league are girls, according to the program’s director, Kyle Gay. In Lincoln, the Lincoln Youth Football League allows boys and girls from fourth to eighth grade. Lincoln Recreation has teams for boys and girls from first to sixth grade. In July of 2021, Nebraska football players Ben Stille and JoJo Domann hosted a

youth camp for boys and girls ages 7 to 14. For adults, the Women’s Football Alliance, Women’s Tackle Football League and the Women’s National Football Conference have Nebraska Nite Hawks, a team based in Omaha. Fitting in and standing out At some point between the start of Mardi’s football career and today, she became “one of the gang,” Froendt said. Many Jr. Warriors players continued playing in high school and grew accustomed to playing with Mardi. “Obviously, she has separate accommodations and things like that, but when the team’s around, she’s with us, and she’s always been a part of us,” Froendt said. As for Zatechka, Froendt recalled a few issues with players being immature about getting beat or “ran

Erin Mardi started playing tackle football at 8. photo courtesy of Mardi

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over” by a girl. “The coaches have talked to the kids and made sure Piper feels as comfortable and as welcome as any other player. A large majority of the players accept that, to our knowledge,” he said. “I think most of our experience has been positive with a couple of bumps along the road.” Zatechka agreed. “It’s a great team to play on,” she said. “I’m really lucky to have this opportunity to play at Westside where they’re supportive of me being a girl.” *** When Zatechka and Mardi change for practice and home games, it’s in the girl’s locker room. Mardi said it’s just her, Zatechka and the volleyball team before practice. Both football players said other schools are

also accommodating in providing them a separate space. Froendt said the one thing they miss out on is the locker room camaraderie but still fit in well with the team. They are both dedicated, determined and hard working, Froendt said. “(Zatechka) is confident, determined and she wants to do great. That confidence is different,” Froendt said. “It’s different than a lot of athletes show, even the boys. So it’s good to see an athlete, girl or boy, show that kind of confidence. And Piper is, without question, confident in her abilities.” As for Mardi, she dealt with many no-contact injuries during high school but was able to stay active this season, according to her coach. She jumps in on the varsity scout team and no one tries to move her out, Froendt

said. “She’s fully bought it and that’s all we ask our athletes,” he said. “We don’t get that from everybody on our team, boys and girls alike, but she’s been all in. She gets in there and competes and tries to make our team better.” Froendt said he sometimes forgets that Mardi and Zatechka are doing something “unique and cool.” “To be honest with you, we treat them as just another player on the team,” he said. “And maybe that’s wrong, but it’s just been so normal to me that if a person wants an opportunity, they come out and they get it.” Going for it In middle school, Mardi couldn’t help but notice another girl on the opponent’s sideline who never got the opportunity to play as she did. “She ended up quitting because of how the team treated her,” Mardi said. “I took that personally because I knew that team, we had beaten that team multiple times. I heard about how hard she worked to play, and then she just felt horrible.” Mardi and Zatechka both know some people don’t believe females should play football with males. They have a message to those people:

“Whatever they have to say about me playing football isn’t going to have an effect on how I play or if I play or not,” Piper Zatechka said. “I’m going to play football no matter what they say, so there’s no point being rude about it.” 42 UNLimited_10.21

“It’s a sport. It’s a game,” Mardi said. “Just because the guys are bigger, stronger, taller, doesn’t mean that we can’t join in and have fun playing.” “There’s no point in trying to get me to stop playing,” Zatechka said. “Whatever they have to say about me playing football isn’t going to have an effect on how I play or if I play or not. I’m going to play football no matter what they say, so there’s no point being rude about it.” On the contrary, to the young girls who have a passion for football and an interest in playing, both Mardi and Zatechka say, “Go for it.” “You wouldn’t want to look back and regret not going out for it,” Zatechka said. “The more girls we get playing, the more girls are going to feel more comfortable going out for football.” Ultimately, it’s tough to fight stereotypes and

Piper Zatechka (No. 33) and her teammates wait for a play to begin.

labels but Froendt said he admires them for it. “I just love that they’re sticking with it,” he said. “Because the most important thing in life is grit. And they’ve got it and whatever comes their way, whatever challenges have come their way, they dealt with it.”

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FRESHMAN TIGHT END THOMAS FIDONE II AT PRACTICE BEFORE HIS INJURY. PHOTOs COURTESY: @ thomasfidoneii_ 44 UNLimited_10.21

GROWTH WITHOUT THE GRIDIRON D e s p i t e d e va s tat i n g i n j u ry, H u s k e r s t i g h t e n d T H O M A S F i d o n e I I f e e l s m e n ta l ly a h e a d o f c o m p e t i t i o n Words: Hugh Regester At spring football practice, Thomas Fidone fell to the ground and felt his knee twist. He knew immediately that his leg was hurt and his season was at stake. One of those gifted enough to play football at the highest collegiate level, Fidone was the No.1 tight end recruit in the nation in 2021 with 36 offers to play Division I football across the country. But his injured knee required surgery and put a stop to whatever hopes he had of playing for the first time in front of 90,000 fans. “There are very few tight ends who can move or run routes like I can. I’m not a traditional tight end, more like a Kyle Pitts,” Fidone said. Committing to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in January of 2021, Fidone continued developing on the field, in the weight room and in the classroom. Despite not being able to do what he loved, Fidone found a way to grow as a man and as a player, even without touching the inside of the white lines that season. The Council Bluffs, Iowa native became known for his gritty work ethic both on and off the field.

Huskers and Fidone’s roommate, noticed his teammate’s passion for the game in wanting to do everything right. As some kind of hometown-hero, Ervin Jr. knew Fidone bled Husker red. “I notice the little things about Thomas, the things that make him great at football and also how much he loved Nebraska, being from the area,” Ervin Jr. said. After the injury, Ervin Jr. offered Fidone his advice and challenged him to fight past it.

EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. THIS TIME, IT HAPPENED TO YOU, AND IT’S HOW YOU REACT TO THE INJURY. ARE YOU GOING TO LET THE INJURY BEAT YOU, OR ARE YOU GOING TO OVERCOME IT AND COME BACK STRONGER? - GABE ERVIN JR.

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Nationally, Fidone is one of roughly 7,000 Division I football players, yet believes his injury and rehab set him mentally ahead of the competition. “Everyone’s got to go through adversity,” Fidone said. “I went through mine, and a lot of people wouldn’t be able to bounce back like that; it takes a different mentality that a lot of people don’t have.” While rehabbing in Lincoln over the summer, Fidone had one thing on his mind that helped him focus on his recovery. “To never let it happen again. I thought about how I can make sure it never happens again, whatever it takes,” Fidone said.

“I always tried to get as healthy as possible as fast as possible and get right back to it because they needed me. He needs to take his time with recovery, listen to his trainers and have trust in those guys cause they know what they are doing,” Sal said.

