Seniors reminisce on time as spring athletes
Gracey Brink
Gracey Brink is a catcher on the softball team and is a double major in exercise science and Spanish with a minor in biology.
What has it meant to you to represent your school’s colors on the field?
I’ve loved getting to put on the navy and gold Augustana jersey throughout my five years. It’s been a dream come true to play at the collegiate level, and it gives me so much pride and joy knowing that I was able to do that with the strong culture that is Augie softball.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m going to Dallas, Texas, in the fall to start chiropractic school at Parker University.
What are you going to miss most after graduation?
The campus of Augustana, the people throughout the school, the excitement before games and my teammates. Believe it or not, I think I’ll miss studying in the library.
What has been an impactful moment for you?
The NCAA DII National Championship Tournament appearance in 2021 was such a cool experience for me. We were playing the best of the best in the country in an atmosphere that seemed so professional and surreal.
How do you feel about your career coming to a close?
I have been playing softball since the years of T-ball, probably around 5 years old. With the end of my career coming closer, I know I’m going to miss so many little things about the sport: the hype of game days, the beautiful, calm, sunny days on Bowden [Field], the team atmosphere during games, practices and lifts.
It hasn’t hit quite yet, but I’m just really grateful for the opportunity of playing college softball with some pretty great people. I look back on my experience and recognize how much I’ve grown from my freshman year and know I’m coming out of Augustana a better person.
Luke Ballweg
Luke Ballweg is a first baseman on the baseball team and is a physical education and health relations double major.
What are your plans after graduation?
My plan after graduation is to get a full time teaching job as a physical education teacher in my home state of Wisconsin.
What advice do you have for underclassmen?
My advice for any underclassmen is enjoy baseball and being around the team as much as you can. I have been fortunate enough to play this great sport of baseball and I can’t believe I am crossing the finish line. Nobody cares how awesome of a player you were, but people remember how great of a friend and person you were.
What are you going to miss most after graduation?
I am going to miss my friends, the coaching staff, the routine itself and most importantly the competitiveness.
What has been an impactful moment for you?
I think an impactful moment for me while here at Augustana is learning to deal with my failure and bettering yourself because of it. School and baseball will knock you down plenty, but it is how you respond to these adversities. Through my own failure while attending Augie, I have grown as a person.
How do you feel about your career coming to a close?
I have been playing baseball for the past 20 years. It is very weird to think it has been that long. I have loved this sport since I could pick up a bat and swing. It makes me sad at times to think that I will never get this again, but it makes me even more grateful for the times I did experience. I firmly believe that my better days are still to come, and this is something I will always look back on and smile.
Olivia McIlravy
Olivia McIlravy is on the acrobatics and tumbling team and is a nursing and exercise science double major.
What has it meant to you to represent your school’s colors on the mat?
Representing my school’s colors in the sports arena has meant so much to me. It’s not necessarily about wearing the uniform; it’s about embodying the spirit and pride of my school while competing. It has been such a privilege to be a part of the inaugural team and showcase our dedication while watching the progress and growth that has occurred over the last two years.
Each time I step out there, I am carrying the support of my teammates, coaches and family. It’s truly an honor to be a part of such a great community and contribute to building our program.
How long have you been participating in acrobatics & tumbling?
I have been participating in this sport for only two years while I have been a gymnast for the majority of my life.
What are you going to miss most after graduation?
After graduation, I’ll miss the camaraderie and sense of belonging that comes with the sport of acro. Being part of this team has created a unique bond that’s so hard to replicate elsewhere. Mostly, I’ll miss the friendships that I’ve built with my teammates and coaches. They’re so supportive, and we’ve had the privilege of sharing so many memories together.
What has been an impactful moment for you?
Being on the inaugural team meant laying the foundation for a new program at our school, and it’s a very unique opportunity to be part of something from the very beginning. We have had the chance to establish and set the tone for what it means to represent our school. Starting a new team fosters strong bonds among the team, and we’ve gone through the challenges and excitements of building and making history.
Sammi Sundby
Sammi Sundby is a triple jumper on the women's track and field team and is pursuing her MBA.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be staying in Sioux Falls to work for Lloyd Companies in their commercial real estate division. I am looking forward to it, as I will get the opportunity to commute to my hometown, Rapid City, occasionally as well.
What advice do you have for underclassmen?
Freshman year can be a really difficult year in regards to athletics. Coming out of high school, we often set really high standards for our athletic performances for our first year of college, and it’s easy to get down on yourself if you don’t hit those goals right away. As a freshmen, there are so many changes and challenges you are facing, and it’s important to give yourself grace during that period — don’t give up and trust that your time will come.
What are you going to miss most after graduation?
I will miss campus life and having all my friends only a few steps away from me. It has been so fun sharing life with them every day, and I will cherish the past four years forever. It will also be the first time in my life that I haven’t had the outlet of sports, and I will miss the challenge, competition, teamwork and everything in between that competing in high-level athletics has brought me.
What has been an impactful moment for you?
It has been an honor to compete for Augustana, and I have loved every moment of it; however, the beginning of my college athletic career was frustrating. I practiced every day and for three-and-a-half years. I wasn’t hitting the goals I had expected to. In my very last indoor meet, I was able to crush my goals, and it was the most rewarding moment I have ever experienced. I am excited to keep it rolling into my very last meet in my career.
What has it meant to you to represent your school’s colors on the track?
I am so proud to be a Viking. I have always been proud to compete, but it has been especially cool to see all the growth that has happened on campus in the last couple of years. Augie is a completely different place than it was just three years ago when I first got here, especially in the world of athletics with the addition of the Midco Arena. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing and supportive athletic and academic community here at Augustana.
Ryan Schroeder
Ryan Schroeder competes in the 800-meter and 1500-meter dashes and is also a steeplechase on the men's track and field team. He is an accounting and finance major and his pursuing a master's degree in professional accountancy
What has it meant to you to represent your school’s colors on the track?
It has meant a lot to me. I’ve had little opportunities due to injury so the times that I have been able to go race I have been thankful for the opportunity. It’s a blessing to be able to compete with my teammates for the school.
What advice do you have for underclassmen?
Trust the process and be patient. It’s easy to want to come in and make a big difference right away, but if you are patient and do the right things you are going to make a tremendous impact.
What has been an impactful moment for you?
Being able to be a part of such a close-knit team. Being able to see and feel first hand that no matter your role, you can have a large impact on the team’s success if you take pride in it.
What are you plans after graduation?
I have no plans set in stone as of now. I will most likely be doing auditing somewhere as I have done internships in that area in the past and have enjoyed them. I am starting the search and process of figuring out where I want to live and find a full time job.
