UNIVERSITY OF SIOUX FALLS STUDENT MEDIA
3 5 6 7 9 11
Writers
Unsinkable Molly Brown
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Deals Beau Klingensmith
Bingo Night
Art and Media European Trip 13 17
From Concept to Campus Matthew Meuleners Roots in Motion Back on The Road: Choir Tour
cover photo courtesy of Layla Round
Coach Travis Traphagen’s Road to 300 Career Wins 19 21 23 EDITORS
This is how Margaret Tobin Brown lived her life: Courageously, strongly, with love, and standing firm in her faith. She never let anyone or anything hold her down. When faced with prejudice, tragedy, and the social limitations of a patriarchal society, Margaret stood firm. The Unsinkable Molly Brown was presented at the Meredith stage April 2, 3, 4 at 7 p.m and April 5 at 4 p.m. While not one hundred percent historically accurate, the musical showcases Margaret’s life after finding herself in Leadville, Colorado. Despite her dream to go to Denver, she felt the Lord was calling her to stay in Leadville to help care for her newfound friends. While she had a clear vision of where she wanted to end up, the Lord had other plans. While others may have ignored His calling, Margaret stood firm in her faith, and let the Lord take control. Alecia Juelfs, the Assistant Professor of Theater, and the theater program director here at USF, said she hopes people who come see the musical will learn something new about themselves. “I hope they (the audience) leave feeling a little bit braver than when they came in,” Juelfs said.
by: Toby Knutson
In the show, many characters do brave things. Julia faces an unthinkable circumstance. Molly (Margaret) advocates for people who are unlike her, with nothing to gain from it. J.J. Brown is having to navigate different rights, privileges, and responsibilities. “I hope people can leave feeling a little bit more empowered to be brave in whatever way is appropriate for their current circumstance,” said Juelfs. Bravery is not only seen through the characters, but through the actors playing them. Sydni Mauldin, a junior Communication Studies and Theater major, plays the role of Lousie SneedHill in the musical. “It’s been hard work,” said Mauldin. “We had to learn our choreo right off the bat, all of it for the whole show. And in two weeks we actually caught on really quickly.” Throughout the rehearsal process, the actors have been practicing to the best of their abilities, charging through slight hiccups that may have come their way. What may have seemed like a daunting rehearsal schedule to some, they charged ahead with full-force.
Culture for Service. That is what we are called upon to pursue beyond the boundaries of the University of Sioux Falls.
Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. ~(1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
To serve the community where we find ourselves in a Christ-centered way. We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ. Throughout her life, Margaret Brown led with this “Culture for Service” mindset. Advocating for women’s suffrage and worker’s rights, helping to create the first juvenile court system in the United States – these are just a few of many things that Margaret did to help the community she found herself in. Juelfs believes that anybody who sees value in a liberal arts education should come see the show. “Margaret Tobin Brown was a liberal arts gal. We see themes of the liberal arts in action throughout the production,” said Juelfs. It is both the content and form of the show that highlights the importance of having a widened world view, loving your neighbors well, and doing hard things.
By: Dom Avant
In recent years, the debate surrounding name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for student-athletes has gained significant attention with students and athletic departments. The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), the governing body of collegiate sports in the United States, has restricted athletes from profiting off their own image and brand. However, with the push for athlete empowerment and the changing landscape of college sports in pushing their own image and brand, this is now becoming the norm.
USF, an NCAA Division II university, has studentathletes who are deeply connected to their local communities, and this can be an asset when it comes to securing NIL deals. Student- athletes at USF can partner with local businesses, organizations, and brands to create mutually beneficial relationships. This localized approach can be particularly effective in industries such as fitness, nutrition, sports equipment and merchandise/apparel. In today’s digital age, social media platforms
have become a powerful tool for selfpromotion and brand awareness. This reporter had the opportunity to sign up for NIL deals last season as the center of the USF football team. I would encourage all student-athletes to investigate this opportunity and sign up for additional income. The USF athletic department says student-athletes should check with their compliance director and disclose all NIL agreements with compliance.
