Thinking Out Loud

I have been so blessed with this opportunity to broadcast sports for Morningside and I never took it for granted. As a Mass Comm major, finding something that combines your passion and your education is a beautiful thing, it made it easier for me to have fun every time I strapped on a headset to broadcast a game. Over these past four years, I have announced some sad, happy and crazy games with some great athletes, most of whom I can gladly call my friends.

Looking back, I thought it would be fun to remember some of my favorite athletes and what made them stand out to me. This list was so hard to narrow down and I can list several other great athletes that I'm forced to leave out. I broadcasted primarily football and basketball so athletes from these two sports dominate the list. Anyway, here is a countdown of my top 25 favorite athletes I covered at Morningside:

You shall not pass: Bahensky about to enforce
one of her trademark aggressive defense

25. Taylor Bahensky - Basketball
Pause a second and look at this picture to the right. The look on her face that says "I dare you to dribble past me" is signature Bahensky. There is a reason she was the GPAC defensive player of the year in 2015. When number 5 is out there, you know what you're getting. She brings that no nonsense factor to the table for the Mustangs. I'll never forget her breakout game in her freshmen year; she barely played for the varsity team that year then she went to the first round of the NAIA tourney and dropped 20+ points. She hasn't looked back since then.

24. Adebayo Babalola - Basketball

Young Melo with the jump shot

I wasn't sure what to expect when Babalola signed from AIB. He was a senior about to play his last season of college basketball for Morningside. But man he brought something different to the table. On a team with a lot of good shooters and dribblers, Babalola was a physical specimen, providing the brute strength to compliment the team. He came up with double doubles in some key games this past season. His unique attributes and passion for the game got him on this list. After College, "Young Melo" as he is nicknamed, is going overseas to continue his basketball career. I'll always remember that game against Midland, with Babalola producing a highlight dunk out of nothing. If you don't know what I'm talking about, click here: Bayo Dunk vs Midland

23. Colby Henderson - Football

Henderson suiting up for the Mustangs in 2012

Henderson was a freak of nature. The 2013 graduate is one of the most well rounded athletes on this list. The only reason he is not further up this list is the fact that I only got to cover him for his senior year. His best year as a Mustang was his junior year where he set a school record with 11 interceptions. I've watched him line up as a wide receiver, a cornerback, and kickoff returner in the same game! I remember a game against Dordt, they had just scored and Henderson was on the field to return a kickoff. You could just feel the confidence oozing out of him, it was bordering arrogance. Daring the Dordt kicker to kick it to him. Well he did. The All American returned that kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. To this day, that still stands as the longest kickoff returned for a TD in school history. A fast, tough tackling no nonsense football player.

22. Lexi Ackerman - Basketball

Laser Focus: Ackerman reads the game as she led
the Mustangs to a championship

Lexi "how may I assist you" Ackerman may not always pop up with crazy numbers on the stats sheet, but she makes the Mustangs tick. She came in as a freshmen and immediately established herself as the starting point guard, collecting the GPAC freshmen of the year award in the process. As a sophomore, she made perhaps the biggest free throws of her career with two seconds left to secure the national title for Morningside. The junior guard has already surpassed 1000 career points for the Mustangs. She has dealt at least one assist in 90 consecutive games dating back to her freshmen year, that level of consistency is downright ridiculous! Already an NAIA All American, she has gotten better every year. I think Mustang fans are in for a treat her senior year.

21. Ashlynn Muhl - Basketball

Muhl's team mate wrote her number on their shoes

Tears of a Champion

One of my favorite basketball stories, Muhl was an instrumental player for the Mustangs in her last season, helping them to a 30-0 record in regular season and into the NAIA tournament. However, on the day the tourney started, news broke that Muhl had to undergo surgery to take out her appendix and will be out for the rest of the season. The Mustangs drew inspiration from Muhl throughout the tournament. The entire team had "#34 Play for her" on their shoes. By the time they made it to the final, Muhl was healed up enough to be court-side cheering on her teammates. The picture on the left was her reaction after the Mustangs won the national championship, those are tears of someone who was watching her efforts from the entire season come to fruition, tears of a champion. She finished her career as the 19th leading scorer and 7th leading rebounder in school history. The NAIA first team All American and three time all conference first teamer, stands as one of the best basketball players in school history. Muhl currently lives in Sioux Falls and teaches in a Catholic Elementary school. She is also the 7th grade boys and girls basketball coach at O'Gorman Jr High.