ONCE I REALIZED I COULD POTENTIALLY BE BACK IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, I SAID, ‘SCREW IT AND

GOT TO WORK.’

Fidone answered his roommate’s challenge, hitting the gym only weeks after his injury and showing up for practice, even if it meant only being able to encourage his guys from the sideline. Outside of practice, Fidone hasn’t let the injury affect his mood, either, friends say.

- THOMAS FIDONE II

“Thomas is a goofy dude who can get serious at times; he is a friend who loves and cares about you on and off the field, which is what we created our relationship on,” Ervin Jr. said. “He encourages us every day in practice as well to get better and better.” As the fall football season approached, so did Fidone’s return to the field, but not quite yet. Fidone’s cousin, Sal Fidone, who ran track at the University of South Dakota, had similar injuries to the tight end and returned to action too early, a mistake he won’t let Thomas make.

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Fidone knew he wasn’t quite ready either, but that didn’t bring him down. It did the opposite, actually. On game days, Fidone tries his best to get the fans into it, jumping up and down with his teammates, pumping the crowd up with his arms. “I try to bring a lot of energy,” Fidone said. “Against Buffalo, I’d say I was probably the most energetic person on the sideline, bringing all the energy. If there was a consensus on the team, I’m sure everyone would agree.”

Now, it’s all about getting the chance to finally step on the field and do what he does best. “He’s just ready to grind and get back out there with his team. I think he is ready to show everyone all of the work he has put in and will continue to put in for Nebraska,” Sal said. Hoping to still play as a freshman next season, Fidone said he wants to improve his health and learn at practice, even if it is outside of the white lines. “Once I realized I could potentially be back in a few weeks, I said screw it and got to work,” Fidone said. “I’m able to see different things now that I’m not on the field and kind of help where I can.”

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wrestle like a girl Girls wrestling is the fastest growing high shool sport in the nation, and Nebraska just stepped on to the mat.

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Courtesy of Flagship Restaurant Group

York High School hosted the Girls Wrestling State event on Feb. 6, 2021. Photo coutresy of kayla wolf/Omaha World-herald

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Words: Chase Stubbs Sweat drips from her nose as she runs around the room, every wall covered by soft spongey mats. She leaves a trail of sweat in her path as if she is dropping breadcrumbs on her way to grandma’s house. The insanely humid room that used to be once packed with young men is seeing a new era of wrestlers stepping into the circle. Regan Rosseter and other girls across Nebraska and the country are demonstrating that they belong in a historically maledominated sport. As one of the oldest sports in human history, wrestling dates back to the Olympics in 708 BC. It wasn’t until 2004 that the sport began to experience significant change and male dominance began to diminish. The Olympics introduced women’s wrestling as part of their games back in 2004, and the popularity of the sport continues to grow. Nationally, girls wrestling has increased from 16,562 participants in 2018 to 28,447 in 2020 according to the USA Wrestling Girls High School Development Committee. With the Nebraska Schools Activities Association approving the addition of girl’s wrestling as a sanctioned high school sport, Regan Rosseter

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and her head coach Bob Mulligan of Omaha Westside wants to lead the charge to get more Nebraska high schools to wrestle like a girl. Mulligan said the team’s preseason meeting saw an increase from two girls last year to five this year. He senses a newfound passion and excitement coming to the sport thanks to Nebraska sanctioning it. “A true passion is in all of the girls and families. It’s so brand new so there’s a lot of excitement and fun,” he says. Westside recently hired Coach Mulligan as their very first girl’s wrestling head coach. The opportunity to become the head coach did not come as a surprise to him as he coached Rosseter to her most recent state title. Rosseter became the first female wrestler in the history of her school to win a state title, but that’s not the only honor she has earned during her years on the mat. Her opponents know that she also has the titles of 6-time state champion, Tulsa National champion, and 3-time All-American when they see her name on the bracket.

She has acquired these awards and accolades already just as a sophomore in high school. She still hears boys complain about wrestling a girl, however, even though her accolades were earned. “I have heard some wrestlers say, ‘I have to wrestle a girl?’ because they didn’t want to lose to a girl,” she said. Rosseter doesn’t let that bother her though. “We have a saying at our club from one of my coaches.

Regan Rosseter waits for the next period at iowa’s Night Of conflict event. photo courtesy of sam janicki

“I am not a girl wrestler; I am a wrestler that happens to be a girl”. 120 schools in Nebraska joined Westside in creating a girl’s wrestling team, and that number continues to grow as the season approaches. The year Nebraska sanctioned the sport, 25 other states already took initiative in the movement towards equality on the mat. The sanctioning of the sport in Nebraska does notonly allow girls to compete against other girls, but it also opens the door for opportunities in the sport for the future. Chelsea Dionisio thanks the sport she loves for where she is today. Midland College in Fremont, Neb. announced Dionisio as their new head women’s wrestling coach back in March. She came to the Midwest after growing up in California where girl’s wrestling was a sanctioned sport while she grew up there. She never thought about giving wrestling a shot until her older cousin took her along to one of her practices. Dionisio said it was love at first sight. That love for wrestling led to her going on to wrestle at the University of Jamestown in North Dakota and later becoming a graduate assistant there. Now with Nebraska having girl’s wrestling as an official high school sport, they will have their own meets, tournaments, and state tournament at the end of the season. That allows Dionisio to recruit and see the girls much easier now she says.

“I have already talked to a handful of high schools, and they’ve already gotten upwards of 15 girls that are interested that have never even thought about joining a wrestling team.” - Chelsea Dionisio

and throughout the country have increased. Due to increased awareness and exposure, more girls will be able to pursue the continuation of their athletic careers in the sport they love. Regan still has three years of competition left at the high school level, but she already has her eyes set on her future goals in the sport. She and girls across the country now have a better shot at these goals thanks to the sanctioning of the sport. “I want to be able to get a scholarship for wrestling in college. I want to make the Olympic team for wrestling,” she said

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Back in action: Huskers Lacrosse resumes After 2020 season break

he would suit up for a game in a year and a half. This year, the team faces new challenges with getting back into shape and bonding before the season debut in early February 2022. Schartz said the team is trying to get as much chemistry as possible before then. “But until we are at real game speed, it is hard to fully know what to expect.”

Words: Jason Kraus

Going into his last season at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with 15 games, a fraction of the normal amount, under his belt, Tim Schartz wants one thing from his last year at Nebraska and it’s to be competitive. One of the first documented sports in America by the Native Americans, lacrosse has often been referred to as the fastest game on two feet. Lacrosse participation is on the rise across the nation. At the collegiate level, lacrosse has many different divisions, including NCAA Division I, II and III and junior college. At Nebraska, the lacrosse club plays in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association, which is not a varsity-sanctioned sport with the university. The difference between the NCAA lacrosse and MCLA lacrosse is that NCAA-affiliated teams are varsity level and the MCLA is a club lacrosse league for colleges and universities around the US and Canada. Throughout the MCLA, Division I and Division II, 200 teams make up 10 conferences over 43 states. Nebraska has been a member of the MCLA since it was founded in 2006. Schartz said he did not expect that when the MCLA season was called off in March 2020 due to COVID, that it would be the last time 52 UNLimited_10.21

Schartz also mentioned having a personal battle with COVID last year and dealing with lung and heart issues from the virus that really threw him off track.