The most recent partnership in NIL opportunities for student-athletes is with Athlete’s Thread. You can find the University of Sioux Falls Mascot Merch by searching Colleges on Athlete’s Thread. Director of Athletics, Jon Hart has made NIL deals a priority at the University of Sioux Falls. Through this partnership, USF will release alumni collections celebrating some of the Cougars’ most notable student-athletes. USF also works with Influxer as a NIL partner.
Wrestling has always been a way of life for Beau Klingensmith. From the time he stepped onto the mat at just four years old, the Moville, Iowa prospect was destined for the sport. Now, as a standout 133-pounder for the University of Sioux Falls, he’s not just making a name for himself, he’s making a name for the program.
“I started wrestling because most of my family did, and I was a kid who needed to be in a contact sport,” Klingensmith shared.
After a year at the University of Northern Iowa, Klingensmith transferred to USF. He was drawn in by the chance to turn a developing program into a remarkable team. Klingensmith wanted to help build the program from a fresh start and be a part of USF history.
“I chose USF because they were looking to build something great from nothing,” Klingensmith said. “The coaches were a huge part of getting me to come to USF. They had the right mindset, which I found would be the best for my success on and off the mat.”
That decision proved to be the right one. In his sophomore season, Klingensmith had an 18-8 record, finished as the runner-up at the NCAA DII Super Regionals, and became the first-ever USF wrestler to qualify for the NCAA National tournament.
“Competing at Nationals was a whirlwind of emotions, excitement, nerves, everything,” he recalled. “Nationals is the end goal for every college wrestler. For some, just getting there is a huge deal, and for others, it’s about becoming a National Champion.”
It’s every wrestler’s dream to be able to compete at Nationals, and most will never get to experience such a thing. However, Klingensmith did just that. Walking into Hartman Arena in Wichita, Kansas, for
By: Cooper Sanders
his first workout at Nationals was a surreal moment for Klingensmith.
“When you walk into the arena Wednesday afternoon to do your first workout, it’s more of a
‘get the nerves out’ kind of thing,” he explained. “I was one of the first matches to wrestle at the tournament, and the matches there just had a different feel to them, almost like they meant a little more than ever.” You can imagine the pressure each wrestler feels while competing at nationals. Every wrestler wants to be an all-American or even win, but there can be only one winner and eight allAmericans.
Though his run at Nationals ended sooner than he hoped, Klingensmith’s accomplishments are a milestone for the USF wrestling program. As the first Cougar to reach the national tournament, he’s paved the way to success for his teammates.
“I am grateful to have been able to compete and be the first USF wrestler to make it,” he said. “I believe this team will become a common face at Nationals.”
This year, Klingensmith’s run to the national tournament was cut short at regionals. Undoubtedly, he has left a positive impact on his team during his time as a Cougar.
“Beau brings positive morale and is an outgoing person,” wrestler Bray Skinner said. “He is a competitive person and a great friend.”
Klingensmith has decided that this will be his last year at USF. Starting this spring, he will sell boats in Okoboji, Iowa.
BY KYLEE MILLER
B5. I23. N38. G55. O71. Just a few of the numbers called out at Bingo Night run by the Cougar Activities Board (CAB). Bingo Night is open to any USF student. The CAB team picks the bingo pattern, and then the first one with that pattern wins the bingo! A few of the prizes that were picked out on this particular night were an oil change, Stampede Tickets, and some dorm essentials. CAB arranges Bingo Night to provide students a fun activity for them to enjoy, as well as allowing them to take a break from their studies to have some fun.
CAB member Courtney Holsteen says Bingo Night is important because, “it is an opportunity for people who might not go out to our events to go to our event. It is also important because if you are not having fun with college this is the chance to turn it around and meet some new people that might be your real best friends.” Regular bingo attendee Shantay Waldron likes Bingo Night because, “it brings together a lot of students for a night where there’s not any academics, or hard thinking involved. I can grab a couple friends and win some prizes.”