20. Connor Niles - Football

Cant touch this: Niles shakes off a defender

Very few freshmen can come in and see regular game time on this Mustang team, but Niles was not your average freshmen. He was the team's second receiver behind Devin Thomas before finally establishing himself as the leading receiver this past season. Niles finished with 83 receptions for 1538 receiving yards, the second highest in a single season for Morningside. He also added 17 touchdowns. I am even more impressed that he has improved his punt and kick off returns to add another element to his game. Niles already has the 7th most receiving yards of any receiver to ever pull on the Mustang shirt, and he only needs 1080 more yards to get to the top. With two more years left in his career, I am confident Niles can be the most productive receiver in Morningside history.

Guilty as charged: Miller has the
second most steals in school history

19. Tanner Miller - Basketball
Tanner Miller is one of the best passers of the ball I've seen play for the Mustangs. He is also a premier defender, setting the record for most steals in a season (91) in 2012/2013.
He finished his career with 228 steals for the second highest total in Mside history, his brother Trent Miller holds the record with 235 career steals. The silky smooth way Miller played was what made him a joy to watch. He was named to the All GPAC second team in both 2014 and 2015. He finished his career with 1121 points, the 19th leading scorer in school history.

Another One: Fans react as Braun sinks another one from downtown

18. Madison Braun - Basketball

Downtown Madi Braun!! No nickname could be more appropriate considering the consistency at which she drills three pointers. This past season, she led the team with 83 of them! The picture above was taken right after Braun let one of her trademark three pointers go, a testament to her ability to get the crowd on their feet. One of my favorite Braun stories was when I interviewed her before a game, most of the questions I asked her were about her excellent three point shooting. Weirdly enough, she went on to have one of her worst shooting performances ever, needless to say I never interviewed her for anything again. She still had a great freshmen year, starting all 38 games on the way to the championship. This past season, she stepped up as a leader for the team, scoring a career high 26 points against Briar Cliff before going to the NAIA tournament and shattering that record. She scored 30 points in the second round against Cardinal Stritch making 11 of her 13 shots and 6 of her 7 attempted three pointers. If you know me, I love basketball players with a penchant for three pointers (crazy Curry fan), and Braun has found a way to make them look easy. Oh and by the way, they're not. I've tried. If her teammate Lauren Lehmkul starts next year, I expect them to form a "splash sisters" duo. Much like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, the "splash brothers" of the NBA.

17. Bryce Koch - Basketball

Dunk City: Koch slams a dunk against Dordt

After starting his career coming off the bench, Koch has really stepped into his own as a starter for the Mustangs. He was the leading rebounder in 14 of the Mustang's 29 games this past season. He also ranked 7th in the nation in field goal accuracy, draining 61.3 percent of his shots. One of the hardest places to play in the GPAC is away to Dordt, they were unbeaten at home this past season when the Mustangs came to town as massive underdogs. But Koch doesn't know how to be an underdog, he scored a career high 31 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and threw down a slam dunk to top it off, handing Dordt their first home loss of the season. Big things are expected as he heads into his senior year. No pressure 32!

Tegt Time: Tegtmeier was a standout leader
for the team this past season

16. Ryan Tegtmeier - Basketball
After being a starter on a team that went 28-5, Tegtmeier was the only returning starter this season and he knew the team would depend on him a lot. The point guard responded by leading the team in both points and assists. He also became only the 28th player in Mside history to surpass 1000 points in their career. A dual sport athlete, Tegtmeier also plays baseball for the Mustangs so he doesn't have much of an offseason. Like Koch above, the Mustangs will be counting on 12 to lead them to a more successful campaign his senior year.