“It was a long road getting back to just working out again after I got sick,” Tim Schartz said. His main challenge for the season will be his conditioning and getting back to where he was with it his freshman year. In his second year as president for the lacrosse club, Schartz has many roles to make sure the club can run smoothly. Some examples include scheduling games, practices, getting university approvals, recruiting new members and managing the budget. Being the head of the club is no breeze, he said, but it was essential to take over this role again going into his senior season. “There weren’t many other players who wanted to take over that responsibility and being on the board last year I already knew how things were run. Ultimately, I wanted to make sure the team was still able to play and get games scheduled for the spring,” Schartz said. Ryan Page, a senior also entering his last year of school-sanctioned lacrosse, has been playing lacrosse since the sixth grade and hopes his last season of meaningful

Tim Schartz and Ryan Page Talking Pregame Photo By Josh Ferdico

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lacrosse is nothing short of a great time. “I wanted to be a part of the lacrosse team here at UNL because it gives you a sense of community without having to join a fraternity or social club here on campus,” he said. Now that Page’s senior campaign is upon him and games are scheduled for spring, he hopes to find success after some time off. His personal goal for this season is to crack the all-conference team. “Whether it’s honorable mention, first, second or third team all conference,” he said. The Huskers men’s lacrosse club kicked off its fall season this September with a scrimmage against Midland University. Firstyear Coach Jimmy Moran said he hopes this will be a good measurement of where the club is at after a year-and-a-half live game break. Moran, a former player for the club, has Schartz Playing catch Photo By Josh Ferdico

Schartz Plays Mock Defense. Photo By Josh Ferdico three years of coaching experience with the Lincoln Rampage and held the presidency duties in his junior year at Nebraska. “I look forward to the challenge of coaching at this level,” Moran says. “I hope to grow the game here at the university.” The club has 10 regular-season games scheduled this spring and hopes to make the MCLA national championships In Austin, Texas in May for the first time in club history.

“I look forward to the challenge of coaching at this level,” Coach Jimmy Moran said. “I hope to grow the game here at the University.” 54 UNLimited_10.21

Minnesota standout Kennedi Orr and her road to Huskers volleyball Words: Sam Jacobson

coach, Kathy Melville.

Shoes squeaking and the smell of fresh popcorn set the stage for the Minnesota State Volleyball Tournament. Kennedi Orr and the Eagan Wildcats were two points away from winning their second state tournament in three years. Orr set the Prior Lake serve to fellow star, Mckenna Melville, and the crowd erupts when the ball smacks the ground. Drinks go flying. The bench clears as the coach is doused by Gatorade. And the year has come to a close.

“I am proud of my career at Eagan,” Orr said. “I got the chance to play with so many different players because I played varsity volleyball since 7th grade. I loved the program at Eagan, and it wasn’t all about winning for me during my high school career.”

Three months passed, and Eagan was playing its third game of the year. All Orr had in her mind was repeating as state champions, but instead she would have to watch from the sideline with a torn ACL in her senior season.

“Being on a state championship team is the cherry on top for my career, there is nothing more exhilarating than winning a title in front of your city,” Orr said.

As a result, Orr chose to graduate early and come to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Despite the impact of the coronavirus, changing schools and recovering from injury, the No.1 recruit, according to PrepSports, could not be slowed down. Now she sits on the sideline for Huskers Volleyball. Orr began her career playing for Eagan High School, a volleyball powerhouse with a Hall of Fame

Being a young talent, Orr helped the Eagan Wildcats to two state championship titles in four years, one against Prior Lake and one over Champlin Park.

Coach Melville said being a part of a championship team was, “like nothing else.”

“Coaching these girls to the highest level will always be one of my favorite things I’ve done in life,” Melville said. During her summers, Orr traveled to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for volleyball camps and said she fell in love with the campus.

“I always wanted to attend a Big Ten school and Lincoln has one of the best volleyball teams,” she said. She committed to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln her sophomore year of high school, which is “very early,” according to Coach Melville. Orr decided there and then that she would graduate high school a trimester early to come to Lincoln and be with the team. “I always wanted to come to college early,” Orr said. “My sister, Bri, did this as well and I wanted to follow in her footsteps.” “It isn’t that uncommon,” Melville said. “The coaches want them to get involved with the offense early, because they are such a big part of it.” However, an ACL tear set her back to square one on her road to Lincoln. “It was a shock when I got injured,” Orr said. “I had never had a major injury and one of this caliber can put you on the sideline for a year.” Orr, described by her high school coach as “the hardest worker she has ever seen,” was not going to let this injury slow her down.

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Kennedi Orr Sets her Teamates During Warmups. Photo by Huskers.com

“She was so humble throughout the entire process,” Melville said. “She did not let the injury stop her from bettering herself as a teammate, and it let her see the game from a coaches perspective.” “At first because of COVID-19, it was hard to get into rehab everyday in Minnesota,” Orr said “I was only able to get in three times a week, which is not enough when rehabbing an ACL injury.” She rehabbed for about three months in Minnesota before she came to UNL, and the trainers said she was not where she was supposed to be. “The trainers said I was shockingly behind,” she said. “They knew they had to change up my rehab plan, but that was hard to do with me transitioning to college life at the same time.” The transition to college was smooth, however. “I lived with the other three freshmen on the team and we weren’t allowed to play anyways because of COVID-19, so the injury wasn’t what was stopping me from playing at the time,” she said. “I was able to get a 4.0 my first semester of college as well.” The trainers at UNL took it up a notch with her 56 UNLimited_10.21

rehab. They wanted to make sure that she would be ready for her freshman season. “When I got to the university, I was doing rehab seven days a week and the training staff just seemed to care so much about me,” she said.

“I was given stem cells here at the University and that helped my rehab progress so much faster.” The training staff along with help from others in the organization was able to get her up to speed. The rehab of her knee had been successful and she was now ready to compete for the Huskers. Her first time on the court for practice Orr said her legs felt like Jell-O. “It just didn’t feel natural to be out on the court because I haven’t played for a year,” she said. “My goal for the season is just to get back to the way I like to play volleyball, I want to take a backseat role and be the best teammate I can be.”

