WT - Dubuque & Loras

Traveled to Dubuque this morning to play UD and Loras College; may have gotten a late start due to one of the players having overslept (reading this will be news to Coach Rodgers).

Proud of the women for a great Fall of regular season play!  Conference Champions for the third straight year.  IIAC Individual Singles & Doubles Tournament this coming weekend (Oct 4th-5th).

Miss Tam on the court, but expect her back in full swing for the Spring season.

Coe 9

Dubuque 0

#1 Singles	Tai Lucero	Chelsea Borden	Coe College	6-0, 6-0
#2 Singles	Amy Sebastian	Stephanie LoCasto	Coe College	6-3, 6-1
#3 Singles	Jordan Ferree	Ashley Schlueter	Coe College	6-1, 6-1
#4 Singles	Laura Birky	Alexandra Dixon	Coe College	7-5, 7-5
#5 Singles	Elizabeth Hoffmann	A. Karino	Coe College	6-0, 6-2
#6 Singles	Diannah Watson	Janine Wegner	Coe College	6-0, 6-1
#1 Doubles	Jordan Ferree  Tai Lucero	Chelsea Borden  Ashley Schlueter	Coe College	8-1
#2 Doubles	Laura Birky  Sarah Lasecki	Stephanie LoCasto  Marissa Rutenbeck	Coe College	8-1
#3 Doubles	Elizabeth Hoffmann  Diannah Watson	Alexandra Dixon  Janine Wegner	Coe College	8-0

#4 Doubles - Meurer/Fosler def Karino/Fortman  8-3
#7 Singles - Lasecki def Rutenbeck  8-0
#8 Singles - Meurer def Serd  8-1
#9 Singles - Fosler def Fortman  5-4(1)

Coe 9

Loras 0

#1 Singles	Amy Sebastian	Jessica Dickhut	Coe College	6-0, 6-0
#2 Singles	Jordan Ferree	Caroline Rainey	Coe College	6-0, 6-2
#3 Singles	Laura Birky	Carrie Crabill	Coe College	6-2, 6-1
#4 Singles	Diannah Watson	Esterjoy Mugai	Coe College	6-3, 6-2
#5 Singles	Virginia Meurer	Rebecca Weglarz	Coe College	6-1, 6-0
#6 Singles	Kaitlin Fosler	Maggie Clements	Coe College	6-3, 6-2
#1 Doubles	Jordan Ferree  Tai Lucero	Caroline Rainey  Esterjoy Mugai	Coe College	8-1
#2 Doubles	Laura Birky  Sarah Lasecki	Jessica Dickhut  Maggie Clements	Coe College	8-0
#3 Doubles	Elizabeth Hoffmann  Diannah Watson	Carrie Crabill  Rebecca Weglarz	Coe College	8-1

#4 Doubles - Meurer/Fosler def Loras  8-2
#7 Singles - Lasecki def Bremner  8-0
#8 Singles - Meurer def Loras  8-0

IIAC Recap and Shortened Ride

Last Saturday I travelled to Pella, Iowa with the men’s team for our individual IIAC tournament. The Kohawks had a great showing with Noah Sprinkel winning the championship in singles and teaming with Riley Galbraith for the doubles title. Basically whoever played Noah got a good old-fashioned curb-stomping, even his own teammates – this is especially true for Ryan Hickman. This coming weekend the men are headed to St. Peter, Minnesota for their ITA tournament while the women travel to Dubuque for two conference matches. I’ll give a full recap of my experiences next week, but for now I would like to detail a fun little incident that happened to me on Wednesday.

We all know I have tentatively set foot in the world of cycling, and if you don’t know, then you didn’t read the blog last week… also I hate you. This week I decided to repeat my previous performance and set out for the trail for another ride. I was riding along mostly minding my own business when suddenly – POP! – that’s the sound a tire makes when it’s hemorrhaging air. My bike was losing precious fluid – air is technically a fluid – and I didn’t have a bike tourniquet or have any idea how to administer bike CPR.

