David Ternes and Alysia Horcher Recognized at the Honor G Banquet

Each year Grinnell College athletics honors its graduating student-athletes at the Honor G banquet.  Each graduating senior that lettered in a varsity sport is recognized, and those that earned three letters in a single sport, with one of those being in their senior year, are awarded an Honor G blanket.  It is a nice memento recognizing years of dedication to a sport and to a team.  The department also hands out its major award winners at this time. 

As a department, we reserve the right to present a Coaches Award on the occasion that there is an outstanding individual that deserves to be recognized.  It’s important to note that we do not present a Coaches Award every year, in fact, it is a rare occasion that we agree to recognize someone in this way.  It was my great pleasure to award two of them this year.

The first went to a woman who has served the entire department, and all of our student-athletes, for the past four years.  She has served in the training room with Sylla Lowther and Jason Kofoot, she has provided pictures for Ted Schultz in Sports Information, she has been a valuable member of the Pioneer Diversity Council with Justin Thaxton and Ben Cooprider, she has been a manager for Erin Hurly and Tim Hammond and the men’s and women’s swimming teams.  And, most importantly to me anyway, she has been a filmer/manager/photographer/and self-described “team mom” for the football team.  She has been a tireless supporter of all Pioneers, constantly celebrating the achievements of all our student-athletes.  In the words of one of our parents, “she’s a keeper!”  We’re going to miss you greatly, but we all want to express our gratitude for you contributions.  Thank you so much, Alysia Horcher!

The second Coaches Award went to David Ternes.  David has been one of the best, and most decorated defensive players we’ve ever had.  David was a three-time all-conference player, a two-time all-region linebacker as named by d3football.com, and a two-time pre-season all-american by the USA Football Network.  David was named the Conference Player of the Week twice, and was named to the d3football.com Team of the Week once.  At the conclusion of the season he and fellow linebacker Rich Renteria were invited to play in the D3 Senior Classic, they are only the 3^rd and 4^th players to earn that honor.  I could go on, but awards and statistics don’t do him justice.  Put simply, to see David play linebacker is to see desire personified.  If you have a football in your hands, I’d watch out, because David’s coming for you.  Congrats on a great career David, it’s been a pleasure!

Big Weekend for Pioneer Athletics

Tomorrow marks the last day of classes for the semester, but it is also the start of a big weekend for Pioneer Athletcs.

The men's tennis team will be traveling to LaCrosse, WI to face Coe College in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.  The men's team is in the middle of one of the more dominating streaks of any team in any sport in the Midwest Conference, having won the team title for twelve consecutive years!  Good luck to coach Andy Hamilton and the Pioneers as they take on Coe.

Ed Hardman is too fast for the focus!

The men's and women's track teams will travel to Ripon, WI for the Midwest Conference Outdoor meet.  The men finished in fifth place at the Indoor Championship meet in late February, while the women finished sixth.  Nate Kolacia and Eloise Miller were both named Outstanding Performers of the Meet, Kolacia due in part to victories in the mile and the 3K and Miller for victories in the long jump and triple jump.  Kolacia will attempt the difficult triple of the 800, 1500, and 5K this weekend, while Miller looks to defend her crowns in both jumps.  She will also be running the 400 and the 4x400.  Pioneer footballers Ed Hardman, JB Braun, and John Mertes will join with Dixon Romeo in both the 4x100 and the 4x400 relays this weekend.

JB always looking smooth

Finally, the baseball team will stay in Grinnell, hosting the Midwest Conference tournament.  It was announced this morning that Ian Sales was the Southern Division Pitcher of the Year while Matt Hammond was the Hitter of the Year.  Tim Hollibaugh, who moonlights as the defensive line coach for us, was named Southern Division Coach of the Year for the fifth time in the past six seasons.  Graham Fisher, who was the first-team all-conference punter this past fall has matched that with a nod as the first-team all-conference designated hitter.  The Pioneers will face St. Norbert in the opening round Friday.

Fisher shows the concentration that led to a .377 average, with 7 homers and 31 rbi

Good luck to all the Pioneers this weekend!  #GCPride

Ternes and Desjardin Named to Hampshire Society

Seniors David Ternes and Clayton Desjardin were both named to college football's Hampshire Society.  Recognition is given based on cumulative GPA, contribution on the field, and team leadership.  Ternes and Desjardin are the thirteenth and fourteenth Pioneers to have earned the honor since 2010.  Congratulations guys!