For CAB member Mari BecerraCortes, “Bingo Night is more than just a game—it’s a cherished tradition. It symbolizes the joy of coming together as a community, making new friends, and celebrating the fun side of college life. Even when the workload gets heavy, Bingo Night is a reminder that there’s always time for laughter, connection, and a bit of nostalgia.” CAB plans to continue this yearly tradition to provide a fun event for the student body.
BY PERLA-YULIZA PEREZ-SILVA
Imagine being able to walk the streets of Paris watching the Eiffel Tower light up, admire the beautiful paintings in the Louvre and experience the history of the D-Day beaches in Normandy. Next year, from May 11 to May 21, 2026, Ceca Cooper and Nick Poppens will be hosting another Art and Media trip for students and anyone wanting to experience art, architecture and history in Europe.
The first couple days of the trip start off with an overnight flight to Paris, France.
Once the group lands, they’ll meet their tour director and check into the hotel. From there, the group takes a stroll through the boulevards and narrow streets of Paris while they head toward the Île de la Cité, a small island in the Seine, to see the Notre Dame Cathedral.
The next couple of days the group will tour the world’s largest art museum, the Louvre, ascend the monumental Eiffel Tower and take an hour-long cruise along the Seine River. “In France, we get to spend time in Paris, the Loire Valley, and Normandy. In Switzerland, we are visiting Basel and Lucerne,” Poppens says.
“I am excited to take students to a couple of places we haven’t done before, including Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy and Mount Pilatus in Switzerland.”
Media Studies Professor Poppens and Art Professor Cooper have been organizing these trips for the last decade and both are always excited to see the reactions of students experiencing a new country for the first time.
Cooper is extremely excited about this trip and she says this trip is very special to her as it is the last trip she is going to organize for the University of Sioux Falls before she retires. She says, “This trip is pretty special to me because, A) Paris is my favorite city on the planet and I’ve been all over the world and I just love it so much. And B) because we’re going to Normandy and I’ve arranged a special side trip to go to the D- Day beaches.” All students and nonstudents are still welcome to sign up for this trip and to those that are still unsure about going, Poppens encourages students to take the trip. “You will never regret choosing to travel in college. It is oftentimes the cheapest and most flexible time in your life to take an extended trip overseas. It really does change your life. Immersing yourself in another culture broadens your perspective and gives you a deeper sense of empathy and understanding of others,” says Poppens. You can email Poppens or Cooper for the link to the Explorica website to check out prices and the tour itinerary.
What do you think of when you hear the phrase “spring break?” Possibly, you think of a sunny getaway in the Bahamas. Perhaps you associate spring break with a week of rest and relaxation, spending time around family and away from schoolwork. To the 56 vocalists in USF’s Concert Chorale, though, it’s a time of excitement, hard work, and outreach: to these students, spring break means touring time.
This year, the USF Concert Chorale embarked on a 9-day domestic tour across the Midwest. They traveled to 14 schools, churches, and retirement homes, performing over 18 times throughout the span of their lively spring break. Their destinations ranged from cities like Minneapolis and Omaha to nearby communities like Huron and Canton; this often meant spending as many as 10 hours a day traveling on a bus, which gave the chorale a great deal of time to grow closer as an ensemble and community.ei
BY EM MERCER
Throughout their tour, the Concert Chorale set their sights firmly on USF’s mission: “Culture for Service.” Director David DeHoogh-Kliewer keeps service and faith at the forefront of all that the Chorale does, and this tour was no exception. Between performances, the Concert Chorale gave back to midwest communities by participating in service projects.
The day they arrived in Minneapolis, the Chorale volunteered at Arc’s Value Village Thrift Store & Donation Center, which is part of a Minnesota-based organization that uses its profits to support and advocate for people with disabilities. In addition, the Chorale spent the morning of their final performance volunteering their time at St. Francis House, a Sioux Falls organization that helps lift people out of homelessness.