He flatlined. We couldn't save him.

The technician at the bike shop would later tell me the tire spontaneously deflated due to glass, but I figured there was an alternative reason for my misfortune. Ya’see, the universe was teaching me a lesson. Previously before the rapid decompression of my tire I said I was “mostly minding my own business” which I was, mostly. But I was also randomly venting my hate on passing cars and, more specifically, the drivers in said cars. At one particular intersection, I waited for what seemed like an extra long time (probably 5 to 8 seconds) for a car to go. The car didn’t have its blinker on but that’s not always indicative of the driver’s intentions. After a few seconds, sure enough, the car turned in the intersection and would’ve run me over if I had not waited. I’m not going to write out all of what I said at this moment, but suffice to say that driver would no longer be with us if I my wish had been granted. “… please go kill yourself!” was how it ended I believe (at least I said please).

There’s no reason to be that angry. At the most I had to wait a few more seconds and everything turned out completely fine, except for my flat tire of course. It’s in these moments I’m reminded of that sage philosopher, who has spoken so much on this subject, Louis CK. 

He's the next Socrates, no kidding

When we’re driving around is when we should be on our best behavior. We’re driving a 2,000 lb weapon at high speed among a sea of other high speed weapons. When someone steps in front of us at the mall we don’t scream obscenities at them and chase them for 5 minutes, but place a few layers of metal and glass between us and there’s little we won’t say. My exhortation for that person to die is not the first time I’ve said that I must admit. You drifted into my lane and tested my reflexes for 1 second! And it all worked out fine! I hope you DIE! That sounds pretty ridiculous when you look at it now.

Louis (yeah we’re on a 1^st name basis now) went on to make a very good point. Think how awesome your life is. With just a boilerplate, basic cable life, you get to live on Earth! For trillions of miles in every directions it really sucks out there, but here you get to breath oxygen. You get to eat food! Are you aware of how good ice cream tastes? It’s amazing. That sounds preeettttyyy good. Are you aware we live in a world with bacon? Let that sink in, bacon.

What was I so upset about earlier? I can’t even remember. How can I be angry or upset when I get to live on Earth where there’s oxygen, ice cream, and bacon? I Pondered all of this while doing surgery to my bike.

He's Back!

With me and my bike mended, perhaps tomorrow I won’t wish calamity on every passing person I see on the streets. I’m going to be realistic; we’ll all still have our moments, so tomorrow I’m turning over a new leaf and only wishing terrible things on half the people on the road. Yeah that sounds good.

Coe's Lucero, Sprinkel Named IIAC Athletes of the Week

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) announced today that Coe College tennis players Tai Lucero (Odessa, Texas / Permian) and Noah Sprinkel (Minneapolis, Minn. / South) have been named IIAC Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sunday, September 22. The Conference also announced Performers of the Week in eight fall sports plus men's tennis, which held its annual individual tournament last weekend.

Women's Tennis — Tai Lucero, Coe College, Odessa, Texas / Permian

Lucero, a senior, advanced to the Round of 16 in the singles draw and the quarterfinals in the doubles draw at the USTA/ITA Midwest Region Championships. She posted a pair of straight set singles victories before falling to St. Thomas (Minn.)'s Shelby Henderson, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (8), in a match that lasted nearly four hours. Playing with Jordan Ferree, she added two wins in the doubles draw before falling, 8-6, to Carleton's Anne Lombardi and Michaela Becich, the top-seeded tandem in the draw.

In a September 18 dual win over Wartburg, she posted a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles over Katherine Ross and paired with Ferree for an 8-1 win at No. 1 doubles. (IIAC Female Athlete of the Week)

Men's Tennis — Noah Sprinkel, Coe College, Minneapolis, Minn. / South

Sprinkel, a junior, captured the Flight A singles and doubles titles at the 2013 Iowa Conference Men's Tennis Individual Tournament. Last year's Iowa Conference MVP won the Flight A singles title for the second time in three seasons and followed it up with a third consecutive Flight A doubles crown.

