2011 Senior Profiles: Brian Westerlind

Each week this season we will highlight a member of our 2011 senior class, and last but not least is senior defensive end, Brian Westerlind!

Name: Brian Westerlind
Hometown: Aspen, CO

High School: Aspen High School

Major:  Biology/Pre-Med

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I came on a visit for the academics and football game against St Norbert back in 2008, having heard very little about Grinnell. I fell in love Grinnell immediately, bringing me to apply early decision and make my choice. 

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?

Beating Monmouth at Monmouth our junior year who was ranked 14th preseason.

Plans after graduation?
Medical School, and eventually be a Orthopedic Surgeon, fixing all the injuries my teamates and I have sustained through the years... well maybe not myself, i fear that may be unethical.

Favorite Professional Sports Team:
Denver Broncos! Especially when they are winning back to back Superbowls

Favorite Division I team:
Colorado Buffaloes Football, especially remembering back when we beat Nebraska bad during thanksgiving when their Heisman winner didn't stop us from stomping them. 

Favorite Song/Book/Movie/Food:
While having many songs I am a fan of from a variety of genres, my favorite book may be Deception Point. My favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption, gotta love Morgan Freeman. For food I enjoy a plethora of meals, however who doesn't enjoy a good juicy half lb burger with a tomato thinly sliced with a toasted bun and melted cheddar cheese on top... dill pickle spear on the side, with a big plate of perfect sweet potato fries spiced with a hint of ginger and allspice, all with a side of ranch of course. 

Favorite Course at Grinnell: 

Animal Physiology was quite interesting and I enjoyed it despite being quite difficult. 

Interesting facts about you:

I enjoy long walks on the beach during sunset, a nice glass of wine, fine art... but seriously, Hiking, biking, the mountains! (mountains of colorado of course), and just doing amazing things and seeing beautiful sights! Life is fun!

2011 Senior Profiles: Harpreet Singh-Mann!

Each week this season we will highlight a member of our 2011 senior class, up next is senior wide receiver, Harpreet Singh-Mann!

Name: Harpreet Singh-Mann

Hometown: Stockton, CA

High School: Cesar Chavez High School
Major: Biological Chemistry

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?

Grinnell gave me the opportunity to receive a top notch education and continue what I love doing which is playing football.  Note to mention, the financial assistance they presented me was also lovely.  When I came to visit on my recruiting visit, I was sold on the “Self-Gov” policy that people went by here which was definitely a culture shock and the great athletic facilities. Deciding between the corn fields and Cali weather was definitely a hard decision, but I think I made the right decision.  Grinnell has allowed for me to get out of Cali, and do something that nobody back home is doing.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?

My favorite Pioneer football moment would definitely have to be the win over Monmouth last year.  The upset was set up so well.  It was their homecoming (or something like it), it would have been a milestone victory (100^th career victory) for their head coach, we hadn’t scored on them in 3 years, their fans were talking a lot of trash, and the “icing on the cake” (like Creps would say) would be the fact that it was my birthday.  Not only did we obviously score on them, but we came out there…on their home field, played hard and left with a big DUB.  Everybody was so happy; the look on the Coach P’s face captivated everything.  The bus ride home was probably the shortest ever because everybody was just having a good time.  We pulled up at Grinnell to peers popping bottles and having a great time.

Plans after graduation?

Wherever the Lord takes me.

Favorite Professional Sports Team: 

Don’t have one; I’m a fan of the sport.  College football is way better

Favorite Division I team: 

University of California Berkeley (Cal)……swag

Favorite Song/Book/Movie/Food: 

Favorite Song: Today Was a Good Day by Ice Cube

Book: The Holy Bible and Where the Red Fern Grows

Movie: Remember the Titans

Food: Spaghetti

Favorite Course at Grinnell: 
Organic Chemistry II……oh and Coaching Methods of course haha

Interesting facts about you:

I can solve a Rubik cube in 48 seconds.

2011 Senior Profiles: Robert Seer

Each week this season we will highlight a member of our 2011 senior class, up next is senior wide receiver, Robert Seer!

