University of Minnesota Athletics
Seniors Reflect on Gopher Careers
2/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota women's track & field team will honor their 18 graduating seniors at 1 p.m. CT during the Parents Day Invite at the Minnesota Fieldhouse this Saturday.
"I am looking forward to it. It's a special day for our seniors and their families," director of women's track & field and cross country Matt Bingle said.
"The seniors have seen the program grow quite a bit over the years, especially those who are in their fifth year. From where we were when they started, in the bottom three or four in the conference, to obviously winning the Big Ten last year and seeing the program develop into a top two or three program in the Big Ten these last couple years, they were a big part of that."
Gophersports.com connected with the seniors to learn about some of their best memories as a Gopher, their greatest take aways, and what they are most grateful for as they gear up for their last home meet of the indoor season.
Gopher Sports: What are you most grateful for during your time as a Gopher?
Carlin Schulz: I am most grateful for the way I was flawlessly accepted by my teammates as a fifth year this fall. I have been so lucky to be surrounded by such a humble, talented, and loving group of girls every day. After being on the spectator side of Gopher track meets, it has been a surreal experience to have the opportunity to step on the line and see what I can do!
Kimberly Golding: I'm grateful that I've been finding myself as a young black female athlete and my time here, which has kept reminding me how to continue to be humble and determined, as well as to continue to fight for what I want in life.
Allie Heifort: I am most grateful for my fellow throwers. They were the group of girls that became family. They were the best support group a girl could ever dream for.
Kailee Kamps: I am grateful for ALL the opportunities I was afforded being a Division I student athlete. I came from a small town where everyone knew everyone, so stepping on campus I was scared that I wouldn't make friends and this city would be overwhelming. What I didn't know, but soon found out, was that the Gopher family would become my home away from home. I was able to do many things outside of sport during my career that wouldn't have been possible if I weren't here representing the Maroon and Gold. I am grateful for it all: I sat in a class with more than 20 students in it, I got on my first plane and only freaked out for a few minutes, I got to explore the USA, I had five surgeries in two years, I laughed, I cried, I smiled and frowned, and I explored Minneapolis. Most of all I am grateful for the amazing friendships I have formed and the life long relationships I will now have.
Kat Keller: I am most grateful for the friendships I have established through the years and the people that I have met. Also, the opportunity to compete for the school of my dreams, all while receiving an education from a top university.
Megan Flanagan: I am most grateful for the opportunity to run for Gopher athletics and work towards B1G goals every day with some of the most supportive, talented women I know. The experience has been unforgettable!
Angie Guenther: I'm grateful for the relationships I have formed over the years. Being on this team has put some incredible people in my life, and I consider myself very lucky to be a part of the throws group.
Naomi Ollila: I'm grateful to have been apart of such a wonderful team and to have been given the opportunity to compete at this level. Everyone on the team is great and super encouraging. They make coming to practice a highlight of my day. I've also met some of my best friends through competing as a Gopher, and I know I have made some lifelong friendships.
Danielle Anderson: I am most grateful for all of the opportunities and resources provided for us as athletes.
Tayler Whittler: I am most grateful for the amazing teammates and being apart of a family during my time as a Gopher. Although I only have one short season as a Gopher, the team welcomed me with open arms and has made my last season memorable.
Anne Haakenstad: I am most grateful for the opportunity to train and compete in the sport I love alongside such incredible teammates. I have so much respect and admiration for the women on this team, and it's been an honor going through this journey with them. This team has given me some of my best friends, and I am so thankful for them!
Tess Wasowicz: It has been an incredible opportunity to compete as a Gopher student-athlete for the University of Minnesota. I have been so incredibly fortunate to have loving and supportive teammates at my side. I could not have made it through the past four years without the women on this team. These women have pushed me to become the best person I could be, athletically and holistically. Words will never be able to express how much I will miss having this amazing support system present in my life day in and day out. Being on this team has allowed me to understand what being a true teammate is all about. They have given me hope and encouragement that I could not have found anywhere else. Looking back on my athletic career, I have realized the unbelievable power and energy of a close knit team, and how running and competing together unveils something truly inspiring and fulfilling. This is something I will carry with me. I am forever grateful for the moments I have spent with these girls and would not have traded them for anything. Thank you Gopher women!
Bolade Jinadu: During my time as a Gopher, I am most grateful for all the staff and amazing teammates I have met that push me to work hard and always support me on and off the track.
Laura Werking: I am so grateful that I had the chance to be a student-athlete at the University. I have met so many incredible athletes and have built some life-long friendships. Being a Gopher athlete has meant the world to me. I have learned so much about myself and have really grown and matured as an athlete and student. I feel more confident as an individual and have gained the ability to set set high standards for myself. My teammates have taught me how to push myself past the breaking point and achieve goals I never thought were attainable. I am forever grateful for their competitive nature, passion for running, and amazing friendships. As my time as a Gopher comes to a close, I'm thankful that I had a chance to run in Maroon and Gold alongside some fantastic athletes.
GS: What will you take away from your from your time as a Gopher?
Schulz: I'll take away the lesson that I should have started my time as a Gopher five years ago…
Golding: I really made some wonderful friends here, and I know those friends and I will continue to grow as family and be there for each other no matter what. I will also take away moments when I faced so many obstacles that set me back a lot when I'm working on achieving my goals, but those obstacles didn't stop me from achieving them. Those moments showed me how tough of a person I am and that I am a fighter who won't stop fighting for what I want in life. All these moments as a Gopher were more of a reminder, reminding me why I chose to be a Gopher and the purpose I serve on this earth. I will for sure cherish every moment I had here as a student-athlete, and I will carry that over with me as an alum.