THE USF CONCERT CHORALE VISITS THE “WORLD’S LARGEST PHEASANT” IN HURON.
CONCERT CHORALE STUDENTS ALSO HELPED WITH FOOD PREPERATION AT THE ST. FRANCIS HOUSE
When they weren’t performing or volunteering, the Concert Chorale had a blast spending time together at such destinations as the Mall of America, the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, and Huron’s famed “World’s Largest Pheasant” statue. The Chorale celebrated their community as a choir by taking regular devotional time and voting on daily “7 Dwarf Awards,” in which members of the chorale were assigned such awards as “Happy,” “Grumpy,” and “Sleepy” by their peers (with, in one case, Dr. DeHoogh-Kliewer himself receiving the “Dopey” award.)
The nine-day tour concluded with a performance at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, in which the Concert Chorale performed their 13-song set alongside performances from the Singing Camerata and the Collegiate Choir. A week on the road can be exhausting, especially when you’re performing daily; for much of the Chorale, though, performing in the cathedral was the cherry on top of their spring break tour. Between the awe-inspiring set of songs, the gorgeous architecture and acoustics of the space, and the pews packed with family, friends, and community members, this Sacred Arts Series concert was a performance to remember.
The Chorale will be performing their set one last time at their Spring Choral Concert, which will take place at 4pm on April 13th in USF’s own Meredith Auditorium. After this, they’ll jump right into preparing for next year’s international tour to Italy, where they’ll be able to perform in such locations as Rome, Florence, and Venice.
The Concert Chorale’s spring break was anything but uneventful. This domestic tour allowed these 56 vocalists an incredible opportunity to reach out to high schools, contribute to their communities, and do what they love: making music. It may not be what one would normally envision when they hear the phrase “spring break,” but for many of these students, a chorale tour will beat a Bahamas getaway any day of the week.
For many in the crowd it was another game with the lady Cougars leading most of the way. The final 83-64 win over Crookston brought energy and crowd enthusiasm all night. As the girls went through the handshake line, they all stormed to half court screaming and cheering to break it down after a great win. Just as they were headed to the locker room, they were stopped to wait and watch a video on the video board. It was a surprise video for Coach Travis Traphagen as it was past players and coaches that wished him a congratulations on his 300 th career win.
This brought Coach Traphagen to tears as he was so grateful for all the support and amazing people he has worked with in his 17 years of coaching at USF.
In a career spanning more than two decades, Travis Traphagen has built a legacy of leadership, hard work, and success. As the head coach of the University of Sioux Falls women’s basketball team, Traphagen has solidified his place among the best in the business.
Traphagen’s journey to 300 wins hasn’t been an easy one. With a career record of 300187, his coaching philosophy and leadership have made an indelible impact on the Cougars and the landscape of the women’s basketball team. “We have had seasons that we lose quite a few players due to injuries and along with that comes the rebuilding years. Not all years are easy and super successful, but the girls have stayed together and have had a great season this year.” His success isn’t just about the numbers, it’s about what those wins represent. “One of the more impressive parts of this year’s team is the way the girls stick together and love each other. It makes coaching so much easier,” Traphagen stated. Growth, perseverance, and a program built on a foundation of excellence is what has gotten him to this big accomplishment. His leadership has guided the Cougars through tough seasons, to titles, and to consistent playoff berths. Most notably, under his stewardship, the Cougars have earned a place in the NAIA quarterfinals, two NCAA Central Region berths, and 11 NSIC tournament appearances. Traphagen said, “In 2020, our team made it to the regional tournament and was then cancelled because of Covid, which was one of the hardest things to see our seniors ending their career in that way.”
