Former CSS Cross Country Runner Breaks Record

Courtesy of Kevin Pates of the Duluth News Tribune

Jen Houck, former St. Scholastica cross country won the Park Point 5-mile race on Friday, setting a course record in the process. It was her second straight win in the event.

Houck, 25, and her coach, St. Scholastica Nordic ski coach Chad Salmela, projected a women’s winning time of 28:30, which was dead on. Houck ran 41 seconds faster than 2008 and broke Kari Robertson’s 1997 course record of 28:36. Serena Sullivan, 28, of Hibbing was second in 30:20.

The former St. Scholastica runner also was back in action following the Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon, where she finished 11th in 1:22:08, but wasn’t thrilled with her time.

“Ultimately, I don’t know what my best distance is yet, but I do like longer races,” said Houck, a physical therapist at Villa Maria Health Care Center in Superior. “I’ll run a 10-miler next week, and then my first serious marathon in October at Twin Cities.”

Houck had previously won the Fitger’s 5K in April and the Brian Kraft Memorial 5K in May in Minneapolis.

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MacMillan: Women’s Hockey will be “competitive in the first couple of years”

Press Conference Transcription – July 1, 2009

Don Olson, Athletic Directior: “The College of St. Scholastica is very excited to, number one, be starting a women’s hockey program at the intercollegiate level. We have had a club program which, for the past six seasons, has been very successful, had great participation, and the natural transition from that would be to move to an intercollegiate program. We also feel that there’s many positive reasons for starting a program at St. Scholastica, given our geography (Northeastern Minnesota), the strong growth of high school hockey programs in the surrounding area, the strength of our men’s program and the conference which we play in. [It also] gives us a balance between our intercollegiate programs … ten sports on the men’s side and ten sports on the women’s side. So, we feel that’s a positive step for us.
“The first and most important step is to find the right fit as a coach. We conducted a national search. We had a tremendous talent pool, and we feel that, without a doubt, getting Jackie MacMillan to accept our position as the women’s hockey coach at the St. Scholastica is absolutely the right fit. Her background, starting as a player, growing up in Buffalo, Minnesota and being a pioneer in the area, having to play with the boys – not only excelled but took on many leadership roles. She played at Wisconsin, in their inaugural program, and excelled as an athlete and … academically. She was an all-conference performer and an academic all-conference honoree. What she expressed to us, and what we feel, is that participating in that inaugural program will help give her a feel as to what it’s going to mean to those student athlets who are part of our first recruiting class.
"Her experience in coaching at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, Union College in Shenectady, New York, and most recently at New England College gives her a broad depth of … knowledge to take on the role as the first women’s hockey coach at the college, and I think, most importantly, being a private, liberal arts college – understanding the value of that … education and the balance between academics and athletics – is something that she well understands. So, it’s my great pleasure to introduce Jackie MacMillan, women’s hockey coach, College of St. Scholastica.”
Jackie MacMillan, Women’s Hockey Coach: “Thanks, Don. I’m extremely excited about the oppurtunity to come to Duluth and be a part of the community at St. Scholastica, and I want to thank Don and the rest of the people to start the program here. It’s an exciting oppurtunity to join the community of Duluth and hockey and all it has to offer, and hopefully, I can help in growing girl’s hockey in the area. I’m excited to work with Coach Wick and the men’s program and think we have a good opportunity to build a relationship between the men’s and women’s programs here. It’s a great opportunity for our student athletes to play hockey here. Hopefully, we can get some of the area girls to want to play – and be impact players – at the Division-III level here, and start a good program here. So, I’m excited about the opportunity.
Josh Zenner, WDIO TV (Duluth): “Jackie, if you had a vision for the team – maybe not so much wins and losses – but the type of team and the type of players, what would you like to see?”
MacMillan: “I’ve talked a lot about the type of players I want to bring in here, and definitely, for me, the value of hard work, a good, hard-working player is something that I really want to start building this program around and players that want to fit in at St. Scholastica and the community and just be good people and good citizens on campus – players who love hockey and want to be here for the right reasons.”
Rick Weegman, Duluth News Tribune: “About being a first-year player at Wisconsin, will you use any of that experience to help you in your first year here at St. Scholastica?”
MacMillan: “Yeah, when I found out that St. Scholastica was starting a program here, I thought that would be a very appealing opportunity for me since I had that experience as a player … It was very unique and very special, something I will never forget. Just wanting to give back and give players the opportunity to experience something very exciting. Actually, I was at Wisconsin the year before we actually started the program, and I was practicing with the men’s team. It was a very unique experience with me.”
Weegman: “That was something you will familiar with, being around the boys?”
MacMillan: “Yeah, it was quite an adjustment for me, going from boy’s hockey to girl’s hockey. There’s such a different dynamic, going from playing with boy’s to playing with girls.”
