2020 Spring Salute: University of Minnesota Morris
Following the cancellation of remaining spring sport seasons and tournaments and championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) launched the "2020 Spring Salute" as a means to honor all conference programs, coaches and student-athletes during the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year.
The UMAC would like to recognize University of Minnesota Morris administrators, coaches, staff and student-athletes for their commitment to the mission, vision and core values of the conference. During this incredibly difficult time, we appreciate all that Minnesota Morris leadership has done for athletics and especially spring sport student-athletes who saw their seasons end abruptly.
Minnesota Morris and the UMAC would like to thank the following senior and graduating student-athletes for their dedication to their respective sports during their collegiate careers. Being a student-athlete is no easy task, but it will prepare them to go out to lead and make an incredible difference in the world. Thank you, seniors!
| Sport |
Name |
Hometown |
Major |
| Baseball |
Malachy Brink |
Baxter, Minn. |
Biology |
| Baseball |
Blake Haugen |
Blaine, Minn. |
Biology |
| Baseball |
Michael Head |
Kasson, Minn. |
Sports Management |
| Baseball |
Brady Jergenson |
Morris, Minn. |
Elem Education |
| Baseball |
Nick Peterson |
St. Anthony, Minn. |
Exercise Science |
| Baseball |
Joe Wehr |
St. Anthony, Minn. |
Exercise Science |
| Softball |
Becca Holland |
Donnelly, Minn. |
Elementary Education |
| Softball |
Nicole Newham |
Moose Lake, Minn. |
Pre-Nursing |
| Men's Tennis |
Trent Jerome |
Lancaster, Minn. |
|
| Men's Tennis |
Franklin Real |
Aitkin, Minn. |
Education |
| Women's Tennis |
Katie Auger |
St. Joseph, Minn. |
Elementary Education |
| Women's Tennis |
Mackenzie Burris |
East Grand Forks, Minn. |
Biology |
| Women's Tennis |
Hannah Godzala |
Coon Rapids, Minn. |
Management |
| Women's Tennis |
Sydney Loechler |
St. Charles, Minn. |
Biology; Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies |
| Men's Outdoor Track and Field |
Ryan Anderson |
Bellevue, Idaho |
Chemistry |
| Men's Outdoor Track and Field |
Benjamin Barnack |
Lonsdale, Minn. |
Elementary Education |
| Men's Outdoor Track and Field |
Edmund Cease |
Grand Rapids, Minn. |
Education |
| Men's Outdoor Track and Field |
Trent Merkins |
Cottonwood, Minn. |
Computer Science |
| Men's Outdoor Track and Field |
Zion Zaloudek |
River Falls, Wis |
Music |
| Women's Outdoor Track and Field |
Brooke Hogan |
Cannon Falls, Minn. |
Environmental Science |
| Women's Outdoor Track and Field |
Montana Lawrence |
Princeton, Minn. |
Studio Art, Political Science |
| Women's Outdoor Track and Field |
McKenna Vininski |
Faribault, Minn. |
Biology and Statistics |
| Women's Outdoor Track and Field |
Sierra Walker |
Charles City, Iowa |
Chemistry |
Below are messages from some Minnesota Morris spring sport coaches to their teams and seniors:
From Baseball Head Coach Matt O'Brien: "The impact that these young men have had on the field could be seen throughout their playing careers. The impact they had on our Cougar Baseball Family will be FELT for years to come. Thank you Seniors! #Proud #PlayforthePile."
From Softball Head Coach Heather Pennie-Roy: "We would like to thank this special group of ball players for raising our team standards on and off the field. You all handled such adversity with an immense amount of class and you have left your mark and legacy with our program!!! Love Coach HP and Brendan"
From Women's Tennis Head Coach Miranda Brown: "Seniors, thank you for the effort and dedication you have given to this team day in and day out. The grit and tenacity you all have shown during your time here is incredible. You have truly set the bar high and I can't wait to see all that you accomplish in life."
From Men's and Women's Track and Field Head Coach Josh Kuusisto: "
This group has changed Morris track and field and the University of Minnesota Morris for the better. The sheer dedication, determination and the way they have handled adversity in the classroom and in their events this season will be something that we will talk about for years to come. They have set the standard of what it means to be a cougar track and field student-athlete."
From Director of Track and Field Tony Krueger: "Ray, Eddie, Benny, Ryan and Montana - it has been an honor to coach you and work alongside you at UMM. You exemplify the ideals and principles of the D-III student athlete and I could not be more proud of you! Although I wish I could give you one more season of success on the track, it was not mine to give but I know that with all you've learned and experienced you will create your own success in the years ahead! Run often, run long, but never outrun your joy of running!"
Keep up on social media all day as the UMAC says, "Thank you, Cougars!" Share stories, memories and messages of thanks and gratitude for Minnesota Morris student-athletes, coaches and staff using #UMACsalute and #ThanksCougars.
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2020 Spring Salute Archives