BY GRACIE TRAPHAGEN
In an era where so much is expected, Traphagen has not only met those expectations but often exceeded them. The 300th win is more than a personal achievement; it is a milestone that reflects the success of the athletes who have played for him and the team that he has built. “Every win, especially this milestone, is a result of a lot of hard work and commitment from our players,” Traphagen shared after the victory. “This is about the people around me, my assistant coaches, and the players who put in the effort every day.” Traphagen gave the credit to his teams and the people around him because if they didn’t buy into his ideas, this accomplishment would have never come true. What sets Traphagen apart is his focus on more than just basketball. For him, building relationships with his players and staff is key to both their personal and professional growth. His leadership is not defined by the wins alone, but his ability to connect with his athletes in some way or another, either through himself or through his assistant coaches. “If you don’t connect with the players, it’s hard to know how you can coach them as an athlete on the court,” Traphagen said.
His current assistant coach, Carley Neumann, has been with him for three full seasons now. She was at the University of Sioux Falls as an assistant coach in 20192020 and then got a job as the head coach at Presentation College. That college closed the next year, and she was looking for another coaching position, the same position at USF opened and she knew she had to take it. “Trap has a way about him as he is so dedicated to his job and the people around him that it makes it so fun to come to work every day.” Their personalities and coaching styles work well together as they both work hard towards success. “The style of play that Trap installs is one that is really fun to coach and help players to get better to show their skill when they are on the court.”
Before his tenure at USF, Traphagen’s coaching career began as an assistant coach at Augustana University, where he spent seven years under head coach Dave Krauth. During his time with the Vikings, he helped lead the team to a 111-69 record, proving his coaching early in his career. He was a graduate assistant at Wayne State in Nebraska, and earned his master’s degree in sports administration, further sharpening his leadership and coaching skills. But his true coaching journey began as a player. A standout shooter at Black Hills State University, Traphagen was a twotime all-conference player, captain, and MVP during the 1999 season. His college career helped shape his understanding of the game, and he would go on to set the Yellow Jackets’ single-season record for made 3-pointers with 97 in one season. The foundation Traphagen laid as a player and assistant coach continues to inform his approach to leading the USF women’s basketball team. With an impressive track record of 12 winning seasons, including an eight-year streak from 2014 to 2022, Traphagen’s leadership is proven in the NCAA community. Traphagen said that it was not an easy transition to get into the NSIC, but he wouldn’t want it any other way.
Behind every coach is a strong support system, and for Travis Traphagen, that support comes from his family. He and his wife, Ann, have three children— Grayson, Riley, and Luke. “The balance between coaching and family is always a challenge, but I’ve been lucky to have a supportive wife and children who understand the commitment it takes, which makes them a huge part of my success,” he says.“I have always had family including my parents, brother and his family, and my sister and her family at every game supporting the team and I to success. This year is pretty cool now that I get to coach my twin brother’s daughter, Gracie, which brings even more family as they get to watch us both do what we love,” Traphagen said.
As Traphagen reflects on his 300th win, he’s not focused solely on past achievements. He already is looking toward the future, determined to continue this season out strong and to keep building a program that fosters growth, teamwork, and excellence. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, but there is still more to be done. My goal is to keep building this program, keep helping these young women reach great heights,” he said. Traphagen’s team this year has a record of 17-13 and are headed to the Pentagon for the conference tournament. This team can help Traphagen rally up more wins to come as they are filled with talent. This year they have had freshman of the year, Alexis Rose, and all-conference Kami Wadsworth and Ayla Brown. Travis Traphagen’s 300th victory is a remarkable achievement, but it’s also a reflection of the values he brings to every practice, every game, and every player he mentors. With a legacy of success behind him and his eyes firmly on the future, there’s no telling how far the USF women’s basketball team will go under his leadership. But one thing is certain that the journey will continue to be one of growth, excellence, and most importantly, a deep commitment to his players and the game he loves.