He posted a 6-0, 6-1 win over teammate Ryan Hickman in the semifinals to advance to the championship match against Luther's Ramesh Karki in a rematch of their 2011 Flight A singles finale. The result was much the same, as Sprinkel cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 victory.

In doubles, Sprinkel and new partner Riley Galbraith dropped only five games over the course of the tournament, including an 8-0 whitewashing of Luther's Karki and Kyle Appel in the semifinals, en route to the title. Sprinkel and Galbraith topped Luther's James Ayer and Isaiah Mayerchak, 8-3, for the title. It was third doubles title for Sprinkel, who won in 2011 and 2012 with Curtis Newman. (IIAC Male Athlete of the Week)

Kohawk Newsletter 9/22/13

The Men's Team fared well at the IIAC Individual Conference Tournament this past Friday and Saturday.  Junior, Noah Sprinkel, walked away with the Singles and Doubles (paired with sophomore, Riley Galbraith) crown.  Noah was joined in the semi-finals of Flight A with teammates, Ryan Hickman (sophomore) and Alex Bernt (freshman).  Coe duo, Mike Janssen (senior) and Sean Stokstad (senior), also picked up 3rd place in Flight A Doubles.  Mark Kroll (sophomore) took 3rd place in Flight B Singles, Mike Woolf (senior) and Alex Leovic (senior) captured 2nd place in B Doubles, and Coe had all 4 participants in the Flight C semi-final match-ups, with Bill Young (freshman) taking the Title.  Full story here.

The Women's Team competed at the ITA Regional Tournament in St. Peter, MN.  Tai Lucero (senior) was awarded the top seed by virtue of her past success, and earned respect.  Lucero was defeated in a four hour Round of 16 match that culminated with an exciting 3rd set tiebreaker, but we could not be prouder to have had Tai represent the Kohawks in her tenacious nature, and with integrity and sportsmanship.  She graciously congratulated her opponent after the battle.  Tai also paired with Jordan Ferree (junior) to advance to the Doubles quarterfinal, before falling to the top seed from Carleton, 8-6.  Seven other ladies competed, and each picked up at least one victory.  Sarah Lasecki (freshman) was the runner-up in a Midwest Invite draw, having fallen to an opposing school's top player in a 3 set final.

The front row trio in the foreground.

The women look to seal the Fall Conference Title this Saturday.  They will play Loras and Dubuque.  The Men will take their turn at the ITA Regional this Friday-Sunday; Noah will be one of the top seeds.

I hope this newsletter finds you well, and with your own exciting week ahead!

Go Kohawks!

Bike Ride

I enjoy working out. That statement shouldn’t surprise anyone that knows me. I like a variety of workouts: lifting weights, playing tennis, eating – I take all of these very seriously. In the past year I’ve become a much better runner and now look forward to my 10-12 mile runs on the weekends. I’ve even signed up for a Tough Mudder event in October (my 3^rd in two years) which is a 12 mile obstacle course. This probably sounds like the very definition of masochism, because it most definitely is.

I'm sure they're smiling underneath all the mud

In the course of my running, Coach Rodgers is an ever present force there telling me I’ll become a cyclist one day because I’m going to destroy my knees. Every mention of running by me is followed by a thoughtful look from Coach, a moment of silence, and a short statement explaining how I’m cuckold crazy and need to pick up biking. I like to think Coach dreams of a world with bike trails everywhere and knee replacement parts strung about the road like litter from all the poor, dumb runners in the world.

So, while continuing my running I am slowly working my way into the world of biking. This is obviously a difficult thing for me since its new and anything new is a case for awkwardness and anxiety. What am I supposed to do when I pass another cyclist? I know when running, you give a slight nod – maybe a wave if you’re feeling extra jovial – and they will do the same. With cycling I don’t know the expected social custom. Do I wave and take my hand off the bar? I’ll probably crash into them then and I know that’s not kosher. How about a nod? Sounds great except we’re on bikes and continually bobbing up-and-down anyways. From the reaction I usually get it’s a pretty solid conclusion that pretending I don’t exist is standard practice for greeting me in the northern hemisphere.

