The end of the fall sports season means saying goodbye to the teams’ seniors. This year’s fall sports class graduates 40 seniors. This includes three All-Americans and six team trips to the National Championships over the last four years.
Cross Country:
Sara Bolkema of Sioux Center, Iowa, says her favorite memory of her college sports career is running the half marathon in Fremont, Neb., faster than her goal pace, despite the cold and wind. She is the daughter of Allan and Janna.
Sara Hess, daughter of Elizabeth Scott and Kevin Hess, is from Washington, Iowa. Her advice to underclassmen athletes is to be intentional and be a team player.
Heidi Hildebrandt of Mountain Lake, Minn., is the daughter of Gary and Karen. Her favorite memories come from Saturday morning long runs topped off with pancakes and bacon at Coach’s.
Charity Miles says her favorite memory during college sports was every time she prayed with her teammates and competitors before a race. It put everything back into proper perspective and celebrated the joy of shared discipline. The daughter of Craig and Joy, she is from Thedford, Neb.
Jenna Sorensen, from Windom, Minn., is the daughter of Todd and Karla. Her favorite memories were her coach dropping them off in the middle of the country in below zero weather and running the Living History Farms race with her teammates.
Akacia Wentworth, daughter of Russ and Suzy, is from Springview, Neb. Her advice to underclassmen is to cherish the time you have working with and being part of a team because it goes too quickly.
Football:
John Adam, of Sioux City, Iowa, played offensive lineman for the Raiders. He is the son of Mark and Julie.
Caleb Blauwet, strong safety, is the son of Tom and Kim. He is from Larchwood, Iowa.
Daniel Burns played tight end and special teams for the Raiders. The son of Steve and Cathy, he is from Grimes, Iowa.
David Butler, strong safety from Stillwater, Minn., is the son of Bill and Sue Butler. His favorite memories come from the great players and coaches that he’s had the opportunity to have in his life over the last four years.
Jon Gerber, free safety from Lester, Iowa, is the son of Dan and Darcy. His advice to underclassmen is to give a great effort and you will enjoy the results of your college career.
Jordan Halvorsen of Seward, Neb., played cornerback. The son of Todd and Julie, his advice to underclassmen is to work hard and have no regrets at the end of four years.
Evan Hoffmeier, offensive lineman from Charter Oak, Iowa, is the son of Buck and Kim. He advises underclassmen to stay out and keep playing because your time will come.
Brad Hughes, a defensive lineman, is the son of Tom and Jane. From Knob Noster, Mo., he says his favorite memory is getting player of the week against USF.
Brett Leifson, son of Stacey and Ev, says the best thing about being a Red Raider is that team equals family. The right offensive tackle is from Mesa, Ariz.
TJ Lensch played linebacker for the Raiders. The son of Kreg and Barb, he is from Glidden, Iowa.
Taylor Malm of Thousand Oaks, Cal., is the son of Jay and Wendy Malm. He played running back for the Raiders.
Logan Ogden, offensive lineman from What Cheer, Iowa, is the son of John and Berdette. His favorite memories are the relationships built with friends and coaches and all the crazy and fun things they did.
Brad Payne of Alta, Iowa, is the son of Rory and Penny Payne. The defensive back and punt returner says his favorite memory is the 2006 playoffs versus Black Hills State and Missouri Valley.
Lucas Peterson is the son of Beverly. The defensive back is from Walcott, Iowa.
Ben Rasefske, a kicker for the Raiders, is from Plymouth, Minn. He is the son of Brian and Karen.
Austin Rozeboom was a linebacker from Sioux Center, Iowa. He is the son of Arlyn and Beth Rozeboom.
Grantley Samuels played safety for the Raiders. The son of Albago Haywood, he is from Pahokee, Fla.
Daniel Solis, the left guard from Fort Worth, Texas, is the son of Frank Solis and Esther Havranek. He says the best things about being a Raider is that he has not only made friends on the team from everywhere in the U.S., but he now has brothers for life.
Jordan Te Grootenhuis of Larchwood, Iowa, played on the defensive line. He is the son of Eric and Susan.
Caleb Van Otterloo played both defensive back and wide receiver. The son of Mike and Elaine, he is from Le Mars, Iowa.
Kevin Vander Schaaf of Edgerton, Minn., is the son of Gary and Karen. He played running back for the Raiders.
Men’s soccer:
Dereck Ball’s favorite memory was meeting lifelong friends and people who really cared for their teammates on and off the field. The defender from Phoenix, Ariz., is the son of Allen and Leayne.
Ben Karnish of Littleton, Col., played center midfielder for the Red Raiders. He is the son of Mindy and Joe.
Jeff Lanser, goalkeeper from Denver, Col., is the son of Brad and Sandy Lanser. His advice to underclassmen is to try out for a sport even if you don’t know if you’re good enough. He never thought he would get to play at the college level but ended up starting his junior and senior year.
Shane Lesko of Sioux City, Iowa, is the son of Shannon and Julie. The center midfielder said his favorite memory was the movie-like scenario of upsetting Doane 4-0 in this year’s homecoming game.
Aron Pall of Budapest, Hungary, is the son of Katalin and Tibor. The midfielder’s favorite memory is making it to nationals.
Women’s soccer:
Annaliese Forgey, a midfielder, is the son of Larry and Michelle Frye and the wife of Terry. She is from Camano Island, Wash.
Katy Phillips, daughter of Debby, is from Westminster, Col. The midfielder says the best thing about being a Red Raider is that the team was unified as a family with no drama.
Sarah Seeger of Apple Valley, Minn., played defense for the Raiders. The daughter of Jay and Jenny, her advice to underclassmen is that whether you start or are on the bench, work your butt off because you can always improve.
Stephanie Wilcox, daughter of Randy and Charlene, is from Lincoln, Neb. She played defense and her favorite memories are the road trips and rapping to pass the time during rain delays.
Volleyball:
Kaitlin Beaver of Sioux Center, Iowa, played right-side hitter, back row and setter for the Raiders. The daughter of Paul and Pam, she advises underclassmen to work as hard as they can in and out of season and enjoy the ride because it goes fast.
Hillary Hanno, an outside hitter, is the daughter of John and Mary. The senior from Sioux City, Iowa, loves the support and encouragement the team has gotten from the NW community the past four years.
Bobbie jean “Bob” Rich, of Tilden, Neb., is the daughter of Bob and Nancy Rich. The middle blocker says the best thing about being a Red Raider is that everyone on the team – players and coaches – compete with the same goal: to spread light and further the kingdom through the gifts they’ve been blessed with.
Karis Vink of Zeeland, Mich., played middle hitter for the Raiders. She is the daughter of Tim and Dana.