Kennedi and Coach Melville talk strategy during the third set. photo courtesy of MNSHOTZ.com UNLimited_10.21

The Lincoln Truckers and the big daddies facing off on field four on a sunday evening in september. Photo by Nolan dorn

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Recreational softball “never gets old” building community and friendship Words: Nolan Dorn Brian Witt sticks out like a sore thumb standing alongside the decrepit white concessions house that is located in the middle of the Mahoney Parks softball complex. Witt’s Husker red jersey and gray baseball pants are tame in comparison to the many multicolored neon garments worn by other teams walking around on a Sunday evening in the fall. “I’ve been in this league a whole 27 years and it never gets old,” said Witt, a longstanding member of the recreational softball community in Lincoln. Witt’s gaze is set to Field Four where he watches the Big Daddies and Lincoln Truckers go back and forth, patiently waiting for his team, the Southview Sandlot Boys, to take the field. Witt and company will be facing Glass Edge, a team full of burly suntanned men in lime green jerseys with nicknames like “Marshmallow” printed in large font on their backs. “People play because they enjoy the sport, but they also enjoy the community that surrounds the league and the relationships made during their years playing softball,” said Witt. Around the country, parks and rec softball leagues are all-welcoming communities of diverse amateur-level athletes from an array of different backgrounds who compete on a weekly or even daily basis in hour-long softball games. These recreational athletes balance 40-plus-hour work weeks, social lives and family time all while risking severe injuries to not compete for glory or money but instead for the love of the game. Despite the ever-changing rosters, Witt was able to foster new and meaningful relationships with his teammates. “We began in the church league 27 years ago, and since then our team has changed a lot as people left and new players joined,” Witt said. Throughout his career, Witt has sustained many injuries, including a ball to the face that left him in a hospital with nine stitches above his right eye. Now with a family of his own and the wear and tear of a 27-year-career, he decided to play with the Southview Sandlot boys, the team that he started with. “As I got older, and my family grew larger, it was harder to find time to be on multiple teams and balance time with my family, but I still find time on Sunday night to play some softball,” Witt said. UNLimited_10.21

Down near the bleachers of Field Four, Heather Bayless, a member of the Sunday co-ed team, The Dreamkillers, talks with the fans in the stands waiting for their game against the Dirty Rottens. With nine years in the Lincoln Parks and Rec league, Bayless is one of the forerunners of an all-new female slow pitch softball league beginning next year. “Give more opportunities for women around Lincoln to play,” she said. “We also just wanted another team to play on.” Some of Bayless’s favorite memories include traveling to co-ed tournaments in Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri with many of her teammates, including Justin Louis, a five-year veteran of the league, who sits on the bleachers on Field One horsing around with

“It’s nice to be at a ball field on a summer evening and a great way to connect with people while having the physical and social benefits for yourself.” a couple of his fellow “drinking buddies,” as they wait for their game to start. Louis does not just play for The Dreamkillers, but said, he “plays for everyone” as one of many players who use the free agent portal on the Lincoln Parks and Rec website. Louis plays daily, and sometimes plays up to four

The dreamkillers warm up before their game in a restricted area between field one and field four. Photo by Nolan dorn

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games a day. The website allows players to meet new people and get players on teams that need them. Louis is well known around the league as players from opposing teams greet him as they walk by the bleachers. “I am out here seven days a week, I just love to be out here and love to play. It’s very odd for me to go a week without softball during the summer,” Louis said. Looming under a set of trees near the left-field of Field Four is Alex Martin, a member of the Ol Dirty and Friends, a name dedicated to the late member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Martin is dressed in his lavender T-shirt with the number “69” and nickname “A-Mart” on the back partly covered by his long black hair. Martin, in the league for three years, created

the team on a whim. “One of my friends, Trey, had suggested we should get together and create a softball team and it’ll be something fun to do during the summers, and so I did,” he said. Martin and his teammates found out how tough slow-pitch softball can be in the early years of Ol Dirty and Friends when they did not win a single game their first season. Despite this, the team persisted, and with some roster changes and a switch to the Sunday’s Men’s Open league, they began to win more and more games each season. “As bad as it was getting run-ruled every game, we still saw ourselves improving and the games were getting longer as we began to get the hang of it,” he said. Slowly but surely, Ol Dirty and Friends were winning games left and right. Martin said he enjoys the competitive aspect of playing parks and rec softball, but in the end, what matters to him is having some fun with his closest friends every Sunday night at Mahoney Park.

“It’s hard to get younger individuals to train and work and become an empire then do it for many years,” she said. “Then become those veterans that can turn around and train others.” Despite a lot of sports shutting down for most of 2020, Lincoln Parks and Rec softball continued, thanks to Manning and her coworkers who worked with the local health department and other governmental entities so people could still get to play softball. Changes included a sheet for players to sign up for contact tracing, spreading out fans along the fences and no more shaking hands after the end of a game. “Coming up with those procedures beforehand where the world was changing on an hourly basis and maneuvering around those challenges was a big thing for us to overcome,” Manning said.

“The great part of playing softball is the community, we’ve met a lot of new people in just the couple of years that we have been a team,” said Martin.

Luckily, the sport of softball is already socially distanced and takes place outdoors. Despite the challenges present, they were able to pull through and have a season. Manning said she felt it was important for people to get a break from life and come play some softball.

Whether you have played three, five, nine, or even 27 years of softball, this league is meant for everyone, said Monica Manning, athletic supervisor for Lincoln Parks and Recreation.

At the end of the day, Manning wants to foster a community of like-minded individuals who enjoy the sport of softball. To her, it is all about having fun and letting people get to play the sport.

“Everybody can come out and have fun,” she said. “That’s why we offer this recreation program in a multitude of levels of play. So that hopefully we can appeal to them, to whoever wants to sign up and play.”

“It’s nice to be at a ball field on a summer evening and a great way to connect with people while having the physical and social benefits for yourself,” she said. “That’s just what we do, it is what we offer to the community.”

Manning is in charge of 160 teams and over 1,600 softball athletes for the leagues. Daily tasks include finding umpires to work the many games during the week and creating the schedules for all 18 leagues and their tournaments. Other tasks include updating flyers, sending emails and managing social media. The biggest struggle, and what takes up a majority of her time, is finding officials after losing veteran officials because of COVID. UNLimited_10.21

Longtime parks and rec employee “keeps the ship running” at events Words: Jacob Osborn

Sometimes

the most interesting people come in the most unexpected places. In the 77-acres that make up Lincoln’s Mahoney Park lies the softball and baseball fields in just a fraction of the northeast corner. As the sun sets on a warm and humid summer Sunday evening, with the sounds of bats clinging, yelling and cheering, the place crowded with spectators and slow-pitch softball players. Among the crowd stands Jack Pickel in his bright orange T-shirt waiting for the next person to say hello or talk their ear off about the Yankees or last night’s UFC fights. As he jumps from conversation to conversation, sportsrelated or not, he’s also right there making sure operations run smooth and players find the fields they need to play on that night. He rarely takes the time to actually take in the games. “It’s people like Pickel who bring a sense of culture to the games. He makes coming to the ballparks more than just softball, he makes them an event,” said Mason Burress, a slowpitch softball player. Pickel, 65, a former slow-pitch softball umpire and longtime supervisor for Lincoln Parks and Recreation, embraced his passion for sports and translated that into a lasting career. In his 40 years on the diamonds,