Yesterday, with all awkwardness in tow, I took the bike trail to Ely in search of The Retreat Coffee Shop. The Retreat was very cool; it's an old house that has been converted to a drinkery and eatery.

That's what I need in my place: a full service lunch menu

 It was an enjoyable ride mostly because I didn’t see too many other bikers out who would definitely ignore me. While riding I did have an important discovery which has changed my view of the Earth. I mean that literally. The Earth, the actual topography of the land, is stupid.  When riding you learn very quickly that uphills are an evil portent most likely summoned up from the darkest reaches of Hell. It’s being on  a bike that makes you finally appreciate your granddads stories about walking to school uphill both ways, because no matter what you think, it’s going to be uphill. This happens in Iowa where everything is supposedly flat, I can't imagine what deities you must have wronged for you to go riding in a mountainous state such as Colorado! I lovingly think of it as a Sisyphean struggle except Sisyphus clearly got more enjoyment from his task.

At least I'm not on a bike, that would really suck

When I reached the coffee shop I ordered up an Iced Caramel Latte, because I’m now full on addicted and hide my shame with a caffeine buzz. 

That's also a turkey and bacon Panini. Bacon: because we don’t want to be too healthy. You know how weird those people are!… they ride bikes in case you’re wondering.

Since I was the only customer I enjoyed my meal a great deal more than I probably should have. Afterwards I rode back to Coe to ponder all the recent life decisions I’ve made that have turned me into a coffee drinker and bike rider. I may never figure this one out.

For Brad's friend in TX....

Coe College vs Wartburg College

Date:	9/18/2013
Location:	Coe College
Winner:	Coe College
Score:	8-1

Position	Coe College	Wartburg College	Winner	Score
#1 Singles	Tai Lucero	Katherine Ross	Coe College	6-0, 6-0
#2 Singles	Amy Sebastian	Melissa Davis	Coe College	6-2, 6-1
#3 Singles	Jordan Ferree	Emily Rasmussen	Coe College	6-1, 6-0
#4 Singles	Laura Birky	Jessica Behrer	Wartburg College	2-6, 7-5, 11-9
#5 Singles	Elizabeth Hoffmann	Liz Rucker	Coe College	7-5, 7-5
#6 Singles	Diannah Watson	Marissa Buresh	Coe College	6-7, 6-1, 10-5
#1 Doubles	Jordan Ferree  Tai Lucero	Melissa Davis  Liz Rucker	Coe College	8-1
#2 Doubles	Laura Birky  Sarah Lasecki	Katherine Ross  Emily Rasmussen	Coe College	9-8
#3 Doubles	Elizabeth Hoffmann  Diannah Watson	Jessica Behrer  Marissa Buresh	Coe College	8-4

Mid Season Report from Coach Rodgers

At mid-season, I am pleased to report that the Women's Team stands at a clean 7-0 and currently sits atop the Iowa Conference with three remaining matches.  More importantly, the "in" part of inexperience (which was a big question on August 19th,  has begun to disappear!).  Coaches have seen a huge increase in the confidence, competitive abilities and tennis skills from the 1st and 2nd year classes.  This growth, along with outstanding leadership by our three upperclass players is 100% responsible for the positive start to the Fall Season.

The Women played two top IIAC Teams this past weekend, were pushed, pushed back and came away with competitive 8-1 (Central) and 5-4 (Luther) wins.  Both opposing schools were talented, skilled, and competed well.  The Kohawks are no where near their potential, but have certainly begun the upward climb.  We have a targeted Team Goal of attaining that lofty peak by April.

The Men's Team just competed their first week of Fall team practice.  I will admit that it was mostly intra squad play as we readied for the upcoming two weekends of individual play.  Again, coaches were extremely pleased with the continued development of the sophomore class, the merging of four quality first year players into the mix, and leadership received from the junior and senior classes.  The general level of fitness has never been higher!