Weegman: “How was the experience of playing with boys in Buffalo (Minnesota)?”
MacMillan: “They were like brothers. They knew that I just wanted to play hockey … They were very protective of me. It was such a great experience, you know, I am still talking to a lot of them. They were excited for me to have the opportunity to go off to college and play.”
Tom Hansen, Northland’s Newscenter (Duluth): “Was it just a bonus that you had relatives in the area – you were originally born in Duluth, correct? (MacMillan: “Yep.”) Was it your goal to return to Duluth?”
MacMillan: “It’s interesting, because every time I came back here [with Wisconsin] to play against the Bulldogs, it just happened to be a family event, and I always had 30 or 40 people in the stands that were cheering me on. We had quite the Wisconsin contigent just because of my family. It wasn’t something that I originalyl planned, but it just happened to be a unique opportunity and a great fit. The school itself – I’ve been part of the small school atmosphere in a private college – was just a great fit for me.”
Hansen: “You’ve coached at the division-III level [and the division I level] as well as played at the division-I level. Is there a seperation there, between the two levels?”
MacMillan: “Less and less now. With the growth of women’s hockey in the past five years, it’s completely different now. The level of play has gotten so much better. The school I was coaching at the past two years, New England College, I think we could have played some Division-I schools … and be very competitive. The gap is closing and today’s women’s hockey players want to play hockey, and are serious about it. Whether it’s Division-III or Division-I, they want to play hockey; they want to be good hockey players; and they want to be part of a good program.”
Weegman: “Any plans on where to recruit from?”
MacMillan: “Well, first, I want to get the best players around the area in Northern Minnesota, but I want to get the most competitive players and the players who are going to be impact players at the Division-III level. You know, the players I am looking for will be the players that could play at the Division-I level but they want to be impact players at the D-III level and have a good experience at a great institution.”
Hansen: “[In regards to the club team,] what will your role be? Will there be potential players on your team two years from now?”
MacMillan: “I certainly would be scared to have 20 freshmen the first year, so I think, starting there and having conversations with any players who are part of the club program and are interested would be a good first step … I’m sure I will be around and would like to watch some games … I am sure I will be on the road quite a bit trying to field a time. I’ll be around to watch the games as much as I can and talking to those who hope to be a part of the program.”
Zenner: “How do you think it will take to field a competitive team [in the NCHA]?”
MacMillan: “I’m an ambitious, competitive person so I’m hoping to be competitive in the first couple of years. There’s a lot of good players out there and they all need a team. Finding a good first couple of classes, I think we will be competitive within the conference. Before long, I think we will be a top team in the country – that’s one of my goals. Obviously, I’m taking it one step at a time.”
Weegman: “Do you know if there are already a lot of players on campus that will be a part of the program?”
Olson: “Maybe I can [answer this.] I just spoke with the club coach this morning … Our roster on the club program has been in the range of 16-17 student athletes … Our estimation would be that there would be four to seven or eight members who would be willing [and able] to compete at the varsity level … and also six or seven incoming freshmen [for the 2009-10 school year] who might be interested in two years.”
Weegman: “How many applicants did you have and how important was it for you to get the coach in place now?”
Olson: “We had 55 candidates, and we felt very, very strong about our pool of candidates. The strategy at the College of St. Scholastica – football being the most recent example – has been to … hire a coach at least a year in advance, giving the coach the opportunity to recruit, to plan the schedule, to buy equipment, and those types of things. It was very important for us to start this summer and find the right fit. We are very excited about the process and the result, and now, we move forward from there.”
Dana Moore, Volleyball Coach: “[Coach MacMillan,] you recently finished your master’s degree, and [the committee didn’t hear] a more strong recommendation than from one of your professors. Can you tell us a little about your master’s program?”
MacMillan: “I participated in the University of Minnesota-Duluth’s educational leadership program. It was a two-year program that involved class work, but mainly, I focused on a project, the development of team cohesion, which works very well with what I’m doing now. I followed a team for an entire season, watching a program which was known for traditionally winning a championship, and it was just an interesting process. Hopefully now, I can use what I learned on that to help develop team cohesion in my program here.”
Hansen: “Obviously, [the team will] practice and play at [Mars Lakeview Arena], is there any thoughts to doing anything else locker room-wise or facility-wise over at that complex to accommodate?”
Olson: “I’ve had a lot of conversations with the board and Brandan Flaherty, the rink manager, and we are working on that process. We are looking at several different plans, and that’s the best I can say now.”
Jesse Robinson, Sports Information Director: “Thank you for attending. Don and Jackie will be available outside for further questions.”