15. Ethan Stofferan - Football

Leader: Stoff gets fired up for the Morningside Mustangs

Off the field, Stofferan is one of the nicest humans you will ever meet. Smart with his academics (biology major), a member of the college choir, and known for his community service and mission trips. On the field, Stofferan is a fearless leader, three year starter, a two year team captain, and a two time all GPAC linebacker. I broadcasted a game this past season where Morningside went into 4 overtimes against St Xavier before Tyler Kavan scored the winning touchdown and I remember mentioning how Stoff was in the backfield on every down before St Xavier even snapped the ball. He went out with a bang, amassing a career high 105 tackles in his senior season alone. This kid pursues excellence in everything he does and I have nothing but the utmost respect for him. After college, Stofferan will be getting married to his fiancee this summer before applying to medical school to pursue his career. Check out this article in the Sioux City journal about Ethan Stofferan: Ethan Stofferan SC Journal Article

14. Kyle Nikkel - Basketball

Cant Miss: Nikkel holds the record for
field goal accuracy in school history.

Recruited by Morningside originally to play football, Nikkel was the starting Quarterback as a freshmen, passing for 1468 yards and 18 touchdowns before switching to basketball. Teammates talked about the hours Nikkel put in to catch on the time he lost away from basketball. The 6'6 center made 67.4% of his shots in his senior year to set a new Morningside record of field goal accuracy in a season and also holds the record for career field goal accuracy. Nikkel bowed out as the 20th leading scorer in Morningside history with 1107 career points in three years. Nikkel is currently a 4th grade teacher at Sergeant Bluff and coaches the middle school basketball team. He will be the varsity football assistant coach starting next season. Checkout out this sound cloud clip I made of Nikkel in his senior year: Nikkel Soundcloud clip

13. Andrew Christen - Basketball

Hang In There: The Janitor doing what he does best

AC!! In terms of pure athleticism, very few on this list will rival "The Janitor". This kid can get off the ground! I ranked him 13 on this list just for how much fun he was to watch, you never knew when he would pull off a ridiculous block or throw down a slam dunk. I nicknamed him "The Janitor" every time I would broadcast him because he was always cleaning up after his teammates, whether its through rebounds or chasing lose balls. In his final season, the 6'5 forward was voted "most improved player" by his team mates after averaging 10.2 points and a team high 5.7 rebounds. He was also a high jumper for the Mustangs track and field team. These days, you can watch Christen play for the Lake Michigan Admirals after they drafted him 8th overall. Here is a clip (low quality) of Christen tipping in a last second shot to send the Mustangs to the national tournament in his final season: Christen Game Winner

12. Zac Schleuger - Football

He's here, he's there, he's everywhere: Schleuger
started at linebacker all four years for the Mustangs.

No one beats Schleuger to the ball. He is literally in the middle of everything good that the Morningside defense does. The All American linebacker is one of only 6 players in Morningside history with over 300 career tackles. Not content with being just a tackler, Schleuger added a couple of interceptions to his game, returning both of them for touchdowns this past season. He has led the team in tackles for three years in a row. As a senior, he set the school record for most tackles for loss in a season with 25.5 and was named GPAC defensive player of the year. He loves football, he loves Morningside, and he will be missed next season.

11. Amy Samuelson - Soccer

Sharpshooter: Samuelson supplied
the goals throughout her career.

The fact that she is the only soccer player on this list is testament to how highly I rate Samuelson. And to be clear, I am a life long soccer fan. This past season, the senior forward led the Mustangs with 17 goals and 12 assists. At least 5 of those 17 goals were game winning shots, clutch! She led the team to its first national appearance since 2007. As a four year starter, the All American is the 5th leading scorer and 3rd assist leader in school history. An all GPAC first teamer and NAIA scholar athlete, Samuelson now runs for the Mustangs track team as she finishes up her senior year. After college, she will be heading into the medical field to start her career.