I am eagerly looking ahead to the Individual Tournaments this weekend.  Nine Ladies will vie for honors in the 23 school ITA Regional in Minnesota, while Coe will be sending 17 Men to Pella, Iowa for the Iowa Conference Individual Championships.

- Coach

New Faces - Sarah Lasecki

Birthdate:  July 2nd, 1994

Hometown:  Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Intended Majors:  TBD

Pets:  One adorable Welsh corgi named Bailey and a black lab named YoYo.

"I liked Coe because it was close to home, yet I could still go back and see my family (and my corgi) and everyone here was just wonderful, I couldn't help but want to spend my four years here!"

Favorite Place to Travel:  Stevensville, Michigan

Why my parents are cool?  "My mom has played tennis for years and got me started when I was a kid.  My dad's cool because he answers almost any question I ask him with a scientific answer.  It's impressive."

Little Known Facts:  I hate spiders.  I have an unhealthy obsession with Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Applesauce and I guess you could add Hugh Laurie to that list also.  I love puns.  A lot.  I also can not get enough mango smoothies.  My favorite fruit to eat plain though is raspberries.  And I love the color purple (not light purple but dark purple).

Weekend Recap

Friday night kicked off the weekend with a whirlwind of activity.  Per the Fall Programming (highlighted in the right hand column), Kohawk Tennis hosted a USTA Free Play evening.  Given online registration, we expected 10-15 kids in attendance.....imagine my surprise when over 30 showed up!  This event would not have been a success, but for for the calm and leadership displayed by Laura & Anya - Thank You!

We welcomed the children back on Saturday morning for a "Breakfast at Wimbledon" event.  The kids enjoyed waffles, strawberries and whipped cream before watching doubles in the women's match against Central.  The coaching staff (and Ryan?) was served as well!

Scores posted below for both the Central (Saturday) and Luther (Sunday) matches.  Sunday's box score cannot possibly convey the dynamic within that match.  VERY proud of the leadership and confidence displayed by the upperclassman (Tai, Hoff and Jordan), the tenacity of our sophomore class (Tam, Diannah, Amy and Laura) and discipline showed by the youngsters (Sarah, Virginia and Kaitlin).  Laura trailed 4-1 in doubles (paired with Sarah), and dropped the first set in her singles match.  She rallied to win both; I am guessing she considered it a breeze after my having thrown fifteen 5-10 year olds at her Friday night?  Diannah also rallied from 1-4 in her first set to capture it in a tough tiebreaker, and then closed out a tight (3-3) second set.  Tam stepped in at the top doubles spot.  She and Tai rallied from 1-4 on Saturday to beat a tough, athletic duo, from Central.  I am confident they were on their way to doing the same against Luther when Tam, unfortunately, fell to injury.  As for Amy, I will simply say that she was/is strong-willed, not stubborn (per a van conversation)!

The 22 men played intra-squad challenge matches Thursday - Sunday.....yes, amidst all else!  The men will travel to Pella, IA this Thursday to compete in the IIAC Individual Tournament (Singles & Doubles).  Recap from last year's tournament here.

The women will travel North to MN on Thursday for the ITA Regional Tournament!

Coe vs Luther

Luther College vs Coe College

Date:	9/15/2013
Location:	Luther College
Winner:	Coe College
Score:	5-4

Position	Luther College	Coe College	Winner	Score
#1 Singles	Lola White-Baer	Tai Lucero	Coe College	6-2, 6-1
#2 Singles	Maggie Helms	Amy Sebastian	Coe College	6-3, 6-4
#3 Singles	Adriana DePaolis	Jordan Ferree	Luther College	7-6 (3), 6-3
#4 Singles	Caroline Treis	Laura Birky	Coe College	1-6, 6-2, (10-6)
#5 Singles	Jenna Myers	Elizabeth Hoffmann	Luther College	6-0, 6-1
#6 Singles	Olivia Heitz	Diannah Watson	Coe College	7-6 (5), 6-4
#1 Doubles	Maggie Helms  Caroline Treis	Tai Lucero  Tamara Washington	Luther College	5-2, retire (injury)
#2 Doubles	Lola White-Baer  Hailey Johnson	Laura Birky  Sarah Lasecki	Coe College	8-6
#3 Doubles	Jenna Myers  Olivia Heitz	Elizabeth Hoffmann  Jordan Ferree	Luther College	8-6