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Pickel forged relationships to create a sense of belonging in his social interactions with players, observers and fellow employees. “When I’m out on the field, I just try to get along with people and make them feel comfortable. They’re out there to play ball and have a good time,” Pickel said. A credit manager by day at Cash-WA Distributing, Pickel finds his comfort on Sundays walking into the park for what he calls his “side gig job.” Nationally, employees like Pickel can be hard to come by. Although Pickel hails from Lincoln, others come to mind who remain in the spotlight. Roger Bossard, head groundskeeper for the White Sox, joined the organization in 1967 as an assistant to his father, Gene Bossard, and became the official head groundskeeper when his father retired in 1983. The hard work and dedication coupled with career longevity can sometimes be unfamiliar in an ever-changing sports industry.

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As Pickel stands in the shade next to the frail white concessions building waiting to flaunt his New York Yankees wallet to any Red Sox fan he sees, he’s also fixated on any problems that may pop up for anyone attending these games. “He’s the one that keeps the ship running,” Burress said. And that’s exactly what Pickel does. When he’s not talking, he’s working. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pickel made sure players signed in to games to ensure player accountability and also that they acknowledged the risks playing during the pandemic. In other instances, Pickel makes sure dugouts were cleaned for the next team while helping attendees find their way around the complex and locate any amenities they might need. The most interesting part of his job comes when problems arise with teams and their players, which Pickel has seen his fair share over the years. “You see everybody’s side of the coin. You have to listen to everybody and see their point of view,” Pickel said, adding, “It helps you grow and try to think of things to say to make people feel comfortable.”

stop him from being himself. He recounts stories of how competitive the league used to be, the fistfights that would ensue, how the fields went from mud to well-kept grass and the many rule changes throughout the years. With this experience, Pickel figured out many subtleties and scenarios that have played out hundreds of times. “Being there for so long definitely mellows you out,” Pickel said. Manning has Pickel supervising more these days and not umpiring on the fields. His knee bothers him and things like the heat get to him. Nonetheless, Manning said he is still out there talking to the other officials, teaching and training them, as well as working with all the players and teams, something she said definitely fits that role.

“He’s the one who keeps the ship running. ” - Mason Burress

Monica Manning, athletics supervisor for Lincoln Parks and Recreation, has worked with Pickel for eight years and developed a relationship that transcends just the occasional “Hello.” “We just kind of, you know, picked up and carried on with working hands-on together,” Manning said. “He’s awesome. He’s a huge part of our leagues and people love him. He’s personable and always has a smile on his face and makes a point to talk to everybody.”

Pickel weighed the idea of retiring and finally hanging up that orange T-shirt for good but he still hasn’t made that call just yet. He’s been urged, he said, by his wife and kids but the passion still runs deep.

“Jack is a fixture,” Manning said. “He’s been around forever. He loves our programs. He loves what we do.” Since 1981, Pickel has had many days the same. And as the sun sets around him on that warm Sunday night, he takes it all in. From the first to the last cling of the bat, it’s all in a day’s work for Jack Pickel. “It’s all left out on the field,” he said. “And I’m thankful for that.”

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Mike Coatman tees off on hole 13 at Firethorn Golf Club. Photo by Hugh Anderson

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Golf Game Unmatched: Former Husker holds eight-year course best at Firethorn Golf Club Words: Hugh Anderson

leisurely round of weekday golf on Firethorn’s Championship Course turned into a day that Mike Coatman would never forget. A day in 2013 where Tiger Woods-style fist-pumps would have been allowed after each birdie, but Coatman stuck to his usual calm and collected self. With temperatures holding steady at 80 degrees and the wind ceasing to exist on this sunny July morning, Coatman plowed through Firethorn’s challenging 18 holes in just 62 strokes, shattering the previous course record of 64. “I ended up birdying number 12 to get to 9-under,” Coatman said. “Then at that time I thought to myself, ‘Oh, man, I’m right there.’” Coatman, 32, now director of golf operations at Firethorn Golf Club and a former Nebraska student-athlete, holds the course record for over eight years. In perfecting his golf skills and staying positive in the face of adversity, Coatman found success in the game that he and his childhood self love. His passion only grew stronger as he progressed from local par-3 courses to prominent golf clubs such as Firethorn. As one of over 100 golf courses in Nebraska, Firethorn is nationally recognized along the likes of Florida’s TPC Sawgrass and Wisconsin’s Whistling Straits. In fact, the Championship Course was designed by one of golf’s legendary course architects, Pete Dye. On that record-breaking day, afternoon work shifts and slow playing groups ahead of them forced Coatman and his friend, Austin Zimmerman, to skip holes 10 through 13. After finding success on 14 through 18, the two drove back around to hit hole 10. A string of four birdies on the back nine that day clinched Coatman’s place in Firethorn history with a 9-under-par score from the tips. ***

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Athleticism is a consistent theme in the Coatman family as his father played college baseball and his mother played softball. However, his uncle, Jeff Pappas, introduced his nephew to the sport he would soon learn to love. The two spent their time together playing Jim Ager Memorial Golf Course, a local par-3, in Lincoln, Neb. These initial rounds pulled Coatman into the game of golf, and so did watching Tiger Woods dominate on the PGA Tour. “When I was growing up, that was kind of peak Tiger Woods time,” Coatman Coatman places the ball 6 feet from the pin on hole 12. Photo by hugh anderson

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“Just to know that I had shot a score that nobody else has ever done before is one of my proudest moments in the game.”

said. “I would say watching him on TV probably got me and a million other kids going in golf.” And something about having the fate of the game in his hands caught his eye. “Golf teaches you a lot about attitude and sportsmanship because it’s just you out there,” Coatman said. “You are the only one making decisions, so it’s unique in that way and I think that’s why I liked it a lot.” As Coatman’s game progressed, he transitioned to larger courses and eventually joined Firethorn as a junior