Name: Robert Seer

Hometown: Saukville, WI

High School: Port Washington High School

Major: History

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell? 
I chose to attend Grinnell after coming and doing an overnight stay.  What sold me was actually meeting the people here including my potential teammates.  Everyone at Grinnell is super nice and the guys on the team are awesome to hang out with.  I couldn't ask to have better friends.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment? 
My favorite Pioneer football moment has to be beating Monmouth, as I'm sure it is for a lot of guys.  More specifically though it was the very end when we got to use our victory formation.  I remember going onto the field in near disbelief saying to some of the guys, "We are taking knees on Monmouth!"  That was a good feeling.

Plans after graduation? 
I would like to go law school after graduation, where I want to go depends on where I get in.  Probably either Madison or Marquette.

Favorite Professional Sports Team: 
By far the Green Bay Packers.  Being a Packers fan is like nothing else.  No fan base has more commitment to their team.  We are all die hard.  Going to a Packers game is as near to a religious experience as you can get.  Oh, and by the way, we just beat the Bears at Soldier Field for the NFC Championship, and then won the Super Bowl, take that Jimmy.

Favorite Division I team: 

No surpise, the Wisconsin Badgers.  Not a glamorous school by any means, but somehow the Badgers are always competing for the championship in both football and basketball.  Being on the field after they beat Northwestern 70-17 was another good memory, as the Badgers were on their way to the Rose Bowl.  On Wisconsin!

Favorite Song: 

Any country music, because the lyrics are actually meaningful and applicable to life.  I realize there are a lot of haters, but country music rocks, if you don't believe me, go to Country Thunder, the greatest place in the world for four days in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.

Favorite Food: 

Probably a well-marinated and cooked steak.  Also anything with lots of cheese.

Favorite Course at Grinnell: 

My history seminar.  It was titled Family History as American History.  Basically, I got to interview my grandpa about his entire life and figure out when major historical events impacted his personal life.  I wrote what was more or less a short biography filled with these interaction points.  I learned a ton about my grandpa that I hadn't known, including the fact that he had worked on the guidance system for the Apollo missions.  Pretty cool stuff.

Interesting facts about you: 

I really enjoy singing and I sing here at Grinnell in the student-run male acapella group called the G-Tones.  We sing pretty much anything and really have a lot of fun together.  We aren't the best, but people are still really supportive.  Definitely nice to be involved here at Grinnell.

2011 Senior Profiles: Matt John

Each week this season we will highlight a member of our 2011 senior class, up next is senior defensive end, Matt John!

Name: Matthew John

Hometown: Plymouth, MN
High School: Breck School
Major: Computer Science

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell? 
Being at Grinnell gives me the opportunity to pursue a wide open academic curriculum, while at the same time being a part of an extremely close-knit football team. Also, the location was ideal, allowing me to get away from home a bit, but close enough to make coming home for holidays relatively easy. Plus, I get to hang out with a wide variety of characters, ranging from the calm, collected Chris Jarmon to the fiery, dragon-like Robert Seer.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment? 
Without a doubt, my favorite moment would be beating Monmouth last year, and celebrating with our fans as they crowded our bus when we arrived on campus.

Plans after graduation? 
I will likely pursue a Master's degree in Computer Science immediately after graduating from Grinnell. From there, the possibilities are endless, as I have considered almost every field from private industry computer work to government work (military/intelligence) to football coaching.

Favorite Professional Sports Team: 
Minnesota Vikings

Favorite Division I team: 

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Favorite Song: 

"Kickstart My Heart" by Motley Crue

Favorite Book: 

"One Bullet Away" by Nathaniel Fick

Favorite Movie: 

Predator (What other 80's action movie can claim two governors as part of its cast!)

Favorite Food: 

Brats fresh off the grill with ketchup and mustard

Favorite Course at Grinnell: 

Computer Science 207: Algorithms and Object-Oriented Design

Interesting facts about you: 

I might be legitimately the only half-Indian, Computer Science Major, Defensive End in the NCAA.

