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Athletics - Senior Spotlights
SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS
To recognize senior student-athletes, especially those whose final seasons were cut short due to the pandemic, WLC’s director of athletic communications Adam Heinzen ’06 worked with the athletes to develop “senior spotlights,” which he published online and via social media. We’ve highlighted a few of the students’ responses here; to read all the stories, visit WLCsports.com.
KARAH RITACCO ’20
Chicago, IL Softball Sport and Exercise Science
What did you like most about competing at WLC? “I liked the smallschool environment and how close our team was during my senior year. I enjoyed playing all four years but nothing was like my last season. We had been through a lot together, but it made us all so much closer. Yes the season may have been short, but our little family is something I will cherish forever.”
ASHLEY SCHERF ’20
Wales, WI Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Mathematics
Which WLC faculty member has made the greatest impact on you? “Dr. Michael Berg made the greatest impact on me because he pushed me to grow in my faith, and it has been one of the biggest blessings. The lessons I have learned in his classes have pushed me to dive deeper into my faith and grow my connection with God.” NOAH COOK ’20
Marshall, WI Football and Baseball Psychology
Which WLC faculty has made the greatest impact on you? “My advisor, Dr. Casey Holtz, has made a great impact on me. Not only has he helped me get to the point of graduation, but he helped me with anything I needed while applying for graduate school. I plan to attend Marquette University this fall, where I will be working toward a master’s degree in school counseling.”
LEAH ROSENOW ’20
Temecula, CA Women’s Track & Field Business Administration/Psychology
What did you like most about competing at WLC? “WLC made me feel recognized and special as a studentathlete. I was able to complete a double major and take over 150 credits while thriving in my busy schedule and the small classes where my professors knew me as a person. Participating in DIII athletics fueled the competitive side of me, but wasn’t too overwhelming. It was definitely the perfect balance.” LEVI SCHRIEFER ’20
San Diego, CA Baseball Elementary Education/Psychology
What class would you retake just for fun? “I would take COM 260 Interpersonal Communication for three reasons: one, Dr. Stacy Hoehl ’01 is a tremendous leader; two, the content helped me become a more authentic and empathetic communicator; and three, the people in that class made it feel really tight-knit, at least to me.”
KELLY TRAMBURG ’20
Fall River, WI Women’s Basketball Biology
What did you like most about competing at WLC? “The team, coaches, and fans! Competing at WLC allowed me to build so many connections on and off the court. Whether it was coming together for a pre-game prayer with teammates, volunteering to mentor young players, or running to WALI after practice, I know that WLC made these opportunities possible for me. The WLC community gives endless love and support!”
JONATHAN WORDELL ’20
Higashikurume, Japan Men’s Tennis Business Administration
What is one piece of advice you would give to your freshman self? “I would tell myself to cherish every part of the college experience before it was over. Looking back, I wish I would have paused once in a while to fully appreciate the opportunity I had to learn and grow at WLC. I’d also advise myself to go easy on the ice cream machine and brownies at dinner because I now have cavities.”
ELIJAH TESCH ’20
Sun Prairie, WI Men’s Cross Country and Track & Field Computer Science/Mathematics
What did you like most about competing at WLC? “It was a good balance of being able to be fully committed to both my academics and athletics. It was a challenge to balance the two, but I always felt like they never subtracted from each other. I made a lot of friends and good memories doing both. I was able to pursue my passion for competitive running fully while still being able to get the degree I came to get.”
SENIOR STUDENT Athlete Spotlights
Wisconsin Lutheran College senior men’s basketball player Andrew Bruggink was named the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division III Private College Player of the Year. It was the fifth postseason award for the Warriors’ guard, who also was named Second Team All-Central Region by D3hoops.com, Second Team All-District by the NABC, NACC Player of the Year, and First Team All-NACC. Bruggink finished 13th in NCAA Division III in points per game (24.2) and 19th in free throw percentage (88.2).
Bruggink, a four-time NACC Student-Athlete of the Week, joined WLC’s 1,000-point club on February 22 against Edgewood, needing just 50 career games to reach the milestone.
A business administration major from Brookfield, Wisconsin, he hopes to play basketball professionally after graduation. Bruggink said, “Coach Aanonsen instilled a lot of confidence in me, and it led to a fun and memorable final season.”
BIESTERFELD and ERICSON Earn Scholar-Athlete Award
Senior student-athletes Colin Biesterfeld (men’s basketball) and Melissa Ericson (softball and women’s volleyball) were named the recipients of the 2020 Roger Fleming Senior ScholarAthlete Award.
This award is presented to a graduating senior who over at least seven semesters has maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.4, earned at least two varsity letters in a specific sport, and demonstrated Christian leadership on campus.
Biesterfeld, a team captain majoring in accounting, was a four-time NACC Scholar-Athlete who played in 103 games for the Warriors. Ericson, a team captain majoring in sport and exercise science, lettered in both softball and women’s volleyball. She was a four-time NACC Scholar-Athlete who appeared in 97 games on the diamond and another 77 on the court.
