The Gustavus athletics department will hear from spring sport senior student-athletes throughout the remainder of the semester, honoring those who are unable to participate in their final season of college athletics.
Today’s Q&A with senior student-athletes include Lanie Altmann (Olivia) of women’s golf, Bridger Pavelka (Minnetonka) of men’s cross country and track & field, and Kjorte Harra (Eagan) of women’s tennis.
Q: What are your thoughts about your final year as a student-athlete being cut short?
LA: I’m going to miss out on something I have been looking forward to since freshman year. I’ve imagined walking up the fairway on the 18th hole to see my family, teammates, and supporters waiting around the green to cheer me on as I finish my last collegiate round of golf. Every year Coach Moe makes sure the seniors are last to come in so they can have this moment they worked for for the past four years. It’ll be sad not getting this opportunity but I am grateful golf is a sport that allows you to play for many many years and I’ll get to play with my team again soon.
BP: This is a wild series of events that have occurred over the past month. It’s tough knowing that I won’t be able to put on a Gustavus jersey and represent this great school again. After coming off of a fantastic indoor track season, I was excited to see what I could do when our outdoor track season got rolling. It’s situations like these where you truly appreciate your time on the hill, the beauty of the sport (whichever sport you play), and your teammates who turn out to be some of your best friends over a very quick four (or 3.7) years.
KH: Obviously, it’s a major bummer to only get to have less than half our spring tennis season. We usually have all our biggest matches in April and MIAC championships in May, so not getting to have that last chance to have those matches has been hard to digest for me. I feel like we were just getting started when our season got cut short. We spend all fall and the first half of our spring season for those last few weeks of matches, and to not have that opportunity because of outside factors is disappointing.
Q: What is your favorite memory as a Gustavus student-athlete?
LA: My all time favorite memory from golfing at Gustavus would be screaming the rouser in the van. Since freshman year, before every 18, all the golfers would jump in the van and scream the rouser at the top of our lungs. Every other school thought we were crazy but we can’t mess with Gustie golf tradition. I wouldn’t say a favorite memory would be getting an eagle on a hole or making a long putt but really all the memories and friendships you make with your teammates are what you will really remember in 10 years.
BP: My favorite cross country memory has to be this year’s MIAC conference race at Carleton. The men placed fourth, which has been the highest team finish since I’ve been on the team and it was nice seeing the culmination of the seasons training come together on that day. We had a ton of guys run well which is very promising for the future. My favorite track memory is a tough one, it’s either last outdoor conference at St. Thomas where the men’s team took third and Mike Hensch completed the “Grand Slam” in the throwing events. Or this year’s indoor conference meet where I ran a personal best of 4:23.72 in the mile and placing seventh to secure a couple of points for the team.
KH: In my first year, we kicked off our season with a training trip over touring break to Phoenix. I was the only first-year on the team and was still getting to know everyone and everything about being a Gustavus tennis player. It was such a blast of a trip, my teammates were all so welcoming and fun to hang out and practice with all week. We had such a great group, and it was the perfect way to start my Gustavus women’s tennis journey.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
LA: I am unsure of my plans after graduation as of now. I am currently working on applying for jobs in either project management or communications in the Minneapolis area. Wish me luck.
BP: After graduation I plan to take the NCLEX, the nursing boards, and begin working at a hospital in the cities doing my part helping fight against COVID-19.
KH: I’m planning on taking a gap year to work, and the next year I want to go to grad school for something in the field of research methods/quantitative psychology.