10. Monte Larsen - Track

Go Time: Larsen takes off for the Mustangs

Not every super hero wears a cape. Not every outstanding college athlete was a star in high school. One of my favorite underdog stories in sports, Larsen was not even recruited to run track, he was recruited as a basketball player for the Mustangs. He only played basketball for a year as a JV player, then switched to track. The rest is history. A combination of fierce determination, outstanding coaching, and untapped potential, Larsen graduated as arguably the most decorated Morningside athlete ever. A four time NAIA national champion, NAIA scholar athlete, and 12 time All American. Larsen ended his career in style, anchoring the Mustangs to a national first place finish in the 4x800. He holds the school record in the 600m and the 800m. His coach (Dave Nash) was once asked to describe Monte and he responded "it's like trying to describe Steve Prefontaine, you just had to be there". Read more of Larsen's story here

9. Joel Nixon - Football

The Grind: Nixon led the Mustangs to a national title game

Think of Johnny Manziel's playing style, except with a lot better attitude. That was Nixon. A mobile quarterback that was adept at throwing the football but with the speed and agility to create something out of nothing. He led the Mustangs to the 2012 national championship where they suffered a heartbreaking loss to Marian in overtime. Originally a wide receiver for the Mustangs, Nixon switched to QB when Kyle Nikkel decided to test his talents in basketball. He passed for a then school record 49 touchdowns in his only year as QB. He also led the nation in pass efficiency and was named the GPAC offensive player of the year. He is one of only four QBs in Morningside history to surpass 3000 yards in a season. Nixon is now married, lives and works in Omaha for Enterprise and World Ventures.

8. Jessica Tietz - Basketball

Proud Moment: Tietz mom supported her
throughout her career

MVP! MVP!! MVP!! When Ashlynn Muhl was ruled out of the 2015 NAIA tournament, many thought the chances of Morningside winning the title was diminished. But up stepped Jessica Tietz, the 6'2 center from Bancroft, Nebraska. Announcing herself to the big stage, she led the team with 17 points and a career high 12 rebounds in the final game against Concordia and was named the finals MVP after leading the team in scoring in all but two games at the tournament. This picture to the right shows Tietz and her mom moments after she won the MVP award. I was glad to be there and be able to capture this special moment. Tietz holds the school record for shooting accuracy in a career and in a season. In her final season, she made 63.8% of her shots to lead the nation. The senior also led the team in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots. Tietz finished her career as the ninth leading scorer and 11th leading rebounder in Morningside history with 1431 career points and 778 career rebounds. She is also a 2016 NAIA first team all American and an academic all American. How she has managed to be the most humble person I have ever met blows my mind. Much respect Tietz! After college, Tietz is going to decide between heading to grad school or continuing her basketball career overseas.

7. Stephen O'Neil - Basketball

All American: O'Neil is the first player in school
history to be named first team All American.

Played the game with such energy and passion that rubbed off on his team mates. I just love players that accept challenges and O'Neil has mastered that art. The amount of improvement he showed leading up to his senior year was crazy. He spent his freshmen year as a JV player and he didn't like it, so he hit the gym and boy did he get better. He spent the summer before his senior year hoisting up about 2000 shots per day. As a senior he became the first mens basketball player in school history to be named an NAIA first team All American. The GPAC All Conference first teamer also led the team with an average of 18.3 points per game, 124 assist, and 70 three pointers as a senior. O'Neil has a habit of stepping up when his team needs him the most, that last second winner at Dordt probably comes to mind. He finished his career as the 18th leading all-time scorer in Morningside history with 1139 career points. O'Neil was never the biggest or fastest player out there, but he had a fire in his eyes and ice in his veins that you cant teach. A fiery competitor in every sense of the word. He now works for Sterling Computers in Dakota Dunes and just recently accepted a position on the coaching staff (JV Head Coach) for Morningside Basketball. Welcome back O'Neil!!

6. Devin Thomas - Football

Eyes on the prize: Thomas celebrates being a GPAC Champ

Possibly the fastest player I have seen pull on the Mustang football jersey. The wide receiver transferred from Iowa Western and after a season behind Kyle Schuck and Joel McCabe, he became the Mustangs number 1 threat. I remember one game where Thomas went crazy in the first half, I am talking 9 receptions 166 yards and 3 touchdowns crazy, in the first half alone!! He didnt play a second of the second half and was still named the GPAC player of the week. This kid loves to win! He is 9th on the all time reception yards list for Mustangs and is finishing his Mustangs career as a sprinter and long jumper for the track team. After college, Thomas is looking forward to a career in law enforcement!

