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Congrats to two fine young ladies that do more than just hockey.

Catherine Wagner--Austin won the Big 9 girls golf tourney with an 80.
Kelli Hanson--Albert Lea placed second with an 84.

Wow, great job ladies...and only Sophs (they'll be competing for 2 more years!!!!!)

And remember, you can play golf your whole life !!!

T

There are many more girls who are exceptional at sports other than hockey.

In the age of "specialization" I think many may be surprised as to how many of our top atheltes in hockey also are multi-sport athletes, etc.

I'd like to believe that you can play hockey your whole life too but when the knees/back go(es), you always have golf/less injury intense sports I suppose (maybe?)...

One of the things that is great about girls sports, so many of the girls play 2 or 3 sports and don't just specialize in hockey. I know Laura May plays golf for Mahtomedi, the Hill Murray golf team is made up of 2 and 3 sport athletes, Stillwater girls hockey players seem to turn up in every other sport there....I think good atheletes just enjoy the competition and so they play everything they can.....that said Hockey is still the greatest sport ever invented

ghshockeyfan wrote:In the age of "specialization" I think many may be surprised as to how many of our top atheltes in hockey also are multi-sport athletes, etc.

I'd like to believe that you can play hockey your whole life too but when the knees/back go(es), you always have golf/less injury intense sports I suppose (maybe?)...

Just thought I'd mention that when I read that some girls do more than just Hockey the first thing came to my mind is all of the nonsport activities such as school plays/musicals, academic interests, charitable programs, etc came to my mind. Yes there is more than hockey but overall there is more than just sports.

OntheEdge wrote:

ghshockeyfan wrote:In the age of "specialization" I think many may be surprised as to how many of our top atheltes in hockey also are multi-sport athletes, etc.

I'd like to believe that you can play hockey your whole life too but when the knees/back go(es), you always have golf/less injury intense sports I suppose (maybe?)...

Just thought I'd mention that when I read that some girls do more than just Hockey the first thing came to my mind is all of the nonsport activities such as school plays/musicals, academic interests, charitable programs, etc came to my mind. Yes there is more than hockey but overall there is more than just sports.

Ah yes - student-athlete is phrased as suvh for a reason, and does point to the involvement of both academic and athletic items. I ask for winners in the classroom, community, as well as on the playing field. I'm sure we have many "winners" by this criteria.

Twinnesota wrote: Kelli Hanson--Albert Lea placed second with an 84

Tell your daughter congrats.

I always find it best to take a season break. That way you don't get too sick of a sport. It seems that sometimes we stay too focused on one sport and then we end up getting sick of by the end of high school.

iPuck wrote:I always find it best to take a season break. That way you don't get too sick of a sport. It seems that sometimes we stay too focused on one sport and then we end up getting sick of by the end of high school.

It depends on the girl. Unfortunately the end of high school (or sooner) is the end of hockey for most girls (and boys for that matter). My daughter plays other sports but continues to work on her hockey year round.

Grand Rapids/Greenway girls who play another sport:

Emily Erickson-Fastpitch
Molly Arola-Fastpitch
Jenae Hoeft-Fastpitch
Markie DeGrio-Track/Cross Country
Molly Illikainen-Track/Cross Country
Hannah Johnson-Fastpitch/Volleyball (signed letter of intent to UMD for volleyball)
Morgan Illikainen-Track/Cross Country
Kayla Clafton-Soccer
Heather Horger-Soccer
Molly Dekich-Soccer/Fastpitch

I've found that many Class A schools see a greater number of multi-sport athletes. I suppose this is due to need and/or opportunity afforded that may not be the case in schools of 3000+ kids? In fact when I came to the school I'm at now there was a rule on the books in the district re: limiting each sport to 10 contact days during the Summer Contact period as to facilitate each sport having a shot at involving the same kids in its off-season program. I think this is similar to what the MSHSL talked about recently?

Of course, call me crazy, but a family should have the ability to take a non-athletic vacation too sometimes, and - kids should have some time to be kids too!

I think almost all my players play at least one other sport, if not 2+ other sports, plus do other extra-curricular stuff. There may be a select few exceptions, but for the most part we don't have "specialists" although if kids choose to do so to avoid injury, focus on one sport, that is up to them (many have seen too many soccer injuries so choose to give that up). Also, if they want to train 24/7 year round, so be it, although I do warn of burn-out.

A lot changes between 9th-10th grade too with girls I've found. Many will be all about sports until then, and suddenly for many social life influences and other things (car/driving, friends, significant others, work, etc., etc.) become more important than in the past. This isn't wrong or bad, but it is what it is. I think parents have to be careful not to push too hard one way or the other, and many parents will make ultimatums during this transition period where they say a kid must become more serious about hockey/athletics or it isn't worth all the $$$, etc. This is a tough spot for all - kids, parents, etc. but each kid is different and will make different choices, etc.

Anne Schleper of St. Cloud Cathedral was the St. Cloud Times All-Area Player of the Year in hockey and earned the First Team All-State award in softball.