Getting to Know your CSS Athlete – Women’s Soccer Senior Robin Johnson

Johnson led Saints to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance this season. She is the all-time leading scorer in CSS soccer history, both men and women. She majors in elementary education and received her third College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District honor this year.

1. Why did you choose to come to CSS and were there more lucrative offers from other schools?

I chose to attend CSS because I am from Duluth and I wanted to stay in town. I wanted to receive a good education and be able to play soccer for a good team and CSS fit both of those requirements. I wasn't recruited by any other schools.

2. You're the leading goal-scorer in CSS Women's soccer history. With all of the goals you have scored is there one that stands out? And why?

I remember scoring a goal against Eau-Claire my freshman year. I didn't even realize at the time how big of a deal it was because they were a very good team and we beat them.

3. You attended Marshall School and St. Scholastica. After you graduate you want to teach and coach soccer in Duluth. What is it about the city that makes you want to hang around?

I like Duluth mostly because my family and friends are here. I've grown up here and I like being in a familiar environment and seeing familiar faces. I just don't think things would be the same anywhere else.

4. Tell me a little bit about your family?

I have an older sister (26) and brother (23) and a younger brother (19). My parents got divorced about five years ago and I lived with my dad until this summer when I moved in with my sister.

5. Was soccer always your favorite sport growing up?

Yes. I started playing when I was about 3 years old and stuck with it ever since. My dad started coaching my summer team when I was about 10 all the way through high school. I think our "soccer bond" is part of the reason I love soccer so much and he has taught me more about the game than anyone else I know.

6. After spending four years with Coach Reyelts, what has been the most influential item that he has taught you?

I think one of the most important things that Dave has taught me is how to be a better leader on and off the field - how to be confident and be supportive and encouraging for my teammates.

7. The women's soccer team made its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2007. What was the feeling when you found out the team was in?

We were all very excited to get into the NCAA tournament last year. It was something new that no other team had ever done before and I think we were all proud of what we had achieved. It also gave us an opportunity to prove ourselves against better teams and gain some respect.

8. What will be your favorite memory of St. Scholastica?

There have been a lot of memories over the past four years - it is really hard to pick just one. I think that going to nationals last year and getting in again this year was pretty cool. The experience is something that I will never forget.

9. After four years of making road trips to Morris and Presentation what was the funniest moment you have experienced on one of the road trips?

Probably getting yelled at for not wanting to eat a cookie that a girl handed me after she puked. She got really offended... It wasn't funny at the time, but it is now.

10. You are majoring in elementary education and were named CoSIDA Academic All-District three times. How were you able to accomplish that?

You know, I don't really know how I pulled it off.

Inside the crease with Steve Bounds

When it comes to life, St. Scholastica senior goaltender Steve Bounds wants just one thing, to be happy.

“I want to wake up every day with a smile on my face,” he said.

Recently, Bounds and his Saints teammates have had a lot to smile about.

Going into play this weekend, the St. Scholastica is riding a four game unbeaten streak and Bounds is getting set to graduate in May with a degree in business management.

