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Athletic Director Dawn Wickstrum reflects on first winter season
Among the successes of St. Paul Academy and Summit School’s 2015-16 winter season was when the SPA fencing team took first place in the state once again. “I think a lot of the student athletes that have been in the program have been working hard for years to really get to this moment and I think that it’s their future to own,” Athletic Director Dawn Wickstrum said.
March 14, 2016
On almost all accounts St. Paul Academy and Summit School’s 2016-17 winter sports season was a success. SPA students and sports fans could not have missed the hype around multiple state runs and competitive seasons for SPA athletics teams.
The Trojan swim team sent two swimmers (seniors Karsten Runquist and Sam Matenaer) to compete at state on Mar. 4. St. Paul United girls hockey and SPA boys hockey reached the final and the semifinal of the state tournament respectively. Spartan Nordic had some competitive individual showings. The Dance Team saw higher participation than ever before. Boys and girls basketball teams had strong seasons, ending with section games against New Life Academy and Concordia Academy respectively. SPA fencing dominated the state tournament and earned top place in 3 of 3 men’s events and 2 of 3 women’s events, securing first overall for the fourth year in a row. Spartan Alpine had strong showings, particularly from senior Peter Baker.
It was evidently a historic winter season for SPA athletics in terms of results and state tournament runs, but it was also Athletic Director Dawn Wickstrum’s first winter season. Even though she was busy wrapping up the eventful winter program, Wickstrum found time to reflect on the overwhelmingly successful season.
Q: What is it like to join an athletic program and see immediate success in for teams in your first year?
A: “It’s unbelievable, it’s incredibly exciting. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into and I think that the student athletes and the coaches and everybody surrounding the program has been really phenomenal. Sort of the vibe and energy with all of our programs across the board has been really fun to watch. I feel absolutely privileged to walk into this situation.”
Q: What are you seeing in terms of fan support for SPA athletics?
A: “If I look at girls hockey for example, when we played Blake in that championship game we had at least three times as many students watching our game. I think it says a lot about our community and how the students support one another. That’s all I want, that’s all you can ask for right?”
Q: What does this season mean for the future of SPA athletics?
A: “I think a lot of the student athletes that have been in the program have been working hard for years to really get to this moment and I think that it’s their future to own. They keep putting in the hard work, the time and the effort. The success continued to happen. So it’s really up to them and I really am here to support them in any way that I can.”