Heifort: I will take away so many things, whether it be setting me apart in further aspirations to the connections I have made. The biggest thing is the people who will be my best friends for a lifetime.
Kamps: I believe coming to college and being a part of this team affirmed for me that everything my parents taught me as a child growing up could apply to the real world. Growing up on the farm, I was taught what respect, hard work, self-confidence, honesty, and accountability really meant. For me to be as successful as I was during the last five years, I owe it all to my parents, Dave and Jackie. These kind hearted, generous, and loving people taught me to never give up and if I fail, to dust myself off and get back out there. I wouldn't be here today living my dreams if they hadn't pushed me and for that I am thankful, they are the real reason I continued to fight through each injury. If being a Gopher has taught me anything, it was that when the odds aren't in your favor, you have to keep fighting. As my parents would say, you need to Go-pher It!
Keller: What I will take away most is that you are always capable of a more than what your mind thinks you are. Sometimes it just takes some failure to learn and then success will follow.
Flanagan: I will take away all of the lessons learned on living life in the zone of discipline, persevering through obstacles, listening to your body, working towards a common goal, looking outside yourself to lift others up, and maintaining a positive, growth mindset in anything life brings.
Ollila: I think some big takeaways for me have been to "focus on your own mat," prioritize the things that matter most to you, and never be afraid to take risks.
Anderson: The lifelong friendships I have made with my teammates are by far the biggest takeaway from my time as a Gopher.
GS: What is your favorite memory and/or accomplishment from your Gophers career?
Golding: One of my favorite moments here as a Gopher is when we won the Big Ten in 2016. That moment was priceless; it really brought the team together. You could have really seen the dynamic of the team. I don't think any other team at that moment had the energy we had on that day. If you were a mile away, you would have been able to hear us. I would say we were strong young female student-athletes. I would never change that moment we had, and I would love to experience that moment again. Another moment is when I earned my first medal in the 100m hurdles at Big Tens as a Gopher that helped contribute in winning the Big Ten Conference. I did it for my family back home (Jamaica), myself, and my team. I wouldn't have been able to do this without the help from the Almighty himself.
Heifort: My favorite memory/accomplishment is the meet in which I made it into the top-10 all-time.
Kamp: Like many athletes, I wish I could have accomplished more during my time here, but injuries happen which stand in your way, and for me they happened far too often. Many of the track memories I have usually end with me breaking something and needing to have surgery. Haha! I guess for me the greatest accomplishment I had was getting back out there and throwing despite all the setbacks. It was hard to overcome the obstacles, but that made throwing with my teammates that much sweeter; it didn't matter if I did well, I liked competing beside them and being their support system.
Keller: The obvious memory would be winning a Big Ten Championship. It is always exciting to see all the hard work pay off.
Erin Hawkins: My favorite memory is probably getting a silver medal at the 2014 B1G meet in 4x400m relay at Michigan State.
Cami Gilson: My favorite memory was at a home meet a couple of years ago. Katie Murgic and I were attempting what would be a PR bar of 4.11 meters. Katie made it, and then I made it right after her on my third attempt. It was really exciting that we got to share that moment together, and the energy was awesome. This was my favorite memory from my Gopher career.
Guenther: My favorite memory for myself would be when I threw a PR my very last throw at the Big Ten meet my RS sophomore year to move from ninth to sixth. And of course for the team, it would be winning the Big Ten meet last year.
Ollila: Some of my favorite memories are from running the Griak. Our cross country team really goes all out and brings the energy to that meet. Everyone has a lot of fun with it. It's also been known to have some extreme conditions every year, including lots of mud this past year, and before that it was incredibly hot and humid, so that meet is always a memorable one.
Anderson: My favorite memory as a Gopher athlete is when some of us drove down to Nebraska to watch the outdoor Big Ten meet, and we won the team title.
Werking: I have had some amazing experiences as a Gopher athlete. The endless miles every week that were always paired with the hilarious conversations that only runners understood. The trip up to Ely, Minn., before cross season where we were always kicked in the butt by excruciating workouts, but fed extremely well. The Uncle Marty's workout once per season that everyone always dreaded, but came out smiling since it was only 12 minutes. Being able to run my first full 6k after never running cross country in high school. Putting on the uniform for the first time and not being able to stop smiling. Having my younger sister, Sarah, run as a Gopher and totally kicking butt. Lastly, running a course PR at Rocky's Run in my final cross country race as a Gopher and having my parents there to cheer me on at the finish line.
Haakenstad: My favorite memory was when the team won outdoor Big Tens last spring. I was part of the cheer squad at the meet, and it was so fun getting to watch everyone compete at their best. There was a ton of energy from the Gophers, and it was an awesome team effort. It made me so proud to be a Gopher!
"They've been on a great journey here," Bingle said of the seniors. "They've had a huge impact on the coaching staff and on their teammates. They definitely have left a legacy and told a great story about themselves; hopefully they have some great memories of their experience here."
Catch the seniors and the rest of the Gophers back in action at the Parens Day Invite at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse this Saturday. Action is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
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Players Mentioned