Bounds has played in all five of the teams games this season and his play has helped lead the Saints to a No. 15 ranking in all of Div. III hockey.

Bounds said rankings don’t mean much to him.

“You have to go out and prove what you can do,” he said. “You have go prepare to play any team just like any other. Any day one hockey team can beat another.”

His play between the pipes has been solid all season, including in last Saturday’s 3-0 win over Hamline University where he picked up 41 saves in the shutout.

So far this season, he has a .197 goals against average and a saves percentage of .938.

However, Bounds wasn’t always a goalie. He started playing hockey when he was five years old in Alberta. After about a year of playing as a position player, he started splitting time as a goaltender and a position player. But by the time he was seven, he was concentrating his efforts on goaltending.

Growing up, he participated in other sports like soccer and football. But he never liked any sport as much as he likes hockey.

“I’ve always wanted to be a goalie,” he said.

Bounds’ hometown of Airdrie, Alberta, is a 21-hour drive, but he said making the decision to come to Scholastica wasn’t one that worried him.

He said that he has a good relationship with his family and, although he is away, they are able to stay close.

“I talk to them at least once a week,” Bounds said. “And text my mom throughout the day.”

Over the past few years, his parents have come down to Duluth once or twice to see Saints games, but will probably come more often this year, since it’s his last season.

This winter, he is going to Jamaica with his family during the holiday break. Bounds said his family does that every year.

He’s been to Hawaii, St. Thomas, St. Martin and Florida.

As a youth hockey player, he grew up playing against current Saints teammate Joey Martini, who lived in a neighboring city.

“We didn’t personally know each other, but we knew of each other,” Bounds said. “I came down here my first year and he was my roommate and now he’s one of my closest friends.”

Once he graduates, Bounds is not sure where he would like to end up. He hopes, like most, that he will get a chance to try-out for a professional hockey team somewhere. But, after that, he’s not sure.

He said it’s possible that he would like to stay somewhere in the United States, but he can’t rule out going back to Canada.

Attending Scholastica has given Bounds experiences that he will never forget as a hockey player and as a person.

As a hockey player, he enjoyed being a part of the team that ended a winless drought against Wisconsin-Superior in 2007. Although he wasn’t playing, he said he was very happy to be here for that moment.

While it’s still fairly early in his senior year, Bounds is willing to take time to reflect.

“I just say thanks for the opportunity,” he said. “It was the best four years of my life. I couldn’t have had a better time.”

This weekend, Bounds and his teammates will travel to Wisconsin-River Falls and Wisconsin-Stout. This is the first weekend of NCHA play for the Saints.

“We’ve had a good week of practice,” Bounds said. “We’re excited to go there and play teams in our conference.”

The Saints have had their fair share of success in River Falls over the last few seasons, including eliminating the home-team Falcons from the playoffs two years in a row.

The Saints hope this weekend is no different with a struggling Falcon squad.

“We seem to have their number as of late,” Bounds said. “We really like the atmosphere there. We almost feel like we’re at home.”

Between the Pipes with Steve Bounds

Favorite Movie: Dumb and Dumber

Favorite Band: Goo Goo Dolls and System of a Down

Favorite TV Show: Family Guy

Favorite Food: Steak

Favorite Day of the Week: Friday

Favorite Number: 39

Favorite Athlete: Tiger Woods

***Article written by Sarah Packingham of the Duluth Budgeteer***

Coach Speak: Volleyball Coach Dana Moore

A busy week for the Saints this week. There is a three-way tie for 2nd place in the UMAC, and we all play each other this weekend to secure our place in the tournament. CSS plays Northland College in Ashland on Wednesday night. We will also play Finlandia University following the UMAC contest. Halloween night we host Bethany Lutheran College and on Saturday Martin Luther comes to town amidst Senior Day and Parent's Day! The tie is between CSS, BLC and MLC. In addition, it is play-offs for high school, so the coaching staff is on the road as well, looking to replace the five seniors on the roster. Scheduling for the 2009 season is underway. The Saints are looking to travel for in-region competition over Labor Day Weekend.