Coatman stuck in the trees on hole seven, the only bogey hole in his record round. Photo by Hugh anderson member at age 14. With even more practice, he made the varsity golf team at Lincoln Southwest High School where his golfing career would begin to take off. Head Coach Jim Danson said he could see the abundance of skill in Coatman’s golf game from the start. “He was everything that was advertised and had the total package,” Danson said. “He had the short game and the long game and was a wellversed golfer. To see him advance through high school, college and then as a professional did not surprise me at all.” Coatman’s skills along with those of his teammates led Southwest in 2007 to its first golf state championship title in school history. Danson said the goals, dedication and determination of this team are still a large source of inspiration to him. But it is Coatman and his “it factor” who stands out as the key leader of the team. Coatman, a phenomenal golfer, Danson said, shows consistency and works hard to progress his skills, which he displayed when he set Firethorn’s new course best. “Firethorn really allows you to display the fullness of your golf swing and a golf mental toughness,” Danson said. “And to me, Mike had all of the above.” *** Before his record-breaking round, he journeyed from high school about 6 miles away to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the next step in his golf career. Back then, Huskers teammate Trent Price immediately noticed two things about Coatman. First, he is quiet. Second, he is better than everyone else. His quietness stems from his ability to stay calm

and collected, Price said, even on some of the biggest stages. “He was athletic, so pressure didn’t really get to him because he had played other sports,” Price said. “If you look at golfers on the PGA Tour right now, a lot of those guys played basketball and golf or baseball and golf, and those guys are on top of the world right now.” Even when things start to turn sideways, Price said Coatman will not be seen throwing clubs or cursing. He maintains his even-keeled attitude and focuses on the next hole. With a course like Firethorn, Coatman said if you’re a little off your game, things can start going downhill quickly. Both Coatman and Price said what makes this course difficult is its visual deception, intricate waterways and thick tall grasses. “It’s really hard to go all 18 holes at Firethorn without one hiccup,” Price said. “One big number can happen quicker here than any other course in the state.” Coatman’s single hiccup during his 2013 recordsetting round occurred on hole seven with a drive that flew into the trees. This led to his only bogey of the day. As he drove the golf cart toward hole eight, the bogey disappeared from his mind. After graduating college in 2011 as a four-year letter winner with 17 rounds under par, Coatman

Hole 17 at firethorn golf club features a bridge to the tee box. Photo by Hugh Anderson played professionally for three years and said the road to the PGA Tour was not easy. For some golfers, this can be a long mental grind that most fans are not aware of. “You see the top 200 guys on TV, but there are another 20,000 guys trying to get there,” Coatman said. “For those guys, playing in minitours for little money and living in your car is definitely not the glamour life that everybody sees on TV. I’d say it taught me a lot about mental toughness and trying to stay positive when things aren’t always positive.” His wife, Stacie Coatman, said her husband’s laid-back attitude and mental toughness

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contributes to his success both on the course and at home. “He has a higher patience tolerance than most people,” Stacie said. “Even though he might bogey a few holes, he can come back later and finish strong, whereas most people might continue playing poorly for the rest of the round.” Holding the course record at Firethorn is something that Coatman said he will cherish forever. The rich history and tradition of the course only adds to the significance of his 62, and so does the number of great players who have walked the same fairways and putted the same greens. “Just to know that I had shot a score that nobody else has ever done before is one of my proudest moments in the game.”

t e i r a v n i s w a r d b lu

s t n e d u t s f o y

c s t r o p s e l n

“ There’s a whole sports channel

for the nerds who have been sitting at their computers playing video games.

”

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photo by anne walter Words: Annie Walter

or have an established esports team such as both Ohio State and the University of California at Irvine.

The glow of the monitor illuminates the hyperfocused profile as rapid clicks reverberate throughout the room and fingers fly across the keyboard. No, this is not a late-night office worker working overtime; this is the world of professional gaming.

The club functions as a hub for those who want to find like-minded gamers. Because UNL does not have an official esports team, the club helps bring people together who want to find fellow competitive gamers. The club also helps as the central point for organizing esports tournaments like the Smash Bros and FIFA 2020 tournaments on campus.

“There’s a whole sports channel for the nerds who have been sitting at their computers playing video games,” said Alan Eno, assistant professor of practice and website administrator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Eno kickstarted UNL’s esports streaming events, coordinating the FIFA 2020 tournament last year for the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. He also started a UNL popup class to teach students about the esports community and its growing list of jobs. Most recently, Eno coordinated the university-wide Super Smash Bros tournament on Sept. 24 with help from UNL’s esports club. UNL is one of the few Division I universities that does not offer esports scholarships

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Of the job opportunities for students, Eno said these have trickled down to create a niche for women within the community. It has also been a contributor to the culture shift when it comes to how others perceive the world of professional gaming. “Esports in general is sort of changing the culture,” Eno said, “The cool kids can now come in and take over the sport.” Esports, an electronic form of competition played by professional gamers for spectators, started at Stanford University with the first US esports competition in 1972. In the past 50 years, esports rose to a multi-million dollar industry, bringing

in approximately $92 million USD in 2020 worldwide. Of the 14,500 professional gamers worldwide, women make up approximately 5%, despite 60% who play video games casually. Joey Spott, a junior mechanical engineering student at UNL, spearheads the Nebraska Esports Discord server. With over 200 members, the server is the hub at UNL for those who range from casual gamers to veterans. Spott began the esports server after joining a Rocket League club and then subsequently marrying the Rocket League club with the already-existing League of Legends club. “There was about 20 of us on campus, I met them really through mutual friends,” Spott said, “They are real-life people; they do exist.” In addition to growing monetarily, esports offers a more accessible and easier way for people of all ages to become involved with the community, Spott said. He continued to recruit people into the Discord and said he mainly created the club to help bring together those who want competitive esports. UNL advertising professor Michael Hanus was instrumental in Spott’s involvement. Through Hanus, Spott met other like-minded students interested in creating an actual streamed tournament. Now, Eno is in charge of the streaming. “In doing these in-person events, he’s all about [that]. So he’s only been an addition to the club in that sense,” Spott said. Now, the esports club meets within the media college. Not all 200 people from the server show up, but students who are interested in running the streaming broadcast discuss with Eno to dish out roles for the next esports event on campus. Many are journalism and broadcast students, which brought esports into a smaller sphere. Morgan Pruitt, a senior UNL broadcasting and journalism major, found a niche within esports that also functions as an occasional on-theside moneymaker. A big part of the esports scene is livestreaming for an audience, Pruitt said. Because of its flexible nature, a gamer

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can stream from their home and have a personal connection with their watchers in real-time. Pruitt has her own streaming channel (mizzlewizzle_ on Twitch) with 134 followers. “I made $300 [streaming],” Pruitt said, “I didn’t even have 100 followers at that time.” Because Pruitt is a broadcast major, she has confidence speaking in front of a camera -- one of the pillars in the streaming tournaments. Pruitt provided color commentary for the FIFA 2020 event last year and entered the scene without playing the game being streamed. “I had never played FIFA before in my life,” Pruitt said, “I want to talk about the players and everything.” Despite not playing the game, Pruitt researched the game and landed a position at Jacht, the student-led advertising agency, through her esports involvement. “If you’re graduating college and you know how to do production for esports or anything associated with producing a tournament, you’re going to find a job,” Eno said. Although Spott is an engineer, his involvement in streaming and esports helped him land an internship with the College Carball Association. He currently helps produce graphics for the livestream and video production for pre-recorded material such as interviews and team intros. “You don’t have to make videos or play video games,” Spott said, “There are people doing accounting, they’re talent managers.” Jobs such as a marketing position, graphic designer, public relations personnel or even a dietitian for the gamers on a team are a few opportunities offered to those looking to sneak into the industry. These jobs don’t require having played a single video game, much less devoted hours of time to a singular game or franchise. “I think this college should own whatever we can in terms of prepping students to go work in the production industry on esports,” Eno said.