BY MEGHAN HANSON
Attending an event on campus offers a dynamic experience for students. As you step in, the atmosphere captures your attention. There are a mix of people talking, laughing, and participating in whatever the event may be. Every detail of the space and event works together to create an environment of connection and enjoyment. These details are carefully decided and planned by an on-campus group called the Cougar Activities Board to ensure students have an enjoyable experience. Before even planning an event, you obviously need a team. For the Cougar Activities Board, also known as CAB, their team is decided through an application and interview process. It is crucial to have CAB members that are passionate, helpful, creative and driven. Once the team is decided, there also needs to be a leader selected for president. For this school year, that role has been filled by Kylee Miller, a junior at USF. “It’s a funny story really, I didn’t know I was going to be president. Our previous president actually decided they were leaving CAB, and they basically asked me to do it, and I said yes,” Miller said. The next phase of event planning simply starts with a spark of inspiration or an idea. In August, the week before school starts, CAB meets as a team with all the other student impact leaders, and begins training. During this training, CAB members can share any event ideas they may have. “We all come the week before school actually starts, and we brainstorm a bunch of ideas. We make a Google Doc, and we don’t do any details, just brainstorm a bunch of ideas,” Miller said. These ideas are then compiled so that CAB can find events for every week of school. But you may wonder how so many ideas are narrowed down into one school year worth of events. “We usually
try to have one or two a week, so that there’s always something for students to do,” Miller said. It is important for CAB to have events planned even for the first week of school because once school starts, so do events, and team meetings. “We usually meet at 10:00 am on Thursdays, because it works for everyone’s schedules, and we have been meeting weekly,” Miller said. One thing that can help CAB members plan easier, is to look at events that have been successful in the past, as well as turn to other schools for inspiration. CAB has found that in the past, paint night seems to be very popular among students. Another way CAB members can help diversify events is to look at the differences among their team. “This semester, we have a boy on our team, and he’s brought a whole different perspective. It’s been all girls every year besides my freshman year. One event I really like is paint night, while one of the events he really wanted to do was a pull-up contest and an arm wrestling contest,” Miller explained.
Playing to these strengths within their team can help make events more inclusive for everyone on campus. Once CAB has brainstormed events, they begin to look at their schedules. Surprisingly, members are not required to be at all events. “We don’t really have to do a certain number of events this year because our team is pretty good at everyone wanting to be involved. There are certain big events like headphone disco where everyone has to be there to help,” Miller said. After picking an idea and rolling with it, the next step is to pick a date. While it might seem easy, picking a day and time can be harder than you think. Courtney Holsteen, a junior at USF, is in her first year on CAB.
She says there are certain days they avoid altogether. “We never have events on Friday because a lot of people go home or go out of town. Thursdays normally work well for us,” Holsteen said. Finding the right balance between having an event on a good day and a good time can be tricky. Once a date is picked, CAB members turn to the logistics of an event.
In order for an event to be successful, you have to make sure you have all materials and resources. As president, Miller meets with the CAB advisor, treasurer and secretary to make sure they have all the resources and materials needed for an event. Normally, they make a budget and figure out how much they can spend and what resources they already have that they can reuse. Once all resources are allocated for, it is finally time to make this idea an event. Promotion of events is what drives students to attend. CAB does their best at choosing a variety of advertising, but sometimes it can be hard to get students to come to events. “We rely on social media and flyers mainly. We will put flyers on tables in Coops and put them up in busier areas,” Miller explained. Recently, CAB has also tried putting little cards on tables throughout campus. “I really think posters and word of mouth helps get more people to our events. I tell my volleyball friends, and then they tell their friends, which helps get more people,” Holsteen said. Many CAB members agree that promotion and advertising is very important to get students interested and engaged in events. Finally, it is time for the event. The selected or volunteered CAB members arrive early to help set up, supervise during the event, and then tear down anything needed afterwards. Depending on the event, it normally lasts a few hours long. Students file in and out, and sounds of laughter and looks of smiles are on students’ faces when they enjoy an event. Miller and Holsteen both agree that some of the most popular events on campus include paint night, dog therapy, bingo night and welcome week events. During events, CAB members try to get around to all the students and ask how they are enjoying the event. This can help determine how
successful an event was. Following an event, it is important to look at how students enjoyed the event. It is clear if nobody shows up to an event that it was not successful. “If only ten people come, I was like, oh, that’s probably not the best idea. But if it’s like 50 or more then it’s an event we like to keep,” Miller said. “We don’t ever ask for feedback unless we send out an email at the end of the semester. We’ve thought about maybe potentially asking friends what events they want to see,” Miller explained. CAB members find it important to make sure students enjoy the event, and see how they can improve. Now that all the stages of planning an event have been fulfilled, it is time to start the process again.
