Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Friday, October 19, 2007
On Campus: Sibik makes a quick impression
Eight minutes.
That’s how long it took former Onalaska High School girls soccer standout Amy Sibik to make an impact with the Saint Mary’s University (Winona, Minn.) women’s soccer team.
Sibik, who scored more than 100 goals in her prep career, netted the Cardinals’ first goal in their first game of the season, a 2-0 victory over Wisconsin Lutheran back on Sept. 1.
“It was really exciting to score in that first game,” Sibik said. “I was real nervous going into the first couple of games, but I realized I could keep up with these girls and make a difference in these games.”
And she certainly has.
The freshman forward leads the Cardinals (9-5 overall, 3-5 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) with 10 goals and her 22 total points
(10 goals, 2 assists) leave her tied for the team lead.
Sibik’s name is also sprinkled among the MIAC statistical leaders, including third in goals and goals per game (0.71), and fourth in points.
But while she has had some success finding the back of the net for the Cardinals, Sibik admits she still has a lot to learn about playing at the college soccer level.
“The pace of the game is definitely the biggest difference from high school,” Sibik said. “It is a lot faster pace.
“Something the coaches keep telling me, too, is not to let them push me around. It’s a much more physical game. The refs let you play a lot more physical, and you really have to learn to hold your ground.”
FRANK MAKES SURPRISE RETURN: No one was more surprised than Matt Frank when he took the field last Saturday for the Carleton College (Minn.) football team.
Frank, a junior wide receiver and Caledonia High School graduate, thought his season was over after suffering a lacerated spleen in preseason practice.
“I was under the impression that I would be out the whole season,” said Frank, who caught four passes for 57 yards — including a 23-yard touchdown — for the Knights (3-3) in a 31-17 victory over Hamline. “I had a follow-up appointment (Oct. 3), and the doctor said there was no reason I couldn’t return to full contact that afternoon.
“I was completely shocked.”
After he got over his surprise, Frank weighed his options with Carleton coach Kurt Ramler. Frank could sit out the rest of the season and have a fifth year of eligibility, or he could return to the field right now.
“My coach and I talked about it for a while, and eventually decided that if I am healthy I should play,” said Frank, who earned All-American honors after catching 74 passes for 1,120 yards last season. “You never know what could happen that may prevent a possible fifth year, so I better make the most of the opportunity that I have.
“Also, I felt that I could make a difference for the team and help us to a great end of the season. It takes a while to get into football shape — I don’t know if by the end of season I will be in football shape, yet — but I can still help this team.”
While Frank was excited to get back into the game, he admits he was worried about taking a hit on the grid iron.
“I was pretty worried about getting hit, I didn’t really take any hits in practice, so the game was a jolt for me,” he said.
“I got hit hard more than once, and had the wind knocked out of me at least once. I was pretty worried when I got the wind knocked out of me, but after a couple of plays, I felt fine and I think I think that really wiped away any fear I had.”
And how does he grade his season debut.
Frank said. “I looked like a guy who had three days to get ready for a game,” Frank said.
HANSEN HONORED BY WIAC: UW-Eau Claire senior women’s golfer Sarah Hansen (Bangor High School) has been named the 2007 WIAC women’s golf Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete.
Hansen is majoring in elementary education with a minor in social studies and maintains a 3.54 grade point average. She is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll.
INGVALSON RIDING HIGH WITH MUSTANGS: Senior middle blocker Tricia Ingvalson (Caledonia High School) is a middle blocker for the No. 7-ranked Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team.
Ingvalson, a two-time All-Academic Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection, ranks third on the Mustangs with 222 kills in 83 games and 23 matches.
The Mustangs, ranked seventh in the NCAA Division II coaches poll, are 19-4 overall and 10-1 in the NSIC. Three of their four losses have come to teams ranked above them in the national poll.
HERRMAN STILL A SPARTAN: Sophomore middle hitter Katelyn Herrman (Sparta High School) is following up a standout freshman season with a solid sophomore effort for the NCAA Division III University of Dubuque Spartans volleyball team.
Herrman, who had 321 kills as a freshman, is third on her team with 250 kills through 24 matches and 90 games.
RUNNING TOWARD NATIONALS, PART 4: Jon Nowinski (Black River Falls) is chasing his fourth trip to the NCAA Division III national cross country meet as a member of the Carleton College (Northfield, Minn.) men’s team.
Nowinski, a senior, finished 65th at last year’s national meet.
HERE AND THERE: Jacqueline Erickson, a 2006 graduate of Aquinas High School, is a member of the Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) volleyball team. ... Rachel Wrolstad, a 2007 graduate of the Onalaska High School, is a member of the Luther College women’s soccer team. ... Clare Kessler, a 2007 Aquinas grad, is a member of the Lewis University (Roemoville, Ill.) women’s tennis team.
Know someone who could be featured On Campus? E-mail Denis Downey at ddowney@lacrossetribune.com
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