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All good things must come to an end Curt Smith’s Lincoln Saltdogs career concludes after eight record-breaking years. Words: Justin Allen

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Curt Smith follows through on a powerful swing. Photo byUNLimited_10.21 Ty Schweer

urt Smith’s love for his team and its city could be seen in his final game with the Lincoln Saltdogs in 2021. His emotions leaving the field for the last time were genuine. Tears filled his eyes as he walked away from the diamond at Haymarket Park for the last time. The fans sent him out with a standing ovation. It was the sendoff of a player who had given his all for the city he loves. After eight seasons, Smith is hanging up the cap, putting the bat back into the rack and an end to a career that will live in more than the Saltdogs record books. “It was a long and rewarding journey to get to where I am today,” Smith said. “Being able to walk away with this much love for the game and for my city makes me know I did things the right way.” Smith, one of the most recognizable players to put on the Saltdogs uniform, bounced around many different leagues before coming to Lincoln. His experience not only had an impact on the Saltdogs record books but on the often unstable and quickly rotating rosters of independent baseball, a level with eight leagues and 72 teams across the United States and Canada. Returning for his eighth season in 2021, the 34-yearold became the longest tenured player since the team’s start in 2001. Once the powerful hitter found his home in Lincoln, he started stamping his name at the top of almost every category in the record books. *** Smith’s home country of Curaçao, located off the northern shores

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of Venezuela, is populated by about 157,000 residents -- half the population of Lincoln. The small Dutch-Caribbean island unites under a common passion: Baseball. “If you’re in Curaçao right now and not playing baseball, I don’t know what you would be doing,” Smith said with a laugh. “Baseball means everything to the country.” Growing up, Smith’s family was full of baseball fans. His uncles played baseball and he remembered them taking him to games and sparking his love for the game. “Some of my first memories were of my uncles taking me to the ballfields,” Smith said. The first time Smith came to the United States was in 2002 for Team Latin America at the Senior League World Series in Bangor, Maine. The tournament ended with Smith’s Curaçao team defeating Boynton Beach, Fla. in the championship game. This game was more than a championship win for Smith. It was a major stepping stone in his career. “It was a great opportunity for me because the University of Maine saw me play and it led to them offering me a full scholarship in 2004,” Smith said. Smith accepted and packed up his bags to move to the United States. He said it was scary for him to be off on his own as a foreign student, but the university took him in and cared for him. “The University of Maine will always have a special place in my heart,” Smith said. “They gave me a great opportunity to

come to the United States and play baseball, and they made sure I felt welcomed.” As a member of the Black Bear baseball team, he led the team to two America East championships and two NCAA Regional appearances in 2005 and 2006. Smith was also named team captain, America East Player of the Year and named to the NCAA All-Regional team in 2008. Smith finished his senior year batting .403 with 40 RBIs and 11 home runs. Find his name in the University of Maine’s record books finishing second in all-time hits (300), second in triples (19), third in RBIs (178), fourth in doubles (60) and fourth in most single-season hits (87). Smith’s powerful hitting led him to the MLB draft where the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in 2008.

“It was a long and rewarding journey to get to where I am today,” Curt Smith said. “It was a great honor to be selected by the Cardinals in the draft. A dream come true,” Smith said. His time in the MLB was sporadic, he said, playing for different Double-A and Single-A teams affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals. However, Smith never let that discourage him. “I wasn’t bothered by bouncing around to different teams. I knew each one was a new opportunity for me to continue playing baseball and live out my dream,” Smith said. His bat stayed hot while in the Minor League, hitting a career batting average of .301 in 260

“Being able to walk away with this much love for the game and for my city makes me know I did things the right way.”

Curt Smith points to the sky after crossing home plate

minor league games before the St. Louis Cardinals released him in 2011. He was heartbroken but said it was a defining moment in his career. Little did he know the amount of success to follow, for his Saltdogs career was about to begin.

Photo by Ty Schweer

This time was different. It was permanent. Smith competed in Lincoln for the next seven seasons for a total of eight seasons as a Saltdog. He originally planned on retiring after the 2020 season, until it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, and he knew he had to come back for one more season in 2021.

When Smith first came to the Saltdogs in 2011, he did not know entirely what to expect. He had never played “It was always really easy to come back to this for an independent league -- a league without ties to the MLB but still produces talented players. Despite it organization,” Smith said. being a new experience, Smith said it didn’t take long Not only does Smith have an enormous love for the for him to feel at home in Lincoln. game, but he has a love for the organization, his teammates and the fans who have all become part of “The people, coaches and players were all so his life. welcoming and so nice to me,” he said. “They made it very easy for me to settle in with the Saltdogs “It was always easy to show up for games because organization.” the fans felt like my best friends,” Smith said. “I got to Smith played the rest of the 2011 season as a Saltdog know a lot of them personally and they were all very before fielding offers from minor league teams like nice and made the organization feel like a family.” the Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins and the St. Louis Coming into the 2021 season, Smith ranked: Cardinals, and playing with each for a season. After - first in walks (194) spending those three seasons bouncing around the - second in games started (576) minor league again, Smith decided to come back - second in RBIs (390) to Lincoln in 2014 and put on the Saltdogs uniform - second in total bases (1,117) - second in hits (701) again. - third in doubles (130) third in runs scored (340)

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“It is a really cool honor to see your name at the top of so many records,” he said. “It shows all of your hard work paying off and lets me know that I was doing things right.” While happy with accomplishments, Smith said he hopes his records are something other players strive to beat. “I hope they don’t stay,” Smith said. “I would love to be able to see other players come in and take over those columns in the record book.” His legacy will not soon be forgotten by Saltdogs fans, and he said he will always remember his time as a Saltdog. “I have so much to love about Lincoln. I was able to meet my wife, start a family and play the game that I love for eight years because this city was so welcoming,” Smith said. “It is a very special place to me.” *** Roster stability is one of the hardest things to find in

independent baseball. In the American Association, where the Saltdogs compete, rosters can consist of 23 players, with a maximum of five veterans and a minimum of five rookie players. This rule keeps the rosters competitive and constantly changing. With an unstable roster, the experience of veterans becomes important for accommodating newer players. And having an eight-year veteran like Curt Smith was a rare advantage of the Saltdogs, said the first-year Saltdogs Manager, Brett Jodie. “Having a guy with Curt’s experience was very helpful to me and to our team,” Jodie said. As a pitcher for the University of South Carolina, Jodie brings experience from different levels of baseball, getting drafted to the MLB by the Yankees in the sixth round in 1998. He also served as a manager for the Somerset Patriots (an independent team in the Atlantic League) for seven years. Coming to the Saltdogs, Jodie said he relied on Smith’s experience to ease his transition. “He [Smith] made everybody feel welcomed. Myself included,” Jodie said. “His leadership qualities were something we could build our team around, and it allowed us to play baseball at a high level.”

