The NSIC Student-Athlete Thursday Focus is a weekly update on a male and female student-athlete from around the NSIC. 

Are you a NSIC Student-Athlete that wants to be featured  on the NSIC Student-Athlete Thursday Focus: Fill out the NSIC Student-Athlete Questionnaire

NSIC Female Student-Athlete

Name : Maggie Leland
School: Augustana College
Year: Senior
Hometown: Alexandria, Minnesota
High School: Jefferson High School
Sport(s): Women’s Golf
Major(s): Business and Sports Management

1. Tell us how you first got involved in your sport?
I started playing golf through my dad, who was formerly a teaching professional. I started playing at a very young age, and started competing in middle school. Because my dad and my older sister both played golf, it became a family activity. I found a passion for the competition and the game, and that has gotten me to where I am today.

2. How did you end up deciding to attend your university and participate in athletics?
I chose Augustana because of the success of both the athletic programs and the academics. I enjoyed the city of Sioux Falls, and after meeting with the team and my coaches, I knew that I could have the opportunity to compete at the highest level, something that I probably wouldn’t achieve at a division 1 school. The combination of these added up to be the perfect fit for me in a college program.

3. What have you learned from being a student-athlete?
One of the biggest things I have learned through being a student-athlete is perseverance. Playing competitively 6 out of the 9 month school year is exhausting and there have always been ups and downs, but all of it has been completely worth it for the reward of the success the team has had. Time management has also been something I have had to learn through trying to balance the busy schedule of schoolwork and athletics.

4. What are your plans following graduation?
After graduation, I hope to stay in the Midwest, and I hope to go into the golf administration field, working for a golf association with tournament administration and operations.

5. What is it like competing in the NSIC?
Competing in the NSIC has been a great experience. The competition level is high and both the players and the coaches for the other teams are great. I have had the chance to get to know great people and been able to keep in touch with many of them. The atmosphere of competing in the NSIC has been competitive, but friendly, and I think in a sport like golf, that is what makes tournaments successful.

6. Where is your favorite place to travel/play in the NSIC? (Besides your home arena) What makes it your favorite?
My favorite place to travel and play in the NSIC is at the Classic at Madden’s, in Brainerd, MN, or Dacotah Ridge, in Morton, MN. Both of these places have hosted the NSIC championship for us, and I love both of the courses, and also just love the intensity that the conference championship brings.

7. What is your favorite memory so far in your collegiate career?
My favorite memories of my collegiate career include participating in 3 NCAA national championships in Michigan, Kentucky and Florida. To be able to compete against the best in the country with my team is something that I always hoped to do, and competing at Augustana has provided me with the opportunity to do that.

8. Who has influenced you most in your life and how?
My dad has been the most influential person in my golf career and otherwise. He always said that hard work will pay off and not go unnoticed. He has been the inspiration behind starting my golf career, and has been there to support me through the years.

NSIC Male Student-Athlete
Name: Cole Jaeschke
School: Upper Iowa University
Year: Junior
Hometown: Moorland, Iowa
High School: Prairie Valley HS
Sport(s): Football
Major(s): Sports Administration

1. Tell us how you first got involved in your sport?
Growing up I had two brothers and we were always super competitive and played sports in the backyard all the time. The main sport we played was football and somehow I always ended up playing the quarterback. As I grew up I loved to watch the game and became more and more interested football.

2. How did you end up deciding to attend your university and participate in athletics?
Throughout high school I knew I wanted to play football at the college level and continue my career and just didn’t know where. One of my high school teammates decided to commit to Upper Iowa and then I decided to take a look and I really enjoyed the small school style and the coaching staff did a great job recruiting me and that made my decision.

3. What have you learned from being a student-athlete?
Time management is one of the main things I have learned from being a student-athlete. As a student-athlete you have to be able to handle full schedule and with football being like a full-time job I learned how to juggle school and athletics.

4. What are your plans following graduation?
My plans after graduation are to continue my football career as a coach at the college level.

5. What is it like competing in the NSIC?
Competing in the NSIC is really hard and very competitive every week. That is one of the reasons I choose Upper Iowa is because I knew I would be competing in one of the toughest conferences in division 2. Every week you have to be ready to play because every team good in this league.

6. Where is your favorite place to travel/play in the NSIC? (Besides your home arena) What makes it your favorite?
My favorite place to play on the road would have to be Minnesota Duluth. I love the stadium there it has a division 1 atmosphere. They have great tradition and always have a full crowd.

7. What is your favorite memory so far in your collegiate career?
My favorite memory for my college career would have to be our win at home against University of Mary 36-7.

8. Who has influenced you most in your life and how?
The one person who has influenced me they most in my life would be my great grandma. I pretty much have have lived her my entire life and she has always been there to support me and always helped me get through hard times when things haven’t gone the way I planned them to.

Any additional information you would like to add, unique stories or situations, etc. Something people don’t know about you that you would like to share.
I would just like to thank my family, friends, teammates, coaches, and everyone here at Upper Iowa University that has supported me in my football career!
 

Past Thursday Focus

10/3/2013	2013-14 NSIC Student-Athlete Thursday Focus No. 2	Tyler Tonderum, SMSU Kayla Konecke, CU
9/25/2013	2013-14 NSIC Student-Athlete Thursday Focus No. 1	Billy Brockmuller, USF Jennifer Smith, UMD

Are you a NSIC Student-Athlete that wants to be featured  on the NSIC Student-Athlete Thursday Focus: Fill out the NSIC Student-Athlete Questionnaire

#NSIC#