2011 Senior Profiles: Chris Jarmon

Each week this season we will highlight a member of our 2011 senior class, up next is senior offensive guard, Chris Jarmon!

Name: Chris Jarmon
Hometown: Boulder, CO

High School: Boulder High
Major: English

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I was in the second semester of my Freshman year at Colorado College when the Board of Trustees decided to drop our football program. It was a painful time. I knew that I wanted to continue playing football, so I visited several schools to consider transferring. The guys on the team at Grinnell were absolutely amazing and I knew I wanted to be a part of this family. I still miss my teammates from Colorado College, but transferring here was the best decision I've ever made.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
Beating Monmouth last year, 17-15. I had come from losing programs in high school and at Colorado College, and this game was the first time where I was on a team that said, "We're not putting up with losing anymore." I'm incredibly proud of helping to start a winning tradition here.

Plans after graduation?
I've worked at NFL Films and ESPN the past few summers, so I'm definitely looking to get into sports media after I graduate.

Favorite Professional Sports Team:
If they're from Denver, I love them.

Favorite Division I team:
Colorado Buffaloes

Favorite Song/Book/Movie/Food:
"Way Back Texas" by Pat Green/The Holy Bible/Rudy/The 14" Buffalo Wing sub at Deli Zone

Favorite Course at Grinnell:
Coaching Methods with Coach Professor Hollibaugh 

Interesting facts about you:
My blog about playing football at Grinnell has been featured in Sports Illustrated's "Campus Clicks" section three times.

2011 Senior Profiles: Stephen Hudak

After a one-year absence, the Senior Profiles feature is back at the Pioneer Football Blog!  Each week, we'll post a profile about each of the 2011 football seniors.  Next up... senior offensive tackle Stephen Hudak...

 

Name:  Stephen Hudak
Hometown: Anacortes, Washington

High School: Anacortes High School
Major: Political Science and Environmental Science Concentration

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell? 

Grinnell was academically the best school i was accepted to. It was an easy choice as i wanted the best education i could get.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?  

My favorite Pioneer moment was our 17-15 victory over Monmouth last year. There was so much energy and enthusiasm on that field as the clock wound down and our win was assured. Beating Monmouth was a huge leap forward for our team, and this win far surpassed my last dark-horse win from high school. I knew great things would come for us after that moment.

Plans after graduation?
Nothing solid, but i have plenty of pathways i can see myself headed on. Potentially working in the state department foreign service, or alternately in environmental resource management. But i will go wherever the opportunities open up.

Favorite Professional Sports Team:
Coming from the Seattle area, I am a big Seahawks supporter.

Favorite Division I team:
I am not a huge fan of D1 football, but as a Navy brat, I love watching the Navy Midshipmen, especially in the Army-Navy game. I make it a point to see that game every year.

Favorite Song/Book/Movie/Food: 
Favorite food: Pizza Margherita ... Favorite Movie: Aliens ... Favorite Book: Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card ... No favorite song as my tastes are always changing.

Favorite Course at Grinnell: 
A toss up between Roman Art and Archaeology and Earth Systems Science

Interesting facts about you:
I am a Navy brat so I have been around the world. I was born in Japan, have lived on both US coasts, and spent three fondly remembered years living in Naples, Italy. Enjoyed some fine food there.

2011 Senior Profiles: Logan Granera

After a one-year absence, the Senior Profiles feature is back at the Pioneer Football Blog!  Each week, we'll post a profile about each of the 2011 football seniors.  Next up... senior wide receiver Logan Granera...

Name: Logan Granera

Hometown:  Keokuk, IA

High School: Keokuk High School
Major:  Biology

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell? 

Coming out of high school, I debated going to Grinnell or going to Truman State.  I chose Truman State because I thought it would be cool to play Division II football despite feeling much more comfortable on my visit to Grinnell.  I soon realized the mistake I had made and as soon as I finished my first year I looked in to transferring to Grinnell.  I really wish I would have come here straight out of high school because as a senior, an extra year at Grinnell seems invaluable.  It is my teammates and coaches that truly make the difference here.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?