“Curt treats this team like a family. He cares about each individual on the team and wants the best outcome for everybody,” Brett Jodie said.

Curt Smith Crosses home plate, yet again.

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Photo by: Ty Schweer

Trying to transition players into a new system can be difficult, but with a leader like Smith, who Jodie calls “The Mayor,” a lot of tasks could be delegated to the veteran. Smith’s caring personality made him the perfect person to welcome new players, Jodie

said. Smith built relationships with his teammates by hosting get-togethers at his house and putting on team outings. He took in new players and welcomed them into the organization with open arms. “Curt treats this team like a family. He cares about each individual on the team and wants the best outcome for everybody,” Jodie said. The players respected Smith as a captain, too, Jodie said, in and out of the dugout. Not only for his positive spirit and ability to bring the team together but also because of his ability to lead on the field. “He was a competitor, but he was also a guy that you knew loved the sport,” Jodie said. There were times where Smith would be frustrated with a bad call, Jodie said, but he was always able to let those emotions go and focus on his role as a leader. “His ability to move on from a frustrating situation was a quality he possessed that came with his maturity as a player,” Jodie said. “Smith approached every game with a happy-go-lucky attitude and a positive outlook.”

To the Saltdogs, Smith was more than just a recordbreaking player. His role went beyond what he could do in the batter’s box. “When he plays, you can see how much he cares for his team and for his city. He gives his all for them,” Jodie said. Jodie said he noticed Smith’s appreciation for the fans and him wanting to give back -- often staying after games to sign autographs or take pictures. The fans always returned the love for Smith, Jodie said. “No matter what the score of the game was, the fans would always get loud for Curt,” Jodie said. “His atbats would sometimes lead to MVP chants.” Smith played his final game as a Saltdog on Sept. 6, 2021. His last at-bat was a pop-out to the second baseman -- a plate appearance Smith said he would always want back. But he walked away from the game with no regrets. “The fans and this city have always treated me with so much love and respect,” Smith said. “I always wanted to go out there and give my all for them.”

“When he plays, you can see how much he cares for his team and for his city. He gives his all for them.”

Curt Smith takes a big swing for the Lincoln Saltdogs Photo by Ty Schweer UNLimited_10.21

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Houston, WE have a problem!

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Mixed martial arts, if used correctly, can motivate and impact lives Words: Jayden Brown

ight. A five-letter word with an abundance of meanings. Many humans live to fight for many things. Family, friends, justice, civil rights, equality, freedom, respect and the list goes on. Fighting does not always mean a brawl or protecting yourself. When you’re good at it and people start to notice, you can make a living out of it. That’s what happened for Houston Alexander, the former UFC combatant and current mixed martial artist, who escaped bullying and hardships to pursue his career in fighting. Growing up, Houston lived with his mother in East St. Louis, Illi. As a kid, he would always watch a Mutual of Omaha TV program, Wild Kingdom, to pass time. When he turned 8, his mom told him they were moving to Omaha, Neb., not only because his aunt lived there but because she was escaping an abusive situation as well. Houston has been living in North Omaha ever since. This profession would not only change his life but also provide him with the resources to make an impact on others, inspiring and motivating the youth whether it’s local or around the globe, and express his student knowledge of his passion for hip-hop.

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“We are on the same path. whether it be MMA or you doing journalism, we are all on the same path of trying to do the right thing, man. That’s it.”

Photo Credits: Beatrice daily sun

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click here or scan the above qr code to Watch this story. MotoLNK - 6301 Cornhusker Hwy Lincoln, NE 68507 (402) 853-4986

New Lincoln-based motorcycle shop opens doors Words: Andrew Pfeifer Goon riders, shooting to thrill, and a store coming near you. This is Jeffrey Orth. And he is following his dreams. “I’ve got bikes in here that I have paid $500 for that will take you 150mph and this close to death if you want them to,” he said. Orth opened the first motorcycle store Lincoln has ever seen. From a small garage, to now a full department of services, MotoLNK offers young riders the tools, equipment and techniques to take the competition to the next level.

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“You name it, we do it, you know? If you want nitrous on your bike, this is where it is going to happen, right here.” The shop is located off of 70th and Cornhusker. Orth just opened his store this year and has big intentions to expand his business. His shop operates as a speed and repair shop. Not only fix your bike, but give it ... a little boost. “But of course we do repairs and services across all makes and models of bikes.” Starting out was not easy. Working a full-time job as well as repairing bikes in a small apartment garage, something had to change. “I was doing all this work for people out of my garage just making a killing, but I was burned out between all the hours. I mean, I had 10 bikes in a one stall garage attached to my apartment. I had gone to my employer and I was like, ‘Hey, I need a raise or less hours or something,’ and they just fired me.”

That was the spark he needed to fulfil his dreams and open his new shop, where he now works, full time. “I was like “See ya later!”, ya know? I got other things to do and I got plenty of customers already. I was turning down just as much work as I was taking on if not more. Then I got this space and slowly but surely we tricked it out and we had a lot of bikes here. Motorcycles or any type of bike can be extremely dangerous. For many competitors, Abbott Motocross Track is one of the few select places where you can compete. And danger lurks at every turn. Thankfully, if something goes wrong, Orth is here to help. Layne Miller, a UNL student rider, said, “That’s really cool that MotoLNK is opening up here in Lincoln especially for those new student riders. If something were to go wrong, I’d be more than happy to take it in to them and have them go through it and check it out so they can teach me more about it.” Motorcycles are a small but unique culture here at the University of Nebraska. Although it’s considered a more expensive hobby, there really is nothing that can beat it. “Just the feeling of the open roads and going into tight turns so you can lean the thing over and start scraping on your exhaust and your pegs and there’s no better feeling than the wind.” Orth: “Riding is easy. If you want to do motocross, if you want to ride street bikes, if you want to ride Harley’s, anyone can do it. It’s just about learning and honestly I think having a nicer bike to start with at the end of the day can make you happier with a more enjoyable riding experience. If you want to get into it, get yourself out there and get yourself something nice. Go ride it, go enjoy it. Riding it is easy.”

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Photo by Andrew Pfeifer

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Photo by Jessica Blum Maddie Washburn Photo