Athletes of the week

Alyssa Onan

(Rose Tepper)

Evan Johnson: Hockey What is your favorite memory of the team trip to Europe from winter break?
My favorite memory was playing the outdoor game in Switzerland our first day there. It was awesome to play outside under the stars and to be able to look up and see the mountains while you played.
What is the hardest part about being a goaltender?
The hardest part about being a goaltender is knowing that if you make a mistake, it usually means the puck is in the back of the net. It’s unlike any other position where if you make a mistake someone else is there to back you up. You are the last resort so you always have to be on your game.
What has been the team’s biggest accomplishment so far this year?
Our biggest accomplishment this year has been making it to the semi-finals of the Harris Cup. Our goal all year has been to win the Harris Cup and we are on the right track to achieving this goal.
What are the team’s goals for the remainder of the season/playoffs?
Our goals for the remainder of the season are to knock off Adrian in the semifinals and make a run to the national tournament, for this is the first year that the winner of [the MCHA] will get an automatic bid to the national tournament. But our goal right now is strictly to beat Adrian. We can’t look too far ahead right now.
What got you started playing hockey?
My older siblings got me started in playing hockey. Neither of them played but they always had me watching hockey while growing up in Massachusetts. My older siblings used to shoot pucks at me in the driveway for countless hours and this eventually got me to start playing on the ice.

Rose Tepper: Indoor Track

What is the biggest difference between high school and college track?
I would say the biggest difference between my high school track experience and my college track experience so far is the level of competition. In high school the athletes try a little of everything, but at the college meets you can tell that most of the athletes are doing certain events because they specialize in it and therefore are guaranteed to be good at it.
What is your favorite event and why?
My favorite event is definitely the high jump. When I first started participating in track in middle school I decided to try high jumping because it was unique and looked like a challenge. Over the years I have continued to work at it and the more I do it, the more I love it.
What are you looking forward to as the start of the outdoor season approaches?
I am hoping that the outdoor season will bring more athletes to join track. I am excited to run relays and in order for us to do that we need more girls to come out for the sport! I also feel lucky to have an outdoor season opening right as the indoor season is closing because we get to continue working on what we have already built instead of starting from scratch again.
How did it feel to take second at the indoor conference championships in high jump?
Well I’m pretty sure no one expected for me to medal at conference, especially me. But I think that is part of the reason that I did; I went into the meet with no expectations to live up to and I just happened to jump my best all season. Placing second just fueled my determination and made me realize my potential, so overall it was a great feeling.
What are your goals for the outdoor season?
I have always thought that I have done my best jumping outdoors and so I am excited to see if this follows through this year. My main goal is just to keep improving in my individual events and try to contribute as much as I can to any team events.

(Evan Johnson)

(Rose Tepper)

(Evan Johnson)