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On this edition of the MSUM Dragons Podcast, Assistant AD for Media and PR Nolan Schmidt sits down with distance man Jared Gregoire. The Buffalo, Minn., native turned in one of the greatest first-year campaigns in the history of the Northern Sun, winning conference Newcomer of the Year in indoor and outdoor track as well as cross country. Gregoire set numerous school records as a true freshman on the track and continued his upward pace as a sophomore.

The premier harrier would run into injury trouble late in his sophomore season that kept him out of action for the entirety of the 2024-25 athletic year. A mysterious injury could have kept Gregoire down, but he has since returned to action, looking sharp as the Dragons prepare for the NSIC Cross Country Championships. Gregoire discusses the important of patience throughout his journey back to running and why he is poised to pick up where he left off.

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On this edition of the MSUM Dragons Podcast, Assistant AD for Media and Public Relations Nolan Schmidt is joined by Head Soccer Coach Scott Forster. Forster, a Newcastle, England, native, came to the United States with a soccer background, but coaching was not in his purview. After falling into the coaching profession, Forster built his resume at various stops in California, Montana and West Virginia. He helped build a program from scratch at Bluefield State University before accepting the head coaching position in Moorhead in the Spring of 2024. Since his hiring, Forster has strived to change the culture and attitude of Dragon soccer with the future continuing to look bright for the program.

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On this edition of the MSUM Dragons Podcast, Assistant AD for Media and Public Relations Nolan Schmidt is joined by senior quarterback Jack Strand. The Bloomer, Wis., native discusses his journey with the Dragon football program, which began back in 2022. MSUM was of the few offers Strand received out of high school as he came from an option-style offense. In stark contrast, Strand has since become the most prolific passer in program history and stands as one of the top signal-callers in NCAA Division II.  

He currently owns every major passing record in program history and is just 49 pass yards shy of 10,000 for his career. Additionally, Strand is a three-time All-NSIC selection and has twice been nominated for the Harlon Hill Award. Strand threw for six touchdowns in MSUM's week zero victory over Northern Michigan on Thursday, tying the single-game school record held by himself and Jon Frykman. 

6th year Senior Jacob Beeninga and NSIC Tournament MVP, Freshman, Carson Johnson talk about their bond as point guards, winning the NSIC Championship, the resiliency of the Dragons, and facing a difficult challenge in Fort Hays State in the NCAA Tournament.

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Pedro Velazquez and Ryan Henningson chat with Nolan Schmidt about their leading a team as a transfer, easing nerves through team success, and putting Dragon Wrestling back on the map.

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Shavantae Roberts is a record breaking machine in the 60M and Jaiden Peraza is one of two Dragons to hit the 7' mark in competition in the high jump.  BOTH are heading to the NCAA National Championships in Indy this weekend.  I got to chat with them about they keep their minds and bodies continually dialed into getting better...and the coach that has them focused on something great.  Let's get into it RIGHT NOW!

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Hello everyone and welcome a special National Girls and Women in Sports Day episode of the MSUM Dragons Podcast.  Our Director of Communications Nolan Schmidt organized an incredible moment…joining the first dragon trailblazers in women’s sports with current student athletes and staff for a discussion on women in sports you do not want to miss.  On the show you’ll hear Student-Athlete Advisory committee president and current women’s basketball player Natalie Jens…assistant women’s basketball coach and alum Allison Swenson, former player/coach/now deputy athletics director Pam Gohl, and trailblazers and Hall of Famers Mary Ann Donnay and one of the 12 Minnesota National Girls and Women in Sports day featured stories…Karin Schumacher.

Before we get into that…an apology.  We had some microphone issues with karin, Swen and Natalie…and I did my best.  Sorry to them and to you in advance…BUT…it’s too important of a conversation not to share.  

Let’s get into it…RIGHT NOW!

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What happens when a football coach and a university president talk about culture, character, and human development....well...this.  These two face off and interview each other about how their worlds overlap, differentiate, and both aim to create supportive and transformational experiences on the field and in the classroom.

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It's Naitonal Signing Day for Dragons Football!

Hello everyone and welcome to the MSUM Dragons Podcast where we believe the student-athlete experience here at MSUM is More Than a Game…I'm your host Jon 'Webbie' Wepking.

We've got Head Football Coach Steve Laqua as he explains the process of getting to signing day which is a 13 month process for his staff and recruits.  You want the names of this year's signees, head to MSUMDragons.com/NSD24.  It's signing day…right now…let's go!

 

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It’s signing day, it’s signing day, it’s signing day for Dragons Football!

Hello everyone and welcome to the MSUM Dragons Podcast where we believe the student-athlete experience here at MSUM is More Than a Game…I’m your host Jon ‘Webbie’ Wepking.

We’ve got Head Football Coach Steve Laqua talking about recruiting for the Dragon football program and how he likens this day to Christmas as the gifts of new members to the Dragon Family come pouring in.  Get the pitch from the Laqua himself as he explains the process of getting to signing day which is a 13 month process for his staff and recruits.  You want the names of this year’s signees, head to MSUMDragons.com/NSD23 that’s MSUMDragons.com/NSD23.  It’s signing day…right now…let’s go!