Despite the success and numbers of an event, it is important to always look for ways to improve. Miller says one way they could improve is if they had more people. “It would help if we had more people because extra people are extra hands to help,” Miller explained. Of course, the only way to get more help is for more students to join the group. Applications were closed in February, so students will have to wait until the next school year to apply, however, if they really want to join, they can reach out to the student life office. It’s easy to forget the planning and coordination that makes events possible. Events are more than just experiences, they are ways for students to connect and get involved. It’s a reminder that even the simplest of events are built on layers of effort, and that the value of an event may not always be what is seen.
BY: ASHTIN JOHNSON
Matthew Meuleners arrives before his team. He greets them by name and knows what each wrestler is going through personally, academically, and on the mat. He cares more about his wrestlers as humans than as athletes. He wants success out of every single one of his wrestlers. Matthew Meuleners is going into his third year of being the head coach for the University of Sioux Falls Men’s Wrestling team and looks to carry on his wrestlers’ success.
Grant Moraski, a 174 lb. A wrestler for USF talks about how Meuleners impacted his decision to commit to the University of Sioux Falls. “Meuleners was a huge reason I came to USF. As I continue to work with Coach Meuleners, I appreciate how much he trusts in my teammates and I to get the job done. His success before his coaching career in college was also a big reason I chose to wrestle at USF,” explains Moraski. Meuleners, a Young America, Minnesota native began building his successful career at Central High School.
“I started to wrestle because of my older brother. No one else in my family had wrestled.” Meuleners quickly learned as he started wrestling at the age of 4. In high school, Meuleners racked up over 100 wins and was a two-time state placer as he rounded out his high school career.
After high school, he took his talents to the NSIC conference at Northern State University where he took the Division 2 level by storm. After redshirting his freshman year, Meuleners was even more dominant than he was in high school.
He ended his collegiate career as a 4-time All-American and a 2-time National Champion in 2011 and 2012. Meuleners was also named the NSIC wrestler of the year in 2012.
Shortly after his career at NSU, he married his wife and accepted a coaching position at the University of Nebraska for 4 years. Then, he accepted a job at Brown University, and again, paved the way to success during his oneyear coaching stint.
After Brown University, Meuleners became the newest edition at California State Bakersfield, until he and his wife decided to move closer to home. The University of Sioux Falls head coaching job became the perfect fit.
Meuleners took the head coaching job in 2023 for USF’s reborn wrestling program. “It was close to home, I loved the city, and it was the conference and division that I once wrestled in,” stated Meuleners when asked why he chose to become the head coach of a newly put together program.
In his first year with 16 first-year wrestlers, Meuleners and his team had a 2-12 record and had one Junior wrestler, Beau Klingensmith, become the first national qualifier in program history at USF. Klingensmith, a University of Northern Iowa transfer, came to USF because of Meuleners and his success. After the 2023-2024 season, Meuleners looked to make some needed adjustments with the program, resulting with an even better second year.
In the 2025 season, Meuleners and his Cougars looked to improve, and they did, ending the year with a 6-11 record. Looking back on the season, Meuleners said, “It was good to see them all grow as wrestlers over the season and last year but also as students and people.”
“I am excited to see how much we improve again,” Meuleners states as he looks to help grow the Cougars for his third season and is excited to see the returners improve as a team and individually.