Coe College(6-0) 8 Central College(5-1) 1

Coe College vs Central College (Iowa)

Date:	9/14/2013
Location:	Coe College
Winner:	Coe College
Score:	8-1

Position	Coe College	Central College (Iowa)	Winner	Score
#1 Singles	Tai Lucero	Angie Allgood	Coe College	61 61
#2 Singles	Amy Sebastian	Megan Davis	Coe College	64 63
#3 Singles	Jordan Ferree	Anna Bowser	Coe College	75 76
#4 Singles	Laura Birky	Ashytn Huegel	Coe College	60 64
#5 Singles	Elizabeth Hoffmann	Sarah Montgomery	Coe College	60 26 10-6
#6 Singles	Diannah Watson	Kassie Tolle	Central College (Iowa)	46 64 10-6
#1 Doubles	Tai Lucero  Tamara Washington	Angie Allgood  Megan Davis	Coe College	86
#2 Doubles	Laura Birky  Sarah Lasecki	Ashytn Huegel  Anna Bowser	Coe College	85
#3 Doubles	Elizabeth Hoffmann  Jordan Ferree	Katie Todd  Sarah Montgomery	Coe College	80

Coe vs Central

After DOUBLES KOHAWKS lead undefeated Central College 3-0

1d  Coe College 86
2d  Coe College 85
3d  Coe College 80
4d  Coe College 83

Confession Time

It’s now the 3^rd week of school and everyone is settling into their routines: classes, lunch, practice, study hours, sleep – for some students you can probably cut out everything there except lunch and sleep. I am settling back into my own routines as well. Everytime I walk by my front desk workers I make sure to yell insults at them; ya know, character building and what not. It’s a comfortable; rewarding routine and so is writing every Thursday. This week I thought we would have a one-way discussion on the US Open Finals just like we did last year. I only saw the 2^nd set, so I’ll assume Djokovic won. Let’s get right into this!... What’s that? Who won?

Oh. That saddens me.

Okay, routines are stupid. Who needs to talk about the US Open every year anyway? Time to change things up.

I have a confession to make. This past summer during all my travels I went to a lot of coffee shops. That is not a surprising revelation since I was with people who loved coffee. What is surprising is this: I developed a real enjoyment of coffee shops and even for coffee itself!

Bless me for I have sinned

It’s okay, I know this is stunning news. Take you time, breath into a bag, reach for your security blanket, let this perspective-changing, worldview-shattering news permeate your soul. This must be incredibly difficult news; especially considering my many documented and unsuccessful episodes with coffee

I’m not sure how this happened. Peer pressure? Mental pressure? Atmospheric pressure? I can hear my mother now, “If everyone jumped off a bridge would you drink coffee too?” or something to that effect. My drink of choice for this summer was an iced latte with a flavor shot that varied each time; vanilla, mint, caramel, pralines (they love those in New Orleans). I went to so many coffee shops that I simply couldn’t help myself. You try a latte the 1st time and think, “eh, whatever” then you try it a 2^nd time and think “it’s okay” and next thing you know you’re looking forward to going to the coffee shop and think “wow that was a really delicious!”

Once again breathe

Now don’t get me wrong. I still think half the people in those places are weird as a flying penguin. Anybody wearing jeans that skinny and tight should pass out due to lack of circulation. You just can’t trust ‘em! And, sadly, it seemed like the weirder the place the better the coffee. One particular shop in Austin had some of the best coffee I had all summer and they also proudly served vegan food. You could practically feel the misplaced cynicism and irony seeping out into the atmosphere like an old industrial smoke stack. 