5. Neeia Cooperwood - Track

The Blur: Neeia is the fastest female athlete in school history

A division one caliber athlete, Morningside was blessed to have her. Cooperwood holds the school record in the 60m, 100m, 200m, and 400m. As well as being a 4 time all American in the long jump. Nicknamed "The Black Stallion" by her teammates, she ran her 200m in 23.85 seconds to break a GPAC record that has stood for 25 years. The two time Sioux City relays MVP is arguably the most decorated athlete in school history. She is an 18 time GPAC Champion and 13 time NAIA All American during her career. Neeia is now a graduate assistant at the University of South Dakota studying mathematics, helping to coach the track team and competing unattached. Check out this video I made as a tribute to Cooperwood: Neeia: Remember The Name

4. Danny Rudeen - Basketball

Airtime: Rudeen drives to the basket for the Mustangs

Rudeen is a scoring machine. Nothing but net. The 6'3 Sioux City guard was a revelation for the Mustangs. Credit to coach Jim Sykes for predicting his potential and being one of the few to offer him a scholarship. In his senior season, Rudeen led the team in scoring and was second in rebounding. He scored a school record 697 points that season and was fourth in the nation in 3-point accuracy. The two time All American and two time scholar athlete is a sniper from the free throw line, making 191 in his senior year alone, a school record. At one point he made 38 consecutive free throws in games (another school record). I thought he would never miss! The three time GPAC All Conference first teamer was named athlete of the year by the college in 2014. He is the second leading scorer in college history with 1974 points, only 13 points behind first place. Can we bring him back for one game please?

3. Kyle Schuck - Football

Mr. Touchdown: Schuck is one of the best wide
receivers in school history

Mr. Touchdown! When Kyle Schuck sets his sights on the end zone, there is very little you can do to stop him. He set a school record with 47 receiving career touchdowns and became the first Morningside football player to be named NAIA national player of the year. He helped lead the Mustangs to an 11-2 record and was part of the team that were one game away from being national champions. Schuck ranks second in Morningside history with his 3,008 career reception yards and fifth with 173 career receptions. The NAIA first team All American ended his career with a streak of 25 consecutive games with a pass reception. Morningside's version of Megatron. Schuck now lives in Cherokee Iowa, married to his long term girlfriend Megan, working as a salesman for Holzhauer Motors, and serving as a WR/DB football coach for the local high school.

2. Ryan Kasdorf - Football

Author: Kasdorf rewrote the Morningside history books

This quarterback out of California stands at 6'2 275 lbs. The loss of Joel Nixon as starting QB was made a lot easier when Kasdorf took over. In his final year, he broke eight school records and tied another on his way to the 2015 NAIA National Football Player of the Year and GPAC Offensive Player of the Year awards. He led the nation in pass efficiency for all three years he was a Mustang. He set and tied the record for touchdown passes in a game with seven TD passes against Dakota Wesleyan and Doane. Kasdorf passed for 10,932 yards (second all time) and a school-record 121 touchdowns during his career, while his 10,932 career yards passing is the second highest total in the Mustang record books. Kasdorf who is the only QB in school history to rush for over 1000 yards is also an Academic All American. He now plays professional football in Italy for the Ancona Dolphins. Whoever starts at QB next year sure has some big shoes to fill.

Airtime: Wegher scoring a TD for the Panthers

Mustang Pride: Wegher set the school record for most career touchdowns

1. Brandon Wegher - Football
Need I say more? Its not everyday you get to broadcast a future NFL player. Wegher was a phenomenon and a human highlight reel every time he pulled on a Mustang shirt. He was literally 215 pounds of pure speed and aggression. He rewrote the Morningside and NAIA record books especially in his last season, rushing for 2610 yards and 39 touchdowns. In that season alone, he had 11 games where he rushed for 100 yards or more. He is the all time leading rusher and touchdown leader in school history. 2014 was undoubtedly the year of the Wegs. Wegher is now a running back for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. I doubt we ever see a running back like him play for the Mustangs but I will loooove to be proven wrong.

Obviously this list is completely my opinion but I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions. Comment below to let me know! Thanks!