For information on how to see Matthew Meuleners and his team compete next year visit usfcougars.com.
In the quiet concealed lives of military families, where families pick up and move at a moment’s notice, Christian Janis and Jacob Docter lived similar lives both shaped by military life. Their fathers, who were both Army officers, had no choice but to move every so often. One from state to state and the other from country to country, causing them to feel like they never really fit in.
Keep on keeping on
“It’s basically like you just keep restarting but you just have to keep on keeping on,” Jacob said with mixed emotions and a heavy heart. Jacob’s father served in many different countries, a couple of them being the United States, South Korea, and England. This, unfortunately, made Jacob have to pick up and move, saying goodbye to friends he had just met.
BY:BUBBA TANN
While Jacob was moving from country to country, Christian was doing the same but from state-to-state, a few being Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, Tennessee, and Iowa.
A common ground between Christian and Jacob was that they both didn’t like moving as kids, but as they grew up, they started to appreciate the fact that they moved around. They both found the upside of something that was once so terrible. “I was less and less sad about it as I grew up because it taught me things like how to be adaptable and I had the chance to travel the states and that’s something a lot of people don’t get to do.” said Christian.
“Yea eventually moving around got old. so, I decided to try and find a positive in it and that positive was me being able to
see different cultures, try different foods, and just see how other people live,” Jacob said. This newfound positive mindset that they both had wasn’t just because they were growing up and figured, can’t change it, may as well embrace it. The mindset was set in motion by football, a sport many people share a deep-rooted connection to.
While Jacob and Christian were on the move, football was right there with them. Jacob also played rugby through younger years of his life which funded his love for football. Jacob’s love for football started in the U.S. but once he had his big move to England, rugby had also found a place in his heart. Christian’s journey to football was a straight path though. From the moment he started playing a burning love for the sport has sat in his heart and gone with him wherever he’s travelled.
“Football was really an outlet to where I could step on the field and just be in my own little world. It just made life great.”
Jacob followed with, “Yea I agree with CJ (Christian), for me both rugby and football were both just things I could kind of just play. It quieted the mind and while I was on the field it was just me and the sport. It also travelled with you, so you didn’t feel so alone.” Since rugby and football go hand in hand, besides the rule book, Jacob figured that rugby would help with his football skills once he got back to the states and was able to play again.“Couldn’t have helped me too much since I ended up a kicker – but in all honesty I still appreciate the simple lessons rugby taught me like how to trust people to do their jobs because it transitioned over to football. Being a kicker, I have to trust the snapper and line to do their job or else my job becomes harder.”
Christian and Jacob agreed that playing sports helped with their resilience. This ultimately made moving around easier because although they lost friends, they were able to keep positive and find people within their sports to talk to who eventually became friends to them. Both Christian and Jacob found stability in the constant changes that defined their childhood.
The lessons learned on the field were adaptability, trust and resilience and this carried them through these challenges from living military life. What started as a frustrating thing eventually became a way for Christian and Jacob to learn and discover how to grow, different ways of living, different cultures, and much more. Whether they were on the field or off sports is what gave them a sense of true belonging and purpose. They learned that through everything home may change, but being able to find something that keeps you going is much more important than one would think.
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HUMANS VS. ZOMBIES (HVZ) IS A LIVE-ACTION GAME OF TAG WHEREIN HUMANS NEED TO SURVIVE THE ZOMBIE INFECTION. HUMANS DEFEND THEMSELVES WITH SOCKS AS THE ZOMBIE HOARD CHASES AND HUNTS THEM DOWN WHERE A SIMPLE TOUCH BY A ZOMBIE INFECTS AND TURNS A HUMAN! THE GAME IS PLAYED 24/7 OVER THE COURSE OF THE WEEK WITH A VARIETY OF MISSIONS, AND THE ONE OVER-ARCHING MISSION: SURVIVAL.
COURTESY TO GRACE FLAHERTY FOR PHOTOS