SPORTS

“I am almost more excited about next season than I was for this season,” says transfer student and stand-out soccer player Cole Schwartz (Jakarta, Indonesia). "I am excited to see just how far we can take it."

5 5 P O I N T S . 4 4 Y E A R S .

Gerald Ford was in the White House, Sony introduced Betamax videotapes, and Captain and Tennille’s “Love Will Keep Us Together” was on top of the Billboard charts.

The year was 1975—and the last time a men’s soccer player in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference eclipsed 50 points in a season. (By the way, that was Larry Shelhamer ’76.)

Fast forward 44 years and enter Cole Schwartz. The sophomore transfer from Jakarta, Indonesia, helped Gustavus capture its second consecutive MIAC regular season championship, its seventh overall conference playoff title, and make a run to the second round of the NCAA Championships. Schwartz’ impact was clear with 55 points on 24 goals (the third most in NCAA Division III) and seven assists.

“Transferring to Gustavus has been a blessing,” Schwartz says. “At my previous University, I was having difficulty breaking into the starting eleven, and I wasn’t finding joy in playing soccer. While the success of the team is the most important thing, and I am proud to be a part of such a quality program, it feels good to accomplish my personal goals.” The Gusties have moved the needle throughout the past two seasons since Tudor Flintham took over as head coach and there’s no sign of slowing down Schwartz, who was named All-America by both United Soccer Coaches and D3soocer.com, was surrounded by talent during the Gusties’ championship season. Matthew Gibbons (Jr., Minneapolis) joined Schwartz on the D3soccer.com All-America team, while Raphael Cattelin (Fy., Edina) and Wesley Sanders (Fy., Urbandale, IA) were selected to the AllNorth Region Team.

Football The Gusties finished 7-3 overall and took fourth place in the MIAC with a record of 5-3. Six student-athletes earned First Team All-Conference honors: Brayton Finch (Sr., Mount Morris, IL), Zach Jakes (So., North Mankato), Josh Kirk (Sr., Garvin), Brice Panning (Sr., Hamburg), Kaleb Scott (Jr., Gardena, CA), and Michael Veldman (Jr., Becker). Finch and Panning were selected D3football.com All-Region, while Finch was later named All-America honorable mention. Panning also earned the College’s 115th CoSIDA Academic All-America honor.

Women’s Soccer The Gusties completed the season at 6-12 overall and 4-7 in the MIAC. Ashley Becker (Sr., Farmington) capped her standout career in impressive fashion, becoming just the third player in program history to earn All-Conference honors all four seasons. She also set the program record with 397 career saves.

Volleyball The Gusties made it to the MIAC playoffs for the sixth consecutive year with a 7-4 record in league play and ended the season 14-15 overall. Kate Holtan (Jr., Rochester) and Hailey Embacher (Jr., Mankato) earned All-Conference, while Holtan added AVCA All-Region and AllAmerica honorable mention honors for the third consecutive year.

Women’s Cross Country Tierney Winter (Sr., Waterville) became the first Gustie All-American since 2006 after finishing 18th at the NCAA Championships. Winter was joined by Kourtney Kulseth (Jr., New Richland) as an All-Region performer, while the team took sixth at the regional meet. The Gusties took fourth at the MIAC Championships, highlighted by Winter’s second place finish, which was the best place by a Gustie since 2005.

Men’s Cross Country The Gusties sent two runners to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 1992 as Garet Grant (So., Winona) took 78th and Andrew Stumbo (Jr., Boone, IA) finished 144th at the national meet. Both earned All-Region honors as the Gusties took seventh at the regional meet. The team placed fourth at the MIAC Championships with Grant and Stumbo earning All-Conference honors as well.

Men’s Golf

Through five events the Gusties never

finished lower than second, capped

by a second-place finish at the MIAC

Championships. Jacob Pedersen (So., Minnetonka) took second individually and Max Ullan (Jr., Blaine) grabbed fifth Tierney Winter (Waterville), cross country All-American

place, both earning All-Championship Team honors. The Gusties are ranked No. 7 in the nation heading into the spring season.

Women’s Golf The Gusties competed in six events during the fall and claimed sixth place at the MIAC Championships. Erin Ericson (So., Onalaska, WI) received All-Championship Team accolades by finishing sixth at the conference meet.

Men’s and Women’s Tennis Daniel Fouchier (Fy., Nootdorp, Netherlands) and Michael O’Neil (Sr., Edina) won the ITA Midwest Regional doubles title, while Indraneel Raut (So., Oshkosh, Wis.) finished runner up in the regional singles final and won his first round match at the ITA Cup to earn AllAmerica distinction. Ginger Valentine (Jr., Delano) took second at the regional championships.

Home Openers

March 22 | Baseball v. Bethany Lutheran March 28 | Softball v. Bethel April 9 | Track & Field hosts Lee Krough Invite April 19–20 | Men's Golf hosts Bobby Krig Invite * women's golf does not play at home this spring visit gustavus.edu/athletics for more.