2020 Spring Salute: University of Wisconsin-Superior

2020 Spring Salute: University of Wisconsin-Superior

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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 the University of Wisconsin-Superior 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 Wisconsin-Superior leadership has done for athletics and especially spring sport student-athletes who saw their seasons end abruptly. 

Wisconsin-Superior 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 Cory Albertson Stillwater, Minn. Business Administration - Management
Baseball Zach Bennett Corona, Calif. Legal Studies - Criminal Justice
Baseball Elliot Danhoff Gladstone, Mich. Biology
Baseball Boone Elkins Riverside, Calif. Accounting
Baseball Cameron Lee Durban, South Africa DBL - Business Administration - Finance/Economics
Baseball Harrison Leet Portage, Wis. Transoportation and Logistics Management
Baseball Tommy Lentz Andover, Minn. Interdisciplinary Studies
Baseball Bryce Meverden Birnamwood, Wis. Physical Education
Baseball Alec Rabin Deerfield, Ill. Business Administration - Management
Baseball Mike Rodriguez Chicago, Ill. Physical Education - Exercise Science
Baseball Brandon Rolf Stillwater, Minn. Legal Studies - Criminal Justice
Softball Emily Carpenter St. Peter, Minn. Exercise Science, Community and Public Health Promotion
Softball Briana McGrath Two Harbors, Minn. Elementary Education
Softball Bailey Kinnunen Grand Rapids, Minn. Legal Stuides
Softball Amanda Kishish St. Francis, Minn. Psycology
Softball Ashley Taipale Duluth, Minn. Community and Public Health Promotion
Men's Tennis Grady Hauswirth Farmington, Minn. Social Work
Men's Tennis Harry Simpson Derby, England Exercise Science
Men's Tennis Jordan Wetterlind Twig, Minn. Social Work
Women's Tennis Maura Halverson Brainerd, Minn. Elementary Education
Women's Tennis Kitana Honkola Eveleth, Minn. Pre-Vet Medicine
Women's Tennis Alison Tollas Ashland, Wis. English, Writing
Men's Indoor Track and Field CJ Pillath Coleman, Wis. Environmental Science
Men's Outdoor Track and Field Eddie Carlson South St. Paul, Minn. Biology
Men's Outdoor Track and Field Andre Couture Culver, Minn. Broad Field Social Studies, History Concentration
Men's Outdoor Track and Field Henry Seeb Stillwater, Minn. History
Women's Outdoor Track and Field Mathea Brink Rochester, Minn. Community Health
Women's Outdoor Track and Field Haruka Hamanaka Izumisano, Japan Communicating Arts, Interactive Media Track
Women's Outdoor Track and Field Hannah Kivela Hibbing, Minn. Elementary Education


Below are messages from some Wisconsin-Superior spring sport coaches to their teams and seniors:
From Baseball Head Coach Frank Pufall: "This class will always be a very special class. The growth in the UWS baseball program during their time here is a testament to the high quality young men in this group. Just as they have powerfully impacted this program in a positive way, they will continue to do so where ever they find themselves in the future."

From Softball Head Coach Nick Bursik: "I am incredibly proud of this year’s seniors. Their passion and joy for the game is contagious. They always made coming together as a team fun and exciting. Their resilience and drive have had a profound and lasting impact on our program. I look forward to watching them embark into their futures and accomplish anything they set out to."

From Men's and Women's Track and Field Head Coach Glen Drexler: "Thank you- for all you gave over the course of your careers. Just being students is hard enough, but to commit to the level that you each gave as student-athletes is more than can be expected from anyone.  And you each gave time and time again. For that, we thank you. I wish we could have had the opportunity to see this through - too many unanswered questions that may never get answered - but this much I know: I love each and every one of you - and know the best is yet to come for you all. Bigger things in life - careers, families and other great accomplishments await you all. Do not let these recent events define your college experience. Remember all that you accomplished, all that you did and all that you shared with your teammates, your coaches - your FAMILY. We will always be grateful for all you shared with us. Best of luck to you all."

From Men's and Women's Tennis Head Coach CeeJay Schaffner: “We want to thank this group of seniors for all they’ve done. While it’s extremely unfortunate to see their college career end this way, we’re proud of them for handling it as well as they have. They’ve exceeded our expectations on and off the court and they’ve overcome more than most. We can’t wait to see these young men and women be successful in life.”

Keep up on social media all day as the UMAC says, "Thank you, Yellowjackets!" Share stories, memories and messages of thanks and gratitude for Wisconsin-Superior student-athletes, coaches and staff using #UMACsalute and #ThanksYellowjackets. 
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2020 Spring Salute Archives