It is too difficult to choose one moment as my favorite, but watching Rob Seer drop kick a pylon in practice has to be up there.

Plans after graduation?

I plan on going to Chiropractic school upon graduation.

Favorite Professional Sports Team: 

Indianapolis Colts

Favorite Division I team:

The Ohio State University

Favorite Song/Book/Movie/Food: 

Sweetness by Jimmy Eat World/The Bible/Good Will Hunting/Mac&Cheese

Favorite Course at Grinnell: 

Animal Physiology

Interesting facts about you:

I have never been in the Laurel Leaf Lounge

2011 Senior Profiles: Kelsey Davis

After a one-year absence, the Senior Profiles feature is back at the Pioneer Football Blog!  Each Thursday, we'll post a profile about each of the 2011 football seniors.  Next up... senior free safety Kelsey Davis...

 Name: Kelsey Davis
Hometown: Claremore/ Broken Arrow, OK

High School: Broken Arrow High School
Major: Biology

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
Coming out of high school I had several opportunities in terms of where I could go for college, Grinnell was by far the best educational opportunity as well as one of the few I could still play football. Also I had to weigh in the opinions of my parents who agreed that Grinnell would be the best place of opportunity for me to secure my future.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
My favorite pioneer moment would have to be when I scored the opening touchdown of the season my sophomore year.

Plans after graduation?
I plan to go to a cardio-pulmonary perfusion grad program and become a licensed perfusionist.

Favorite Professional Sports Team:
I don't really have a favorite professional team because my state doesn't have any for me to be loyal too (except for the Thunder basketball team but that is very recent), but it is definitely not any team from Dallas!

Favorite Division I team:
Boomer Sooner baby! Have to support my home state heroes! (being number one doesn't hurt their fan base either) Face it Jimmy, OK > IL

Favorite Song/Book/Movie/Food:
My favorite song at the moment is probably Drop the World by Lil Wayne & Eminem, It talks about overcoming all of the doubters and adversities in life and coming back stronger; it is inspirational in saying to pick yourself up when you get knocked down.

Favorite Course at Grinnell:
My favorite course is a toss up between Physics II and Biology 395 (virology), both courses catch my interest so there really is no clear winner.

Interesting facts about you:

Spring semester of my senior year in high school I was part of a national championship cheerleading team.

2011 Senior Profiles: Jimmy Borrasso

After a one-year absence, the Senior Profiles feature is back at the Pioneer Football Blog!  Each Thursday, we'll post a profile about each of the 2011 football seniors.  To begin with... quarterback, Jimmy Borrasso.

 Name:  Jimmy Borrasso

Hometown: Lake Forest, IL

High School: Lake Forest High School
Major:  Economics

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell? Obviously Grinnell offers an education that rivals any in the nation, which was very important to me when I was deciding where to go to school.  However, what set Grinnell apart from everywhere else I was looking was the guys on the team.  I visited Kenyon, which essentially is the same school as Grinnell just in Ohio not Iowa, and I never truly felt welcome there.  But when I visited Grinnell there was an instant connection and warm atmosphere, you knew that everyone wanted you there.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment? My favorite football moment was my freshman year against Ripon.  We had been beaten badly that day (we were shut out up to this point) but in the fourth quarter I got in, led a drive down the field and threw my first collegiate touchdown to Rob Seer.  Having my first touchdown be thrown to a close friend was a pretty sweet moment.

Plans after graduation?  I plan on getting a job in the field of finance, preferably as an investment consultant

Favorite Professional Sports Team:  Chicago Bears (clearly the best team in the NFC North, despite any argument by Matt John or Robert Seer)

Favorite Division I team:  Northwestern 

Favorite Song/Book/Movie/Food:  Favorite book: Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Taleb

Favorite Course at Grinnell:  Applied Game Theory (Economics class)

Interesting facts about you: I also play on the golf team at Grinnell and was voted the most improved player last year.