Despite my best efforts, I did come to enjoy my time at these places. It’s almost like I developed feelings for these places against my will. My friends took me there all the time, almost like an abduction. Eventually I gave in and started actively helping find these places... Oh My God. I have Stockholm Syndrome! It all makes sense now. I’ve developed an emotional, sympathetic bond to my “captors.”

I feel ya Patty

Don’t worry about me loyal nation of 3 followers. I will overcome this calamity. It will be tough but I know I can do it. And it’s going to be a lot easier right after I have some coffee.

Because my mom told me so...

We're three weeks into the Fall 2013 semester, which means we, the dedicated and diligent Student-Athletes of Kohawk Tennis, can no longer pretend we are at summer camp for the socially deprived. The amount of "catching up" with friends the past couple weeks has given me yet another, though useless reason to love social media. Instead of having to sit through disconnected stories about how my friends from Iowa worked at Hyvee in their respective hometowns, I am able to cut them off mid-story and remind them that 1) I already know and 2) always plastic bags, duh.

In actuality getting back to campus with a year under my belt was certainly a different feeling than 12 months prior. I am certainly more confident in who I am, who my friends are, and the direction I want my life to go. All supplements of attending Coe College. I started my 2013-2014 campaign as a College Adjustment Peer (CAP). I was assigned a CAP group (14-16 first-years) and led them through the long, jam-packed orientation week. I am their mentor, their "go-to-guy". Well, that's how I market myself, anyway. I'm reconsidering the title simply because there have been a couple instances in which I excitedly wave to one of the first-years in my group (CAPlets, as they are called), and am forced to watch them shrink in embarrassment and increase their walking speed to their next destination. From these encounters, I'm forced to pick myself off, dust off the shame, and continue on with my day. Jk they all love me. Definitely the highlight of Orientation week from the CAP leaders standpoint, was watching my little first-years compete their hearts out at Dragon Boat races. Though we lost on a technicality I have maybe never been more proud of a group of kids in my life. I felt like their proud Papa and we bonded. Add single drama tear for emphasis.

After some divine "working the system" tactics a.k.a., showing up to a class I wanted to take but wasn't signed up for and telling the professor that I was now taking her class, I was so ready to get back in the classroom, as it is my favorite place to compete. Tennis court a close second, of course. Well, maybe third. I really do enjoy some recreationally competitive volleyball. Nonetheless, I felt prepared and excited about classes and perhaps more excited about getting into a routine. I quickly found out just how badly I need a routine. At the time I had a temporary work schedule, very few academic responsibilities, no official practice times, and whole heck of a lot of time on my hands. I could feel myself becoming more bitter about the Iowa humidity, a certain elevator, no Cocoa Cocoa Puffs, and being away from my friends and family. Homesickness was real for me September 1st, the day of the Rocky Mountain Showdown, the day literally all of my best friends from back home were together making choices only to be categorized as "college", and watching the CU vs. CSU football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Not my strongest moment.

This brings me to why I am writing this post in the first place, and why I hope to continue to write for the blog more consistently throughout the year. In my time of need, my beautiful amazing perfect unconditional loving mother was there on the other line of the phone. In this instance, she picked me up, dusted me off, and got me feeling ok again. Mama knows best, Mama loves best, am I right? Her simple request for me to write for the blog again this year has inspired me. If she can effortlessly be there for me no matter what, I can write a blog post with comma splices, incomplete sentences, grammar issues, and a whole lot of nonsense.

Here's to 2013-2014. Love you, Mom.

New Faces - Virginia Meurer

Birthday:  8-2-95.
Hometown:  Dubuque, Iowa
Major:  Nursing
Minor:  Spanish

I have a Birman cat named, Amy.

I chose Coe because I was interested in playing tennis and I liked the small campus feel.

I love traveling to Hawaii! It is beautiful!

Both of my parents went to the University of Minnesota, and the Univerrsity of Minnesota Duluth!

I have played the violin since 4th grade!

Waterpark!!

A few pictures from the Waterpark (in Storm Lake) this past weekend:

And, a stop at DQ on the return trip: