Senior Spotlight: Seniors reminisce on their time as Viking athletes
Annika Bard
Annika Bard is a center midfielder on the women's soccer team and is a communication disorders major.
What has been the highlight of your time on the soccer team?
“Probably just the friendships I’ve made. I’m really close with my team. Everyone gets along, and they are lifelong friends.”
What hopes do you have for the future of your team?
“To get to the NCAA Championship would be awesome. This year we have a chance of doing it, and it’s kind of a norm for us to go, and we haven’t in the past three years.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I have to go to grad school somewhere. I’m looking at UW Madison or UNC Chapel Hill. I have to get my master’s, and then I will hopefully become a speech-language pathologist.”
Ana McCabe (fifth year)
Ana McCabe is a member of the women's cross country team and is a double major in environmental studies and journalism.
What has been the highlight of your time on the cross country team?
“The team itself and the whole atmosphere of being on a team that feels like a family has been such a great experience. The coaches really care about you as a person and not just an athlete.”
What advice would you give to your underclassman teammates?
“Don’t waste any opportunities to be grateful to be in the sport. It’s so easy to just look at the results and be disappointed if you don’t have a great race, but take the positive out of each outcome and focus on that.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I hope to continue running, doing some marathons and ultra-marathons. I don’t really have any concrete plans yet, but I hope to work for an organization dealing with food security and food sustainability and do some writing along with that.”
Jarod Epperson (fifth year)
Jarod Epperson is a running back on the football team and is a double major in exercise science and athletic training.
What is your favorite memory with your team?
“That conference championship in 2021 was probably the biggest thing.”
Who has been your biggest motivator in football?
“The other guys on the team, parents, coaches — they have all been pushing me to be great.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I’m hoping to keep playing football, whatever opportunity comes my way, but if football doesn’t work out, an athletic training job somewhere.”
Lauren Tims
Lauren Tims is a member of the women's golf team and is a double major in business administration and marketing with a Spanish minor.
What is your favorite memory with your team?
“The feeling of making it to nationals for the first time last year.”
What advice would you give to your underclassman teammates?
“Enjoy it. It goes so fast. I feel like I was just a freshman yesterday, and I’m so sad to be done, but at the end of the day, you don’t remember the score. You just remember your teammates and the relationships you had.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I’m going to stay [at Augustana] and finish out my MBA, and then I am going to help out with the team a little bit [as a graduate assistant], so I’ll still be able to be around.
Hannah Prasky
Hannah Prasky is a right-side hitter on the women's volleyball team and is a double major in nursing and Spanish.
What is your favorite memory with your team?
“The last ten minutes before we go play a game, we shut off the lights in the locker room and we bring out a disco ball. It’s the loudest, most fun time. Even if someone is stressed out, once the lights go out, they’re dancing. It’s awesome.”
Who has been your biggest motivator in volleyball?
“My parents have driven four hours for every game, and they are always so supportive. Even before I got here, they have always been there for me and helped me get to where I am today.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I’m going to move back to Minnesota, and I’m hoping to get a job in a neonatal intensive care unit in Minneapolis.”
Colten Brand (fifth year)
Colten Brand is a member of the men's cross country team and is a double major in exercise science and fitness management. He is also a part of Augustana's master's program for athletic training.
What is your favorite memory with your team?
“Last year we stayed on campus for Thanksgiving because our nationals were two weeks later [in Seattle]. Having Thanksgiving with my teammates was a really fun experience. I got to make the turkey and everything.”
What hopes do you have for the future of your team?
“Continuing our tradition of excellence, both academically and athletically, and just being a good team on campus.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I plan to go to physical therapy school somewhere.”