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Former MSUM Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President and Dragons track & field alum Rachel Schumacher was interviewed this week by the NCAA's Haydyn Gibson about the Joe's Heroes Make-A-Wish night which received the 2023 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.  The NCAA and Gibson were kind enough to share their podcast with us. 

The Award of Excellence is the highest non-athletic honor the NCAA bestows to an institution.  The award was presented to MSUM athletic director Chad Markuson at the annual NCAA convention in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday morning. MSU Moorhead was named a finalist, along with 22 other institutions, on January 4. The award is intended to celebrate, recognize and champion a school's community engagement efforts.

"It was such an honor to be named a finalist.  To win the Award of Excellence is very humbling and exciting for our student athletes," said Markuson. "Their work in the community is both inspiring and aligns great with NCAA Division II core values."

MSUM's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee put together a massive event to honor their friend and Dragon superfan Joe Keller. Through SAAC's work, MSUM helped raise $4,385 for Make-a-Wish North Dakota to honor their friend who had previously had his wish granted. Keller was an MSUM student, superfan and athletics intern with muscular dystrophy who passed away in the summer of 2021. 

"I appreciate the NCAA's commitment to recognizing student athletes for their contributions outside of their sports. Our Dragon student athletes exemplify MSU Moorhead's core values of grit, humility, and heart—both on and off the playing field," said MSUM President Dr. Anne Blackhurst. "They inspire my Dragon Pride every day and I'm thrilled they've received national recognition for their extraordinary engagement with our community."


FULL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE PRESS RELEASE

 

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MSUM Softball sophomore Grace Oeltjen joined the National Guard on "kind of a dare".  We asked her what the similarities and differences are between her two teams and how they've prepared her for life.  
 

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MSUM junior running back Tyson Powell had his first competitive season of college football ripped away by COVID and by an ACL tear.  Not the worst time for an injury like that but a long road to recovery laid ahead.  Then, when the new season brought football back...another devastating ACL tear in the other leg.  Faced with a difficult decision and a hard road either way, Powell decided to come back.  He decided it was worth it to go through all that work again for a shot at playing college football for the Dragons.  

Then...after 2 years...it happened.  What did that feel like?  Was it worth it?  What'd he learn?  All that in this episode of the MSUM Dragons Podcast.


 

A ONCE IN A LIFETIME GAME FOR THE ICKERT TWINS
(Apologies in advance for the mispronunciation from Jon Wepking)

The Ickert twins, McKenzie Ickert and Alexa Ickert spent their youth playing soccer together…eventually they both succeeded at advancing to the collegiate level for different teams…Kenz with MSUM and Alexa with St. Scholastica.  Fast forward a few years, they’re now both seniors…playing in their final seasons competitively…and look who popped up on the pre-season schedule.  A twin sister face-off.  On this episode we talk to the Ickert twins about the once in a lifetime game and how the game of soccer has forged a special bond between the two sisters...


WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW BELOW

Who is Mike Armitage and why is he here at MSUM? Coming in hot with the tough questions so you can get to know our new Softball head coach, his coaching philosophy, ideal recruit, and why he loves the game.

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MSUM Dragons Men's Basketball junior Gavin Baumgartner came in with a class of freshman with high aspirations and now, after winning the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament Championship...those aspirations are now becoming a reality. Host Jon 'Webbie' Wepking and Baumgartner discuss what changed mentally within the team to go from an 11-11 record to an 8 game win streak leading to cutting down nets. What it feels like to do something MSUM has never done before. What really matters, the trophy or the memories? And of course, a little talk about the upcoming NCAA Tournament as the #DragonsMarchOn this Saturday.

 

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Dragons senior wrestler Cole Jones joins the podcast after senior day, but before MSUM hosts the NCAA Super Region V Championships. He discusses becoming a leader in the room, how to lead through adversity, and why he supports his Dragon Family.

 

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MSUM Head Tennis Coach Jason Thiner has been Isabel Resler's coach growing up and in high school at Fargo South...as well as her DAD!  This Saturday, his Dragons take on her UMD Bulldogs. They both join us on this episode of the MSUM Dragons Podcast to talk about the parent/coach relationship to a child/athlete as they prepare to compete against each other as well.


 

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PODCAST INTRO: "I love it when a plan comes together…that’s for our listeners who’ve can appreciate an A-Team reference…but our Dragon Basketball games this Saturday are an example of just that. Several plans coming together to do good in our community, to honor our friend, entertain the fans, feed our students, and celebrate the accomplishments and dedication of our seniors…and more. Here to talk about their personal ties to all that and a bag of chips, is a pair of point guards…please welcome Bryce Irsfeld and Natalie Steichen."


 

Coach Laqua joins us on Football National Signing Day 2022 to talk about the class as a whole, how his staff identifys athletes that are the right fit, and celebrating many new members of the Dragon Family finally making it official.